Friday, September 18, 2009
Explanation...
I apologize that I haven't kept up with my daily posts recently. I am going out of town this weekend, and I hope to get back on track next week. Please check back then and pray for safe travel for me this weekend. Thanks and blessings to you!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Galatians 1:3-5
“May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. Amen.”
Three powerful verses, containing the whole truth of the gospel. Let’s unpack the riches here.
Grace and peace…two items I am desperately seeking right now, and I’m sure if you think about it, you are pursuing them too. I’m struggling to find a balance in my schedule, now a whole month since school started. Every day I feel exhausted from the pressures of taking care of my family, making my health a priority, scheduling in time to work at my job and as a housewife, serving in church ministry, and of course, spending time with my husband. You know what has been my greatest challenge in the past month though? My relationship with the Lord! I feel so frustrated by my inability to keep all the balls in the air—but I know I’d have more grace (to deal with my unforgiveness toward self and others) and peace (to face challenges with the right perspective) if I just spent 15 minutes with the Lord every morning. I’ll keep you informed as I work toward that goal.
The second verse is the Good News that I need to hear. God the Father had a plan before people even existed to send Jesus to die for our sins, and rescue us from the world. I work so hard every day to guard my children from the evil voices of the world and teach them God’s principles to counteract their own sinful tendencies. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the responsibility to teach them the right thing, and sometimes I feel discouraged by my own sinful nature that wins way too often. Yesterday at church we discussed Romans 7, Paul’s “I do what I don’t want to do” treatise. Interestingly enough, Paul finds relief from his internal struggle only from Christ himself, as he says in Romans 8:1, “…there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus,” which is the same principle in verse 2 today. The only relief we can find from both external and internal evils is because Jesus rescued us when he died on the cross for our sins. That is reason to praise him!
All glory belongs to God…this verse shifts my focus from my problems back to God. No struggle I face now—and there are several—is too big for God to handle, and no sin has been left behind at the cross. I have to repeat that last sentence to myself many, many times every day to keep my focus right. And I don’t always succeed; in fact, lately I’ve failed more often than succeeded at keeping my focus on God. My true heart’s desire is to glorify him by being a godly wife, mother, friend, family member, leader, and servant. I know that what I do now will pay eternal dividends, and I want to show God that I love him through my actions, not just my words. Again, if I develop the daily habit of spending time in his Word, I’ll be reminded of my eternal purpose to glorify God, and that will carry over into my daily actions…which will bring me grace and peace.
How do today’s verses speak into your life right now?
Copyright 2009
Three powerful verses, containing the whole truth of the gospel. Let’s unpack the riches here.
Grace and peace…two items I am desperately seeking right now, and I’m sure if you think about it, you are pursuing them too. I’m struggling to find a balance in my schedule, now a whole month since school started. Every day I feel exhausted from the pressures of taking care of my family, making my health a priority, scheduling in time to work at my job and as a housewife, serving in church ministry, and of course, spending time with my husband. You know what has been my greatest challenge in the past month though? My relationship with the Lord! I feel so frustrated by my inability to keep all the balls in the air—but I know I’d have more grace (to deal with my unforgiveness toward self and others) and peace (to face challenges with the right perspective) if I just spent 15 minutes with the Lord every morning. I’ll keep you informed as I work toward that goal.
The second verse is the Good News that I need to hear. God the Father had a plan before people even existed to send Jesus to die for our sins, and rescue us from the world. I work so hard every day to guard my children from the evil voices of the world and teach them God’s principles to counteract their own sinful tendencies. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the responsibility to teach them the right thing, and sometimes I feel discouraged by my own sinful nature that wins way too often. Yesterday at church we discussed Romans 7, Paul’s “I do what I don’t want to do” treatise. Interestingly enough, Paul finds relief from his internal struggle only from Christ himself, as he says in Romans 8:1, “…there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus,” which is the same principle in verse 2 today. The only relief we can find from both external and internal evils is because Jesus rescued us when he died on the cross for our sins. That is reason to praise him!
All glory belongs to God…this verse shifts my focus from my problems back to God. No struggle I face now—and there are several—is too big for God to handle, and no sin has been left behind at the cross. I have to repeat that last sentence to myself many, many times every day to keep my focus right. And I don’t always succeed; in fact, lately I’ve failed more often than succeeded at keeping my focus on God. My true heart’s desire is to glorify him by being a godly wife, mother, friend, family member, leader, and servant. I know that what I do now will pay eternal dividends, and I want to show God that I love him through my actions, not just my words. Again, if I develop the daily habit of spending time in his Word, I’ll be reminded of my eternal purpose to glorify God, and that will carry over into my daily actions…which will bring me grace and peace.
How do today’s verses speak into your life right now?
Copyright 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Isaiah 6:1
“In the year King Uzziah died, I [Isaiah] saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.”
Isaiah was one of a privileged few to glimpse God on his throne, surrounded by angels singing their praises. His first reaction was deep humility; in verse 5 he said his destruction was sealed, and he recognized his sin. But once an angel touched his lips with a burning coal, his sins were forgiven, and he was called to service for the Lord (vss. 7-9).
Mystical experiences described in the Bible fascinate me. I am amazed that Moses was bold enough to ask God to show him His glory—and then God actually answered that request but allowed Moses to only see God from behind! I’m intrigued by the fourth person in the fiery furnace, whom many scholars believe to be the preincarnate Christ. And I find the account of the Transfiguration amazing to consider. Surely I would have reacted the same as Peter, James, and John that night—even though they had spent three years in Jesus’ closest circle, they were absolutely terrified to see him in all his glory. I long to see God face-to-face, but I don’t really understand what I’m asking when I wish for that.
I think when God allows me to have a mystical experience, it’s not for my own selfish gratification. It’s to show me that the God I worship is real, and to encourage me to keep pressing on. Sometimes my experiences have edified others, but most of the time they’re for my own private growth. I’ve learned to be very careful to listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting whether I should relate the experience or not.
Another way I benefit from reading today’s account and other biblical accounts of seeing God is my reverence for him is increased. I thank God he gave me a mother with a passion to model a personal faith to me, and it's the kind of true faith I want to pass on to my own children. However, I sometimes feel myself getting too casual with God, and accounts like today remind me to worship reverently, pray on my knees, and praise him just for how awesome and majestic he is, like no other.
We all have to strike a balance between knowing God personally and worshiping him in reverence and humility. For me this takes form in intimate, best-friend-type prayer conversations contrasted with a traditional form of corporate worship. That’s how I feel comfortable, but you might do it differently, and that’s fine. As long as both elements are present, we can have a well-rounded faith.
What can you do to increase your reverence for God or your personal relationship with him? And if you’ve had a mystical experience, how has it deepened your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
Isaiah was one of a privileged few to glimpse God on his throne, surrounded by angels singing their praises. His first reaction was deep humility; in verse 5 he said his destruction was sealed, and he recognized his sin. But once an angel touched his lips with a burning coal, his sins were forgiven, and he was called to service for the Lord (vss. 7-9).
Mystical experiences described in the Bible fascinate me. I am amazed that Moses was bold enough to ask God to show him His glory—and then God actually answered that request but allowed Moses to only see God from behind! I’m intrigued by the fourth person in the fiery furnace, whom many scholars believe to be the preincarnate Christ. And I find the account of the Transfiguration amazing to consider. Surely I would have reacted the same as Peter, James, and John that night—even though they had spent three years in Jesus’ closest circle, they were absolutely terrified to see him in all his glory. I long to see God face-to-face, but I don’t really understand what I’m asking when I wish for that.
I think when God allows me to have a mystical experience, it’s not for my own selfish gratification. It’s to show me that the God I worship is real, and to encourage me to keep pressing on. Sometimes my experiences have edified others, but most of the time they’re for my own private growth. I’ve learned to be very careful to listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting whether I should relate the experience or not.
Another way I benefit from reading today’s account and other biblical accounts of seeing God is my reverence for him is increased. I thank God he gave me a mother with a passion to model a personal faith to me, and it's the kind of true faith I want to pass on to my own children. However, I sometimes feel myself getting too casual with God, and accounts like today remind me to worship reverently, pray on my knees, and praise him just for how awesome and majestic he is, like no other.
We all have to strike a balance between knowing God personally and worshiping him in reverence and humility. For me this takes form in intimate, best-friend-type prayer conversations contrasted with a traditional form of corporate worship. That’s how I feel comfortable, but you might do it differently, and that’s fine. As long as both elements are present, we can have a well-rounded faith.
What can you do to increase your reverence for God or your personal relationship with him? And if you’ve had a mystical experience, how has it deepened your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
September 9 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
“But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”
I read yesterday that bank tellers are trained not with counterfeit bills, but with real money to be able to discern a fraud. They become so familiar with the sight and feeling of the real thing that they instantly recognize what is false. That’s exactly why Christians need to be so familiar with God’s Word that they can instantly recognize a demon or a false prophet, no matter if they dress themselves up as God’s servants.
I’m both intrigued and repulsed when I watch real-life stories on television about people who used their guise as a minister to swindle people out of their life savings, or in the case of the BTK Killer, as a church leader while committing horrendous crimes. I ask myself, “How did those people not know that person was bad?” I’m sure that the more vulnerable the person and the fuzzier their doctrine, the more likely they are unaware of the truth. But then I ask myself a scarier question, “Is there anyone I know who may be a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing within a church context?”
Jesus warned his followers many times about demons, false prophets, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. He also taught them many times that he is the way, the truth, the life; the light of the world; the fulfillment of all the prophecies; and the good shepherd. He wanted his disciples to become so familiar with the one true God that they would instantly recognize what was false.
Have you ever recognized a false prophet or a false church servant? Perhaps you didn’t recognize them at first and you got hurt by someone like that. I’m sorry if you’ve suffered that way, and I hope you’re willing to give other true Christians the chance to minister to you again. And I hope you are willing to learn what is true and what is false. I’ve found that my ability to discern a false doctrine or teaching or servant has grown directly in proportion to the time I’ve spent in study of God’s Word. It takes effort to really dig in to the truth of God’s Word, but nothing else has changed my life for the better more.
How can you take action to grow in your discernment between the one true God and the enemy?
Copyright 2009
I read yesterday that bank tellers are trained not with counterfeit bills, but with real money to be able to discern a fraud. They become so familiar with the sight and feeling of the real thing that they instantly recognize what is false. That’s exactly why Christians need to be so familiar with God’s Word that they can instantly recognize a demon or a false prophet, no matter if they dress themselves up as God’s servants.
I’m both intrigued and repulsed when I watch real-life stories on television about people who used their guise as a minister to swindle people out of their life savings, or in the case of the BTK Killer, as a church leader while committing horrendous crimes. I ask myself, “How did those people not know that person was bad?” I’m sure that the more vulnerable the person and the fuzzier their doctrine, the more likely they are unaware of the truth. But then I ask myself a scarier question, “Is there anyone I know who may be a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing within a church context?”
Jesus warned his followers many times about demons, false prophets, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. He also taught them many times that he is the way, the truth, the life; the light of the world; the fulfillment of all the prophecies; and the good shepherd. He wanted his disciples to become so familiar with the one true God that they would instantly recognize what was false.
Have you ever recognized a false prophet or a false church servant? Perhaps you didn’t recognize them at first and you got hurt by someone like that. I’m sorry if you’ve suffered that way, and I hope you’re willing to give other true Christians the chance to minister to you again. And I hope you are willing to learn what is true and what is false. I’ve found that my ability to discern a false doctrine or teaching or servant has grown directly in proportion to the time I’ve spent in study of God’s Word. It takes effort to really dig in to the truth of God’s Word, but nothing else has changed my life for the better more.
How can you take action to grow in your discernment between the one true God and the enemy?
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 8 Isaiah 1:18
“‘Come now, let us argue this out,’ says the Lord. ‘No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.’”
When my firstborn son was two, I naively bought him a white henley shirt because it was a good deal and because it matched all his pants. As any more experienced mom knows, white shirts on toddlers notoriously attract every stain and stubbornly hold onto the stains, even after a regular wash. At the time, I hadn’t yet discovered the wonders of Oxyclean which takes out almost any stain if presoaked. At my wits’ end then, I bought the Clorox Bleach Pen and applied the gel directly to a stain which hadn’t come out, no matter what else I tried. And it worked! The shirt looked brand new again.
Since Isaiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible, I recalled today’s verse as I thrilled that the stain was gone. There was no trace, no evidence a stain had ever existed. And I thought, If only I saw myself as God sees me—fully forgiven, clean as freshly fallen snow.
One attribute I didn’t learn much about from my family background was forgiveness. My dad used to say he had to pay a penance for his poor choices; my mom found it difficult to teach me to forgive those who had broken up the marriage. So my dad had a hard time forgiving himself for his grave mistakes, and my mom had a hard time forgiving others for terribly hurtful sins. Now that I’m an adult and a parent, I can really empathize with both of them in those past struggles. I struggle myself with both sides of forgiveness, and I’m trying to work through them with God’s grace.
What stands out to me today in this verse is that God invites us to come to him to argue it out, to sort out the problems so that we are reconciled to him. We can’t come clean unless it’s with his help—particularly about the most destructive sins we’ve ever committed. And when we’re forgiven, God sees us as he sees Jesus—perfectly holy. That’s amazing!
Is there any sin that you need to come to the Lord to confess, so you can be as clean as freshly fallen snow?
Copyright 2009
When my firstborn son was two, I naively bought him a white henley shirt because it was a good deal and because it matched all his pants. As any more experienced mom knows, white shirts on toddlers notoriously attract every stain and stubbornly hold onto the stains, even after a regular wash. At the time, I hadn’t yet discovered the wonders of Oxyclean which takes out almost any stain if presoaked. At my wits’ end then, I bought the Clorox Bleach Pen and applied the gel directly to a stain which hadn’t come out, no matter what else I tried. And it worked! The shirt looked brand new again.
Since Isaiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible, I recalled today’s verse as I thrilled that the stain was gone. There was no trace, no evidence a stain had ever existed. And I thought, If only I saw myself as God sees me—fully forgiven, clean as freshly fallen snow.
One attribute I didn’t learn much about from my family background was forgiveness. My dad used to say he had to pay a penance for his poor choices; my mom found it difficult to teach me to forgive those who had broken up the marriage. So my dad had a hard time forgiving himself for his grave mistakes, and my mom had a hard time forgiving others for terribly hurtful sins. Now that I’m an adult and a parent, I can really empathize with both of them in those past struggles. I struggle myself with both sides of forgiveness, and I’m trying to work through them with God’s grace.
What stands out to me today in this verse is that God invites us to come to him to argue it out, to sort out the problems so that we are reconciled to him. We can’t come clean unless it’s with his help—particularly about the most destructive sins we’ve ever committed. And when we’re forgiven, God sees us as he sees Jesus—perfectly holy. That’s amazing!
Is there any sin that you need to come to the Lord to confess, so you can be as clean as freshly fallen snow?
Copyright 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death.”
Do you know the definition of repentance? It means to go in the opposite direction, a 180 degree turn. Often God uses sorrow or sadness or pain to get us to the point where we realize our need to turn around and do something new. None of us look forward to pain, or godly sorrow, but if that’s what it takes to grow, it’s good.
Look in the two previous verses—Paul says he doesn’t regret the previous letter he sent to the Corinthians, though it was painful. He says in verse 9, “Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse and change your ways.” That’s how God is with us; he doesn’t allow pain because he enjoys seeing us suffer, but because he wants us to become more like Christ. And he knows that pain really gets our attention.
This verse applies so perfectly in a parenting context. If you’re a godly parent, you take no joy in seeing your children suffer for their mistakes. But discipline is necessary to teach them right from wrong and to choose the correct path. I don’t look forward to the times I must discipline my children, but I do it because I know if I don’t, they will continue in the same mistakes and cause chaos in our home.
I have naturally calm-natured children who don’t test the limits all that often. But they are human, and so am I, and we’ve had our own godly sorrows in discipline. One really awful day, I was trying desperately to complete dozens of sales calls in one afternoon to meet a deadline. Even though my boys were only 4 and 2, they were keenly aware of my task and decided to act out. I went to the basement for just a few minutes, and when I got back upstairs, cool ashes from the woodstove were scattered all over the living room floor. They had never touched the woodstove before—I knew they were doing it because they wanted attention, but I had to teach them that seeking attention in that way was totally unacceptable. I sent them to their room for a time-out; my mistake was not separating them. In just a few minutes I heard a lot of noise coming from their room, and when I checked, I found my 4-year-old helping my 2-year-old climb into the sock drawer inside the closet. I spanked them both, then left one in the room and one in another room for more than an hour. They have never committed the same transgressions again, so I suppose the sorrow was appropriate enough to teach them not to repeat the sin.
It’s humbling to know that God disciplines me the same way I discipline my children—except he does it perfectly and I don’t. I have had to suffer the consequences of being overweight (bigger clothes, feeling tired and unhappy, being self-conscious in social situations) to turn my habits around to healthy ones. I’m glad that God is so gracious to us, and so patient with us, to use our sorrows for our good.
In what area are you suffering from godly sorrow, and what do you need to do to repent?
Copyright 2009
Do you know the definition of repentance? It means to go in the opposite direction, a 180 degree turn. Often God uses sorrow or sadness or pain to get us to the point where we realize our need to turn around and do something new. None of us look forward to pain, or godly sorrow, but if that’s what it takes to grow, it’s good.
Look in the two previous verses—Paul says he doesn’t regret the previous letter he sent to the Corinthians, though it was painful. He says in verse 9, “Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse and change your ways.” That’s how God is with us; he doesn’t allow pain because he enjoys seeing us suffer, but because he wants us to become more like Christ. And he knows that pain really gets our attention.
This verse applies so perfectly in a parenting context. If you’re a godly parent, you take no joy in seeing your children suffer for their mistakes. But discipline is necessary to teach them right from wrong and to choose the correct path. I don’t look forward to the times I must discipline my children, but I do it because I know if I don’t, they will continue in the same mistakes and cause chaos in our home.
I have naturally calm-natured children who don’t test the limits all that often. But they are human, and so am I, and we’ve had our own godly sorrows in discipline. One really awful day, I was trying desperately to complete dozens of sales calls in one afternoon to meet a deadline. Even though my boys were only 4 and 2, they were keenly aware of my task and decided to act out. I went to the basement for just a few minutes, and when I got back upstairs, cool ashes from the woodstove were scattered all over the living room floor. They had never touched the woodstove before—I knew they were doing it because they wanted attention, but I had to teach them that seeking attention in that way was totally unacceptable. I sent them to their room for a time-out; my mistake was not separating them. In just a few minutes I heard a lot of noise coming from their room, and when I checked, I found my 4-year-old helping my 2-year-old climb into the sock drawer inside the closet. I spanked them both, then left one in the room and one in another room for more than an hour. They have never committed the same transgressions again, so I suppose the sorrow was appropriate enough to teach them not to repeat the sin.
It’s humbling to know that God disciplines me the same way I discipline my children—except he does it perfectly and I don’t. I have had to suffer the consequences of being overweight (bigger clothes, feeling tired and unhappy, being self-conscious in social situations) to turn my habits around to healthy ones. I’m glad that God is so gracious to us, and so patient with us, to use our sorrows for our good.
In what area are you suffering from godly sorrow, and what do you need to do to repent?
Copyright 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?”
My life is a testimony to the reasons why this particular scripture is a sound warning spoken out of love from a perfect Father’s heart.
When I met my husband, I knew we were spiritually mismatched. It’s not that he totally lacked faith—it’s that we were on very different spiritual planes. And yet, I chose to proceed in our relationship despite what I had learned about unequally yoked relationships.
Now, I have never regretted my choice to marry my husband, and I’m proud that our 9th wedding anniversary is soon approaching. We’ve faced marital storms just like any other couple does, equally yoked or not. However, I’ve experienced many painful lessons as a consequence of my choice to knowingly marry someone who is not on the same spiritual level.
We have had normal marital disagreements about topics such as finances, private vs. public school, or handling conflict with extended family. Since I am a committed Christian, all of those problems have a spiritual component, and I seek out God’s will in all my decisions. My husband is not attuned that way; so when we have a disagreement it causes strife because he doesn’t naturally approach the problem by consulting God first as I do. If I feel my husband’s point of view is against God’s will, it’s difficult for him understand that while I want to honor him and submit to him, I must obey God first. He, on the other hand, feels like I have an unfair advantage because God and me are ganging up on him, and who is he to go up against God?
Even though I knew we weren’t equally yoked before we married, I never could have understood how difficult a path I was choosing, one that would cause conflict with every single decision. That’s why this verse is a warning spoken out of love, not out of killjoy.
All things considered, God has worked all things together for the good (Romans 8:28) in my spiritually mismatched marriage. I have grown in unique ways through my marriage trials, and I can minister to other women in similar situations. And I’ve seen gradual changes in my husband’s faithwalk as I have learned to back off and allow God to work in his life. I am also providing a testimony to my children of a wife who lives out the principles in 1 Peter 3. No matter if my husband ever catches up to me spiritually, I can show him love and respect, and that is a powerful witness of God’s love to him.
I listen to Dr. Randy Carlson’s radio program, and often people in spiritually mismatched marriages call in and ask if they chose the wrong marriage path. He tells them they are asking the wrong question. The question now is, “How am I going to show Christ to my unbelieving spouse and follow through on the vows I made to him?” Applying that question to my life has caused tremendous growth for which I can praise God.
If you are in an unequally yoked relationship, what’s the Christlike action you need to take?
Copyright 2009
My life is a testimony to the reasons why this particular scripture is a sound warning spoken out of love from a perfect Father’s heart.
When I met my husband, I knew we were spiritually mismatched. It’s not that he totally lacked faith—it’s that we were on very different spiritual planes. And yet, I chose to proceed in our relationship despite what I had learned about unequally yoked relationships.
Now, I have never regretted my choice to marry my husband, and I’m proud that our 9th wedding anniversary is soon approaching. We’ve faced marital storms just like any other couple does, equally yoked or not. However, I’ve experienced many painful lessons as a consequence of my choice to knowingly marry someone who is not on the same spiritual level.
We have had normal marital disagreements about topics such as finances, private vs. public school, or handling conflict with extended family. Since I am a committed Christian, all of those problems have a spiritual component, and I seek out God’s will in all my decisions. My husband is not attuned that way; so when we have a disagreement it causes strife because he doesn’t naturally approach the problem by consulting God first as I do. If I feel my husband’s point of view is against God’s will, it’s difficult for him understand that while I want to honor him and submit to him, I must obey God first. He, on the other hand, feels like I have an unfair advantage because God and me are ganging up on him, and who is he to go up against God?
Even though I knew we weren’t equally yoked before we married, I never could have understood how difficult a path I was choosing, one that would cause conflict with every single decision. That’s why this verse is a warning spoken out of love, not out of killjoy.
All things considered, God has worked all things together for the good (Romans 8:28) in my spiritually mismatched marriage. I have grown in unique ways through my marriage trials, and I can minister to other women in similar situations. And I’ve seen gradual changes in my husband’s faithwalk as I have learned to back off and allow God to work in his life. I am also providing a testimony to my children of a wife who lives out the principles in 1 Peter 3. No matter if my husband ever catches up to me spiritually, I can show him love and respect, and that is a powerful witness of God’s love to him.
I listen to Dr. Randy Carlson’s radio program, and often people in spiritually mismatched marriages call in and ask if they chose the wrong marriage path. He tells them they are asking the wrong question. The question now is, “How am I going to show Christ to my unbelieving spouse and follow through on the vows I made to him?” Applying that question to my life has caused tremendous growth for which I can praise God.
If you are in an unequally yoked relationship, what’s the Christlike action you need to take?
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Psalm 46:1-2
“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even in earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”
When I was in seventh grade, Iben Browning predicted a massive earthquake would hit the New Madrid fault line on or around December 2, 1990. My school was about an hour north of the epicenter, so to be cautious, the administration called off classes for two days like many other area schools. Those two days off were just a bonus for the 12-year-old me. Taking cues from my dad, who took my sister and I out for a hamburger lunch on the dreaded December 2, I scoffed at Browning’s predictions. Almost 19 years later, the New Madrid fault line has yet to be struck by a devastating earthquake. Though scientists still think a disaster is waiting to happen, no one has been bold enough to make predictions since Browning.
I wish I could always adopt that carefree 12-year-old attitude about portending troubles, but I don’t. It’s not as easy to laugh off things like a loss of income or marriage problems. However, it is human nature to be gripped by fear and worry when troubles come. For most of my life, I’ve been held back by fear—fear of social rejection, fear of conflict, fear of abandonment. Those fears are far more real than a predicted earthquake that doesn’t happen, and sometimes I let them become roadblocks to faith.
I listened to David Jeremiah’s radio sermon before I started writing today, and his message on fear couldn’t have been more timely. He referred to 1 John 4:16-18:
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.” (emphasis added)
David Jeremiah said that the opposite of fear is not trust or belief, but love, as this passage describes. If we focus on how much God loves us, our fears will diminish, because his perfect love casts out all our fears. Is there anything more fearful than wondering if our salvation is secure? I mean, the scariest thing on earth is death, but what about after death? This 1 John passage makes it clear; we don’t have to be afraid of the day of judgment (or anything else) if God, who is love, lives in us.
So, if you are fearful today, steep yourself in the truth of how much your Heavenly Father loves you, and put your trust in him. God is madly in love with you and wants you to fill your heart with his love. He truly is your refuge and strength, and he is ready to help in any kind of trouble you face now or in the future. Earthquake or not.
Copyright 2009
When I was in seventh grade, Iben Browning predicted a massive earthquake would hit the New Madrid fault line on or around December 2, 1990. My school was about an hour north of the epicenter, so to be cautious, the administration called off classes for two days like many other area schools. Those two days off were just a bonus for the 12-year-old me. Taking cues from my dad, who took my sister and I out for a hamburger lunch on the dreaded December 2, I scoffed at Browning’s predictions. Almost 19 years later, the New Madrid fault line has yet to be struck by a devastating earthquake. Though scientists still think a disaster is waiting to happen, no one has been bold enough to make predictions since Browning.
I wish I could always adopt that carefree 12-year-old attitude about portending troubles, but I don’t. It’s not as easy to laugh off things like a loss of income or marriage problems. However, it is human nature to be gripped by fear and worry when troubles come. For most of my life, I’ve been held back by fear—fear of social rejection, fear of conflict, fear of abandonment. Those fears are far more real than a predicted earthquake that doesn’t happen, and sometimes I let them become roadblocks to faith.
I listened to David Jeremiah’s radio sermon before I started writing today, and his message on fear couldn’t have been more timely. He referred to 1 John 4:16-18:
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.” (emphasis added)
David Jeremiah said that the opposite of fear is not trust or belief, but love, as this passage describes. If we focus on how much God loves us, our fears will diminish, because his perfect love casts out all our fears. Is there anything more fearful than wondering if our salvation is secure? I mean, the scariest thing on earth is death, but what about after death? This 1 John passage makes it clear; we don’t have to be afraid of the day of judgment (or anything else) if God, who is love, lives in us.
So, if you are fearful today, steep yourself in the truth of how much your Heavenly Father loves you, and put your trust in him. God is madly in love with you and wants you to fill your heart with his love. He truly is your refuge and strength, and he is ready to help in any kind of trouble you face now or in the future. Earthquake or not.
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2 Corinthians 5:14
"Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for everyone, we also believe that we have all died to the old life we used to live."
If you are a believer, in what ways have you died to the old life you used to live?
As I’ve written before, becoming a parent changed what media influences I allow in my life. Since college, I’ve watched the local news at noon on the CBS affiliate to stay informed. About when my oldest child turned two, I realized that the police beat stories at the top of the news were too graphic for his wide blue eyes and eager ears, much less the commercials for CSI: Miami in between. Since we have Dish Network, I can hit “Info” and a blue box covers most of the screen. So I’ve learned to hit mute during the top of the news, and to block out commercials with the info screen. Now that I’ve practiced this for a few years, I know the graphic content isn’t necessary for me, either.
Dying to our old lives is a process, not a one-time shot. Maybe you or someone you knew had a dramatic, Saul-like conversion from a blatantly sinful lifestyle. Or maybe you’ve been a Christian all your life, but as you’ve grown in your faithwalk, your conscience has been pricked and you don’t do the same things anymore. Maybe you cut back on drinking or you gave up toxic friendships. Maybe you catch yourself before your conversation turns to gossip, or you skip the soap operas in favor of a non-racy novel.
Whatever it is, if you’re already doing something different and you’re a believer, it’s probably because you’re being made more like Christ. But if you’re resisting the temptation to return to your worldly lifestyle, you must rely on Jesus to provide the help you need…otherwise you’re on your own! It’s risky to rely on willpower, because we’re all naturally bent toward sin. So ask God to help you become less like the world and more like Jesus today. He will always answer that prayer in a practical way, if you are willing to accept his help.
The world needs to know more salty and bright-light Christians (see Matthew 5:13-16). It’s important that if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, your lifestyle is different from that of the world. If your lifestyle hasn’t become more holy as your faith has grown, ask God to examine your heart and show you ways that you can die to any habits that aren’t Christlike. Your lifestyle could have an eternal impact on the people who know you, so ask yourself again: in what ways have you died to the old life you used to live?
Copyright 2009
If you are a believer, in what ways have you died to the old life you used to live?
As I’ve written before, becoming a parent changed what media influences I allow in my life. Since college, I’ve watched the local news at noon on the CBS affiliate to stay informed. About when my oldest child turned two, I realized that the police beat stories at the top of the news were too graphic for his wide blue eyes and eager ears, much less the commercials for CSI: Miami in between. Since we have Dish Network, I can hit “Info” and a blue box covers most of the screen. So I’ve learned to hit mute during the top of the news, and to block out commercials with the info screen. Now that I’ve practiced this for a few years, I know the graphic content isn’t necessary for me, either.
Dying to our old lives is a process, not a one-time shot. Maybe you or someone you knew had a dramatic, Saul-like conversion from a blatantly sinful lifestyle. Or maybe you’ve been a Christian all your life, but as you’ve grown in your faithwalk, your conscience has been pricked and you don’t do the same things anymore. Maybe you cut back on drinking or you gave up toxic friendships. Maybe you catch yourself before your conversation turns to gossip, or you skip the soap operas in favor of a non-racy novel.
Whatever it is, if you’re already doing something different and you’re a believer, it’s probably because you’re being made more like Christ. But if you’re resisting the temptation to return to your worldly lifestyle, you must rely on Jesus to provide the help you need…otherwise you’re on your own! It’s risky to rely on willpower, because we’re all naturally bent toward sin. So ask God to help you become less like the world and more like Jesus today. He will always answer that prayer in a practical way, if you are willing to accept his help.
The world needs to know more salty and bright-light Christians (see Matthew 5:13-16). It’s important that if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, your lifestyle is different from that of the world. If your lifestyle hasn’t become more holy as your faith has grown, ask God to examine your heart and show you ways that you can die to any habits that aren’t Christlike. Your lifestyle could have an eternal impact on the people who know you, so ask yourself again: in what ways have you died to the old life you used to live?
Copyright 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
“For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
If any of us think we have major problems, we can gain perspective when we read about the troubles that Paul faced. In chapter 6 of this letter, Paul says he and his companions “have been beaten, put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food” (vs. 5). They were also called impostors, treated as unknowns, beaten within an inch of their lives, poor, and heart-aching (vss. 9-10). In chapter 11, Paul lists other trials: whippings, lashings, beatings with rods, a stoning, shipwrecked three times, left out in the elements, robbers, danger from all kinds of people, pain, sleeplessness, hunger and thirst, and lack of clothing—not to mention the burden of how the churches were getting along (vss. 23-28)!
No one I know personally has ever suffered that much. That being said, we have all faced difficult problems at one time or another—and some of you are in the middle of a heartbreaking problem. No matter what kind of problem we may face, today’s verses give perspective and a breath of fresh air.
If you take a moment now and imagine yourself in heaven, in the presence of your Creator and Savior and with other believing loved ones who died before you, in a perfectly beautiful and holy place prepared just for you with no pain, tears, or sorrows…how does your current list of problems impact that scene?
Your problems just don’t exist there!
As comforting as these verses are, a warning casts a shadow on them from my point of view. This is not a promise for unbelievers. Only believers in the one true God will experience the joys of heaven and the relief from all their troubles. If we look at just a few verses before in 13-15, it’s clear that Paul is writing specifically to those who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior.
So, ask yourself…can you gain comfort from today’s verses because your salvation is secure based on your belief in Jesus Christ?
Copyright 2009
If any of us think we have major problems, we can gain perspective when we read about the troubles that Paul faced. In chapter 6 of this letter, Paul says he and his companions “have been beaten, put in jail, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food” (vs. 5). They were also called impostors, treated as unknowns, beaten within an inch of their lives, poor, and heart-aching (vss. 9-10). In chapter 11, Paul lists other trials: whippings, lashings, beatings with rods, a stoning, shipwrecked three times, left out in the elements, robbers, danger from all kinds of people, pain, sleeplessness, hunger and thirst, and lack of clothing—not to mention the burden of how the churches were getting along (vss. 23-28)!
No one I know personally has ever suffered that much. That being said, we have all faced difficult problems at one time or another—and some of you are in the middle of a heartbreaking problem. No matter what kind of problem we may face, today’s verses give perspective and a breath of fresh air.
If you take a moment now and imagine yourself in heaven, in the presence of your Creator and Savior and with other believing loved ones who died before you, in a perfectly beautiful and holy place prepared just for you with no pain, tears, or sorrows…how does your current list of problems impact that scene?
Your problems just don’t exist there!
As comforting as these verses are, a warning casts a shadow on them from my point of view. This is not a promise for unbelievers. Only believers in the one true God will experience the joys of heaven and the relief from all their troubles. If we look at just a few verses before in 13-15, it’s clear that Paul is writing specifically to those who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior.
So, ask yourself…can you gain comfort from today’s verses because your salvation is secure based on your belief in Jesus Christ?
Copyright 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
2 Corinthians 4:7
“But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.”
What a comfort this verse provides to me on a day like today. You see, I have naturally low energy, and I often struggle with feeling weak or tired. Today is a tired day, but at least it’s Sunday so I can get extra rest. I’m encouraged that the times when I’m weakest can show God’s power the most. Here’s my story…
Ever since I was a child, I’ve felt more tired than my peers. I’ve always been a light sleeper and prone to waking up several times during the night from vivid dreams. In college I got very sick, and the doctors suspected mononucleosis and/or Epstein-Barr virus. They prescribed rest, so for a week I skipped class and slept up to 16 hours a day. The fatigue I experienced during that time was so debilitating, nothing I experienced during my pregnancies or early weeks with my newborn babies even came close. I really haven’t been the same since that sickness; even now I’m more susceptible to getting colds and viruses when I lose sleep just two nights in a row.
A couple years ago I asked my doctor to run some tests for my chronic fatigue. All results came back negative, which she said was good, but it was just the way I was made and I would have to learn to cope. Not long after that, I was lamenting my diagnosis with a family friend. She surprised me when she said, “God created you this way, Sarah. You are so intuitive that you notice things on a deeper level than other people. That takes a different kind of mental energy which exhausts you. What you don’t have in physical energy is made up in the other unique ways God has gifted you.”
Since that conversation, I’ve chosen to see my low-energy weakness as a gift rather than a burden. It’s still very challenging to deal with my weakness as a work-from-home mom of three little ones. But God is glorified when I ask him to help me be the best mom I can be on the tired days, and he comes through. He also comes through for me by helping me get up early to exercise, and he provides time for me to nap when I really need it. Of course, I can also glorify God by using my creative energy on projects such as writing or painting, and trust him to make up the difference for lost physical energy.
I often turn to 2 Corinthians 12:9 for encouragement on difficult days:
“Each time [the Lord] said, ‘My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.”
If I take the time to tell others how God works through me in spite of my weakness of low energy, they can see God’s power in my life. How can you put God’s power on display through your particular weakness?
Copyright 2009
What a comfort this verse provides to me on a day like today. You see, I have naturally low energy, and I often struggle with feeling weak or tired. Today is a tired day, but at least it’s Sunday so I can get extra rest. I’m encouraged that the times when I’m weakest can show God’s power the most. Here’s my story…
Ever since I was a child, I’ve felt more tired than my peers. I’ve always been a light sleeper and prone to waking up several times during the night from vivid dreams. In college I got very sick, and the doctors suspected mononucleosis and/or Epstein-Barr virus. They prescribed rest, so for a week I skipped class and slept up to 16 hours a day. The fatigue I experienced during that time was so debilitating, nothing I experienced during my pregnancies or early weeks with my newborn babies even came close. I really haven’t been the same since that sickness; even now I’m more susceptible to getting colds and viruses when I lose sleep just two nights in a row.
A couple years ago I asked my doctor to run some tests for my chronic fatigue. All results came back negative, which she said was good, but it was just the way I was made and I would have to learn to cope. Not long after that, I was lamenting my diagnosis with a family friend. She surprised me when she said, “God created you this way, Sarah. You are so intuitive that you notice things on a deeper level than other people. That takes a different kind of mental energy which exhausts you. What you don’t have in physical energy is made up in the other unique ways God has gifted you.”
Since that conversation, I’ve chosen to see my low-energy weakness as a gift rather than a burden. It’s still very challenging to deal with my weakness as a work-from-home mom of three little ones. But God is glorified when I ask him to help me be the best mom I can be on the tired days, and he comes through. He also comes through for me by helping me get up early to exercise, and he provides time for me to nap when I really need it. Of course, I can also glorify God by using my creative energy on projects such as writing or painting, and trust him to make up the difference for lost physical energy.
I often turn to 2 Corinthians 12:9 for encouragement on difficult days:
“Each time [the Lord] said, ‘My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.”
If I take the time to tell others how God works through me in spite of my weakness of low energy, they can see God’s power in my life. How can you put God’s power on display through your particular weakness?
Copyright 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Job 32:8-9
“Surely it is God’s Spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. But sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.”
Job’s friends were trying to help him after he suffered immeasurable loss, but their words were spoken without wisdom. They didn’t help Job at all! What they shared based on intelligence was far from the insight and understanding Job really needed.
This reminds me of the Pharisees in the New Testament. They were careful students of the law, knowing it backwards and forwards, even adding many restrictions that God didn’t put there. Their know-it-all nature was a huge roadblock in their understanding of who Jesus was. The Pharisees knew the prophecies better than anyone else, yet they didn’t recognize the Messiah right in front of them. They knew the Law but missed the Gospel, and you can’t have one without the other.
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve acted like a Pharisee before. I have always been academically gifted and my learning skills transferred to religious and spiritual studies in high school and college. For various reasons, though, I used my knowledge to shut people out—exactly opposite of what the Gospel teaches. Gradually I learned to open myself up to others so I could give and receive love the way God intended, especially as I became a mother.
In mothering I’ve also learned the difference between intelligence and wisdom. Before I was pregnant I read every book I could get my hands on about caring for a newborn. The books were very helpful for preparation, but I learned the most through the experience. Now that I’ve been a mother for 5+ years of three children, I’ve had many opportunities to grow in wisdom.
So, how does your “head knowledge” about God enhance or hinder your relationship with him or others? And how can you grow in wisdom where God has placed you now?
Copyright 2009
Job’s friends were trying to help him after he suffered immeasurable loss, but their words were spoken without wisdom. They didn’t help Job at all! What they shared based on intelligence was far from the insight and understanding Job really needed.
This reminds me of the Pharisees in the New Testament. They were careful students of the law, knowing it backwards and forwards, even adding many restrictions that God didn’t put there. Their know-it-all nature was a huge roadblock in their understanding of who Jesus was. The Pharisees knew the prophecies better than anyone else, yet they didn’t recognize the Messiah right in front of them. They knew the Law but missed the Gospel, and you can’t have one without the other.
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve acted like a Pharisee before. I have always been academically gifted and my learning skills transferred to religious and spiritual studies in high school and college. For various reasons, though, I used my knowledge to shut people out—exactly opposite of what the Gospel teaches. Gradually I learned to open myself up to others so I could give and receive love the way God intended, especially as I became a mother.
In mothering I’ve also learned the difference between intelligence and wisdom. Before I was pregnant I read every book I could get my hands on about caring for a newborn. The books were very helpful for preparation, but I learned the most through the experience. Now that I’ve been a mother for 5+ years of three children, I’ve had many opportunities to grow in wisdom.
So, how does your “head knowledge” about God enhance or hinder your relationship with him or others? And how can you grow in wisdom where God has placed you now?
Copyright 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
2 Corinthians 2:14
“But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.”
Today’s reading makes me think of another scripture about perfume. In Matthew 26:6-12 and John 12:1-8, we read how Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, took a jar of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus with it, wiping his feet with her hair, and the fragrance filled the house. The disciples thought the act was wasteful, but Jesus praised the act as a preparation for his burial.
If you read on in 2 Corinthians 2, you find that Paul says our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God, and this fragrance is perceived differently by believers and unbelievers. To unbelievers the scent is putrid because it portends doom. But to those being saved the scent is a life-giving perfume. If I relate that to the anointing story: the scent was repulsive to the disciples because they didn’t yet believe Jesus meant what he said, that he would die and be raised on the third day. However, to Mary and Jesus, the scent evidenced faith that Jesus was who he said he was—the Messiah.
One of my friends commented on the Mary story once, saying that if the scientists are correct that our sense of smell is the most powerful connection to memories, the disciples must have recalled that moment every time they smelled essence of nard again. As soon as they got a whiff, immediately their thoughts returned to Mary’s beautiful act of faith contrasted by their lack of faith. More than anything, the scent would remind them that Jesus kept his promises.
If our lives are a fragrance to others and to God, what kind of fragrance is your life sending out? It may be stale if you’ve become too casual in your faith. It could even be rotten if you’re living in sin. But it will be sweet if you are bearing spiritual fruit and you’re a living example of Christ. What scent-memory do you want others to have of you when you’re gone?
What are you doing to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume?
Copyright 2009
Today’s reading makes me think of another scripture about perfume. In Matthew 26:6-12 and John 12:1-8, we read how Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, took a jar of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus with it, wiping his feet with her hair, and the fragrance filled the house. The disciples thought the act was wasteful, but Jesus praised the act as a preparation for his burial.
If you read on in 2 Corinthians 2, you find that Paul says our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God, and this fragrance is perceived differently by believers and unbelievers. To unbelievers the scent is putrid because it portends doom. But to those being saved the scent is a life-giving perfume. If I relate that to the anointing story: the scent was repulsive to the disciples because they didn’t yet believe Jesus meant what he said, that he would die and be raised on the third day. However, to Mary and Jesus, the scent evidenced faith that Jesus was who he said he was—the Messiah.
One of my friends commented on the Mary story once, saying that if the scientists are correct that our sense of smell is the most powerful connection to memories, the disciples must have recalled that moment every time they smelled essence of nard again. As soon as they got a whiff, immediately their thoughts returned to Mary’s beautiful act of faith contrasted by their lack of faith. More than anything, the scent would remind them that Jesus kept his promises.
If our lives are a fragrance to others and to God, what kind of fragrance is your life sending out? It may be stale if you’ve become too casual in your faith. It could even be rotten if you’re living in sin. But it will be sweet if you are bearing spiritual fruit and you’re a living example of Christ. What scent-memory do you want others to have of you when you’re gone?
What are you doing to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume?
Copyright 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
“It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us.”
How are you standing firm for Christ? It takes courage and God’s power to stand firm for your Christian beliefs, especially when you may face rejection or criticism. Once I found myself in a conversation when everyone else was okay with software piracy, and I was not. I said a quick prayer, then shared my views on why that is actually stealing, and how it violates my principles as a believer. I know God empowered me to share my opinion in a loving, respectful way while still upholding what is true in his law.
What is your unique commission for the Lord? Paul and his friends were commissioned to spread the Gospel to first-century Gentiles. You may feel that your own commission or calling isn’t as important, but God has called each of us to make an eternal impact upon our own spheres of influence. Think about your talents, abilities, and experience, and how you can use them to lead people to Christ.
How do you know if the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart? One way to tell is if you are bearing the fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23 for a list). I’ve noticed that as my faithwalk has grown, my amount of spiritual fruit has increased in proportion, especially during trials. Even as my trials increase, I can bear more love, joy, peace, and the like because the Holy Spirit enables the growth.
What other things do you imagine is included in “everything” he will give us? As I’ve posted before, I am just amazed that a person of the Trinity dwells in my heart to empower me every day! If I have that now on earth, as a finite, weak creature, how much more will I experience in heaven someday when my life is restored to God’s perfect design! Does knowing this spur you to praise God and lift your thoughts beyond this temporal world?
Copyright 2009
How are you standing firm for Christ? It takes courage and God’s power to stand firm for your Christian beliefs, especially when you may face rejection or criticism. Once I found myself in a conversation when everyone else was okay with software piracy, and I was not. I said a quick prayer, then shared my views on why that is actually stealing, and how it violates my principles as a believer. I know God empowered me to share my opinion in a loving, respectful way while still upholding what is true in his law.
What is your unique commission for the Lord? Paul and his friends were commissioned to spread the Gospel to first-century Gentiles. You may feel that your own commission or calling isn’t as important, but God has called each of us to make an eternal impact upon our own spheres of influence. Think about your talents, abilities, and experience, and how you can use them to lead people to Christ.
How do you know if the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart? One way to tell is if you are bearing the fruits of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23 for a list). I’ve noticed that as my faithwalk has grown, my amount of spiritual fruit has increased in proportion, especially during trials. Even as my trials increase, I can bear more love, joy, peace, and the like because the Holy Spirit enables the growth.
What other things do you imagine is included in “everything” he will give us? As I’ve posted before, I am just amazed that a person of the Trinity dwells in my heart to empower me every day! If I have that now on earth, as a finite, weak creature, how much more will I experience in heaven someday when my life is restored to God’s perfect design! Does knowing this spur you to praise God and lift your thoughts beyond this temporal world?
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
Such encouraging verses today. Our suffering isn’t pointless; it tests our faith, it conforms us to Christ’s likeness, it matures us—and it gives us a special opportunity to witness to others and build them up.
Have you ever cried out to God for comfort in a time of trial—sickness, grief, marriage issues, financial woes, oppression from enemies—and he answered you in a practical way? Maybe a friend called you up or your neighbor brought you a meal. Maybe an unexpected check arrived in the mail at just the right time. Maybe your pastor suggested a book that spoke directly to your issue. Those are all ways that God answers our cries for comfort.
I’ll bet the most comforting help you received is from someone who had experienced the same trial in the past. You don’t have to explain the whole story to this person; they understand just what you’re going through. They can listen and cry with you in a way that others can’t quite replicate. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God provides people to help us through our difficult times?
You are also one of those people! Think about the trials you’ve faced—write a list. Everything on your list can help someone going through the same thing. Some of the things on my list are: being a child of divorce, depression, codependency, marriage problems, financial difficulty, and being overweight. As I wrote in yesterday’s post, if I write out my faithwalk and remember how God has helped me with those issues, I have a testimony to share with others struggling with the same thing. It takes courage and authenticity to share my problems, but in doing so, I can help people, and that is such a gratifying way to recycle the pain.
Take some time today to list some ways you can comfort others based on the troubles you’ve faced.
If you are facing a trial right now and you feel alone, what steps can you take to find someone who has experienced what you are going through?
Copyright 2009
Such encouraging verses today. Our suffering isn’t pointless; it tests our faith, it conforms us to Christ’s likeness, it matures us—and it gives us a special opportunity to witness to others and build them up.
Have you ever cried out to God for comfort in a time of trial—sickness, grief, marriage issues, financial woes, oppression from enemies—and he answered you in a practical way? Maybe a friend called you up or your neighbor brought you a meal. Maybe an unexpected check arrived in the mail at just the right time. Maybe your pastor suggested a book that spoke directly to your issue. Those are all ways that God answers our cries for comfort.
I’ll bet the most comforting help you received is from someone who had experienced the same trial in the past. You don’t have to explain the whole story to this person; they understand just what you’re going through. They can listen and cry with you in a way that others can’t quite replicate. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God provides people to help us through our difficult times?
You are also one of those people! Think about the trials you’ve faced—write a list. Everything on your list can help someone going through the same thing. Some of the things on my list are: being a child of divorce, depression, codependency, marriage problems, financial difficulty, and being overweight. As I wrote in yesterday’s post, if I write out my faithwalk and remember how God has helped me with those issues, I have a testimony to share with others struggling with the same thing. It takes courage and authenticity to share my problems, but in doing so, I can help people, and that is such a gratifying way to recycle the pain.
Take some time today to list some ways you can comfort others based on the troubles you’ve faced.
If you are facing a trial right now and you feel alone, what steps can you take to find someone who has experienced what you are going through?
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Psalm 40:5
“O Lord my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.”
As soon as I read these verses, I remembered my study of the life of Moses last year at Bible Study Fellowship. The children of Israel witnessed incredible miracles, like the parting of the Red Sea and manna coming down from heaven. The plan God had for them was marvelous: to move his chosen people to the Promised Land, where they could grow, prosper, and glorify the Lord.
The main theme that stood out in my year-long study was how quick the Israelites were to forget the amazing things God had done for them. They moaned and complained about the lack of water and food, even saying they would have been better off staying in Egypt, where they were harshly treated as slaves. As soon as Moses left them to go up Mount Sinai, they begged Aaron to make them a golden calf that they could worship instead of God. Again and again they promised to change their ways and obey God’s law, but they would turn right around and adopt the detestable practices of the neighboring countries, even as wicked as child sacrifice. Because of their unfaithfulness, many didn’t experience the blessings of God’s beautiful plan for them.
As I read about the Israelites, I found myself judging their behavior as atrocious and unbelievable. But I was quickly humbled as the BSF questions asked if I had ever strayed from the Lord or forgotten a lesson he had just taught me. One particular issue he’s helped me with is worry. Every time I worry, I take my focus off of God and put it on things that I feel are out-of-control. But when I take a deep breath and choose to focus on all the other things I worried about that God helped me through, it’s easier for my faith to stay on track. I don’t want to miss out on the good plans God has for me by putting up roadblocks with blatant sins.
All of us will quickly fall away from the Lord’s best plan for our lives if we don’t regularly count our blessings and remember what God has done for us. It’s important to write out the story of your faithwalk so you can tell others about the times God helped you and so your own faith will be strengthened in future trials.
One of my friends collects rocks with her daughter, and when they receive an answer to prayer or they reach a goal, they write on a rock to record the blessing. Occasionally they will look through the rocks and praise God for his faithfulness. I like this idea of physical reminders of past blessings that I can use to teach my children to remember God’s goodness.
Today, meditate on the miracles and wonderful deeds God has done in your life, and give him praise. If you are a parent, how do you plan to teach your children to remember the great things God does?
Copyright 2009
As soon as I read these verses, I remembered my study of the life of Moses last year at Bible Study Fellowship. The children of Israel witnessed incredible miracles, like the parting of the Red Sea and manna coming down from heaven. The plan God had for them was marvelous: to move his chosen people to the Promised Land, where they could grow, prosper, and glorify the Lord.
The main theme that stood out in my year-long study was how quick the Israelites were to forget the amazing things God had done for them. They moaned and complained about the lack of water and food, even saying they would have been better off staying in Egypt, where they were harshly treated as slaves. As soon as Moses left them to go up Mount Sinai, they begged Aaron to make them a golden calf that they could worship instead of God. Again and again they promised to change their ways and obey God’s law, but they would turn right around and adopt the detestable practices of the neighboring countries, even as wicked as child sacrifice. Because of their unfaithfulness, many didn’t experience the blessings of God’s beautiful plan for them.
As I read about the Israelites, I found myself judging their behavior as atrocious and unbelievable. But I was quickly humbled as the BSF questions asked if I had ever strayed from the Lord or forgotten a lesson he had just taught me. One particular issue he’s helped me with is worry. Every time I worry, I take my focus off of God and put it on things that I feel are out-of-control. But when I take a deep breath and choose to focus on all the other things I worried about that God helped me through, it’s easier for my faith to stay on track. I don’t want to miss out on the good plans God has for me by putting up roadblocks with blatant sins.
All of us will quickly fall away from the Lord’s best plan for our lives if we don’t regularly count our blessings and remember what God has done for us. It’s important to write out the story of your faithwalk so you can tell others about the times God helped you and so your own faith will be strengthened in future trials.
One of my friends collects rocks with her daughter, and when they receive an answer to prayer or they reach a goal, they write on a rock to record the blessing. Occasionally they will look through the rocks and praise God for his faithfulness. I like this idea of physical reminders of past blessings that I can use to teach my children to remember God’s goodness.
Today, meditate on the miracles and wonderful deeds God has done in your life, and give him praise. If you are a parent, how do you plan to teach your children to remember the great things God does?
Copyright 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
“‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
I encourage you to take 15 minutes today to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 for a very thought-provoking quiet time with the Lord.
Death is inevitable, but it was never part of God’s original plan. That’s why it feels so unnatural and unfair—we were not created to die! As powerful as death is, though, something is far more powerful—and that is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Not only can we have hope for the future in Christ, but today’s verse says we can also have victory over sin right now!
This is so wonderful to think about, I could write and write. But basically what I want to take from this verse is that I don’t have to be defeated by my sinful nature, nor by my fear of dying, any longer. Because I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I am no longer a slave to the requirements of God’s law. Jesus conquered death once and for all when he rose from the grave, and he gives me power through him to conquer the sins that still plague me. And my physical death is just the end of my earthly story and the beginning of my heavenly story. Praise God!
How does this play out in my everyday life? Well, as far as my sinful nature goes, I don’t have to be a slave to food anymore. When I’m tempted to overeat, I can pray that God will show me a way out. He also encourages me when I stumble, that slip-up doesn’t mean I’m a failure. As far as my view of death, I can encourage others to be less focused on their fear of death and more focused on building their relationship with God.
How can you apply these verses to your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
I encourage you to take 15 minutes today to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 for a very thought-provoking quiet time with the Lord.
Death is inevitable, but it was never part of God’s original plan. That’s why it feels so unnatural and unfair—we were not created to die! As powerful as death is, though, something is far more powerful—and that is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Not only can we have hope for the future in Christ, but today’s verse says we can also have victory over sin right now!
This is so wonderful to think about, I could write and write. But basically what I want to take from this verse is that I don’t have to be defeated by my sinful nature, nor by my fear of dying, any longer. Because I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I am no longer a slave to the requirements of God’s law. Jesus conquered death once and for all when he rose from the grave, and he gives me power through him to conquer the sins that still plague me. And my physical death is just the end of my earthly story and the beginning of my heavenly story. Praise God!
How does this play out in my everyday life? Well, as far as my sinful nature goes, I don’t have to be a slave to food anymore. When I’m tempted to overeat, I can pray that God will show me a way out. He also encourages me when I stumble, that slip-up doesn’t mean I’m a failure. As far as my view of death, I can encourage others to be less focused on their fear of death and more focused on building their relationship with God.
How can you apply these verses to your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
1 Corinthians 15:21
“So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, Adam, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Christ.”
After our daily breakfast prayer, I read a short devotion from A Child’s First Bible by Kenneth N. Taylor. Yesterday we looked at the story of the fall. The book reads, “Adam and Eve did not obey God. So God made them leave the pretty garden. What a sad day that was!”
As I started my morning tasks, I thought to myself, “What a sad day that was…surely that is a profound understatement.” Adam and Eve ate the fruit because they were deceived by Satan, but also because they had an impure desire: to be God. Before the first bite they didn’t have the knowledge of good AND evil; afterward they did see the difference, just as God does—but of course they didn’t know everything that God knows. So Satan’s promise was only partly true (isn’t it always?), and ever since that day all of us have lived under a curse of death, and we’re still trying to be gods.
It’s easy for me to see how my “big” sins have caused ripple effects…but even the “little” ones cause unintended damage. Such as, when my son overhears me speaking critically on the phone, and later he shows the same critical spirit to his brother, I realize how far-reaching the consequences of my “minor” sins become. Like Adam and Eve, I don’t have any idea how destructive my sin is at the time of the offense.
Praise be to God—we can find freedom from the curse through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus! Do you realize that if you believe in Jesus you don’t have to face physical death with fear? Our eternal life will be like Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall, and more! We will see God face-to-face and walk and talk with him like they did, and we will know and love each other perfectly, without any pretense or selfishness. And we’ll share eternity with all the other believers that have ever lived. We’ll be completely free from the curse of sin and death because Jesus paid the penalty for us at the cross.
Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior?
Copyright 2009
After our daily breakfast prayer, I read a short devotion from A Child’s First Bible by Kenneth N. Taylor. Yesterday we looked at the story of the fall. The book reads, “Adam and Eve did not obey God. So God made them leave the pretty garden. What a sad day that was!”
As I started my morning tasks, I thought to myself, “What a sad day that was…surely that is a profound understatement.” Adam and Eve ate the fruit because they were deceived by Satan, but also because they had an impure desire: to be God. Before the first bite they didn’t have the knowledge of good AND evil; afterward they did see the difference, just as God does—but of course they didn’t know everything that God knows. So Satan’s promise was only partly true (isn’t it always?), and ever since that day all of us have lived under a curse of death, and we’re still trying to be gods.
It’s easy for me to see how my “big” sins have caused ripple effects…but even the “little” ones cause unintended damage. Such as, when my son overhears me speaking critically on the phone, and later he shows the same critical spirit to his brother, I realize how far-reaching the consequences of my “minor” sins become. Like Adam and Eve, I don’t have any idea how destructive my sin is at the time of the offense.
Praise be to God—we can find freedom from the curse through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus! Do you realize that if you believe in Jesus you don’t have to face physical death with fear? Our eternal life will be like Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall, and more! We will see God face-to-face and walk and talk with him like they did, and we will know and love each other perfectly, without any pretense or selfishness. And we’ll share eternity with all the other believers that have ever lived. We’ll be completely free from the curse of sin and death because Jesus paid the penalty for us at the cross.
Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior?
Copyright 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Psalm 37:30-31
“The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God’s law, so they will never slip from his path.”
We moms constantly teach our children right from wrong. Just yesterday, I had to teach that hitting is not okay, biting certainly isn’t okay, speaking disrespectfully to Mom is wrong, and not obeying the first time is wrong too. Every night when I pray with my children, we ask God forgiveness for the things we did in disobedience to God or to Mom or Dad, and also for the things we did to each other that were unloving. All the sins I can think of in our daily lives fall into those two categories. That’s why Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
How was I able to recall those verses from Matthew just upon writing these words? Well, as every parochial school student knows, this was one of a plethora of memory verses that I had to practice and recite to the teacher—and the verses are still with me years later. I also spent a year studying the book of Matthew in Bible Study Fellowship. In these ways I’ve filled my heart with God’s law, and it is the basis for all the instruction I give my children in teaching them the difference between right and wrong.
It takes effort to study the Bible, memorize scripture, and apply it to our busy lives. But if we Christians don’t make it a priority, it’s not long before our lives veer off track from God’s plan. This week I read about a certain denomination that is reconsidering its ban on ordaining homosexuals to the ministry. Scripture is crystal-clear on this matter; because people have not filled their hearts with God’s law (homosexuality is sin), they are slipping from his path. That’s why it’s essential that we connect ourselves to a church where the Bible is upheld as inerrant, infallible, authoritative, and relevant to today’s culture.
Will you commit yourself to filling your own heart with God’s law so you will not slip from his path, and to teach your children or family to do the same? How can you make God’s Word a scheduled priority this week?
Copyright 2009
We moms constantly teach our children right from wrong. Just yesterday, I had to teach that hitting is not okay, biting certainly isn’t okay, speaking disrespectfully to Mom is wrong, and not obeying the first time is wrong too. Every night when I pray with my children, we ask God forgiveness for the things we did in disobedience to God or to Mom or Dad, and also for the things we did to each other that were unloving. All the sins I can think of in our daily lives fall into those two categories. That’s why Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
How was I able to recall those verses from Matthew just upon writing these words? Well, as every parochial school student knows, this was one of a plethora of memory verses that I had to practice and recite to the teacher—and the verses are still with me years later. I also spent a year studying the book of Matthew in Bible Study Fellowship. In these ways I’ve filled my heart with God’s law, and it is the basis for all the instruction I give my children in teaching them the difference between right and wrong.
It takes effort to study the Bible, memorize scripture, and apply it to our busy lives. But if we Christians don’t make it a priority, it’s not long before our lives veer off track from God’s plan. This week I read about a certain denomination that is reconsidering its ban on ordaining homosexuals to the ministry. Scripture is crystal-clear on this matter; because people have not filled their hearts with God’s law (homosexuality is sin), they are slipping from his path. That’s why it’s essential that we connect ourselves to a church where the Bible is upheld as inerrant, infallible, authoritative, and relevant to today’s culture.
Will you commit yourself to filling your own heart with God’s law so you will not slip from his path, and to teach your children or family to do the same? How can you make God’s Word a scheduled priority this week?
Copyright 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Psalm 37:25-26
“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.”
These verses are not simply about material blessings and financial peace for committed Christians. They speak of an unfailing principle: God never forsakes those he loves.
When I went to college in the Smoky Mountains, one of my favorite ways to spend my free time was hiking in the woods. One evening after work I hiked down a path with my Bible and I asked God to speak to me, whatever he wished. I thumbed through a few New Testament chapters until I came to the book of Hebrews, and I heard a still, small voice speaking directly to my spirit through Hebrews 13:5b: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
At the time of this experience, I didn’t quite know why God chose to speak to me through these particular verses. However, as the years went by I began to understand that he had handpicked these verses for my healing. Through difficult situations that dredged up childhood memories, I realized one of my oldest, deepest fears was abandonment, since my parents had divorced when I was young. In those situations the verse came back to me—I will never leave you nor forsake you, he says—even if the whole world forsakes you, I the Lord your God, will never do that to you, because you are my child, and I love you.
In addition to the peace and healing that I’ve experienced through God’s promise, I’m also living proof that God provides abundantly for his children. I have always had enough food and clothing, nice living quarters, a comfortable bed, and many, many other material blessings. I am not a follower of a “prosperity gospel,” nor am I ignorant of the fact that many committed believers around the world do not always experience material blessings. However, the underlying principle in these verses holds true in every circumstance: God loves to lavish his children with blessings, whether material or spiritual.
Can you count your blessings, both material and spiritual, and give God the credit for them?
Copyright 2009
These verses are not simply about material blessings and financial peace for committed Christians. They speak of an unfailing principle: God never forsakes those he loves.
When I went to college in the Smoky Mountains, one of my favorite ways to spend my free time was hiking in the woods. One evening after work I hiked down a path with my Bible and I asked God to speak to me, whatever he wished. I thumbed through a few New Testament chapters until I came to the book of Hebrews, and I heard a still, small voice speaking directly to my spirit through Hebrews 13:5b: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
At the time of this experience, I didn’t quite know why God chose to speak to me through these particular verses. However, as the years went by I began to understand that he had handpicked these verses for my healing. Through difficult situations that dredged up childhood memories, I realized one of my oldest, deepest fears was abandonment, since my parents had divorced when I was young. In those situations the verse came back to me—I will never leave you nor forsake you, he says—even if the whole world forsakes you, I the Lord your God, will never do that to you, because you are my child, and I love you.
In addition to the peace and healing that I’ve experienced through God’s promise, I’m also living proof that God provides abundantly for his children. I have always had enough food and clothing, nice living quarters, a comfortable bed, and many, many other material blessings. I am not a follower of a “prosperity gospel,” nor am I ignorant of the fact that many committed believers around the world do not always experience material blessings. However, the underlying principle in these verses holds true in every circumstance: God loves to lavish his children with blessings, whether material or spiritual.
Can you count your blessings, both material and spiritual, and give God the credit for them?
Copyright 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
1 Corinthians 13:13
“There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
I cannot read this verse anymore without remembering September 11, 2001. One evening a couple months after this horrible day in American history, I watched the Country Music Awards, and Alan Jackson performed his “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)?” for the first time on the live broadcast. Tears streamed down my face as I listened to the song, reflecting back on the morning I saw images of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers. The song’s chorus includes part of this verse, and applying this verse to the context of 9/11 is profound. If love is the greatest pursuit, the terrorists had it completely backward.
God himself is love; the three persons of the godhead exist in a perfect love relationship. It utterly amazes me that God wanted to create people—who he knew would fail him--expressly so he could lavish his love upon us. And that’s exactly what he wants us to do for each other: if our hearts are right with God, his love overflows our hearts, and we can share it with other people. Jesus’ earthly life was a nonstop love story for each person he encountered, even his enemies.
I’m nowhere near where I need to be in loving other people, but the more I get to know God, the easier I find it to show love to even the most difficult people in my life. When I ask God to teach me to see others the way he sees them, one of the first things I see is how much he loves every single person he’s created. It’s kind of how I feel about my children—I love them each with the same fierce, smitten love that only a mother has, but I treat them uniquely according to their needs and personalities. Even on awful days, I never stop loving them, and nothing they ever do will cause me to stop loving them. That’s how God feels too, even about terrorists and others hell-bent on rejecting him. I can’t really comprehend that, but I know it’s true.
It’s tempting for me to want to share my love only with my friends and family. But it wouldn’t be showing love the way that Jesus did, so I’m working on loving my enemies. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to show them the kind of love that could point them toward eternity. As difficult as it is, I know it’s what God wants me to do, and I can’t refuse him.
Why are these three—faith, hope, and love—the things that will endure? Because relationships are all we will take with us into eternity. Our faith in the one true God, our hope in his promises, and our love for him and for other people—that is what will last. Nothing else really matters!
In what ways can your love for God and others, even for difficult people, grow this week?
Copyright 2009
I cannot read this verse anymore without remembering September 11, 2001. One evening a couple months after this horrible day in American history, I watched the Country Music Awards, and Alan Jackson performed his “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)?” for the first time on the live broadcast. Tears streamed down my face as I listened to the song, reflecting back on the morning I saw images of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers. The song’s chorus includes part of this verse, and applying this verse to the context of 9/11 is profound. If love is the greatest pursuit, the terrorists had it completely backward.
God himself is love; the three persons of the godhead exist in a perfect love relationship. It utterly amazes me that God wanted to create people—who he knew would fail him--expressly so he could lavish his love upon us. And that’s exactly what he wants us to do for each other: if our hearts are right with God, his love overflows our hearts, and we can share it with other people. Jesus’ earthly life was a nonstop love story for each person he encountered, even his enemies.
I’m nowhere near where I need to be in loving other people, but the more I get to know God, the easier I find it to show love to even the most difficult people in my life. When I ask God to teach me to see others the way he sees them, one of the first things I see is how much he loves every single person he’s created. It’s kind of how I feel about my children—I love them each with the same fierce, smitten love that only a mother has, but I treat them uniquely according to their needs and personalities. Even on awful days, I never stop loving them, and nothing they ever do will cause me to stop loving them. That’s how God feels too, even about terrorists and others hell-bent on rejecting him. I can’t really comprehend that, but I know it’s true.
It’s tempting for me to want to share my love only with my friends and family. But it wouldn’t be showing love the way that Jesus did, so I’m working on loving my enemies. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to show them the kind of love that could point them toward eternity. As difficult as it is, I know it’s what God wants me to do, and I can’t refuse him.
Why are these three—faith, hope, and love—the things that will endure? Because relationships are all we will take with us into eternity. Our faith in the one true God, our hope in his promises, and our love for him and for other people—that is what will last. Nothing else really matters!
In what ways can your love for God and others, even for difficult people, grow this week?
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.”
When people become new believers, the Holy Spirit takes up dwelling in their hearts. And each new believer receives a spiritual gift, intended for building up the church. That is why it is so very important that if you are a believer, you are to be actively participating in your church body—the body can’t benefit from your spiritual gifts unless you share them.
Shortly after I was married, my husband and I became members of our church. But it was a few years until I actively participated in a small group or in ministries. Until I chose to share my gifts, I really wasn’t getting much out of church—have you found this principle to be true in your life?
This verse talks about the importance of many parts making up one body; this is true both within individual churches and between other churches and denominations. As much as I enjoy time with fellow members of my own church, it’s good for me to get to know other Christians from sister churches within my denomination, and also to fellowship with other Christians outside my denomination.
The danger of associating only with people from your own church or denomination is thinking that your own little group is right in itself, and that’s unbiblical. I’ve gained so much perspective and respect for other Christians through Bible Study Fellowship and Mothers of Preschoolers, both interdenominational organizations. I want my children to learn that all true believers share the same Spirit of God, and that unites us.
One of my friends from MOPS said that when her father was asked his denomination, he would say, “I’m a Christian; I just happen to attend a Baptist church.” I really like that attitude, because though doctrine is essential, it doesn’t have to keep us from loving each other. We are all united as the church if we know the one true God personally.
How do you relate to people outside your church or denomination?
Copyright 2009
When people become new believers, the Holy Spirit takes up dwelling in their hearts. And each new believer receives a spiritual gift, intended for building up the church. That is why it is so very important that if you are a believer, you are to be actively participating in your church body—the body can’t benefit from your spiritual gifts unless you share them.
Shortly after I was married, my husband and I became members of our church. But it was a few years until I actively participated in a small group or in ministries. Until I chose to share my gifts, I really wasn’t getting much out of church—have you found this principle to be true in your life?
This verse talks about the importance of many parts making up one body; this is true both within individual churches and between other churches and denominations. As much as I enjoy time with fellow members of my own church, it’s good for me to get to know other Christians from sister churches within my denomination, and also to fellowship with other Christians outside my denomination.
The danger of associating only with people from your own church or denomination is thinking that your own little group is right in itself, and that’s unbiblical. I’ve gained so much perspective and respect for other Christians through Bible Study Fellowship and Mothers of Preschoolers, both interdenominational organizations. I want my children to learn that all true believers share the same Spirit of God, and that unites us.
One of my friends from MOPS said that when her father was asked his denomination, he would say, “I’m a Christian; I just happen to attend a Baptist church.” I really like that attitude, because though doctrine is essential, it doesn’t have to keep us from loving each other. We are all united as the church if we know the one true God personally.
How do you relate to people outside your church or denomination?
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Psalm 35:27
“But give great joy to those who have stood with me in my defense. Let them continually say, ‘Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping his servant.’”
In the first 26 verses of this psalm, David writes about his enemies and asks God for help. Today’s verse shifts the focus from his enemies to his defenders. He has an unselfish desire that his friends would see God’s greatness in his trial.
This summer I read the book 90 Minutes in Heaven. I was surprised that most of the book did not describe the pastor’s mystical experience, but his long and grueling recovery process after a terrible auto accident. After several months he was finally able to return home from the hospital. Eventually he returned to his church to the first time as a visitor, confined to a wheelchair and still in severe pain. He really would have preferred to stay home; he was still feeling sorry for himself. As his family wheeled him to the front of church, the whole congregation clapped for a long time. In the midst of this feel-good moment, God whispered to him, “They aren’t clapping for you.”
It takes humility and maturity for us to realize our most difficult trials aren’t only about us—they are custom-designed for others to see God’s glory. This kind of maturity comes from experience of trial after trial in the Christian faith. But it is truly developed as we take time to get to know God personally, and learn about who he is through individual study of his Word.
I am right in the middle of a trial that seems pointless from a human perspective. But because I have drawn closer to the Lord during this trial and I’ve studied how Jesus handled unfair situations, God has helped me see how my trial can give both friends and enemies an opportunity to see Christ working through me. My part of the trial is to pray for my enemies and put on the attitude of Jesus, and also to give God the glory in front of my friends so they will say “Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping his servant Sarah.” Not “Sarah’s so great at handling this” but “Great is the Lord who works in Sarah’s life.”
How can you give God glory for your trial today? And will you tell at least one friend about it, so they can give God praise too?
Copyright 2009
In the first 26 verses of this psalm, David writes about his enemies and asks God for help. Today’s verse shifts the focus from his enemies to his defenders. He has an unselfish desire that his friends would see God’s greatness in his trial.
This summer I read the book 90 Minutes in Heaven. I was surprised that most of the book did not describe the pastor’s mystical experience, but his long and grueling recovery process after a terrible auto accident. After several months he was finally able to return home from the hospital. Eventually he returned to his church to the first time as a visitor, confined to a wheelchair and still in severe pain. He really would have preferred to stay home; he was still feeling sorry for himself. As his family wheeled him to the front of church, the whole congregation clapped for a long time. In the midst of this feel-good moment, God whispered to him, “They aren’t clapping for you.”
It takes humility and maturity for us to realize our most difficult trials aren’t only about us—they are custom-designed for others to see God’s glory. This kind of maturity comes from experience of trial after trial in the Christian faith. But it is truly developed as we take time to get to know God personally, and learn about who he is through individual study of his Word.
I am right in the middle of a trial that seems pointless from a human perspective. But because I have drawn closer to the Lord during this trial and I’ve studied how Jesus handled unfair situations, God has helped me see how my trial can give both friends and enemies an opportunity to see Christ working through me. My part of the trial is to pray for my enemies and put on the attitude of Jesus, and also to give God the glory in front of my friends so they will say “Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping his servant Sarah.” Not “Sarah’s so great at handling this” but “Great is the Lord who works in Sarah’s life.”
How can you give God glory for your trial today? And will you tell at least one friend about it, so they can give God praise too?
Copyright 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:11-12
“But in relationships among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from man, all men have been born from women ever since, and everything comes from God.”
Yesterday in church we sang the song “Brothers and Sisters in Christ.” The song tells how we all worship the same Lord united as one family. That’s what Paul is also talking about in today’s verses. In the Lord’s family, we are equally valuable regardless of gender, because we are all children of the Heavenly Father.
This statement was radical in Paul’s time, when women were treated as second-class citizens. I am blessed to live in a country where women have equal rights, and I’m blessed to worship in a church in which women have many opportunities for service and ministry. I thank God he’s placed me right where I am, free from the restrictions that held back many other Christian women in history.
Yesterday’s sermon addressed the loneliness of American culture. My pastor described how movies make heroes out of solitary figures like Batman or James Bond, who must operate alone to be effective. Also, we spend less time face-to-face with our neighbors, and more time in online communities. That’s not at all like the first-century Jewish culture, which was much more socially interdependent.
Today’s verse flies in the face of our culture’s treasured independence. As I wrote in my post two days ago, one of the most significant periods of growth in my faithwalk occurred when I started meeting with my small group. Prior to that time, I didn’t have many friends. I was a new mom living 15 minutes from town, in our house surrounded by 8 acres of woods. I’m independent by nature…but also sometimes too introverted, and at the time I was very lonely. Once I started attending the group, I felt connected to other people, and I felt better about myself.
I promote small groups as often as I can because I know how they help people feel included and valued at church. Nothing beats the hugs, smiles, laughter, and encouragement I receive from my sisters in Christ. If you aren’t involved in a church small group, would you contact your pastor today for help in connecting to one? I promise you will be blessed if you take this step.
Copyright 2009
Yesterday in church we sang the song “Brothers and Sisters in Christ.” The song tells how we all worship the same Lord united as one family. That’s what Paul is also talking about in today’s verses. In the Lord’s family, we are equally valuable regardless of gender, because we are all children of the Heavenly Father.
This statement was radical in Paul’s time, when women were treated as second-class citizens. I am blessed to live in a country where women have equal rights, and I’m blessed to worship in a church in which women have many opportunities for service and ministry. I thank God he’s placed me right where I am, free from the restrictions that held back many other Christian women in history.
Yesterday’s sermon addressed the loneliness of American culture. My pastor described how movies make heroes out of solitary figures like Batman or James Bond, who must operate alone to be effective. Also, we spend less time face-to-face with our neighbors, and more time in online communities. That’s not at all like the first-century Jewish culture, which was much more socially interdependent.
Today’s verse flies in the face of our culture’s treasured independence. As I wrote in my post two days ago, one of the most significant periods of growth in my faithwalk occurred when I started meeting with my small group. Prior to that time, I didn’t have many friends. I was a new mom living 15 minutes from town, in our house surrounded by 8 acres of woods. I’m independent by nature…but also sometimes too introverted, and at the time I was very lonely. Once I started attending the group, I felt connected to other people, and I felt better about myself.
I promote small groups as often as I can because I know how they help people feel included and valued at church. Nothing beats the hugs, smiles, laughter, and encouragement I receive from my sisters in Christ. If you aren’t involved in a church small group, would you contact your pastor today for help in connecting to one? I promise you will be blessed if you take this step.
Copyright 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
“Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved.”
These verses apply to two different aspects of motherhood: seeing all our duties as glorifying God, and using our natural tendency to put ourselves last as an opportunity to witness.
Sometimes in the daily grind of mothering, it’s difficult to see how the mundane tasks can glorify God. If you’re a mom, I’m sure you’ve felt exasperated at times by the seemingly endless stream of diapers. The truth is, we moms can bring glory to God even in the task of diapering, because it has to be done to care for our children. On a trying day of cleaning up mess after mess, I remind myself that God knows each mess and cares that I clean up each one, even if no one else notices. So I try not to complain about them, since I know he cares, and I try to see my mom-tasks as a unique way to serve my family. I think this attitude glorifies him more than the actual task.
I know that so many of us moms shelve our own preferences or needs for the sake of our children. How many of us needed rest so desperately we could taste it, but when our newborn baby cried out at 3:00 a.m. for yet another feeding only 45 minutes later, we didn’t think twice about dragging ourselves out of bed. Or you planned a date night with your husband and arranged for a babysitter, but that afternoon your preschooler started suffering from a stomach bug. It’s just a way of life for moms—putting our children’s needs ahead of our own.
Have you thought about applying that kind of unselfishness to other relationships? Here Paul says he does “what is best for them so they may be saved.” Have you ever considered that by listening to a troubled friend speak, even when you’re dying to expend some of your 25,000 daily words, you can use the opportunity to show Christ to them? Or have you considered that your 15 minutes of active interest in being intimate with your husband, even after an exhausting day, can minister to his spirit in a way that nothing else can? Perhaps none of us realize how our smallest acts of service will someday add up to pointing another person to Christ, and therefore gaining them eternal life.
We moms have so much God-given power to influence others and unique opportunities to witness through our actions. Will you thank God for your high calling today, and ask him how you can glorify him and serve him in a new way?
Copyright 2009
These verses apply to two different aspects of motherhood: seeing all our duties as glorifying God, and using our natural tendency to put ourselves last as an opportunity to witness.
Sometimes in the daily grind of mothering, it’s difficult to see how the mundane tasks can glorify God. If you’re a mom, I’m sure you’ve felt exasperated at times by the seemingly endless stream of diapers. The truth is, we moms can bring glory to God even in the task of diapering, because it has to be done to care for our children. On a trying day of cleaning up mess after mess, I remind myself that God knows each mess and cares that I clean up each one, even if no one else notices. So I try not to complain about them, since I know he cares, and I try to see my mom-tasks as a unique way to serve my family. I think this attitude glorifies him more than the actual task.
I know that so many of us moms shelve our own preferences or needs for the sake of our children. How many of us needed rest so desperately we could taste it, but when our newborn baby cried out at 3:00 a.m. for yet another feeding only 45 minutes later, we didn’t think twice about dragging ourselves out of bed. Or you planned a date night with your husband and arranged for a babysitter, but that afternoon your preschooler started suffering from a stomach bug. It’s just a way of life for moms—putting our children’s needs ahead of our own.
Have you thought about applying that kind of unselfishness to other relationships? Here Paul says he does “what is best for them so they may be saved.” Have you ever considered that by listening to a troubled friend speak, even when you’re dying to expend some of your 25,000 daily words, you can use the opportunity to show Christ to them? Or have you considered that your 15 minutes of active interest in being intimate with your husband, even after an exhausting day, can minister to his spirit in a way that nothing else can? Perhaps none of us realize how our smallest acts of service will someday add up to pointing another person to Christ, and therefore gaining them eternal life.
We moms have so much God-given power to influence others and unique opportunities to witness through our actions. Will you thank God for your high calling today, and ask him how you can glorify him and serve him in a new way?
Copyright 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
1 Corinthians 10:13
“But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.”
Maybe when your eyes read the word “temptation,” your thoughts instantly flash to a particular weak spot. Just one of my weak spots I immediately think of is overeating, and that’s been almost a lifelong struggle. I’ve learned that no matter how mature a Christian is, they still struggle with temptation, even about the same issue over and over again—because we are all human. Satan will never give up trying to bait us with forbidden fruit.
However, God provides such grace in today’s verse. He encourages us by giving us a community of others tempted in the same way who can support us. And he also puts a limit on the strength of the temptation, while also providing a way out…how wonderful!
My faithwalk has grown exponentially as I have connected to my church small group. By meeting with my small group, I am part of the body of Christ and I am encouraged that I’m not alone. I can’t count the number of times that another Christian woman shares a struggle at small group, and I am so relieved that I don’t have to feel alone in that same struggle anymore.
That’s why it’s so important to reach out, as hard as it is, to other people during our times of need. Satan wants us to feel like our struggle is unique, but God tells us differently. We can make the choice to connect to supportive friends.
Another blessing God provides is staying with us himself during our temptation. Remember the story of Job? Any evil that Satan wanted to inflict upon Job had to be first approved by God—and God set limits on it. If you read the whole book of Job, you will see the purpose of Job’s suffering was to test Job’s faith, and once he passed the test, he received far greater blessing than he had had before the trials began.
God promises the same for each of us. Anything that happens to us, good or bad, must first pass through God’s hands before it gets to us. That’s how he sets limits on what we can endure. He won’t give us what we can’t handle—that is, without his help and without the help of other people. It’s our responsibility to look for the way out, and to connect to others during those difficult times. And speaking from my own experience, the blessings he provides after the trial are sweeter than I would have ever known, had I not gone through it.
While I write these words, I realize that many of you may feel alone and completely overwhelmed by whatever situation you face. Read this verse again and again, and meditate upon it, thinking about how you can apply it to your life. Jesus himself was tempted, and he understands what you’re going through. Ask him for help, and he will provide a way out and a friend to help you—if you watch and listen.
Copyright 2009
Maybe when your eyes read the word “temptation,” your thoughts instantly flash to a particular weak spot. Just one of my weak spots I immediately think of is overeating, and that’s been almost a lifelong struggle. I’ve learned that no matter how mature a Christian is, they still struggle with temptation, even about the same issue over and over again—because we are all human. Satan will never give up trying to bait us with forbidden fruit.
However, God provides such grace in today’s verse. He encourages us by giving us a community of others tempted in the same way who can support us. And he also puts a limit on the strength of the temptation, while also providing a way out…how wonderful!
My faithwalk has grown exponentially as I have connected to my church small group. By meeting with my small group, I am part of the body of Christ and I am encouraged that I’m not alone. I can’t count the number of times that another Christian woman shares a struggle at small group, and I am so relieved that I don’t have to feel alone in that same struggle anymore.
That’s why it’s so important to reach out, as hard as it is, to other people during our times of need. Satan wants us to feel like our struggle is unique, but God tells us differently. We can make the choice to connect to supportive friends.
Another blessing God provides is staying with us himself during our temptation. Remember the story of Job? Any evil that Satan wanted to inflict upon Job had to be first approved by God—and God set limits on it. If you read the whole book of Job, you will see the purpose of Job’s suffering was to test Job’s faith, and once he passed the test, he received far greater blessing than he had had before the trials began.
God promises the same for each of us. Anything that happens to us, good or bad, must first pass through God’s hands before it gets to us. That’s how he sets limits on what we can endure. He won’t give us what we can’t handle—that is, without his help and without the help of other people. It’s our responsibility to look for the way out, and to connect to others during those difficult times. And speaking from my own experience, the blessings he provides after the trial are sweeter than I would have ever known, had I not gone through it.
While I write these words, I realize that many of you may feel alone and completely overwhelmed by whatever situation you face. Read this verse again and again, and meditate upon it, thinking about how you can apply it to your life. Jesus himself was tempted, and he understands what you’re going through. Ask him for help, and he will provide a way out and a friend to help you—if you watch and listen.
Copyright 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Psalm 33:20-22
“We depend on the Lord alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.”
I know many of us struggle with worry. These verses are a wonderful worry-antidote. The best way to stop worry in its tracks is to meditate on God’s attributes, and these verses are full of them. Here’s the list: Savior, Helper, Protector, Holy, Unfailing Love.
The Lord is our Savior—can you thank him for your own eternal salvation and also the other ways he saves you from danger, and maybe also from yourself?
The Lord is our Helper—think right now of the many things, big and small, that he’s helped you with this week.
The Lord is our Protector—think of the times you may have narrowly avoided an auto accident or just missed falling down a flight of stairs. Who was your protector in those moments?
The Lord is Holy—Aren’t you thankful that you can trust in a holy God to call you his own, even when you are so unholy yourself? I am!
The Lord’s love is Unfailing—No matter how many times I fail, God’s love will never fail me. Since I’m a bit of a perfectionist, I’m still trying to grasp that concept and let it live in my heart.
Does your heart feel uplifted now, as mine does, now that you’ve thought about who God is?
Because God is perfect in these ways, the verses say we can depend on him, put our hope in him, trust in his holy name, and let our hearts rejoice in him. Let’s put that in everyday terms, based on examples I’ve recently seen in my circles of friends.
We can depend on him to provide for us during long seasons of unemployment or reduced income. We can put our hope in him to bring change our hopelessly dysfunctional relationships. We can trust in his holiness when we are confused about our suffering. We can choose to rejoice instead of worry—because when worry strikes, we can immediately shift our thoughts from problems to God, and He is our source of joy.
I challenge you to meditate on these verses and use them to ward off worry if it strikes today, and please comment if they have helped you.
Copyright 2009
I know many of us struggle with worry. These verses are a wonderful worry-antidote. The best way to stop worry in its tracks is to meditate on God’s attributes, and these verses are full of them. Here’s the list: Savior, Helper, Protector, Holy, Unfailing Love.
The Lord is our Savior—can you thank him for your own eternal salvation and also the other ways he saves you from danger, and maybe also from yourself?
The Lord is our Helper—think right now of the many things, big and small, that he’s helped you with this week.
The Lord is our Protector—think of the times you may have narrowly avoided an auto accident or just missed falling down a flight of stairs. Who was your protector in those moments?
The Lord is Holy—Aren’t you thankful that you can trust in a holy God to call you his own, even when you are so unholy yourself? I am!
The Lord’s love is Unfailing—No matter how many times I fail, God’s love will never fail me. Since I’m a bit of a perfectionist, I’m still trying to grasp that concept and let it live in my heart.
Does your heart feel uplifted now, as mine does, now that you’ve thought about who God is?
Because God is perfect in these ways, the verses say we can depend on him, put our hope in him, trust in his holy name, and let our hearts rejoice in him. Let’s put that in everyday terms, based on examples I’ve recently seen in my circles of friends.
We can depend on him to provide for us during long seasons of unemployment or reduced income. We can put our hope in him to bring change our hopelessly dysfunctional relationships. We can trust in his holiness when we are confused about our suffering. We can choose to rejoice instead of worry—because when worry strikes, we can immediately shift our thoughts from problems to God, and He is our source of joy.
I challenge you to meditate on these verses and use them to ward off worry if it strikes today, and please comment if they have helped you.
Copyright 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Psalm 33:2-3
“Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp. Sing new songs of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.”
Do you praise God through music regularly? Not just by singing at church, or perhaps playing an instrument there. I mean, is it part of your personal worship time every day?
I’ve found this habit easier to practice since I started listening to the local contemporary Christian radio station a couple years ago. My mom friends introduced me to it, saying that it gave them a family-friendly option for radio music while driving. To be honest, I was skeptical and resistant at first. I didn’t want to give up my loyalty to country music, and I thought that the Christian music might be lower-quality. But I was pleasantly surprised by the changes.
By listening to Christian music, I became aware of how country music is often sad or questionable in content. I still enjoy country music every now and then, but I am more mindful of the lyrics and how they affect my mood. In comparison, my spirit is uplifted when I listen to praise music, because it shifts my focus onto God. And for my tastes, much of Christian music is just as well-produced as other music.
I also marvel at how God speaks to me through Christian music. I will be driving and listening, and suddenly the lyrics speak right into my situation. When this happens I’m always encouraged, and I thank God for using those songs to reveal himself.
Singing along with the songs is part of my daily worship. When I’m driving I’ll sing along (maybe not at intersections though, because I’m self-conscious). I also find myself singing somewhat unintentionally during repetitive tasks, like gardening or hand-washing dishes. It’s nice to know Christian music now, so that my task-time singing glorifies God. I smile when I hear my children singing praise songs as they play, and I imagine that makes God smile too—hearing any of us singing praise to him during everyday activities.
I’m sure that God loves to hear our songs of praise, whether we are musically gifted or not. Will you offer praise today by singing to Him?
Copyright 2009
Do you praise God through music regularly? Not just by singing at church, or perhaps playing an instrument there. I mean, is it part of your personal worship time every day?
I’ve found this habit easier to practice since I started listening to the local contemporary Christian radio station a couple years ago. My mom friends introduced me to it, saying that it gave them a family-friendly option for radio music while driving. To be honest, I was skeptical and resistant at first. I didn’t want to give up my loyalty to country music, and I thought that the Christian music might be lower-quality. But I was pleasantly surprised by the changes.
By listening to Christian music, I became aware of how country music is often sad or questionable in content. I still enjoy country music every now and then, but I am more mindful of the lyrics and how they affect my mood. In comparison, my spirit is uplifted when I listen to praise music, because it shifts my focus onto God. And for my tastes, much of Christian music is just as well-produced as other music.
I also marvel at how God speaks to me through Christian music. I will be driving and listening, and suddenly the lyrics speak right into my situation. When this happens I’m always encouraged, and I thank God for using those songs to reveal himself.
Singing along with the songs is part of my daily worship. When I’m driving I’ll sing along (maybe not at intersections though, because I’m self-conscious). I also find myself singing somewhat unintentionally during repetitive tasks, like gardening or hand-washing dishes. It’s nice to know Christian music now, so that my task-time singing glorifies God. I smile when I hear my children singing praise songs as they play, and I imagine that makes God smile too—hearing any of us singing praise to him during everyday activities.
I’m sure that God loves to hear our songs of praise, whether we are musically gifted or not. Will you offer praise today by singing to Him?
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Psalm 32:6-7
“Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.”
When I pray with my children at bedtime, we use Bill Hybels’ ACTS method of praying—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. I want to teach them humility as they approach God. First we praise him, using an attribute that we’ve discovered in our nightly Bible story. Then we confess our sins and ask Jesus to make our hearts clean. (I confess my sins too!) When we thank him, my boys participate by listing their items from the day. Only after all that do we ask him for blessings and help.
I hope by using this method, I am teaching my children to get their hearts right first, then make requests. I try to model speaking to God personally as a friend, while also reverencing him with praise and adoration.
Since I’ve been using this method for several years, the most valuable portion for me is confession. It’s important for me to confess some of my sins in front of my children, such as impatience or yelling. I want them to know that I struggle with sin just as they do, and I also need God’s forgiveness.
Sometimes when my boys have disputes, my oldest son is unwilling to admit fault even when I knew he was guilty. Then I say, “If you would just tell the truth, we can deal with it. You will face more consequences until you confess your part.” I become more annoyed about his denial rather than about the sin itself! I’m sure God feels somewhat like this about me—he doesn’t enjoy being a disciplinarian, but he will do what is necessary to get me to confess my sin, so our relationship can be restored.
If you look at today’s psalm, you see the consequences David faced when he didn’t confess his sin. He felt awful and weak as he faced the Lord’s discipline. But once he confessed, he was forgiven and all was well again. That’s why all of us need to confess our sin—not only to avoid judgment, but to be right with God.
Is there anything you may need to confess to the Lord today, maybe in front of your children?
Copyright 2009
When I pray with my children at bedtime, we use Bill Hybels’ ACTS method of praying—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. I want to teach them humility as they approach God. First we praise him, using an attribute that we’ve discovered in our nightly Bible story. Then we confess our sins and ask Jesus to make our hearts clean. (I confess my sins too!) When we thank him, my boys participate by listing their items from the day. Only after all that do we ask him for blessings and help.
I hope by using this method, I am teaching my children to get their hearts right first, then make requests. I try to model speaking to God personally as a friend, while also reverencing him with praise and adoration.
Since I’ve been using this method for several years, the most valuable portion for me is confession. It’s important for me to confess some of my sins in front of my children, such as impatience or yelling. I want them to know that I struggle with sin just as they do, and I also need God’s forgiveness.
Sometimes when my boys have disputes, my oldest son is unwilling to admit fault even when I knew he was guilty. Then I say, “If you would just tell the truth, we can deal with it. You will face more consequences until you confess your part.” I become more annoyed about his denial rather than about the sin itself! I’m sure God feels somewhat like this about me—he doesn’t enjoy being a disciplinarian, but he will do what is necessary to get me to confess my sin, so our relationship can be restored.
If you look at today’s psalm, you see the consequences David faced when he didn’t confess his sin. He felt awful and weak as he faced the Lord’s discipline. But once he confessed, he was forgiven and all was well again. That’s why all of us need to confess our sin—not only to avoid judgment, but to be right with God.
Is there anything you may need to confess to the Lord today, maybe in front of your children?
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Psalm 31:23-24
“Love the Lord, all you faithful ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant. So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord!”
Today’s verses are a snapshot of an authentic Christian. Let’s check it out.
First, a Christian loves the Lord. My love for the Lord is somewhat like my love for my husband. Romantic love waxes and wanes after 9 years of marriage, just like feelings of spiritual excitement ebb and flow. I choose to show “everyday” love for my husband in my daily actions and in my long-term commitment, no matter what happens or how I feel. I also show God “everyday” love by spending early morning time in Bible reading and prayer and by living in obedience, even when I’d rather do my own thing.
Christians are also faithful and loyal to God. Faithful means taking time every day to listen to Him and speak with Him. It also means regularly worshiping and participating in a church body. And Christians are loyal—they don’t give up their faith even when they are suffering, confused, or frustrated.
One thing you will not see in the life of a true Christian is arrogance. God is displeased when someone is proud, selfish, and unteachable. I ask God often to reveal any traces of selfishness in my life, and help me remove them.
Authentic Christians are strong and courageous. I think of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18. God gives us this battle gear: power, truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, his Spirit and his Word, and prayer. We don’t have to be strong or courageous in ourselves—God provides all we need for warfare!
Finally, a true Christian puts her hope in the Lord. As a Christian mother, I never give up hope that my three little ones will grow up to be authentic servants of Christ. I don’t worry that my efforts to pass on my faith will be wasted, because I trust that God has a perfect plan for me and my children.
What characteristics of an authentic Christian are you exhibiting, and which ones might you need to work on, with God’s help?
Copyright 2009
Today’s verses are a snapshot of an authentic Christian. Let’s check it out.
First, a Christian loves the Lord. My love for the Lord is somewhat like my love for my husband. Romantic love waxes and wanes after 9 years of marriage, just like feelings of spiritual excitement ebb and flow. I choose to show “everyday” love for my husband in my daily actions and in my long-term commitment, no matter what happens or how I feel. I also show God “everyday” love by spending early morning time in Bible reading and prayer and by living in obedience, even when I’d rather do my own thing.
Christians are also faithful and loyal to God. Faithful means taking time every day to listen to Him and speak with Him. It also means regularly worshiping and participating in a church body. And Christians are loyal—they don’t give up their faith even when they are suffering, confused, or frustrated.
One thing you will not see in the life of a true Christian is arrogance. God is displeased when someone is proud, selfish, and unteachable. I ask God often to reveal any traces of selfishness in my life, and help me remove them.
Authentic Christians are strong and courageous. I think of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-18. God gives us this battle gear: power, truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, his Spirit and his Word, and prayer. We don’t have to be strong or courageous in ourselves—God provides all we need for warfare!
Finally, a true Christian puts her hope in the Lord. As a Christian mother, I never give up hope that my three little ones will grow up to be authentic servants of Christ. I don’t worry that my efforts to pass on my faith will be wasted, because I trust that God has a perfect plan for me and my children.
What characteristics of an authentic Christian are you exhibiting, and which ones might you need to work on, with God’s help?
Copyright 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
I’m astounded to think that the Holy Spirit chooses me as his dwelling place, and that Jesus paid such an enormous price on the cross so that I would be included in his family. That is wonderful to consider, especially on days when I struggle with my self-image.
But the part, “So you must honor God with your body,” convicts me. I have overindulged in food most of my life. It’s not because I’m a glutton, though I do take pleasure in eating, especially sweets. The reason I’m 30 pounds overweight, one full year after my baby was born, is that I turn to food when I’m stressed out, and I don’t make time available for exercise.
I faced significant stress last year in several personal situations, as well as adjusting from two children to three. When I felt overwhelmed, I stood in our walk-in pantry with the door closed, shoving handfuls of chocolate chips in my mouth. I did this secretly because I didn’t want the kids to see—and I didn’t want to share! I used food to cope with stress, instead of asking the Lord to satisfy me in those painful moments.
As I read today’s verses, I recognize that when I overeat, I not only suffer from extra pounds, I also dishonor God. He wants me to cry out to Him when I’m overwhelmed or stressed. And He wants to provide the time and energy—and babysitting—for me to exercise too. I’ve been praying that God would help me with exactly that, but I didn’t see how our budget could include a gym membership. However, last week we received an escrow refund check of $600, and it lowered our monthly house payments by $43 per month. The gym membership is $42 per month, and I can pay for babysitting out of the refund check. What amazes me is that God cares about these details of my life, and He meets my needs in such practical ways.
It’s going to be a long journey to lose 30 pounds, but I know that God will sustain me. How can you ask Him to help you honor Him with your body?
Copyright 2009
I’m astounded to think that the Holy Spirit chooses me as his dwelling place, and that Jesus paid such an enormous price on the cross so that I would be included in his family. That is wonderful to consider, especially on days when I struggle with my self-image.
But the part, “So you must honor God with your body,” convicts me. I have overindulged in food most of my life. It’s not because I’m a glutton, though I do take pleasure in eating, especially sweets. The reason I’m 30 pounds overweight, one full year after my baby was born, is that I turn to food when I’m stressed out, and I don’t make time available for exercise.
I faced significant stress last year in several personal situations, as well as adjusting from two children to three. When I felt overwhelmed, I stood in our walk-in pantry with the door closed, shoving handfuls of chocolate chips in my mouth. I did this secretly because I didn’t want the kids to see—and I didn’t want to share! I used food to cope with stress, instead of asking the Lord to satisfy me in those painful moments.
As I read today’s verses, I recognize that when I overeat, I not only suffer from extra pounds, I also dishonor God. He wants me to cry out to Him when I’m overwhelmed or stressed. And He wants to provide the time and energy—and babysitting—for me to exercise too. I’ve been praying that God would help me with exactly that, but I didn’t see how our budget could include a gym membership. However, last week we received an escrow refund check of $600, and it lowered our monthly house payments by $43 per month. The gym membership is $42 per month, and I can pay for babysitting out of the refund check. What amazes me is that God cares about these details of my life, and He meets my needs in such practical ways.
It’s going to be a long journey to lose 30 pounds, but I know that God will sustain me. How can you ask Him to help you honor Him with your body?
Copyright 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, ‘You must remove the evil person from among you.’”
I wonder if this Scripture makes you a little uncomfortable, as it does me. Removing a person from fellowship is almost unheard of in today’s American church—that’s why this concept is so unfamiliar. It helps me to look at the chapter’s context to understand today’s focus verses.
In today’s full reading, we cover the chapter of 1 Corinthians 5. Paul speaks with incredulity at a report that a man was committing incest with his father’s wife, apparently without repentance, yet the Corinthian church had not removed him from the fellowship. In verse 5, Paul makes it clear that the goal of the “tough love” approach is to preserve the man’s salvation. He further explains in verses 6 and 7 that one man’s grossly sinful actions affect the church as a whole, and the church is to remain pure for the Lord. Then, in verse 11, he lists the sins that should be judged by the church if the sinner claims to be a believer yet lives in sin. These sins are sexual sins, greed, idol worship, abuse, drunkenness, and swindling.
So, going back to today’s focus verses, our job as believers is to work to preserve the holiness of the church body. The best context where I could apply this principle is as a small group leader in my church. If I suspected that any of my group members was living in sin without repentance, say infidelity or child abuse, I would be responsible as the group leader to lovingly confront the woman, most likely with the help of my pastors. The goal of the confrontation would be to help the woman face her sin and encourage her to repent, but also to preserve the integrity of the whole group.
I pray I will never have to confront this type of situation, but these verses are worthy to consider as scriptural backup for such a time. How would you handle this kind of problem in your church?
Copyright 2009
I wonder if this Scripture makes you a little uncomfortable, as it does me. Removing a person from fellowship is almost unheard of in today’s American church—that’s why this concept is so unfamiliar. It helps me to look at the chapter’s context to understand today’s focus verses.
In today’s full reading, we cover the chapter of 1 Corinthians 5. Paul speaks with incredulity at a report that a man was committing incest with his father’s wife, apparently without repentance, yet the Corinthian church had not removed him from the fellowship. In verse 5, Paul makes it clear that the goal of the “tough love” approach is to preserve the man’s salvation. He further explains in verses 6 and 7 that one man’s grossly sinful actions affect the church as a whole, and the church is to remain pure for the Lord. Then, in verse 11, he lists the sins that should be judged by the church if the sinner claims to be a believer yet lives in sin. These sins are sexual sins, greed, idol worship, abuse, drunkenness, and swindling.
So, going back to today’s focus verses, our job as believers is to work to preserve the holiness of the church body. The best context where I could apply this principle is as a small group leader in my church. If I suspected that any of my group members was living in sin without repentance, say infidelity or child abuse, I would be responsible as the group leader to lovingly confront the woman, most likely with the help of my pastors. The goal of the confrontation would be to help the woman face her sin and encourage her to repent, but also to preserve the integrity of the whole group.
I pray I will never have to confront this type of situation, but these verses are worthy to consider as scriptural backup for such a time. How would you handle this kind of problem in your church?
Copyright 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Psalm 30:2-3
“O Lord my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.”
I have faced several dark depressions in my past, which definitely seemed like the pit of death at the time. Depression and mental illness run in both sides of my family, and I suppose I carry the gene that predisposes me to this disease, not to mention my melancholy, introverted natural bent. Circumstances also played a major role in precipitating my depressions. Social transitions, grief when my best friend moved away, and unresolved anger over my parents’ divorce all contributed to several depressions during my teen years. I was 16 years old during the darkest period, when I would come home from school and lay in bed for hours, contemplating suicide. When I think about those intensely painful times, I shudder at how close I truly came to the grave, and I marvel at the ways God brought me up out of it. He always had his hand on me, even when my thinking was so dark and distorted, and he truly saved me from myself.
After I got married at 23, only a few weeks passed until I recognized depression warning signs. For the first time I sought professional help, because I felt responsible to my husband since my actions directly impact him. The counselor showed me that my depression was caused by anger turned inward, and as I worked through my repressed anger, I gained freedom and confidence. In just a few months, I felt so much better, and my faith was renewed as well. God truly heard my cries for help and he restored my mind’s health.
Since I’m predisposed toward depression, I face a lifelong struggle to redeem my thought-life. But I’ve learned that when I ask God to help me battle negative thinking, he meets my needs in very practical ways. I’ll pick up a Christian psychology book that speaks directly to my issues, or a dear friend will visit and listen to my sad feelings, but also encourage me in my faith. And God also cheers me up with the beauty of his creation. We live in the woods, and we have a large pond that we can look out upon from the living room. On particularly difficult days, he has sent a beautiful blue heron to our pond, or a family of orioles to feast from my bird feeders. These birds only visit a few hours at most, and as I watch them I think about Matthew 6:26, when God says I am far more valuable to him than the birds, which he cares for so lovingly.
Sometimes when I’m driving to town, looking in my rearview mirror at my three precious children, I think about the 16-year-old me who could have thwarted my chances to experience these blessings if she’d followed through on her self-destructive plans. And that’s when I thank God that he did indeed keep me from falling into the pit of death, and he brought me up from the grave. All the glory belongs to Him.
If you are struggling with depression, I urge you to seek professional help immediately, from your pastor or a Christian counselor. Focus on the Family can refer you to a counselor in your area if you call 1-800-A-FAMILY. God loves you and wants to help you. There is always hope…I am living proof!
Copyright 2009
I have faced several dark depressions in my past, which definitely seemed like the pit of death at the time. Depression and mental illness run in both sides of my family, and I suppose I carry the gene that predisposes me to this disease, not to mention my melancholy, introverted natural bent. Circumstances also played a major role in precipitating my depressions. Social transitions, grief when my best friend moved away, and unresolved anger over my parents’ divorce all contributed to several depressions during my teen years. I was 16 years old during the darkest period, when I would come home from school and lay in bed for hours, contemplating suicide. When I think about those intensely painful times, I shudder at how close I truly came to the grave, and I marvel at the ways God brought me up out of it. He always had his hand on me, even when my thinking was so dark and distorted, and he truly saved me from myself.
After I got married at 23, only a few weeks passed until I recognized depression warning signs. For the first time I sought professional help, because I felt responsible to my husband since my actions directly impact him. The counselor showed me that my depression was caused by anger turned inward, and as I worked through my repressed anger, I gained freedom and confidence. In just a few months, I felt so much better, and my faith was renewed as well. God truly heard my cries for help and he restored my mind’s health.
Since I’m predisposed toward depression, I face a lifelong struggle to redeem my thought-life. But I’ve learned that when I ask God to help me battle negative thinking, he meets my needs in very practical ways. I’ll pick up a Christian psychology book that speaks directly to my issues, or a dear friend will visit and listen to my sad feelings, but also encourage me in my faith. And God also cheers me up with the beauty of his creation. We live in the woods, and we have a large pond that we can look out upon from the living room. On particularly difficult days, he has sent a beautiful blue heron to our pond, or a family of orioles to feast from my bird feeders. These birds only visit a few hours at most, and as I watch them I think about Matthew 6:26, when God says I am far more valuable to him than the birds, which he cares for so lovingly.
Sometimes when I’m driving to town, looking in my rearview mirror at my three precious children, I think about the 16-year-old me who could have thwarted my chances to experience these blessings if she’d followed through on her self-destructive plans. And that’s when I thank God that he did indeed keep me from falling into the pit of death, and he brought me up from the grave. All the glory belongs to Him.
If you are struggling with depression, I urge you to seek professional help immediately, from your pastor or a Christian counselor. Focus on the Family can refer you to a counselor in your area if you call 1-800-A-FAMILY. God loves you and wants to help you. There is always hope…I am living proof!
Copyright 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
1 Corinthians 3:7-8
"The ones who do the planting or watering aren't important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work."
The gardening season allows for so many teachable moments for my children. At preschool this April, my oldest son planted three seeds in a cup, and a few weeks later he got to take the seedlings home. We planted them in a large pot, and all summer we've enjoyed dozens of bright pink zinnia flowers from those three little seeds. He was so excited to watch them grow and put out the first flowers. During the process, I asked him things like, "Who makes plants grow?" and "Who sends the sunshine and rain for these flowers?" But since the seeds were planted in a container, we can't depend solely on the rain to water them enough, because the soil in the container dries out faster than the soil in the garden. So while I helped my son water the seeds with a watering can, I taught him that we also have a part in helping them grow, just like God asks believers to help him by telling others about Jesus.
I've been blessed to already reap some rewards for the seeds of faith that I've planted in my sons' hearts. My oldest son is five years old, and he spontaneously professed his faith at three-and-a-half. I know by the way he worded his profession, he was influenced by his time in the preschool program at Bible Study Fellowship, to which I had faithfully taken him since he was two. My other son is three, and this summer he experienced his first Vacation Bible School, for which the theme was "Fear Not, God is with us!" During a severe thunderstorm one night this week, he raised his fist in the air and said in his adorable three-year-old voice, "Fear Not!", just like the group did at VBS. Then he said, "Jesus will keep us safe in the storm, Mom." That just made my heart feel good! As the verse says, as honored as I have been to plant those seeds and harvest those rewards, God is the one who has done the important work...placing my children in a Christian family and preparing their hearts for his truth and love.
As I read the verse again, I connect planting the seed to spreading the gospel, and watering to discipling, which is helping an established believer grow properly. My smallest children are still only three and one, so I have many more opportunities to plant seeds of faith in their hearts. But since my oldest son has already professed his faith and has shown much other evidence of his personal belief, my job will soon shift from planting to watering. What a blessing and privilege this is for me as their mother, a priceless investment I am humbled to make in their lives, which will pay dividends even into eternity!
I remember when my oldest son was no more than two, I read in an article by Dr. James Dobson that the greatest window of opportunity for people to come to know God is up until about five or six years of age. If people haven't accepted God before that time, their likelihood of converting to the Christian faith after that is only about 10%. As I read those words, I pondered the tremendous responsibility parents have, not just to feed, clothe, and nurture their children, but to teach them about the one true God. Certainly my taking advantage of this short window of opportunity is of utmost importance, but I am responsible to keep planting and watering during the entire season of parenting. It's humbling to consider, but also very gratifying to know I'm doing God's work right here at home.
What are you doing, whether you are a parent or not, to plant seeds of faith or water them? Who did the planting or watering in your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
The gardening season allows for so many teachable moments for my children. At preschool this April, my oldest son planted three seeds in a cup, and a few weeks later he got to take the seedlings home. We planted them in a large pot, and all summer we've enjoyed dozens of bright pink zinnia flowers from those three little seeds. He was so excited to watch them grow and put out the first flowers. During the process, I asked him things like, "Who makes plants grow?" and "Who sends the sunshine and rain for these flowers?" But since the seeds were planted in a container, we can't depend solely on the rain to water them enough, because the soil in the container dries out faster than the soil in the garden. So while I helped my son water the seeds with a watering can, I taught him that we also have a part in helping them grow, just like God asks believers to help him by telling others about Jesus.
I've been blessed to already reap some rewards for the seeds of faith that I've planted in my sons' hearts. My oldest son is five years old, and he spontaneously professed his faith at three-and-a-half. I know by the way he worded his profession, he was influenced by his time in the preschool program at Bible Study Fellowship, to which I had faithfully taken him since he was two. My other son is three, and this summer he experienced his first Vacation Bible School, for which the theme was "Fear Not, God is with us!" During a severe thunderstorm one night this week, he raised his fist in the air and said in his adorable three-year-old voice, "Fear Not!", just like the group did at VBS. Then he said, "Jesus will keep us safe in the storm, Mom." That just made my heart feel good! As the verse says, as honored as I have been to plant those seeds and harvest those rewards, God is the one who has done the important work...placing my children in a Christian family and preparing their hearts for his truth and love.
As I read the verse again, I connect planting the seed to spreading the gospel, and watering to discipling, which is helping an established believer grow properly. My smallest children are still only three and one, so I have many more opportunities to plant seeds of faith in their hearts. But since my oldest son has already professed his faith and has shown much other evidence of his personal belief, my job will soon shift from planting to watering. What a blessing and privilege this is for me as their mother, a priceless investment I am humbled to make in their lives, which will pay dividends even into eternity!
I remember when my oldest son was no more than two, I read in an article by Dr. James Dobson that the greatest window of opportunity for people to come to know God is up until about five or six years of age. If people haven't accepted God before that time, their likelihood of converting to the Christian faith after that is only about 10%. As I read those words, I pondered the tremendous responsibility parents have, not just to feed, clothe, and nurture their children, but to teach them about the one true God. Certainly my taking advantage of this short window of opportunity is of utmost importance, but I am responsible to keep planting and watering during the entire season of parenting. It's humbling to consider, but also very gratifying to know I'm doing God's work right here at home.
What are you doing, whether you are a parent or not, to plant seeds of faith or water them? Who did the planting or watering in your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
1 Corinthians 2:12
"And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us."
This verse builds on yesterday's focus verse, and it explains how Christians can recognize the message of the cross as the very power of God. I also enjoy Paul's further explanation in today's reading, 1 Cor. 2:14-16.
I find it incredible and amazing that a person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit himself, takes up residence in a believer's heart. When I consider it, I wonder how I ever get discouraged or weary at all! Yet as the Bible says, I am like a common clay vessel (prone to weakness), but I am filled with the power of God through the Holy Spirit. It's wonderful!
How does the Holy Spirit work in your life? This is how I've found him to work in mine. One example: I will pray for God's wisdom and guidance on a certain topic. Then, in the next few days or weeks, I will hear a certain song regarding the topic, or it will show up in the Sunday sermon, or it will "just happen" to come up as the topic of a radio broadcast. And of course, it will pop up in my daily Bible reading as well. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways, but they are wonderful ways too. Rarely does God speak directly to me today like he did to people in the Old Testament. But He speaks to me through my current connections, if I ask for the Holy Spirit's help and avail myself to good resources.
Another way the Holy Spirit works in my life is by pricking my conscience. As my faith has grown, especially since I've become a parent, it's become easier to recognize the world's spirit working through music, television, and movies. I don't want to expose my children to the world's spirit in the media any sooner than necessary, and as they grow, I plan to teach them critical thinking skills to evaluate what they see and hear. So I carefully monitor our family television viewing and what's playing on the radio in the van. But I've also learned that what isn't good for my children isn't good for me either, because I am God's child, as they are. That's why I try to read movie reviews before I watch a movie, to discern whether it will be pleasing to God for me to expose myself to certain images or ideas, even as an adult. This is a major change compared to what I listened to and watched before I became a mother. And I credit it all to the Holy Spirit sensitizing my conscience. Has your conscience become more sensitive lately?
Today, I'm going to ask God to send his Spirit so I can know the wonderful things He's freely given me. Will you do the same?
Copyright 2009
This verse builds on yesterday's focus verse, and it explains how Christians can recognize the message of the cross as the very power of God. I also enjoy Paul's further explanation in today's reading, 1 Cor. 2:14-16.
I find it incredible and amazing that a person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit himself, takes up residence in a believer's heart. When I consider it, I wonder how I ever get discouraged or weary at all! Yet as the Bible says, I am like a common clay vessel (prone to weakness), but I am filled with the power of God through the Holy Spirit. It's wonderful!
How does the Holy Spirit work in your life? This is how I've found him to work in mine. One example: I will pray for God's wisdom and guidance on a certain topic. Then, in the next few days or weeks, I will hear a certain song regarding the topic, or it will show up in the Sunday sermon, or it will "just happen" to come up as the topic of a radio broadcast. And of course, it will pop up in my daily Bible reading as well. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways, but they are wonderful ways too. Rarely does God speak directly to me today like he did to people in the Old Testament. But He speaks to me through my current connections, if I ask for the Holy Spirit's help and avail myself to good resources.
Another way the Holy Spirit works in my life is by pricking my conscience. As my faith has grown, especially since I've become a parent, it's become easier to recognize the world's spirit working through music, television, and movies. I don't want to expose my children to the world's spirit in the media any sooner than necessary, and as they grow, I plan to teach them critical thinking skills to evaluate what they see and hear. So I carefully monitor our family television viewing and what's playing on the radio in the van. But I've also learned that what isn't good for my children isn't good for me either, because I am God's child, as they are. That's why I try to read movie reviews before I watch a movie, to discern whether it will be pleasing to God for me to expose myself to certain images or ideas, even as an adult. This is a major change compared to what I listened to and watched before I became a mother. And I credit it all to the Holy Spirit sensitizing my conscience. Has your conscience become more sensitive lately?
Today, I'm going to ask God to send his Spirit so I can know the wonderful things He's freely given me. Will you do the same?
Copyright 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
1 Corinthians 1:18
"I [Paul] know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God."
Have you ever been branded a fool for sharing your faith? At times, I have played the fool for faith. I used to feel frustrated when those who criticized me for my faith didn't understand my perspective. I mean, I wasn't making fun of them for what they believed...didn't they owe me the same measure of respect? But through my Bible study, I started to learn that they cannot understand the message of the gospel until the Holy Spirit enlightens their hearts. Indeed, the gospel is "foolish" not because its message is unclear, untrue, or irrelevant to today's world; it sounds foolish to them because their hearts are unmoved. In fact, the gospel can sound rather offensive to them, especially if they grew up in the church but may not yet have authentic faith. So, knowing this has changed my prayer life. Before I meet with people who have criticized my faith, I pray that their hearts would be softened, receptive, and open, and I don't worry about looking like a fool anymore, though I am careful to speak the truth in love.
Since God has changed me with "the message of the cross," it has been easy to see how it shows up as "the very power of God" in my daily life. Sometimes I pray for the simple tasks like, "God, give me the strength to finish washing these dishes, because I'm feeling overwhelmed right now." Or, after an especially weary day of mothering and working, I pray that God will give me just one more half-hour of energy for time with my husband. And once those prayers have been answered, I know that God's power worked through me, because I had no power of my own on reserve. When I see God's power in those small things, it gives me hope that my "bigger" prayers will be answered, such as my prayer for the past 10 months that our spec house would sell.
Often my mom friends from church and I discuss, "What if we had to face our mountains without knowing God's power is available to us? It would feel so lonely and overwhelming." I feel so blessed knowing God will give me his power in both the small things as a wife and mother, and more so in the big things, and that He is with me all along the journey. How do you see the power of God working in your life, if you have been saved by the message of the cross?
Copyright 2009
Have you ever been branded a fool for sharing your faith? At times, I have played the fool for faith. I used to feel frustrated when those who criticized me for my faith didn't understand my perspective. I mean, I wasn't making fun of them for what they believed...didn't they owe me the same measure of respect? But through my Bible study, I started to learn that they cannot understand the message of the gospel until the Holy Spirit enlightens their hearts. Indeed, the gospel is "foolish" not because its message is unclear, untrue, or irrelevant to today's world; it sounds foolish to them because their hearts are unmoved. In fact, the gospel can sound rather offensive to them, especially if they grew up in the church but may not yet have authentic faith. So, knowing this has changed my prayer life. Before I meet with people who have criticized my faith, I pray that their hearts would be softened, receptive, and open, and I don't worry about looking like a fool anymore, though I am careful to speak the truth in love.
Since God has changed me with "the message of the cross," it has been easy to see how it shows up as "the very power of God" in my daily life. Sometimes I pray for the simple tasks like, "God, give me the strength to finish washing these dishes, because I'm feeling overwhelmed right now." Or, after an especially weary day of mothering and working, I pray that God will give me just one more half-hour of energy for time with my husband. And once those prayers have been answered, I know that God's power worked through me, because I had no power of my own on reserve. When I see God's power in those small things, it gives me hope that my "bigger" prayers will be answered, such as my prayer for the past 10 months that our spec house would sell.
Often my mom friends from church and I discuss, "What if we had to face our mountains without knowing God's power is available to us? It would feel so lonely and overwhelming." I feel so blessed knowing God will give me his power in both the small things as a wife and mother, and more so in the big things, and that He is with me all along the journey. How do you see the power of God working in your life, if you have been saved by the message of the cross?
Copyright 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
1 Corinthians 1:7-8
"Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong right up to the end, and he will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns."
It's interesting that the first-century Corinthians were eagerly awaiting Christ's return, as if they expected it to happen during their lifetimes. I confess that on most days, it's not something to which I give much thought, even though I am surely living in times closer to the end. My life as a mom is so "daily," bogged down in the details like diapers, dishes, appointments, phone calls, meal planning, and trying to save any leftover energy for my husband, myself, or even prayer. Also, I grew up in the church and went to private Christian schools, but not in a denomination that regularly discussed end times. I knew that Jesus had promised to return, but I had never explored the topic in-depth myself.
In fact, I don't remember hearing anything significant about the second coming until I listened to a Focus on the Family broadcast about two years ago, and I was riveted. When I heard that some scholars think we live now perhaps only decades away from Christ's return, I was fascinated, but frankly, also scared, having never considered it before. Since then I've done some of my own research, and it helped me to study Matthew 24 and 25 in my Bible Study Fellowship class. What I learned is that instead of being afraid, I should channel that energy into living every day as if Christ's return is imminent. In my life, that means being the best wife, mother, friend, and family member possible, taking every opportunity to share the gospel, because the days are indeed short.
Even though my days as a mom are so busy, I try to remember that life won't always be this hard, and that I'm not really created to live in this world. Someday I'll be able to see this God I worship face-to-face, and that gives me such peace, and perspective on my problems. When I get really weighed down, I turn to Revelation 21 and 22, and read about my eternal home, and I am encouraged. And I'm also encouraged by today's verse, knowing that I have all I need--spiritual gifts, strength, and freedom from blame--until Jesus returns. Does this verse challenge and encourage you as well?
Copyright 2009
It's interesting that the first-century Corinthians were eagerly awaiting Christ's return, as if they expected it to happen during their lifetimes. I confess that on most days, it's not something to which I give much thought, even though I am surely living in times closer to the end. My life as a mom is so "daily," bogged down in the details like diapers, dishes, appointments, phone calls, meal planning, and trying to save any leftover energy for my husband, myself, or even prayer. Also, I grew up in the church and went to private Christian schools, but not in a denomination that regularly discussed end times. I knew that Jesus had promised to return, but I had never explored the topic in-depth myself.
In fact, I don't remember hearing anything significant about the second coming until I listened to a Focus on the Family broadcast about two years ago, and I was riveted. When I heard that some scholars think we live now perhaps only decades away from Christ's return, I was fascinated, but frankly, also scared, having never considered it before. Since then I've done some of my own research, and it helped me to study Matthew 24 and 25 in my Bible Study Fellowship class. What I learned is that instead of being afraid, I should channel that energy into living every day as if Christ's return is imminent. In my life, that means being the best wife, mother, friend, and family member possible, taking every opportunity to share the gospel, because the days are indeed short.
Even though my days as a mom are so busy, I try to remember that life won't always be this hard, and that I'm not really created to live in this world. Someday I'll be able to see this God I worship face-to-face, and that gives me such peace, and perspective on my problems. When I get really weighed down, I turn to Revelation 21 and 22, and read about my eternal home, and I am encouraged. And I'm also encouraged by today's verse, knowing that I have all I need--spiritual gifts, strength, and freedom from blame--until Jesus returns. Does this verse challenge and encourage you as well?
Copyright 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Psalm 26:2-3
"Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections. For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth."
How many of us are bold enough to ask the Lord to cross-examine our daily lives? When I focus on my failings, this verse seems so intimidating. But I have learned that when I seek out God's opinion on my heart's desires, what He reveals to me is always for my good.
When I ask God to show me if I have any selfish motives in a decision, he always answers that prayer! As my husband faced several job changes in the past few years, selling our house became a perennial source of contention, because I was unwilling to let it go. This is the house we built from the ground up, even clearing the trees ourselves. Our house was built in the same area where my family has lived for six generations. And as many moms do, I dreamed that this house is where we will create many lasting family memories.
In many different ways, God spoke to my heart as I pleaded with him to let us keep this house. He slowly and gently revealed to me that I had made the house an idol, allowing it to serve as a source of security and comfort, which only God can satisfy. So, as the verse describes, my motives and affections were tested, and God was very patient with me during the process. As difficult as it has been, my willingness to surrender this house to God--even though the house has belonged to Him all along--has strengthened my faith immeasurably.
We are still living in this house, and I still want to keep it as long as possible. But I am learning that I am a steward, and this house is a gift from the Lord. My job is to enjoy it and care for it, but not to put my trust in it in any way. I have peace that the Lord will provide for us and clearly show us if or when we should put it up for sale. And my surrender has also improved my relationship with my husband. We are learning to respect one another's point of view about the house, and to sometimes agree to disagree. If I hadn't asked the Lord to test my heart about the house, I could not have experienced these blessings.
Are you bold enough to ask the Lord to test your motives and affections? I guarantee He will answer that prayer for you.
Copyright 2009
How many of us are bold enough to ask the Lord to cross-examine our daily lives? When I focus on my failings, this verse seems so intimidating. But I have learned that when I seek out God's opinion on my heart's desires, what He reveals to me is always for my good.
When I ask God to show me if I have any selfish motives in a decision, he always answers that prayer! As my husband faced several job changes in the past few years, selling our house became a perennial source of contention, because I was unwilling to let it go. This is the house we built from the ground up, even clearing the trees ourselves. Our house was built in the same area where my family has lived for six generations. And as many moms do, I dreamed that this house is where we will create many lasting family memories.
In many different ways, God spoke to my heart as I pleaded with him to let us keep this house. He slowly and gently revealed to me that I had made the house an idol, allowing it to serve as a source of security and comfort, which only God can satisfy. So, as the verse describes, my motives and affections were tested, and God was very patient with me during the process. As difficult as it has been, my willingness to surrender this house to God--even though the house has belonged to Him all along--has strengthened my faith immeasurably.
We are still living in this house, and I still want to keep it as long as possible. But I am learning that I am a steward, and this house is a gift from the Lord. My job is to enjoy it and care for it, but not to put my trust in it in any way. I have peace that the Lord will provide for us and clearly show us if or when we should put it up for sale. And my surrender has also improved my relationship with my husband. We are learning to respect one another's point of view about the house, and to sometimes agree to disagree. If I hadn't asked the Lord to test my heart about the house, I could not have experienced these blessings.
Are you bold enough to ask the Lord to test your motives and affections? I guarantee He will answer that prayer for you.
Copyright 2009
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