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
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