C-W-B
General => Faith => Topic started by: PippaJane on June 15, 2019, 10:48:51 PM
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Fear Has a Really Big Mouth
Mar 07, 2019 | Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
Friend to Friend
I often try to quiet fear by pretending it doesn’t exist. Clever I know. But alas, it does exist and that’s not always a bad thing. To the contrary, it can actually keep us safe in proper context. When my house was struck by lightning and lit with fire, fear sounded an emotional alarm, insisting that I escape and fast. In this instance, fear was good. It kept me safe. In many instances, however, fear is not good. I’ve found that while it’s natural to be afraid at times human, even it’s best to not allow feelings of fear to consume and control large spaces of real estate in my heart. In Psalm 56, David handles the intersection of his fear and faith nicely. In Psalm 56, captured by the Philistines in Gath, and in Psalm 57, hiding in a cave to escape the pursuit of Saul, David sifted through honest feelings of vulnerability and desperation. I imagine his reality was one of shaky hands, pulse raging wild and brows soaked in sweat. Yet fear was silenced as he made the powerful decision to redirect his emotions toward a more productive, more faith-filled response when David chose to trust God. By choosing to trust God in the hiding and in the chains, David’s fear shifted to faith. Faith shuts the mouth of fear.
“When I am afraid, I will trust you.†(Psalm 56:3, CSB)
“You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.†(Psalm 56:8-9, CSB)
These weren’t just flippant statements or memorized verses. These were sturdy declarations. Deliberate choices made by a deeply determined worshiper. The kind of choices that change and calm a frantic heart. The kind of choices that speak peace to anxiousness. The kind of choices we can make when we’re afraid. The kind of choice we can make when fear screams loud within. Bring it. Fear is a liar. We can choose faith, knowing God is for us. Decision made.
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Show, Don’t Just Tell
Mar 08, 2019 | Arlene Pellicane
Today's Truth
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23
Friend to Friend
I’m going to stop wasting time on TV. I am going to lose twenty pounds. I would like to help the poor. I’m going to show my kids I am the boss once and for all. I’ll apply myself at my work starting tomorrow. Do any of these sentiments sound familiar?
At some point, we get frustrated and fed up and make an impassioned vow to change. Like when my forty-something-year-old face breaks out with acne because I ate way too much chocolate the day before, I promise “No more chocolate until Easter!â€
But alas, just a few days later if I’m given chocolate or find a secret stash at home, I’m prone to forget my words and eat dark, delicious chocolate instead. It can be hard to back up our words with actions! Yet words without supporting actions are weak and powerless. Today’s key verse reminds us that it’s hard work that results in profit, not just mere words, no matter how poetic or persuasive. “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.â€
Hard work on one side of the equation. Mere talk on the other. Now for many of us, talking is easier than working! But talking, without working, will make men and women poor, both financially and spiritually. It says it this way in Proverbs 10:4 (NKJV), “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.â€
Do you know someone who talks big but works little?
Now isn’t it funny that we quickly judge others based on their actions (I can’t believe she didn’t show up to volunteer!). But we judge ourselves based on our intentions (Well, I was planning to go but something important came up). With others especially those closest to us, we demand justice. With ourselves, we tend to apply mercy. So, let’s take a moment today to take inventory of our talk and our walk. Do we follow through with our commitments?
Do we work or do we just talk about how much we work?
If I profess to be a Christian woman, do I act like one?
Does my calendar, social media, bank account, credit card bill, and movie collection confirm or contradict who I say I am?
Now don’t get carried away. This isn’t meant to make you a crazed, work-oriented, legalistic person. Go back to the equation addressed in today’s proverb: hard work on one side, mere talk on the other. This is about ditching grandiose speeches and empty promises and foolish words. It’s about embracing hard work, good habits, faithfulness and diligence. Diligence means “careful and persistent work or effort. I read this saying in a Bible commentary about today’s key verse: “The stirring hand gets a penny.†Nowadays, not very many people are willing to stir anything for just a penny. We’re into “get rich quick†schemes and “3 easy steps†to whatever solution we need. But the way you get ahead in life is by being willing to put in a good day’s work – whether that’s at home, in your career, or your personal life. Hard work may not be popular or easy to market, but it truly is the pathway of growth and success.
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When the Storms Come
Mar 11, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
Friend to Friend
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He feverishly prayed for God’s rescue, but with every day that passed, his hope weakened. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. Everything was lost. Stunned with grief and anger, the man cried, “God, how could you do this to me!â€
The next morning, he woke to the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?†the weary man asked.
“We saw your smoke signal,†they replied.
Storms are for our good. When a storm hits, I usually look for the nearest exit, hoping to escape the high winds. I am more than willing to give up my seat in a rocking boat in exchange for tranquil waters and blue skies. I don’t like pain. I dread uncertain times. When life spirals out of control, I often withdraw from friends and family in an attempt to hide. Stress can paralyze me and make it difficult for me to function normally. Small tasks become huge mountains as the clouds gather and the winds pick up speed. To think that storms are for my good is a stretch to say the least. I know you have repeatedly heard and maybe even taught the truth that we are strengthened by our storms. Honestly, there have been times when I felt as if I would explode if one more person told me to praise God for my storm. Looking back, however, there is absolutely no doubt that my greatest growth has come during my most fierce life storms. Each storm has become a spiritual marker, a testament to the sufficiency and faithfulness of God. It is from those markers that a powerful life is shaped and molded. Storms will come. Storms are a reality of life. We will either become storm survivors or storm statistics. The choice really is ours to make. We can stop telling God how big our storm is and start telling the storm just how big our God is. The key to enduring storms is to embrace each one that comes, knowing it contains and can yield a seed of victory.
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Facing the Future or Fearing It?
Mar 12, 2019 | Kathi Lipp
Today's Truth
Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:33-34
Friend to Friend
When I was a young adult, I would often tell myself, “When I become really successful, I will give away so much money! I will support orphans and the needy. I need to work hard so that in my later years, I can do a lot of good in the world and for God’s kingdom.â€
At the same time, I was in a constant battle: me verses my stuff. My home was stuffed to the brim with things I bought and used (or not). I would try and try to declutter, but everything in my house, to me, was completely essential. Maybe not right now; I couldn’t get rid of anything that I might need, someday. It seemed wasteful to have bought the heart-shaped muffin pan, use it once, and then give it away. (What if, five years later, I had another child who wanted little heart shaped cakes for Valentines day?) My entire house was brimming with “what ifs.†So as my house kept bursting at the seams, my plans I had to care for the poor never magically happened. I knew the next step was to earn more money so I could serve the poor and buy a bigger house so that we weren’t always so crowded, and I could concentrate on loving others well. Right?
Isn’t this what the world tells us?
All of this was faulty, future thinking. Instead of doing what I could, in the moment, to serve those right in front of me, I kept saying “someday.†About my clutter. About my helping the poor. And at the root of this future, faulty thinking was fear. When it came to clutter, “What if I need it someday?†is the cry of the fearful heart. Because for the fearful heart, what we once decided would be “enough†to start helping the poor, “enough†to have in our homes, will never be enough. The only way we will have enough in our homes, enough to help those who need the help, is to get to the place where we trust the God who has already given us so much. It took me well into my forties to believe really believe that I could get rid of the “extra†in my house, the “just in case†in my house, without fear. Have I given away a few things I needed again?
Occasionally. In those instances, I’ve had the peace of knowing that my extra was being used by someone else who needed it, and I could, if I really needed it, buy or borrow those items again. But the most exciting part of this journey has been the ability to help people not “someday†but right now. Instead of selling our couch that was still in wonderful shape and people had offered to buy from us, we were able to give it to a single mom who just moved to our community. And when our friend was raising funds for clean water in Africa, I had a piece of jewelry (given to me by someone who was no longer in my life) that I was able to sell for money to help build a well. I would rather carry these acts in my heart than extra stuff in my house. Don’t let your abundance be what you put your trust in. Instead trust your abundance to God.
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Are You Emotionally Crippled?
Mar 13, 2019 | Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
“Woman, you are released [set free] from your infirmity! (Luke 13:12 AMPC, note added)
Friend to Friend
I was riding down the crowded streets of Mexico City in a cab when I saw her. She measured about four feet high, back curved, bent at the waist at a ninety-degree angle, and fingers gnarled and twisted shut. Like an upside-down chair, her face was parallel to the dirty sidewalk. Feet. Dirt. Trash. That was her view of the world. She shuffled alongside our car as we inched through the congested traffic. I saw her, but she did not see me. She could not see me. She just saw feet. Sharon, look at my daughter, God seemed to say. When you read about the woman with the crippled back, never again see her as a character in a story. See her as you see this woman now. Flesh and blood. Real and relevant. My daughter. Your sister. God reminded me once again that the women we read about in the Bible were real people just like you and me. We must never forget that. Today, let’s look at the woman with the crippled back in Luke 13:10-17. And while we might not be able to relate to being crippled physically, most of us can relate to being crippled emotionally. We see feet people passing by going about their busy lives. We see dirt the mistakes we’ve made through the years. We see trash the pain inflicted on us by others and many times by our own poor decisions. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls†(Matthew 11:28-29).
Rest for our souls. Isn’t that what we all want?
Like the woman with the crippled back, we may have “a spirit of infirmity,†a sickness of the soul. That is an interesting way to explain her illness. More than just a crippled back, her spirit was crippled as well. Linda Hollies, in her book, Jesus and Those Bodacious Women brings this point home. “There are many spirits that can cause you to walk around in a bent over state. They might be your color, your gender, your age, your marital state, your family, or they could be abuse, injustice, resentment, oppression, despair, loneliness, your economic state, or even a physical challenge. It makes no difference what has hurt you in the past, it makes no difference how old you were when the trauma affected your life, and it makes no difference what your wealth, position, or status is. For the evil one comes to steal, kill, and destroy and each one of us is a candidate for being bent and bowed.â€
Bent and bowed. The weight of the world on our shoulders. Little by little. Day by day. Heaviness too difficult to bear. A spirit of infirmity. Crippled by shame, fear, pain, disappointment, depression, poverty, insecurity, inferiority, inadequacy, broken dreams. Satan, the one who orchestrates the spirit of infirmity, wants to cripple us into inactivity so that our walk becomes a shuffle. Our voice becomes a whisper. Our vision becomes a blur. Who put the chains on this woman in the first place?
Jesus said Satan had her bound (Luke 13:16). In reality, all sickness was ushered into the world when Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie over God’s truth and ate the forbidden fruit. For the thirty-three years that Jesus walked the earth, He was in a life-and-death struggle with evil. John tells us that the reason Jesus came was to destroy the devil’s work (1 John 3:8). The battleground is the world and humans are the pawns of the evil one. Note the language: “locked up†and “set free.†This is about much more than physical healing. It is about spiritual freedom. And when Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished,†it was.
Now, because of Jesus’ victory over the enemy through His death and resurrection, we are more than conquerors through faith in Him
Don’t miss this. Jesus said, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.â€
There are those words again set free. The words paint a picture of chains and manacles falling from a prisoner’s shackled body. Another translation says it this way, “Woman, you are released from your infirmity!†(Luke 13:12 AMPC).
The irons of oppression that held her prisoner to this crippled frame gave way and fell at Jesus’ feet as He unlocked the chains that had her bound. Jesus came to set us free, and that freedom comes in many forms. Whatever Satan is using to bind you, Jesus came to free you. Free from and free to. I can’t say that enough. For far too long we’ve looked at freedom only in terms of what we are free from. But freedom encompasses so much more than a shedding of chains. Jesus set us free to live the abundant life by being all that He has created us to be and accomplishing all that He has planned for us to do. Setting her straight (literally) was only the beginning for her.
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Permission to Speak Freely
Mar 14, 2019 | Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22, CSB)
Friend to Friend
I like to filter things. Get the junk out. Keep it pure. I have a filter for water on my counter and on my refrigerator. I replace them regularly. It makes me feel safe. My fondness for filtering often flows over into the prayers I pray. I search for cleaned up words when I talk to God. Unconsciously believing He’ll like me better if my thoughts, emotions and desires run through a “good-Christian-girl†screen. It makes me feel safe. Then I see David all up in the mess with God in Psalm 54 and I’m challenged again. David prays unfiltered. He’s brutally honest with God. In a way I admire but hesitate to emulate. He doesn’t clean up his God-talk. He spills it. Sediment and all. I see this in the Word and my heart breathes. We can speak freely even when our hearts grind with grit because Jesus is our freedom. We can enter into the dirt of others because He has entered into ours. It’s good for me to drink filtered water and to filter the words that leave my mouth in conversation, but the words I speak to my Lord don’t need filtering. God can handle my honesty: good, bad and ugly. He needs me to relinquish the ugly in order to transform my heart. There are lessons to be learned in the filtering and un-filtering. In the freedom and in the restraint. David wrote Psalm 55 in another time of distress. God, listen to my prayer and do not hide from my plea for help. 2 Pay attention to me and answer me. I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint, 3 because of the enemy’s words, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me and harass me in anger. (Psalm 55:1-3, CSB)
He prays that God would show him mercy, talks of his sorrows and fears. He asks God to take action, assuring himself that God would, in due time, take care of business. But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. 17 I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, and he hears my voice. 18 Though many are against me, he will redeem me from my battle unharmed. (Psalm 55:16-18, CSB)
He comforts himself with the hopes of divine rescue, and then points others to trust the Rescuer. His heart burns with the ache of things not being as they should laments the reality of broken life. Finally, David assures himself that God will make all wrong right in the end. Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22, CSB)
God lovingly sustains each weary heart that calls to Him, and picks up the heavy end of our burdens to lighten the load. And He holds tight to His own so they won’t shake. What a powerful, beautiful, strong picture of His love. In the shelter of His everlasting arms, we can pray unfiltered, ask hard questions and seek comfort from a God who understands pain, knows all and loves perfectly. We can trust Him.
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The Gentle Whisper of God
Mar 15, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10, NIV)
Friend to Friend
It is totally true that we have to learn to get still and quiet in order to hear from God. This is why God tells us in the Psalms: “Be still and know that I am God.†Psalm 46:10
I love the story of Elijah the prophet who is waiting to hear from God about the man who will replace him and carry on the ministry. (Elijah’s story is found in 1 King 19.) Elijah asks God to speak to him. Elijah goes through a great storm but God does not speak in the storm. He experiences an earthquake but God does speak in the earthquake. He sees a great fire but again, God does not speak in the fire. Elijah finally hears God in a still, small voice in a gentle whisper. God will use a 2 x 4 to get our attention when nothing else works. But He prefers to get our attention through a still, small voice. We must learn to get quiet in order to hear the gentle whisper of God’s Spirit. If you have established a daily time with God, you have no doubt discovered the reality that the minute your body gets still, your mind and heart kick into high gear. Your mind brings up all the things you have to do, while your heart reminds you of all the things you are worried or concerned about. One of the challenges of being still is dealing with these issues. Within the Quaker faith, there is a great deal of teaching about the concept of “centering down.†It is a way of dealing with the mind’s desire when we get still to push us towards reflection and thinking. The point of what I call “chair time†or time alone with God is not to reflect and think but to clear your mind and heart so you can hear from God. I have developed my own practice out of what I have learned from the Quakers. I call it “spinning off.†Here is how it works for me. The minute I try to get still, my mind (my intellect) kicks into gear and reminds me of all kinds of things:
What is still on my “to do†list?
What do I need to get done tomorrow?
What did I forgot to do today?
What about the bills that I still need to pay?
Is there enough money in our bank account to pay those bills?
The heart (my emotions) does the same thing. The minute I get still, my emotions take over and bring to mind:
That recent hurt or loss
Anything I am worried about
My friends who are struggling
How tired I am
How depressed I am
How frustrated I am
What is happening between the mind and the heart is actually counter productive. You are trying to get still to hear from God. And yet your mind and heart are racing ahead, not wanting to sit still at all. This is where spinning out comes into play. Picture yourself trying to center down trying to get to the place where your body, your mind, and your heart are still so you can hear from God. I start out by praying, “Jesus I want to hear from You today. Help me to center down. Help me to spin off any distractions that come to mind.â€
Then, as I get still, something will pop into my head or my heart. I think about it for a moment, make a plan to deal with it later, and then spin it off. I literally picture it leaving my mind or my heart and spinning away. When the next worry or thought or hurt comes, I do the same thing. I often think through phrases like these to help me spin off:
“I can’t fix that right now I will deal with it later.â€
“I am concerned about that but God, I trust You with it.â€
“I do need to get that done but not right now.â€
“I do need some time to process that but that is for another day.â€
My experience is that when I learn to practice centering down by spinning off the thoughts from my head and the feelings from my heart, I get still enough and quiet enough to hear that still, small voice of God.
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Stop Looking Around
Mar 18, 2019 | Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
Don’t turn to the right or to the left. (Proverbs 4:27, CSB)
Friend to Friend
Knowing her soul was filled with sorrow, I sent my girlfriend a few texts with links to worship songs, hoping they would cushion her grieving heart with comfort. A while later she responded. Listening and worshiping. I have death certificates and head stones here, but we know that he has eternal life and the glory of God all around him. For that, I will ever praise the Lord. The funeral had passed, but the sting of the death was still fresh and fierce. At the hand of a tragic, senseless accident, her young-adult son was gone in an instant. Shockwaves of horror ripped through the community, leaving thousands with a raw reminder of the frailty of life. One treasure in the darkness of this horrific loss is this: my friend grieves with hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) She and her family lament knowing full well that the ashes of death for a believer transition to the perfect beauty of God’s presence. Faith in Jesus breathes hope. Life eternal. Faith in riches wealth things of earth breathes hopelessness and death. And sadly, many among us place earthly treasures above the unsearchable greatness of God. The Word speaks directly to this in Psalm 49. “For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.†(Psalm 49:10)
It’s said there are two things no one can avoid: death and taxes. Psalm 49 gets a bit icky by tabling the uncomfortable topic of the unavoidable date we all have with death. The questions that rise in my heart as I read Psalm 49 are ones of trust. Will I trust in my position, my possessions, and myself or will I trust in God?
Will I trust that God really is who His Word says He is?
“People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.†(Psalm 49:12-13)
I’m reminded to stop looking around at the blessings or wealth of others. “Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.†(Proverbs 4:27)
Ain’t no Uhaul following a hearse, right?
Worldly prosperity versus godly prosperity?
Trust in yourself or trust in God?
As believers, we can trust that God will redeem every ounce of pain when our last day comes. And when that happens, we won’t care anymore about the trappings of this world. We will finally be at peace. Those who misplace their trust in wealth do not know this hope. With this in mind, let’s keep our eyes on what matters and live boldly today to share the wonder of grace with all we meet.
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A Winner in God’s Eyes
Mar 19, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing. (John 15:5, NCV)
Friend to Friend
Who says dreams don’t come true?
My son grew up with one dream in mind to play college football. That dream came true. Jered was the starting fullback on his college football team thanks to an academic and football scholarship. (Of course, I taught him everything he knew!) When college football scouts from all over the country began to recruit Jered, I discovered it was quite a process. Football scouts keep track of the statistics on high school players, watching certain ones for three and four years. College coaches show up at high school games to talk with high school coaches and watch their potential players in action. Letters start filling the mail box along with promotional material for their college football programs. Then the phone calls begin. When the players are high school seniors, the process becomes even more intense. The college scouts request game film highlights, academic transcripts, detailed applications and teacher recommendations. They meet with the high school players themselves, inviting them to visit the college campus for a weekend. After months of “courting,†the final phase begins. The students narrow down their college choices as the college scouts do the same. At some point, each one makes a choice and the dance is over. During the entire process, both the college recruiter and the student athlete have one thing in mind making the best choice because both want to be on a winning team. Life is much the same. If I were running the world, I would assemble a team of winners, choosing the smartest, brightest, most experienced, most talented, wealthiest and most successful as members of my team. But there is a God and, thankfully, I am not Him. God has written a different plan for the most important invasion of all time. It is the plan of invading Satan’s territory Earth and retaking it under the banner of His son, Jesus Christ. And just look at His choice of recruits for the job the weak, the poor, the broken and sick, the lonely and defeated. God chose the most ordinary people to accomplish the most extraordinary deeds. Why would God choose flawed people to do His most important work?
The answer is a very simple and yet profound spiritual principle. God’s power shows up best in broken people. Do you want to be used by God?
I have good news. God wants to use you. In fact, He will use you because that is His plan and has been all along. When we pray for the Lord to use us, we are asking Him to do something He already wants to do. Perhaps our prayer should be, “Lord, make me usable.â€
Only He can fully prepare us for service. It is not our ability that the Father is concerned with it is our availability. Today, celebrate the truth that God chose you for His team and even now is preparing you for the game of life.
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The Invitation
Mar 20, 2019 | Guest Writer
Today's Truth
You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’ (Psalm 27:8, ESV)
Friend to Friend
When I was a little girl, I loved my Grandpa Dick. He lived a few hours’ drive from us. When we set out for Grandpa’s house, I could hardly wait to be in his presence. As familiar landmarks appeared that told me we were getting closer, my impatience grew. When we would drive into the driveway of his house, he would always be in the front yard waiting. He would run to the car, pick me up and say, “Here’s my girl†and twirl me around in his joy at seeing me.
That’s how God responds to you every time you turn His way. Arms outstretched, ready to twirl. In our relationship to the Father, He is always the initiator and we are always the responder. The Father is always reaching out for us, wooing us, drawing us. We never have to engage in an activity or ritual to get His attention. His attention has never wandered from any one of us. Before time began, He had already settled His heart on you and laid the groundwork for your salvation. When you and I feel drawn in God’s direction, it might feel like our own instinct. When we decide to call to Him, it might feel like our idea. When we find ourselves inclined toward Him, it might feel as if we are seeking Him out. However, in reality, every time we have any impulse to pursue the things of God, we are responding to His invitation. We often complicate prayer, thinking we need to find a way to convince Him to care about our needs, or to notice our plight. We imagine there is a certain format He demands or a particular emotion He expects before we can come to Him in prayer. Might it take the burden off you if you know that you don’t have to woo God because He is wooing you?
Would it lessen your anxiety to know that God is calling you to pray, and that He inviting you because He loves you and wants you to delight in Him rather than feeling anxious about whether you measure up?
He pulls you into His presence and invites you into His activity through prayer because of His exuberant, lavish, joyous pleasure He takes in you. The inclination you feel toward God right now, in this very minute, is God calling you? Right now, God is saying, “Child, come talk with Me. I’m here for you.â€
All you have to do is respond. Just say yes. You will find His open arms waiting.
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Got the Right Compass?
Mar 21, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
Friend to Friend
In 1804, the British ship HMS Apollo was leading a convoy of 69 merchant vessels to the West Indies on a route that put them parallel to the coasts of Spain and Portugal, about a hundred miles from land. A storm arose on Sunday, April 1. Even though it was April Fools’ Day, the captain was unconcerned because his compass assured him he was well into open sea. But in the wee hours of the morning, the ship wrecked against the jagged rocks of the coastline. Jolted from their hammocks, the crew ran to their posts and tried to save the ship from the cold sea. The waves crashed over the hull, flooding the ship from above amid the screams of shipmen still below. As night gave way to dawn, the surviving crew were amazed to find themselves not a hundred miles from land, but wrecked against the Portuguese coast, which was littered with the debris from many of the other ships in their convoy. Of the sixty-nine vessels traveling with HMS Apollo, forty were wrecked, some with total loss of life. It was one of the greatest disasters in the history of British maritime shipping. The captain of HMS Apollo faced court-martial, but he was acquitted when it was learned that the fault was not with him but with the ship’s compass. Because the Apollo had taken on a large iron tank, the magnetism of the compass was thrown off just a little just four degrees and the error accumulated day after day. As leader of the convoy, the captain had unwittingly led the others to shipwreck because his compass was defective. Unfortunately many of us are living shipwrecked lives because of a defective compass. The Bible is the only compass we can count on for accurate and precise directions that enable us to navigate the treacherous waters of everyday life with confidence. Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.â€
We can always trust the Word of God. If that is true, then why do we constantly doubt God?
When a storm hits, why does our default emotion tend to be fear instead of faith?
You may have heard the familiar old Chinese saying, “There is a good dog and a bad dog fighting within each of us. The one that is going to win is the one we feed the most.â€
The same is true when it comes to faith and doubt. We weaken our doubt by strengthening our faith in God. The Word of God feeds the new nature God gives us when we surrender our lives to Him. As that new nature grows stronger, the old sinful nature becomes weaker and as that old nature becomes weaker, our faith in God grows stronger. A steady diet of the Word produces a strong faith. Read the Bible each day. Memorize a verse of Scripture each week. The more of the Bible you have in your heart and mind, the stronger the compass of His truth grows. Now is the time. Check your compass.
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Our God of Second Chances
Apr 03, 2019 | Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.†Luke 15:20 NIV
Friend to Friend
Perhaps one of the most memorable and heart-touching stories of grace and forgiveness is recorded in Luke 15. It’s what we’ve come to know as the Story of the Prodigal Son. This young man demanded his inheritance while his father was still alive, spent it all on riotous living, and found himself dirty, destitute, and despairing. As despicable as pigs were to Jews, this young man took a job taking care of pigs and eating their food just to stay alive. But then he had an epiphany. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death. I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father†(Luke 15:17-20).
And where was his father?
He was panning the horizon, hoping for a sign that his boy might return home. Don’t let the depth of that sentence pass you by. The father was PANNING the horizon. Looking. Waiting. Praying. It is easy to think that God is dispassionately sitting on his throne just waiting for us to come groveling back to him. That’s not the picture Jesus paints at all. The father was panning the horizon. Searching. Pacing. Expectant. That’s how much your heavenly father loves you. There’s nothing passive about it. While “he was still a long way off†(verse 20), the father spotted his son on the horizon. Filled with compassion, he picked up the edges of his robe and ran. He didn’t wait for his son to come to him, grovel at his feet, and beg for forgiveness. No, as soon as the father caught a glimpse of his son, he dashed toward his boy, smothered him with kisses, and welcomed him home. If you remember, not everyone was happy when the prodigal son returned. His big brother resented the fact that he got another chance. And you know what?
There will be those who resent the fact that we get another chance as well. “Big brother won’t mind if you come back as long as you hang your head and wear your shame. But when God has the audacity to give you a little dignity back and you dare lift your radiant face to heaven in liberated praise, big brother may be appalled! It’s pride that can’t celebrate with a prodigal-come-home. Folks who won’t celebrate are still kidding themselves into thinking they did something right to be loved by their Father.â€11
I say, let him be appalled. Nothing makes some people angrier than grace. Big brother is invited to the party too, and it’s his decision whether or not he wants to join in the celebration. I’m just glad he’s not the one in charge. Jesus was telling this story to a group of Pharisees while others also listened in. The typical question asked when telling this story is, are you the prodigal son or the big brother. But here’s where I want you to hang your hat today. Jesus loved both. The prodigal and the big brother. The sinner and the Pharisee. You and me. He pans the horizon looking for all to come to Him. And when we do He says: Let the party begin!
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Get Over Yourself, Already!
Apr 04, 2019 | Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border...†1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV
Friend to Friend
Years ago I worked with a woman in Nashville named Cindy. She was a no-nonsense publisher for a major music company. Each month she listened to the songs I wrote and gave honest, constructive feedback that required this songwriter-chick to have thick skin and wear big-girl-panties. She was salt and light to me in the work place, but not in ways that I expected or necessarily appreciated at the time. I didn’t always love what she had to say. Total honesty?
She. Scared. Me. Silly. I wrestled with her strong, bristly opinions while at the same time grew from the pruning of her wise, professional words. She challenged me toward greater excellence and she wasn’t afraid to speak difficult words of truth. One thing I will never forget: as she listened to the new songs I wrote, she regularly insisted that I was a “worship leader/worship writer†instead of a Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) writer/artist. Drove me bananas because I was SURE I was a CCM writer/artist. Over the years, Cindy and I became friends and eventually, I came to realize that she was right. I am a worship leader and worship writer. And it’s not only who I am, it’s who I always was. Even when I didn’t know it and insisted otherwise. Cindy died in her early fifties. Cancer stole her from us. A few nights before she went on to be with the Lord, a large group of Nashville’s finest songwriters gathered at her bedside to celebrate her life that was salty and bright for Jesus. To thank her for her impact, share stories, and sacredly sing her to the other side of glory. A knot held my throat captive as I watched the gathering online via video. What a legacy. Cindy poured wisdom into so many people, she said and did things that caused others to think big thoughts about God, and spurred them on toward excellence. She lived a life of influence because she was intentional about being salt and light in my life and in the lives of many others. I want to die like that. I want to live like that. Don’t you?
In the Bible, a man named Jabez asked God for all the influence God would give him. Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!†And God granted what he asked†(1 Chronicles 4:10).
Jabez wanted to live with impact to the max. He pleaded to be a difference maker. I’m right there with him. We all have influence. The question is will we use our influence to sway our friends toward an awesome movie or will we influence them toward our awesome God?
Will we choose to live in a way that causes our unbelieving neighbor or co-worker to want to hear more about Jesus?
Will we teach a young wife to understand how to respect her husband, or help a young mom realize that God is honored when she nurtures her demanding, thankless children?
Will we help the weary parent of a prodigal see that her child’s rebellion is not her failure and not her child’s final faith chapter?
It all begins with a choice. If we want to be women of impact, we need to live with our eyes wide open to God-opportunities. We need to get beyond our own agendas and move in the direction of HIS agenda. It is not about doing more of what you are already doing it is about listening to the whispers of Jesus in the middle of the grocery store, or at the nail salon, or in your cubicle, in the next pew, in your living room, or classroom. Being a woman of impact is not about doing more each day, it’s about living to be led by Jesus with the days you’re given. It all begins with a choice. If we want to be women of impact, we need to live with our eyes wide open to God-opportunities. We do that when we get beyond our own agendas and ask God what HIS agenda is. Let’s ask God to bless us and enlarge the borders of our influence for Him today!
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The Gift of Giving Part 1
Apr 05, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38, NIV
Friend to Friend
My requirements for a car are simple and few. It has to run. And it has to have both air and heat. I don’t like car payments. Cars are not my “thing.†onsequently, we have bought many used cars and have even been given a few cars over the years. We drive them until they die. And then God provides another car. A year ago, the car I was driving died. Since it was the beginning of summer and Dan was scheduled to have a month sabbatical in addition to his month of study and vacation time, we decided to wait on making a car decision. We could make it a few months with one car or in our case, one truck. I had one last speaking engagement to do for a friend, but since the event was within driving distance, we decided to combine it with a trip to Texas to visit family. It was one of those events the Lord told me to do for free. The church was small, and the friend was starting a women’s ministry in a small Kansas town that had literally been blown away by tornadoes several years earlier. I really wanted to help and encourage her in any way that I could. The plan was simple. Dan and I would drive his truck to Wichita, Kansas and fly to Texas to visit family for several days. We would then fly back to Wichita and drive to Greensburg for my event and then drive home. Simple right?
Not so much. When we got to the Dallas airport, we discovered that our flight to Wichita was booked for 10:00 pm instead of 10:00 am. You need to know that my husband has booked hundreds of flights over the years and never made that mistake. Since I had to be in Greensburg that night, we rented a car and drove to Wichita where we turned in the rental car and climbed in Dan’s truck. About an hour down the road, the air in Dan’s truck went out. It was a hot summer’s day. The temperature in Dan’s truck began to climb. When it reached 92 degrees, I began to boil. I am already calculating how much this “free†event is costing. Yes, I am very human. I have severe back problems. We had already stopped twice between Dallas and Wichita to buy giant bags of frozen peas. They really do work well as ice packs. So my back is killing me, I am sweating like crazy, and well let’s just say that I am not a happy camper at this point of our “free†event trip. We found an auto parts store in a small town and decided to see if they could help us. It is 4:50 pm on Friday afternoon. Maybe all the truck needs is Freon! The store owner comes out, raises the truck hood, shakes his head and says, “Freon is not gonna fix that!â€
Evidently some belt had shredded which meant some rocker arm had frozen. As I said, cars are not my “thing.†With a smile, he said, “Pull her around back, and we will see what we can do.â€
I am thinking he can’t do much. The store is about the size of my kitchen and sits in a town in the middle of nowhere. I am such a giant of faith! But I did manage to eek out a prayer, “Lord, please send angels with the parts we need!â€
Only a few minutes had passed before the store owner came walking toward us with a grin on his face. As he blew the dust off of two boxes, he said, “Well, what do you know? I do have those parts.â€
God came through! And then the whispers of the enemy also came through. I could only imagine how much the parts and labor would cost. The expenses for this “free†event continued to add up. A rental car two giant bags of peas and the now repaired air conditioner on Dan’s truck. When the parts were installed and we were ready to leave, the store owner handed Dan the bill. A look of surprise or maybe shock covered Dan’s face. I couldn’t bear to ask until we got in the truck and drove away. “How much was it, honey?†I asked.
Dan smiled and said, “About a fourth of what I expected it to cost.â€
We drove in silence for a few minutes basking in the perfect provision of God for every need of our lives even when our faith is pitifully small. You just can’t out-give God. Don’t miss the rest of the story in my next devotion. As my Mama used to say, it is a “humdinger!â€
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The Gift of Giving Part 2
Apr 08, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
I will provide for their needs before they ask, and I will help them while they are still asking for help. Isaiah 65:24, NCV
Friend to Friend
Despite a very shaky start, the weekend could not have gone any better! (If you have not read yesterday’s devotion, stop where you are. Go back and read it now!) Dan and I finally made it to Greensburg for my speaking event and checked into our hotel only to discover that the air conditioning in our room did not work.
1. Did. Not. Care.
I was so tired that I literally climbed into bed and pleaded with my sweet husband to just deal with it. He did. I vaguely remember the maintenance man kicking the air conditioning unit in our room, and the unit coming to life. Go God! And God was all over the event from beginning to end. I totally forgot about my hurting back the minute I began to speak. Every time I gave an invitation, women flooded the aisles. I talked and prayed with woman after woman all seeking God and His power to redeem, heal, and restore. It was an amazing day! I even managed to forget about the fact that this “free†event had gouged an unexpected hole in our finances. I shakily chose to trust God. The next day I spoke for the church where my friend and her husband pastor. I noticed her look of concern when I hobbled in and assured her that I would be fine. I then turned to Dan and quietly pleaded, “Do you have a sermon in your pocket?â€
He smiled and said, “You’ve got this, honey.â€
I did not care for his faith in me at that moment. But when I got up to speak, God did indeed come through again. It was a precious service and a time of eternal business with God. On the way home, Dan and I talked and laughed about the whole weekend from the minute we stepped up to the airport counter to the air going out in his truck and that funny little auto parts store. We then celebrated all that God had done in the lives of the people who came to hear His Word and were forever changed through His power. “Oh, did you check your money pouch?†Dan asked.
I had honestly not even thought about it. I had only brought a minimum number of books and CDs to sell and really did not expect much.
And that was my problem my pitiful expectations my meager faith. We serve a God who can do a whole lot when we expect Him to. When I counted the money, I could not believe it. We had just enough to cover all of our expenses for the whole weekend! We partied all the way home! But there is more. When we got home, pulled in our driveway, and opened the garage door, Dan said, “Uh, honey, I think you need to go in the garage.â€
Now that was strange. Dan had just told me to stay put while he unloaded the truck and opened the door. Yes I had a frozen bag of peas that still had a little life left in it. But I got out of the truck and went in the garage and promptly started screaming! There sat a 2004 silver Honda Pilot. The car was in mint condition. The dealership papers said it had new tires, a new transmission, and a new timing belt. The car was a lease and had been perfectly maintained. And it had a third row big enough for all of our grandchildren! The note on the windshield said it was a gift from the men in Dan’s fireside group. Three months earlier, they had noticed the absence of my old car and asked Dan about it. That’s all. And now the note read, “It is unacceptable for our pastor’s wife to not have a car. We want you to know how much we love you.â€
And there were no names except for the one man who had to title the car. I had no idea who to thank. Oh, but I did. My Father had worked through the willing hearts of some precious men to meet a need in my life. So I named the car Gracie. And every time I get behind the wheel of Gracie, I am reminded that no matter how hard we try, we simply cannot out-give God. I want to live my life with open hands, dusty feet, calloused knees, and rolled-up sleeves. I want to be a generous giver. I may not have much money, but I can give what I have. I can give my time and energy my love and concern a listening ear and a caring heart. I can give my life.
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The Gift of Giving Part 2
Apr 08, 2019 | Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
I will provide for their needs before they ask, and I will help them while they are still asking for help. Isaiah 65:24, NCV
Friend to Friend
Despite a very shaky start, the weekend could not have gone any better! (If you have not read yesterday’s devotion, stop where you are. Go back and read it now!) Dan and I finally made it to Greensburg for my speaking event and checked into our hotel only to discover that the air conditioning in our room did not work.
1. Did. Not. Care.
I was so tired that I literally climbed into bed and pleaded with my sweet husband to just deal with it. He did. I vaguely remember the maintenance man kicking the air conditioning unit in our room, and the unit coming to life. Go God! And God was all over the event from beginning to end. I totally forgot about my hurting back the minute I began to speak. Every time I gave an invitation, women flooded the aisles. I talked and prayed with woman after woman all seeking God and His power to redeem, heal, and restore. It was an amazing day! I even managed to forget about the fact that this “free†event had gouged an unexpected hole in our finances. I shakily chose to trust God. The next day I spoke for the church where my friend and her husband pastor. I noticed her look of concern when I hobbled in and assured her that I would be fine. I then turned to Dan and quietly pleaded, “Do you have a sermon in your pocket?â€
He smiled and said, “You’ve got this, honey.â€
I did not care for his faith in me at that moment. But when I got up to speak, God did indeed come through again. It was a precious service and a time of eternal business with God. On the way home, Dan and I talked and laughed about the whole weekend from the minute we stepped up to the airport counter to the air going out in his truck and that funny little auto parts store. We then celebrated all that God had done in the lives of the people who came to hear His Word and were forever changed through His power. “Oh, did you check your money pouch?†Dan asked.
I had honestly not even thought about it. I had only brought a minimum number of books and CDs to sell and really did not expect much.
And that was my problem my pitiful expectations my meager faith. We serve a God who can do a whole lot when we expect Him to. When I counted the money, I could not believe it. We had just enough to cover all of our expenses for the whole weekend! We partied all the way home! But there is more. When we got home, pulled in our driveway, and opened the garage door, Dan said, “Uh, honey, I think you need to go in the garage.â€
Now that was strange. Dan had just told me to stay put while he unloaded the truck and opened the door. Yes I had a frozen bag of peas that still had a little life left in it. But I got out of the truck and went in the garage and promptly started screaming! There sat a 2004 silver Honda Pilot. The car was in mint condition. The dealership papers said it had new tires, a new transmission, and a new timing belt. The car was a lease and had been perfectly maintained. And it had a third row big enough for all of our grandchildren! The note on the windshield said it was a gift from the men in Dan’s fireside group. Three months earlier, they had noticed the absence of my old car and asked Dan about it. That’s all. And now the note read, “It is unacceptable for our pastor’s wife to not have a car. We want you to know how much we love you.â€
And there were no names except for the one man who had to title the car. I had no idea who to thank. Oh, but I did. My Father had worked through the willing hearts of some precious men to meet a need in my life. So I named the car Gracie. And every time I get behind the wheel of Gracie, I am reminded that no matter how hard we try, we simply cannot out-give God. I want to live my life with open hands, dusty feet, calloused knees, and rolled-up sleeves. I want to be a generous giver. I may not have much money, but I can give what I have. I can give my time and energy my love and concern a listening ear and a caring heart. I can give my life.
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Jesus Is on Your Side
Apr 09, 2019 | Guest Writer
Today's Truth
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. Luke 22:31-32, NIV
Friend to Friend
If I made a list of all the things that I want to thank Jesus for, this wonderful display of grace would be at the top. I mean seriously, here Jesus is, about to be abandoned, arrested, persecuted and executed, and what does He do?
He prays for Simon Peter’s faith and assures Him that even though the waters are about to get stirred up, he’ll pass through them. The waves will not overwhelm him or obliterate his faith, even if he might feel like he’s going under. You want to know what just wrecks me?
Knowing that Jesus, who now sits at the right hand of God and is interceding for us, has prayed specifically for me, that my faith may not fail. Consider the fact He’s doing the very same thing for you, right here and now in this moment. Amazing, right?
Jesus is on your side. He is with and for you, leading you to move forward through every trial and tribulation. I know there are times where it might not feel like it, but it’s the truth. Even when we feel worn out, tired, hopeless, afraid, abandoned and forgotten, Christ is standing right beside us. We are not alone in this journey and Jesus isn’t going to let our faith fail. As John Piper so eloquently put it in a recent sermon, “God guards his children by preserving and sustaining their faith Himself.â€
Our faith may falter and change from season to season, but we can rest in knowing that God is the One guarding and strengthening us. Because He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Hallelujah, Amen. Thank you, Jesus. We don’t have to go it alone. And so, when the doctor whispers the diagnosis you never wanted to hear. When a close friend or family member says they’ve stopped loving you. When a peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare full of disappointments. When your employer gives the promotion that they promised you to someone else. When you feel like you’ll never be the man or woman you used to be. Remember, you are not alone, and your faith is not going to fail, because Jesus is praying for you. Oh, and I am too.
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I Wish I Could’ve Stopped It
Apr 10, 2019 | Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. Psalm 66:9
Friend to Friend
Church camp helps young hearts feel held, healed, loved, and seen by an immortal, invisible God. It did for me as a teen and for my children as well. There’s just something special about cabins, games, songs and Christian community under a canopy of trees. In the summer of 2012, our Smith kids had all gone off to church camp while Brad and I snuck away to a marriage retreat. As we headed into the first session, Brad got a call from the church camp informing us that Preston was being taken to the local urgent care facility. The camp director had announced that it was time to toast smores, and in his excitement to get there quickly from the creek, my son slipped on a wet rock and fell so fast the fall was caught with his jaw, splitting his chin open. They headed to get x-rays and stitches immediately. X-rays were taken and stitches were sewn. Then bad went to worse as we found out Preston’s jaw was broken. Ughh! Hours later we were back home in the office of a maxillofacial oral surgeon who specializes in repair of this type of injury. More comprehensive x-rays were taken, revealing Preston hadn’t just broken his jaw, but he’d broken it in three places, fractured his skull and was likely concussed. AND the doctor wasn’t sure if Preston would ever chew without pain again. What?
All we could do was pray and wait. And cry. And pray more. After seven hours of surgery my son was carted to a hospital room unconscious, with his very-swollen-head wrapped like a mummy. Oh, my heart. His jaw was completely reconstructed and wired shut for six weeks. Hundreds of blended meals later, the wires came off and range of motion exercises began, which eventually led to pain-free chewing. (We’re deeply grateful!) It all turned out well in the end, but as a mama, I wish I could’ve kept Preston’s feet from slipping on that rock at church camp in the first place. It would’ve saved him so much pain. That’s probably why I feel so loved by God when I read a phrase like the one penned in Psalm 66:9: “He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.â€
Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; 9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. 10 For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. 11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.(Psalm 66:8-12)
Sometimes I lose my balance. Even then God is faithful and compassionate. Though we all slip at times, it’s comforting to know that the God who made every rocky road and slippery stone cares enough to extend His invisible hand to mine at times and in ways I’ll never know. The devil wants us to feel wounded and alone. God wants us to feel the healing warmth of His hand that catches ours in the slipping.
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http://dailyprayer.us/daily_inspiration/daily_inspiration.php?day=3682
Daily Inspiration
September 29, 2019
Charity
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13
We begin to notice, besides our particular sinful acts, our sinfulness; begin to be alarmed not only about what we do, but about what we are. This may sound rather difficult, so I will try to make it clear from my own case. When I come to my evening prayers and try to reckon up the sins of the day, nine times out of ten the most obvious one is some sin against charity; I have sulked or snapped or sneered or snubbed or stormed. And the excuse that immediately springs to my mind is that the provocation was so sudden and unexpected; I was caught off my guard, I had not time to collect myself. Now that may be an extenuating circumstance as regards those particular acts: they would obviously be worse if they had been deliberate and premeditated. On the other hand, surely what a man does when he is taken off his guard is the best evidence for what sort of a man he is?
Surely what pops out before the man has time to put on a disguise is the truth?
If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding. In the same way the suddenness of the provocation does not make me an ill-tempered man; it only shows me what an ill-tempered man I am. The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in shouting and noisily they will have taken cover before you switch on the light.
Lord, let me always be prepared, that I might show charity in every circumstance, no matter how sudden. Amen.
~ C.S. Lewis, from “Mere Christianityâ€
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http://info.proverbs31.org/breakfast-with-jesus-asheritah-ciuciu?ecid=ACsprvu7HwUqB8uEbV48Y7yl_Sv9SOWUBReJSA_U28JarP0d0SIneSiQdpTjYPjsc3eTfTGVBdGn&utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotions&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=78412105&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--eJLia1HayJ3lncPENm3YZWnkkK8jxpZ_RuWAHzv6Gbpe9gBUPMNWVPC7MHMxcgqIpIYlGOOPNaskA9iJ6MzSJu3XtcQ&_hsmi=78412105
Breakfast with Jesus
Asheritah Ciuciu
October 30, 2019
“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’†John 21:9, 21:12a (NIV)
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So when I read today’s key verse, I was delighted to peek into this intimate moment between Jesus and His disciples, but I never imagined how applicable it would be to us 2,000 years later. Let me set the scene. Jesus called a handful of fishermen to be His disciples, and for three years they enjoyed a close relationship with Him until He was betrayed and crucified. Their hopes had been dashed until Jesus surprised them all when He appeared to them in His resurrected body. Of course they were elated, but still a bit confused. Jesus was alive, but He wasn’t living with them anymore; they were disciples without a rabbi. He’d promised to send them His Spirit, but He hadn’t ascended to heaven yet, so they were men without a mission. They went out to fish, but caught nothing all night, and now they were fishermen who couldn’t even catch fish. We can’t know exactly why they reverted to their old occupation, but don’t we do the same thing?
When we’re waiting for God to act, but He’s not doing what we expect, don’t we often try to distract ourselves to numb our discomfort?
For me, it can look like shoveling spoonfuls of cookie dough ice cream while scrolling social media. Perhaps you turn to online shopping, a glass of rosé, a rom-com binge or a toxic relationship. Distractions promise momentary comfort, but they often fail to resolve our deeper issues, only serving to compound our problems. These men had been up all night and hadn’t caught anything. Now they were exhausted, famished and demoralized. It’s in this moment of desperation that Jesus entered the scene. As dawn lit the sky, He called out to them to let down their nets on the other side, and they miraculously filled with fish. Jesus accomplished for them in a moment what they’d failed to do on their own all night. It’s fascinating to me that Jesus didn’t berate them for going back to their old occupation. He didn’t admonish them for doubting His purpose for them. Instead, He sought them out, provided for their needs and invited them to join Him for breakfast. Breakfast. That most simple meal of the day for many of us, void of fancy silverware and linen napkins, is often shared with people who see you before you shower and who love you anyway. It’s into this most intimate setting that Jesus invited His friends that morning. As they were toiling at their nets, Jesus was waiting for them, cooking their breakfast. And when they drew close to shore in defeat, Jesus invited them to abandon their distraction in order to come eat breakfast with Him. The conversations that followed that meal brought healing, life and joy to those disciples’ wounded hearts. (Read more in John 21:15-23 for the most touching breakfast conversation ever recorded.) And thankfully, that breakfast invitation is issued to each of us today too. If anyone understands our pain, it’s Jesus. Physical, emotional and relational?
Yes Jesus experienced it all, and He did it out of love for us. When we’re hurting, Jesus doesn’t send us away to get our act together. He invites us to find mercy and grace as we draw close to Him. Over breakfast?
Yes. Morning breath and all.
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https://lysaterkeurst.com/2019/11/can-i-really-trust-god/
Can I Really Trust God?
Lysa Terkeust 11.12.2019
“The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.†Psalm 111:7 (NIV)
I stood in front of the busted up walls amazed by all I never knew was behind them. Wires. Pipes. Support beams. Insulation. It all stood out now so very vulnerable and exposed. I ran my hand along the rough reality of renovation and thought how very similar my heart felt at the moment. The only difference was I knew my house would be put back together, better than ever. I wasn’t so sure about my heart. With the house, I knew a basic time frame. I also knew enough about renovations to add a few months of buffer time to the end date. Regardless, I absolutely knew there would be a beginning to this project and there would be an ending to this project. I also knew the end result would be beautiful. And since I knew the basic time frame and how beautiful things would eventually be, the busting up part of the renovation didn’t bother me. I was actually happy that demolition occurred. The demolition was not a sign of irreparable problems. It was a sign of intentional progress. But I couldn’t say the same about the busted up places of my heart. Not right now. Not yet. When I stood and looked in the mirror, my demolished heart wasn’t quite as easy to see as the walls in my house. The brokenness certainly revealed things, but they weren’t as easy to identify as pipes and wires. They were strange threads of fear, anxiety, shock, trauma, and distrust. Distrust. There it was. The biggest of all the issues that resided beneath my surface. The ripping open and exposing of my heart had certainly revealed something I needed to see but didn’t dare want to admit. About me. About God. And about my utter lack of trust in Him. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a Jesus girl through and through. I love studying His Word, doing the right and required things, following Him and fulfilling my calling. But when God starts to deviate from the plan I’m assuming my life should follow, I’m much more apt to want to tame God, not trust Him. I want to demand the builder hand over the tools. And though I have no clue how to truly make things better, I start patching and covering and frantically fixating on a hodgepodge repair that will be disappointing at best, detrimental at worst. And I wonder why I find myself so very exhausted and anxious and heavy burdened on the inside while singing and quoting verses about the abundant Christian life on the outside. There is a disconnect somewhere between the faith I want and the one I’m living. I know you feel it too. I’ve seen it in your tear-filled eyes and I’ve heard it in your questions around the harder things to understand about God. So how do we rebuild our trust in God?
Where do we even begin?
I’ve found the best place to start is in His Word. The truth of God’s trustworthy character is evident in every page of Scripture. We see evidence of this truth in the covenant promises God made to Abraham, Moses, and David and then kept. We see it in His faithfulness to provide for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings going before them in a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day, resting in the midst of their presence in the tabernacle, providing them manna to eat. And there was one thing God did that outshines every other example of His trustworthy nature. God was faithful to the promise He made to Adam and Eve by crushing the head of the serpent as He sent His own Son to earth to die the death we should have died. Jesus reigns victorious over sin and death. This is why the psalmist could truthfully declare in Psalm 111:7, “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.â€
The Hebrew word for trustworthy in this verse comes from the root word, אמן ( ́á·mân) and encapsulates loyalty and faithfulness. It tells of dependability, all characteristics that are true and evident in God. In one sentence the psalmist declared that all of God’s works are faithful and filled with justice; therefore, He is trustworthy. This is how we stop resisting God’s ways. This is where we start finding a more grounded faith, renovated hearts, and a strengthened trust in God like never before. We look to His Word for the truth of His faithfulness. Because when we remember His faithfulness, we come to believe that because God is faithful, He can be trusted.
Father God, thank You for reminding me that I don’t have to have all of the answers. I just need to trust. Help me to fix my eyes on Your faithfulness. I’m loosening my grip and surrendering all of my life into Your loving and capable hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/11/13/wanting-gods-will-in-our-way
Wanting God’s Will in Our Way
Melinda Fuller
November 13, 2019
“He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’†Luke 22:41-42 (NLT)
I have to admit that when Jesus’ obedience works for my benefit, it’s easier to accept. If I’m talking about salvation, I have no problem partaking in His obedience, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. But when it comes to a child’s health, or if a young parent’s life hangs in the balance, or when disasters strike the most vulnerable, I want to question God’s methods, timing and plan. That might sound contemptuous, but haven’t we all wrestled with this question: Why has this bad thing happened to such a good person?
And I struggle with praying for God’s will to be done. I’ve offered up prayers asking God for His will to be done, only to later retract them when God’s way doesn’t seem to match my pace, or when His ideas mess up my perfectly crafted plan, or He doesn’t come through the way I anticipate, pray or plead for. I’m often left shaking my head curious if God missed something along the way. Maybe that’s what Martha and Mary thought as their brother lay on his deathbed, and Jesus, aware of Lazarus’ condition, didn't rush to His friend's bedside. Perhaps Jairus, whose daughter also lay dying, similarly questioned Jesus’ seeming lack of urgency as He allowed her life to slip away. The Father's will and agenda was Jesus’ priority not seeking others’ approval, not rushing to accomplish more miracles in His limited time on earth. He wasn’t frantically traveling to every village. Unlike many of us, Jesus didn't fall into the trap of needing to do "all the things." It’s hard to imagine waiting instead of moving, and yet, Jesus often did. He had all the answers, power and ability to turn back time and hold death at bay simultaneously, and yet He didn’t. Because Jesus was serious when He offered up the prayer, “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’†(Luke 22:42b).
How many of our prayers does God answer when we impatiently demand Him to, versus when He deems the time is right?
How often does He wait to respond until the moment when His power can be best revealed?
How many dreams does God plan to resurrect, perhaps after they’re dead and forgotten, as He’s merely waiting for us to surrender to stop trying to solve all the problems ourselves?
We ache to have a baby and start our family, but the child God has for us won't be born for another five years. We want a financial blessing, but He wants us to learn stewardship with the little He’s placed in our hands. We desire influence over the masses, but He points to our home, our neighbors, our workplace where the recognition will be little, but the fruit will be ripe. While God may want to give us all of these things, we expect to tell Him exactly how and when plans should unfold, instead of opening our hands and acknowledging His vantage point is better. John records Jesus’ words, explaining that "the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does" (John 5:19b, NIV).
Jesus’ radical, continual and humble submission to the ways and will of His Father is the greatest example of what it means to fully obey. What would happen if, when we came to God with our list of requests, we opened our hands and prayed like Jesus did: "Not my will, but Yours be done" ...?
Father God, thank You for giving the perfect example of what obedience means in Jesus. Thank You for His radical gift in surrendering His life in the greatest act of obedience. Help me today to hear and know Your voice and to willingly obey whatever You are asking me without arguing, begging or trying to convince You that I know what’s best. I want to surrender, to choose obedience, and see Your will be done instead of my own. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Hebrews 5:8, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.†(NLT)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/11/14/but-i-really-want-this-god
But I Really Want This, God ...
Lysa Terkeurst
November 14, 2019
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.†Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
On paper, everything seemed to make perfect sense. There was an opportunity I’d wanted for a long time. In my best estimation, this seemed to line up perfectly with my ministry, my calling and my desires. The only problem was the deep-down knowing it wasn’t my assignment. I’d asked God for this opportunity, but then I had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure I’d get it. This opportunity was the product of my trying really hard, not truly trusting God. And I felt the weight of all my hustle. I was anxious, exhausted and weighed down by an emotion I couldn’t quite understand dread. It felt so right. It seemed like such a good fit. It made perfect sense when I’d said yes. But the closer the due date came for this opportunity, the more regret I felt. Instead of running in the freedom of being assured God had called me to this, so He’d definitely lead me through it, I felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill. There is a weight to our every want. And when God says no or not yet, it’s often because He can see what the weight of this want will do. Make no mistake, we will eventually realize what our choices outside of God’s will cost us. The truth is, God has expectations for how humanity, whom He created in His image, is to live and act. Yet, sadly, humanity is prone to wander, and this is the repetitive story we see throughout Scripture. Yes, God is in control. But He doesn’t control our choices. God has given responsibility and freedom to humans to choose Him, His way and His best. As I said before, we will eventually realize what our choices outside of God’s will cost us. And that moment of realization leads us right back to what God tried to tell us before we ever made those choices. There isn’t ever a time when God has been wrong. Not ever. And how gracious of God to be patient with us as we learn that lesson over and over. God is trustworthy. Our obedience to God is an indication of whether or not we trust Him. We see this tension between obedience and trust played out with God’s people and the first king who ruled them Saul. Saul certainly looked the part of a king. Scripture describes him as both taller and more handsome than any of the other Israelite men. (1 Samuel 9:2) The prophet Samuel tried to warn the people of Israel about what they were losing by establishing a human king instead of following God as their one true King. They were displacing God’s best for the weight of their own choice. (1 Samuel 10:17-19; 1 Samuel 12:14-19) They would be held accountable for the choice of a king they would not be able to control. When this king went astray, the people would suffer. And not only would the people suffer, but God would also eventually have to tear the kingdom from Saul’s hands. This king who looked the part would end up letting fear and distrust lead him to walk in disobedience to God. (1 Samuel 15) Because of Saul’s disobedience, God would find another king who was more suited than Saul to lead His people David. This king was a man after God’s own heart, and his throne would be established forever. How much suffering would the Israelites have avoided if only they had trusted and waited on God?
Where are we signing up for suffering, all because we are too often “wise in our own eyes� (Proverbs 3:7)
Oh, sweet friend. I know what it’s like to want something so badly that you feel you would do just about anything to have it. But I also know that sometimes, God lets us push past His better plan to experience the consequences of our headstrong attitude. I have lived with the burden of extreme stress, fear, anxiety and an overwhelming sense of regret all because I refused to trust God’s timing and His ways. I don’t want that for you. Let’s trust that God’s plans truly are best. Let’s remember there is a weight to our every want. And let’s choose to live out the easy to quote but sometimes hard to live reminder of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.â€
Dear Lord, I am so grateful for Your everlasting love and vision for my life. Help me embrace the fact that Your plans are so much greater than mine. Humble my heart in the moments when I try to maintain control so I can fully serve You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/03/13/embracing-your-god-given-life-plan
Embracing Your God-Given Life Plan
Jolina Petersheim
March 13, 2019
“‘Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.’†Ruth 3:9 (NIV)
Have you ever wondered if you took a misstep somewhere on the choreographed timeline of your life, and that’s why it hasn’t gone according to plan?
One night I questioned nearly every large decision my husband and I have made. He replied, “But where does it stop? What if I had never moved down to Tennessee? What if your parents had stayed in Pennsylvania?â€
He continued backing up the timeline of our lives, and I could see what he meant: So many decisions had clearly led us to this point. But what decisions were we supposed to make now? What was the will of God for our family?
Were we living in the center of it or on the fringe?
My questioning began long before our marriage. After high school, I questioned whether I should go straight to college or spend a year in Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). One evening, one of the YWAM Nashville staff members had dinner at the country-style restaurant where I waitressed. This man, who was like a father figure to me, asked about my plans after high school. Grateful to unburden myself, I put down my pitcher of sweet tea and told him about my debate. For as long as I live, I will never forget how he held out his large, calloused hand and said, “What if the will of God is like this hand? The five different fingers represent five different paths your life could take, but regardless of what you choose, aren’t you still contained in the palm of His hand?â€
I ended up going straight to college, and that analogy of God’s will has stayed with me over the past 14 years. It reminds me of the story of Ruth, a woman just like you and me, found in four short chapters in the Old Testament. Maybe Ruth questioned whether she, her mother-in-law Naomi, and her sister-in-law were in the center of God’s will after their husbands all died. Can you imagine how Ruth retraced the choreographed steps their lives had taken, wondering where their timelines had gone wrong?
Ruth was no Sunday School felt-board figure. She felt like we feel. She wept like we weep. No doubt, she even questioned how God could be just, if these were His plans. And yet, Ruth kept taking steps without knowing where her timeline would end. She traveled to Naomi’s homeland of Judah and, after so much famine, found herself living among a bounty of crops. But though it was God’s will to provide for Ruth and Naomi, Ruth still had the choice to get out there each day and glean. And she chose. Ruth didn’t wallow in indecision or grief. She got up and moved toward whatever future God might have for her. Even before she lay at Boaz’s feet, Ruth lay at the feet of her Guardian-Redeemer, knowing He would cover her life. We see this in our key verse: “‘Who are you?’ he asked. ‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family’†(Ruth 3:9).
Imagine if Ruth chose differently. Imagine if she instead returned to her people in Moab and let her mother-in-law make that journey alone. Imagine if Ruth chose to cling to what she knew because it was easier than heading out into the unknown. Ruth would never have given birth to Boaz’s son, Obed, who would then be part of the lineage of David, the lineage of Christ, humankind’s ultimate Guardian-Redeemer. Each day, we too are presented with a choice: return to our familiar, questioning ways, or lay at the feet of our Guardian-Redeemer, knowing that no matter what the future holds the blood of Jesus, bearing the lineage of faithful Ruth, will continue to cover our lives.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be my Guardian-Redeemer. Thank You for directing my life’s path. May I seek Your heart before my desires … until Your will becomes the desire of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.†(NIV)
Hebrews 10:36, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/03/15/the-dance-of-faith
The Dance of Faith
Whitney Capps
March 15, 2019
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.†Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Like many newlyweds do, Chad and I had a traditional first dance at our wedding reception. Now, it wasn’t the stuff of epic, viral first dances. Nope. It was a rather boring demonstration. Very, very vanilla. We treated our guests to several minutes of us recycling the same three moves and shuffling around to Etta James’ “At Last.†Oh, and there was one fairly awkward dip at the end. One dip. And we nearly fell over. I’m not much of a dancer, but I can follow a strong partner. Chad is a great leader. In business, he’s thoughtful, decisive, collaborative and confident. But on the dance floor?
He’s the exact opposite of all that. So, during our wedding dance, I tried to lead, but we ended up stepping on one another’s toes. A lot. When that didn’t work, I tried to coach him along. I’d whisper in his ear what next steps to take, so I could “follow†him. That way it would look like he was leading, but I was still in charge, making sure we didn’t do something that would haunt us for the rest of our lives. This thing was being videotaped, after all! That didn’t work either. In dancing, you’re not really leading if you have to be told what to do. On that May evening years ago, we moved around to music, but I don’t know legitimate dancers would say we actually “danced.†We were going through the motions, but we weren’t dancing. When I look back on my spiritual journey the dance I have with the Lord I’d say the same has been true. I’ve been going through the motions, but I don’t know if you’d call it “dancing.†I’ve often thought that I know the song better. Or I’ve danced along to a song in my head, trying to make my own music. Sometimes I would breakdance when the Lord was trying to lead me to waltz. I resisted the gentle pull of His arms, pushing Him away so I could do my own thing. Now in this analogy, God is nothing like my Chad when it comes to dancing. Our strong and tender God is completely competent to lead us. He knows all the moves to make. He knows the rhythm of our lives perfectly; He wrote the music. He isn’t making it up as He goes along. It’s all been perfectly orchestrated since the beginning of time. Today’s key verse, Psalm 143:8, reminds us to fully trust God to lead us. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.â€
Ultimately, this dance of sanctification is God’s process to lead. He’s the One who designed it. He’s the One in control of it. He’s the One setting the pace. At the end of your faith journey, you will be sanctified set apart as holy because God is the one initiating the whole thing, and He promises to finish the dances that He starts.
Oh Father, thank You for being our trustworthy dance partner, always leading and always within arm’s reach. You are faithful, ever competent and kind. Help me resist my tendency to want to lead, and give me Your unfailing grace when I push You away or step on Your toes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Psalm 118:8, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/03/18/a-seriously-bad-attitude
A Seriously Bad Attitude
Tracie Miles
March 18, 2019
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.†James 1:2 (NLT)
A couple years ago, I found myself struggling with a serious case of a bad attitude. In fact, I adopted the saying, “If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.â€
Bah humbug, all year long. Problems abounded in every area of my life. Important relationships had fallen apart, dreams were crushed, finances were tight, I missed deadlines, and even ministry efforts brought me disappointment and frustration. A broken refrigerator and multiple minor car accidents seemed to plague my family. The day came when I honestly didn’t know how much more I could take. That’s when God led me to today’s key verse, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy†(James 1:2).
The last thing I felt like doing was considering all of my troubles “an opportunity for great joy.†Seriously, God?
How is that even possible?
But instead of rolling my eyes and closing my Bible in frustration, I felt a stirring in my spirit to take a deep breath and keep reading. God had beautiful encouragement in store, just when I needed it most. By itself, this verse seems impossible to put into practice. Yet if we read it in context, it takes on an entirely new perspective and seems a little less unrealistic. The Christians of James’ time allowed life’s frustrations and annoyances to steal their optimism and joy. But in their defense, these believers had serious and justifiable reasons to have a bad attitude and feel consumed with negative thoughts. They’d been greatly persecuted, facing endless trials and sufferings. They experienced difficult injustices, from murder to imprisonment, from Saul, an unrelenting zealot who sought to destroy the church and anyone associated with Christianity. As a result, these Christians juggled an array of emotions fear, mourning, confusion, loneliness and even hopelessness. Some fled their homes in fear of their lives, causing them to live in poverty and scrounge for every meal and penny. Some were sick, and everyone was exhausted. They had every right to be negative and pessimistic. I can only imagine they felt as if they were sinking under the weight of seemingly insurmountable problems and fears, and that their faith might have begun sinking, too. James gently acknowledged their suffering but wanted to give them hope and encouragement. He wanted them to know that inner joy and optimism could still be theirs, despite their adversities, if they deliberately chose to take control of their thoughts and change their attitudes. He invited them to pause and refocus on their faith, even though life was tough. We may not experience religious persecution as the early Jewish believers did, but let’s face it: Life can often make us feel persecuted. People hurt us, the past haunts us, co-workers mistreat us, parents don’t love us, friends don’t consider us, spouses leave us, children don’t appreciate or respect us, finances fail us, and our health doesn’t sustain us. And when life gets hard, it’s difficult to avoid letting our negative thoughts result in a serious case of bad attitude. An attitude which robs us of joy and peace. Just as James instructed the early church to intentionally choose to fight for joy and optimism, we too need to seek God’s help in making the courageous choice to be optimistic in the face of trials by learning to control our thoughts. After reading this passage that memorable day, I realized my attitude is a choice. What and how I allow myself to think is my choice. Our trying circumstances don’t have the power to dictate our attitudes unless we let them. Although it might be difficult to endure problems with a smile on our face and pure joy in our heart that can come only from faith, doing so not only makes us stronger believers, but opens the door for true attitude transformation. Our attitudes are an outward display of what is taking up residence in our hearts and minds. If our hearts and thoughts are in the right place, our attitudes will be, too. The only thing we have to lose by intentionally choosing to have a positive attitude is a negative attitude.
Lord, free me from the shackles of a bad attitude. Work in my heart and mind to transform my thinking from negative to positive, despite the struggles I face. Fill me with a joy that can only come from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Philippians 4:8b, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.†(NLT)
Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/03/19/the-anatomy-of-a-tender-heart-and-a-strong-voice
The Anatomy of a Tender Heart and a Strong Voice
Amy Carroll
March 19, 2019
“LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.†Psalm 15:1-2 (NIV)
No one likes being opposed publicly. But that's exactly what happened when I posted a strong opinion on Facebook. Someone vehemently disagreed, and called me a scathing name, to boot! With shaky hands (warning sign Number 1) and a pounding heart (ahem Number 2), I hammered out a response on my keyboard. I'm telling you, friends, my reply was rich. It was based in Scripture, filled with facts from the news, and let my attacker know in no uncertain terms that I considered her a bully. After a deep breath, I hit "post." I was proud of how spiritual and smart and strong I sounded. Until the next morning. Slowly, very slowly I began to feel pinpricks of regret, followed by conviction. Suddenly, a memory broke my heart. Last year, there was a Twitter feed that went viral when a female comedian was called the foulest name a woman can be called. Her response was stunning as she opened a grace-filled dialogue with her name-caller. By the end of the interaction, she had reached out with practical help to the man who slandered her. Just weeks before my over-reaction, I had used my social media to point to this response as the way Christians should act. Like many, I feel a passion for addressing the issues of our culture, but God whispers to me to properly prepare first. Before we dive into the depths of policies, politics or philosophies, God has a lesson for us. In this divided world of ours, He wants to teach us the anatomy of a tender heart.
A tender heart is a listening heart.
As we listen to God's whispers, attend to the stories of those around us and become more concerned with people's pain than casting blame or affixing a judgment, our hearts grow tender. I’m learning to listen, and it's hard. I want to add my two cents so badly. Instead, God is teaching me to open my ears, shut my mouth and seek to understand even when I don't agree. This practice is tenderizing a self centered, opinionated heart.
A tender heart is a feeling heart.
King David, a man after God's own heart, expressed his full range of emotions alongside an unshakable faith. The two weren't mutually exclusive. Truthfully, I'm a little afraid of my emotions. My passion often runs ahead of wisdom. But doing work that comes from God's heart requires passion. It necessitates joy and sorrow. God's work means entering into others’ suffering and bringing the love of Jesus there. It's not that God doesn't want us to feel. He just wants our feelings to follow Him.
A tender heart is a meditating heart.
A tender heart is immersed in Scripture. That's the place where God shows us our sin and moves us to repentance which leads to righteousness. David shows us the progression when he says, “LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
"The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart†(Psalm 15:1-2).
Our walk becomes blameless as we listen to God. We listen, and then we feel. We feel, and then we do what’s right. Finally, we speak. That’s the path of a tender heart. Do you long to develop a strong voice for God in our world?
Me too. In order to walk into that calling, we have to start with shaping our hearts so we can represent Him well. Not with an equally loud argument, a political party's talking points or a stronger philosophy, but with love flowing from a tender heart.
Lord, make my heart tender through listening, feeling and doing what’s right. Then, and only then, help me use my strong voice for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Proverbs 1:5, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.†(NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/01/how-to-prioritize-prayer-in-your-crazy-busy-life
How to Prioritize Prayer in Your Crazy Busy Life
January 1, 2019
Amy Carroll
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.†Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
Although I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I’ve come to adore adopting a single word each year to guide me toward spiritual growth. Last January as I sought God for my new word, I sensed Him leading me to the word “pray.†Terror is too mild a word to describe the way I felt about that particular directive. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve made daily prayer a practice for decades, but I knew it was still a weak link in my spiritual life. Bible study is one of my great loves, and I adore getting out to serve. But during my prayer times, my mind wanders, my faith wavers and I never feel as if I cover all the needs. Guilt and a sense of falling short typically describe my prayer life. Have you struggled with prayer too? If you’re like me, maybe you know prayer is important, but it’s hard to wrap your mind around such a powerful, invisible force. It’s challenging to prioritize time for something so intangible with results that demand waiting. As I surrendered and embraced “pray†with a trembling heart at the beginning of 2018, I pictured success as reading stacks of books from the 1700s. I imagined developing callouses on my knees from hours on them in the dark of early morning. But those images left me resistant instead of motivated. Truthfully, I couldn’t fathom fitting those assignments into my current schedule. Surely this was going to be the worst word-of-the-year ever. I’m excited to report that’s not how God worked at all. Yes, He challenged me to grow in ways that required intention. He asked me to set more time aside for prayer, but He brought some beautiful, simple tools into my life that have allowed me to find peace and even joy in prayer. God directed me to:
Instagram, where I found a pre-prayer journal routine that settles my thoughts and quiets my mind.
A book that led me to pray one God-inspired verse for each of my sons every day.
A calendar with daily out-of-the-box prompts that leads me to pray for areas I wouldn’t have thought to cover.
A friend who encouraged me to set reminders throughout the day on my phone to pray for people I want to intercede for every week.
A group in the First 5 app where I write out my prayers based on that day’s Scripture.
A mentor who modeled on-the-spot prayer for those with a request: the best guarantee for follow-through instead of forgetting. Voila! Guilt free.
In a gentle yet persistent way, God brought Colossians 4:2 alive in my life in 2018: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.â€
Now my one word “pray†is an invitation for ongoing conversation with God. As a rule-follower and reforming perfectionist, I used to look for formulas and how-tos. Now, instead of limiting myself to a set number of minutes of prayer in a prescribed routine, the simple tools above allow prayer to permeate my thoughts. They’ve created a watchfulness in me that lasts throughout the day. I’m constantly looking for opportunities to pray, which leads to true devotion to the practice and thankfulness as I watch God at work. There are so many moments that beg for prayer! If you long for a talk with God that changes things, prayer is not as hard as you might think. Ask Him to send some simple tools your way, and let the dialogue begin.
Lord, I want to develop devotion to prayer because I long for a never-ending conversation with You. Please teach me to pray by showing me truths in Your Word and giving me the determination to use the tools You send my way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Psalm 17:6, “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.†(NIV)
Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/02/when-god-talks-backwards
When God Talks Backwards
January 2, 2019
Alicia Bruxvoort
“But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display the Anointed One died for us.†Romans 5:8 (The Voice)
My kids knew what day it was when they woke to cereal in the bathroom sink, silverware in the toothpaste drawer and pajamas dangling from the coat hooks in the hallway. I’m not sure when the crazy tradition began or exactly when it ended, but when my children were young, we created an in-house holiday that we affectionately termed Backwards Day. On Backwards Day, we outlawed the conventional and celebrated the crazy. We infused the humdrum with goofy gala and flipped “normal†on its head. We dined under the table instead of on it. We ate dessert before dinner. And we jumped on the bed rather than napping beneath its covers. The laughter came naturally, but our unconventional conversations did not. On Backwards Day, we practiced the art of reverse dialogue. No meant yes, and yes meant no. Slow meant fast, and wait meant go. It took me a while to master it, but eventually, I learned to turn affirmatives into stop signs and negatives into green lights. I said sure to hard work and no way to delight. Sadly, we haven’t celebrated Backwards Day at our house for years. But when I peruse my prayer journal, I realize that God doesn't need a special holiday to practice speaking backwards. God is already the master of reverse dialogue. I can see it in my own life through the lens of hindsight. Maybe you can spot it in your life, too God often tucks an unexpected yes in the folds of a disappointing no. When I was a young teacher, I applied for a position that would allow me to serve students and still meet the needs of my growing family. I interviewed and prayed, waited and hoped; but God responded with a disappointing no. Yet, tucked into that no was an unexpected yes to staying home with my children and pursuing my dream of becoming a writer. When my marriage was flailing and my pride was swelling, I asked God to change my husband. I even gave Him suggestions and timelines. But the Lord didn’t follow my advice. Instead, wrapped into His no was a yes to humbling my heart and recognizing the amazing man God had created my husband to be. I’ve had seasons when God said no to changing my circumstances, so He could say yes to renewing my mind, times when He whispered no to my demand for answers so He could say yes to increasing my faith. Let’s admit it. The idea of God’s backwards talk may sound whimsical and fun, but it’s hard to embrace His no’s when we can’t yet see His yeses. It’s challenging to trust His motives when we are disappointed by His methods. That’s why, when we feel discouraged by His ways, we must choose to shift our gaze. Instead of staring at our confusion, we must fix our eyes on the cross. After all, the cross is like the ultimate Backwards Day! The Apostle Paul says it like this: “But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display the Anointed One died for us†(Romans 5:8).
Through the cross, God said no to the punishment we deserve and yes to the love we could never earn. Jesus purchased our life through His death. He bought our peace with His torment. He restored our joy with His anguish. God’s methods may be mysterious, but His mercy is unchanging. And when we anchor our hope to the resounding “yes†of the cross, we realize we don’t need to make sense of His processes to hold fast to His promises. We simply need to trust the One who filters every yes and every no through His unfathomable love. Dear Jesus, help me to trust Your mercy rather than getting discouraged by Your mystery. Open my eyes to see the unexpected yeses You’ve tucked within Your disappointing no’s. Thank You for saying YES to loving me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.†(NLT)
Isaiah 55:8, “‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD. ‘And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.’†(NLT)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/08/cut-free
Cut Free
January 8, 2019
Jen Wise
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved.†Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
There’s a common struggle among women: the exhausting and unbearable task of removing sweaty gym clothes after a good workout. Yes, I realize men sweat too — but it’s not the same; their clothes are so loose and stretchy. Ours are tight, contoured, made to hold it all in. That’s all fine and well until you’re exhausted, and the added layer of sweat adheres your top to your poor, fatigued body. Recently at my gym, a few of us were lamenting this shared frustration when my friend Jill came around the corner, saying, “One time, I was so tired of trying to wrestle my sports bra off that I just grabbed the kitchen scissors and cut myself out.â€
Jill is not a woman to be trifled with, friends. I was still giggling about this as I walked home. I was also a bit in awe. It was a bold and admirable move. Though I would wrestle and sweat and contort and curse my sports bra, I would never, ever, consider chopping the thing off. In fact, I do this with more than just my gym clothes. I tend to engage in this on-again, off-again battle with cultural expectations. I hate feeling all this pressure, pressure to look a certain way, dress your children a certain way, act like this, decorate your house like that, travel here, work out there, DIY everything, get promoted, hire out help, eat this, never eat that, educate your children at home, at a public school, at a private school, at a Christian school, be Wonder Woman. Some days, I resent trying to keep up with such a demanding lifestyle and appearance. The expectations are unending. I wrestle with them, fight them, and for a time, may temper them. But no matter how frustrating, I can’t seem to just cut them off. No matter how much I want to leave it all behind, I keep sweating through it. You’ve done this too, right?
What’s worse is that when we don’t measure up on any of these fronts, we feel ashamed, guilty, unworthy. When there’s a pile of unfolded laundry or our wardrobe is “lacking†or we’re passed up for a promotion, it can actually begin to shape how we view ourselves. And while we may blame culture for perpetuating unrealistic and unhealthy expectations, we can only blame ourselves for choosing to abide by them. The question is: Why do we wrestle with these pressures when we could simply refuse them?
I wonder if there’s a part of us, deep down, that’s still searching for worth yet feeling plagued by the shame of our own imperfection. We can’t let go because we just aren’t sure we’ve found true love, true acceptance, true security. But, dear friends, we have. Ephesians 2:4-5 tells us, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved.â€
Our worth is set high, off the charts, determined by Jesus’ great act of love, not some image of perfection we try to scrape together. We can trust that we are wholly loved and fully valued, just as we are. We have nothing to prove. We can cling to what we know is true and believe it with our whole hearts, even deep down where fears and insecurities try to linger. Sometimes, our greatest act of faith is ignoring the dust and the pile of unfolded laundry. Sometimes, our greatest act of faith is ignoring our chipped nail polish and two-day-old ponytail. Because it’s hard not to give in to the prevailing thought that our picturesque home and expert style determine our value. We know who we are and to whom we belong. Our identity, value and worth are not up for grabs. A messy kitchen doesn’t make me a bad person or make you a bad person, either. A bad hair day doesn’t diminish your status as a daughter of the King. We don’t have to measure up to some arbitrary standard to earn love, acceptance or worth; we already have it. If you’ve been trying and trying, wrestling and sweating, why not just cut yourself free?
Dear God, thank You for Your unfailing love and unconditional acceptance. Help me to trust in it, to find rest in it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/09/how-to-live-poured-out-for-a-marriage-that-fills-you-up
How to Live Poured Out for a Marriage That Fills You Up
January 9, 2019
Jonathan Pitts
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.†Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
I remember the day Art and I settled in our hearts we would choose to trust God’s love for us and pursue a relationship with Him, no matter what. We were in the hospital with our middle daughter who was 6 weeks old. She had seemed a perfectly healthy baby until an allergic reaction landed us in the intensive care unit. The doctors told us on the fourth day of our visit that Ashley needed emergency surgery, and they did not expect her to survive. They gave us five minutes to tell our baby goodbye. My heart was shattered. I so desperately wanted to scoop her up and run out of the hospital. I wanted to somehow breathe my life into hers. I wanted to take her place. I could handle my own death so much easier than the death of my child. Art prayed over Ashley, we both said our goodbyes, and then, with tears streaming down our faces, we let her go. When Art took me outside to the hospital parking lot, I collapsed into his arms. He gently cupped my face in his hands and reminded me Ashley was God’s child to give and His to take back. “Lysa, God loves Ashley even more than we do,†he gently told me. “We must trust His plan.â€
Art then asked me to do something, and it changed my whole perspective on my relationship with God. “We have to get it settled in our hearts that we will love and trust God no matter the outcome of Ashley’s surgery,†he said.
At first, I resented Art’s desire to trust God in this way. I feared it might give the impression it was alright for Him to take Ashley. With all my being, I wanted to hold on to my child and refuse God. Yet, though I was heartbroken, I also felt God’s compassion. I felt Him drawing me close and pouring out His tender mercy. God knew firsthand the pain we were feeling because He’d felt it Himself. I knew I ultimately had no ability to control my child’s future. With tears pouring from our eyes, Art and I released our sweet Ashley to the Lord and promised to love and trust Him no matter what. It was as if the more I fell into God’s arms, the less the pain of the moment seared my heart. Feeling the power of God took away the fear of the unknown. I stopped thinking about the what-if scenarios and let my soul simply say, OK. God, in this minute I choose rest with You. I will not let my mind go to the minutes that are coming. I will simply be in this moment and face it with peace. That day we settled our love for God not just for this situation, but for all time. Though we did not feel at all happy, a gentle covering of unexplainable calm settled over our hearts. Knowing that the One who loved Ashley. The end of this chapter of Ashley’s life was miraculous, and we are so grateful. Though the doctors can’t explain how, she made a full recovery. Who can understand why God answers prayer the way He does?
I’ve lived the devastating other side of situations like this where my little sister didn't recover, and we stood at her grave, helpless and heartbroken. But both situations have taught me that no matter God’s answer, our hearts can be settled to trust and love Him. I don't have to understand; I just have to trust. This kind of total surrender brings about a depth of peace and relationship with God you can’t get any other way. It all stems from living out today’s key verse, loving God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength†(Deuteronomy 6:5b).
Nothing in life is certain. Circumstances roll in and out like the ocean’s tide. And the unknown can sometimes seem so frightening. We can’t stop or control things that roll our way any more than we can stop the water’s edge. But we can make the minute-by-minute choice to let our souls rest in God.
Dear Lord, I want to love You with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength like Your Word instructs. Teach me how to give up the control I try to maintain as I experience uncertainties and hard times. Help me trust You, no matter what comes my way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Psalm 62:8, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/10/before-i-say-yes-to-one-more-thing
Before I Say Yes to One More Thing …
January 10, 2019
Lysa TerKeurst
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.†Proverbs 14:8 (NIV)
I stood at the dirt mound watching ants. They were busy. I was not.
I was just a little girl stuck in the middle of a slow afternoon. Several of my friends had been invited to the community pool. Another friend was at camp for the week. Even my last resort, the pigtailed aggravation that lived in the apartment below, was busy. “She’s napping,†her mom had informed me. I walked away thinking, She’s 6 years old. Only two years younger than me, and she still takes naps? That's the awfullest thing a mom could do to her child. And this is the awfullest afternoon ever. I sat on the swing of the playground behind our apartment complex. I scuffed the toes of my red sneakers, making lines in the dirt as I moved slowly back and forth. If a child could have died from boredom, I felt quite terminal at that moment. Then I spotted the anthill. I walked over and stood there. Just about the time I was thinking about how lucky all those ants were to have so many friends, I heard a scratchy little voice call out to me. “I bet you won’t stick your foot through that anthill.â€
Pigtail girl had woken up from her afternoon slumber. And for heaven’s sake, I would not, could not, be shamed by a girl who still took naps. I knew in my mind I shouldn't kick the anthill. I knew in my heart I shouldn't kick the anthill. And I knew deep down in my soul I shouldn’t kick the anthill. Every part of me knew I should walk away from the anthill. But some silly part of my mouth betrayed me. “Yes, I will!†I declared as I kicked my foot into the middle of ant Hades.
It didn't take long to feel as if someone had lit 1,000 needles on fire and stabbed me mercilessly. Since that day, I haven't kicked an anthill. At least not in the literal sense. But I have gotten myself into situations where I invited trouble into my life that just didn't need to be there. Especially in the area of saying yes to something I absolutely should say no to. I will know in my mind I should say no. I will know in my heart I should say no. I will know deep down in my soul I should say no. But then my mouth will betray me, “Yes, of course, I will do that.â€
And then?
The sting of the three D’s comes;
Dread. As I write yet another thing on my schedule, I feel the weight of overload. Disappointment. In order to make this happen, I will disappoint someone. Drama. Dread and disappointment will ratchet my emotions to a tipping point. A tipping point that’s not healthy for me or those with whom I do life. Here’s what I’m trying to preach to myself: Just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should do it. I kicked the anthill that day for three reasons I thought it proved I was something. I thought it would impress nap girl. And I didn't think through the cost beforehand. Proverbs 14:8a says, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways ...â€
As a little girl on the playground, I was neither wise nor prudent. Thankfully I know now that God's wisdom is readily available. I've learned if I pause before making an impulsive choice and ask God what to do, He will answer. In fact, He's given me some questions to ask myself that help me determine whether something is an assignment from Him or an anthill that will get me into trouble. Before saying yes to one more thing on my schedule, I ask myself:
Am I trying to prove something?
Am I trying to impress someone?
Have I thought through the cost of saying yes?
It's not bad to say yes to opportunities. But we really should give thought to our ways and consider whether this is an assignment or an anthill. Take the assignment if it's yours. But don’t kick the anthills.
Dear Lord, I’m asking for Your guidance as I discern assignments from anthills. Thank You for Your direction. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Isaiah 30:21, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'" (NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/11/escaping-the-power-of-the-snooze-button
Escaping the Power of the Snooze Button
January 11, 2019
Jessica Martin
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.†Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
I flung my arm out from beneath the covers, attempting to snooze the alarm. Successful, I rolled back onto my side, snuggling deeper into the warmth of the down comforter. Snoozing had become the new norm. And not just one snooze maybe three or four. Every night, I’d set my alarm with great expectations of getting back to my “normal†start to the day. Wake up, run with my dog, shower, devotions, breakfast, coffee, finish getting ready and out the door. Overly ambitious?
Maybe. But for years, that’s how I’ve functioned best. I told myself: This has to stop. I will get up on time tomorrow. Then, morning’s reality arrived. Snooze. Repeat. Sure, I made it to work, going through the motions, even finding myself with favor in various areas of life. But despite exterior successes, I felt stuck. I started making choices I am not proud of and saw myself displaying characteristics inconsistent with the faith I claimed to profess. I could see it happening but could not stop. I didn’t like who I was when I got out of bed. So I snoozed. The covers protected me from myself and the world but it was a facade. No matter how long I snoozed, I had to face life. And I faced it poorly, as I was sacrificing the very things that helped me feel restored and best able to manage life’s complexities. I was resting but not well. I was hiding from hurts of unfulfilled hopes and dreams, broken relationships, deaths of loved ones, sadness and fear. Instead of embracing God, I was pushing Him away and increasingly unable to experience joy. That is not who I am, not who He designed me to be. I knew it but could not break free. I was running to the perceived comfort of a warm comforter instead of to the One who could cover me fully and completely in waking just as much as in sleeping, providing the true rest I desperately craved. Psalm 91:4 illustrates a coverage by the true protector, a rampart who provides healing, joy, and restoration: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings, you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.â€
Typical of God, the image is not something that is a natural point of comfort in this world. It’s even better. A showering of luxurious feathers falling gracefully from the wings of a magnificent creature, someone much bigger than ourselves someone who’s a faithful shield from the struggles of this world. The covering remains despite our humanity, enveloping us with mercy and grace, cheering us on in even our darkest moments. It’s beyond anything this world can offer, propelling us forward out of stuck places into what we perceive to be the impossible. Feathers floated around me, gently guiding me to the goodness inherent in them. I experienced the warmth and fullness of the covering as I allowed myself to absorb all He had readily available. True comfort. True protection. I stopped seeking coverage through snoozing, discovering that although my comforter is great, His feathers are much better.
Dear God, thank You for being the Father who craves to lavish love and goodness toward me. Help me to recognize it, accept it and embrace it. It leads to life far beyond what I could hope or imagine. May I look to You first nothing else for comfort and protection. I choose to find my rest in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Psalm 119:114, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.†(NIV)
Psalm 90:14, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/14/for-such-a-time-as-this
For Such a Time as This
January 14, 2019
Dr. Tony Evans
“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?’†Esther 4:13-14 (NASB)
“For such a time as this.â€
It’s a phrase tossed around frequently, often without much thought to the original meaning or context in which it was said. It can mean: special, chosen or royal. Many people even quote Mordecai’s rebuke to Esther as a life-verse representing power and favor. You’ll see shirts, hats, mugs and social media posts that proudly ring out, “for such a time as this.â€
But what did this phrase really mean?
When we look at the life of Esther throughout the book titled in her name, this phrase actually refers to Esther being scolded for her self-indulgent, self-preserving mindset. In today’s language, we might call that being “shot down†for having narcissistic tendencies! Mordecai reproved Esther for living large and embracing royalty over righteousness selfies over service. Through those telling words, he reminded her she had been chosen to set her own interests aside, let go of her own ambitions, and face an enemy full-on. She was to risk her life and her legacy with no guarantees of a positive outcome. That’s the “for such a time as this†Mordecai challenged Esther to accept. “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?’†(Esther 4:13-14)
And that’s the “for such a time as this†God also sets before you and me. God has given each of us a job, position, resources, education and more. God has opened opportunities to optimize His kingdom purposes. He didn’t place you or me where we are so we could eat figs all day long or post pictures on social media. He’s placed us wherever we are because we are in the midst of a battle, a war. You and I are in the midst of a seismic conflict involving good versus evil. To miss a kingdom assignment because we’ve become too caught up in our personal kingdom is one of the greatest tragedies we could ever face. An entire nation was grateful for how Esther responded to Mordecai’s rebuke. Their lives were spared. How many souls can be spared in the culture where we live today when we choose to step up to service, even if it involves sacrifice?
Lord, turn my heart and my mind toward You and toward the role You have chosen for me to live out. Help me to put Your will and Your purpose ahead of my own. I humbly bow before You and ask for Your direction and guidance, as well as Your courage to live out the calling I’ve been given for such a time as this. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Isaiah 33:6, “And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.†(NASB)
Proverbs 16:4a, “The LORD has made everything for its own purpose.†(NASB)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/15/when-you-need-a-little-g-r-a-c-e
When You Need a Little G-R-A-C-E
January 15, 2019
Sharon Jaynes
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.†1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
There it was. Carved in wood. The evidence could not be denied. Anna dropped her kids off at school and then went home to clean up a bit. She removed a hairbrush, school papers and yesterday’s jewelry from her dresser. And there it was. She couldn’t believe her eyes. A nail. And a name. L-i-l-l-i-a-n carved into the top of her dresser’s walnut surface. Seven-year-old L-i-l-l-i-a-n hadn’t even bothered to hide the weapon used to commit the crime. The nail lay just where she had left it. Right on the dresser by her name. It was a tough six hours as Anna waited for her 44-inch, 49-pound lump of love daughter to get off the school bus. This was not a good day. “Come with me,†Anna said to little Lillian. “I want to show you something.â€
“What’s this about?†Anna asked, pointing to L-i-l-l-i-a-n carved into the wood.
Lillian’s rosy lower lip quivered, her green eyes filled with tears, and her face turned autumn red. “I’m sorry,†she whimpered with bowed head.
“What were you thinking?†Anna asked sternly.
“Well,†she began, “last night I was waiting for the boys to finished their shower so I could take my turn. I saw the nail and picked it up. At first, when I thought about carving my name on the dresser, my mind said ‘No, no, no, don’t do it,’ But the longer I waited, and the longer I thought about it, the ‘No, no, no, don’t do it’ turned into ‘Yes, yes, yes, do it.’ And I did. I knew it was wrong, but I just had to do it.â€
Anna got down on her knees and held Lillian’s guilty cherub face in her hands. “That’s how the devil works,†Anna said. “He creeps in when we don’t expect it and tells us to do bad things wrong things but it is up to us to say ‘No.’â€
“I’m sorry, Mommy,†Lillian cried. “I’ll never listen to the devil again.â€
Anna is my niece. As she told me this story, I saw myself in young Lillian. I wonder if you did, too. Temptation lies right in front of us like a nail just taunting us to scratch an itch. At first, we say “No, no, no,†but the longer we wait around and fiddle with it, the more likely the “No, no, no†will turn into a “Yes, yes, yes.â€
What’s the answer?
Don’t wait around and fiddle with it! Walk away. Right away. Paul wrote: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure†(1 Corinthians 10:13).
That’s true whether the temptation is flirting with that married man at the office, having one too many glasses of wine, searching for an old boyfriend on Facebook, sharing a juicy morsel of gossip with a friend, or carving your name in your mom’s dresser with a nail. I love that Lillian said, “I’ll never listen to the devil again.â€
Oh, don’t you wish that were true?
For Lillian. For me. For you. But we will. That’s when I thank Jesus for the nails not one, but three that pierced His hands and feet so we can be forgiven. Jesus forgives us when we fail and restores us when we fall. It’s called G-R-A-C-E and we all need it.
Dear Lord, when I encounter temptation today, help me walk away right away. Give me the wisdom not to fiddle with it, the strength not to give in to it, and the courage to turn my back on it. Thank You for always providing a way out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.†(NIV)
Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/16/what-you-think-vs-what-you-do
What You THINK vs. What You DO
January 16, 2019
Trillia Newbell
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.†Romans 8:6 (ESV)
Recently I lay down in bed, happy for the chance to relax and rest, but my runaway thoughts were full of anxiety. I stretched out and got comfortable, only to find my mind running in circles. I began worrying about a needed conversation. Next, I ran down a list of items to accomplish the next day. Then I remembered something I needed to purchase, and I thought about what I’d forgotten to accomplish that day. I quickly realized I wasn’t relaxed at all. Would that conversation go well?
Would I accomplish all I needed to the next day?
Would those things I forgot to do today bring me trouble? My anxious thoughts almost pushed me out of bed to work, even though I knew I needed rest. (Psalm 127:2)
It’s no accident Jesus commands us to love God with our heart, soul, and mind. I know most of my sin originates in my mind, from what I think, and a lot of it stays there. I imagine that’s true for most of us. We know how to act, and there are things we likely wouldn’t do just for fear of what others might think. But our minds are another story. No one sees what we’re thinking at least, that’s the lie we tell ourselves. We can have vengeful, angry thoughts; we can lust; we can be anxious; we can judge others all within the confines of our mind. We don’t have to say a word or make a move to sin. God knows every hair on our heads and what’s inside our heads, too. He knows we need not only transformed actions but also transformed thoughts. In today’s key verse, Paul warns that the mindset on the flesh leads to death: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace†(Romans 8:6).
This is because a mindset on the flesh is a mindset on sin. It’s not thinking about the things of God it’s not thinking about God at all! During a particularly hard season of my life, I faced conflict with a friend, and I wasn’t sure how I would work it out. I was nervous about future conversations, so I began visualizing how one might go. Within seconds, I imagined how I might stick it to her with a sharp reply. My mind created a scenario that hadn’t happened and by the grace of God wouldn’t happen. But just imagining that scene led to a physical response. My heart sped up. My breathing became heavier. I was ready for a fight. Yikes! That’s what happens when we let human tendencies rule how we think. The result is worry, fear, and conflict especially if we let our thoughts dictate our actions. In contrast, setting the mind on the Spirit leads to life and peace. As Isaiah wrote, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you†(Isaiah 26:3).
Had my mind been set on the Spirit during that difficult time, I would have responded differently. Hopefully withheld judgment. Probably resisted imagining a comeback. And I would have ultimately loved my sister in my mind and heart and been able to live in peace. Let’s train our minds, as God through Paul instructs, to think on what’s true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8) The mind focused on the Spirit is fixated on good and holy things. And the Spirit-focused mind knows when to take those worrisome thoughts to the Lord and submit them there.
Let’s ask God to fix our eyes and mind on the good and perfect One.
Lord, when You saved me, You renewed all of me including my mind. I confess, there are times when I struggle to think true, pure and lovely thoughts. Thank You for the promise to finish the good work You began. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.†(ESV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/17/glimpses-of-joy
Glimpses of Joy
January 17, 2019
Lysa TerKeurst
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.†James 1:2-3 (NIV)
There’s no part of me that wants sorrow to be a part of my story. There isn’t any plan God could present where I would willingly agree to heartbreak and pain. But the longer I walk with God, the more I see what a tragedy that would be. Picking and choosing what gets to be part of my story would keep me from the ultimate good God has in mind. If that seems hard to fathom in the midst of your own difficult circumstance, I want to share some verses found in James that have helped me in the midst of sorrowful seasons. I have to warn you, it might not feel good at first glance. But as we dig in together, I think you’ll see it’s better to wrestle with Truth than stay stuck in turmoil. James 1:2-4 reminds us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything†(NIV).
I confess I like these verses until I don’t. These words are easy to pull out when your worst issue is that the drive-thru coffee joint got your order wrong today. They frappeed your latte and waylaid the start of your workday. Grrrrrrr. But what about those other things we walkthrough?
The ones that hurt too long?
Or disappoint too deeply?
Or feel devastatingly permanent?
To slap some “we should be joyful about this†verses on top of the hard things feels cruel. Like a bad joke about something excruciatingly painful. It’s just too soon for that kind of nonsense. That’s why I’m glad these verses don’t say “feel the joy†but instead, “consider where some glimpses of joy might be even in the midst of all the hurt.â€
Understanding how to consider joy rises and falls on whether we truly trust God in the middle of what our human minds can’t see as good at all. It’s hard. So I like to think of it in terms of baking. Imagine if we decided to make a cake. As in, from scratch. After going to the store, we set out all the ingredients: the flour, the butter, the sugar, the vanilla, the eggs, the baking powder, and a pinch of salt. But then maybe we felt too tired to mix it all together and make the cake. Instead, we thought we could just enjoy the cake one ingredient at a time. The thing is that sometimes we don’t like some of the individual ingredients, so we’d rather leave them out. The flour is too dry leave it out. The sugar, butter and vanilla are all good to leave them in! The eggs are just gross when raw definitely leave those out! And then our cake would never be made mature and complete, not lacking anything. We are so quick to judge the quality of our lives and the reliability of God based on individual events, rather than the eventual good God is working together. We must know that just like the master baker has reasons to allow the flour and eggs in the right measure into the recipe, Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), will do the same with dry times and hard times. And yes, we may have to go through some chaos in the mixing and some heat in the baking, but soon we will rise and live lives that are a sweet offering of hope, grace, peace and comfort to others. That’s how we can consider it pure joy today. We can also make peace with the fact that sorrow and celebration can coexist together in a heart quite authentically. We don’t have to pick one or the other. We can simply have both. And giving ourselves permission to have both is freeing on every level. We can sit with and tend to all that still needs to be healed and at the same time laugh, plan for great things ahead, and declare this a glorious day. To have both isn’t denial. It’s declarative! It’s decisive! It’s deeming life a gift even if it looks nothing like we thought it would. Our sorrows tender our hearts and allow us to grieve. Our celebrations tend to our heart’s need to get back up and go on. Let’s enjoy the mess out of all that’s worthy of celebration while fully allowing sorrow to come to our party as well knowing there’s purpose in the pain and joy in the making of a life with Jesus.
Father God, help me consider where glimpses of joy might be on this day. And keep reminding me in the midst of all that feels hard that Your plans for me are still good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/18/when-god-cried
When God Cried
January 18, 2019
Liz Curtis Higgs
“Jesus wept.†John 11:35 (NIV)
I was sitting on a hotel bed when the text arrived. Though I’d steeled myself for bad news, I still wasn’t prepared. My hands shook as I read the words, “Lizzie, dear, your brother left this world at 6:27 p.m. Mountain Time ...â€
There was more, but I couldn’t bear to read it. A great sob poured out as I threw the phone across the bed. Not in anger but in despair. It can’t be true. It can’t be. Every emotion flooded through me as I tried to stem my tears, pressing a washcloth to my face. The thought of never seeing my brother again was more than I could bear. I wept until I could weep no more, and then I wept again. Perhaps that’s how Jesus responded 2,000 years ago in Bethany. Not just one tear running down his cheek, but a steady stream flowing from the depths of His heart, as He watched Martha and Mary mourning the loss of their brother Lazarus. When a loved one dies, “if only's†often haunt our thoughts for weeks, months, even years after the funeral. “If only I’d called that morning ...â€
“If only I’d insisted on a second opinion ...â€
“If only I’d stopped by on my way to work ...…â€
Having now buried both my parents, both my in-laws, all three of my dear brothers, and far too many friends, I would offer this gentle advice about giving in to “if only'sâ€: Don’t go there, beloved. God knows the hour of each person’s passing. Whatever we did or didn’t do for someone we loved, the timing of his or her departure was God’s alone. Mary of Bethany surely knew this truth, yet she fell at Jesus’ feet that day, unable to hold back her tears. Jesus could hardly ignore her profound grief or the crying and sobbing of her friends. “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled†(John 11:33, NIV).
There’s more going on here than meets the eye. Jesus was visibly distressed not from angst as much as anger. Jesus was mad?
Yes, He was. The Bible tells us He became “enraged in the Spirit†(John 11:33b, JUB), and “a deep anger welled up within him†(John 11:33b, NLT).
Almost like a horse showing its displeasure. Was He frustrated with Mary’s tears? Disgusted at her lack of faith? Not our compassionate Savior. He was angry with death itself and the grave’s power to rob His people of hope, of joy, of peace. When He asked Mary and the others, “Where have you laid him?†(John 11:34a, NIV), Jesus followed them to Lazarus’s tomb, prepared to put an end to their suffering.
What happened next was tender, sacred and unexpected. Captured in a verse with only two words, famous for its brevity but far more for its depth of emotion, "Jesus wept†(John 11:35).
He did, friend. The Son of God wept. A great sadness swept over Him, moving Him to tears, He felt their sorrow in a deeply personal way, just as He feels ours. However much we’re hurting, we can take comfort in this: When we suffer, He suffers with us. When we grieve, He grieves. The witnesses that day said, “See how he loved him!†(John 11:36, NIV).
Yes, see how He loves each one of His followers. Wanting us to live with hope, rather than fear … with joy, rather than sorrow … with peace, rather than regret.
Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us right where we are, even in the depths of our pain. For shedding Your tears, reminding us we’re never alone. For shedding Your blood, assuring us we will live with You forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.†(NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.†(NIV)
Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.†(ESV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/21/no-more-of-those-stories
No More of Those Stories
January 21, 2019
Lynn Cowell
“When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’†John 11:4 (NIV)
Lord, I don’t want to write any more of these kinds of stories.
I knew this was not the “Sunday School†response to my Savior, but after hearing news that left my heartbroken, I just had to shoot straight with the One who loves me most. He has proven that when I am hurting, He will comfort me, and that is exactly what I needed. I knew I could go to Him in the rawest moments of my life, and He would take me in. One thing I’ve learned in loving Jesus: It doesn’t mean we get to skip hard things in life. It takes only a day to find this is true. Disappointments sometimes replace dreams. Unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others crowd out the happiness we hoped to experience. Maybe Martha in John 11 felt similar feelings as she looked at her brother Lazarus’ lifeless body. She could have thought, If Jesus loved us, why would He have allowed this?
He knows we need our brother. This tragedy could have easily been prevented if Jesus would have simply come when the sisters called for Him. Jesus hadn’t followed their plan or met their expectations when He stalled in coming to their rescue. But He had His reasons for waiting, and clearly explains it in today’s key verse, John 11:4b: “... it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.â€
“God’s glory.â€
Jesus gave His purpose for Lazarus’ illness and subsequent death, but Mary and Martha were not there to hear His answer. Sometimes, even if we do hear His words, they are not the ones we want to hear. We just want our pain fixed. Jesus wanted them to learn that His “no†now is not always a no forever; He has the perfect timing and perfect answer to our needs. He wants our faith and confidence in Him alone, and often a no when we want a yes helps us reposition our confidence and trust when it’s gotten off track. If Jesus had come to this family’s immediate rescue, there would have been no reason for the sisters to develop and exercise confidence. Often, He will build this type of confidence in uncomfortable environments. The sisters had sent for Jesus and had offered a prayer of sorts. “Lord, he whom you love is ill†(v. 3b, ESV).
They had confidence He would hear them, and they were right: He heard and answered their request in His way, in His time. My heart needs this hope and comfort today this faith-booster. Confidence that we can ask anything according to His will and He hears us is what powers our prayers. Matthew 7:7-8 reminds us, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened†(NIV).
Jesus leaves no room for doubt. The answer to our prayer will come. Period. Ask and it will. Seek and it will. Knock and it will. This is the faith-push that empowers us. When disappointment and discouragement deplete me, God’s directives restore me.
Dear Lord, thank You that whenever disappointment and discouragement deplete me, You will restore me. When life knocks me down, I will choose to draw closer to You still. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/22/the-benefits-of-blind-obedience
The Benefits of Blind Obedience
January 22, 2019
Tracie Miles
“‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.’†John 9:3 (NLT)
Have you ever wondered if something you did (or something someone did to you) was the reason God allowed you to experience suffering?
Or maybe questioned if your past experiences or mistakes prevent you from living a life of purpose that glorifies God?
I entertained these thoughts for a long time, but years ago, my perspective changed as I read the passage where Jesus’ disciples were wrestling with these same questions. Jesus and His disciples were walking through the streets of Jerusalem when they encountered a blind man. In John 9:1-2, one of the disciples asked Jesus why this man was blind: “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’†(NLT)
Jesus lovingly put their confusion to rest with today’s key verse, “‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him’†(John 9:3).
I can imagine the disciples standing there, looking perplexed by what Jesus meant. How could this man’s blindness be a display of the power of God?
What had he ever done to glorify God? How could his life serve a higher purpose?
The passage continues, “Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, ‘Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam’ (Siloam means ‘sent’). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!†(John 9:6-7, NLT)
The blind man’s sight was completely healed, but notice that his healing was not immediate. He wasn’t healed when Jesus spat on the mud and smeared it on his eyes, but only after he had obeyed what Jesus instructed him to do. The blind man was healed when he chose to fully obey the command of Jesus to “go.†Without questioning or hesitating, the man went, and his obedience resulted in healing and discovering holy purpose from his pain. This man had been suffering with undeserved physical and emotional challenges for decades. He may have lived his entire life feeling inferior, unloved, rejected, excluded and possibly believing he had no purpose. He may have also assumed his suffering and current limitations rendered him useless. After all, he didn’t have any special skills or qualifications, not even eyesight. But here stood Jesus, telling everyone how this man’s life still counted and that his life could serve as proof of the power of God. Because of his obedience, his physical blindness was healed, but more importantly, his spiritual blindness was healed, opening his eyes to a new perspective about his past and future. Unlike this blind man, we often find ourselves questioning God’s call and talking ourselves out of obedience rather than blindly trusting and obeying His command to “go.†But when we walk forward in faith, even when we don’t feel ready and have to push through our doubts, fears, and hesitations, true healing and purpose can begin to take shape in our hearts and in our lives. God allows pain, struggles, and adversities in our lives. But regardless of our circumstances or limitations, when we choose to take that leap of faith with blind obedience, trusting God even when we don’t know what lies ahead, we too can experience true spiritual healing, see a new perspective about our past for the very first time, and take the first step into discovering our unique purpose.
Lord, I want my life to serve as proof of Your goodness. Fill me with courage and motivation to trust and obey You. I want to go and share with others what You have done for me. Show me how You can turn my pain into purpose and make my life count for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.†(NLT)
James 5:11, “We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.†(NLT)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/23/we-are-family
We Are Family
January 23, 2019
Cindy Bultema
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.†1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
Family is supposed to look out for each other, but that doesn’t always happen. My daughter had a bit of a lisp, and some boys on the school bus were making fun of her. They’d tease her, call her names and mimic her talking with her lisp, of course exaggerating. Spit actually flew from their middle-school mouths to my little girl’s face! She came home in a puddle of humiliation. I wanted to climb aboard the yellow bus like a mildly deranged mama bear and have a swipe or two at those hooligans, but of course, I restrained myself. (I aspire to be sanely involved with my children’s conflicts.) I prayed for grace, forgiveness, and wisdom because the main instigator was my friend’s son. Yikes! And the worst part my son was a witness to what was happening to his sister. “Sweetie, what did you do when those mean boys were picking on your sister?â€
My usually reliable son averted his eyes and lowered his head. “Nothing.â€
Grrr. I wanted to jump out of my skin. But motherhood is all about gulping those deep breaths and praying those “Help me, now!†prayers. “Nothing? You watched your sister get spit on and you did nothing? Why? Help me understand.â€
Before he could respond, I kept going (as I sometimes do): “Honey, we belong to the same family we are Bultemas. We stick together. Family doesn’t stand by and do nothing when our sister or brother needs help. Family members take care of each other.â€
I was trying to teach my son about family, about unity and how to pursue it in our broken, hurting world. The bus drama with my daughter sparked negative emotions in me, but it was also an opportunity to remember I am called to pursue unity, with bullies and moms of bullies, and with my brothers and sisters in Christ. “Unity†is kind of a churchy word, but as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:10, it just means agreeing with one another, with no divisions or conflict. “Division†in ancient Greek has a connotation of ripping or tearing fabric, so literally, Paul begged the church members in Corinth to not be ripped apart. But drama and conflict come up all the time can I get a witness?
It pops up with friends, kids, siblings and between husbands and wives. It flares on the playground, the workplace, the big yellow school bus. We can’t avoid conflict, but we do get to choose how to deal with it. Do we make the rip worse, or do we do all we can to mend and heal?
When he wrote his letter, Paul knew the local church in this Greek city was a hot mess of overblown drama and bitter contention. Four cliques had formed — each was sure they were right, and everyone else was wrong. Church members were even suing each other! I love how Paul writes with a pastor’s heart, using family language. At least 20 times, Paul addresses his “brothers and sisters,†his “adelphos†in Greek. His loving-yet-firm tone is one we might use if we were going out for coffee with a sibling or a friend who had lost their way. “Oh, friend I love you, but this has got to stop.†Let “there be no divisions among you,†Paul writes.
No drama. No, he said/she said. No spitting on each other. No hurting each other! Instead “.... be perfectly united in mind and thought.â€
Build each other up. Gently, patiently, kindly. At peace. By the way, the instigator in my girl’s bus drama?
With his mom’s encouragement, he came over and apologized, giving my daughter a gift card he bought with his own money. Grace ruled, and harmony was restored. Life delivers many reasons to be at odds with our sisters (and our brothers). Let’s look for ways to be at one with them instead. Let’s also look for ways to be family to each other, to stand up for each other as dearly loved daughters and sons of a Good Father. Because the family takes care of each other, always.
Father, help me see ways I can bring unity and peace in Your Name today. Fill me with Your love and grace in the midst of drama. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Ephesians 4:3, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.†(NIV)
Philippians 2:2, “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/24/wisdom-together
Wisdom Together
January 24, 2019
Lysa TerKeurst
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.†James 3:13 (NIV)
For all of their lives, my children have known a secret. When circumstances fall apart, there is a safe place. Their mom’s arms. More than a hug, this place beats with the gentle rhythm of a heart that feels what they feel. So they bring what they can’t bear to experience alone into this place. And we reconnect. So, when my daughter crawled into my arms at 3 a.m. several years ago, I knew. Trouble had found its way into her heart. A boy, whom she thought would handle her heart gently, didn’t. Her crush, crushed her. She felt it all so deeply. And while I could see it was all for the best, I hurt for her with her split-open heart, because she’s mine, my girl who couldn’t sleep, so she slipped into my bed to be near the rhythmic heartbeat she’s known since she was conceived. And in the quiet middle of the night, I held her. I brushed her long brown hair off her tear-streaked face. I kissed the wet salt on her cheeks. And I whispered, “I love you.â€
And she knew I was safe. Her safe place to run and find when the world got wild and cruel and heartbreakingly mean. The next morning, she showed me the source of her middle-of-the-night anguish: a text message from him. His words were from a heart entangled with immaturity and his own sources of hurt. He wasn’t a bad person. He was young. And sometimes young means incapable of handling situations the right way. I understand that. Age has given me that gift. But my young girl did not understand. She took the words like daggers to the heart. And cried. She handed me the phone. “Help me reply.â€
There we sat in the midst of poached eggs and toast crumbs, talking together, thinking together, replying together. Together is a really good word. Together is what we need when we hit tough patches in life. No matter what hard place we find ourselves in, feeling alone can make us vulnerable to bad decisions. Hard places can so easily make us want to default to our feelings rather than to wisdom as our guide. That’s not the best time to make a decision. Especially not alone. I suspect if you’re in a tough place, it probably feels more significant than a teenage heartbreak. I understand. I’ve been there. And I’ll probably be there again. And when we’re there, we have to be honest that we’re not in the place to make big decisions right then. Maybe we’re not even in the place to make decisions on simple requests from others.
This doesn’t make you bad or incapable. It makes you smart. Smart enough to know to pause and take extra time when life takes on extenuating circumstances that are hard. In this pause from decisions, go to your safe place. When the world beats you down, open up your Bible. Let His sentences finish yours. Let truth walk before you like a guide on a dark path. And also go to someone in your sphere of influence whom you know is wise. How do we know whom to go to? The Bible makes it clear: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom†(James 3:13).
Yes, let these wise people help you. Stand on top of their wisdom when you feel shaky with your own. When we can rise up on the wisdom of others and get a new view of our situations, our next steps seem a little clearer.
Father, thank You for the help You surround me with not only in Your Word but also with the people You place in my life. Give me the wisdom to reach out for help when I need it. And make me aware of those around me who are hurting and could use Your hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Proverbs 13:20, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.†(NIV)
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https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2019/01/25/praying-like-a-superhero
Praying Like a Superhero
January 25, 2019
Shirlee Abbott
“But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret.†Matthew 6:6a (MEV)
Oh, to be like Superman. To step into that phone booth as mild-mannered Clark Kent and step out as Superman fit, flamboyant, ready to fly off and change the world! But here I am, weary and worried, stepping into my prayer closet and later stepping out same old me, still weary and worried. Clark Kent is transformed. I’m not. Forget the closet. I want a phone booth. Friends, it’s not the closet. It’s me. I’m not in there alone. I’m with God Almighty, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and I play the part of Clark Kent, the reporter. I report the news. I tell what’s happening. I provide all the details. I fill the closet with words. They’re broke, God. They need money. He’s gotta find a job. Dear Jesus, she’s terribly sick. There’s so much she should be doing. It’s the big game. The team has worked hard, Lord. They really want to win. The good little reporter that I am, I don’t just describe what’s happening. I tell God what needs to happen. This job is perfect for him, Jesus. They have to hire him. Heal her, Lord. Get her back to work. Dear God, give them the victory. They deserve it. One day, I step into the closet, more distressed and dejected than usual. This is such a mess! I don’t know what they should do. You’re the all-seeing, all-knowing God. You tell me. I sense God’s response:
Ah, you’re catching on. Who am I to tell God what to do?
He’s omniscient and omnipresent. I can’t tell Him anything He doesn’t already know. I learn to check my Clark-Kent self at the closet door. I speak less and listen more. God grants me glimpses from His perspective. He loves money too much. She needs to be still and know that I am God. They want that trophy more than they want Me. I’ve been stepping into my prayer closet and asking God to save the day Superman-style, to provide the quick fix, the happy here-and-now. But God looks at the long term, what’s best for eternity. An easy life produces flabby souls. Temporary trouble can be a stepping stone to godly character. I learn to pray God’s plan over the names on my prayer list. O God, teach him to store up his treasure in heaven. Surround her hospital bed with Your presence, Jesus. Win or lose, Lord, may they play for Your glory. And that hopeless mess?
Almighty God, plant them deep in Your love. Fill them to overflowing with the fullness of You! Whatever the problem, they’ll be better off filled with the fullness of God. We find this truth when Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray. He instructs them, “But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret†(Matthew 6:6a).
I don’t step out of my prayer closet with a flashy cape and bulging muscles. But I’m transformed. I have God’s eyes and heart. And my prayers fly off in power to change the world. I’ll take my closet over a phone booth, all the time.
O God, teach me to pray Your way, not mine. Change me, change my prayer focus, and change others through my prayers. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would give you, according to the riches of His glory, power to be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.†(MEV)
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Just Say Thank You
January 28, 2019
Arlene Pellicane
“If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.†Hebrews 12:8 (NIV)
Have you ever had a piece of broccoli or salad in your teeth, but no one told you about it?
It takes a caring friend to whisper, “You have something stuck in your teeth.â€
That tooth tip is meant to be helpful, not harmful. We are wise to recognize correction either big or small as a chance to improve, instead of a challenge to be rejected. When you’re corrected, what’s your immediate response?
I recently learned a new way to respond when I’m corrected, revised, amended, rectified or reformed. I learned this response from my friend who serves alongside her husband in youth ministry at my church. Over lunch, she repeated to me what she teaches the students:
“When we ask you (the students) to put away your phones, or when your parent says something to correct you, it may feel like a flick on the cheek. It hurts at the moment a little bit. But what you need to say is, ‘Thank you.’ You’re being corrected because you are loved.â€
I love that dialogue. When someone corrects you, simply say “Thank you.â€
You’re being corrected because you are loved. This isn’t always easy. But I got the chance to practice this response soon after. At a small neighborhood exercise class I’ve been attending for years, I was lifting weights. My instructor corrected my form in front of everyone. Instead of being embarrassed or offended, I said, “Thank you.â€
I was amazed at how that simple response helped me accept the correction (I was using the weights incorrectly), and it diffused my self-consciousness. I don’t know about you, but I’m naturally defensive when corrected. Yet the Bible teaches us not to be discouraged when we experience a divine correction. Hebrews 12:5b-6 says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son†(NIV).
Do not lose heart. When the Lord nudges, “Child, you need to go apologize to your friend ...†or “You spoke very rudely just then ...†we can learn to respond with the words “Thank you.â€
Thank You, Lord, for correcting me because You love me. Thank You for helping me become more like You. Today’s key verse says, “If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.†Being a child of God means God loves us too much to allow us to continue uncorrected in sin. Reading Hebrews 12:9-11, we learn that if human fathers discipline us and are respected, how much more should we submit to God?
Earthly parents aren’t perfect, and we can correct incorrectly, but God always disciplines for our profit. God’s correction is not condemnation. This is an important distinction. God corrects to prevent the death and destruction of our souls. At the time, discipline doesn’t feel joyful. It’s painful. But later it “produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it†(verse 11b, NIV).
One way we can spiritually train is by responding with a sincere “Thank you†when God (or other people) correct us. But what if someone gives you a mean-spirited or ridiculous correction?
You can still say “Thank you†and leave it at that.
You don’t have to pay attention to corrections from people who don’t care about you and seek your harm. However, Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger†(NIV).
In other words, let’s respond with grace, even when others don’t say something gracious. This sets us as Christ-followers apart from the world. So the next time someone gives you a piece of advice, corrects you, or points out the broccoli between your teeth, just say “Thank you.â€
And when the Holy Spirit nudges you about something you need to change, try saying, “Thank You, God, for caring enough to tell me about this because I am Your daughter.â€
Heavenly Father, I struggle with sin and need Your loving correction. Thank You for intervening in my life over and over again. Thank You for working on my character and behavior so I can look more like You. Help me welcome Your discipline in my life. I submit to Your will in my life. Give me a gracious attitude toward others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Job 5:17, “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.†(NIV)
Psalm 119:67-68, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.†(NIV)
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Letting Go of Clutter and Holding On to Peace
January 13, 2022
by Brenda Bradford Ottinger
“The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.†Psalm 29:10-11 (NLT)
The Carolina clay has housed our family roots for over a decade now, but prior to settling here, we moved many times across many years. As exhausting as those moves were, they lent timely opportunities to shed excess belongings. Yet as we settled into long-term living, I began to sense an unexpected weight of weariness. Amidst the bustle of a growing family, without those frequent moves forcing fresh starts, I felt overwhelmed by the re-accumulated stuff of life and the stress of tidying around it. I’d spend all my energy managing the simple tasks of daily maintenance, never feeling like I could get ahead. Then I’d collapse into bed each night, sinking further into the floodwaters of inadequacy. Quieting my environment helps quiet my spirit, yet my environment felt like a thundering flood of chaos. Feelings of failure, fault, weakness and regret stole my very peace. Yet I had no idea how to summon the time and energy to change my situation. One evening, as I searched Scripture for a hint of calm in the chaos, God brought me to Psalm 29. David wrote this psalm while watching a storm rise above the Mediterranean Sea and sweep across the land. I felt like I was swirling in my own personal storm, and these words spoke hope and comfort to my weary soul: “The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace†(Psalm 29:10-11).
God reminded me that night that He rules over every storm of life, offering us His strength and peace in the midst. I knew something needed to change, so I prayed for wisdom to create boundaries and freedom to let go of clutter that no longer served us. And one small step at a time, I began moving toward a life of less stuff and more peace. Friend, if life feels like it’s swirling around you, creating whirlwinds of chaos in your home, take heart; there is hope! God is more than able to meet you where you are with His abundant strength, for He rules over the floodwaters of your storm and longs to bless you with His peace. Here are five practical suggestions and accompanying scriptures to tuck into your heart as you seek to declutter and restore order in your home:
1. Lay your struggles bare before God. Ask Him to guide you toward His best for your household. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.†(Psalm 25:5, NIV)
2. If you live with others, brainstorm ways you can work together toward balance. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.†(Ecclesiastes 4:9, NLT)
3. Break down big tasks into small goals. Don’t discount the big difference that small efforts can make. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin …†(Zechariah 4:10a, NLT)
4. Consider how much stuff you want to manage, and donate the rest to someone who needs it. “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.†(Acts 4:32, NLT)
5. Don’t let one difficult day derail your progress. Accept God’s grace for the process and begin each day anew. “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.†(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)
Sweet friend, your desire for a manageable home is a worthy desire. Today is a great day to begin again and, one step at a time with God, create the calm your heart craves for your home.
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When Prayer Is the Best Way To Help
June 7, 2022
by Laura Bailey
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
My phone buzzed, and immediately knowing who the text was from, I read the message, which contained more heartbreaking news. Over the last few weeks, a dear friend had experienced a series of trials that left her physically exhausted, emotionally drained and spiritually defeated. What more could I do for her?
Why weren’t things turning around?
At first, I felt honored and humbled that she would trust me enough to share her struggles, and I was hopeful that, with my help, eventually things would get better. Sincerely working with her toward a solution, or at the very least hoping to alleviate some of her stress, I delivered meals, offered to babysit her children and sent cards with encouraging notes. I rearranged my schedule to be available whenever she called. Nonetheless, as the weeks passed, her circumstances didn’t improve. In fact, they worsened, making me wonder if there was more I should do to help. Did I exhaust all my resources?
Maybe you, too, have felt like this after relentlessly working to help someone depleted and discouraged when there's no evidence that the situation has improved. God graciously allows us to be co-laborers in ministry, giving us the Holy Spirit to labor within and through us in Kingdom work. He encourages us to give to widows and orphans, (James 1:27) to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15) and to carry each other’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2) However, sometimes we get caught up in relying on our own strength instead of calling on the power of Jesus. Upon reflection, perhaps I was guilty of spending hours on my feet “doing” for my friend without spending hours on my knees praying. I tended to use prayer as a last resort. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-17 warns Christians to be alert to the spiritual warfare raging all around us. Then he outlines the fundamental rule for engagement put on the armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Last but not least, he instructs, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
Our key verse reveals three things about prayer:
* First, we are to “pray in the Spirit,” allowing God’s desires to become our own.
* Secondly, we are to pray continually, presenting our requests to our heavenly Father throughout the day. Prayer isn't a one-and-done act but a constant communication with the Lord.
* Lastly, we are to pray for the needs of “all the Lord’s people.”
When we see others in need, prayer should be our first response. The Lord never intended for us to carry the weight of the world on our own shoulders, to single-handedly heal every hurt or solve every problem. How comforting to know that when we are weak, He is strong! (2 Corinthians 12:10) God never tires of bearing the burdens of His children, for He is all-powerful. In fact, He wants us to go to Him for strength, guidance, comfort and rest, not just for ourselves but for others as well. While in these mortal bodies, we continue to experience the effects of sin: hardship, struggle, disappointment and pain, to name only a few. Notwithstanding, through faith in Jesus Christ, we have hope, for we aren’t alone; the same almighty power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive and works in and through us for His glory. (Romans 8:11) Let’s be encouraged and not defeated in our mission to help those in difficult situations. Starting with prayer, as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading, we will be prepared to complete the good works Christ has prepared for us. (Ephesians 2:10)
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God Holds You on Your Hardest Days
June 8, 2022
by Katie Faris
"even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:10 (ESV)
Sunlight danced on the walls of my dining room as my heart sank and my head fell to the table. I was undone. Pent-up grief, built up inside over the previous month, overflowed as I tried to wrap my mind around what was unthinkable but true. I’d just spoken on the phone with the pediatrician. After one son's diagnosis a few weeks earlier, I now knew that two more of my children had the same genetic condition, one that could seriously impact their livers or lungs. Questions swirled in my head. Was this really happening?
What did this mean? Where was God in all of this?
Minutes later, with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat, I greeted my husband on our front porch and repeated the doctor’s message. Then, as our children played inside the house, we held one another close and cried. I don’t know how long we sat there, weeping and asking questions of one another and God. But in our grief, the Lord met us. When we didn’t even know how or what to pray, “the Spirit himself intercede[d] for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26b, ESV).
The Holy Spirit led us to open our hearts to God, commit our family to His care and ask Him to work for His glory in our family's suffering. Even on one of our hardest days, God led my husband and me. As we clung to one another, His hand held us. And that’s just what our key verse promises: “Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:10).
This verse is found right in the middle of Psalm 139, in which you and I are repeatedly reassured that our heavenly Father knows all about us. God knew us before we were born (v. 16) and He knows what we're going to say even before we say it. (v. 4) And no matter where we go or what happens, He goes with us, leading us and holding us with His right hand. (v. 10) Though it shocked me, my children’s genetic condition wasn’t a surprise to the One who knitted them together in my womb. (v. 13) And the diagnosis, which seemed like darkness covering me, wasn't dark to Him. (v. 12) He rescued me from despair and led me closer to Himself. The following days were hard. There were specialists to see, medications to administer, grief and questions to navigate. But the Lord held me through it all. Looking back, I can answer one question with confidence. Where was God in all of this? He was right there with me. That is God’s promise to His children: “Even there your hand shall …” (Psalm 139:10).
Even in places we don’t want to go to, He will lead us. Even in places that seem beyond His reach, He will hold us. Whether our “there” is a diagnosis or job loss unwanted singleness or a struggling marriage the loss of a loved one or any number of other hardships the Lord knows and cares about His own children. Even on our hardest days, in our darkest moments, the Lord who knows us meets us. His hand grabs hold of us and doesn’t let go.
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The Hard and the Beautiful of Being Called Out
June 15, 2022
by Jennie Allen
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Galatians 6:1a (ESV)
What is it about accountability that makes us squirm?
At its core, accountability calls us to who we are meant to be, through truth mixed with grace. Yet our generation’s declaration of personal independence has pushed this away. We resent being challenged on our behavior. But what if that missing element is exactly why we all feel like our relationships don’t run deep?
I first met my friend Jey through some mutual friends. He is young, smart and joyful. As he started filling in the blanks on his upbringing, I remember thinking, It absolutely doesn’t seem possible that this person and this story go together. Jey’s childhood in the slums of Nairobi was rough. I mean, rough rough. Rough, as in being imprisoned at age 9 for having stolen food that his single mom and siblings desperately needed to avoid utterly wasting away. Here’s the funny thing about Jey: When you get him talking about his childhood, he smiles. He told me stories about the norm in Kenya of “holding each other’s hands”: “Kids would show up at our little house because we didn’t have doors or locks on our little hut, and my grandmother, who lived with us, would have no idea when they’d last eaten.”
She was barely keeping her own kids alive, remember. But still, she’d usher those kids inside, sit them at the table and feed them like they were her own. Though Nairobi is a city of millions, his grandmother and others within Jey’s neighborhood served as a village-sized community. He said, “I would be running on the other side of the slum, goofing off with friends, and would hear my name because ‘the elders’ were everywhere! And those elders would grab me by the collar right then and there and punish me, and of course, my grandmother would hear about it.”
For the next decade, Jey worked hard in school and found work that eventually took him to the United States, where he lives now in Atlanta. What Jey couldn’t have anticipated was that, while life back in Kenya had been rough all those years, he’d enjoyed a type of prosperity that he didn’t recognize until it was gone. When he spoke about what he missed about Nairobi and the slums, he said, “I miss everyone being in and out of our lives. I wish that were true here. It’s so different. I’m grateful for all we have here, but I wish my kids were growing up with tribal elders in their ears. I wish we could be part of a village here.”
When we don’t have a village of interconnected, consistent teammates in our lives, we feel invisible, and when we are left alone and unbothered, we become the worst version of ourselves. Whether it’s neighbors, mentors, grandparents or our closest friends, we need people who see us, who call us up and out. Our key verse, Galatians 6:1a, instructs us on how to do this: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
Once you’ve identified a wise and trustworthy friend(s), here’s how you intentionally pursue accountability:
1. Give permission to this person or people to tell you the truth.
2. Ask them regularly: What area of my life do I need to grow in? What practices do I need to embrace in order to grow and mature? Will you hold me accountable to this change?
3. Plan follow-up meetings. Schedule times when you can revisit this conversation.
4. Ask your friend(s) if you can hold them accountable for anything.
God made us for community! And it’s when we’re in community with others who are committed to keeping us accountable that we become the very best version of ourselves.
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Created To Be Worthy
June 16, 2022
by Kelly Anne Burns
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14 (NKJV)
I am a slow, lingering sort of person. My children lovingly and laughingly refer to me as the tortoise (as in, “The Tortoise and the Hare”). And while I laugh along because I do dearly love to laugh, I have often thought to myself, Maybe I should be more like the hare. My daughter, on the other hand, is a “hare.” She can get lots of stuff done (and done well) in a short amount of time. I find myself in awe of her in a “gee, I wish I could be more like that” sort of way.
And while admiring the gifts God gave her is lovely in itself, there is a fine line separating admiration and comparison. Admiration can see the beauty in someone’s differences while continuing to see the value in my own. Comparison says, That’s better than what I've got, so I would be better off in her shoes. I have found myself in both camps. One day, my daughter suggested I watch a TV show that had become a recent favorite of hers (meaning she had watched all the seasons at least twice). I almost always say “no thanks” to shows that will require me to watch so many seasons. But something in me said “yes” to this one.
A few nights later, I watched the first episode. And about halfway in, the world around me stopped as a phrase was spoken that would change my whole perspective on me. A mother was comforting her daughter and said lovingly to her, “Be you. Live life at your own pace.”
Pause Rewind Repeat. I did this three times before the words sank in. I knew God was speaking directly to me. Be you, Kelly. Live life at your own pace. He was affirming me. Affirming that He had made me this way on purpose. And that His creation was beautiful. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14)
I am reminded of this verse when I think of many moments as a little girl with my own mom, who is a “hare.” I would take my mom’s face in both of my hands and turn it toward me. With that gesture, I was telling her something to be fully present with me in this moment. She remembers this, too, and fondly. It reminded her to slow down once in a while and just be something that came naturally to me but not to her. God made my mom the way she is, and He made me the way I am. We complement each other and remind each other to enjoy the beauty of the way God made us. The way I’m made is my gift and my strength. It is valuable and worth protecting. How do I protect it?
I don’t apologize for it when it takes the form of slowness or simplicity. I nurture it.
I value it out loud for everyone to hear and see: “This is how God made me. Isn't it lovely? I am so happy He made me this way.”
And in doing so, instead of comparing, we lean into one another by listening and learning and loving who we are. Our key verse is simple, straightforward and true. He who is worthy of all praise has made each of us in His likeness, created to be worthy. Maybe it’s time we believe it.
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Our Hope for Broken Things
July 5, 2022
by Alicia Bruxvoort
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
I read the text through a haze of tears. Then I let the groan in my throat spill through my lips. My friend’s struggle was spiraling from bad to worse, and I felt like a paralyzed spectator watching her world unravel. I had listened and encouraged, consoled and comforted. But I couldn’t fix my friend’s shattered dreams or reverse her agonizing situation. I sank to the floor in a heap of sadness and expressed my frustration to the Lord. It’s all so broken. What can I do?
God didn’t answer with a voice from heaven, but a single word crossed my mind: Pray. I pushed the idea away. Of course I would pray. Later. But right now, I wanted to do something. As if on cue, I spotted a teddy bear lying beneath the coffee table not far from where I was sitting. When I plucked the forgotten toy out of hiding, I noticed its head was dangling askew. Oh, great, something else that’s broken. As I swatted a trickle of tears, my teenage son sauntered into the room and glanced at the toy in my hand. “You should put that on the counter for Dad,” he suggested with a wink.
My son’s advice stirred a memory from long-ago days when my life was a blur of diapers and demands. With five small children beneath my roof, I didn’t have the capacity to strategize how to fix all the things that got broken in our house. So, eventually, my kids developed a solution of their own. Whatever fell short, fell apart or failed to work was deposited on the kitchen counter, next to the stack of daily mail, in hopes of attracting my husband’s attention when he came home from work. “Just take it to Daddy,” they’d say when the punching bag went flat or the hula hoop cracked.
“Just take it to Daddy,” they’d propose when the jump ropes grew tangled or the doll’s arm dangled.
That pile may have looked like clutter, but it was a humble appeal for help. Each time my children added something to the countertop mound, they admitted the fix they needed was beyond the faculty they possessed. When they couldn’t fix what was broken, my kids simply surrendered it to one who could. And as beloved children of God, we are invited to do the same. We do not all have earthly fathers who are inclined to fix broken things, but each one of us has a heavenly Father who is willing to repair and restore what we cannot. In fact, Psalm 147:3 describes our good Father like this: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (NIV).
The term the psalmist uses to communicate “healing” is rapa, which means to mend by stitching. This word alone paints a poignant picture of our heavenly Father’s heart. It reminds us God does not hold at arm’s length what is broken. Rather, He encourages us to draw close and place in His hands what has unraveled. Then He engages in the intimate work of fixing what is fractured. My son plucked the teddy bear from my grasp and headed to the kitchen, and as he put the toy on the counter, my next move became clear. I closed my eyes and carried my hurting friend to God in prayer. It wasn’t my last resort; it was a wise next step. With a single word, God had reminded me that prayer isn’t succumbing to helplessness; it’s putting faith into action. Because even when we don’t know what to do, our Father’s hands hold hope for broken things.
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Story-Shaped Women
July 6, 2022
by Iva May
“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4 (NLT)
When my daughter was 3 years old, her grandparents gave her a video player and a handful of Disney videos. Cinderella was her favorite. I didn’t realize the impact that Cinderella’s story had on Jennifer until the day a salesman knocked at our screen door. Jennifer was sitting in timeout (due to bad behavior) near the screen door when the salesman approached. He asked, “Little girl, is your mother at home?”
Jennifer replied with “No, but my mean, wicked stepmother is!”
We are designed for story. Stories leave fingerprints in our minds and upon our hearts. Until I read through a chronological Bible, it had never dawned on me that the Bible tells one big story. No individual book or narrative stands alone; all are part of the bigger story. As I read the Bible chronologically, I identified patterns and made connections that I would have otherwise missed. For example, stories about courageous women permeate the big story:
* The promise God made regarding Eve’s seed (Genesis 3:15) animates the story of the entire Bible. It’s as if God refused to redeem humanity without going through a woman’s womb.
* The book of Joshua begins with the story of the faith and redemption of Rahab, a notorious Canaanite harlot. (Joshua 2:1-21; Joshua 6:22-25) God’s promise to Abraham to bless the nations began with a woman with a sordid past.
* God turned sorrow into redemption through Naomi and Ruth’s story, embedded in the Judges story. While Israel did what was right in their own eyes, God worked below the radar to give them a king after His own heart. He did this through two widows.
* The story of Hannah’s infertility marked the transition from the time of the judges to the Kingdom Era. (1 Samuel 1:1-2:21) God opened Hannah’s womb to bear a son, who anointed the first two kings of Israel. She had no idea that God would catapult her son into His story in this way.
* Huldah’s counsel regarding the recently discovered Book of the Law found among the idols and rubbish in the temple invigorated both King Josiah’s faith and Judah’s revival. (2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-28) Her role in national revival is preserved in Scripture.
* God positioned Esther as a queen, and Mordecai as an influencer and intercessor, for the Jewish exiles. God used a woman to preserve His people in exile.
* Mary the mother of Jesus, and the many women spread throughout the Gospels, Acts and the Letters, show God’s delight in women!
In our key verse, Paul refers to the value of understanding the Old Testament story and the many cherished stories within: “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (Romans 15:4).
The story of Scripture teaches us, offers us hope and encourages us all while we wait for the final chapter of Scripture to unfold in history. Because God created us, He knows the impact a story can have on our hearts and lives. God wove His story throughout the Bible, knowing that we would see our reflection in it, and not only that but see His love for women just like you and me. How beautiful it is that we can be wholly shaped and transformed by the story of God’s Word. And sister, the best news is: Who God was for the women of the Bible, He is for me and you!
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How To Find Significance (When You Feel Like You Have None)
July 12, 2022
by Amy Carroll
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b (NIV)
It was work that suited my family’s needs, but it wasn’t going anywhere. Many days I felt like my position was unimportant, not truly making a difference in the world. Maybe you’ve been there too. Changing diapers seems like a meaningless, never-ending chore. Caring for your aging parent feels insignificant compared to the accomplishments of your friends. Volunteering behind the scenes appears unappreciated and unnoticed. I hat feeling of insignificance was one of the reasons I never felt a connection to Esther. Esther was a girl in the Bible who became a queen, who saved her nation from annihilation. After all, who can attain that position or live up to that kind of story?
In a crucial moment of decision, Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, said to her the words perhaps most quoted from the book of Esther: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b).
He was challenging Esther to do her job. To step into her assignment. Mordecai’s words are favorites for decorating mugs and T-shirts but when we apply them to ourselves, we might feel as though we need to be queens like Esther to be called by God. Was I made for such a time as this?
How our straying hearts long for the tiara that came with Esther’s position. In our fame-driven world, our hearts may cry out for significance and acclaim when we read these words but to focus on how “regal” we do or don't feel is actually to misinterpret this verse. Instead of pointing at the queen’s attributes, Esther 4:14 may be the clearest gesture toward God in the book of Esther, though His name is never mentioned there. Mordecai was not telling Esther that she was “the one.” That she was special. He was not telling her, “Now’s the time to unleash your hidden potential!” Instead, he was pointing Esther back to our sovereign God. Even though Esther was queen, her place of usefulness in God’s Kingdom wasn't what she would have requested. It involved risking her very life. But the Creator who spoke the world into existence is the same One who created a queen from a humble girl. He alone positioned her in the palace where she could save her people. Neither she nor Mordecai could have foreseen this purpose, but God did. The same God who created Esther, with her unique set of gifts, gave her a call to fulfill His redeeming plan. God gave Esther a unique usefulness, and He gives you the same thing. Your unique usefulness may not be:
The job you’ve dreamed of …
The husband you’ve waited for …
The accomplishment with your name in the spotlight …
The baby you’ve longed to hold …
But it will be “immeasurably more than all [you] ask or imagine, according to his power” and for His glory (Ephesians 3:20, NIV). God's plan for you is not necessarily what you’ve pursued or desired, but like He did for Esther, God had good works in mind when He created you. Occasionally, our unique usefulness involves a huge leap of faith like Esther’s, but often our unique usefulness, our “for such a time as this,” isn’t the big thing but rather the small, everyday task.
It’s taking a meal to a sick neighbor needing to feel God’s love.
It’s faithfully and thankfully doing an unseen job day after day.
It’s serving in the behind-the-scenes volunteer position in the community.
It’s advocating for the voiceless, talking one-on-one over coffee.
You and I, in all our God-given giftedness, are positioned for such a time as this. Our loving and sovereign God put us here. He bestows significance upon our unique usefulness, even when we don’t have the perk of sparkly tiaras on our heads.
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The Longing for Life To Be Good Again
July 13, 2022
by John Eldredge
“… where the river flows everything will live.” Ezekiel 47:9b (NIV)
Along with my wife, Stasi, I was among the 62 million homeowners who did home renovations during the COVID-19 pandemic that’s more than three-quarters of all homeowners in the U.S., the highest levels ever seen. We painted the living room and got new carpet and chairs. We upgraded our garden as well. This was far more than boredom or the desire for change; it was a profound longing for a fresh start at life in the midst of so much loss and uncertainty. The renovation craze reflected something deeper a yearning for life to be good again, expressed in paint and carpet, gardens and landscaping. But the whole time Stasi and I were renovating our home, I could feel something was off. The preoccupation of making our home nicer temporarily took my mind off the death counts in New York, London, Paris, Delhi and elsewhere, and off the battle over vaccines. But it didn’t feel like the answer. It was good; I enjoyed it. But it didn’t bring about the fix I was longing for. Then life began to return to some semblance of normal we got restaurants back, movies, outdoor concerts. The world rushed out like the starving survivor of a shipwreck, brought back from isolation and set before a Sunday brunch. In the summer of 2021, you couldn’t get a rental car, Airbnb or campsite. Airports, beaches and national parks were jammed. The longing for things to be good again was (and still is) raging. Personally, I couldn’t get enough. But all those comforts and activities weren’t delivering whatever my weary soul was desperately longing for. It has to do with reserves. We tap into our deep reserves to endure years of suffering and deprivation. Then one day, our heart simply says, I don’t care anymore; I’m done. We abandon the fight and go off to find relief. I fear this is what’s happening now on a global scale. We’ve all run off to find life and joy following years of stress, trauma and deprivation. But it isn’t working; it won’t ever work. We return to our normal Monday through Friday, disappointed, and disappointment will become disillusionment. And disillusionment makes us extremely vulnerable to the enemy of our souls. We must lovingly shepherd our famished thirst back to the Source of life. Many of us think that what we need right now is three months at the coast. Walks on the beach, beverages on the deck and with all my heart, I hope you find that. But for most of us, a sabbatical in some gorgeous refuge is not available. What is available is the River of Life, God Himself, in ways we have not yet tapped into. God wants to make His life available to you. Remember, He’s the Creator of those beautiful places you wish you could go to for a sabbatical. All that beauty and resilience, all that life, comes from God, and He wants to impart a greater measure of Himself to you! The life of God is described in Scripture as a river a powerful, gorgeous, unceasing, ever-renewing, ever-flowing river. Ezekiel was given a number of beautiful visions, glimpses into the Kingdom of God that permeates this world. He saw the temple of God in Jerusalem, and out of the temple was flowing the River of Life. As it flowed forth across the countryside, it became so deep and wide it wasn’t possible to swim across it an image of abundance! I love how the passage ends: “… where the river flows everything will live” (Ezekiel 47:9b).
Everything will live. This is what we want to live, to find life in its fullness again. In order to tap into the River of Life, we begin by loving God in our longing for life to be good again. Nearly all of us have been chasing relief in a myriad of hopes, plans and dreams without first turning to God. So we need to enter the longing; feel it; become present to it; and in that place, start loving God. Choose Him. Our first step toward resilience is to come back to Jesus from all other places we’ve been chasing life. We allow Him to be our Rescuer here, in the longing for life to be good again. We ask God to fill us with the river of His life.
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Exercising Different Strengths When We Feel Weak
July 21, 2022
by Elizabeth Laing Thompson
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)
I rush into a mirrored room filled with women, all prepping for the exercise class to begin. Which will be in approximately 40 seconds. “Excuse me. Sorry, oops sorry.”
I stumble through a maze of yoga mats, searching for an open space. I feel a roomful of eyes on me, and for a heartbeat I consider slinking back out the door, sparing myself the humiliation of being That Annoying Late Girl. But the instructor is still fiddling with her headset, and I really need to exercise, so I decide to swallow my pride and stay. I slouch up to two women, so embarrassed I barely manage to make eye contact. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, “but can I please squeeze in between you?”
Both women smile and spring into action. “Of course!” says one, bending over to make room between their mats. “Take my weights,” says the other, already sprinting across the room to get another set.
Within seconds, I’m set up between them, and they’re tossing me conspiratorial, we-did-it grins. We exchange groans of misery throughout the class, and afterward we swap names. As I pack up, a happy warmth spreads through me, and it’s not just the exercise endorphins. It’s the feeling of grace. Of being forgiven a blunder and welcomed with a smile. And, surprisingly, it’s a feeling of belonging. On the drive home, I think about how God loves to turn worldly wisdom on its head. I recall the Apostle Paul’s words about a time when he begged God for relief from a weakness, but God told him to embrace it: “But [God] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
I don’t like feeling weak. It makes me feel … well, weak. Inferior. Incompetent. Needy. I vastly prefer feeling strong, self-sufficient, responsible. But God says weakness is a place where He can work, a place where He and His people can shine. When we are weak, then we are strong. That day in my gym, I saw that Paul's revelation from God was right. (Of course it was right.) Owning my weakness allowed me to experience a moment of grace and more, a meaningful moment of connection. Admitting my weakness did not lead to rejection, as I had feared, but to relationship. If you struggle to ask for help, I pray you’ll join me in embracing God’s upside-down wisdom. When we feel weak, we have an opportunity to exercise different kinds of strength: The courage to admit need and invite help. The humility to lean on others’ strengths.
Our vulnerability allows God to strengthen us, not just with support and encouragement from others but with relationship and growth in Him. What do you need today?
Prayers?
Advice for a tricky situation?
Accountability for a persistent temptation?
Or do you need support in life’s daily burdens laundry, meals, grocery shopping?
When we allow others to support us in our weakness, we allow them to honor God with their gifts. They honor God as they pray for us, encourage us and serve us. In those moments, we see the body of Christ at its finest at its strongest.
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Prayer’s Path to Wonder
July 25, 2022
by Jodi Harris
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him … when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:5, 16 (NIV)
“Pray now,” I texted my friend group, somewhere between a desperate request and a command.
Halfway across the world, our missionary friends were fleeing their homeland to escape threats and dangers of war. When they arrived at the border city, it was locked down. Now what?
Days of conflict, closed doors and desperate prayers for God to make a way out had led our friends to this moment at the border. Those of us stateside prayed for God to move on their behalf. I thought about the Apostle Peter in prison in Acts 12. His situation seemed hopeless. The Apostle James had just been murdered, and Peter was next. As believers prayed in a nearby home, an angel came to Peter, opening locked doors and guiding him out into safety and freedom. (Acts 12:6-10) I prayed that for my friends: Lord, please provide angels to guide them across the border, right past the armed guards. Together with my 13-year-old son, I asked God to do this miraculous thing. Moments felt heavy and long. Then the text came: We made it. We cheered. We sobbed. Then we sat in awe, amazed at what just happened. Have you ever prayed a prayer but then were surprised when God answered?
Have you prayed in faith, but you never expected Him to answer in the way He did?
There is something astonishing about how God answers prayer, causing us to be taken aback in wonder. In Acts 12:13-15, the believers were praying all night when suddenly “Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’ ‘You’re out of your mind,’ they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, ‘It must be his angel’” (NIV).
It was easier for them to believe it was an angel than Peter himself. Those devoted, first-century Christians in Jerusalem couldn’t believe God had answered their prayers this way. It’s so good to know I’m not the only one who prays passionate prayers and finds herself in awe and wonder when God actually answers. Our key verses say, “The church was earnestly praying to God for him when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished” (Acts 12:5, 16).
Awe and wonder. Wonder is “the rapt attention and deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary.”
Isn’t that exactly what it’s like when God answers prayer?
As little children, everything is a wonder. The wings of a butterfly, the tiny cheerio stuck to our finger, the box the refrigerator came in. Jesus says the Kingdom of heaven belongs to little children. (Matthew 19:14) Could it be they have eyes to see His wonders all around? That in their humility of spirit, children are free to delight in God?
Prayer is a path to wonder. Childlike wonder fuels our faith, stirring up our passion to pray and pay attention to what God is doing all around us. When we feel angsty and fidgety as our brains bounce with busyness, may we not miss moments of the miraculous because we don’t take time to notice God’s answers to prayer. Instead, may we chase His wonder in our every day.
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The Risk of Not Being Able To Listen
July 26, 2022
by Lynn Cowell
“When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” Esther 2:15 (ESV)
I was doing it again. Though my eyes were looking at my friend and I was even nodding, my thoughts were far ahead. Crafting how I would respond to her messy situation, I prepared my “sage” advice in my head. Do you sometimes do that, too? Think of what you’ll say instead of listening to what is being said?
I’m beginning to see that when I don’t listen I’m taking a huge risk: I could suffer the loss of gaining the wisdom I need. In the past couple of years, I’ve begun to see how much I have to learn when it comes to listening. One person I’m learning from is none other than Esther from the Old Testament. In the book of Esther, Chapter 2, Esther found herself in an uncertain situation. She was a woman up to her neck in precarious circumstances beyond her control, living in a culture that didn't worship the way she did. The king had dethroned his queen; now he was ready to fill the empty spot. Perhaps with mixed motives of their own, advisers gave the king counsel to search throughout his kingdom for the best fit. Commissioners then went to every province to collect young, beautiful virgins to be tested by the king and ultimately to become part of his harem. Only one would be chosen as queen. This is where we find Esther, taken into the palace. One night determined where she’d spend the rest of her life: on a queen’s throne or in a harem. Before her night with the king, each woman “was given whatever she desired to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace” (Esther 2:13, ESV).
Since each woman took whatever she desired, the wisdom she needed fell to herself. Though Esther would have only lived in the palace for a year, in a foreign environment, she needed to take what she deemed best. Esther realized she didn’t know what she needed to know. There was a huge risk here; her future was at stake. Instead of thinking ahead to what she thought she should do or say next, Esther listened to Hegai, a servant employed directly by the king. While Hegai was not a Jew or God-follower like Esther, he was someone who did know what Esther needed to know. “When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” (Esther 2:15)
We know Esther listened because she did what Hegai advised. Listening requires humility. Esther’s actions said, “I don’t know what I need to know. You do. Teach me. Guide me.”
Humility is not something I typically run toward because humility and humiliation often feel like the same thing. If I humble myself and admit what I don’t know (but need to know), I’m afraid I’ll look weak or unqualified even overly vulnerable. Instead, my old self, the part of me resistant to change and being made new by Jesus, wants to “fake it till I make it” instead of listening and learning.
Listening gave Esther exactly what she needed: wisdom. Listening gave her tools to move from outsider to insider, the place of true influence. Listening to someone on the inside — humbling herself before she went to the king allowed Esther not to be humiliated when she met the king. Listening will do the same for you and me. Instead of thinking only of ourselves and what we want to do or say next, we can listen to learn. Developing a listening and learning heart makes room for God to use us for His glory and to draw others to Himself a very worthy outcome.
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Taking Risks, Trusting God
July 27, 2022
by Diane Ferraro
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the risks my biological mother took to keep me alive and then choose someone else to raise me. Before I was born, she had decided to end her pregnancy. In fact, she was already on her way to the clinic when something inside her told her to stop. Instead of aborting me, she found a couple to adopt me. My mother chose life for me, and that’s why I’m here today. My birth mother’s decisions required so much trust in God. It reminds me of the story of Moses. In Exodus 2, we read about Jochebed, a Hebrew woman who gave birth to a son, Moses, during a time when Pharaoh ordered all male Hebrew babies be killed. She put her 3-month-old baby in the river in a basket; then Pharaoh's daughter saw it and, taking compassion on the baby, raised him as her own. Imagine, though, what Moses’ biological mother felt the moment she put the basket in the river, risking it all to save her son. The fear and anxiety that were wracking her. She had no idea what might happen to her baby. He could have tipped over and drowned, easily fallen into the many dangers of the Nile or even been discovered by an Egyptian soldier. It was the mother’s faith, her trust in God, that assured her that her child would be OK. The basket that took Moses to a place of safety and care became a vessel of divine deliverance, God’s own hand steering it toward protection. God’s own hand leading Moses into a life He would later use mightily. Whether a mom who chooses life decides to raise her child on her own or selects other parents to raise her child, both avenues hold huge risks. Both paths require walking in faith and trusting that God is going to take care of both her and her child. You can’t build trust without taking risks. Many women in the Bible like Moses’ biological mother, Jochebed, or Esther, or Mary have one thing in common: They risked everything to follow God. And God was faithful to them. Maybe today you’re facing an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. Or maybe you’re already a mom, but you’re fearful in raising your children. Sister, God sees and understands your fear, confusion, conflicting emotions and feelings of inadequacy. He knows the details of your circumstances and won’t leave you in the middle of them. In fact, He will meet you there in the middle of them, if you’re willing to turn to Him in faith. When we take risks in faith, we allow God’s hand to steer us toward a life that He will eventually use mightily. He will always be faithful to us, protecting us along the way. I have been a foster mom, an adoptive mom and now a stepmom. My children are all adults now, but every day I still choose to entrust them to God. Whether you’re a mom or have someone in your life you care about deeply, let’s rest assured that God loves them even more than we do. He is looking after us and our children. Risk-taking helps build our trust with the Lord. Even as you face the unknown, even when you can’t see the outcome, take the risk because God is surely with you. He goes before you. And He is faithful in rewarding the risks you take to follow Him.
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What Do You Do When You’re in a Season of Dryness?
August 4, 2022
by Blair Linne
"I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites." Exodus 25:22 (CSB)
When I reflect on my almost 20 years as a believer, I know there are times when I seemed much more engaged with God than I have been lately. Now, it feels like my attention span is the length of a succinct YouTube video. I've been far too easily distracted. Some days I don’t want to read the Bible, and I’ve gone periods without prayer that make me ashamed that I think I can be so independent. I've felt stuck in a season of spiritual dryness. Have you ever felt like this?
It's like you’re in a spiritual desert, trudging through heavy sand. A wilderness where spiritual disciplines, which are meant to bring you closer to God, feel like warfare rather than joy. The discouraging thing is, the more we stay away from the constant nourishment of the Lord, the harder it is to hear His voice when He calls us out of our dry place. But recently I came across a passage that felt like an oasis amid my desert. I heard God speak so clearly. This scripture reminded me of my only hope to meet with God and hear Him speak: “I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites” (Exodus 25:22, emphasis my own).
In Exodus, Moses wrote about the Israelites' experience in the desert. The Israelites, like us, were living in the in-between. They had been delivered from slavery, but they had not yet reached the promised land. While they were traveling from Mount Sinai to Canaan, God told them to build a tabernacle, where the “ark of the testimony” was kept.nnThe Ark housed the two tablets that had the law of God written on them. The law we, the sons and daughters of Adam, cannot keep. This perfect law condemns humankind and points to the holiness of our Creator. These holy commands I have often transgressed. What put me in a state of awe is one of the items God instructed His people to place over the Ark of the Covenant, which was behind the veil in the Most Holy Place. God told them to lay a mercy seat over the Ark. This wasn’t an actual seat but a “mercy place” for atonement purposes. It is God’s mercy that covers the penalty of the law and has placed us forever in God’s presence. God met with the Israelites through the mediator, the high priest, “above the mercy seat” (Exodus 25:22) through the cherubim of glory. (Hebrews 9:5) It amazes me that God didn’t place a judgment seat above the Ark, to cover the place where the law was kept. It was a mercy seat that covered the law. This mercy extended to His covenant people so He could be with them. The mercy seat was also a shadow pointing to our great High Priest, Jesus, through whom permanent mercy has come and covered a multitude of sins but not before the judgment we deserved was placed upon our spotless Lamb. Jesus took on a judgment seat so we can have access to His mercy seat. Jesus fulfilled the law for us through His unblemished life and extended mercy to us through His sacrificial death, and now we get to dwell with Him because of His resurrection and eternal reign. Do you struggle to see your way out of this dry place?
Are you wondering if your sin will keep you from the presence of the most holy God?
There is mercy where God dwells. And today His dwelling is no longer in a tent made by hands by the Spirit, He dwells within us right now if we have faith in Him.
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Finished Seasons
August 5, 2022
by Nicki Koziarz
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 (ESV)
There’s a valid question a lot of people find themselves asking: “When this season of my life ends, what am I supposed to do next?”
In the present, as my three daughters continue to grow up, my role as parent has shifted, and I find myself tossing that question around in my mind. In the past, when a job I held for five years was coming to an end, I felt like I asked that question every day. And when I look into the future and see other various roles that could be ending soon, the question lingers over my calendar. Seasons come and go. But sometimes we struggle to know just how long we should hold on to a season because we can’t see what’s ahead. Letting go of a season is challenging, especially if it’s something we really love doing or being a part of. It’s even harder if our identity has become attached to that season, and we wonder if we bring value anywhere else. Here’s something I’ve come to understand about seasons in our lives as hard as it can be, there’s always a way to finish a season well. Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes /7:8, knew that the human heart tends to romanticize the past. Often, as things in our current season of life begin to change when we don’t want them to, we will hold on to all of the best things about that season. Which isn’t always bad but sometimes it can keep us from seeing the potential of the future. “Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8)
Solomon gives us wisdom about patience and surrendering to God’s pace and plan for seasons in our lives. Every beginning starts with the ending of something else, and finishing seasons well is something we should take time to consider. Just like when seasons on earth transition from one to the next like summer to fall there is evidence of change. In some parts of the world, the leaves change colors, or the temperature fluctuates, and even the amount of daylight goes from more to less. There will be signs your season is changing too. You may feel like you are out of ideas, like you’ve done all you can do. Or you may get a sense from the Lord that it’s time to move on to what is next. Sometimes when people hold on to seasons for too long, those people can become easily frustrated or even angry. Once we realize a season is changing, how do we finish that season well? The second half of today’s key verse has some insight for us: “... and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8).
Often pride holds us back from an honest conversation with God about the direction of our life. Pride can also convince us that who and where we’ve been could never match what God has planned ahead for us. When we have a patient and humble heart, we can ask God for His help in learning to let go of what needs to be let go. To get our hopes up about what is still to come. And we can confidently ask Him, “What’s next?” trusting He hears that question and will answer it in His timing.
These are some signs of finishing a season well. We don’t live in yesterday; we live in today. God was there, and God is here. Life is a constant ebb and flow of learning to let go of what’s done and seek what is still yet to be. I don’t have all the answers to what’s ahead in my life, and there are things I am struggling to let go of like the good things each of my seasons has held. And you may feel this tension in your soul too. But I know that, with God, we can finish these seasons well and hold on to hope for what God has planned for us next.
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Who, Me? How God Can Use You To Save the World
August 8, 2022
by Alice Matagora
“They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’” John 4:42 (NIV)
If there is anyone who can put to rest any doubts we may have that God could use our lives for His Kingdom, it’s the Samaritan woman. (John 4) A woman in a patriarchal society, who had a shameful past and was living in sin. Samaritan, whose worship differed from that of the Jews. An individual with very little theological exposure and nonexistent ministry experience. In everyday, ordinary person. Yet after a single encounter with Jesus, the Samaritan woman was faithful to share with those who lived around her what little she knew about Him. This all resulted in a radical movement of the gospel throughout Samaria to save the souls of people who other disciples would not reach until after Jesus’ return to heaven. I can relate with the Samaritan woman. I didn't become a Christian until I was in high school, and even after becoming a Christian, I made poor decisions when it came to men. When I really started walking with Jesus, I was also in the midst of a deep fog of depression and anxiety and was recovering from my eating disorders. And while those things aren’t sins, they were struggles that, for me, were tied to the life I had been living apart from Jesus. Yet as a dear friend began to faithfully disciple me and share what they knew about walking with Jesus, I began to experience freedom from my sin, shame and struggles. Jesus gave me strength to walk away from temptations that had previously ensnared me. I learned to let go of shame and embrace God’s grace. My depression and anxiety began to lift. I experienced eating-disorder recovery that I hadn’t experienced through all of the many treatments I had received up until that point. (Though please note that, as a licensed therapist, I am in full support of seeking out mental health services from a licensed professional. Jesus did an incredible work of healing in my life during this season, and He also used later therapy to help me dive deeper into recovery.) But the craziest thing my discipler shared?
That God could use my life to advance His Kingdom right now. Who, me?
I thought. How could God ever use someone like me for His Kingdom?
At the same time, like with the Samaritan woman, God ignited an overwhelming excitement in me to share with others what little I knew about having a relationship with God. I mean, did you know you can really have a relationship with God and He can transform your life?
This is what the Samaritans experienced after the woman shared about her encounter with Jesus and they heard His words: “They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world’” (John 4:42).
That was just the beginning. Since I first asked Who, me?,
God has used that ordinary college student a baby Christian, a woman with shame in her past and sin in her present to help her family come to Christ. And not only that He’s used me to help women all over the world learn how to have a relationship with Jesus and make Him known to those around them in their everyday lives, in their families, in their workplaces, in their classes, in their labs, in their mom groups, in their friendships, in their gaming communities. Next door to everywhere. God can use you to advance His Kingdom to the ends of the earth. Who, me? I didn’t grow up in the church. Who, me?
I haven’t even been a Christian for that long. Who, me?
God could never use someone with my past. Who, me?
I haven’t been to Bible college and have no formal ministry training or experience. ho, me?
I’m just a [wife, mother, daughter, sister, kid, grandmother, new Christian, barista, corporate executive, artist, student the list goes on and on]. What could I do?
Sister, what could God do through you?
In the same way God could use me, in the same way God could use the Samaritan woman, God can use you to save the world, right where you live, right now. He has what it takes, and what you have is enough for Him to use. The question is: Are we willing to step out in faith to do so?
May it be so.
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Free To Live in Control of Our Desires
August 18, 2022
by Christina Patterson
“'I have the right to do anything,' you say but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)
“What do you wish mommy would do less?”
I reluctantly asked my kids this conversation-starter question we found in a children’s magazine. Without a second of hesitation my son answered, “Be on your phone.”
My heart sank. God had already been gently sending signs that the time I spent on my phone was excessive, and my son's honest answer woke me up to this truth even more. When I was tired, I reached for my phone. When I was bored, I scrolled through social media. When I was anxious, I looked for a distraction in my email. My phone was my not-so-secret security blanket, and God wasn't the only one who noticed. As I prayed to break this unfortunate habit, the Lord led me to 1 Corinthians 6:12, which says:
“‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ but I will not be mastered by anything.”
In this scripture, the Apostle Paul taught the church at Corinth the importance of self-control. As believers, we have a lot of freedom, but we should not use that freedom to make decisions that compromise the lives Christ died for us to have. You may be thinking, I often use my phone for good things to send encouraging emails, text a friend “Happy Birthday” or even pay my tithes. Me too! And those things are good but still, the amount of time I spent on my phone and my reasons for doing so were certainly not always beneficial, fruitful or necessary. This was a matter of self-control. Would I control my phone, or would it control me? God's call to practice self-control grew increasingly louder. On one of my anxious social media scrolls, I saw a post from a friend that asked, “If you don't control yourself, who does?”
Yes, God was making His message clear in every way He could. Whether scrolling social media, making excessive trips to the pantry or growing that pile of packages at our door, we lose control when our wants rule us more than our God does. We are called to walk by the Spirit, not to be mastered by our desires. How do we break the habits that are not beneficial to free living in Christ? Here are a few steps we can take together:
1. Seek God. (Matthew 6:33) We can pray to God for the strength to help us. Often our lack of self-control is rooted in a deeper need. Ask God for revelation as to what that need may be and for healing in that area.
2. Set boundaries. (1 John 2:17) Don't give complete control to any desire. Set limits on how much and how often you indulge in any activity that may become excessive. Start small and work your way up to more boundaries as necessary.
3. Give yourself grace. (2 Corinthians 12:9) God isn't revealing your shortcomings because He wants to condemn you. He's doing it because He wants to free you. Don’t waste time beating yourself up if you get off track. Focus on God's grace and allow His love to motivate you to keep walking toward freedom.
When we make choices out of self-control and not our feelings that come and go, we find the power to live freely for God. Self-control is a gift the Holy Spirit gives to all believers. It’s not something we need to earn, but it’s something we must make the daily decision to use. And as we do, the Spirit releases us from the lesser things of this world and leads us to free living in Christ.
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Building a Firm Foundation
August 19, 2022
by Laura Bailey
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)
“Mom, I’m thirsty.”
“Mom, she’s touching me.”
“Mom, we already know this Bible story.”
A few weeks ago, I had purchased a new Bible filled with colorful illustrations, faith-based questions for different ages and a reading plan. I had envisioned my three young girls snuggled together with me in bed, quietly and attentively absorbing the Scriptures a picture-perfect family devotional time. Except I forgot they were three young girls, and well, very few things usually go as I plan or imagine. Now I was exhausted; the hour was late, and I lacked energy for another bedtime battle. After a quick prayer, I planted kisses on little foreheads and switched off the lights. Figuring we would try again the next evening, I shuffled down the stairs. Night after night, I left the girls’ room discouraged as I tried to engage them with Scripture but doubted my efforts were impacting them spiritually. Are they learning anything?
Should I just wait until they are older?
Am I even making a difference?
I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be better to just hit the “pause” button and wait until they were older to study the Bible. Then Paul’s letters to Timothy came to mind. Timothy was pastoring the church of Ephesus, where the Apostle Paul sent him letters filled with advice and motivation. Paul's love for Timothy is palpable; his letters are filled with encouragement, friendship and hope. Although Paul was not Timothy’s biological father, Paul referred to Timothy as “my true son” (1 Timothy 1:2, NIV).
As Paul wrapped up his second letter to Timothy, he encouraged him with these words from our key verses, 2 Timothy 3:14-15: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
At the beginning of the letter, Paul recalled to Timothy the godly influence of Timothy's mother and grandmother as they taught him the Word of God and nurtured his faith “from infancy” (2 Timothy 3:15). Second Timothy 1:5 says, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
Timothy’s mother and grandmother diligently studied the Scriptures, sharing the gospel and their knowledge of the Lord with Timothy at an early age and throughout his youth. Like all of us, Timothy probably experienced some of the storms and stresses of typical adolescence. Regardless, the women in Timothy’s life persevered and were faithful to what God has commanded Christian parents to do teach our children about the Lord. (Deuteronomy 6:7) Although Timothy experienced many challenges in his ministry, by teaching him the Word of God, those closest to him had laid a strong spiritual foundation for him to stand upon. We, too, must seek to do the same today, for it is an abiding trust in Christ that will enable our children (and us) to face difficult circumstances while grounded firmly in the knowledge of God’s Word. Don’t give up, friend. Let's fill the children in our spheres of influence our children, our grandchildren, the kids at church or next door with the knowledge of God. Let's teach them the Scriptures and show them the love of Jesus, whether it means persevering through a nightly family devotional or finding ways to pray for, serve and disciple children in our community. We can build a strong spiritual foundation, lesson after lesson, and pray they will stand firmly on the solid rock of Christ Jesus. (Matthew 7:24-27)
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When It May Be Time To Draw a Healthy Boundary
September 6, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)
I’ll never forget asking my counselor to help me process how I finally got to the place where I said this about a difficult relationship I was walking through: “No more. No more devastation. No more betrayal. No more being lied to. No more.”
I wondered if that was the moment I became broken. But he replied, “No, Lysa, that was the moment you declared you were healing.”
Sometimes “no more” means doing the work to fight for the relationship. By implementing good boundaries, each person can be held accountable to healthier relational patterns. Sometimes “no more” means acknowledging the heartbreaking reality that the relationship is no longer sustainable or safe. Though this is really hard, wise counsel has helped me see there’s a big difference between difficulties that can be worked through and destructive patterns that are detrimental to our well-being. Both dynamics require that we pursue healing. We need solid Truth from God’s Word to help, guide and direct us. Sometimes we may also need a godly professional counselor who is specifically trained to educate, comfort and challenge us. I know what it feels like to be paralyzed by another person’s choices and not know what to do about it. In the past, I’ve been hesitant to draw boundaries both because it felt uncaring and because I didn’t have the confidence to know how to implement and communicate healthy parameters. Now, I’ve discovered a better way to view boundaries. I don’t draw boundaries hoping to force another person to change in ways they may be unwilling to change or incapable of changing. Instead, I place boundaries on myself to help me exercise self-control over what I will and will not tolerate. Self-control is crucial so that I regulate my reactions and direct my efforts toward myself staying in a healthy place. Good boundaries are the only fighting chance I have for navigating relational challenges in a productive and healthy way. If you’re in a “no more” kind of place, consider these questions about boundaries and how you might be able to apply this in your own life beginning today. Remember, this assessment isn’t permission to be selfish and "peace out" on responsibilities. Instead this is meant to help us see where we may be losing self-control because we don’t have appropriate boundaries, like our key verse warns against: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28).
What kind of person do I want to be, not just in this relationship but consistently in all my relationships?
What do I need to do in this relationship to stay consistent in my character, conduct and communication?
What are some areas of my life where I have the most limited capacity (for example: at my job, in parenting, during the holidays, etc.)?
Based on my realistic assessment of my capacity, does this relationship threaten to hyperextend what I can realistically and even generously give?
Do I feel the freedom in this relationship to communicate what I can and cannot give without the fear of being punished or pushed away?
What are some realistic restrictions I can place on myself to reduce the access this person has to my most limited emotional or physical resources?
In what ways is this person’s unpredictable behavior negatively impacting my trust in my other relationships?
How am I suffering the consequences of another person's choices more than they are?
What are this person's most realistic and most unrealistic expectations of me? What are my most realistic and most unrealistic expectations of them?
What boundaries do I need to put in place?
As you consider these questions, you may find it helpful to process them with a trusted godly mentor or Christian counselor. These questions to consider aren’t to further complicate our relational dynamics. Instead, these are meant to help identify where we are dancing with dysfunction. Toxic realities in relationships will not tame themselves. We cannot ignore them into health. Nor can we badger them into a better place. We have to get honest about the hardships that are complicating and probably preventing the kind of health we not only want but need for some of our relationships to survive. I’ve learned we can’t just “get over” our hurts we have to work through them. And boundaries are a great way to start experiencing health in your own life. Let’s take this step together.
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You Are Worth Taking Care Of
September 7, 2022
by Bonnie Gray
“See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28b-29 (NIV)
I forgot I left out the flowers after coming home from the grocery store. I’d spent an embarrassing amount of time deciding whether even to get flowers. When it comes to buying flowers for friends to cheer them up, I don’t hesitate. But flowers for myself?
It felt too indulgent. Then I felt torn between buying flowers that cost less or buying the ones I wanted: hydrangeas. I decided to go for it, placing the hydrangeas in my cart. But they ended up on the countertop at home that night. Because I was rushing to get dinner on the table, by the time the family gobbled up the food and washed the dishes, it was too late. I forgot to put the flowers in water! They were neglected, put to the side. The petals all wilted. So many times, I feel like those wilted flowers, worn and exhausted because I’ve neglected my emotional and physical well-being. I get so busy taking care of everyone else, I forget God cares about my well-being. Do you, too, ever feel like those hydrangeas, in need of nurturing?
Do you find it easy to put your heart to the side?
God understands all the hard circumstances surrounding you. Yet your well-being is at the very center of God’s heart. You are His beloved daughter. God cares for you. How you feel is important to God. He sees how you’re really doing. He wants you to take care of yourself because He loves you. Having grown up the oldest child in a single-parent family, I’m an encourager by nature. I find it easier taking care of others, yet so often I forget my own well-being needs tending to until I end up feeling exhausted and burned out with stress and worry. When you feel overwhelmed, hear Jesus whisper to you in Matthew 6:25-29: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (NIV).
Do not worry about tomorrow, God says. Look at the wildflowers they do not toil. Yet how beautiful I’ve made them. How much more you mean to me, more than any of these! Are you worried about so many needs around you that you’ve forgotten you, too, are worth taking care of?
Let’s get practical. Maybe you’re wondering, What is a simple way to remind myself of God’s care?
Soul Care Tip: Buy yourself flowers. A Rutgers University study found that simply looking at flowers improves emotional health; the presence of flowers triggered happy emotions in participants, increasing feelings of life satisfaction. Flowers are a God-given, natural mood enhancer! Today, when you feel pressures pressing in, here is truth you can hold on to and breathe in. Do something that brings you joy. Do something that brings you peace. Do something that brings you beauty. And hear Jesus whispering: I love you. I am with you. Shine your light. Sing your song. You are worth investing in, taking care of and nurturing. The happy ending to my story is that I learned hydrangea petals freshen up when placed in warm water. A few hours later, my flowers were refreshed again! Your heart will also be refreshed, just like flowers blooming in the warmth of the sun, when you take time to rest and enjoy what brings you peace and joy. It’s never too late to run into the arms of our loving Savior, who cares deeply about our well-being!
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Light the Way
September 12, 2022
by Lauren Green McAfee
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Every morning growing up, hours before most of my friends were awake, I was up learning math from my dad. Since I was home-schooled until middle school, I would wake up before the sun, eyes still drowsy, and march downstairs to see a dim light stretching out from my dad’s office, where I would start my lesson for the day. The soft glow from my dad’s office pierced the darkness and gave me enough light to see the stairs I walked down. And there, behind his desk, my dad would be reading his Bible allowing the Light of the World to shine into his heart. Today when I read our key verse, Psalm 119:105, I often think of those early-morning math lessons. Many years after my middle-school days, my dad would end up leading an effort to found a world-class museum dedicated to the Bible, called Museum of the Bible, in Washington, D.C. When you walk into Museum of the Bible, one of the first things you see, etched in the marble pillar in the middle of the lobby, is the museum's theme verse, which is also our key verse today: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
This verse is found in the middle of the longest chapter in the Bible. This majestic chapter celebrates the incredible gift that is the Scriptures. What we have in the Bible is a miracle the children of ancient Israel only saw in flashes during the Exodus or received from the prophets. God has spoken to us, and we have His words preserved. And what are we to recognize His Word as?
Light. But if I’m being honest, I don’t always see it. The day-to-day busyness of parenting, marriage, cleaning the house, volunteering at church, working and trying to stay engaged in my friendships can feel like there is never enough time in the day to study and appreciate God’s Word or see its light for my path. Yet every time I prioritize the space for Scripture engagement, I find myself more refreshed and strengthened. What a gift, that God has given us His Word to light our paths! Ultimately, the light of God’s Word makes Him known. John 1:4-5 says, “In him [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (NIV).
Jesus showed us what a life following God’s path looks like. Each step He took, every person He touched, every word He spoke, was filled with love and truth. Jesus’ words brought healing to the hurting and life to the broken. They also brought judgment on the wicked and rebuke to the religious. It was because He claimed to be God that the religious leaders of the day killed Him. Jesus, the “light of the world by darkness slain,” as one hymn puts it, was murdered on a cross. At the moment of His death, it was noon, yet there was a blackness that covered the sky. Darkness seemed to have won. Yet the promise in John 1:4-5 was true. The light of Jesus shined into the darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it. What is darkness but the absence of light?
You can’t spread darkness; you can only make things darker by hiding the light. My dad’s passionate dedication to God’s Word has had an impact on me I will never forget. And it is my prayer now that, as I learn to take time to allow God’s Word to be a light to my feet, it will have an impact on my daughter as well.
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Jesus Never Asked You To Be Busy
September 13, 2022
by Grace Valentine
“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)
I get you because I am you I’ve been you since I was 17. Always busy. Always “productive.” Living life like a race and running from activity to activity. Trying to achieve it all. You’re overwhelmed and overbooked. You’re undercaffeinated and underappreciated. You’re busy. And chances are, if you and I are this similar, then my favorite word is also your favorite word: “YES.” You say “yes” without thinking, then find yourself in over your head. Life is moving faster than you are, and some mornings, you wonder if there’s ever going to be an eye cream good enough to hide your bags. I get it. But, friend Jesus never asked you to be busy. Don’t let your plans distract you from your purpose. See, there’s nothing wrong with keeping a calendar. There’s nothing wrong with having plans. But are you pursuing plans, or are you pursuing purpose?
I often get distracted from God’s will when I focus on my will. My will is to be busy, have plans, be productive and achieve success. But God’s will is forever for me to sit at His feet, focus on Him and pursue my relationship with Him. I will never know why I was created if I don’t know my Creator and Savior. There’s a Bible passage I love where two women, Mary and Martha, prepare for Jesus to arrive at their home. However, they each handle His arrival differently. Martha was the one preparing the house while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, simply listening to Him. Jesus told Martha, “‘Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41-42).
Martha may have been the one who was being productive, but she was missing out on her purpose. What Martha was doing was helpful but it wasn’t holy. You only have one purpose, and it is Jesus. To love Jesus. To be with Jesus. To show others Jesus. So, my busy, overwhelmed and tired friend drop your worries. Drop your anxieties. Drop your to-do list. Drop your plans if they are getting in the way of time with sweet Jesus. Your purpose is more than your job, your activities, your financial stability or your calendar. Jesus doesn’t want your schedule, your hustle or your good deeds. Jesus wants YOU. When He said “come to me” (Matthew 11:28, NIV), I don’t think He meant “come to Me with a busy life.” He didn’t say, “Come to Me when you have space in your life.”
He meant for us to come right now in our weariness and sit at His feet. He meant for us to be authentically ourselves and not bring our full résumés. He meant for us to come now, even in the midst of the craziness of life. Whether you are in college and overwhelmed with school, or you are a postgrad overwhelmed with adulting whether you are a mom of three, or a single woman killing it at work do me a favor and make time for Jesus time to be with Jesus. Call out to Him, and give Him your silence so you have a chance to hear Him speak. Open your Bible and read His Word.
Let's stop focusing on all the things and instead focus on Him. How are we supposed to figure out our purpose if we aren’t doing life with the One who created us?
How are we supposed to change the world if we're not first sitting at the feet of the One who saved the world?
Many people will tell us to hustle. Many people will tell us that each day is about working harder and becoming smarter. But trust me we can work as hard as we want, and if we aren’t sitting at His feet, we’re missing out on true purpose. So go to work, study for the test and do your squats. But before you do any of that, sit quietly alone. Separate yourself from the hustle. Talk to Jesus, and open up your Bible. Jesus wants you not your hectic life, not your hustle. Let’s seek Him first so we don't risk missing out on His beautiful Kingdom.
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Messy Kitchen, Messy Heart
September 19, 2022
by Evan and Jenny Owens
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)
Evan and I had finally reached the stage of life when it made sense for us to host family gatherings like Thanksgiving or Christmas. It was just too chaotic to travel with all the kids, so having everyone come to our house seemed like the easier option. But hosting had its downside. If you’ve ever cooked for a family gathering, you know how big a mess can be created in a very short time. Mixing bowls, silverware, dirty dishes, pots and pans no surface is left uncovered. While everyone was seemingly having a nice time, I was freaking out a little. The enormity of the mess that had overtaken my kitchen pushed me to the brink of wondering, Is this all worth it?
I mean, maybe we could just order pizza. Something had to be easier than this mess. But as I sat down for the meal, surrounded by loved ones, and took that first bite, I found the mess was worth it. You see, a messy kitchen is a sign that a feast is coming. Emotions are the same way. As you face past trauma or hidden wounds, engaging your true feelings may leave you feeling like an absolute, snot-bubble mess. But despite what seems like disorder and chaos, something good is coming. As you begin to move forward, surrounded by people who care deeply about you and a God who loves you, you’ll find the mess will be worth it. When it comes to processing and managing our feelings, it’s important to remember a few facts:
1. God can handle our strong emotions. Feeling strong emotions isn’t indicative of a lack of faith or trust in God. Recall that Jesus felt strong emotions, and no one would doubt His faith or trust! (John 11:35; Matthew 26:38; Mark 3:5) God can take it when we feel desperate, furious, terrified or overwhelmed. He wants us to bring the emotions to Him and let His Holy Spirit point us to the source of the emotions so that they can be healed. (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:5b-7)
2. Emotions become more stable as we spiritually mature. A newly planted tree bends and sways in even the slightest breeze. But as a tree grows, it becomes less affected by the elements more stable. The same is true with our emotions and our faith. Re-engaging our feelings for the first time in a while can leave us feeling vulnerable like a tender sapling about to be completely uprooted. However, as we grow and survive the storms of life, our resilience and stability grow right along with us. As we continue feeling and healing, our confidence that we can feel without falling apart increases.
3. Emotions are not indicative of the presence of God in our situation. Sometimes when we’re happy, we say that we feel God’s presence. Other times, we feel His presence when we weep. But our lives consist of more than just mountaintops and valleys. And we can be sure of God’s presence even when we can’t feel Him. That’s because God’s presence isn’t a feeling; it’s a fact. Whether or not you feel close to God right now, He’s close to you. He longs for you to experience His uninterrupted presence. Jesus spoke of this gift to His followers on the eve of His death: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
A counselor, a teacher, one who brings peace doesn’t this sound like someone we need when we are overwhelmed by strong emotions?
Our feelings can be messy, but we are never alone in them. And we can trust that, one day, the mess will yield something beautiful.
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How To Regain a Hope-Filled Perspective
September 20, 2022
by Laura Lacey Johnson, COMPEL Training Member
“But forget all that it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.” Isaiah 43:18 (NLT)
“Show me your last cool trick!”
With this phrase, my kids knew the time had come to dry off at the swimming pool. They also knew this was their moment to show off and shine. Underwater flips transformed into twirling handstands. Cannonballs became an opportunity to go for gold at the Olympics. I could always expect that the “last cool trick” from yesterday would pale in comparison to what they’d perform today. Watching my kids made me realize that sometimes I fear God has done His last cool trick in my life. Discouragement convinces me that my best days lie behind me or that my situation is too complicated or insignificant for God to intervene and do something new. Sure, God still does great things in other people’s lives, just not mine. Maybe you’ve thought something similar. Perhaps God healed you several years ago, but the health crisis staring you down now makes you doubt God could ever do that miracle again. Or maybe God showed up years ago in your marriage in some wondrous way, but fear whispers: That was then, and this is now. When doubt limits our belief about what God can do in the future, we risk developing the same mentality as the people to whom Isaiah prophesied. During the Babylonian captivity, the Jews lived in a foreign land with adversaries who dragged them more than 1,600 miles away from Jerusalem. Yet God gave them a message of hope because He wanted to lift their eyes beyond their current situation. The Jewish captives had become stuck in the past. For centuries, they dwelled on the parting of the Red Sea and couldn’t imagine God doing anything more spectacular. (Isaiah 43:16-17; Exodus 14:21-30) But God wanted to turn their gaze toward the future. Reflecting on this miraculous event, God declared, “forget all that it is nothing compared to what I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18). Why would God want them to forget one of the most powerful miracles in their exodus from Egypt?
Because God had something new for them! “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT)
Even when our situation and future look as dry as desert sand, we can remember that, for generations, God has specialized in doing a new thing in wastelands. Fear should never hold hostage our hope. Our situation will change. God will never abandon us. This week, pay attention anytime you place a lid on a household item: the coffee can, leftovers, the crockpot. Ask yourself, Where am I putting a lid on my faith?
We can regain a hope-filled perspective by remembering that God’s response to us remains the same today as to the ancient Israelites. God is always doing something new, and we can rest in His proven track record of faithfulness.
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5 Things To Remember When Conversations Turn Into Conflict
September 22, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)
When I find myself in a conflict, I want to find the right words to help get to the other side. But that isn’t always possible. While talking is good, sometimes the conversation starts running in a circle, and there aren’t any productive words left to say. When this happens, it can make a girl feel like giving up. But rather than give up, I’ve learned that spending time getting quiet before the Lord can really be the best remedy for tangled situations. Taking a step back from all the emotion, frustration and exhaustion to sit quietly with Jesus will do more to untangle a mess than anything else I’ve ever found. Do you ever feel like relationships are hard to navigate? Maybe today you find yourself trying to figure out a situation that’s complicated, messy and unpredictable. If so, here are five beautiful things I’ve found when I stop trying to fix it all and instead get quiet with God:
1. We can feel safe enough to humble ourselves.
In the heat of a mess, the last thing I want to do is get humble. I want to overexplain and prove my point. But I’m learning I have to step out of the battle and humbly ask God to speak truth to my heart for things to start to make sense. Never have I had a relationship issue where I didn’t contribute at least something to the problem. Usually, I can only see this something in the quiet.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand …” (1 Peter 5:6)
2. God will lift us up to a more rational place.
When we are in the heat of a tangled relationship, our emotions can drag us down into a pit of hopelessness. The only way out of the pit is to make the choice to stop digging deeper and turn to God for a solution.
“ … that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
3. Anxiety gives way to progress.
We can pour out our anxious hearts to Jesus, who loves us right where we are, how we are. And because of His love, we can feel safe enough to admit humbly that we need Jesus to work on us. Trying to fix another person will only add to our anxiety. Letting Jesus work on us is where real progress can happen.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)
4. We see our real enemy isn’t the person with whom we’re in conflict.
The truth is, we have an enemy, and it’s not each other. Satan’s influence on me and the person offending me is the real culprit. I can’t realize this in the heat of the moment. But in the quiet, I become alert and can gain a strategy for acting and reacting in a more self-controlled manner.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith …” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV)
5. We can rest assured God will use this conflict for good no matter how it turns out.
If I make the effort to handle this conflict well, I can be freed from the pressure to make everything turn out rosy. Sometimes relationships grow stronger through conflict. But other times, relationships end because of conflict. Because I can’t control the other person, I must keep focusing on the good God is working out in me through this and leave the outcome with Him.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11, NIV)
In the end, this struggle can be used by God to make me stronger and more capable in my relationships. If I am humble enough to receive from Him in the quiet what He wants to teach me through this, I can rest assured with whatever the outcome is.
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Experiencing God’s Comfort in Chasing Sunsets
September 23, 2022
by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
My daughters were ages 2, 5 and 8 when their daddy graduated to heaven. We received his cancer diagnosis in May, and he soared to heaven four short months later. As a suddenly single mama, my world felt like it was turned upside down. My husband and I were directors of a nonprofit organization in Haiti. I made the difficult decision to step back from the ministry so I could make space for grieving with my girls and find a new normal. We moved back to central California so we could be close to family and our community. During that season, the grief felt hard and heavy, like I was carrying around a boulder on my back. Not only was I grieving the loss of my husband and the loss of our ministry; I was also helping my three daughters navigate their own losses. I knew we couldn’t just pray away our pain or rush through the process of grief. Every grief journey is unique. Each of my daughters had different needs and different ways of processing. We tried to make our home a safe space for all the feelings and all the questions. In that season, I started a nightly rhythm of pausing to watch the sunset together. We would sit on our back porch or pull over on the side of the road and savor the sunset colors dancing across the sky. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brushstrokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire-blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. Each night the sunset was unique. This was God’s way of offering us comfort in our grief. It felt like a kiss from Daddy in heaven. God offered us His presence through creation. He felt near. I couldn’t explain it, but my little girls felt it too. Psalm 34:18 is one of my favorite Bible verses, as David offers up this reminder: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
David faced much opposition, loss and grief in his life. But this psalm and others remind us that God does not leave us alone. We will experience trials and sorrow, but He is always near. As the girls and I chased sunsets together night after night, God began to heal our hearts. I don’t believe we can ever “get over” our grief on this side of heaven, but we can learn to dance with it. We can learn to share tears and embrace the memories when they are fresh and full. We experience God’s glory in the midst of our grief and He helps us to move forward in big and small ways.
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Naming the Tension We’ve All Been Wrestling With
October 4, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 (NIV)
There is a word I haven’t dared to use when I’ve faced relationship issues or tensions in the past. I’ve avoided it. I’ve been afraid to name it. I’ve ignored it when possible. The word is dysfunction. No let me confess something: I have dysfunctions. Other people I know have dysfunctions. All humans alive have dysfunctions. It shouldn’t scare us when we acknowledge that dysfunctions exist. But we should be concerned when someone lives as if dysfunctions are normal. Ahem. I’m pointing at myself here. I’m reminded of a time when my sister came to visit. My family had just finished a few renovations where some of the wiring in our house had to be reworked. For some reason our water heater would no longer work unless the back floodlights of our house were turned on. So if you were enjoying your hot shower and someone turned off the floodlights wham! cold water was very quickly making you cringe, scream and yell downstairs for someone to turn the floodlights back on. Hello, dysfunction. My sister tilted her head and said, “Lysa, you know that’s weird, right? You do know an electrician would be able to fix that, right?”
Technically, I knew an electrician could fix the problem. But that wasn’t my automatic response. Calling an electrician would cost money, and when I was growing up, that wouldn’t have been an option for my family. So this thought process got ingrained in me that it’s better to get scrappy and navigate around problems rather than pay to fix them. But this isn’t just about floodlights and hot water. It’s about what the floodlights-and-hot-water situation represents. It’s about no longer being aware of just how dysfunctional things have become and reacting as if something is normal when it absolutely is not. Dysfunction means things aren’t working correctly. In other words, something gets in the way of how things ought to be. For example, a mother is supposed to parent her child. But it is a dysfunction when a child has to parent their mother. Another example is when a spouse is expected to be not just a partner but a savior of the other spouse. Or when one friend’s happiness is dependent on another friend making them feel OK all the time. And when we trip over areas of our relationships that just don’t feel right, we have a choice: We can use the conflict and tension to make us more aware of our issues or totally ignore what the other person is saying and stay wrongly convinced that this will get better on its own. But it won’t. Appropriately addressing the issue is healthy. Ignoring the issue increases the likelihood of dysfunction. I love how 1 John 3:18 instructs us in the importance of loving and living in relationships in truth: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
When this isn’t the case and we find ourselves in a relationship where truth is manipulated, denied or partially omitted for the sake of covering up behaviors that should be addressed, dysfunctions may not just be difficult. They may become destructive. We then run the risk of a pattern of wrongs being tolerated as acceptable because over time they start to feel less alarming, more acceptable and eventually our version of “normal.” And while the issues with my hot water were more of an inconvenience, the dysfunctions hiding out in my relationships and life could be truly detrimental. Friend, I don’t know how these words may be resonating with you personally today, but here’s what I want to say to you: Dysfunctions may be inevitable. All relationships may be difficult at times. But they should not be detrimental to our well-being. I know how hard all of this can be, but this is where I am learning healed hearts and healthier relationships begin. They begin when we choose to stop ignoring dysfunctional, maybe even destructive, patterns and when we get honest. When we choose to bring these issues into the light and address them in equal measures of both grace and truth. When we pursue healthy boundaries and see them as the way to love others well without losing the best of who we are. We don’t have to be afraid of naming the tensions we’re already wrestling with. Healthy honesty isn’t trying to hurt us. It’s trying to heal us.
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This Is Why Your Art Matters
October 5, 2022
by Rachel Marie Kang
“And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 (NIV)
I was just a young girl when I learned how to see brokenness more than any other thing. Even when I could not name it, I looked for it in the ruin of run-down buildings, in flowers faltering and failing to bloom. More than just seeing brokenness, I could sense it, could feel it sweeping around me, seeping in and out of me. I was so good at gathering broken things and burying them deep within, until I was no longer just beholding brokenness it was beholding me. Brokenness was becoming me. All of us are born into this brokenness. All of us are birthed and brought into this earth of inevitable darkness, a darkness that burns beneath the bone. You already know the story of a serpent hissing whispers of shame, of the forbidden fruit and the inevitable fall of man. (Genesis 3) So instead of telling you about the woman taking a bite and breaking the heart of God, I will tell you the story of God’s breaking of God breaking up the darkness and bringing forth light. It’s the story of God staring out into the darkness, to which He speaks, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).
It is here where our stories begin. It is here where the looming possibility of the incredibly hard and terrible things that happen in our lives first lingers. Our stories began when God created boundaries to contain and control the darkness and the deep. We began with the world that God called good but that He still allows to remain with “a sense of wildness and chaos that must yet be controlled,” in the words of Jeffery M. Leonard, Professor of Biblical Studies at Samford University and author of Creation Rediscovered. Of course, that wildness and chaos is humankind’s own fault, not God’s it's the result of our sin. Leonard also writes that “God charges humankind with taking up the divine mantle of creating and working to push back the boundaries of this chaos still further.”
It is within this tension of a controlled chaos not yet completely cast away that God ultimately initiates tikkun olam. This is a Judaic concept that defines this tension as God’s purpose of leaving room for repair in this world. In this restorative plan, God invites us to participate in the work of pushing back the darkness in this world, of tending to this wild planet, of tending to our own wild hearts and of playing a part in restoring all things to the way they could and should be. Restoring all things to peace. This is why your art matters. Every journal entry written, photograph captured, song strummed and graphic designed every letter penned drips and drowns with more weight and wonder than you will ever possibly come to imagine or understand. Whether in public or private, we bring forth art not as a way of claiming that we are right about anything but as a way of climbing back toward the light. God’s plan in the beginning wasn’t simply to save us from the inevitability of sin. His desire all along was that we, just like Him, would live and long to push back the darkness and forever hold our gaze upon His goodness and His great light. This is not to say we play any role in working for our own salvation. Jesus Christ completed that work once and for all on the cross. Rather, it's the work of the restoration of things (communities, classes, churches, relationships, our own lives) that we are invited into and art is just one of many ways to do so. In response to His great love and grace, we will sing and dance and cultivate creativity in the corners of our homes. We will read books and write our own. We will pen poems and post photos to our socials. We will knit scarves to keep strangers warm. We will find creative solutions to teach our children and tend to the land. We will experiment with recipes and invite others into our hospitable homes. We will live our lives courageously, cultivating our art and being captivated by the art of others. We will know that, in all that we say and do and make, we are coming to know Christ and helping to make Him known.
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Am I Actually Praying About This or Just Worrying About It?
October 13, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
"He also told them this parable: 'Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?'” Luke 6:39 (NIV)
Recently, I sat down to write some thoughts about relationships: Relationships are amazing. Relationships are challenging. Relationships can be impossibly hard. Relationships can be incredibly beautiful. And because relationships are so very organic, they move like breath in and out of our lungs, expanding with deep connection one minute and in the next atrophying into complete misunderstanding. Relationships are wonderful and full of love and frustration and wrought with angst and all the things we bring into every attempted embrace with another person. When those we love draw close to us, they draw close to our issues. And we come face to face with their issues as well. So which is it?
Are relationships full of bliss or disappointment?
This is where I landed that day as I journaled. It’s a fragile blend of both. As we open up to each other, the deeper we connect, the more vulnerable we become. The more vulnerable we become, the more exposed the tender places inside of us become. This exposure is risky. When we dare to be so very known, we risk being so very hurt. When we dare to be so very hopeful, we risk being so very disappointed. When we dare to be so very giving, we risk being so very taken advantage of. And when we dare to unnaturally change into what someone else needs, we risk losing ourselves in the process. To love and be loved is to be enveloped in the safest feeling I’ve ever known. To cause hurt and be hurt is to be crushed with the scariest feeling I’ve ever known. You and I both know this. In different ways with different people and to varying degrees, we know the multifaceted complications of love and heartbreak. Maybe you’re living out this reality in a very raw way right now. Friend, I wish I was having coffee with you today to talk through all of this. Trust me when I say I know the delicate dance of balancing the beautiful with the frustrating, and every nuance in between, with the relationships we treasure. And while I can’t solve all the problems you may be facing right now, there is one action item I want to encourage you to put into practice today. Determine to pray more words over a difficult relationship in your life than you speak about it. I’ve been challenged by this personally. A few years ago, as I processed my own hard situation with a friend, she asked, “Lysa, have you prayed about this?”
I responded with total assurance, “Oh, absolutely I have prayed about it.”
But the reality was, I had thought about it. Talked about it. Worried about it. Tried to control it. Cried over it. Strategized around it. But I hadn’t really been down on my face before the Lord, saying, “God, I don’t know what to do. This is breaking my heart. Please help me know where to go next.”
Through everything I’ve walked through over the last couple of years, I can’t think of a better piece of wisdom I could give to you, as your friend, than to pray over any difficult relational dynamics you may be facing. In Luke 6:39, Jesus asked an important but simple question: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?”
I truly want Jesus leading my relationships. Guiding me, teaching me, redirecting me and showing me how to live in a way that honors Him and people I do life with. Praying more words over difficult relationship situations and then stopping to listen for God’s conviction and instruction will certainly be key to this. Now, what I’m not advocating for is praying, asking God for help and at the same time ignoring hurtful things inside that need to be addressed. No, we can’t enable bad behavior and call it love. We can’t tolerate destructive patterns and call it love. And we can’t pride ourselves on being loyal and long-suffering in our relationships when it’s really perpetuating violations of what God says love is. (John 13:34) What I am encouraging us all to do is to use our words in a powerful, beneficial way, to cry out to God and ask Him for help in prayer. To remember He is God and we aren’t. To remember He is in control and we aren’t. We can do this and still address what needs to be addressed. We can do this and still assess what good boundaries may need to be implemented. Prayer doesn’t always change things immediately, but it does help remind us that we’re not navigating all of this by ourselves. I’m convinced the more we battle out our struggles on our knees in prayer, the less we’ll have to argue and fight about in person. And the freer we will be to simply focus on loving and living together.
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Facing the Fence of Fear
October 14, 2022
by Ashlyn McKayla Ohm, COMPEL Training Member
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
You can do it! I willed him to try one more time. A graceful herd of deer near my house had just leaped a fence into a spacious pasture all except one. Since his family had already made the trip, I knew the fence was low enough for this deer to jump. But he seemed to be having trouble believing that. Over and over and over, he backed up and made a heroic run toward the fence. But each time, instead of bounding over, he awkwardly stumbled to a halt, not allowing himself to trust the momentum he’d gained. It was heartbreaking to watch and not just because of my compassion for the deer. It tragically reminded me of my own behavior at times. The obstacle that blocked that deer is the same one that frequently stops me as well: fear. Now, I don’t often find myself facing a fence I need to hurdle, but I do struggle to navigate through uncertainty to the promises God has for me. I see the path ahead of me, but I just don’t think I can do it. The obstacles seem too big. My abilities seem pitifully small. Again and again, I fumble at the fence. I come right up to the edge of my comfort zone but can’t bring myself to make the leap. The biblical leader Joshua must have understood this feeling. When the book of Joshua opens, he’d just assumed authority for several million former slaves the Israelites headed for an enemy-filled land. The people were uneasy, and the challenges looked immense. Moses, the trusted former leader, was dead. Surely Joshua must have been afraid to leap into the unknown. But God’s plan wasn’t for Joshua to ignore his fear or pretend it didn’t exist; instead, it was for Joshua to press past the fear and lay hold of faith. “Be strong and courageous,” God urged a command repeated three times in the first nine verses of this book!
And the passage details a road map of options for choosing courage: meditating on the Word of God, (Joshua 1:8) taking action steps into the future (Joshua 1:2) and remembering the faithfulness of God in the past. (Joshua 1:5) But the best ammunition against fear’s assaults is found in the second half of today’s key verse: “Do not be frightened for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9c, emphasis mine). Friend, I don’t know what fence you’re facing today. But I do know that the truth of God’s presence is the antidote to our every struggle. In this world, fear will often speak into our souls. But it doesn’t have to be the loudest voice. May we find the strength to take the leap of faith over the fences of fear and into the frontiers of faith.
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When You Aren’t Sure That Relationship Is Going To Make It
October 20, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)
I know the heart-ripping hopelessness of a relationship unraveling. The silence. The rejection. The harsh words. The coldness. The questions. The lack of answers. The hurt. Why is it they only call in the anesthesiologists when you are surgically cut open?
When you are being ripped open emotionally, it’s no less painful. And that’s why my heart aches for anyone who is in a struggling relationship today wondering if they’re going to make it or if this relationship is going to go the distance. Maybe that’s you. And if it is, I’m so sorry. Whether it’s with a friend, a parent, a spouse or anyone else you love dearly, I personally know the deep hurt when one person resigns while the other is still trying. There is a panic that arises when you desperately want the other person to wake up, stop their resignation and stop all the destruction. The situation you’re experiencing is much more complicated than simple answers I could offer here. But I do want to give you just one stepping stone upon which to stand in whatever hard relationship situation you find yourself in: Decide today that you are worthy. Because you are. Worthy. You may not feel like it. But a quick glimpse at Psalm 139:13-14 assures me that you are: “For you [God] formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by a loving God who cares for you. Who loves you. And I’d rather depend on the solid Truth of God than the roller coaster of fickle feelings. You are beautiful and captivating and smart and capable. But if you are in a relationship full of dysfunction, unresolved issues and frustrating communication, I suspect you feel a little less than all I’ve described. Broken-down relationships can really break down a woman. And if you’re anything like me, when you feel broken down, those around you get your worst. Then upon all the hurt and anxiety, you layer regret, shame and the feeling that you’ve lost yourself. You’ve lost that girl inside who used to be so positive and happy and ready to take on the world. Can I whisper a tender truth to you?
The only way to recapture her is to come up for air and remember: You are worthy because the Creator of the universe says you are. Then you can act worthy. And step aside from the emotional yuck to make some level-headed decisions for yourself. You can’t control how others act and react, but you can control how you act and react. You can get a plan. Talk to wise people who love you. Meet with a Christian counselor who will walk this tough journey with you. You can draw some healthy and helpful boundaries inside this relationship if some are needed. You can pray like crazy for clear discernment because Jesus is the best source of help. Jesus sees. He knows. He loves. And He will direct you as long as you stick with Him. Honest cries for help, lifted up to Jesus, will not go unheard. I pray the relationship you’re struggling in right now survives. I pray with every fiber of my being that it does. But if it doesn’t, I pray most of all that the beautiful woman you are rises above all that fell apart, still clinging tightly to the only opinion that matters the opinion of the One who forever calls you worthy.
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Choosing Better Over Bitter: God Still Has a Plan for You
October 21, 2022
by Holley Gerth
“May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.” Ruth 2:12 (NLT)
My grandmother had polio at the age of 29, when she was the mother of two young girls. Her pastor came to visit her in the hospital and said, “This can make you bitter or better.”
Today, she likes to say with a smile, “I chose better.”
She has spent the rest of her life in a wheelchair. When I think of my grandmother’s story and how she chose better over bitter, how she chose to believe that God still had a plan for her, I’m reminded of the story of Ruth and Naomi. I imagine it like this: Memories flash through Naomi’s mind as she walks the streets of her hometown for the first time in many years. Her wedding day, walking to the market with her little boys, one on her hip and the other holding her hand. Her family left this place to escape a famine, but now her husband and sons are gone. “Is it really Naomi?” a familiar, though long unheard, voice asks (Ruth 1:19c, NLT).
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responds. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me” (Ruth 1:20, NLT).
Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth, places a hand on her shoulder. Ruth, a foreigner and gentile, grew up in a pagan land. It appears she came to the Jewish faith through Naomi’s son, and now she seems to have an inexplicable strength beneath her grief. She weeps as Naomi does but not without hope. She worries but also worships, has tough days and yet persists in putting one foot in front of the other. Naomi has become hard and bitter; Ruth remains softhearted and open. One day, Ruth tells Naomi she plans to glean barley in the fields. Jewish law allows the poor to gather the extra barley so they won’t go hungry. Ruth providentially ends up in the field of Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband. He shows kindness to her and says, “I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law … May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done” (Ruth 2:11b-12, NLT).
It’s the start of an unexpected love story, one that ends with Ruth marrying Boaz and not only giving birth to the grandfather of King David but also becoming part of the Messiah’s lineage. Naomi’s family line will continue, and for the first time in many years, she dares to dream about the future again. When the women of the town come to see the baby, they say, “May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” (Ruth 4:15, NLT).
At first, Naomi chose bitter. Ruth chose better.
Naomi gave up hope. Ruth kept pushing forward.
Naomi believed her life was over. Ruth trusted God still had a plan beyond what she could understand.
Friends, we’re neither Naomi nor Ruth. We all find ourselves acting like both women at one point or another. What matters is that we recognize when we’re slipping into bitterness. In those moments, what we need most is a friend, family member, wise counselor or other support person who can be a Ruth to us. I have a dear friend I sometimes text when I’m anxious and simply say, “I can’t remember what’s true today. Can you remind me?”
Sometimes our roles are reversed she’s Naomi and I’m Ruth. What’s most important is that we help each other not give up because God is always still working out an unseen plan, even when we don’t understand. Anxiety tells us, “It’s all over.” But faith and the Ruths in our lives remind us, “God isn’t finished with your story yet.”
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Seeing God’s Daily Provision in Nature
November 4, 2022
by Sarah Geringer
"Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions." Deuteronomy 32:11 (NLT)
On my property in the Missouri countryside, I have seen bald eagles exactly three times. Each incident has been majestic and inspiring but the third sighting was a holy moment! I had just gotten off an epic, challenging phone call, in which a family member and I had unearthed a piece of the generational puzzle that helped decades of trauma make sense. But the revelation shook me with righteous indignation. Adrenaline and cortisol rushed through my body, causing me to tremble with anger. I didn’t know if I’d be able to hold myself together on the afternoon drive for my kids' school pickup. But I breathed a ragged prayer while I got behind the wheel. I had barely turned out of the driveway when an eagle rose straight up from the ditch on my passenger side. For a few slow-motion seconds, I watched in awe as its powerful wings almost brushed my car while they flapped upward. In that amazing nature sighting, I sensed God shouting to me: “I’ve got you, girl!”
He knew I had been shaken to the core, and I believe He sent an eagle to encourage me and remind me that He is in control. He gave me hidden manna, bread from heaven, on a country road that day just as He provided for His people in the wilderness. (Exodus 16:35) “Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.” (Deuteronomy 32:11)
In the awful muck of my problems, I would have liked nothing more than for God to take me up and literally carry me safely to a faraway place. Yet the encouragement from seeing God’s power, might and strength displayed in that eagle spiritually uplifted me for days. Though God didn’t literally lift the Israelites out of their problems in the wilderness, He lovingly cared for them and protected them with His mighty strength. He gave them the picture of a mother eagle tenderly caring for her chicks, hovering over them and carrying them to safety. The Bible is full of nature metaphors like this one that help us understand different aspects of God’s character. When we look at nature to find clues about God, He often rewards our searches with inspiring images. When you have relationship struggles, parenting problems, work stress or hurt feelings, try looking out your window or stepping out your door. Ask God to show you something in nature to encourage you, and study whatever you find for signs of His character. I am certain God will inspire you, give you comfort and point you back to Him. Today, the Lord may send you a bald eagle of encouragement. Or He may whisper His care for you through the beauty of a leaf, flower, rock or sunset. Though He may not lift us out of our problems, God is always hovering over us with love and protection. When we seek out His character in nature, we’ll feel uplifted.
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When You’re Not Supposed To Feel Anxiety But You Still Do
November 7, 2022
by Taylor Joy Murray, COMPEL Training Member
“If the LORD had not been my help, I would soon have dwelt in [the land of] silence. If I say, 'My foot has slipped,' Your compassion and lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight me.” Psalm 94:17-19 (AMP)
For most of my life, I’ve been a master at being OK. My answer to everyone about everything used to be “I’m fine,” which was the most socially acceptable and fastest route to get somewhere that felt safer. Most often, “safety” meant hiding inside myself. I channeled enormous amounts of energy into either hiding my struggle with anxiety or letting it hide me. But both options eventually led me to a place where all my unspoken not-OK-ness resulted in an aching sense of loneliness. From the spinning thoughts, shallow breaths and fragmented nerves that often characterize anxiety, some of my deepest shame emerged. Don’t be anxious! Trust in God! Faith over fear! If you grew up in the church like me, these are some of the answers you might have heard frequenting the lips of many well-intending people. Is there scriptural Truth in each of these phrases?
Absolutely. But when given as the one-size-fits-all solution to anxiety, these answers often just sound like, “You aren’t supposed to feel that way.”
But I do feel this way. As a little girl, the narrative I gradually learned to embody was that being a good Christian meant staying happy, always smiling and rarely talking about how I really felt. At 18, when I found myself in an anxiety-induced fetal position behind a locked bathroom door, I felt lost inside a story of who I should be. What do you do when you’re not supposed to feel anxiety, but no matter how much you pray and trust, it still doesn’t go away?
My shame and confusion wrapped around that question caused me to silently wonder what God thinks about the overstuffed and unexpressed anxiety that sat behind my smile. When anxious thoughts multiplied within me, I lived out an ending to Psalm 94:19 that sounded more like “Your commands discipline me” rather than “Your comforts delight me.”
But when I read this psalm, I see God didn’t turn His face from the psalmist's anxiety. God moved toward him. It’s when the psalmist’s honesty met compassion that healing began to happen. When he vulnerably cried out to God, the psalmist experienced God’s gentle arms holding him up, not pushing him away. Anxiety requires the counterintuitive act of reaching for connection rather than further sinking into isolation. In fact, I’m learning that anxiety isn’t as much about looking for a solution as it’s about looking for space. Space to be sensed, felt and named in the presence of another. We cannot heal what we refuse to feel. Over and over again, the pages of Scripture testify that the places touched by pain, struggle and death are the places Christ chooses to go. The dark valley is precisely the place where God promises to be with us. Our anxious moments are not where we are abandoned but where we can expect to encounter Him again. We will never be able to move through anxiety by mentally whipping ourselves into not feeling this way. But we can move through it when we experience the witness and with-ness of God and others in the very places where our anxiety resides. Today, rather than racing for the quickest emotional exit, I wonder what it would be like to show up to the journals of our hearts honestly, bringing our full selves to these pages. While we often immediately try to silence the voice of anxiety, God doesn’t. As the Shepherd of our souls, He leans in to hear what our anxiety has to say, and He whispers the truth of Psalm 94:19: My compassion and lovingkindness will hold you up.
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Claim Your Voice
November 9, 2022
by Teresa Swanstrom Anderson
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” Proverbs 31:26 (NIV)
It takes courage to find your voice, especially when you’ve felt silenced. The Bible tells the story of a woman who could have stayed quiet who could have chosen to be hidden, suffering in silence. Instead, she spoke up, and by finding her voice, she changed history. Her name was Bathsheba. When we read about Bathsheba in 2 Samuel, we might think of her as voiceless. (2 Samuel 11-12) For so much of her story, she was battered by the voices of the powerful. Taken by messengers just after bathing. Losing her first husband at a king’s word and a general’s order. Married to that same king upon his demand. She suffered more than most people could bear. But she was not destined to stay voiceless. She had a decision to make the same each of us has when we face pain. It's hard to claim your voice sometimes. You don’t want to cause problems or make a scene. You might feel afraid or unimportant. But finding your voice means more than just saying words. It means speaking up for yourself and speaking life into those around you. It means knowing your worth because of who you are … and whose you are. God asks us the same question I believe He surely asked Bathsheba: Will you stay silent and become a victim of your suffering, or will you speak up and choose to change your story?
How do we know Bathsheba changed her story? Her son Solomon grew to adulthood following God. This suggests that Bathsheba clung to God and defied her wounding rather than let it define her. Years passed after the moment Bathsheba was taken into David’s home. She seemingly didn’t have a voice that day, for he was king. But eventually she advocated for her son, Solomon, to be set upon the throne. (1 Kings 1:15-22) Bathsheba spoke clearly and boldly. She made her case so well that the king of Israel listened and agreed. And after Solomon became king, Bathsheba continued to use her voice, honored with a seat at her son’s right hand a place of privilege and influence. We’re told that Solomon honored his mother with this position: “So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right” (1 Kings 2:19, ESV).
She had a voice not only in family matters but in matters concerning the whole country. Through his actions, her son famous for his wisdom recognized wisdom in turn. As a matter of fact, Bathsheba may make one more important appearance in Scripture at the beginning of the famed Proverbs 31 passage. Jewish and Christian theologians debate whether King Lemuel, who wrote Proverbs 31, may have actually been King Solomon. And if that theory is true, and Proverbs 31 is “an oracle that his mother taught him” (verse 1, ESV), who was the mother who spoke words of wisdom over him?
Bathsheba. If so, Bathsheba’s voice is still heard and her legacy lives on in King Lemuel's words about a wife of noble character: “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue”(Proverbs 31:26, NIV).
Let’s be women who claim our voices, stewarding our wisdom and influence for generations to come. We can be women who rise above our pain and speak up stepping into the story God is writing.
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How Can A Goodbye Ever Be Good?
November 10, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
“And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.” Acts 15:39a ESV
I’m wired to want all of my relationships to go the distance. Even in everyday life, I don’t like having to say goodbye to people. Often when I travel to speaking engagements, the moment I dread the most is having to say goodbye to the gal who has hosted me for the weekend. I usually feel like I’ve made a new friend, and then suddenly I have to leave. I found that it feels too cold to quickly say “goodbye” and then that’s it. So I came up with a new parting phrase when we pull up to the airport for my returning flight. I give my host a hug and say, “Let’s not say ‘goodbye’ let’s just say ‘to be continued.’”
It feels so much better to me. But then there are other goodbyes I’ve had to face in my life that are permanent. These endings were so painful that I still feel the ache of sadness even years later. The person I loved didn’t die but the relationship did. Maybe you can totally relate because you’ve had to say goodbye to a major relationship in your life. Or maybe you’ve had friendships that just grew distant over time and you never quite got closure. Or maybe you are wrestling through a relationship right now that you aren’t sure is sustainable. Whatever the case, at some points in all of our lives, we will have to face some hard and heartbreaking goodbyes. Sometimes these goodbyes are because one person did something that made reconciliation no longer possible or safe. But other times, goodbyes aren’t because something bad was done but rather because two people are divided by a significant issue or a severe difference of opinion. Does the Bible address this?
Are there any examples from Scripture to help me know how to better navigate goodbyes like this?
The answer is yes. In Acts 15:36-41, we find Paul and Barnabas parting ways. The situation between Paul and Barnabas gets tricky because it involved a difference of opinion over a cousin of Barnabas. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin John Mark with him on a missionary journey with Paul. However, Paul had a bad experience where John Mark abandoned them on a previous journey, so Paul didn't want to go through that again. In a way, Paul was setting a boundary, and it seems like he had a good reason for it. But at the same time, Barnabas had a conviction to keep his cousin with him and give him a second chance, which is understandable as well. The situation was more than a simple difference of opinion. In our key verse today, we read that this was a “sharp disagreement” (Acts 15:39a). These words are important and mean there was a charged emotional response from both sides. However, this disagreement, which was ultimately a goodbye between Paul and Barnabas, didn’t mean that either of them was a bad person. Quite the opposite they both had boundaries, and when they held to their boundaries, the need for a separation became apparent. When we look at how Luke, the author of the book of Acts, presents this disagreement, we can’t place a label of “right” or “wrong” on either of these two men. Both are commended, they both had reasons for the parting of ways that made sense, and they both acted out of personal conviction about the boundaries they needed to establish. This is such an important example to look at because both men loved the Lord they both loved people and they both had the desire to do the right thing. But still, they had to part ways. Now, the end result is what I see as a major lesson for all of us: There’s no evidence that either of them bashed or slandered the other for the choice he made. And there’s no evidence that either of them tried to discredit the other in ministry. As a result, their goodbye actually allowed the gospel to spread in two different directions and go even further than if they had stayed together. Even though this was a goodbye between Paul, Barnabas and John Mark, it wasn’t the end of the story. Years later, when Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:11, he asked for John Mark to be brought to him because John Mark was “very useful to [Paul] for ministry” (ESV).
Though they had a rough season, they still had respect for each other and eventually reconciled. For Paul to say John Mark was useful to him in ministry indicates Paul now saw him a different way. This is the beauty of good boundaries and goodbyes. When done appropriately, they give relationships the space necessary to heal and possibly get better over time. I know this isn’t always possible, but it is in some cases where boundaries and goodbyes help prevent total destruction of a relationship. Sweet friend, I don’t know how this resonates personally with you today. I know not all goodbyes end in a peaceful way. My heart is sensitive to that. I’ve had to make peace with the fact that there isn’t a formula to calculate where some relationships will go next. There will be some renewed relationships. There will be some temporary pauses. And there will be some forever goodbyes. But what is consistent with every one of these scenarios?
Grief. And grief just stings. All of this can be incredibly confusing and sometimes crushing. And if that’s where you are right now, you’re not alone. With God’s help, even as we wrestle through tears, we can find a way forward. I believe that Jesus is working in me and in you and that He is healing our hearts through all of this. Even when reconciliation isn’t possible, redemption with God always is. So today, open your hands and surrender that relationship where you’re hurting. Release it to Jesus. And be comforted by the words of Isaiah 61:1, which says the Messiah came to heal your broken heart.
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Prioritizing What Matters Most
November 18, 2022
by Kia Stephens
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (NIV)
“We should play a board game,'' my oldest son said.
It was a carefree summer night with no sports practices to rush off to and no homework to complete for the next day. Immediately, I thought a family board game was a good idea, and the fact that it came from my teenage son was icing on the cake. The fact that he initiated a family activity was a big deal. He was choosing family over everything else in his life. I had spent the past school year watching him transform from the boy I knew into the teen I barely recognized: His interests were different. His voice was deeper. His features were more mature. He was growing up, and I was learning to embrace the young man he was becoming and let go of the little boy he used to be. Unfortunately, I missed the magnitude of this moment. As excited as I was to spend time with my kids, my attention was divided when we sat down to play a game of Clue. I needed to send just one more email before I could focus on the game completely uninhibited. My kids proceeded to place the game pieces on the board and review the directions while I typed away. “I’ll just finish this email and then stop working,” I said to myself.
My youngest son rolled the dice and began to play. I was still typing. “Close your computer,” they said as I pecked at the keyboard.
I was so close to being done. Then my oldest son rolled the dice while I periodically glanced at my computer screen. “You can’t play the game and be on your computer too,” he said.
He was right. I'm not very proud to say it took a third request from my children before I finally closed the lid of my laptop and allowed myself to be fully present, but I’m glad I did. This was more than a game of Clue. This was an opportunity to engage with my children an opportunity I almost missed. This was a chance to choose what matters most rather than what appears urgent. In the book of James, we are reminded of the brevity of life. James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
In this passage, James was speaking to people who placed their confidence in themselves and what they could do rather than depending on God. These people boasted about tomorrow, believing they were the masters of their own fates. I was just as guilty. In the moment, on the night of the Clue game, I was depending on myself and my ability to send an email. I was prioritizing the completion of a task over spending time with my kids. I assumed I had all the time in the world to play a board game with them. We all have formed these kinds of assumptions. Maybe we've believed there is ample time to say “I love you” to a loved one. Maybe we’ve reasoned we can push that date night with our husband back one more week. Maybe we’ve ignored the requests for quality time from our children. For all of us tempted to prioritize the seemingly urgent over the important, James is reminding us that life is not promised to anyone. It is as fleeting as a vapor that will soon vanish. James is admonishing us to spend our time doing the will of God. In that moment, God’s will was for me to play a game of Clue with my kids. He was giving me a much-needed opportunity to spend time with my boys, who are growing and changing every day. He was encouraging me to prioritize my kids over my work because their lives, just like mine, are like a vapor. God’s will always prioritizes people over productivity.
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Waiting for a Turning Point
November 21, 2022
by Tessa Afshar
“And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden …” Isaiah 58:11 (ESV)
In our Instagram culture, the future is often associated with words like dreams, goals and opportunities. But for those traveling through a dark season, it can feel like the future has nothing to offer but loss. No one is impervious to seasons like this. They slither in through our worst failures; they sneak up on us through unexpected circumstances such as physical or mental illness. They crawl in through grief and trauma. And they make certain claims about our future. I have learned that beyond the scorched places of life, a well-watered garden awaits. This imagery can be heard from the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming to a Judean people who had lost everything that God intended a reversal for their lives. Their “scorched places” would one day become like a “watered garden”: “And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden …” (Isaiah 58:11).
In my early 20s, I went through a divorce I didn’t want, and suddenly my future felt hopeless. All my dreams were in tatters. Because I had been rejected by a man I trusted, I felt like I must, at my core, be rejectable, like I was damaged in some way. I might get into heaven because of God’s grace. But on this earth, I would always be less-than. No one would want me after this. Lies like these can grow deep roots. They can suck out hope and turn our future into a scorched desert. If we aren’t careful, we might lay our foundations upon them and try to build a permanent home on those shifting sands. Standing on the other side of this “scorching” experience, I now see with wonder that a glory awaits when we get beyond these grand breakings of the soul. Which is why I have come to have great respect for them. I have learned the most transformative lessons of my life in moments when it felt like my heart had shattered. First, I have learned a resilience that has nothing to do with the fragile way I am made. By nature, I am emotionally and physically fragile. It doesn’t take much to shake me. But on the other side of these dark seasons, I have found a spiritual resilience a strength that flows from God and allows me to navigate an increasingly hard world without breaking. Second, I have entered into my God-given purpose at a depth I never would have known unless I walked through my scorched seasons. If God had not allowed me to navigate those valleys, I might have still walked in my gifting but in a superficial way. My influence for good, my usefulness in God’s Kingdom, would have been vastly diminished. Third, I have learned to enter relationships with a level of health and joy that I lacked before experiencing shattering heartache. This reminds me of how, years after Isaiah’s prophecy was spoken, those same Judeans, now captives in Babylon, could look up and see the wonder of the hanging gardens. Perhaps they remembered the prophet’s promise as they looked upon this impossibility: a garden with large trees and flowing streams on top of a roof. In the searing heat of Babylon, what should have been a scorched place this rooftop, this brick and bitumen canopy had turned into a verdant garden. What an incredible reminder of Isaiah’s promise! Perhaps you are in a scorched season of your own. Perhaps when you look up, all you see is a rooftop. An impossibility. Perhaps some event is whispering into your heart, Your future is a ruin. Or worse, You are a ruin. I want to tell you that beyond your scorched place, a garden awaits you. Hold on, beloved. Your turning point is coming.
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God Holds Your Hand
November 30, 2022
by Grace Fox
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
My husband and I took our 18-month-old granddaughter, Lexi, to the zoo. Carefree and happy for independence, she toddled between us on the wide, paved path. All went well until the zoo’s mini train approached and the engineer clanged its brass bell. The noise startled Lexi, and she instinctively grabbed for my hand. She relaxed the moment I responded. She felt safe with Grandma’s hand holding hers. Sometimes my hands struggle just to open a pickle jar, but God’s hands can do anything. His are the hands that reach for ours when we’re exhausted or worried or scared. With His hand clasping ours, we can trust and choose not to be afraid. The Lord knows His children are often easily frightened, so He reassures us of His presence and says He holds our hands: “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).
The magnitude of this promise boggles my mind! Ponder it with me, will you?
God’s mighty hands shaped the universe. (Psalm 19:1) When He cups His hands, they hold the oceans. When He opens His hands, they measure the heavens’ expanse. They carry the dust of the earth in a basket and weigh the mountains on a scale. (Isaiah 40:12)
God’s “mighty hand” led the Israelites from Egypt into the promised land (Jeremiah 32:21, NIV). His hand protected the Israelites, quenched their thirst with water from a rock, satisfied their hunger with bread from heaven and clothed them with a wardrobe that never wore out. (Deuteronomy 8:15-16; Deuteronomy 29:5)
The hands that defended and provided for the Israelites all those years ago never grow old or feeble. (Hebrews 13:8) They still defend and equip God’s children with everything we need, both basic and big. There’s nothing God cannot do on our behalf; therefore, we can trust and choose not to be afraid. But wait this good news gets even better. God’s mighty hands became flesh and were nailed to the cross on our behalf. (John 20:27) He could have crushed Calvary’s cross between thumb and forefinger. He could have snapped its wooden beams like a toothpick, but He chose instead to spread His hands on that cross to prove His love for us. Life’s journey brings unexpected detours and unwelcome delays. It leads us through dark valleys and deep ravines where the shadows of fear and discouragement fall on us. But in the midst of it all, my sweet friend, God’s nail-scarred hands embrace ours. He’s with us, and we are safe. Let’s choose to live from this truth. It gives us fresh hope and courage to face whatever today brings. We’re in good hands when we’re in God’s hands.
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3 Ways To Pray When You’re Too Stressed To Know How
December 1, 2022
by Bonnie Gray
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NASB1995)
I’ve always been good at praying. Or so I thought. My daddy left when I was 7. I’ve always looked to God as my Father, my Provider. I didn’t realize God wants to be more than just my Provider; God longs to be my soul’s confidant. Deep where I feel lonely where I struggle to receive and make space for myself God wants me to breathe and rest as His beloved. At the end of the day, even though I had accomplished a lot, my soul still felt anxious. What I really longed for, I didn’t create space for: peace and joy. I did not nurture my soul with God. I found it easier to take care of others and get things done for God rather than be vulnerable with my needs. But God began showing me prayer is an intimate soul conversation, a way to be loved and known, rather than a spiritual transaction to be made better. Praying touches the part of me that is uncertain, full of questions and doubts. That is why praying is hard to do. And when I didn’t know how to pray, it made me feel ashamed. But Jesus understands and whispers, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Do you long to break free from anxiety, stress and worry?
Sometimes, it takes more faith to tell God we don’t know how to pray than to keep praying like we used to. This is how I began to discover God’s rest more deeply to breathe in powerful scriptures affirming God’s love and breathe out stress using soul care: practical ways to restore God’s peace and presence to my emotions and my body! I started learning how to love myself the way God loves me. Maybe you’re asking: How can I draw closer to God and take better care of myself when I’m so stressed?
This was my question too. I began researching answers, and to my delight, God helped me discover powerful ways to lower stress with uplifting scriptures, use simple soul care practices to spark joy, and pray calming prayers. Here are three lessons I learned:
1. When you don’t have words to pray, simply rest in knowing that Jesus is praying for you. Nothing can separate you from God’s love. Not even your unrest. He’ll never get tired of you. Sometimes, the greatest prayer we can experience is God’s complete understanding and compassion. His presence. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus … is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34, NIV)
2. When you’re too stressed to pray, invite Jesus into your world consider journaling. Instead of struggling to reach Jesus, invite Jesus into your world, perhaps through journaling. Research shows that the power of writing your personal story can help lift some feelings of depression and improves happiness. Even 15 minutes makes a difference! God can use many things to speak into our lives, including journaling. When we journal our stories with God, we give Him space to rewrite our stories. Don’t you get “aha” moments as you write?
As your words flow, be honest. Use my favorite journaling prompt: Dear Jesus, I’ve been quiet about this and feel the comfort of God’s loving care wrapped around you. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)
3. When you’re too exhausted to pray, take care of yourself. Do you know the story of Elijah in Scripture? He did everything right — even defeating the prophets of Baal, a false god. Yet his problems got worse. Stress broke Elijah’s spirit. In despair, Elijah woke up to find water to drink and fresh bread baking on hot stones — which God left just for him. Not only that, but God sent an angel to touch him —twice.(1 Kings 19:5-8) God knew Elijah needed physical rejuvenation first in order to hear His voice whispering in a gentle breeze. (1 Kings 19:12) Soul Care Tip: Let God love you. Do you need sleep, something yummy and healthy to eat, a friend’s touch, emotional safety or physical rest? Prioritizing your well-being may feel selfish, yet God’s Word says we comfort others “with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4, ESV).
You’re worth loving. Take one day at a time. God will provide. Just breathe.
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The “Low-Shelf Things” Might Be the Most Important Things of All
December 9, 2022
by Jennifer Dukes Lee
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV)
When I was a little girl, I was enamored with the colorful ceramic rooster that sat on a low shelf in Grandma’s kitchen. The rooster was about two fists high and held measuring spoons that plumed out from its back like feathers. To me, it was beautiful. It was also breakable. Yet Grandma always said “yes” when I asked to hold it. I would remove the rooster from its low shelf, take each measuring spoon out and then put each one back in over and over. I was extra careful because I didn’t want to lose Grandma’s trust in me. After Grandma died, the time came to divide up her belongings. Each of the kids and grandkids was given an opportunity to keep something as a memento. “What would you like, Jennifer?” my aunt asked.
I only wanted one thing. “May I have the rooster?”
Wish granted. No one else wanted the rooster, and I suppose it’s because, to some, it was a bit garish. Others of my relatives may have never noticed it. That rooster was perched on a low shelf for years the perfect height for a child to see but out of sight for the “big people.” The rooster now sits on a shelf in my own kitchen. When I see it, I am reminded of Grandma’s kitchen and the way she loved me with good food and a warm smile. Most of all, the rooster reminds me that Grandma took joy in my joy, and because of it, she risked letting me hold the rooster. All of these warm remembrances are how I know there is value in the low-shelf things of life. I wonder if, in reflecting on our lives, the “low-shelf things” are the most important things of all. Things like silly text threads with your best friend, spontaneous dinner parties, a child’s hand holding yours, a fresh basket of your famous bread on the table, prayers whispered throughout the day, the tears you can’t help but cry when you hear that one song. Our lives are a collection of a million little things all stacked on top of one another, making up one beautiful life. When I think of Jesus, I see how He valued the low-shelf things and used them to illustrate key messages. He compared the power of faith to a mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds on earth. (Matthew 17:20) He was able to take a boy’s small lunch and make it into a big miracle. (Luke 9:10-17) He saw value in a widow’s two coins. (Mark 12:41-44) In one lesson, Jesus called attention to an ordinary, almost forgettable bird: the sparrow. Jesus said sparrows aren’t worth much money: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:29).
A person is worth far more to God than a whole flock of sparrows. He even counts the hairs on our heads. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30-31, NIV)
I guess you could say God values the low-shelf things of life. And if God is paying attention, I want to pay attention too. It’s so tempting to believe a meaningful life is found in “high-shelf things,” on stages or under spotlights where accolades flow and the world notices. But meaningful lives are rarely built on stages or under spotlights. Meaningful lives are built by coming fully awake to our everyday lives. Yet we have to slow down to see all this goodness right here and now. We have to pay attention. We might have to get low, like a child, to find the most precious things sitting on the lowest shelves of all. At the end of our lives, when we stand before God, we will know it for certain: It’s not always the big things that matter most. It’s often all the little things, added together, that give life meaning.
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Do I Want To Be Liked, or Do I Want To Be Obedient?
December 15, 2022
by Lysa TerKeurst
"but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV)
Sometimes I confuse the command to love with the disease to please. Wanting to please other people and not disappoint them seems to be part of my peacemaking makeup. It’s something I can catch myself being resigned to having to deal with rather than being determined to overcome. Why is that?
We all want to be liked. And there's nothing wrong with that. God wired us for relationships and community. But we cannot be so desperate for the approval of people that we're willing to live in disobedience to God. The ultimate motivation of every believer must be to please God first and foremost. We see this kind of heart in Paul as we read the words he penned to the people of Thessalonica. Specifically, he wrote, “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
Paul goes on to state that he never made use of flattering words in sharing the gospel with the Thessalonians, nor did he or those with him ever once seek glory for themselves. (1 Thessalonians 2:5-6) They simply loved people enough to offer them the hope and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ both in their actions and their words. They did this from hearts filled with tremendous tenderness. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8) But the only approval they ever sought after was that of God. So what does it even mean to live “approved by God” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)?
The Greek verb we translate as “approved” is dokimazō and can mean “to prove” or “to examine.” It refers to justifying or proving the quality of something or someone. So when Paul says he has been approved by God, he is saying that he himself had to go through a certain level of examination before he was entrusted with the gospel. Although we aren't told explicitly when Paul's testing took place, Scripture suggests it could have taken place during the three years Paul spent in Arabia. (Galatians 1:16-18) Paul also states in the last part of 1 Thessalonians 2:4 that God “tests our hearts.” The verb “tests” is in the present tense. This implies that the approval process is an ongoing one that we need to be aware of one that takes place before God entrusts us with His plans and purposes and also while we are walking out our God-given responsibilities. Why so much testing?
Because we serve a God who sees and cares about the inner workings of the human heart. (1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 139:23; Proverbs 17:3) And He needs to know who it is that our hearts ultimately beat for people or Him. The question of who we live to please is a vastly important one. So important that we find Paul addressing it again in his letter to the Galatians: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10, ESV).
This tells me we need to ask ourselves regularly who we're living to serve. Especially if we want to be people God works through. Wherever we focus our attention the most will become the driving force in our lives. And I’m pausing to ask myself today, Do I want to be liked, or do I want to be obedient?
The more I focus on trying to figure out how to please people, the more of a magnified force people-pleasing will become in my life. The more I focus on trying to figure out how to please God, the more of a magnified force He will become in my life. And the more He will be able to use me for His Kingdom purposes. My focus. My choice. God, help me live obediently for You today.
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Bethlehem Awaits
December 16, 2022
by Karen Wingate
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
It hurt. My husband’s employers fired him without a word of warning. The next job required selling our beautiful home and moving several states away just as our daughters were entering high school and junior high. How could God possibly be in this?
Only in hindsight did we realize God’s reasons for the move. Our new location was in a rural setting, which suited our family’s personality much better. Both girls thrived at their new schools, and all of us discovered long, enduring friendships. Then we understood how God had used my husband’s termination to bring us to a place where He had wonderful blessings waiting for us. I wonder if Mary the mother of Jesus understood that her son had to be born in Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecies about the Messiah. When Joseph told her of the upcoming census that would require them to travel to his hometown, did her eyes light up with comprehension?
But of course! The child I bear is the Messiah and He must be born in Bethlehem. And here God is using a Roman census to relocate us from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Isn’t God good?
Or was she clueless?
She could have met Joseph’s announcement with this rebuttal: “Are you serious? Dear heart, I am eight months pregnant. Bethlehem is 80 miles away. I am so NOT riding a donkey OR walking 80 miles in my condition.”
The Bible doesn’t specifically tell us whether Mary connected the dots between her baby’s identity as the Messiah and the location of His prophesied birth. But though Mary didn’t have specific details of the plan, her attitude of calm acceptance and hopeful assurance hints that she knew God was up to something amazing. Her wide-eyed wonder and hope are expressed in the song of praise she shared with her cousin Elizabeth: “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name” (Luke 1:48b-49, NIV).
Today, as we count down the days until Christmas, we may not always feel like singing about “great things.” The month of December may hold all kinds of snags and detours that can complicate our plans. Have any of these happened to you right before Christmas?
The serious illness of a family member.
A canceled flight to visit family.
A children’s Christmas program gone awry.
Extra household expenses.
Mary’s trek to Bethlehem and my family’s move remind me that God can use what I consider aggravations and heartaches to reposition me so He can bless and use me more effectively. “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD,” says Psalm 27:14. The Hebrew word for “wait” is closely related to the word for “hope,” and to hope means to look forward to the future with certainty and eager anticipation. Mary expressed this attitude when, after hearing the angel Gabriel’s message about Jesus, she responded, “I am the Lord’s servant … May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38, NIV).
As I approach each Christmas complication this year, I’d like to take on Mary’s attitude. I’d like to look at each change with anticipation spiced with a touch of hope-filled eagerness as I ask, OK, Lord, what do You have waiting for me?
Want to join me?
Just think: Bethlehem awaits.
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Even on the Bad Days
December 27, 2022
by Stacy J. Lowe
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus ...” Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Some days I really don’t like myself. Days when I’m impatient and irritable. Days when my attitude is not the greatest and I don’t love others like I should. Perhaps those days happen because I’m overly stressed or didn’t get enough sleep the night before. Or maybe my introverted soul is just worn out from too much interaction with too many people. Whatever the reason, when those days come around, I often become my own worst critic and beat myself up for it. Repeatedly. Why can’t you just get it together? I wonder, feeling certain I’m the only one ever to have days like this. Except I suspect I’m not the only one. I suspect perhaps you, too, have days where you’re not at your finest. In fact, maybe you’re having one now. The Apostle Paul could relate. In Romans 7, he talks about this ongoing struggle of wanting to do what’s right but inevitably doing what’s wrong. Loving God but still fighting against the sinful nature within. Just a few verses later, though, in Romans 8:1, he reminds us: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus …”
No condemnation. You know what that means?
It means my worth is not based upon my performance. My worth is based upon the price Jesus was willing to pay for me, and He paid it all. Even on my bad days, even when I’m struggling to love myself, His love for me never changes. It stands firm and secure. Always. So what do I do with that?
I remember that I’m not just tolerated but cherished by my Father.
I remember that a bad day doesn’t devalue my soul or somehow make me less-than in His eyes.
I remember that because I belong to Christ, when God looks at me, He doesn’t see my failures and mistakes; He sees the holiness of His Son.
This doesn’t excuse any wrong action on my part, but it does mean I don’t have to live in defeat. Sometimes I need that reminder. Today let’s choose to remember that in our less-than-stellar moments, we don’t have to stay in condemnation. We can take a deep breath and move forward with our heads held high, our identity firmly in check as God’s beloved daughters. Because that’s who we are. We are His, even on the bad days, and that’s all that matters in the end.
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When Family Gets Messy
December 28, 2022
by Sharon Jaynes
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Growing up, my family was one big mess. Fighting. Arguing. Yelling. Crying. And eventually, a lot of forgiving. During the early years, especially before we knew Jesus, it seemed like the holidays were always the worst. If ever there is a place to learn about forgiveness to practice forgiveness to struggle with forgiveness it is in the family. And interestingly, it is in the context of family where the word “forgive” first shows up in the Bible. In the book of Genesis, we meet a young man named Joseph the 11th of 12 brothers and the favorite son of Jacob. In Genesis 37, young Joseph had several prophetic dreams involving his brothers and father one day bowing down to him. Rather than keep that bit of information to himself, it seems perhaps immaturity loosened his lips, and he shared it with his already jealous siblings. When he was 17, his brothers had had enough of Joseph, who they saw as a rather bratty brother. So one day, when Joseph went out to the fields to check on them, they schemed to throw him in a well, shred his fancy coat and tell Jacob his favorite son had been killed by a wild animal. Just after they had tossed him in the pit, a Midianite caravan came passing by. Then the brothers hatched another plan; rather than leave Joseph to die, they sold him into slavery and pocketed a bit of money in the process. Joseph served as a slave in the home of a high-ranking Egyptian official named Potiphar. Genesis 39 tells us that, while there, Joseph was falsely accused of sexually assaulting Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. (Talk about having a bad day!) During his prison stay, he interpreted dreams for some of his fellow inmates. One day the Pharaoh of Egypt had a disturbing dream no one could interpret. Pharaoh’s cupbearer, who had been in prison with Joseph, told Pharaoh about Joseph’s gift of interpretation. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and predicted seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine in the land. Pharaoh was so enamored with Joseph’s God-given wisdom that he appointed Joseph governor of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. (Genesis 40-41) During the famine, who showed up in Egypt, looking for food? Joseph’s conniving brothers! They were terrified when the governor revealed, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt” (Genesis 45:4c, ESV).
Don’t you know they were terrified? What would Joseph do?
What would you have done?
This was Joseph’s response to the injustice inflicted by his brothers: “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5, NIV). Later, he said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph did not say, “Oh, that’s OK. Don’t worry about it.”
No, he called the betrayal what it was evil against him that resulted in 13 years of slavery. At the same time, he chose to forgive the wrong done to him and allowed God’s grace to flow through him. He opened the door for reconciliation and entrusted to God the matter of justice. When we passed forgiveness around the table in the serving dish of grace at my home, we weren't saying that what had gone on in our family was right or that it didn’t matter. We were saying yes, it was wrong, it did matter, and now we were choosing to let it go. Joseph’s forgiveness ends Genesis, the first book of the Bible. We close out the epic narrative with a portrait of forgiveness that continues throughout the entire Bible, and it all begins with a very mixed-up family. That gives me great comfort; I hope it does for you. Why?
Because forgiveness prevents us from getting stuck in the bad parts of our stories and opens a door for a new ending.
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Whether I Strive or Surrender, He Is Steadfast
January 3, 2023
by Meredith Boggs
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations …” Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)
Slow down. I kept hearing those words in conversations, seeing them in social media posts and sensing them in my soul. After a few years of challenging circumstances working more than I wanted to and being away from my baby when I would have rather been home life was finally leveling out. I felt as if I could breathe again. But what I thought would be a welcome reprieve only caused my anxiety to spike. Life backhanding me one too many times had left me tense and bracing for myriad “what ifs.” As much as I wanted to make the shift from striving to surrender, I was conditioned to keep striving it was all I knew. Hustling had been programmed into my head and heart to keep myself and my family afloat. Maybe you’ve been there too. You're longing to slow down and catch your breath, but when the opportunity finally comes, you can’t fully embrace the offer of rest. Maybe you’re there now. At its crux, the good news of the gospel is that its goodness doesn’t depend on our actions. Regardless of what we do or choose, God remains constant, steadfast and faithful. We can see clear evidence of God's consistent, never-changing love in Deuteronomy 7:9, our key verse: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations …”
After the Israelites fled their captors in Egypt and walked across dry land in the Red Sea, (Exodus 14) God faithfully and continually led them through the wilderness using a pillar of fire and cloud. The Hebrew name used for God in Deuteronomy 7:9, El HaNe’eman meaning “the God who is faithful” speaks to the character of God, even when the Israelites forgot all He had done for them. Much of the Israelites’ story is rooted in their own striving. They took matters into their own hands when they didn't like where God was moving they created images to worship instead of worshipping the one true God. Their frustration with God’s timing led them to disobedience and stubbornness. But despite their striving, God remained faithful to them at every point. His steadfast love didn’t skip over them but continued for a thousand generations. And it’s the same for us today. Whether we choose to continue striving in our own strength or to surrender and slow down, God’s steadfast love will remain the same. God doesn’t love us more because we choose to surrender rather than to strive. But in surrendering, we have the opportunity to experience exponentially more joy by walking in obedience to Him. We come to know Him more intimately, and we are freed from the shame of continually striving. If you’re in a place of hesitantly slowing down and stepping into a season of surrender, you’ll find that His steadfast love stays constant. No longer striving, you can offload the weight of shame that tells you that you aren’t enough and aren’t doing enough. Then, entering into the rest of a slower pace, you’ll find the fullness of joy in communion with the creator and sustainer of your soul. That reward of surrender is something striving can never bring.
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Keep Me Teachable
January 4, 2023
by Trillia Newbell
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33 (NIV)
I didn’t grow up in church and wasn’t exposed to Bible stories as a child. I became a Christian at age 22 but felt like a toddler. Everything was new! Not only was I learning how to walk with God but also how to read His Word. Everyone seemed to know so much; at least that’s what I thought. I found myself tempted to approach God’s Word out of duty to gain more knowledge about Him to feel like I wasn’t behind. My relationship with God became about knowing more rather than enjoying and delighting in the One who saved me. That is, until God showed me that the key to growing as a Christian is not to gain more and more knowledge and one day “arrive,” having learned all there is to know instead, the key is always to remain a student of Jesus. One day, I was teaching a Bible study, and during our discussion, one of my sisters in the Lord told us that when she was younger, she prayed to the Lord: Keep me teachable. She was nearly twice my age and yet was eager to learn from me and the Lord. My friend didn’t know it at the time, but she was teaching me at that moment to cherish learning about the Lord for the rest of my life. As I listened and watched her, I realized she so loved her Savior that she never wanted to “arrive,” as if she could not learn more about Him. Her desire for knowledge was commendable, but it wasn’t just so she could answer trivia questions. No, she longed to be in relationship with the Lord. She longed for the humility it would take to be a lifelong learner. After all, it’s absurd for us to think that we can get to the end of learning about God. The depths of God’s Word and His character are inexhaustible, as Paul proclaims in our key verse: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33).
We will be searching the depths for eternity! If we desire knowing the Lord only to be able to say that we have knowledge, falsely thinking that one day we might “arrive,” we will miss out on two glorious benefits of the Christian life: The wonderful joys of learning and being taught. May we never be puffed up because of our knowledge. (1 Corinthians 8:1b) Instead, my prayer for you and me is that the Lord would keep us teachable all the days of our lives. The Lord opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) He will give us grace upon grace as we humbly seek to learn. A relationship with Jesus. It’s scary to think that we can know a lot about God and not really know Him at all. As we read Scripture, we are indeed gaining knowledge, but the purpose is to grow in our relationship with and love of our Lord. We cherish God’s Word because we cherish God. I have had seasons of Spirit-filled, worshipful and consistent time in the Word and seasons when reading felt like a duty rather than a joy and delight. We all find ourselves struggling from time to time to read the Bible and interpret it correctly. And here’s the good news: That’s OK. Any time in the Word is time well spent. Time in the Word won’t always feel like a worship service, but every moment teaches you one more thing about your Lord and Savior. It’s not wasted! When we change our focus away from merely gaining knowledge, we can watch our time with the Lord transform from duty to delight. Like my friend, let’s long to be teachable, always eager to hear from the Lord through His Word.
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Let Silence Be the Source of Your Renewed Prayer Life
January 6, 2023
by Denise J. Hughes
“In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.” Romans 8:26 (CSB)
The doctor entered between the flimsy curtains in the emergency room. He said the CT scan showed multiple pulmonary embolisms in both of my lungs, which explained my difficulty breathing. As my impaired lungs struggled for every breath, I lay in that hospital bed, unable to say much of anything, much less pray anything. God, please help … was the best I could muster. In that place, God taught me about the power of silence in my prayer life. My words were more desperate than eloquent, pleas from the depth of my being. Sometimes that’s all we have to give. Thankfully, that’s enough for God. Have you ever experienced a season when you just couldn’t utter more than a few words in prayer?
When you weren’t even sure what to pray for?
Maybe the physical pain was overwhelming. Or maybe your heart was suffering more than your body. All you knew was that you needed help. And only God in heaven could understand the depth of your pain. I’ve been there too. It’s never fun, but God has consistently shown Himself faithful. Every time. Our small prayers, offered with a sincere heart, can be the equivalent of the widow’s two coins given sacrificially to the temple treasury when “many rich people were putting in large sums” (Mark 12:41, CSB).
That’s what I experienced when my clotted lungs struggled to squeeze out audible words. Even if I tried to pray quietly inside my heart, the pain proved too distracting. My groanings were more exact. Which is why I’m so grateful that God understands even this and that He provides for us in those moments when we don’t know what to say or maybe can’t say anything at all. In our key verse, Paul says “the Spirit also helps us in our weakness.” This could mean physical weakness, but it could also imply spiritual weakness. When we’re distraught beyond words and we don’t know how to pray, the “Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings” (Romans 8:26).
What a gift this is to God’s people. Whether we consider ourselves to be mighty prayer warriors or we admittedly sometimes struggle with it, prayer remains a central part of every believer’s life. It’s a fundamental way we express our dependence on God. When we go to Him daily, we acknowledge that we cannot supply anything for ourselves. We look to God for everything we need, including every breath we take. This idea of daily dependence on God counters everything we hear in the world, yet it’s an elemental part of cultivating a quiet heart in a loud and restless world. While the “quiet life” Paul talks about in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (CSB) speaks more to a person’s inner quietness of heart, it’s also wise to experience actual quiet from time to time. Whenever we’re not sure how to pray, we can lean into the silence and let the Spirit do His healing work inside us. To experience deep quiet, take inventory of the sounds around you. Then turn off as many sounds as possible. For some of us, we may be so unaccustomed to actual silence that we find it eerie or unsettling at first, but don’t let this sway you. I can’t promise that your prayers will lead to spiritual fireworks, at least not instantaneously. For me, my lungs were not immediately healed, but slowly, over time, God was faithful to meet me in those quiet hours that filled each day. And in His time, He restored my breath. Let the power of silence be the source of a renewed prayer life. For when we are still, God often does His best work.
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Two Powerful Steps for When You’re Uncertain and Unresolved
January 10, 2023
by Amy Carroll
“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” Esther 4:15-16 (NIV)
During the first week of January 2022, the steady static of anxiety blared in my heart as I watched my friends post their New Year’s resolutions. I had joined them with enthusiasm in years past, charging with joy into our annual fresh start. Last year was different. I couldn’t nail down one resolution. Not even one. A busy schedule, a personal crisis and a year of looming changes left me paralyzed with uncertainty. I could not see an obvious way forward, and I was fearful that any plans I did make wouldn’t come to pass. Thankfully, God’s Word is the solution for every situation that stymies us. As I studied the book of Esther during this unsettled time, God gave me a new perspective. Instead of seeing Esther as a queen with a tiara, I saw her as a woman like me. A woman with uncertainty swirling around her. When Esther was asked by her uncle Mordecai to go to her husband, the king, to interrupt a genocidal plot, she was wise. Esther 4:15-16 tells us, “Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’”
Before charging. into a risky act with an undetermined outcome, she took two powerful steps. This is a path we can follow today to steady us in uncertainty.
1. Pause for the plan.
Esther didn’t react immediately. She paused. It wasn’t a passive pause, though; Esther took three days to fast, a scriptural practice of abstaining from food to hear from God. Instead of flailing ahead with our own ideas and agendas, let’s follow Esther’s example by getting quiet, sharpening our spiritual hearing, and watching for God’s perfect plan.
2. Lean on your people.
When Esther paused, she didn’t do it alone. She did it with her community. Esther’s story encourages us to lean into the people around us for support; however, there’s one caveat. Let’s make sure to choose our people wisely. When we reach out to people who love us and love the Lord, they can be the trustworthy sources of wisdom and support we can rely on. A spiritually mature community can be one of God’s most precious gifts in uncertain times.
If you’ve found yourself in uncertainty already this year, groaning inwardly that you don’t have any shiny resolutions to share, don’t despair. Being uncertain and unresolved can lead us to a place of beautiful dependence on God and others. It’s there that we begin to pause instead of plowing forward. It’s there that we become determined to keep our community close.
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Leaving a Legacy of Life-Giving Words
January 16, 2023
by Sally Clarkson
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)
My mother was not a deeply educated theologian, but she had a very simple trust in God. I still remember one special Christmas when I was about 9 years old. She and I sat by our towering Christmas tree aglow with white lights and colorful, shiny baubles adorning every branch. Sipping our hot chocolates, we sat shoulder to shoulder, taking in the magical moment together. Out of the blue, she nudged me, looked very solemnly into my eyes, and said, “One thing is important for you to remember the rest of your life.”
I sat up straighter, sensing this was a profound moment. She said very clearly, “These words from the Bible have carried me my whole life: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Just remember: God is for you. He is on your side. He loves you just as you are. Say it with me: ‘If God is for me, who can be against me?’” (See Romans 8:31b, NIV.)
And so I did. She continued, “There is one more of my favorite verses I want you to remember: ‘The LORD is my shepherd …’ You see, even as a shepherd cares for His sheep, feeds them, protects them, so God does with us and will do for you. You will never be alone. He will be with you every day and watch over you. You can always trust Him to take care of you.” (See Psalm 23:1, NIV.)
We sat beside each other and drank in the
beauty of the moment together. And I have never forgotten it.
Even though my mother’s words were simple and I did not understand them fully when I was 9, they planted a tiny seed of faith in my heart that has grown, like a tree, throughout my life. My mother left a small legacy of words that made a deep impression on me. Proverbs 15:4 exemplifies this truth about the power of words: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Since then, I have believed that God is on my side. That He is for me, that He will take care of me. Those words have carried me through many a challenge in life. My mother gave me her words, and they have stayed with me my whole life, even as I can see my 70th year just ahead. How many of us carry in our hearts words that were spoken to us as children words that still hurt or words that carry God’s love right to our hearts? Words matter. We can leave messages of life and love with those we meet. Words are like food to our hearts, minds and souls. They have the potential to shape destinies, inspire courage and instill character. Words can express assurance of love, shape our emotional health and lay foundations of truth that hold us fast our whole lives. Our words have the power to pass on a legacy of faith. Shaping life-giving messages and building a legacy of unconditional love and faith requires intentionality. And it comes about as you give your words of affirmation to those around you as a habit of life.
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God Is Always Good
January 17, 2023
by Katie Faris
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (ESV)
Motherhood isn’t what I expected. It’s a whole lot more more joy and more sorrow While I know that being a mom is a wonderful calling, this role has also exposed my heart to the wounding arrows of pain and grief. From newborn-feeding issues to my children’s serious medical diagnoses, my motherhood journey has included detours I never expected. Maybe you navigate a child’s special needs, a teen’s rebellion or your own unique sorrows of motherhood. These are painful realities in our broken world, and all the “feels” travel with them. Sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, disappointment and so many more unwelcome guests appear on our hearts' doorsteps. Yet when life plays out differently than we hoped, in the big and the small, and our feelings are strong, sometimes we don’t feel God’s presence. Our sorrows can lead us to wonder, Where is God, and is He still good?
God designed us to feel deeply, which is wonderful, but our emotions aren’t reliable. We don’t live in Eden, and our bodies, relationships and circumstances experience the impacts of sin. Especially when life is difficult or unpredictable and we add some hormones our feelings are changeable. But here’s good news for our fluctuating hearts: God is still good, whether we feel like He is or not. Because He is good (and powerful and wise and all His other attributes), we can trust Him, even in our suffering. The apostle Paul wrote in our key verse, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
In other words, the whole Bible was written for our instruction and encouragement. Why?
So that even when we feel sad, confused or any number of other things, we might have hope. When our feelings scream loudly, we need bedrock truths about God, and those are found in His Word:
1. God is with us even when He feels far away. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
2. Challenging circumstances don’t mean God has forgotten us. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10, ESV)
3. Whether it feels like it or not, God is always good. “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7, ESV)
4. God is good when we don’t deserve it. “… God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Sisters, when life goes smoothly, it’s easier to say that God is good. However, when life is hard, it takes faith to trust Him. But it’s our faith even a little faith that pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6) Feeling (or not feeling) something doesn’t make it true. If I’d relied solely on my emotions when my newborn struggled to gain weight or my children were diagnosed, I don’t know where I’d be today. By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit used Scripture to encourage me and give me hope. He can do the same for you today.
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Receiving God’s Gifts in Others
January 20, 2023
by Jasmine Williams
“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 (CSB)
Last spring, we found ourselves in a muddy situation literally. We had unintentionally created 10 tiny ponds in our backyard and a huge safety hazard for the kids! See, my husband and I had come up with this exciting (and perhaps overly ambitious) idea to start a backyard orchard. On a whim, I ordered 10 fruit trees and started dreaming of picking my own apples. It was a lovely dream, but in reality, we dug 10 huge holes and then didn't have enough time to finish planting. It rained so much that week that by the time we got back outside, the holes were completely filled with muddy water. After trying unsuccessfully to scoop the water out with a 5-gallon bucket and use the hose as a siphon, my tired husband was about to head to the hardware store when I suggested he text our neighbor. We both felt a little silly about it. How often do you get a text saying, “Hey, do you have anything I can use to get water out of the huge holes in my yard?”
But he asked anyway, and to our surprise, our neighbor had the perfect solution! He’s into boats and had a pump that’s typically used to get water out of things like … well, boats. Who knew?!
We sure didn’t. For us, this was a wonderful reminder that God designed us to be in community. First Peter 4:10 says, “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”
I often look at verses like this and think only about my responsibility to help, but let’s consider the flip side of it: In community, we also get to be the recipients of God’s gifts in others. There are skills, crafts and hobbies we simply do not have but someone connected to us just might. While a co-worker’s love for painting or sewing may not come to mind in all situations, it's there for us to tap into when we do need it. That’s the power of community. We don’t have to individually possess every talent or have access to every resource we may need along the way. And God, being the good Father He is, loves when we do life with others and benefit from the blessings He’s placed in them. If I’m delighted when my kids help each other with schoolwork and chores, then God, who’s an infinitely better parent than I am, surely takes joy when we help one another. We’re all made better by the exchange of good ideas and resources. Looking at it this way, we see our individual imperfections give us an amazing opportunity. We get to feel more complete when we thrive alongside others, filling each other's gaps when needed. While my husband and I would’ve eventually found a way to empty those holes, our neighbor helped us do it in peace, with half the effort. In unity, we can strive less. Perhaps this is one reason Jesus said, “Take up my yoke and learn from me … and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30, CSB).
Being connected to Him also connects us to the greatness He has put in those who follow Him.
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What Holds the Key to Your Heart?
January 26, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Luke 18:22 (NIV)
I long to be a woman who follows hard after Jesus. I want the kind of soul-satisfying closeness that can only come from daily keeping pace with Him, not a life full of “good Christian” boxes I check off. The checklist can be such a tempting routine to fall into, can’t it?
Rules and regulations were an everyday reality for God’s people in the Old Testament. There were lists of do’s and don’ts to help sinful people maintain fellowship with a holy God. First the Ten Commandments. Then law after law about sacrifices and ceremonies, food and cleanliness. But in the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17-18) and turned everything upside down with His message of grace. A message that declares, “Following rules won’t get you into heaven. Being good won’t earn you bonus points. Lay down your checklists your agendas everything and follow Me. Believe in Me. Receive Me. Live like Me.”
It was a complete shift in thinking. One that left people perplexed, like the rich ruler in Luke 18. We first meet the rich ruler when he approached Jesus with a question: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18, NIV).
Jesus, already knowing this man’s checklist mindset, began naming several of the Ten Commandments. It was a list the rich ruler felt he had kept well. But Jesus had more to say: “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
It would be so easy to gloss over this moment and think Jesus was simply talking about money. But the words in this conversation are actually talking about something much deeper. The core issue Jesus was getting at is this: What holds the key to your heart?
Oh, how I want my answer to be this: “Jesus.”
I want to want Him the most. To live completely captured by His love. Enthralled with His teachings. Transformed into living proof of His Truth. There have been others who have gone before me desiring this as well. Imperfect heroes of faith we read about in the Bible who, despite their shortcomings, pleased God through faith. (Hebrews 11) It wasn’t perfect actions that carved a path to God’s heart. It was something else. Something less defined that couldn’t be outlined or dissected. Something that was sometimes messy and offensive. But something so precious at the same time. Surrender letting go of anything pulling them away from God. It’s a word used to describe a little girl leaping from the bed’s edge, completely confident her daddy will catch her. It’s the same thing that fueled David’s courageous run toward Goliath with nothing but a sling and five smooth stones. It’s what fueled Joshua. And Moses. And Noah. And Paul. And it’s the one thing Jesus was asking of the rich ruler. Not a life lived perfectly but a heart of perfect surrender. So this is the prayer I’m saying today: Everything I have. Everything I own. Everything I hope for. Everything I fear. Everything I love. Everything I dream. It's all Yours, Jesus. I trust You in complete and utter surrender. Sadly, this was the one thing this man felt he could not offer. He stood on the edge of everything uncertain, with the arms of all certainty waiting to catch him. And he just couldn’t jump; he lived his life entangled in lesser things. He was not captured by, enthralled with or transformed into living proof of the reality of Jesus. And so he walked away from the only One who could ever truly satisfy his soul. Oh, friends. Let’s not allow this to be the tragedy of our lives. Let’s be captured by Jesus’ love, enthralled with His teachings and transformed into living proof of His Truth. Let’s live with abandon and fully trust Him. The life that follows Jesus with surrender and trust is the life that gets to experience His presence, His provision, His promises, His soul-satisfying abundance.
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God’s Not Afraid of My Pain
January 27, 2023
by Alicia Bruxvoort
“O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.” (Psalm 38:9, ESV)
She’d been dancing in the kitchen before she disappeared. She’d twirled and tangoed to the music as I scrubbed the breakfast dishes, but when her feet slipped, her peal of giggles gave way to a squall of sobs. And with a sad shriek, the pirouetting princess stumbled out of the room. I dropped the dishrag in my hand and headed upstairs. It wasn’t the first time I’d gone looking for our resident preschooler. And it wouldn’t be the last. This precious girl had come to live with my family while hers was in crisis. Though she'd found refuge under our roof, my arms weren’t the comfort she sought in times of anguish. So she often chose isolation over consolation. I found her tucked in a corner of her bedroom, head buried in her hands, shoulders drooping low. I settled on the floor across from her and spoke quietly: “I’m right here.”
I extended my arms in an unspoken invitation to hold her, but she turned away with an angry-eyed harrumph. It was tempting to be frustrated, but I also recognized myself in her prickly posture and guarded heart. After all, little girls aren’t the only ones who withdraw when life hurts. I, too, have sat alone in my sadness and detached in my disappointment. More often than not, when my heart is aching, I’m prone to run from God instead of toward Him. But lately, I’m discovering a different way. When I’m tempted to run and hide, I turn to the psalms in Scripture and let the words of the psalmists serve as my gentle guide. And as I follow their example, I’m learning the ache in my heart need not keep me from the comfort of God. What the psalmists knew and what I’m finding, too is that God’s invitation to draw near (James 4:8) isn’t limited to epic moments of worship or poignant times of praise. His summons stands even when we can’t. The vulnerable expression of lament in Psalm 38:9 reminds me I don't need to disguise my despair or misery “O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.”
I can give God more than my worship; I can bring Him my wounds as well. Sometimes turning to God in our pain looks like vulnerable scribbles in our journal. Other times, it looks like naming our disappointment or voicing the hard questions that spill from sadness. And once in a while it looks like tears falling fast without words as we trust the Holy Spirit to say what we can’t articulate. (Romans 8:26) No matter how we bring our lament to God, when we dare to follow in the steps of the grievers and believers before us, we meet hope in the midst of our hurting. And best of all, pain doesn’t get the last word. Rather than carving a canyon between God’s heart and ours, our ache paves a path right into His presence. I was still sitting on the floor when the dancing girl lifted her head and narrowed the space between us with a quiet crawl. “I’m sad and I’m mad,” she muttered.
“I know,” I murmured as she climbed into my lap and buried her head in my arms.
I held her close and hoped my presence spoke louder than my words: “It’s OK to cry. I’m not afraid of your pain.”
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You Are Not Enough (And You Were Never Meant To Be)
January 31, 2023
by Meghan Mellinger
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
A friend told me the other day that I’m highly favored and loved by God. I didn’t believe it. Me?
Highly favored?
My life is like an amusement park ride sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down, sometimes a screw pops out of something important, and someone’s putting up caution tape. The only consistency for me is always being stressed, sleepy and hungry. The things I know I need to do?
I haven’t done them. The things I know I shouldn’t do?
I've done them all. No matter how hard I try or how many social media tutorials I’ve watched, my performance always falls short. Why would a perfect God love someone so imperfect?
Because God is love. Which makes these famous scriptures on the topic of love a clear snapshot of our God: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
We’ve perhaps heard this passage at weddings and seen it crocheted on pillows, but it changes the game when we think of God this way, doesn’t it?
Because Jesus lived and loved perfectly, God loves His people without conditions or a checklist to satisfy. He’s not keeping score or holding a grudge against His children. His love is perfect. And it’s free. The price for it has already been paid in full by Jesus on the cross, and we don’t have to perform perfectly to earn it. This is a perfect love from a perfect God, given as a gift to imperfect people. Seems too good to be true, right?
It’s hard for us to believe this because the version of love we see every day is conditional. It’s a love based off of the numbers on the scale or the numbers in our bank accounts. Swipe left or swipe right if you don’t measure up, you’re not worthy. If you don’t get the grades or the job, you’re not enough. The truth is: We are not enough. The good news is: We were never meant to be. This means we are free free from our fears, our obsession with performance, our unrealistic expectations. We will always fall short, but God isn’t keeping a tally of every mishap and slip-up to condemn His people. He offers forgiveness. God doesn’t need our performance He wants our surrender. He wants us to give up trying to earn our worth and instead believe what is unfair and undeserved: We are unconditionally loved. We are redeemed by His sacrifice. We are highly favored when we walk with Him. We are not enough, but His love is. And that’s the beauty of the gospel message. Let’s believe it and receive it today.
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When God Gives You More Than You Can Handle
February 2, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)
I felt sure there had to be some sort of awful mistake. I had no family history of breast cancer. I was young(ish) and healthy. And I was already walking through an incredibly hard season that was making life feel impossibly heavy. Yet there I was, sitting in a pink chair, wondering what you’re supposed to do after you get a cancer diagnosis. I kept thinking about that statement everyone loves to throw out in times like these: “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
But that’s not actually in the Bible. God does say He won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and that He always provides a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13) But that’s not the same as God not giving us more than we can handle. God didn’t cause my cancer. But He was allowing it. And He sometimes will allow more and more. As I type these words, I know I’m not the only one who feels they’ve been given more than they can handle. The world is filled with people who are dealt more than they can handle. And, surprisingly, so is the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:8-9, NIV).
No, God doesn’t expect us to “handle” everything we’re facing. He wants us to hand it over to Him. He doesn’t want us to rally more of our own strength. He wants us to rely solely on His strength. If we keep walking around thinking God won’t give us more than we can handle, we set ourselves up to be suspicious of God. We know we’re facing things that are too much for us. After my diagnosis, I had some really difficult days. I needed God to show me His perspective so I could set my perspective. But it didn’t come right away. And that frustrated me. I was filled with fear and questions like, Why this?
Why now?
Why me?
The story I started telling myself was that life would never get any better. But while I was thinking about everything I didn’t know I wasn’t getting anywhere. So I started listing things I did know. And the main thing I know?
I know God is good. I didn’t know the details of God’s good plan, but I could make His goodness the starting place to renew my perspective. So now let me tell the story of the recent events in my life using God’s goodness as the central theme. Because I had a mammogram at the exact time an appointment was available, the doctors caught a cancer early on that needed to be caught. And because they caught a cancer that needed to be caught, I had every fighting chance to beat this cancer. And to God be the glory that I am now cancer free.bbYou see, we’re all living out a story, but then there’s the story we tell ourselves. We just need to make sure we’re telling ourselves the right story. Yes, God will give us more than we can handle. But He always has eventual good in mind. We don’t have to like it, but maybe knowing this can help us live through it.
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A Battle Plan for the Weary
February 6, 2023
by Meredith Houston Carr
“For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12b-c (ESV)
As my husband drove us home from marriage counseling, I sat quietly and ruminated on the list of books and exercises we’d been recommended. Exhaling deeply, I tried to rid myself of a nagging thought: I am just too tired to do this anymore. Month after month, we’d done what “good Christian couples” were supposed to do: seek counseling, have date nights, express feelings in a calm manner, etc. But it wasn’t enough, and we found ourselves wrangling the same issues over and over. Exhaustion set in, and I simply didn’t know how to keep fighting or if I even could. I wonder if you’re also fighting a seemingly endless battle that’s leaving you empty. Maybe it’s a prodigal child or a dead-end job or a difficult diagnosis. Or maybe you, too, are fighting for your marriage, but a tidal wave of fear drowns out any sense of progress. You’ve done everything you know to do, but the battle rages on and you’ve got no more fight left in you. Thankfully, the Bible is full of stories where God showed up and showed off in the midst of His children’s battles. Today’s scripture comes from 2 Chronicles 20, which details the story of the Israelite King Jehoshaphat and the dire situation he faced. After being fiercely pursued by relentless enemies, God’s people were exhausted and confused. However, instead of planning a typical military approach, Jehoshaphat called an assembly and led the people through a different “battle plan” of sorts a three-step process that we, too, can implement:
1. Seek the Lord through honest, vulnerable prayer. Though perhaps, as king, he “should” have had all the answers, today’s key verse details how Jehoshaphat readily admitted his weakness: “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12b-c).
Don’t you love this relatable prayer?
It’s one we can pray over our trials too. When weariness and confusion surround us, let’s keep our knees down in prayer and our eyes up to heaven.
2. Worship through the fear and doubt. Jehoshaphat and “all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD” (2 Chronicles 20:18, ESV).
In the face of fear and fierce enemies, they chose to sing songs of worship and praise anyway. Praising God in the presence of the enemy is an act of faith that pleases the Holy Spirit, who fights for us and with us in our battles!
3. Trust God’s direction; then move forward in faith. God answered Jehoshaphat’s powerful petition with clear direction: “Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17, ESV).
The people faithfully obeyed, and as promised, God showed up and miraculously delivered the enemy into their hands!
However God chooses to work specifically in our battles, we can trust that His heart is always good toward us. It’s been years since my husband and I battled for our marriage, and I can confidently say there was never a day God failed to provide what we needed to keep fighting. Dear one, whatever battles you’re facing, God will meet you on the battlefield. And He’s full of the strength you lack. Today, may we pray, worship and trust and fight the good fight another day.
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God Doesn’t Work by Coincidence
February 7, 2023
by Tracie Miles
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NLV)
I nervously typed up the email and reviewed it a few more times for accuracy. For more than a year, I had been working on this new project. But now I knew it was time to trust God, move forward and spread the word rather than continue to let fear and procrastination keep me stuck. As my fingers hovered hesitantly over the keyboard, I finally hit the “send” button. And off it went. A sense of anxiousness came over me but was quickly interrupted by a quiet voice stirring in my spirit. What is today’s date, Tracie?
God whispered. Perplexed, I glanced at the calendar and was instantly taken aback. It was not until that very moment that my eyes were opened and I realized the significance of the date. It had been exactly seven years, to the day, since my 26-year marriage imploded and my entire life turned upside down. My thoughts were instantly drawn back to the painful memories, overwhelming emotions and crippling fears that had brought me to my knees on that unforgettable, traumatic day seven years ago. But God quickly shifted my thoughts and helped me refocus. I certainly hadn’t planned on kicking off my new business project on this particular day, and at first I thought, It's just a coincidence. But was it?
As I pondered this, God calmed my anxiousness and gently reminded me that over the past seven years, He had turned my life around completely, exchanged my sadness for joy, and transformed my pain into purpose. In His perfect timing, He had brought me to a place where I never thought I would find myself healed, restored and filled with passion for a purpose I never even imagined. I immediately recalled how, in Scripture, the number seven often symbolizes a sense of fullness or completeness. In fact, throughout the Bible, the number seven appears 735 times, and it often references the holy works of God, repeatedly serving as proof of the perfection and beauty God orchestrates. In today’s key verse, we read that “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
This verse reminds us that all things are crafted by God including time. He is behind all things and the way they will turn out. It also reminds us that everything happens exactly when it should. Not by chance or irony but by a divine plan beyond our comprehension. On this day ordained by God, after experiencing a devastating heartbreak I thought I’d never recover from, I stepped out in faith, pushed past my insecurities and pursued a dream God laid on my heart. I had no idea this was the day God had appointed for me to take this leap of faith. But it was. Certainly not a coincidence, this had been planned long before my time on earth even began. My faith soared, and this evidence of God’s sovereignty reminded me to put all my trust in Him for all things. Always. Why?
Because nothing is random with God. He had been divinely orchestrating behind the scenes to turn my ashes into beauty, in His perfect timing, exactly seven years later. God is in the process of perfectly planning out your life as well, in a way only He can. Trust that He is in the details, and believe with all your heart that one day you’ll see His perfect plan for you fall into place. I promise it will cause your heart and your faith to soar.
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When You Feel Insecure or Uncertain
February 13, 2023
by Meghan Ryan
“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'” Ruth 1:16 (NIV)
It had only been a week since I moved to a different city where I didn’t know anyone. A new co-worker had invited me to her friend’s house for a party. I was thankful for the invitation but simultaneously felt nervous. The bubbles in my stomach got progressively worse the entire way there as I followed my GPS and silently questioned my choice of outfit. When I arrived at the unfamiliar house and timidly walked through the front door, my mind filled with questions: Would these become the people I called my friends?
Would they like me?
Walking into a party full of people I didn’t know is a small example of a bigger fear lying underneath, in the deeper places in my heart that were full of unknowns, unanswered prayers, uncertain outcomes and unending time of waiting. Will God be faithful to me in this new season?
Moving scared me, and leaving behind a life I loved for one I knew nothing about made me feel vulnerable. Vulnerability exposes how we are hiding, but it also exposes us to hard things we’ve been hiding from. In this case, it showed what I really put my trust in and it wasn’t always God. Maybe you’re in a place that has made you question God’s faithfulness toward you. Whether in a specific circumstance we are facing or across years of wondering where God is and what He is doing, it can be easy to cling to whatever is around us to make us feel safe and steady. When those things are no longer there, where do we turn?
This is why I admire Ruth so much. When she spoke the words of today’s key verse to her mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth chose to leave behind her entire life and everything familiar to her: “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Ruth left her people and home to follow Naomi and a God she barely knew. And the place she moved to did not typically welcome Moabites like her, as they were considered enemies of God’s people. But she trusted God’s faithfulness without knowing what the outcome would be. How did she do it?
1. She committed to go and stay where God called her. Regardless of whether or not she would be accepted, she decided to believe God would be with her. She didn’t wait for Him to show up in a huge way; she simply followed where she thought He was leading.
2. She chose to cling to God as her God. When it would have been easier to follow after the false gods and life she knew in Moab, she placed her identity in God. Regardless of what was ahead of her, she trusted Him.
Like Ruth, we have a choice: to cling to what is comfortable and familiar for our security or to trust God. We can look to His Word and His character, which have proven He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. Not just for Ruth but for you and me too. When we feel insecure, God’s promises are sure. When we feel uncertain, God’s faithfulness remains. When you look back at your life, where do you see glimpses of God’s faithfulness?
They may not be big, extravagant instances, but if you are alive and reading this today, it’s proof God has been faithful in His pursuit of you. The ultimate proof of God’s faithfulness is in Jesus. The same Jesus who was born through the lineage of Ruth’s family is going to make all things new in this world. (Revelation 21:5) When you find yourself insecure and uncertain, remember: God is faithful, and we can cling to Him.
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The Confidence To Believe You Belong
February 17, 2023
by Brenda Bradford Ottinger
“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” Psalm 139:16-17 (NLT)
It was my first day at a new school midyear, in a place where everyone knew each other and no one knew me. Naive and 9 years old, I had yet to understand the insecurity that clothed my spirit. From my first timid step off the school bus that day till the final bell rang after class, I wore a long red coat totally extra for the wink of winter a southern U.S. season contains. Walking unfamiliar halls as the new girl wearing a bulky red coat, indoors and out, can set you apart in a way that doesn’t serve your social life well; I don’t recommend it. Yet my antsy insecurity found comfort in my cocoon of a coat that day. Despite the awkward start, eventually I lost my timidity in that new school, but never would I lose the insecurity that gripped my spirit. Long have I lacked an innate confidence to believe I belong. As the years grew, I sensed God working in my life and trusted He had plans for me. Yet I still struggled to confidently enter any space believing I was enough to belong. This mistaken mindset began to shed its grip on me, however, when God met me in the center of my insecurity one day and traded new life for old lies. That day, as I attempted to skim over a familiar Bible passage, the Lord prompted me to linger with the words rather than rush past them, and I read these truths afresh: “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” (Psalm 139:16-17).
And in the quiet of that moment, I felt a freedom I hadn’t known before, as the truth of God’s eternal heart for me covered my spirit with a comfort like no other. In this passage, David declared to God, “You saw me before I was born,” recognizing that before he’d ever spied a ray of light or cried a breath of life, his very person was intimately known by God.
This is our confidence: Before we had an earthly identity, God regarded us! Before oxygen filled our lungs, the Lord laid out every moment of our lives according to His purpose. God hasn’t simply recorded the hours we’ve already spent; rather, from the second He sketched our identities to the futures we’ve yet to reach, He has borne witness to it all. We can confidently believe we belong anywhere He places us because the Ancient of Days, our eternal God, has made it His business to know and adore us and to tenderly record His trustworthy plans for us. May we reject the enemy’s lie that we’re not enough to belong, for our confidence is grounded in God’s authority as we walk together with Him into every space He’s already prepared for us. No earthly brand of belonging can compare to the belonging we have in God. Dear friend, the God who saw you ahead of your birth whose precious thoughts about you are greater than numbers can contain recorded purpose for you long before your life existed in time! You can shed every lie of insecurity that drapes your spirit today and walk confidently in the truth that your story is already sealed in God’s book. You are a woman precious to your Maker, and you belong where He places you, for you enter with the authority of His divine script.
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Stringing the Pearls of Your Beautiful Story
February 22, 2023
by Beth Moore
“… the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV)
The most precious keepsake in my jewelry drawer is a string of my mother’s pearls. They were a gift to her from my father in the second decade of their marriage. Imagining her wide-eyed, opening a fancy box and finding a string of real pearls inside, always makes me smile. For one thing, it was the only piece of jewelry she owned, besides a humble wedding ring, that wasn’t costume jewelry. For a second thing, my parents had a rocky marriage, and I cherish hints of happy seasons. The clasp on the necklace is old and weak, so I’m too afraid to wear the pearls. Still, I hold them often, rolling them with my fingertips, and think of my mom. And her mom. And my daughters. And my daughter’s daughters. All of us women who’ve longed to find beautiful lives even after fairy tales proved fraudulent. The pearls are yellowed now, perhaps from age, but I smile as I wonder if a blend of cigarette smoke, cologne and Clairol hair color might have contributed. Life has a way of rubbing off on our pearls, doesn’t it?
I’ve spent the last year or so looking back over my life. A common inclination of those who reach that famous age benchmark of 65 suggests wrongly, I believe that it’s all downhill from here. But I savor life and relationships more than ever and find myself more secure and at deeper peace. The words of Scripture are so dear to me after all the years of looking to God through them that I often can’t read my Bible without tears welling up. My soul still teems with life and purpose, but let’s admit I’m at a fine age for praying Psalm 90:12: “… teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (NKJV).
As I looked back over the past year, I drew a timeline from my birthdate to the present. I placed bold dots where the most life-shaping events or seasons of my journey took place whether positive or negative and labeled them. Until now, I’d been reluctant to take a sequential look back because, in my thinking, it had all been such a jumbled mess. Too much pain and failure. Too much sin and defeat. Too many tears and regrets. But an uncanny thing became clear to me: how often something wonderfully providential came next to something wildly painful. So many hard things have happened, but goodness and mercy have indeed followed me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6) That timeline became a string to me, and those dots became pearls. I realized that each element bad or good had caused the “one pearl of great price,” as God’s Kingdom is called in Matthew 13:46, to increase in value to me. “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)
Have you, like me, needed Jesus so badly?
Looking back, was He there for you, even if you see Him only in hindsight?
Did those life-shaping things ultimately increase, in your eyes, the surpassing value of the one thing no one can take from you?
Then, lo and behold, you did find a beautiful life, one that will only increase in worth with time and trust. Faith is the clasp on your string of pearls. Faith in Christ and His power to redeem your life will keep those pearls from getting lost.
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How Can I Really Live a Life That Pleases God?
February 23, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence ..." 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
When my kids were growing up, we spent a week each summer at a camp tucked in the Adirondack Mountains. It was an amazing getaway. Nature erupts with untarnished beauty in those mountains and begs to be explored. So one year, when my exercise-loving friends, with whom we vacationed, suggested we join them for a moderate hike, we agreed. It didn't take long for me to discover that their definition of the word “moderate” and mine didn't come from the same dictionary. I pictured a path with a gentle, winding, upward slope. What we actually hiked involved a full-on upward scaling of rocks and roots. I pushed. I pulled. I strained. I huffed and puffed. And I might have even spent a few minutes pouting. Going up against the pull of gravity was hard. Really, really hard. But coming down was a completely different experience. We navigated the same rocks and roots without feeling nearly as stressed. I actually even enjoyed the journey as I noticed more of the beautiful surroundings. Though we took the exact same path both directions, going with the flow of gravity made the journey so much better. And about halfway down the trail, it occurred to me how similar this hike was to the Christian walk. We can either walk in the flow of God's power or out of it. Scripture leaves no doubt that our God is a God of great power. This fact is made clear throughout the New Testament in passages like Luke 1:35, where we read that God's power overshadowed the young virgin Mary and allowed her to carry Jesus. Mark 14:62 proclaims that the resurrected Jesus now sits “at the right hand of Power” (ESV). And Romans 1:20 declares that creation itself makes God's power undeniable. How incredible it is, then, to read in 2 Peter 1:3 that “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence …”
God’s divine power is available to us. To you and me. Right now, through the knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus that we find everything we need to live a godly life. Of course, I realize godliness in the midst of a world overflowing with sin, pain and corruption may feel like a daunting and impossible feat. That's why I'm so thankful Peter lets us know that godliness in the midst of great darkness is possible. Because of Jesus, we can escape “the corruption that is in the world” (2 Peter 1:4, ESV).
Jesus is our source of life and godliness. We don't have to fight an uphill battle on our own to live good and pure lives. We don't have to exhaust ourselves as we try to muster up as much goodness as we possibly can. The Christian life has never been about what we can do in our own power. It's about fully stepping into the grace-filled flow of His power. This, friends, is what it really looks like to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Do you feel exhausted from trying to be good enough?
Does living a life that is pleasing to God feel impossibly hard?
Well, I have good news for you today. Jesus never once says, “Perform for Me to save yourself.”
Instead, He tenderly whispers, “Draw near to Me.” (James 4:8)
He wants us to learn from Him. He wants us to discover who He is and all that we have in Him. He wants us to cling to the precious promises He has given us and receive from Him all we need to live for Him today.
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Experiencing the Calm You Crave
February 27, 2023
by Karen Ehman
“Say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Don’t be afraid or cowardly because of these two smoldering sticks, the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and the son of Remaliah.” Isaiah 7:4 (CSB)
It’s that phone call in the middle of the night as the parent of a rebellious teen. Or it’s the loss of a close friendship over a misunderstanding. Maybe it is the sudden sickness of an aging parent or a criticism from your co-worker delivered unexpectedly at work. So many moments in time can threaten to steal our peace of mind and cause worry to seep into our souls. On those days when I start to fret, I’d like to say that I quickly “put my Jesus on,” taking my worries to the Lord in prayer. But if I’m being honest, the first thing I typically think about doing is chatting about it with my husband or a friend. I’m always certain they will give me some great advice that will help to calm my fears. But the words of counsel from those at the top of my contacts list aren’t the only reason I want to pick up the phone to call them. It also has to do with my own words. You see, when I start to feel worry welling up in my heart, my lips want a piece of the action. I just can’t seem to stop talking about my troubles at hand! And sometimes my talking turns into complaining. It can be healthy to talk about what weighs us down, especially with a godly friend, spouse or counselor, as it allows us to see all sides of a situation and process our emotions. However, complaints and gossip are counterproductive. (James 5:9) In the seventh chapter of Isaiah, we happen upon the Old Testament prophet Isaiah conveying a message from God to King Ahaz regarding a troubling situation in Israel. Thankfully, Isaiah's message was one of reassurance. Even though the two invading kings, Rezin and Aram “smoldering sticks” were threatening, ultimately they would not prevail (Isaiah 7:4). God spoke to Isaiah in today’s key verse: “Say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Don’t be afraid or cowardly because of these two smoldering sticks, the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and the son of Remaliah” (Isaiah 7:4).
Isaiah’s script for the little pep talk began with this five-word directive: “Calm down and be quiet” (Isaiah 7:4a).
The original Hebrew word shamar used in this verse means “to be careful, to watch, to take note and to wait” (or “calm down”). And the meaning of the Hebrew word shaqat, translated “be quiet,” means “to refrain from making noise, to be peaceful, pacified, to be at rest, or to be undisturbed.”
When facing trying times, our hearts and minds don’t naturally go to a place of peaceful rest. We aren’t elated to watch and wait. And our souls are far from undisturbed. But this passage isn’t saying these feelings and actions are our initial and innate response. Far from it. They are thoughts and actions we must purposefully pursue. When we determine to center our minds on God rather than on the problem at hand, we can experience the calm He offers us. When we fix our eyes on God and watch Him work, the Lord will help us not to be shaken or unsettled. Next, Isaiah was to deliver a second five-word sermon: “Don’t be afraid or cowardly …” (Isaiah 7:4b).
While the Hebrew equivalent of “afraid” has the same meaning as our English word, the Hebrew word for “cowardly” (rakak) is more nuanced. This verb refers to growing soft, weak or fainthearted. When the worries and cares of life begin to make us fear weakening our resolve and causing us to be faint of heart may we remember this ancient advice from God to the king: to calm down and be quiet. It worked for King Ahaz, and it can benefit us today. Instead of making noise with our mouths by grumbling to a friend to try to solve our problems, let’s decide we will honor God in our conversations. And we will look to the Lord to find rest and discover His peace. Only when we do that will we finally find our hearts undisturbed. Let’s bend our knees in prayer before grabbing the phone, taking our cares to King Jesus first.
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God Will Hold You
February 28, 2023
by Tracie Braylock
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
She came into the hospital for a major operation that involved multiple surgeons and skill sets. When I entered her room, she was alone, yet she seemed so calm and at ease. As the operating-room nurse who would care for her during her surgery, I grabbed her hand, and she smiled up at me from the stretcher. Maybe it was a strong desire for relief that made her appear undisturbed about what was to come, or maybe she was this serene every day, but I found myself in awe of her bravery. This woman was from another country, and we could not speak each other’s languages. What she was facing was very serious, and she was surrounded by people she couldn't even communicate with. Later, as I watched her complicated operation unfold, I knew that even if we had spoken the same language, there were no words I could have offered her. All I could do was hold her hand and pray. My friend, you might be struggling right now with what appears to be a monumental obstacle. It might seem like no matter how many people you’ve encountered, no one can even offer up words to guide you through. You may feel like you alone are face to face with your pain. But I want to remind you of what Isaiah 41:13 says: “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
In the midst of your struggle and suffering, remember God is with you. He is holding your hand and reminding you not to fear. He will indeed help you. You are not alone in this life or your situation. And even when it seems like there’s no one around who you can communicate with, no one who understands what you’re going through, God is with you. He cares, and He understands. No diagnosis, divorce, disappointment or defeat is too big for Him to handle, so “let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
We can surrender our burdens, our stress and our worry to God today. And after we’ve made it through these life-altering situations, looking on with awe at all we’ve survived, we can be sure to give God the glory for all He’s held us through.
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8 Ways the Holy Spirit Helps When Marriage Is Painful
March 1, 2023
by Dannah Gresh
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7 (ESV)
Has your marriage ever been in a place where you barely knew how to pray?
Mine has. My husband’s fierce battle with lust and pornography once knocked me to my knees. At times, the only prayer that formed on my lips was, Lord, help! And He did. God has written a redemption story in the marriage of Bob and Dannah Gresh that I could never have dreamed of. We worked hard, of course. And we used many tools to help us work through what we were walking through, including clinically informed and biblically grounded therapists, godly friends, support groups, and the slow passage of time. But nothing and no one helped me more than the precious Holy Spirit. Have you experienced His power?
Jesus said this about the Spirit: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).
Jesus had close friends and followers when He walked on this earth. Perhaps no one other than His mother would have felt the acute pain of His departure more than these individuals. But our Savior told them it was to their advantage that He would leave them. How?
Because after Jesus went away, He sent the Helper the Holy Spirit. And think about this: With intention and purpose, God chose when you would be born. (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:15-16) He placed you and me onto the planet during this time, ever so short in the scheme of things, when it is to our “advantage” that Jesus is not here in the flesh. We get to experience the goodness and help of the Holy Spirit! During my time of pain, I pulled together some scriptures to give me understanding of how the Holy Spirit provides support no matter our need. I then considered how these truths applied to a wife when her marriage was painful. As I kept my eyes open to see Him at work, I experienced eight ways the Spirit helps us through marriage trauma.
1. He comes alongside us to advocate for us. (John 14:26, NIV; John 15:26, NIV)
2. He intercedes for us when we run out of words to pray for ourselves. (Romans 8:26)
3. He opens our minds to understand the Scriptures, something we may need a lot of help with when our brains are hijacked by trauma. (John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-18)
4. He helps us experience freedom from anything that holds us in bondage, including fear, bitterness or hypervigilance. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
5. He leads us into Truth, helping us bypass all the confusing lies. (John 16:13)
5. He works to lead us and make us more like Jesus in everything we do rather than reacting to our husbands out of our emotion and fear. (Romans 8:14-16)
6. He sweetly convicts us and our husbands of sin so we can confess and find freedom. (John 16:8)
7. He helps us, our husbands, and others in the body of Christ to experience unity of heart and mind. (Acts 4:31-32)
The Spirit’s help makes all the difference when your body and soul need some extra care because your heart is in trauma. Call upon Him. The Spirit is able to help you as you seek redemption and healing in your marriage.
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Inviting God Into Our Pain
March 2, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8a (ESV)
In a recent season of my life, I felt like the heartbreak I was experiencing was going to break me. The pain hit me with such sudden and sharp force that it felt like it cut through skin and bone. And it left me wondering if I’d ever be able to function like a normal person again. Through that season, and even now, God has been tenderly reminding me that pain itself is not the enemy. Pain is the indicator that brokenness exists. Pain is the reminder that the real enemy is trying to take us out and bring us down by keeping us stuck in broken places. If we can grasp God’s perspective, pain can be the gift that motivates us to fight with tenacity and fierce determination, knowing there’s healing on the other side. And in the in-between?
In that desperate place where we aren’t quite on the other side of it all and our heart still feels quite raw?
Even still, pain is an invitation for God to move in and replace our faltering strength with His power. Now, I’m not writing this to throw out spiritual platitudes that sound good; I write it from the depth of a heart that knows it’s the only way. We must invite God into our pain to help us survive the desperate in-between. The only other choice is to run from the pain by using some method of numbing. But numbing the pain with food, achievements, drugs, alcohol or scrolling on social media never goes to the source of the real issue to make us healthier. It only silences our screaming need for help. We think we’re freeing ourselves from the pain when, in reality, what numbs us imprisons us. If we avoid the hurt, the hurt creates a void in us. It slowly kills the potential for our hearts to fully feel, fully connect, fully love again. It even steals the best in our relationship with God. Pain is the sensation that indicates a transformation is needed. There’s a weakness where new strength needs to enter. And we must choose to pursue long-term strength rather than temporary relief. So how do we get this new strength?
When the deepest parts of us scream for some relief, how do we stop ourselves from chasing what will numb us?
How do we stop the piercing pain of this minute, this hour?
We invite God’s closeness. For me, during this painful season of my life, this meant praying constantly. No matter how vast our pit of despair, prayer is big enough to fill us with the realization of His presence like nothing else does. Our key verse today (James 4:8a) reminds us that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. When we invite Him to come close, He always accepts our invitation. And on the days when my heart feels hurt and my words feel quite flat, I let Scripture guide my prayers recording His Word in my journal and then adding my own personal thoughts. No matter where you are today knee-deep in heartbreak, taking steps of healing or in the desperate in-between today is a great day to invite God to come closer. One of my personal favorite Bible passages to turn to is Psalm 91. I would love to share a verse and a prayer with you as an example for how you can prayerfully invite God into your own pain:
Verse: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, NIV).
Prayer: Lord, draw me close. Your Word promises when I draw close to You, You are there. I want my “drawing close” to be a permanent dwelling place. I am not alone because You are with me. I am not weak because Your strength is infused in me. I am not empty because I’m drinking daily from Your fullness. You are my dwelling place. And in You, I have shelter from every stormy circumstance and harsh reality. I’m not pretending the hard things don’t exist, but I am rejoicing in the fact that Your covering protects me and prevents those hard things from affecting me like they used to. You, the Most High, have the final say over me. You know me and love me intimately. And today I declare I will trust You in the midst of my pain. You are my everyday dwelling place, my saving grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Friend, even if you only have a few moments to draw near to God through prayer today, I promise you’ll end up feeling a lot less desperate and a lot more whole. If we let Him enter into the darkness of our hurt today, He will open wide the door to a much brighter tomorrow.
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God’s Comfort for Our Father Wounds
March 7, 2023
by Kia Stephens
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
My relationship with my father always seemed to be a work in progress, but I was still excited to see him. Whenever my little family of four took a road trip to my home state, spending time with my father was always on the itinerary. With each visit, I had high hopes that we would grow closer, know one another better, and build the father-daughter relationship I longed for. On one visit in the heat of summer, I wore my natural hair in an Afro puff. This was my summer go-to style: a quick solution for my tightly coiled strands in the Texas humidity. I thought I was looking good until my father, oblivious to the impact of his words, said, “When are you going to get your hair done?”
I had so many internal responses swirling around in my brain. What?
Why is my hair important?
I’ve traveled more than 800 miles to spend time with you, and you’re concerned about my hair! It wasn’t just the words he said but the words I had never heard him say that magnified the moment. I was a 30-something-year-old woman, and there were things he had never said to me:
“You are beautiful.”
“You are special.”
“You are loved.”
That day, his words were a reminder of the chasm that existed between us. He did not understand me, nor did I understand him. We were like strangers meeting for the first time. His words exasperated the reality that I had father wounds, and my heart was broken all over again. What do we do when our hearts are damaged in the same place, by the same person, multiple times?
How are we supposed to heal?
Whereas curling up in the fetal position and licking our wounds may sound like a good idea, I’m grateful God has provided encouragement we can glean from the pages of Scripture. Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
These were David’s words at a time when he was on the run from King Saul. After David defeated Goliath, he was given a high rank in the army. Eventually, Saul became jealous of David’s military success and attempted to kill him on numerous occasions. I imagine this experience was very painful for David. He may have questioned why this was happening to him. He may have wondered what he did to deserve the betrayal of Saul, his king someone David held in high regard. When David penned the words of Psalm 34, he was deeply acquainted with overwhelming sorrow. He understood what it meant to have his heart broken into pieces and his spirit crushed. David’s truthful, encouraging psalm is applicable to every person who has ever been enveloped by the weight of a broken heart. God is near He is not far off, aloof or somewhere in the distance, unconcerned with our pain. When we feel alone and isolated, God’s presence is close to us. Not only is God near, but He also saves us. This salvation is not limited to our soul's iniquities but also encompasses our heart's prolonged pain. God saves every place where our spirits are seemingly crushed beyond repair. God’s salvation includes our minds, wills and emotions. He saves every part of us. When our hearts are broken and our spirits are crushed, God is our deliverer. This has been true for me, and it is also true for you. I never told my dad how his words impacted me on that summer day. If he knew, he would be devastated because that was not his intention. I simply nursed my wounds across three states and clung tightly to the broken pieces of my heart. Over time, God met me in my painful place, just like He met David. He put the broken pieces of my heart back together. Friend, the most beautiful part is that the Lord’s nearness and salvation are ongoing. Every time our heart is broken or our spirit is crushed, we can bring all our broken pieces to Him, knowing He is near and able to save.
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Raising Kind Children Who Reflect the Heart of God
March 15, 2023
by Laura Wifler
“Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.” Romans 15:7 (CSB)
It was a hot July day, and we had picked up a few of my children’s friends to take them to the pool. My youngest daughter, who lives with intellectual disabilities, jabbered excitedly in the car, talking about water and goggles and pretzel bites (her favorite snack to get at the concession stand). But because of her speech delay, I was likely the only one who could understand what she was specifically talking about. As we pulled into the parking lot and piled out of the minivan, my daughter grabbed one of the friend’s hands and continued speaking enthusiastically to her, pointing at the pool and laughing as they walked in. “I can’t understand anything she’s saying,” the friend said to my older daughter, with a nervous laugh, as she tried to pull her hand away.
My older daughter, who is 7, replied, “She has disabilities. But you can still be friends with her. She makes a really good friend.”
As a mom to a child with global disabilities, I often see the discomfort children have when interacting with others who are different from them. I understand this! Even as adults, it’s natural to feel hesitant when observing behaviors or movements that we’re not used to. But God calls us, as believers, to move toward those who seem different from us and to extend kindness and compassion. What my 7-year-old daughter said that day to her friend was a deep truth that reflects God’s heart. “Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).
So how do we help our kids model God’s love for those with disabilities?
There are many ways, but here are four to get started:
1. Teach them about the Imago Dei.
Every person on the planet no matter their abilities has been made in the Imago Dei, or image of God, (Genesis 1:26-27) which means they have inherent dignity and value. The Imago Dei reminds us that it is a privilege to know another human being, and there is not one person who is not worthy of our time.
2. Help your child to see how they have sameness with another person.
Research shows that having diverse friendships is healthy and helps make children (and adults!) more well rounded and compassionate. But research also shows that no matter how different two people are, friendship is always formed on sameness. That might be a similar upbringing, a similar taste in movies, or a similar love for a certain type of food. By pointing out similarities, we can help our children see that they have sameness with those with disabilities. Maybe both children love dogs, or maybe they love playing tag, wearing the same color shirt, or even simply wanting to laugh and be included. Above all, we can show our children that no matter what, they have sameness with another person simply because of the Imago Dei.
3. Expose your children to various disabilities.
Sometimes, a child simply feels discomfort around disabilities because they haven’t been exposed to adaptive equipment or haven’t had different behaviors explained to them. Thankfully, these days there are a lot of positive representations of disabilities and adaptive equipment in books, shows and media that you can pause and take time to explain to children. In addition, when you see a person with disabilities, tell your children that you’ll explain and answer questions privately, later in the car or at home. Of course, if your child says or does something mean or rude (even unintentionally), it’s best to address it immediately.
4. As a parent, model God’s heart for those with disabilities.
As an adult, I sometimes need to be reminded of the truth my 7-year-old shared as well. “More is caught than taught,” as they say, and our children are watching to see if we have diverse friendships and live what we’re teaching them.
We won’t do this perfectly, but we can pray and ask God to show us whom He wants us to move toward and love, and then act accordingly. Because God loved us first, we can love others and see the beauty of His design in all people, no matter what they look like or how they act. As parents, we can teach our children to see all people the way God sees them with compassion, love and tenderness. Not just to create a kinder world (though that’s a good thing) but, more importantly, to reflect the heart of God welcoming others just as Christ welcomed us, to the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
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The Secret to Praying Without Ceasing
March 29, 2023
by Rachel Marie Kang
“pray without ceasing …” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
My memory takes me to New York: Topping Avenue at East 176th Street in the Bronx, a place that holds much meaning and has changed my practice of praying. We went there the whole group of us naive college students in a rickety 18-passenger van weekend after weekend. We arrived with everything we would need peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bags of chips, water bottles and sneakers. I remember our leader’s rugged face, wispy blonde hair and nonchalant demeanor as we stood looking up at the Bronx row houses bordered by stoops and sidewalks in all their grit and grace. An older couple opened their door, welcoming our group into their living room. Our leader introduced the host couple and explained the idea behind our mission. He called it “a mission on a shoestring,” meaning a mission on a budget, and he made sure we all knew we didn’t drive 25 miles from Nyack to the Bronx merely to go sightseeing in the city. While we’d eventually be working one-on-one to disciple youth, our first task wasn’t to preach, nor was it to “fix” things it wasn’t anything that might lead us to presume the needs of the people and places we’d soon encounter. Our first priority, our first earth-shattering assignment was to pray. “Walk and pray,” we were told. “Observe all that’s around you, and open your eyes and hearts to what the Holy Spirit might lead you to pray.”
We were encouraged to consider that all things especially small things could serve as prompts for prayer. Graffiti letters on walls: Lord, let Your Word be lifted high. A mother walking with her children: Lord, lead them to follow after You. A car blasting music like a boombox: Lord, may all hearts praise Your name. Could it really be?
Might these small, ordinary things which we might otherwise judge, complain about, dismiss or simply pass by really be invitations to see the world the way God does?
Can a flower pushing through dry dirt really prompt us to praise God?
Can toddler shoes by the door and broken streetlights still shining in the dark really prompt us to “pray without ceasing” as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says?
Fourteen years later, I still carry this lesson with me, and the mission is in my home. The mission is on a screen where I work and write. The mission is in the grocery store and with my friends and family. The mission is in me. My son’s abandoned shoe by the back door prompts me to pray: Lord, protect him everywhere he goes. Making the bed prompts me to pray: Lord, heal my heart and mend my marriage. Scrolling through folders and finding photos of family on my computer prompts me to pray: Lord, surround them with Your presence in my absence. Pills washed down with lukewarm water prompt me to pray: Lord, heal and help my body. The secret to praying without ceasing is seeing that anything is a prompt to pray. It’s trusting that there are countless reminders of God at work around us and endless opportunities to pray for the people and places He cares for. Praying without ceasing is a relentless act of releasing your cares into the care of a God who is available at all times, in all places, for all people. It’s the ordinary one-liners; it’s mere mumbles under the breath. And more than persistent petitioning, praying without ceasing is constant communion with the Creator of all. It’s limitless intimacy with the God who desires not just to help you but also simply to hear you.
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For the One Who’s Heard the Easter Story Countless Times
March 30, 2023
by Grace Valentine
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” Mark 15:15 (NIV)
Growing up, I heard the gospel often. But one Easter, I remember walking into church, singing the songs, hearing the verses read and feeling nothing. I used to be the girl sobbing in church when the pastor explained the gospel, feeling the Spirit during worship. But then, without me even realizing it, the Good News suddenly felt like old news. I could go through the motions of Easter and never take more than five minutes to thank God. Not only that, but sin had become more common for me. Overlooking the gospel caused me to overlook peace, conviction and joy. My selfish living was causing me restlessness. Many of us can acknowledge we have heard the gospel countless times. Many of us have heard that the Son of God was sent as a servant, and although He was flawless, He took on the punishment we deserve. Because He was a perfect sacrifice and suffered death on a cross, we can finally be forgiven. Three days later, His tomb was empty. He defeated death and was resurrected from the grave, so now we have the opportunity to believe in His death and resurrection and spend eternity in heaven. Or maybe you have never heard this before and if that’s the case, I invite you to read the gospel by starting in the book of John. And I invite you to accept Christ as your Savior and decide to follow Him! This message changed my life. However, in the midst of a busy life, errands and daily duties at work or school, I became numb to it. Suddenly, hearing and believing the gospel became something I put on my to-do list but easily skipped over.Is this true for you right now?
Maybe you kind of know Jesus, at least in your head, but when temptation is too strong in your heart, you give in. When the world is loud, you listen to it over your Savior. When I felt this way toward the gospel, I remember reading Mark 15 and relating to Pontius Pilate. He was the governor who made the official order for Jesus to be crucified not because he thought Jesus was bad or deserved this punishment but because the crowd wanted Jesus dead. “Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:15)
I’m not the governor of anything, and the only thing I’m in charge of is bringing the mac and cheese to Easter brunch (which I like to believe is a big duty) but like Pilate, I have denied Jesus publicly. And I’ve listened to the crowd over the man who came to save my soul. Because frankly it isn’t always convenient to stand by Him, right?
When we feel numb to the cross, it’s often because we’re distracted, and through our daily choices, we’re denying Jesus as our Savior and listening to the crowd. There may not be a crowd yelling at us to crucify Jesus, but each day, we reside in a world that shouts lies about our Savior and our identity in Him. And without even realizing it, we begin to believe these lies. Jesus isn’t just a “good guy” He’s our Savior, worthy of all praise and attention. We were made for a relationship with Him, a consistent prayer life with Him, and a committed practice of reading His Word. Even in the busyness of our lives, we must tend to our relationship with Jesus. Only then will our hearts thaw to the gospel. So if you feel restless and the gospel has become old news, stop what you’re doing and talk to Jesus honestly. Pray for conviction and a heart that doesn’t get distracted by the crowd. Add prayer time and worship to your routine, and walk with faithful friends who daily point you to Jesus, even when the crowd is loud.
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God Is Not Gone
April 6, 2023
by Lisa Whittle
“I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going.” Job 23:8-10a (NLT)
One day last fall, I was feeling overwhelmed. My husband and I were in California, celebrating our anniversary, but it wasn’t pretty. I was physically sick and didn’t even have the energy to wash my hair. We sat out on a big rock overlooking the Pacific Ocean. At some point, sitting there, I said to him, “I want to jump in that ocean and swim as far as I can and not swim back for a long time.” I never say things like that, so it scared him. I didn’t want my life to be over. I just wanted to escape the pressures of it for a while. Sometimes we mistakenly think if we build a good enough life, we will never have thoughts of wanting to run away from it. But it’s not true. Even the best life on earth will still be a life in which we long for relief from its pain and imperfection. In moments of feeling overwhelmed, the words of Job 23:8-10a feel particularly relatable: “I go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed. But he knows where I am going.”
God feels hidden. He feels far away. You can’t see traces of Him. When Job uttered these words, he had lost nearly everything he loved. And yet, after expressing his angst, he relayed a sentiment of confidence in these seven words: “But he knows where I am going” (Job 23:10a).
Job didn’t need to know where God was because he trusted that God knew where he was. If you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone. If you want to escape the pressures of life, know that sometimes we all have that feeling. But feelings don’t change the truth:
* God is not gone. The silence of God in our waiting and worrying can make us feel desperate. The prevalence of evil in this world can seem out of control. And yet we have proof throughout Scripture that He is forever present.
* God knows, so you don’t have to. Breathe a sigh of relief. It’s not your job to know how to work out that situation how to right that wrong how in the world to overcome your limitations. The world is not in your control. You can’t see the future. What if you said the words “God knows” and rested in His reliability? How would that help you rest versus continuously wrestle?
God’s omniscience His intimate knowledge of things past, present and future, both in the world and your world means that there is not one thing you have faced, are facing or will face that He does not know about. Right now, you may be making plans, but He is handling the things you cannot. The comfort and relief you are looking for cannot be found in more self-help; they’re found in the understanding that God sees the injustice no one else sees and will one day make it right. In ways you don’t even realize, He is holding your life together. God is not gone. He sees you. Your worries, questions of “why” and feelings of overwhelm do not change the reality of who He is and what He knows about your life and future. Good news: You’ll never get away from that.
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If You’re Not Where You Thought You Would Be
April 11, 2023
by Meghan Ryan
“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love." Psalm 147:10-11 (ESV)
I read a book recently about struggling with body image, and the author asked this question: “Do you want to live free from shame?”
Immediately I took a picture of the quote and texted this to a friend: “I don’t know if I want to live free from shame? If I let go of shame, I feel like I have to accept the reality of who I am. But I don’t want to stay here. Because who I am isn’t who I thought I would be.”
Suddenly this wasn’t just about my struggles with my body. Being OK with myself physically just represented a deeper issue: I thought I would be someone else at this point in my life. The version of who I am is not the girl I thought I would be. Maybe you’ve felt this too. By this age, you thought you’d have:
A better position in your career …
Or a thriving marriage …
Or a kid …
Or a house of your own …
Or a certain kind of body …
Or freedom from a certain sin struggle …
But you’re just not there yet. And you’re beginning to wonder if you will ever stop striving to get there. I’ve felt this all too deeply. I am trying to become OK with who I am, not the idealized version of who I thought I would be at this point. And it's been messy. I have to choose to ask God what is true about me, and then I have to choose to believe Him. Today’s key verses remind me of what the Lord longs to see in me: “His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love” (Psalm 147:10-11).
God is not looking at our outward appearances or worldly definitions of “success.” He is looking at our hearts and how we see Him. Do we fear Him?
By “fear Him,” I mean: Do we trust that He is powerful and in control of our circumstances?
Do we trust He is making us into the best version of ourselves?
When we have to wrestle with our sins and imperfections, He does not expect us to figure everything out. He offers us an invitation to bring it to Him. Do we put our hope in His steadfast love?
His love does not change when we change. God’s love for us is not dependent on what we look like or how much we accomplish. He loves us simply because, when we are in Christ, we are His daughters. One day I may be more comfortable with who I am, or maybe some part of me will continue to wrestle with my expectations for myself. But in the meantime, here’s what I’ll cling to: If God offers me grace for where I am today, I can offer it to myself too. Can I offer the same grace to you?
It's OK if who you are is not who you thought you would be. The woman God is forming you to be has more purpose than you can dare to dream. You can put your trust and hope in Him.
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Why Your Story Matters
April 18, 2023
by Sharon Jaynes
"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me." Psalm 66:16 (NLT)
I was 16 years old and a fairly new Christian. My friend’s dad, Mr. Evans, gathered up a few of us teenagers and drove us to a church just outside my hometown. We were going to give our testimonies at a Saturday-night gathering of strangers. I’d never stood behind a podium, spoken into a microphone, or stared at a sea of faces who thought I had something to say. I had been in a Bible study for teenagers for two years, but I certainly didn’t feel qualified to talk to a room full of adults and kids about Jesus. What in the world am I doing here? I thought as I waited for my turn to walk up the steps that led to the podium.
When Mr. Evans called my name, I walked up the stage steps, took a deep breath, and simply told all those staring eyes my story. I told them about how Jesus plucked me out of a very difficult home situation, about parents who fought all the time, and about hiding in the closet. I also told them about the woman who introduced me to Jesus and how I accepted Him as my Savior when I was 14. I told them how Jesus was making me not so afraid anymore and how I was praying for my parents to know Jesus too. Was I eloquent?
No. Did I quote Scripture?
No. Were there tears?
Yes. Several of my peers also shared that night. Like me, they didn’t know a lot of theology, but they knew their stories, and that was enough. There wasn’t much room left at the front of the sanctuary when Mr. Evans gave the altar call that night. And so it began my journey of learning just how important stories are. In Mark 5:1-20, we read a story of Jesus casting out a legion of demons from a man who lived in the tombs across from the shore of Galilee. This unrestrainable man broke chains, shattered shackles, cried out in the night, and cut himself with stones. After Jesus delivered him, he was miraculously healed. When Jesus got in the boat to leave, this man wanted to hop in the boat and go with him. I would have too! But Jesus said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19, NIV).
I didn’t know this verse when I was 14, but I know now that it sounds a lot like Psalm 66:16: “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.”
Every redemptive story, like a seed, realizes its potential when it is planted in the heart of another human being. And that plant, born of a seed, will become a plant that bears more seeds. Make no mistake about it: Your story matters. Don’t be afraid to tell it! There is an enemy, the devil, who doesn’t want you to tell what God has done in your life. He wants you to keep it bottled up and hidden away. He doesn’t want you to tell how you traded in your broken pieces for a beautiful masterpiece. But if we listen to the wrong voice, we will make the wrong choice. The devil will do everything he can to keep us silent, yet the Bible says God's people will overcome the devil “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV).
Your willingness to place your story in God’s holy hands will lead to full redemption, where the pain loses its power to do you harm and gains the power to do others good. So don’t hide your story. Own it! Tell it! Rejoice in it! Realize that no matter what has happened in your life, your lows, your disappointments and your struggles can be the most compelling parts of your story as God redeems them all. People will rally around you, and you will find love and connection in the process. With God, your wounds can become the source of your greatest strengths.
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What if the Person I'm Struggling To Forgive Is Me?
APRIL 20, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 (NIV)
Do you ever feel like the hardest person to forgive is actually yourself?
I understand this. Deeply. I so wish we were sitting together having a conversation right now instead of you just reading these words on a screen. But while you're reading, I’d love to share my story with you. When I was in my early 20s, I made a decision that, with everything in me, I wished I could go back and change. I had an abortion. Knowing nothing could be done to reverse that decision filled me with the deepest kind of despair. Afterward, every time I heard others talking harshly about abortion, I was filled with shame. It felt like a life sentence I would never be healed from. I would say, “I can’t forgive myself.” What I meant was, “I don’t think forgiveness is possible for a person like me. And I don’t think I’ll ever be free from the shame of what I’ve done.”
Maybe this is where you are right now struggling to overcome feelings of shame and regret from choices you wish you could go back and change. That’s why it feels so important to share with you what I’ve learned. When I researched the concept of forgiving ourselves, I was a little shocked to discover it’s not in the Bible. I started to realize that just like we can’t accomplish salvation apart from God, we can’t bestow forgiveness upon ourselves. Forgiveness starts with God. Since we are not the judge, we can’t pardon ourselves. So when we feel like we are struggling with forgiveness for ourselves, what’s really happening is a struggle to fully receive the forgiveness of God. Jesus gave His very life to provide forgiveness for our sins, which isn’t just a part of the Christian faith. Forgiveness is the very cornerstone of the Christian faith. Forgiveness for our sins isn’t just a hope we have; it is the greatest reality for all who choose to receive salvation through accepting Jesus as the Lord of their lives. Often what keeps us from walking as forgiven people is the struggle with feelings of shame and regret. These are very heavy burdens to bear. In my own life, I’ve carried many burdens. But the weight of shame is by far the heaviest I’ve ever known. It’s a burden God doesn’t want any of us to carry. And I’m so thankful for these three things that eventually helped me fully receive His forgiveness and get out from underneath shame’s condemning weight:
1. I needed to have a marked moment of confessing, repenting and asking God for forgiveness.
Psalm 32:5 reads, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” I couldn’t do this by myself because I wanted someone, a witness, who could forever remind me I had asked for God’s forgiveness and was therefore forgiven. I also verbalized out loud that I received God’s forgiveness, so I could have a definite memory of acknowledging His gift of mercy.
2. I had to remember that shame and accusation come from the enemy.
Satan will do everything possible to try and keep us from sharing a testimony of the forgiveness and redemption of Jesus. And the enemy loves to hold people hostage to shame by keeping what they did hidden in the darkness. I was terrified to tell people what I’d done. But I did tell God I would share my story if ever I met a young girl in danger of making the same uninformed decision as I did. When I eventually let God use my painful choice for good, I started to see glimpses of redemption. Seeing God take what the enemy meant for such evil and use it for good didn’t take away my grief, but it did start to heal my shame.
3. I let my experience make my heart tender and compassionate.
Knowing what it feels like to make a mistake gives us more compassion when others make mistakes. This isn’t excusing unwise behavior in the name of compassion. But at the same time, having an attitude of compassion helps us not to shame others. I don’t ever want another human to carry the awful weight of shame, and I probably would not be as sensitive to others as I am now if I hadn’t ever carried that weight myself.
Shame isn’t from God, and He doesn't condemn those who repent of sin. Confess what you’ve done. Ask for God’s forgiveness. Receive His forgiveness. And then walk in His freedom. You can live the greatest testimony of truth the testimony of redemption.
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How To Embrace and Overcome Adversity
May 2, 2023
by Rebekah Lyons
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed …” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV)
My daughter, Joy, is an overcomer of adversity. She was born with Down syndrome in a country that doesn’t deal well with differences. She was dropped off at the doorstep of a police station. She was moved from orphanage to orphanage. Though we know we made the right decision, her adoption into our family meant she had to learn a new country and language. She has shown incredible resilience in the few short years she’s been with our family. Joy has been with us for four years now, and her night terrors have slowly faded. It has taken some time, with relapses along the way, but she has adapted to our family and life in the United States. She plays with friends, attends school and loves church. She embraces new challenges, and though she couldn’t say it quite this way, she allows each of those experiences to change her. Joy is our family’s living, breathing example of resilience. I’ve found myself challenged by Joy, asking God to put a little of her resilience into my own life. She reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s teaching about the power of the gospel living in us: “But we have this treasure [the gospel of Jesus] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, ESV).
Since bringing Joy home, I’ve contemplated these words, trying to understand what they mean for me in my own quest to cultivate resilience in the midst of chaos. I’ve discovered that the Bible doesn’t promise we’ll have easy, carefree lives if we follow Jesus. In fact, it teaches quite the opposite. As believers in Christ, we’re bound to suffer even more adversity as we live countercultural lives in a world antagonistic to our faith. We will be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. Still, Paul promised that if we face inevitable adversity head-on with the power of the gospel and we practice inner renewal day by day, we can cultivate a life of resilience. Adversity can come as the result of choices we make but can also come in the form of hardship that happens to us. What kind of adversity have you been through?
Maybe it's losing a job, a loved one, a marriage. Or starting a job, raising a child, committing to marriage. Realizing you don’t have enough money to pay the bills. Discovering that you can’t bear children or that the child you bore has a life-threatening addiction. Caring for a parent with a disease that requires significant medical attention. Maybe you’re the parent who needs caring for.
And when we face adversity, our bodies freak out. Our anxiety spikes in difficult times, our tempers shorten, and our instinct is to reach for coping mechanisms. The good news is that we are not locked into our current fears, anxieties or ways of thinking. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind …” (ESV).
We renew our minds by doing what Colossians 3:2 says: “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (ESV).
We can invite God into our struggle and share our overwhelm, asking Him to reveal what He wants to gift us in this season. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (ESV).
Adversity will try to take you out. But if you allow God to lead you in and through adversity, you can emerge a more resilient person.
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The Motherhood Vow
May 9, 2023
by Rachael Elmore, MA, LCMHC-S, NCC
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)
As a mom, I feel like I’m always getting it wrong. I used a laundry detergent that gave my kid a rash. I paid my kids for their good grades. I give them too many chores. I enroll them in too many sports and not enough extracurriculars. I work too much. I yell too much. I should be doing so much more. The list goes on. And in these moments, I feel defeated. I’ve spent the last decade trying to understand how to be a good mother. But I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it was only recently that I asked God for His opinion on the matter. His answer was really simple and surprising: 1 Corinthians 13. Come again, God?
Seriously, the wedding passage?
But when I revisited this passage that's so commonly applied to marriages, He said, Look again. So I broke down 1 Corinthians 13, thinking of the love between a mother and her child rather than man and wife.
Mothers should be patient.
Mothers should be kind.
Mothers should not harbor envy.
Mothers should not boast.
Mothers should not be proud.
Mothers should not dishonor others.
Mothers should not be self-seeking.
Mothers should not be easily angered.
Mothers should keep no records of wrongs.
Mothers should not delight in evil but rejoice in the truth.
Mothers should protect, trust, hope and persevere.
Mothers should never fail.
I spent time meditating on these words, studying their context and meaning. I was doing well with the “shoulds” until I got to “Mothers should never fail.”
Everything in me wanted to reject that. In our humanity, we are absolutely promised that we will fail. I have failed. Even the best mothers will fail. First Corinthians 13:4-8 is written to explain God’s perfect love for us the love that never fails. While we are called to model God's love toward other people, we will not be perfect. We will all fall short sometimes. But when we fail, we can have so much hope. God’s perfect grace is the foundation that keeps us standing firm as mothers. So, my friend, you will discipline your kids when you should have shown grace. You will have mercy when you should have disciplined. You will feed them food that upsets their tummies. You will send them to the wrong school. You will stay silent when you should have spoken up. You will get frustrated with your children more times than you can count. But God’s Word says “love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8a).
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Standing on the God Whose Plans Always Stand
May 16, 2023
by Meredith Houston Carr
“Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines … David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.” 1 Samuel 18:25b-30 (NIV)
If you’re like me, you love a good story one of the classics where an embattled hero emerges victorious over the enemy. Or where light overcomes darkness. Or good triumphs over evil. In one challenging chapter of my marriage, I longed for that kind of storybook ending. Daily, I’d cry out to God, begging Him for victory and protection against the enemy’s schemes that made me wonder: God, are You truly stronger than this opposition we’re facing?
In that season, God led me to a passage of Scripture in 1 Samuel detailing the epic struggle between Saul and David. In a nutshell, the nation of Israel begged for a king, so God chose Saul as their inaugural leader. However, after Saul failed to obey God’s commands fully, God anointed David, a young, obscure shepherd boy, as Israel’s next king. David entered Saul’s service as a musician and quickly rose to fame and fortune by defeating the notorious Goliath (1 Samuel 15-17). When the people showered David with adoration and praise, Saul ruled by murderous jealousy went from frustrated to unhinged, bent on taking out his competition. The first part of today’s key verses clues us in to Saul’s sinister state of mind: “Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 18:25b).
Yes, this wayward king had big plans to place David in the path of the Philistines (Israel’s longtime enemies) and let them wipe him out. On paper, Saul certainly had every resource, power and opportunity to accomplish his evil task. To all the world, it looked like David was at the mercy of Saul’s plans what a vulnerable place to be! It’s how I felt during that tough time in my marriage, and I wonder if you’re feeling that way today too. Maybe you feel like you’re at the mercy of a challenging season where everything or everyone seems to be against you. We know that Satan is our one true enemy, yet he works through all kinds of people and circumstances to incite fear and doubt inside us. Like the boss who refuses to recognize your potential. Or that family member who’s stuck in toxic patterns. Or the health crisis that’s pushed you past your breaking point. Or the bills that keep piling up with no end in sight. With our backs against the wall, we long for an answer to that question nagging at our faith: God, are You really stronger than this opposition I’m facing?
We don’t know if David ever whispered that question, but we do know he moved forward in courage as God’s chosen, anointed future king: “… David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known” (1 Samuel 18:30).
Saul had his plan, yes, but so did God, and no amount of trying, tricking or treachery would stop God’s plan! Nothing can stop His plans for you either, dear one. If the enemy has you backed into a corner, try taking these two steps today: First, resolve to reject fear. We can make this choice with our heads even when our hearts haven’t entirely caught up. Something as simple as repeating the words “I will not fear” throughout the day can make a massive difference in bolstering your courage! Second, take the next step in front of you. Time and again, that’s what David did he faithfully said “yes” to whatever opportunity God placed in his path, whether it was tending sheep or leading a group of men into battle. He kept his eyes focused on God instead of the enemy and we can do likewise! God is bigger than the biggest enemy you’ll ever face. And nothing can or will thwart His excellent and gracious plans for you! I’ve stood on this truth in every hard season of my life, and it’s a truth you can stand on too today and always.
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Learning To Calm and Quiet Your Soul
May 17, 2023
by Sarah J. Hauser
“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2 (ESV)
Many days, my soul feels frantic and overwhelmed, hurried or even heavy. I sometimes lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, taking inventory of all I didn’t get done. Or I incessantly Google my questions, seeking solutions to my problems and answers to angst. Whether I’m juggling everyday responsibilities or processing profound heartache, I so often find myself restless, fearful and uncertain. Maybe you can relate. Maybe you find yourself bouncing from one task to the next, and the pace of your life leaves not just your body but your soul feeling rushed. Or maybe you’re in a season of grief, and the broken pieces of your heart feel like they’re being tossed around by relentless waves. No matter your circumstances, you can still find true, deep rest. King David carried the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. He was chased by his enemies, suffered loss and wrestled with sin. But in Psalm 131:2, he said, “I have calmed and quieted my soul ...”
Having a calm and quiet soul can feel impossible. There’s so much to do in a day, so much to think through, and so many people hurting. How can we have calm and quiet souls in the midst of it all?
In Psalm 131:1, David wrote, “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me” (ESV).
In other words, David humbled himself. He wasn’t arrogant but instead recognized who he was in relation to who God is. Without humility, David wouldn’t have been able to admit his need for rest and his need for God’s care and provision. Rest requires humility. Then in the next verse, Psalm 131:2, David said he was like a weaned child with his mother. A weaned child isn’t clamoring for his mother’s milk. A weaned child is content in his mother’s arms, trusting she will provide. I’ve learned from my four kids that the weaning process isn’t always easy. At first, a weaning child will cry and scream for what he wants, but the mother doesn’t love the child any less because she’s not giving him what he craves. She’s helping that child move from infancy to maturity. She’s still providing what he needs, but what he needs may be different than what he wants. We are so often screaming babies, clawing at God for what we want and He can handle all our cries and questions. But eventually, a child will recognize that his mother isn’t holding out on him when she doesn’t nurse. He begins to understand that he will be fed. Like that child calm and quiet in his mother’s arms, we can find rest in the arms of our God. When we humbly trust Him, we can find true, lasting peace, come what may. At times, like the child being weaned, we can feel like God is withholding His provision. But He’s not. He provides what we need when we need it, growing us up so we “may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4, CSB).
Like David, we can calm and quiet our souls not because life circumstances are peaceful or our unruly to-do lists are finally tamed. Rather, we can calm and quiet our souls because God is a trustworthy, faithful provider who invites us to rest in His arms.
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Numbering Our Days With Hope
May 18, 2023
by Ruth Chou Simons
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
Do you ever get bogged down in the everyday mundane?
I sure do. Do you sometimes feel as if the right-now, never-ending emails, to-dos, laundry, homework, conflict resolution, dirty dishes, and carpool lines are always pressing in, always swirling, but never quite getting you anywhere?
Me too. One of the encouragements I find myself repeating again and again to myself and the women around me is not to let the mundane, everyday tasks of life or the busyness of any particular season rob us of rhythms and priorities that help us know and love Jesus more. We always need the reminder to keep our eyes on our eternal hope in Him. Maybe it’s my age (let’s just say I’m in my mid-late 40s, shall we?), or maybe it’s the season I’m in (preparing to graduate my oldest child from college and see him off to grad school in another state), but Psalm 90 and its implications have resonated in my heart and mind over the last several months. The psalmist, often presumed to be Moses, asks God to “teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12).
Perhaps what’s most encouraging to me in this passage is the use of the word “teach” because that means it’s normal not to automatically have wisdom for how to live our days purposefully, wisely and rightly motivated. This is something to be learned over time. Numbering our days means pausing for regular consideration of our days in light of God’s ways recognizing the finite gift of our lives here on earth and gaining “a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12) as we steward what God has given us. This framework gives us permission to live with both courage and caution, simultaneously constrained and carefree. In the big, life-altering decisions and in the everyday mundane. The eternal hope of Christ gives purpose to our days. There is a destination we’re headed to a hope not yet fully realized and this world is not it. So numbering our days isn’t about mustering up fervor to “live life to the fullest” or to “carpe diem” our way through life. No, life’s meaning has already been secured by the image of God we carry in us (Genesis 1:27) and the finished work of redemption purchased for us by Jesus (Ephesians 1:7). What does it mean to number our days, then?
It means rejoicing in our eternal hope and allowing it to shape the choices we make how we spend our time, where we look for encouragement, how we spend money, what entertainment we seek out, and the people we choose to invest in and listen to. If we consider every day as part of God’s plan to teach us to take our eyes off of our immediate circumstances, we can set our minds on the God who has purposefully placed us in the midst of our current season so that we might live for Him. When we remember that God has numbered our days, we treasure everything that reminds us we already have everything we need in Him.
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What Do I Do With These Hard Emotions?
May 23, 2023
by Lynn Cowell
“He said to them, 'I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.' He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.” Mark 14:34-35 (CSB)
What is this strange feeling in my chest?
Having never experienced the small pain before, I wondered what was happening. Over the past few minutes, I’d been talking with Jesus, praying about a tenuous family situation, giving Him my heartache. My pen and paper were tools helping me unload my fears as well as my pain. Hadn’t I been pouring out all my concerns to the only One who could truly fix them?
Why, then, was my chest tight and hurting a bit?
Did this unfamiliar pressure of anxiety in my body mean I was doubting my Father?
I truly thought I was trusting Him. For the first time, I began to understand that when our emotions are overwhelming, we can feel their repercussions in our bodies. Powerful emotions are not bad in and of themselves; in fact, our emotions were given to us by God. His original design, though, when God created people in His image (Genesis 1:27), was not for us to experience emotions that hurt us. To make more connections between my Maker and the way He made me, I read the Gospels, searching for the emotions Jesus experienced in His days on earth. There they were: sadness (John 11:35), anger (Matthew 21:12-13), happiness (John 15:11) and so many more. Though Jesus could never be overwhelmed in His divinity, Scripture tells us that when He was overwhelmed in His humanity, Jesus withdrew to spend time with His Father. He found the strength to keep moving toward fulfilling His Father’s assignment even when He was feeling strong emotions. The Gospel of Mark shares Jesus’ experience as He faced His hardest assignment yet. Mark 14:33-34 says Jesus “took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake’” (CSB).
There in the garden, on the night of His betrayal, crushed by pain, Jesus “fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him” (Mark 14:35).
Jesus fell facedown (Matthew 26:39). It seems His emotional anguish was so strong He collapsed. And Jesus experienced other visible signs of emotional distress: “being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44, NIV).
Yet He went on to pray: “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36, CSB).
He experienced extreme anguish and trusted His Father at the same time. In spite of profound agony, Jesus kept going, fulfilling His mission to die for us. Like Jesus, you and I may experience powerful emotions, energy coursing through our minds, hearts and bodies, while walking with the Father. Anxiety, sadness, anger or other emotions are not necessarily indications that we’re not close to the Lord. And trusting God doesn’t always mean that what’s creating the strong emotion in us will go away. Still, we can choose to trust God even if things do not go the way we want, facing what comes with the assurance that God is by our side. As I began to take long, deep breaths and meditate on His Word, my emotions prompted me to continue inviting the Holy Spirit into my problem by using tools sometimes called “spiritual disciplines” such as prayer, meditation on God’s Word, lament and more. We can always ask God to empower us to continue moving toward Jesus, even in the midst of anxious or hard feelings.
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God Has Not Forgotten You
May 26, 2023
by Jodi Harris
"HOW LONG, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God ...” Psalm 13:1-3 (ESV)
“I think we should name him Chuck Norris.”
“How about Bruce Lee?”
“I say Chuck Lee. Raise your hand if you vote for Chuck Lee.”
This was a nightly dinner discussion with my then 7- and 9-year-old sons, talking over names for their soon-to-be baby brother. “How about Zachary? Or Christian?” I added, hoping to sway the crazy talk.
“Ooh! I like Zachary! And Christian!” my oldest said. “Raise your hand for Zachary Christian.”
All hands went up. Whew. That was close. How weird it would have been to explain how my youngest child was named during the karate phase at our house. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you know it’s your life, but you don’t recognize your life? This was me at the table of karate name options. Our family had moved to minister in a new community, believing God had called us there, but as we stepped out in faith, He went radio silent. He gave marching orders; we charged ahead. When we looked back, He was gone. Or so it seemed. Maybe you’ve been here too: With all your heart, you knew it. You put all your eggs in the basket. You bought the field for the treasure (Matthew 13:44). You. Were. Sure. And then you weren’t. Maybe you’ve prayed a prayer of desperation similar to King David’s in today’s key verse: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God ...” (Psalm 13:1-3).
In my own prayer of desperation, I tagged on the specifics: Lord, this baby is a miracle. And I'm so thankful for the blessing of a child! But in the stress and overwhelm of our ministry situation, I’m feeling out of sorts and crying over a seemingly small thing this baby’s name. Nothing seems right. Not my life, not my situation, and not the baby names on my list! Where are You, God?
Why have You forgotten me?
Zachary. That’s all I heard in my spirit. Skeptical, I prayed, For months, You’ve said nothing, and now just this random name? That’s not even on my list! Maybe there was more to it. I pulled out my book of baby names to search the biblical meaning of the name Zachary: God has remembered you. I let it sink in. God has remembered you. Now it was my turn to be silent as I sat in awe of God’s wisdom and timing. So distracted by unmet expectations, I had assumed God was nowhere near. But in the midst of my frustrated prayers, He reminded me of His presence by gently whispering the name of my unborn son. That personal and kind reminder not only touched my heart in that moment but in every moment over the last 14 years when my son Zachary has whispered “I love you” to his mama.
If you’re like me, you tend to look for God in the obvious, over-the-top miracles. You look for Him in mighty displays of power like fireworks, where you can point and say to those around you, “See? Only God could do that!”
While we’re busy seeking the big and boisterous, we often miss His still, small voice that comes in those dark and desperate, very silent nights. In a world of “bigger means better,” we’ve been desensitized to the smaller yet spectacular. We miss the God who sits so close He whispers with the gentleness and intimacy of a loving Father speaking to His child. Friend, following God’s call may not meet your expectations. But quite possibly He wants to reveal His heart in new ways that exceed your expectations. And today, if you’re in the in-between place of surrendering your expectations and looking for how God will move in your situation, let me remind you of this simple truth: God has not forgotten you.
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Finding God’s Love in the Darkness
May 29, 2023
by Elizabeth Laing Thompson
"Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." Psalm 43:3 (NIV)
“Do you know which pill to take tonight?”
I hold out Dad’s medicine container. Dad studies it, brow furrowed. “This is Tuesday night? So I take …” He points to a blue compartment. “This one?”
“Yes!”
We share a triumphant smile, reveling in this small victory over his failing memory. Dad walks me to the door of his house, the little place we built for him behind our house. I drop a goodnight kiss on his cheek, and when he opens the door, darkness greets us. “Hey, Dad, can you turn on your porch light till I get inside?”
His expression brightens. “I’d love to do that for you.”
And in his enthusiasm, I hear the sentiment he can no longer express: I’m delighted to take care of you for a change the way I used to. I walk across the yard, my path bright. When I reach my door, I wave to Dad, and his light blinks off. My eyes are blurred with tears, but I’m not just sad I’m thankful. Memory-filled. Because even though Dad’s dementia is progressing, God keeps giving us precious, don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-them connections like this, moments when Dad is still Dad. When his love breaks the chains of his disease. I’ve learned to look for these moments to pause, linger, savor because not only do they help me feel my earthly father’s love, but they also help me feel my heavenly Father’s love. They remind me that even in heartache, God is with us. A psalmist wrote this poignant prayer in God's Word that helps us seek His love in dark times: “Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight” (Psalm 43:2c-4a, NIV).
When heartache strikes, we can ask our Father to lead us. And where does His loving light point us?
To His mountain, His altar. To relationship with Him, a relationship radiating joy and delight. That’s a comforting thought, yet when we’re walking a not-so-comforting path loneliness, loss, debt, disease it can be difficult to see God’s light or feel His presence. We inch forward, dodging shadows. Eyes glued to the ground, we see only rocks and divots and dangers. Consumed by worry and fear, we don’t notice our Father quietly shining His light behind us, keeping watch till we’re safely inside.
The psalmist expressed a similar inner conflict. He asked God to lead him, but in his next breath, he poured out a contradictory jumble of feelings: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5, NIV).
He was basically saying, “I do trust God but I still feel sad and confused and that confuses me!” Can’t we all relate to this struggle?
When life gets challenging, our feelings and our faith may disagree! But the psalmist fought through his feelings to reclaim his faith. He deliberately put his hope in God’s care. And what does putting our hope in God look like?
It often begins simply: by asking God to help us see His love at work. Because even when our path is littered with obstacles, our faithful Father is working, guiding us to solid footing. If you pay attention, you’ll begin to notice the many ways His love is piercing the darkness, lighting your way. Maybe He prompts a friend to text you at just the right moment. Maybe He guides you to a scripture that bolsters your courage. Maybe He helps your money stretch just far enough. When we look ahead with eyes of faith, we see our Father keeping watch over our steps, beating back the darkness with enough light and love to help us find our way home.
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Keep Moving Into Your Future
May 31, 2023
by Christine Caine
“When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7 (CSB)
I love that adoption is the heart of the gospel and not because I’m adopted. Well, maybe a little because I’m adopted. But the truth is God could have used any metaphor to explain how we become a part of His family. Yet He used this intimate metaphor of adoption to show us that He actually chose us to be His children because He loves us and that is where our identity lies. “When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir” (Galatians 4:4-7).
We are meant to live securely in His love, knowing we are His loved children. But the reality is we often outsource the source of our security by making others our authority, by placing their opinions of us above God’s truth about us. If we do this long enough, it can lead us off the course of God’s purposes and on a personal quest to seek our value, worth and belonging from those who can’t give it to us. In all of life, the most insecure position to be in is the one in which we have something to prove or something to lose. So anytime and every time we seek to find our security in anyone or anything other than God, we will be plagued with insecurity. Can you think of anyone in your history who has this place of power over you?
Who are you still looking back at, desperately longing for them to validate you?
Maybe you’re looking back at: A father who was never satisfied. A mother who you couldn’t do enough to please. A teacher who said you’d never amount to anything. An ex-spouse who said no one could ever love you. The middle-school or high-school mean girls who shamed you for your body. Or maybe you’re looking back at what you consider to be your worst mistake, the one by which you’re still defining yourself. Instead of glancing back to learn, grow, develop and repent, we’ve grown accustomed to constantly looking back, and that looking back has gotten us stuck and fixated on the past. We’ve allowed whatever is back there to define us, limit us, label us and trap us. But the same Jesus who saved us wants to set us free (John 8:36). If you are a follower of Christ, I assure you that you are fully loved, no matter what anyone else has ever said to you or about you, no matter what anyone has ever done to you, no matter what mistakes or failures you’ve experienced. You are His adopted, beloved, chosen child. He’s loved you since before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) and He will not stop.
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The End of All Weeping Is Coming
June 9, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
"'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
Do you ever feel like pain and sorrow are chasing you down?
Like you just can’t outrun all of the hurt?
I’ve been there. That’s why I want us to look at someone in Scripture who understands this kind of pain King David. Not only did David spend a significant amount of time running for his life from King Saul (before David himself became king), but he also eventually ended up running from his very own son Absalom. But whereas Saul openly sought David’s life, we find Absalom sneaked around behind his father’s back in an effort to rip the kingdom from David’s hands. With slick promises and conspiratorial kisses, Absalom easily “stole the hearts of the people of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6, NIV).
And it wasn’t long before David received word that his kingdom was crumbling right in front of him (2 Samuel 15:13). In light of these events, David saw that his situation was desperately dangerous. He needed to escape. The route we find him taking to escape the city, weeping as he went, trailed across the Kidron Valley, through the garden of Gethsemane, over the Mount of Olives, and into the Judean desert. This was the known escape route for those needing to flee from danger quickly in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:16-37). Within this story, we are reminded of a larger story. The people of God are continually wayward in our love and affections toward our King. We allow our hearts to be captivated by others. We are prone to stray. This wasn’t just the case when David was king. People also did this to another King who would come from David’s bloodline generations later King Jesus. Years later, Jesus would sit in the garden of Gethsemane, the very gateway of David’s escape route, facing extreme danger. We read about Jesus in these difficult moments in Mark 14:34-36, where He lamented: “‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, Stay here and keep watch.’ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will’” (NIV).
His people were turning against Him. Jesus wasn’t meeting their expectations as King. They wanted Him dead. As I once sat in the garden of Gethsemane during a visit to the Holy Land, my heart was overcome with the reality of what Jesus was facing while in that very place. He knew He could have escaped (Matthew 26:52-54). He knew He could have fled like David had done. He knew the way to take to save Himself. But Jesus stayed so He could save us. Though my heart strays from Him, Jesus’ heart is compelled to stay for me. Jesus ended His prayer to God with nine earth-shaking, demon-quaking, hell-shattering words: “Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36c, NIV). In other words, He completely submitted to God’s plan because He knew, in the end, it was best. Jesus is the only King who perfectly fulfilled God’s will. As we read the story of King David, we must always remember he simply points to the better David Jesus, who is the King of kings. The contrast between David’s experience and Jesus’ is important:
* Both David and Jesus wept on the Mount of Olives. David wept over the betrayal and potential loss he faced all things that affected him personally. Jesus wept over the city and people of Jerusalem.
* As David escaped over the Mount of Olives, he faced the potential loss of his kingdom. As Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane at the base of the Mount of Olives, He began His journey to the cross, where He conquered sin and death and established the Kingdom of heaven.
* David’s kingdom was eventually war-torn and broken. The Kingdom of heaven will reign forever.
What does this mean for us today?
I would imagine we can all relate to David’s weeping. Our lives are riddled with evidence that we live in a broken world loss, hurt, death, betrayal, heartbreak and relationship breakdowns. But may we remember Jesus’ weeping as well. He hurts when we hurt. And that’s the exact reason He made a way for us to enter His eternal Kingdom one day, where there will be no more sorrow and no more weeping. Hold on to these words. This coming day is closer than we realize: "'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
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When Envy Tempts, Follow Jesus
June 19, 2023
by Elizabeth Laing Thompson
“… what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22 (NIV)
“I finally got it! The big break I’ve been praying for at work!”
My friend’s voice was alight with excitement and I felt excited for her too. Mostly. But to my dismay, I also had some side feelings. Unwanted thoughts. Somewhere behind my genuine joy, a shadowy voice whispered, I’ve been praying for a breakthrough, too why hasn’t God said "yes" to me?
Why her and not me?
The moment those thoughts took shape, I felt a swift surge of shame: What’s wrong with me?
How could I think something so ugly?
Maybe you’ve been there, too watching someone else receive The Thing you’ve been praying for. Feeling happy for them but also wrestling with the infamous green-eyed monster, aka envy. Envy is one of those complicated internal struggles that can make us feel an undue amount of shame. Alongside the envious thoughts, we hear the enemy’s cruel voice taunting, How dare you struggle with envy! You’re an unloving friend! So before we tackle the envy, let’s dismantle the shame. When my thoughts drift toward envy, I find it helpful to remember the difference between temptation and sin. We all have in-the-moment, knee-jerk reactions. Our fleshly natures instinctively lean toward petty thoughts and selfish feelings. But simply having an envious thought pop into our heads is not sin it’s temptation. Scripture describes temptation this way: “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15, NIV).
Sin takes time to grow in our hearts. Envious thoughts may contain the seed of potential sin, but if we don’t water them, they can’t grow. We all have envious thoughts it’s what we do with those thoughts that matters. God gives us the power to choose: Will we follow envy’s lead, or will we follow Jesus?
Jesus once had a conversation with His disciple Peter that resets my perspective whenever I’m tempted with envy. Jesus was preparing Peter for his future, hinting that Peter would one day be martyred (John 21:18-19). Peter, perhaps feeling that he was being unfairly singled out for suffering, pointed at another disciple and asked, “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21, NIV).
Jesus then told Peter, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22).
Jesus’ bluntness here always surprises me, as I imagine it surprised Peter. And yet the Lord wasn’t being unkind; He was being truthful. Jesus was reminding Peter that He has different purposes and paths for each person. The next time you’re tempted with envy, try borrowing Jesus’ logic and gently asking yourself, If God wants her to have that blessing, what is that to me? In other words, If God wants her to walk a different path from mine, how does that change my calling?
Each of us experiences unique detours and obstacles, burdens and blessings. When someone else receives something we don’t have yet, they aren’t taking our blessing they are simply walking God’s path for them. Embracing this perspective helps us to sincerely rejoice with others instead of thinking, Why not me?
We may never know why our paths differ, but we can trust that we are all being shepherded by God, whose love for us is “as high as the heavens” (Psalm 103:11, NIV).
Jesus concluded His talk with Peter by saying, “You must follow me” (John 21:22).
Our paths are all different, but our calling is the same: No matter where Jesus leads us, we must follow. Why?
Because Jesus knows the way. When we encounter disappointment or delay Jesus knows the way. When our paths take unexpected or unwanted turns Jesus knows the way. When we need help battling temptation Jesus knows the way. Best of all, when we follow Jesus, we are never alone. He walks in front of us He walks with us every step of the way.
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Just When I Thought I Was OK
June 20, 2023
by Tracie Miles
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
The conversation was going along fine. Laughing. Poking fun. Making plans for a vacation. Just having a good time until we weren’t. I said something in a joking manner, but my friend didn’t hear it that way, and the tables suddenly turned. My friend responded with instant anger and annoyance, which caught me off guard, and I felt misunderstood. Then the friend made some hurtful remarks and walked away. Instantly, I shut down and my walls came up, which has become my involuntary response to these types of situations. Anxiety rolled in, my thoughts plummeted, and flashback visions of the past played before my eyes as if they were actually happening as if I was reliving traumatic events all over again. The emotions and hurt I routinely felt in past, similar circumstances with someone else felt just as strong in the present moment. Just when I thought I was doing OK something triggered a past memory of a trauma that occurred. Feelings crashed down, fears flared up and walls erected. Triggers from emotional wounds are real. They leave us feeling vulnerable, unsafe, unable to trust others, and at times unable to move forward with a healthy state of mind, peace or joy. Fear seeps into our souls, and it can be hard to shake. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically address the phrase “emotional triggers,” we can still glean so much wisdom and comfort from many passages in Scripture as we cope and heal. Today’s key verse is merely one of those. Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
God’s Word tells us countless times not to fear because He’s got us covered (Isaiah 41:10). We have the power, through Him, to control our feelings, though that’s not always easy (Proverbs 16:32). God's Word also helps us find freedom from our thoughts by capturing them and turning them around (2 Corinthians 10:5). His comfort can soothe our emotions as we breathe in His love (2 Corinthians 1:4). As we lay our burdens at His feet, God ushers peace into our hearts (Matthew 11:28). We can learn to practice forgiveness of the ones who hurt us and to release the bondage of traumatic memories and anger (Ephesians 4:31). We can lean into trusting God, believing He has our past and our future in His hands because of the love He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We can have faith that we will overcome adversity in His strength and power, just like David, Peter, Paul and even Jesus did in Scripture (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). All of these biblical truths and practices can slowly heal us from the inside out, alongside the God-given blessings of counseling, therapy and medication if needed. Over the years, I’ve finally learned that the hurt I endured during my marriage left scabs on my heart that can be all too easily ripped open. And when that happens, it only compounds other traumatic experiences earlier in life where emotional scars run deep. Yet if I remember all the countless holy truths and promises woven throughout God’s Word, I can learn to feel empowered to see life through His lens instead of mine and you can do the same. A lot of people experience triggers from any form of emotional, mental or physical trauma every single day maybe even you. But regardless of what caused your wounds, healing is possible for all believers with God’s help. There are many beneficial avenues of healing that modern medicine provides, yet our faith is the core foundation that will get us through. Because of our Lord, we don’t have to let fears, hurts from the past or triggers in the present dictate who we are or if we are happy. They don’t have to have control over us if we put God in control instead. Healing is a process, not a destination, and God will be with us every step of the way.
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When You’re Tempted To Judge Her
June 22, 2023
by Lysa TerKeurst
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
Almost every day, I talk to people who are hurting for many different reasons. When we’re in those places, one of the hardest parts is that we feel not only the pain of our hurtful situation but also the compounded hurt from others doing things that unknowingly add to our pain. Assumptions are made. Blame is assigned. Labels are given. Judgment is cast. Whether we know someone is hurting or not, we can make a decision today: We will be people of gentleness, living out Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Your co-worker?
Your friend?
The woman at Bible study who never seems to engage?
That stranger whose child is screaming in the grocery store?
The neighbor who always seems grumpy and complains about everyone on your street?
Maybe she’s processing some kind of pain you don’t know about. Or she’s trying to figure out something very complicated. Chances are that she is facing or has faced something challenging. How do I know that?
Because she is a human living in the same confusing, often chaotic, hard-to-understand world that breaks your heart and mine. Instead of following our first reaction to label her based on what she is doing right now, let’s pray for her based on what she’s probably facing right now. And if possible, why not offer a rare voice of encouragement or an unexpected act of kindness?
We may not be able to help the whole world be a better place today. But why not help the ones God places right in front of us?
In my own life, there was a time when my heart hurt so deeply that not much helped. But I remember an ordinary day when one of my friends randomly dropped off dinner for me. She didn’t even ask to come inside. She just texted me that she left dinner on the front porch, allowing me to have my space while making sure I knew she was there for me. I cried because I had just prayed for God to help me. And then my friend showed up. Even though the soup she made wasn’t the solution for what I was facing, I felt a lot less alone. And I felt seen by God. You can love and help and pray for someone without knowing the full story. Help with an obvious small need. Make that phone call. Send that card you wish you would receive in the mail. Leave an encouraging comment on her social media. Stop by with her favorite coffee just to say hello. Pick a flower and place it where she can see something beautiful. I believe that when we suddenly find ourselves in the seat of suffering (and all of us will be there at some point), what we’ve modeled to others will often be returned back to us. Judgment can end with us when gentleness flows through us. Together, let’s show someone a little less judgment and a lot more of Jesus today.
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Feelings May Fade, but His Word Remains
June 23, 2023
by Sarah Freymuth
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
I plod to my chair in the corner, pull my coffee close, and breathe for a minute before opening my Bible. I glance out the window, taking in the curve of tree branches and the sea of blue sky above. I wish, yet again, that the inside of me would look the same: restored, light, vibrant. I’m a feeler through and through, an empath who puts on the emotions and experiences of others and feels them deeply. But since being struck with lingering physical and mental health challenges from a traumatic season of life, I’ve found my emotions are very low, and I’m unable to commune with God and others in the ways I love. It’s been over a year, and I’m still shuffling through the beauty of this world with a muted palette. Brain fog, exhaustion and perhaps medication have stifled what I’ve always seen as my “superpower” of feeling, which has led most of my life and faith. It’s been frustrating, confusing and full of grief. While there has definitely been improvement, I’m still not operating in mind, body and spirit as I would like. What do we do when we feel empty, lost and disillusioned?
When our feelings have fled and we can’t sense the closeness of God, how do we still stay grounded and secure in our belief that our loving Father hasn’t left us?
When the ways we’ve always relied on are no longer around to guide us, how do we handle the inside-out season of uncertainty?
We choose to stake our faith on the promises of God. As the fog shrouds our spiritual view and our hearts are left unfeeling and unable to sort through the emotions, we reach out for something strong to hold on to. And we learn a new way of walking with the Lord. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
This is the time to lean on the strength of Scripture, looking to the words written long ago that stand the test of time and have guided thousands upon thousands of fellow sojourners through life with our Lord despite every internal and external suffering and uncertainty. Even when we don’t feel our faith, we fight for our faith. We taste His Word on our tongues and receive what revives. We get up each day as best we can and take hold of even just one piece of Scripture, returning to it again and again throughout the day. Sometimes this is all we are able to do, and it is good. God is there, in the fight for the day, in the tears that stay in our hearts rather than our eyes, in the numbness, in the muted emotion. Faith is not just a feeling, and feeling isn’t always fact. God has given us His Word exactly for times like these because His Word is living and active, always moving for us, always at work in us (Hebrews 4:12). And the more we rely on the reminders of His faithfulness, His presence, His promise to go before us and keep us in His forever love, the more we are anchored in mind, body and spirit. When feelings fade, His Word remains, building a pathway that leads deeper into who God is. “Your word is a lamp to my feet …” (Psalm 119:105).
This image implies the speaker's feet are moving, making a way forward. God's Word is also “a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
When we long to know the way, we can choose to trust He will guide us through. Today is here, and so is He. We have a choice to place our trust in God even if especially if we can’t gauge our feelings. God is the One who navigates, who guides, who makes His goodness known. And that is a fact to hold on to.
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Finding Courage in Community
July 3, 2023
by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
“So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.’” Numbers 27:5-7 (NIV)
Recently, I gathered with a group of women leaders in my city. These women head up nonprofits, work as teachers and administrators in local schools, run businesses, and lead in churches. Many of them were feeling run down and overwhelmed by needs in their circles of influence. Maybe that describes you today: run down, overwhelmed, and ready to throw in the towel. No matter where we lead whether in our city, church, workplace or home we all reach a point where we’re not sure how to keep going. Loss, obstacles and opposition wear us down and wear us out. The women leaders in my city were hungry for some encouragement in their various leadership roles. So I opened up my Bible to the book of Numbers and read a story about five sisters who were part of the nation of Israel: the daughters of Zelophehad. These women in Numbers 27, who are called by name Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah (Numbers 27:1) walked a journey of grief. Their father died, and they were left without provision. Together they went to Moses and appealed to his compassion and subsequently the compassion of God. They posed a respectful yet pointed question: “Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son?” (Numbers 27:4a, NIV).
In essence, they asked for the rights to their father’s property, which is not something women were usually granted in this ancient context. Fathers gave their daughters a dowry or gift upon marriage, but daughters did not inherit property. Still, Moses heard their case and brought their request to God. I love God’s response: “So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them’” (Numbers 27:5-7).
This story teaches us a lot about God’s heart for women. The word translated “case” here is mishpat in Hebrew, which can also mean “justice” and is used throughout the Bible. The women made a personal case for justice, which affected the entire community. The law was changed, and all women who were left without fathers and brothers would benefit (Numbers 27:8-11).
These women stepped out in community with courage. They serve as examples to all of us today. God gives us intelligence, agency and creativity to move in our respective spheres of influence. And because He goes with us and provides others to bolster our courage, we don’t have to do it alone. Who can you link arms with to go with them courageously toward change?
Maybe God is calling you to go with your daughter by offering her wisdom and encouragement. Maybe He’s calling you to lead your organization and go with your team in a new direction. Maybe your husband needs you to go with him by praying over him. Maybe you can go with your sister in Christ who is learning to rise up and voice her story. Let’s pray about ways we can move forward in faith and community like the daughters of Zelophehad who changed history.
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Celebrating the Victories
July 4, 2023
by Karen Wingate
“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Psalm 18:29 (NIV)
The day after my husband got a job offer in a city 1,000 miles away, I gave birth to our second child. Within two weeks, we learned our newborn baby daughter would need immediate surgery, leading to two overnight hospital stays, and we had no insurance. The new job couldn’t wait, so my husband drove off with our belongings, leaving me to stay with friends and finish up with post-op doctor visits and financial arrangements. When I remember this two-month period in my life, I still get teary. I have never experienced such a mixture of despair, anguish and worry sloshed together in one big mess. When I have hit other stretches of rough pavement in my life, I’ve often thought, If I could make it through that season of life, I can make it through anything. But I don’t want to remember those two months with only sorrow and regret. I want a smile to accompany the tears. God did amazing things for us: He surrounded us with kind and generous friends who fed us, gave us housing, and spoke encouraging words that offered hope. Two days before the children and I left town, our doctor’s financial director told me a county grant would pay our substantial medical bills in full. And today, my daughter has grown into an accomplished young woman. While God invites us to make space for lament in suffering, I've realized we also have every reason to dance with delight for the ways we've witnessed God’s care for us. In Scripture, Nehemiah gives us an example of how to remember hard seasons of life with celebration after our sadness. Nehemiah was the provincial governor during the time when returning Jewish exiles rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and the rebuild was not easy. Enemies and naysayers dogged every hour, leading volunteers to work with a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other. Yet God’s partnership with His people was so apparent that Israel’s enemies lost their nerve (Nehemiah 6:16). And when the building project was done, Nehemiah led a parade of people to march on top of the walls in praise to God, showing the strength of the very walls that their enemies had predicted would topple (Nehemiah 4:3). I love the imagery of Nehemiah’s dedication service. No private, closed-door ceremony for them; it was a loud, musical, top-of-the-wall celebration that could be heard far away (Nehemiah 12:43). Our key verse for today says, “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall” (Psalm 18:29).
With God, we can rebuild after devastation and then dance, even when others say it can't be done, praising God because He helped us do it. Our memory portraits of the sadness and struggle are not erased, but they now bear the added marks of God’s mighty power that makes healing possible. I imagine you’ve had your seasons of struggle too. How did God walk with you? How did your faith stay strong, and how did others grow in their faith as they watched you? Even if it has been years, you can commemorate that time when you had to pick up the pieces of brokenness and rebuild your life. Like Nehemiah, you can dance in praise for what you accomplished with God’s help, even though it was so very hard. Here's my idea: Like Nehemiah, let’s plan a victory celebration. We can set aside a time and place to praise God for what He has done to carry us through and empower us to rebuild. You can even invite those who shared the work and worry with you and, together, tell what you saw God do. Be creative! To represent the person you are and how God has delivered you, you can celebrate with music, food, decorations, storytelling, crafts, or whatever helps you best express your joy. In trouble and heartbreak, there is a time for grief. But there is also “a time to heal a time to build a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:3-4, NIV).
Our faith can become even stronger than before with the help of our faithful God.
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Slip Away and Pray
July 6, 2023
by Anitha Abraham
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 (NIV)
After months of planning, my sister, Binu, and I finally had a chance to grab dinner with a particular group of friends. The Thai food was delicious plus, the conversation was fun and meaningful. Before we could even start thinking about what sugary item we should end our evening with, Binu spoke up: “Hey, ladies, when we’re done, maybe we could all get in my van and pray!”
If you knew Binu, you wouldn't find this shocking. First of all, she loves her van. We have taken many a road trip in it. Secondly, she loves to pray. Her sons have often come home from school to find her praying in their room. She still does this even though they are in college and living away from home during the semester. When I call her to “vent” about troubles in my life, she listens, advises and says, “Why don’t we pray?”
Then she goes straight to God’s throne room with me on the phone. For big and small things, I will often get a text from her asking for prayer. She believes in the power of prayer and lives it out. So after dinner that night, instead of going somewhere for dessert, we all hopped in Binu’s van to pray. I’ll admit I was ready to go home and get in my pajamas, but I knew Binu had chosen the better thing time with the Lord. We took turns sharing our needs along with the needs of people around us. One by one, we prayed over those requests. The atmosphere was ripe with God's power. The Holy Spirit was truly moving among us in that van. Praying seems easy, but honestly, it can be hard for me. When I see how intentional Binu is about prayer, I am inspired. But even more so, did you know Jesus was intentional about prayer?
“… Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16, emphasis added).
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray” (Matthew 14:23a, NIV).
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35, NIV).
Jesus the second Person of the Trinity, the one and only Son of God … made time to pray. I am thankful for the Apostle Paul’s charge later in Scripture to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV).
This invites us into an all-day conversation with God, no matter what we are doing. But the examples of Jesus' prayers in the Gospels are very telling as well. While I have no doubt He was in constant dialogue with His Father, the fact that Jesus still slipped away to pray, often in solitude, sets an example for us. If Jesus prayed in this manner, shouldn’t I?
I don’t want to miss out on time with God by not slipping away. I want what was said of my sister and my Savior to be said of me — that I often withdraw to pray.
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You Are Known and Loved
July 10, 2023
by Tracie Braylock
“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1 (NIV)
It was during the very first course of our nursing program that we were given one of our most important exams. We were tasked with demonstrating how to do a head-to-toe assessment, an evaluation of all of the body’s systems, which would give us a picture of a patient’s health status and potential problems. For weeks, I studied for this exam, learning the steps of the assessment, what to look for in each body system, and questions to ask the patient throughout the process. It seemed like so much information to retain, so many steps, and so much room for error. But as exam day approached, I knew I was ready. Still, completing this examination and gathering as much information as possible about a person’s body and its current condition can only give a glimpse into the totality of the person. Even with all of the notes I had taken, the hours of studying, the instruments in my nursing bag, and the support of classmates and professors, my assessment was limited. Because just like the proverbial “tip of the iceberg,” what we can see and measure about a person is only a fraction of all there is to know. I passed the exam and was grateful that I did. But what will always be more gratifying is knowing that there is One the Great Physician (Mark 2:17) who knows me, and every patient I care for, inside and out. If you’re struggling with not feeling seen, heard or understood. If you wish you could share your stories, your secrets or your shame. If you’re questioning whether anyone knows all of the parts that make you who you are or if it even matters. I want to remind you of what Psalm 139:1 says: “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.”
Yes, my friend, God knew you before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5), has numbered the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7), and knows your words completely before they’re on your tongue (Psalm 139:4). There is no part of who you are that is hidden from God or is a mystery to Him. So when it seems like the doctors just can’t find the problem, or your spouse or friends don’t seem to understand you even though they’ve been right by your side, or all that you’ve been through feels like more information than even you can retain, remember your Creator sees it all. God is aware of every condition you face and each detail about who you are. You can turn to and take refuge in the One who knows your every body system, every potential problem, every thought, desire and care. He is familiar with all your ways, and you can trust that you are thoroughly known and loved by Him.