Grateful to Your Toes

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And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you. Ezekiel 36:26-27

A Christmas Carol is a popular Christmas classic penned by Charles Dickens well over a hundred years ago.

One cannot comprehend the panic Scrooge felt as he walked with the Ghost of Christmas Future, unless one has made sinful choices such as Scrooge.

Because Scrooge was so selfish, he was blind to anything but himself.

Increasingly becoming aware of his sin only that night.

The consequences of his actions finally spoke louder to Scrooge than his fleshly habits.

Finding him in the graveyard, he sees the man’s name so ridiculed in death pages before: his own.

Falling on his face, he begs the Ghost of Christmas Future for a second chance.

Scrooge is agonized beyond anything he’s felt before.

He recognizes he is literally doomed.

Doomed forever and ever unless given a second chance.

A second chance as a changed man.

Begging the Ghost, he claims to have changed.

Begs and pleads with all his might.

He finally understands his truly bleak future written by his choices lived his entire adult life.

Stop and imagine yourself. What if that was you?

Do you have sections of your life ugly to God?

So ugly you deserve eternal damnation, too?

We all do. All of us deserve death.

But Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection bring us hope as we place our trust in Him.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Let’s return to the question at hand: what ugly parts of your life do you still need to give to God?

Why haven’t you? What’s stopping you? Are you even bothered by them?

Scrooge wasn’t for most of his life. But when his eyes were opened, he was horrified.

Release your fleshly desires to God. Release your sinful ways, hurtful to so many.

Scrooge never cared about hurting others, but he did when he finally got it.

We don’t have the luxury of seeing future consequences of our sin.

But we do have the gift of God’s redemption. And second chances.

When Scrooge finally pried open his hands, he released his bitterness. His anger. His selfishness.

And in return he was given new eyes. And boy was he happy!

Releasing those burdens caused Scrooge to well up with joy unlike anything he had ever felt before.

Just like us, when we are forgiven by God.

Covered by Jesus, we are made new. Forgiven. Hopeful. Loved.

Bring your whole self to Jesus, this Christmas. Ask Him to show you any part you’ve neglected to give to Him.

Gather up your courage, give Him that ugly part, too, and welcome the healing He promises to bring.

Like Scrooge, you’ll be grateful all the way down to your toes.

Photos by Elin Melaas, David Abrams, Jez Timms, & Elliott B on Unsplash

Our Christmas Gift

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Do you find it odd our entire world celebrates Jesus’ birth?

Our secular world who seeks to elevate themselves more often than not?

Sure, you could argue Jesus’ birth has morphed into Santa, presents, and reindeer.

But even Santa is based on Nicholas of Myra, a fourth century bishop who left gifts for poor children.

Maybe the world isn’t totally lost. Yet.

How can you help your friends and family see the baby Jesus instead this Christmas?

Through you. Your witness. Your focus.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Overused phrase, yes, but it’s so true.

When you think for just a moment how deeply God loves you…..

When you ponder why God sent Jesus to earth…..

When you stop and realize how desperately you need our Savior…

You’ll discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Jesus came to earth just for you.

God missed His relationship with you that much.

He missed you and desperately wants that relationship back.

He wants you to trust Him. To love Him. To realize how much you need Him.

Because His plans for you are so good. The very best.

And to communicate that love, God set Jesus’ birth in motion.

That’s how much He loves you. All of you.

Begin to replace the commercialism of Christmas with the celebration of Jesus.

God’s peace on earth will come to your corner.

Your “why” you celebrate will alter everything. Real peace and real joy for once.

Let’s replace all the trinkets nobody needs. The gifts people return. Events we feel compelled to attend.

Replace it all with an increased devotion to Jesus, thanking Him for His gift. Himself.

Rely on Him for your peace as you dwell on the love He has just for you.

Let your celebrations stem from this and all of the gifts, events, and chaos will become worship to God.

While the world has lost the focus of Christmas, let’s keep ours, shifting back our focus to God and His precious gift of Jesus for you and for me.

Photos by Tristan Maness, Max Beck, Matt Botsford, &  Alda González-Cuevas on Unsplash

Christmas Rush

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! Luke 2:14

Why is it this time of year seems to cause armfuls of stress?

Anyone else feel the pressure to buy everyone and their dog the perfect gift?

Anyone else feel pressured to provide all things to all people, creating perfect Christmas card memories?

And why is that?

Keeping up with the neighbors. Our friends. The entire world.

Expectations of ourselves, others, and the day.

What’s interesting is Jesus’ birth was so not complicated.

Mary and Joseph did not make the perfect reservation weeks in advance for the best room.

The angels did not record their songs, capturing the perfect moment for their social media.

The shepherds did not rehearse their reaction for perfect timing, nor did they have a Christmas outfit to celebrate the new King.

Everything just happened.

Mary and Joseph found what they could.

The angels broke out in song when they could no longer hold back.

The shepherds simply ran to the manger, wearing what they had on at the time.

And Jesus came amid it all.

Peace on earth is more than a silent night.

Peace on earth begins in your heart, surrendered to God and God alone.

When your heart is His, nothing else matters.

His peace can reign within, no matter what else churns around you.

Do the Christmas things. Have fun while you’re at it.

But keep God’s peace above all else.

Because nothing else matters, but Him.

Photos by Deep Doshi, Raymond Petrik, Tj Holowaychuk, & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Thanksgiving

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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

This holiday, created by the Pilgrims in 1621 and made official by President Lincoln in 1863, evokes many types of emotions.

Thankfulness to God for all He provides, including food and shelter.

Thankfulness for our family and friends.

Thankfulness for our great country and the freedom she gives.

Deep down thankfulness for every blessing in our lives.

But what about the icky parts? The ones you’re not thankful for?

Give thanks anyway.

Thank God for keeping you safe within the storm.

Thank God for giving you His peace when your world seems anything but.

Thank God for filling you with HIs joy when yours has walked out the door.

Thank God even if. Because ‘even if’ still includes God.

Your world may look dark, but God is light. He’s your light in the darkness.

God will forever lead you down the path He has for you. Faithfully.

He will never leave your side in good times and bad. Period.

He stands with you, surrounding you with Himself.

And that is something we can all be very thankful for.

Photos by Thibault Mokuenko, Libby Penner, Debby Hudson, & Autumn Mott Rodeheaver on Unsplash

Genesis 6

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And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Noah found grace in the eyes of God. Genesis 6:6,8

God regretted creating man.

The evil, which was ruling man, grieved God’s heart.

Man became so selfish and evil, God actually wished He had not created them.

Verse 5 says “every intention of the thoughts of his (man’s) heart was only evil continually.

Wow.

Like nothing but evil.

Literally.

Imagine living in that world where only evil reigns free and kindness is nearly non-existent.

Nearly non-existent due to the life of Noah.

Noah and his family found favor in God’s eyes.

That’s it. The only family on earth.

Only a few hundred years after God created Adam, He regretted man.

Not only did God want to destroy man, He also cut short future man’s long life which had been the norm.

Noah was 500 when he fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 5:32).

That’s pretty old!

God declared man would live no more than 120 years in verse 3 as God did not want His spirit to abide in man forever.

You can see why.

God does not condone evil.

Period.

We might not be as bad or evil as the population Noah walked among, but evil is evil.

Sin is sin.

Do you ever stop to think your sin grieves God’s heart?

Sure some sins are worse than others, but any sin at all goes against God.

It goes against everything He is.

Sin is the opposite of God.

Lots of grace for us when we sin, yes, but ask God to help you live only within His ways.

Ask the Holy Spirit to build you up in your mind, body, and soul, as you pursue God and God alone.

Maybe the thought of grieving God’s heart will stop you from sinning.

After all, why would we ever want to cause God any pain ever when He’s done everything and more for us?

Photos by Lucas Dial, Aram, Aaron Burden, & Anne Nygård on Unsplash

How Badly?

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Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

How badly do you want it? To imitate God?

How much do you want to change in order to do just that?

We cannot do anything in our own strength.

It will certainly fail, why?

Because we are flawed. Human. Not God.

Oh sure, sometimes we can do things amazingly well in our own strength.

But that tends to lead us into pride.

And pride eventually leads us to humility in a usually embarrassing way.

The humble spirit is different.

A humble person is not weak.

They have quiet strength.

They have great wisdom, yet they do not push it on anyone.

They have peace, because they realize it’s not all about them.

Who can you relate to?

A prideful person who does everything themselves?

Or a humble person who realizes God must work through them to accomplish great things?

A prideful person thinks it’s all about them.

A humble person knows it’s all about God.

Prideful people demand.

Humble people serve.

When you look in the Bible, the Pharisees were extremely proud.

They knew everything and no one could tell them any different.

Know anyone like that?

Jesus is our example of a humble man who served.

He knew everything, but served the lowest of the low.

His gentle strength showed God’s power and love.

Standing before Pilot, Jesus could have explained it all.

He could’ve shown His accusers a thing or two.

How badly do you want to be like Jesus?

Are you willing to give up yourself?

Are you willing to put aside your own plans to follow His plan for you?

Ask God to fill you up with His strength, wisdom, and love.

Rely on Him to keep filling you every day.

In return, God will use you to bless others.

And you’ll be blessed right back in the process as you imitate Him.

Photos by Greg Shield, Aaron Burden, Patrick Tomasso, & Taylor Cole on Unsplash

 

Miserable by Choice

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

There once was a miserable lady, who lived in a cottage near the edge of the forest.

She lived by herself and had grown to an old age.

Her many belongings gave her comfort since her relationships were complicated.

Her loneliness was compounded by her attitude as she continued to blame everyone and everything for her misery.

Everyone except herself.

Looking back, she had lived a good life.

She was accomplished, pretty, and comfortable.

On the outside she was the picture of health.

But she was deathly afraid.

Afraid of what, you may ask?

Letting go. Forgiveness. Not being in control.

Surrendering and accepting life.

And change.

To protect herself, she lashed out and declared herself “Mrs. Always Right.”

Her loved ones and friends never spent much time with her, because her bitterness was easily spread.

Her cottage was nestled on the edge of the great forest.

It was so beautiful – once.

Her memory smiled as she recalled all the beautiful years spent in the forest.

Simply lovely.

But her frown would always return and stay firmly planted on her face when she recalled the devastating fire that had swept through her precious forest.

Everything had burned down.

All the trees, flowers, and life.

The forest was like that for years.

Too long, actually.

And when things look bad for years, it’s easy to forget the beauty.

One day, the forest began to regrow.

New life had sprung all over the place.

Months went by and suddenly the forest was beautiful again.

Stunning, actually.

Radiant.

But she could not see it.

When the lady looked at her beloved forest, all she could see was destruction.

She could not see all the beauty.

Her bitterness had changed her forever.

Her eyesight would not allow her to see the goodness.

She refused to acknowledge her new beautiful surroundings, choosing instead to remember the fire and how her forest once had been.

Are you blind, too? Miserable by choice?

Do you only see what once was, refusing to recognize God’s new blessings in your life?

Allow God to enter, letting His new blessings flood your heart with promise and thankfulness.

There is no need to be miserable by choice.

Choose instead to be thankful as God will never leave your side.

His new plans will be great. God says so.

Photos by Chastagner Thierry, Gustav Gullstrand,  kazuend, & Bruce Hong on Unsplash

Wall of Fire

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And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst. Zechariah 2:5

When walking through life, do you feel alone?

Do you feel often overwhelmed by the world’s rubbish thrown your way?

Tired of falling too often towards temptation?

Walk in your authority from God.

He’s with you. He covers you with His strength, protection, and peace.

Psalm 5:12 reminds us: Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

When feeling overwhelmed by life, picture God surrounding you with HIs favor like a shield.

But it gets even better.

Our verse from Zechariah shares God’s promise of a literal wall of fire.

This wall of fire surrounds you. Nothing can come through.

Picture this wall of fire burning up temptation. Burning up fear. Burning up anything coming your way that is not of God.

Can we still have problems with God as our wall of fire?

Sure. Jesus reminds us we will suffer.

But suffering under God’s plan is different from allowing the world’s rubbish to affect you.

Within God’s plan, suffering looks like glory. Suffering looks like peace. It’s the opposite of how the world defines it.

Paul mentions suffering as a time to boast in God’s strength.

May God surround us as a wall of fire.

May God’s wall of fire burn up anything that comes our way not of Him and Him alone.

May God’s wall of fire burn up our selfish tendencies, placing in us the desire for God alone.

May God’s wall of fire burn up fear when tempted to rely on human knowledge.

And may God’s glory be forever in the midst of us.

Photos by Paul Bulai, Cullan Smith, Olivia Snow, & Zac Durant on Unsplash

What’s Normal?

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Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11

Ever heard the phrase “the new normal”?

Usually means something bizarre is becoming commonplace.

Normal used to mean a two parent family with a few children, living in the same house for decades.

Normal used to mean church anchored the neighborhood, threading lives together as one.

Normal used to mean children knew their place and it wasn’t in charge of adults.

While we can sit here and debate “normal” social behaviors, I was wondering something completely different.

How often do you think about God?

Does He fill your thoughts most of the day? Or just when there’s nobody else to turn?

Do you talk with Him once a day, maybe as your eyes close?

Or do you talk to Him in a constant chatter about this or that, basically whenever anything comes to mind?

Do you wake with His song on your lips?

What’s your music choice? Whatever it is demands space in your head.

Sometimes I think I’m not normal.

I adore worship music. It’s all I listen to, with the exception of occasional classical music.

My head is filled with God because of it. I regularly wake with His song on my lips.

I think of heaven, too. Life is incredibly short and I hope I’m helping others see the importance of God.

Do you feel an urgency to align your heart to God’s?

What if you don’t wake up tomorrow?

Or what if you have only today to share God with another?

God takes our life seriously. So seriously that He rescued us from eternal separation by sending His son, Jesus, to take our sin for us.

If we really thought long and hard, we’d prioritize filling ourselves with worship to God, seeking His face. We owe Him everything.

So, in the end, normal for Christians should be our never-ending focus on God.

Putting Him first.

Above all else.

And that means above you and me.

As we live God’s purpose for our lives, may we consistently place Him first as we seek Him in all we do and say.

Photos by Doncoombez, Jeremy Thomas, & Taylor Cole on Unsplash

Casting off the Flesh

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Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14

What do you think Paul was talking about in this passage?

Thinking of putting on Jesus, what comes to mind?

Armor of God. Holy Spirit’s influence. Listening to God instead of the enemy’s lies.

It’s intentional. Notice Paul asks us to literally do something. To put on Jesus.

Do you? Do you choose to invite Jesus to fill you each day with more of Himself?

Do you open your Bible to hear the words of God?

Do you worship him on any day besides Sunday?

With what are you filling your mind?

Paul continues to say we must put our flesh beneath us. To make no provision for it.

Why? Because our fleshly desires tend to rule over us.

They tend to take over, don’t they?

They take our focus off of Jesus, putting it back on ourselves.

Our needs. Our wants. Our desires.

Yes, we need to take care of ourselves. So how does it move to gratifying the flesh instead?

Choosing to be lazy instead of exercising or moving.

Choosing to eat junk when we should honor our body with health.

Choosing to spend mindless hours on digital games or social media when we should be reading our Bible, reading books, or learning something new.

Going to substances that numb the world’s pain instead of walking with God to freedom.

A couple of verses before, Romans 13:12 says this: Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Casting off works of darkness is not gratifying the flesh.

Putting on the armor of light is putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because our flesh is often so loud, Paul thinks we should make no provision for it.

Gratifying the desires of the flesh should never usurp what God has called us to be.

And the enemy often comes in sneaky ways, taking an inch at a time.

Today we should take inventory of how our life looks. How we spend our time. What our mind dwells upon.

Is your flesh in charge or is it God?

Cast off the flesh. And put on God.

Photos by Ingmar &  Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Shopping for More

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For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28

Where are you gathering your identity?

Are you shopping at Walmart when you should be selecting items at the most expensive store?

You might reply you cannot possibly afford the most expensive store.

Remember, I’m not talking about material goods.

I’m talking about your worth. Your identity. Your very core.

When you surrender your life to God, He steps in, scooping out the ugly, replacing it with beauty.

Jesus’ death on the cross provides the transaction removing sin. The sin we were born with. The sin we chose. Our heredity. God’s power removes all of it, replacing it with redemption.

When redeemed, we have God’s power. His life. His disposition.

Acts reminds us we live and move and literally are within God.

Your identity is God’s.

Your worth is God’s.

When we live from within God’s power, we have everything.

When our being is literally from God, our worth is immeasurable.

It’s time to stop shopping for your worth at the thrift store.

Time to stop settling for your used former self.

Instead, select God’s equisite self. His perfection wanting to shine through you.

Start living as if God is speaking through you.

Start living as if God is working through you.

Start living as if God is moving through you.

Because when you live and move and have your being in God, He’s already here.

Photos by Tem Rysh, Lucrezia Carnelos, Markus Spiske, & Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Acting Like It

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The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him! Psalm 64:10

Do you ever observe your life as an actor?

Maybe the phrase “fake it til you make it” comes to mind?

I’m not talking about times when you’re genuinely smiling.

Like really enjoying life.

Because that’s when it’s as easy as falling off a log to act happy. Because you are.

But what about the times when you’re not?

Can you choose joy even when you’d rather be anywhere else?

Can you choose love even when you feel anything but?

Yep. Know why? Because God’s strength in you is bigger than your weakness.

Bigger than the flesh that covers you.

Picture yourself in a situation where you really should be nice to someone undeserving.

Approach it as an actor would in their starring role. You can do it, I promise.

And after your performance, you might even feel a bit happier, too.

Yes, we must not pretend everything is always hunky dory.

Yes, we must not let horrible people run over our lives.

But generally in life, if you are needing to keep that fresh face forward, act like it.

Often removing yourself and becoming a happier version keeps relationships humming.

And before you know it, God may help your happy mood become your genuine reaction.

Until then, ask God to fill you with His strength, and jump into that loving actor self.

And give yourself an Oscar! I’ll applaud you!

Now you’re smiling!

Photos by Jon Tyson, Avel Chuklanov, & Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Raised Hands

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But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

When worshiping the Lord, we often raise our hands.

Why? Absolute surrender. Acknowledging God is God and we are not.

Proclaiming His holiness. Bringing ourselves to Him as an offering.

As we lift our hands to heaven in worship, God comes down.

Psalm 22:3 reminds us God inhabits our praise. Chooses to manifest His glory and power amid our worship.

Picture your hands raised to heaven.

As your voice lifts your song in worship, God reaches down to you.

His hands clasp yours, filling you with Himself.

He receives your worship as His glory comes down to you.

A holy exchange.

That picture jumped into my head today as we worshipped at church.

If I could bring you into my head, you’d get the full picture I wish I could correctly share.

It was beautiful. Comforting. Full of strength.

God longs to fill us with more of Him.

He is so worthy to be praised.

The next time you sing in worship to Him, raise those hands.

Give Him all of you as He reaches down to give you more of Him.

Photos by Jake Hill, Steve Adams, Jametlene Reskp, & Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash

Forgiving Anyway

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For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Are you harboring bitterness? It’s easy to.

When wronged unjustly, we feel the need to hold onto it, somehow justifying ourselves.

When kept close, it grows roots deep down, affecting thoughts, even remembering things incorrectly.

When the root keeps growing, we close our ears against anything that touches the root.

We love feeling bitter, not wanting to give room to love.

Is there any area in your life that is filled with bitterness, crowding out love?

When wronged, we have two choices: forgive and let go, or not forgive, holding onto bitterness.

It’s not easy to choose forgiveness, especially when the other person doesn’t deserve it.

We were wronged!

Bitterness seems familiar when we are used to holding grudges. It’s almost comforting to keep it close, justifying your continued actions as a result.

The prison of bitterness keeps only one person captive: you.

Relationships suffer and die when you choose that prison.

I completely understand wanting to stay for awhile. It feels safe. But it’s only a trap.

Ask God to help heal your heart.

To forgive with his strength, not yours.

To release the bitterness grown so familiar.

Ephesians 4:31–32 says “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

When you think about the mercy God has shown you, it’s easier to forgive others.

God asks us to forgive those who sin against us in Matthew 6.

Ephesians 4 asks us to be kind and forgiving.

Goes against our flesh for sure.

But God is here to help you. He asks us to forgive and He’ll help you do just that.

Ask Him and you’ll soon walk freely into the freedom of God’s forgiveness.

Photos by Annie Spratt & Lee 琴 on Unsplash

Do Others Know?

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And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Do others know you are the Lord’s?

Is it obvious you follow Jesus?

Is it written on your face as you react to the world?

Is it displayed in your actions as you share Jesus’ gentle touch?

Your words as you bring others God’s voice of life to blanket their soul?

The temperature of the room when you walk in covered with the peace of God?

Or do you quietly live your faith with not one person realizing your alliance to God?

How do you walk the halls of your high school: blending in with the world or standing out for God?

How well do you mimic Jesus as He walked this earth?

Yes, He preached.

Yes, He healed.

Yes, He argued with church leaders while pointing out their errors.

But not every minute of every day.

He lived, moving among us with the heart of God.

He listened.

He hugged.

He made others feel important. Worthy. Valuable.

How about you?

Is it obvious you follow Jesus?

Are you bringing others to Jesus or are you caring not a whit about their future damnation?

Is God in the forefront of your mind?

Do you stand tall for His truth?

Might feel lonely, but there are more of us with you than you realize.

Plus, God is always standing right by your side.

There are those in our world who do dare to stand out.

Who wear their faith on their sleeve, asking others to consider God’s ways.

Charlie Kirk was one of those, and he paid the ultimate price.

Are you willing to be God’s witness, too?

Even if it causes your early death?

Satan will hate your witness.

What is your choice?

Let others know how much you love God.

Let others see His goodness.

Let your words bring others closer to Him.

And let your time on earth cause others to yearn for God exactly as you do.

Our time here is limited. Minutes when compared to eternity.

Will you live today for now or will you live today for then?

Will you live today for yourself or will you live today as God’s witness, knowing today might be your last?

Photos by Tim Wildsmith, Humble Lamb, Tim Wildsmith, & David Banning on Unsplash

New Beginnings

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He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3

God calls us into new beginnings, sometimes several times in our life.

It could be a HUGE new beginning.

Marriage, baby, divorce, death, moving, or a new job.

Or, it could be a small new beginning such as resolving to eat healthy, initiating a new devotional time, determining a new year’s resolution, or updating your children’s chore chart.

New beginnings can be scary, especially if they hit you by surprise.

An unexpected job loss.

A sudden death or divorce.

A child moving out.

It’s all scary and frightening.

 But God is in the details.

What?

He cares about my daily struggles, my new beginnings, big or small?

Yes, He absolutely does.

Not only that, but He wants to hear your heart and help you.

He wants your trust – your unwavering trust in the Provider of Life.

Nothing surprises God. Nothing.

So let your new beginnings include God.

The big ones and the small ones.

Every single one.

Photos by Sushobhan Badhai, Clark Wilson, John McMahon, & feey on Unsplash

Smiles of God

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But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11

Ever think of how God smiles down at you?

How He looks down at you, his beautiful creation, breaking out in a huge grin?

I did today.

I thought about how God had recently blessed me and I felt His smile.

Like He was saying, “This is all for you, because I’m so proud of you.”

We don’t obey God to get things.

We obey God out of our deep love for Him. Our allegiance. Our choice to surrender our will to His.

But God does choose to bless His children.

The Old Testament has many verses like Deuteronomy 5:33: Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

While I’m fully aware God is pleased when we are obedient and we can rest in His peace when we daily focus on Him, there are times when I think about God smiling down on us.

Maybe something big finally came together.

Maybe a bonus check arrived you weren’t expecting.

Maybe a long-lost friend reached out and made your day.

Maybe you were suddenly filled with a deep gratitude for all God has given you.

Or maybe you were surprised with something and you know God sees your faithfulness, recognizing it for more to witness.

I frankly think God smiles down on us more than we realize.

He loves you and longs for a deep relationship with you.

He’s not one to grab your time, exposing your flaws when you chat.

He wants to free you for you. For your freedom walking this earth.

God’s already free. He’s God.

But He longs for you to be free to see His smiles.

Surrender afresh today. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior over everything.

Then pay attention. God’s smile will warm your heart when you finally take notice.

Photos by Aaron Burden & Sanjoy Sadhukhan on Unsplash

Roots

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So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

I’m convinced most of our emotional issues stem from fear.

Fear of the future.

Fear of being alone.

Fear of rejection.

We all long for meaningful relationships.

Yet we cannot control others, and what they choose to do.

When rejected, and it will happen to all of us, fear enters.

We worry the next person will do the very same thing.

Or we try too hard to keep the wrong person.

Emotionally, when we interact with fear, our body responds physically.

Tired, achy, moody moments are just the beginning.

When we dwell with fear, our body begins to break down in other ways.

Science shows us dwelling in fear brings anxiety and stress to our hearts, brains, digestive and immune system. All detrimental to our health, especially when holding onto fear longterm.

So what’s the anecdote to all this?

God.

God created us for a relationship with Him.

Remember before Adam and Eve sinned, God talked with them every single day?

Fast foward to Jesus, who was sent to redeem us.

To cancel our sin so we can go back to that relationship with God.

God longs for you so much, that He sent His son, Jesus, to die for you.

So you can talk with God here and now, as well as all of eternity.

The root of all fear, anxiety, and stress, is reliance on anything but God.

Train your brain to respond with God’s truth – His Word when fear dares to enter your mind.

Repeating 1 Timothy 1:7 aloud is a great example: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Respond with worship when your brain begins to dwell on the negative or impossible situations.

Ask God to fill you with Himself when you feel yourself heading down the wrong path again.

God is here. God is ready. God is willing to take all of it for you.

But the choice is yours.

Yank the crud by the root and refocus on God.

Again and again, speak God’s truth when weeds pop up.

Because they will. That’s what weeds do if you don’t keep regularly gardening.

After going to scripture again and again, you’ll begin to notice your reaction doesn’t immediately fall to fear anymore.

Pretty soon you won’t notice as many weeds. They won’t come back so often because the soil – your brain- can’t help them grow.

Colossians reminds us to keep our life rooted in Jesus and built up in him. Strengthen our faith. Overflow with thankfulness.

Relying on God reminds fear Who is in control. God. And His soil will fill your brain with truth.

Photos by Amir Kalhor, Antonio Lapa, Erik van Dijk, & Christian De Stradis on Unsplash

Milestone!

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But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25

Today I bring to you very exciting news. Ready?

My book has officially sold over 100,000 copies!

I know! Incredible!!

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association is an international network of Christian publishers.

Their award came to me this past week.

It’s a real glass book, engraved with my name and my book’s name. It’s so heavy!

This “bronze” medal also places my book on other lists buyers pick from, gaining even more exposure. It’s been available online everywhere, but we’ll see it more in physical stores. I think it would look perfect at Hobby Lobby or Sam’s Club! Already seen it in Walmart down south.

How did this happen to someone who is unknown?

God. He’s the orchestrator of it all.

Could I have reached this on my own? Nope.

But I obeyed. That was my part. Willing to follow what I knew God wanted me to do.

And He blessed me.

Keep seeking God.

Ask Him what He wants from you. What He wants you to do.

Then when He tells you, obey. You never know where God will lead you.

I certainly had no idea when I began my blog over a dozen years ago.

But God did.

Zipping Your Lips

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Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15

What are God’s purposes for you on this earth? To glorify Him, and you cannot do that while complaining.

You’ll also live caught in the web of self-condemnation, probably in a bad mood most of the time when your speech is perverse.

Subsequently, your witness for God is tarnished.

Sends others off screaming in the other direction.

So how do we glorify God when we feel like complaining?

We praise him anyway.

We choose to push aside the complaining thoughts, praising God instead. Even if.

When we choose to continue trusting God as life tempts us to sour – that’s when our witness shines. That’s when God’s transformation of our very selves shines brighter.

It’s how the world sees the difference God makes in our lives.

So if we choose to complain every time things go south, we’re absolutely no different from the world.

They complain, too.

But if instead you choose praising God in the midst, choosing to trust him instead of your circumstances, you’ll show the world how good God is.

How trustworthy He remains. How much better off you are with Him by your side. How much you need Him as life often deals badly.

Your purpose on this earth is to glorify God, reflecting Him to others.

Draw them today, instead of leading them away.

Photos by Kristina Flour, Jelleke Vanooteghem, Richard Bell, & Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

70 times 7

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Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22

This is one of the greatest difficulties we face as Christians.

Forgiveness. Releasing the offender from you.

Freeing them from their offense.

Even when they don’t ask.

Especially when they don’t ask.

How many times?

Seventy times seven.

Four hundred ninety times. Unlimited.

What if the person has offended you that many times?

Then for you, it’s four hundred ninety. And counting.

Doesn’t mean you allow abuse to continue. Or offense to keep knocking you down again and again.

But normal daily interactions often yield conflict.

And aside from Jesus asking us to do this, we do have a choice.

We can forgive or not.

If we forgive, we release ourselves from bitterness. From the prison of unjustly behavior revenge.

Is it funner to stay in the prison, stuck and alone? I’ll be the first to admit yes.

It’s where we nurse our wounds unprovoked by others. It’s where we feel justified in making others pay for their deeds. Hard time is what we want.

But the prison of bitterness is also where we stay stuck. Miserable. And you know who is too pleased when we do? The enemy. The father of lies, who tells us our prison is better accommodations than freedom’s path.

The good news is this: God. Not only does God know forgiveness is superior for our relationships, and our physical or emotional health, He helps us through the process.

We don’t have to feel like forgiving. We simply need to choose and obey God.

Ask God to help you forgive the offender. Release them back into the arms of Jesus. Ask God to fill your sense of injustice with peace, replacing the bitterness with joy.

God has promised to right every wrong. He’s the ultimate judge and your defender.

Practice this today as God unlocks your prison of bitterness.

It’s incredibly difficult. But you must trust God more than you trust your bitterness.

We don’t want the enemy happy with our location, do we?

Change your address today. God’s waiting to walk you to freedom.

Oh, and if your well worn path takes your feet right back to the prison out of habit?

Stop and turn. God will help you every single time.

Photos by Lili Popper, Jametlene Reskp, Cody Otto, & Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

So Sneaky

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Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Let’s ponder war strategy for a moment. How do opposing sides attack each other?

Quietly. A sneak attack, surprising the enemy.

Plans are top secret. Spies infiltrate.

When the other side doesn’t expect you, it’s way easier to win.

D-Day even had rumors of other attacks, alternate landings, confusing the enemy.

Even though thousands of precious soldiers died that day, they won because the enemy was surprised.

If the Nazis had known, D-Day would have been a disaster. And our world today would likely look way different.

Shifting our attention to the enemy of our souls, it’s no different.

Do you honestly think the enemy will announce himself with large banners, shouting his presence to attack?

When someone is robbed at gun point, does the robber allow the victim to get ready to respond?

When an arsonist seeks to set fire to a property, do they call the owner, informing them of impending doom?

It’s absurd. Attacks are meant for harm. Understandable and necessary in war, but cruel in life.

We are living in a spiritual battle. And we must be ready. At all times, because the enemy will not announce himself.

He will come in quietly, swinging at your most vulnerable parts for fatal blows.

Be assured he watches you. Has known you for your whole life.

He knows your weaknesses. Where to strike you so it hurts real bad.

Are you prone to people pleasing? You’ll bend over backwards so others like you.

Rejection? His lies will confirm untruths still lying dormant in your brain.

Perfection? Same thing. You’ll feel less than every time.

Stand up. Take back your ground, given to you by God’s authority dwelling in you.

Romans 8:11 reminds us “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you”.

God’s life in you. His power. His authority.

God is the victor. He has already won the war. And the enemy knows it.

He’s here to kill, steal, and destroy relationships, reputations, and lives. Yours, mine, and our family’s.

Don’t let him. Be ready. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”.

God will stand with you, silencing the enemy’s accusations.

Dress for battle as Ephesians 6 describes.

Lift yourself and your family to God each day, asking for his protection, filling you with himself in your mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Don’t sit down in your soul anymore.

Stand and fight with God, whose power will slay the enemy to his knees.

Photos by stefan kroeger, Catherine Merlin, Jonathan Kemper, & Nik Shuliahin  on Unsplash

Living From Forgiveness

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Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13

Are you living from God’s forgiveness for you?

If you’ve surrendered your heart to Jesus, He’s forgiven you all your sins.

Often we don’t realize just how sinful we are.

And when we do, God’s forgiveness means that much more.

Feels so great, doesn’t it? To feel forgiven?

I can remember lying to my grandfather when I was about six years old.

I had gotten the Little Professor calculator for Christmas.

Basically, it was a small light up math game and I couldn’t wait to sneak it into my bed.

What six year old wouldn’t want to see it lit up in the dark?

After I went to bed, my grandfather, who had been injured in WW2, slowly climbed the stairs, which were very hard for him.

Coming into my room, he asked me if he could see my new Little Professor calculator.

Not wanting him to have it, I actually climbed out of bed and pretended to look for it with him in my room.

Giving up, he said it was just fine. He’d look at it in the morning.

Back in bed, the calculator no longer held any interest. None.

My tummy felt awful lying to my grandfather.

How long did I hold in this lie?

An entire year. I literally thought about it almost every day.

It ate at me. How could I have lied to him?

One day I could no longer take it.

Climbing onto my father’s lap, I confessed.

I waited for my huge punishment.

As an adult looking back at this scene, I’m guessing my parents were trying to stifle a giggle.

They forgave me instantly.

I climbed down and felt like I could fly.

Ran to my brother’s room and played cars with him, even though that was my least favorite activity.

But I didn’t care. I was free. I was so happy. My smile was frozen to my face.

My six-year-old self began to live from forgiveness. It was pure freedom.

Ask for forgiveness if you’ve wronged someone. You’ll feel so much better, owning your behavior.

And if your offender fails to ask you for forgiveness? Forgive them anyway.

You’ll fling off the burden of offense and smile in spite of the situation.

Don’t let others block you from living from forgiveness.

Seventy-times seven.

Ask for forgiveness. Forgive others.

Choose today to live from the freedom of forgiveness.

Photos by Laura Pocho, Mary Blackwey , &  Ben White on Unsplash

Never Comes to an End

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Spent the past week at the beach.

Can I just live there, please?

Watching the waves is so peaceful.

The sound as waves crash onto the sand.

The smell of salty, fresh air.

The feel of fine sand cushioning your feet.

The notice of life brimming all around.

Mussels coming up after a wave recedes, burrowing down again.

Seashells littering the sand begging to be scooped up.

Seagulls daring to come close, curious for scraps.

Standing on the beach, the waves are mesmerizing.

Almost like clockwork, they keep rolling in.

Over and over. They never end.

It’s just like God’s love, which is never ending.

He continually gives you more and more.

It’s just like God’s peace, which is never ending.

He continually gives you more and more.

It’s just like God’s faithfulness, which is never ending.

He continually gives you more and more.

PIcture God’s gifts to you as unending as the ocean waves.

As abundant as the ocean waves.

As predictable as the ocean waves.

God’s mercies are new every morning. They’ll be here tomorrow, and the next day, and every day for the rest of your life.

You simply need to receive them like waves rolling over your toes.

The ocean waves aren’t going away.

God isn’t going away.

But you must choose to see. To want. To accept what God has for you.

God’s abundant mercies are waiting for you.

They are constantly rolling towards you on the sand. Will you choose to get wet?

Pictures by me, Amy Mecham, at South Padre Island, Tx

Goodnight

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Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

A couple of nights ago, the following tragedy unfolded near San Antonio, Tx.

It’s my friend’s story. Her daughter-in-law’s, actually.

What if it was yours?

She was going to bed for the last time.

Waking in the night, they needed to escape.

Rising waters. Nighttime rescue.

Floating debris. Pitch black darkness.

Her husband holds onto a tree, trying to reach her.

He cannot and off she goes.

He hears her calling his name, but she is beyond reach.

She was swept off to heaven that night.

Not what she thought would transpire after saying goodnight.

A precious life lost. Her family left to grieve.

What about you? Would you have been ready to meet your Maker?

There’s often no time to ready your heart in the midst of a tragedy.

Unfortunately, tragedies do occur, often producing death.

And it can happen in an instant. The blink of an eye.

So, what if it was you? Are you ready?

We never know when God will call us home.

Ready your heart today. Now. Right this minute.

John 14:27 reminds us God give us His peace. His perfect peace.

God doesn’t want our hearts to be troubled, and death is nothing to fear.

Why? Because of Jesus. His great love for you. His precious plan for you.

But here’s the thing: Death is nothing to fear only if you place your hope in Jesus.

In the sacrifice of His life in exchange for yours.

Your sins are forgiven.

Your future is secure.

Only if you are His. Are you?

Nobody plans to say goodnight for the final time.

Make sure your heart is God’s when you say goodnight this evening.

Photos by rachman reilli, Kelly Sikkema, Lukas Hron, and Yevhenii Aihubov on Unsplash

Genesis 5

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When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Genesis 5:1

So amazing isn’t it?

The reality that we are created in the likeness of God.

God is so creative. So were Adam and Eve.

Imagine them creating their first abode. Their first home.

Did they fashion bowls from the earth, hardening them in the sun?

Find herbs to make hot drinks?

What about clothing, how did they manage that?

You know the leaf thing didn’t last, or did it?

Diapers for the children?

What bedding did they use? Pillows?

Before they left the garden because of sin, I imagine they had a ball discovering all God had created.

Birds, plants, animals, and food.

But when they were banished, it was a different story.

Not sure what their landscape looked like.

Homesteading as the first ever on this earth must have been frustrating, yet rewarding.

I’m sure they came up with all sorts of solutions as they had God’s creative mind.

The chapter ends with the generations of Adam to Noah, each living to almost 1,000 years old.

Lots of time to be creative. Or sin.

Our world complains when parenting more than one child.

Imagine dozens as those early generations likely had.

I know, I can’t either.

Created in the image of God. That’s you, too.

How will you showcase God’s creativity today?

Photos by Gabriel Jimenez, Walter Martin, Chris Abney, &  Shoeib Abolhassani on Unsplash

Setting the Mind

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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

Where do you set your mind?

The things of this world?

Things like your bank account, career, and politics?

Or the things of the Spirit?

Things like love, joy, peace, and strength?

Romans 8:6 says death comes from setting your mind on the flesh.

Know why?

Because it’s never enough. Your bank account, expectations, and self-acceptance.

Assigning your mood to our sinful world brings disappointment.

Counting on this world to meet all your needs never lasts.

And these are just when times are good.

Imagine the death in your mind when things go south.

The chains that bind you when choosing the world over God.

Trading your soul for temporary pleasure, like drinking too much, drugs, or stealing.

Romans also says life comes from setting your mind on the Spirit.

Life and peace to be specific.

Why? God is life.

He brings you life.

Life in your mind when He give you HIs perfect peace.

Life in your heart when He gives you His unconditional love.

Life in your body when He gives you His never-ending strength.

Life in your relationships when you serve others more than yourself, modeling after Jesus.

Setting your mind means to focus intently on a goal or decide firmly to achieve something.

To purpose your mind.

What will you set your mind on today?

God’s peace or the absence of it will be your answer.

Photos by Havle Kaya, laura adai, Taylor, &  Humble Lamb on Unsplash

How Dare We

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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

How dare we question God.

Yet we do.

Why? Because we want our own way.

We think we know better than Him.

Do you see how selfish that is?

How arrogant?

Did we create the earth and all it contains?

Did we place the stars in the heavens?

Did we design life with such variety and beauty?

Absolutely not.

We are God’s creation.

God is not our creation.

I get it though. Often our lives seem to turn unexpectedly, down a path we wished to avoid.

We question God. We question because we hate it. The direction we travel.

God allows things.

He created us with the ability to choose, and sometimes people make bad choices.

Or, sometimes it’s our own fault.

Yet God allows it.

We can be assured from Ecclesiastes 9:1 that “… how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.”

All we do are in God’s hands.

We need God. He helps us filter out bad choices when we cannot see what’s right.

Further, we can rest assured God works all things for His purpose.

Romans 8:28 reminds us,” And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

God sees everything.

He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly.

While He might allow circumstances you detest, He will stay by your side.

And He has a plan. Do you trust Him?

You are worth more to God than anything else He created.

He sent His only son to die on the cross for you so you can spend eternity with Him.

Yes, God is holy.

Yes, He created all things.

And no, we are not in charge.

But you can rest assured God is.

God, who created order and beauty, is on the throne.

And when trials come, He will be with you every step of the way.

His ways are higher than ours.

We must not question God, but live peacefully, knowing He cares for all of His creation.

Yet we are of more value than many sparrows.

We are made in His image.

Photos by Marshall Patterson, Mathew Schwartz, Cédric VT, & Nicole Wreyford on Unsplash

Fighting Discouragement

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Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11

I fight discouragement.

Do you?

Same lies in my head.

Unanswered prayers.

Unchanged people.

Who are we to question Almighty God?

We are but a breath in all of God’s created beings.

God’s ways are higher than ours.

Then mine. Then yours.

He is above it all.

Even unanswered prayers.

Even unchanged people.

Even the lies still swirling in your head.

Our job is to submit ourselves to Him, asking Him to make us new.

Then pray for what God lays on our hearts.

After we pray, we are to give it all to God.

The unanswered prayers.

The unchanged people.

The lies in your head.

Now we sit and trust.

Yes, we can pray, of course, we should.

But as you pray, resist the urge to scoop the burden back up.

God’s got it.

He’s got it and all the rest. Why?

Because He knows all things and loves your loved ones even more than you, you must trust Him.

And He loves you more than you know, too.

Those lies in your head?

Give them to God.

Remember Whose you are.

Fully and completely loved.

Repeat scripture aloud, retraining your brain.

Your prayers are not unanswered.

They are answered in God’s timing.

In the mean time, pray, believe, and trust.

God’s got the rest.

Photos by Steve Gribble on Unsplash

When God Warns You

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When they [the wisemen] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:13

God has plans and warns us in advance.

God’s warning might be a soft whisper, a quickening in your spirit, or a word from another.

Or, God might warn you in a dream, specifically outlining your next move and why.

That’s how God warned Joseph after the wisemen left their visit with Jesus.

God knew Herod’s plans and warned Joseph to escape.

And Joseph obeyed.

Reminds me of a dream I once had.

Living in a ground level apartment, our bedroom had a sliding door.

I had it open with the screen locked for a nice breeze.

Dreamt someone was in our home, stealing whatever they wished.

Woke me up. I stared at the gently blowing curtain.

Getting out of bed, I knew I should shut and lock the door.

Pulling aside the curtain, I saw a man. An intruder.

His hand was on the other side, trying to open it.

He ran away as I immediately slammed the door shut, locking it.

Collapsing on the bed with fright, I thanked God for warning me in my dream.

Can you imagine if he hadn’t? We had an infant in our room. A two-year old next door.

But all was well. God had perfectly protected us.

In life we will have trials due to the world in which we live.

But rest assured God has plans for you.

And if His plans for you need to be protected, He will warn you.

God’s plan could include heartache as you witness to the world God’s grace, mercy and love while enduring what he allows.

It could also include death as many martyrs can attest.

As Joseph trusted God to lead his family, we can trust God to lead us, too.

Lead us, God, into what You have for us.

Protect us from the schemes of the enemy as You foil his plans.

And deepen our trust in You as we fully submit to Your plans for us again and again.

Photos by Tanya Barrow, Brooke Balentine, Inbal Malca, & David Ballew on Unsplash

Final Curtain Call

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Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14

Ever think about how life is not a rehearsal?

Only get one shot at all of it.

Every milestone.

Every age.

Every day.

Today, for example, you have only these minutes to spend once.

The ones you are spending reading this blog are used wisely.

Good job!

But what’s next?

Yes, life is spent with many mundane things, such as laundry, shopping, and caring for others.

But even the mundane can be exciting when thinking how temporary it all is.

Thinking about your emotions, do you want to spend your only today racked with guilt?

Will you spend your only today filled with self-pity, un-forgiveness, or fear?

You only get today once.

Don’t give it to the devil.

Today, you have a chance to spend your minutes praising God.

Today, you have a chance to spend your minutes praying to the One who created you.

You get the chance to care for those God has entrusted to you or relax with well-deserved rest.

Don’t allow yourself to squelch these precious minutes you can only spend one time.

Don’t give these minutes to the devil by dwelling outside of God’s peace.

Or living only for yourself.

Why? Because minutes turn into days, which turn into years.

Before you know it, you’ll be a decade older and not at all wiser.

Your family might become distant and you’ll find yourself alone.

Bitterness and self-righteousness are not good companions.

So choose to spend your once in a lifetime minutes as God ordained.

Ask God how He would like you to live.

Ask God who He would like you to love.

Ask God who He would like you to influence for His kingdom.

And spend those precious minutes for Him.

Because every minute is only spent once in our final curtain call called life.

Photos by Steve Sharp, Jon Tyson, Gwen King, &  Tony Lomas on Unsplash

Impossible Assignment

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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

You don’t understand, Lord.

They hurt me.

Like really bad.

They cut me down, bringing me to my knees.

As a result, I cried.

Ugly crying.

They don’t deserve my forgiveness.

I need to seek revenge somehow.

Something to get them back.

No?

You want me to forgive them?

Why?

Because You have forgiven me?

Yes, I know, but why do I have to forgive them?

I can’t.

You still want me to?

How? With Your strength?

But they hurt me. Deeply. To the core of my being, they hurt me.

You still want me to forgive them?

And give You my pain?

How will that help?

Will you right my wrongs for me?

You will eventually?

You want me to trust You?

With everything?

Even this?

Ok.

Thank you, God, for saving me, forgiving all of my sins.

Please help me to forgive others as they hurt me.

It’s an impossible assignment on my very own.

Help me to release this burdens and those in the future to You.

Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

Photos by Elijah Pilchard, Brooke Balentine, Grigorii Shcheglov, & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Stunning

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She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future. Proverbs 31:25

How tall are you standing?

How often do you smile at yourself in the mirror?

Is your resting face pleasant?

Are you resting in the satisfaction God is in control and you don’t have to be?

Are you walking a little straighter?

You must, so your crown doesn’t fall to the floor.

When will you begin to enjoy the body God gave you?

When you’re dead?

That will be too late.

Life is too short to worry about every imperfection.

Those are dependent upon the whims of society anyhow.

Live within the blessing of God.

Live within the promise of Whose you are.

Live within the image of God.

That’s who you were fashioned after.

Allow God’s peace to wash over you as you stand tall.

Nothing bothers you because God’s got it all covered.

Have you ever really smiled because you suddenly realized how very valuable you are to God?

Think about it. Dwell in it for a moment.

God created you. You. And He doesn’t make mistakes. Ever.

When you allow His love and grace to cover you, your face cannot help but grin loudly.

Grin. Stand tall. And share this grace and love with the others around you.

Talk about stunning.

Photos by Javier González Fotógrafo, Vitaliy Zalishchyker, & Chase Kennedy on Unsplash

Oceans of God’s Love

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How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

Ever tried to comprehend the vastness of God’s love for you?

Let’s try.

You and I deserve to be punished for our sin.

Why? Because God is holy.

Because God is holy, sin cannot enter heaven.

Because God created us in His image, we have a spirit, soul, and body.

And with those, we make choices every single day.

To follow God or not.

To bow to our flesh or not.

Because we have chosen sin once and then way more than we’d like to ever admit, we deserve death.

Someone has to pay for our sin.

And that person should be us.

Except for Jesus.

He stepped in and paid it all for us.

He suffered and died in our place.

Why?

Because of His great love for us.

His ocean of love, waiting to surround our very selves.

What will you do?

What is your response?

Will your heart overflow with love and gratitude, spilling onto the lives around you?

Your choices each day either reveal your gratitude to God or showcase your selfish dependence on flesh.

If you really think about God’s enormous love for you, you cannot help but smile.

Are you smiling yet?

Photos by Jamez Picard, Saiph Muhammad, Brett Jordan, & Madison Oren on Unsplash

Assignment

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And God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in Him and He in us. 1 John 4:13

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, the Helper Jesus mentioned.

What is God asking you to do today?

What is God asking you to say today?

Who is God asking you to trust today?

When God nudges you, listen.

When God asks you to do something for Him, obey.

That still, small voice deep inside your head is God.

That decision you know you need to make.

That phone call you should dial.

That friendly hug you should share.

What is your assignment today from God?

If you pause, you just might miss it.

You might miss that blessing God has for you and the other person.

That surprise behind the door of obedience.

Don’t hesitate to obey the whispers of God.

He’s asking you today if you will.

Photos by Skyler Ewing on Unspla

Meant for Us

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Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

Words utterly fail.

It isn’t possible to find adequate words, expressing how grateful we are for your sacrifice, Jesus.

You came to us for this time. Good Friday and Easter.

Your entire life was lived for this purpose.

To suffer and die in our place.

To take our punishment onto your holy and sinless self.

Each drop of spit falling off your face was meant for us.

Each thorn thrust into your head was meant for us.

Each whip lash was meant to tear our flesh, not yours.

Each insulting word was meant to insult us, not you.

Each nail driven into your hands and feet was meant to pierce our flesh.

Not yours.

Not your holy feet who willingly walked this earth, sharing the love of the Father.

Not your holy hands who willingly healed the hurting people clamoring to you.

When you hung on the cross with the weight of our sin, God turned away.

He left you utterly alone.

That should have been us as we are the sinful ones, not you.

We are deserving of death, not you.

Yet you chose to die for us.

You willingly took our pain and suffering away, bearing it all on your own.

But that’s why your death won the victory. Why the devil has been defeated once and for all.

You were and are the spotless lamb.

The Prince of Peace.

The sinless sacrifice for us, Your children.

It’s why we are now set free forever and ever from sin, death, and the grave when we choose You.

When we choose You over ourselves.

When we acknowledge Your sacrifice, cleansing us from our sin.

Reflecting this Easter, it seems impossible.

You, a perfect sacrifice, choosing us over you.

Yet, You did just that. You cancelled our debt for all of eternity.

We are forever grateful.

We are forever yours.

We are forever and ever yours.

Fill us afresh with a new awe of Good Friday. Of your sacrifice.

May we live every day in the shadow of the cross.

And may we live with the hope of Easter, knowing You have indeed conquered it all.

Photos by Alex Noriega, Jon Tyson, Dylan McLeod, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Your Reflection

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In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

How well do you reflect Jesus?

Does your face reflect His love?

Do your actions replicate His compassion?

Do your words reflect His leadership, wisdom, and grace?

This morning as I looked out my large back window, I noticed something.

Overlooking a large space, I can see for over a mile.

On the horizon was a brilliant burst of sunlight.

Blinding almost.

It was twinkling, extending its rays like when you look at the sun.

But it was tiny as it was far away.

My first thought was, “Oh, the sun is peeking up.”

But immediately I dismissed that thought because the sun rises on the other side of my house!

Then I realized what I was looking at.

A reflection.

A brilliant reflection of the sun.

The sun was hitting this spot just perfectly, lighting it up as if it were the sun.

Which made me wonder about us.

How brilliantly do we reflect Jesus?

When we are selfish, we don’t shine.

When we surround ourselves with misery, we don’t shine.

Walking with self-pity, we certainly don’t shine either.

And when we cling to fear, rejection, and despair, we are pretty dull as well.

Purpose again to praise God especially when walking life’s troubled road.

Trust God when you cannot see the road or even when you can.

Let your light shine so others may see Jesus.

Reflect Him so well, others cannot help but bow their knee to the One who created all things.

Photos by Ivana Cajina, Jonathan Borba, Josh Boot, & Oscar Ivan Esquivel Arteaga on Unsplash

Children of the Heavenly Father

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Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22

I love hymns. Do you? They speak such powerful truth in their short verses.

This Swedish hymn is a favorite of our family. I can still hear my grandmother singing it with us.

Children of the heavenly Father safely in his bosom gather; nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e’er was given.

We, as God’s children, are safely settled into His giant arms.

Nothing on earth dares to compare to the safety we experience as His children when gathered up in His arms.

God his own shall tend and nourish; in his holy courts they flourish. From all evil powers he spares them; in his mighty arms he bears them.

God takes care of us, His own. We flourish and grow mightily in His presence.

He shields us from all evil. All evil. Even when surrounded by death and destruction, we are safe. His strong arms hold us. Yes, we may suffer, but God stands with us.

Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord his children sever; for to them his grace revealing, he turns sorrow into healing.

Nothing in life or death will ever separate us from God. We will abide with Him now and forever.

His grace provides healing for our every sorrow.

God has given, he has taken, but his children ne’er forsaken; his the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy.

God is in control. He gives and He takes away, but He will never leave us alone.

His ways are higher than ours and purpose to only keep us pure and holy.

When we trust God as our Father, He lovingly cares for us – His beloved children.

Forever and ever. Amen.

Hymn writer: Caroline W. Sandell Berg 1832-1903 (Swedish)

Photos by Gianluca Carenza, Derek Thomson,  Priscilla Du Preez, & Natasha Ivanchikhina on Unsplash

Obedience and Surrender

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My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26

What does it look like to obey God?

I mean to really obey what He asks of you?

Does it look like taking control of your fleshly desires?

Exchanging your hopes and dreams for God’s?

Asking Him for His thoughts for your future?

Doing the thing He nudges you to do?

Does your life look like that?

Does it reflect an obedience and surrender to God?

I’m guessing you have parts that do.

The squishy parts that feel good.

Obeying your boss when it feels right.

Giving to charity when you really do have plenty of extra.

Regularly attending a church where you feel continually affirmed.

Loving your child when they love you back.

But what about the ugly parts?

Loving the underserved in your family?

Giving to others out of your poverty?

Pushing aside instant entertainment to drink in the wisdom of God’s word?

Praying for your people even when you’re tired?

Doing the right thing when the rest of the world thinks differently?

Standing for God’s truth even if your loved ones turn away?

We all tend to choose obedience and surrender when we want to. The challenge remains to obey and surrender when we don’t feel like it. When it goes against our flesh.

Obedience to God might look a little different in my life than yours.

God asks things of us that are personal to the impact He has in store for us.

Me? God asked me to start writing down His words of wisdom more than a dozen years ago.

Starting this blog, I was nervous as it seemed I was sharing my bare naked heart.

But I obeyed.

And here we are. My 500th post.

From this blog my book was birthed, selling over 91,000 so far, not including the recent Spanish edition or audio book.

Just signed my contract for a second book – prayers to go with each devotion.

And they are also creating a journal to go with my book.

All because I obeyed. Even though starting the blog felt really weird.

Trust God and obey. Surrender to what He has for you.

It might be a little scary, but when God asks you to do it, He’ll give you all the strength, wisdom, and peace you need.

Can’t wait to hear what He does through your obedience and surrender to Him. 🙂

Photos by Bartłomiej Balicki, joe ting, Tim Marshall, & Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Tired Like a Mama

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And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat……And they went away…..When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them… Mark 6:30-34

Jesus preached and worked all the live long day.

Every day, tirelessly, He fed His sheep.

But even Jesus wanted rest.

But when He tried, the crowds would run to find Him.

And He would begin again, feeding them. Healing them. Helping them.

As mamas, our children tend to find us, too.

We try to get away, but it’s never for more than a few minutes.

You hide in the bathroom.

Pretty soon, you hear the little feet outside your door. A timid knock. You reply, “Just a minute!”

You lay your tired head down to sleep, and your baby awakens, demanding attention.

You try sleeping in past the ungodly hour of 6am, but the dog comes in with a note on its back, asking for pancakes. Pancakes?

When babies are little, you carry them everywhere with you.

Bedtime? They are next to you in a cradle.

Want a shower? You bring them to the floor in a bouncy seat.

Just starting to walk? They are always within view.

Going anywhere? Guess who is coming with you!

Yes, we have moments where they nap.

Yes, we have moments when they’re occupied and you can catch your breath.

But the constant parenting is never ending, even when they’re older.

I’m convinced tired mamas are under God’s wings.

He knows dog tired as He was so many times while walking this earth.

Humans are exhausting.

But here’s the good news: God is never exhausted.

He has unlimited strength to give you.

Jesus experienced human tiredness as He was fully human, yet fully God.

And He remembers.

Ask Him to fill you with His strength. His peace. His joy.

And smile, because He understands tired.

He gets it!

So if you’re in the season of tired mama stuff, take heart.

God understands. And I promise it will end, but not soon enough, I know.

And if you’re plain tired from reasons other than helping tiny humans survive, God’s ready to fill you up with His strength, too.

Because when we are weak, He is strong. So very strong.

Photos by Jon Flobrant, Ephraim Mayrena, Olivia Snow, & Sai De Silva on Unsplash