July 2, 1776

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I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. John Adams’ letter to Abigail Adams, July 2, 1776

Before America’s birth, John Adams predicted we would celebrate America’s independence.

Her birthday.

Fireworks, games, and parades.

From Maine to California.

Celebrating our Day of Deliverance by our solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.

He knew it will be hard.

Birthing our country.

Separating ourselves from England’s tyranny.

Untold toil, blood, and treasure to spend.

But with those solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, he saw the End is more than worth all the Means.

He saw our country free, celebrating our freedom every year for generations.

America was birthed almost 250 years ago.

We’ve never been perfect, but we’ve tried to do our best.

We fought against ourselves for the end of slavery.

We’ve produced unending talent easing our modern selves with food, industry, and entertainment.

We’ve fought to protect innocent lives around the globe.

America’s story is a beacon of hope for the world.

More than merely a nation fighting for independence so many years ago.

America stands for freedom.

Freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

Freedom to say what we want.

Freedom to defend ourselves.

With hard work, we have endless opportunities in this great land of ours.

However…

Only with God’s sovereign help will even keep our country alive.

As our country was founded on the foundation of God, we must fight to keep Him firmly planted within our laws, actions, and words.

As the Israelites saw God’s provision, they would eventually forget, walking away from God.

Repeatedly, they would follow God, living within His blessings and protection.

And a few generations later, they would forget, falling down to worship false gods out of God’s protection.

As our country has systematically removed God from many avenues, may we repent for our actions.

May we seek God’s direction for our nation.

May we remind ourselves and our children how blessed we are to live in America.

And may we rise up as leaders to protect and defend our nation under God.

Photos by specphotops,  Luca R, Samuel Branch, Trent Yarnell, NASA, & Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash

John Adams letter: https://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/doc?id=L17760703jasecond

Living with a Purpose

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I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.

How does one walk with integrity of heart in his house?

And is the Psalmist speaking of his actual house or inside his very self?

Walking with integrity within yourself means aligning yourself to God.

Asking Him to fill you up with Himself.

His very wisdom and power.

And choosing to keep doing that, looking away from evil.

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.

How does one not look upon worthless things?

Things not worthy of God?

Maybe God wants us to concentrate on Him, not worldly cares.

We should only purpose to look upon or seek out what He wants us to do.

See what He wants us to see.

Notice what He wants us to notice.

I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

How do we hate the work of those who fall away, not allowing it to cling to us?

When people fall away from God, they tend to spread poison.

Words.

Accusation.

Fear.

They fall away for a reason.

Don’t cling to that.

Don’t accept it or allow any of it to cling to you.

Fling all of it off, pursuing God’s truth instead.

Pursuing the truth you know is God’s.

A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Psalm 101:2-4

How do we keep our heart from being perverse?

By concentrating on God’s sovereignty.

His purpose for us.

His identify for us chosen before we were born.

Align yourself to God’s heart and your heart will be far from perverse.

As the Psalmist ends, they purpose to know nothing of evil.

Nothing.

Evil creeps in every moment of every day.

Are you purposing to know nothing of evil?

We all say so, but do we actually mean to?

Believing lies in your head is evil.

Refusing to believe how loved you are by God is evil as you call God a liar when you declare yourself unlovable by Him.

Creating space between yourself and God, wanting your own way is evil.

Selfish.

Purpose to know nothing of evil.

I’m going to try my hardest.

You?

Photos by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash & https://unsplash.com/@inchristalone

Friendship with God

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“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.” Psalm 25:14-15

God, who created ALL things, wants to be my friend when I place my trust with Him.

When I declare He is my God, He becomes my confidante.

When I decide to live how He wants me to be, He becomes my personal companion.

Someone who listens when I’m lonely.

Who watches me through the night.

Who longs to hear my voice.

Who wants to know all about it.

Every day.

Additionally, God will make known to you His covenant.

His unbreakable connection with you.

Forever.

Forever and always, God promises to be by your side as you fear Him.

May our eyes ever be towards the Lord, as the psalmist says.

As we continue to trust God for our everything, He will rescue us.

Our tangled ugly mess will become pretty as He plucks our feet out of the net.

I don’t know about you, but I regularly need God to rescue me.

Usually from me, myself, and I.

Our sinful selves rise up, don’t they, demanding we place our needs above all else.

May we continue to fear the Lord.

May we listen to the instruction He gives.

May our souls dwell within His peace.

May God’s friendship walk with us all of our days.

May we truly understand our incredible covenant with God.

May our eyes be ever focused towards the Lord.

And may He continue to rescue us from not only others, but ourselves, too.

Photos by chris liu on Unsplash

Abiding in Him

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His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. Psalm 25:13

Remember last week?

We talked about fearing the Lord.

And when we do that, God instructs us in His best way for us.

The psalm continues this week as we note your soul abides in peace or well-being when you fear the Lord, trusting only in Him.

As a return for your loyalty, God brings you His peace.

Choosing God, your pitiful soul becomes full of God’s peace.

Filled to the top with God’s calm.

His protection.

Resting within His peace.

Not only that, but the psalmist also declares your offspring will prosper.

Godly moms and dads who surrender their households to the ways of God will not only have peace in the now but will influence their children to live for God.

God will be with you when you place Him first, spreading His ways to the next generation.

In this life, people do almost anything for peace in their cluttered lives.

You’re telling me that all I have to do for real peace is to live in fear of the Lord?

Yep.

Dethroning yourself daily and placing God on the throne of your heart will bring you peace.

Not only momentary peace, but you will abide in His peace.

Abide means to dwell.

I, for one, would like to dwell within the perfect peace of Almighty God.

You?

Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Fearing the Lord

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Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will He instruct in the way that He should choose. Psalm 25:12

Are you someone who fears the Lord?

Fearing the Lord is not cowering in the type of fear we think of first.

It’s honor.

Respect.

Submitting to the One who created all things.

Putting God first and foremost in all things.

Knowing how small you are in comparison to all of creation, eternity, and God Himself.

I know we cannot always put God first, but you can think about Him and what He would want you to do.

With even tiny things like your response to literally anything.

Thinking about what God would want you to do brings security knowing you are under the shadow of His wings.

In return for placing God on the throne of your life, He promises to instruct you in the way He chooses.

And God chooses the best for you.

How do we know that?

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

Walking with God, submitting to Him, brings us to God’s purpose for us.

And that is good.

Maybe your life has been affected by other’s poor choices.

And maybe you bear the brunt of that.

Remain under God’s instruction as He works everything out for good.

Through trials of your choosing or not, choose to remain God’s.

Confident He will work everything out for your good, because you love Him.

Photos by BRUNO EMMANUELLE on Unsplash

Inferiority

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Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

When you feel inferior from the words of another, that’s all you.

Only you can allow those words to turn into feelings of inferiority, confirming the lies previously placed from a different time.

If instead, words are said and you shrug them off, inferiority is not bred.

Doesn’t take root, growing into believing you are not valued.

Measure words from others against God’s truth.

Against what you know to be the absolute truth.

Seeking approval of others gets in the way.

Succumbing to the training you’ve had for your entire life is natural.

It takes work not to go there, giving validity to needing approval to feel worthy.

Takes purpose to change your thinking.

There’s no reason to feel inferior to anyone else.

When you match your royal status as God’s chosen, absolutely nothing compares.

Decide today to remain His in your body, mind and spirit.

Remain His as you refuse to feel inferior.

Stand back up and straighten your crown.

After all, it looks better that way.

Photos by iam_os, Jonas Elia, Мария Волк, & wildan alfani on Unsplash

Valued

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O Lord, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. you search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. Psalm 139:1-4

Repeat after me.

I am loved.

I am safe.

I am valued.

Again.

I am loved.

I am safe.

I am valued.

Do you believe it?

You should.

God, who created you perfectly, loves you.

God, who stands as the ultimate protector of you, keeps you within His wings.

He protects you against the onslaught of the enemy, if you’ll allow Him to.

In order to allow God’s protection, you must trust Him.

You must ignore the lies, negating your value.

Your worth.

That you are loved.

God values you because He created you in His image.

He doesn’t make mistakes.

And His first mistake will not be and was not you.

You are loved.

You are safe.

You are valued.

Believe it and trust that God will order your steps according to His will, if you submit to Him.

He will bring others into your life for you to bless.

He will also bring others into your life to bless your socks off.

And He will perfect your ways as only He can.

Allow Him access to all of you.

Your thoughts.

Your desires.

Your choices.

As you submit to God, you will be filled with the peace of God which passes all understanding.

You will feel the love of God.

You will know you are safe.

And you will begin to see your value.

But only if you submit to God.

What are you possibly waiting for?

Self?

You will not, I promise, save yourself.

If you live for yourself, you will constantly be not only disappointed, but live in absolute misery.

Because life will disappoint.

Royally.

People will disappoint you to the point of rejection.

But God never will.

Choose God first.

Choose God first and you will forever live under His love, safety, and value.

There really is no choice.

Photos by Kate Hliznitsova, Catherine, Tyler Nix, & Hush Naidoo on Unsplash

Loving Your Spouse

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By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4

Communication is fundamental to any relationship.

Not only communicating, but listening to the other person.

Really listening.

Not half listening while also paying attention to your phone.

Not listening just to let them vent, then forgetting all of it and moving on.

Real communication is when two people come to an understanding that things need to and must change.

One voices a need.

The other listens and tries their best to understand that need.

While talking and listening are definitely important, the next step is the most.

Changing.

Actually doing the thing talked about.

That’s when your spouse knows you were actually listening.

And not nodding just to keep the other content with listening.

Action speaks louder than words.

Don’t just tell your spouse you love them, show them.

Don’t just nod your head in agreement, do the thing you agreed upon.

Don’t just give lip service to undone promises, actually do them.

Show your love in a big way.

A noticing way.

A personal way.

You know what to do.

Aren’t they more than worth it?

I know two people who have recently both lost their own precious spouse to heaven.

They’d admonish you to shower your spouse with love, not stopping.

Ever.

They wish they still could.

But you can.

So do it.

Photos by Ryan Franco on Unsplash, Kelly Sikkema, & Kiwihug on Unsplash

Punch Me

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Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! Psalm 126:5

Not literally.

Thanks.

Because I get it alot.

Often.

A punching bag.

I seem to garner the offense of the children.

Regularly, maybe because I’m safe?

I’ll never reject them?

While I’m happy to be their safe person, I detest conflict.

I hate being their punching bag.

I’d rather see marshmallows and rainbows.

Why, God, are mothers treated so?

Why, when we try our hardest to build little respectful humans do our children respond with anger?

It’s our role.

Our mission.

From You, no less.

Mothers are thankless soldiers in the trenches of life.

We know what people need, we see what needs to be done, and we strive to seek the best possible outcome with our families.

Our lives are living testimonies to what God does for us.

God sacrificed His only son for the salvation of the world.

Mothers sacrifice themselves for the sake of their children.

We are hardly thanked for what we do.

We are hardly noticed for what we do.

But we are a constant.

Reliable.

Always there with a listening ear.

Always there with a hug and a snack.

Always ready with a hug.

We love and we pray.

We serve mostly in the background, making sure bread is in the pantry for lunches.

But there is One who knows.

God.

He sees it all.

He sees all of our tears as we pray for our children’s souls.

He sees all our cooking as the bodies are nourished.

He sees all our cleaning as our homes are tidied.

He sees.

He notices.

And He approves.

God, who created ALL things, notices your every act of love.

And He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day 🙂

Photos by Arisa Chattasa, Simon Rae, & Tracey Hocking on Unsplash

Weeping

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When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. John 11:33

Jesus was fully human and knew sorrow.

He wept with us.

He was filled with compassion.

Sorrow moved Him deeply.

Just like you and me.

Our weeping friends or loved ones move us deeply.

Sometimes we are the ones weeping and others are moved to compassion for us.

Weeping signals sorrow.

That something is deeply broken.

Wrong.

Needs to be fixed.

That’s when God moves in, if you’ll let Him.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “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.“

Weeping can bring fear, as one usually cries when feeling alone.

Suddenly by themselves.

But God reminds us that He is with us.

We are NOT to be dismayed, because God is our God.

He promises not only to be with us, but to strengthen us.

He wants to help us, holding us up with His righteous right hand.

Weep.

But bring it to the feet of God.

Tell Him all of your sorrows.

He will listen, as a compassionate faithful friend.

And then He will take your sorrow, turning it into His peace.

Sometimes it takes time, especially if the wound is fresh.

But if you faithfully keep giving all of it to God, He will continually strengthen you, holding you upright with His righteous right hand.

Photos by Ksenia Makagonova,  Jordan Whitt,  Annie Spratt, & Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Jesus

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Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 125:1-2

Jesus is our everything.

Our absolute everything.

Life will disappoint.

People, situations, even ourselves.

All will disappoint.

Instead, of anything else, just give me Jesus.

He is all that we need.

All we will ever need.

He will cover you with Himself.

When you are sad, He will cover you with His complete comfort.

When you are fearful, He will cover you with His perfect peace.

When you are angry, He will cover you with His tender love for others.

He will cover us, because He must.

He must cover us with His love and forgiveness.

Why?

Because we are sinful.

Selfish.

Thinking only of ourselves.

Jesus fills in the gaps others leave when they put us down.

Jesus fills in the gaps we leave when we put ourselves first.

Jesus fills in the gaping holes others leave whether intentional or not.

Jesus fills in the holes we give away when our selfishness overtakes our senses.

Jesus fills in everything.

He is our everything.

We are nothing without Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for covering us with Your forgiveness and love.

Continue to cover us every moment of every day as we choose to remain under You.

Photos by Maurice Schalker, Ron Binette, & Hannah Schulte on Unsplash

Words

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Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21

Wow, that’s a contrast.

Literally, death can come through your words.

Your words can eat through a person’s soul, confirming lies they might already believe.

Words can crush a person, crumpling them down to the floor.

They can create a rift, that without repair, grows over time.

Words can belittle.

Shame.

Or curse.

All of these bring death.

Maybe not immediate physical death, but emotional or spiritual damage, which becomes death if not removed.

But – the Bible also says your words can produce life.

Literally, your words can breathe life into another’s soul.

Words of encouragement to a parched and thirsty soul.

Words of comfort to a soul distressed upon life’s cares.

Affirmation to bolster another’s mood.

Hope that things will be bright again soon.

Words from God, reminding others of His peace that passes all understanding.

Words that share God’s love through you.

All of these bring life.

They water the soul, allowing life to ooze into the very corners of one’s heart, mind, and soul.

Which will you allow to flow from you this day?

Whispers of life?

Or the shouts of death?

May we continue to ask God to fill us with Him, so the flowing from our hearts brings life to others.

Photos by Raphael Schaller, Markus Winkler, & Ryan ‘O’ Niel on Unsplash

Pride

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God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

If we are all completely honest, pride is our number one problem.

For most of us.

Almost all of us.

We are disappointed when others don’t see our needs.

Pride.

We are wishing others would go along with what we want.

Pride.

We compare ourselves to others, wishing we had what they had.

Pride.

We erupt in anger when our spouse doesn’t please us.

Pride.

We hesitate to notice our need to apologize as it’s always the other person’s fault.

Pride.

We decide we can never be good enough for others to love us.

Pride.

We disagree with how God created us, arguing with Him about His choices.

Pride.

It’s so easy to see pride in other people.

But not so easy to see it in ourselves.

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall”.

One of the verses we all memorized as a child, right?

Always used to think we’d literally trip and fall if we had pride.

Maybe, but it’s probably just looking like a fool in general or at a specific time when we’re full of pride.

I for one would hate to look like a fool, so that verse helps me remember.

But if you’re thinking it would be worth it, let’s look at this next verse.

Remember, 1 Peter 5:5 says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble”.

All the fools who think pride is worth it should now reconsider.

God literally opposes the proud.

Opposes.

Is not working for the good of.

Do you want God to be against you?

Is your pride worth that?

Absolutely not.

May we all resign to put others first, forgoing ourselves as the most important.

May we repent for our sin, asking God to fill us with His Holy Spirit.

May God give us abundant grace and humility to replace the ugly pride that fills up our hearts.

Only with God can we possibly overcome the sin of pride.

Ask Him every day to help you.

And because you are focusing on humility, He absolutely will help because He won’t oppose you anymore.

Photos by Sticker Mule, Nagy David, & Jakob Owens on Unsplash

God’s Power

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If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

As our thoughts are focused on Jesus this Easter weekend, let’s think a moment on God’s power.

God created all things.

God (Jesus) lived on earth as a human.

Folks, He never sinned.

Even when hungry, He never snapped.

Even when tired, He still blessed others.

Even knowing how He was about to die, He still did.

For you and for me.

He allowed Himself to carry our sinful burdens to die in our place.

But He didn’t stay there.

He rose from the dead, conquering sin and death once and for all.

He healed.

He set people free physically, mentally, and spiritually.

And He’s sitting at the right hand of God Almighty, interceding for us each day.

That’s power.

Real God power, not fake movie power like Marvel or DC (sorry folks!).

But that same real power from God lives in us as Christians.

Romans 8:11 says so.

It says if God dwells in us (through the Holy Spirit), then God will give His life to our bodies as He lives within us.

God, who raised Jesus from the dead, will live within you.

I want that life surging through my veins.

How about you?

Ask Him.

Continue asking Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Stop dragging your feet around in misery.

Stop focusing on all of the crud life has thrown your way.

Stop listening to Satan’s lies you know deep down are not true.

And focus on God.

He raised Jesus from the dead.

And He can raise you to life here on earth just the same.

But you must choose to rise up from your grave of sin, death, and destruction.

Fling off the dirty rags of self.

With God’s power, you will be set free to live for Him on earth.

Today, declare Jesus lives in me and I choose to focus on Him.

Hallelujah, He is risen.

He is risen indeed!

Photos by Timothy Eberly, & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Fraud

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In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. Deliver me, O Lord from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:1-2

I am a fraud.

Flawed.

Not perfect.

You?

If you’re honest, you’ll agree.

Yes about me, but I’m referring to you.

None of us are perfect.

We all demand.

We all seek number one (us).

We all judge.

Living for ourselves, we seek to put ourselves first.

We do that in countless ways.

Too many really to count.

When was the last time you decided to put someone else first?

To ignore your needs, seeking to serve the other first?

Think about Jesus.

He was fully human while serving all of us.

Imagine how tired he was when people kept streaming into his company for ministry after a long day of preaching.

Imagine how hungry he was when tempted and fasting for 40 days in the desert.

Imagine how much agony he suffered while climbing the hill to die for us.

Imagine how separate he felt when God turned His back, allowing Jesus to die for our sins?

Jesus did all of that for us.

He always thought of the bigger picture.

Of the suffering people.

Of how He could help all of us instead of Himself.

We can be generous, too.

Generosity will take our focus off of ourselves.

And when we stop focusing on our number one (us), the things of this world that fill us with anxiety will slowly fade away.

Does it matter if our Christmas tree doesn’t please us in the way we wish?

Nope.

Does it matter if we don’t have that perfect family photo?

Not at all.

What matters is people.

Helping others see the love of God.

And that, my friends, will help us move from fraud to real.

Knowing we are really loved by God.

May we focus on others, spreading the love of God as it oozes from our very selves into the lives of others.

The Robe

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Great is Your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to Your rules. Psalm 119:156

Ever read The Robe?

It was written in 1942 by Lloyd Douglas and has become an enduring classic for millions over the years.

Sharing the story of a young Roman soldier, you are drawn into the story as this soldier crucifies Jesus.

He literally commands the soldiers who nail our Jesus on the cross.

While Jesus is dying, this Roman soldier wins Jesus’ robe while gambling.

The story winds through the the days after Jesus died and the couple years after.

Books are so interesting when Bible stories are woven into a novel.

It’s as if you are there with the Roman soldier.

Feeling the sun on your face and the dusty roads under your face.

Because the Robe disturbs this Roman soldier, he is drawn to find out about Jesus.

Through talking with disciples and hearing the Bible stories from first hand accounts, this Roman soldier becomes a Christian.

I won’t give away the ending, but it takes place in Rome when the Emperor was a bit nuts.

It got me thinking.

How many times have we been there?

Hurting our Lord’s heart?

Like this Roman soldier, sometimes we don’t realize our sin because we’re so wrapped up in ourselves.

Only when we are touched by Jesus can we possibly understand.

Jesus wants us to love like He loved.

Jesus wants us to serve like He served.

And Jesus wants us to forgive like He forgave.

While dying on the cross, Jesus forgave that Roman soldier.

Could you?

May we remember our Lord’s example and may we strive to be ever more like Him.

Always.

Photos by Yannick Pulver, Hush Naidoo. Robert Bye , & Sylvain Brison on Unsplash

Wide Open

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The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27

Jesus is forever our always.

Forever, Jesus is our always.

Always and forever, is Jesus to you.

To me.

To us.

He is and always will be there for you.

Always.

For all things.

Every little thing.

There is no place we can hide from His love.

There is no place away from His presence.

We simply cannot run away from Him.

He is always here, waiting for you.

In good times and bad.

When you want Him and when you don’t.

He is always standing with His arms wide open, waiting for you.

There is nothing you can do to close His arms to you.

There is nothing you can do to close His thoughts towards you.

And there is nothing you can do to separate His love from you.

All you have to do is turn towards Him, accepting His love.

Today.

Tomorrow.

The next day, and the next.

Each day, you must choose Him.

You must choose to abide in His love.

You must choose to listen to His voice, showering you with His blessings.

Since there’s no place you can hide, step out into the light.

Allow Jesus to wipe away your tears.

Allow Jesus to lift your burdens from your shoulders.

And allow Him to give you His strength.

His peace.

His joy.

Allow yourself to be loved by God.

His arms are wide open for you.

Photos by Alex Woods, Milada Vigerova, Nathan Dumlao, Ben White, & Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Good

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And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

God is still good.

He is.

He is still good.

Even though….

Fill in the blank with whatever your even though is.

Even though your family breaks apart, He is still good.

Even though your life isn’t what you pictured, He is still good.

Even though your children’s attitudes are louder than their love, He is still good.

Even though your selfishness overwhelms you sometimes, He is still good.

Even though your parents are separated, He is still good.

Even though your child rejects you, He is still good.

Even though your child’s lifestyle doesn’t match your view of them, He is still good.

Even though.

Even though everything, right?

Do the little things matter?

Yes, they do, because we are human.

But the bigger picture remains God’s alone.

God alone is on the throne, and He is good.

He works everything out for our good if we trust in Him.

Romans 8:28 says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

All things He works for our good.

Because we love Him and are called according to His purpose.

When we keep placing our trust in Him, He works all things out for our good.

Thank goodness.

Purpose to place your family in His hands.

Purpose to place your life in His hands.

Purpose to place your very self within His capable hands.

In return, He will work all things for your good.

Because He loves you that much.

Photos by Clémence Taillez, eberhard grossgasteiger, & Paul Green on Unsplash

Slow Slide

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Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13

Satan rarely enters with a bang.

He rarely announces his presence, coming through our choices instead.

It’s usually one choice.

That leads you to another.

And another.

And another.

And before you know it, you don’t recognize the path anymore as you’ve veered away from God.

It’s rarely fast; it’s usually slow.

So slow, you don’t even notice.

Panic from not studying, you glance at your friend’s test paper.

Just one look.

Just one answer.

Never again, you tell yourself.

That was easy.

Next time, it’s even easier.

Justified in your mind.

You sneak a pack of gum into your pocket without paying.

At home, the gum doesn’t taste as good as you thought, but it was free.

The next time it’s easier.

Justified in your mind.

You start spending alone time with a person of the opposite gender.

Lots of time.

But you’re married.

The friendship grows.

Becomes more.

One day at a time.

Justified in your mind.

Satan rarely announces the wrecking of your life.

The justification he wants you to follow.

How do we keep doing exactly what God wants us to do?

We must weigh everything with Him.

Ask Him.

Ask Him about everything.

He’s always right there, wanting to help you.

I Peter 5:18 reminds us to Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

It’s possible to love God and remain passive.

I’ve seen it multiple times as little sins become big, building up and refusing to leave as pride takes over common sense.

Lord, may we seek Your will in all we do.

Please guide us into Your plans and give us Your wisdom for every little thing.

Amen.

Photos by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Living with Jesus

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The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:2-3

Who is He to you?

Jesus.

Was He simply a nice guy?

Model of morality?

Or your King of Kings?

Savior of your soul?

Yes to all of the above.

Although, He was and is more than simply a nice guy.

Is He more than your King?

More than your Savior?

While that role is the most important, what about the here and now?

Is He your friend?

Your confidante?

Your comforter?

Your secure dwelling?

Jesus is so much more than the Savior of our wreched souls.

His role for when we die is the payor of our sins.

Completely paid for.

Miraculous.

His role for the here and now involves your everything.

He wants to be your heart’s cry.

He wants to be your first thought when you wake and your last as you close your eyes in rest.

And everything in between.

He wants to fill you with Himself so you can be His witness here on earth.

Taking other precious souls with you when death arrives.

Are you letting Him?

Letting Him be your everything?

If not, you’re missing out big time.

Allow Him to be within you, using your hands and feet to bless others.

Allow Him to bless others while you speak His words of life.

Surrender your life beyond asking Him to save your soul.

Saving your soul is the first step.

Very important, yes, but it’s not the whole package.

Allowing Him to work through you as you surrender every little thing to Him will yield not only happiness, but His perfect peace as you let fear, anxiety, and control fade away.

Simply ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Talk to Him throughout the day.

Tell Him how you feel, what you need, and ask Him for His help.

His faithfulness will overwhelm you and His presence will comfort your precious self.

That, my friends, is living.

Photos by Kari Shea & Jenny Ueberberg on Unsplash

The Faithfulness of God

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But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments. Psalm 103:17-18

Keep trusting.

Keep believing.

God has a plan and it is our only job to keep going, trusting and believing He will do what He has promised He will do.

You must remember how faithful God is to us, His beloved.

If you have forgotten, look through the Bible.

Look back into your life.

Notice again those moments He was faithful to you.

Inspect the lives of others and notice how very faithful God always is, even when you think He’s not.

When we have doubt, it’s because we don’t see God moving fast enough for us.

We don’t see evidence of our prayers immediate fruitfulness.

We don’t see the movement of God with our loved ones.

Those reactions are rooted in our flesh and not in the space of God.

God always hears your prayers.

And yes, they work, meaning He always hears them.

Your prayers matter.

You might not see the fruitfulness for years, but they still matter.

I understand wanting to see a sign from God, confirming the assignment of our prayers.

I’ll share mine.

I’ve been praying for the souls of my children.

While I know all 5 of them have faith deep down from their itty bitty childhood selves, their adolescent and young adult selves have not exhibited the faith they once had.

I’ve been asking God to surround them with godly friends.

To cover them with His peace, freedom, and the knowledge of His truth.

My youngest son’s life was recently spared from death.

His car was totaled on the interstate during an icy spell.

He came within inches of death and he knows it.

Thank you, Jesus, for your evidence of faithfulness.

He’s been reminded how precious life is.

His heart has been opened to God.

Both he and my eldest son have recently realized what a treasure our family is to them.

My oldest two daughters have shown care for others beyond themselves.

Restoration has happened on many levels within our family from the brokenness and ugliness of the world.

All of this possible only from the faithfulness of God.

Every morning, after inhaling my devotions, I seek the Lord for my family.

Today, God showed me He is working, even when I don’t see it.

That’s what faithfulness is – keeping the prayers flowing even when I don’t see it.

Even when you don’t see it.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to see a glimpse of what You are doing, how You are working.

May we all see evidence of Your faithfulness as we lift our families before Your throne.

And may You continue to run after our family with reckless abandon, bringing them into Your arms once again.

Photos by Olivia Snow, David Beale, & Ben White on Unsplash

Loving God’s Way

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As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13

Sigh, I admit, this is hard.

Way hard.

Loving God’s way means loving the unlovable.

Not caring about the reaction.

But loving anyway.

Because that’s what God does.

He loves you, doesn’t He?

And let’s admit, you’re not always perfectly loveable either.

Everyone deserves to be loved.

No matter how they act towards you.

I’m not excusing behavior, just pointing out the underlying layer of love that must exist.

We do things out of love.

We cook dinner.

May I say that again as it truly is an act of love? 🙂

We drive people.

We plan outings, birthdays, and holidays.

There are hundreds of things parents do for children that remain un-thanked.

But we do it out of love.

We make our spouse coffee.

We think of them as we plan meals.

There are hundreds of things spouses do for their spouse that remain un-thanked.

We diligently work at our job.

We pour our hearts into our very lives, while pouring out onto others in our path.

Sometimes we are loved back.

Those moments are precious.

But sometimes we are ignored or even shunned.

But we still love.

Why?

Because that’s what God asks of us.

If we are to be His hands and feet…

If we are to exhibit His character…

If we are to bring others to Himself, we must remain in love.

We must love others who not only love us back, but also those who do not.

While I never excuse behavior, I simply always love.

How?

With God’s love surging through my veins.

Only with His love, am I able to reach beyond my human limitations and love God’s way.

Photos by Debby Hudson, Tyler Nix, Photo by Jez Timms, & Fadi Xd on Unsplash

I’m Sorry

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Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

What do those words mean to you?

An apology?

Heartfelt from you to the offended?

Or a necessary evil?

Something to get your loved one off your back?

Apologies mean the world.

They write the wrongs.

Cover the faults.

Restore relationships.

Why is it so hard sometimes to apologize?

Pride?

What is true Christ-like apology?

Acknowledging your part with no strings attached.

Simply saying you are sorry for what you have done.

End of story.

No excuses.

Is that what you do?

Or do you apologize on the wings of accusing the other person along the way?

True apology only acknowledges your part.

You and you alone.

Fess up and relent.

Accept responsibility for what you and you alone have done.

End of story.

When you offer a sincere apology, void of blame and accusation, all will be well.

Relationships will be smoothed and offenses forgiven.

But only if you take responsibility for your own actions.

Don’t apologize by blaming the other person.

Simply say you’re sorry for what you did.

Honestly and sincere.

Look at the other person and say those words.

Only then will God redeem your situation.

Forgiveness is quick and sweet.

Humble yourself and ask.

It’s the only way.

Photos by Brett Jordan & Sandra Grünewald on Unsplash

Imagine

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But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. Psalm 52:8-9

I cannot even imagine life without Jesus.

Living in absolute fear without the foundation of my all knowing God.

Not sharing my deepest fears with the One who already knows.

Not asking Him to remove my fear, replacing it with His complete peace.

I cannot imagine not having the eternal security of heaven because of Jesus’ death on the cross for my sins.

Imagine thinking about death without Him.

Death would be the end.

No more.

Imagine life without Him.

Life would be completely up to you and me…….and chance.

That would be too much pressure.

With my personality, I’d beat myself up for sure.

A lot.

I cannot imagine going through the valley of death without God’s perfect peace.

Walking in the shadow of death without God’s protection and presence would have been the end of me.

Even with God, life is no walk in the park.

But without Him in my life, all I can say is wow.

I cannot imagine life without my Savior.

Life would not be life.

It would be so materialistic and surface like.

I’m so thankful I don’t have to trust myself to get through life.

Not only to get through, but to succeed.

Thankfully, we don’t have to imagine life without God.

God is here.

He has been, is, and always will be.

Forever and ever.

There is no life without Him, there was no life without Him and there will be no life without Him.

Can I get an amen? 🙂

Guess what?

We never have to imagine a world without Jesus, unless we choose to.

Thank God!

Photos by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

His Wings

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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

Your God promises to completely cover you with Himself.

Hiding you under His wings.

You will find refuge there.

Safety.

His faithfulness is your shield.

Your impenetrable shield.

Visually saw an example recently with, yes, Wonder Woman ’84.

There’s a scene where a warrior is completely enveloped within iron wings closed around her.

The enemy is literally right there, flinging weapons.

But the “feathers” or wings keep her safe.

I love to picture God surrounding me with His armor.

His protection for whatever comes my way.

Thank you, God, for always covering me with You.

There’s no place I’d rather be.

Photos by Debby Hudson, Samantha Kennedy, Gary Bendig, & Nico Frey on Unsplash

Wonder Woman ’84

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Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

How are you blocking God from showing you what He has for you?

How are you blocking your freedom from springing forth?

How are you blocking God’s peace from covering every fear?

How are you blocking the very presence of God through what you hold too near?

When we hold onto things we shouldn’t, we block our progress.

When we hold onto the way we think things should be, we block God from moving.

When we hold onto our old familiar fears, we block God’s peace which passes all understanding.

When we hold onto things from the past, focusing on the loss instead of the present, we block God from carrying us into the future He has for us.

Yes, God is sovereign.

Yes, He can do anything.

But He allows us to choose.

We can choose to stay stuck with ourselves or move into the freedom He has for us.

Forgive me, but I must bring up Wonder Woman.

Yes, the female super hero in the movies today.

Watching Wonder Woman 84, she wrestled with letting go of her first love.

By focusing on that loss, she slowly lost her super powers.

Only when she let him and the stinging pain completely leave did she regain her superhero strength, pivotal to her destiny.

Completely applies to us and what we hold onto instead of God.

When we hold onto things instead of giving them to God, our “super powers” are blocked.

God’s peace cannot penetrate.

Fear stays.

Deep disappointment overwhelms.

Give every little thing to God.

Everything from your past, present and future.

Only when we let old things go can we move into the amazing plans God has for us.

Let the disappointed dreams go.

Let the past hurt rest.

And let God fully reign.

Photos by Priscilla Du Preez, Jack Ward, Helena Cook, & Jared Subia on Unsplash

New Year

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I love New Years.

Do you?

Nothing like a fresh start.

Clean slate.

A reset.

Are you resetting anything?

Wiping anything clean?

Looking back at last year’s goals, I actually did pretty great!

How ’bout you?

I accomplished over half of my goals, plus more.

2020 was a horrible year by many accounts.

If you focus on quarantine, riots, lawlessness, cheating, etc., you could become overwhelmed with negativity.

Understandable.

Totally.

But remember: God is on the throne.

Always and forever.

And I’m choosing to focus on that.

My God has a plan, has had a plan, and always will have His plan.

Speaking of plans, I have decided to read through the Bible chronologically this year.

As a type A personality, it makes me nervous skipping around the Bible, not merely reading in order.

But I’m excited!

Ever read the Bible this way?

Join me!

Find the downloadable plan below:

Chronological Bible Reading PlanDownload

This year, let’s focus to place God first in our lives.

Let’s resolve to give Him our absolute everything.

And when we do, 2021 will be a great year despite anything that comes our way.

Hallelujah!

Photos by Jude Beck, Özgür Öztürk, & Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Whose Are You?

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For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:7-8

Are you your own?

Or are you God’s?

Do you live for yourself?

Or do you live under God’s breath?

Living for yourself can be fun, I will admit.

But it’s also sad.

Lonely.

And it’s a pit that never ends.

The deeper you go into yourself, the farther away you are from God, who, in fact, created everything, even that pit.

The more you chase the world, trying to find yourself, the lonelier you will remain.

What if, instead of chasing selfish whims, you chased God’s will for you?

What if, instead of slipping deeper into a selfish pit, you walked God’s plan for your life?

When you remember Whose you are, you’ll be able to stand a little taller.

When you remember Whose you are, you’ll realize none of it matters.

The matching tea towels.

The latest athletic shoes.

The perfect family photo.

None of it matters because it all points to you.

Stand up.

Stand tall.

And stand for the One who was born for You.

Because Whose you are matters more than who you are.

Photos by Fadi Xd, sergey mikheev, & Em M. on Unsplash

Morality

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What is morality?

Well, it’s when one is moral or has morals.

What’s the definition of morals?

Webster says “of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior- ethical.”

Makes perfect sense.

Especially when Webster continues: “conforming to a standard of right behavior or sanctioned by one’s conscience.”

So, morality has to do with right and wrong.

Knowing deep in your conscience the right and wrong ways to go.

Wait.

I thought our world no longer held the standard of absolute right and wrong, because God has essentially been removed from the public square.

Unfortunately, that’s true.

Our world has adopted moral relativism, meaning what is right for me might not be right for you.

They declare right and wrong are different for everyone, depending upon what they believe is right for them.

Think about voter fraud.

If you believe it’s right for your candidate to win, you’ll justify the fake votes, because that’s right for you.

Think about extended lockdowns.

If those in charge believes it is right to remove personal freedom for the good of the general public, then that is right for them.

Nothing will stop them as it’s right for them, even if it’s wrong according to the Constitution.

Think about politically correct speech.

If someone thinks it’s right for them to be whatever pronoun they desire, no matter their God-given gender, then it’s right in their mind, suddenly becoming wrong for you to object.

Think about abortion.

If someone thinks it’s right for them to kill their baby, they remove your right to protest as they deem you wrong.

When there is no standard of absolute right and wrong, societies always fail.

They crumble.

May God help us.

May God increase our strength and words, providing us His wisdom to stand up against the moral decline of America.

May He provide us avenues to stand up for His absolute truth, teaching our children to do the same.

May we not be afraid to speak up.

Oh, God, give us your strength to stop being silent.

Have mercy on our country.

You, God, are the Author of our liberty.

Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light.

Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King!

Photos by Aaron Burden, Paul Weaver, Justin Casey, Luke Michael, & Martin Jernberg on Unsplash

God’s Chosen

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For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

The angel Gabriel had just disappeared, leaving her with God’s request.

Mary was left standing in the middle of the room, trembling after her encounter with God’s holy angel.

Steadying herself by grabbing a chair, she collapsed into it, wondering if she had imagined it all.

Gabriel had appeared to her, proclaiming God’s need for her to be the Lord’s earthly mother.

“How could I say no?” Mary thought. “I want to do whatever God wants me to do, but I’m scared. Really terrified, actually. What will people say? Will they believe me?”

Mary said yes to God.

She had no idea the ramifications of her acceptance into God’s will.

Her life was over as she knew it, but obeying God was more important to her than anything else.

Did she have periods of doubt?

Of course.

Did she have moments or even days of regret?

Probably.

She’s human.

Imagine yourself.

Imagine the whispers of your friends, the people you’ve grown up with your whole life.

“Did you know Mary’s pregnant? She’s not even married!”

Overhearing these comments would not sit well in her heart.

She probably cried as those pregnancy hormones raged.

And it probably never stopped.

The whispers.

The comments.

She was permanently labeled.

And not in a good way.

Mary could have listened to those lies, allowing them to define her.

But she knew they weren’t true.

All she had to do was look upon the face of God’s son Jesus, the sweet boy running around her house.

All she had to do was ask God to remind her of His purposes for her.

All she had to do was choose to believe God’s identity for her instead of the world’s.

How about you?

What identity do you embrace that is not from our loving God?

What whispered lies or comments do you bring into your heart, believing them instead of God’s truth?

Be like Mary.

Realize you will be talked about.

Realize you have no control over other people.

But realize once and for all Whose you are.

Straighten your crown and stand tall.

You are God’s beloved.

Chosen.

And deeply loved.

Photos by Sebastian Fröhlich, Josh Boot, Ander Burdain, & Seoyeon Choi on Unsplash

Joseph and Mary

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And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt. Matthew 2:14

God interrupted their plans.

Big time, yes?

Joseph and Mary were ordinary people living a simple life doing normal things.

They had normal plans.

Get married.

Start a family.

Carve out the best possible existence with the resources they had.

They were not unlike all of us.

But God stepped into their lives, interrupting the journey they thought they would take.

God didn’t completely alter their plans, just changed it up, adding a baby, shepherds, Wiseman, and fleeing into Egypt in the middle of the night to avoid certain death.

But eventually, they settled into that semi-normal life they originally sought.

Normal if you can call it that while parenting the son of God.

What has God interrupted in your life?

This year has been full of interruptions.

I know, the interruptions aren’t from God, or are they?

Has God awakened your desire to know Him more?

To trust Him more?

Has God opened your eyes to see how much the world needs His good news?

Has your trust in God deepened as normal life has somewhat changed?

While God has not announced life altering declarations to you through an angel, He has allowed our lives to change.

Maybe only for a season, but they have been changed.

And because God holds all things, the past, present, and the future, in his Hands, we can trust Him through all of it.

I believe God has spoken to you through this time.

But you must listen.

Listen to His whispers of encouragement when you are filled with loneliness.

Listen to His domination over fear when you are filled with anxiety.

Listen to His great love for you when you feel abandoned.

Dig into the Bible, worship Him with praise, and purpose your mind to focus on Him and what you know He wants you to do.

Mary and Joseph did that.

They could have run away screaming from what God asked them to do when He stepped into their lives, interrupting their best laid plans.

But they didn’t.

They chose to trust in Almighty God and then obey.

Do the same.

Trust Him for your everything and then obey Him, knowing you are fully loved and fully known by God.

Photos by Annie Spratt, Maria Shanina, Josh Boot, & David Beale on Unsplash

Seeking

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You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

What are you seeking after?

What would you give your life for?

What if this happiness costs you something.

Would it be worth it, whatever this is you seek?

Temporary pain for the greater good comes to mind.

Further college education classes last only a few months.

Haha, or years, but the reward is usually a better job and more money.

Exercise takes a few minutes each day with the gain of health.

Planning the holidays creates work but memories for years to come.

What are you seeking after at the cost of your happiness?

The position of self?

To be “right”?

An attitude, perhaps?

Is it worth it?

Been studying Augustine lately for a class.

Yes, the one from the 4th century.

His ultimate goal of education was the pursuit of happiness and peace of God.

He longed to hear God’s voice.

What if your goals were replaced with these?

The pursuit of God’s love and peace.

Is your pursuit creating peace in your soul?

Are you seeking after God to be your everything?

We were never meant to live alone.

Created for love, we were meant to live in community.

Community that ministers to us in the valleys and celebrates us in the hills.

Who do you answer to every day?

Your sweet self?

Or God?

Oh God, make us more like You.

Create in us a clean heart, seeking You with all that we are and listening for Your voice to direct our paths.

Photos by Oscar Helgstrand on Unsplash

Sitting Dignified

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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25

Are you?

Sitting dignified in your place?

Sometimes in life, we are less than.

Lowered into a status we did not ask for.

It might be a devalued relationship.

Or a job.

Maybe you were simply completely misunderstood.

Or maybe, gasp, they hurt you on purpose.

So, you sit.

You sit up, back straight, in your dignified place.

You are not affected by the mud slung your way.

You do not care.

Why?

Because you know Whose you are.

You are a daughter or son of the Most High.

The Most High loves you.

He died for you.

He is always with you, every moment.

He hears everything, absolutely every insult hurled your way.

He sees everything, all their eye rolls or ways you constantly bend over to pick up broken pieces nobody else seems to scoop up.

He knows everything, all your hidden fears, your secret wants, your tears shed in private.

Sit up.

Tall and straight.

God has it, will have it, and has already had it.

All of it.

All you have to do is smile as you sit in your dignified place.

And for heaven’s sake, straighten your crown.

Photos by Church of the King & Jared Subia on Unsplash

Simply Jesus

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If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

Jesus, I need You.

I need You with all I am.

I need Your strength, because mine is all gone.

I need Your wisdom to see through all the worldly crud.

I need Your love to flow through me when mine seems to be used up.

I need Your compassion when I feel as though people deserve what they get.

Or mercy when people get what they don’t deserve.

I need your peace.

Your perfect peace.

The world at large is a mess.

And so is my little world.

Everything always demands my attention, yet You are all I seek.

May I measure every demand against Your will.

May I seek You above all else.

And may You fill me with everything I need as without that I am nothing.

Thank you for Your faithfulness.

Thank you for Your love.

And thank You for Your comfort.

As I settle into You, all I can do is be.

I so long to be what You want me to be.

I so long to do what You want me to do.

Guide me, Lord, into what plans You have for me.

Bring me into Your will.

For then, and only then, will I truly find Your peace.

You are my everything.

I so love You, my Lord, and Savior.

Photos by Cameron Venti & Drew Dau on Unsplash

Longing

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May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! Psalm 20:4

What is the longing of your heart?

The deep down longing?

To win the lottery?

To get married?

To make it through the day?

How bout to know God?

To know the living God, who made ALL things?

He wants to know you.

In fact, He already does.

Inside and out.

All those ugly things you don’t like to talk about?

He already knows.

All those deep dark fears, thinking you’re really not good enough?

He knows.

He sees your future fears.

He sees your past regrets.

He sees your broken heart.

He sees everything.

And you know what?

He still loves you.

Not only that, but He longs to have a relationship with you.

Jesus longs to fill your voids, canceling your debt upon your back.

Sometimes Christians keep their burdens.

We know we are saved, but we hold onto the things we regret.

We hold onto the things we wished were different.

Bitterness.

Anger.

Fear.

Unloving.

We hold onto it all.

But guess what?

God knows it all.

Every little thing.

And He still wants you fully as you are.

Come unto Him, lay down your everything, including that secret fear you’ve held for your entire life.

Might be scary, but it’s worth it.

Know why?

Because God, who knows the beginning from the end, will take your fear and hold it for you.

He will hold it.

When He holds it, it becomes love.

Your fear becomes perfect, because God is perfect.

He rights wrongs.

He cancels sin.

He creates beauty from ashes.

What are you waiting for?

Run to Him.

Submit, and give Him EVERYTHING.

In return, He will give you His peace.

His perfect peace.

There is nothing in this world that compares.

Nothing.

Photos by Vadym Lebedych on Unsplash

Safe and Sound

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You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

God, who created all things, is with you every step of the way.

Not only is He with you, but He is behind you, covering your past, taking away the pain.

He takes any pain of your past if you’ll let Him, because He wants you to live in the now.

But you have to give it to Him, purposing not to return to that pity party.

Decide instead to keep the sweet memories, letting God be in charge of any negativity associated with the past.

…in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. (Ps 139:5)

He is also before you.

He prepares your future plans.

All safe and sound with His plans, if you trust Him completely in that.

Trusting God for your future means you are not anxious.

Not fearful of what if’s.

You rest, knowing God has it all under control.

You recognize He wants the very best for you and will be with you for all of it, easy or hard.

You wake up every day, thanking Him for guiding you into how His plans for this day will unfold.

You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way..(Ps 139:5)

He lays His hand upon you.

He covers you with His shelter and protection, giving you His perfect peace.

The blessing of His presence is enough to calm your anxious soul.

It is enough to cover the less than perfect past.

It is enough to keep you in His perfect peace knowing His future plans for you are perfect.

…With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a blessing to me. (Ps 139:5)

Thank you, God for caring about me.

Thank you, God, for walking with me, covering my past, present, and future.

Increase my faith and trust, knowing that with You by my side, I am at peace.

For yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

And always.

Photos by Glenn Carstens-Peters, Oliver Fetter, henry perks, Johny Goerend, Allef Vinicius, & Sandis Helvigs on Unsplash

Valuing Others

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Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

How much do you value other people?

Enough to care about them past, “How are you?”

Do you really want to hear something other than the usual “Fine?”

If you do, you show your friend value.

Let’s go deeper.

How much do you value your spouse?

Do you ask them what they need from you to fill their hearts up?

And then when you ask, do you actually try to follow through?

If you do, you show your spouse value.

Maybe instead, you take them for granted.

You take their love and service as nothing.

Normal.

Everyday.

Well, it’s now time to wake up.

Literally.

What if today was your last day?

How would you show your spouse value then?

Guessing it would be more than you do now.

Valuing your spouse is not hard.

It’s asking them how they are and actually listening without distraction.

It’s seeking to know them, wanting to connect.

It’s asking what they need from you to fill their hearts.

And then following through not once, but from now on.

Because you value them.

People recognize love in different ways.

Your love language might not be your spouses.

Ask them.

And then act.

Only in our selfishness can we possibly neglect the beautiful gift set before us.

God blesses us with spouses.

Treat them like the gift they really are to you.

And your gift will be returned to you a thousand times over.

Photos by Helena Lopes, Jamez Picard, Aung Soe Min, & Alex Iby on Unsplash

Coming to Our Senses

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“…and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26

I assume you want to come to your senses.

To live honorably before all men.

Senseless living showcases foolishness.

Usually on display for all to see.

Sometimes we don’t see our own folly. Why?

Because we have not come to our senses and are living under the influence of the devil.

The verse above states when we are not living wisely, meaning not living in our senses, we are in the snare of the devil, biding his will.

Actually participating in the devil’s evil plans instead of God’s holy design. Ouch.

Paul elaborates speaking to the Lord’s servant about not being quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. (2 Timothy 3:24)

Who are the Lord’s servants? Us.

Those who love God and wish to serve Him with our whole selves.

Especially pastors.

Those in spiritual authority over us.

If you want to categorize servants, pastors must strive more to live as examples of humble servants.

Only when we are kind, gentle, and patient is God able to free us from ourselves.

From living senselessly under the capture and will of the devil.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:25)

Only when we live with the fruit of the spirit will God allow our eyes to revel our own selfishness, leading us to God’s truth before our eyes.

Folks, we often miss it.

We think we are following God.

But we are mistaken, because we are trusting in ourselves before Him.

We trust in our reasoning, not allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of our past.

Instead may we fly from youthful passions, pursuing instead righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with a pure heart.

And may God open our eyes to His will, giving us the courage to obey Him.

I for one cringe when I think about acting in the will of the devil.

How ’bout you?

Photos by Hello I’m Nik 🎞, Chris Lawton, Artur Rutkowski, Anastasiya Romanova, & Anthony Lee on Unsplash

God Alone

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But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

We cannot rely on anyone but God alone.

God alone is all we need.

If you place your trust in humans, you will be disappointed.

Bitterly.

But God will never disappoint you.

Yes, He won’t always do what you want.

But you can rest assured He has your back.

He has your best interest at heart.

God has no sin, so His love is pure.

Not spoiled with human interests.

Yes, we can rely upon our spouses.

Yes, we can rely upon our children.

Yes, we can rely upon our family and friends.

But they will all disappoint.

They will break your heart.

Again and again.

God will not.

While God provides us human relationships on this earth, they will never fill the void in your soul.

Only God can fill that completly.

Fully.

Lonely?

Humans cannot respond with the companionship you need.

But God can.

Sad?

Humans cannot respond with the sympathy you need.

But God can.

Confused?

Humans cannot respond with the direction you need.

But God can.

While God does place people in our lives here on earth, they cannot fill the void God leaves.

Ever.

People will disappoint.

But God will not.

Photos by Ribble Cycles, Alexander Grigoriey, & Daniel Tran on Unsplash

Needing God

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(God) who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:4-5

God, I need You.

I need Your strength.

Mine is all gone.

I need Your love for others.

Mine is all used up.

I need Your peace.

Don’t have any on my own that lasts more than a second.

I need Your love for me, too.

Mine is all gone.

I need all of You.

Because all of me is used up.

Fill me anew with You.

Cover my ugly shivering self with Your arms.

I need Your safety.

I need Your protection.

I need Your security.

I need You.

You are always faithful.

Always.

In every single thing as long as I ask You.

You’re so gracious, You also let me live in my own self if I bow to my selfishness.

But I choose You.

Totally.

Completely.

Absolutely, I choose You.

Fill me up with all of You.

Only then will I begin to hope again.

Only then will I have strength to keep going.

Only then will I be as I should.

Photos by Tony Eight Media & Ben White on Unsplash