Tag: grace

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

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

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

Squashed Bug

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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

When someone talks down to you, how does that make you feel?

How about if you become the fall out and it wasn’t even your fault?

When you’re surprised at someone’s reaction as they share none of the blame?

When you don’t feel heard, and you realize your voice is barely above a whisper?

How does it make you feel when the conversation leaves you smaller than you were. Tiny, in fact. So tiny, you feel like a bug that was just squashed completely flat?

I know how you feel. Because I felt that recently.

Had a hard conversation, and let’s just say they were only interested in one thing.

Their opinion.

Their right to state their opinion.

Their right to state their opinion in a way that left me squashed.

Interestingly enough, I’ve been taking an education leadership class.

Well, three actually, but who’s counting!

Anyhow, because I am taking these classes at a Christian university, there is always a filter of God through each concept.

How would this response or that decision reflect God and how He operates?

Brings me to that hard conversation.

The conversation directed towards me was missing understanding, grace, and a humble spirit.

Left me thinking thoughts I will not admit, but God has allowed me to see the point beyond the conversation.

God allows yuck to happen, and when it comes, we should ask ourselves what must He be teaching us?

I’ll tell you what I learned.

How not to treat other people.

How not to respond to filth.

How not to bring another person down as I lift up my own self.

Because I know how that felt – terrible.

And I never want to make someone else feel that way. Ever.

When having tough conversations, make sure you are tuned into God’s mind. God’s ways. God’s voice.

Yes, sometimes we might have to deliver unwanted messages, but we can season our talk with understanding, empathy, and love.

And when the other person feels heard, our message will be received, leaving the other with their dignity intact.

Ask God to keep filling you up with Himself.

His words of life.

As we are responsible for the words of our mouths, “may the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our STRENGTH and our REDEEMER” (from Psalm 19:14).

And then when we talk with the world, our words will leave a lovely taste of God as we represent Him with all we do and say.

Photos by Charlotte Descamps &  Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Flip It!

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Those who trust in and wait on him will not be put to shame. Psalm 22:5

What crushing disappointment has sent you into despair?

Or maybe it’s just a simple one, causing you to question your entire life?

Or maybe the direction you thought God wanted for you is a clear NO?

Ok, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. Let’s take it down a notch.

When you are faced with a NO from God, what is your reaction?

Despair? Anxiety? Begging for Him to open the right doors when He’s clearly shut one?

Questioning yourself, your actions, and God’s actions as well?

Scheming how to change the situation so it will fit into God’s plan for your life?

We all do it, right?

But when disappointment stares us in the face, what if we flipped it over?

What if we flipped disappointment over, revealing God’s hope and peace?

As someone who trusts God for your every breath, you want to remain within God’s plan for you, yes?

You want to remain obedient to what God has for you.

And your NO from God is just that. An answer from God.

Your NO is God keeping you right where He wants you.

Underneath His protection, grace, and plans for the amazing future He has for you.

As you patiently seek God, waiting for His YES, smile.

Smile at your disappointment, because God has even better plans for you.

Yes, you might be disappointed for the moment, but you can smile, knowing God is looking out for you.

He’s planning something even better.

The wait will be totally worth it.

Photos by Jonathan Marchal, Wes Hicks, Christopher Machicoane-Hurtaud, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Silencing the Tempter

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And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. Luke 4:13

The devil will come tempt you when you were at your weakest.

That’s when he comes.

Do you know when he came to Jesus?

After Jesus had fasted for 40 days.

Luke 4:2 says Jesus was hungry.

Probably the understatement of the year after not eating for 40 days am I right?

After fasting 40 days, Jesus was physically weak.

But that’s when the devil came.

When does the devil come for you?

When does he visit, tempting you to sin or simply help you off the straight and narrow?

When you are weak.

When is that exactly?

Is it after certain situations?

After you listen to lies in your head?

Do you feel weak every day?

When the devil tempted Jesus, He rose up in his weakened state and refused every lie the devil threw at Him.

He refuted the devil’s statements with scripture.

God‘s living word.

Every drop of God’s word breathes life with the power of the Almighty behind every single syllable.

God reminds us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Put your name in that.

God’s grace is sufficient for me.

God’s power is made perfect in me.

Absolutely incredible. Looking at verse 10, when we are weak, we KNOW God’s power is working through us.

When I am weak, I am strong because Jesus covers me with Himself.

When I am weak, I am strong because Jesus’ strength literally replaces my weakness.

Replace means exchange, so my weakness is exchanged for the strength of Almighty God.

Reminds me of 1 Peter 5:7 which calls you to cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

Put your name in there.

I cast all my anxiety on Jesus because He cares for me.

Time to tell the devil enough.

Next time he tempts you, because he will never quit, stop him with the word of God.

You’ll send him packing, wondering if he should return.

Photos by Mike Hindle on Unsplash

Forgiveness

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Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and pure heart. Psalm 24:3-4a

What does it mean to have clean hands and a pure heart?

It’s one who seeks God. Who seeks God’s will, purpose, and plan for his life.

One who seeks the face of God.

One who lives within the forgiveness of God, extending in turn forgiveness to others who wrong him.

One who lives humbly under the authority of God.

One who stands in awe of God’s power, remembering Who is ultimately in control.

One who walks daily with God, obeying His written word and the promptings within his heart.

Clean hands require God’s grace, mercy, and strength.

There is no possible way to successfully rely on ourselves instead.

We are dependent on God. We must remain dependent on Him.

He gives us strength to obey His word.

He gives us grace for others when we must forgive.

He gives us peace amidst the storm.

He gives us salvation from our sins.

But we must choose to clean our hands.

We must choose to walk with God, asking Him to fill our hands with His plans.

Extending forgiveness to others ranks high on the “later, Lord” list.

But how can we have clean hands and a pure heart when we harbor un-forgiveness?

Even if it’s not deserved, we must.

We must forgive.

Doesn’t mean we are now forgetful or best friends with the offender.

Means we let the offense go, allowing God to heal our hearts.

I did that recently. Someone who has known me a very long time.

I let it go. And you know what? It freed me.

God reminded me how much He has forgiven me.

Immediately I knew it must be extended to others.

My person didn’t deserve it.

But neither do I.

I don’t deserve God’s forgiveness.

Want to ascend the hill of the Lord with me?

God wants us to have clean hands and a pure heart.

Includes forgiveness.

Ask Him to help you, and grab those shoes. The hill looks lovely.

Photos by Joseph Liu, Adrian Jakob, Tim Wildsmith, & Thomas de LUZE on Unsplash

Living Within Forgiveness

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

What if you lived from a place of forgiveness towards others?

Those who hurt you, often repeatedly?

God, whose faithfulness endures to all generations, is merciful.

He promises to hold you upright as a steadfast Rock.

And He’s forgiven you all of your sin.

All of it.

So what if you lived within God’s forgiveness, granting others grace as well?

You might feel justified withholding compassion or forgivness.

But that’s not for your concern.

Your concern is not doling out justice. That’s God’s business.

If you live without the lens of forgiveness, your disposition, attitude, and even health are affected.

But if you allow yourself to live within God’s forgiveness flowing through you, everything will be different.

Don’t let people walk all over you, but live within the grace of God.

Stand up gracefully for yourself, but allow others to make their own mistakes.

Living within forgiveness frees others.

But the biggest reward is for your heart.

When your heart lets go of bitterness, the ugly parts melt away, revealing the heart of God.

Only possible with God’s love all mixed up with yours.

Would you rather have a heart full of scars and ugly dead parts?

Or a heart with God’s love all mixed up with yours, sending life everywhere it travels?

Ask God for His infusion today.

And run into that freedom He has for you.

The freedom He died to give you when He forgave you all your sins.

Photos by Melanie Stander, Alex Shute, & Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Rebuilding

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But now, I will heal and mend them. I will make them whole and bless them with an abundance of peace and security. Jeremiah 33:6

It was an incredibly beautiful picture.

Stunning, in fact.

Worth millions.

One day, cracks appeared.

Before you knew it, the picture literally crumbled.

Shattered into a million little pieces.

God allowed it to break.

Your picture. The priceless one.

But when He allows it to break, He doesn’t leave it in a pile of mismatched pieces.

Nope. He helps you put it back together.

Will it look the same? Nope.

Can’t.

But God, through His mercy and grace, has an even better picture for you.

Might take awhile. But rest as it’s all in God’s perfect timing.

Jeremiah reminds us God will make us whole.

And He will do it.

As He builds your new picture, some of the old pieces will fit. Others won’t.

It’s not your job to fashion, as He holds the directions.

He knows. All you have to do is sit back, allowing Him to use whatever tool He deems necessary.

Might be messy. In fact, it will be.

Very messy.

There will be times when you don’t understand the way He is rebuilding your picture.

You might even question it.

But don’t give up.

Don’t walk away with an unfinished picture.

Trust Him fully as He is the only one who can rebuild your picture absolutely perfectly.

He knows where each piece fits.

And He’s got new pieces, too.

The pieces He allows to stay will shine brightly as they have been touched by the hand of God.

Healed by His precious peace.

So keep going. Keep holding out your future to His capable hands.

Bring everything to His feet and He will rebuild your picture so it looks just right.

And you’ll love it, I promise.

Photos by Brigitta Schneiter, sarandy westfall, pine watt, Mauricio Sabino, & Olivia Snow on Unsplash

Boasting in Weakness

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And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Ever thanked God for your temptations or weaknesses?

For how you are tempted to sin?

There are many ways we can be tempted in our flesh.

Eating too much, addictions to sugar, alcohol, drugs, or technology.

Reacting in anger, putting others down, or thinking of ourselves always first.

Even wanting to do the right thing, whatever it may be, but instead listening to our flesh, following it instead.

What are your temptations or your weaknesses?

Have you thanked God for them?

Thanked God for being weak?

I know, sounds foreign. Almost like why would I thank God for where I am weak?

When you thank God, you recognize your need for His power through you.

You recognize your need for His strength covering your weakness with His power.

Your need for not only God’s saving grace, but His every day grace transforming you into your new person God created you to become.

When you thank God, you allow His power to shine through your weakness as resisting your temptation is possible through God alone.

2 Corinthians reminds us to boast in our weakness. To recognize them positively.

Because God shines through our weakness, making us strong.

If you had everything all together, all your ducks in a row, why would you need God?

Why would you need to rely on His strength?

You wouldn’t. You’d be fine on your own. You’d never admit your need for a Savior.

We are human. Flawed. Weak.

But when we submit our weak selves unto Almighty God, we are transformed, slowly, into His likeness.

Thank Him today for your flaws. For where you are weak. When temptation knocks at your door.

Then respond with God’s strength. He’ll shut the door for you.

And you’ll rest peacefully, knowing you don’t have to do it all.

Knowing you can’t do it all.

But God can and He will.

Photos by Ýlona María Rybka, Debby Hudson, Ales Maze, & Miglena Georgieva on Unsplash

Constant Decisions

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Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

When you choose to place God in control of your life, He covers you.

His power, love, and grace flow into you when you submit.

Only when you choose to submit, because it’s a choice.

Doesn’t say we only have to submit once, but implies instead a constant decision.

Going on, we must resist the devil.

Once we choose to do that, the devil goes away.

He flees. Why?

Because you decided to resist him.

Fully resisting the devil’s crafty lies and selfish whims happens only when first you submit yourself to God.

Having chosen to submit to God, God’s power helps you resist the devil.

Make no mistake: your choice is still involved.

Even as a saved by grace singing hallelujah Christian, you can still fall into the devil’s traps.

Easily.

The choice is yours.

But when you choose to submit first to God, it’s easier to resist the devil.

Why?

Because you want what God wants for you.

And news flash, it’s not the devil.

Shocking, I know.

Resisting the devil is a constant decision.

The verse doesn’t say you only resist him once, but again implies a continual action.

Seems simple, doesn’t it?

Yet we resist submitting. Instead we want control.

Purpose to submit yourself to God.

Purpose to resist the devil.

The devil will flee and you’ll be left with God by your side.

Today, if your soul’s heavenly selfie was taken, who would be walking by your side?

Photos by Ben White & Kyle Anderson on Unsplash

He Knows

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You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16

God understands you.

After all, He created you.

He planned you from the foundation of the world.

He saw you born.

He saw you grow.

He laughed when your baby babble emerged.

He was touched when you sang your Sunday school songs.

Especially when you belted out Jesus Loves Me.

Because He does love you, ever so much.

He saw you confused as you entered adulthood, unsure of what choices to make.

He saw your bursts of kindness to others, and your not so subtle bouts with anger.

He felt your laughter and your tears.

He continues to count the hairs on your head as He walks beside you every day.

God longs to be your closest friend.

Your sounding board.

There is no one closer to you than God.

There is no one who knows you better.

But God will never push Himself into your life.

He wants to be asked.

And once you do, He’ll step right in, holding your hand the rest of the way.

Go ahead.

Ask Him.

Even if you’ve proclaimed your faith long ago, you still must choose to walk by His side.

Each day, there are multiple times we can choose to walk away from His peace, wisdom, and love.

Probably more like hundreds.

And when we walk away, He’s always waiting for us to run back into His arms.

His grace will always take you back.

The grace from Jesus’ death on the cross, which paid the penalty for all of our many daily sins.

God is holy.

And if it wasn’t for Jesus’ sacrifice, God would not be approachable due to our sinful selves.

Because of Jesus we have everything we need.

But we must choose God each and every day.

Decide to choose Him this today, trusting Him for all your tomorrows.

And do that again the next day.

And the next.

Happily ever after.

Photos by Kelli McClintock, Guillaume de Germain, Alejandro Luengo, & Angelo Pantazis on Unsplash

Utmost Confidence

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For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Jesus knows.

Jesus, who is God, the Creator of ALL things, understands.

Your weakness has sympathy with God.

Instead of shaming us, He understands.

He understands because He was human, walking our world, tempted with this and that.

Yet He did not sin.

Ever.

Having God literally sympathize with us for our weaknesses, is incredible.

Unique.

Precious.

But there’s more.

His understanding comes with a bonus, His strength.

When we are weak, God wants us to ask Him for help, because He actually will.

Do we deserve it?

Nope.

But Hebrews reminds us we must approach the undeserved throne of grace with confidence.

Instead of pointing His finger, condemning us while we are down, He opens His grace filled arms, waiting with armfuls of mercy.

Recognize your need for Him.

Repent for trying life within yourself alone.

Ask Him to fill you instead with Himself – His mercy and grace.

And purpose to try again, choosing to act within His strength alone, absent of yourself.

Yes, we will continue messing up, because we are sinful.

But we have God, who really knows how we feel, always sitting there, right by our side.

He’ll scoop out our crud, replacing it with His perfect self.

Almost makes me happy to be so weak!

Photos by Łukasz Rawa & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Prickly People

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Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

You know the type.

Recoils when you give a loving pat.

Or even a loving word.

They shun it, choosing instead to dwell on their own misery.

Their prickles scream stay away or else.

You don’t see them at first.

But after the initial reaction, they are completely obvious.

Well, they are obvious, plus you notice a trickle of blood down your arm from their stab.

Ouch!

What did you do?

Think back.

Anything there?

Maybe if you have a teenager, you looked at them wrong.

Or you limited their freedoms based on their choices.

Or insisted they eat veggies before dessert.

Oh the horror!

Guessing you saw prickles.

Maybe your spouse isn’t themselves, responding to your loving words with apathy.

Or they recoil in horror when you suggest a change.

Ouch!

Maybe your friends have a prickly text response.

Maybe your boss is unapproachable and all you feel are prickles.

How about the checker, assuming you still use a real person.

Through no fault of your own, they might be prickly because of their job or life circumstances.

What should you do when encountering prickles?

If you fight back, deliciously succumbing to fleshly desires, you’ll get pricked.

Stabbed.

Blood will trickle out.

Ouch!

Sometimes, their attitudes have nothing to do with you.

You are simply in the way.

Other times, it is directed specifically at you.

I’ll ask again.

What should you do?

What would Jesus do?

Love them.

Provide grace through strength.

Infuse His peace into the circumstances.

While you must stand firm with adolescent discipline, sprinkle in some grace.

Don’t allow yourself to be wounded with someone else’s pricks.

Those are meant to harm you.

But only if you let them.

Stand tall.

Wear your crown, and declare none of this moves me.

I will stay in His peace as I keep my eyes steadfast on Him.

The author and finisher of my peace.

Photos by NeONBRAND, buddika Gunathilaka, & frank mckenna on Unsplash

Clinging to the Old

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Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are becoming new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Are you?

Clinging to the old?

The old meaning your self without God.

Your sinful self.

The self that feels better some of the time.

1 Corinthians 5:17 suggests, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away.”

When we become a Christian, declaring our faith in God, we become new.

Our mind, body, soul, and spirit become new in the eyes of God.

Because with God covering us, we are without spot or blemish.

Old things pass away, meaning our sins are forgiven.

But my question is this: what old ways are you still holding onto?

What comfortable sinful actions do you insist on instead of how God wants you to act?

Just because the old has passed away doesn’t mean you can’t ask for it back.

Picture a closet.

You declare your faith in God.

God replaces all your clothes with new garments.

They are perfect.

Not always comfy, but made by God just for you.

You wake up, deciding what to wear.

Since you are still irked by yesterday, the shiny new clothes almost blind you.

You instantly wish, audibly, for that ratty sweatshirt.

You blink, and see it crumpled back on your floor.

Do you wear it?

Up to you.

Your old sinful nature is wiped clean with Christ’s forgiveness.

But your old ways can and will still creep up, tempting you to wear them.

You must keep your faith in God, asking Him what to wear each day, each moment.

Should I wear faith or fear?

Anxiety or peace?

Self-pity or grace?

Fear, anxiety, and self-pity are a whole lot more comfy at times, yes?

But they make you ugly.

Ask the One who set you free to keep setting you free each and every day.

And each day you choose God and His ways, it will become easier and easier to reject your old ways.

And pretty soon, that ratty sweatshirt in the corner will disappear.

But only if you decide you want it no longer.

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Photos by Jozsef Hocza, Zui Hoang, Martino Pietropoli, Patryk Sobczak, Tommaso Pecchioli, & Christian Fregnan on Unsplash

Known

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Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. 1 Kings 8:56

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How is God known?

Through the things that don’t make sense in our lives.

Through the trust we show when the next step we cannot see.

Through His grace demonstrated in us each and every day.

Through His love poured out from our fingertips to others.

Through His peace we feel while tossed to and fro.

Through His forgiveness we give to those who’ve deeply hurt us.

Through the giving we provide to those who lack.

Through the servant we become when thinking more of others.

Through the prayers we pray and the answers that surprise us.

Through the deliverance of trauma, healing the holes left behind.

Through the wisdom we have when asking God for help.

Through coming out on the other side of life’s trauma.

And living, not dying from it.

God is known through our Bible reading, our praying, our worship, and our very lives.

Each and every day, God is known through the big and small things.

How well do you know Him?

Well, I hope.

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Photos by Marlon Langoni, H A M A N N, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

 

God’s No

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You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21

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Is God’s no His mercy towards you?

Is His answer of no an extension of His grace?

When we pray, we do not always get what we wish.

Our heart’s desires are not always given.

But isn’t that the mercy of God?

Doesn’t He know best?

Sometimes an answer to prayer is no.

No doesn’t mean God has forgotten you.

That He doesn’t love you.

Sometimes His great love is shown to you through an answer you do not want.

Through His no.

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So the next time His answer to you is no, remember His goodness.

His knowledge of time from the beginning to the end.

His desire to give you every good thing.

When Jesus prayed in the Garden for His suffering to be avoided, God said no.

It was no because God had greater things in store.

Jesus asked, but He also prayed for God’s will to be done.

God’s will done in your life might also mean no.

No for certain things.

But yes for others.

Pray for your heart to align with God’s.

So when His no arrives, you still expect nothing less then goodness from the heart of God.

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Real Life 2.0

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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 43:5

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Ever have a pity party?

Honestly, they’re fun.

It’s fun to wallow in poor me.

Why?

Because when we join our pity party, we feel comfortable.

Safe.

It just feels right to complain.

To utterly concentrate on the ugly.

It’s like the Sadness character in the movie Inside Out.

Nothing you can do to change her mind.

She’ll always just be sad.

Now wait, isn’t it OK to be sad?

Why are you dumping on being sad?

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to be sad.

Normal, in fact.

Healthy.

It’s healthier to be sad and grieve something then to simply ignore it, pushing your feelings down to your toes.

But the feeling of sadness and grieving is not a pity party.

It’s not poor me.

It’s simply sad.

You are choosing to grieve, but not demanding others give you a behavior green card.

An allowance to act however you choose, because after all, you deserve to after what you have been through!

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I’ve had a pretty bad week.

Actually a bad 2 weeks.

A week ago, we found out our 8 week old unborn child was only 6.5 weeks and did not have a beating heart.

Then a few days ago, we discovered it was not meant to be.

And I’ve been waiting for my body to cooperate and get back to normal ever since.

Hence my foul mood.

While it’s perfectly normal for me to feel sadness, to grieve what will never be, I crossed the line.

I had a big old pity party.

I moved from sad to depressed.

It was not pretty, folks.

Real life.

While I know in my head what is the truth, I still chose to wallow in myself.

Aren’t you supposed to count your blessings when you’re down?

Yes, but that’s not as fun as feeling plumb sorry for yourself.

I even had several cookies.

And lots of wine.

But God’s faithfulness prevailed, as it always does.

I’ll never get those days back, but I can remember for the future.

Remember the clear difference between pity and sorrow.

With God’s grace, I’ll choose wisely next time.

Will you?

After all, it’s real life.

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Photos by Paola Chaaya, Pim Chu, & Masaaki Komori on Unsplash

Disappointing People

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Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10

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Ready for a bombshell?

Mind blowing reality check?

People are not perfect.

Shocker?

People will fail you.

Regularly.

No, really?

We often become disappointed in people.

Could even say all the time.

It’s almost like we expect them to be perfect, especially in their actions towards us.

We expect people to act entirely better then ourselves.

It’s almost like we allow ourselves to behave however we please, expecting others to never falter. Ever

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Whose standard are you holding yourself to?

I’m not asking for perfection from you.

You can’t be perfect either.

Just don’t expect perfection from others.

You do, and you’ll continually be disappointed.

Continually.

Spread the grace of God you’ve been given to others.

Love them even when they fail you.

Even when they disappoint.

Newsflash.

I can guarantee that you, in turn, also regularly disappoint them.

You’ll want the same grace extended from them to you, regularly, won’t you?

Give grace.

Walk in forgiveness.

And smile with absolute gratefulness at the blessings of those surrounding you.

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Photos by Nicole Honeywill , Pascal Lottenbach , & Ivana Djudic on Unsplash

Horribly Disappointed

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Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double. Zechariah 9:12

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When you are horribly disappointed at something in life…

When there is not a thing you can do about it…

What then?

What is your response?

Wallow in self pity, relishing the mood of despair hanging over your head?

While that might be fun for a moment, it will send your mood straight into the toilet.

There is a better way.

I like to make a list.

A list of my blessings.

I try to keep it updated, but I admit, I do a horrid job at best.

Alternatively, you can also compare your bleak disappointment to something even worse.

That definitely puts things into perspective.

 The point is this: switch your focus to the precious things God has given you.

Like that list of blessings we all should have somewhere.

Or encouragement whispered to you from your dear friend or spouse.

Because, when you focus on the blessings instead of the disappointment, you will pass God’s test with flying colors.

And your mood will stay out of the toilet.

In fact, you’ll be quite pleasant.

Respond to life with grace.

Your example will be a stepping stone to God Himself.

A stepping stone to God instead of a stumbling block to Satan.

So, what will your next disappointment turn into…?

Life, or death?

Photos by Casey Fyfe & Matthew Smith on Unsplash

God’s Light

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God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

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No darkness in Him, period.

No worry.

No fear.

No ugly attitudes.

No selfish me monsters.

No self-hatred.

No pain.

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

In God, there is only light.

Goodness.

Mercy.

Love.

Security.

When we place our trust in God, He resides in us.

Because He resides in us and He is light,

His light shines through us, snatching away the darkness like fear, worry, and our incredibly selfish ways,

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1 John 1:6 continues, “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

When profess our devotion to God, yet listen to the lies of Satan, choosing words or actions opposite of God, we are liars.

“You are nothing.”

“You are not worth it.”

“Might as well stop praying as it will never make a difference.”

Listening to those places our actions in opposition to God.

God’s ways are light.

When you walk in God’s light, it looks like peace.

Even if you heaps of trash are forced upon your path, you are still in peace.

The absence of fear and worry.

When you walk in God’s light, it looks like security.

He is always by your side, guiding your every step if you’ll let Him.

God’s light is real.

God’s power is real.

His light can shine through you every moment of every day.

But you have to choose.

Will you fall into fear, worry, and selfish motives, thus stepping into darkness?

Or will you practice the truth, God’s truth, and remain with Him in the light?

I for one don’t want to be a liar.

I want to choose God each and every day.

May He help us do just that, covering us with grace when we stumble along the way.

And may we remember to get back up, choosing to walk again with God in His light.

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Photos by Mike Labrum, Gabriele Ribeiro, & Adrien Tutin on Unsplash

Repeat Surrender

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We must continue to surrender.

Surrender to God afresh moment by moment if that’s what it takes.

And trust that He will, in His time, defend you, righting the wrong.

Or, in the mean time, provide you armfuls of grace.

Overflowing and abundant grace to walk the road stretched out before you.

With God at your side.

When your hands are tied,

When there is nothing you can do,

God will step in.

It’s times like those that God is able to prove Himself to be enough.

That, my friend, is all that you need and more.

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Prayer

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

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kneeling prayer of kid

May we press into Jesus

so that others see only Him

through our hands, our words, and our self.

May we focus so intently on Him

that we forget our selfish troubles

and our attitudes become pure.

May we remember why we are here on earth,

so friends can rest in their assurance of Him.

May we demonstrate His love and grace to others,

even when they don’t deserve it.

May we draw others to God through our very selves,

because our transformation has no explanation

other then God’s power giving us pure hearts.

And when we fail over and over,

may we press again into Jesus,

accepting His grace and forgiveness,

as we once again determine to be like Him.

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Temptations

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All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38:9

What are yours?

Your temptations?

Believing the worst about someone because of your own personal wounds?

Sneaking off early or wasting time at work because you feel you deserve it?

Not correcting the clerk who hands you extra change?

Embracing self-pity if you feel wronged, even if that was not the intention?

Succumbing to fear of the future when you are uncertain of life?

Satan tempts us according to our weaknesses and personality.

However,

When we belong to Jesus, His power in us keeps us from falling into temptation.

But ONLY when we decide.

That’s worth saying again:

God’s power in us keeps us from acting upon our temptation ONLY when we decide not to succumb.

 Satan’s goal is to remove our connection to God through temptation.

When we loose our connection to God, we are of no value to God.

God’s light in us becomes covered by sin.

And He cannot bring others to Himself through us.

Think back to a recent time when you were tempted to let your mood slide into the toilet.

When you succumbed, were you of value to God?

If you lashed out as a result, the opposite is true.

Ouch.

If Satan helps you to become of zero value to God, then what does it matter if you are God’s child?

Yes, your eventual heavenly reward, but I’m talking about our mission here and now.

Your every day life.

Your interactions with family, friends, and the great big world.

Recognize your weaknesses.

Look for Satan’s temptations to slam you to the ground.

And next time, instead of agreeing with the Tempter, declare “but NONE one of these things affect me”. (see post)

Stand instead with God, keeping His power simmering within you,

showing the world His great love.

Photos by Laura Baker & Ricardo Cruz on Unsplash

Humble Yourself

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Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

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Are you humbled that God whispers your name?

That the Creator of ALL things even notices you?

He does more than notice you.

He crafted your very existence.

He ordains your days.

He allows you to experience life as He orchestrates the seasons and shows the wonder of His creation.

He opens your heart and fills it with love and companionship through your family and friends.

He fashions you with a great capacity for learning every little thing.

Yet He gave up all His glory for a relationship with you.

You.

That’s how much you matter to God.

I end my middle school classes with a signal for dismissal.

“Don’t ever forget,” I begin.

“We matter to God,” replies the class.

God humbled himself to you in order to reside in your heart.

Humble yourself and let Him.

Photos by Mayur Gala & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Right Where You Are

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In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. Psalm 95:4

He has you where He wants you.

Jesus.

He places us in spots where He can use us.

Do you ever wonder why He chose this spot?

I do.

Sometimes things don’t make sense.

Logically.

But that’s not our job.

To make sense of it all.

That responsibility rests on God’s shoulders.

Our job is to trust Him.

Trust that He knows what He’s doing and will cover us with His feathers (Ps 91).

His protection. His grace.

I’ve had quite the journey lately.

My favorite teaching place never materialized.

My first teaching job nicely pushed me out the door.

My “dream” teaching job evaporated.

My first long-term sub job was a mistake.

My next job offer I refused as I knew it wasn’t God’s plan.

But the very next day, God flung wide the door.

It is so right.

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My job doesn’t make any logical sense.

Why?

Because I jumped multiple grade levels.

I’m implementing a new program with a new subject.

And was hired less then a week before school starts.

But I know God’s here.

I’m right where He wants me.

And I know I’ll do an amazing job – ONLY because He will guide me every step of the way.

I don’t have my teacher safety net filling me with lessons from years past.

Everything about this job is foreign.

(might launch into a kindergarten calendar poem with 13 year olds)

The absolutely only thing I can do is rely on Him.

It’s comforting.

Peaceful.

Step out of your comfort zone.

See where God takes you.

And yes, my first day was fabulous.  🙂

Photos by Nadine Shaabana, Priscilla Du Preez, & Anton Sukhinov on Unsplash

Sprinkles on Ice-cream

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We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Psalm 126:2

Why not?

Have sprinkles on your ice cream?

It’s way funner.

Ok, more fun.

Or how about using your grandmother’s dishes every day instead of only on special occasions?

These are mine.

Life is meant to be lived.

Not watched from the sidelines.

Put on that cute dress as you waltz through Target.

Dance to car tunes as you wait in the carpool lane.

Serve fresh chocolate chip pancakes to your sweet daughters on their last day of school.

Buy some amazing flowered to adorn your table.

For your regular everyday dinner.

And for heavens sake put sprinkles on your ice cream.

Full disclosure: we eat our sprinkles outside

as I abhor finding sprinkles on my floor

as you all know most of them never land inside the bowl

or find their way into the mouth of the child

who wants those sprinkles.

I call it sprinkle sanity.

Perfect balance.

Photos by Alexander Grey, Glen Carrie, & Karolina Bobek on Unsplash

Audience of One

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“You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” Genesis 16:13

Pulled the chicken out of the oven and assembled the many dinner plates.

Peas, macaroni & cheese, and chicken on my blue dishes looked appetizing.

As I said out loud to thin air, “Good job, Amy”, I knew at that moment God had heard me.

I felt His smile.

Then it hit me.

I work for God.

Who do you work for?

Ok yes, your boss who signs your paycheck.

Your sweet spouse as you help each other tackle life.

Can’t forget the little people who depend on you for continuing their very existence.

We could add friends, church, volunteering, and society.

Let’s face it – we work for many.

Lots of people depend on us.

Too bad the amount of work we do doesn’t equal the thanks flowing to our ears.

What?

Most of what we do is unnoticed.

Unsung.

No thank you’s.

And that’s ok.

Why?

Because God sees it.

He notices.

And He’s the One we work for.

Every time you pull dinner from the oven

Fold sweet smelling laundry

Wipe up spills you never created

Greet a lonely neighbor

Go the extra mile at work

Cut out box tops for your child’s school

Soothe a crying baby

You are noticed.

Next time you do something for someone, remember God is well pleased.

Very pleased.

You helped God smile.

And that, in the end, is all that matters.

Because we work for an audience of One.

“….but as we go on in grace, we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, in the present minute.  If we have God’s say-so behind us, the most amazing strength comes, and we learn to sing in the ordinary days and ways….”  Oswald Chambers

Photos by Ogulcan Ercal, Andrés Gómez, & Daniil Silantev on Unsplash

Sovereign

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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 sovereign.

Over all things.

The definition of sovereign includes these words: supreme permanent authority.

Well, that about covers it, doesn’t it?

God has supreme (total) authority (power) and it’s never going away (permanent, here forever).

He holds the world in His hands.

Now you can breathe.

Deeply.

Focus on this: God is never leaving.

He’s constant.

He holds the universe.

Yet He longs to help you.

Everyday.

With everything.

He wants you to give Him all of your burdens, big and small.

Examples?

Well, my large burdens include the children and where I should teach.

Too much to carry on my own.

Small burdens include transportation for kids going everywhere, holiday planning, and the sudden intense need for milk (who forgot to tell me we were low?).

Small burdens can easily morph into boulders if you’re not careful to give them immediately to God.

You’ll simply crumble under the weight!

So if God is sovereign, He’ll fix our burdens, right?

Well, yes and no.

When you give those troubles to God, He’ll take over and increase your dependence on Him.

He will give you just the right amount of strength, wisdom and peace, because you know He is sovereign and taking care of business.

Will He immediately solve your problems?

Probably not.

He might because He can, but He also might use this time in your life to refine your heart.

To make you holy.

Because God is sovereign, He knows best what do with your burdens.

That knowledge should give you peace beyond measure.

God has your back.

He knows the beginning from the end.

Trust Him to finish what He has started.

And enjoy the journey as best as you can, resting in the knowledge of God’s love and concern for you.

Because He is sovereign over YOU.

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Photos by Nighthawk Shoots, Ben White, & CJ Dayrit on Unsplash

Choosing Misery

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For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15

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I know someone.

 So full of bitterness, anger, and self pity, she can hardly function.

Slightest incident can set off a torrent of panic.

Fear of losing control.

Of her world.

If  life doesn’t go her way, she pouts.

Complains.

Measures life under the lens of displeasure.

Easy to spot.

Even for kids to see.

Either she doesn’t recognize how she acts, or doesn’t care.

Not sure which it is.

If guilt doesn’t work, she tries punishing those in her path.

It’s sad.

I look at her and am reminded of how not to be.

When I am in fear of losing control, do I react like her?

When someone does something I don’t appreciate, do I throw back poison darts?

It’s unfortunate to have such a symbol of bitterness, yet I am grateful.

Grateful to have the reminder to pray for her.

Grateful to have an example of how not to act.

And grateful I have God who helps me.

From the balcony of heaven, will it matter?

Will your bitterness cover over the blessings of life, fully masking their pleasure?

Will becoming so upset make your life richer?

How many of life’s happiest moments will be experienced without you-

Because you were so stuck in your bitterness you couldn’t see the beautiful life God had loaned you.

Or will your anger cause you to live without having really lived?

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Photos by Francesco Gallarotti & Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Remind me, God

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 I love The Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2

God hears our voice. Our cries for mercy when things become difficult.

He wants to hear you. He wants to help.

Because He is always ready to listen, we should call on Him as long as we have breath.

God has and always will be present for you, walking with you each and every moment.

Stop and remember. Remind yourself of His goodness to you. Here are His words from Him to you:

Look at all I have done for you.

Look back at where you have been.

Compare that to now.

How faithful have I been?

Completely.

Down to the tiniest detail.

Remember.

Simply remember and be reminded.

I am still here.

And I always will be.

Photos by Vitolda Klein & Artur Aldyrkhanov on Unsplash

Anger? You betcha!

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Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8

Is it OK to be angry?

Yes.

Is it OK to be upset?

Yep.

Is it OK to be full of anger?

No.

Is it OK for anger to dictate my emotions?

Heck no.

Is it OK to dwell in anger?

Absolutely not.

There is a difference between allowing yourself to be angry and dwelling in anger.

When something terrible happens, it’s OK to become angry.

It’s an emotion. Perfectly natural.

Jesus became angry.

God has been angry.

It’s OK.

BUT when anger moves from simply a reaction to an emotion that dictates my actions and moods, it’s not OK.

You cannot allow anger to rule in your heart.

If anger dictates your actions, you are a nasty person.

Not someone anyone cares to be around.

If anger rules in your heart, you are bitter and full of rage.

Angry people spread their poison to anyone within earshot.

They believe life is terrible and all hope is lost.

They want revenge and will do or say whatever they feel in the moment.

Angry people don’t care if or when they hurt other people’s feelings -because they themselves are hurt.

Wounded people can become angry if they allow anger to dictate their emotions.

Wouldn’t it be almost comforting to be angry?

Is it justified?  Yes, sometimes, it is.

But we can choose life or we can choose death.

We can choose to be victims or we can choose to overcome.

We can choose to let anger rule our emotions or we can become an example of humility.

What did Jesus choose to do when He was faced with the injustice of the cross and stood before His accusers?

Jesus would have most certainly been justified to feel anger.

He would have been justified to become sarcastic and tell those false accusers a thing or two.

Instead, He chose to be silent and choose life.

If Jesus would have succumbed to anger, He would have changed history.

When we are in the midst of injustice, we can choose anger or we can choose to be like Jesus.

We can choose life.

Let’s be honest.

It’s fun to be angry.

It’s WAY more pleasant to plan revenge then wait and pray about our response.

Keep quiet? Are you kidding?

An eye for an eye, right?

 When we are slow to respond in a bad situation, we allow God to work through the details.

He might have us react in an entirely different way than we planned.

He might have us use strong words.

He might have us quietly observe.

He might use us as bold expressions of His love.

But we will never know how He wants us to respond if we continually respond in the flesh only as we want.

Photos by Japheth Mast, Jason Rosewell, Caleb Woods, & Leo Rivas on Unsplash

Seeing Love

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Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

If love stared you in the face, would you see it?

How bout if it looked a different way?

Can you see love in the way it arrives at your doorstep?

If it’s dressed unexpectedly, can you even see it to appreciate it’s warmth and tenderness?

How do you see love?

Words of affirmation?

Hugs or a squeeze of the hand?

Time – uninterrupted or hanging out with others?

Helpful acts of kindness which lift your load?

Unexpected flowers that grace your table?

It matters.

How you see love.

But don’t let that grab you and cloud your vision.

I’m serious.

How do you give love?

Same way you see it?

We tend to see love ONLY when it mirrors the way we give it away.

Pick up some more mirrors.

So you can see all the ways love is spoken to your heart.

Because love is shared in multiple different ways.

If you’re not seeing the love, look for it in a different form.

Because I’m guessing it’s there.

In a big way.

Go find it and be blessed.

Then scoop up the love and give it right back from your precious little heart.

 Photos from Beto Galetto, Ryan ‘O’ Niel, & Pin Adventure Map at Unsplash

Utter Selfishness

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Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Proverbs 20:11

I stood face to face with selfishness last week.

Utter full-blown rebellion, actually.

It was ugly.  Super ugly.

It screamed in my face, demanding attention.

Demanding I cater to it’s selfish whims.

And when I refused,  the reaction was not pretty.

The many witnesses saw how not to act.

How silly it looks to demand one’s way so obnoxiously.

And me, I was thankful the child was only mine during the school day.

But then it hit me – selfishness stinks in any form.

Am I different then the child in my school room?

When I put my own needs before others, I’m no different.

My demands might not be so obvious.

And when I don’t get my way, I never scream.

But sometimes I’m selfish.

And that stinks.

It’s hard to continually place other’s needs before your own.

As parents, we know too well how little time we have for ourselves.

Precious time.

But the next time you are interrupted by someone’s needs,

don’t have an instant reaction to gripe.

Pour yourself out.

Because with God’s strength, you’ll never run out.

God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is focused on Him.

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Photos by TK & Linoleum Creative Collective on Unsplash

Grace

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

By definition, it’s unearned.

Undeserved.

But it’s what we all need.

Desperately.

It’s a blanket of peace that touches our soul.

Where would we be without it?  We’d be shells of bitterness.

Worthless, if you want to know what I really think.

But if you expect grace for yourself – if you crave it because you constantly fall down – you must extend grace personally to others.

Not just once.

But all the time.

Constantly.

Because it’s not about you.

It’s not about what you do and don’t deserve.

People will fail you.

Guaranteed.

And don’t forget yourself.

You need to extend grace to yourself as well.

Here’s a news flash.  Are you ready?

No one is perfect.

Not one.

Jesus was the only perfect man and He’s in heaven.

You aren’t perfect, your spouse isn’t perfect, and the lady at the grocery store isn’t either.

Expect disappointment.

Expect people to fail you.

Assuming we aren’t referring to abuse (which in that case is another matter entirely), grace must be given regularly to others.

Liberally.

How much grace does God give you?

As much as you need.

So how many times should you give grace to others and yourself?

As much as necessary.

That means a lot.

Probably more than you are dishing out now.

Gulp.

But I don’t want to.

It’s more fun to hold grudges and make people pay for hurting me.

Yes I know.

I’ve been to that party.

Ever look around when you’re there?

Look at their faces.

Anger.  Brokenness.  Sadness. Void of emotion. Revenge.

Not the party which I want to stay.

Here’s a thought.

Next time you’re invited to hold a grudge or react in anger, try grace.

Stop your brain dead in it’s tracks and invite Jesus to take control of your thoughts, your reactions.

Grace.

Just speak the word and your brain will begin focusing on it.

Change the thought, extend grace, and you’ll be simply amazed at your peaceful heart.

Let’s stop living in Grudgeville and Poor Me Place.

Move to Graceville.

There’s plenty of room to move right in.

And I hear the weather is simply lovely today.

 Photos by niko photos, Silvestri Matteo, Aaron Burden, Harshil Gudka, Flash Dantz, & sutirta budiman on Unsplash