Can we really overstress the importance of the here and now? I’d say I spend far too much time focused on a future they may never come, and far too little time focusing on the present that is at hand. What if I had a proper understanding of allowing interruptions but not distractions? What if I spent more time in the presence of God instead of rushing to the next thing? No one in the history of mankind ever left God’s presence worse off.
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, podcast, Thanksgiving
As much as we like to believe we can do life on our own, it’s not true. Just read Ecclesiastes 4:9,12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 NLT
Clearly, we were made for community. Why do we need community?
1) Accountability: I’ve done so much better in life when people hold me accountable. I don’t have to like it, but I do know I need it.
2) Support: When you’re sick or experience the death of a loved one, there’s nothing like community to help you through that difficult time. Community also gives you the opportunity to do the same.
3) God is representative of community. We have the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in God. So when we think of God, we should think of Community and Unity.
Now, do we need any more reason than that to pursue healthy communal relationships?
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Relationships, Thanksgiving
No one has ever or will ever leave the presence of God worse. God is so patient with me as I learn how to stop being so uptight. He’s so patient in teaching me that my schedule isn’t the most important thing.
I read an excerpt from “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” In it, he says “allow the interruptions.” That really struck me because, more than likely, our opportunities to minister can come in the form of an interruption. When a crisis hits, it’s not a scheduled event, so how important is it to be present for a person when it happens? Allow the interruption, but not the distraction is a good motto.
God will interrupt your day. He’ll interrupt your schedule and will inconvenience you. Why? Because He’s teaching you to trust His plan and timing. And really, He longs to spend time with you. Isn’t that cool?
What I’ll say is this. Make sure you make time for God to interrupt. There hasn’t been a person in the history of mankind that stopped to spend time with God and regretted it. Every time any one ever stops to hear God or see Him they end up better and blessed. Read the Bible, Moses, Paul, Peter, Mary, Martha, Jesus, the list goes on and on.
Make time for God. Allow the interruption that could point someone to Him. You won’t regret it.
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Relationships, Thanksgiving
In order to be transparent it’s important that we admit struggles. I’ve shared that the past month a part of me wondered what’s the point? I know there is one, but some days I just wonder why do we do what we do? It was a good time to read Ecclesiastes because this question is answered in those scriptures.
I’m human so I struggle. Sometimes I see the hurt and pain and wonder where God is? Which is probably a good time to read Job when this happens, which thankfully was another good reminder this week. In the end, Job (42:3) says, “I spoke to You (God) about things I know nothing about–too great for me to understand.” So, while that’s not always the most comforting thing in the moment, it can be comforting because it’s a reminder. There are things too great for us to understand. God’s ways are too great for us to comprehend.
I’m reading a book, and as an aside he mentions someone who was about to give up on their faith. They went to Rwanda and saw the devastation of genocide and were about to give up on God. In the moment, they heard the Lord say, this is what happens when people walk away from Me. This is what happens when love and compassion leave a place.
That was what I needed. I needed to remember this truth: When God isn’t invited into a situation, the hurt and pain we see are the results. It’s not for lack of love and concern from God. It’s from God being uninvited to intervene. Today, search your heart, and ask God to reveal any areas that you haven’t given Him an invitation. I truly believe we will start to see some things change when we do this.
Filed under books, Christianity, Encouragement, God, Thanksgiving, Wrong
A worthy wife is a crown for her husband,
but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4
Am I a crown or a cancer to my husband? Crown or cancer to those around me? Am I a healthy thing or an illness?
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Mistakes, podcast, Relationships, Sin, Thanksgiving, Wrong
We’re hitting the books with Lovestruck by Sharon Jaynes. I must say, this in-depth description of the Song of Songs gave me a clearer understanding of this biblical book.
Filed under books, Christianity, Encouragement, God, podcast, Relationships, Thanksgiving
Do you want to be right or righteous?
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/12360017https://www.buzzsprout.com/1806754/12360017
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Mistakes, podcast, Sin, Thanksgiving, Wrong
Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. – Proverbs 21:21 NLT
I’ll share this, God has been working on me when it comes to righteousness. I’ll keep this post short because I will discuss the topic in greater detail in a podcast.
He’s challenging me to understand the difference between right and righteousness. When I say right, I’m referring to the desire to always be right. Not the inherent rightness of righteousness.
It’s no coincidence that the verse mentions the pursuit of righteousness and unfailing love together. Perfect love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5), so righteousness can’t simply be about being right, it has to be more than that, deeper than that. See, true, godly righteousness pairs with unfailing love.
Jesus is the perfect example, right? Jesus is righteousness. Jesus is also unfailing love and its perfect example. Jesus, of course, was always right, but His pursuit was one of righteousness and unfailing love.
If you’re working to pursue the two, righteousness and unfailing love, you’ll find life, righteousness, and honor. In Jesus is fullness of life, righteousness, and honor. When you work like Jesus worked and pursue what Jesus pursued, you’ll be able to receive what Jesus has to offer.
So, how has God been working with me in understanding the difference between right and righteousness? Well, that’s a podcast chat, and I’ll just say it’s a humbling lesson.
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Mistakes, podcast, Relationships, Wrong
What if we just paused and spoke this verse aloud?
I love you, Lord; you are my strength.
Psalms 18:1 NLT
I love you, Lord. You are my Father and Friend. You are my Savior and Sacrifice. You first loved me, and because of that love, I can know true love. I love you, and I want to live out your love in my life.
You are my Strength, God. Sometimes, I don’t feel like tackling the day or the task ahead. Sometimes, I’m weak and weary. Sometimes, I’m just tired or tired of trying, but You are my Strength. That even in the sometimes moments of life, I can lean and depend on You.
In fact, it’s never been more true that when I don’t feel like I can go any further, You are with me. For when I am weak, You are strong.
Thank you, Lord. I love You. You are my Strength.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Relationships, Thanksgiving
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. – Colossians 3:5 NLT
Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. – Colossians 3:6 NLT
Why these sins in particular? I can’t say I know the answer to this. So I’ll simply share thoughts.
1) It could be that these were very specific struggles for the church in Colossae. Remember, Christianity isn’t something people have grown up with at this time, so there has been a lot of dabbling with other religions and beliefs.
2) Scripture says no sin so clearly affects the body like sexual sin. “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body (1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT).” So, the importance of God’s anger due to these sins can’t be stressed enough.
3) If greed can lead to idolatry, then it’s leading people away from God. Greed won’t lead people to serve but to be served. It won’t lead to generosity but to stinginess. And if it’s that easy to idolize materials, how much easier will it become to idolize one’s self?
All in all, I’d say any of the above is a start for why these sins can infer God’s anger. Let’s be clear, God hates all sin. Sin places a barrier between us and Him. God does not want a barrier between us, that’s why He sent Jesus. God knows the full effect of sin, and in His love, He wants to save us from its destructive patterns. The question is, do we want to be saved?
Filed under Christianity, Encouragement, God, Mistakes, Relationships, Sin, Wrong
Now or Never 