Emily Jones

determination, resolution, goals, motivations, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Motivations: Allowing Scripture to Guide Your Growth

DevotionalsFebruary 13, 2019February 13, 2019

Having a plan for personal growth is a positive venture. Being aware of the true motivations behind that desire can help determine the maturity actually derived from the pursuit of such goals.

Some people thrive on New Year’s resolutions. Having a plan forward motivates them to be purposeful about their goals. Whether it’s wellness, organization, education, or something else entirely, the ultimate objective is self-improvement. Get your stuff together! Make your dreams come true!

Others may opt-out of resolutions, citing they’d rather not make a promise they don’t intend to keep. This approach could be genius, or it may be an act of self-preservation. Regardless, it reminds me of the Dad’s number one rule in the movie The Croods: “Never not be afraid.”

Resolutions

Crushed dreams and unrealized goals often lead to a hardness of heart. Survival instinct kicks in and before we realize it, joy for the simple things has left us and we can’t seem to take our guard down.

This year, in lieu of a New Year’s resolution, I made a list.

More of:
Less of:
Start:

Personally, I have been on both sides of the fence at one time or another. Until recently, I fell into the “forget that!” category. But this year I decided to use Hebrews 12:14 as a jumping off point for growth…

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14, ESV

Motivations

I’ve always been a fan of keeping the peace. Over the last year or two, I came to understand my motivations for being a peacemaker was oftentimes for personal gain. I aimed to make sure everyone was happy and pleased with me so I would feel comfortable, not so they would experience the peace of Christ through my tranquility.

That is where the beauty of the second half of Hebrews 12:14 comes in: “and [strive] for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” It goes beyond giving people warm fuzzies and glitter. Those are fun gifts! Who doesn’t like to feel harmonious? Yet I am making it my aim to go one step further.

Pursuing righteousness that comes from Christ for the purpose of helping others to know and believe the love God has for them, not stopping at the good vibes modern society tells us to achieve. As followers of Jesus, we are compelled to reflect Him in the very way we live our lives.

That’s where my little list comes in.

Determination

More of: Memorizing God’s Word

…train yourself for godliness;

1 Timothy 4:7b, ESV

Psalm 119 is full of David talking about how wonderful God’s Word is and how useful it is for training in godliness. Hebrews 4:12 calls God’s Word living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword.

Peppered throughout the Bible, God’s Word is described as flawless, useful for teaching and training in righteousness, a light. Matthew 24:35 says heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word is forever. Sister, let us hold on to and soak in that which is eternal!

Less of: Sarcasm

Yep. This is a hard one for me. I never saw the movie Anger Management, but I heard a line from it: “Sarcasm is anger’s ugly cousin.” Me? Angry? Surely not. Undoubtedly it came from crushed dreams or unrealized goals.

There is a fine line between being funny and being passive-aggressive. And not to brag, but I’ve gotten pretty good at blurring the line. On second thought, that’s nothing to brag about. It’s honestly a hostile place for the heart to be.

In God’s mercy, I had two friends on separate occasions call me out on it. It stung and ticked me off, but they did so in a loving way, exhorting me to “check your heart, sis” before dropping a sarcastic comment. Once again with the motivations! I am catching myself more often before letting the sarcasm fly and seeking to unearth the force behind the remarks.

Something New

Start: Sticking to a weekly task

So far this aspect of my list has been more off-the-cuff, but also fun. The first several days in the new year I determined to have a clean kitchen before going to bed.

The next week I made sure the living/dining room area was tidy. Pillows placed, couch throw folded (even if I wasn’t the one who used it), trash picked up, etc. I would argue it is universally soothing to have one clean room in your home to relax in!

Then it was to make my bed every day, and so on. On the surface, these are small, yet attainable victories, but they aren’t just about me. They affect my family in a positive way that shows value.

I don’t know that I would have been able to accomplish these tasks a few years ago when my children were younger. Who am I kidding? I didn’t accomplish it! And that is okay. The point is not about the action, it is about the motivations behind the action.

Jesus loved us and gave Himself up for us. For me this month, a way to reflect Christ’s love to my family is finding ways to create a calm environment. We are in a busy season, full of new things and crazy growth! So for my military husband, a quiet, tidy space gives him life. For our two teenage daughters at school with 4000 other kids, having a place to relax in is rejuvenating. And for our son who is navigating what it means to be a godly son, brother, and friend, home is security.

Keep It Up

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith.

1 Timothy 6:11-12, ESV

Tomorrow will hold something new. Each day we have breath, presents a fresh opportunity to exhibit the love of God in the life of someone else. It doesn’t have to be momentous. Remember who you’re doing it for. If I grab my neighbor’s trash bag from their porch and take it to the dumpster, God sees and is pleased. I don’t need to find a way to let them know it was me!

May we live like we have an audience of One.

Tomorrow will hold something new. Each day we have breath, presents a fresh opportunity to exhibit the love of God in the life of someone else. It doesn't have to be momentous. Click To Tweet

Annie Spratt

dependable, devotion, faithfulness, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Faithfulness: Replicating God’s Loyalty in the Lives of One Another

DevotionalsJanuary 15, 2019January 15, 2019

Faith means having confidence in someone else’s ability without proof. To be faithful means your allegiance is solid and persistent; true to your word. God gave us proof of His faithfulness to us by sending Jesus.

An Incomplete Gift

For my mom’s most recent decade birthday (you know, 30/40/50…) I wanted to paint her an imitation of “365 Days of Happiness.” I purchased four rectangular canvases, acrylics, brushes, and sponges, then got to work. First, I coated each canvas with an ombré style base color to represent the four seasons. Once the background was dry I sketched the tree which stretches throughout the four pieces. Then I painted the tree and leaves on the middle two canvases.

At the time, my husband and I were working opposite schedules with all three of our children in school. In other words, I bit off more than I could chew and only ended up delivering two of the four canvases on my mom’s special day. I told her I would complete the final two prints by Christmas.

That didn’t happen.

Here we are, more than four and a half years later. So much life has transpired. I would say my faithfulness meter sank after the third year came and went without the completion of my masterpiece. Or perhaps it declined when we moved out of state in January of 2016. The two remaining partially completed canvases have moved with me twice now, and each time I come across them it is a glaring reminder of my failure to deliver on both the actual artwork and my word.

Being Compelled

Recently one of my pals referenced something a mutual friend of ours says to her three-year-old son: We can try again tomorrow. Those five little words have sprung to mind often since I read them. It reminds me of this reassuring passage:

…his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22b-24, CSB

Regardless of current circumstances, God is a proven refuge, a sure fortress. As 2018 comes to a close, it feels natural to look back at how the Lord has worked through, sustained, and grown me. I am able to see how God is teaching me to view my failures and my sin properly, not through morbid self-introspection—which is just another form of pride, but with humility. He who began a good work will complete it. And I know I am safe and secure in His capable arms. No failure or sorrow or tragedy can pluck me from His hand. I am His own…and He is mine. God’s faithfulness is inexhaustible!

…if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

2 Timothy 2:13, CSB

I get stuck in the sinful pattern of living for myself, unsuccessfully searching for tips, tricks, and methods to be faithful. Yet Jesus calls me to once again look at His example and to allow His love to be the method that compels me to a life of faithfulness.

For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If one died for all, then all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15, CSB

Restoring Faithfulness

It’s easy to look at failure through the lens of finality. But Jesus totally disrupted that when He rose from the grave! Letting failure take center stage emphasizes self, not Almighty God. Sin is super sneaky, planting seeds of cynicism and self-justification.

But we are free to try again.

Only when we do so, may it not be in our own strength, but through the proven power of Christ Jesus.

The question no longer is: Can I do it? Am I able? Can I overcome my moodiness, my laziness, my sensuality, my grudges, and resentments? The only question is: Is Jesus Christ able?

Lion and Lamb by Brennan Manning

In the spirit of Advent, and a discipline that comes straight from the Spirit of God, I completed the paintings. When I looked the original up online to reference which colors to use, the site noted that the picture is on the cover of—get this—“INSPIRED Faith: 365 Days a Year.” I laughed out loud that it had faith in the title! I took it as an affirmation from God that now is indeed the time to follow through. Then I ordered the devotional to accompany the paintings!

It’s easy to look at failure through the lens of finality. But Jesus disrupted that when He rose from the grave! Letting failure take center stage emphasizes self, not Almighty God. Click To Tweet

The Purpose

While I have no idea how my mom will react, the hope of her appreciation is not what constrained me to finish the artwork. It was confidence in and gratitude for the God who started a good work in me. Joy, anxiety, growth, misfortune, disappointment, and resolution can all occur in between the beginning of something grand and its completion.

But God never stops pursuing or working out His purpose in us.

For a moment in history He turned His face away, but He had compassion with everlasting love and sent us a Redeemer (Isaiah 54:8). Regardless of how others will receive it, it is never too late to exhibit faithfulness. The purpose of demonstrating dependability is to be Christ-like, not to show off some personal impressive skills. Clearly. It took me almost five years to deliver on a promise! Still, in a small way, I am able to replicate Christ’s devotion to the Father and to us by producing what I said I would.

I’m so glad Jehovah didn’t give us an incomplete gift. Praise be to God for keeping His promise and raising Jesus to ensure our freedom! His faithfulness is a protective shield (Psalm 91:4). Hallelujah!

Simon Fitall

pride, worship, focus, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Pride: Resolving to Correct Misplaced Worship to Fulfill God’s Purpose

Devotionals, Stay SaneDecember 12, 2018January 13, 2019

Pride wears many faces. It is a sneaky thing that isn’t all bad but can quickly become a monster if it is misplaced. To fulfill God’s purpose, we must lay down those things we place above Him.

I asked the following question to a mixed group of folks, (some claiming Christ, others who do not), ranging in age from 11 to 70…

What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think about pride?

Feeling good about yourself.
Lions.
Being proud of yourself and where you came from.
In your head; selfish.
Handling big things on your own. Getting a handle on it, trying to wrap it up pretty, then presenting an incomplete and shallow lie. Then wondering why it’s falling apart.
Honor and dignity, and when all is lost you don’t back down or stop trying.
Mega-nationalism; egotism.
The root of all evil.
Self.
When you have faith in yourself or something else.
The belief that I am self-sufficient and can be an everywhere it all, fix it all and know it all.
Fall—as in it comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Men.
Confidence; strong ethics.
Arrogance and self-focus; but also positive in a way like confidence. Like doing something well.
Self-consumed, lifting oneself up, thinking your wisdom is superior.

Focus

I found the variety of responses fascinating. Modern society teaches love yourself more. Evangelical culture preaches be filled with God’s love. But where the Western world falls short, spouting off “Jesus loves you” somehow fails to produce change. It doesn’t delve deep enough. I agree with how one author addresses this issue:

The love of God can be a profound answer to just about any human struggle, but sometimes we can use it in such a way that it becomes a watered down version of profoundly rich truth. For example, sometimes, because of shortcomings in us rather than Scripture, this answer misses the call to “consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3), or it ignores personal repentance. Sometimes it still allows us and our needs to be at the center of the world, and God becomes our psychic errand boy given the task of inflating our self-esteem.

Edward T. Welch, When People Are Big and God is Small

At the end of the day, it is about what and who we worship. What is most important? Comfort? Recognition? Peace? Power? All of those point back to self. As followers of Christ, anything we revere more than Him will ultimately be torn down. It is not for meanness sake, but because God’s purpose for those He created is to reflect Him.

Survey

Lately, I have been inundated with the topics of pride and humility. They are in the books I’m reading, the lectures I’m watching, and the sermons on Sundays. Uh…I hear you, God; loud and clear. Last week I filled out a pride and humility survey. Yeah, it’s a thing.

In the past when I completed personal assessments similar to this, I either felt weighed down by my ineptness or gratified with my growth. Ironically enough, both responses are manifestations of pride. Feeling burdened by my short-comings keeps the focus on me and does not honor God. Nor does it seek to be molded more into His image.

While it is good to be remorseful over my pride, I mustn’t stop there. The next step is repenting and asking God to keep working in me to do away with it! Feeling content with my progress in humility is still pride. But praising God for continuing to create a good work in me is worshipful.

Feeling content with our progress in humility is still pride. But praising God for continuing to create a good work in us is worshipful. Click To Tweet

Pride

So, are all forms of pride bad? No; but there is a micro-fine line between righteous boasting and every other self-focused version. God said it first to the people of Judah through Jeremiah.

This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, CSB

It pleases God when we brag about His power! Paul reiterated God’s instruction in both of his letters to the Corinthians.

Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one may boast in his presence. It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31, CSB

So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18, CSB

Worship

Having a mind focused on God, the One in Whom all things are from, through, and to (Romans 11:36), fights against selfish pride. It is okay to feel good about ourselves when viewed rightly through the lens of God’s work in us. There is nothing wrong with having an appreciation for where we came from—understanding God is the One who birthed us into that place. It’s alright to be pleased with our own or someone else’s accomplishments, as long as we acknowledge it is God who works through us for His good purpose.

Exhibiting honor, dignity, and confidence isn’t a recipe for unholy pride. Jesus was confident in the Father, and He taught the highest principles of loving God and loving others. He accomplished the most honorable mission of all time by taking on human form, living a perfect life, dying a horrific death, and raising from the dead so we could be redeemed.

Jesus did not back down because He was God—He didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6). No, Jesus didn’t back down because He wholly trusted the Father to complete His work through Him. It’s the tiniest tweak that makes all the difference, but it’s monumental. It really is all about what and who we worship. Let us resolve to pledge our reverence to the King!

compassion. emotion, faith, vulnerability, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Vulnerability: Having A Compassionate Heart for Suffering People

Devotionals, Stay SaneNovember 27, 2018January 13, 2019

The compassion of Jesus should be our posture in the face of vulnerability. His example teaches us to carry the weight of suffering to the throne of God.

Have you ever been informed you were being too vulnerable? Or maybe you’re too much. Alternatively, I would wager we’ve all been in a situation where we have felt uncomfortable with someone falling apart at our feet. Why is that?

This scenario played out in my mind a few mornings ago…

A woman was weeping in front of someone she trusted. She bore her soul. The trusted party uncomfortably responded with “I’m sorry, but you’re being too vulnerable.” The weeping woman countered, “Am I being too vulnerable, or are you uncomfortable with my vulnerability?” Because that’s the question, friends. What does make some of us so uncomfortable with vulnerability?

Sentiments

When I am tempted to critique someone else, I ask a few questions first. For example, when I think, “Why would they respond like that?” I ask, Well, why should they not? Does their vulnerability really affect me in a negative way? What if I were in that position? Would my reaction be similar to theirs?

In asking myself these questions I move into a position of empathy as opposed to that of a judge. And if I am uncomfortable with the depth of someone’s heartache, for instance, that doesn’t make their grief excessive. It indicates a lack of compassion in my heart.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve slowly been reading through the gospel of John. I must mention how greatly encouraged I am. The fact that, more than once, people sought to arrest Jesus but no one detained or laid a hand on him, “because his hour had not yet come” (John 7:30). Everything happens in the perfect timing of the King!

Then a couple of days ago I read John 11: the story of Lazarus. The chapter begins by giving the backstory. Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha. (Mary is the famous lady who doused Jesus’ feet with her expensive perfume in the following chapter.) So, the sisters sent word to Jesus that their brother was seriously ill.

But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

John 11:4-6

Engaging

AGH! I love this. First, Jesus, being one with the Father, knew Lazarus’ illness would not lead to him staying dead but would be the precursor to God revealing His awesomeness. Second, John penned the intimate detail that Jesus loved these three siblings. And third, when Jesus heard Lazarus was about to die, his response was to hang out where He was for another two days. WHAT?! Classic. Isn’t that how it always seems to be? Our King waits past the point when we think He should show up. Then when He does, He knocks our socks off. Wait for it…

A couple of days go by then Jesus said it was time to go to Judea. He told the disciples Lazarus had fallen asleep, but He was going to wake him up. Judea was dangerous territory for Jesus because the Jews there wanted to stone Him.

The disciples tried to persuade Jesus away from going. They reasoned, if Lazarus was only sleeping, he would recuperate. At that point, Jesus bluntly told the disciples Lazarus was actually dead. When Jesus and the disciples arrived at Bethany in Judea, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Martha heard Jesus was coming so she went out to meet Him.

Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’

John 11:21-23 [emphasis mine]

Responses

At first, it seems like Martha was accusing Jesus of not showing up. But in actuality, she acknowledged her thorough trust in God’s ability to raise her brother from the dead. Martha’s confidence affirmed the level of intimacy their family shared with Jesus like John said (John 11:5). She completely banked on Jesus being able to accomplish what concerned her. She knew Jesus could have healed Lazarus before he died. Yet now that he was already buried, she also trusted Lazarus would be raised again in the resurrection at the end of time.

After listening to the vulnerability in Martha’s faith-filled plea, Jesus immediately assured her that Lazarus would be back. Not fully understanding, Martha thought He meant in the end times. Then she went to tell Mary Jesus was asking for her.

Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ 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 11:32-33

Compassion

Jesus wasn’t annoyed with Mary’s dramatics. Her grief didn’t cause Him to withdraw or cringe. He knew God was going to bring Lazarus back to life that very day. Yet Mary’s weeping had an emotional impact on Jesus. He both knew the outcome and was able to be present with His grieving friend. Jesus had all the answers, but He was still deeply affected by Mary’s agonizing sorrow.

And he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’

John 11:34-36

Our Savior wept, shaken up by the mourning of His friend. Mary’s vulnerability wasn’t too much for Him. Jesus drew near. He was distraught for her. The tears He cried weren’t quiet, gentle, or composed. The King of Kings ugly cried. And, He sprung into action. When I read this passage, my eyes fixed on Jesus wept.

I cried.

Vulnerability

My emotions sprung from gratitude that I belong to a gracious Savior who draws near. I also cried for the desire to be the kind of person people can fall apart to without feeling hopeless. I want to engage, believing with confidence that my God has got it. Jesus was totally affected by Mary’s sorrow, but he wasn’t overwhelmed by it. Why? Because He knew His Father’s power. God has that same power today.

Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth.

John 11:40-44a

The Story’s End

Jesus knew the end of the story all along. He wept anyway. We rarely know the outcome, if ever; but regardless, let us be moved with compassion when people show vulnerability. Then we can carry any weight of sorrow to the throne of God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

We rarely know the outcome of the story; but regardless, let us be moved with compassion when people show vulnerability. We can carry any weight of sorrow to the throne of God. Click To Tweet

All scripture from the ESV Bible.

perception, provision, scripture, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Perception: Reading Psalm 23 Without the Filter of Circumstance

Devotionals, Stay SaneOctober 24, 2018January 13, 2019

We respond to Scripture based on how we perceive the goings on in our life. That is one of the beauties of God’s Word; it becomes new each day just as our circumstances and moods do. It’s a lifelong process to take God at His word and not allow perception to filter out the truth.

A dear sister recently told me she is not a fan of Psalm 23. I got the feeling she felt bad about admitting it since it’s part of the Bible, but her reasoning made perfect sense.

After a little inquiry, I learned it was the chapter she was forced to read and recite when she got in trouble as a child. So it’s not hard to see how one of the most well-known passages in Scripture became tarnished in her mind. Let’s dig into Psalm 23 together and see what it says and how it may challenge our perception.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.

Psalm 23:1

Our Perception

Two specific thoughts come to my mind after reading verse one:

Do I view God as my personal Shepherd, or is He too busy with more important tasks?
What do I perceive I am lacking?

In this passage, God presents Himself as a caretaker. He is seen as a provider, a leader, and One who is responsible for care. Because of that fact, David’s response is: there is nothing I lack. The first part of verse one speaks to God’s character. I wonder what causes us to feel He is holding out on us? Lately, a bit of careful reflection will quickly illuminate I have everything I need.

For example, a few weeks ago our kitchen was wrecked after a weekend of grilling out with neighbors and running around town. No one wanted to clean up the mess. My man is an excellent helper around the house, but he was working late and I needed to clean up before I had room to cook. Has anyone else encountered this yucky phenomenon?

Anyway, as I dove into the mountain I asked God to help me see the positive instead of feeling sorry for myself that no one was helping me. The Father quickly reminded me of the sweet time we had spent with our neighbors and the laundry list of blessings which made it possible. And He showed me what a joy it is to have a family and a home to share. Before I knew it, I was actually smiling while washing dishes. But don’t spread that around… 😉

God’s Provision

He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths.

Psalm 23:2-3

Three more reflections appear to me here:

Green pastures mean God knows where the food is.
Quiet waters represent that God knows we are like sheep.
Comfort is always going to be greater on God’s path.

Sometimes, our perception tells us something looks really tantalizing, or maybe even righteous. Yet the Father, in His omniscience, knows what will nourish us completely. If sheep are steered to rushing waters they will stick their head in and be swept downstream. God understands what His children need and how best to provide for them.

That means, if we truly accept that He knows best and does provide for us, then we must dare to challenge beliefs that set themselves against God’s goodness to us. Sheep may lack water and be willing to go toward a stream to quench their thirst, but they may be pulled under rushing waters. The Good Shepherd will always lead us to quiet waters, even if it means we have to walk away from a seemingly sure thing.

His purposes are better than ours, and therefore His paths are better than ours.

-Jeremy Pierre, Author & Dean of Students at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Sometimes, our perception tells us something looks really tantalizing, or maybe even righteous. Yet the Father, in His omniscience, knows what will nourish us completely. Click To Tweet

God’s Presence

Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Two big things stand out:

There’s no question of if we will go through dark times; it’s merely a question of when.
Yet God is present in the darkness.

In verse 4, David is allowing his understanding of God’s nearness and comfort to guide his perception of a truly agonizing situation. There are times in life when we feel such thick darkness we can practically taste it. Normally that causes fear. But God is with you. He is with me. Darkness and death cannot separate us from the love of God, so in reality, it can do no infinite harm. It may trifle with our body, but it cannot touch the souls of the children of God. We are secure through Christ Jesus.

God’s Attention

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in house of the Lord as long as I live.

Psalm 23:5-6

Two observations:

God hosted David on the battlefield in the face of his biggest threat.
David has the assurance of complete rest in God’s steadfast love.

In this last stanza, David shifts the descriptive symbols used for God. He went from describing God as Shepherd in verses 1-4 to a Host in verses 5-6. God lavishes us with His individual attention and exclusive exaltation. He can do that because He’s God! And because the things that concern us concern the Father.

A Few Questions

How would it change your life to believe God “leaves the 99” to find you (Luke 15:4)?
What is the thing you feel you’re lacking or desiring that you don’t have?
Do you believe you can continually leave your desires at the feet of Jesus because He cares for you (Philippians 4:6-7) and will fulfill His purpose for you (Psalm 138:8)?

I hope this encourages your heart and has sparked some rich thoughts about our Good Shepherd and Host. My personal journal is being filled to the brim as I read the beautiful Word of God. It is all at once penetrating and comforting my soul.

All scripture is referenced from the HCSB version of the Bible.

purpose, schedule, time, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentor, ministry

Agenda: Godly Responses to Being Slowed Down

Devotionals, Stay SaneSeptember 28, 2018January 13, 2019

We all have a plan nestled deep in within us. For me, that agenda typically serves to provide me with comfort and ease. Let’s take a look at Scripture to see how the Father’s agenda is superior to ours and how it brings glory to Him and blessing to us!

A few weeks ago, I needed to pick up something from my doctor’s office and get a membership at a local gym. There isn’t a direct road between either of the places. So, I made a big, jagged circle around the city. I left an hour later than I had originally planned and every traffic light I came to was red. Isn’t that just how it works? But I talked my irritation down, telling myself that I didn’t have to be back home for two hours and there was plenty of time to accomplish my stops.

Testing My Agenda

After my first task was complete, I hopped back into my car and made my way to the other end of town. Once again, I caught every-single-light. Some of the lights in my town are two-three minutes long…just to give you a feel for how flabbergasted I was getting.

I thought I was pulling into the parking lot of the gym I wanted to join. Then I realized I had the wrong coordinates. It was a different fitness center, altogether. I started laughing and said out loud, You have GOT to be kidding me! I found a shady spot in the lot to park and sat there a moment to regroup. The gym I thought was close to me was actually another ten minutes away and it had way better reviews than this place.

Sobering Awareness

On my way home, still getting caught at every light, I made my last stop at the grocery store. I quickly secured the three things I needed and went to stand in the shortest self-check-out line. The lady in front of me only had one bag of grapes, but she was having trouble understanding what the machine wanted her to do. It quickly became clear she couldn’t read English nor speak it very well.

In God’s mercy, I felt a wave of compassion when she cast me a distressed glance. As the line grew longer behind us, I was able to help her complete the transaction and put her at ease despite the impatient tone in the air. As I watched her walk away with a smile on her face it hit me: That’s why I caught all the lights.

Slow Your Roll

What a gift! As I pieced together the events of my day, giddiness overflowed in my spirit. God used me to show that woman His kindness! There was nothing wrong with my to-do list, yet God had a greater plan and chose to utilize me in it. Now, I know I’m not the only helpful person in Northern Virginia and the Lord can use anyone to accomplish His will. But at that moment, He chose me to be a helper. And He also revealed to me that my agenda had been trifled with for His righteous purpose. And isn’t that what we all seek – to know our purpose?

My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

James 1:19-20, CSB

We’re All Lawbreakers

What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin.

Romans 3:9, CSB

Another point the Lord has been teaching me is how alike I am with my fellow citizens. God is showing me through seemingly menial moments, like my grocery experience, how great His patience is with me. Because of His kindness toward me, God invites me to extend that same patience to the people around me and mirror the character of my Savior!

Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4, CSB

Remember…

So, the next time you’re slowed down by a long check-out lane, a gazillion red lights, or something threatens your agenda, remember these three things:

God’s Opinion of Me

They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24, CSB

God sees me through the purified lens of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am redeemed and have right standing with my Creator. Because of that, God invites me to be a part of His agenda which produces righteousness and brings Him glory!

God sees us through the purified lens of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are redeemed and have right standing with our Creator. We are invited to be a part of His agenda which produces righteousness and brings Him glory! Click To Tweet

God’s Love for Me

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.

1 John 4:10-11, CSB

Because God loved first, I have everything I need to pour out on those around me. (Even that really rude person who cut me off.) I have no idea what is going on in the heart of a stranger…or even a friend. What if they received some disparaging news or their boss yelled at them? Perhaps they’re grieving or are in debt up to their eyeballs. I cannot know, but God does.

God knew what was in the depths of my heart when He chose to love me. He knew the sin, the hurt, the ugliness. Since God loves me in the face of my sinfulness, I also must freely love, trusting that God is “Omni”; I am not.

God’s Presence with Me

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17, NIV

Know this, sisters, the Father is with you wherever you go. You lack nothing. His love is unfailing, His plans will be accomplished and they are for your good and His glory. God’s will cannot be stopped; not by you or me or any other thing in the universe.

His love is a consuming fire and nothing can quench it. You and I do not deserve it and there is nothing we can do to earn it. But He still sent His Son to secure us for Himself. His character is trustworthy and stands the test of time…and beyond. Rejoice in His love for you!

moments, time, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, mentoring, ministry

Moments: Surrendering Our Time as God’s Instruments

Devotionals, Stay SaneSeptember 3, 2018January 13, 2019

Surrendering our time to God is important. When we structure moments on being His instrument, we can find rest and assurance through God’s perfect design.

In relationships, I tend to say “yes” a lot. Does someone need a meal? I can deliver. Did someone lose their babysitter last minute? Bring your kids to me. You need me to do that extra administrative work? Done. If there is a sincere need and I am able, why would I not engage? The problem is, while all of those things are well-intentioned, the day to day obligations constantly get pushed to the end of the week and I am left with a mountain of responsibilities.

Under Pressure

Some people work well under pressure. Me, not so much. The general stress of life or feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks I have taken on, lead to me shutting down and ignoring my obligations. The task at hand will eventually get completed, so it can wait, right? This happens on a weekly basis, leading to things falling through the cracks. There have been many days when I have arrived at work only to realize I forgot my computer or some other pertinent item necessary for executing the day. It is not the end of the world, but neither is it a wise use of time or gasoline. When the pressure is on to complete a task, I feel irritable. As a result of my negligence, my family suffers, whether by my absence or my clipped responses when I am hurried to fulfill my obligations.

Moments Past

As a homeschooled child, once I had completed my work I would engage in imaginative play for hours. If I had chores to complete, my mother encouraged me to get chores out of the way so as to not have them hanging over my head. But as I recall, play always came first. It’s not unusual for children to choose play time over work. I definitely viewed work as a negative thing. My parents rightly believed schedule provided security for children. So each day, plans were laid out for my brothers and I. I dawdled and daydreamed through my homework every day. I was always the last to complete my lessons.

When I secured my first full-time job working in accounting everything was laid out for me with little room for error. I arrived early, completed my work, went home, made dinner and repeated the cycle the next day. That was a time in my life when organization was easier because my responsibilities were plainly stated. I knew what was expected of me and I prided myself as a reliable, hard worker.

Taking on More

When my husband and I started having children we chose for me to stay home with them. Organization grew dim with the second baby and after the third, survival mode kicked in and all semblance of order flew out the window. In the haze of financial strain, three children under six and no end in sight, I began seeking moments of comfort and rest wherever I could attain it. I escaped into books and movies. Or I would stay at friends’ or family’s houses for long periods of time.

As time has gone by, the kids have grown and the money isn’t as tight, but I continue to squander away my moments and put off tasks until the last minute. I receive high marks in my annual reviews at work. But what is the greatest area for improvement each year? Time management.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Seeking Wisdom

Currently I am learning to live daily in light of eternity. When I don’t live with a gospel mindset, my day is my own and I forget that I have been bought with a price. I have attempted and failed on many occasions to organize my time with things like keeping a calendar and posting sticky-notes all over the house. These are not bad tools, and I totally still use them. However, my heart hasn’t changed through their usage. So ultimately neither have my actions.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21

When I give a poor performance I get frustrated. Letting people down wounds my pride! At times I haven’t even known what to pray. Do I ask God for deliverance? Or do I ask him to teach me or fix me or give me motivation? Thanks be to God, he knows exactly what I need and when I will have a right understanding. (Romans 8:26)

Spelled Out Plans

One of my favorite passages of Scripture has been Micah 6:8 because it gives specific instructions. All my life I have found solace in quick solutions. Micah proposes,

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

For a long time I have sought to act objectively and compassionately toward those around me. Somehow, I thought that by performing those two initial charges it would equal the third of walking humbly with God. Yet I see how I have performed these tasks to my own fame and inflation, not for the glory of God.

Moments of Grace

God has humbled me by using my lack of discipline to teach me and speak tenderly to me. During some of my unanticipated extra moments on the road as a result of forgetfulness, the Father has reminded me of how small I am and how deeply loved I am as His adopted child. In His goodness, God tells me again that the struggles I face aren’t new, but I am to pray wholeheartedly with expectation to Jesus, who is able. When I feel stressed God points me to his Word.

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Luke 10:2

If it is to be, it is not up to me. It is His harvest. But God invites me as His child to be a part of the work He is doing.

If it is to be, it is not up to me. It is His harvest. But God invites me as His child to be a part of the work He is doing. Click To Tweet

Instruments for God

Ultimately, the most refreshing days are when I begin in the Word, receive direction from the Lord, and keep my mind focused all day on the truth that I am an instrument in the hand of a loving God. Understanding my purpose permits me to accomplish whatever lies ahead. It also gives me the freedom to rest, confident that my hope is in the finished work of Jesus Christ and my life is secure in Him. I can spend my time doing good according to God’s perfect design through the power of the Holy Spirit.

All scripture references come from the ESV Bible.

help, weak, community, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, ministry

Help: Crying Out to the Lord Who Delivers from Trouble

Devotionals, Stay SaneAugust 14, 2018July 30, 2019

Often, we move forward boldly, trying to accomplish things on our own, not asking for help. When is the right time to ask? What is at stake when we don’t?

“Oh Lord, help us” is not just the name of this ministry, but the cry of my heart.

It’s 11 o’clock on Tuesday night and I committed to have a devotional submitted by the end of the day. A week ago, I had a handful of ideas on what I wanted to write about. Clearly, seven days later, none of those panned out. This morning I put together some thoughts that were decent, but they were messy and didn’t flow or connect. This evening, after another hour of typing, I crawled underneath my covers and stared wide-eyed. I told my husband, Sean, “It’s crap. I have no space in my brain for writing right now.”

My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart…I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 7:10, 17, ESV

David gave God glory for the protection he received. I, too, must sing praise to God for His righteousness and cry out to the Most High.

Opening Up

What happens when I need help and don’t ask? Uh…tonight. I’m totally sitting here crying. Which is kind of cleansing, but why ask for help to begin with? Well, for starters, to avoid getting to a place of hysteria. Haha. But all the more because I need community and I am weak. And that’s not just okay, it’s Biblical.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

In one of Sean’s notebooks is written: Patience with God changes us from a different angle. His knowledge of what’s next isn’t the point. Our desire for His will is.

Giving Up the Ghost

On days like this, I try to align myself in community with God, fighting for humility to get to that place of sacrificial praise. I know it’s okay for me to ask for help from my husband or my kids when I’m spent. But I forget in the moment. Today, I feel used up. I realize I haven’t had space to breathe. So many worthy things vie for my attention and I genuinely want to be available. However, when I was driving to pick up my son from basketball camp this afternoon I had a fleeting thought of how nice it would be to keep driving. Not to leave him or escape my family, just to recharge.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Romans 8:26, NASB

The Spirit in the heart helps, dwelling in us, working in us, as a Spirit of grace and supplication, especially with respect to the infirmities we are under when we are in a suffering state, when our faith is most apt to fail; for this end the Holy Spirit was poured out.

Matthew Henry

I know it’s okay for me to ask for help when I’m spent. But I forget in the moment. Today, I feel used up. I realize I haven’t had space to breathe. Click To Tweet

Feelings Are Tricky Tricksters

The funny thing is, I love my home. It is bright and peaceful. I like my neighbors. Being at home is not a burden. I guess it’s my mind that has taken on a hostile stance. Many intensely emotional situations have occurred in the past few weeks. Some joyful, some heart wrenching. All of which I desperately want to be present in. I want to sit with sisters who are battling fear, depression and loss. I want to be waging war in the spirit realm for my brothers and sisters who are fighting the good fight of faith. To add on to the pile, I started school this week. It is a worthy undertaking, yet it is putting more constraints on my time.

I recall to mind a text Sean sent me a few days ago: Don’t let your feeling direct you. Be driven by purpose. Feelings come and go and are rarely righteous.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21, NIV

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4, ESV

Help Is on The Way

This reminds me that when I say oh Lord, help me!…there is actually a God to call on that answers with hope and He reveals Himself to me in Christ. When I fall down at the feet of Jesus, He hears and redeems me from all of my worries. He continually exceeds my expectations through the work of His Spirit.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17, ESV

Nine Köpfer

shaping, pruning, attack, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian mentoring, spiritual growth, women of faith

Shaping: Rest in the God Who Prunes the Ones He Loves

Devotionals, Stay SaneAugust 2, 2018July 30, 2019

Resting in Jesus feels wild; almost unsafe, especially when we feel like things are being stripped away. But relinquishing control to the One who lovingly prunes us to produce even more growth is the only true safety we will ever know.

The dream…

It was 8 to 10 years in the future. I was visiting my daughters who had moved back to our hometown. They shared a quaint little house in Old Louisville. The yard boasted a beautiful flower garden, ornate grape vines and a handful of dogwood and pear trees. When I arrived, we took a trip to pick up the spoils of their CSA shares, then we returned to their home and started fixing dinner. I looked outside at the sunset—a wild array of slate and cerulean blues hovering over a peachy inferno. I mused aloud how I had missed Kentucky sunsets.

While I looked on, white lightning spilt the sky, striking the heart of the sunset. Void of rain, the lightning continued to make contact with the earth, igniting a blaze that headed straight for the house. I told the girls we had to evacuate; they hurried to grab a few belongings. But as I glanced back out the window, the roaring wildfire had not only gone around the house, but the yard as well. The trees, the grass, the flowers in their garden…nothing was singed.

Back to reality…

When I awoke I played back the dream in my mind. Then a familiar verse from childhood sprung from memory:

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not approach you.

Psalm 91:7, NASB

What a sweet assurance! I immediately began praising God for His guarantee to guard and guide His children. Even more, I can rejoice and wholly trust in the One who raises the dead to protect and secure the children God has entrusted to me while here on earth.

Piecing together…

Ironically, the morning after my dream the fire alarm tripped near the close of our church service. There was no fire, thankfully, and everyone evacuated the building safely. The Lord even held the rain that had been relentless for the previous 24 hours. As we stood waiting for the fire squad to clear the building, someone mentioned the cause being the enemy trying to mess things up. I thought, perhaps—but after seeing what God has done in my daughter Anna’s life, I am not as quick to witness negativity or even tragedy and say Oh; that’s the devil. Spiritual warfare? Maybe, but so much more I view things through the lens of God pruning to bear even more fruit as opposed to the devil dolling out body blocks.

God is always working…

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:2, ESV

Confession…

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard and read John 15:2. But it wasn’t until I wrote it out last week that I caught the wording. I have been reading it incorrectly for years! My brain deceived me. You see, I thought it said: every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does not bear fruit He prunes. It sounded repetitive, but hey, maybe Jesus just wanted to drive it home. However, I added a “not” in my brain. The second part of that verse says: “and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Pruning is not punishment. Its purpose is to bring about even more blessing, more glory, greater victory.

Let’s go back to the supposition that the devil is lurking around every corner to ambush us. The bible clearly says to be on the alert.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8, ESV

The devil is always looking for someone to trap and deceive for all eternity. And if he’s lost the eternal battle, at the very least he wants to obliterate our faith in God and render us useless for the kingdom. The devil seeks to shake us up to the point of forsaking our reliance on Christ. However, Satan has no power over followers of Jesus Christ. And Romans tells us to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

We grant authority to whomever we trust. The devil has no authority over any Christian, except the authority we grant him by believing him.

John Bloom

The devil seeks to shake us up to the point of forsaking our reliance on Christ. However, Satan has no power over followers of Jesus Christ. Click To Tweet

Abiding in the Vine…

I have about two dozen house plants. They all have names and I may or may not talk to them. (Okay; I do.) My first encounter with pruning came about a few years ago. My friend Katy gifted me a beautiful succulent with bright yellow flowers one Sunday morning. Months later, after all the blooms had withered, the plant (whom I’d named after it’s giver) failed to thrive. I tried giving her more water, then less water, but her growth was halted and she began to look feeble. After researching I found the answer. Cut the plant down to its base, set it in a dark room and leave it alone for a month with no water. WHAT?! That sounded wildly barbaric! But what choice did I have? She was dying anyway. So, I followed the instructions and left her cut down and dry in the dark for 30 days.

When I went to retrieve Katy on the 31^st day I was surprised and delighted to find vibrant green leaves shooting up! To this day she is double in size and still thriving. Now, when I read John 15, I am reminded of my sweet little plant and how we as the branches are completely dependent on the true Vine. For that purpose, we are invited to remain joined to Jesus. And as we are pruned and receive nourishment from Him, we grow stronger and more vibrant and God is glorified.

Wild Vines…

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

John 15:5-8, MSG

The next time something wild happens, I will look to see how God is working through the madness. And I pray I remember He is ever seeking to bring about true joy in children and full glory to Himself.

Annie Spratt

peace, love, shame, Oh Lord Help Us, Christian, women, ministry

Peace: No Longer Living with Shame in God’s Presence

Devotionals, Stay SaneJuly 11, 2018September 8, 2019

The everlasting love God lavishes on us through His Son is revolutionizing. We no longer live with shame, but have peace in His presence.

In high school I went on a trip with my youth group. We slept in sleeping bags on the floor of an attractive, comfortable church. It was located close to the inner city where we conducted back yard bible clubs during the day. Looking back, it seems silly to have driven several hours away to engage children in a different state when there were plenty who needed love in our own. But that’s beside the point.

During my excursion to the south, I grew rather chummy with a cute boy in my group. By mid-week I was feeling convicted about stealing away to the church’s nursery to make out. I Kissed Dating Goodbye, by Joshua Harris had just been published that year. Purity ring sales were skyrocketing among church-goers and girls everywhere were swearing off dating. Initially, I was in hearty agreement. I thought dating was a waste. Truthfully, I was pretty annoying about it. I remember mouthing off about a couple of 14/15 year-olds who had started “going-out” in our church. I pompously asked, “Where are they gonna go? They can’t drive!” You could’ve cut my sarcastic disdain with a knife. One of my best friends looked at me and said, “Oh shut-up, Emily!” I kept my opinions to myself after that. He did me a favor.

Ironically, there I was, only a few weeks later, confronted with cravings I’d never experienced before. The timing was completely inconvenient! Talk about embarrassing. The poster girl for no-dating wanted to be a relationship with a boy. It was in a season in my life where my faith was becoming my own and not just a borrowed one. Falling in love with Jesus was exciting! But temptation was knocking and I was searching for ways to have it all. Proverbs warned me about how pride comes before a fall.

Anyone who’s ever been to a church camp knows Thursday night is an emotional one. Our youth leader had purchased a trinket of some sort for every teenager. Taking his time, he passed out each item, sharing why it reminded him of the receiver. When he got to me, he handed me a small figurine of a baby looking up with a monumental pout on its face. He knew what I was wrestling with. Probably more fully than I even did at the time. With compassion in his eyes, he told me he knew I had some tough choices to make, but I could do all things through Christ who would give me strength.

Shame…

Unfortunately, I had developed a wrong view of God and I wasn’t able to receive the encouragement appropriately. I felt scolded. Even more, I thought God was angry and disappointed in me. I knew better. The Old Testament was full of the same repeating story:

God instructs His children
They disobey
God gets angry and turns away
Then God has compassion and makes a new covenant
His people are restored

I didn’t know what I had to do to reconcile with God, but it felt overwhelming. The shame was crushing. I felt marked by sin in a way I’d never imagined. How long would God hide His face from me? Could I bear it?

Everlasting love brings peace…

If I could talk to 15-year-old Emily today I would tell her:

What you’re suffering from, dear one, is the effects of a performance-based relationship with your Creator. And your shame is a result of your wounded pride; not because you’ve grieved the heart of your Father. Jesus is your Lord, but not your Savior. Yes, God did say in Isaiah that He ditched His children and fell off the map for a while.

For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment, I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,’ says the Lord, your Redeemer.

Isaiah 54:7-8, ESV

The beauty is, Jesus was the embodiment of the everlasting love in Isaiah 54:8. God made a way to place all His overflowing anger on Jesus…forever. He hid His face from Jesus on the cross. So now, God doesn’t hide from us anymore. We have peace with God because of Christ’s sacrifice. There is never a moment where He cannot immediately be found because of the gift of His Spirit. Emmanuel, God with us. Like the prodigal son, all you have to do is return to Him. Show up. He is waiting, not with a wagging finger and a scowl, but with open arms and a smile on His face. Seek to understand the love God has for you. I assure you, you will not be let down.

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:9-11, ESV

But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5, ESV

We have peace with God because of Christ’s sacrifice. Click To Tweet

Resolutions

Motivations

Determination

Something New

Keep It Up

An Incomplete Gift

Being Compelled

Restoring Faithfulness

The Purpose

Focus

Survey

Pride

Worship

Sentiments

Engaging

Responses

Compassion

Vulnerability

The Story’s End

All scripture from the ESV Bible.

Our Perception

God’s Provision

God’s Presence

God’s Attention

A Few Questions

All scripture is referenced from the HCSB version of the Bible.

Testing My Agenda

Sobering Awareness

Slow Your Roll

We’re All Lawbreakers

Remember…

God’s Opinion of Me

God’s Love for Me

God’s Presence with Me

Under Pressure

Moments Past

Taking on More

Seeking Wisdom

Spelled Out Plans

Moments of Grace

Instruments for God

All scripture references come from the ESV Bible.

Opening Up

Giving Up the Ghost

Feelings Are Tricky Tricksters

Help Is on The Way

The dream…

Back to reality…

Piecing together…

Confession…

Abiding in the Vine…

Wild Vines…

Shame…

Everlasting love brings peace…

The love of our God is fierce! Nothing is going to stop His pursuit of you!