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Facts & Feelings

December 12, 2023 krisshetter

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."  Romans 4:20-21

I have Christians friends that struggle a bit in their faith life because they don’t feel like they “love God.” They see someone sitting near them in church who seems to cry every single Sunday, no matter the message or song. To these friends that must mean that person “loves the Lord.” And while I admit to finding myself shedding a tear occasionally during church, I find myself more enthralled with the facts of the message — the unique links that good pastors find in scripture. I especially enjoy sermons that show God’s plan at work in the Bible from beginning to end. In other words, I like facts to back up my faith. But those facts have led me to tears of thankfulness for what the Lord has done in me.

Last night at a Christmas gathering of my Bible Study Girls we began a discussion about apologetics. One of our members — probably the most scientific minded of us — recently completed an apologetics class at her church. What drew her to this class was that Christian apologetics, defined as a formal argumentation in defense of something, such as a position or system, is facts based. You don’t go to a class like that to learn how to sing songs to the Lord or how to pray fervently. You go to strengthen your faith in what you know…about your faith.

“We have not yet got as far as the God of any actual religion, still less the God of that particular religion called Christianity. We have only got as far as Somebody or Something called the Moral Law. We are not taking anything from the Bible or churches, we are trying to see what we can find out about this Somebody on our own steam.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity on the Moral Law

The above quote is from the great apologetics book by C.S. Lewis wherein he first looks at the fact that all humans (who aren’t pathological) subscribe to a Moral Law. He then goes on to discuss life within this Law and why it has to come from somewhere outside us. His final intent is, of course, to bring Christianity to unbelievers. But his approach is not, “Do you know the Gospel?” It’s “how do you explain the realities of human life?” He takes facts about our everyday behavior and logically takes you through to “there must be a God.” At the end you either accept facts or decide to pretend those facts don’t exist. In accepting the facts the reader now has knowledge of the Christian God. It’s up to him or her to take the next step — believing in God’s promises.

In our opening verse today we see the results of Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises. He took facts — that God had already made promises to him and fulfilled those promises — and decided to believe God would come through on the rest of His promises.

"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead." Romans 4:18-19

Too often we humans want to experience feelings first in order to take action. “I don’t feel like doing xyz.” “I feel like I should be nice to that person so I guess I will.” But our God expects us to first have the knowledge of His Moral Law and His commands. I have plenty of people in my life that have encouraged me to cut off my parents who have been dismissive at best and cruel at the worst of times. However, as their only child remaining, God has told me it is my duty to “honor my mother and father.” It doesn’t have any exceptions. What honoring them looks like is what I take to the Lord in prayer.

“It is after you have realized that there is a real Moral Law and a Power behind the law and that you have broken the law and put yourself wrong with that Power — it is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk.”
CS Lewis Mere Christianity

The facts of life tell us that we all believe in “good” and “wrong.” But who has set that on our mind? Who has decided what those are? Because when you look around it isn’t obvious that humanity desires to constantly live in those “good” boundaries. So why would man create them? He wouldn’t. Only something greater, who has a greater plan and love for us, would create this Moral Law. You see, no overwhelming feelings or tears needed. Just facts.

“If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:15

That’s love from our Christian God. To show Him love we do something — not feel something. We can know He loves us by the millennia of promises He made, revealed and kept in His Holy Word. He asking us to show Him we have noodled on the facts and have accepted them as truth. In doing so it leads us to action.

In the miraculous and glorious ways of our Lord and Savior, those actions lead us to feelings. We see how when we obey He stands alongside us or even in front of us. He comforts us. He brings others to us to love us. It’s a beautiful circle that when practiced day in and day out reassures us and strengthens our faith and allows us to give all glory to God.

My friends, if your faith is built mostly on feeding your feelings be aware that the devil loves to use emotions to turn our head from God. We need to study the Word God has given us so we know the facts and the promises. In this way we can be at the ready to share His Word and stand strong in it.

If your faith is mostly head knowledge, take action on His commands. An unopened gift is good for no one, especially the believer. When you see Him at work your heart will be lifted. Whichever you need, ask in prayer. Our glorious God will provide what you need.

May all glory, honor and power be to God alone. Amen

In Excelsis Deo

December 11, 2023 krisshetter

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

Last night I heard the angels sing. Well, not real angels — just people that sounded as I would imagine them singing. After a long weekend of Christmas concerts, the more than 150 choir members and musicians that perform at my church in Escondido, California put on their last of 5 performances. They must have been looking forward to that last note with tired legs and feet, sore lips and throats. But you couldn’t tell. They lifted their voices with such glorious vigor and ease. The musicians fingers danced lightly and beautifully over keys and piston valves and strings.

I listened with awe to people with a gift I only dream about or attempt to utilize while alone in my car. And I also thought, what a glorious God to have created such sounds. Music is considered one of those few “cultural universals.” Something in which every culture across the world participates. Bone flutes have been dated to 40,000 BC. Biologists suggest that music developed alongside language development. Almost as though the two were uniquely connected. Clearly a gift given by God since the creation of man.

Religions are credited with being the biggest purveyor of music and musical styles. Hurrian songs are a collection of music excavated from an ancient Canaanite city which date to approximately 1400 BC. One of these is nearly complete and contains the “Hymn to Nikkal”(also known as the Hurrian cult hymn or “a zaluzi to the gods,”), making it the oldest surviving complete work of notated music in the world.

We’ve been singing outward and upward for quite a long time it seems! It’s no wonder that music touches our hearts so deeply. It speaks to love lost and love found. To growing up and growing old. It tells stories of friendships and discontentment. And, of course, it speaks to God — asking for Him to come into our lives, thanking Him for our blessings, and giving all Glory to Him.

The first song recorded in the Bible is a victory song. Written by Moses and recorded in Exodus 15, it was composed after Israel’s faith was tested in the parting of the Red Sea. It’s as though God gave us this gift to express in new ways our yearning for a life that only He can truly give.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

The hymn last night which pulled my heart toward God was, “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” based on what the angels sang at Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:14. Such a beautiful patronage to varied, talented voices and musicians! It also enjoys a long and rich history. Its composition reflects the tradition of “private psalms” which became popular in the 2nd century. Later versions saw additional verses added as it became part of doxologies. Modern scholars have documented over 200 musical medieval versions of this song as it spread across every Christian religious culture and denomination.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.  (Christmas Carol version, also known as Angels We Have Heard on High)

I imagine this gift of music must surely reflect what goes on in the heavens. A heavenly Spotify playlist featuring the most beautiful voices ever heard. So perfectly tuned and glorious that hearts burst with love and devotion to the One True God.

Today, listen for the first songs of God — a tune from a bird, the rustling of leaves, the croaking of a frog. Then lift your voice or whistle or hum to Him who gave us this gift. A gift which helps us express our deepest emotions in ways which just words alone can never accomplish.

Soli Deo Gloria. Amen

Knitted with God

December 10, 2023 krisshetter

Praise the Lord, you his servants;
    praise the name of the Lord.
²Let the name of the Lord be praised,
    both now and forevermore.
³From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised.

⁴The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
    his glory above the heavens.
⁵Who is like the Lord our God,
    the One who sits enthroned on high,
⁶who stoops down to look
    on the heavens and the earth?

⁷He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
⁸he seats them with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹He settles the childless woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord. Psalm 113

Last month my husband and I were blessed to become grandparents of a beautiful baby girl. Born on my birthday, the Lord blessed me even more with giving me the gift of being with my daughter as she went into labor and then holding this precious baby just hours after she entered the world! With two daughters of our own I still find myself amazed by the gift of life — how God creates us, weaves us so intricately in a mother’s womb.

A couple of friends and I are doing an advent study and we were tasked during the first week to go back to the book of Genesis. On day 4, we read Genesis 3:14-24 and were asked to list the consequences of Adam, Eve’s and the serpent’s sins. We were also to identify God’s mercy in this passage. Awhile back I heard a lesson about this section of Genesis. On how God gave Adam and Eve both curses and blessings. When you view this text in this way you discover something different that the usual reading. Here’s what He said to Eve:

“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
with painful labor you will give birth to children.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16.

We all answered that God cursed her with painful childbirth and that her husband would be “the boss.” If we take this verse as a stand alone that’s what we get, done. However, in the context of the whole creation story, let me point out two blessings.

The only way beings had been created until that time was by God’s miraculous actions. Breathing life into Adam and then taking a piece of Adam and creating Eve. Now Eve will be blessed with herself creating new life. She will be God’s vessel for all humanity. What an incredible gift!
When God created Eve, she was a companion, a helper, so that Adam wouldn’t be alone. With God’s speech to Eve He has introduced love and desire. A marriage, rather than just a friendship. A lifelong covenant with another human being!

Without this curse/blessing for Eve we wouldn’t have the long line of woman who, even in their old and seemingly barren years, gave birth to the line of the future King. And then, of course we come to Mary, Jesus’ mother. Her womb holds the special place of Jesus’ first earthly home. With God’s DNA and that of Joseph and Mary’s woven together to create the God/Man. What a beautiful and glorious gift to all women-kind!

“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹    for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name. Luke 1: 46-49

Although Mary was Jesus’ first earthly abode where God did His glorious weaving work, here’s the message I heard preached today: “The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, is leveraging the glory of God to weave our frayed hearts back together.”

Isn’t that a wonderful promise? A gift from Jesus as He left this earthly home to join His father in heaven, the Holy Spirit lives in all who say “I believe.” The glory of God is living in our wombs, in our hearts, in our very souls. Our pastor stated, “He takes the promise of peace and calms our hearts.” He is the God who never leaves us because He has brought His glory to dwell inside us! Oh mighty God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords thank you for this gift of life, this gift of your ever presence.

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

Thanks be to God for the blessings He bestowed on Eve that day. And may all Glory, Honor and Power be given to Him alone. Amen

Known Hearts

December 9, 2023 krisshetter

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Have you ever been singing a song and someone points out to you that you’ve been singing the wrong lyrics all along? In the rom-com, 27 Dresses, there’s a scene where the two main actors battle it out over the actual lyrics to the Elton John song, “Bennie & the Jets.” It’s a hilarious take on something we’ve all probably done while singing our hearts out in the shower.

Well, while out on my walk this morning enjoying the gloriously crisp and clear Southern California day I was listening to my Christian playlist. The song “All My Praise” by Ryan Ellis came on and as I sung along I misheard the beginning lyrics which go, “Hallelujah, Christ is risen. Now every heart has a way.” Instead, I sang “now every heart has a name.” For the next half hour that oops of a line sat on my mind as I composed my Soli Deo Gloria post for today. How it’s so true that because of Jesus coming to tell the Good News, to not just Jews but every gentile, every heart could know God and be known by God.

"I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:26

That scripture is just a part of Jesus’ prayer to His Father telling of His love for us. Asking God to continue in His care for us when he departs. Do you realize there is no other God, no other religion that has this beautifully unique relationship with its believers?

When the Trinity created the world and universe — with God speaking the plan, Jesus enacting it and the Holy Spirit providing His hovering supervision — God didn’t suddenly leave us to our own devices. That’s what deists believe. That God is not working daily, loving us moment by moment while we reside on His earthly creation. It’s not a new idea, in fact U.S. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson was a famous deist. But that’s not the Bible. And to be honest, it’s not lived out reality.

I’ve mentioned before that the Christian faith is based on real people and real, historically proven events. Jesus was a real person. Fully man and fully God. Although people may wonder how that could be possible it doesn’t take away the fact that Jesus, Himself, made that fact clear over and over. If a God can create a universe then I figure He can do anything.

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
²You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.  Psalm 139:1-6

Not only does God, throughout scripture show His continually loving care for us, He expresses His desire for us to know him inside and out. In fact, the Bible itself is not about a “people” or even about us. It’s an autobiography about God. It’s His way of telling us His character, His eternal plan, and most of all how much He loves us. He wants us to know Him as much as He knows us. A truly staggering idea when it comes to the concept of God and gods.

God delights when His people truly know Him, love Him, and enjoy the blessings of His faithful love, justice, and righteousness.
Thomas A. Tarrants, President Emeritus, CS Lewis Institute

God is a relational being. He exists in a relational setting amongst the Trinity. He loves the Son and the Son loves Him. They love the Holy Spirit and He loves them back in perfect unity and harmony. How could God not be the same with us? How glorious is it to know that the Creator of all things seen and unseen wants to love and be loved by us!

"If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:7

My friends, we should delight and give thanks each and every day that we are known by a God who loves. A God who sent the Son to live and breathe, touch, feel, cry and laugh, suffer and celebrate just like us. A God who wanted us to have a tangible relationship to reach for when in need. A God who we can call our King, Savior and our friend.

May all Glory and Honor be our God and Creator. Amen

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Rejoice in His Glory

December 7, 2023 krisshetter

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 1 Chronicles 16: 8-10

From 1800 to 1899 there were more than 500 wars or conflicts that occurred across the globe. These events touched every continent and just about every nation. Lines were drawn and re-drawn. In some areas you would have been hard pressed to place any confidence in the steadiness of your governing authorities since they might be gone tomorrow.

Not to be outdone, the turn of the century began with a bang when Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by a Bosnian. That one act set the stage for World War I which, from 1914 to 1918, led to an estimated 40 million military and civilian deaths. Following that war, the Russian Revolution in 1917 caused another dramatic upheaval throughout Europe. The Spanish Flu took another 17-50 million people to their grave. And the hits kept coming.

A world-wide economic collapse took hold in the 1920s-30s, which in the United States we labeled the “Great Depression.” We limped into the 1940s with WW II and the greatest loss of life ever seen with approximately 80 million people perishing. The Korean War, Vietnam War, devastating inflation in the 1970s, the Gulf War, terror attacks, the Iraq-Afghanistan Wars were just some of the major conflicts that rounded out the 20th Century. Sounds like there was a lot to be joyful for, wasn’t there?

And there was. You see since the beginning of human history, when so many turned their backs to God’s holy and beautiful plan, there has been war, hatred, vengeance, jealousy, and greed. With each tragedy we may think, “we are living in the most terrible age.” But history shows we humans have done so much worse. Above these sinful human ways, however, sits a glorious King who beckons us to him. Who says, “I have a better way. A beautiful and joyous plan for you. Seek me and you will find me.”

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."  1 Peter 4:12-13

We shouldn’t be surprised when terrible events happen in the world around us. The ungodly seek to satisfy their fleshly desires just as they always have. It’s interesting, however, that depression rates have skyrocketed just in the last 10-15 years in the United States. As faithful followers of Jesus we are called to be set apart and seek joy, seek peace, seek love, seek self-control. Something Christians have been tasked with since the death of Jesus and war upon war. We seek a joy that is, in fact, all around us. Yes, even in the face of terrible times.

"Weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

Joy and rejoicing beckon us each morning with another beautiful sunrise. It’s in the face of a newborn baby, after the pain of childbirth. It’s in each meal that God provides. Joy lives in a faithful friend, a loving spouse or parent — those God-given relationships He sends our way either through birth or by small miracles. The clothes that adorn us, be they rich, luxurious fabrics or simple cotton hewn, reflect God’s first loving sacrifice for us in the garden — an animal slain to cover Adam and Eve. The world is full of God’s joyful offerings of music, laughter, smiles, touches, provision, and natural wonder. We just need to seek them.

Back in the 1800s there was no TV, much less 24 hour TV news. No internet. The mail was spotty. Newspapers reported on events from weeks past. People, although effected by local conflict, went about their daily lives concerned with the here and now — the health and welfare of their family and their local community. They didn’t wake up and pull up the latest terrible news on their phone or computer. They didn’t sit at breakfast watching the news roll by on TV. Most didn’t even have a daily paper. No, if they were Christians they woke up and gave thanks for the day. Probably read a bit of their Bible and then began their long day of providing for their family. The children played and did their school lessons, unaware of any troubles their parents might have financially. As evening rolled in they sat at their dinner table together and gave thanks to God. And went to bed. No late night news or Twitter reading.

I long thought I had to be super informed of the world’s goings on. I deemed those not constantly tuned as living in a pollyanna-like state. But I have recently found that constant exposure to things of which, let’s be honest here, I have little to zero control over not only don’t bring me God’s gift of joy but actually steal it. You don’t have to watch the news each day. Or even each week. Shocking statement for some to hear, I realize. But try it.

Turn off the TV. Turn your radio dial to a Christian music station. Stop scrolling through the news. Occasionally detox yourself from the world while paying attention to what is important — your family, your friends, your neighbors and most of all your God. Train yourself for when you truly need to “check in” and when it’s time to “check out.” Look up and outward for joy. When you see it give thanks to God for pointing it out.

He is reaching out to you to pull you from the increasing anxiety and depression the world offers. Watch for His glorious ways revealing themselves to you throughout the rest of this week. And rejoice.

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” Amen.

Turn Your Face To Him

December 6, 2023 krisshetter

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55

At the end of this month my friend Andrea will gather her family together and celebrate, not just the beautiful birth of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but she will also ring a bell. A bell, which when rung, signifies the end of a journey and the beginning of something new. This journey has been about pain, about anger, disappointment, weakness, sadness, and loss. It’s also been about healing, discovery, love, friendship, strength and faith. At the ringing of that bell she and her family will celebrate her final breast cancer treatment and so much more.

As she looks out into the faces what she will see are the people who love her and who have yet to love the Lord. Her suffering, however was not wasted. Her faithfulness in this journey was seen and questioned by those needing to hear the Word. They can see she is not the person who started on the journey. She has been honed and sharpened. They can also see what some might call her “crutch.” And they can see its supernatural power.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1-4

Yesterday I listened to a podcast featuring Christian author and founder of Joni & Friends, Joni Eareckson Tada. After a devastating diving accident more than 55 years ago, Joni became a quadriplegic. At just 16 years of age her life completely changed. She spent years in depression and despair. Today, when she looks back she saw herself as a “hypocritical Christian.” She went to church and knew some prayers but wasn’t living her life for Christ. When tragedy and suffering struck she prayed to God for healing — and yet her healing didn’t come. She had read enough times in the Bible that God works things for our good and wants the best for us. So why wouldn’t he heal her?

An older, faithful friend of her family who visited her frequently and listened to her sorrows finally said to her one day, “God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” And while the unbelieving world may scoff and use this to turn even farther away from Him, Joni called those the 10 most important little words she had heard in a long time. Even to this day, through continuing pain, illness and suffering she remembers those wise words. The friend continued, “Can you hang on to that truth and trust that God will, in time, show you His goodness?”

When the day came, like it does to just about every person on this planet who suffers, when she had nothing left — no strength, no more tears, no more “get up and go” — she prayed a new prayer. “Help me God! I have no where else to go.”

“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69

Joni, like my friend Andrea did, turned her face outward to God rather than inward. And God in His great glory and supernatural power turned His face to her and healed her inwardly. When I heard Joni talk of this I had this vision of a double sided puzzle. If we take the box and dump out the pieces, never reading the instructions, just looking at the picture on the front we may never know the promise of the completed puzzle. As we work its pieces with our own knowledge and strength we may get frustrated when the pieces just won’t fit. We search for the missing pieces that may have fallen on the floor. We may give up temporarily or toss it all back in the box in frustration. Or, we can look at the box again and see there’s something else at work. A mystery on the backside. Something we can’t know all the details about but yearn to know more. So, we keep turning back to the original photo looking for help in completing our side.

Christian teacher and author John Piper once said, “Never let suffering go to waste.” To the world of the flesh that must seem so strange. Yes, we can whine and moan seeking human attention, and we all will probably do that to some extent. But that will never fully satisfy us. Or we can turn our faces to God and say, “I can’t, but you can.” He, my friends, is the only one who can fully satisfy our souls.

Joni’s faithful Christian friend asked her one day to read 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Her reponse was to say “STOP! I am not thankful for this!” He told her to re-read the verse. You see it doesn’t say to give thanks for your circumstance. It says to give thanks IN your circumstance. She began each day praying thankfulness for things like her hospital bed being close to the window. For the love of her parents. For the faithfulness of friends. And her heart began to catch up with her words.

Joni gives thanks for being able to sit up in a wheelchair — something most quadriplegics can’t do. She gives thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed on her since that tragic day. And she has vowed to “squeeze out every energy from her quadriplegic body” to bless others. Her organization, Joni & Friends, has touched the lives of thousands of disabled people and their caregivers throughout the world. And while my friend Andrea may not be an international sensation, God has pressed her into service among those who need her faith the most — her family.

The introductory verse today shows the disciple Stephen as he is being persecuted and chased by those who were fearful of God’s Word. In just a few verses later, the mob takes him out of the city and begins stoning him. As he turns his face to God he pleads that his attackers are forgiven. At that moment we are told his suffering comes to an end — he falls asleep and is taken home to his Father. He was the first of the saints to give His life up for Christ. He was the first to show us how in our suffering, as Christ did, that God will give us peace.

Friends, we are all promised some level of suffering throughout this short life here on earth. Be it physical, financial, relational, natural disaster, addiction or something else we will be touched by it because of this world’s brokenness. God, in His infinite glory, power and wisdom has had a plan all along to call us home into His perfect kingdom. He wants to use our suffering for the glory of that promise. Turn to Him and use it well.

May God bless you in all circumstances so that you may give Him all Glory and Honor. Amen

Glory in the Truth

December 5, 2023December 4, 2023 krisshetter

The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. John 7:18

Christian, I have some really good news for you. Not the Good News which you have already received but news that is crucial for continuing in the faith, for growing in your sanctification journey. Here it is: God’s Word is the inerrant truth. Oh, it’s true that many “learned” scholars have attempted to prove this truth as untrue. And they have failed, over and over. As people living out our Christian faith we must make it a requirement to rely on truth, lest we be pulled to the newest, shiniest idea — which interestingly enough, always seems to satisfy our flesh

Our current society isn’t the only one that has tried to disavow the truths in His Holy Word although, “truth” does seem to be taking a beating lately throughout culture. In fact, just yesterday I saw a Facebook post about a woman named Sacheen Littlefeather (born Maria Louise Cruz). The post told of this actress’ 15 minutes of fame when she took the stage for Marlon Brando at the 1973 Academy Awards to “not accept” his award for Best Actor in the Godfather. It was his way of protesting Native Americans’ portrayals in Hollywood. Littlefeather claimed heritage of Apache and Yaqui ancestors. Only one small problem. She was from Oxnard, California born of a father from Spanish-Mexican descent with no tribal ties. Her mom was a white European. While her message may have been appropriate, she as the messenger was committing the same “crime” she and Brando argued against. She erased her own heritage and pretended to take on that of another– lying to everyone who would listen.

I commented on the post (which didn’t tell the truth of her heritage, just the event and what the issue was) that she was a false representative and in fact, stole other people’s heritage. While my comment received a number of “likes” the first comments in reply were full of vitriol on how I was the problem. How being Mexican meant she was a native. How I was erasing the beautiful message. You see, so often now when we get attached to a good idea, or a cause that makes us feel good and righteous we are very unlikely to let go. Even when it’s all a lie. Our feelings have become supreme, not truth.

In the verse I highlighted today, Jesus is speaking directly to a large group of Jews who have their own idea of the “truth” of Jesus.

“Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, ‘He is a good man.’ Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people.’ But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews there were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having been taught?’” John 7:12-15

Jesus was just a nice, moral guy. Jesus was all smoke and mirrors. Jesus never claimed to be God. Jesus was just some poor Nazarene. Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. You’ve probably heard some, if not all, of these lies about Jesus. But our faith is built on actual events. On real people. Not dreams and fantasies. Not some guy who went off into the woods by himself and had a revelation then wrote an entire religion from it. Real people, real events, well documented outside the text of the Bible.

Friend, we should be so very thankful the God gave us His written Word. It has stood the test of time. If your Bible is gathering dust, you are not prepared to face the cultural storm. You need its strength, its wisdom, its knowledge, its promises and most of all its truth.

If you don’t believe the Bible is the inerrant truth, you are creating your own religion. You can do that, of course, but it’s not Christianity. I encourage you today to take that Good Book and start, not just reading it, but studying it. Discovering the amazing true story of God laid out since the beginning of time. Written by about 35 different people over centuries through God’s divine election and spoken to by the Holy Spirit, the Bible stands up to the most surgical like scrutiny. And lest you be led astray by those who say, “But what about the books not included?” First, become proficient and confident in what you do have in front of you and see its completeness. Jesus told those who wanted a more comfortable, more socially acceptable truth that they would never be open to The Truth because they always wanted more proof. Remember Judas still didn’t accept Jesus as The Christ even after He brought Lazarus back from confirmed death.

Just after leaving the festival where Jesus’ deity was questioned, to the Jews who believed Him in the town square and followed Him, He gave us this amazing promise:

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

The glorious and beautiful truth of God and the life He wants for us can now be held in just about every hand in the world. It offers freedom. A freedom for which we can look to the heavens and be ever so thankful for its truth.

May all glory and honor and power be to God. Amen

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Pray Your Calendar

December 4, 2023December 3, 2023 krisshetter

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

Today is a new day of a new week in the month where we celebrate God becoming flesh. A time of celebration of the New Covenant. An earth shifting change which would take us from continual blood sacrifice to a sacrifice made in blood once and forever more for the cleansing of our sins. As we reflect on that event more than 2,000 years ago that God humbled himself to come live among us as fully man and fully God, let’s find new ways this week to show love to our ever-faithful God and Savior.

What does the worker gain from his struggles? I have seen the task that God has given the children of Adam to keep them occupied. He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. Ecclesiastes  3:9-14

Take time this morning or sometime today and lay out your calendar in front of you. With each day in mind pray over the activities already scheduled. Pray to seek Him in every circumstance. Pray for strength in accomplishing physical tasks such as your workout, cleaning your home, gardening, physical labor at work, putting up Christmas lights, or even moving. Glorify Him throughout for He can be your rock.

Pray for His Words, not yours, in potentially difficult meetings or circumstances that may typically trigger negativity for you — meetings with your boss, employees or co-workers. Phone calls with challenging family members. Times of chaos in your day. Or when disciplining your children. Encountering pesky neighbors. Glorify Him in the midst of trials because He makes all things work for our good.

Pray for your mind and emotions to be turned completely over to Him when dealing with challenging issues or problem solving at work, at home or even at church. Remove “self” from your mind and think only on God’s desires for you and those you encounter. Pray for new insight and revelation. Ask for His wisdom to descend on you, pushing your fleshly desires to the wayside. Pray that even in your commute or during errands God will reveal Himself to you. Glorify Him as you see His beautiful plans unfold as you release yourself to Him.

Pray for His provisions on our life and family. Recognizing that every thing we have is because of Him. He provided the job, your family, the funds for your meals, the roof over your head, the transportation you require. At every meal, at every entry into your workspace or volunteer space, every time you open your front door, give Him the glory for your sustenance, comfort and care.

Pray for your free time that it may be used to glorify Him in new ways. Seeking peace and renewal in this gift of time. Ask for ways to use our creative minds for new hobbies or to seek new knowledge. Pray for sleep so that you may be fully prepared to be His humble servant each day. Glorify Him in the beautiful, quiet places you find Him.

Pray in thankfulness for your friends, family, co-workers, and all people you encounter that God has placed them in your life for a reason. They give you joy and love, chances to practice self-control and gentleness, and opportunities to share the love of Christ. Give God the glory to all you encounter, taking not an inch of the spotlight for yourself but shining it all back on Him!

And pray for the peace of God to descend upon you. Try a new devotional or pick up the one you’ve set aside so you can be in His Word every day. May each day you awake you ask Him to help you live a life full of the Fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Because that my friends, gives all glory, honor and power to God.

Soli Deo Gloria

Not Our Own

December 3, 2023December 2, 2023 krisshetter

"Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

If you live in the United States you know all about the importance of Fall and Winter Sundays. Sure we go to church and worship and praise the Lord. But today so many Americans also attend a second service. It’s held in giant stadiums or enjoyed from the comfort of our homes or restaurants. Yes, my friends, fall Sundays are, for so many, a chance to scream and yell and whoop it up over American football. Their favorite teams and players take to the gridiron in a clashing of bodies for the ultimate victory — helping a small, brown, weirdly shaped ball find its way to what is called the end zone. It’s a physical game played by tough men. It’s a game where season ending injuries are a regular occurrence and minor mistakes can lead to embarrassing failures.

The fans, like so many sports fans, can be adoring when you are very good. And they can be terrifyingly brutal when you aren’t playing your best. If you are not tethered to something else more important than the game you can be in danger of losing your very self.

“When you have a ‘why,’ you can endure everything and I think when your faith is strong, when you understand what’s going on in your life… you just turn to God and surrender. For me, that was the biggest weight off my back was that word — surrender. You’re not in control as much as you think you are and that’s a gift.”
Christian McCaffrey, running back for the San Francisco 49ers football team

McCaffrey is just one of many professional athletes who, when they stand in front of a microphone with hoards of media types staring at them, they give all honor and glory to God. Not just for their physical success but for their failures. While most of us will never be professional athletes we all can find ways we place our body’s successes and failures too high in importance in our lives. “I’m too fat, I’m too weak, I’m not tall enough” are some of the ways we beat ourselves to death. Then there’s the need to make ourselves sexy or brawny or literally into someone else via plastic surgery.

“For good or for evil, the body lies right at the center of the spiritual life….It is a fact that the body usually hinders people in doing what they know to be good and right.”
Dallas Willard in his bestselling Christian book, Renovation of the Heart.

The use of our bodies becomes not just a physical thing but as it matures it increasingly takes on the quality of our inner life. Paul, himself in Romans 7 says he finds himself doing things he “hates.”

"So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do." Romans 7:17-19

You see he makes a point to say, “in my flesh.” That’s his body, our bodies. We use our bodies to achieve sensual pleasures beyond God’s desire for us. We use our tongues to destroy others. We even use our facial features and our posture to make it clear how we really feel about a situation. Some of us physically lash out in anger. While others find ways to manipulate with tears or a quivering lip. An increasing number of young people believe if their body doesn’t make them feel complete then something must be wrong with it — causing them to undergo painful, life altering surgeries.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

My friends, while we have been led to believe that “my body, myself” is the truth by society it couldn’t be farther from it. It’s why there’s such a great divide in the abortion issue. One side says, “It’s my body to do with it how I please. Having sex outside marriage is pleasing to me. Suffering the consequences, is not.” Whereas, Christians must see our bodies as that living sacrifice — giving all honor and glory to God. As Willard reminds us, none of us have created our own bodies. None of us could care for our bodies for many years. And no matter how much we want to believe it, our bodies are not self-sufficient still.

We are stewards of our bodies. But that doesn’t mean we alone have the right to say what is to be done with them. We don’t own our bodies, God does. Every single body, believer or not. He decided the day and time our entrance to the world. And He alone will decide our exit from this earth. He created our bodies for His plan, not ours.

So, whether we are professional athletes playing a sport, or we wake up each morning for work, or play, in times of illness or strength, we must seek to glorify Him by surrendering our bodies to Him wholly in worship. When we succeed in our physical tasks, say out loud that it is all for His glory. When we seemingly fail, say out loud that you trust in Him, trust His plan. And remember, you are living this life for an audience of One.

Here’s a few tips from Dallas Willard on the spiritual formation of our bodies:

You must actually release your body to God. It won’t happen by accident. Be intentional remembering it is scriptural teaching.
Take a day in silent and solitary retreat. Quiet your mind and soul.
Ask God to take charge of your body. Pray on each actual part of your body.
No longer idolize your body. You care for it only as it serves God’s purposes in your life and the lives of others.
Do not misuse your body. Bodily pleasure is one thing but when it is exalted to a necessity and we become dependent upon it, then we are slaves.
The body is to be properly honored and cared for. Honor a sabbath by practicing solitude and silence. Get plenty of sleep.

May all honor and glory be to God alone. Amen

He Is Perfect

August 30, 2022September 7, 2022 krisshetter

"Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory." Psalms 24:10

My Lord, my God, perfect in every way. Awesome in power and in majesty. I come before you your imperfect adopted daughter, grateful for the cleansing you completed in me through your Son, Jesus. Grateful for the work your Holy Spirit continues in me so that I can bow before you blameless and faithful. Amen

One of my daughters suffered for a while with perfectionism. She once told me that she got that need to be perfect from me. I had to admit I played a strong part through my own need to always do things just right. And that need stemmed from a hole in my heart. A hole that needed filling with love and grace. I worried if I “messed up” then I would lose respect, lose friends, lose love. I’m sure my daughter felt the same. And it grieved me I had passed that along to her. I’m so grateful she had the courage to share her struggle with me so that I could remind her how much I love her – no matter what. Thankfully, she sought out God and the healing power of Jesus sooner in her life than I did.

I have finally realized the truth behind the flippant remark, “nobody’s perfect.” Well, there is one “body” who is perfect and that’s the Triune God. Other than that, we all fall woefully short. Can I get an “amen?”

" When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless (“perfect” KJV)." Genesis 17:1

When God had this conversation with Abraham, He wasn’t expecting this man to be sinless – an impossible goal for us to reach. In fact, the word “perfect” is translated as “single-hearted, without blame, sincere, wholly devoted to the Lord.” It’s not to say we aren’t to strive to mirror God’s perfect will but as our Creator He knows our weaknesses.

"³I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
    Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
⁴He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
    upright and just is he."  Deuteronomy 32:3-4

In the history of our human existence there has never been another worshipped god that can claim this state of perfection. The Greek gods fought amongst themselves and were jealous. They required constant preening and begging to intervene in human lives. And when they did, you didn’t know for whose benefit they would act. The god of the ancients, Baal, also needed constant pleasing through child sacrifice and sexually immoral acts. Fast forward to today and the gods we modern humans have created look a lot like ourselves. We place our minds in the center of the universe and need to feed the god of humans through wealth and fame and accumulation. All the while not being able to accomplish a tiny portion of what the One True God has done and will do.

Yes, God wants our attention. He wants our worship. He wants our obedience. But He doesn’t need any of it. He is perfect without us. That, my friends, is what makes His devotion to us and His love for us and His sacrifice of His Son for us all the more glorious! What I say to that is thank you, Lord! Thank you for your Holy Word, your promises to us, for justice and mercy and grace. I give you all the glory you rightfully deserve!