Category: Transformation Prayer

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Known Hearts

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.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such 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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Not Yet Home

krisshetter

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14

I had just found out that my boyfriend of three years was seeing another young woman behind my back. I didn’t know her but she, apparently knew all about me. I discovered this betrayal on a surprise visit to my (soon-to-be ex) boyfriend’s house –finding the two of them together. Now, looking back, it seems almost funny that he ran away and she stayed to tell me about the affair. I drove off with emotions swirling — anger, sadness, betrayal and confusion.

As I made my way home those emotions turned to despair. At 18 my world evolved around him. I was crushed and felt broken. Just a few miles before my house while driving on the freeway I did the unthinkable. I looked up and said, “I’d rather die right now.” And let go of the wheel.

Thankfully, the usually busy freeway was almost devoid of traffic as my car veered out of its lane crossing into two others. And thankfully a whisper told me he wasn’t worth this pain. As I grabbed back hold of the wheel I realized it wasn’t time for me to go to my eternal home.

I’ll admit that a couple other times in my life I’ve wished it was my time. The last time I felt that way I finally sought help and realized my menopausal body was in complete disarray. With a caring, thoughtful doctor I went on a small dose of antidepressants to get me through this life transition. At the same time I turned and grabbed hold of the Lord. And I asked Him to heal me.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

This week my church has taken a deep dive into the above scripture. This idea of “going home.” The promise Jesus makes to His disciples, and all other believers, is that He has made a beautiful, comforting place for us. We only need to seek Him and believe. But at rare times we yearn so much for that place we go ahead of God and try to take a shortcut. We want to be in control of that timeline because of pain and sadness.

Friend, I want to remind you, however, of two things. First, when Jesus took the glorious and awe inspiring step to leave His earthly home and join us in the flesh He declared the Kingdom has come. We look to the heavens and dream of that place. But Jesus brought the Kingdom to us. John the Baptist was the first to herald this truth.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  Matthew 3:2

He came so we would experience great joy, love and peace through Him in this earthly kingdom. He came to give us the great command to love one another as He loves us. We can, right now experience His peace and love. We just need to ask Him to show us the path. He reminds us over and over throughout scripture of His great love for not just a people but for us as individuals. He loves every single hair on our heads. He can wipe away our tears with a gentle reminder that He loves us so much He took on our pain and suffering.

Secondly, He came to prepare us for an eternal kingdom. He wants each of us to complete our god-given role while we are here for a relatively short time. We have a purpose and He has a plan. That purpose? To glorify Him each and every day through our works. 

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  John 14:12

Jesus never promises us a physically easy life. A life full of rainbows and unicorns. In fact, He makes it clear to the disciples that we may even be despised by following Him. But He does promise that we won’t be alone, that we can ask for help and He will provide. That we will experience the fruits of the spirit when we love others. And when the time comes we will be welcomed home to join in His glory.

He asks us to live an outward life. Serving others, washing feet, loving others, making peace with others. Not worrying about today or tomorrow but trusting in Him. Keeping a watchful eye for the smallest of blessings and sharing them with others. He asks us to live our best and brightest life in service to Him. When we obey and trust in the Lord we find our despair, our anger, our hurt shrinks as our hearts grows bigger. Sounds a bit like the Grinch story doesn’t it?

While we aren’t promised to never experience loss or pain we are promised our great Comforter. When He left the heavenly kingdom He opened Himself up to tears, physical pain, and even death. He knows how you feel. 

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. ... I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live." John 14:15-19

Jesus in the most glorious of ways lives in us so that we may live to glorify the Father. To look outward so that He may heal us inwardly. And when we have run our race, touched as many lives as He has planned for us, squeezed every last bit of love we can from our bodies in service to others, He will surely welcome us home.

May all Glory be given to Him alone. Amen

Friend, if you are experiencing overwhelming despair and sadness first look upward to the Lord for help. Then seek assistance through the many resources available in your community — possibly through your church, a Christian counseling group or a hotline. If you have a friend or family member you can go to knowing you will be received well, call them today and tell them you need help. You are precious my friend. And you are needed here for a specific piece of God’s plan.

If someone you love or know has talked about suicide here’s some ways to respond (from the Mayo Clinic)

  • Get help from a trained professional as quickly as possible. Your friend or loved one may need to stay in the hospital until the suicidal crisis passes.
  • Urge the person to contact a suicide hotline.
    • In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
    • U.S. veterans or service members who are in crisis can call 988 and then press “1” for the Veterans Crisis Line. Or text 838255. Or chat online.
    • The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
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Rejoice in His Glory

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.

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Turn Your Face To Him

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

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Glory in the Truth

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

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

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Not Our Own

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"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:

  1. You must actually release your body to God. It won’t happen by accident. Be intentional remembering it is scriptural teaching.
  2. Take a day in silent and solitary retreat. Quiet your mind and soul.
  3. Ask God to take charge of your body. Pray on each actual part of your body.
  4. No longer idolize your body. You care for it only as it serves God’s purposes in your life and the lives of others.
  5. 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.
  6. 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

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Doomed, Lucky or Blessed

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Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, professor of psychology and author of the bestseller 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, is currently offering an online course called “Discovering Personality.” It’s aimed at helping people understand themselves and others based on personality markers. Let me save you the $69 and ask you a couple of questions:

  1. Do you consider yourself a pessimist or optimist?
  2. Are you a worrier or a bit more carefree?
  3. Do you plan to the detail or let things happen as they occur?
  4. Do you have frown lines or laugh lines?
  5. Do you blame and berate yourself when things go wrong, blame others or let it slide?

I’m not going to give you some fancy color-coded, cute name for how you answered each of these. Why? Because let’s be honest you already know your personality inside and out. You live it each minute of every day. And, in the end all of these answers could be considered “wrong” or “bad.” Does that sound a bit shocking? Aren’t all the optimists, carefree, “let it slide” people who we want to be transformed in to?

Let’s look at it this way: a pessimist might say, “I’m a failure. I can’t do anything right.” (something I suffered from for a long time.) An optimist might say, “I’ve got this! I know I can work this out for my good!” And both would be wrong. Both would be forgetting who has the ultimate plan. Both would be shining the light on… themselves.

I was a lifelong, committed pessimist. Co-workers and fellow volunteers actually considered me to be very efficient because of my ability to plan every detail. But my friends, I did that out of fear of failure. Fear of looking the fool. Fear that the other shoe would definitely drop and I needed to be prepared. I was in charge and if things went wrong I put it all on my shoulders. Doofus, idiot, worthless, dumb. Those were the shackles I lived in for years.

I’ve also known people who seem to go through life without a care. Things just seem to work out. And if it doesn’t there’s a shrug and a “well, maybe next time.” They’ve been given a gift but don’t thank the giver. They just feel “lucky.” They live for their pleasure. They do what suits them and ignore what doesn’t (like that pesky “love your enemy” command). While this way of living may be healthier than the pessimist, it will do nothing for them once their relatively short time on earth is complete. As Christians, we have an eternal goal with an eternal, glorious God. Our eyes should always be toward Him.

 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  James 4:13-15

Recently, someone was sharing their concerns about a loved one who lives their life full of anxiety, doom and worry. My friend told me, “Well, that’s his personality. You can’t change that.” Because of the work the Holy Spirit has been doing in me these past few years I could comfortably state, “You’re right, he can’t change it but the Lord can.”

As humans our fleshly desire to control everything (and everyone) around us is so prevalent that we have even accepted that who we have come to be through our nurturing and environment is who we shall always be. We wear our personality like a tight fitting glove. Without Christ’s holy hand on our life that may surely be the case. One only needs to read about timid Moses becoming the bold leader of a nation, or the transformed life of a terrifying man called Saul becoming Jesus’ greatest mouthpiece for love whom we now call Paul, to see the power and glory of God.

We can’t change ourselves or others. But God can. Through turning to the Holy Spirit each and every day — and every minute — our minds and hearts can be transformed. In fact, as true followers of Jesus we must be transformed. I have people in my life for whom I pray for that transformation. Not for my benefit, but for them to be released from the shackles of a life lived for “self” and not God. He is the God of freedom and of joy and love and hope. I don’t want to ever say again, “He/She will never change.” If God wills it, then it will happen.

If you want to skip Mr. Peterson’s class may I recommend instead a free reading of the Book of James? In just the first 27 verses the apostle tells us how trusting in the Lord, giving honor and glory to God and acknowledging that God has the highest, best plan for us will be the very transformation we may need.

When we worry, when we take on responsibility that doesn’t belong to us, or even when we just think the “stars” or “crystals” or “karma” will align for us we turn our backs on God. He is the only one deserving of the glory of our creation and the plan for us. So whether our life is coming up roses or smelling like manure we need to turn to Him both in praise and petition.

We’ve worked our whole lives to have the personality we show the world. Remember that when we stumble in this transformation journey. Turn your eyes back to Him. Hold your hand out to Him. He is working out all things for your good.

To Him give the glory alone. Amen

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A Gardener of Love

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She turned to drugs and alcohol to dull her childhood pain.  The pain inflicted by an abusive, angry father.  Her body was being ravaged by anger, hatred and shame.  The feelings of worthlessness.  And Jesus met her one night in an incredible vision.  Upon waking she instantly accepted Him as her new, eternal, loving Father and set aside drugs and alcohol.  It was her offering, her gift back to the Lord, however, that most likely had Him dancing in heaven.  It wasn’t a payment because the Lord saves us without cost from us, without our need to do anything but say, “yes.”  No, it was the only thing she really had to offer – love.  Not just for the Lord but for her earthly father.

I met Julie* in a home Bible study.  During the next few years, I watched as this daughter of God set aside her anger and any need for retribution while she travelled out of state to help care for her ailing father.  Not once did I hear her speak ill of him again.  She didn’t seek platitudes for her service to this man who had emotionally and physically abused her.  She didn’t see it as an annoyance.  No, she tended to her father as Jesus’ bond-servant.  Sent in His name.  

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:13-15

And what are the desires of the flesh? “Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Gal 5:19-21).  Placed right there in the middle could probably be seen as the root of the rest of those desires – selfishness.  Our need to receive retribution from those who have hurt us.  We want so much to cry out, “but, but, but!” and list our excuses as to why we can’t show someone love.

Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…… it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.  

C.S. Lewis

When we place ourselves as “better than” the root of hatred is sown.  “I would never do such a thing” when in fact we may do a version of such action daily.  It is a well-honed habit that is encouraged by the world.  While I may not ever murder a person as the Law warns I certainly have held murderous thoughts, which Jesus calls equal to the actual act.  

How does one reach the point of loving and maybe even helping those who we just want eliminated from our lives?  How do we till a blooming, beautiful garden in our hearts, not one filled with weeds?   Julie sought to worship God through her actions.  She knew that harboring ill feelings toward her father only hurt one person – herself.  When called by her stepmother for help she stepped forward in faith.  Faith that the Lord wanted her to show mercy and grace. 

As for me?  It’s taken me many years but I finally sought wisdom from the God who provides it generously (James 1:5).  The Holy Spirit has shown me it’s better to love than to feel hate and anger.  I call that hate the “Black Swirly Ball” that wants to spin around in my chest from time to time.  I’m listening to the Spirit when it allows me to feel out of balance.  I get quiet, turn off the tv, the music, the phone and say, “Reveal to me what’s going on, Lord.  Show me where my pride or my need to be in the right is shoving out love.  Help me to pray for that person, not about them.”  You see I want that Black Swirly Ball to unravel and loosen my chest.  Then I can breathe the fresh air of God’s beauty.  I give it up to God and I ask the Holy Spirit to help me not grab it back – ever.  I bring my raw emotions to the Lord and He clears my mind.  Often, He asks me to serve those I find difficult to serve.  When I do, I demonstrate to the people around me the work Christ has done in my heart.

My friends, if all we ever are able to do in the name of love is pray for the revealing light of God to enter into our “enemy” we’ve tilled the soil for something good to happen in us.  We’ve said to Jesus, “yes, I will love as you have loved me, a sinner for sure.”  We just need to be prepared for Him to ask us to take a step further and say, “Yes.”  In our real and true faith, we must believe without doubting that He will work it for our good and His glory.

“You have flaws, failures, and quirks that annoy and anger others.  In fact, you may be more like those whom you dislike than you’d care to admit.  But Jesus still loves you and died for you – just as He did for them.  What Christ did for you on the cross, He did for your worst enemy.  It’s when you humbly accept this fact that you can begin to love others as Jesus does.”  

Charles F. Stanley

Do you believe God?  Not just believe in God but have real faith in His words and promises.  If you do then you know He wants the best not just for you and your friends and family but for all people.  That person at work who is causing you so many troubles?  Show her love by seeing her as someone who has the weight of sin on her and needs your loving prayers.  The family member who speaks ill of you to the rest of the family?  He needs you to love him enough to ask God to intervene in his life.  The abortionist, false teacher, dictator, murderer, thief, liar all need you.  These people in one way or another are separated from God and I can’t think of a more terrible fate for which we should grieve.

Jesus commands us to love.  To love others as we are loved by Him, sinners one and all.  This week I encourage you to demonstrate your real faith and experience the greatest fruit ever to blossom from us – love. 

*Julie is not her real name

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Tilling Hatred from Our Hearts

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I recently saw a video by Dennis Prager, a prominent Jewish conservative and president of PragerU.  In it he spoke with confidence how anyone who says they “love the Nazis” doesn’t know love at all.  He inquired, “How can a person who says they love evil people also say they love Mother Teresa or Dietrich Bonhoeffer?”  When I showed this to my Bible study groups they all agreed with that statement.  So, I then asked, who else in our lives has sinned and doesn’t deserve God’s love?  What level of sin does it take to be wholly rejected, never to even have the hope of forgiveness by God?

A few ladies relented and said, “Well if they asked for forgiveness on their deathbed then ok.”   Which brought the next question, “So God didn’t love you until you asked for forgiveness?”  And if God hated them why would He even give them a second chance, if not out of love?  Wouldn’t the entire message of Jesus be pointless if we really believed this?  God sent His Son to die for us, while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).  Not after we begged Him not to smote us.  He loved us first.  He’s commanding us to love first.  This doesn’t mean the unrepentant won’t be judged.  Far from it.  But the beauty of God’s love is that He provides that path toward redemption and the knowledge that final retribution is His purview.  

Which leads me to a second way this week to love as Jesus did.  You’ll notice throughout the Gospels that Jesus sees individuals.  The woman at the well was just another hated Samaritan to the Jews.  But to Jesus, she was a woman in distress.  A woman who had given in to a sinful lifestyle.  The bleeding woman who touched the edge of his garment was just another sickly, sinful, woman who the average person disdained and ignored.  She was “one of those people.”  He stopped his large entourage and saw her.  Saw her pain and sin and need.  

Jesus shows us it’s a mistake to pass judgement on a whole people.  Our propensity to group people into categories of who we like and don’t like is why there’s so much political ugliness today.  While I of course don’t “love” the atrocities that were committed by the Nazis, how easy is it for us to group all German men and women who were individuals with families, jobs, dreams, fears, etc?  Did too many of them hate another group of people they also saw as faceless?  Yes.  And the cycle went and continues to go around and around.  The Arabs hate the Jews,  Liberals hate Conservatives, Serbs hate Croatians, Americans hate the Russians, Protestants and Catholics hate each other, Hindus and Muslims hate each other, etc.  But each of those groups are made up of people; people created in His image, all descendants of one man and one woman.

Looking back over the COVID years we can see how many “ordinary” people get caught up in doing what those in power demand for fear of retribution.  Or going along because it seemed the right thing at the time. And now in the Western world we have the vaccinated versus the unvaccinated and the masked versus the unmasked.  We fall so easily in to Satan’s trap of erasing each other’s individuality.  He doesn’t want us to look at people as individuals because when we do, we can see ourselves.  We can see their failings just like our own.  We see their fears and their hopes.

Does that mean we should only hate the people in power?  Jesus loved the Pharisees too.  Of all the people He spoke to throughout the Gospels it’s the Pharisees on whom He seemed to spend the most effort.  Why would He do that?  He saw each of them as men with failings.  He didn’t turn Nicodemus away when he approached seeking answers.  He didn’t toss him out on his ear.  No, Jesus loved him as an individual man seeking the truth.  When He came, He came to save all of them too.

Mr. Prager, not having faith in Jesus, still lives in the eye for an eye world.  A world where there must be constant sacrifice to try and lighten the stain of sin.  He doesn’t accept how God loves us so much He sent the ultimate sacrifice to cleanse us.  He hasn’t the benefit of knowing Jesus will be the ultimate judge.  And that Jesus will be the one to send the unrighteous to hell.   No, unfortunately the person, no matter the faith, race or nationality that doesn’t know Jesus needs and wants earthly retribution.  And that equates hatred, not love.

During the time of the Holocaust, Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the man mentioned by Mr. Prager, fled to America.  While in the United States he realized God was calling him back to Germany to help his fellow man.  He aided thousands of Jews and others in escaping death.  He spoke out against the atrocities being committed.  He was eventually arrested and in the waning days of the war was executed.  If there was anyone who could speak of hating the Nazis it was him.  

“Christian love draws no distinction between one enemy and another, except that the more bitter our enemy’s hatred, the greater his need of love. Be his enmity political or religious, he has nothing to expect from a follower of Jesus but unqualified love. In such love there is not inner discord between the private person and official capacity. In both we are disciples of Christ, or we are not Christians at all.”  

Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

My friends, if we want to live a life free of hatred, free of the turmoil it causes, Jesus has shown us what to till in our hearts – love.  Loving people enough to truly help them find real, eternal freedom.  To see God’s creation the way He does – as individuals loved by Him.  He didn’t say it was easy.  Oh no, it’s probably one of the most difficult requests put forth for us worldly creatures.  That’s why He didn’t leave us to figure it out ourselves.  Holding on to hatred and extreme anger is not the garden God wants as our home.

“The list of ways chronic anger can affect a person’s well-being – and even put the health of others in peril – is long, John Schinnerer, an anger management coach says. “It’s been linked to obesity, low self-esteem, migraines, drug and alcohol addiction, depression, sexual performance problems, increased heart attack risk, lower-quality relationships, higher probability of abusing others emotionally or physically or both … higher blood pressure and stroke,” he notes.

For our physical and spiritual health we need to release that anger and not leave that space empty for the devil to fill it up again with weeds.  Instead, Jesus, our good doctor, gave us the healing power of love.  When you find yourselves acting, speaking, thinking out of hatred or anger toward a group of people we must first choose to obey Jesus and seek another action, another perspective.  Call on the Holy Spirit.  Remind yourself that the fruit of that Spirit starts with Love.  For when you do, that little sprout of love will blossom into an unimaginable garden of beauty and shock those around you.  It will do what is promised by Jesus in the rest of John 13: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Coming up: The gardening tasks of Love