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Rise and Shine

October 6, 2026September 30, 2026 krisshetter

First published December 29, 2023 as part of the Soli Deo Gloria series.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” Isaiah 60:1-2

Rise and shine and give God the glory! Those are the words I heard when I first woke this morning. You see I had told my husband last night, just before we went to sleep, that I had no idea what I was going to write about today. Zip, zilch, nada. But I wasn’t worried. I didn’t lay awake all night concerned about the words that had yet to come. Why? Because more than a month ago, I committed this project to the Lord and determined not to run ahead of Him. I surrendered my worries to Him. So, last night I fell into a blissful sleep with the knowledge that our glorious Lord always comes through for us.

You read that correctly. He always comes through on His promises. He is always present to comfort us, to teach us, to protect and heal. The way He accomplishes this may not (and it usually doesn’t) look like how we imagined but, when we have faith in His love for us and we seek Him in every circumstance we will see Him at work.

Yesterday at lunch my friend and I shared the topics of what can keep us up at night: family strife, fears of illness, the state of the world, and even our pets. As the Lord has worked on the part of me that often brings the most struggle, my mind, He has taught me to surrender every thought to Him in prayer and trust. To release my prideful ideas of control and be still of mind.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

That thief? He is the one keeping you up at night. He whispers that you are responsible for fixing everyone else. He reminds you that death may be just around the corner. He reveals to you all your weaknesses and screw ups. He places the doubt of God’s sovereignty and love in your mind. He’s convincing you to expect bad things to happen. He’s the one telling you to clean up your act before you can come bow down before our Mighty and Glorious King. Ugh! I hate that guy! The king of lies

“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Micah 7:8

Oh, yes we will rise! We will rise because when we pray, the glory of the Lord shines a light on the lies. Before we go to bed each night we turn every single thought over to Him and we don’t take it back. We put it in God’s holy lockbox. We pray for the hope of tomorrow. That the Lord will do a mighty work in our circumstances. Because Jesus came to slay that serpent and indwell in us the fruit of the spirit.

I heard in a podcast this morning that Israel’s enemies would try to defeat them by putting rocks in their fruitful wells. King David was said to have opened all the wells up in victory. That’s what we need to pray today. For the Lord not to fill us — as believers we already have the gift of the Spirit in us — but to remove all those rocks we have placed in our well. It may be bitterness, jealousy, fear, mistrust, anger or any number of negative thoughts and actions. We pray not to be filled but to break down those rocks and fully utilize the glorious gifts we’ve been given such as love, joy and especially peace.

Oh, that blissful peace. It’s what we yearn for each night we lay our heads to rest. My friends, it’s time to unblock our wells and give God the glory for all He has done and will do for you. The hope of today and tomorrow that He will be present in your life every single moment.

And when you rise, give God all glory and honor and power. Amen.

Tasting God’s Goodness

October 5, 2026September 30, 2026 krisshetter

First published April 21, 2025 as part of the On Being Sanctified series

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2 :1-3

When out walking the other day, I was contemplating the good gifts of God. Gifts I long to experience daily. Peace, love and joy are a few that spring to mind. Weirdly enough this pondering made me think of southern buttermilk biscuits. Yes, biscuits.

For the past, I don’t know, 20 years or so I’ve been on this quiet pilgrimage to make and eat the perfect buttermilk biscuit. A good spicy, pork gravy on top isn’t so bad either. But that elusive biscuit keeps calling my name. I’ve tasted many a biscuit from California to South Carolina and Texas to Missouri. A few biscuits found their way onto my plate in Louisiana and Georgia. None have met my dreams and expectations.

I’ve made a number of attempts to make such a mythical biscuit. I’ve even come pretty close with a famous lifestyle influencer’s recipe. The process, which took a few days, included chilling various ingredients, grating butter, and what seems to be the most important part, carefully yet not over handling the rolling and cutting of the dough. My neighbors were gifted much of my last batch which met with mouthwatering approval.

So here we are, wondering what biscuits have to do with God’s gifts? Well, let’s back up a bit. In our sanctification journey we’ve looked at the importance of knowing who God is, who we are in God, and knowing God’s character and promises. Then we took on the challenge of how trials take us down bumpy roads. Yet, they lead us to greater trust in how all that knowledge comes together for our good. This week we’re cooking up ways to live the life we yearn for each day.

So, let’s start this week with a question: What do you most want out of your short life here on earth What do you yearn for each day you wake?

In the July 24, 2023 edition of CNBC’s “Make It,” therapist Charlotte Weber wrote of the nine things people want most in life.

To be loved
To be understood
To have power
To have and give attention
To have freedom
To create
To belong
To win
To connect

If you answered my questions with yearnings such as a desire for marriage, children, money, or even the perfect biscuit, you could probably attribute any of those with something on Ms. Weber’s list. But here’s the thing, her ingredients to attaining those nine desires are all temporary. A spouse who loves you, a friend who understands, a situation where you have power and win. Getting attention and belonging may last for a day, a month or a season. And freedom? From what? There are rules everywhere we go! None of these ingredients are bad or even frowned upon by God. But they are temporary fixes.

My biscuit journey made me realize we make commitments large and small to the things of this world for which we yearn. I had to submit to the rules of biscuit making. And if I plan to fulfill my goal, I need to be obedient to that cause.

I want to give you a recipe for the big life goals Ms. Weber revealed which, when followed, last throughout eternity. You’re probably not going to like it. But it’s a recipe that been tested for thousands of years and those who have tasted it all agree it is good. You might have guessed it — submission and obedience to God.

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Let’s be honest, when anyone talks about obedience and submission a little red flag goes up in our mind. Unfortunately, so many Christian teachers and pastors these days seem to blame our lack of obedience to the Lord on our western culture. Here’s a Bible pro-tip: humans have struggled with obedience since the third chapter of Genesis. We need to stop blaming modern culture and realize it’s a human problem that spans all time and location. The Israelites didn’t live in western culture yet I recall a few times where they had kings that “did evil in the sight of the LORD” and were found very wanting.

We do, however, love to compound our basic disobedience to God by being fearful of disobedience to man. Nowadays that means we’re to be a planet saving, animal loving, anti-capitalists it seems. We are asked, “Are you using recycled containers?” If not, you’re killing the planet. Have you given enough money to the homeless? They are destitute because of you! Have you ethically sourced your jacket? If not, you’ve probably destroyed an entire rainforest. The food you eat, the leisure activities you enjoy, the car you drive – you’re being called every day to submit to new worldly rules. And if you don’t comply, then you can’t possibly be a good person and be happy! How could you, you planet destroyer and animal hater? Submit to the modern rules and feel good about yourself!

You may throw up your hands and call the recipe for eternal happiness and joy impossible. But as Christian author Kevin DeYoung writes in his great little book, “Impossible Christianity”, “When genuine discipleship becomes impossible, hell often becomes impossible as well.” In other words, when we believe failure is the norm, we forget the reality of hell.

And I don’t know about you but hell is not what I’m yearning for when I’m done here. I also know I want lasting, deep peace and joy. It’s true that what we all yearn for in the now will only be a shadow of what is to come in eternity. Jesus reminds us that He knows we can’t do everything perfect and need to lean on Him all the time. We seek holiness as a life goal and know it’ll take the Holy Spirit to do the work in us. Urging us, teaching us, and even admonishing us.

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

The world wants to tell Christians God’s only ingredient for the world is love. They conveniently leave out that God is also to be feared and revered. And separation from God, which is what Jesus was experiencing on the cross when He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me,” is what we call “hell.”

Our disobedience tells God we don’t revere Him and instead revere ourselves. We want to be the author of our own recipe. So, while we have declared our faith in Jesus Christ, we continue to turn away from the holiness He so desires for our life. To the unbeliever it must be confusing to see us acting this way!

This holiness is not impossible. And while perfection may be our eternal goal, in all honesty we won’t achieve it here on earth. But like my biscuit-making journey, we need to keep hungering and thirsting for it.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

This week’s question: When you hear obedience and submission, what is your reaction?

Coat of the Holy Spirit

October 4, 2026September 30, 2026 krisshetter

First published March 3, 2025 as part of the On Being Sanctified series

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:1-4

As I’m writing this my BSGs (Bible Study Girls) are working in the book “Now and Not Yet,” by Ruth Chou Simons. We’ve just completed a week-long study on Joseph’s life found in Genesis 37-50. Joseph’s story is one of those known by believers and non-believers far and wide, mostly because of that coat. You know the one – of many colors that his dad Jacob made for him. That coat became a visual reminder of Joseph’s favored son status amongst his brothers.

Most of us know Joseph’s story: his jealous brothers sell him into slavery after he shares a dream about ruling over them. In Egypt, he rises in Potiphar’s household but is falsely accused and thrown into prison. Yet God continues to favor him. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams of coming abundance and famine, Joseph is placed in charge of Egypt’s food supply. Years later, his brothers come seeking food, unaware they are standing before Joseph himself. The story culminates in forgiveness and reconciliation.

At the end of the study week, three things stood out to me: 1) Even in the worst, he made it the best. 2) We don’t hear of God telling Joseph what to do. And 3) Joseph’s walk with God seemed woven into who he was.

I pointed out to the ladies that the first time you even hear Joseph speak God’s name is when he rebuffs the wife. He said it would be a wicked and sinful thing against God. After that even in jail while interpreting dreams, you don’t get Pauline-like statements about suffering and perseverance for God. But when asked by Pharaoh if he could interpret the dreams he said, “I cannot, but God will give Pharaoh the answers.” And when Joseph finally revealed who he was to his brothers he made the amazing statement, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” Genesis 45:5

From favored son to dropped into a well to die. From slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted servant. From betrayed to forgiving. Joseph had God embedded so deeply in him that each trial, each good thing, was of God. It was as though he wore God as a comfortable, favorite coat.

You have to think as the years went by while in Egypt, he thought of the brothers who tried to kill him. As he sat rotting in jail for years, of that beautiful, multi-colored coat. We now can read the full story, but Joseph himself never knew what was to come. He only knew God was with him.

Raise your hand in all honesty if you would be plotting your revenge or how you would turn your backs on your family (or friends or neighbors or fellow church members) after being treated so terribly. All the while waiting to hear God’s voice telling you what to do or how to feel about it all.

When the time came to stand face to face with his brothers it wasn’t anger and bitterness that he expressed. He could look back at the betrayal of Potiphar’s wife and how it led him to years in jail all to be worked out by God. He saw how God had used even his slavery to save countless lives. God didn’t have to reveal some new great truth to him. He slipped easily into wearing God’s goodness in the trials. He saw that God was sovereign, and he trusted Him. God was teaching him to persevere, leading him up to redeeming his family with forgiveness.

We’re the fortunate ones to have the entire story of the Bible laid out in front of us. We get to see the work of an even greater Joseph – Jesus. We see how His Father asked Him to wear a different coat – – one lined with all the blackness of our sins. His suffering and perseverance redeemed all humanity. His gift to us? The Holy Spirit residing in us for our time here in this world. So like Joseph we too can wear the living God each day. We wear a majestic, wise, and powerful inner coat: the very presence of God’s Spirit within us. Having Him be a natural way of life for us – obeying, trusting and persevering.

Friends, we were sanctified by the blood of Jesus. Giving us justification to stand before God in peace. He has clothed us in white, having removed that dark punishment of death. We are being sanctified right now by the Holy Spirit guiding us through the hatred or lack of love we experience, the lies told about us, the tragedies and trials. He bathes us each in God’s glorious light that we might shine it out to the world! And what is all this for? We will experience our final sanctification when we are glorified and the purple robes of kings are placed on our shoulders. When we face our LORD and He says to us, “Welcome home, good and faithful servant!”

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2.

Until then, God purifies us. He is making you holy, “hagiasmos” or set apart. Walk like Joseph through your day, wearing not that cheap, shiny, sparkly coat of the world, but rather the coat which envelopes you inside and out with the Holy Spirit. He will make you more valuable than any favored, earthly treasure. He will clothe you in something more precious than gold.

This week’s question: What’s been the most confusing or challenging part of your Christian journey?

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, scripture, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Pruning for Fruitfulness

October 3, 2026September 30, 2026 krisshetter

First published April 14, 2025 in the On Being Sanctified series

“In all this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6

You may have learned at some point that wildfires actually can be positive for burning out old, dead wood and allowing for new growth. God’s trials are our great refinery. Every one of us experiences it. But only Christians have the promises and therefore the hope for truly brighter days. Only we have the guiding, comforting light of the Holy Spirit to remind us He is always with us.

As the faithful we are led to forgive those who persecute us. Not only forgive but to love. The fruit of our faith is joy, peace, patience, love, gentleness, kindness, self-control and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).

If during a trial you don’t have this fruit you have to ask yourself if you have truly surrendered to Christ. Or are you, as Pastor Tim Keller once said, “Sitting in God’s seat”? Meaning, are you the arbiter of “the ways things should and must be?” Are you so angry, sad or distraught when, after you’ve determined what is best in your life, that it all goes so differently? You’re sitting in God’s seat.

The secular world says, “There is no future so I must have all my happiness in the ‘now.’” When that inevitable trial or suffering comes, the worldly are thrown into despair. They think life should always be good. As followers of Christ we should and must put our ultimate happiness in the eternal. When suffering comes to us it is to be expected because we live in a fallen world. On the flip side, when life is good, we should be thanking God for what is actually the “unusual.”

This garden we are all in has a lot of gopher holes that have been dug out by the world who live by fleshly desires. Greed, selfishness, hatred, unforgiveness, unkindness, sexual immorality and more are the result of Satan’s pull on mankind. And it all slams against us at one time or another. Trying to pluck us from His hands.

He gives us this beautiful promise: “And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Jesus said this to the apostles as He sent them out to spread the seeds of the Gospel because He knew what they would face. Death and persecution would follow them everywhere.

Is this all to just “get through” safely to eternity? In one way, yes. But remember those fruits? We don’t have the fruit of fear and drudgery and timidity. We have the fruits of what so many seek through self-help books and psychology. Our trials help us learn to persevere and grow closer to God in trust. They show us that He is truly worthy of all our praise. He provides and protects until He calls us home.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

So again, I ask, have you come out stronger in your trials? Has your faith beautifully blossomed? If not, it’s time to reflect. To ask yourself if you missed God in the suffering and in the calm. If you missed an opportunity for peace in the pain. If you still seek to control outcomes and sit in God’s seat? Are your roots at the surface or are they grounded deep in the love and knowledge of God?

You will face something difficult again. He is trustworthy and has a plan for you. Through your tears, ask Him to reveal Himself at work. In your anxiety ask Him to make your path straight. In your heavy burden take up His offer to turn it all over to Him.

I promise you, because I have seen Him at work through many people, including myself, you will see your faith grow by leaps and bounds. And the world will have a difficult time pulling your deep roots from God’s rich soil.

This week’s question: What promise of God have you relied on during difficult times?

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, proverbs, religion, scripture, Transformation Prayer, Uncategorized, wisdom

Enjoying the Surrender

October 2, 2026September 30, 2026 krisshetter

First published March 11, 2024 as part of the Enjoy Life: Ecclesiastes from meaningless to meaningful series.

A friend of mine recently surrendered a bitter, past hurt over to the Lord. She started with obedience, albeit reluctantly, she admits. The pain caused by her last church has been difficult to overcome. She told me she’s been praying one of the best prayers you could ever pray: “Help me imitate Jesus .” As part of a study about revival we’ve been doing she’s also spent a lot more time just listening for God’s Word. Not asking, pleading, telling, or even praising. Just listening. And He has spoken.

You see my friend used to love teaching children the Word of God. At her old church she was deeply involved in children’s ministry. After a tumultuous pastor change and the subsequent wrangling for top dog positions within the church, a few staff members were laid off without warning. She was one of them. She had given her whole heart over to the ministry and felt betrayed. It led her to declare she would never serve in children’s ministry again, ever.

And then in January we opened Pastor Robby Gallaty’s study on revival titled, “Revive Us.” He encouraged us to spend time with God starting with just five minutes of quiet time. We soon worked our way up to 15, then 20 and finally 30 minutes. Over the course of the next two months, we shared what God showed us. A word here and there, a vision of being loved, a message of strength, a picture of His majesty.

For my friend? After praying yet again on how to imitate Jesus, she found herself in her quiet time with a vision of a beach scene. A man teaching little children at the edge of the sea. Love abounded from child to teacher and teacher to child. The teacher turned and looked at her and smiled. It was Jesus. She was overcome with tears; real tears streaming down her face in realization that to imitate Jesus would be to do the one thing she had refused. To do the one thing she knew God had gifted her. To teach the children.

Although she had already agreed to “dip a toe” into Sunday School by observing the following week, she did so with trepidation. That vision, given to her the day before she was to serve, filled her with love and joy. When she walked into the children’s ministry department the administrator was so happy to see her – they were short leaders in Kindergarten. “Would she take on the class?” she was asked. Without any hesitation my friend agreed. You should have heard the joy in her voice when she told us how she was immediately loved by the children, how she danced and sang, how she was filled with the Holy Spirit. How she was healed!

The moment my friend stopped protecting her wound and surrendered it to God, she found what Solomon spent a lifetime searching for.

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

My friend’s experience stands in stark contrast to King Solomon’s reflections in Ecclesiastes 2.

Solomon was the richest man in the world at the time. He had everything at his fingertips. He built palace after palace. He made large parks and orchards. He had plenty of female slaves to do his every (and I mean every) bidding. He had singers, dancers, gold, silver, food, drink – all the delights of a man’s heart (Ecc 2:8). And he was miserable. He was seeking meaning and purpose. He tried buying it and building it and owning it.

“The abundant life is to be found in ‘treasuring up for God’ rather than for self.” Kenneth Bailey, Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes

What did my friend have? A humble servant heart, slightly broken and needing mending. She didn’t seek to enrich her life. She asked to serve the One True God, Jesus Christ. So, He gave her 10 little, beautiful faces that Sunday. Little children who were eager to be her new friend and to mend her heart.

I once read that we should see ourselves as channels of joy rather than reservoirs. Meaning we don’t store up all the blessing for ourselves but rather send them on to others. Pastor Gallaty reminded us of this truth. Through intercessory prayer and acts of service we become those channels.

“If revival coming to your family or community depended on your prayers, would it come?”Pastor Robby Gallaty

When our prayer life and subsequent actions serve only to enrich ourselves, we find our situation mirroring Solomon’s. Striving and chasing wealth, status, knowledge and even wisdom – with God as a supplemental figure or not thought of at all, really. When our pursuit of pleasure, comfort, or even “peace” becomes our highest priority, we miss the beautiful work God wants to do in our lives.

“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.” Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

October 1, 2026September 30, 2026 krisshetter

First published 7/28/2020 in the 30 Days of Praise series

About 22 years ago, I began attending church regularly. As my husband’s family was Presbyterian, we decided to also join our local Presbyterian church. This Doxology, as it is called, was sung after every offering. How many of us sing songs like this by rote, forgetting the meaning behind the lyrics? How many of us, while repeating Bible verses, reciting proclamations of faith (like the Apostle’s Creed) or responding to the pastor, go through the motions without remembering or even realizing their purpose? That’s how I started viewing the Doxology. You give your money, then you stand up, the music starts, and you sing these four little lines. Amen.

When I paid attention to the words I realized what a great, quick way to send up praise throughout the day. All my blessings flow from God. All of us here on Earth should praise Him at every moment possible for those blessings. He is above all. And lastly, I praise the work God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit performs in, with and for me all day. I’ve been singing this song quietly for the last few days in my head. I haven’t sung it in church or heard it sung for probably about 7 months. But when I started thinking about different ways to Praise God, this old hymn popped up in my head. That prompted me to explore the history behind these well-known lyrics.

This excerpt is from Carl Price’s One Hundred and One Hymn Stories about when these lyrics, also known as the Doxology, were sung at an infamous Civil War prison:

The doxology of praise to the Holy Trinity was written by the Rev. Thomas Ken (1637-1710), whom King Charles II once made a chaplain to his sister, Mary, Princess of Orange. Ken was so courageous in his preaching at court that the king often said on the way to chapel: “I must go and hear Ken tell me all my faults.”

Bishop McCabe said that while the prisoners of the Union Army during the Civil War were incarcerated in Libby Prison*, day after day they saw comrades passing away and their numbers increased by living recruits. One night, about ten o’clock, through the darkness they heard the tramp of feet that soon stopped before the prison door, until arrangements could be made inside. In the company was a young Baptist minister, whose heart almost fainted when he looked on those cold walls and thought of the suffering inside. Tired and weary, he sat down, put his face in his hands, and wept.

Just then a lone voice sang out from an upper window, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”; a dozen joined in the second line, more than a score in the third line, and the words, “Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” were sung by nearly all the prisoners. As the song died away on the still night, the young man arose and sang:

“Prisons would palaces prove, If Jesus dwell with me there”

*Libby Prison was a Confederate prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the overcrowded and harsh conditions under which officer prisoners from the Union Army were kept

Hymn Story taken from One Hundred and One Hymn Stories by Carl F. Price; Hymn 78, page 86.

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Uncategorized

A Time for Reflection

September 30, 2026 krisshetter

Earlier this year my husband and I were blessed to be able to spend about 2 ½ weeks in France. For the first six days we meandered via car from Paris to Normandy and the Loire Valley to the south coast of France. It truly was the trip of a lifetime!

In the midst of our travels something else amazing was happening. My last blog series, 30 Days of Worship, was posting daily. As I regularly do during a series, I would log on to make sure each post went live smoothly. What I discovered was a surprising burst in readership. Suddenly, my little blog went from about 100 readers per post to around 1,000.

Why? I had no idea.

It caused me to reflect on my very first post. I was led by the Spirit to start a blog back in July 2020. In my prayers I said, “Even if just one person reads this, LORD, let it lead them to You.”

These new readers weren’t just reading the latest posts. They were discovering posts from years past, too. It led me to do a bit of data mining of my site. The result of which is this new series, “30 Posts We Loved.”

I’ve gone back to these favorite posts and did some editing and refining. Hopefully I’ve also caught all the spelling errors — since it’s me, myself and I as the editor!

But this walk down memory lane has given me something even better: the gift of remembering just how much God loves us and how faithfully He is with us in every moment of every day.

Last night in my BSG Bible study one of the ladies commented, “I work on all these questions during the week. But when we get together and discuss them I read my answers and think ‘who wrote this? It’s so good and insightful!’” That’s the Holy Spirit teaching us and guiding us each time we read His Word.

I get that same thought when I re-read all these posts. “Who wrote these?” Not to toot my horn but to recognize the gift with which He has blessed me. To take my trials and blessings alongside the Word of God and share them with you.

I’ll be honest, some of these brought back hard memories. Some were sweet. Some brought me laughter and some brought tears. I hope revisiting them blesses you as much as it has blessed me.

New series begins tomorrow October 1, 2026.

Congregation singing and raising hands in church worship

Worthy of It All

July 10, 2026July 8, 2026 krisshetter

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” —Isaiah 25:1

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” – Revelation 5:13

I can’t believe it! Here we are at the last of the 30 words of reverence to God; the last of the 30 days! I always have mixed emotions when I get to an end of a series. For one, I’ve poured time, research, and prayer into each post. On the other hand, when I write for this blog I feel so close to the Holy Spirit. He guides my words and directs my thoughts. Sometimes I revisit a post weeks or months later and wonder how it came together! Surely those words came from some other-worldly source.

Deep Reverence

I started working on the 30 Days of Reverence because I was missing just that – a deeper reverence for the God who loves and sustains us. And so, I set forth to remind myself of all His glory and magnificence. I hope along the way it has been a help to you as well.

Over these past days, each attribute has revealed a different facet of who God is. And now, they all lead us here, the last word on Jen Wilkin’s list, which if you remember was the framework for the 30 characteristics of God. From Attentive to Provider and Comforter to Righteous we’ve seen that God is settled deep inside our lives and the world around us. The last word almost seems unnecessary when reviewing the entire list – Worthy. Scripture beautifully captures this truth.

“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” – Romans 11:36

Truer and more encompassing words have not been spoken about our God. All that is good and pure and lovely are from God the Creator. His love for us has abounded for centuries upon centuries.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”– Psalm 107:1

While our worship and honoring of God can never fully equal His gifts endowed to us we can certainly try.

Honoring The LORD

My BSGs recently completed Priscilla Shirer’s study on the Sabbath titled, Breathe. I’ve had the opportunity to also study the 4^th Commandment in other forms. While we as recipients of the new Covenant can be at rest in our hearts and minds as followers of Christ, that doesn’t fully fulfill the idea of the Sabbath.

During my studies, I’ve learned that we should yearn for a Sabbath day in which we spend the entire day resting from our work and honoring God. A time to show the love of the Lord by helping others less fortunate or in difficult seasons to rest. It is a time, set aside as holy, to remind myself that the world doesn’t spin on its axis by my power. That God is Sovereign over all. And that, my friends, is more than enough reason to declare Him worthy of all our praise.

If you’ve missed any of the 30 Days of Reverence, click here for the complete series — and share with a friend!

As a wrap up, I want to leave you with a quick look at each of our 30 Days and the two introductory scriptures from each. Feel free to print it out and post it somewhere to remind you that you aren’t alone. That you are loved and well-cared for each day and through your trials. And that the world doesn’t rest on your shoulders. God’s are quite big enough.

Attentive

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer – 1 Peter 3:12

Compassionate

“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” Zechariah 7:9

And when Jesus drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! Luke 19:41-42

Creator

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20

Deliverer

“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.’” Exodus 17:15

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14

Eternal

“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” – Psalm 90:2

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelation 1:8

Faithful

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” Psalm 145:13

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Generous

“You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” – Psalm 145:16

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8

Glorious

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Revelation 4:11

Good

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” Psalm 31:19

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

Holy

“There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2

“For it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:16

Immutable

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Incomprehensible

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” – Romans 11:33

Infinite

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” Psalms 147:5

“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17

Just

“Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.” – Proverbs 29:26

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19

Loving

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-2

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Merciful

“But in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!” Nehemiah 9:31

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5

Omnipotent

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalms 107:29

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:26

Omnipresent

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” 1 Kings 8:27

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20

Omniscient

“Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

Patient

“The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression;” Numbers 14:18

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Provider

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:1-19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Refuge

“My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.” 2 Samuel 22:3

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15

Righteous

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” Jeremiah 23:5-6

^“God made him who had no sin to be sinfor us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Self-Existent

“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” ” Exodus 3:14

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”” John 8:58

Self-Sufficient

“When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.” Genesis 15:17-18

“For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.” John 5:26

Sovereign

“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;” Daniel 2:21

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1

Transcendent

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers 23:19

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; “ — Acts 17:24

Truthful

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” – Proverbs 30:5

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20

Wise

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”— Romans 11:33

Worthy

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” – Revelation 5:13

Man in traditional robes calmly standing between a woman and a man who are arguing on a city street

A Wisdom That Surprises

July 8, 2026July 7, 2026 krisshetter

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”— Romans 11:33

Think back to the last difficult situation you were faced with. Or even the one approaching. The uncomfortable conversation with a boss or employee. The painful discussion you needed to have with your family member. The awkward topic you decided to broach with your friend. How much sleep did you lose over it? How much worrying did you do?

How much prayer time did you devote to it? And if you said to God, “I trust you to give me the right words and soften the other person’s heart,” did you then go back to worrying about it?

Or how about this: You prayed, you trusted and you saw God do something amazing. Something you never expected. A third option from the terrible two you had only seen available.

Asking for Wisdom

I’m working on this concept constantly these days. Before going into situations that make me uncomfortable or ones where I might make a fool of myself (of which there seems to be many!) I’ve started praying for the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom. And to help me to know when to keep my mouth shut.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” — James 1:5

James was spot on when he wrote this Holy inspired advice. If you don’t know, ask God, who gives us wisdom. He gives us that wisdom from His ever-flowing fount of His own wisdom. A wisdom unmatched by any human being ever to have lived. He gave Solomon his renowned wisdom simply because he asked for it.

“And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice.” — 1 Kings 3:28

King Solomon’s subjects stood in amazement at his ability to resolve difficult situations. His notable decision between two women claiming the same child revealed truth through an unexpected solution. He decreed the baby would be cut in half and each piece given to each woman. The real mother gave up her right to the child so the son would live. She pleaded for his life. Which told everyone to whom the child truly belonged.

Jesus’ Third Way

I’ve read that this type of resolution is called the “third way.” I warn you if you look up that term you’ll find some wacky political ideas and unfortunate progressive Christian theories. But hidden amongst those is Jesus’ “third way.”

What I mean by that is on at least four occasions Jesus was given an either/or question and he answered with a better, third option. For example, in John 8, when the Pharisees presented the woman accused of adultery to Jesus, He was tasked with deciding to stone her or let her go. It was a trap designed to reveal Jesus’ rejection of Moses’ law. Instead, Jesus exposed their hypocrisy.

“And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

It all ends with the men leaving in shame and Jesus forgiving the woman’s sin. He tells her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.”

Jesus reveals His “third way” wisdom when asked about taxes to Caeser, the healing on the Sabbath, the man born blind and more. His wisdom is shown in all its glory. Options, which after hearing about them, seem so simple. Yet how often does God’s wisdom surprise us?

Weak vs Powerful Wisdom

We often quote Proverbs 3:7 – Do not be wise in your own eyes – yet we fall back on our own weak wisdom almost daily. We forget to go to the fount and drink deeply. We miss the opportunity to see God at work in miraculous ways.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” — 1 Corinthians 1:25

Throughout the Bible and even in our own lives, we witness weak, apparently ineffectual people being used to further God’s kingdom. David, the tiny son, chosen to lead a nation. Peter, the brash and excitable fisherman, who God calls as His rock on which to build the church. You and me – average people with average skills and influence who regularly make bad decisions – tasked to spread the Gospel.

How can this system ever be successful? Because God is the engine. His wisdom is the power source that lights up our conversations and opens hearts and minds.

That’s the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the people of the Colossian church when he writes:

“…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” — Colossians 2:2-3

Because of God’s wisdom, power and authority the Word of God comes alive and knits us together. His wisdom resolves conflict, distress and pain in our relationships. How can we not plug into that daily?

Trusting in Jesus is our third way wisdom. In our churches, Bible studies, home groups, communities etc, putting our allegiance to Jesus first. Loving each other despite our other differences and watching God work miraculously in each of us.

He Knows Better

Friends, my dad would constantly get stuck fretting over situations because he felt the need and burden to come up with the answers all by himself. I once tried convincing him to go to marriage counseling. He replied, “I know what the problem is already and your mom won’t go.” To which I replied, “You only know the solutions your limited thinking can come up with. Someone outside the situation with wisdom and experience will probably give you a better solution.”

But like so many of us, he just couldn’t get past being wise in his own eyes. And his married life continued to be a source of pain until the day he died. We do the same when we come up with our plan then maybe ask God to make sure it works. To pray that God fixes our difficult person the way we want them fixed.

Let’s make a commitment to trust that God is so much wiser than us. To pray for wisdom be given to us from His great fount. And sit back and watch His miracles and mysteries unfold.

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” — Revelation 7:12

Did you miss a 30 Days of Reverence post? Click here to see all of the ways we can revere our God and Savior!

Want more of God’s wisdom? Check out my series, 31 Days of God’s Wisdom today!

Older shepherd teaching a young man from an open glowing book with sheep grazing in the background

The Shepherd of Truth

July 3, 2026June 25, 2026 krisshetter

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” – Proverbs 30:5

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20

As a child, I often felt like I was standing on shifting sand. Almost daily my mom would find ways to keep me guessing and questioning myself. I would look outside to decide what to wear to school (long before weather apps), only for my mom to tell me I was completely wrong. If I dressed for heat, she’d insist I needed a jacket. If I wore a jacket, she’d say I’d be too warm.

Sometimes she was right—but often it felt like a game that left me off balance, unsure of what was true. My mother-in-law once asked me why I got into arguments about trivial things with my mom. My response to her was it didn’t matter the topic, if I said the sky was blue my mom would say it was pink.

That constant contradiction shaped me more than I realized. Without a foundation of truth in my early relationships, I struggled to trust there was a truth. As an adult my husband would tease me about being a “woulda, coulda, shoulda” person. The truth and trust never seemed to be within my grasp.

While there certainly are areas where black and white aren’t our only choices, as a Christian we can look to God’s Word for that firm foundation of truth we so desperately need in our lives. Without it we get tossed about on our little life rafts by waves of messages and opinions that come at us from all sides.

“I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” – Isaiah 45:19

An alarming number of Americans want to pretend we don’t need this stability in our lives. The Truth has become My Truth. Truth becomes relative to the situation or need or feeling. For example, it’s “wrong” to kill an 8 year-old child but “ok “to kill an eight-month old baby in the womb. Simply because “my truth” means “my comfort.”

According to a Gallup Poll done in 2022, only 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal word of God. Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of “fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.

I would venture to say that in the 80% that don’t believe the Bible to be the literal Word of God there are quite a few professed Christians counted among them. I know, I’ve met some of them. The truth of God’s Word is manipulated and conformed to affirm whatever sin plays out in the person’s life. The lie becomes a useful pattern to feed our flesh over and over.

But God being the Creator, Sustainer and Perfecter of all that we know is the God of truth. His truth is the foundation from which we can draw on daily. His truth is what brings us into righteousness. When faced with difficult choices, difficult people, tragic circumstances or devasting news, His Word anchors us and directs our steps.

The acceptance and knowledge of God’s truthfulness strengthens the suffering and persecuted saints worldwide. It’s what has given me courage to stand for what is eternally right and to turn from what is evil in the eyes of the Lord. It’s not Kris’ truth I seek, but God’s. His truth may make me uncomfortable and cause me consternation. But I want to stand on something that has weightiness, not something gauzy and flimsy. A truth that has been the truth since the beginning of time.

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” – Psalms 145:13

God’s truthfulness means we have a glorious future awaiting us no matter what we face here in this place. We can live without fear or dread of the “someday.” When Pastor and author Tim Keller and his wife faced his terminal cancer diagnosis he had to decide if he really believed God was truthful in His Word.

“If Jesus Christ was actually raised from the dead, then you know what? Everything is going to be all right. Whatever you’re worried about right now—whatever you’re afraid of—everything is actually going to be okay. . . . If Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, then the whole world is going to be, in a sense, resurrected. . . .

Kathy and I cried a lot together last night. Sometimes the reality of the shortness of what we have left just overwhelms us. . . . [But] if Jesus Christ was raised from the dead—and he was—you’re going to be okay.” Tim Keller

Friends, I realize it’s hard living in this time of “my truth.” It comes at us from our friends, family, the media and our enemies. At times it comes from the church. We need to step back just like Pastor Keller and ask ourselves if we truly believe the Word of God. Then we need to go back to Him for the Truth. And share it courageously with anyone who will listen.

Our God is faithful and true. At times the promises He has made seem so far off and unbelievable. But Scripture—especially the words of the prophets—reveals both present truth and what is still to come.

It’s an undisputed truth that Jesus was a real person. He died for our sins. He said He came as God. He warned us of falling for lies and false teaching and having our heads turned from the Truth.

Let us be among His sheep who stay close to our truthful Shepherd. The One in whom we can trust all things.

I want to leave you today with this quote by Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit.org and the author of the book Truth Changes Everything: How People of Faith Can Transform the World in Times of Crisis. His comment is on a survey done in 2022.

“The number of Americans who say there is no absolute truth is alarmingly high. But among young adults, we have now officially passed the tipping point. The majority of youth now say that each person determines their own version of truth. The loss of truth has grave consequences for community, justice, a sense of purpose, and mental health. I’m not aware of any civilization that has abandoned reality to this extent and survived. The good news is that Americans still hold out hope that each person can make a difference. If there ever was a time to stand for truth, it is now.”