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Craving Influence

January 23, 2023January 12, 2023 krisshetter

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
    do not crave his delicacies;
⁷for he is the kind of person
    who is always thinking about the cost.
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.  You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.  Proverbs 23:6-8

Today’s proverb takes two different points of view at what should be a time of generosity, joy and even love. A scene of a great dinner set to impress. And boy do we like to be impressed and to impress others! We scroll through social media or magazines looking enviously at how the “other half” live. But here’s the thing – even the “other half” are working hard to impress the “upper crust.” Envy, jealousy and striving. Trying to be accepted by someone or some group.

The enigma of Jesus was that as God incarnate, He never felt the need to impress or even be impressed. He could have so easily waved His hand and wowed the crowd during the Sermon on the Mount. Gold coins falling from the sky. The finest roasted meats and delectable fruits suddenly appearing for all to partake. No, instead He took the humble offering of a few fish and loaves and told His disciples to just start passing them out. The folks in the back of the crowd probably never even knew how scant the food quantity was to begin with.

Each time Jesus encountered a rich or powerful person He treated them as any other. But with the poor and downtrodden He showed so much gentleness and kindness. Quite the opposite one would expect for the King of the Jews.

Friends, we need to shun the way of the pharisees who sought to not only be impressed by Jesus but also to impress. Humility was foreign to them. Hierarchy was necessary for their way of life. However, Jesus asks us to wash the feet of all men and accept the washing of our feet in humbleness. God does not need us to impress Him with our works and money. He knows the sacrifices we make large and small in His name. He knows the genuine love we show to any and all of His people.

Holy God, help me each and every day to be humble in my ways, serving you and others with love. Amen

Your Good Name

January 22, 2023January 11, 2023 krisshetter

A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.  Proverbs 22:1

If we were honest, how would you answer when asked if you’d rather have money or respect? Some might say money can buy you a form of respect but you would certainly know the people who bow down to you simply because of your wealth. And that would sit there in the back of your mind at all times. Resentment would probably grow. And resentment destroys our hearts and minds.

When I quit my regular job to become a stay at home mother, I struggled with the idea of not having an income of my own. Since I was a child, I brought in money in some form or another, be it collecting cans and newspapers to babysitting, and then working in restaurants and finally my career in public relations. Not only did I “pull my weight” with money I found pleasure in the accolades others gave me for a job well done. When I “retired,” what I found was wherever I would volunteer it was my reputation that was the more important factor. People knew they could count on me to get the job done right. They knew I would show up when promised. In every volunteer position I have ever had I found myself being asked to take on more responsibility – because my reputation was that of someone to be trusted.

I was recently reading about Elizabeth Kenny (died 1952). She was a self-taught bush nurse from Australia. Without any formal medical training she became well respected for her volunteer work with polio patients. She hailed from a farming family and through her passion for helping others earned the title of “Sister” during World War I as she tirelessly gave aid and comfort to the wounded. In 1932, her polio work caught the attention of the wife of the Trade Commissioner. She was invited to create a makeshift clinic to treat hundreds of children. She eventually set up clinics all over Australia. In recognition of her work, in February 1950, U.S. President Harry Truman signed a Congressional bill giving Kenny the right to enter and leave the US as she wished without a visa. This honor had only been granted once before, to the French leader in the American War of Independence.

While Kenny’s work eventually brought her wealth from patents, she contributed much of it to her work with children and polio. She never seemed to reach for that wealth, rather for the recognition of the results of her work. Like so many others we may admire isn’t it their gutsiness, commitment to bettering society, willingness to forgo comforts in their quests, and their faithfulness to truth and honesty that we hold up higher than their income?

Friend, if you are grasping for wealth at the expense of your good name, I want to remind you that gold flows easily through our fingers and can disappear in an instant. It is the good we do, the trust people place in us, and the commitment we make to do our best that will stand the test of time. Our touchstones for living a life based on a good reputation can be found in the apostles and Jesus. They never sought wealth. Only to be trusted with the expansion of the Gospel. Today we can say they succeeded.

Heavenly Father, when faced with a path to take that diverges from wealth or reputation, please help me make the longer term choice to be a faithful servant to you and stand firm on the principles of honesty and integrity.

His Plan Won’t Fail

January 21, 2023January 10, 2023 krisshetter

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.  Proverbs 21:30

I was listening to a podcast from White Horse Inn the other day featuring Tim Keller as its guest. The host asked Pastor Keller about how he sees the current status and future of the church. His response? “While there may be fewer people who profess to be Christians there’s still millions and millions of faithful Christians. And I know that no plan will ever succeed against God’s plan.”

It’s a message that so many of us need to hear these days. Faced with religious persecution in places typically seen as stalwarts of religious freedom, the ever encroaching sinful teachings of the world in our schools, and the disdain so many seem to have toward Christians, it may at times feel like this is it. The one time God’s plan is going to fail. But like the song says, “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You.”

We humans have such a limited view of the world’s timeline. What’s happening now can seem like “the worst ever.” We need to remember the state of the world during Jesus’s life and the years following. The Jews being persecuted by the Romans. Christians being persecuted by the Jews, the Romans and so many others. All but one of the apostles faced terrible deaths. It’s a miracle this thing we call Christianity and the Bible even survived. Not only did it survive but it has thrived because it is God’s plan.

Friend, our shortsightedness may make us scratch our heads or even worse, fall into despair, when we see evil succeed. That script needs to be flipped today. Evil people and their plans that are celebrated are short sighted victories. Our victory, God’s victory, is eternal. We need to keep our eyes forward and upward asking Him for help in following His plan, not ours, and definitely not someone else’s. The Bible is filled with stories of people jumping ahead of Him or worse, leaving God out completely. Let’s learn from their mistakes and believe that He is the Way, the Truth and the Light.

Victorious Lord, I want to follow your plan, your path to eternal victory. Guide my steps, my mind and my heart so that I am not following the way of the world but instead your assured plan. Amen

Be Prudent with Vows

January 20, 2023January 10, 2023 krisshetter

It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
    and only later to consider one’s vows.  Proverbs 20:25

prudent: (ˈpruːdənt) adj 1. discreet or cautious in managing one’s activities; circumspect

Years ago, when I was heavily involved in our elementary school PTA, there was one woman who put her hand up for just about every activity for which we needed volunteers. The first to offer to be a chair for an event, she was well-known at the school. There was just one problem. She rarely followed through with what she promised. Without fail, those events she promised to shepherd fell into chaos. It’s difficult, when someone steps forward to volunteer, to tell them, “no thanks.” And so, year after year other volunteers assisted with the clean up behind her wake.

Today’s wise words remind us that making promises we can’t keep leads us into traps. In the case of the rash volunteer that trap was a destroyed reputation. For others, it may look like a broken marriage which effects finances, children, livelihoods and more. A failed promise to pay back a debt that leads to more indebtedness.

Judges 11:31-39 tells of Jephthah who is desperate for victory against the Ammonites. He promises God that should He give him victory he will sacrifice whomever first walks through the door upon his return from the battlefield. And, of course, his favorite young daughter dances out the door, being the first to greet him after his victory. He is devastated realizing too late his vow.

Friend, we make little and large promises all the time. A promise to make dinner. Promises to show up on time. A commitment to the bank to repay your loan. Those promises we make to ourselves to lose weight, get fit, read our Bible and more. God wants us to slow down and be more cautious with our word. There’s only one person who walked this earth who has and will keep every promise He has ever made – Jesus. We will fail to keep a promise or two. But we can minimize the destructive results of broken promises by limiting them and being careful with them in the first place.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being a promise keeper. You show me that making promises is something to be taken seriously. Help me to step back when facing a situation where a promise may be needed and take the time to evaluate my ability to keep that promise. Amen

The Drippy, Leaky Roof

January 19, 2023January 10, 2023 krisshetter

A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.  Proverbs 19:13

Last month I finally found the right time and place to open up to my husband about something new that was bothering me in our relationship. We have always been good about communicating with each other. However, I’d been sensitive to not bringing him any more discordancy than he was already experiencing in his work life. My, albeit made in love, approach to the problem didn’t make it go way. In fact, I found myself pulling back or lashing out in other ways. I was getting resentful for not feeling like I could present the issue to him.

According to the wise marriage folks at Marriage 365, communicating our feelings or needs is easier for some people than others. “The truth is,” they write in a course on Confident Communication in Your Marriage, “no one is born with great communication skills, everyone has to learn them. Communication is what connects us and in order to have a healthy marriage, you have to learn techniques that work.”

Isn’t it so often the case though that we think, “If he/she loved me they would just know what I’m feeling (or needing)”? Or “I’ve told him/her a thousand times and they just aren’t listening!” The fact is, if there’s some discord going on in a spouse and proper communication isn’t occurring, it will find its way to the surface in destructive ways – like a constantly dripping leaky roof.

We all need to learn how to communicate effectively with others, whether it’s work partners or life partners. We can’t assume we are experts at it and we certainly shouldn’t assume they are either. The Bible tells us to take all our problems to the Lord with prayer and thanksgiving (don’t miss that second part). I have to think a response back from God when it comes to marital issues is to first remember your commitment to love one another. Secondly, to respect each other. And then actively pursue knowledge and wisdom on how to communicate.

Friend, when I took the Lord’s advice and came to my husband in humility, respect and love he was surprised as to what I had been holding back. And because he loves me as much as I love him, we resolved to work together on our communication. Because no one wants to be tortured by a leaking roof or a nagging spouse.

Father God, in your Word you have shown us how to be good and loving spouses. Direct me each day to grow in knowledge and wisdom to reflect your Word. Amen

Spread Good, Wise Words

January 15, 2023January 2, 2023 krisshetter

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word! Proverb 15:23

A few weeks ago, Associate Pastor Myron Wideman Jr. asked his Instagram followers to do something radical. To spread a rumor. Yes, you heard that right. But here was the twist: it had to be about something positive. We so often are quick to post that negative review on Yelp or comment to others about how bad someone or something is, meanwhile there’s blessings upon blessings going around us each and every day.

Our sinful, flesh natures do love a good controversy, don’t they? A little bit of whispering and gossip is all we need to get our juices flowing. How about today or even all this week you take the time to send a text, email, letter or (gasp) speak directly to someone with a positive comment about them or their works? If someone asks for your input or feedback start with as many positives that you can come up with. Avoid the negative unless absolutely necessary.

Friend, God started out this beautiful place called “Earth” with words of great joy – “let there be light!” And when He, through His words, created man in His likeness, the kindness He showed to us with a beautiful garden and all we would need was immeasurable. It wasn’t until we were unkind to Him that something negative took place. So, let’s work harder at a “Kindness First” approach as believers. Spreading rumors and gossip of His love for all to hear. Let’s put not only a smile on someone else’s face today but also on our Holy Father’s.

Holy Father, you are so kind to me, first with the gift of salvation, and then through the fruits of the Spirit. Help me to remember to reflect your kindness through a positive and timely word to others. Amen

Stop Pretending

January 13, 2023January 1, 2023 krisshetter

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Proverbs 13:7

According to an article in Psychology Today the advent of social media brought about a terrible case of lying. Lying about our weight, our age, our financial status, social standing, looks, and well, just about everything about ourselves. In a study that reviewed 80 online daters, researchers found that two thirds of participants lied about their weight by five pounds or more. In a large sample of over 2,000 people in England 43 percent of men admitted to making up facts about themselves and their lives that were not true. Most commonly, participants said that they only shared “non-boring” aspects of their lives (32 percent) and were not as “active” as their social media accounts appeared (14 percent).

Some might say, eh, what’s the big deal? While we humans like to think we are individually responsible for our own health and well-being we actually are in a giant social contract with each other. When a young teen looks at people online having the time of their lives 24/7 they may think, “why is my life so boring?” Unhappiness, dissatisfaction, loneliness, or worse, thoughts of harming themselves are paths many may take when evaluating their own “normal” lives.

I remember having this very conversation with my youngest daughter her first year of college. “Everyone else that went off to school seems to be so happy. Why am I struggling?” she once said. I reminded her that very, very few people post the other 12 or 18 hours of their day when they are studying for a test, sitting alone having lunch, or crying from homesickness.

Our wise words today speak to how we show our wealth or lack thereof. But in the larger scheme of things, it’s about pretending to be something we are not. I can’t help but think this comes from a place of looking for love and affirmation in the wrong places. God loves you when you have money and when you don’t. He loves you when you are doing boring things like taking out the trash. He loves you when you are on a fabulous vacation or quietly reading a book on the couch.

Friend, God loves you when you are being true to your situation. You don’t need to pretend to be something you aren’t. So stop trying to keep up with the influencers who stood in line for three hours to get that perfect shot in Malta. If all you can do for a vacation is take a hike in your nearby woods, enjoy every single minute of it. God is with you and loves you right where you are.

Lord, help me shine for the person you made me to be right now. I want to be thankful for the blessings you have given me. I know you love me whether rich or poor. Whatever you have blessed me with help me to bless others by being genuine and true. Amen

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

Taking Offense

January 12, 2023January 1, 2023 krisshetter

Fools show their annoyance at once,
    but the prudent overlook an insult. Proverbs 12:16

This is the second rendition of today’s post. When I started this blog over two years ago, I asked the Holy Spirit to speak through me. If writing a particular post felt like I was pulling teeth I knew it wasn’t coming from the right source. As a result, the post I wrote earlier went into the “delete” pile. Each sentence I wrote was interrupted either by texts, my husband, timers going off, etc. I now realize every time my mind wandered to one of those interruptions it was a tap on my shoulder to re-focus and re-write.

You see what was happening in the background of my original text was this very proverb. I was getting annoyed and offended by problems surrounding an event I am hosting. It only took me about a half a day to finally figure it out. The Holy Spirit giving me a real life example of practicing what I preach!

Being offended has risen to an artform these days. We are offended by other drivers, cashiers, politicians, neighbors, strangers, businesses, faceless people in our social media threads, our friends, our family, our spouses and on and on. If “they” don’t conform to our wants and needs, it might ruin our day. If “they” don’t act how we think they should we are hurt and insulted. No grace and definitely no mercy.

We take for granted that God won’t do the same to us. Thank goodness because we all probably offend Him multiple times a day. While He may allow our sinful actions to suffer the corresponding consequences, He isn’t sending down bolts of lightning to smote us each time we mess up. He hasn’t washed His hands of us because He’s had it for the last time.

Friends, it’s time to step back and control our emotions. We have in Jesus the perfect example for us today. He was whipped, beaten, stabbed, spit on, forsaken by friends, and hung on a cross yet He still loved. He still asked God to grant mercy. Today, can’t we do the same with the brothers and sisters around us who are probably doing their best to make it through this day just like you? I, for one, got this message loud and clear today.

Gracious God, thank you for your mercy. Help me to deliver that same mercy and grace to those around me who might insult me or cause offense. I thank you for teaching me how to seek peace throughout my days. Amen

Be Generous

January 11, 2023December 31, 2022 krisshetter

 
A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

For a few years in a row a person in my family would give us all lottery tickets as part of our Christmas gifts. It was a chance to win thousands of dollars but we usually came away with a few dollars between us all. It was a fun activity during the middle of gift giving. If you’ve ever scratched off a lottery ticket in the United States there’s a place on the back to put your name and address so if you were to hit it big, you’d mail the ticket in to receive your winnings. The odd part about our Christmas tickets was this: the gift giver would always place their name and address on the back of the ticket. What they were saying was, “Here’s a fun gift but if you win anything it’s mine.”

Generosity is not a natural behavior for many of us. For some, we can be tightfisted and stingy. For others, generosity seems like second nature. It wasn’t until around the 18^th century that our modern view of generosity became more commonplace. Before that it was thought only people with “means” could act admirably and with virtue. However, the concept of generosity in the Christian realm can be seen throughout scripture, with its culmination in the lesson of God sacrificing His only Son for our salvation. The apostle Paul regarded generosity as proof of the genuine character of Christian love.

I love one of the descriptions of generosity by the Generosity Research Center at Notre Dame University: “Generosity involves giving to others not simply anything in abundance but rather giving those things that are good for others. Generosity always intends to enhance the true wellbeing of those to whom it gives.”

Looking back at our proverb today you’ll see the word “refresh.” It aligns perfectly with this description. Refreshing or enhancing the wellbeing of another reveals itself in many ways, depending upon that person’s or group’s needs. When we truly provide for another person or recognize an opportunity to fill a need, we will be blessed by seeing the other shine. Generosity need not be an economic exchange. Even when money is involved it should primarily be an action of the heart.

Friend, generosity is something to be cultivated and practiced. It starts with answering opportunities with an open heart. It’s important to remember God didn’t go halfway. Jesus suffered a painful death for everyone. Giving us all an opportunity to live a blessed life when we believe and are obedient to Him. He doesn’t need us for Him to be whole but I can only imagine how blessed He must feel when another person accepts His gift. As Christians, modeling this generosity should be a daily priority.

Holy Father thank you for being so generous to have given your only Son to enhance our lives for all eternity. Place me in situations so that I can also express generosity to those around me. Amen

Less Babbling, Please

January 10, 2023December 31, 2022 krisshetter

"Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues." Proverbs 10:19

I was tempted to not write anything for this verse. It surely speaks for itself. It’s a lesson I should have tattooed on my wrist so I never forget it! When I am nervous, angry, excited, or joyful, I talk. I babble. I had to apologize recently to a fairly new friend about my babbling. She introduced me to her friends and I found myself a brook overflowing with silly words. I walked away praying, “I did it again! Why can’t I just be normal and stop talking??”

The Holy Spirit, boy does He deserve a medal in trying to help me with this. I think He sees progress. I am being more discerning about keeping my mouth shut when others share their difficulties. I’m not always jumping in and giving my personal or political opinion. I’m also refraining from feeling the need to lash out when offended. I’m seeing the fruit of zipping my lips. Shocking, isn’t it, when we take God’s Word to heart how it seems to actually work?

So today my friend, here’s a challenge, unless asked for your opinion, don’t give it. If someone is sharing a story, don’t add your own. If you are confronted by a stranger, as Dr. Laura used to say, “smile and wave.” Zip your lips for a day. You just might find a bit more peace.

Holy God, although I know you enjoy a joyful noise on occasion, I also know you appreciate the beauty of silence. Help me today to be silent when needed. Amen.