Tag: covid

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Amazingly Interrupted

krisshetter

First published November 16, 2020 as part of the Living Amazed series.

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” Luke 5:1-11

I think a lot of us feel like 2020 has been one giant interruption in our lives.  We had weddings to celebrate, vacations to enjoy, careers to launch, businesses to grow, and retirements to embrace. And then March descended upon us.  To put it mildly, it’s been one giant cluster.

Recently, I saw an Instagram post by the Christian women’s group Proverbs 31 that addressed our need to rely on God during these tough times.  One of the commenters posted a very heartfelt account of what she has been dealing with, including the loss of a loved one.  She said she was having a hard time seeing God in the middle of everything.  And yet He is right there if we truly know His character. He’s the one interrupting our plans.

In the verses today, Simon, an experienced fisherman, had just pulled his boat in after a long, hard, unsuccessful day of fishing.  He sat and listened to Jesus as he preached to the masses on the shore.  Suddenly, Jesus asks for a ride out away from the shore to better speak to everyone.  I’m sure Simon had a mix of emotions.  Here he was, probably exhausted but still might have been honored to have the famous rabbi use his boat.  And then Jesus interrupted his plans to get home, have dinner and finally get some sleep.

The experienced fisherman was quite sure that another few hours on the lake would produce nothing. After all, he’d fished those waters his entire life.  Jesus wasn’t even from a fishing family!  But something about the rabbi made Simon comply.  And as the story finishes, we see Simon and the other fisherman completely interrupting everything about their lives and deciding to become disciples.

God often interrupts our “bright ideas” and “best-laid plans.”  The question is: when the Holy Spirit urges us in a new direction, will we respond like Simon and obey?  Or are we like the rich king, unwilling to give up what we have and know?  Many of us say we want God to speak to us. But do we really?

A couple years ago I was amazingly interrupted by Jesus.  I worked as an administrative substitute in our local school district.  I was very busy.  I wore my busyness as a badge of honor.   I had jobs assigned five days a week.  Then Jesus interrupted me.  

He urged me, through a vision, to take specific action each week and feed the homeless for a year.  This was not in my plans.  But it was something I had asked for.  I had been praying for growth in my trust in the Lord.  I kept asking for direction.  Serving the homeless in our downtown area had never crossed my mind.  What also wasn’t in my plan was giving up working a few days a week to accomplish Jesus’ vision for me. It was an amazing interruption.

He said, “Do this for me.”  So I did.  The lessons I learned during that year were ones that no sermon or Bible study could ever teach me.  My patterns of worry, distrust, control, over-planning, pride, feeling alone, all were tested.  It was never about feeding the homeless. It was about God finding a way to snap me out of destructive patterns – interrupting me and re-setting me.

I’ve told many people about this experience.  At the same time I tell them they should pray for something equally amazing to interrupt their lives.  So many of them either look scared or even voice their fear of such an occurrence.  That’s why I ask, “Do you really want to hear from God?” Because I can almost guarantee that what He says to you will be unexpected and will challenge you to interrupt your life.

“The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.” Job 42:12-13

But like Job whose life was severely interrupted, the amazing blessings you receive will be immeasurable.  God has interrupted my life a few more times since my vision. And each time has brought me closer to Him. I urge you today to pray for interruption. Pray for the courage to do God’s work. Pray for the faith to push your boat into deeper water when He calls. The greatest blessings often begin where our plans end.

Monk kneeling and praying by a wooden cross inside a dark cave during a storm
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Rest, Refuge, and the God Who Holds Us

krisshetter

“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

At the time of writing this, my BSGs are beginning a new study by Priscilla Shirer titled Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath. The idea of maintaining sabbath has become so foreign that, just a few years ago, the fast‑food chain Chick‑fil‑A came under fire simply for refusing to open on Sundays. The company’s founder is a devout Christian who has chosen to live out his faith publicly. Imagine—people being so riled up because a chicken restaurant honored the sabbath and gave every one of its employees a guaranteed day off.

As part of the study, we were asked why we think the world values busyness over rest. The truth is, the world often views rest as inconvenient and unnecessary. My response was this: the farther we drift from God, the more tightly we cling to the idea that success comes only through striving harder and relying on ourselves. We stop looking for rest and refuge anywhere—but within our own effort. A God‑centered perspective says otherwise:

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

True Rest

I am one of those always‑striving types. Even when I try to rest, I wrestle with guilt—feeling as though I am not being productive enough by the world’s standards. Just as I never learned how to wear makeup, I never learned how to truly wear the refuge and rest of God. I am still learning how to rest in His arms in a way that allows my work to have purpose and boundaries, and my rest to be true rest.

God taught so many of us a profound lesson about refuge during the COVID years. We lost businesses and friendships. We lost dreams, finances, loved ones, and trust in institutions. In the midst of all that loss, however, I began to recognize what I was also gaining—a deeper understanding of what God truly offers when He calls Himself our refuge.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29

He became my shelter from the outside chaos.  My refuge from my internal strife.  He gave me the opportunity to not work and instead fully support my husband whose business was under fire each day.  The Holy Spirit encouraged me to start this blog and delve deep into the ways of the Father, encouraging others along the way.  

But as the world around us began opening up I felt the familiar tug at my heart and mind – “start producing and striving.”  The world was pulling me from His arms again.  Taking my eyes off the only thing that could give me the safety and security we all so desire.  

Run To His Refuge

Friend, the Christian life is not easy street.  It’s work.  The world comes at us full bore with sparkly lights and gems.  Always wanting more, being better, doing more.  But the psalmist reminds us: 

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5:11

I want to sing for joy while resting safe and secure in His arms.  Last year I chose two scriptures to memorize.  It wasn’t until I started researching for this post that I realized both focus on God’s promise of refuge.  It was obviously something on my heart!

“My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  Psalm 73:26

“God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.  God will help her when the morning dawns.”  Psalm 46:5

The LORD commands us to rest and find refuge in Him.  It’s the only place we can find perfect peace.  Let’s all make it our priority today to swim against the world’s current of ceaseless striving.  Take time this week to turn all your troubles over to Him and rest in Him. 

I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say by Horatio Bonar (1846)

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
And he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quench’d, my soul revived,
And now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise,
And all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my Star, my Sun;
And in that Light of life I’ll walk,
Till trav’ling days are done.

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Delivered Under His Banner

krisshetter

“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

THIS IS THE COMPLETE POST FROM TODAY — SORRY THERE’S A GLITCH WITH THE HOSTING SITE

Back during the early Covid years, I would dread going out to the grocery store.  It wasn’t that I was afraid of getting sick.  It was that I was afraid of punching someone in the throat.  That may shock some of you that don’t know me well but for others of you, you know I have struggled with my anger and pride.  I would become infuriated with silly rules like one way arrows in grocery aisles and the made up 6’ (or 3’ or 10’) rules.  People wearing masks alone inside their cars.  And on and on.  I was letting others’ fears and absurd ideas turn my mind and emotions into chaos.

One of my favorite teaching moments from Joyce Meyer is when she once admitted, “I’m a really good Christian.  Until I walk out the front door.”  Yep, that was me on my way to the grocery store.

Then I remembered my promised deliverer — my Jehovah-nissi.  

Christian author Barnabas Piper clarifies this name in this way: 

When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and traveling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers traveling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They traveled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.

But they traveled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or over-matched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi – “the Lord is my banner.”

And that, my friends, is exactly the God I needed before I left my house.  It’s the God I so frequently turn to now when faced with “trigger” situations.  In fact, it was Jehovah-nissi who went before me when dealing with my dad’s hospital staff, rehab unit LVNs, unhelpful receptionists, and doctors who forget their patients are people too.

My deliverer God found me parking places when needed, brought me peace during untenable situations, gave me calm, kind and yet insistent words rather than anger and frustration.  He gave my dad and I victory so many times.  And that gave me opportunities to share the Word of God with my atheist dad.  You see my dad once said to me years ago, “You’re just like your mom.”  (Not a compliment) That hit me hard, especially since he was never around me.  He assumed I would be unreasonable and angry at the drop of a hat.  So not only did he get to see me in a new light, he also heard me testify to the work Jesus and Holy Spirit has done in my life over the years.  

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10

God has been delivering His people from all manner of battles, here on earth and in the heavens and in our physical lives and our internal struggles, for thousands of years.  Most importantly He has delivered us from the eternal punishment of our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

So today, before your feet hit the floor or you head out the door, call upon the Great Deliverer.  He will go before you in battle, planting His flag upon your life in victory.

He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Be sure to follow the blog to receive your 30 Days of Reverence in your e-mail in box! Click here for past posts.

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Delivered Under His Banner

krisshetter

“And Moses built and 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

Back during the early Covid years, I would dread going out to the grocery store.  It wasn’t that I was afraid of getting sick.  It was that I was afraid of punching someone in the throat.  That may shock some of you that don’t know me well but for others of you, you know I have struggled with my anger and pride.  I would become infuriated with silly rules like one way arrows in grocery aisles and the made up 6’ (or 3’ or 10’) rules.  People wearing masks alone inside their cars.  And on and on.  I was letting others’ fears and absurd ideas turn my mind and emotions into chaos.

One of my favorite teaching moments from Joyce Meyer is when she once admitted, “I’m a really good Christian.  Until I walk out the front door.”  Yep, that was me on my way to the grocery store.

Then I remembered my promised deliverer — my Jehovah-nissi.  

Christian author Barnabas Piper clarifies this name in this way: 

When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and traveling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers traveling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They traveled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.

But they traveled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or over-matched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi – “the Lord is my banner.”

And that, my friends, is exactly the God I needed before I left my house.  It’s the God I so frequently turn to now when faced with “trigger” situations.  In fact, it was Jehovah-nissi who went before me when dealing with my dad’s hospital staff, rehab unit LVNs, unhelpful receptionists, and doctors who forget their patients are people too.

My deliverer God found me parking places when needed, brought me peace during untenable situations, gave me calm, kind and yet insistent words rather than anger and frustration.  He gave my dad and I victory so many times.  And that gave me opportunities to share the Word of God with my atheist dad.  You see my dad once said to me years ago, “You’re just like your mom.”  (Not a compliment) That hit me hard, especially since he was never around me.  He assumed I would be unreasonable and angry at the drop of a hat.  So not only did he get to see me in a new light, he also heard me testify to the work Jesus and Holy Spirit has done in my life over the years.  

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10

God has been delivering His people from all manner of battles, here on earth and in the heavens and in our physical lives and our internal struggles, for thousands of years.  Most importantly He has delivered us from the eternal punishment of our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

So today, before your feet hit the floor or you head out the door, call upon the Great Deliverer.  He will go before you in battle, planting His flag upon your life in victory.

He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Be sure to follow the blog to receive your 30 Days of Reverence in your e-mail in box! Click here for past posts.

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Day 28 Stand

krisshetter 
Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.  John 15:20-21
Praise be to the Lord for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.  Psalm 31:21

One of my church pastors provided me with not only an “ah ha” moment a few weeks ago during his sermon on Philippians but also a “duh” revelation.  Here’s what he said,  “We have to remember the letters written by Paul to the churches were not written to individuals but to the church body as whole.”  As readers and students of scripture we can get caught up thinking a verse was speaking directly to me and my life.  

It’s an important change of perspective, especially these days when folks who call themselves Christians promote the idea that we don’t need to go to church.  Or we can just do church by watching it on TV.  Not only are we directed in scripture to be part of a body of believers we are also to actively participate in that community.

But why?  Let’s first look at what happened to those of us who lived in areas where our churches were shut down during COVID — some for two years.  People became disconnected, dispirited, lonely and worse.  Be completely honest, watching someone on TV preach the Word is not the same as being in the same room with other believers.  We get distracted, make a snack, check our phones, etc.  Instead of exiting the doors and talking with those who just listened to a powerful message.  Sharing our questions, our revelations, or how the message truly lifted us.

When we don’t have that community, we also don’t have the support to sustain us when trouble hits.  Standing in the face of trials even when it seems almost unbearable.  We don’t have the ability to look around at all the faces of those who know and love Jesus like we do.

God provides every opportunity to help us when darkness wants to have its hand on our lives.  When the world calls us crazy, we can stand firm and announce, “there’s quite a few of us crazies and we celebrate our God and Savior every week across the world!”  

Just like we can forget the epistles were written to bodies of people, we can also forget every word written to encourage and support them was done so because they were facing trials –greater than any westernized church today.  If they could stand while facing death for even meeting, for proclaiming that Jesus is King, then we can stand too.  Let’s do it in community, together.

Click here to listen to today’s song: Stand

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Day 8 Honey In The Rock

krisshetter 
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:26-27
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; Psalm 65:5

There’s been a few times in my 36 years of marriage when we experienced serious financial loss.  The first time it was devastating.  I felt lost and unsure of our future.  It was hard not blaming and feeling angry.  I wasn’t a woman of faith at the time so I turned inward to chastise myself over and over and then outward condemning anyone associated with the loss.  I dwelt over it, turning the situation around in my head during endless, sleepless nights.  Each time I drove past the business project in which we had invested the scab was re-opened and for days I would feel those same feelings all over again.

Fast forward many years when my husband’s business and another investment came under dramatic assault due to Covid restrictions and fear.  We saw all that we had built potentially crumbling beneath us.  This loss was potentially greater, effecting our retirement and even our home.  This time, however was different.  

I frequently found myself at peace.  Sure, I’d get scared.  I’d worry about the stress my husband was under.  This time I had someone to tell me there was a purpose to the plan.  To tell me He would give us the manna and the honey because He is the Lord who provides.

We have two choices to make when difficulties attack our lives.  We can turn to our emotions and fears or we can turn to Jesus.  When we allow our fears to take over, we get angry, we blame, we get depressed.  For people like me I wear myself out alternately beating myself up (you shouldn’t have taken that vacation last year!  That money could help us now!) or obsessing over how to fix an unfixable problem.  For some they withdraw from the world all together feeling hopeless.

When I finally learned, and most of all believed, that God is who we turn to satisfy and squash our fears I experienced freedom.  He is a miracle worker.  He can bring water from a stone.  Turn water into wine.  No matter what we face in the coming years we need to remember to seek God for all we need.  Pray, praise and trust then repeat.

I’m having some issues with the webpage provider correctly linking the songs from the button below. So try clicking here: Honey In The Rock.

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Day 7 Thank God I Do

krisshetter 
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  Philippians 3:20-21
Those the Lord has rescued will return.
    They will enter Zion with singing;
    everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11

The last five years or so have been a hard road for many of us.  We have the ever-looming backdrop of the COVID years which still seems to find its way into many of our conversations.  Businesses ruined, relationships lost, precious time with loved ones taken away, social and educational interruptions — the effects will be us for some time.  But that was just a moment in time, really.  

Sickness, depression, death, loneliness, financial struggles, relationship pains have been with us since the beginning of our time outside Eden.  We so easily can live afraid.  Some do.  They don’t leave their homes or they pull back from others afraid of being hurt or damaged even more.

As a Christian we are not immune to these trials.  According to Jesus we should expect more problems when we put our trust and faith in the Lord.  We end up bucking the systems, cause rifts in our families and friends when we don’t just “go along.”  

But as this song reminds us, thank God we have Him.  Thank God He gave us the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to guide us, and to counsel us.  He creates a “new self,” sloughing off our old self – transforming us one day completely into crown wearers.  Giving us the hope that so many don’t have that on that day we will walk into heaven singing in gladness and joy because all our pain is gone, forever.

In the meantime, we can rest in God’s daily provisions for our life, our daily bread.  He holds us close in His hands.  He is our safe place, our hideaway, our anchor, our saving grace, our constant.

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Savior King

krisshetter 
"Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!" Psalm 24:10

Yesterday, in the Advent study I’m working through we were tasked with listing the names and characteristics of Jesus from various Old and New Testament scriptures. The names included: child, son, Son of the Most High, Father, Counselor, God, Prince of Peace, Lord, King, Jesus and Messiah/Savior. Attached to these names were adjectives such as wonderful, mighty, great, everlasting, zealous, wise, and upholder of justice and righteousness.

We were then asked to highlight the name and characteristic that we believe to be the most significant. Which would you say? It may depend on your current state of mind or the situation you find yourself in. But let me back up a bit and take us to the year 2019. There were just a few small things going on in the world that year. A worldwide pandemic for one. And the U.S. election for a new president.

What was your state of mind at the time? Were you afraid for your health? Worried about who would lead the world’s most influential country? Concerned about the status of your job? Upset about the situation with your children’s schools? Angry about people wearing masks or not? Abandon by your church for shutting their doors? Distraught over a loved one’s death? The year 2019 certainly held a lot of opportunity for all those emotions. At the time, the bigger question was: being honest, who did you cling to? The TV newscasters? Health officials? Elected leaders? Family? Or God?

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

“When His glory is revealed.” What does that mean for us in the here and now? We suffer through leaders seeking their own glory through greed and immorality. We hear false teachers leading Christians astray with destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1). Neighbors and even family and friends follow their sensual desires and blaspheme the truth (2 Peter 2:2). And we shouldn’t be surprised. It is all written in God’s Holy Word. But what is also written is that there will be a day of judgment. 

"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. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." 2 Peter 3:9-10

My friends, if we believe that Jesus is a real person who walked this earth as both God and man; if we see how the truth of the prophets in the Old Testament came to pass over and over; if we have experienced our glorious God working throughout our life, then we must place the banner of truth on the promise of times to come.  We must look different than the world. Our choices both physically and emotionally must cause others to ask us questions. ”Why aren’t you worried?”

I’ll tell you honestly the Lord was doing a might work in me in 2019. On one hand, I allowed myself to be carried away with all manner of worldly emotions. On the other, I began clinging to God. The battle of the heavens was revealed in little ‘ole me.  I know that God is winning and will be victorious. Just the other day a good friend shared her husband’s observation of me. He told her how much I’ve changed over the years. I almost cried when she shared that he called me “gentler.” And I raised my hand up giving God, the Victorious, all glory.

Jesus is all the names I listed during my study. He has all the characteristics found in those scriptures. Surely the name Savior should speak most to us especially during times of trouble and strife. He came to save us from a terrible judgement. He is the Savior King who will uphold all final justice and righteousness. Knowing that this glorious and powerful God cares about those two things should bring us everlasting peace. 

The world is a mess, just like it was hundreds of thousands of years ago. Just like it was when the Romans ruled throughout Israel, Judea, Samaria and the far reaches of Europe when the Jews sought an earthly king to save them. The Word of God promises us it won’t get better until Jesus returns. So, let’s put our hope and peace and love in His hands. He is the only one who will lead us into victory.

Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen

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

Joy In Our Obedience

krisshetter

I told a friend recently that maybe I should apologize to the world for the COVID pandemic.  You see I had for years been praying to God for patience and joy to be cornerstones of my life.  I thought if I just tried really hard at not doing certain behaviors I would succeed at this task.  While I had found some success in listening to God and obeying when He asked me to take certain actions, I bucked and kicked at fully surrendering myself to Him.  And then the pandemic came upon us.

As most of us experienced, our lives were thrown into chaos.  Some people almost completely shut down.  Loved ones lost not only their jobs and communion with family and friends, but their very lives themselves.  We were placed in a state of intense fear and uncertainty.  Where I live the government restrictions became egregious, almost to the state of Marshall Law.  People were afraid to leave their homes.  In some areas you could be fined over $1,000 just for sitting in your parked car on the street next to the beach.  In another, the city “outlawed” people from driving up to senior care facilities and waving at them from their windows.  Despair, anger, fear, was thick in the air whenever you made the allowed trip to the grocery store.  And boy was I angry.  

I became angry with the media for putting out confusing messages.  At government officials who chastised us for wearing masks then not wearing masks.  At neighbors who jumped to the other side of the street as though we each were walking around with deadly leprosy.  I despaired over my church closing indefinitely and not seeming to care of the state of their members. I wanted to rage on social media, to my friends and my husband.  Discord, not joy, was my refuge.  While each day I spent hours doing my various Bible studies no less!  I told my Bible study ladies, “I’m a great Christian when I’m at my house, until I walk out the front door.”

Then one day my husband, the chief operations person for a group of Alzheimer’s care facilities, came home looking completely undone.  The exhaustion on his face confirmed his first words to me, “That’s it.  I can’t do this anymore.”  The long days and nights keeping his residents and staff safe while managing the ever-changing governmental rules had taken its toll.  I realized he needed joy not discord from me.  He didn’t need to hear me complaining at dinner about the latest news announcement.  He didn’t need to feel my anger over something that happened at  the grocery store.  No, he needed me to be a mirror of the Holy Spirit.

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”   James 3:5-6

So, my true journey of seeking joy began thanks to the pandemic.  It was a test for many of us Christians.   I knew my past failures meant a new approach was needed.  One that was Holy Spirit directed.  We can no better wish for, pressure ourselves, think into action, joy than a tree can try really hard to make cherries. But what does a cherry tree do in order to create that beautiful fruit?  It allows its very essence, it’s holy purpose to do its work inside the roots, trunk, branches, leaves and blossoms.  Effortlessly in full submission to its Creator. 

“A Christian new birth brings a change made in the views of his mind and relish of the heart so that the regenerate person seeks his interest and happiness in God.”

Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

You see, when we seek real change from the ugliness this world grows in us it means we seek to become who God intended us to be.  People close to Him, loving Him and being immensely loved by Him.  It’s no wonder “love” is listed first as a fruit of the Spirit.  Without it, the rest would be impossible.   In researching Christian joy, I discovered these three characteristics of a joy-filled life in full bloom.

1. Submission:  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

This submission is not slave to master as some non-Christians like to portray.  No, it’s a loving mentor, teacher, parent who sincerely knows and wants the best for us.  But unlike those relationships we never grow out of needing the Lord to guide us.  He just guides us through more difficult and more beautiful experiences.  His loving omniscience is where we must put our trust.

2. Seek to Glorify God’s Will: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

With each word we speak, each action we take, even every thought it should be with turning ourselves over to God in worship.  When we wake in the morning,  prayer sets us on the right path in seeking ways to glorify Him to our family, friends, co-workers and strangers.  In other words, the old saying, “What would Jesus do?” should be on our minds in conversations with the Spirit throughout our day.

3. Seek God’s Glorious Beauty: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15. 

 Jonathan Edwards’ theological focus through the entirety of his life was God is the foundation of beauty.  Nature doesn’t exist for itself but for the glorification of God.  I took up a challenge to think on God every 30 minutes earlier this year.  Whether in my car, cooking dinner, shopping, I stop for a minute, look around and thank God for the amazing creation around me.  The beautiful sky or quenching rain.  The child’s laughter nearby or even the opportunity to sit in traffic so I could listen to the rest of a podcast.  He is all around us in full color and glory, especially during our trials.  Praise Him!

Friend, our joy comes from the love God has shown us with the work His son has already done for us.  It comes from the work the Holy Spirit is doing in us.  The blossom?  The fruit?  That’s the work He is doing through us for all the world to see. 

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Let’s Eat

krisshetter 
“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

“Blessed God, we praise You for who You are. You are the God who cares for our needs. We see this meal before us as a demonstration of Your wonderful grace to us. We glorify You for the day we have had. Thank You for the family gathered here and for every blessing we enjoy. Amen.”

When my kids were little we started praying at dinnertime.  We found a simple prayer that they could take turns saying.  “God is great! God is good! Let us thank Him For our food. Amen.”  It was an easy way to add glorifying and thanking God into our daily lives.  The problem was it became rote.  After awhile, there was no feeling, personalization or even love behind the prayer.  It was just something we did – quickly – so we could start eating.  For some of us we never even pray before meals.  Or we pray only during certain meals.  But Jesus gave thanks at every meal, glorifying the Father for being a provider of needs.  

“30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” Luke 24:30

The beauty of this scripture is what came next.  You see, the disciples had been walking along with the risen Jesus chatting with him, not realizing who he was.  For whatever reason they urged this stranger to come stay with them and join them for dinner.  After they gave thanks and broke bread, “…their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.”

It wasn’t until 2020, when the Covid pandemic hit that the love and glorifying act of praying before meals finally sunk in for me.  Each evening when my husband came home from his job of caring for senior citizens exhausted, we decided to pray.  Before dinner we prayed for anything good that happened that day, we prayed for help, we prayed for the health and safety of his employees and residents.  We prayed for our leaders.  We thanked God for providing.   And my eyes were opened to Jesus.

“Lord God, not a sparrow is not known by You. Not a lily is not clothed by You. You know what we need, and we are thankful that You have provided the meal set here for us. Keep us from worrying about tomorrow but to be grateful for what You have provided us this day. Amen.”

A friend of mine has encouraged me to start praying before every meal.  Even yes, in public, which in the area where I live you just don’t see much.   Friend, at mealtimes we can see the obvious work of God in our lives.  Whether what’s on our plate is a feast or just enough to sustain us for one more day – we need to give all glory to Him who provides.

The prayers from today’s post came from https://connectusfund.org/25-beautiful-prayers-for-meals where you can find more prayers for meal times.  But I encourage you to just talk with God before you eat, having it come from your heart.