Tag: trust god

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Jericho Walls Are Shaking

krisshetter

She remembered that night when she laid in her bed waiting and expecting.  Waiting and expecting her father to enter the room and sexually assault her, again.  But as she lay there she thought, “One day I will do something great.”  And great she did.  In 2005, Time magazine’s “25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America” ranked her as 17th.  She is known all over the world by her ministry and volunteer work.  Joyce Meyer overcame constant sexual abuse as a child because of hope and faith in God.

This week we looked at just one chapter in the Book of James.  Chapter one brought us front and center in how to deal with trials.  He spoke of spiritual wisdom and the wise act of listening and controlling our anger.   In just 26 sentences He stands in front of us in admonition to wake us Christians up. And show the world what trust in Jesus Christ, our savior really means.

Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.  DO WHAT IT SAYS.

James 1:22

He goes on to say that when we leave church, after we pray each morning, or read our devotional each day we ought not to then turn out into the world and forget who we are.  We are not like everyone else.  Isn’t that what our parents told us when we wanted to go hang out with the “cool kids?”  There are expectations and responsibilities to accepting Christ.

When I was a “baby Christian” I had a conversation about church with my mom.  She is the daughter of a Baptist minister.  She hasn’t regularly attended church since she was a child.  She doesn’t pray.   She says she believes in God but anyone that knows her couldn’t tell that to be true.  She told me that when she was a child at church, she would watch all the ladies attend church dutifully.  And then, they would gossip, hate each other, complain endlessly to her father, lie, cheat, and all other manner of sin.  My mother had and still has a dim view of “Christians.”   

When we leave the doors of church or our home we mustn’t forget who we are.

How many of us live our lives fully realizing that not only is God watching how we handle trials and temptations, but our non-Christian friends and neighbors?  Do they see you getting angry and yelling and gossiping?  Do they get a sense of peace from you during difficult times?  Are you easy to talk to because they know you will listen without judgement?  And are the words you speak back coming from a Godly place?  Do you turn down offers of socializing with friends and tell them it’s because you have a Bible Study you are committed to?  Have they heard you speak about your quiet time you spend with God, praying for others?  Do you tell others you will pray for them and do it immediately, with them?  What was the last book or movie or tv show you settled into?  Was it something where you could gain wisdom of God’s ways?

While sitting and listening to God to speak through me before I sat down to write this, the song “My Father’s House” started playing over and over in my head.  

The Jericho Walls are quaking

Strongholds are shaking

Love is breaking through

When the Father’s in the room

Cory Asbury, The FAther’s House

When we invite God into our lives during hardship, when we seek His wisdom, when we listen for His voice, and act as He wants us to, we experience His strength and love.  The shackles of sin and anger, the ugliness of self-degradation and self-centeredness give way to freedom.   Freedom to see His beauty in resolving problems.  Freedom to experience joy in even the most difficult of times. 

James pulls no punches.  But he always reminds us, in the midst of admonishment, of the “why.”  

  1. We will develop maturity and perseverance
  2. We receive the “crown of life” that the Lord has promised
  3. We are given the Word of Truth so we can be “firstfruits” of all God has created
  4. We live in the righteousness that God desires for us
  5. When we rid ourselves of immorality and accept the Word planted in us, we are saved
  6. We are given freedom
  7. We will be blessed in all we do

James is not asking us to do anything more than what we ask of our employees, our children or our friends.  If we make a commitment, promise, accept a job, want a friendship, then we must work on it and act in such a way as to say we are all “in.”

My challenge for this weekend it to be fully aware of our actions and words, especially while around non-Christians.  Good luck, my prayers are with you.

bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

A Clean Sweep

krisshetter

One of my favorite types of tv shows are the ones where brave souls go in and clean out other people’s houses.  In one show, just one room was to be completely re-done.  The host would help the homeowner remove all the items from that room and put them out on their front lawn.  There were three piles: Keep, Toss, Sell.   I’m a confessed tv “back talker” so I yell at and talk to the tv all the time.  What typically happens during these shows is I yell at the homeowner saying, “What on earth do you need that for?” or “That is the ugliest chair I have ever seen!  Get rid of it!”  I’m always mystified by the amount of junk people pile up in their homes and how difficult it is for them to get rid of it all – even under the threat of eviction or possibly social services removing their children.

Most of us look at a hoarder’s life and recognize how destructive it is.  The filth, the squalor, the sheer quantity of stuff is appalling.  We sit in judgement thinking, “I would never get to that point in my life.”  The truth is a hoarder’s problem isn’t with the “stuff” it’s with their heart.  Even on shows such as “Biggest Loser” we find most contestant’s real issues lie within their hearts, it’s just that they have turned to food to fix their pain.

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.”  

James 1:21

Now doesn’t that sound easy?  Just about as easy as a hoarder having to let go of the paper their 40 year old son wrote as a second grader. On day 1 James made it clear we would have trials and tribulations.  Some of us have been physically or emotionally abused.  Others have been neglected by loved ones.  While others have experienced unbearable loss – of a child, a parent, a friend, a job, a home.  And there are the multitudes whose dreams and hopes have yet to materialize.  And yet none of those gives us license by God to sin, to bring “moral filth” into our lives.

Warren Wiersbe says this about filling our lives with immorality:

“For God to be able to use us as vessels we must be empty, clean, and available.  He will take us and use us for His glory.  But if we are filled with sin or defiled by disobedience, He will first have to purge us.”

Purge us.  That is the death we read about frequently in the Bible.  In Matthew 16: 16, Jesus states this, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”   We purge the world from our hearts and minds and live a life worthy of being God’s vessel.

Some might think this means we take away freedoms, we remove fun and laughter, we become like monks or nuns.  But think back to a hoarder’s house that is now cleaned out.  Or even your own house after a good purging and cleaning.  We breathe a sigh, put our hands on our hips and declare, this is good, this is real good.  We even start imagining being able to invite our friends over for dinner, new uses for that now empty cupboard, or how easy it is to find what you need.  We feel a sense of freedom, of joy, of completeness.

It may be hard work but a clean house sure feels good!

Now take that same feeling and apply it to our other actions or decisions.  Do you have that same sense?  When we are unforgiving, rude, vengeful, deceitful, unfaithful, untrustworthy, does that give you the same feelings of joy?

One of the reasons we might not take a stand against the filth infiltrating our lives is the fear of man.  In fact, the disciple Peter was a great example of this.  He talked a good talk about being faithful to Jesus and the other disciples.  But when it came time to stand firm, he chose to protect himself.  He was afraid of what servant girls would think or do to him if he confirmed he was a disciple.  And yet, in John 18:15 the story clearly states “another disciple” also stood with Jesus in front of his accuser.  That unnamed disciple wasn’t afraid of man.  He wasn’t afraid to declare himself a follower of Jesus.  What in your life do you know is wrong, is moral filth, and yet you are afraid of the people around you attacking you or judging you should you declare it would no longer be a part of your life?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said about constantly fighting the battle against the moral filth of the world, “When all is said and done the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every weapon against the flesh.”  Meaning just like a severely overweight person who needs to battle their demons to help them lose weight, the road to cleaning our hearts and minds is constant and challenging.

Even Nelson Mandela said,

“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

So how do we go about this cleansing?  We definitely don’t want to be like the Pharisees that Matthew admonishes in 23:25, “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”  Remembering that James is written to people who profess to be Christians, we need a heart and mind change, not just a physical one.

Have a conversation with God: We already know some of the areas of our life that don’t measure up to God’s desires for us.  But He may also reveal other areas that we have hidden away, possibly underlying causes for our behavior and actions.  Ask Him to shine a light on your “moral filth.”  Ask him to take it away.  Ask him to strengthen you.  Ask Him first thing in the morning to set up your day for success.  Ask Him to help you as you encounter your trouble areas, thank Him for His protection.

“In the morning Lord you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

Psalm 5:3

Listen to God: He speaks to us through His Word, the Holy Bible so read it and study it like any other self-help book.  Write down passages that speak to your particular issues and needs.  He speaks to us through other people.  There are probably people in your life already telling you what areas need to be cleansed.  Stop being defensive and start being thankful!  God whispers to us directly and guides us.  If, as you’re walking into the bar you know you shouldn’t and that voice keeps telling you to go home, then go home.  Stop ignoring Him.

“I will listen to what God the lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants.”

Psalm 85:8

Act on His Words: We all know people whose lives are a mess.  They’ve heard the message over and over about how to fix their lives.  The part that’s missing is just doing it.  When we absolutely know we shouldn’t text that person and yet do it anyway we dismiss God’s will.  The recognition that God is the most powerful, all seeing, all knowing being must be part of our lives.  We can’t hide from God.  We can think we are deceiving Him but we aren’t.  He is our “over watch,” – He looks ahead and see the enemy’s position and provides us protection.  But if we choose to take a different path we put ourselves in danger.

“Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.”

Psalm 37:27

What is distracting you or holding you back from fully following Christ?  What rooms in your life need to be purged and left clean?  Ask God for his loving spotlight to shine in every recessed area.  Listen for His guidance.  And walk with faith and strength knowing He is guiding you.

What is an area that you are struggling with the most when it comes to following Christ?

Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

It Started With Don’t Gather, Don’t Sing

krisshetter

Two summers ago I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Prague in the Czech Republic. It’s only been since 1993 that this country became free from the bonds of communism. It was amazing to see the vibrant growth and renewal throughout the city. And yet the ravages of communism were still evident. You could sit at a street corner and watch the traffic go by and all the city busses. What I realized was there were no busses made after the 1960s. There were 50s era street cars, which were quaint. But no modern busses. It was as though life stopped when the money ran out. Democracy and capitalism take awhile to take hold — people trained to fear innovation and freedom need to adjust to the light.

I had heard about the Museum of Communism in Prague, established in 2001. The description of it is, “an immersive look at life behind the Iron Curtain.” But it was much more than that. I’ve told my friends that every single US student should visit this museum. It’s a stark, educational, hold no punches, recording of the dangers of communism. What has stayed with me were the photos of priests being led away by secret police. Hundreds of priest were killed in order to control religion. At first, churches were allowed to function only under state control. The government decided who were favored priests and who were not. The government decided which liturgies could be celebrated and which could not. And those who did not comply were shot. Priests that were “approved” were paid by the government to acquire their loyalty. In 1950, the government seized all church properties. They plundered over 1,000 church buildings, stealing thousands of works of art and religious artifacts. The approved churches began to lose parishioners as they were associated with the repressive government. The end result? The Czech Republic is considered one of the least religious countries in Europe.

Czech Catholic priest Josef Toufar, the “Miracle Priest” who died from torture at the hands of the Communist secret service (StB) in 1950.

Joseph Bondarenko, a Russian evangelical minister, didn’t give in to the communist regime. He was expelled from university for illegally engaging in religious activities in the Soviet Union. He was undeterred. He was put in prison multiple times. He took to heart the lessons the disciples wrote in the New Testament. When we make serving God our priority we will have eternal blessings. Recently, when speaking with worship leader and founder of Let Us Worship, Sean Feucht, Bondarenko spoke of the signs of communism creeping into our society. He said,

“Don’t they realize what is happening now in America is exactly what happened to us in communist Russia? It started with ‘Don’t gather. Don’t sing. Spread apart. Listen to the government.’ Then it quickly turned into full on persecution and the church did not wake up in time.”

Joseph Bondarenko

You may be reading this and thinking, “that’s not going to happen in America.” In California we are told we cannot meet in our churches. We cannot sing. Indefinitely. We must listen to the government. And the majority of our pastors are compliant. Some have rebelled. The ones that rebel are vilified in our media — and by “Christians.” My friend who is not Christian doesn’t understand. She tells me if Christians think God is all mighty and who we should solely put our faith in then why aren’t all pastors rebelling?

In my Bible study group the other day we were talking about the loss of being with our church families. Praising God in community and raising our collective voices. I told them my fear is we will become like the Czech Republic. Where, once our churches are “allowed” to open, that no one or few will come. Our churches, our pastors, our faith leaders chose government over God. How can we move forward with them as our guides? They espouse “faith over fear” yet, fear is exactly what they have taught us these last six months.

The prophet Haggai was tasked to admonish the Israelites about rebuilding the temple in the year 520. But the Jews gave excuses. They said the economy wasn’t good enough. They said maybe God didn’t really want them to do it. They said they needed to take care of their own needs first. And yet, they continued to complain about the drought and their oppression. Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on Haggai 1:1-4 is,

When we put God first and give Him what’s rightfully His, we open the door to spiritual enrichment and the kind of stewardship that honors God.

May we open our Christian eyes sooner, not later, to obey God’s command to rebuild His temple.

On a warm summer evening my husband and I were enjoying a walk along Prague’s Vltava River. We crossed over one of the beautiful bridges, heading to a park. We stopped in the middle to enjoy the view. I started humming along to a song I could hear off in the distance. As we got closer to the park, the music got louder. I kept thinking how familiar that song sounded. We took the steps down from the bridge into a park where a small concert was being held. And it hit me. Singing in Czech, was a band playing a Christian praise song. And all around — about 100 young people — were people singing, lifting hands in the name of our Lord. In this town that had seemingly lost its faith, faith was being re-born. He never forsakes us. He calls us back into His loving arms.

Christian Church, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Our Primary Purpose

krisshetter

This letter was written May 2020 after a number of attempts to sit down with my pastor or even an assistant pastor about my concerns over closing up our churches. Instead I was met with silence. Absolute silence. You see, I believe Christians are being put to the test. God’s threshing room is operating at full throttle. The wheat and chaff are being separated.

In conversations with my Christian and non-Christian friends I have made this argument: When a corporation, charity, educational institution, government, mother/father, pilot, pastor, soldier, or whatever job you can think of forgets what their primary, intended purpose is they go astray. Christian churches’ primary purpose is to bring the Word of God to people who need to hear it. It is to have Christians and searching non-Christians be in communion with each other to praise God for our salvation. It is to serve God and God’s people. The primary purpose is NOT to keep people from catching a virus. Now, that doesn’t mean that safety and security are thrown out the window. Just like our schools, whose primary purpose is to teach our children — not keep them from catching a virus — our churches must stay focused on God’s plan. I laud those corporations and small businesses who have not forgotten their primary purpose — to bring goods to customers. Somehow they have figured out how to also keep their customers and employees safe. Christian churches should place themselves at least on the same plane as Costco or Walmart. I, for one, think our churches have a much greater role to play in God’s universe.

After I sent this letter to my church and church leaders I waited for the storm to come. And it did. I found it interesting that the people we all see as “plugged in” at our churches were the most offended. In fact, I was told by one that Satan was working in me. I also got the “who do you think you are?” But it was regular, church-going people who spoke to me with shouts of “hallelujah!” We “regular Christians” are begging for communion. We NEED each other. We need to see each other raising our hands to God in praise. If you are a pastor and reading this, we need you.

“I told my friend today that I’m about to commit a “Jerry Maguire.” For those of you who haven’t seen the movie here’s what I mean.  Jerry, a sports agent at a large firm, has a “come to Jesus” moment one night about the nature of his business and how it has become de-personalized.  He writes a manifesto and shares it with all his colleagues.  And while they all think what he says is great, they turn against him, shunning him.

            My manifesto is not about a job, it’s about Faith, or the lack of it from our churches.  In these uncertain times we have allowed Satan to use all his dirty tricks against us.  And we have willingly followed him like the Pied Piper.  We have failed at God’s biggest test since Jesus’ crucifixion.  And we’ve failed gloriously.  We have been Judas in the garden willingly pointing out the rule breakers.  We are Peter denying Christ out of fear of punishment.

            Just as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:14, the devil has masqueraded as an angel of light.  His deception has been as cunning as with Eve.  Our churches have closed and our pastors have hidden away under the guise of “saving people.”  We have allowed the realm of worldliness to define the role the church plays in our Christian lives.  We have deemed ourselves “non-essential.”  All the while our role of bringing people to the one true Savior has diminished.  We are no longer in the business of saving souls. 

            In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul says he will keep on with his ministry in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about – saving people. He goes on to say, “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  Unlike today’s churches, Paul describes the Macedonian churches as giving everything they had during severe trial just for the joy and privilege of sharing in the service for the Lord’s people.  We can count on one or two hands the churches in the news that have shown this same fervent love for the gospel.

            But what have been Satan’s works?  I’m sure if you’ve read to this point you have already spoken a few of them in rebuttal.  Let’s start with the most prevalent.  Romans 13 clearly convicts us to obey the government because they rule only under God’s authority.  Rebelling against authority is considered rebelling against God.  So therefore, when the State tells churches they must close, we must obey.  Ah, but the devil loves to cherry pick scripture.  What he has done here is take advantage of the Christian desire to do what is right, to follow laws, and to be good citizens.  What he doesn’t want you to do is dig deeper.  Is the law just in the first place, in the eyes of God?  Backing up to Acts 5 we see the apostles being persecuted for performing signs and wonders among the people.  The Pharisees were angry and claimed the law prohibited them from teaching.  “We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name,” the Sanhedrin says in verse 28.  And the apostles’ response? “We must obey God rather than human beings.” (v29). Where were our major denominations at the outset of our shut down standing firm that churches are essential?  Where was their conviction that God calls us into service during times of trouble? And where have they been since?  It’s one thing for a church to have said on the outset of the shut down, “Let’s close for a couple of weeks and see what this is all about.  We will clean our facilities and come up with safe practices.  And then open.”  But allowing government to tell us that we are not even allowed to do that goes not just against one of the basic rights of this country but of God’s laws.

            But what is wrong with keeping people healthy?  You now entered into Satan’s second lie.  To accept this premise, you have to believe that our churches are irresponsible, unnecessary and incapable of keeping people safe while attending church.  Somehow, we have a greater respect for our grocery store management than for our church management.  I laud those few pastors who have found creative ways to do church – beyond the impersonal video exchange.  Drive through confessionals, drive up church, drive through prayer time, and more.  The bold few have even ripped the veil off one of Satan’s other lies – that going to church is somehow not a choice.  So, they open their churches to anyone who chooses to attend.  Do they still adhere to safe practices, of course, because God doesn’t call Christians to be stupid.  He calls us to trust and to obey Him.  Why have we expected more from Walmart than from our church?  Why have we put ourselves on equal footing with our gyms?

            Even our most trusted faith leaders have failed us.  While they preach on trusting God, they cower behind their computer screens.  Where is the trust?  Where is the bold faith?  Where is the healing of lepers and of the sick?  Where is the knowledge and belief that God is in our midst?  Who do you think God is smiling on – the church that closes and locks their doors or the church that is open to the sick, the anxious, the scared, the homeless, the alcoholic, the abused, the weak and the poor?  The other lie Satan tells us is that living in our impersonal, technology connected faith, God’s work is full, is enough.  We say things like, isn’t great we can connect with missionaries across the world during this time?  Isn’t’ amazing how we can still be together through a video screen?  If that were true, then why didn’t the apostles just rely on letters to the churches?  Why did they feel the need to enter into cities that were sure to persecute them, sure to throw them in jail?  Where are the pastors who say as Peter and John, who after laying hands on a lame man cured him, said to the Sanhedrin, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man is healed.”  Yes, technology is great for those who can’t be with us.  But we’ve preached and preached over the last few years about the dangers of relying on technology and becoming less connected rather than more.   And what about the supposed connections we’ve made?  Besides videos, have our churches and our denominations reached out regularly to their parishioners via phone calls, letters, etc? Have they been regular guests on news shows teaching about ways to ease our anxieties?  Have our pastors personally reached out to people who have reached out to them about their concerns? And what about the non-members that attend our churches?  How have those people been personally connected?  What about the non-believer who one night, feels called by the Holy Spirit to enter a church and hear the Word?

            You see, the devil has used our goodness, our desires to do the right thing against us.  It’s time to gird our loins with Truth.  God does not want our churches locked.  He does not want us hiding in fear.  He wants those doors thrown open.  He wants us to welcome all who are lost, who are lonely, who are fearful, and who are spiritually sick.  We must stop allowing Satan to define God’s mission for us.  As my friend once said to me, “This should be a pastor’s ‘jam’.”  Meaning this time in the world is when the fight between dark and light should be most obvious.  It’s what we have been training for.  It’s the time to call for peace in His arms, for faith in His words, for trust in His love. “

Here’s the thing about what happens to Jerry Maguire. He wins in the end. He gathers up the believers. He tears down the old way of doing things. He renews faith. He remembers what his intended purpose is.

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Shaloha

krisshetter

Life is like a stormy sea 
That tosses to and fro, 
But God’s Word will ever be 
A ballast for my soul; 
By its truth I’ll be held fast 
Till I reach heaven’s shore 
Where I will be home at last 
And sail life’s sea no more!

—Perry Boardman

How often do you feel like a sailing ship being tossed to and fro?  Or a tiny dinghy out on a stormy lake?  I certainly felt that way more times than I can count.  My “peace-filled” days were the ones I could count on a couple hands.  But Jesus is the Prince of Peace!  It’s so fascinating to study the days of Jesus and His interactions with the leaders of the Jewish faith.  We have the benefit of thousands of years of scholarly study to correctly interpret Jesus’ words.  We also have the truth of the resurrection to back up Jesus’ position with God.

But think of those leaders who knew the prophesy in Isaiah 9:6 which states: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  They certainly weren’t anxiously waiting for this Nazarene.  A child born to a lowly woman.  Someone not officially holding a title of Prince or even Rabbi.  And yet there he stood.  

“Shalom – peace – is a precious word to the Jewish people.  It means more than just the absence of war or distress.  Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense.  When you are enjoying God’s peace, there is joy and contentment,” says Warren Wiersbe on his commentary of John 14:25-31.  The Pharisees, and other lay people, were looking for someone to just give them the absence of war and the gift of prosperity.  They were missing out on the eternal peace that God gifts us through both war and prosperity.  When I think of God’s peace the eye of a hurricane always comes to mind.  This eye is an area of mostly calm weather inside a terrifying hurricane.  

According to the website, A Catholic Gentleman, which promotes faith in men, “over 40 million Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder of some kind, and there are no doubt countless others that live with severe anxiety but are undiagnosed. “ But how do we obtain this elusive peace?  The Catholic Gentleman gives some great insight:

First, it means living in the present moment. A great deal of anxiety comes from worrying about the past or the future, neither of which can be changed. Even though we know it is useless, we often expend untold emotional energy worrying. 

Second, it means accepting the circumstances of life without impatient resistance, realizing that everything is either positively willed or at least allowed by God. 

Finally, it means trust in the goodness of God. Many of us are afraid to completely abandon ourselves to the will of God because we are afraid of what it might mean. 

These three pieces of advice are so clear and helpful.  But they are not easy.  I once told a good friend that some days just working on staying in the present moment took every ounce of energy I had.  There are no quick fixes to this amazing gift God wants for us.  Unlike grace and salvation which, once we accept Jesus as the son of God who removes our stains, is given fully and freely to us, the gift of peace can seem more like trying to open a clamshell style package.  You think it looks simple and you try poking your fingernail between the two pieces of plastic.  When that doesn’t work you look for a helpful tab somewhere the manufacturer must have added in order to tear that puppy open.  But alas, none exists.  Then you start trying to use brute strength or maybe your teeth.  You feel a bit silly.  I mean it’s you against a piece of plastic!  You finally give in and get out a knife or scissors.  And even that may lead to a bloody finger.  When all is said and done you have in front of you a mangled piece of plastic and the object of your desire, freed from the bonds of the clamshell.  You look at your freed item and somehow it feels more valuable from the work you just put in.  And you exclaim, “finally!”

I love the teachings of Joyce Meyer primarily because this taming of our minds is her primary teaching focus when it comes to following God’s Word.  One of her devotional days says,

“Nobody is successful with any venture just by wishing they would be.  Successful people make a plan and talk to themselves about that plan constantly.”

Joyce Meyer, Trusting God Day by Day

This is based on 2 Cor 10:5: “We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey God.”  When we keep our mind in the present and decide what goes on up in our thick skull we are miles ahead toward achieving that gift of peace. 

I know a lot people who spend most of their time on the wall of the hurricane instead of the eye.  They’re the “Chicken Littles” and the “Debbie Downers” and the “Joy Suckers.”  I’m familiar with all of them as I perfected each of them at one time or another.  Until I accepted Jesus.  I surrendered to trusting the goodness of God.  When I am facing tough situations I FIRST turn to God to pump a little extra peace into me.  For a long time, I assumed that long-time Christians all had this peace.  One friend I spoke to at the beginning of the COVID 19 scare, who has been a Christian much longer than I, was distraught.  He said he just couldn’t see God at work anywhere.  I told him he sounded like the ship being tossed to and fro.  And that without trust in God he wouldn’t find peace.  He stopped talking.  He realized he had stepped out of God’s eye and into the storm.

I read this story as part of a sermon by Max Lucado on “Peace that defies pain.”

“I have everything I need for joy!” Robert Reed said. “Amazing!” I thought.

His hands are twisted and his feet are useless. He can’t bathe himself. He can’t feed himself. He can’t brush his teeth, comb his hair, or put on his underwear. His shirts are held together by strips of Velcro®. His speech drags like a worn-out audio cassette.

Robert has cerebral palsy.

The disease keeps him from driving a car, riding a bike, and going for a walk. But it didn’t keep him from graduating from high school or attending Abilene Christian University, from which he graduated with a degree in Latin. Having cerebral palsy didn’t keep him from teaching at a St. Louis junior college or from venturing overseas on five mission trips.

And Robert’s disease didn’t prevent him from becoming a missionary in Portugal. He moved to Lisbon, alone, in 1972. There he rented a hotel room and began studying Portuguese. He found a restaurant owner who would feed him after the rush hour and a tutor who would instruct him in the language.

Then he stationed himself daily in a park, where he distributed brochures about Christ. Within six years he led seventy people to the Lord, one of whom became his wife, Rosa.

I heard Robert speak recently. I watched other men carry him in his wheelchair onto the platform. I watched them lay a Bible in his lap. I watched his stiff fingers force open the pages. And I watched people in the audience wipe away tears of admiration from their faces. Robert could have asked for sympathy or pity, but he did just the opposite. He held his bent hand up in the air and boasted, “I have everything I need for joy.”

His shirts are held together by Velcro®, but his life is held together by joy.”

I praise God, the Prince of Peace, the Giver of Joy, the Giver of Shaloha, as many on the beautifully peaceful island of Kauai like to say. I thank Him for helping me be steadfast in surrendering to Him so that I might live each moment in the eye rather than the walls of the storm.

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

The Great Interpreter

krisshetter

Have you ever watched a speech where a sign language professional was interpreting for the hard of hearing community?  I always wonder if they are truly interpreting the speech correctly.  In fact, in 2013 at a world televised memorial to Nelson Mandela, advocates for the deaf called out an interpreter as fake.  “The man, who stood about a yard from (President) Obama and other leaders was moving his hands around, but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for,” said Bruno Druchen, national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa.  At times, as a Christian I have felt what those watching this man wave around his hands in meaningless gestures must have felt – confused.    

I’ve heard a few “fake” interpreters of God’s Word. From hate-filled pastors such Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church and Bishop Talbert Swan of the Church of God in Christ to more subtle false “prosperity” teachers like Joel Olsteen and T.D. Jakes, the Word of God has been twisted, edited, and completely ignored. And yet there are hundreds if not thousands of people who follow these “pastors'” preaching. Why? Because we all are looking for answers — for someone to interpret God’s plan for us. Some of us want quick and easy answers. Some of us just want answers that fit our sinful needs and desires.

In the Old Testament, God communicated through people like Moses, Samuel, Jeremiah and others to relay His commands to the people of Israel.  There were also false prophets who claimed to interpret for the gods. The people turned to both kinds of prophets for guidance.  God swiftly punished those who disobeyed His Word. The great shift came when God sent himself, in the form of Jesus, to speak directly with His creations.  Jesus became our great interpreter – explaining the Father’s purpose for His chosen ones.  He didn’t speak to nations like so many of the prophets of old did– He spoke with us as individuals and groups.  He gathered up people at wells, in gardens, in homes, at lakes and even at graves. He warned us about false prophets and teachers. But His Word cannot be denied. It is written in the oldest book. And although there are various translations of the Bible, His Words stay pretty much the same. It amazes me to hear people, especially angry hate-filled Christians, espouse rights or wrongs that don’t exist in the Bible. I just say, show me the scripture.

When I find myself wondering what God wants from me or a direction I should take, I go directly to Jesus’ words. He was not one to speak meaninglessly.  He didn’t speak out of hatred. He rarely showed anger. And when He did speak it was as though He was allotted a certain number of words to use while here on Earth.  And He used them wisely.

Praying for Help

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Who to Trust

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22: 37

On Kindness

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

How to Attain Peace

“Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” 

Salvation

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except for me.” John 14:6

Grace

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor 12:9

Sinful Behavior

“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” John 8:34

Jesus not only was the son of God, he was us.  He lived among us to experience the temptations, the persecution, the love, betrayal, and loyalties in everyday life.  I praise Jesus today for coming to us to interpret the mind of God for us frail, limited humans.  Our eyes and ears and minds have a glimpse into heaven through His actions and words.  And God wasn’t done when His son when up to heaven.  His Holy Spirit continues the work as our individual, tailored guide.  She whispers to us and laughs with us and cries with us.

I don’t walk in the wilderness so much anymore. And with Jesus’ Words I am very discerning about my spiritual leaders.  My guide, my interpreter, is always by my side.  He will show me the way home. Praise God.

Did you figure out what the sign language word is in the picture?  “Grace.” Enjoy this ASL interpreted song, “In Christ Alone” by clicking on the video below.

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Merciful Judge

krisshetter

We are living in a time that the word “justice” seems to hold so many different meanings – at times almost opposite meanings.  “Justice” to some means punishing people for something they didn’t participate in and happened about 200 years ago.  To others it means being able to take what you want because you feel victimized.  In some cities, “justice” means releasing hundreds of people who are in jail for murder, rape, burglary and the like.  Some people judge in the blink of an eye based on a short video.  Others judge simply because they already didn’t like a person.   And yet others still believe in the idea of investigating a crime, bringing it to a court and evaluating all the facts before passing judgement.   I have a degree in Journalism and English.  I learned that passing judgement in the media was a no-no.  Somehow that lesson has disappeared from journalism school

We can’t seem to escape “un-just judgement” these days.  What you wear, what you drive, where you live, what your skin color is, if you have a college degree or if you are old or young, we are judged by our neighbors, our enemies and even our fellow Christians.  I recently posted on Instagram a picture of a surgical mask.  I stated, “This mask does not symbolize your: kindness, faith, politics, intelligence, wokeness or love.  It’s just a mask.”  The mask, as promoted by governmental officials, has become yet another way to be judged.  Our “Cancel Culture” is swift in its judgement and mercy is nowhere to be found.

Thank the Lord that His judgement is merciful.  I mean He has been trying for thousands and thousands of years to get the majority of humanity on board with His simple rule – Obey God.  He has yet to pass His mighty judgement over us.  It does feel as though that time is getting closer and closer, however.   

So often we want to take justice into our own hands.  But it’s important to understand the difference between daily justice that God calls us to and eternal justice.  At times we think we must step in for God – with acts of anger, revenge or spite.  God does not call us to scream a people in the streets. For one, I find most people screaming don’t actually know what “justice” they need or who should be held to account.  Rest assured that if it’s justice God wants you to accomplish you will have His peace.  Screaming in people’s faces and looting won’t be part of His plan for you.  As Jesus’ people, we are called to step in for the weak and downtrodden.  But we need not be the weak and downtrodden – because through Christ we are blessed and strengthened.  A Christian who obeys God is destined to experience hardship and suffering, but His love and mercy sustains us for greater work.  He asks us to judge others as we are judged by Him – with mercy and forgiveness.

Whether or not a person believes and accepts God and His Son, Jesus, he will still ultimately be judged in the eternal world.  We must believe that Truth.  

“I said to myself, ‘God will bring into judgement both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.’”  

Ecclesiastes 3:17

Until then, God gives us opportunity after opportunity through His mercy to change course.  I, for one, am thankful for the chance to continue my path of imperfect progress without the justice served I deserve each day.

How has God showed you His mercy? Share in praise of God today in the comments below!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

God Woos Us

krisshetter

During my years of attending church and going to bible studies I have heard many scripture verses surrounding love:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.” John 3:16

“Love is patient, love is kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

“And now these three remain; faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

There are scriptures about how God loves us, how we are to love God and love our friends, neighbors and enemies.  We don’t, however, always equate this “love” with romantic love.  And yet, by all descriptions, the love the Holy Spirit has for us and wants in return is just that.  Intimacy, thoughtfulness, honesty – an embrace, a tight hug, and sweet kiss – isn’t that what we long for in our “romantic” relationships?  And the Holy Spirit is all about that kind of love.

A pastor at one of my previous churches wrote, what some considered a controversial book about the Holy Spirit, called, I’m In ❤.  Controversial because he is part of a corporate-style faith where we worship, but not too exuberantly.  We pray but not too boldly.  We love but out of reverence.  In the first chapter of his book he writes:

“Spirit wants to woo you into her arms in order to embrace you and whisper intimate truths.  Spirit offers to tutor you in vulnerability and joy.  Spirit welcomes you to trust her.  Spirit kisses you.  But this kind of love takes time to grow.  Will you let Her court you?”

Rev. Dr. Bruce Humphrey

So many of my conversations with my Christian friends focus on creating a personal relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Let’s face it, when you are intimate with someone you know exactly what they expect of you and if it’s a mutually respectful relationship you want to meet those expectations.  The Holy Spirit is who whispers to us.  Who winks so that we both are “in on the joke.”  She holds my hand when I am afraid to take the steps Jesus laid out for me. This “controversial” pastor goes on to write:

“Here is the truth: romance requires slowing down, listening, and spending time.  As mysterious as it is, there are some basic ingredients for love to flourish.  Romance requires intentionality.  Love is a choice.  You can decide to accept the Spirit’s love, or you can reject her embrace.  She will not force or compel you.  In other words, love takes commitment.

Rev. Dr. Bruce Humphrey

God is fully committed to loving you. Through the words of His son Jesus and the great counselor, the Holy Spirit, love abounds from the heavens.  Are you ready to embrace Him just as intimately? Share how God shows His love for you in the comments below!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement

The Rescuer

krisshetter

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for!”  That especially holds true when we sit in prayer with God.  At times he will, because we refuse to listen to his guidance, give us exactly what we’ve wished for – and realize it’s not what we needed.  Other times he gives us the exact opposite of what we’ve prayed.  And we realize it is exactly what we needed.  Charles Stanley’s Life Principle #9 is, “Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.”

God is our wise counselor.  He is the ultimate teacher and rescuer from ourselves.  Yes, from ourselves.  When we finally surrender to his will we look back over all the times we prayed for the wrong things.  A friend of mine shared with me the other day that she was looking back over her last six months of journal entries.  She was so convicted in what her prayers said.  For one, she kept praying to God to show her how to forgive someone; over and over and over she asked for guidance.  And then she came to the entry where she prayed that someone would forgive her, immediately.  She didn’t want that person to pray for six months about how to forgive her, she wanted it now.  She had to laugh at the glaring lesson God was putting in front of her.  “Yes, I want you to forgive immediately, not six months from now, not with some magic steps you need to learn, now.”

About four years ago I sat on the edge of my bed in tears.  In my conversation with God I told Him how I didn’t understand why I was so unhappy.  I was hosting a successful Bible study, I prayed and I went to church.  I recited all my “good Christian” actions.  But I was still in mental and emotional turmoil.  Suddenly a loud and distinct voice behind me boomed, “What have you really done?”  Now mind you, there was no one else home at the time.  I quickly looked behind me to an empty room.  I responded with a prosaic, “What??”  And from right in front of me the voice spoke, “Really, what have you done?”  It shocked me. Mostly because the conviction was true.  I was doing all the “right things” but I wasn’t doing the most important thing – surrendering completely to the Almighty.  And so, I got down on my knees and prayed for him to show me the path – no, pull me with both hands – out of the mud and mire of my life.  He rescued me at that very moment.  He started me on what I called God’s Boot Camp.

The same friend who shared her journal review asked me at the end of a long walk, “Why aren’t people adding their praise to your posts?” I responded by saying I didn’t really know – maybe people were quietly saying their own praises without feeling the need to post. Some people also reply to me personally. While others might do what I did before that fateful day on the side of the bed, they read and move on. You see God the counselor, God the rescuer can only be successful at his tasks when we intentionally obey him. I also shared with her that this 30 Days of Praise, unlike some of my other challenges I’ve opened to people, is really for me. And if someone wants to come along for the ride it makes it all the more fun.

What has God been counseling you on lately? What has he rescued you from? Share your praise for him today!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement

The 3 O’s of God

krisshetter

Day 10

How often do you talk with others about your faith and God?  I once was in a Bible study where a wonderfully kind woman described talking about Jesus as an uncomfortable used car transaction.  You walk onto the lot wanting to browse and the used car salesman starts his schtick trying to get you to buy something you really don’t want. 

A few years ago, I had a profound encounter with Jesus which led me on my path toward a bold faith.  One of the “side effects” of this bold faith is how often I find myself talking about God with all sorts of people.  It’s through these conversations that I’ve seen varied views of God.  

Omnipotent God

One very close friend, who happens to be Catholic, pictures God as an altar. She’s currently seeking a more personal relationship with Him but for a long time God has been more of an authority figure. What I love about this God is He can move mountains. He can set the world back into order. He performs miracles the world couldn’t even imagine. God the King, the Lord of Lords – it’s who we press our faces to the ground in submission as we seek His grace and deliverance. It’s who we offer the only true gift we have, ourselves, as we approach His throne.

Definition of omnipotent

1:often capitalized : ALMIGHTY

2: having virtually unlimited authority or influence

Omnipresent God

I know a number of people who feel God’s presence constantly.  One woman, in her early 80s, told me He is always with her, like a friend.  She talks with Him throughout her day. He guides her with gentle touches.  He comforts her.  My sweet friend Janet, who I tease and call her Earth Mother, is finely tuned into God.  Her “God Antennae” picks up His signals through visions, feelings and dreams.  He is never far from her because she sees Him all around her – in nature, in people, in animals and in the every day.  The wonderful thing about this God is He never forgets me.  I am never lost.  He always knows where I am because I am always with Him.

Definition of omnipresent

1: present in all places at all times

Omniscient God

My friend Betsy and my mother-in-law Bev trust God completely.  That’s because they know God has a plan.  They know deep in their hearts that all things do truly work for our good and somehow, someday their prayers will be answered.  This omniscient God is above our thoughts.  He knows what we truly need, even when we think we know better.  This is the God who sent His son to teach us His ways because He knew we needed someone who had a “human experience” yet was without blemish.  Jesus intimately knows man’s ways and God’s ways.  In my current Bible study, there are two separate “life principles” which focus on obeying God.  #2 is: Obey God and let Him handle the consequences. #5 is: Obey God even if it seems unreasonable.  Why? Because God knows the ultimate outcomes.

Definition of omniscient

1: having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight 

2: possessed of universal or complete knowledge 

The three O’s of God –omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient – create one unimaginably powerful force.  This King, this Friend, this Teacher asks for two simple acts in return for all His gifts to us, to obey His Word and to return His love. 

“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – the Lord God Almighty is his name.”  Amos 4:13

Which God characteristic do you most identify with today? Join the praise conversation!