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A Lifeline

January 24, 2023January 12, 2023 krisshetter

If you falter in a time of trouble,
    how small is your strength!
¹¹Rescue those being led away to death;
    hold back those staggering toward slaughter. Proverbs 24:10-11

In one of the smallest books of the Bible there’s a very powerful lesson about our duty as believers. Jude 22-23 admonishes us to be a lifeline to our fellow Christians who struggle with their faith.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Jude 22-23

I’m sure all of us have heard a Christian friend or acquaintance talk about their doubts at one time or another. How many of us, however, have stepped up and been that lifeline? To help remind them of the promises of God? To encourage them that, although they may feel far from the Lord, He will never leave them? Or even with truth and love shine a light on a sin that is leading them to death?

We Christians during the last 50 years have been so hesitant to take up this mantle, worried we might sound “judgy” or “preachy” that we have allowed so many of our brothers and sisters to fall into the fire. We have forgotten the final truth of Jesus. He will come to judge the wicked who have turned their backs to Him. Yes, Jesus is love. But throughout His time here with us His underlining message was our salvation – saving us from the “slaughter.”

Friends, the time is now to throw out that lifeline to that Christian who is faltering. You know the one. They’ve already popped up in your head. They’ve been pulled to the way of the world because of its shiny offerings. With mercy, love, truth and fear, God is asking you intervene. It may be through intense prayer. It may also look like a tough conversation. Ask Him to show you the way.

Heavenly Father, I get afraid sometimes when it comes to speaking truth into others. With the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance I will be a rescuer in your name. Amen

Craving Influence

January 23, 2023January 12, 2023 krisshetter

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Good Name

January 22, 2023January 11, 2023 krisshetter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His Plan Won’t Fail

January 21, 2023January 10, 2023 krisshetter

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be Prudent with Vows

January 20, 2023January 10, 2023 krisshetter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Drippy, Leaky Roof

January 19, 2023January 10, 2023 krisshetter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reliable Friends

January 18, 2023January 4, 2023 krisshetter

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

She is the sweetest person I have ever called “friend.” A gentle and kind woman who doesn’t have bad things to say about anyone. And she was always late. That is, if she didn’t cancel the morning of or an hour before we planned to meet up. I knew the second we scheduled a lunch date to not be disappointed when she gave me the “oops” text. Sweet and completely unreliable. And although I tried not to let it bother me it did.

When we are younger, automatic friend groups pop up because of school, work, volunteering or your kid’s activities. As I grew older, I found myself realizing that not all but many, friends were out of convenience. Many of them weren’t ones I could truly rely upon.

It all came to a head one day when I was desperate for someone to take me to the doctor. I had gotten word that my knee injury was in fact a serious fracture and I was urged to get to the orthopedic doctor immediately. My husband was out of town. I contacted my mother and was turned down (a longer story for another time). Then my “best friend” who also turned me down. I asked yet another friend and was told no. Instead, I found myself driving home from a doctor’s appointment with a hip to ankle brace and crutches. To this day I’m not sure how I made it home without crashing. It was my “ah ha” moment about my lack of reliable friends.

I spent the next few days alternately feeling sorry for myself and evaluating the people in my friend sphere. I realized there were people around me that were reliable. I just hadn’t cultivated them as good friends. After prayer and putting together an action plan I set about changing this situation.

Friend, since that time I’ve had a number of friends tell me they wish we were friends back during that time of my injury. They tell me they would’ve dropped everything to help me. They are my new sisters, most of whom are also sisters in Christ. Isn’t it time to make sure you have a few reliable friends too?

Holy God, you are my first and foremost reliable guide, friend and helper in my life. I thank you for the reliable people you have placed around me. Please always help me be on the lookout for other, earthly friends with whom I can walk through this world together. Amen

Prune Strife

January 17, 2023January 13, 2023 krisshetter

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. Proverbs 17:1

I’ve never understood the fascination with the show Real Housewives. You watch as a group of glamorous women gather week after week to go on vacation together, dine in expensive restaurants, shop for beautiful clothing. And fight. And gossip mercilessly about each other. And cry and scream. I suppose it’s like rubbernecking. Watching a disaster unfold seems to hold our attention. Anytime one of my adult children has turned that show or similar ones on at our house all I can hear is bickering and complaining. It feels so stressful just watching it. I have to go to another room and close out the strife.

While we may not all bounce around with the rich and glamorous each week in our real lives, how many of us maintain friend groups that cause similar chaos? That one friend who always picks a fight with the waiter. The friend who demands to have the group plans change to accommodate them. The two friends who revel tearing up each other behind backs. It’s understandable to feel the need to invite a close relative to an all family event who acts this way. But why do we insist on voluntarily bringing that lack of peace into our lives?

Maybe we worry about our social status, being left out, not being “in the know.” Or maybe we keep these folks around because we think it helps our children or spouse. Stepping back however, any strife we purposely allow into our midst will affect the rest of our lives and family.

As I’ve grown and matured, God has pruned out a lot of people from my life. One’s I called dear friends at the time. Some of that pruning felt painful. Now, I look at the beautiful women He has brought into my life because I have learned from His Word about humility, pride, trustworthiness, and sacrificial love. I ate a lot of “dry crust” for a bit waiting for His work in me to show me what was important in who I choose to spend my valuable time with.

Friend, your peace should not be up for sale to people who cause strife. Bring the people in your life to God in prayer and asks Him to show you where you need pruning.

Heavenly Father, reveal to me the people and areas in my life where strife abounds. Help me to prune those areas, even it means eating dry crust for awhile. Amen.

Who Rules Your Day?

January 16, 2023January 3, 2023 krisshetter

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2

We’ve all had the opportunity to be arm-chair decision makers while watching a movie. You just know that she should not, absolutely not, open that door and peer into Pandora’s Box. But because their curiosity or desires are so great they ignore every good sense they should have. The 1988 movie, Indecent Proposal, must have had movie goers at the edge of their seats shaking their heads in exasperation. A married couple meet a billionaire while in Las Vegas. He offers $1million to sleep with the wife for one night. After deliberating, the couple agrees to the proposal. I mean, it was a million dollars! That kind of money can paper over any possible issues that might arise, right?

Even though this scenario was fantasy on the silver screen how many of us make decisions every single day thinking we know better than God? We see the immediate benefit of our choice. Our desires and emotions outweigh or even obscure the possible consequences. This is especially dangerous when the consequences may not be seen for years – say through the actions of our children.

I heard a pastor recently break down how to live at peace – with our decisions, the world swirling around us and more. First, seek God’s help, advice, and intervention. Then don’t take it back. That’s what Abraham’s Sarah did. She prayed for children then decided she probably could handle the problem better. She had her husband sleep with Hagar. And like the results of the decision in Indecent Proposal, people’s lives were ruined and changed forever.

Friend, God doesn’t need you to ask permission for everything in life. If you stick close to Him, you’ll know the right and wrong in most situations. But when it comes to the big stuff or situations where emotions and desires are strong we need to submit them to God. We need our heavenly Counselor to give us better advice than what our flesh is telling us. And then take it.

Lord, I can get blinded by my explanations for why I need to do things my way. Please shine a revealing light on those times where I need to fully commit my choices to you. Amen

Stop Pretending

January 13, 2023January 1, 2023 krisshetter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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