Water for the Soul

 

I am mesmerized by the flow of water. I could watch a rippling river, a cascading waterfall, or ocean waves rolling onshore for hours. I love the way the water looks and sounds and feels. I believe water is one of God's greatest wonders.

At its most basic level, water helps sustain our bodies and our world. But on a deeper, human-spirit level, water for the soul is equally valuable. There's something about a tumbling ocean wave, rushing river rapids, or a gentle stream that can bring peace to my weary soul, healing to my troubled heart, or awesome wonder that makes me feel God’s presence.

There's a story John the disciple told of a time when Jesus met a woman by a well. As she came to draw water for her daily needs, Jesus was waiting for her. She was surprised when He even acknowledged her and furthermore when He made an unanticipated offer. He invited her to ask for Living Water:

"The water that I will give will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Obviously Jesus was talking about a different kind of water than what we know as H2O: a spiritual, soul-quenching form of sustenance we all long for; when we’re tired, when we’re lonely, when we’re feeling defeated, when we’re heartbroken, confused, lost, scared…

 

 

I find this life-giving water as I seek Jesus, learn from His Spirit, receive His love and peace, and trust Him daily. But I also get this feeling of God's presence and love and power and gentleness when I see and hear the flow of water. As I was walking along the river behind my neighborhood this week, I began to wonder why that is. 

 

 

Why am I so mesmerized? Why is the flow of water so peaceful, inspiring, and enchanting? Why does it always make me feel so close to God?

I looked in the Bible for answers to that question, and first I found others felt the same way. In Psalm 42, the writer compares a deer longing for a stream of water to their own longing for God. In Genesis 16 an angel of the Lord meets Hagar in the wilderness when she is sitting beside a spring, feeling lost and abandoned. In Genesis 24 when Rebekah meets a servant of Abraham who wants to take her back to Canaan to wed Isaac, their encounter takes place at the community water spring, and she just knows she’s supposed to go with him.

Water is mentioned over 450 times in the Bible and is often associated with longing for God, being in God’s presence, hearing God, and following God.

 

And you don’t have to read far to find the first instance water is mentioned. In Genesis 1:2 it says, The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

 

God doesn’t even get to the first recorded day of Creation in Genesis 1:3 when He created light before He mentions water covering the earth! Before there was light, there was water, and God's Spirit was there, "hovering". This word for hover can also be translated as, "move with the feeling of tender love; like an eagle brooding over its young."*

 

Huh, imagine that.

 

In John 3:16 it says, ‘For God so loved the world...’ And from the very beginning, He was there, bringing our world into existence and crafting it so beautifully for us to inhabit and enjoy—and to know Him. He's as close as the nearest drop of water, and considering our bodies are more than 50% water, that's pretty close.

So the next time you're walking on a beach or hear a rippling river or grab your water bottle for a refreshing drink, let it be a reminder to you that God is close; He is love; and He is there to meet your every need.

 

 

"Let us press on to know the LORD...He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Hosea 6:3

 

 

*Taken from Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, courtesy of BlueLetterBible.org

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (ESV)

 

New Year, New Life

 

Peter was ready to go back to his old life. The one he had before Jesus interrupted him on these shores, and out there on the sea. His grandfather had been a fisherman, his dad, and he was too. That's just who he was meant to be. His heritage, his identity, his destiny.

"I am going fishing," he said to the others. "Who's with me?"

"I'm in," Thomas said, needing to clear his head. He was still trying to figure out if he'd actually seen Jesus before they left Jerusalem. It had seemed so real, but--

"Me too," Nathanael sighed, not understanding why they were back here again--why Jesus had told them to return home to Galilee instead of remaining where all the excitement was. Sure they were scared, but at least the news was buzzing of Jesus being alive.

John was reluctant to follow the others. They had waited all day for Jesus to meet them here on the hillside like He said, but Jesus hadn't come and he was hungry. They had nothing left to eat.

"Come on, little brother," James said. "You heard the boss."

He went to get in the boat with the others who had all agreed with Peter, as usual. One of these days he was going to get up the gumption to not follow that know-it-all, but tonight he felt powerless, hopeless, and abandoned.

It had been a crazy two weeks. First Jesus had ridden through the streets of Jerusalem on a donkey with everyone calling Him the Blessed One sent from God, only to call for His death after the Passover feast. He'd never been so scared in his life or devastated, but Jesus was alive? He had risen from the dead like He said, and he had seen with his own eyes--twice? Could it really be?

Peter was beyond confusion. Beyond understanding God at all. Was He going to rescue them or not? First Jesus was dead, and now He was back? What the heck? He was done trying to figure that dude out. So he was back to fishing. Something predictable and worthwhile and...'Where are all the fish? We should be bringing in our first catch by now, but the net is still empty.'

By dawn everyone was ready to head home and get some breakfast. Nathanael knew it would be good to see the wife and kids. He wasn't sure what to tell them. Surely they'd heard the terrible news by now, but would they believe the good news? He sighed at the thought of having to tell another tall-tale, but what else could he do? He'd come this far with getting everyone to believe his latest Jacob's-ladder sighting; And only time would tell what the Messiah's resurrection meant. Jesus had told them it would happen, but He hadn't said what came next.

They were getting close to shore when he saw someone sitting beside a fire on the beach. Standing to His feet the man called out, "Do you have any fish?"

"No!"

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

He heard John gasp. "It's Jesus!"

"No, it's not," Peter argued. "You're imagining things."

"No, I'm not! It's Him! Do what He said!"

Nathanael had never heard young John be so adamant with Peter. He could get riled up with his brother sometimes, but he had a respectful fear of others with strong personalities, until now. He didn't even take it from Thomas when he tried to agree with Peter.

"You finally saw Him for yourself! Do you still not believe?"

"I'm not rowing all the way back out there," Peter said in his matter-of-fact way, but John held his ground.

"He didn't say we have to go back. Just let the net down here! If it's Him, we'll know soon enough."

So they cast the net into the shallow water, and sure enough the fish practically jumped into the boat. When they tried to haul the net in, they couldn't without fear of breaking it.

"It is the Lord!" John said again, and they all knew he was right.

Even Peter didn't argue and jumped into the water, heading for the shore. Nathanael wanted to do the same but just smiled and helped the others with dragging the full net to the beach. He wasn't sure if he was ever going to get used to Jesus proving Himself over and over, but for the moment he had no doubt, and he knew there was no rush. Jesus would be waiting when he got there.

***

It's easy to think that once Jesus rose from the dead and they saw Him with their own eyes, His disciples never doubted Jesus' words again, but I'm sure they did--many, many times. It's just human nature to doubt, like Adam and Eve did in the Garden, like Abraham did in Canaan, like Moses did in the wilderness, like David...On and on we see God's people doubting His words, His presence, His promises, and we see ourselves in their stories.

But even though we doubt, our God is still faithful. He patiently guides us, helps us, teaches us--day after day, week after week, and year after year.

We celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus--God coming to be with us and become one of us; to become a sacrifice for our sins and provide salvation for all people.

And I think celebrating the New Year can be a time for us to remember that Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven to sit in the place of authority at the Father's right hand, and then sent His Spirit to be with us and bring new life to our often doubtful and troubled hearts. It's 2023 but He still has not abandoned us, just as He promised: I am with you always. (Matthew 28:20) 

I hope you step into the New Year with confidence. I hope you don't feel abandoned or powerless. I hope you are counting on Jesus to see you through the coming days, weeks, and months; whatever they hold. I hope you are expecting Jesus to fill up your net with abundant blessings and miraculous moments.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong...May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Eph. 3:16-19)

I wish you a joy-filled, hopeful New Year, full of grace and truth. 💜

Italicized scripture taken from John 21, Matthew 28, (ESV); and Ephesians 3 (NLT)

Truth Over Fear

"The truth will set you free."

John 8:32

 

Several months ago I wrote a blogpost titled, "Love Over Fear". We looked at how love leads to joy and joy leads to peace, as Paul points out when he wrote about the Fruit of the Spirit. I encouraged you to focus on loving God, loving others, and loving yourself. Having a heart of thankfulness, unselfishness, and trust in God's love for you can go a long way to help in overcoming fear.

Today I want to talk a little more specifically about how focusing on love can bring peace by looking at how truth plays a role in this. Truth is something that can bring on feelings of fear and also chase them away. For instance, you know bad things happen in our world. This is a sad reality of life. Violence, crime, hurtful words: every day we are reminded of the cruelty of others; Tornadoes, floods, food shortages, disease...I could go on and on about the real or potential perils we face.

But the truth also tells us that God will care for us, protect us, and bring good things out of bad circumstances. Threats to our well-being are real, but so is God's mercy.

The same is true regarding the condition of our hearts. We are sinful. We do the wrong things, make poor decisions, put our own needs above the needs of others. The reality of our sin can make us cower in shame, try to cover up our mistakes, and leave us feeling guilty and unworthy of anything good.

But God's mercy is also real. His love brings forgiveness and the courage to come into the light, admitting our failures and weaknesses and asking for help to overcome our clumsy, messy selves.

In 1 John 4:18 it says, There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Believing in God's love for you is a key factor to overcoming fear in your life, whether it's fear of your mistakes being exposed, others hurting you in some way, or not having what you need. These are real fears with real consequences. But God's love is greater.

I encourage you to make a list of your current fears. Write them down to get them out in the open, not merely swimming through your mind. When you've completed your list, go through them one by one. How can believing in God's love for you erase these fears? Try to write one truth beside each current or potential crisis, such as: God is with me, God will protect me; God will provide for me; God will help me; God forgives me; God loves me unconditionally; God works all things together for my good, or whatever truth can apply (perhaps a specific Bible verse). Write those words on the same line as your fear and then cross-out the fear you listed.

When you are finished, pray about the fears you crossed-out; Ask God to help you believe what you already know is true. Then ask Him to reveal truths that are greater than your fears that remain. You might need to search the Bible or ask someone to help you look for specific words God spoke and promises He has made that can bring you peace about these things.

If God didn't want us to have peace, He wouldn't have given us the Bible and His Spirit to teach us the truth and help us believe. But the truth is He did; and He can put our fears to rest and help the fruit of peace to flourish in our hearts and minds.

 

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil...having fastened the belt of truth...and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:10-11,14-15

 

 

Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

When God Paints the Clouds

There is no one like my God. He rides across the heavens to help me, on the clouds of His majesty.

Deuteronomy 33:26

I love clouds. I love when they bring refreshing rain. I love them on sunny days when they appear like fluffy marshmallows in the sky. And I love when they turn beautiful colors of pink and orange at sunset.

 

 

But clouds aren't always welcome. Sometimes they bring too much rain and long, gloomy days. Sometimes they bring terrible storms that cause floods and great destruction. Sometimes they block the stars and the moon when I'd like to see a celestial event--I'm a bit of an astronomy nerd.

 

In the Bible, clouds are often used to remind us of God's presence. When Noah and his family emerged from the ark to a whole new world of shifted lands and climate change, God knew the rain and clouds might be a reminder of the terrible flood, so He made them a promise:

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth...Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life." (Gen. 9:13,15)

 

  

Many years later when Moses was blessing Israel, he said:

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun (Israel), who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deut. 33:26-27)

 

David wrote a song that says:

 

Sing to God,

sing in praise of his name,

extol him who rides on the clouds.

(Ps. 68:4)

 

  

And in the Book of Revelation, John proclaimed: 

“Look, he is coming with the clouds." (Rev. 1:7)

 

  

When God paints the clouds with a beautiful sunrise or sunset, I believe He's reminding us of His constant presence in a beautiful, eye-catching way we can't miss. From morning until night and throughout the darkness, He is with us--always.

 

But when clouds come into our lives, they can make God's presence and truth seem--well, cloudy! And it can be discouraging, disheartening, and difficult to believe He's still with us. But He is! Clouds of gloom can become clouds of majesty.

 

 

When I was young, I went through a difficult time of being bullied. I didn't want to go to school, but my mom shared a verse in the Bible that says:

"Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged,

for the LORD your God will

be with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9)

I asked God to help me not be afraid, and I trusted Him to take care of me, and He did. It was still hard at times, but He showed me His presence in many ways, and He was faithful to lead me into new friendships and activities I may not have chosen otherwise. I've been through a lot of trials since then, but I've always found God to be faithful to me.

 

I think this one looks like a heart 💙

 

I want to encourage you to trust God with whatever you're going through. Ask for His help. Ask Him to show you He is with you. If you did something wrong and need to confess your sin, confess it and believe in His forgiveness. And if you did nothing wrong but life is hard anyway, look for better days to come. Look for the rainbows. Look for God to paint your clouds, and He will, because He is always there.

 

 

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:3-5

 

 

 

Deut. 33:26: personal paraphrase mine

Jesus Is With You

The eyes of the Lord watch over you,

and He hears your prayers.

1 Peter 3:12

You are never alone. Jesus is always with you. Do you believe that?

Whether you have known Jesus for awhile, as far back as you can remember, or have recently started to follow Him, He walks beside you; He leads you; He protects you from behind and on all sides; He lives within you. You are never alone.

Even if you wander away from Him (which technically is not possible, but your thoughts and actions can make you feel distant from Him); He is always watching over you, and He is always listening.

What does that mean for you today?

Maybe you've been distant, not listening, doing your own thing--Is it time to "come back"? Is it time to ask for His help, His forgiveness, His guidance?

Maybe you've been trying to listen and follow and do the right things, but it seems too hard; Is it time to remember He loves you no matter what, to simply receive His love, rest in it, and rely on His strength, not your own? It's okay to just Be still and know that He is God--that He is your God, your Savior, your best friend; You can trust Him with your imperfect self.

Maybe you've been following Him closely and living in His presence daily, but everyone around you seems off-course, troubled, or lost. You feel burdened for them, but you don't know how to help. You feel at-odds with them, but anything you say or do just pushes them further away. You don't understand their behavior or attitude or can't relate to their pain. Do you need to just keep following and trusting, but the waiting or loneliness seems unbearable?

Sometimes Jesus has great things for us to do, new places to take us, ways to use us, things to show and teach us. But sometimes it's just about being with Him. Believing in His love. Believing in His faithfulness. Believing He sees your deeds and knows your heart and hears every prayer--even if it's just a whisper or desperate cry.

To just be known.

Seen.

Heard.

Loved.

He sees you. He knows. He listens.

He is with you. You are His.

Jesus is with you.

 

 

"I am with you always."

Matthew 28:20

 

 

Love Over Fear

If you have seen the Disney movie Monsters, Inc., you know that for many years this fictitious company believed scaring children was the way to power their monster world. They snuck into bedrooms at night to frighten children and get them to scream, filling up canisters with the valuable resource of Scare Energy. But when one of their not-scary employees, Mike Wazowski, decides he wants to be a Scarer too, like his friend Sulley, he isn't able to scare a child and gain energy from the human world that way. But he does make them laugh, producing much more energy than any scream ever could and completely changing the strategy of Monsters, Inc.  Scary monsters are out and funny monsters are in!

You've probably heard the phrase 'laughter is the best medicine', and you know from experience that it is much more pleasant to be happy than sad. But have you ever thought about joy outweighing the power of fear?

In Galatians 5:22-23, we read about the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Notice how joy comes before peace, and love comes before joy?  I don't believe it's an accident they are in that order.  In Nehemiah 8:10, God tells the people, The joy of the LORD is your strength.  They were facing scary opposition from their enemies, but God said, 'Don't be afraid of them, just find joy in Me: that is your best weapon.'  He wanted them to have peace and be at peace with others, but first they needed to embrace joy.

'So how do I find joy?' you may ask.  'I'd much rather be happy than sad or afraid, but in these days, in these times, in my circumstances?  I don't think that's possible. I can maybe muster up enough faith to get through this crisis. (Faith over fear, as they say.) I can smile when others are around and cry when I'm alone and pretend to be happy. But to have real joy, real peace, and real faith?  That's like living in a fantasy world where monsters are funny and laughter saves our society--fine for a kids' movie when I was eight, but in my life as a teenager?'

If you are lacking peace, you are likely also lacking joy, so take another look at which Fruit of the Spirit comes first... Love.

Can love lead to joy?  Can love triumph over fear?

In Nehemiah, where the people were sad because they realized they hadn't been following God, Nehemiah said, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks and share with people who have nothing."  This might sound like he was saying, 'Just forget about your problems and party! Eat pizza and ice cream and drown your sorrow in food and laughter.'  But he wasn't talking about temporary joy; he was talking about real joy that comes from thankfulness for what you have (love for God) and sharing what you have (love for others).

In Matthew 22:37-39, we read these words of Jesus: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself."

There is a lot of hate and anger in this world. There is a lot of ungratefulness and selfishness. There is a lot of fear and loneliness and sadness. But love... Love brings joy, love brings peace, and love is a choice we can make every day.

 

 

Love God; Be thankful for what you have and trust God to always take care of you. The joy of the LORD is your strength.  Joyful gratitude and trust in an almighty God is powerful.

Love others; Give generously...whatever you have to share. Time, friendship, kindness, practical help. Don't be so consumed with your own problems that you forget others have needs too.

Love yourself; Believe in God's love for you. Believe you are special and unique, made for a purpose, the creation of His very hands.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness... It's a great list of what can heal our world...of what can heal your world.

But it starts with Love.

 

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him.

Romans 15:13

 

 

 

hands to sky photo courtesy of freeimages.com

The Storyteller

Did you know that Jesus once told a story about dirt?

That might sound a bit odd, but for those He was speaking to, dirt was a very important part of their lives. And if you think about it, it's a pretty important part of our lives too.

You might think of dirt as something that gets your clothes dirty when you play outside, and that is certainly true. But for those who work in the dirt for a living such as farmers, gardeners, and other agricultural workers, the dirt, or soil, is literally their life. The crops, flowers, bushes, and trees they grow all need good dirt to make the harvest as bountiful as possible. And thanks to them, their hard work, and the good soil they cultivate each year, you and I can eat nutritious food, enjoy pretty landscaping, and sit in the shade on a hot day.

Without good soil we literally could not survive, something the people who lived at the time of Jesus were well aware of. So He told a story about the condition of their hearts they could relate to. Think about something that is very important you, like a sport you play, a hobby you enjoy, a school subject you're good at, or a way you make money. If Jesus told a story that related to soccer or photography or science or how to be the best babysitter ever (or whatever you enjoy), you would probably pay more attention and understand the lesson better, right?

So Jesus told a story about dirt. And even though you and I might not know much about how plants grow, we probably know enough to understand what Jesus wanted them to understand.

He talked about three types of soil that were not good for planting and growing crops: The hard-packed dirt, the rocky soil, and the areas full of weeds. He said that as a farmer went out and scattered the seed for a new planting season, the seeds that fell on the soil that hadn't been properly prepared would not do well.

He told the story to a crowd of people but later His disciples asked Him to explain it, and He did:

"The farmer sows the word." (Mark 4:14) --This tells us the seeds represent the truth that God spoke to His people.

"Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

"Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

"Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:15-19)

Looking at these three types of soil, which do you feel describes the condition of your heart at least some of the time? When you go to church or read your Bible, does it affect you at all? Do you remember what you heard or read? Does it excite you at first but then fades later? Does it point out things in your life you may need to change or pursue, but your worries, priorities, or other interests keep you from doing so?

If any of these are true for you, think seriously about why that is. What is getting in the way of your relationship with God and your understanding of Him? What needs to change? How can you be more ready to hear from God and follow His voice?

"The seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest...” (Mark 4:20; NLT)

God wants to speak to you. He wants you to know Him. He wants you to understand how much you are loved. He wants to lead you, guide you, help you, and teach you everything you need to know to follow Him and live the life He has for you.

How awesome is that? Sometimes we get it into our heads that God is distant and wants to remain that way. But nothing could be further from the truth. That's why Jesus came! He came to speak the truth and demonstrate God's love and power. And God does the same today.

He sends His spirit to teach us, help us, and empower us to be so much more than we can be on our own. But we must listen and prepare our hearts to receive the truth. One of the ways I enjoy doing that most is to read other stories (parables) that Jesus told. They can be found throughout the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), but I've listed a few of my favorites below and I encourage you to read them over the next week or two. What do you hear God saying to you?

Luke 15:11-32

Luke 10:30-37

Luke 15:3-7

John 10:1-10

Matthew 13:31-32

The Worth of Losing Everything

 I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

 Philippians 3:8

 

Giving up things is hard. 😞

Whether it's forced on us or our choice, sometimes we just have to let go of things: Interests and activities; Relationships; Bad habits; Goals; Freedoms--yes, even in America.

We don't like it. We avoid it wherever possible. We fight to keep what we have and cling to our comforts, our way of life, even our habits that aren't really good for us. We know it, but still...

One time when a great crowd of people was following Jesus, He spoke these words:

"Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple."

With a bit of word study, I learned the phrase "everything you have" can not only pertain to one's possessions, but also one's being. Jesus wasn't just talking about giving up riches or material goods, but also oneself: My way of being, existing, living.

We've all learned a lot about that during this pandemic, haven't we? Time with friends and family; Activities we love; Celebrations; The freedom to do whatever we want, when we want.

Our way of life has changed. And for the most part the changes were not our choice. And while choosing to follow Jesus is entirely an act of free will, a personal choice I have made, the terms of that choice are not without cost. Following Jesus is all about surrender: Giving up my way of life and being, for His way. Letting go of what I want, for what He wants.

And yet, I did it, and I continue to do it. (Following Jesus is a daily choice, not a one-time decision.)

Why would I do that? Why would I give up my way for someone else's way?

Because God's way is better.

Not always easier or convenient or comfortable; but better. More beneficial; More satisfying; More rewarding; More purposeful.

In His words about the cost of following Him, Jesus warns these wanna-be disciples they may not be up for it, even suggesting they may fail: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you."

Thanks for the pep-talk, Jesus. 😏

But hold on. Jesus finishes His message by saying His words are for "whoever has ears to hear", a distinction Jesus gave to those who were really listening. Not only to His words but also the heart of God. He wasn't talking about failure or defeat coming to those who choose to follow Him and give up their own ways, but rather the cost of not following.

Independence, self-sufficiency, pride, thinking I can make it on my own and fight my own battles and gain the whole world by giving up my soul? Foolishness!

But surrender to a mighty God? Giving up my ways for His ways? Love over selfishness? Peace over strife? Joy over despair? Faith over doubt?

Pure gold.

On another day when Jesus was with his closest disciples, He spoke these words:

"Everyone who has left their home or family or livelihood for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will truly know Me and My Father. But many who cling to what they have will find they have nothing, and those who have let go and humbled themselves will lead."

If Jesus is telling you to let go of something, let it go. And if things have been taken from you, it's okay. Jesus will always give you what you need, and even if you have to wait for awhile, the reward for your trust and patience and faith will be so great--you won't even believe what He does. 😊

 

Scripture taken from: 

Luke 14:28-35

Matthew 19:29-30; (paraphrase mine)

His Birth Means Your Rebirth

At Christmastime we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God's Son was born to Mary and Joseph in a stable because there was no room for them at the inn. Mary swaddled Jesus and laid Him in the manger. Shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields had angels appear to them to share the good news, and they went to see the baby and worship the Savior.

You are probably familiar with the story. Perhaps you've taken part in a children's play that acted out the scene or maybe you have a nativity set among your Christmas decorations. You may have even read the story from the Bible and imagined what that night was like--for Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds, for the Wise Men who traveled a long distance to see the child and bring their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But what is it that we are really celebrating? A mere historic event? A baby? The Christmas spirit of giving, peace, and joy? Yes, that's all a part of it, and it's possible to celebrate Christmas every year without thinking too much about what the birth of Jesus really means for you; but the part that is most significant isn't just for a holiday or a season. It's about every day of your life. His birth means your rebirth--yesterday, today, and forever.

If you have trusted Jesus as your savior, invited Him into your heart, received His gift of salvation, or however you would describe your encounter of Jesus, you have already been reborn. Jesus talked about being "born again", "born of the Spirit", and existing in such a way that isn't just about being physically alive but also spiritually. God has made you aware of His existence, of His love, and of His ways. In addition to being a citizen of your town, state, and country, you are also a citizen of Heaven. You are a part of His Kingdom that exists here and now, and beyond this world and this life.

You might not think of it that way, but it's true. When Jesus came to be born as a baby, live an earthly life, and die a criminal's death on a cross, He had one thing in mind--the rebirth of the human race into His Kingdom; rescuing us from the kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light.

 

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

(1 Peter 2:9)

 

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

(Colossians 1:13-14)

 

So if His birth means our rebirth into His glorious Kingdom, what exactly does that mean for us this week and throughout the year? For today and as you celebrate Christmas, it means you can have a meaningful celebration. You can sing, listen to Christmas music, make cookies, give and receive gifts, enjoy time with your family, and whatever else you have planned. It's the most wonderful time of the year, and with this being 2020 and all we've been through, that is more true than ever.

So make the most of it. You might not be able to do all the things you're used to doing and seeing all the people you want to see, but you can make new memories and new traditions and know that however 2020 went for you, you're ending it on a positive note and remembering all the ways you are blessed--all that Jesus has done for you and will do as you continue to trust in Him.

And for the coming year and beyond? There is much more life to be lived and more of His Kingdom to experience. There will be highs and lows, but God will be with you through it all. There will be choices to make and hardships to endure and joys to celebrate and love to give and receive. But whatever you do, wherever you go, however your life unfolds, you can keep seeking, listening, and following. You can let Jesus take you to the high places and trust Him when the clouds roll in and make life complicated or uncertain.

He is your Savior! He is your God. He is the ruler of His Kingdom, and you are His princess. His amazing, loved, precious daughter, and He wants to celebrate you and your life, so give Him every opportunity to do that. Stay close. Remain in His love. Remember who you are, and never let anyone tell you otherwise.

Joy to the world--and to you, for the Lord has come!

 

 

 

 

manger scene photo courtesy of freeimages.com
 

When God Seems Far Away

 

Sometimes girls ask me, "How do I grow in my relationship with God? How can I know Him better?" Sometimes they add: "I read my Bible and pray, but it doesn't seem to help. He seems far away."

If you can relate to this, you're not alone.

 

If you want to grow in your relationship with God, reading the Bible and praying is a good place to start, but if you are already doing this and you still feel lost, God seems distant, or you're not sure what He is saying to you, you're probably closer to Him than you feel.

When it comes to "measuring" your relationship with God, feelings are not always an accurate scale. If you are reading your Bible, then God is speaking to you and you are listening.

 

If you are talking to Him, asking for things, and trusting Him to help you, guide you, and teach you, you may not see any immediate results or have instant feelings, but His words are on your mind and in your heart, and that makes a difference.

 

So be patient and wait for the promise Jesus gave when He said, "You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you…Those who remain in me and I in them will produce much fruit." (John 15:3-5)

Another thing to consider is God's timing is not usually our timing. We like immediate answers. We like instant change. We prefer to fix, solve, and do things ourselves; but God tells us to wait on Him.

 

In Psalm 37:7, David penned these words: Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. And in Psalm 62:5, he says, Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

When Jesus says to "remain" in Him, waiting is often involved. I must trust in His promises, believe He is with me, and rest in His love. This can be frustrating at times, but it can also be super-rewarding! I always grow closer to Jesus when I wait on Him, and I know Him better at the tail-end of my waiting. I see why I needed to wait, purposes He had in mind I never considered, and I experience His faithfulness.

 

This helps my faith to grow, and it helps me to grow. I become more patient with life. I become more patient with others. I love more.

They say 'knowledge is power', and when it comes to knowing God more deeply, that is definitely true. He strengthens me. He gives me courage. He produces things in me I didn't think I was capable of.

 

So when others say God seems distant even though they are seeking Him, I know God has them in an amazing place…a time of waiting. If you are there now, trust that He is with you. He has wonderful things to show you, teach you, and give you.

Just wait…and you will see 💖


Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Photo courtesy of freeimages.com

Freely You Have Received; Freely Give

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 

Hebrews 12:28 (NKJV)

 

In the book of Matthew, Chapter Six, we read these words of Jesus. He was teaching His disciples how to pray, and He told them to ask God the Father, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

What comes to mind when you think of God's Kingdom? What do you think this kingdom is like? Imagine you work for an advertising agency and you need to come up with a good ad campaign for the Kingdom of Heaven. What would you say about it? How would you make it sound enticing so others would want to be a part of it?

Jesus, in a sense, was given this task by His Father. He sent Jesus to earth from the heavenly Kingdom realm to show us what it was all about. If you study His teachings and observe how He lived, as we can read about in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you will see He lived a different kind of life than the average Jew living at that time.

Some were super-religious and went by a bunch of rules in order to appear more righteous than others, more devoted to God, and better than everyone else. Other people were greatly oppressed by the religious leaders, society, and the government--many by all three. Still others were somewhere in the middle: not overly religious, nor poor and helpless. This is the category many of the disciples fit into. They were working-class, ordinary Jews who had businesses to run and families to feed, and they encountered Jesus along their life-journey.

But Jesus had a similar message for everyone. In a nutshell it went something like this: "The Kingdom of God is near, and it's for you. Come and receive God's love, find forgiveness for your sins, and follow Me. I'll show you what this Kingdom is all about."

He healed the sick, the lame, the deaf, and the blind. He raised some from the dead. He delivered others from demons. He multiplied a boy's small lunch to feed everyone who had come to be close to Him. He calmed a storm on the sea. In other words, He cared about people and met their needs. He spoke about love and giving, and receiving what God had for them. In fact, receiving what God had for them was the very means by which they could also display God's Kingdom to others.

There is too much to get into here, and I encourage you to read about Jesus for yourself. To look closely at how He lived and what He taught and how He showed God's love: how He "advertised" God's Kingdom. And to consider what may be lacking in your understanding of it.

The writer of Hebrews reminded the early Jewish Christians of this Kingdom. In Chapter Twelve it says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

The word for thankful in verse 28 can also be translated as "grace". Thankfulness is a part of grace...being grateful for what God has graciously given us, but I prefer the NKJV and other versions that simply use the word grace here, because I think it more accurately describes what the writer was trying to say.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Of the many words Jesus spoke to His disciples, there is one phrase that I believe summed up His teaching. He said it before sending them out to preach the message of God's Kingdom themselves. He had already demonstrated His methods of "advertising God's love", and He sent them to do the same:

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matt. 10:7-8)

Freely you have received; freely give...

In other words, "Since you have received so much...show grace to others; this is how you truly serve God...understanding everything He has done for you and showing that same love, forgiveness, and hope--freely, graciously, thankfully."

To give, one must first understand, receive, and see the glory of God. Do you? Have you received all of it? Not just enough to get by, but to be consumed with His love? To be a walking advertisement of what His Kingdom is all about?

 

 

I live in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. I have lived here most of my life, growing up in Oregon and now residing a few hours north in the state of Washington. It's a beautiful part of the country, known for picturesque coastlines, lush forests, green valleys, snow-capped mountains, rivers, high deserts, painted hills, farms, orchards, and agricultural fields, along with rain and crisp, clean air. The rain creates much of the area's beauty, and in the regions west of the Cascade Mountains, we get a lot of it. Sometimes we wonder if summer will ever arrive, and often it doesn't until after the 4th of July. We enjoy blue skies and sunshine for two months, and then the rain usually returns about this time of year, mid to late September.

This year our summer was cut a bit short due to a Labor Day windstorm that pulled smoke from wildfires in the east into our western valleys. The strong winds also knocked out power and started a fire less than ten miles from our home. The wind carried the fire quickly and swirled more smoke into the air. Heroic firefighters were able to contain the fire and keep it from reaching our town, but many fires in Oregon and California have been too large to stop, sending more smoke our way that filled our skies. It looks like a foggy, overcast day that completely blocks the sun. But it's not clouds; it's smoke that makes it difficult to breathe. We've been advised to stay indoors as much as possible and wear the highest grade of masks if we must go out. Weather forecasters say we need two things to get the thick smoke layer out of our skies: rain and wind, and hopefully we will get some tomorrow. (Prayers please!)

 

 

If you live near any wildfires right now, you know that feeling of stepping outside, unable to take a breath of fresh air. And during this time of COVID-19, you've likely experienced the same if you've had symptoms of the virus or worn a mask. Breathing is one of those things that's easy to take for granted, until we can't do so normally, and then we realize how vital it is to our being.

But this isn't a blog about fires or the pandemic. I'm concerned about your health and air quality wherever you are, but even more so I wonder: Do you ever feel like it's hard to breathe--not from an illness or your physical surroundings, but in life? Has oppression or trials or relationships or anything else ever hindered your ability to make it through a day, a week, a year? You may feel that way about 2020. Isolation, loneliness, stress, fear, boredom, strained relationships... It's a tough time for a lot of people, and if you're one of them, you're not alone. But even without a pandemic, life can be so challenging, heartbreaking, and confusing.

As I was thinking about the weather forecast and hoping for the much needed rain and a bit of wind to blow the smoke out of here, I thought of how we need the same spiritual "elements" to refresh and restore us when life gets tough. Jesus said to the woman at the well who was weary of life and deprived of love, "If you knew the gift of God and who I am, you would ask me and I would give you living water." (John 4:10) He was offering her more than a drink of water that could quench her thirst, He was offering her a new kind of life of spiritual abundance and freedom.

Later when Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure from this world, He promised to send the Holy Spirit. "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:16-17, 27) 

 

The "Holy Spirit" can also be translated as the Holy Breath (or Breeze) of God. He is our source of life, the very air we breathe to give us spiritual aliveness--resurrection from the things that bring us down and make us feel lost, defeated, or overwhelmed.

I am currently praying for rain and a nice breeze to restore our beautiful state and give us clean air to breathe once again. But I constantly pray for something else even more. For your spiritual life to be overflowing with the love of God--the living water that will satisfy your soul, and the holy whispers of truth that will lead you to places of peace, restoration, and joy.

 

 

 

 

John 4:10, paraphrase mine.