Have you ever considered what it means to fear God as a believer? This is easy to misunderstand. After coming to Christ, I often wondered about fearing God. Considering His grace and love, I finally knew God as a loving Father. I am in awe of God. How can I also fear him? It turns out that the Hebrew word for fear is often translated as awesome. The believers’ attitude toward God is frequently referred to as respect, reverence, or awe rather than fear (The Holman Bible Dictionary).
However, limiting our attitude toward God to awe and reverence may cause us to lose sight of His divine character, which compels obedience. This obedience is not a fear of punishment but a reverence for His love and power, which we are to revere (The Holman Bible Dictionary). My dad didn’t like it when men gave themselves the title of reverend. I tend to agree. Only God is deserving of that recognition and prestigious honor.
Paul’s letter to the Romans comforts the believer by stating that wrath has been satisfied in Christ, relieving the believer from the fear of condemnation (Rom. 8:1, English Standard Version). This assurance is a testament to God’s love for us. However, it does not release us from accountability to a Holy God whose character demands justice (2 Cor. 5:10). (He also provided the antidote through His Son).
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks to this when he writes that we should “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-23, Emphasis added).
When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, our convictions are stirred, and we are filled with a desire to please God out of love and reverence. The Holy Spirit becomes our constant companion, guiding us in our faith journey. When I first came to Christ, I was a broken mess. I had no boundaries or the ability to say no, which led me to dark places most of my life. But God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, helped me find my voice and strength in Christ. I finally heard that still, small voice telling me I did not have to allow abusive treatment from others and their disrespectful behavior.
That is when my life began to change for the better. It’s a process. I still made mistakes, but the Holy Spirit’s convictions guided me to God’s intended path. On the other hand, I remember fearing what God would ask of me. That fear was unwarranted, considering what others had demanded of me. God is trustworthy and wants the best for us. God is the best.
The fear I am speaking of is a natural response from the heart of those eager to obey God’s Word, with a humble and contrite spirit (Is. 66:2) and a repentant heart, in awe of a reverent God – which results in true wisdom (Prov. 9:10).
The song “I Surrender” by Hillsong Worship and Matt Crocker recently touched me during a church worship night service. Surrendering to God is an intentional daily choice. As I sat there reading each word on the screen, listening, and singing the lyrics with conviction from my heart and soul, the power of the Holy Spirit moved my spirit and helped me reaffirm my surrender to God.
I challenge you to listen to this song and read the words. Then sing them to God with conviction and let the power of the Holy Spirit have His way out of fear, love, and reverence for a Holy God. It’s life changing.
The best place to be is in the will of the Father, walking in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25). This is my continual prayer. I don’t always get it right, but God’s grace is sufficient. His power works best in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
“…my heart stands in awe of your words” (Ps. 119:161, emphasis added).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Prov. 9:10, emphasis added).
A tiny spark can ignite an inferno. When that spark is hope, it can change a life.
Have you ever considered the enduring hope you received when you first heard the story of Jesus or the freedom you have experienced since? Once we receive the Hope of Christ, it becomes a constant in our lives, not a fleeting moment. The author of Hebrews writes that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).
The ESV Study Bible explains that biblical faith is not a vague hope grounded in imaginary, wishful thinking; instead, faith is settled confidence that something in the future – not yet seen – a promise by God – will come to pass because God keeps His promises.
The Holman Bible Dictionary defines hope as the confidence we have because of what God did for us in the past and guarantees our participation in what He will do in the future. This contradicts the world’s definition of hope as a feeling that what we want will happen (Brand, 765).
In the OT, hope was grounded in God’s fulfilled promises in history. Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, hope was not lost because of God’s faithfulness and mercy. In Jeremiah’s time, he described God as the “Hope of Israel” and a “Savior in time of distress” (Jere. 14:8; 14:22; 17:13). God is still the God of Hope (Rom. 15:13). All the images applied to God in the OT are transferred to Christ in the NT (Brand, 765).
The Holman Bible Dictionary also notes that the two main reasons Christ is the object of our hope are that He is the Messiah (Luke 24:46) and that our Yes is found in Him (2 Cor. 1:20). The second is the unity between Father and Son, unity in nature and in the work of Christ through redemption (John 1:1; Col. 1:19; 2 Cor. 5:19).
There are many references to hope and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. The gift of hope comes through the power of the Holy Spirit to shower us with blessed assurance. God’s promises are our hope to comfort us in all our troubles (Ps. 119:49-50).
Jesus is knocking at the door of hearts – waiting for someone to hear and open it so He can abide within them (Rev. 3:20). The invitation of hope is always open to anyone who asks. When I began serving women through the Sister’s Circle support group, God reminded me through a dream that I was not the one who could fix their problems – I am merely a vessel to show them that the door to the only One who can – is always open. I am grateful for that realization. God uses a believer’s past pains and gains to help others find hope in Christ.
Is there anyone in your life who could use a spark of hope today? Perhaps you can ask God to make you aware of those He places in your path who need hope to ignite their faith like only Christ can do.
Are you offended easily? I have found that being offended mostly hurts me. But I have more peace when I extend grace to the other person and forgive quickly, not allowing myself to take it personally. This takes effort and a lot of prayer, but it is worth it.
When someone mistreats us, it reveals their internal struggles rather than being a personal attack. Whether it’s a stranger or someone we love, taking a step back and pausing before reacting is essential. It’s natural to feel offended, but it requires strength and God’s guidance to restrain ourselves, forgive, and extend grace to others who may be going through difficult times. That doesn’t excuse their bad behavior, but it keeps us from mirroring it and adding fuel to the flame with our bad reactions. It brings peace and a sense of freedom to pause before reacting, forgive quickly, and move on. A simple whisper and prayer to intentionally take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and be conscious of each word that comes out of our mouths will save heartache and strife from reacting out of our emotions. Anytime our egos are triggered, we are Edging God Out of the equation. This is precisely what the enemy desires – for us to become self-focused and harbor resentment toward others.
We are called to love everyone, even our enemies (Matt. 5:44). Jesus said God’s common grace is shown to everyone. “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust” (Matt. 5:45, emphasis added).
God’s grace extends to all His creatures, even those who do not believe. These blessings guide unbelievers toward repentance (Acts 14:17; Romans 2:4). While God abhors evil and does not condone the wicked, His blessings are His primary means of provision for humanity in the present moment.
Jesus’ disciples are called to imitate God by loving neighbor and enemy alike (Matt. 5:44). This leads us to another verse, where Jesus admonishes his disciples to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect (V48). In this sense, the word ‘perfect’ means complete or mature. As Christ-followers, we are called to pursue perfection or spiritual maturity by living according to Scripture.
By showing love and grace to everyone – in all circumstances – we are achieving a level of perfection only attainable through Christ, who showered His love and grace on us first. As Roxanne Parks explains, we give away God’s gift to us – grace.
Our goal is to help each other reach completeness. It is not an individual accomplishment. Although we are to strive toward perfection daily, it will not be fully known until we reach heaven (Brand, 1245). While waiting, why not treat each other with kindness and love? Endeavoring for spiritual maturity is a daily choice. None of us are perfect; even as we attempt to achieve it, an abundance of grace is needed in all our relationships.
Love trusts in the best intentions of others and hopes for their success (I Cor. 13:7).
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11, ESV, Emphasis added).
I recently watched a video, Above Inspiration, in which Joyce Meyer proclaims exciting news- among other encouraging messages—that we can enjoy our lives while God works on our problems.
Meyer also said that what we focus on will be magnified in our lives. I can relate.
Change can lead to loss. Loss leads to grief. Grieving loss is okay, but we shouldn’t allow them to consume us. Instead, we can flip the script and start being thankful for the gains—focus on the positive. This intentional act and prayer for God’s help make a big difference in our daily outlook.
Change brings growth, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. Most change is challenging. Still, we can focus on celebrating the gains and good things during our season of change. When we turn this around, even small gains become significant victories. God knows how to give good gifts—worth celebrating.
Our attitude plays a substantial role in celebrating small victories when we have what seem like huge losses. The gains far outweigh the losses for me and likely most others—it comes down to what we focus on. A thankful heart knows many blessings. If we allow our negative thoughts to take over our minds, we’ll be miserable and make everyone else miserable.
But when we weigh the gains against the losses and see them as victories to celebrate, we win, and the enemy loses. Satan wants to divide, destroy, and keep us from the God-given joy that is ours in Christ (John 10:10). I’ve said it before – Satan is a liar. God is love, and in Him, we find unity and harmony that not even the enemy can take from us if we claim it by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ mighty name.
God is our almighty refuge in times of trouble (Ps. 46:1).
I am reading Roxanne Parks’s Bible plan, Speaking Life, in which she supplies a fabulous analogy for the importance of what we seek. A hummingbird and a vulture flew over the desert, searching for food. The vulture was looking for dead animals – death, and the hummingbird was looking for nectar – life. They both found what they were looking for. I love this!
She continues to say that our lives will always move in the direction of our most potent thoughts. Maybe this is why Paul advised the Corinthians to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). What we focus our thoughts on matters. We can think about the positive, life-giving gifts or the life-sucking negatives the enemy uses to overwhelm us. It’s our choice. Once we focus on the good and Christ – God will help us find peace and joy in our hearts.
Our thoughts and words matter, and what we think about ourselves matters.
As believers, there are life-giving truths about all of us in God’s Word. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139.14)—sons (and daughters) of the King (Rom. 8:14-16) – fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).
I don’t know what you are going through, but God does, and He cares for you immensely. Take a moment to ask yourself what you are focusing on; if you need help identifying it, ask God to reveal it to you. Then, see if you can intentionally flip the script by listing all the gains and things you can be thankful for during this season of change. Make Christ your focal point and note your daily attitude to see if it changes your negative thoughts and outlook.
“Here my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings” (Ps. 61:1-4, Emphasis added)!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4-7, Emphasis added).
“If you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13, Emphasis added).
The Word of God is not just a collection of verses but a living, powerful force. It’s like a sharp sword, cutting through our innermost thoughts and desires, exposing them to the light. This is no coincidence. One of our most potent spiritual weapons is the sword of the Spirit –the Word of God (Eph. 6:16). Paul confirms that we should use prayer and the Word of God to thwart the enemy’s attacks. Combined, they become a mighty two-edged sword, wielded in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:16-17; Heb. 4:12).
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn’t rely on His strength. Instead, He used the Word of God to stand firm against the enemy’s tactics, frequently quoting Deuteronomy when Israel failed its wilderness tests (Deut. 6:13). Jesus set an example for His followers by standing firm on the Word of God to resist the devil (Matt. 4:1-11).
The power of the Word – only God’s Word – has the force to break strongholds (2 Cor. 10:5), create (Gen. 1:1), give life (Ezek. 37:1-4), direct nature (Ps. 147:15-18; 148:8), reveal the glory of God (John 1:14), and demand a decision (John 8:51; 12:47). Moreover, The Holman Bible Dictionary explains that the Word is Jesus’ message; the message about Jesus and Jesus Himself. A pre-existent life-giving person (John 1:1-18).
The next time the enemy tries to steal your joy – speak life. Let us be in the Word enough to pray and quote verses that destroy strongholds. We can start each morning by confirming our thoughts on what we know to be accurate and constant in our lives – God’s grace and His Word –the continuous, irrevocable promises we can claim daily. “True joy is the divine work of the Spirit in a yielded vessel” (Find Joy in the Journey, Teresa Cooper). This is my favorite quote from a Bible plan I recently completed. The key phrase here is ‘yielded vessel.’
Intentionally surrendering ourselves to God—inviting the Holy Spirit into everything we do – to fight the good fight of the faith and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness (I Timothy 4:7, ESV).
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8, emphasis added).
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).
You don’t often hear that statement in a world where people look for what makes them happy to fulfill their inner desires. It is more popular to tell people to follow their heart, which generally means making decisions based on emotions or personal desires rather than solely relying on logic or reason.
But what if I told you this life is not about being happy? It’s about finding joy. There is a difference. Circumstances drive happiness, but joy happens regardless of circumstances. This concept can bring hope and optimism, knowing that joy is not dependent on external factors but can be found within through our connection with God and His love. Jesus said when we keep His commandments, we abide in God’s love, as he did. (John 15:9-10).
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11, emphasis added).
Joy is derived from a spirit-filled heart. In the Bible, the heart refers to human will and emotions. Anytime our feelings are involved, we must be cautious, warned, and prepared not to allow them to take over and disregard reality. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and desperately sick (Jer. 17:19, ESV). Allowing our emotions and desires to override the truth is easy without spiritual discernment.
While following your heart can be rewarding to the flesh, it’s essential to balance it with rational thinking and consider the practical consequences of your choices. Prayerful consideration in decision-making is critical to logical thinking since our emotions can lead us astray.
I remember a season after becoming a Christ-follower when I didn’t trust myself with making decisions because I knew the consequences of my past mistakes. I was reminded that I am not the same person as I was when I made such poor judgment, although I was still valuable and worthwhile in God’s eyes; I am wiser and make better godly choices.
With God’s help, I made a list of all the things I am now that I wasn’t then and came up with eleven things. Such as honesty/truth (I am not hiding secrets anymore), respect for my body, I have boundaries, morals, and a voice to say no, and on and on the list goes.
This is an excellent exercise for anyone questioning themselves, especially for a new Christ-follower. I can trust myself to make decisions because I do not rely on myself. I take all my decisions to God, and this makes a huge difference. So, let’s stop following our hearts, allowing our emotions to make decisions without taking them to God first, and praying for spiritual discernment and the wisdom to stay in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25).
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24, emphasis added).
“Walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16, emphasis added).
“A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones” (Prov. 4:30. MSG, emphasis added).
It’s a joy to share new knowledge. For instance, did you know that the English translation for Amen is truly or verily? In Jewish prayers, amen was used as an affirmative response to a statement of wish, affirming its validity. It’s like saying this is sure, valid, or so be it. As you know, using it at the end of a prayer is common.
According to The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, in the NT, Jesus used it at the beginning of His statements to affirm its validity. He prefaced His own words to proclaim the Kingdom of God is bound up with His person and emphasize the authority of what He said (Brand, 56).
You know all those verses that begin with truly, truly – that is really Amen, Amen. Jesus is God’s reliable and faithful witness. He is mentioned in Isaiah as the “God of Amen” (Is. 65:16, ESV) and is also called “The Amen” (Rev. 3:14).
This led me to think about my prayers. It is easy to get into a habit of repeating the exact words to God. I wondered about the importance of always saying ‘In Jesus’ name, Amen” at the end. John teaches that God will grant whatever we ask in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24), and the ESV Study Bible notes say this is not a requirement (John 14:13). Still, effective prayer must ask for and desire the things Jesus delights in (I John 5:15). We are to seek God’s will, not ours. God is wiser than us. I will continue to pray in Jesus’ name. Still, it made me think about why I do it instead of repeating it mindlessly.
Prayer is the essence of communion with God—whether it’s a petition, such as The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6: 9-13), or the great examples in Psalm 86, proclaiming praise, asking pardon, or seeking communion (V63), protection (V57), retribution (V107), or healing (V6)—our words to our Abba are intimate conversations, sincere petitions, and thanksgiving. This communion brings us closer to God and fills our spirits with peace and fulfillment.
Prayer is not throwing words at God—like darts—hoping to hit the mark. We can talk to Him like a Friend and Father, trusting that He knows best, even if we don’t get what we ask for. Our priority is being with God. He is Jehovah—Jireh. The Lord will provide for our every need (Phil. 4:19). The important thing is to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us (Matt. 6:33). When we don’t know what to say or ask for – the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).
Seeking the Kingdom of God continually means being cautious in our communications and actions. We shouldn’t try to make ourselves look good before men but humbly please God alone. Sometimes, our pride gets in the way, but we need to be alert to it and bold enough to honor God in all circumstances as God-pleasers—not people-pleasers. Let’s be inspired to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us.
Another issue is that we must be reminded to pause before we speak. I pray for God to help me not react so quickly with offense or try to defend myself and say the first thing out of my mouth—which usually leads to tension instead of kindness and grace. A simple whisper – Jesus, help me or help me, Holy Spirit – does the trick. The hard part is being mindful of this before I speak.
Jesus said those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matt. 23:12). We can rise above the rest by lowering ourselves at Jesus’ feet. Let’s be bold and courageous enough to take a chance on looking bad before others—if it is righteous acts/obedience to God’s Word and character— we will be exalted in the end when it matters most.
Let us glorify God through acts of love in all circumstances, not just when it is easy. Amen.
Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
I come from a family of storytellers. Dad was a fantastic narrator. Whether from the head of the table, the pulpit, or his comfy recliner, he had invigorating stories whenever we gathered. It comes as no surprise that his children inherited the storytelling gene. My brother, JD, tells stories every day through his job as a fantastic editorial cartoonist and speaker. Check out his page and subscribe to his weekly blog, Crowe Jam.
Likewise, my sister, Donna, uses her talent to paint vivid pictures with words; she also has a fabulous blog called The Old Soul Medicine Crow. As for me, you, my readers, are my outlet for my meager attempt to share my stories and messages. Nevertheless, I give God all the glory and am grateful for the opportunity to communicate through my writing and photography. It brings me joy.
My storytelling helped me get more than one job. When I interviewed for my second job, I was asked to share an experience that stood out to me from the job I was leaving, as a dispatcher for a trucking company. This story was the first thing that came to mind: Zach, our local driver, picked up the loads and returned them to the lot until it was time for delivery. On this occasion, he picked up at a company in a neighboring county that used inmates to load trucks. As he was returning, I received a phone call from my contact at the facility informing me they were missing an inmate.
The voice on the other end surprised me. “We suspect he may be stowed away in your trailer.”
His nonchalant statement did not match my urgency for the situation, as he calmly assured me he was not armed or considered dangerous. Still, he was a fugitive trying to escape, and I didn’t know what he might do.
This was many years ago, telling my age, there were no cell phones to reach Zach to let him know he may be hauling an escapee. He didn’t even have a CB in his truck. What was I to do but call the state police and have them on standby? They asked for a truck description and searched for the inmate inside the trailer when it arrived. They did not find a stowaway. Still, this incident is not easily forgotten. This memorable tale was a hit with my soon-to-be new supervisor.
My subsequent employment required storytelling. I worked as a reporter and photographer for my hometown newspaper, earning my column, Angela’s Anecdotes, where I mostly shared family stories. I aim to use photography and words to portray images that pull the reader into the scene, although I sometimes fall short. I admire my siblings for their God-given gifts and natural abilities, but my lack doesn’t deter me from sharing a good anecdote. It’s in my genes, after all.
Growing up, our neighbor, Mr. Hall, was a grand storyteller. We would sit and listen to him for hours. On one occasion, in the 70s, when voice recorders were our new fascination, Mom decided to record one of Mr. Hall’s boyhood memories about stealing and eating watermelon from someone else’s patch. When he was finished, she asked him to listen to it as she played it back on our new recorder.
I will never forget his astonished response, “That feller on the radio has had the same experiences I have!” That is one priceless memory.
Jesus was a storyteller. He used parables to teach his disciples many excellent lessons that we can apply to our lives today. One significant lesson Jesus taught His disciples, whom He sent out to share the Good News about the Gospel, was to pray for workers for the harvest (Luke 10:2, NLT). In this parable, the harvest is the people who need to hear the Gospel and be gathered in God’s presence (Is. 27:12). The laborers or workers are those Jesus implores to tell others about Salvation by grace through Christ. We are to be laborers for the harvest and pray for others to share the Good News.
Sharing the story of Christ can be challenging. Still, as Christ’s followers, we always have a story to tell about our rescue. Our stories constantly intertwine with Jesus’ story. Sometimes, sharing the Good News is as simple as sharing our story. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Jesus modeled a life of trust and dependence on our heavenly Father (Luke 11:1-13). We can also place our faith in God and depend on the Holy Spirit to give us the right words. We need to be willing to try. God will do the rest and place people who need to hear our story in our paths. Praying for that opportunity and showing God you are willing doesn’t hurt. Likewise, pray for others willing to do the same thing.
Another great parable that stood out to me while reading the book of Luke is when Jesus explains the cost of following Him. “But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:62, Emphasis added). In this parable, the NLT Study Bible explains that “the ancient farmer guided a plow with their left hand and his oxen with his right. Looking away would turn the plow out of his path. For a believer, looking back meant placing earthly concerns ahead of God.”
Whenever we neglect to share the Good News as Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:19-20) because of fear, doubt, or whatever reason we concoct, we let our earthly concerns take priority over God. Whenever fear or doubt creeps in, the enemy keeps us from sharing Jesus’ story. After the seventy-two disciples Jesus sent out returned from their Gospel expedition, they were astonished those demons obeyed them when they used Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17). Jesus told them not to rejoice in their spiritual power but instead in the greatness of God, who freely gives salvation (V20).
Likewise, we can use our spiritual weapons to keep the enemy at bay, step out in faith, and share our story of salvation with others so they can enjoy God’s presence and accept His gift of salvation if they choose. At least by sharing, they can hear the Good News and hopefully receive the opportunity. This is when we pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to stir their mind because it is not of us but of God to transform a person’s heart. Sometimes, we plant a seed that someone else will water – a blooming flower needs both. It is God who gives the growth (I Cor. 3:6).
As many of you know, my story has many twists and turns (literally), including an eye-opening car crash on a curvy mountain road that woke me up from my self-induced stupor and a lifetime of people-pleasing and co-dependency that nearly strangled the life out of me before I realized God is in control – not me – as I tried to believe through my poor choices. He spared my life for a reason, and I knew then that I needed to pay attention to what God wanted. He rescued me from a miserable existence and life of abuse to empower me with a voice to say no and taught me how to set boundaries that lead to life – not death. God gave me a story to tell that I undoubtedly cannot ignore His existence, nor the fact that I would not be here today without Him. My relationship with God is the most essential thing in my life. When I finally figured that out, all my other relationships were better, and everything started to fall into place.
When I first began sharing my story with women’s groups to teach the red flags of abuse and empower them with the knowledge that breaks generational cycles – I had one group leader tell me I could not talk about God. They didn’t understand that I could not tell my story without talking about God. He is my story! He rescued me! That is my story! I will never leave Him out of it for anyone. Still, there are ways to share our stories without blatantly preaching to others about their need for salvation – which turns most people off. However, it is undeniably woven throughout my story in the miraculous ways God turned my life around and what I am doing today that I have no justification for claiming the glory for. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Gal. 1:5).
What’s your story? Can you use it to share the Good News with others? I pray you become a laborer if you aren’t already. The harvest is plenty and ripe for the picking. I hope you glean something from this message and share it with someone who may need to hear it.
“Yet the time will come when the Lord will gather them together like handpicked grain” (Is. 27:12, Emphasis added).
“These were his instructions to them: The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray for the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, ask him to send more workers into his fields” (Luke 10:2, emphasis added).
Both compassion and unity have been on my mind recently. At first, I thought of them exclusively, but the more I read and think about them, the more I realize they are not mutually exclusive – instead, they are the threads that weave us together. We cannot truly experience unity without compassion for others; we connect through compassion.
Jesus, our ultimate role model, demonstrated compassion to the highest degree. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains that compassion is a fundamental Christian asset that should guide every believer’s life (Brand, 326). It captures the very character of God, who is the source of every believer’s capacity to have genuine compassion (325). This divine origin of compassion reassures us of our connection to God and each other. Peter listed compassion among the essential Christan virtues (I Pet. 3:8, ESV).
Paul reminds us that the demand for compassion is rooted in God’s very nature. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:4-6, Emphasis,).
‘But God’ – is a powerful phrase not to be taken lightly. Please don’t skip over this when you are reading Scripture. It is significant each time it is used and demands our full attention and engagement. The ESV Study Bible notes that when things look the grimmest, Paul utters the most remarkable short phrase in the history of human speech. God’s mercy is undeniably from His loving heart – not from anything anyone does to deserve it. Only by grace!
This leads me to unity: a circumstance of harmony (Brand, 1621). To achieve harmony, we must share the same love, which originates from God. Paul emphasizes a shared concern for one another (I Cor. 12:25) and encourages us to live out our life in Christ and the Spirit by living in unity (Phil. 2:1-2). “For Paul, the unity of the church reflects the unity of the Godhead: one God (I Cor. 12:6), one Lord (Rom. 10:12, I Cor. 12:5, Eph 4:5), and one Spirit (I Cor. 12:4-11; Acts 11:17)” (Brand 1621).
In today’s divided world, we need more people to come together in love and compassion. We can be a beacon in someone’s life in small ways—even a smile can brighten someone’s day. This reminds me of the Hello Human Kindness commercials, which are probably the best TV commercials, in my opinion. They are sure to make you smile and maybe even cry.
The power of prayer is often underestimated. When God’s people band together in unity, miraculous things can happen. It is crucial that we pray for our country and the hurting people around us who need to know Christ. So many marriages end in divorce, leaving kids without an all-too-important father figure.
All problems arise from our heart condition; Christ is the only remedy.
I challenge you to pray for unity and harmony that stem from compassion and are rooted in Christ.
I am sure everyone knows someone who is struggling with their marriage. Fill in the blank: Father God, I pray for unity and harmony in ______________’s marriage’ that they would know Christ and have compassion for each other. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name – Amen.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts” (Ps. 139:23-24, ESV, emphasis added)!
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32, emphasis added).
Although the Fourth of July may be over (until next year), the fireworks continue to keep us up at night. Celebrating freedom comes at a cost –not just the loss of sleep.
Like our freedom in Christ, Jesus paid the price at a high cost, which means substantially more than losing a few nights of sleep. Still, the celebration of freedom we enjoy each day can sometimes be taken for granted.
One of my favorite verses from Paul’s words, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17, ESV, emphasis added), holds a profound meaning. The ESV Study Bible explains that this freedom is the multi-faceted liberation that comes with salvation in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which is freedom from condemnation, sin, guilt, and death. This freedom also gives us access to the loving presence of God as it does away with the old covenant. It invites us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Something I did not know existed for most of my life.
After many years of bondage, Christ showed me a different way. With God’s help, I broke out of the lies that kept me in captivity. The horrific, suffocating cycle I was stuck in no longer held me imprisoned. It took a tragic accident to jolt me awake from my self-induced stupor. But God gave me the power and freedom to say no, set boundaries, and begin to peel back the layers of my past that led to healing.
During a difficult season in my life, I thought God was punishing me for my poor choices. The mental anguish that followed was destructive, but I now realize it was the consequences of my bad decisions – not God’s punishment. God was always rooting for me. He didn’t wait for me to clean myself up to take me in His arms. He took me in His arms first and then helped me make the necessary changes to align with His will.
As achronic people-pleaser, I had a lot to learn. I can certainly relate to Paul when he writes, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10, emphasis added).
Absolute freedom comes from surrendering everything to Christ and keeping Him at the center. Once I figured this out, everything else fell into place. I am free from shame and the lack of self-worth, and I find my identity as a daughter of the King.
Who are you trying to please – man or God? What does freedom mean to you?
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 