Tag: #faith

Jesus Says…

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Psalm 23 brings comfort to many, including me.  Still, I realized recently that I had never really taken the time to process it on a deeper level. David wrote Psalm 23 out of his own experience as a shepherd (I Samual 16:10:11, Holman Christian Standard Bible). It is a Psalm of confidence and trust portraying God as a caring shepherd and dependable guide (NLT Chronological Bible). We are the sheep, wise enough to follow the One who knows the way.

As it turns out, sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. In the NT Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:11, HSBC) and the great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20).

When I began researching more about this scenario, I decided to compare different translations to see how the wording varied. Mostly because when I read “I shall not want” in the English Standard Version) I had a little trouble understanding how ‘want’ is being used, because it seemed to me, that someone could misinterpret it to mean David did not want the Lord as his shepherd, even though I knew that wasn’t true.

As I read other versions, the one that stuck with me the most was the Holman Christian Standard Bible, which translated it as, “There is nothing I lack” (v1, emphasis added). I can understand that better, so I wanted to go deeper to see what other words stood out to me. The next one was, “He lets me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters (v2, emphasis added).

I know when I am searching for peace, these words comfort me. I proclaim them as promises. Learning to do this helps defeat the enemies’ tactics of disturbing our peace and dispels his lies. Have you ever sat beside a quiet stream and allowed yourself to relax and enjoy the therapeutic peace that bubbles up inside you? God wants us to have peace, like sheep, He leads our thirsty souls to still waters.

This reminded me of another favorite verse, talking about a person who follows God and meditates on His word, delighting in His instruction: “He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (Ps. 1:3, emphasis added). The HSBC explains that we can learn to follow God by meditating on His word. Jeremiah also mentions this by saying the man who trusts in the Lord and has confidence in Him is like a tree planted by water, it doesn’t fear the heat or worry when a drought comes, but it continues to bear fruit (Jere. 17:7-8).

So, we see that our trust in God to guide us as a good shepherd does, leads to peace and rest. When we have peace and rest, we produce fruit in our lives more abundantly.

Last week, I started a Bible plan by Kyle Winkler entitled, Permission to be Imperfect. One reason is that I realized that I am very hard on myself when I make a mistake. I am in a season where I needed to be reminded about God’s grace in this way. One of the biggest things that stood out to me is that the Hebrew word for Eden is delight. Winkler explains that God established a rest for us and wants us to remain in it. He went on to say that our Eden means “God’s delight” and that there is a perpetual state of rest in God’s delight.

He references Hebrews 4:9-11 to illustrate that just as God rested, there remains a Sabbath rest for God’s people. Paul establishes a connection of obedience and rest emphasizing the need for perseverance. Anything we can do to please God comes from His working in us, not anything we did to earn it on our own (ESV Study Bible). The New Living Translation points out two types of rest, a spiritual rest that benefits us now, in knowing the Good News of our Salvation through Christ, and that we can trust in His finished work. We can also enjoy the blessings of peace with God later – an eternal rest where we will enjoy God’s presence (Is. 26:19; Rev. 14:13, NLT).

Winkler does a spectacular job of explaining how God loves us even in our imperfection. The definition of sin is to miss the mark or fall short of God’s best. The law revealed our need for a Savior. The moment Jesus died, God stopped the clock on counting sins against us, past, present and future. Sinning less is a natural byproduct of loving God and realizing His love for us (Winkler, Permission to be Imperfect).

Jesus says, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, HSBC, emphasis added). The NLT Study Bible describes this as a complete and perfect rest in Jesus Christ.

What a remarkable realization – we don’t have to carry the weight of our burdens – God does that for us. We can experience peace.

I noticed that when I have less peace, is when I need more rest. Resting on God’s promises and proclaiming them aloud helps me get through my day. Not only does God offer peace and rest, but He also delights in giving us these good gifts. God lets us rest on these promises.

In replacing lies with the truth, Winkler points out that God’s unconditional love means that our weaknesses are meaningless and instills godly confidence (Permission to be Imperfect).

We need godly confidence to persevere. When the enemy tries to snatch our peace, we can use God’s Word and promises to speak life. Try speaking Jesus’ words and promises next time you feel anxious, fearful or stressed. Take it from me, it works.

Here are a few “Jesus says” statements we can proclaim:

Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27, HSBC, emphasis added).

Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV, emphasis added).

Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (John 11:28, ESV, emphasis added).

Not surprising, as I was working on the research for this message, I heard a song for the first time, entitled, “Still Waters” by Leanna Crawford. Take a few minutes to listen to the words.

Lost and Broken Protection

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Last weekend, I saw a sunglass commercial. It proclaimed to have “lost and broken” protection. I immediately thought that is what Jesus is to us: lost and broken protection.

Are the struggles and challenges of this life getting you down? Don’t let the devil have his way and rob you of your joy. We can change our perspective and experience joy in our hearts – no matter our circumstances. For believers, joy comes from the Holy Spirit through praise and thankfulness, as a fruit of the spirit, when we are in proper relations with God (The Holman Bible Dictionary).

We can find joy and peace with God’s help and a little intentional gratitude—a daily choice. Some days, it’s not easy when challenges come our way. But God designed us to depend on Him. He will provide everything we need, even during stressful, anxiety-filled days. We just need to focus on Him, be thankful in all circumstances, and not allow our perspective to get clouded by fleshly emotions.

I am speaking to myself here as much as anyone. I am a planner and organizer. The business I am in challenges me. After I have worked the puzzle with the schedule, sometimes the weather, cancellations, or other unforeseen circumstances tip over the proverbial table, and all those pieces I worked so hard to put together are now on the floor, requiring me to put them back together in a much shorter timeframe.

This naturally causes me anxiety. So, I have been taking it to God every morning before I start work and praying for help. I am also going through a three-part Bible plan by Roxanne Parks, The Voices and the Choices. Roxanne observes Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians and concludes that he says to “give thanks in all circumstances”—not “for all circumstances” (I Thess. 5:18, ESV). We have much to be thankful for in all circumstances. Parks says gratitude opens our eyes to see blessings (The Voices and the Choices). It’s all about perspective and what we focus our attention on.

Eleven years ago, I was in a car accident, which changed my perspective on everything. I was grateful God spared my life. Still, it was more than that. It opened my eyes to a new life that I never knew existed. It was beyond me or anything I had ever known. I was spared, rescued, and given another chance at life – the life of God’s plan and purpose – with goals and dreams I never saw for myself.

When I was flying home from the accident in a wheelchair, cast, and back brace on a red-eye flight, I realized I wasn’t worried about anything. As I watched the anxiety of others at the airport build, my new perspective allowed me to experience peace beyond understanding. God provided every step of the way, placing kind and caring people in my path on both flights who helped me with off-boarding and grabbing my overhead bag to get me to my next wheelchair waiting at the gate.

I had to rely on strangers, thousands of miles away from home, in a situation that would cause anyone to panic and be anxious – yet my eyes were opened for the first time, allowing God to provide – something that eluded me previously. My new perspective led to gratitude and peace – even in my brokenness. At that time, I was broken in every sense of the word.

The NLT Study Bible notes explain that our relationship with God defines Christian joy. God is sovereign and can redeem any situation (Rom. 8:28). Jesus’ mission was to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10, emphasis added). God uses my painful past to help others. I hit a wall, literally and figuratively, when the car slammed into that rock wall. It was a wake-up call of epic proportions. God redeems all my broken pieces and covers my scars with Christ’s.

A grateful heart knows many blessings.

So, how do we adopt this philosophy of having an attitude of gratitude every day, “even if” our puzzle is flipped over? This is my sincere prayer each day. A grateful journal may help. We can also be mindful of praise and thankfulness each morning and throughout our day. We can intentionally claim God’s promises to provide everything we need, including rest and peace. Take deep breaths. Pray a lot.

All these things are good, but deepening our relationship with God is crucial to a new perspective and finding gratitude in all circumstances. Don’t give up. If you haven’t yet, take out a “lost and broken” protection plan in the name of Jesus Christ. Your perspective is sure to change. For those of us who have – we still need a reminder, at times, that God is still in control and promises to always be with us (Matt. 28:20).  

The enemy wants us to think otherwise and hopes our fleshly emotions, stress, and anxiety will take over our spiritual truths. This is where intentionality comes in – to keep Christ in our focus – and the devil in our rearview. A battle is only won by placing God first over everything.

Nobody is perfect. Don’t let your mishaps keep you down. Do the best you can with what you have today. As my wonderful husband reminds me almost daily, I should go at the pace of grace and stop being so hard on myself. I am still learning this. Thanks be to God, I am happy to report fewer stressful workdays, even when they present challenges. Being battle-ready doesn’t hurt.

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:29, emphasis added).

Fear and Awe

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

Spark of Hope

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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.

Focal Point

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

Speak Life

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

Don’t Follow Your Heart

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

Amen, Amen

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

Compassion and Unity

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

What Does Freedom Mean to You?

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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?