Tag: #grateful

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?

The Gift of Reconciliation

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, reconciliation is the bringing together of two parties, a change or exchange (Brand, 1337).

We can all relate to reconciliation in some form or fashion, whether it be our bank statements that we end up dumping a few dollars into ‘reconciliation discrepancies’ or those who spend hours painstakingly looking for a few cents. Then there are the number of marriages that chalk their divorces up to irreconcilable differences.

The stark truth is that, according to Divorce.com, a significant 57.7% of divorces are labeled as irreconcilable differences. It’s a call to action that some of these couples might have spent more time balancing their bank accounts for a few cents than nurturing their marriages.  

If any relationship merits this category, it would be humans with God after the Fall. Yet, in His profound love for us (Romans 5:8) and his unwavering desire to be in a relationship with His people (Hebrews 8:10), God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him by the gift of grace through Christ (2 Cor. 5:20, ESV).

There are two examples in the Bible where the person who hurt someone takes the initiative to reconcile the relationship (Matt. 5:24; I Cor. 7:11). The ESV Study Bible notes that the opposite is true about God. In our case, the injured party (God) takes the initiative to restore the relationship between Himself and humanity. This unexpected twist is the result of Jesus Christ bringing together God and man with the result of salvation (2 Cor. 5:19).

Only through this union are attitudes transformed, and we humbly and gratefully receive the gift of reconciliation God has already achieved in Christ (Rom. 5:11).

Still, suppose we don’t recognize our sinful nature and need for a Savior. In that case, we won’t seek God or the relationship Christ offers or receive the wonderful gift of reconciliation because of His love for us. Take a moment to reflect on someone you know who may need to hear the message of God’s love – or see it in how we show them love.

“For I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38, NLT, Emphasis added).

Smile…God Loves You!

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Smiles, like yawns, are contagious. If you share one, you’ll likely get one in return. But the benefits of smiling go beyond this simple exchange. As Dr. Earlexia Norwood of Henry Ford Health points out, smiling has multiple benefits. Yet, we often smile less as we age, missing out on the opportunity to connect with others.

The article states that studies conclude that some benefits are reduced blood pressure, increased endurance, reduced pain and stress, and a strengthened immune system. Furthermore, when we smile, we are not just helping ourselves; since the domino effect is at play, we are also helping others.

Another article by Better by Today on NBC News Now says that smiling, even when we don’t feel like it, can trick the brain into thinking we are happy, resulting in the same benefits. It states that smiling spurs a chemical reaction that releases hormones, including dopamine and serotonin.

The Bible also says something about smiling – or a cheerful face – which comes from a glad heart, indicating a positive attitude toward life when the inner self is healthy (Proverbs 15:13, ESV). It continues, pointing out that a joyful heart is good medicine, while a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Going through life with a sour attitude and face can harm us. Smiling is linked to a positive attitude derived from our relationship with God and the condition of our inner heart. It is not always easy to stay positive and keep our eyes on Christ when things are not going well. Nevertheless, staying grateful for the blessings we have will help. One day at a time is the pace of grace. Waking up with breath in our lungs is something to be grateful for.

Recently, I asked God for a new perspective, and boy, He delivered! The very next morning, a friend at church shared a story about a man in Haiti whose knee got infected after surgery because he couldn’t get back to the doctor’s office to take off the metal plate due to gangs blocking the streets. He made a connection for him through another person, who arranged for him to get to a doctor 300 miles away, traveling in a small vehicle full of 40-50 people. It took three different trucks to get him there, but as of Monday, he was having surgery. There are many more details that I am sure I am leaving out, but you get the idea. This story hit me hard and reminded me that people are dealing with much worse things than my feeble problems.

Can you relate? Do the blessings we have every day that most take for granted make you smile? That and the fact that God loves us, no matter what should make us keep a smile on our faces. Thanking God for everything makes a big difference in our attitude and perspective. Can you list all the things that make you smile?

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thes. 5:16-18, Emphasis added).

Fish Symbolism

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

As kids, our dad took us fishing on many occasions, sometimes at Lake Reba, one of the ponds on our farm, or on the banks of the Kentucky River that ran near our property. Much like other childhood memories, he ensured we were cared for, from baiting our hooks to removing any fish we might catch to retrieving our tangled lines out of the trees (mostly the latter, in my case). And let’s not forget the chicken liver-baited hook slapping into the eye incident. We somehow survived.

As I got older, I still enjoyed fishing. As you may recall, after many years of dreaming about fly fishing, I finally crossed that one off my bucket list. You can read that blog here. It was a fantastic experience, and as I stated in the article, I loved wearing the waders way too much.  

I’ve often wondered what the fish symbol meant in Christianity when I saw it on the back of cars. I eventually related it to Matthew 4:19, where Jesus called His first disciples, asked them to follow Him, and promised to make them fishers of men – without deeper consideration on my part.

In The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, I recently cast my net a little further and found that the early Christian church used the Greek words “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” as a cipher that spelled ichthus. The fish became a standard Christian symbol used as a secret code (Brand, 576).

Furthermore, in the Old Testament, fish in a net symbolized God’s judgment (Ps. 66:11; Ezek. 32:3). Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a net thrown into the sea and loaded with an array of fish in many varieties (Matt. 4:18-19, Brand 576).

The beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry was preceded by baptism by John the Baptist and God, the Father, announcing Him as His Son. Once John was thrown in prison, Jesus knew His time had come. He began teaching the gospel message. Jesus’ ministry, as denoted by the New Living Translation Study Bible, had three main features: teaching, announcing the Kingdom, and healing. Matthew 4:12 – 11:1 shows that after being announced by John the Baptist and the Father (3:13-17) and His obedience by enduring testing in the wilderness (4:1-11), Jesus the Messiah was prepared for ministry.

Likewise, after we are baptized and announced clean by the Father, the Holy Spirit immediately enters our hearts and helps us fight against the temptations of our past; we are equipped to proclaim the gospel message to others.

We must sometimes put on our waders (God’s armor) and tread the creek beds where the fish are – allowing God to help us fight our spiritual battles as we cast our nets further and point others to Christ by how we live. It takes a leap of faith to go where God leads us. Sometimes, suppose we stay on the bank instead of following, we can get entangled in the trees around us or symbolically slapped in the face with chicken liver – anything the devil uses to keep us from going – fears, doubts, trust issues. Just as my dad took care of all our needs while fishing, our heavenly Father ensures we have all we need as we fish for His people.

Jesus’ first message shows us that we must repent and turn to God to follow Him (Matt. 4:17, ESV). Letting others know there is hope is good, but helping them realize they need hope in Christ is essential. We must first see our brokenness to recognize the need for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

How can you strap some waders on this week and cast your net for God?

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matt. 9:37, Emphasis added).

God’s Justice and Love Meet at the Cross

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

At first glance, some Old Testament stories of God’s wrath may be hard to swallow. In reconciling God’s character as a loving God, we must first put it into context and not single out one instance apart from the rest of the Bible, which displays His mercy in that He supplied the resolution through His Son, Jesus.

Human sin separated people from God. But He still wanted to be with them. How often do we read God’s Word in the OT, saying, “You shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Jer. 30:2, English Standard Version, Emphasis added)? The punitive righteousness of God was the only way. Righteousness itself is grounded in the character of God (Brand, 2015, 1673). Still, God is love. He incredibly displayed His radical love by giving His Only Son as a substitute for sin because He wants us to be in a relationship with Him. No matter what we have done – He still loves us immensely.

Like many today, the people in the Old Testament stories refused to believe in the Creator and worshipped creation – known as idolatry. Our objects of worship may look different, but it is the same old problem. We still put other people and things ahead of God. Unlike in those days, we now have hope in Jesus Christ, who stands in the gap, allowing us to be forgiven forever. Jesus Christ received the punishment we deserved, showing God’s abundant and deep love for His people.

The righteousness of God, as presented by Paul in Romans, shows how the character of God not only demands judgment for sin but supplies the answer to sin through Christ’s death and resurrection for all those who believe.  According to The Message of Romans, John Stott explains that Paul must defend God’s behavior and righteous character. “He is convinced that whatever God does – in salvation (3:25) or in judgment (2:5) – is consistent with his righteousness” (Stott, 2021).

God’s love toward His people calls for salvation through grace to enjoy a relationship with Him despite our sinful condition. His holiness demands an answer that only Christ could fulfill. In that fulfillment, His merciful love shines through and benefits us.

Therefore, God is not only the Just but also the Justifier, with an image at the cross where God’s justice and love meet (Rom. 3:26).

The best part is that we don’t have to wait to clean ourselves up and change our character – God wants us to come as we are – He will do the rest. He isn’t looking for perfection – He’s seeking a willing heart.

Bibliography

Brand, Chad., ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, B & H Publishing, 2015.

Stott, John. The Message of Romans, InterVarsity Press, 2020. ProQuest E-book Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=6406189.

Hope is Alive

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God is real. Hope is alive in Christ.

Those following my journey know that my heart has been guarded for a long time. I hadn’t dated in almost ten years after coming out of an abusive relationship. After becoming a Christ-follower, I learned more about who I am – as God’s child and who He says I am, instead of listening to Satan’s lies.

I have been building on my relationship with God, learning to make better decisions (making decisions at all is a huge accomplishment), and more about myself, such as my favorite things. God also helped me set and achieve some incredible goals I never had in mind.

I have not hidden my story but allowed God to use it to help others. This blesses my life immensely and takes the edge off the painful experiences. I can testify to the fact that God is a Redeemer.  

I didn’t know if God was preparing someone for me – but a while back, I began to have hope that He was. A few years ago, God connected me with a woman in Florida named Dana, who is a counselor for women who have been abused. She had her own story to share – but what stuck with me is that she also told me there was hope. She had re-married a wonderful man who respected her, and she wanted me to know there were still good, godly men in this broken world.

Even though, for anyone who asked, I was not looking for a man, I realized in my heart that if God had someone for me, He would need to put them in my path and show me. It couldn’t be of my own doing but rather something of God beyond the shadow of a doubt. He did just that. Every step of the way, God has been abundantly clear with confirmations. Even when the enemy tried to steal my joy with doubts and fears – God restored peace in my heart and supplied a patient, prayerful companion to help me through it.

Hope is essential to our journey. It provides the ingredients needed for perseverance on our walk with Christ.

Through Faith Walk Ministries and the care group I lead, the Sister’s Circle, God allows me to share this hope with other women survivors, as Dana did for me. As you may have noticed, I have a new name – but more than that – I am excited to share that I have a wonderful new husband who respects me, loves Jesus, and prays with and for me…just a few things from my laundry list of requirements I told God about a few years ago.

The Bible supplies a filter for character traits to seek – I Cor. 13:4-8. If you have not read this lately, please do, but I will give you a few of them: Love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast; it is not rude or arrogant and does not insist on its own way…love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.

There is hope. God redeems.

If you know anyone who could receive help from the Sister’s Circle support group, please share this blog and the link above for information about how to sign up.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).

Journaling for Spiritual Growth

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Handwritten notes are becoming a lost art. There are many advantages to handwritten notes, besides being thoughtful and showing you care, according to a blog article by Stackoverflow, it is still the best tool for retaining information, improving reading comprehension, and memory.

Along those lines, journaling also has many beneficial traits that enhance spiritual growth. As new year resolutions are prominent, it is best to consider lifestyle changes for a healthier mind, body, and spirit, rather than short-term goals that never quite last.

When I became a Christ-follower, like handwritten notes, I found journaling, while reading my Bible, helped me retain information as I wrote things that stood out to me, along with daily prayers and scriptures. Something I still do daily. It is also nice to go back and read entries from my spiritual journey.

In the tapestry of our hectic lives, a hidden treasure awaits discovery — the transformative practice of Christian journaling. This article invites you to embark on a unique journey, exploring ten distinctive tips that not only enrich your faith but also unveil the extraordinary power of journaling in your spiritual growth.

1: Craft Sacred Moments in Time:

Carve out dedicated moments, crafting a sacred rendezvous with your journal.

Why: These appointed times serve as sanctuaries where divine connections and revelations unfold, reinforcing a steady rhythm of spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit.

Nurture Sanctuaries of Silence:

2: Seek out tranquil spaces that cradle your thoughts in silence.

Why: These sanctuaries foster an environment where whispers from the Holy Spirit are heard, allowing your reflections to flourish in the serene embrace of sacred quietude.

Harvest Gratitude Seeds:

3: Plant the seeds of gratitude at the start of each entry.

Why: By cultivating gratitude, you create fertile soil for spiritual blossoming, where every entry becomes a testament to the abundant grace surrounding your life. Gratitude adjusts your attitude.

Scripture-Woven Meditations:

4: Intertwine your reflections with the rich threads of Scripture.

Why: As you weave God’s Word into your narrative, the tapestry of your faith deepens, creating a luminous panorama of divine guidance and insight.

Courageous Emotional Dialogues:

5: Courageously pen down the symphony of your emotions, both highs and lows.

Why: Honest expression begets emotional release, and by sharing the depth of your heart, you embark on a journey toward healing and authentic spiritual connection.

Goals as Spiritual Compasses:

6: Chart your spiritual course by setting both short-term and long-term goals.

Why: Goals become compasses guiding you through uncharted territories, infusing your journey with purpose and direction. Ask God to help you set and keep them.

Inscribed Prayers:

7: Transform your journal into an intimate dialogue with the Holy Spirit.

Why: By allowing your prayers to dance on the pages, you embrace a sacred conversation, nurturing a profound connection with God that transcends the limits of spoken words.

Milestones as Testimonies:

8: Pause to celebrate and immortalize the milestones on your faith journey.

Why: In acknowledging these pivotal moments, you not only celebrate growth but also create a living testimony to God’s faithfulness in your unique narrative.

Challenges as Spiritual Forges:

9: Chronicle your challenges, seeking divine guidance and resilience.

Why: Within the crucible of challenges, your journal becomes a forge where faith is refined, and through prayerful reflection, you emerge stronger, anchored in the unwavering hope of God.

Conclude with a Surrendered Amen:

10: Conclude each entry with a prayer of surrender, placing your day in God’s hands.

Why: This concluding act of surrender is a sacred seal, affirming your trust in the Divine authorship of your life’s story and inviting the peace that surpasses understanding.

Benefits of Journaling:

In the artistry of journaling, you unearth a reservoir of benefits. Beyond the written words, the act of journaling becomes a sacred voyage that deepens self-awareness, fosters emotional well-being, and cultivates an intimate relationship with the God. Your journal becomes a mirror reflecting the tapestry of your faith journey, a map guiding you through unexplored realms, and a timeless testament to the extraordinary power of a pen dipped in grace.

I encourage you to pray for the best way to set an affective daily spiritual growth plan that you will stick to, for years to come, with God’s help and direction.

Happy New Year & happy journaling!

The Potter

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

The Potter

In the ancient world, a clay jar was likened to human weakness. Apostle Paul refers to the “knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6, English Standard Version) as a treasure in jars of clay (v.7). Standing for the principle of Christ’s crucifixion – God triumphs during human weakness.

Similarly, Isaiah refers to God as our Father – the Potter. At the same time, we are again seen as the work of His hand – the clay (Is. 64:8). Other references are made throughout the Bible as a vessel of clay, a broken vessel, and God as the shaping agent or Potter. Nevertheless, I was drawn to the story of Jeremiah when the word of the Lord came to him and told him to go to the potter’s house.

To set the stage, the book of Jeremiah is set at a time of political turmoil, following the fall of the Assyrians and the rise of the Babylonians. He saw the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, with many Judeans deported to Babylon.

First, Jeremiah saw the potter working and shaping the clay on his wheel. The potter spoiled the clay and reworked it with his hands into another vessel that seemed promising. God then spoke to Jeremiah about the house of Israel. Likewise, God can reshape Israel (Jere. 18:4-5).

We are also a work of the Father’s hand. Since Christ came to redeem us from our sins, we can be reshaped into usable vessels to bring glory to God. God created and helped us in our weakness, like the clay jar. The Holy Spirit’s work within a believer has the power to transform our hearts for honorable use to further the Kingdom of God.

We cannot do this work on our own. Our most sincere desires to change old behaviors are limited if we don’t have the power of God’s Spirit within us. This requires surrendering to the Potter and allowing Him to do the work from the inside out. No matter how many times we change locations or jobs – without a heart transplant – our efforts to change are fruitless.

Isaiah supplies the secret to Judah’s strength. “In returning and rest, you shall be saved” (Isaiah 30:14). Returning means repentance. When we repent, there is a rest for our souls. He continues, “In quietness and trust shall be your strength” (v.15). This is the true path to victory and peace. In God alone, we find the strength to follow His path, but it requires repentance and trust. The Judeans refused and went their way. Many of us do the same and never experience the peace and joy of a life surrendered to Christ in obedience – and God’s will for us.

God knows best. His timing is always perfect. It is our impatience that doesn’t want to wait for His answers.

The Inner Circle

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Do you have an inner circle of friends you completely trust and confide in? Perhaps you hold each other accountable. These are rare jewels in today’s world.

Jesus had an inner circle of friends whom he trusted. He included them in the centric workings of His ministry and invited them to understand who He was to prepare them for His death, burial, and resurrection.  

In reading about the transfiguration, in Matthew 17:1-3, Jesus’ physical image was changed to show His glory before becoming a man. It was also a preview of His future exaltation (2 Peter 1:16-18; Rev. 1:16, English Standard Version). Peter was an eyewitness and equates Jesus’ glory with the transfiguration.

The appearance of Moses, who stands for the law, and Elijah, who represents the prophets, are both prophetic forerunners to the Messiah (Mal. 4:5-6). The Messiah, Jesus Christ, fulfilled the law of Moses and the prophetic messages that foretold His coming.

God’s voice proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God – which echoes His baptism (Matt. 3:17). God spoke to the disciples and told them to listen to Jesus so they would understand the purpose of His coming and impending death. The transfiguration and God telling them to listen to Him stood out to me as something they (Peter, James, and John) needed to see and hear. This was done for their benefit to help them understand and prepare for Jesus’ death. It also instilled hope for His return.

His story wasn’t over then, and it’s not over now. We are assured of this in the Gospels. Each book is a witness to the fact that the story goes on. Jesus came to save the lost – because of God’s inexhaustible love for us and the unbridled joy He gets when one of His lost sheep is found. We see this in Jesus’ parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son (Luke 15:3-32).

The Holman Bible Dictionary confirms that Jesus’ story isn’t over. His mission will continue to be fulfilled wherever His name is confessed and His teachings obeyed, until He comes again.

Mark supplies a promise that Jesus will bring His scattered flock back together and lead them into Galilee (16:7). Matthew provides Jesus’ promise to always be with us (28:20). Through the book of Acts, Luke traces the spread of the Gospel message, the Kingdom of God, and the risen Jesus from Jerusalem to Rome. John gives a vibrant picture of the Holy Spirit given directly to the disciples by Jesus (20:21-22). Each makes the same point differently (Brand 2015, 894).

Jesus came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. There is hope, and God’s love is still inexhaustible. I hope you find an inner circle to share life with, hold each other accountable, and do community as you seek more of Jesus daily.

The Blessing

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of two songs. We Gather Together is a 17th-century Dutch song I remember singing in elementary school, along with The Blessing, with the lyrics taken directly from the Bible. The words to the first song below seem to set up the intentions of the second perfectly.

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; He chastens and hastens his will to make known. The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

With this in mind, take a moment to listen to The Blessing – let the words wash over you and sink into your heart.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; (V 26) the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26, English Standard Version, Emphasis mine)

Aaron’s priestly blessing shows God’s will to bless every Israelite. The ESV Study Bible denotes that this blessing engraved on a silver amulet is the earliest archaeological discovery, having the covenantal name of God (Yahweh), found in a Judean tomb dating back to the seventh or sixth century B.C.

Let us look at the meaning of each verse: The Lord blesses us by giving good harvests, peace, children, and his presence (Lev. 26:3-13). ‘Keep’ means to guard or protect. His face shines upon you in God’s presence, like sunshine (Ps. 19:1-11). A shining face is a smiling face, a pledge of God’s good favor (Ps. 80:3, 7, 19, ESV). The countenance is the expression on one’s face. The Study Bible says that for God to lift His face, He must treat people favorably. Peace or shalom means total well-being.

This led me to Daniel 9, which provides the same model of repentance and prayer along with this blessing. Daniel prayed a prayer of adoration, then a confession on behalf of himself and his people (9:4). Daniel asked God to show favor, make His face shine upon him, and bring exile to an end. Not because of his righteousness but because of God’s commitment to glorify His name (9:17). If we read further, Daniel received an answer from God through an angel named Gabriel. Still, I want us to pay attention to this: he confessed his sin and the sin of his people, presenting a plea to God and asking for His blessing.

As we gather to give thanks, I want you to know how thankful I am for each of you. I pray that you will receive God’s blessing and remember to thank Him every day for the blessing of Jesus Christ – the reason for the upcoming season – not only today but every day.

Be kind. Be safe. Be blessed.