Tag: #joy

Reframing the Trials: A Powerful Perspective on God’s Preparation

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

We pray to God for wisdom, and it’s a genuine request, so that we can stay in step with the Holy Spirit. However, do we realize it doesn’t happen overnight and isn’t delivered in a shiny box? There are some things to consider, such as whether it is acquired through trials and challenges.

We often wonder why we face challenging times, but we rarely think about what we’re learning from them. Maybe it’s an answer to our prayers. It just doesn’t look like what we expected, so we question God.

Does any of this sound familiar? Challenges are never easy while we’re going through them. We don’t literally ask for God to give us trials, but that’s precisely how we learn and grow. It builds character. Our daily choices often reflect the wisdom we hope to have someday, even if we aren’t aware of it.

It makes you think:

  • What daily choices am I making today that my future, wiser self would appreciate?
  • What does the wisdom I aspire to have look like in action right now?

It’s a beautiful way to frame personal growth—that aspiration is quietly guiding our daily efforts.

Without testing, there is no growth. Challenges strengthen us and show where we stand in our faith journey. Peter mentions being grieved by many trials: “So that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes through it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7, Emphasis added). In essence, those who believe are tested like precious metal, so that our faith is purified and proven to be genuine.

We often focus on the painful situation—the what we’re experiencing—instead of the valuable lesson—the why or what it is creating in us. Difficult times can be opportunities to build qualities like:

  • Resilience
  • Patience
  • Empathy
  • Deeper Faith

If a prayer is for strength, maturity, or a deeper connection, the answer may not be easy, but it is a challenge that requires developing those qualities. It involves shifting focus from circumstantial comfort to character growth.

Indeed, God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not ours (Is. 55:8, ESV), something we must remember to help it make sense. It’s a call to trust the process and the ultimate purpose, even when the immediate experience is confusing or painful. The “tough time” is the necessary ground for a new type of growth.

Paul says we are all being transformed into the image of God from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:10). This is the process of sanctification that happens over time, not an instant change. This includes, but is not limited to, our moral character, true knowledge, and many God-given abilities (ESV Study Bible Notes).

The New City Bible plan, where I am currently studying the book of James, titled “Wisdom for Practical Life,” emphasizes that godly wisdom is gained through years of learning God’s Word, allowing God to correct us through trials, and being humble. This includes discipleship, training, and being corrected by others, as well as admitting our pride, selfishness, and sin by putting them to death and following Christ faithfully. This relates to my previous blog, ‘Repentance and Rest: Key Elements to Peace.’ This is how we grow in godly wisdom, and how character is formed – in the simple actions and decisions of daily life.

Christ is formed in us, and wisdom is revealed in how we live (1 Cor. 1:30). God takes up residence in our hearts. Our actions, choices, and treatment of others reflect the guest residing in our hearts. It moves faith from a set of external rules to an internal drive for goodness. In turn, this helps us develop strength and resilience to face the challenges that come our way.

God did not leave us alone to handle them; instead, He helps us through them and encourages us to persevere and not give up. I hope this allows you to reflect on the trials and challenges you face in the future with a new, powerful perspective. Maybe whatever you’re going through is preparing you for God’s plan in your life.

The core reflection is to see the trial not as a roadblock, but as a training ground.

  • Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” we can ask, “What is this preparing me for?”
  • Instead of feeling abandoned, we are reminded that we are being actively equipped.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9, emphasis added).

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2, emphasis added).

The Magnitude of Grace

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God is love (1 John 4:16, ESV). His love for us is immeasurable. If He ever withdrew His love, we’d be in trouble. Thankfully, for us, God’s love is everlasting (Ps. 103:17), and He desires a relationship with us. That love drives His abundant grace toward us. The magnitude of God’s grace is epic; not to be taken for granted or underestimated.

We can sometimes get caught up in all the things we should do for God and forget that God is not a taskmaster; what He wants most is for us to be WITH Him. He wants us to acknowledge Him and be still (Ps. 46:10; Prov. 3:5), carving out time to spend just being with Him. God desires steadfast love and acknowledgment rather than sacrifices and burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).

No matter what we do, God’s love is endless. In the Old Testament, even when Israel betrayed and was unfaithful to God, His redeeming love never ran out; it goes beyond human understanding (ESV Study Bible Notes, Hosea intro). This really stood out to me and helped me see just how great God’s grace is.

One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is that God wants to be our God and for us to be His people. The exact phrase “You shall be my people, and I will be your God” and similar variations appear at least 28 times throughout the Old and New Testaments. This promise, often called the Covenant Formula, is a central theme in Scripture, emphasizing God’s special relationship with His chosen people.

Key Occurrences

  • Old Testament: The phrase is most common in the Old Testament, especially in the books of the prophets. It first appears in Exodus 6:7 during God’s promise to rescue the Israelites from Egypt. It also appears repeatedly in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, often emphasizing God’s plan for restoration and a renewed covenant.
  • New Testament: The theme continues into the New Testament, especially in 2 Corinthians 6:16 and Revelation 21:3, where it is applied to the Christian Church, representing God’s promise to dwell among his people.

What does this show about God’s character? How do our desires compare to God’s? When we put Christ first in our lives, our desires align with His.

Jesus took our place on the cross and fulfilled the OT law for sacrifices. Our salvation hinges on God’s grace, not any works that we have done or will do (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:24).

God established the Old Testament sacrificial system as a way for His people to atone for their sins. Animals were sacrificed as a temporary substitute, their blood shed to cover the sins of the people. This entire system, however, was a foreshadow of the ultimate, perfect sacrifice to come.

The author of the book of Hebrews explains this in detail, arguing that the repeated sacrifices of animals were a reminder of sin, but could never truly remove it. Jesus, as the “once for all” sacrifice, offered his own life, a perfect and spotless life, to permanently and completely atone for the sins of all humanity. (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:1-10)

This explains what is meant when it is said that Jesus “took our place.” The concept is known as penal substitutionary atonement, which means that Jesus, the innocent one, took the punishment—the penalty—that we, the guilty, deserved for our sins. He died in our place, as our substitute, satisfying the demands of God’s justice.

The verses cited above, Ephesians 2:8 and Romans 3:24, are cornerstones of this doctrine.

  • Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This verse is a direct statement that salvation is not something we earn through our actions (“works”). Instead, it is a gift from God (“grace”) that we receive through trust (“faith”). This means there is no room for human pride or boasting, as our salvation is entirely dependent on God’s kindness and not on our own merit.
  • Romans 3:24: “…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” This verse reinforces the idea that justification—being declared righteous in the eyes of God—is a gift of grace. It is made possible through the “redemption” that Jesus accomplished on the cross. “Redemption” here means to be set free by the payment of a price, which in this case was the life of Christ.

In summary, Jesus’s death on the cross was the perfect sacrifice that fulfilled the Old Testament law. This act, done out of love and grace, is the only basis for our salvation. We cannot earn this salvation, but we receive it as a gift when we put our faith in Christ.

We may have heard this countless times, but the magnitude of His grace and its significance might not have fully registered. Take a moment to pause, spend time with God, read His Word to learn more about His character, and thank Him for Jesus and the limitless grace He continually bestows upon us out of His love.

A few years ago, my life was a wreck – but God.

I resonate with a lotus or water lily because its meaning is a beautiful bloom that emerges from the mud. It shows that even in the most challenging circumstances (the mud), with God’s help, one can grow, overcome adversity, and emerge with grace and beauty, inside the heart where it counts most.

“The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT, emphasis added).

“Fear not, for I am with you; for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10, ESV, emphasis added).

Labels Stick

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

There are a few vehicles in our neighborhood with stickers that say ‘hoonagan’ – I wasn’t familiar with the term, so I looked it up and found that it means reckless driver. Now, I can’t understand why anyone would want to label themselves as a reckless driver.

The labels we and others put on ourselves matter. What we believe about ourselves matters. Labels stick – pun intended – and can be harmful. False identity leads to insecurity.

Our identity is only found in who God says we are, not people or even ourselves.

When a lawyer asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment, He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-38, ESV, emphasis added).

Before we can love others healthily, we must love God and ourselves. Yes, I said to love ourselves. Still, that doesn’t mean we should be vain, but since we are made in the image of God, we should respect ourselves and our bodies in a way that honors Him. Speaking poorly about ourselves isn’t helpful. When we catch ourselves, we can pray that God help us take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

This is also useful in other situations, such as when we find ourselves getting offended easily or letting our emotions take control of and spoil our day. Yes, our feelings are important, but we shouldn’t let them control our lives and keep us from the peace that Jesus offers every day. We can’t control what others say or do, but we can control how we react.

Complete transparency: I am learning to ask God for help in controlling my emotions. I find that I sometimes wear my feelings on my sleeve, especially when I am offended, which is another area of contention I am working on. When this happens, I am only focused on myself – instead of Jesus and others.

We need to be intentional about developing our character and behavior with God’s help. I often ask God to reveal any areas I need to work on, so I can make more room for the Holy Spirit in my heart and be more like Jesus – the path for loving others well. A simple prayer each morning, before my day starts, asking God to help me be kind, humble, and not easily offended, has been invaluable. The only person we are responsible for fixing is ourselves, and that can only be accomplished through daily prayer and discipline, with God’s help.

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less”. C.S. Lewis

The verse Paul wrote in Romans 7:15 comes to mind when I find myself in the same offensive mindset. “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

Can anyone else relate?

I pray consistently, humbly asking God to help me become who He created me to be – more like Jesus and less like me. But what matters is that I know who I am in Christ, and most importantly, whose I am. This is what drives my persistence in pursuing the path of righteousness.  

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Ps. 139:13-14, emphasis added).

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19, emphasis added).

Love and Son Shine: All you need to grow in Grace

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Wake-up calls are rarely pleasant when we’re going through them. Still, tragedy often changes our perspective, which can lead to some of the most meaningful seasons of our lives if we remain attentive. What if what you are experiencing is guiding you toward God’s purpose for your life?

Since my life-changing accident in 2013, which I see as a wake-up call after spending many years sleepwalking through life without considering what God wanted for me, I started reflecting on how many lives might have been affected by tragedies and near-death experiences. If my year of losing loved ones and enduring multiple personal injuries changed my life, then how much more could larger events impact others?

As terrible as 9/11 was, I wonder how many new, life-changing perspectives emerged among those who escaped. Not to glorify the tragedy in any way, but to thank God for bringing good out of it (Romans 8:28, ESV). Many, like me, probably reevaluated their priorities and found a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude that can only be credited to God. As a result, many individuals often start a divine relationship for the first time in their lives, transforming everything—from how they see daily life and the breath in their lungs to how they evaluate their choices and the consequences that follow.

In Christianity, Romans 8:28 is often understood as a powerful promise that assures believers that God is working in all circumstances for their ultimate good. However, it’s crucial to understand this verse within its broader context and avoid misinterpretations.

  • Ultimate Good: The “good” mentioned in the verse doesn’t necessarily refer to immediate comfort or material wealth. Instead, it mainly relates to spiritual growth, becoming more like Christ, and ultimately, salvation and glorification. Difficult circumstances are seen as opportunities for God to strengthen faith and develop a Christlike character.
  • Comprehensive Promise: “All things” in this verse are generally understood to include every circumstance, even pain and suffering. This doesn’t mean God causes bad things, but rather that He can use even negative situations for the eventual good of believers and the advancement of His purposes.
  • Focus on God’s Glory: Ultimately, this verse also points to God’s glory. By working all things together for the good of believers, God reveals and magnifies His power and love.

Things Romans 8:28 does NOT mean:

  • It does not guarantee a trouble-free life (John 16:33)
  • It does not mean that all bad things will be reversed or have happy endings in this life.
  • It does not justify suffering or suggest that believers should not grieve or seek help in difficult times.
  • It does not promise that believers will always get what they want or desire.

Essentially, Romans 8:28 gives believers reassurance and hope during life’s challenges. It encourages them to trust that God is working, even when they can’t see it, to bring about a greater good in their lives and for His overall plan. This good emphasizes their spiritual growth and eternal destiny, not just earthly comfort.

After going through the fire, I experienced a miraculous wake-up call of epic proportions that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Still, the outcome is worth it. I continue to be in awe of an amazing God who loves us despite our sin. He did not wait for me to clean myself up – there is not enough soap in the world for that. Just like a waterlily, a beautiful bloom that emerges from the mud, God’s love and Son Shine helped me grow in grace.

As challenging as that year of tragedy was, I emerged with renewed passion for my purpose in life, according to God’s plan, not mine. I was submerged in the life-giving waters of baptism for the second time in my life; not that the first one didn’t count, but this one was an adult decision that brought genuine freedom, broken chains, and joyous surrender to the One who rescued me.  

My story isn’t over, and neither is yours. If God can use someone like me, I know He can use you too.

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14, New International Version, Emphasis added)

Jesus’ Name is Everything

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Anxiety has a way of creeping in. Sometimes, it catches me off guard and pounces like a squirrel that spots a vulnerable nut.

If I wake up a little later than usual or am dealing with a time change that can wreak havoc with my routine, time creeps up on me, and before I know it, I’ve not had my quiet moments with God to set my day off right before heading into a busy workday.

This is when the enemy finds a crack in my armor and slips in to yank my chain with subtle anxious thoughts or feelings. If not put in its place, it can spiral quickly.

My dear husband prays peace over me and reminds me of the pace of grace. I am reminded to breathe! I press pause and take five minutes with God to reset my intentions. I reaffirm my focus and claim the peace Jesus offers (John 14:27, ESV).

Jesus’ name is everything to me because it helps me stop spiraling. He is my peace and Waymaker, calm in the storm, and light in the dark (John 8:12). One whisper of His name settles my spirit and sends the enemy packing. Instead of anxiously striving, I find solace and joy that carries me through whatever the day holds.

Jesus is the living water for our dry, thirsty bones, which need refreshment in any season (John 4:14). I pray for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit that revitalizes and strengthens us to persevere until Jesus’ return. As Peter reminds us, God is not slow to fulfill His promise but is patiently giving others a chance at repentance, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

Perhaps this should light a fire under us to share the Good News with more people. Paul says that everyone who calls on the name of God will be saved (Rom. 10:13). Still, he continues to ask, how will they call on God if they don’t believe, and how will they believe in God if they have never heard the Good News (Rom. 10:14)?  

With this series of questions, Paul highlights the chain of events necessary for salvation through Christ (Rom. 10:14-15). The ESV Study Bible notes the logic of Paul’s plea: People will call on Jesus to save them only if they believe he can do it; belief in Christ cannot happen without the knowledge of Him; one only hears about Christ when someone proclaims their testimony and saving message; the message cannot be declared unless God sends someone to do so.

Let us give hope and show others that Jesus Christ’s name has the power to save and is the weapon of choice against the enemy and darkness of this world.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns;” (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15, emphasis added).

“Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:38, emphasis added).

Childlike Wonder

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

A vibrant spiritual life stems from listening to God—not just with our ears but with our whole being—mind, body, spirit, and soul—without presumptions or expectations and being open to the Holy Spirit’s presence.

The more we abide in His presence, the more we realize our gifts. Then, our posture resembles Mary’s when she anointed Jesus’s feet (John 12:3, ESV), and our attitude is full of gratitude. All of this plays a vital role in our intimate relationship with God.

Do you grasp that God fully knows and loves you? To do so, we must take intentional steps toward God and fully engage in His presence, listening with our whole being and dedicating precious time to Him.

God leads us like a father caressing his child’s hand. He is always with us, whether through a meadow of vivid wildflowers or a treacherous valley. As a father lifts a child onto his shoulders to see over the crowds, our Father gently lifts us above our troubles, for an eternal view, to rise above them as He carries us on wings like eagles (Is. 40:31) and shelters us under His mighty wing (Ps. 91:4) when storms rise. From this perspective, we can persevere.

Watch for Him in every flower, storm, and face of others.  We can change that bad habit, attitude, and how we interact with others by recognizing our shortcomings and asking God for help as we approach Him in childlike wonder with open hearts and hands. God showers us with grace – as we take intentional steps toward Him, seeking to be more like Jesus.

When we genuinely seek and follow Christ, God rejoices over us with gladness and personally delights in us, bursting forth in joyful celebration, He exults over us with loud singing (Zeph. 3:17). Take a moment to think about this. What song do you think God sings over you? I think of Aaron’s prayer and song, The Blessing.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26, emphasis added)—a long-time favorite of mine.

May we all look at God in awe daily, with childlike wonder, humility, and trust.

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3-4, emphasis added).

“Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place – the Most High, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (of obedience and service)” (Ps. 91:9-11, emphasis added).

Anna’s Legacy – The Secret Ingredient to Joy

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

In our prayer team devotion time recently, our leader read about the prophetess, Anna, whom Luke recorded as a widow who “did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37, ESV, emphasis added). He reflected that she saw many of Jesus’ miracles performed there. She was devoted to being with God and worshiping God –day in and day out – continually seeking His presence.

As our leader admitted, I realized that I, too, had not remembered much about Anna in my reading. Although not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture, her life is a powerful testimony to her devotion to God. Her legacy is summed up in only two verses—Luke 2:36–38— yet we learn much about her life and legacy of faithfulness in these compacted passages.

She was from the tribe of Asher and the daughter of Phanuel. She was a prophetess who was a widow much longer than she was married. Up to age eighty-four, she devoted herself to worshiping God in the temple for most of her life, and don’t miss this critical part—day and night—she never left the temple. She thanked God and told others what she saw and knew about the Messiah while awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption. She was a powerful witness to Jesus’ life.

At the time of Anna, the Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for the Jewish people. It was a significant religious and social hub where people gathered for sacrifices, prayers, and festivals. The Temple described in the Gospel of Luke was likely Herod’s Temple, a magnificent structure built during the first century BC.

After Jesus’ ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the temple of God is within each believer of Christ. Our body is the temple where God, the Holy Spirit, resides.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul states: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

In connecting the dots, John 15:10-11 emphasizes the vital correlation between abiding in Christ and bearing fruit. *Abiding in God means to remain in the Temple of God.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” In her blog, Enough About Me – Find Lasting Joy in the Age of Self, Stacy Reaoch writes, “Thisverse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s Word as the foundation for a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.”

Furthermore, Jesus relates abiding in Him to experiencing complete joy. Coming full circle, as 2024 ends, you may remember that my word of focus was JOY; this seems to wrap it up nicely.

 “I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11, ESV, Emphasis added). This verse emphasizes that true joy and fulfillment come from a deep and abiding relationship with Christ, not from worldly pursuits.

In summary, here are a few core principles for abiding in God (continually worshiping day and night in the temple of God as Anna demonstrates):  

  • Remembering God’s Word: Regular Bible study and meditation help us understand God’s character, His will for our lives, and His promises.
  • Loving God and Others: Our love for God and others flows from our relationship with Christ and manifests in acts of service, compassion, and forgiveness.
  • Obeying God: This involves actively following God’s will in all our lives.

By consistently striving to live out these principles, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from abiding in Christ and bearing fruit for His kingdom.

While the physical Temple in Jerusalem held immense significance in the Old Testament, the focus in the New Testament shifts towards the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within individual believers. This idea significantly relates to how Christ-followers understand their relationship with God and their role in the world.

By allowing Jesus in our hearts, the Holy Spirit dwells inside us as a gift from God to help us experience joy in this life – no matter what else is going on in our lives. This requires intentionally focusing on Jesus when life throws its worst at us and the enemy tries to keep us down with doubts and fears. Let’s not allow our emotions to dictate our joy.

To recap:

  • True joy is an inner wellspring: It’s not dependent on external circumstances. While external factors influence our moods, true joy comes from a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.
  • The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Guide: As promised in John 14:26, the Holy Spirit empowers us to navigate life’s challenges. He provides us with strength, peace, and guidance, enabling us to overcome obstacles and maintain our joy even in difficult times.
  • Focusing on Jesus is crucial: When faced with trials, it’s easy to get caught up in our emotions – fear, anxiety, anger. However, by intentionally focusing on Jesus, we can shift our perspective. We can remember His promises, draw strength from His love, and find solace in His presence.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1, emphasis added)

This verse reminds us that true peace and joy come from trusting in Jesus, even when life throws curveballs our way. It’s a daily practice to intentionally focus on Jesus, to seek His guidance, and to allow His love to fill our hearts. This intentional effort is essential for experiencing lasting joy, regardless of external circumstances.

My hope and goal are to become more like Jesus and be intentional about my focus on Him. Anna is a good example for us to follow as we focus our daily lives on Jesus—the Messiah—and, in gratitude, tell others about His marvelous works while we await our eternal home.

*Abide: to continue a daily personal relationship with Jesus, characterized by trust, prayer, obedience, and joy (ESV Study Bible notes). Jesus is the secret ingredient, and abiding in Him is the key to true joy. Happy New Year!

Pursuing Perfection Over Offense

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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).

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).