It’s a joy to share new knowledge. For instance, did you know that the English translation for Amen is truly or verily? In Jewish prayers, amen was used as an affirmative response to a statement of wish, affirming its validity. It’s like saying this is sure, valid, or so be it. As you know, using it at the end of a prayer is common.
According to The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, in the NT, Jesus used it at the beginning of His statements to affirm its validity. He prefaced His own words to proclaim the Kingdom of God is bound up with His person and emphasize the authority of what He said (Brand, 56).
You know all those verses that begin with truly, truly – that is really Amen, Amen. Jesus is God’s reliable and faithful witness. He is mentioned in Isaiah as the “God of Amen” (Is. 65:16, ESV) and is also called “The Amen” (Rev. 3:14).
This led me to think about my prayers. It is easy to get into a habit of repeating the exact words to God. I wondered about the importance of always saying ‘In Jesus’ name, Amen” at the end. John teaches that God will grant whatever we ask in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24), and the ESV Study Bible notes say this is not a requirement (John 14:13). Still, effective prayer must ask for and desire the things Jesus delights in (I John 5:15). We are to seek God’s will, not ours. God is wiser than us. I will continue to pray in Jesus’ name. Still, it made me think about why I do it instead of repeating it mindlessly.
Prayer is the essence of communion with God—whether it’s a petition, such as The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6: 9-13), or the great examples in Psalm 86, proclaiming praise, asking pardon, or seeking communion (V63), protection (V57), retribution (V107), or healing (V6)—our words to our Abba are intimate conversations, sincere petitions, and thanksgiving. This communion brings us closer to God and fills our spirits with peace and fulfillment.
Prayer is not throwing words at God—like darts—hoping to hit the mark. We can talk to Him like a Friend and Father, trusting that He knows best, even if we don’t get what we ask for. Our priority is being with God. He is Jehovah—Jireh. The Lord will provide for our every need (Phil. 4:19). The important thing is to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us (Matt. 6:33). When we don’t know what to say or ask for – the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Rom. 8:26).
Seeking the Kingdom of God continually means being cautious in our communications and actions. We shouldn’t try to make ourselves look good before men but humbly please God alone. Sometimes, our pride gets in the way, but we need to be alert to it and bold enough to honor God in all circumstances as God-pleasers—not people-pleasers. Let’s be inspired to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then all things will be added to us.
Another issue is that we must be reminded to pause before we speak. I pray for God to help me not react so quickly with offense or try to defend myself and say the first thing out of my mouth—which usually leads to tension instead of kindness and grace. A simple whisper – Jesus, help me or help me, Holy Spirit – does the trick. The hard part is being mindful of this before I speak.
Jesus said those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matt. 23:12). We can rise above the rest by lowering ourselves at Jesus’ feet. Let’s be bold and courageous enough to take a chance on looking bad before others—if it is righteous acts/obedience to God’s Word and character— we will be exalted in the end when it matters most.
Let us glorify God through acts of love in all circumstances, not just when it is easy. Amen.
Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
I come from a family of storytellers. Dad was a fantastic narrator. Whether from the head of the table, the pulpit, or his comfy recliner, he had invigorating stories whenever we gathered. It comes as no surprise that his children inherited the storytelling gene. My brother, JD, tells stories every day through his job as a fantastic editorial cartoonist and speaker. Check out his page and subscribe to his weekly blog, Crowe Jam.
Likewise, my sister, Donna, uses her talent to paint vivid pictures with words; she also has a fabulous blog called The Old Soul Medicine Crow. As for me, you, my readers, are my outlet for my meager attempt to share my stories and messages. Nevertheless, I give God all the glory and am grateful for the opportunity to communicate through my writing and photography. It brings me joy.
My storytelling helped me get more than one job. When I interviewed for my second job, I was asked to share an experience that stood out to me from the job I was leaving, as a dispatcher for a trucking company. This story was the first thing that came to mind: Zach, our local driver, picked up the loads and returned them to the lot until it was time for delivery. On this occasion, he picked up at a company in a neighboring county that used inmates to load trucks. As he was returning, I received a phone call from my contact at the facility informing me they were missing an inmate.
The voice on the other end surprised me. “We suspect he may be stowed away in your trailer.”
His nonchalant statement did not match my urgency for the situation, as he calmly assured me he was not armed or considered dangerous. Still, he was a fugitive trying to escape, and I didn’t know what he might do.
This was many years ago, telling my age, there were no cell phones to reach Zach to let him know he may be hauling an escapee. He didn’t even have a CB in his truck. What was I to do but call the state police and have them on standby? They asked for a truck description and searched for the inmate inside the trailer when it arrived. They did not find a stowaway. Still, this incident is not easily forgotten. This memorable tale was a hit with my soon-to-be new supervisor.
My subsequent employment required storytelling. I worked as a reporter and photographer for my hometown newspaper, earning my column, Angela’s Anecdotes, where I mostly shared family stories. I aim to use photography and words to portray images that pull the reader into the scene, although I sometimes fall short. I admire my siblings for their God-given gifts and natural abilities, but my lack doesn’t deter me from sharing a good anecdote. It’s in my genes, after all.
Growing up, our neighbor, Mr. Hall, was a grand storyteller. We would sit and listen to him for hours. On one occasion, in the 70s, when voice recorders were our new fascination, Mom decided to record one of Mr. Hall’s boyhood memories about stealing and eating watermelon from someone else’s patch. When he was finished, she asked him to listen to it as she played it back on our new recorder.
I will never forget his astonished response, “That feller on the radio has had the same experiences I have!” That is one priceless memory.
Jesus was a storyteller. He used parables to teach his disciples many excellent lessons that we can apply to our lives today. One significant lesson Jesus taught His disciples, whom He sent out to share the Good News about the Gospel, was to pray for workers for the harvest (Luke 10:2, NLT). In this parable, the harvest is the people who need to hear the Gospel and be gathered in God’s presence (Is. 27:12). The laborers or workers are those Jesus implores to tell others about Salvation by grace through Christ. We are to be laborers for the harvest and pray for others to share the Good News.
Sharing the story of Christ can be challenging. Still, as Christ’s followers, we always have a story to tell about our rescue. Our stories constantly intertwine with Jesus’ story. Sometimes, sharing the Good News is as simple as sharing our story. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Jesus modeled a life of trust and dependence on our heavenly Father (Luke 11:1-13). We can also place our faith in God and depend on the Holy Spirit to give us the right words. We need to be willing to try. God will do the rest and place people who need to hear our story in our paths. Praying for that opportunity and showing God you are willing doesn’t hurt. Likewise, pray for others willing to do the same thing.
Another great parable that stood out to me while reading the book of Luke is when Jesus explains the cost of following Him. “But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:62, Emphasis added). In this parable, the NLT Study Bible explains that “the ancient farmer guided a plow with their left hand and his oxen with his right. Looking away would turn the plow out of his path. For a believer, looking back meant placing earthly concerns ahead of God.”
Whenever we neglect to share the Good News as Jesus commanded (Matt. 28:19-20) because of fear, doubt, or whatever reason we concoct, we let our earthly concerns take priority over God. Whenever fear or doubt creeps in, the enemy keeps us from sharing Jesus’ story. After the seventy-two disciples Jesus sent out returned from their Gospel expedition, they were astonished those demons obeyed them when they used Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17). Jesus told them not to rejoice in their spiritual power but instead in the greatness of God, who freely gives salvation (V20).
Likewise, we can use our spiritual weapons to keep the enemy at bay, step out in faith, and share our story of salvation with others so they can enjoy God’s presence and accept His gift of salvation if they choose. At least by sharing, they can hear the Good News and hopefully receive the opportunity. This is when we pray for the Holy Spirit’s help to stir their mind because it is not of us but of God to transform a person’s heart. Sometimes, we plant a seed that someone else will water – a blooming flower needs both. It is God who gives the growth (I Cor. 3:6).
As many of you know, my story has many twists and turns (literally), including an eye-opening car crash on a curvy mountain road that woke me up from my self-induced stupor and a lifetime of people-pleasing and co-dependency that nearly strangled the life out of me before I realized God is in control – not me – as I tried to believe through my poor choices. He spared my life for a reason, and I knew then that I needed to pay attention to what God wanted. He rescued me from a miserable existence and life of abuse to empower me with a voice to say no and taught me how to set boundaries that lead to life – not death. God gave me a story to tell that I undoubtedly cannot ignore His existence, nor the fact that I would not be here today without Him. My relationship with God is the most essential thing in my life. When I finally figured that out, all my other relationships were better, and everything started to fall into place.
When I first began sharing my story with women’s groups to teach the red flags of abuse and empower them with the knowledge that breaks generational cycles – I had one group leader tell me I could not talk about God. They didn’t understand that I could not tell my story without talking about God. He is my story! He rescued me! That is my story! I will never leave Him out of it for anyone. Still, there are ways to share our stories without blatantly preaching to others about their need for salvation – which turns most people off. However, it is undeniably woven throughout my story in the miraculous ways God turned my life around and what I am doing today that I have no justification for claiming the glory for. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen (Gal. 1:5).
What’s your story? Can you use it to share the Good News with others? I pray you become a laborer if you aren’t already. The harvest is plenty and ripe for the picking. I hope you glean something from this message and share it with someone who may need to hear it.
“Yet the time will come when the Lord will gather them together like handpicked grain” (Is. 27:12, Emphasis added).
“These were his instructions to them: The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray for the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, ask him to send more workers into his fields” (Luke 10:2, emphasis added).
A dear friend at church recently got the cancer diagnosis that we all dread. He has a beautiful attitude and outlook. As I thought about and prayed for him, 2 Cor. 4:7-18 came to mind.
As we experience these pains, believers with hope in Christ also experience great joy and life. Paul describes the turmoil of this evil world that we still contend with today. Nevertheless, there is a light inside us because of Christ. We carry both the death of Jesus and the life of Christ. Paul calls it a “treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7, NKJV, emphasis added).
I think the New Living Translation’s description is enlightening—it describes the treasure as a light shining in our hearts. Although we are fragile, like jars of clay, the treasure inside us is excellent. It clarifies that the great power is from God, not us, which is the message Paul focuses on.
He continues to explain that although we are pressed on every side by troubles, we are not crushed. We may be perplexed but not driven to despair, hunted down but never abandoned by God. We may get knocked down, but not destroyed. By suffering with Jesus – we also share the life of Jesus (2 Cor. 4:8-10).
Another Scripture that came to mind was, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10, ESV, emphasis added). When we have the light of Christ in our hearts, our joy meter is full, regardless of our circumstances, because our trials are temporary, and our joy is eternal. Therefore, our joy gives us strength because it is from the power of God, not ourselves.
As we struggle with losing loved ones to this broken world and its diseases, we can rest assured that God will restore them and give them new bodies that will never experience pain or suffering again (Rev. 21:4). Paul provides more details about this – explaining that when we die and leave these earthly bodies, we have a home in heaven. God will make an eternal body for us. As a guarantee of this, when we accept Christ in our hearts, God places the Holy Spirit inside us – this is the light in our hearts that gives us the hope that we have a new body and home to look forward to (2 Cor. 5:1-10, NLT).
Jars of clay and earthen vessels symbolize human weakness and dying bodies. Still, the treasure is life everlasting in Christ or God’s revelation of Himself in Christ deposited in an earthen vessel. We can learn to trust God amid adversity – the results we get are determined by the effort we put into our relationship with God.
“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23, NLT, emphasis added).
According to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in their Campus Health newsletter, “A trigger is a stimulus that elicits a reaction. In the context of mental illness, “trigger” is often used to mean something that brings on or worsens symptoms. This often happens to people with a history of trauma.”
Triggers can show up when we least expect them. The above article also provides more information about triggers and responses to them that may be helpful. Someone recently said that a trigger is an area where healing must occur. That can be true for some, but for others who have received healing, it can be a warning – perhaps it is like when we touch a hot burner – if we’ve been burned before, our reaction is imminent.
Triggers can also act as signals, alerting us to potential harm. With self-awareness and discernment, we can heed the messages our body and brain are sending. Often, a red light flashes, indicating a situation that mirrors a past experience of pain or hurt.
That is not to say that the person or thing triggering the alert always intends to harm us, but spiritual discernment is necessary. So, how do we know if the situation is harmful or if the trigger is negatively affecting our emotions and causing the reaction?
Our emotions can sometimes lead us astray, but we can always take a step back, breathe, and seek the truth. Are the person’s actions and words in harmony? Do they align with the principles of love from a biblical perspective (I Cor. 13:4-7)? If these truths are evident, are we allowing the fear of being hurt again to cloud our judgment? This is a tactic of the enemy. Satan would love to sow discord in godly relationships. If you give him an inch, he’ll take a mile. That’s why it’s crucial to recognize his strategies and ask God to remove anything not of Him – or, as I like to say – shoot him in the foot.
Reminding ourselves of God’s promises and who He is also helpful. There are many, but three things immediately come to mind: peace, comfort, and trust. Our God is an everlasting rock (Is. 26:4, ESV), whom we can trust. He comforts those seeking Him and pursuing righteousness (Is. 51:1-3). He offers perfect peace to those who have faith in the promises of God (Is. 26:3).
The promise of God finds their Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1;20).
Jesus told His disciples – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27, emphasis added). That is also a promise for us. Instead of worrying, we can be thankful and pray in all circumstances (I Thes. 5:18), releasing it to God, who can carry the weight. I often find myself praying for God to take all the things that are too heavy for me, which ends up being most things – but that is okay – He is a good Father who delights in lifting our burdens and giving us rest (Matt. 11:30).
When the Lord comforts Zion through Isaiah, he reminds them to look to the rock from which they were hewn and to the quarry from which they were dug (Is. 51:1). It may seem like a strange statement, but those seeking the Lord can take great comfort in these words, knowing that we are secure in the One who created us. We can be reassured that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). The Rock is a source of protection.
If you have sensitive triggers from past hurts, like me, take time to sift through your emotions, ask God what is true, look to the Word for comfort, and pray for discernment. Use your spiritual weapons to cut off anything not of God, and cling to His promises for ultimate peace and relief as you put your trust in the only One who can carry the burdens for you.
Triggers are not all bad, but they must be discerned as we keep our emotions in check, not allowing them to take over our thoughts and keep us from living our best lives in the moment without worrying about what might happen tomorrow. As a friend recently said at church, ‘Tomorrow is not promised.’ (His mom said it when he was growing up, and now he can relate). What a fantastic perspective to adopt.
Triggers are real, and I am not dismissing them or the painful emotions they cause. Instead, I want to share these truths and the hope that we can overcome them through a relationship with Christ, our Rock, and Redeemer of all things. It’s not always easy – but it is possible with God’s help.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, emphasis added).
“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Ps. 119:105, emphasis added).
I love the imagery of God, the Father, anointing Jesus Christ as His Son with great Joy.
The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines anointing as rubbing a person or thing, usually with oil, to heal or set apart. It says we can anoint ourselves, anoint others, and be anointed. The Hebrew verb mashach, or messiah (noun), and the Greek verb chrio, or christos (noun), are translated as “to anoint.”
In the Old Testament, kings and priests were anointed to official capacity through a ceremony that symbolized God’s power upon them, an act that permeated an element of awe. The New Testament uses the word to describe daily grooming (Matt.6:17, ESV), healing (Luke 10:34), and preparation for burial (Mark 16:1).
God anointed Jesus Christ as King. The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 45:7, expressing God’s verification of Jesus’ identity to all as His Son, with the oil of gladness (Heb. 1:9). Christ did not exalt Himself. He was appointed by God, the Father (Heb. 5:5).
Oil was regarded as a luxury and a symbol of joy. Olive oil was commonly used in the Bible and was highly regarded as a symbol of honor (Judg. 9:9), blessing, and prosperity (Job 29:6).
Jesus Christ was already Creator and God’s Son (John 1:1)—God was exalting Him to reveal Christ as a divine, just, and superior high priest offering a better covenant (7:22, NLT), better promises (8:6), and better hope (7:19), leading to something better for those who believe in Christ (11:40).
Jesus is the Anointed One – the Messiah – and Savior (Acts 10:38). The OT used this symbolism to show God’s presence and power. Similarly, Christians are anointed by God (2 Cor. 1:21); I John 2:27) for the commissions of ministry (Brand, 2015, pg. 69).
Jesus’ earthly prayers were heartfelt, earnest, and tearful (Hebrews 5:7). His reverence formed the basis of His prayers, which were answered, to intercede for and help every Christian (Romans 8:34). His resurrection saved Him out of death – showing his submission to the Father as He waited on His answers.
People may not consider anointing for cleansing, purifying, protecting, or healing today. Still, it is powerful when accompanied by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ’s mighty name in prayer. The oil itself doesn’t have power, but the name of Jesus Christ holds the awe-struck power. We can set ourselves apart as holy – a vessel for God – useful to our Master and ready for every good work, cleansing ourselves from what is dishonorable (2 Timothy 2:21).
Spiritual weapons are robust against the doubts and fears the enemy tries to throw at us, especially when we are doing God’s work. With intercessory prayers, we can anoint others and our homes for protection.
Food for thought: Perhaps we can symbolically anoint ourselves with the oil of gladness and ask God to protect us so that we can avert the enemy’s tactics of keeping us from God’s good work.
Our joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances but comes from our relationship with God, regardless of our circumstances.
God’s answers to our prayers rarely look how we imagine – they’re always better.
A leap of faith is always involved to show our trust in God. It wouldn’t be a leap of faith if everything were already secure.
When Jesus gathered His first disciples, He appeared, asking them to follow Him unquestionably. Can you imagine the courage and trust it took for them to leave their careers, the only way of life they knew, and their families? Still, without hesitation, Matthew records Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, English Standard Version, emphasis added), and their response, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him” (v 20, emphasis added).
Jesus prayed for laborers for the harvest; God answered the prayer with the twelve apostles (Matt. 9:37-38).
We tend to make our plans, pray for God to make things go our way, and not recognize the opportunities God places in front of us. Yet, if we take the time to listen and pay attention, asking God what He wants for our lives – we are more open to whatever gifts He has for us – no matter how far off they are from our expectations. It can be scary to take the leap, but it is always worth it.
Each leap of faith brings us closer to God and His purpose for us – even if it doesn’t look like we thought. Years later, looking back, we can realize everything we have encountered has prepared us for this day. God even uses our painful experiences for His good and our blessing. A professor once said that every past pain is a key – which unlocks someone else’s heart.
If you had asked me five years ago what my goals were and where I thought I would be today, I would have had no way of perceiving everything that had transpired over the last year – or even the previous month. Still, here I am, a college graduate with a graduate certificate in pastoral counseling (something I never saw for myself), married to a wonderful, godly man who respects me, and most recently, the new office manager for our family business, The Higher Hands – Handyman.
We are true partners in each sense of the word, serving others through our ministries and work. I would not have received these blessings and gifts from God if I had held firm to my small ideas. God is full of surprises and massive plans that require me to depend on Him.
God always has a bigger plan and purpose for our lives.
As I reflect on my previous experiences, from my first job at a trucking company, fresh out of high school, as a payroll clerk and dispatcher to working for a non-profit – it paved the way for all the skills needed for my new position as well as the freedom to pursue my passion in helping abused women. Was it scary to quit my job of almost 20 years – you bet! But God…
When we break ourselves out of the box we find ourselves in – whether we put ourselves there or wake up there – and let God’s will for us prevail, we can burn the shipsof our past and never look back. (Burn the Ships is my mantra this week – take a moment to listen).
Freedom = Joy. Joy is my word this year. God has undoubtedly showered me with it, along with His magnificent grace. I still make mistakes and am learning daily how to be a better wife, leader, listener, and daughter of the King, but just the fact that I have the opportunity is a miraculous feat in my book that only God gets the glory for.
What ships do you need to burn and allow God to lead?
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).
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.
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.
You have probably heard that there is strength in numbers. The three-braided cord makes me think of the Trinity – God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I also see it as two people with Christ in the center.
If you are like me, you tend to keep things bothering you to yourself sometimes. Even though I know my friends and family will pray for and with me. The power of prayer is sometimes overlooked, but James admonishes Christians to confess their sins and pray for one another. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, English Standard Version, Emphasis added). Jesus also told his disciples concerning prayer: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt. 18:19, Emphasis added).
We all go through low times or a season of feeling off; thankfully, they are few and far between. Sometimes, we must go through the valley to get to the next, and sometimes higher, mountaintop. There are also times when the enemy will try to keep us down. He does not want us to share our concerns with others because it makes his job easier.
One morning, on my run, the wind was particularly gusty; at one point, in a straight stretch, it felt like someone had their hand on my forehead holding me back, almost like I was running in place, not making any progress. It can feel the same way when the enemy is interfering – another group leader told me once that she felt like someone had both hands on her shoulders, weighing her down. Have you ever felt like that?
In these times, we must share our burdens and pray, using the spiritual weapons God gives us, putting on the whole armor of God, and always praying in the spirit (Eph. 6:11-18). The enemy must flee by the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’s name. Jesus is already a victor over death, the grave, and the devil. We can rely on His strength when we are weak. In Him, our peace returns. “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27, Emphasis added).
In my experience, when I finally blurt out what is troubling me to a trusted friend, the load is lighter because I am no longer carrying it alone. Saying it aloud makes it lose its power and no longer fester inside us. We are not supposed to go it alone. A threefold cord is not quickly broken (Eccl. 4:12, Emphasis added). The ESV Study Bible explains this verse as the great value of plurality – as opposed to being alone.
This reminded me of my homeplace –a bank in our front yard was covered in deep purple irises. When I got older and moved next door, I wanted to dig up a few for my yard, so I tried to divide the many years’ worth of entangled roots to separate them. Even though iris roots are not deeply rooted and are sometimes ‘exposed,’ they intertwine to create a dense mat. Let’s say I didn’t get as many as I had planned. Similarly, some of the tallest and largest trees, coastal redwoods, have no taproots. According to the National Park Service website, “Their roots grow only 10 to 13 feet vertically, and then spread horizontally for 60 to 80 feet, intertwining with the roots of other redwoods in a grove for stability.”
When we feel exposed or weighted down, it is a time to join forces with others, encourage and help carry one another’s burdens (Heb. 10: 23-25; I Thes. 5:11; James 5:16). We can stand firm on the promises of God, in light of Jesus Christ. Jesus promises to always be with us (Matt. 28:20). May we be deeply rooted and grounded in love (Eph. 3:17) as we fight the good fight together (I Tim. 6:12).
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Ps. 28:7, Emphasis added).
Joy comes in the morning (Ps. 30:5, Emphasis added).
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 