Tag: #loveGodlovepeople

Even When the Walls Fall: What Ezekiel 26:9 Teaches Us About God’s Control

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

We all seek security. We build strong walls around our lives, whether they are financial stability, career security, or even personal boundaries. But what happens when those walls start to shake?

The ancient prophet Ezekiel faced a world where human empires were collapsing. The Jewish people saw their holiest city, Jerusalem, destroyed. Yet, amid this chaos, God delivered a prophecy against a city that seemed completely untouchable: Tyre.

The Context: The Pride of Tyre

In Ezekiel chapter 26, the great city of Tyre—a powerhouse of international trade, famous for its wealth and its seemingly impregnable island fortress—made a fatal mistake. When Jerusalem fell, Tyre didn’t mourn; it rejoiced.

“Aha! The gate to the nations is broken, and its doors have swung open to me; now that she lies in ruins I will prosper.” (Ezekiel 26:2)

Tyre’s sin was commercial arrogance. They saw Jerusalem’s tragedy as their own financial opportunity, prioritizing profit over human compassion and God’s relationship with His people. They believed their walls of stone and their vast fleet of ships made them masters of their own destiny.

The Main Point: The Specifics of God’s Judgment

God’s response comes in the form of a detailed, terrifying military prediction, culminating in verse 9:

“He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and demolish your towers with his weapons.” (Ezekiel 26:9, NIV)

This verse, seemingly a footnote about ancient siegecraft, delivers the entire theological punch of the chapter. Here’s why it matters:

  1. God Chose the Instrument: God didn’t just promise judgment; he named the executioner: Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (v. 7). This meant that the mightiest king on earth was merely a tool in the hand of the Sovereign Lord. God is the one directing the blow of the battering ram.
  2. No Wall Is Too High: Tyre’s walls and towers represented the pinnacle of human security and pride. By specifically mentioning the battering rams and axes, God declared that no matter how strong their defenses, their human efforts would be systematically broken down by a force He controlled.
  3. The Promise of Utter Ruin: The judgment didn’t stop with Nebuchadnezzar. The entire chapter promises that Tyre would eventually be scraped to a “bare rock” and its stones thrown into the sea. History confirms this was a long, phased process involving “many nations” (v. 3), including Alexander the Great, who literally used the debris of the mainland city to build a causeway to attack the island.

The Takeaway for Today

Ezekiel 26:9 is a resounding declaration that God is absolutely in control of history, nations, and events.

For us, the walls and towers of Tyre represent anything we build our lives upon instead of God: our own stability, our wealth, our reputation, or our pride. When those things feel secure, it’s easy to forget that God can dismantle them with terrifying speed and precision.

The good news is that this sovereignty cuts both ways. The God who justly directed the battering ram against the proud is the same God who is now directing all of history toward the final, gracious redemption offered through Jesus Christ.

The lesson of Ezekiel 26:9 is not just that human defenses will fall, but that only the King who directs the ram is worthy of our complete trust. When our own security fails, we are reminded to put our faith in the One whose authority extends over every empire, every economy, and every fortified wall.

God is still in control.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:9, 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).

The Plumb Line and Grace: A Story of God’s Unfailing Love

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

In the Old Testament, a prophet named Amos, a shepherd and fig grower by trade, declared that sometime in the future, God would restore Israel through the coming Messiah, in which all nations will be brought to the Kingdom of God. Although Israel would still experience exile and God’s judgement, it’s not the end of their story (Amos 9:11-15, ESV).

Amos’s vision of a plumb line reveals that Israel fails to meet God’s standard and cannot escape judgment because of their so-called acts of worship and lack of concern for others (7:7-9). Their grand display of worship lacked sincerity and integrity, and they placed their focus on themselves rather than on God, not to mention their oppression of people (4:45; The Holman Bible Dictionary, 61).

We all fall short of the plumb line, but the Good News is that, because of God’s grace through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven (Rom. 3:23-24), and it’s not the end of our story either. God’s message of judgment was also a demonstration of His grace. The message served as a warning to Israel, but it also presented an opportunity for them to repent and be restored to God (5:4).

The problem was that they didn’t recognize their need for repentance. They were still worshipping idols even as they believed in the law of Moses, replacing sincere spirituality with insincere religiosity (ESV Study Notes).

It is the same with some today. The world says everything goes, and even if they believe in God, they may not see a need for repentance. Our need for a Savior extends far beyond mere belief. We are in dire need of His grace through Christ, which extends to an intimate relationship that outweighs religion and rituals every time. True faith requires a transformative change of heart and a personal connection with God’s grace, rather than simply adhering to external forms of religion.

That is the beauty of God’s redemptive story and His love for us. When Jesus said, “Come to me,” that is an invitation to trust Jesus personally, not merely believe historical facts about Him (Matt. 11:28). “All who labor and are heavy laden” in context refers to those oppressed by the burden of religious legalism imposed on people by the scribes and Pharisees. Still, the wider application is that Jesus provides rest for our souls (v. 29, ESV Study notes).

It is an eternal rest for all who seek forgiveness and freedom from the crushing legalistic burdens and guilt of trying to earn salvation by good works (ESV Study notes). The “yoke” in verse 29 is a metaphor for the law of works. John 1:17 confirms that the OT law came through Moses, but the NT Grace came through Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law (Rom. 10:4).

Paul’s writings reiterate this message. “Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian” (Gal. 3:24-25, Emphasis added).

According to The Holman Bible Dictionary, Paul, like Moses, affirms that without the law, we would not know what sin was (Rom. 7:7; Deut. 4:6-8). “Furthermore, he, like Jesus, captures the spirit of the OT law by reducing its demands to love God and one’s neighbor” (Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:13, Brand, 996).

In summary, The Holman Bible Dictionary explains that even though not all the OT laws associated with the old covenant continue under the new, there is no wedge between the law of the OT and the grace of the NT. The old covenant and its laws were a form of grace. God redeemed His people and called them into a covenant relationship with Him. The grace in the NT calls for a response. Our obedience is a demonstration of love for God and does not come as a burden, but out of a desire to please God for rescuing us.

Both the OT law and the NT grace of Jesus Christ call for the redeemed to “respond to God’s grace with unreserved love for Him and self-sacrificing love for others” (Brand, 997).

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins” (Romans 3:24-25, NLT, emphasis added).

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matt. 11:28-30, emphasis added).

It Starts with LOVE

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

I find it fascinating that the Bible records two people as being “taken by God” and therefore, not seeing death. Enoch and Elijah share this wonder (Gen. 5:22;24; 2 Kings 2:1-12, ESV). Hebrews mentions Enoch in the ‘Hall of Faith’. The author makes a not-so-giant leap in recognizing that he must have had faith, because he was recorded as having pleased God. Without faith, Hebrews 11:6 says, this is impossible.

Forget wishful thinking; genuine faith is a continuous, confident hope rooted in the promises of an all-powerful God who made Himself known through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:1). It’s more than just believing He exists; it’s a profound certainty in His faithfulness to keep His word and bless those who follow Him (Hebrews 10:35, 11:26, 10:23, 11:1).

Enoch’s journey with God, as described in Genesis 5:21-24, portrays a profound and continuous intimacy. In return for such devotion, God extends His unwavering grace, guaranteeing the perseverance of His own.

When God’s love is within us, it gives us the desire to love and please God (Matt. 11:28). “If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12, Emphasis added). The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines “perfect” as being whole or complete. To be perfected in love is not to say that we are perfect, but God is perfect, and His love in us makes us complete, lacking nothing.

It all starts with love. God’s overarching love for us, revealed through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, helps us cultivate hope and faith, which in turn enables God’s love to reside within us. Couple that with an intimate relationship with Christ, and it leads to a desire to please God above all else.

Elijah obeyed God but fled in fear for his life afterward (1 Kings 19:9). When his anxieties got the best of him, he hid in a cave to avoid certain death. God showed up in a gentle whisper to comfort him. God informed Elijah about his predecessor, Elisha, whom he would pass on his cloak of leadership as a prophet (1 Kings 19:16). God then spared Elijah from seeing death by taking him up to heaven (2 Kings 2:1-11).

The book of Malachi foretold the coming of a prophet who would precede the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). This wasn’t a prophecy that demanded Elijah himself reappear. Instead, it spoke of a legacy—a spiritual inheritance.

John the Baptist, arriving “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), embodies this fulfillment. His ministry, characterized by a fervent call to repentance and preparation, mirrored the impactful and unyielding prophetic work of Elijah of old. Thus, the ancient prophecy found its powerful realization not in Elijah’s physical return, but in a successor who carried his fiery torch, preparing the way for Jesus.

Although John the Baptist, beheaded by the king’s orders, was not miraculously spared from death, as Elijah was (Mark 6:27), his ministry and legacy as a forerunner to Christ still bore a resemblance to that of Elijah.

Upon reflection, it occurred to me that being taken up by God, without seeing death, could be a blessing promised to believers who are still alive when Christ comes back. End times are shrouded with mystery, but Jesus says two will be together, one left and one taken (Matt. 24:40). We don’t know for sure which one is taken, the believers or non-believers, nevertheless considering verse 31, which records Jesus words, God will send his angels with a loud trumpet call. The elect from the four winds, from each end of heaven, will be gathered. This, along with Paul’s writings, “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17, Emphasis added), leads me to the conclusion that God takes up the elect. What a delightful image.

All the mysteries tend to make us fearful. To echo Paul, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18, Emphasis added). In other words, even with the unknown variables about end times, this teaching about Christ’s return should result in comfort and encouragement for believers, rather than fear, which is Paul’s goal in these passages (ESV Study Bible Notes).

It starts with love.

“If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12, Emphasis added).

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18, Emphasis added).

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, 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).

Bubble Wand

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

On my last few walks, I noticed a bubble wand on the sidewalk in front of one of my neighbors’ houses. For some reason, it made me think of the game show Let’s Make a Deal when they ask for random items from a pocket or purse. I am unsure why my brain instantly thought of this item as a potential article in someone’s bag, but I thought of my mom from there.

She would have been the perfect candidate for the game show, as she had multiple random items in her pocketbook on any given day, from bobby pins to ink pens and anything in between. Nevertheless, my favorite memory is that Mom kept snacks in her purse. Not just any ole snacks, either.  I remember many road trips where she pulled out a chicken leg, usually wrapped in a napkin or tin foil, freshly sliced homemade bread with butter, and a wet washcloth wrapped in plastic wrap for our greasy fingers. She thought of everything.

Now, mind you, it was not uncommon for our mom to feed others as well—at ballgames, events, and school. It was sometimes embarrassing for us, but our friends liked sitting near her in the stands. As a room mother for five children, she spent considerable time at school over multiple years—so much so that my classmates thought she was a teacher. And she was—she just wasn’t on the payroll.  And I would be remiss not to mention her famous sugar cookies.


My memories of Mom go far beyond her excellent cooking skills. She was also a prankster. She loved April Fool’s Day and Halloween. Although she never thought so, she had many skills and talents. Her ability to make others laugh, smile, or jump out of their skin (mostly Dad) was an incredible art form.

Although I think of her as a caretaker, prankster, baker, nurse, teacher, wife, mother, sister, friend, farmer, salesperson, and so much more – her identity was not found in any of those things. As I have discovered on my journey, when I identify myself only by the things I do or the titles I hold, there is no real meaning when things go awry. It can feel like we are losing pieces of ourselves.

The only way I can keep my sanity as I go through the trials and troubles of this life is to remember whose child I am – and I am not talking about my mom. When I remind myself that my identity is not found in the titles and talents I may or may not have but solely in Jesus Christ, as a daughter of the King, I am better equipped to get through the challenging days.

When we rely on temporary circumstances to make us feel complete, we can be devastated when those conditions disappear. But if we focus on the One who will never leave us, we can cope with bad grades, changing titles, losing jobs, and whatever else comes our way. It is not always easy, but with God, it is possible (Matt. 19:26, ESV).

As with Israel’s blindness to God’s identity, Isaiah records God reminding them He is their Savior, and for that reason alone, they should not fear—because they are His. Their guilty blindness does not define them, but the grace of the One who says, “You are mine” (Exodus 6:7; Is. 43:1).  Isaiah 43:4 assures them and us that we are precious in God’s eyes, and He loves us. (V5) “Fear not, for I am with you.”

Therefore, our identity is not in temporal things that can disappear tomorrow but in God, who never leaves or forsakes us (Deut. 31:8). No matter what changes in this life, nothing can ever take that away if we have accepted Christ in our hearts (Romans 8:39).

Maybe the bubble wand reminds us that this life is temporary; no matter how magnificent it is, it only produces limited results that will burst on impact—gone forever. Still, when we are kingdom-minded and seek Christ above all else, we are forever His now and in eternity, and we can find joy in that no matter our circumstances.

Let’s make a deal: Make sure Christ is always at the top of the list of things we carry with us—just in case anyone asks.

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:15, 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).

God Yearns for You

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Looking back at the beginning of my journey of becoming a Christ-follower, I realize that it was a process – I didn’t immediately change my old habits, although I wanted to be closer to God. This process of being freed from sin is called sanctification. After repenting and surrendering my life to Christ and asking God what He wanted, the Holy Spirit began to work on my heart. He began to mold and reshape me and my character. Not only did I not want to continue with the old habits, but the conviction was also so firm that I could not hide it.

As I wanted to be closer to God, my old ways and sins had to make way for Christ’s new creation to form. The two cannot co-exist if we make room for Christ and have the relationship He intends for us.  Peace comes when we stop allowing our loyalty to be divided between God and the world.

We can’t feel the closeness and relationship we desire if we are still straddling the fence. But when we go all in – wholly surrendered to Christ – that’s when it all comes together, and we feel His presence, even though He has not gone anywhere – He is always with us – we are the ones who pull away. Feeling distant from God has a direct correlation to our sins. Once we repent and let God’s grace wash over us, the relationship begins to form as we make more room for Him in our hearts.

James points out that it is impossible to please God and the world simultaneously (James 4:4). When we come close to God, He will come close to us (James 4:8). Straddling the fence only makes us miserable. These verses from James echo Jesus’ message – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matt. 6:24, Emphasis added). We must step closer to Him, knowing His arms are open to welcome us. He patiently waits for us to look in His direction and want His comfort. He is a jealous God who yearns for the spirit He placed within us to worship Him alone (James 4:5; John 4:23-24).

God never tempts us – temptation comes from our desires. God always offers a way out of sin and temptation (James 1:13-14). “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, Emphasis added). We must learn to use our spiritual weapons against the devil by speaking Jesus’ name and bearing His armor (Eph. 6:10-18).

We can ask God to reveal anything we are holding on to and ask Him to help us remove it to make more room in our hearts His Spirit. David shows us how to do this, “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Ps. 139:24, New Living Translation, Emphasis added). Furthermore, he also gives us a prayer, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10, Emphasis added). A prayer I often recite.

Our goal should be to draw closer to God daily to allow more room in our hearts for His presence. I encourage you to take a step closer to God today and ask Him to help you yearn for His presence as He yearns for you. God wants to be your first love.

It Really is that Simple

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Have you noticed how we complicate simple things? The life Jesus calls us to is straightforward – treat others well and live your best life – enjoy My creation –  let everything else roll off you like water off a duck’s back. Okay, Jesus might not have referenced a duck, but the Bible is clear that we are not to worry about our lives (Matt. 6:34, English Standard Version). We tend to complicate life with our agenda. Pride gets in the way, and we let our ego take over, afraid someone will take advantage of us as we try to control things only God should control.

In the scheme of things, does it matter? If we are doing our part to make this a better place to live, loving others, and being the hands and feet of Jesus to the best of our ability – isn’t that all that matters in the end if we want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23, Emphasis added).

Jesus has our backs. Even if someone doesn’t have our best interests in mind, we can live with a good conscience and have peace of mind when we are focused on Christ and doing our best to treat everyone with love and kindness – seeing everyone as someone made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27).

Jesus taught and modeled how to treat people. He said we must love our enemies and pray for those who torment us (Matt. 5:43-44). That is the opposite of what we want to do, but we are called to a higher standard as Christians.

Paul talks about this in various locations throughout the New Testament. As we are one in Christ, old divisions and wrongful attitudes of superiority and inferiority are eliminated (Gal. 3 28). The law revealed people’s sinfulness and need for a Savior and served as a guardian until Christ came. Life under the law was slavery, while life in Christ offers freedom (Gal. 3:19-24).

Our love for Christ and gratefulness for our freedom drive our obedience as Christians, and we want to do what is right in His sight. Furthermore, we are called to love one another with brotherly affection and outdo each other in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Romans 12:9-21 provides the marks of a faithful Christian, including overcoming evil with good, never taking vengeance into our own hands.

It all boils down to one simple phrase – love God, love people. It’s that simple.

Let’s do our part to be kind and see what happens.