Tag: #quietmoments

Why Godly Fruit Isn’t Earned, But Grown by the Spirit

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Bearing fruit in season and out of season, like an evergreen planted by a flowing stream, producing vibrant green branches year-round, comes from a heart guided by the Holy Spirit (Ps. 1:3; Jer. 17:7-8).

When Paul talks about staying in sync with the Spirit, he means letting God lead (Gal. 5:25, ESV). When our hearts are transformed by accepting Christ and the Spirit enters, we can start to produce the fruits of the Spirit that mirror God’s character (Gal. 5:22-24). There is an urge to actively cooperate with the new life we’ve received.

The fruit isn’t just something we produce on our own. Spiritual fruit comes from being made in the likeness of God’s image. Day by day, we as Christians can strive to become more like Jesus, who exemplified all aspects of God’s character as a model for us to follow. We are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26).

Jesus is described as the perfect “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and the “exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). He perfectly demonstrated the character qualities we call the Fruit of the Spirit.

On the path to becoming like Christ, we often fall short because of our human nature. The flesh cannot please God without the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and hearts (Rom. 8:8). Paul describes a struggle between flesh and spirit, a division caused by human sin that prevents us from doing what is right in God’s eyes until we accept Christ. Then, the Holy Spirit equips us with the spiritual armor needed to fight battles and push back the devil. The Spirit fights against sin, not just defensively but offensively, developing in Christians the positive qualities of a godly character, all of which are seen in Jesus in the Gospels (Gal. 5:22-23).

The Spirit’s essential role in equipping the believer is to strengthen us.

  • Defensive and Offensive: The Holy Spirit doesn’t just passively wait; He actively fights against sin. This is the power that overcomes the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21) and enables the believer to “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16).
  • Spiritual Armor: The armor described in Ephesians 6:10-18 is often seen as the tools given by God, with the Holy Spirit acting as the active force that helps us use them effectively (e.g., the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”).
  • Positive Development (Fruit): The ultimate offensive move of the Spirit is the positive development of godly character—the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.). This fruit embodies the very character of Christ being formed within us, making the Christian progressively more resilient against sin and temptation.

Isaiah prophesied about a child from David’s line, “There shall come forth a shoot and a branch from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” (Is. 11:1-2, Emphasis added). He was speaking of Jesus the Messiah. He ruled with the help of the Spirit (Is. 4:2). He is described as the root and descendant of David, the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16).

Jesus set an example for living and invited everyone to wash their robes—no longer living in their old ways (Rev. 22:14). While we wait for His return, we can trust in His promise that we will be together again (John 14:2). Essentially, the Holy Spirit is the way Jesus remains present with us until His physical return, empowering us to live a holy life and grounding us in the certainty of His promise. It guides us throughout our lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ and producing The Fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

“He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither” (Ps. 1:3, Emphasis added).

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jer. 17:7-8, Emphasis added).

Paying it Forward: Part Two – Our Testimony Matters

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Last week, we looked at the relationship between Jethro and Moses and how a mentor’s wisdom can help us avoid burnout, as Jethro showed Moses how to delegate tasks effectively. This week, we examine how Moses helped lead Jethro to faith in God.

Moses helped lead Jethro, a Midianite priest, to faith through his testimony of the Lord’s work (18:1-12). Jethro had been caring for Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and his two sons while Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt. This oral history of the Exodus served as Moses’s powerful testimony (Ex. 18:8).

Jethro’s response was to rejoice, bless the Lord, recognize Yahweh as the God of Israel, and offer burnt offerings as a profound act of worship (Exodus 18:9-12). This event is especially significant because it demonstrates the powerful influence of personal testimony and a non-Israelite’s acknowledgment of the God of Israel.

Not only did Jethro give Moses practical advice on leadership and governance, as we saw in last week’s blog, “Paying it Forward,” but Moses’ testimony also led his father-in-law to faith. Sometimes, accepting wise counsel is difficult, but it requires humility, as demonstrated by Moses, and recognizing our weaknesses to receive a more effective solution.

Similarly, personal testimony can inspire others. This shows how sharing what God has done in our lives can be a powerful way to lead others to faith or deepen their existing relationship with God. Note that before offering practical advice, the shared testimony laid the foundation of their relationship and Jethro’s spiritual growth.

Our relationship with God has a direct impact on our spiritual growth.

This direct connection emphasizes three essential elements that are key to growth, all centered on the relationship.

  1. Communication (Prayer and Scripture): A relationship requires talking and listening.
    1. Prayer is communicating with God—making requests, giving thanks, and confessing. Jesus consistently prioritized prayer, demonstrating that it is directly aligned with the Father’s will and power.
    1. Scripture involves listening to God by learning His character, will, and commands. Spiritual growth needs the ongoing nourishment and guidance found in His Word.
  2. Obedience and Trust: A strong relationship builds trust and encourages action.
    1. Moses obeyed God’s commands to go to Pharaoh, even when fearful.
    1. The disciples followed Jesus’ instruction to “Go and make disciples.”
    1. Our obedience to what God reveals in His Word naturally shows our trust in His goodness and wisdom, serving as the motivating force for spiritual growth.
  3. Presence and Solitude (The “Recharge”) involves setting aside focused, dedicated time for growth.
    1. Jesus often withdrew to be alone with God. This practice of solitude protects the relationship from being overwhelmed by the demands of the world (or, in a work setting, the demands of the job). This dedicated time encourages a deeper intimacy and dependence on God.

By intentionally cultivating this relationship—through communication, obedience, and dedicated time—we invite the grace and guidance necessary for genuine, lasting spiritual growth.

“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8, ESV, Emphasis added).

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20, 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).

Protection and Promises

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God’s promises are sprinkled throughout the Bible, encouraging us not to give up.  When Moses questioned his ability to carry out God’s plan, lead the Israelites, and ask God’s name, God reassured him, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14, ESV, Emphasis added). He instructed Moses to tell the people I AM sent me—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:14).  

In Hebrew, “I am” can be translated as “I will be.” In context, verse 12 records God telling Moses He will be with him. The name Yahweh (the Lord) also reminds us of God’s promises to His people and His help fulfilling their calling. God’s name indicates His character and attributes (ESV Study Bible notes, Exodus 3:14).  

Later, when Joshua took leadership, God gave him a notable task and told him to “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6). God doesn’t give orders and leave Joshua to his own devices. He gave a daunting task, yes, but He framed it with promises: “I will be with you” (v. 5) and “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (v. 9). These examples indicate a compassionate God who will never leave us.

Besides the promises and the task, God also shows Joshua how to succeed by not turning from the Lord’s instructions, which are integral to who he is and what he does. Likewise, we are given instructions to live by; a role model in Jesus Christ, to imitate, and promises to help us stay strong and courageous.

Peace comes from God’s love inside us. Stress and worry are not of God. Believe and receive the goodness of God. Faith captures the essence of God in a believer’s heart. He is undeniably for us. We do not need to fear, because the Lord is our helper (Heb. 13:6). We can trust in the One who holds eternity in His hand. He promises never to forsake us (Ps. 94:14). The hiccups in life are only temporary.

If we face a task God gives us, we can step out in faith, knowing He will not leave us to pursue it alone. He will open and close doors to guide our path. It is vital to remain in communion with Him, asking that His will be done.

We can lean on the promise that Christ is coming back for us, as John records Jesus’ words, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am preparing a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also” (John 14:1-3, Emphasis added).  

Sweet promises that sustain us until that day comes. We can find rest in these assurances.

For the last few years, I have been able to hold on to a personal promise, which I pass along to other abuse survivors: You are a beautiful flower in My garden. I send rain and sunlight to nurture you and help you grow. You are protected under the care of the Master Gardener, never to be plucked and taken away from Me again.

How are we to live in light of these promises?

Freely and joyfully, living life to the fullest, showing others the way of Christ in love. Our eternal perspective changes our attitude, as we are charged to keep our focus on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). We can listen for God in the day-to-day tasks and show the love of Christ to everyone we meet. Don’t get caught up in the minutia; be Kingdom-minded, doing them for God instead of men (Col. 3:23).

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4, 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).

Wrestling with God

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

After a long, brutal winter that didn’t allow for much running, I am finally happy to be back out there as the weather begins to change. Still, it doesn’t come without challenges, but it’s not my first experience in building up again. I know how to do it, but that’s not the challenging part; it’s doing it. It requires diligence, consistency, and intentional steps toward my goal. It also requires giving myself grace on difficult days.

Granted, in the beginning, it’s mostly walking, but the more consistent I am, the more I know I will eventually be able to rerun the whole route. As I mentioned in my blog, Childlike Wonder, last week, our relationship with God requires the same diligence, consistency, and intentional steps toward Him to illuminate our path and draw us closer to Christ. Even if we have experienced closeness to God, these areas can have challenging seasons.

Struggles with others marked Jacob’s life. He stole his twin brother’s birthright and received his father’s blessing, which was meant for Esau (Gen. 25:31). Years later, he was fearful when he was to reencounter his brother. Jacob is confronted by an angel of God, whom he believes to be God Himself. Wrestling with him all night, the angel rendered Jacob’s hip out of joint – and his name was changed to Israel – which means “he strives with God.” – Jacob realized the importance of God’s blessing and was the climax of a lifetime of battles with others (Gen. 25:22).

Jacob was a new man. When he met Esau, his attitude had changed, and he bowed down to him. Esau, like God, showed Jacob unmerited favor and embraced him. Jacob realized his weakness before God, and it taught him the value of continued prayer from one who is helpless. He emerged willing to let his life fall into God’s control (Brand, 849).

God’s blessing was upon Jacob, but He did not choose him because of what he was—He chose Jacob because of what he could become (Gen. 32:22-32; Hosea 12:3-4, ESV).

How often do we wrestle with God and fail to let Him lead our lives? Then, we wonder why we are fearful, worried, or doubting ourselves. These are real emotions, but they stem from the devil, who wants to emphasize our inabilities over faith and trusting God to help us become who He created us to be. Sometimes, our anxious striving keeps us from feeling God’s presence if we allow it to linger. Resting in the presence of God and whispering Jesus’ name helps us refocus.

Like running, my quiet time with God is intentionally dedicated to being still before Him and asking Him what He wants for my life. God gives me grace on days when my diligence is more challenged. But the more consistent we are in putting the devil behind us and allowing God to lead without wrestling with Him, the more blessed we are – not because of who we are – but because of who we can become with God’s help.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Ps. 46:1-2, 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).

Jesus Says…

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spark of Hope

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

A tiny spark can ignite an inferno. When that spark is hope, it can change a life.

Have you ever considered the enduring hope you received when you first heard the story of Jesus or the freedom you have experienced since? Once we receive the Hope of Christ, it becomes a constant in our lives, not a fleeting moment. The author of Hebrews writes that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, English Standard Version, Emphasis added).

The ESV Study Bible explains that biblical faith is not a vague hope grounded in imaginary, wishful thinking; instead, faith is settled confidence that something in the future – not yet seen – a promise by God – will come to pass because God keeps His promises.

The Holman Bible Dictionary defines hope as the confidence we have because of what God did for us in the past and guarantees our participation in what He will do in the future. This contradicts the world’s definition of hope as a feeling that what we want will happen (Brand, 765).

In the OT, hope was grounded in God’s fulfilled promises in history. Even in Israel’s unfaithfulness, hope was not lost because of God’s faithfulness and mercy. In Jeremiah’s time, he described God as the “Hope of Israel” and a “Savior in time of distress” (Jere. 14:8; 14:22; 17:13). God is still the God of Hope (Rom. 15:13). All the images applied to God in the OT are transferred to Christ in the NT (Brand, 765).

The Holman Bible Dictionary also notes that the two main reasons Christ is the object of our hope are that He is the Messiah (Luke 24:46) and that our Yes is found in Him (2 Cor. 1:20). The second is the unity between Father and Son, unity in nature and in the work of Christ through redemption (John 1:1; Col. 1:19; 2 Cor. 5:19).

There are many references to hope and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. The gift of hope comes through the power of the Holy Spirit to shower us with blessed assurance. God’s promises are our hope to comfort us in all our troubles (Ps. 119:49-50).

Jesus is knocking at the door of hearts – waiting for someone to hear and open it so He can abide within them (Rev. 3:20). The invitation of hope is always open to anyone who asks. When I began serving women through the Sister’s Circle support group, God reminded me through a dream that I was not the one who could fix their problems – I am merely a vessel to show them that the door to the only One who can – is always open. I am grateful for that realization. God uses a believer’s past pains and gains to help others find hope in Christ.

Is there anyone in your life who could use a spark of hope today? Perhaps you can ask God to make you aware of those He places in your path who need hope to ignite their faith like only Christ can do.

What Does Freedom Mean to You?

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

Although the Fourth of July may be over (until next year), the fireworks continue to keep us up at night. Celebrating freedom comes at a cost –not just the loss of sleep.  

Like our freedom in Christ, Jesus paid the price at a high cost, which means substantially more than losing a few nights of sleep. Still, the celebration of freedom we enjoy each day can sometimes be taken for granted.

One of my favorite verses from Paul’s words, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17, ESV, emphasis added), holds a profound meaning. The ESV Study Bible explains that this freedom is the multi-faceted liberation that comes with salvation in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which is freedom from condemnation, sin, guilt, and death. This freedom also gives us access to the loving presence of God as it does away with the old covenant. It invites us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Something I did not know existed for most of my life.

After many years of bondage, Christ showed me a different way. With God’s help, I broke out of the lies that kept me in captivity. The horrific, suffocating cycle I was stuck in no longer held me imprisoned. It took a tragic accident to jolt me awake from my self-induced stupor. But God gave me the power and freedom to say no, set boundaries, and begin to peel back the layers of my past that led to healing.

During a difficult season in my life, I thought God was punishing me for my poor choices. The mental anguish that followed was destructive, but I now realize it was the consequences of my bad decisions – not God’s punishment. God was always rooting for me. He didn’t wait for me to clean myself up to take me in His arms. He took me in His arms first and then helped me make the necessary changes to align with His will.

As achronic people-pleaser, I had a lot to learn. I can certainly relate to Paul when he writes, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10, emphasis added).

Absolute freedom comes from surrendering everything to Christ and keeping Him at the center. Once I figured this out, everything else fell into place. I am free from shame and the lack of self-worth, and I find my identity as a daughter of the King.

Who are you trying to please – man or God? What does freedom mean to you?