Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

“That’s what faith is, doing it afraid,” said Claire. Spending the day with my wise friend, I shared one of my struggles with her. Immediately, she imparted wisdom to me, helping me find clarity and conviction over the situation. A spiritual mentor to me, Claire offers advice full of beauty and value that enriches my life, helping me grow more like Christ.

Receiving timely advice has memorable and immense value. In college, when I tried to talk my way out of a failing grade, I will never forget the wisdom of my calculus professor’s words:

“Sometimes you need a kick in the pants, and other times you need a pat on the shoulder. Right now, you need a kick in the pants.”

Instead of giving me a pass on my poor grade, he gave me a kick in the pants by making me suffer the consequences of skipping class and not studying. I took the class over, didn’t make the same mistake again and learned more than just calculus from that professor.

Over three decades later, I still remember the lesson from that experience. And I’ve repeated my professor’s advice to others when they’ve needed to hear it. Timely advice never gets old, consistently producing good fruit that multiplies over time.

Develop relationships with wise people who will give you good advice. Become intentional about where you seek counsel. Fill your basket with golden apples as you receive timely advice from wise people. Words fitly spoken bring life to the receiver, have lasting value, and lead us on the path of abundant living. Thoughtful and timely communication has an immense impact, comforting, caring, and encouraging those who hear it.

Journal Question:

When did you receive timely advice that changed your life?

How can you share timely advice with someone today?

In what ways has biblical wisdom given you good advice?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us biblical wisdom to guide our days, and also for placing wise people in our lives who give us timely advice. Please help us develop life-giving relationships with Your children that encourage and enrich our lives.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧

No human understands the heights of heaven or the depths of the earth. Nor can we know the thoughts of leaders, and why they do what they do. We can’t understand how high the sky reaches, or the complexities that lie beneath the surface of the earth, and we shouldn’t judge leaders’ actions too quickly, because we can’t understand what goes on in their minds.

For years, more than I’d like to admit, I thought I knew the thoughts of others. But I now realize I’ve never known what someone else thinks. Making wrong assumptions leads to regrettable actions that harm relationships.

We don’t have to know everything, nor act like we do. Saying “I don’t know” opens a world of possibilities, as we search for answers and become more educated in the process. I’ve read through the Bible more than twenty times, and I can honestly say, I still know less than what I must learn. Every time I open the scriptures, God teaches me something new.

Enjoy the journey by trusting the Lord for divine guidance. Don’t make assumptions about other people’s thoughts. Pray for your leaders, ask God to give them wisdom and discernment as they make decisions. Our Creator knows every world leader intimately, whether they know Him or not.

Our King sits on heaven’s throne, His sovereignty having the ultimate say. People who reject God’s authority will suffer the consequences. And those who strive to live in obedience will experience the Savior’s blessing in fresh new ways. Live for the approval of nail scarred hands, let His divine wisdom guide your days. We don’t have to know everything, just the One who does.

Journal Question:

How would you describe the heights of heaven?

When have you made assumptions about people’s thoughts?

In what way can you submit to God today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for guiding us as we place our faith in You. Help us defer to You in all things, knowing You as our true King. Equip us for the journey and let us honor You in all we do.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Virtue always triumphs against evil. When people mistreat God’s children, you pick a fight with the Lord. No matter how many times the godly fall, they will rise again, because Jesus picks them up. However, those who plot wickedness will quickly fall, never to get up again.

Time and again, I’ve found myself on my knees, praying desperate prayers to the Lord for help. Many more times than seven, God has gotten me back on my feet. Jesus suffered everything we have endured, and much worse. The Savior understands our struggles and the difficulty of getting back up.

Footprints in the Sand

By Mary Stevenson

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with
the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In
each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.

During the low periods of my life I could see only one set of footprints, so I said, “You promised me, Lord, that you would walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

Mary Stevenson’s poem, inspired by a cat’s footprints, encourages me and helps me envision what happens when I’m at my lowest points. God carries us through the battles, not allowing us to fall; He gets us up and helps us keep going.

People who don’t have Jesus in their lives have no one to pick them up when disaster strikes. Struggles come to all, but who we have in the battle with us makes the difference. Let the Savior into your heart, allowing Him to get you up after a fall.

Journal Question:

How has God helped you up after a fall?

In what ways does Footprints in the Sand inspire you?

How can you trust God more today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for not letting us stay down when we fall, and for carrying us when we need it. Please help us stay focused on You today, no matter what comes our way, trusting You in all things.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

When life presses into you, what comes out of your heart speaks volumes. Whatever you fill your heart with determines what comes out when it gets squeezed. Place a teabag in hot water, and it becomes flavored with the tea leaves. Instead of the boiling fluid changing the leaves, the leaves change the water.

For many years, when life squeezed me, anger poured out. After dedicating my life to God and consistently filling my heart with His word, I respond differently now. Through therapy and much study, I have learned techniques to control my thoughts and emotions, and react more like Jesus than Beth.

Faith changes us; the more we give our lives to Christ, the more we experience the transformation. And when the pressure gets tough, we will respond with love and grace. Do I still have times when I respond negatively? Of course. I’m only human, and I will never react perfectly in this world because I’m not of it. When the Lord calls me home, I will attain perfection in Him, but until then, like all of us, I’m a work in progress.

Let faith guide your responses by drawing closer to Christ. Every day that you fill your soul with His word, spending time with the Savior in prayer, and becoming more like Him, you transform.

Instead of spreading negativity, we will share Christ’s unconditional love. We won’t respond to an offense with anger; instead, grace will cover it. And when the pressure of life gets to us, we will respond with faith, knowing God works all things to the good for those who trust and believe in Him (Romans 8:28).

Journal Question:

Describe a time you responded poorly under pressure.

How does knowing Jesus change your response to stress?

In what ways can you apply Christ’s teaching to your pressure situation today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us faith that helps us respond like Jesus under pressure. Please transform us as we follow You, becoming more like Christ and less like us.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Any time you hear someone say, “Must be nice…” It’s a sign of envy.”

Years ago, listening to a message on envy, the pastor made that statement. Ever since then, when I hear someone say those words, I recognize envy in their voice. And if I even think “must be nice,” it tips me off to my own issues. Envy and jealousy differ:

Envy focuses on a desire for what you lack, while jealousy focuses on a fear of losing what you have.[1]

Envy occurs when one person desires what another person has. Jealousy has a triangular relationship between you and two other parties. For example, I envy people with fast metabolisms who can eat whatever they want. But I can become jealous of my garden, not wanting to share its fruits with anyone.

Solomon warns us against envying evil people because they become obsessed with violence. Malicious intent never wins, and as wicked people get thwarted, they become increasingly violent. Research history, and you will find countless examples of people doing unspeakable things to get what they want.

Using “must be nice” to signal envy will help you beat the emotion. Remembering that we have everything we need in Jesus will lead to victory over the desire for someone else’s blessing. For me, celebrating the other person’s good fortune helps me let go of envy and embrace the joy of their blessing.

Keep the Son in your eyes and surround yourself with people who will help you stay focused on the Savior. In Christ, we want for nothing and have everything to gain.

Journal Question:

“When have you said, ‘must be nice”?

How would you describe the difference between envy and jealousy?

In what ways can you defeat envy?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us all we need in Jesus. Please help us identify envy in our lives and find victory over it with You. Let us honor and serve You well in all we do.

IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://share.google/SnKBVvDGFIzdfG3uY

Two-minute read.

Sometimes, the sinful ways of the world seem attractive. “You do you” has an alluring ring to it, centering the universe on our wants and needs rather than on other people. We can justify anything if we try hard enough, but at the end of the day, feeding the flesh leaves one empty and alone.

Watching a sitcom, the characters live in New York City, spending their days in the office and their nights out partying. Hopping from one bed to another, the show paints that lifestyle as glamorous and exciting. From the outside, one could envy their carefree attitude.

But as someone who has lived that life, I know the other side of the story. More nights alone than with someone. Anxiety and depression thrive because of the depressive nature of alcohol. Loneliness convinces you no one cares. Many nights, I fell asleep with wet cheeks from my desperate tears. Only when I turned back to Jesus did I discover a life filled with eternal hope.

When we begin to focus our eyes on Jesus, caring more about what He thinks than the world, transformation begins. Loneliness disappears as the Holy Spirit takes up residency within our souls, never leaving nor forsaking us. Anxiety and depression wane as we lift our thoughts and feelings to the Lord, letting His grace flow into us, focusing on what we do have instead of what we lack.

Reverential fear of the Lord puts Him at the center of the universe. As Christ takes center stage in our lives, hope blossoms. Knowing our reward awaits us in the next life, we can persevere through the trials of today. We have so much more in the Savior than we can find anywhere in the world. In Him, we have life in abundance and eternal hope that never dies.

Journal Question:

In what ways have you envied the ways of the world?

How has following Jesus changed your perspective?

In what ways do you put God first in your life?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us eternal hope through Jesus. Please help us keep the Son in our eyes as we move through our days, living abundantly in Him.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

 

Wisdom poured from my mother’s lips. As a Bible believing woman, she knew scripture inside and out. The sight of her standing on the front porch stoop, one hand holding the door open as she imparted whatever last words of advice she had for me, as I went to do whatever, will always live vibrantly in my mind.

A fool in my younger days, I only remembered one of Mom’s quips after I experienced the fall, and realized she had tried to warn me about what would happen if I did this or that. Now that I’m older, and she long ago moved to heaven, I realize how Mom must have felt like she wasted her breath on me.

Fools don’t listen to wisdom. For whatever reason, usually a selfish one, they can’t see the error of their way. Convinced that they know best, fools refuse to listen to advice, and often, after suffering the consequences of their actions, don’t learn.

Thankfully, I did learn, and Mom’s wisdom continues to impact my life as I try to live for Jesus. My mom set an incredible example for me, and the older I get, the more I realize the truth of that fact.

Everyone plays the fool at some point or another. With humility, we can recognize our mistakes and seek wise advice. But unteachable people won’t listen to anything you or anyone else says. Maybe, like in my case, they will one day see their foolishness and decide to listen to wise advice.

Never stop planting seeds of truth with love whenever you have the opportunity. Ask God to water and grow the kernels. Only the Lord knows the future, and we never know when someone will decide to try life the Creator’s way. No wonder the angels rejoice when a sinner repents; humility leads to wisdom.

May we all become wiser as we pursue Jesus!

Journal Question:

When did you play the fool?

In what ways have you ignored wise advice?

How can you plant seeds of wisdom today?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for writing down Your wisdom and giving it to us in scripture. Please help us see our foolish ways and seek You for divine understanding. Let us become wiser as we follow You.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Knowing when to quit challenges me. My parents taught me a strong work ethic. My earliest childhood memories circle around household chores I did to earn my allowance. Payday always brings a feeling of satisfaction to me, affirming the work I do.

So how do you know when to quit? Living for the almighty dollar instead of the Almighty has consequences. Developing strained relationships because of working long hours and not spending enough time with loved ones causes problems. Your job satisfaction begins to diminish. And placing too much emphasis on the paycheck creates a toxic motivation that causes physical, mental, and relational harm.

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”

1 Timothy 6:10

Love of money, not money itself, “is the root of all evil.” Jesus told us we can’t serve two masters. You either love God or money, but you can’t do both. Putting the Lord first, serving Him with your whole heart, mind, and soul, will lead to everything else you need. Our Divine Provider will give you everything you need to accomplish your purpose on Earth.

At the end of our missions, God calls us home, where we will bask in His glory forever. Whatever riches we acquired in this world don’t go with us to the next one. Don’t let acquiring wealth wear you out and make you miss the important things in life.

Live for the Savior, follow His teachings, and you will know when to quit the merry-go-round of riches. Seek divine wisdom and let it guide you on the right path.

Journal Question:

When has love of money hindered your relationship with God?

How can you keep your quest for riches in check?

In what non-monetary ways do you find enjoyment in life?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for teaching us Your ways. Please help us keep our priorities straight as we work to serve You. Let us rely on Your provision, knowing You will give us all we need.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

As a coach, I understand the importance of instilling the right foundation. If the essential elements get overlooked, it jeopardizes the student’s entire game. Not knowing the basics means not having anything to return to when the going gets tough. Each stroke has the same basic mechanics. In a match, when your balls start flying out of bounds, returning to the fundamental aspects helps you get your game and the match back on course.

In life, we have the same dilemma. Whatever foundation we lay for the child determines where they will look for help when life gets hard. Everyone will encounter struggles as they move through their days. When the world around us seems out of control, we need to know where to go for refuge. Training a child up in the way of the Lord gives them a solid base to build their life upon. When the storm winds blow, they know the One who can either calm the storm or them in it. But if we don’t teach them about Jesus, they won’t know to turn to Him.

In my first year of working with AWANA, a parachurch organization that supports churches in reaching children for Christ, I knew little about the program when I began volunteering. Since I began serving, I have heard story after story of how AWANA has impacted adult lives in terms of faith. They remember the verses they memorized as a child, even if they only attended sporadically, and those memories drew them back to the Lord after they strayed.

We do children a disservice when we don’t direct them on the right path. Teaching kids about Jesus gives them a firm foundation for their entire lives.

Journal Question:

When did you first learn about Jesus?

What kind of foundation did you learn as a child?

In what ways can you help children know about Jesus today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us the right path to follow and enabling us to share it with the next generation. Please help us give children a firm foundation in Christ that will help them thrive in life.

IJJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“That’s what you have in common, God,” a friend said to me as I prepared to go on my first mission trip to El Salvador. Having never travelled to a third-world country, I had anxiety about the upcoming voyage. At the time, crime ran rampant in the city, and we needed police escorts everywhere we went, unable to leave our hotel alone. I fretted over what I had in common with the people we wanted to serve, my friend’s words calming my anxiety.

Her words brought peace to my heart, and that trip validated the truth of this scripture. Standing in the makeshift chapel, chickens watching from the plastic chairs along the walls, we sang praise and worship together with our new friends. The off-key leader sang with such joy, I couldn’t help but smile, our spirits connecting in worship.

Jesus told us we will always have the poor among us. As an American, even those with the least income still enjoy life far better than the poor in other countries. No matter our economic condition, the Lord created us. The Creator has a purpose for every individual, no matter how much money they possess. Material things pass away, including our riches, but eternal life with the Lord never ends.

Value doesn’t come from our bank accounts, but from the Cross. Jesus established our worth with His mission. Dying to give us an unbreakable bond with the Creator, our worth comes from the Lord. Identifying with the Savior gives you a firm foundation that nothing can shake.

The world consistently tries to find value in temporary things. One movement dwindles, and another begins, all leading nowhere. Only when we place our faith in Jesus do we discover life in abundance. False gods lead to dead ends. But life with Christ leads to an adventure we only experience when we trust Him, giving every ounce of our being to the Lord.

Journal Question:

Where do you find your worth?

In what ways does having faith in Christ connect you to others?

What determines your value?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for creating us, rich or poor, and giving us purpose. Please help us fulfill our earthly mission as we seek You with our entire being.

IJNIP. Amen