Month: December 2020

4 minute read

“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.” (Revelation 2:19 NIV)

God knows everything you do.

Do you ever feel like no one realizes how hard you are trying?  God does.  He knows your heart, faith, and perseverance.  God understands; you’re doing more now than ever before for Him.  He’s cheering for you.

“God is a coach, but also a huge cheerleader for you to become who He created you to be.” Mike Cooke

God is your biggest cheerleader.  When getting out of bed seems impossible, He’s there cheering for you. God is encouraging you to try one more time.  He knows the aches your heart feels;  He knows when you need a little push to get you to the next mile marker.  God’s running beside you, yelling words of encouragement, “You got this!  You can do it!  Just try one more time.”  God is transforming you into who He created you to become.  

Remember, you’re becoming.

All of us are on a journey of becoming.  Every day, as we persevere in our relationships with God, we become who He designed us to be.  I am not the person I was 20 years ago, or even two years ago.  Currently, God is teaching me a new rhythm to life.  I’m on the verge of one chapter ending, another beginning as I finish out my last class in my Master’s program.  A common question I’m asked these days, “What are you going to do next?”  I have no idea.  Why?  Because I never planned on pursuing my Master’s.

Before starting my Master’s, I was on staff at a church.  The volunteer position was a full-time endeavor, which required more time than I had available.  As I sought God for what He wanted me to do, He didn’t appear to answer.  So I kept doing what I was doing until one day, he released me from my duties out of the blue.  At the time, more people were in small groups than ever before; I felt like I was impacting lives and doing God’s will.   Why would God pull me out of this job?  Because He knows who He wants me to become.

As God led me in the days and weeks after that day, I found myself back in school.  I began pursuing my life-long dream of writing.  One of the first things I learned, you must write every day to develop your skills.  So I started writing daily devotions, combining my two loves: God and writing.  My journey of becoming a writer is just beginning.

Let God lead you into who you are becoming.  Trust, He is your biggest cheerleader.  He knows where He is taking you.  Let Him lead.  Each day, the journey begins anew.

Question of the Day:

Where are you on your journey of becoming with God?

Further Reading:Amos 4:1-6:14 NIV, Revelation 2:18-3:6 NIV, Psalm 130:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 29:21-22 NIV

4 minute read

“Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” (Proverbs 29:20 NIV)

People who speak in haste have less hope than a fool.

The problem with speaking in haste is the connection between mouth and brain.  Emotions connect to our mouth much faster than thoughts do. If our mouth was a computer, it needs electricity to operate.  Our feelings are electricity; we’re emotional beings.  In other words, we’re always feeling something at some level.  Therefore, our first reaction is emotional.   Just like an “instant connection” takes a moment to connect with our device of choice, our minds take a moment to catch up with our emotions.  By the time they are in sync, the emotions can do some massive damage, sometimes unrepairable.  Hence, less hope for someone who speaks in haste than a fool.

Unfortunately, I can not count the number of times I’ve spoken in haste.  Gratefully, the older I get, the less I do.  Marriage has helped me learn to stop and think before speaking.  My biggest regrets in life are emotional moments when I said hurtful things to my husband.  The pain I’ve caused him with careless words, I can never take back.  However, once or twice of causing the person you love most in the world pain, you learn not to let emotions rule the mouth.

You have control.

Emotions are controllable; you don’t have to succumb to their wicked ways.  Feelings lie all the time. Just because we “feel” something doesn’t mean it’s true.  One of my favorite books, Talking to Strangers, by Malcolm Gladwell, discusses how we trust our instincts more than the evidence suggests we should.  In other words, we do not see the truth of the situation because we’re relying on our emotions.

For instance, “feelings” try to make me think when someone doesn’t respond to a text, they’re mad at me.  Sometimes they are, but the majority of the time, they’re just busy living their life.  For logic to take control, I have to recognize I’m thinking out of emotion.  How people control their feelings differ.  For me, I remind myself, the world doesn’t revolve around me. People aren’t at my beck and call.  When they have time, they’ll respond.  Until then, let it go—all things in God’s time (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV).

Give your brain time to connect to your mouth.  Knowing the first reaction is emotional, resolve not to react immediately.  Devise a plan to allow yourself to process what is happening in the moment.  For me, if I’m becoming overly emotional, I try to walk away.  Taking deep breaths helps refocus the mind. Find a way that works for you.

Take time to process.  Don’t speak hastily.

Question of the Day:

Who do you struggle not speaking hastily too?

Further Reading: Amos 1-3 NIV, Revelation 2:1-17 NIV, Psalm 129:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 29:19-20 NIV

4 minute read

“You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.” (Psalm 128:2 NIV)

Labor hard; experience God’s blessing.

The authors of the books in the Bible often use farming to make their points.  One reason is because they lived in agricultural communities.  Unlike us, if they wanted food, they had to grow it.  Today we have grocery stores; back then, they did not.  Everything they ate, they worked hard to get.   If they planted much, they received much.  If they planted little, they received little.  We may not have to grow our food today, but the same applies to us.  The only difference, the seeds we plant are spiritual seeds.  

As Christ-followers, the fruit of our labors are:

“ …love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

If we want to produce the fruit of the Spirit, we must plant the seeds.  When we have the opportunity to love, love. Give joy to people; however, you can.  Work to maintain peace in your relationships, even if distance is the answer.  Forgive when someone needs forgiveness.  Choose kindness in all situations.  Let goodness flow from you to others.  Allow God’s faithfulness in your life to flow to those around you.  Seeds of gentleness and self-control multiply once planted.  The more you plant, the more you reap.

Tend the garden.

To receive seeds for planting, we must first go to God to get them.  Through our relationship with our Creator, He gives us the seeds we need.  From His abundance, we plant our gardens. 

Once you plant the seeds, take every opportunity to expose them to the Son.  Let His light shine through you to them, allowing the roots to grow.  Water the kernels from the love God pours into you as you connect with Him.  Daily conversations with God will help you nurture and grow your garden to an immeasurable size.

Whether my Aunt Margie was expecting me or not, she was always ready with a warm meal.  Moments after walking through her door, she would head to the kitchen and start cooking.  My aunt nurtured her garden with food.  Sitting at her kitchen table, she planted the seeds of God’s Spirit in my life that are continuing to grow.  Years have passed since God called her home to heaven, yet the work she did in my life is still producing fruit.  

Aunt Margie’s immense faith gave her a vast garden. She was in constant communication with her Creator, no matter what the circumstances.  Her deep relationship with God overflowed into all of her other relationships.   In everything she did, she labored for those she loved.

Labor hard for God.  Receive His goodness, plant His seeds.  Experience His blessing.

Question of the Day:

Where can you plant seeds today?

Further Reading:Joel 1:1-3:21NIV,  Revelation 1 NIV, Psalm 128:1-6 NIV, Proverbs 29:18 NIV

4 minute read

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 1:3 NIV)

Condition to contend.

No one can defend your faith but you.  When an opportunity arises to share your faith, take it. Jude, brother of James, in his brief letter, gives Christ-followers three keys to living a life of faith:

Conditioning takes daily discipline and work.  Rocky Balboa’s training montage in this video is an example of the effort required to prepare for battle.  Sylvester Stallone runs, throws barrels, lifts heavy chains, does crazy push-ups with a ball, day after day preparing for the big fight.  Finally, the moment arrives when he faces his opponent in the boxing ring.  Eventually, Rocky emerges as champion, preparation his key to victory.  He conditioned to contend for the prize.

Keep your eye on the prize.

Jude lays out the training plan for each of us.  If we’re to contend for our faith, we have to practice the life principles he gives us. First, we must obey God.  Only through our obedience will our faith grow.  Trusting God for the consequences means letting go of our expectations, embracing His response.  We don’t have to understand everything God does to follow His decrees.  Faith means not knowing everything, but trusting God does.

Secondly, Jesus will return.  The time and date are unknown, but God fulfills His promises.  Knowing His return is imminent should motivate us to obey.  When your boss gives you a job, he expects it done when he returns.  We all know what happens when we don’t do our work, we get fired.  God doesn’t fire us, but we don’t receive His blessing if we’re not doing His will.  Obeying God keeps us in line with Him and helps us wait anxiously for His return.

Third but not least is prayer.  Maintaining an active conversation with God from dawn to dawn is what God desires for us most:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

When Rocky Balboa started training for the fight, he started small.  He didn’t run up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art first; only after months of training did he accomplish that feat.  He conditioned daily to prepare to contend.   Each day you strengthen your faith muscle when you are intentional about your relationship with God.

Condition today to contend for your faith.  Look for an opportunity to go into battle.

Question of the Day:

How can you train today to defend the faith?

Further Reading: Hosea 10-14 NIV, Jude 1:1-25 NIV, Psalm 127:1-5 NIV, Proverbs 29:15-17 NIV

4 minute read

“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5 NIV)

Spiritual birth leads to eternal life.

In simplest terms, believing in Jesus is spiritual birth.  Accepting His presence into your heart is the beginning of life change.  Describing the transformation that takes place when you trust Jesus is different for everyone.  Some people have drastic life changes immediately; others, it’s a slower process.  No matter what your experience is like, one truth remains the same.  Believing in Jesus is the starting point, not the endpoint.

My spiritual birth happened when I was 12 years old on my brother’s bunk bed’s top mattress.  For the first time, I realized something was missing.  After listening to the pastor’s message that day in church, I knew I needed Jesus to fill the empty hole.  Even now, 39 years later, I remember the moment I cried out to Jesus and asked Him to live in my heart.  Not in church, not surrounded by people, just me and Jesus talking.  For me, what I experienced after my heartfelt plea, was peace.  I knew I was no longer alone; Jesus was with me.

Believe

Belief is the beginning of your relationship with Jesus.  As a child, we believe in many things: Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy.  All of these fairy tales exist until we grow old enough to know the truth.  Jesus isn’t like these invented characters.  Belief in Him never ends.  As we grow older following Him, the more His reality becomes apparent in our lives.

Nicodemus, the man Jesus is responding to in today’s verse, had difficulty understanding what Jesus is saying.  Perplexed, he asks Jesus: “How can this be?” (3 John 3:9 NIV).  Believing what we cannot see is difficult for all of us. 

“And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” …“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-25 ESV)

If you’re having trouble believing in Jesus, ask God to help you with your unbelief.  We all have areas we struggle to have faith.  Even though I’ve followed Jesus my entire life, I still have times I pray this prayer.

I recently asked God to help me believe His promises, even the ones I don’t like.  For instance, our days are numbered.  I’ve rebelled against this promise of God’s my entire life.  My problem is I want to control something I can’t control.  I need God to help me with my unbelief, with His help, I believe.

If you’re not sure about Jesus, ask God to help you with your unbelief.  Whatever is holding you back from believing, God will help you have faith.

Question of the Day:

What area do you need God’s help believing?

Further Reading: Hosea 6:1-9:17 NIV, 3 John 1:1-15 NIV, Psalm 126 NIV, Proverbs 29:12-14 NIV

4 minute read

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:6 NIV)

Follow God, learn to walk in love.

God defines love for us in His word.  His commandments tell us how to love.  Jesus’s parables are love stories, each of them showing a different way to love.  One of my favorite examples is the rich young ruler found in Mark 10:17-27 NIV.  Jesus didn’t enable him.  When the prince told him he had kept all of the commandments, Jesus reminded him he hadn’t.  The reason we need Jesus, none of us are capable of perfection.  We overcome our humanity when we place our faith in Jesus, following His teachings.  Only then will we find eternal life; only then will we truly walk in love.

A.W. Tozer, an American pastor, and writer made this statement:

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” 

God commands love.

What God’s commandments lead to is love.  The Great Commandment is to love God, love others (Mark 12:30-31 NIV).  Then, He filled the Bible with directions of how to love.

How we are to love God:

• Set our minds on Him (Colossians 3:1-2 NIV)
• Do not conform to this world (Romans 12:2 NIV)
• Don’t abandon Him (Revelation 2:2-5 NIV)
• Don’t forget Him (Jeremiah 2:32 NIV)
• Give Him your heart, delight in His ways (Proverbs 23:26 NIV)

How we are to love people:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV)

When I think of God, I think of love.  Deep, unconditional devotion that perseveres in the hardest of times and rejoices in the best of times.  Each day I take faith steps towards Him, obeying His commands, the emotion grows deeper.  Trust in Him becomes the backbone of love that flows out to others.  

“We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.”  A.W. Tozer

We create an image of God in our minds.  Our life experiences collide with our concept of God.  Our circumstances dictate what we think of God.  We have to move beyond the physical to experience the Spiritual presence of God.  Taking steps of faith means doing what He commands, which will lead us to walk in love.

Question of the Day:

How can you walk in love today?

Further Reading:Hosea 4:1-5:15 NIV, 2 John 1:1-13 NIV, Psalm 125:1-5 NIV, Proverbs 29:9-11 NIV

4 minute read

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,” (1 John 5:3 NIV)

Obeying God frees you.

But doing what God commands isn’t easy.  Loving people who have hurt you to the core is not a natural response.   The testimonies of forgiveness I’ve heard in my lifetime are phenomenal.  One of the most memorable stories for me came from a grieving mother I met.  She not only forgave but befriended the drunk driver who took her son’s life.  Her faith in God gave her the strength to obey His command to forgive.  When she forgave, her heart was free to love.  Where once she wanted vengeance, she found a divine peace only achievable with God. Her testimony is one that is impacting lives to this day.  God glorified as His child sought to obey Him.

Forgiving someone is entrusting them into God’s hands.  Whatever hurt they incurred, He will handle it.  He sees inside the heart to the emotion behind the action; He understands, people operate from their pain.  All of us are experiencing pain at some level.  Emotional pain isn’t visible; we can’t see the hurt someone is struggling with inside.  But God does. He knows what is going on with whomever and why they act the way they do.  For that reason, He’s the best one to judge their punishment, not us.  When we forgive, we’re releasing the burden, giving it to God.

Unburden with obedience.

Each day we put God first in our lives unburden’s us a little more.  Journeying with God means constant motion.   Pace for the trip is sometimes faster than others, but He’s continually propelling us forward.  Life isn’t stationary, but sometimes we get stuck.  A transgression happens we can’t forgive; until we do, we’re stuck in the moment. To get unstuck, we have to obey.

My left Achilles is a persistent problem.  This summer, with all of the tennis-teaching I was doing, the pain became unbearable.  I was limping everywhere I went, contemplating giving up coaching.  Finally, my husband convinced me to see a doctor.   Within 15 minutes, the doctor unstuck me from my pain.  He immediately identified the improper stretching I was doing, correcting my routine.  As I followed the doctor’s orders, I found freedom from my pain.  I now walk without a limp.  My obedience unburdened me daily, giving me freedom from my pain. 

When in pain, see the Doctor.  No matter what hurt you have, God has the answer.  Follow whatever command He gives you.  Let Him unburden you from your pain, as He frees you to love with His heart.  

Release your anxieties and fears to God.  Trust He knows what’s best.  Follow His commands, find freedom.

Question of the Day:

What command of God are you resisting today?

Further Reading: Hosea 1:1-3:5 NIV, 1 John 5:1-21 NIV, Psalm 124 NIV, Proverbs 29:5-8 NIV

4 minute read

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11 NIV)

Love others because God first loved you.

Influencers in today’s world are people who have a large following.  But in reality, you don’t need a large following to influence.  Jesus died for the one; He left the 99 to find the 100th:

“And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:13-14 NIV)

Love like Jesus

When we love like Jesus, people get to know Him.  Feeding the hungry, helping the homeless both reflect Jesus’s love.   In today’s world, we have to learn to love through the internet and face to face.   People relate through screens more than they do physically.  One dimensional communication creates miscommunication.  What we mean and what people interpret are two different things.   Don’t engage in the argument; instead, spread encouragement.  

Since the pandemic started, I’ve made a conscious effort to post uplifting and encouraging posts on my social media feed.  My husband and I share a page; I asked his permission to post what I want when I want.  Selfies are not my thing, but I post them; they let people see how I’m doing.  One of my recent posts was titled: “Battling the blues sans Beth.”   With an intent to encourage, I took a selfie during my walk. Struggling with a bout of depression that morning, I moved through it by recognizing, accepting, investigating, and nurturing (RAIN) my emotions.  We can’t change the world’s heaviness, but we can embrace God’s promises:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)

People learn of Jesus when we love like Him. Responding to people’s comments on social media is a way to love like Jesus virtually.  Not rising to the occasion when someone instigates an argument, but instead, finding a way to uplift and encourage can change the world.  Remember, behind the screen is a person. Whoever you’re communicating with, they have emotions.  “The Social Dilemma,” a recent Netflix movie, stated alarming statistics. Suicide rates have skyrocketed in preteens and teens since the rise of social media.  What we post and how we respond to people matters in the virtual world.

Recognize the humanity behind the post.  Instead of deepening the problem, use love to conquer hate.  Tap into the love God gave you, then share it with those around you, any way you can.

Question of the Day:

How can you love virtually today?

Further Reading:Daniel 11:36-12:13 NIV, 1 John 4 NIV, Psalm 123 NIV, Proverbs 29:2-4 NIV

4 minute read

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18 NIV)

God reveals truth. 

Each of us live in a different reality.  We agree on certain things, but not all things. Age, for instance is a factual truth.  Facts on COVID are subjective.  One reports says masks are useless, another says they aren’t.  One news article says hospitals are laying off workers because their empty, another says they have no beds because of COVID.   Who are we to believe?  What are we to believe? 

My most recent achievement is a Masters in Strategic Communication.  God willing, in just a couple of weeks I will finish my last class.  One truth I’ve learned, news outlets no longer tell the truth.  Instead, whoever owns the news outlet controls the message.  For instance, Rupert Murdoch owns News Corp, which owns hundreds of local, national and international news outlets.  He is executive chairman of Fox News, he controls the message.  Local newscasters all use the same script, as evidenced by this video.  Six corporations control the majority of the message media coutlets produce in the United States and the world.  

To find truth, start with God.

Truth is found through God.  As we seek Him, He reveals truth to us.  No matter who you are, your perspective is narrow.  No one has God’s view.  If we are to see what He sees, we must seek and ask for it.  

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:32 NIV)

First, understand what you read on the internet or see in the news isn’t necessarily true.  However, when you ask God to help you decipher the truth, He will.

“Ears to hear and eyes to see–both are gifts from the Lord.” (Proverbs 20:12 NIV)  

When God reveals His truth to you, He gives you the ears to hear and eyes to see it.  Whatever the topic, He has the answer.  Within your Spirit, you will know.  For each of us, how we “know” is different, we just do.

The truths each of us have to face are diverse.  Lies I believe, others don’t.  All of us believe falsities to some extent.  Only God can reveal what they are.  God brings all things into the light.

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible–and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” (Ephesians 5:13 NIV)  

If you’re struggling with who to believe and what to do, seek God.  Whatever the issue, ask Him to reveal His truth to you.  Draw close to God, He’ll draw close to you.  When you do, you will see His truth in all things.  His knowing you will know.

Love with actions that speak God’s truth.

Question of the Day:

What truth do you want God to reveal to you?

Further Reading: Daniel 11:2-35 NIV, 1 John 3:7-24 NIV, Psalm 122:1-9 NIV, Proverbs 29:1 NIV

4 minute read

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV)

God always helps.

The part no one tells you, He doesn’t help the way you think He will.  In fifty-one years on this earth, not once has God done what I told Him to do.  He has and is answering every prayer I have ever prayed, but His ways aren’t mine.  One of the hardest things to accept as a Christ-follower, you’re not in control.  Prayer is not your opportunity to command God to bid your will.  No, prayer is a conversation with God where you release your heart to Him.  As you unburden the emotions of your soul to Him, you’re making room for God to fill it.

My favorite part of the week is my Zoom prayer meeting.  A group of us from my church gather faithfully to learn more about talking to God.  One of our members is struggling with anger about life, like many of us do.  Her struggle with her feelings prevented her from sleeping.  Wanting sleep, she started to make room for God in her overwhelming emotions.  She told him she wasn’t ready to release all of her anger yet, but let her release enough so she could sleep.  And then she slept.  Speaking frankly with God is what He wants.

Ask God for help

When our hearts are full of negative emotions, God has no room to move.  We have to release the negativity before we can embrace the positive.  Clinging to the hurt makes us feel like we have control when we don’t.  When we empty our spirit, our emotion, God fills us with His.  Grace and mercy begin to flow into us, and through us, the more we let go of what we cannot control.  Healing occurs when we start the conversation.  The more we release, the more we heal.

In that same prayer meeting, my pastor gave a great analogy of how we’re to look at God.  If you have ever had a dog, you’ll understand immediately.  Man’s best friend, if they have owners who value them, have a look of unconditional love in their eyes that is hard to compare.  They trust willingly and freely, no matter what the situation.   Because I’m a dog owner, I immediately thought of the trusting look my dog gives me.  My next thought was, I don’t look at God the same way.  

Pain causes mistrust of God.  Our circumstances make us doubt His love for us.  God never promised an easy life, He promises an eternal one. 

Whatever you’re struggling with today, look up.  Ask God for help releasing the negative.  Let Him fill you with His love and mercy.

Question of the Day:

Where is your help coming from today?

Further Reading: Daniel 9-11:1NIV, 1 John 2:18-3:6 NIV, Psalm 121 NIV, Proverbs 28:27-28 NIV