Author: Beth Morrison

Two-minute read.

Why do we blame God for our poor decisions? Each day, we make bad choices for numerous reasons. Yesterday, while golfing, I picked the wrong club. I knew as I swung the metal rod that I should have gone with a different one, yet I kept swinging. As a result, I shanked it in the woods, costing myself a stroke. I made that decision, not the Lord.

Just like in my twenties, when I led a promiscuous lifestyle, I made those choices. God clearly guides us in pre-marital relationships through His word. Raised in the church, “I knew better,” as my mother loved to tell me, but I did it anyway. The Lord didn’t lead me down that path of heartache and pain; I took those steps on my own.

And when we suffer the consequences, instead of taking responsibility for our actions, we blame God. Misplaced anger separates us from our Maker, stunts our growth, and prevents us from living life in abundance. Until we learn to take responsibility for our actions and accept our sinful nature, we can’t experience the grace Jesus offers.

“You have to love the good, the bad, and the ugly, all parts of yourself,” said my therapist in one of our first sessions. Through the work we’ve done together, I can look at the not-so-nice parts of myself, admit they exist, accept them, and learn to love them as I strive to become more like Jesus.

Transformation happens when we acknowledge our sins and allow Christ’s grace to help us do better.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

Don’t blame God for poor choices. Instead, confess them to the Savior, receive His grace, and allow Jesus to transform your life.

Journal Question:

When have you blamed God for your decisions?

How can you take more responsibility for your decisions?

In what ways does God help you make better choices?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for loving us despite our many flaws. Please help us take responsibility for our choices and make better decisions by seeking You first.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Rushing into things without taking the time to research the situation well always gets me into trouble. In my latest episode of not doing my due diligence, I got carried away in Hobby Lobby, shopping their fall assortment. Finding pumpkin and leaf-shaped cookie cutters, I bought them before knowing what I would do with them. And after unsuccessfully finding any cute ideas, I donated them, wasting the time and money.

Lots of things seem like a good idea. If we don’t take the time to gain knowledge, we make mistakes. My husband, the opposite of me, researches everything to the extreme; he doesn’t rush into things, but he often misses out on something because he waits too long. Together, we make the best decisions, his research and my impulsive nature meeting in the middle.

However, I need to learn from my husband, put my emotions in the trunk, take the time to think logically, gain knowledge, and make a more informed decision. In the case of the cookie-cutter debacle, I would have found something to do with them before purchasing them, which would have saved me money.

To make fewer mistakes, we must take more time when making decisions. Whether buying a house or cookie cutters, do the research before making the investment. Living wisely requires getting the facts and making informed decisions. Haste makes waste, but diligence makes wise choices. Waiting 24 hours before making a purchase or decision gives you time to control your emotions and gain more knowledge.

Journal:

How has making a hasty decision hurt you?

How can you take more time and gain more knowledge before making a commitment?

List five ways to gain knowledge and make better decisions.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for pointing out the problem with making hasty decisions. Please help us take the time to gain knowledge, make better decisions, and avoid mistakes.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

For many years of my life, I didn’t listen first. Instead, I arrogantly assumed I knew someone else’s thoughts and, therefore, didn’t need to hear their words, making my perspective a priority over theirs. One of my biggest regrets, I try to spend more time listening and less time pushing my agenda.

I realize I don’t know what others think, and when they tell me, I’m always surprised. Giving others the chance to talk and express themselves, creating an environment where they feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings, will help the relationship flourish. Listening first and gaining all the facts allows us to gain wisdom and knowledge to love people better.

As a volunteer in children’s ministry, I find that kids help illustrate this point. When I see a pouty face and ask them why they feel sad, I’m always surprised by the answers. Sometimes a game goes awry, or an argument with a friend brings them down. I will never forget the night I asked one little girl why she wore a frown:

“My mom has breast cancer. She’s gotta get treatments and is going to be really sick.”

I didn’t even know how to respond; the answer surprised me. Knowing her mom, my heart instantly sank, and the prayers quickly started heavenward. If I hadn’t listened first, I would have made a wrong assumption and very possibly worsened the situation.

Before you speak, listen. Ask questions that help bring clarity to the situation, ensuring you understand before making yourself understood. Wise people talk less and listen more. Like Jesus, put others first by giving them time to speak and listening to what they have to say.

Journal Question:

When have you ever pushed your agenda on someone else without listening to them first?

How can you become a better listener today?

How can listening before speaking help you love people better?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us ways to create healthy relationships by putting others first. When we have conversations with people, help us listen before speaking and ensure we understand them before trying to make them see our point of view.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Did you hear that so and so had this happen?” Dainty morsels usually start with a statement like the opening phrase. Someone discovers something about another person and can’t wait to share it. People lean in when juicy gossip enters the conversation. The more we hear, the more we want to hear.

Trader Joe’s sells bite-sized dark chocolate peanut butter cups. The store displays them at the register, and every time I shop there, I can’t resist the temptation of the delicious treats. When I bring them home, they only last a day or two; having one makes me want another. The mixture of peanut butter and chocolate proves a dainty morsel that I find hard to resist.

Gossip does the same thing. When we hear of someone’s misdeeds, our human nature wants to know more. Sad but true, often listening to gossip makes us feel better about ourselves because we don’t have that issue. Focusing on someone else’s problems effectively keeps our minds off our struggles.

Unfortunately, gossip typically doesn’t tell the entire story, leaving out the whole truth. When a neighbor’s yard became overgrown, dainty morsels of why peppered the community. When the truth came out that a medical illness prevented the person from mowing their yard, it debunked all the myths, and people felt remorse for believing the lies.

Don’t fall into the trap of gossip. When someone starts sharing a dainty morsel, stop them. If you don’t start down the rabbit trail of gossip, you will avoid its pitfalls. Instead, seek truth and don’t believe everything you hear.

Journal Question:

When has gossip affected you personally?

In what ways do dainty morsels tempt you?

How can you prevent rumors from getting started?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for helping us understand the pitfalls of gossip, and how dainty morsels can lead to big problems. Please help us stop gossip before it gets started by seeking Your truth instead of juicy tidbits.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Selfishness comes with the human condition, something we all must battle. As an ex-unfriendly person, during that period of my life, I thought only of myself. Assuming everyone had ulterior motives, I trusted no one and did my best to isolate myself from people. Responding like that to the world led me to bitterness and loneliness, as I failed to heed the common-sense advice my mom tried to teach me.

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 7:12

Common sense starts with the golden rule. If you want others to treat you well, treat them well. Whatever you give, you receive in return. Christ gave us what we didn’t deserve: salvation through His death on the cross. He also added to the golden rule, taking it a step further.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

John 13:34

Unfriendly people often miss the point when they fail to consider common sense. A new phrase I picked up from Lisa Terkheurst’s therapist, Jim Cress, sums it up nicely:

“Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Don’t say it mean.”

Jesus never said a mean word, even while hanging on the cross. He loved everyone, giving them space to make their own decisions and live life the way they wanted. Unfriendly people miss out on the Savior’s teachings and the common sense He taught. Not until I turned back to Jesus did I learn the lesson I so badly needed to learn.

Journal Question:

When did you react in an unfriendly manner to someone?

How did someone’s unfriendliness toward you affect you?

In what ways do you discover common sense in the Bible?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for teaching us common sense and a new way to live. Please help others as Jesus loved us. Give us the tools we need to become more like the Savior.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

When my dad battled lung cancer during my teens, I did my best to make him smile. I bought him a clown figurine, which sat by his bed. Although I could do nothing about the disease steadily growing inside of him, I could do my best to bring him joy.

What we think and feel has a significant impact on our physical condition. When the Bible refers to stiff-necked people, it describes stubborn, hard-hearted individuals who refuse to bend. Because they dig their heels into the sand, they experience physical stiffness in their necks.

Maintaining a positive and healthy outlook on life promotes good health, as our psychological state has a significant impact on our physical well-being. The more we keep our eyes on Jesus and the hope He offers, it not only affects us emotionally but also physically.

“Broken heart syndrome is real,” a friend said to me at lunch, telling me about her recent heart attack. After having a heart-wrenching conversation, she had a temporary condition that causes the heart muscle to weaken and bulge. Although the exact cause eludes doctors, they believe it comes from the release of stress hormones in intense situations that damage the heart muscle.

Helping people maintain a positive attitude by pointing them to the Savior and the hope He offers can contribute to their overall well-being. Our pastor shared a story about a dying man visited by his father, who brought him a loaf of his mother’s homemade bread. That one act of love changed the man’s attitude, and he began to improve, eventually leading to recovery because his father had given him hope.

Spread cheer wherever you go, encouraging people’s hearts and bringing health to their bones. One smile, one hug, could turn a crushed spirit into a hopeful one that breathes life into a tired soul.

Journal Question:

Who do you think of when you think of a cheerful heart?

In what ways do you need encouragement today?

How can you bring joy to someone with a crushed spirit?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us hope in Jesus. Please fill our hearts with Your joy and help us share it with the world, one person at a time. Lift the crushed in spirit and renew their hearts with cheer.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

Diamonds form under pressure. Taking an enormous amount of time, carbon atoms crystallize into a diamond because they undergo intense heat and pressure. Man-made diamonds take a few weeks to generate using modern technology.[1] The more pressure diamonds experience, the purer they become.

Silver and gold, when heated, separate the dross from the precious metals, causing it to float to the surface. Metal workers scoop the impurities off the top of the boiling treasures, purifying them. Silver and goldsmiths repeat the process until the precious metals reach the desired purity.

And God tests our hearts through similar methods. Immense pressure and turning up the flames in life reveal quickly what resides in our hearts. For years, whenever I felt the fire of life’s challenges intensify, I responded with anger, a response I had learned in my childhood. But since I’ve submitted my life to Christ, I respond differently.

Jesus never used harsh words, always responding in love. When we mimic Him, we’ll do what He did. Allowing Christ to lead our lives transforms them, but only if we let go of our old ways and choose to respond in a different way. In the most recent testing, I performed better than I ever have before, but I still have areas where I can improve.

Life with God doesn’t happen all at once, but instead takes place day by day. On a journey with God, like the goldsmith, He continues to refine us, removing more dross from our hearts the longer we walk with Him.

Allow God to test your heart, exposing the areas that need work. Let the Creator transform you each day, living into His purpose, becoming more like Jesus, and experiencing life in abundance as He intends.

Journal Question:

In what ways has God tested your heart?

What dross has God removed from you?

Describe what a purified heart means to you.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for testing our hearts and purifying them. When the flames roar up around us, help us to respond like Jesus, with love and grace, so that His light may shine through us.

IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://www.forevermark.com/en-us/our-diamonds/natural-diamonds/the-miracle-of-a-diamond/#:~:text=Deep%20in%20the%20earth,how%20truly%20rare%20diamonds%20are.

Two-minute read.

Peace has value. However, some people thrive on conflict, creating it if none exists. Often, abundance brings strife as people’s emotions get tied to material things. Having too much of a good thing doesn’t necessarily make it better, and in some cases, make it worse.

Solomon, the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live, understood that inner peace and harmony have more value than wealth or lavish surroundings. More money brings more problems, and although people think it holds the key to happiness, wealth often causes conflict.

People fight over stuff. Feelings like envy, greed, and jealousy rise when someone thinks they haven’t received their fair share. Peace over prosperity means a poor home filled with harmony far outweighs a house full of conflict because of affluence. Relationships matter more than material things, but often, we prioritize our possessions over our connections with others.

Finding contentment with simplicity helps pave the way for peace. Cultivating healthy relationships brings peace to homes as people learn to communicate clearly with each other, respecting differing viewpoints and giving people space for their own journey. By seeking inner contentment and accepting Christ’s grace and mercy, we can create a peaceful environment.

We have couple friends who argue constantly, bickering with each other over the most minor things. Spending time with them always requires effort and can leave me feeling exhausted. Compared to our friends who have peaceful homes, they seem like night and day. Why would anyone want to live in a state of constant conflict, I don’t know. But some people can’t understand the value of peace.

Strive for peace and harmony in your home. Live contented with simple things, not allowing conflict to steal your inner joy.

Journal Question:

When have you experienced peace in your home?

When has feasting caused you strife?

In what ways can you cultivate contentment in simple things today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us access to Your peace and contentment. Please help us find joy in life’s simple pleasures and not let stuff cause us conflict.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Black four,” I said to the roulette table attendant. Only once have I ever thrown the dice; in August of 2016, I placed a bet in honor of my nephew. Cody died two months before his 21st birthday. He had planned a trip to Vegas to celebrate the milestone. We went two years later, doing the things he wanted to do in remembrance of him. I actually won a few bucks on that roll, betting on his birthday. I gave the money to his sister.

In life, every decision we make rolls the dice. Some choices have obvious outcomes, while others do not. But in every decision, God determines how the dice will fall. Biblically, they cast lots, drawing sticks, stones, or coins to make an impartial decision, divide property, or discern the will of God. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes at His crucifixion.

Personally, I find comfort knowing God controls the outcome. Since I know, when the game comes to an end, the Lord wins, I trust His guidance. The Creator knows all things, sees all things, and hears all things. And in Him I trust to make the best decision for me at any given time.

Not running the world takes a huge load off my shoulders. Foolishly, in days gone by, I thought I controlled the situations and circumstances around me. But I have learned I control nothing but how I respond to any given interaction.

Throw the dice, go for broke, knowing that God controls how they land. Living for the Savior, in His grace and mercy, will make your path straight as the Lord leads the way, one roll at a time.

Journal Question:

How much control do you perceive you have over life?

In what ways does knowing God controls the roll of the dice comfort you?

In what ways does God’s sovereignty intimidate you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for wanting the best for us. Even if we don’t understand life’s situations, we trust that You do. Please let Your plan for our lives unfold, despite our best efforts to derail them.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Pride goeth before a fall,” words I often say. Whether in myself or someone else, the minute we think we do anything in our own power, we set ourselves up for quick decline. Scripture characterizes pride as an excessive belief in one’s own importance, achievements, or abilities, which leads to rebellion against God and disregard for humility. [1]

Rebelling against the Lord never goes well. As I study Jesus’s life, I realize He never became prideful. The Son of God exemplified humility, never speaking harshly to anyone, and always showing love. And, as documented so well, He died on the cross, taking our punishment for us, giving His life for ours.

Yet we forget Christ’s sacrifice and act as if we don’t need Him. Self-exaltation never ends well. We all fall short of the mark; when we forget that fact, we become prideful. I know myself, I have let self-righteousness destroy relationships and separate me from the Savior. Christ never leaves us, but we move away from Him.

Thankfully, God usually humbles me quickly. Like in a round of golf, each hole has a set of strokes to complete it, called par. When I shoot par, I quickly become prideful; it never fails. I usually play the next hole poorly, humbling me and bringing me back to the reality of my ability. Just because I feel like a golf professional for a moment doesn’t make me a pro.

Everyone struggles with pride, selfishness a common obstacle to humility. But if we keep the Son in ours and remember, we live for Him, it will help us stay humble and hungry for more of the Lord.

Journal Question:

How have you experienced pride in your life?

How has God humbled you in the past?

In what ways can you stay humble and focused on the Lord?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for keeping us humble and hungry for more of You. Please help us identify pride in our life quickly and give it to You, staying grounded in Your truth, not ours.

IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/pride-deadly-sin#:~:text=In%20the%20theological%20sense%2C%20pride,the%20heavenly%20virtue%20of%20humility.