Honest Reflections

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.

Two-minute read.

Commit in today’s verse means “roll” as in rolling one’s burdens onto the Lord. Illustrating complete dependence on God, when we include the Creator in our plans, seeking His guidance, He either clears the path or closes the door. Blessings mean the Savior’s best for us, and not all our ideas fall into the “best” category.

Each Sunday morning, I write this verse in my journal and pray over the week ahead. Looking at my calendar, I talk to God about what I’ve scheduled and ask Him to guide my steps. And every week, I ask the Lord not to let me miss any divine appointments.

Since I started praying over my calendar, not one week has gone as planned. Each day, as the Lord leads me where He wants to go, appointments get added and dropped from my calendar. Knowing I’ve given my schedule to God, when things turn out differently than I thought they would, I know without a doubt who made the schedule change.

When you study the life of Jesus, it becomes apparent that He didn’t mind interruptions. Crowds of sick people surrounded the Savior, interrupting His preaching. When the four friends lowered their paralytic friend through the roof, it interrupted Jesus’ talk. And the bleeding woman who touched Christ’s cloak stopped him on His way to heal a 12-year-old girl. Never does the Lord get irritated at the disruption of His schedule, handling them all with grace and love.

Submit your plans to the Lord and let Him adjust your schedule. Discover the joy of letting God fill in your calendar, knowing He wants to give you the best!

Journal Question:

How have you submitted your plans to the Lord?

How do you respond when things don’t go your way?

In what ways can you let God lead you today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for wanting the best for us. Please open the doors you want us to walk through and close the ones you don’t. Let us not miss any divine appointments, and in all things, may we bring glory and honor to You.

IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

When seven-year-old Grace answers the door, she always has a smile on her face, full of life and bursting with ideas. You can see it all. Her mom hosts our women’s Bible study, and every Monday morning, I get to enjoy Grace’s hospitality, which brings me joy.

And so does the good news of the scriptures as I study them with my friends. Each week, as we share our struggles and find biblical truths to apply to our lives, it unburdens and uplifts us, while also drawing us closer to one another and to the Lord.

The best news came from the cross, when Jesus gave His life for ours. Christ made a way for us in the darkness, lighting our path and giving us a new life, grounded in Him. Gospel means “good news” of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Savior gives us “do-overs,” as many as we need to try again. We can change our behaviors and reactions, responding more like God’s Son and less like our human nature.

Jesus inspires me to strive for excellence in all things. Because of the grace I received from the cross, I want to respond in love, speak with gentleness, and always lead with grace. I have not mastered any of those things, but because of the Lord, I’ve come a long way as He continues to transform my life.

Share the good news of the gospel, allow Jesus to transform your life, one day at a time. Let the joy of the Lord flow from your heart, creating a cheerful face that encourages others. Nothing compares to life in Christ, living in His love and sharing it to the best of your ability. Life in abundance comes from the Savior.

Journal Question:

How has a cheerful look brought joy to your heart?

What do you consider good news?

How can you reflect a cheerful look and share good news today?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the good news of the cross that brings health to our bones and a cheerful look to our faces. Please let us bring joy to others as we relish in the gift of grace Jesus gives us.

IJNIP. Amen

Two-minute read.

“Joy. I wished you’d show more joy.”

Reading “The Next Conversation” by Jefferson Fisher, to have productive dialogue, he says you must first know how people perceive you. To understand how others perceive you, he suggests asking five questions to a trusted family member or friend for feedback. When I asked Ron what emotion he wishes I would show more, he said joy.

Surprised by my husband’s answer, I feel a deep joy and gratitude for God’s blessings every day. However, according to Ron, he doesn’t see the joy as much as I feel it. Joyful people overflow with happiness; their faces reflect their inner joy. Broken hearts crush the spirit and leave our outward faces downtrodden.

Thankfully, Ron didn’t think I had a crushed spirit; he just wanted to see more of my joy. To accomplish that goal, I must relinquish my anxieties to the Savior and trust Him with my fears. Joy comes from the Lord, and through it, He gives us strength. As we relax into Christ’s arms and receive the gifts of grace and mercy He offers, we can release our worries to Him and enjoy the benefits of a life submitted to Jesus.

As an author, I lug books around. Small, heavy boxes require physical exertion to carry. When I set the cardboard crates down, I feel immediate relief from the burden of carrying them. In the same way, when we lay our anxieties, fears, and worries at the foot of the cross, we immediately feel lighter. Unburdening our hearts, emptying them to the Lord, allows Him to fill them with His joy, which will become apparent on our faces.

Let go of anything that weighs you down. Give your cares to the Lord and let Him fill you with joy. Wear a happy face that starts from a joyful heart.

Journal Question:

What emotion do you wear on your face?

What burdens can you lay at the foot of the cross today?

How can you experience more joy in your life?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us a way to release our burdens and fill our hearts with joy. Please let us reflect the joy of the Lord on our faces as we strive to honor and serve You.

IJNIP. Amen