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11/12/2024 0 Comments Faith in Fruitless Times
Fruit is what others "taste" and how they experience God’s goodness. Jesus made it very clear: the Father is looking for fruit. In fact, it was for this very reason that He chose us (John 15). But the fruit production is not our part— it's His. Our job is simply to stay rooted in Him. Jeremiah 17 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. It says, in verses 7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (emphasis mine). I used to read that last line and take it to mean that if I’m truly rooted in Christ, I should always be producing. Maybe you’ve felt that way too. We (people) are really good at adding demands on ourselves that God never really asked for (just take the Pharisees for example). One day, on a walk, I was lamenting to God about how fruitless I felt during that particular season of life, and the guilt I carried because of it. It was winter, and as I walked and prayed I gazed at the seemingly barren trees. It was then that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes— while the trees appeared barren, on the inside there was life getting ready to burst forth in due time. In that moment, God connected a natural principle with a Kingdom principle to reveal a truth I almost missed: trees don’t bear fruit in every season, but they do bear fruit in their season. The same is true for us. I’m recognizing a huge downside to social media is the tendency to compare (whether we are aware of it or not). The problem with comparison is that we are all different “trees” that bear fruit in different seasons. Your season is not my season. My season is not your season. God is sovereign over all our seasons, and our part is to simply stay rooted and entrust the timing to Him. The truth is when we compare, there can only be one of two outcomes: either we end up on top (filled with pride), or we end up on the bottom (feeling less-than). Neither, my friend, is life-giving. What area of your life are you feeling the pressure to perform, when God is calling you to rest in trust? Striving saps the nutrients and strength we need for when our season comes. When we abide, trusting in His timing, we will bear fruit in our season. Oh, how I wish I understood this truth earlier in life. Friend, whatever fruit you are waiting on, make the decision today to rest in God’s timing. We can take God’s Kingdom principles to the bank. When we do what only we can do (rest in trust and obedience), God does what only He can do— makes the fruit come in due time. ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV) 
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11/12/2024 0 Comments Hope in a Desert Place
It is hard to have no worries when life is challenging, but Jesus tells us in John that “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). He promises that with Him we will never be thirsty again— so we do not have to worry when the troubles and dry seasons of life are thrown our way because He will be our source of water, our source of hope. To find this hope we must seek Him through prayer and open His Word to allow Him to speak to us. As we become more consistent in this two-way relationship He offers, He will reveal to us all we need to get through anything life throws our way. Jesus shows us a perfect example of how to seek hope and trust God while in a drought. Just before heading to the cross, while in the garden of Gethsemane, He went to pray to His father and He shared with his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matt. 26:38-39). In this moment, He displays to us that it is okay to pour out our feelings, worries, and doubts to God. We can express our desires for things we wish to be different, but still trust in Him no matter what the outcome may be. If Jesus didn’t trust His Father that day on the cross, we would have nothing to hope for. Because He completed His rescue mission for us, we are able to have an inward peace and a trust in the Father’s promises that shows us His faithfulness that will help us withstand any dryness that comes our way. When we seek hope in Christ, He promises to sustain us through our drought. So friend, whatever season you are in right now, tap into the Holy Spirit, the spring of living water that is within you. He will fill your cup and keep your roots saturated through any prolonged period in a desert place. ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments Iced Tea and the Arizona Heat
As I walked to meet my ride, I could feel the squish of the soles of my sandals as they melted just a little with every footstep on the asphalt. It was hot! I was desperately craving a cup of iced tea to quench my thirst! Still excited for my business meeting, I actually started to fear that I might not survive the dry, record-breaking, triple-digit Arizona heatwave as my body struggled to acclimate to the 120 degree weather in the desert. Jeremiah reminded the people what it looked like to trust in the Lord beginning in Jeremiah 17: 7, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” He goes on to describe a tree planted by the water, the stream providing all the refreshing nourishment its roots needed. (In that hot Phoenix airport, I would have liked to dip my toes into a cool refreshing stream, too!) The tree had no reason to fear when the heat arose, it could maintain its green foliage without worry. All its needs were provided for by the one who created it. What thing in your life represents the heat that you feel right now? What is it that is so heavy in your chest that it nearly takes your breath when you think about it? Maybe it is such a heavy burden that you have not spoken about it aloud yet or have not asked for prayer from trusted friends. Even though you might feel like the heat of the moment may nearly crush you, rest assured that God is actively working in your life providing everything you need to flourish. God’s presence is enough to sustain you in the most heated moments of life. You can trust that even if the circumstance gets worse, you will still be able to grow and thrive through this difficult season. Be honest with yourself for a few minutes. Seize whatever courage you can muster in this moment and talk to God about the weight that you feel blazing in your soul right now. Ask him for his presence and comfort. Then look around you for the cool stream where you can dip your toes. The stream's presence doesn’t mean the heat dissipates, but it does mean that God is providing a way for you to flourish fearlessly as you co-exist with the heat in your life. When we are rooted firmly like the tree depicted in Jeremiah 17:8, we can trust that God’s provisions are evidence of his goodness during our trying circumstances. Oh, and when I finally got that iced tea, it was so refreshing! ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments Send Your Roots
Jeremiah states that those who trust in the Lord will “be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream” (Jer. 17:8). This tree is enriched with resources no matter what happens because it sends its roots to the water source. Just like a tree by a river has a continual source of water we too have a constant supply of the living water when we believe in Jesus. Investing our time with Jesus allows us to be rooted in the Living Water who provides all the resources we need. This tree is rooted in and has all the resources it needs no matter what happens, just like I had peace that day in the hospital. I knew that no matter what was happening, God was in control. I knew this because I had been growing in my relationship with Him by investing daily in prayer and reading my Bible. “In this world [we] will have trouble,” but Jesus says “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We can hold onto the peace that comes from knowing our good God is still in control by investing in our relationship daily. We can cry out to God when the worries mount and have faith knowing that He will hear our cry. As the world becomes more and more unstable, it’s easy to get sucked into the storm of fear and worry. But today I challenge you to send your roots to the stream instead. Invest in your relationship with Jesus and know that He will enrich you with the resources you need. ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
I started rampantly applying for jobs and trying to figure out a plan of how to get us into a new living space. I spent almost all night dwelling on my circumstance. I asked my husband for his opinion and one of my friends for hers, too. I was trying to make a solution to my problem appear. A few days later during my quiet time, I was reminded of this verse: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him” (Jer. 17:7). Reading this verse gave me immediate peace. Why was I putting my faith in myself and others to try to handle my circumstance? Did I not think God was intentional in his timing of our child being created? Did I forget that God is trustworthy? God desires that we place our confidence in Him in all circumstances, especially the situations that seem impossible. Jeremiah 17:8 goes on to say “They will be planted like a tree in water, that sends its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.” After I read these verses, I spent weeks in prayer asking God to provide for us in whatever way He saw fit. I placed my full trust in Him and did not worry about our circumstances from that day forward. God answered every single one of my prayers. I received a job offer and we found a home for our growing family. God is faithful, my friend, in every single part of our life. We do not have to rely on ourselves or other people to handle the difficult things we face. 1 John 5:14 states, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments Firmly Planted
On introspection, this would mirror a life devoid of God, a path where we’re left to our own devices—barren, desolate, and destined for eventual demise. Jeremiah 17 is a prophecy from God to the people of Israel. More specifically, Jeremiah 17:6 exemplifies what life would be like if the people of Israel were to trust in man and human desire over God. It states that “they will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives” (Jeremiah 17:6). God warned that their life would be dry and completely unsustainable without Him. This doesn’t just apply to the people of God in that time, but it also applies to God’s people today. The truth is that a life without God leads to eventual death. When you think of the parched places of a desert, what do you envision? I envision a place that is very dry, life-threatening, and unprotected. While that sounds scary, it can also be tempting. Similar to how mirages occur in deserts, appearances of goodness can be misleading. The world constantly pulls at us for attention, and our flesh craves our devotion. It can be very easy to idolize others, material possessions, and ourselves, further suppressing the voice of God. It takes a certain intentionality not to go our own way. We avoid the parched places in the desert by surrendering to God’s will, seeking His guidance through His Word, and spending time with Him in prayer. Each of these principles has helped me remain in sync with Christ. When I have felt the pull to go my own way, I have asked the Holy Spirit for guidance. When I’m tempted to get distracted by the things the world has to offer, I dive deeper into His Word. When I crave human affection, I seek God in prayer. And the result? A life filled with more peace and abundance! While being a plant mom is in no way a comparison to the way God cares for us, metaphorically the results are similar. Under God’s care, you will grow. Under God’s care, you will never have to worry about doing this life alone. Under God’s care, there is the promise of eternal life with Him. ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments Thirsty for Living Water
Have you ever been in a spiritual drought where you felt dry and barren? I think most of us probably have at one time or another. Sometimes we stay too long in the wasteland because we are afraid to admit we are dry and ask for help. We hear Christ say in John 7:37b-39a, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” This is profound. Not only can we receive this living water through our faith in Jesus, but we can become channels He flows through to reach others. This means that when we see others withering in the wasteland, we can move toward them and offer them the Living Water from Christ. Even believers need to be refreshed with Living Water and hope after periods of grief, suffering or loss…to be carried into God’s healing, refreshing presence. We all need hope. The world needs hope. Christ is the source of hope, and He gave believers the Holy Spirit, who’s described as a Counselor, Comforter, Helper, Teacher and Guide. He reminds us of the truth that will keep us rooted in both the truth of Christ and in the power of the Gospel. With the combination of truth and power, we can then bear witness to others that are waiting to hear this marvelously Good News. We will never have what we need apart from Christ. There’s one thing we all have in common (that also keeps us humble) - we all need The Lord. And the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever learned is that this life-giving, almighty, gracious, loving God invites all of us because He wants to do life with us - forever. Let’s be people filled to the brim with Living Water. John 4:14 says, “those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Sisters…drink deep…then turn and offer a drink to those standing near you who are parched from living too long in desert places. Then we shall all surely thrive! ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments A Proclamation for the Weary
I saw a quote from Sadie Robertson that said, “If He called you, He has already considered who you are when He called you.” When I read it, I chuckled because sometimes I think it’s “me” that gets in the way. We are all being molded to be more like Him. While we are trying to live out our faith, He is doing the heart work to make us more like Him. There is always going to be this tension between who we long to be (or think we should be) and who we actually are on this side of heaven. You might be thinking, “But I feel like such a failure at this,” and I feel that, but let’s look at what turning your heart away from God actually looks like. It looks like Solomon who “did not keep the LORD’s command” and followed other gods (1 Kings 11:10). It looks like King Saul turning away from the Lord in order to keep the best of the spoils of war instead of completely destroying the Amalekites as he was told (1 Sam. 15:9). It looks like the many times Israel turned to follow other gods. In Jeremiah 8:5-6, the Lord asks “Why then have these people turned away?...None of them repent of their wickedness saying ‘What have I done?’...Each pursues their own course.” Sometimes we face the overwhelming question of “Have I turned away somehow?” If we have gotten off track, we have the prescription for restoration: repentance. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). If we feel like we are missing something, we ask Him for wisdom, and He will give it (James 1:5). If we feel like we are not doing enough, we remember that our salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Eph. 2:8-9). So wherever we sit today, let’s allow Him to wash over us with His love and grace, knowing that we can be confident “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments Let God Do It
Jeremiah's words clearly show the results of living outside God’s plan. The people of Judah had forgotten their covenant with God and turned their hearts toward false idols. They worshiped other gods and relied on their strength. They tried to contain the living water God offered within hearts corrupted by the desires of their flesh. Through Jeremiah, God reminded his people to live in community with Him, to stop trying to draw strength from their limited resources, and to stop trying to build their own homes on the foundations of the world. The result of Judah’s broken covenant with God was captivity. Their hearts and minds had already been taken captive by the two sins God accused them of, forsaking Him and becoming the center of their world. As Jeremiah warned, the Babylonians raided the nation and took Judah captive. Even after Jeremiah warned of Judah’s captivity, God offered hope for future restoration. Every day, we are bombarded with demands on our time. Those small and not-so-small things on our to-do lists pull us away from the Living Water meant to nourish us. Many days, I am happy if I have survived and everyone I am responsible for has been fed and occasionally even clothed before the end of the day. I won’t lie; no clothing means less laundry. Like a two-year-old, I often resist God’s correction and insist, “Me do it.” Like the Israelites, I end up being held captive by my sin and struggling just to survive. Draw strength from the Living Water of God instead of scrolling through the world’s news feed. God wants us to do more than just survive; His desire is for us to thrive. With our hands lifted high, allowing Him to pour into us the Living Water that brings life to our weary hearts. Colossians 1:27 tells us, "...Christ is in [us], the hope of glory.” I can never thrive on my own without Christ in me. Friend, God’s greatest desire is to be your strength. Allow His living water to flood your heart today, and let God do it. ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
11/12/2024 0 Comments Follow the Leader
Jeremiah 17:5 says, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man.’” The nation of Israel continually put their trust in their own selves and what those around them were saying. They knew God’s laws yet adjusted them to fit their own lifestyles and their own understanding. They put more trust in their own wisdom than what God said was best for them. Their disobedience revealed where their trust truly rested. Ultimately, they trusted in the wisdom of man over the wisdom of God and following man over God led to their demise. Their demise alerted them to the fact they were following the wrong leader. God always reveals to heal and His purposes are always restorative. Their difficulties were meant to refocus their attention back on God so they could readjust their trust. A life of trusting God is how we were created to live. The fruit of trust is always obedience. We will obey or live our lives according to where our trust lies. We follow who we trust; who we obey reveals who we trust. We may be tempted to wonder how the Israelites could be so unwise, but we easily fall into this way of living all the time. We often formulate our ideas about life based on what the culture around us is saying, what we read on the internet, what our family says, what our ‘group’ says and our own ideas. Trusting in man will always lead to heartache and a life that is easily thrown off track by whatever idea is prominent at the time, our circles and our own ideas. Instead, God has invited us to live a life of growing trust in Him. Trust is learned over time and through a daily life of interaction with Him. We do this by making space for Him and allowing Him to change our ideas about how life works. Humility with God opens the door for trust in God to be built in our lives. Readjusting trust takes time and intention. Sometimes we have driven into the ditch and experienced broken relationships, failures, disappointments and hard life circumstances. Not all of these are the result of our own driving, but sometimes they are. Developing the habit of looking at the hard spaces in our lives and asking God for wisdom, gives an opportunity for us to readjust our trust in that area from man and our own ways to God’s. Much of our heartache comes from placing our trust in the wrong thing. God is more than willing and more than able to help us more fully trust in Him. ““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Faithful Promises
While this was a cherished game for me, it was anything but that for the disciples and the women who followed Jesus. The Gospels shed light on their distress and deep sorrow as they witnessed His crucifixion. Specifically in Luke 24, we get a glimpse of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary walking to the tomb with spices in their hands. Their breath hitched as they found the tomb wide open - empty, with the stone rolled away. The appearance of the Angel of the Lord stirred their hearts, and they were reminded of Jesus’s words as he predicted his own fate. Luke 24:7 states, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” These women rushed to inform the disciples who, still tormented by the gory scene of the crucifixion they'd witness just three days before, doubted the credibility of the empty tomb. It wasn’t until they met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, and recognized him during the breaking of bread that they truly grasped they were in the presence of the resurrected King. One could argue that their senses were so overwhelmed and consumed by the sight before them that they found it challenging to hold onto the words of Jesus. For the disciples, a certain degree of faith and certainty had been momentarily compromised. Have you received a promise from God concerning your family, future, or career, but find it challenging to maintain faith due to the circumstances before you? Dear friend, I am here to remind you to hold fast to your faith. Do not allow obstacles to hinder your belief in God's unwavering promises and faithfulness in your life. Trust God’s voice as he guides you faithfully on your journey. The enemy seeks to distract you with the visible obstacles, causing you to forget the abundant blessings God has in store for you. Therefore, consider this as your reminder to stand unwavering in His faithfulness, regardless of the challenges you face. Whenever the enemy attempts to steal that promise by diverting your focus to the obstacles in front of you, I pray that the Holy Spirit will help you redirect your vision. May your heart focus on the One who faithfully keeps His word. Remain steadfast in your faith! “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.” Hebrews 6:18 (NIV) 
7/2/2024 0 Comments Faith Over Facts
I mean, just reading it 2000+ years later seems like the perfect moment for a panic attack. And yet John 14:1 isn’t a suggestion, it is a command. “Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me” (emphasis mine). Did you catch that? DO NOT ALLOW IT. - Whoa! That’s strong. He knew that if they didn’t learn to take control over their hearts, those same hearts would fill with anxiety and run them right out of town. The trouble in their hearts would propel them far away from the miracle that was promised to them! (For more stories about promise-forsaking fear, checkout the entire book of Exodus). The message is so important to Jesus that He issues the command a second time in the same chapter. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). In essence, Jesus is telling them (and us), “I am leaving you with the gift of peace—the same peace I have while I endure the cross. Align your heart with this gift and use it to guard your heart.” In a culture where feelings and “personal truth” rule the roost, Jesus gives us the same command: “Don’t let your heart or circumstances carry you away.” Fill your heart with the same sustaining peace that helped Him endure the cross. I’ve heard it said, “You become what you behold.” Jesus spent significant time beholding the goodness and glory of The Father. When he experienced betrayal, pain and even death, he endured with a firm grasp on the character of His Father. In the weeks leading up to my son’s seizure - I had spent time looking into the face of Jesus. With an open heart and quiet adoration, I declared His goodness and truth daily. Turning my heart toward His, increased my awareness of the Prince of Peace. Later, when my heart was squeezed, His peace was what came to the surface. My son is now a healthy 12 year old (which takes a different kind of trust - and that’s a different devotional entirely). I still have to get bossy with my feelings (and facts) and tell them Jesus reigns! Friend, I encourage you to do the same. When trouble knocks on the door of your heart, ask Peace to answer for you. “‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.’” John 14:1 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments What Are We Waiting For?
It is now our second year in Alaska. One day, I looked at the blinds on our windows and wondered if I had missed any moose walking by because I didn’t have the blinds open. Even though they aren’t around a lot (we’d only seen them twice in our first year), I wondered if I’d missed my chance to see them. A few days later, I opened one of the blinds and was surprised to see a mama moose and her calf. The next day they were in our yard when I opened the blinds again. This morning, I had the blinds open before the sun fully rose, looking and hoping for one more glimpse of them. The Lord reminded me that I am to be similarly eager as I watch for His return. That’s the call we have as believers. Jesus came, died and rose again for our sins. He fulfilled prophecy after prophecy with His first coming, but there are even more prophecies about His second coming, the one we still await. These moose I love to watch eat our leaves or sit in the snow are merely a part of His great creation. But Jesus, our Savior, is coming back one day, and He has told us in His word to be ready. He says, “Therefore, keep watch because you do not know the day or hour” (Matt. 25:13). The ten virgins in Matthew 25 were all planning to meet the groom, but when he was delayed, they weren’t prepared and were left outside the wedding banquet once he came. May our senses never become dulled as we wait for our great King and Lord! Just as my boys must watch every time they are outside for incoming wildlife, we must watch for His return. We look for the signs. We stay alert to what is happening around us all while drawing nearer to His heart through prayer and time in His word. We live our life by the Spirit, obeying His commands and waiting expectantly for His return until He comes! “‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be with me where I am.’” John 14:3 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments That's Not Fair!
Prayer vigils were held and ultimately my friend died only eight months after her first symptom. Her four children and husband were left with a hole in their lives. Our initial diagnoses were not that different. Our treatments and struggles varied somewhat. But the end results do not feel fair to me at all. Why am I still here while my beautiful, vibrant friend is not? In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells the story of some vineyard workers hired to help a landowner. Some workers began their labor early in the morning for the promise of one denarius. Throughout the day, the landowner added workers to the vineyard. Just before quitting time, more workers were added. At the end of the day, the pay was distributed with each worker receiving one denarius despite the number of hours they toiled in the field. The workers who put in a full day began to complain until the landowner reminded them that they had agreed to work for a denarius. They took the pay and their unfair feelings and left. The landowner reminded them his wealth was to distribute as he pleased. The first batch of workers could not see the landowner’s generosity and focused on their feelings instead. In a similar way, my feelings of survivor’s guilt showed how I felt it was unfair when my friend died and I lived. Have you ever experienced a situation where the outcome felt unfair to you? Maybe you were passed over for a job or a promotion in which you were obviously a more qualified candidate. Or perhaps someone else scored a win when you had put in more practice and effort towards the goal. Children are quick to verbalize their feelings about what they perceive to be unfair: “His piece of pie was bigger than mine!” But as adults, we are often more restrained and yet the feeling is sometimes right beneath the surface: “That’s not fair! I deserved it more.” Are you facing a scenario where you are tempted to grumble, complain, or declare how unfair it is to anyone who will listen? Remember the parable of the vineyard workers and know that God sees our efforts, knows our hearts, and will work everything out as He sees fit. We can trust God even when outcomes feel unfair. Keep your focus on trusting Him, doing what He asks you to do, and knowing that His ways are higher than ours even when they do not make sense to us. “‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Conquering Life’s Excuses
However, Jesus warns us, in Luke 14, to not make excuses or be distracted from furthering His kingdom and our relationship with Him. He tells the Pharisees and disciples the parable of the master who invited all of his friends to his house for dinner. All of them made excuses for why they could not come. There will be times where we are exhausted and we need to go to Him for rest. Jesus does understand that our lives are tiring at times. However, Jesus warns that we must not put other things or excuses in front of Him in our lives. This includes our spouse, family, friends, housework, activities and our kids’ activities too. Luke 14:26 says “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” Jesus calls us to be his disciples. A disciple conquers distractions or excuses, and focuses on Christ. While we may not see the choices we make in our lives as choosing our agenda over God, our low prioritization of Him stems from our sinful, selfish nature. When we spend more time with the Lord, we can handle the stress of our daily lives easier because we are equipped to handle them. What small steps can you take this week to put Jesus first again in your life? Whether it is asking your husband to get up with the kids so you can read your Bible, or even heading to church when you are tired and then going to bed early the night after, I encourage you to make a plan of action. Find someone to keep you accountable in seeing your plan through. Dear God, thank you for the blessing of being able to come to You freely and without blame. Please help me to prioritize my relationship with You and to stop making excuses or filling my life with too many distractions. Lead me to think about eternal things and eternal goals. Remind me to always put You first in my life. Amen. “‘And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.’” Luke 14:27 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Truth in the Flesh
Turns out, I mostly knew a lot of information. But there, in the flesh— eating, praying, talking, dancing, laughing, dreaming together—I experienced my friend in her fullness. And she was different than I imagined. From their inception, most Jewish people had only known God through what was passed on to them through the words and experiences of a few select individuals. Priests, prophets, kings, and other religious leaders seemingly had front-row seats to God’s words and works while everyone else was in the nose-bleeds. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, the cocky Pharisees were certain they had a clear picture of what the Messiah would be like. They were so confident in their assumptions, that they couldn’t recognize Him before their very eyes. In John 8, we read about one of their (many) tense encounters. Jesus has just made the bold and beautiful declaration that He is the Light of the World (John 8:12), and the Pharisees take offense, stating that anyone can’t just go around making those kinds of claims about himself to which Jesus basically replies, “I’m not just anyone.” The Pharisees don’t like this answer so they interrogate, asking, “Who is your Father?” Jesus breaks out a “mad burn” (as the kids would say) and tells them, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (John 8:19b). Wow. These were the leaders everyone looked to for spiritual guidance, yet Jesus reveals that while they thought they knew God, they really didn’t. The truth was they had a poor connection to God; they had a filtered picture; they had their own misinterpreted ideas of the meaning of scripture. Now, God stood right in front of them, and in His flesh-and-blood fullness, you could say God was a lot “taller” than they thought He was. Friends, here’s what I believe we can learn from their experience… When we go into our times of Bible study, we must leave one thing behind: our preconceived notions about who God is and what He is like. If we miss knowing God in truth, we flat-out miss knowing Him. Living in this fallen world in fallen bodies, our picture of God is often shaped and skewed by the poor connections of earthly relationships, the grungy filter of our feelings, and the hearsay of not-so-sound teaching. It is good for us to be aware of and guarded against this as we study God’s Word and let the truth be the truth— even when it is hard to swallow or different from what we thought! In reading the Gospels, we can be assured that Jesus’ life gives us the clearest “image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). And the truth of who He is has the power to set us free if we will abide in it (John 8:31). Lord, help us to know you in spirit and in truth always! Amen. “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Are His Scraps Enough?
The encounter that follows has always made me a bit uncomfortable to read: “[Jesus] answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” (Matt. 15:24-27) Jesus’ words seem harsh; however, we know that He came for all who would believe in Him, not only Israel. Jesus seemed to be testing this Canaanite woman’s faith. And her response is beautiful, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table” (Matt. 15:27). She showed a deep knowledge of two things. First, that Jesus was Lord. She called Him, “Master.” She recognized He was more than just a great prophet or a good man. She had faith in Him as Lord. Second, she realized that simply being able to glean from the scraps He left behind was enough. And for those scraps, we should be so thankful. Anything Jesus chooses to give to us is enough because knowing Jesus is enough. On the mountaintop, we can easily lean toward pride and self-preservation. In the deep valleys, we can lean in the opposite direction toward pity and doubt. But Jesus is enough. He is with us both on the mountain and in the valleys. He has a plan that He is working out for our good and His glory both when we are on the mountain and in the valley. Knowing Him is enough, and knowing His Word helps us remember that truth. When we are in the valleys, let us remember:
The woman’s faith was rewarded with the healing of her daughter (Matt. 15:28). I may or may not find complete healing. Paul did not. He had a thorn in the flesh that he lived with until the very end (2 Cor. 12:7). Regardless, I know the God of the universe who created me, chose me, knows me, and is always with me. For that, I can give thanks continually. When you find yourself in a valley or facing the unknown, cry out to the Lord; continue seeking Him through the Scripture, and ask for His scraps. He is faithful to those who draw near to Him! “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Frozen
When the demon-filled man encountered Him, he fell to his knees at Jesus’ feet. The demons begged Jesus to cast them into the pigs and Jesus obliged, resulting in the herd drowning in a nearby lake. After the townspeople saw what Jesus had done, they were afraid and asked Him to leave. Can you believe that? They didn’t ask Jesus, the miracle-worker in their very presence, to heal them also. They resisted Him, instead. When I freeze up in prayer, I am like the townspeople—refusing help from the one Person who can save me. Friend, can you relate? The enemy is scared of God’s power, and he wants to keep us from experiencing it. He uses his age-old tactic, fear, to keep our thoughts tangled, our stomach in knots, and our shame to paralyze us when we even think about being vulnerable (Does this remind you of Adam and Eve, hiding in the garden?). But just like the once demon-filled man, we can stand vulnerable, humble, ugly, and dirty before Him, and He will clean and free us. Fear keeps us frozen, but vulnerability with God brings freedom. Isn’t it amazing that God is God, yet He still invites us to be vulnerable with Him? When we know how much He loves us, it casts out all fear in His presence. Today, if you sit down to pray and freeze up like I do, ask Him to cast out the fear, to unfreeze and soften the hard spots of your heart. Sit still and be with Him, for there is no greater love. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments The Cultivated Heart
In Matthew 13:3-23, we find the parable of the farmer and the seed. The farmer sowed seed and some fell on the path, some on rocky soil, some among thorns and some on good soil. Only the seed that fell on good soil produced a harvest. If soil is not conducive to growth, even good seeds will not grow. Good soil is soft and ready to cultivate life. In this parable, the seed is the Word of God and the soil is our hearts. The soil of our hearts determines a lot about our lives. I always wrestled with this parable. What is good soil practically and how do I cultivate it? Is it doing the right things? Are certain lives or seasons more conducive to having good soil than others? Can good soil be cultivated even in chaotic seasons? I learned the condition of our heart’s soil is affected by where we turn our attention. Good, soft soil has everything to do with the orientation of our hearts. Right in the middle of the ‘little years,’ where I often found it hard to find space for uninterrupted time with God and my ‘quiet times’ were often not all that quiet, I learned something profoundly beautiful: God is not just wanting to be with us in our set times with Him, but also with us in our lives as they are. No matter what moment we are in, we can learn to turn our attention towards Him. The more we begin to invite Him into the ordinary and mundane moments, the more we begin to notice Him around us. In the moments of overwhelm and fears, joys and triumphs, hopes and dreams, disappointments and loss, confusion and wondering, shame and failure, we will find God is listening. One way to develop deeper trust in God is to invite Him into the nooks and crannies of our days. Growing trust in God softens the hardened soil of our hearts. Soft soil is ready to receive from God, notice His movements and take Him at His Word. This trust gives us the confidence to actually do what He says, be vulnerable with Him and leads to true life change. God, who knows us fully and loves us deeply, has not left us on our own. As we learn to live our moments with Him, we will find a softness in our hearts growing and great harvest in our lives. Good, soft soil is something God cultivates in us as we learn to turn our attention towards Him in our ordinary lives no matter what season we are in. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Walking Through Storms
In this week's reading of the gospels we see that He is in every valley with us, fighting for us— He is not against those who put their trust in Him. As much as we wish we could automatically believe this truth, without fail, we know that is not the way any relationship works. Instead, as we seek Him and spend time with Him, we will build a relationship with Jesus. We come to know His character and the promises He has given us. We build trust and even if our outcome doesn’t look the way we wanted it to, we will know that God is still good. He loves us more than anything and when we truly understand His love, we will see that is what the gospel of Jesus is all about. As we grow in trust, our eyes begin to turn to Him in every situation. Jesus never told us things would be easy. He told us, “that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He has experienced the same heartaches that we go through and as we build our lives on Him, the firm foundation that He has laid then we will be able to find peace and strength through our troubles in this fallen world. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us: “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6: 47-49) When we rely on Jesus, our solid rock, He will keep us steady as we ride the waves of the storms life sends our way. So friend, no matter what you are going through right now, you are not alone. Jesus sees you and He wants you to come running into His loving arms. As you spend time in His Word today, allow His words to comfort you and guide you through whatever you are facing. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments Going Fishing
As Christians, we are all called to “fish” for the lost. As moms we have opportunities to fish from the beach and also to do some deep sea fishing. When our children are young, organizations such as MOPS and Rooted Moms help us to gently evangelize; do some fishing from the beach. We cast our bait, the Word of God, and sit and wait for God to reel in the catch when His timing is right. Sometimes we take home fish, but sometimes we come home empty handed. However, Isaiah 55 verse 11 tells us that God’s word never returns to Him empty, but accomplishes what He desires and achieves the purpose for which He sent it. I can say “Amen” to that, having seen how God has redeemed the lives of many prodigal children. Supporting missionaries, participating in activities like VBS, or providing resources and supporting God’s work around the world, fall into the deep sea fishing category. Rarely do we get to see the results of our involvement in these activities, but every so often, God graciously allows us to hear how lives have been impacted. One such glimpse was a report from a missionary that I support in Africa. As part of his work serving and evangelizing the local tribes, goats had been donated to poor families. This changed the attitudes many had towards the missionary and many of the villagers began to show up at the weekly church services. Several of the men accepted Christ and are now working alongside the missionary in spreading the Gospel. Another glimpse was watching via satellite TV, the crowd of people who came forward to commit their lives to Christ in an evangelistic outreach that the Church I attend conducted in Egypt this past fall. What a previlege to participate in this “deep sea fishing” for the souls of men! Whether fishing from the beach or deep sea fishing, God expects us to be full time “fishers of men,” evangelizing the lost. Christians are called to seek the lost. This is a full-time commitment, our first priority. If you and I have not been fishing recently, we are not functioning as Jesus intends us to function. Therefore, let us toss in our line or cast our net and invite the lost to become part of God’s family. “‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
7/2/2024 0 Comments His Plans Never Fail
When an angel of the Lord named Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would become pregnant and give birth to a son, when she wasn’t even married, her reaction was one of logistical confusion, not disbelief. Gabriel also relayed to Mary the news that her cousin, Elizabeth, who had struggled with infertility and was now older in age, was with child. He told Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NASB). Mary chose to put her complete trust in God. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). She had faith that when she gave God her trust that nothing would be impossible, no matter the struggles she faced; there would be joy and victory in the end. It’s never easy to see the plans we’re excited for change completely, especially when those changes bring heartache. We aren’t promised that we won’t feel pain or sadness, but we’re able to cling to joy and peace during those times knowing that God has a perfect plan for us— even if it’s something we never believed possible. Elizabeth loved God with all her heart, even when she believed that He wouldn’t bless her with the baby she longed for (Luke 1). Joseph was initially concerned about this situation and planned to end his engagement to Mary; he instead followed the commands of the angels of God and trusted the Lord’s plans (Matthew 1). Mary knew her future held heartache and difficulties as the mother of Jesus. But Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary trusted and listened. When we put our full trust in our relationship with our heavenly Father, we’re able to fully experience how His plans are always greater than our own. At the end of Luke 1, Elizabeth rejoiced and we can rejoice along with her knowing and trusting that, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:45). Spoiler alert— I’m not a teacher. I changed my major three times. I didn’t marry that high school boyfriend, but I did marry my college sweetheart. I just had our third baby girl at the age of 34. I live an hour and a half from my hometown. I’m blessed beyond measure and this life God has built for me is greater than I could have ever imagined. Our plans may fail and change, but His never do. Before making a plan all on your own, I encourage you to seek the Lord and prayerfully ask Him to guide you into the right direction. Seek him daily, with everything and trust that whatever His plans may be, that they are far better than you could ever imagine. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
12/4/2023 1 Comment Hope for Tomorrow
Before I knew it, I was zoomed in on my phone, taking pictures worthy of Instagram of the brilliant sunset on the far bank of the river. At that moment, I felt God speaking and I looked around. Slowly, I zoomed out. I started snapping pictures with our less than desirable surroundings on this side of the river in the foreground: rusty industrial buildings, worn pieces of dock, drainage pipes, ice smashing into the rocky shoreline. “The brokenness of this world doesn’t compare to the glory that is coming; the brokenness of this world doesn’t compare to the glory that is coming...” played over and over in my heart, as I sobbed, shivering with the glory of the Lord on full display just across the river, while my Shepherd was guiding me and leading me through the valley of the shadow of death on these banks. Through every present tense line of Psalm 23, I can testify to His faithfulness. The first five and a half verses, give us hope for today that we have an ever-present Shepherd, guiding us, His sheep, through the valleys of this life, restoring us with green pastures and still waters, comforting us, anointing us with oil and overflowing our cups all of the days of our lives. And then King David pens the words, “and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6b). In that one precious, yet simple verse, David shifts from our present help to the future and what is to come. Every present-tense sorrow, evil, danger, sickness, shattered dream, broken relationship, or disappointment that you may be facing today, must bow at that line of Scripture. It’s the zoomed in photograph, the glory that outshines it all; the promise of eternity in the presence of our Savior. Our present help points us to the hope we hold for tomorrow. Our shepherd, He is leading us home, to His house, where the buildings aren’t rusty and the docks are made whole. Where He will wipe away every tear and we, Hudson, and you and I, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen and Amen. “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6b (NIV) 
12/4/2023 1 Comment Followed by Goodness
A couple of years ago my husband and I tried everything we could to move away from the Atlanta area and closer to our family in North Carolina. We knew God had led us to Georgia for a reason but we were hoping that season was over. I prayed, “God, close the doors that need to be closed, and open the doors that need to be opened.” He heard my prayer, but it looked different than I thought it would. It looked like every door we tried prying open on our own, he shut. It felt like the path God was leading us down was a dark alley and it surely did not feel good. However, now being on the other side looking back, I can look back and see the benefit and spiritual growth through the journey. We decided to quit trying to move and instead seek God where we were. If we would have moved when we tried to, we would have missed the opportunity to get plugged in with a local church here and embark on a journey that has grown and strengthened our spiritual life immensely. Now looking back I can see the compassion in God’s closed doors. Trials can make us more aware of God's goodness and mercy leading to spiritual growth rather than bitterness. God has used these past couple of years to draw my husband and I nearer to Him, teaching us more about the relationship He desires with us. For me, God has graciously been revealing more and more of my true identity in Him. That is where I see His goodness and mercy following me. Because without that truth, my world would have been rocked last year when we watched our son struggle in the hospital three separate times. For me His goodness looked like the ability to have peace in that storm. I was secure in His promises because of the intentional relationship He led me to build with Him. With my natural tendencies to fear, worry, and ask “why,” it is not always simple to assume that God really knows what He is doing with me. There are times I am tempted to panic and bolt. But despite this attitude, I am so glad He does not give up. His goodness and mercy are new to me everyday. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” Psalm 23:6a
12/4/2023 1 Comment My Cup Overflows
In addressing the Lord as “my Shepherd,” David was admitting that he was like a sheep, and was in need of a caretaker. His Shepherd knew that he needed physical rest, healing, relaxation and rejuvenation. He was confident that he would never want for anything. Psalm 23:5b says, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” These words tell of one whose every physical need had been satisfied and the abundant blessings he had experienced. The Shepherd is not stingy with His provisions, but lavishes His sheep with His love, grace, and mercy. Philippians 4:6 reminds us not to be anxious about anything, but to present all our prayers and petitions to God. The Lord takes care of His children, protecting them and fulfilling their physical needs. He provides healing, rest, food, and shelter; His sheep feel physically refreshed, renewed and secure. Sadly, even though I have experienced His blessings, I am sometimes too busy or forgetful to call upon the Lord my Shepherd, or I only turn to Him in times of intense sorrow or pain. I forget that when He hung on the cross of Calvary, Jesus paid the price for all my sin, sicknesses and diseases. His sacrifice covered it all. His love, grace and mercy never runs dry, and therefore, my cup overflows. From the simple to the extravagant, the Lord provides for His children. Aren’t you so thankful that the Lord is our Shepherd? “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalm 23:5b
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