Category: Living Faith

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Trail Lesson 101

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Psalm 25:4-9

Key Verse:

The Lord is good and does what is right;
    he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
    teaching them his way. Psalm 25:8-9 (NLT)

Maps help us figure out how to get where we want to go.

Truth? I’m horrible when it comes to reading a map. I’m one of those directionally challenged people who’s continually twisting the map one way and another trying to figure out where I am and how in the world I’m ever going to get where I want to go.

That’s especially true when I look at a Manassas National Battlefield Brochure Map. For instance, just last week, we walked Chinn Ridge Loop twice.

The first time we misread the map and found ourselves on the opposite side of the loop than we thought we were on. We discovered what happened while retracing our steps. We’d missed a turn!

It’s easy to see where we went wrong…now.

The map seems so easy to understand…now.

We went back later in the week and walked the entire loop without a single difficulty.

Map Reminder:

Point of View is important!

Point of View is the position from which something or someone is observed.

(Oxford Dictionaries – Bing Translator)

To properly use a map, I must see it from the map maker’s POV.

The same is true when I read God’s word.

Reading my Bible helps me see things from God’s POV.

The more I align with His POV, the more I understand what I’m reading. The more I understand, the easier it is to know which way to go; the more confident I am in following the directions I read in His word.

Have you ever noticed how the LORD will bring us back to the same place of decision more than once? I like to think it’s His way of helping us practice what we’ve learned.

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 119: 35, 59 & 105, Psalm 139: 23-24, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 47:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, & Hebrews 4:12

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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The Antidote To Worry

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Philippians 4:4-9

Key Verse:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

LORD, we’re so thankful to be citizens of Your Kingdom. We’re thank You for the privilege of being your representative in the foreign land we live in now. Help us to grow in our relationship with You, so we will represent You well. Give us compassion and courage and teach us to love those around us as You love them. We want to love as citizens of Heavens and not citizens of this world!

Digging Deeper:

Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 6:25-34, John 14:27, John 16:33

If you have not yet met Jesus, you can meet Him today. He created you. He loves you. He wants you to be a part of His family. I encourage you to step into the life He created you to live. You will still have the troubles of this world, but you will no longer be facing them alone. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Today’s Scripture Passage:

I Samuel 16:1-13

Key Verse:

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by a man’s face or height, for this is not the one. I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.” I Samuel 16:7 (TLB)

Three weeks ago, we looked at our need for checking the mirror of God’s word and seeing ourselves from God’s perspective. https://barbaracoulson.com/check-the-mirror/

Today I want to look at the potential dangers found in the mirrors on our walls.

I see two…

One danger is looking in the mirror and thinking because our reflection pleases us we’re living a life pleasing to God.

We are deceived if we think living a life pleasing to God has anything to do with our outward appearance.

Another danger is looking in the mirror and thinking because our reflection doesn’t please us we are of little value.

We are deceived if we think our value has anything to do with our outward appearance.

Years ago, our family lived in Hinesville, GA and attended a little church there. We always participated in the monthly potluck fellowships, but one of the summer months included a men’s bake-off for the evening’s dessert.

Those fellowships were always a lot of fun, but the most memorable was that bake-off and the cake we couldn’t eat.

When the judges cut into this particular cake, it wouldn’t cut. It was a beautiful cake. The icing and decorations looked yummy, but this sponge cake was actually made of kitchen sponges stacked up and covered in icing.

I’m guessing you already know what we talked about on the way home. It was a valuable lesson for our children, but just as valuable for us. It’s also just as important a lesson today as it was all those years ago.

The appearance of that “sponge cake” in no way revealed what was inside. There was nothing edible about that cake, and what’s the purpose of a cake if not for eating?

The same is true of us when we forget it’s not our exterior but our interior we must be sure to check regularly. There’s nothing wrong with using the mirror on our walls to check our appearance, but let’s not be fooled into believing what we see there reflects the truth about who we are and the choices we’re making.

God is the only One who can see the thoughts and motives of our hearts. Only the mirror of His word is capable of revealing the real you to you or the real me to me.

LORD, we definitely want to look nice, but please don’t let us get so caught up in our outward appearance that we neglect to pay attention to our heart’s condition. Please protect us from measuring ourselves by the mirrors on our walls. Help us instead, to measure ourselves by the mirror of Your word. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 19:14, Jeremiah 17:9-10, Ezekiel 11:18-20, Matthew 12:34-35, & Matthew 15:17-19

Friend, would you like to find out how you can have a new heart? You can use the following link to find out just how God replaces our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. I would love for you to reach out and let me know if you’ve just been given a new heart. https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Celebrate!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Nehemiah 8:1-12

Key Verse:

So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them. Nehemiah 8:12 (NLT)

Have you ever gotten that AHA moment of understanding while reading your Bible? During a sermon? At a conference? Listening to the radio in your car? Chatting with a friend over a steaming sweet brew?

Have you ever had your initial joy turn to bitter regret? A hollowed out feeling of sorrow and shame? A desire to erase the understanding so you could eliminate the pain? Has your joy in reading your Bible ever turned to dreadful fear of the understanding it would bring?

If so, I understand. So did the Israelites in today’s Scripture passage.

In verse eight, God’s word was being explained and understood by the people.

In verse nine, they were weeping even while they listened.

In my younger years, I was like the Israelites. I totally missed the reason for celebration. I would gain understanding of God’s word, but I would allow the enemy to rob me of my initial joy.

Who’s the enemy? Satan is the enemy. He’s God’s enemy, AND he’s the enemy of every Jesus-follower. Satan is sometimes called the accuser because he stands before the LORD pointing a finger of accusation at us. He wants us to stand before the LORD condemned. He wants to rob us of our joy in Jesus and give us shame in exchange. And what better time to accuse than when we’ve just gained a new understanding of God’s word and how it applies to our lives?

So back to the people who were weeping instead of celebrating. They had missed the blessing of understanding and were wallowing in the pain of shame and regret.

Our son loved all things G.I. Joe as a child. I wish I had a nickel for everytime I heard (or said) the phrase, “Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. G.I. Joe!”

The same is true for us as Jesus-followers! Knowing is not a reason for weeping, but celebration. Understanding God’s word enables us to see we can make our choices differently.

Understanding frees us from the chains of misunderstanding. Chains confining us to where we are, doing the same things we’ve always done, and getting the same results we’ve always gotten.

These verses in Nehemiah are our reminder that God doesn’t give us understanding of His word so we will feel bad about our past choices. No! He’s freeing us to make life giving choices in the future.

It’s God’s gift to us every time we are given understanding of His word. So I say, “Let’s practice celebrating!” Yes, let’s definitely confess any sin our new understanding of God’s word reveals, but then let’s intentionally rejoice over our new understanding. Let’s celebrate the freedom we will get to exercise in making new choices. And while we’re celebrating, let’s embrace the struggle of learning to make those new choices.

LORD, thank You so much for Your word. Thank You for the people You use to help us understand Your word. Help us recognize our sin, but teach us to confess it and then leave it in our past. Help us receive Your forgiveness AND also forgive ourselves. Strengthen us with Your joy! Enable us to celebrate our freedom to choose new things and practice living all You’ve helped us understand. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Psalm 119:45, 1st John 1:9, Galatians 5:1, & Philippians 3:12-16

Friend, there is no “right way” to read the Bible, but there is one thing I encourage everyone to do BEFORE you start reading; ask God to help you understand what you read. After all, the Bible is God’s word. It’s His message, so Who better to help You understand it’s purpose and meaning? You can read it in any order, but please read it. All of it. Then read it again, and again, and again.

If you’re not already a Jesus-follower, I promise, it’s a lifetime commitment you’ll never regret. Use the link to find out how to take your first step. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Hardship!

Today’s Scripture Passage:

Hebrews 12:1-11

Key Verse(s):

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7 & 11 (NIV)

Hebrews is a great book, and chapter twelve is my favorite. I feel like Jesus is pulling me up close to His side and redirecting my line of sight every time I read it.

I can almost hear Him asking me to be still for a minute and consider the hardships of my life from His point of view.

It’s like He’s inviting me to exchange my understanding of hardship for His. He’s gently realigning my perspective, and giving me the ability to see hardship as training instead of trouble.

Verse seven informs us hardship and discipline are interchangeable. Verse eleven explains the purpose for discipline is training.

Verse eleven also includes a promise. His training produces a “harvest of righteousness and peace.”

I think the role of hardship is important to every Jesus-follower. We’re being trained to live well in our freedom. Jesus bought our freedom from sin and death. He paid a high price to give us the opportunity to choose between freedom and slavery.

Slavery forbids choice. Freedom requires we make our own choices. Will we choose to submit and practice what the hardships of life are teaching us, or will we submit to our flesh and it’s cravings?

My flesh kicks against the training I gain through hardship. I don’t want to face financial difficulties, heath problems, broken relationships, or death. But it’s not just those big things my flesh kicks against. My flesh doesn’t like to clean the toilets, vacuum, dust, empty the dishwasher, or exercise. My flesh would love nothing more than to spend each day eating good food, reading mystery/suspense novels, and chatting with family and friends while sitting on the beach.

Sounds good, right? Well, maybe your flesh would like something different, but you get my point. That kind of thinking sets me up for a miserable existence of whining and complaining. A life lived missing the adventure and blessings of the LORD’s freedom training.

LORD, help us not be discouraged by the hardships of life. Instead, bless us with the ability to learn from You. Teach us how to live well in the freedom You’ve given us. May we learn to choose wisely and be bold in our confidence in You. Amen.

If you haven’t yet chosen the freedom Jesus has for you, use the following link and find out how to start living in His freedom today. I’m praying for you! https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Stop!

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)

I was at the top of the first level parking garage ramp and turning right when Jane said, “You can’t go that way.”

I stopped, looked both ways and asked, “Why not?”

“Because there’s a sign that says, ‘Do not enter.'”

I couldn’t see it, but I turned the wheel left and started moving in the other direction. That’s when Jane moved the sun visor from her passenger side window back to the front and clicked it into place. There was the sign.

I could clearly see it through her side window. It was red and was attached to the ceiling. Directly behind the place where the sun visor had just been.

We immediately began laughing, but we’ve since talked about how much our position changes our perspective of a situation. I totally missed the sign and would’ve been going the wrong way if Jane hadn’t seen it and said something to me.

There’s a spiritual truth found in this.

Sometimes God moves me when I cannot see what He sees.

Sometimes He moves what’s blocking my view, like Jane moving the sun visor.

Either way, movement is necessary. And movement in life is just another word for change.

Sometimes even the word change creates anxiety and dread in our hearts and minds. Other times it looks like an escape from a situation or circumstance that’s uncomfortable.

Change brings uncertainty. It creates a pause as we try to figure out what to do next.

I used to imagine the LORD putting a sticky note on the fridge with step by step instructions on how to get from where I was to where I needed to be. Or maybe His note would tell me to sit tight and keep doing what I was doing.

I never got a sticky, but I do have His written word. Inside the Bible is written everything I need to know about making wise and right choices. And everything I need to know about the dangers of not making those choices. God’s word is filled with information to help me clearly see my options from His perspective.

Change forces me to choose between trusting my point of view or looking for and trusting God’s point of view.

LORD, I struggle with change; it’s filled with the unknown. Help me be quick to look for You, stay close by You, and seek Your point of view with intention. Help me choose Your way over the way that looks right to me.

And LORD, for those reading this today, I ask You to help them see You with clarity during times of change. Bless them and keep them. Smile on them and be gracious to them. Give them Your favor and Your peace. Amen.

Friend, if you’re walking the fence line between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him, you are in a precarious position that is difficult to live. I’m praying you will follow these steps to peace with God and begin walking in the freedom of following Jesus. https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Check The Mirror

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 (NLT)

Wow! This passage includes another reminder of the blessing of obedience, but it’s not where I want to focus today. Nope! I want to tell you what I’ve learned about the importance of checking the mirror.

Several years ago, I was given a physical understanding of this spiritual truth.

Back then, our daughter’s family lived in the area. It was convenient whenever I was going downtown because we got to visit before they dropped me at the Metro station for my traffic-free ride into D.C.. From there, it was a short walk to meet George at work. Then we’d stroll down the boardwalk to the baseball stadium.

This particular Friday, I was running behind for a date night ballgame. I pulled on a cute but cool skort, shucked my jersey over my head, brushed my hair in front of the bathroom mirror, grabbed up my bag, and dashed out the door.

Traffic on I-66 was thick, but I was pulling into our daughter’s driveway with plenty of time to spare. I parked, pulled out my lipstick, smeared some on, and leaned over to check my lips. The reflection in my rearview mirror brought tears of horror and self-annoyance to my eyes.

My morning had started out fairly routine. I ate, read my Bible, went for my morning swim, showered, slapped on moisturizer, and left it to “dry” while I did my chores.

Mind you, I never go out without the protection of foundation on my face. I especially don’t go on a date with my hubby without the added benefit of color. But today I’d looked into the mirror without seeing what the mirror revealed about me. I had never put on any foundation or color!

Thankfully, our daughter saved the day with the basics of foundation, blush, and mascara. Protection and color. Whew!

Okay, now that you’ve enjoyed a chuckle, let’s talk about why we look in a mirror. To see ourselves, right?

God’s word is like a mirror. It shows us the truth about ourselves. God is Creator! He’s the definer of truth. Jesus — God in the flesh — is Truth.

There are two ways I can fool myself when reading my Bible. Both leave me walking away unaware of what I look like in the mirror of God’s word.

One, I’m fooling myself when my mind is on something else entirely while reading my Bible. Like when I was brushing my hair and thinking about my need to get on the road. I totally missed what the mirror would’ve shown me; I didn’t have on my foundation and color!

Two, I’m fooling myself when I use the mirror of God’s word to look at someone else. George and I often stand side by side to brush our teeth. I usually spend more time looking at him than I do looking at myself.

Both are harmful when we’re looking into the Mirror of God’s word.

When I am not really thinking about what I’m reading, I don’t see my attitudes and choices through the filter of God’s word.

When I focus on others while I’m reading, I’m in danger of becoming critical, judgmental, and condemning of them and their choices.

Both leave me walking away deceived (fooling myself). Yes, I’ve read my Bible. Cha-ching! Check that off the list for today! But…

Bottom line?

It’s not enough to consistently read God’s word. I must do what He says is right or I’m just fooling myself!

LORD, thank You for the truth of Your word. Please don’t let me read Your word with half a mind. Please don’t let me deflect your truth toward others, but help me reflect Your truth through obedience. Do not let me fool myself, but walk in the freedom and blessings of obedience.

And LORD, for those reading this today, give them a desire to read their Bibles. Help them see themselves in the mirror of Your word. And protect them from the accusations and condemnation of our enemy. Thank You, LORD Jesus. Amen.

Holy Spirit helps us understand the truth of what we read in the Bible. He is every Jesus-follower’s God given Helper. Are you a Jesus-follower, or do you only know about Jesus? If you’re not sure, you can use the steps in this link to be sure. https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Know Your Position!

When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:20-21 (NLT)

Last week I looked at the blessings of practice and how reading our Bibles is a vital part of practice. https://barbaracoulson.com/practice-brings-blessing/

I’ve spent this week pulling that same thread. I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about those blindfolded sailors. Like a dog with a bone, I kept gnawing over the purpose behind that drill. I felt a deep truth just beyond my grasp and I’ve chased it all week.

The blindfolded sailors had to know two things. Everything about the interior of their ship AND their position in the ship. Knowing those two things was imperative for the drills to successfully ensure their safety.

What does that mean for me as a Jesus-followers? I need to know two things.

Who the LORD is AND who I am in Him.

Who the LORD is…

The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; He’s unchanging! So everything I’ve learned of Him so far, every facet of His character He’s revealed to me is as true of Him today as it was when I first learned it.

Who I am…

I am His daughter, redeemed by Him on the cross and through His resurrection. Every benefit and blessing of our relationship is mine. I have all the authority and power of His name accessible to me through His word and prayer.

What am I learning? How do these two truths translate into facing the unexpected? How do they help when fear, doubt, sorrow, anger, and discouragement crowd into my mind and create a fog of distress?

Remembering tethers me (and you) to unchanging truth when the world feels out of control. Remembering turns our eyes from our circumstances to the One who is our help in times of trouble. We can take a breath because He’s bigger and stronger and able to show us the way through whatever it is we’re facing.

NOTE: Just like every sailor needs to know their position in the ship, we need to know our position. Are you in Christ? Maybe you’re not sure. If not, you can be. Use the link in the green box at the bottom of this post and take steps to be sure.

LORD, thank You for being unchanging in a world that is ever-changing. Thank You for making it possible for me to be in relationship with You, the God of all creation, the Maker of heaven and earth. Thank You for loving me that much. Please keep showing me more of who You are so I will trust You more and more.

And LORD, for those reading this today, please help them see You more clearly. Help them understand who they are (or can be) in You. If they are not Jesus-followers, grow in them a hunger to know You. If they are, grow in them a hunger to know You even more and grow in their understanding of their position in You. Thank You, LORD!

For more information on how you can be sure of your relationship with God, go to https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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What’s a Jesus-Follower?

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?  Luke 9:23-25 (NLT)

After writing last week’s post, https://barbaracoulson.com/bold-words/, I’ve begun to look at the different uses of the word follow. In a world where social media is the norm, I’ve realized something. We use the word follow in a much more casual way than Jesus did in today’s verse.

Being a Jesus-follower is a lot different than following someone on Facebook or following your favorite blogger.

Why? Look back at today’s verse. Jesus was the One speaking to the crowd in this passage, and He said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (the underlined is my emphasis)

There is no qualification here. No loop holes for what it means to follow Jesus. Either I’m a follower of Jesus or a follower of my own way. I cannot do both, unless…

What I choose is His way. There is no other way I can live my life my way and still be a Jesus-follower in the purest representation of the name, Jesus-follower.

But this leads me to ask, why were we all created so uniquely if we’re not supposed to be ourselves? Why not just create clones of the “perfect person” who does everything the way Jesus would do it?

Okay, I think it goes beyond the pat answer, “because He wants us to willingly follow Him.”

1 Corinthians 12 & 13 tell a story of just how important our unique differences are AND how genuine love creates unity and harmony through those differences. We discover our differences have purpose and enable us to live the life He created us to live (Ephesians 2:10)

God created us uniquely because He wants to use us uniquely. He has created us with specific purpose. Just as the creator of my food processor realized there were some kitchen tasks a blender doesn’t fulfill as well as the food processor, God knows there are tasks I can carry out in a unique way. There are also tasks He wants you to carry out in your unique way.

And just as I can do without both my food processor and my blender, my task is much easier, more enjoyable, and much less time consuming when I use them.

We become usable when we choose to follow Jesus, but the unique qualities He has given us also lend to the perfect timing of His purpose.

He knows me (and you) intimately. And that has nothing to do with whether we are a Jesus-follower. It also has nothing to do with how closely we do, or do not, follow Him.

He knows how we learn. He knows our fears. He knows what we’ve experienced, our strengths, our weaknesses, our likes, our dislikes. He knows us.

And how intimately He knows us has no bearing on how intimately we know Him. That is the greatest benefit of being a Jesus-followers…

Being in an intimate relationship with Jesus, God in the flesh.

The more we follow Him, spend time listening to Him (reading His word, the Bible), talking to Him (prayer/journaling), and learning from Holy Spirit, the more intimately we will know Him. (Holy Spirit is our Teacher and lives in everyone who chooses to believe Jesus is God, lived a perfect life, died to pay for our sins, rose from the grave three days later, and is in heaven preparing a place for each of His followers).

The more intimately we know Jesus, the easier it becomes to follow Him.

LORD, thank You for taking my sins as Yours and making Your righteousness mine. I want to follow You and Your ways, but I often struggle with wanting to do things my own way. Change my heart, LORD, so I will desire to please You more than myself and/or others. Help me to learn more of You. And help me let go of my old ways of thinking.

And LORD, thank You for each one reading these words today. Help them know their unique qualities are not mistakes, but what makes them perfectly equipped for the good works You created them to do. Help them to see You clearly, so they can follow You well. Give them a greater desire to follow You than their own way. Thank You for hearing our prayers, LORD. Amen.

If you’re not sure you’re a Jesus-follower, you can use the link below to find out how to take that first step to being sure. I’m praying for you, Friend! If you’re walking the fence line between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him, you are in a precarious position that is difficult to live. I would love to see You jump down on the side of Jesus and enjoying the freedom of following Him. https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Bold Words!

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. (Philippians 3:17-4:1a)

If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you know I’m a thread puller. I cannot stop with just one verse. I need to understand it. What was its intention and how does it apply to me today? I truly believe if there was nothing for me (or you) to take away from a passage of Scripture, it would not be included in the Bible.

Anyway, this passage is from my Sunday morning prayer and Bible time. Paul wrote it in a letter to the church of Ephesus and his boldness struck me. The verse of the day was Ephesians 3:20. When I read it in context, this is what followed.

“Pattern your lives after mine.” v 3:17

Self Question(s): Am I following Jesus closely enough that others can follow me to Him?

“there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ“ v 3:18

Self Question(s): What does my conduct reveal about my desires? What do my words, my responses, my actions, and my choices tell others about my priorities in life?

“they think only about this life here on earth” v 3:19

Self Question(s): Am I remembering to live with eternity in mind or do I make all my decisions based on the here and now?

“we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior” v 3:20

Self Question(s): Am I eagerly waiting for Jesus to return for me? And if so, why? Is it just so I can get away from the troubles of this world (John 14), or am I looking forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face?

“he will bring everything under his control” v 3:21

Self Question(s): What areas of my life do I still need to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ?

“stay true to the Lord” v 4:1

Self Question(s): Am I consistent as a Jesus-follower, or do I only follow Him when it feels good, others will agree, or doesn’t require any effort or sacrifice?

All of this brings me back to the bold statement of Paul, “pattern your lives after mine.”

LORD, I desperately want to be a consistent Jesus-follower who others can follow toward you. I want my desire to be for You and Your ways. Help me to never lose sight of You even as I live here on this earth. Help me learn from You. Teach me to submit to Your authority in every area of my life. And create a genuine love for You and others in me, so I will always follow You well.

And LORD, for those reading this today, I pray You would reveal to them just how much life You have for them. May they understand following You is not about finding out about the rules, but about the deep intimacy of relationship with You. And may their growing intimacy with You overflow into every other relationship in their lives. Amen.

To find out how you can become a Jesus-follower, go to… https://peacewithgod.net/mobile/?utm_source=Microsoft&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=HowToGoToHeaven&utm_campaign=USPWGMobileSearchMic

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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