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Uncertainty

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

I’m writing this while sitting in Momma’s hospital room. Daddy is in another room in the same hospital. Our daughter is waiting for insurance approval for MRI’s on her spine and being very careful to do no additional damage to her spinal cord and nerves while waiting.

Uncertainty is a certainty of life, but knowing this truth doesn’t make it any easier to face.

It’s during uncertain times I must find my answers to these questions:

Do I trust the LORD?

Do I trust Him with those I love?

Do I trust Him enough to surrender my way and trust His way is good and right for me? For my loved ones?

The LORD has shown Himself to be faithful and good in the past.

The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; therefore, you and I can trust that He will be with us just like He was with Joshua. We can be just as strong and courageous. We can live unafraid even through the uncertainties of life.

LORD, I want to be strong and courageous. I want to live life unafraid and fully trusting You. Thank You for being with me through it all. Thank you for showing Yourself faithful in the past, so I am better able to trust You in the present and with my future.

And LORD, I have no idea what struggles the ones reading this are going through, but You do. I ask that You provide for their every need. Show them Your faithfulness and love in a tangible way today. Thank You!

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The Gift of Presence…

“And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.”  Ephesians 1:13b (NLT)

I love to get presents. I know how that sounds, but it’s true. They’re tangible evidence I was on the giver’s mind. And every time I see or use them, I remember who gave them to me; it’s like they’re with me.

Which brings me to my favorite kind of present. I call it the gift of presence. It’s the gift of time spent together. It’s friends and family coming to visit, holidays together, lunch with a friend, date nights, double dates, baseball games, family reunions, day trips, retreats, small group, ministry events, etc.

The presence of the ones I spend time with lingers long after we go our separate ways. Smells, places, words, and things remind me of our time together.

Jesus gives every one of His followers the ultimate gift of Presence. Holy Spirit lives inside every single Jesus-follower (John 14:26). He is always with us. He is our Helper, Teacher, and Counselor.

Holy Spirit gives gifts too (1st Corinthians 12:4 & 11). And He displays His presence in our lives with His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). We get to spend every day enjoying all the benefits of His presence (Galatians 5:25). Best part ever? We can remember those times, but they just keep coming. Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives is never-ending!

LORD, thank You for not leaving me alone and for giving me Holy Spirit. Thank You for all the great memories we’ve created together over the years. Help me practice being alert to Your presence on a more consistent basis. Thank You for all the love the gift of Your presence represents in my life!

And LORD, for those reading this, please make Your love visible to them in a very specific and personal way today. May they see You, trust You, and delight in You even more than they already do. Bless them with a tangible reminder that You are right there with them. Thank You!

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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Which Way?!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

George was off on Presidents Day and we were headed over to the Stone Bridge trail on the Manassas Battlefield. I looked at our map on the drive over and our discussion quickly squirreled its way from Manassas to the AT to GPS to using a compass to taking an orientation class.

Okay, I know the battlefield trails are smack dab in the middle of civilization; I’m just thinking ahead. I know I’m directionally challenged.

We park and start walking. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. George is snapping pictures and I’m feeling super confident as today’s navigator.

We round the Farm Ford loop and come out from under the trees. Left or right? I take a very confident right. We walk and talk and greet others with a “Good Morning.”

After a bit, we approach a crossroad. We have three different options. Well, we have four. I think we should go left, but I’m feeling a little less confident.

I pull out the map. I look at where I think we are but don’t see a straight across or right option.

I hand the map to George and point out our location. George looks and says we’re in another place entirely. He points it out on the map and explains all the reasons he knows this.

I can’t reconcile it in my mind. It just won’t compute.

George says, “We need to turn around.”

“Okay, we’ll go your way.”

“I can tell you don’t think it’s the right way.”

“I don’t, but I trust your sense of direction way more than I trust mine.”

We backtrack for a bit, pass the point where we took a right and continue straight ahead. The sky is blue. The sun is shining. George is snapping pictures and I’m feeling confident I made the right decision.

We approach the Stone Bridge from the opposite direction. That was my plan, but I’d taken a wrong turn.

I think that’s what today’s verse is talking about. I don’t have to understand why my way is wrong before I follow Jesus. I just need to trust He knows more than I do!

Problem is, there are times when I do just like I did when we broke from the trees and went right. I was so sure of my own understanding of where I was and the best way to go that I didn’t even pause to look at the map or ask George.

I often do the same in life. I put my confidence in myself instead of in Jesus. And I don’t even realize I’ve done it until I come to an unexpected crossroad.

LORD, thank You for this wonderful reminder to trust You. Help me pause and seek Your way. Help me throw off my need to make sense of Your way. Give me the added measures of humility and faith needed to choose Your way every time. Thank You!

And LORD, for those reading this right now, please help them to believe You know the best way for them too. Give them faith to overcome their struggle. As they stand at their own crossroad, help them see they don’t have to reconcile Your way with their own understanding before they follow You. Amen.

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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Pulling the Threads of LOVE

“God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him.”

1st John 4:8 (CEV)

Love is:

patient

kind

always hopeful

endures through every circumstance

Love is not:

jealous

boastful

proud 

rude

irritable

Love does not:

demand its own way

rejoice about injustice

Love:

keeps no record of being wronged 

rejoices whenever the truth wins out

Love never:

gives up

loses faith

1st Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

“Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” 2nd Corinthians 5:14-15 (NLT)

LORD Jesus, thank You for the wonderful gift of love and life You’ve given me through Your life, death, and resurrection. Please teach me to love others as You love me. I want to be controlled by Your love and not my old sinful nature.

And LORD, would you bless anyone reading this with an extra dose of Your love today? Please make the invisible visible to them. Wrap Your presence around the circumstance of their lives and fill them with Your peace. May Your perfect love cast out every tendril of fear or dread and fill them with a deep abiding trust in You, the Lover of their soul!

Happy Valentine’s Day Sweet Friends!!!

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When the Heat is On…

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)

While making granola for George last week, I got to thinking about coconut oil and how it needs to be heated before it will blend well with the other ingredients in a recipe.

I’m like coconut oil sometimes. My heart and mind are too firm to wrap around what the LORD has for me; He has to allow the heat of life to soften me up.

Like when George enlisted in the Navy. It was 1990 and we’d been married thirteen years. We’d always done everything together and suddenly he was away more than he was home. He had boot camp, “A” schools, “C” schools, and deployments. Our children were in second and third grade when George enlisted and middle schoolers before his first shore duty in 1995. He missed almost every holiday, birthday, and anniversary. I was living the life of a “sea widow” and overwhelmed by all the changes and added responsibilities.

I was a hot mess! A messy blob of goo and ready to run wherever Jesus led. I needed His help and was desperate for His answers on how to survive another day. I read and reread my Bible. I prayed before reading; begging Holy Spirit to help me understand the message, and the heart of the One who inspired them.

As I read about all the things the LORD did for His people and how He responded to their choices, my understanding of His character grew. My relationship with the Jesus who saved me from my sin was developing into something much more personal and intense. He was heating things up and changing the look and feel of my everyday life. I was learning to seek and follow Jesus. Day by day and choice by choice He was showing me the way to live a life of joy and peace.

My life was being literally transformed by the renewing of my mind. I was slowly becoming a whole new me, but without losing any of the qualities that are uniquely me.

Wow! Who knew melting coconut oil to make granola would trigger such a sweet reminder of God’s grace? Now every time I pull coconut oil from the pantry, I’ll be reminded to embrace the heat of life as a place of softening. God’s place of teaching and equipping me. A place where He demonstrates His great love!

What about you? What has the LORD used to soften you? What was the blessing?

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Are You AWOL?

Last week’s post addressed the importance of location during times of battle. I continued pulling the thread of location and soon found myself returning time and time again to the word AWOL. I knew the term, but…

I did some research and discovered AWOL is an acronym for Away Without Leave. It’s a military term describing a soldier who is not where he is supposed to be.

Unfortunately, I know what it’s like to be AWOL as a Jesus-follower. I also know I don’t like the consequences of being AWOL.

When I’m AWOL, I’m isolated, vulnerable, and unreliable.

Isolation makes me vulnerable to the enemy, but it also prevents me from being a reliable friend.

Read what it says in Ecclesiastes about friends.

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

Now read what it says in Proverbs.

“A friend shows his friendship at all times —
    it is for adversity that [such] a brother is born.” Proverbs 17:17 (CJB)

Both of these Scriptures tell us a friend is close by, aware of what is happening in our lives, and available to help. In Hebrews, we’re told to “not forsake the gathering.” Why? Read a little further in Ecclesiastes and see what it says.

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

Those of us who are Jesus-followers are two (us and Holy Spirit). When you and I are together, we are three; Holy Spirit, you, and me! A cord of three strands.

How about you? What has God taught you about the dangers of isolating yourself from other Jesus-followers?

Something I found interesting: Someone who is AWOL is NOT a deserter.

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Location, Location, Location!

George and I have visited a lot of Battlefields during our forty-two plus years of marriage, and I can tell you the location of the battle and the positioning of those on the battlefield play a huge role in the outcome of the battle.

The same is true in spiritual battles. I need to be in the right place at the right time. How? It’s guaranteed if I’m walking by Holy Spirit.

Another important thing I’ve learned about location is it will not always be comfortable, but if Holy Spirit takes me there it is definitely beneficial.

Jesus was led by Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:12-13 & Luke 4:1-2).

Temptation does not come from God, but temptation is used by Him to expose our desires (James 1:14). Thankfully, God promises to always provide us with a way of escape (1st Corinthians 10:13).

Temptation is a place of spiritual battle; a crossroad of decision.

Will I do what is right according to God, me, or someone else? What I choose reveals the depth of my faith in that particular area of my life. Sometimes I learn from defeat and sometimes I learn through victory.

God doesn’t do this to crush me, but to show me where I’m still operating in my own strength and power instead of His. Wow! That’s a very gentle and guiding love, right?!

He’s leading me to a location of learning. A place that causes me to worship Him and celebrate His strength in me.

Or a place that causes me to recognize my need for Him. He presents me with a new perspective of what I previously thought was not a place of weakness (2nd Corinthians 12:9), so I can become strong in Him and stand firm when faced with similar temptations/battles.

Another important thing I’ve learned about location is what happens when I’m not where I’m supposed to be. King David did not go where kings go during times of battle and found himself in a place of temptation that led to adultery and murder (2 Samuel 1:1).

I find myself in the wrong place when my confidence is in myself (1st Corinthians 10:12). I’m giving myself God’s position of Lordship when I don’t follow His lead; basically, I’m saying I know better than He does!

I’ve not murdered anyone but I’ve most definitely found myself justifying my choices and surrendering to temptation in the heat of battle. What did I learn?

I want to be in the best place possible when it comes to battle time, so I’m going to continue to practice following Holy Spirit’s lead.

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

How about you? Share a time when you experienced the joy of being in the right location and how it led you to trust the LORD and stand firm in the face of our enemy.

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Battle Gear!

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth“ Ephesians 6:13-14a NLT

Three truths and promises I hold onto during times of battle:

1 – No Jesus-follower is going to get it right all the time, but I cannot use my flesh as an excuse to practice sin (Philippians 1:27 & 3:12-14). The Spirit of Almighty God lives in me (and every Jesus-follower); His power in me enables me to overcome my flesh and live faithfully (Galatians 5:16).

2 – Becoming a new creature in Christ is a process that takes time and perseverance. I must keep my eyes on Jesus or I will grow weary and give up (2nd Corinthians 5:17 & Hebrews 12:1-4).

3 – The enemy of Christ-followers is also called the Accuser, but God’s word says there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:1). He will finish what He has started in me (Philippians 1:6).

I want others to easily identify me as a Jesus-follower, so I must…

… intentionally and diligently walk by Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:25)

… let Holy Spirit manifest His fruit through me. (Galatians 5:22-23).

… believe God sees and rewards my faithfulness in doing what He says is good and right (Matthew 5:11-12 & 43-48, Romans 12:17-21 & 1st Peter 3:13-17).

… quickly acknowledge those times when I am disobedient to His word (1st John 1:9).

I’ve discovered the battlefield is a place of sifting; a place in life where the LORD reveals to me (and others) who my first love really is. I cannot overcome evil with good unless Jesus has first place in my life. Only then will I happily choose to obey His word even when it goes against how I feel, what I want, or what pleases others (Romans 12:21 & John 14:23-24).

How about you? Share some of the truths and promises of God’s word that help you resist the enemy and stand your ground.

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Neglect and Defeat!

The new year is here and everyone’s talking about reasons to choose healthy habits, so…

Here’s what I’ve learned about how taking care of myself physically impacts my ability to stand firm when the enemy attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18).

My self-control is weakened when I don’t get proper amounts of exercise, nourishment, and rest. Look at what the Bible says about the importance of self-control.

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)

Studies show exercise releases hormones that help with stress. I try to swim three days a week to control my glucose. I feel better when I exercise, and I definitely sleep better. Unfortunately, I find it is far too easy to let other people and things interrupt my swim time. Feel free to occasionally ask if I’m still swimming; it’ll keep me diligent if I think you’re going to ask.

Food is the body’s fuel. I truly believe God wants us to enjoy the foods we eat (why else would He give us taste buds), but I’ve learned not all foods are beneficial. I must eat the right foods, in the right amounts, if I want my body to function as God intended.

Lack of sleep leaves me irritable, easily frustrated, and stressed over things that don’t usually bother me. I finally set an alarm on my phone, so I will go to bed on time.

Sleep is only one part of rest. Rest also means including margin in my life. This is not an easy thing for me, and presses me to practice better time management.

Rest refreshes me physically, emotionally, and mentally. Better self-care helps me practice self-control.

Taking care of myself makes it easier for me to accomplish the things God created me to do (Ephesians 2:10), while not falling prey to my enemy (1st Peter 5:8).

How about you? Have you ever found yourself more vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes after neglecting your physical health? What are some of the practical ways you take care of your physical health?

Check out some of the benefits of rest here: https://www.eomega.org/article/4-surprising-benefits-of-rest

Check out some of the benefits of exercise here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-exercise

Check out some of the benefits of eating healthy foods here: https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/5-benefits-proper-nutrition-3664.html

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Happy New Year!

I recently read a familiar passage, but one sentence grabbed me by the heart like never before. It’s a simple sentence, but it’s still bouncing around in there and won’t let go.

“Christ’s love controls us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14a (NLT)

I want Christ’s love to control me. All the time. In every circumstance. In every relationship. Every thought. Every action. Every word!

So, my commitment for 2020 is to practice living under the control of Christ’s love.

I have no idea how this will look or what it will require, but I pray I will not resist the changes or challenges.

LORD, please help me surrender my control with bold confidence, a joyful heart, and a steadfast spirit.

How about you? What is it you want to practice in 2020?

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