Playing Follow the Leader

Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7

What kind of person do you idolize?  Someone who is brave, successful, popular?  Maybe an athlete, an entrepreneur, an actor or actress, a coach, teacher, or parent?  Who inspires you?  Would you be anxious to say to others, “Follow my example?”

In today’s reading, the Apostle Paul describes how grateful he was for a group of young Jesus followers in a town called Thessalonica.

Paul had first visited Thessalonica after being miraculously freed from prison in Philippi.  After spending only three weeks in Thessalonica, the power of the Holy Spirit through Paul’s message of the good news of Jesus was gathering momentum.  “Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.” (Acts 17:4)

The religious leaders of the town became jealous, so they ran Paul and Silas out of town.

Wouldn’t that be discouraging?  Yet, it did not squash the message of God’s saving grace from having its effect. Despite this opposition, the gathering of those who believed Paul’s message about Jesus GREW! 

Perhaps that is why Paul found it so urgent to write to this band of new believers. Not only to urge them to continue to follow his example of faith, love, and hope, but also that Paul himself was seeing God’s miraculous power in them!  And he was encouraged and grateful.

You see, these Thessalonians saw something different in Paul. They did not see someone who only spoke eloquent, convincing words, with conviction.  They also witnessed firsthand, how his Holy Spirit powered conviction displayed itself in his works of faith, his labor of love, and his patience of hope.    

Watching Paul’s example, they were inspired to “receive the word in much affliction.”  They did not just face their troubles with a resigned fatalism, they faced it with JOY! They emulated Paul's example. 

These new believers, though they still had much to learn, and were facing “much affliction,” but they were influencing others!  There were people who had learned of the good news in neighboring cities, Macedonia, and Achaia, who were discourage and disheartened.  But God used the story of the Thessalonian’s to inspire and encourage them. 

Who has been an example of great faith in your life?  How did their actions and attitudes put the heart of God on display through their works of faith, their labor of love, and their patience of hope?

How is God using you to inspire people to see what following Jesus looks like? Do your words and your actions align?  Does your life make people curious about the faith, love and hope that is within you?  

How can you depend more upon the POWER of the Holy Spirit to display work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ?

May 30 - Finding the Right Words

Read: Acts 9:32-43

What do you do when someone you encounter is experiencing tragedy?  I often find myself tongue tied, filled with feelings of inadequacy and helplessness.  Thoughts of, “What could I possibly say or do that could make a difference?”

In today’s story, the Apostle Peter encounters two such tragic situations. Peter had spent 3 years walking with Jesus, seeing Him comfort people, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. Now in these days after Jesus’ resurrection, Peter draws on his experiences with Jesus, and trusts the leading of the Holy Spirit in his heart to bring comfort, healing and the hope of life.

First, Peter encounters a man, Aeneas, who has been bedridden for 8 long years.  No one had been able to help him, and he suffered day after day, with no hope of things changing.

Peter says, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.”  

These words are an echo of very words he had heard Jesus speak to the paralytic that had been lowered down to Him through the roof, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” (Mark 2:11)

Next, Peter is told of a beloved woman named Tabitha who had become sick and died.  She was a blessing to everyone she knew, and her untimely death brought sorrow and grief to those her life had touched. They are all trying to make sense of if all, so they ask Peter to come.  I am sure they were hoping that he would provide words of comfort and hope.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, Peter again remembers what he had seen his Savior say and do.

Peter puts them all out of the room, and says to the dead woman, “Tabitha, get up.”

These are an echo of Jesus words when He is taken to home of a synagogue ruler whose daughter had died.  “(Jesus) took her by the hand and said to her, ‘Talitha koum!’ (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’)” (Mark 5:41)

You're holding their hands
You're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope
Darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus
Carry them to Him
His yoke is easy
His burden is light
You don't need the answers
To all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them
Stay by their side
And love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus         

Casting Crowns, “Love Them Like Jesus”

May 29 - Because He Believed

Acts 9: 20-31

Like it or not, our past follows us. Humans tend to judge others on what they’ve done before. The famous quote, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior” carries a lot of weight.

This doesn’t mean that people can’t change. The Bible tells of many less-than-savory characters making bad decisions, who later become outstanding champions of Christ. Character transformation speaks to God’s ability to work miracles.

The fact that Saul became Paul is one of the most miraculous transformations in the Bible. Who’d have thought the angry persecutor would become one of the greatest Jesus supporters?! Today’s reading says that even the disciples didn’t believe it could happen. But then Barnabas stepped in and vouched for Saul. Barnabas believed in the Paul that Saul would become. He was Saul’s champion. Often, we just need someone to believe in us – to believe that change is possible.

Do you have a Barnabas in your corner or maybe you’re a Barnabas for someone else?

When our church started exploring the characteristics of a disciple, I thought of Barnabas. The name Barnabas means “Son of consolation or comfort/encouragement” which sums up who he was to Saul and who he was in Christ. Barnabas knew of the transformative power that comes to those who believe. “As you follow him (Jesus), you will find it changes the way you picture yourself and the way you imagine the story of your life.  Your heart, your mind, your hands, and your spirit will transform to be more like God’s” (Portrait of a Disciple, p. 7).

Our God is the God of transformation. Anything is possible. And because of God’s faithfulness in the past, we can predict with absolute certainty His unending faithfulness in the future.

May 23 - Looking for Justice

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Over the several past months, we have all watched as our world has been ravaged by the effects of COVID-19. The spread of this disease has killed hundreds of thousands. The physical, emotional, and economical affects have taken a horrific toll. The question that begs to be answered is, “Who is responsible?”

There will doubtlessly be thorough investigations, mounds of evidence and billions if not trillions of dollars spent trying to find the answer to who should be held responsible for this tragedy.

Our nature wants this. We want to find justice when things go this wrong. We want to find someone to blame, someone to hold accountable.  We have lost so much; someone needs to pay!

Even in the most clear-cut cases with mounds of evidence, the most ethical of all courts, attorneys and judges, the lines of TRUE justice are still blurred. At the end of the day, we are all just human beings who do not know what REALLY happened. Even the wisest and most discerning among us cannot see into the past, much less the depths and motives and the human heart.

There is One Judge who can. He sees all and knows all. He sees all injustices, even those hidden far away in the depths of every human heart.  

1 Peter 2:23 says, Jesus “when He suffered, did not threaten, but continued to entrust Himself to Him who judges justly.”

We all want justice, until that justice is called upon to investigate the depths of our souls. Until we realize the One Who sees all and knows all will be called upon to bring His righteous condemnation down upon us to make us pay! He is the One sees every misdeed, every selfish evil intent, every skeleton in our closet and there will be no hiding.

The end of today’s reading (vs. 11) gives us hope.

The hope of being cleansed – washed clean, purified, unblemished and spotless.

The hope of being sanctified – Only those things that are pure can be set apart, consecrated, and dedicated to God. Jesus perfect life was given in our place, as full payment, as an act making complete and full amends and reparations for our guilt. By Jesus blood we purified from the inside out, imbued with His Holy Spirit making us fit to be used by God for His purposes.

The hope of being justified – When we are one day brought into the Divine Courtroom and laid bare before the Almighty, when we rely upon Jesus who paid our ransom, we are declared NOT GUILTY and acquitted of all charges. We have pronounced righteous, “just as if I never sinned.”

How does this speak to you about allowing God’s divine power to bring about justice in our world?

How will you respond to the hope of being cleansed, sanctified and justified? 

May 16 - Aspiration Redefined

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

What are you passionate about? What sets your heart aflame?  What desires drive you?  

People who are passionate about something find themselves consumed, even obsessed, with the object of their desire or ambition.  They think about it every waking moment and may even lose sleep over it.  They spend much of their mental, physical, and material resources pursuing what they want. 

Most of our ambitions, if we are honest, are focused on finding ways to please ourselves.  How can I get the most pleasure, the most fun, the most enjoyment or fulfillment out of my life?  

Money, sex, influence, notoriety, comfort.

Our aspirations drive our actions.

To aspire means to long, aim, or seek ambitiously; be eagerly desirous, especially for something great or of high value. We chase after all the things that promise us satisfaction for our thirsty souls, but we soon discover they are only a mirage.

In this dry and weary desert of this life, there is a true oasis, the one that will bring lasting fulfillment and joy beyond imagination. 

Turning our aspiration to one thing; pleasing God.  Why would we do that?  It seems counter intuitive.  How can we gain pleasure by adhering to what someone else wants us to do and be?

Because God created us.  He knows better than we what we are designed for.  And though we have lost our way in the desert, He created an oasis for us.  He treasurers us so much that He gave up His life for us.  He suffered a cruel and brutal death to pay the ransom to redeem you and me back to that life for which we were created, life with Him.

When our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude for God’s faithfulness, it will redefined our aspiration to one of pleasing Him.  How we walk that out in our day to day life will look quite different than a life fill with worldly passions and ambitions.

Today’s reading invites us to aspire to:

• Live quietly.  Not in constant busyness, striving and seeking after the mirages of life that will never satisfy the longing of our hearts.
•   Mind our own affairs. Be laser focused, first and foremost on pleasing God, not allowing ourselves to be distracted by our need to compare ourselves or compete with others.  
• Work with our hands – Find fulfillment in whatever tasks God puts in front of us to do.  Seek to diligently pursue pleasing Him, and not to be afraid to get our hands dirty and reach out to serve. Whatever we do, do it all to the glory of God. 

Lord, make my life’s aspiration to be one of pleasing You.  I want to do what You have called me to do.  You created me and bought me back!  May my life now be redefined and fueled with a passion to live for You.

May 15 - Keeping the Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

“You long to see us, just as we also long to see you.”

No truer words have been written (and these are from thousands of years ago!)  Just like Paul and the Thessalonians were missing each other, so too are we missing our church family.

It’s been nine long weeks since I stepped foot in my church and I’m really missing it. I applaud the hard work everyone is doing to keep us connected. Emails and videos from church leaders are like Paul’s letters – checking in to make sure everyone is okay and providing instruction when they can’t be there face-to-face. And like the Thessalonians, we are being called to keep the faith.

Pastors are telling us – be encouraged, you are doing good and one day soon we will be together again. I imagine today’s leaders feel a lot like Paul felt - happy to hear good news about their congregation, but wishing they were there to witness acts of faith in person. Technology may allow pastors to “see” their church, but I’m sure they’d rather be gathered in the sanctuary than gathered around a screen.

Paul’s prayer for his people can also serve as our prayer, “Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (v. 11-12).

Times change, but the love of God is constant and just as He sent Paul, Timothy, and Silas to the Thessalonians, he gives us strong leaders to walk us through these difficult times. And together, we will keep the faith.

May 8 - Lesson Learned

Phillippians 4:10-13

What does it mean to “learn” something?  Does learning just happen?  Is it instantaneous?  Or does it take time and effort?

Reading today’s passage, I kept coming back to the word, learned. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (v. 11). “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (v. 12).

Learning implies that you don’t already know something. By definition, it means to gain or acquire knowledge. Paul had to learn how to be content. I definitely wouldn’t consider his former self (Saul) to be content. It’s something he had to study and experience and there is no doubt his relationship with God was at the core of his new understanding.

Paul found himself in some difficult situations and through these trials he learned how to be content by relying on God. We are all called to learn many lessons during our time here on earth. Some lessons come easier than others, but we never just “know” something. It takes at least some amount of time, effort and study in order to learn.

So, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not content during these unprecedented times. You are not expected to just know contentment.  It’s going to take time to study, experience and learn what it means for you. And contentment may look different at different times, but I hope you keep verse 13 in mind, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

My prayer for you (and me) is that one day we’ll be able to say like Paul, with conviction, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Being Freed from the Shackles of “What is in it for me?”

Read: Acts 16:16-40

We have all been taught that if something seems too good to be true, it is. Why is that?  Our experience tells us that if someone is offering us something, there are always strings attached.  If we hear about a FREE offer, we immediately ask, “What’s the catch?” Or “What is their hidden agenda?”

We see it in our own actions and attitudes too, right?  The social law of reciprocity, if I scratch your back, you will scratch mine.  I will be nice to you, so you will buy from me, or so I can further my agenda. 

It feels like such a lonely desert of emptiness, doesn’t it?

I see this playing out in today’s story.  As Paul is on his way to pray in the book of Acts, he is confronted with a fortune teller who says, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”  He gets annoyed with this after it happens for several days and he commands the evil Spirit to come out of her. 

The woman is healed!  Yet instead seeing her healing as a joy, her owners were angry that their lucrative “meal ticket” has been taken away from them.  Do you ever see this attitude in yourself?  When someone else at work gets well deserved accolades, or you see someone else enjoying a special vacation, a relationship. Is there a sting in your heart?

Paul and Silas are imprisoned for healing this woman.  They pray and sing praises as they are confined and shackled.  At midnight, a mighty earthquake breaks open the prison cells and loosens the chains.  God had rescued Paul and Silas!  Certainly, God provided this miracle to set them free, right?

When the jailer awakes, he tries to end his life.  He knew the punishment for allowing his prisoners to escape. He would be subjected to the punishment that each of them deserved. 

But at that moment, Paul cries out, “Do not harm yourself! We are all still here!”  Why do you suppose Paul and Silas stayed?  Why did they not escape while they had the chance?  After all, God had provided this miracle, they should take this gift while they have the chance!!

In stark contrast to the emptiness of self-serving agendas, Paul knew the consequences that would fall on this jailer if they escaped.  Having soaked himself in prayer and praise all night in chains, he followed the lead of the One who had once shown mercy on him. Paul had been unshackled by the Grace of Jesus, to live a different kind of life.

Lord, as I look at my own life, I often see my actions are often prompted by “what’s in it for me” agendas.  Your secret ambition was to give Yourself up for me when I did not deserve it.  Help me to bath myself in prayer and praises of gratitude so that I too may give up my life, to live differently, seeking to show unselfish love with no hidden agenda, as You have loved me. 

April 25 - What Should We Do?

Read: Acts 2:37-47

We are in such a unique, unprecedented time right now in our country and in our world. Many are asking, what we should do next? We have been quarantined now for many weeks. If we do not start taking steps forward, our economy will collapse. But once we stop the social distancing and the “shelter in place” orders, we fear of more outbreaks of COVID 19. What are the right answers? What should we do?

Today’s reading was also an unprecedented time in history. A man, who claimed to be the Son of God, came into the world, spoke powerfully, and did many miraculous things. He upset the status quo. He showed a different way. He gave hope to those who had no hope. Yet, he was cruelly mocked, beaten, and brutally executed. The world around was still reeling from all the events that had taken place.

Acts 2:23 says, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, YOU crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”

But verse 24 says, “God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.”

Our reading today says, “When they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said . . . ‘What shall we do?’”

The answer? Turn your hearts back to the One who gave His life for YOU! Receive what He has to offer! Forgiveness, a change of heart, the power of the Holy Spirit to live a new life. This is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.

What do we do now? I believe that this time is in our lives is a call to action.

Now more than ever, we are invited to rethink the things we thought were so important.

He is inviting us to ask ourselves, “How will I open my heart to the One who gave His life for me, the one whom death could not hold? And because I am cut to the heart, how do I want to live my life differently for the rest of my days and share this gift of new life?"

Lord, I realize that I do not have the answers. I am completely lost and do not know what to do. Thank You for being the One who conquered death! Thank You for inviting me to new life in You! May I use all my days seeking ways to bring this gift of new life to others! 

April 17 - Congrats, Now Go!

Matthew 28:16-20

Maybe it’s because we’re about to enter graduation season (whatever that may look like this year), but when I read the Great Commission this time, I thought of students donning caps and gowns and preparing for the next chapter of their lives.  For years they’ve been learning best practices from teachers and professors.  Some may have served as interns or apprentices and now they’re given a chance to put what they’ve learned into action - on their own.

The Great Commission is like Jesus’ commencement speech.  He’s telling the disciples that they’ve been given the tools they need to be successful in the world, it’s now time to “Go” and do what they’ve been taught to do.  But he assures them they will not be alone.  He’ll always be with them.

Stepping into a new way of life after graduation can be scary.  Those who were students, become the teachers.  It’s their turn to pass on their knowledge to others.  That was the point of Jesus coming to earth, wasn’t it?  He wasn’t meant to only touch the lives of a few, but through his instruction and example, he mentored 12+ who would go out and continue his mission - creating a chain of reaction that would last for centuries.

Jesus, thank you for the instruction you provided and thank you to all those who shared your lessons.  Each day we are called to pass on what we’ve learned from you.  May we always remember the importance of our mission and rest in the comfort of knowing that when life gets scary, you’ll always be with us.  Amen

April 11 - Holy Saturday - Abandon and Forsaken

Read: Mark.15.21-38

Has there been a time in your life when you have felt left behind, cast off, totally abandon, forgotten, rejected, forsaken?  Maybe you are feeling that way right now as we go through this pandemic and social distancing. Many who are dying, are utterly alone. 

As you think about a time like that in your life, what did it feel like?  What things were racing through your mind? 

I remember a time when I was a little girl, shopping with my Mother.  I was playing around, hiding in the clothing racks, enjoying a little game of hide-and-seek.  My Mom was not amused.  She kept scolding me to stay close, saying that she wanted to know where I was, so I didn’t get lost.  (Honestly, I kind of enjoyed having her look for me.)  The game went awry when I came out from behind a rack of dresses and she was no where to be seen.  Fear and panic rushed over me.  In those next few seconds, my mind was racing!! "What if I really am lost?  What if she got so annoyed with me that she just decided to leave me behind?  What if I am left alone forever?"

Did you hear how those thoughts progressed?  First the fear of being lost, which is terrifying enough.  But then creeps in the feelings of guilt and shame that say, “See what you have done? Now you are getting what you deserve!” 

Good Friday, the day we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, is depicted in today’s reading.  The details of His crucifixion and suffering are spelled out in great detail. The verses that follow tell us very little about what his followers did the next day, Holy Saturday. 

I am sure that while they grieved the loss of their Master, they were reflecting on all the things that had happened.  Their minds must have been racing through all the details of things Jesus and done and said to them during their time together. Now, they felt hopelessly lost, abandon, forgotten, rejected and forsaken.

That is why I find these words of Jesus from the cross so powerfully poignant. Perhaps this one phrase from the previous day’s events stuck out in their minds. 

“About three o’clock, Jesus shouted with a mighty voice . . . ‘My God, My God, why have you turned your back on me?’”

God’s own Son, who had lived a perfect life, their long-awaited Savior, cries out in the deepest anguish of soul known to humankind, feeling rejected and abandon by God. 

Did He deserve it? Did He get what was coming to Him?  No!  But He exchanged places with US.  He took was we deserved.  He nailed all our failures, sin and shame to the cross that day and paid for them with His life.  In return, He has offers to us the peace that comes from knowing we have been loved with an eternal, everlasting love that can NEVER be taken away.

We need never fear being abandoned again!

April 10 - In the Silence

Matthew 27:11-26

“But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge - to the great amazement of the governor” (v. 14).  Why didn’t Jesus say anything?  Why didn’t he protest?  Because the outcome was already decided, and he knew it.  Fighting the charges would have been counterproductive.  He knew what must be done and his silence spoke volumes.

Jesus’ lack of objection frustrated Pilate, especially when his wife told him “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man” (v. 19).  Pilate couldn’t understand why Jesus wouldn’t speak up and defend himself.  As the uproar began and the crowd shouted louder and louder “Crucify Him!” Pilate realized things were out of his control and he washed his hands saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood” (v. 24).

Up until this point, Pilate thought he was the one in control, but Jesus knew the truth – God was in control the whole time.  The outcome wasn’t determined by Pilate or the chief priests and elders or even the condemning crowd.  They had a part to play, but God was always in charge.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today’s reading talks about washing hands.  It’s something we hear every day.  We’re told we MUST wash our hands in order to stop the spread of the virus.  Though Pilate didn’t realize it at the time, washing his hands is what saved us.  It was an integral part of God’s story.  If Pilate would have released Jesus, sin would have reigned.

So, let us remember that God is in control.  We may not realize or understand it now, but we all have a part to play.  Listen for your cue.

March 28 - Content with Mud Pies

Mark 4:30-33

My grandson just turned 5.  I love getting to watch him grow and learn. It is so fascinating to me to watch a child discover something for the very first time. 

I have noticed as a mom and a grandma that very young children are especially curious about small objects.  What would happen if a young child found a tiny mustard seed laying on the ground?  Picture in your mind what they would do with it. Can you see them holding it in their hand, squeezing it between their fingers, and turning it this way and that way, hold it up to the light?  Can you see their curious minds studying this tiny little seed with blazing intensity?

What do you think they are thinking?   

Yet they have never seen a seed grow before.  They have had no experience yet with putting a tiny seed into the ground.  They could never in their wildest imagination know that out of this tiny little insignificant object, something HUGE can grow.  Something bigger than them!!

Aren’t we like that child?  We in our humanness cannot ever hope to fully grasp the grand, magnificent ways of God.  Our minds are too limited, too small.  We get glimpses, yet God’s ways and His Kingdom is far beyond what we can ever think or imagine.

I love this quote by C.S. Lewis.   

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.  We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us.  

Like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. 

We are far too easily pleased.”  C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory.

Lord, thank You for how far above our imagination You are!  Thank You that Your Kingdom and Your reign is far more expansive that I could ever comprehend.  Help me to trust that even the tiny, seemingly insignificant things that You have called me to do today are a part of Your grand plan for Your Kingdom.    

March 21 - What's in Your Closet?

John 13:34-35

While talking to my daughter on the phone the other day, we talked about how she is navigating through some alignment changes and role transitions in her work setting.  She decided to find some ways to look at her challenges ahead in some new ways.

So, she went through her closet, sorted through her clothes, weeded out some “old” outfits, and off she went to her local clothing consignment shop. 

As she traded in some of her old things, she made room in her budget and in her closet for some “new” things.  Even though they were someone else’s old things, she was putting them into use in her life, in a new way.  In a very real way, she was taking off the old and putting on the new!

Jesus says in today’s reading that He is giving a new commandment.  What was that NEW commandment?  Love one another! 

Something in me wants to say, “But Jesus, that isn’t anything new!!”

So how is Jesus’ challenging us to take a different perspective of what seems old and bring new life to His words, "Love one another?"

John 13:1 says, “Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

John 13:3-4 say, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.  He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist” 

Jesus LOVED in a new way!  He took off the old garments of being self-serving or needing to prove Himself and put on NEW garments of love expressing itself in humble, sacrificial service. 

He humbly washed their feet although He knew how each of them was going to betray Him.  He knew He must go to the cross for them, even these who were weak, self-centered, and capable of the most heinous betrayal. He knew that His love for them would harden the hearts of some and renew the hearts of others.  Either way, He chose to love them to the end!

We love, but often with a conditional caveat.  “I will love you IF . . .” 

We love, but often with a guarded heart, shrinking back in fear.  We hold back on completely opening our hearts for fear of being hurt.  “I will love you WHEN . . .”

We love, but often with the weight of our self-protecting armor, putting up an impenetrable shield around our vulnerable hearts.  “I will love EXCEPT . . .”

How can I take off the old garments of self-centered “conditional,” “guarded” or “armored” love and boldly love as Jesus did?

How is God inviting me to weed out my "old" garments of love to make room for His "new" re-aligned garments of love?  How is God calling me to LEAN IN to His lavish, unselfish love for me and trust that I too can love as He did? 

Lord, help me to clothe myself in Your endless, sacrificial love for me!  Remove from me the shame of my past, how I have often been self-serving.  Show me how You want to reflect the light of Your amazing love through me today!

March 20 - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

1 John 4:7-21

In this time of uncertainty, there is one thing that remains constant – God’s love.  Thank you, 1 John 4 for summing up my faith:

• God is love.
• God loves us.
• God sent his Son to atone for our sins.
• If we acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God, then God lives in us.
• We rely on the love God has for us.
• When God lives in us, we have no room for fear or hate, which allows us to…
• Love one another.

This is what it’s all about.

The past few days have been rough for everyone.  We are all trying to make extreme adjustments amid chaos.  I am so thankful I worship a God who calms my fears and reminds me daily that he will not abandon me!  As Pastor Steve says, I am a child of God living in the unshakable kingdom of God.  While I may feel shaken, I know that:

• God is love.
• God loves me.
• God sent his son to atone for my sins.
• Because I acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in me.
• I rely on the love of God.
• God drives out my fear.
• I am called to love one another.

Father, help me love others as you love me.  The next few weeks will be challenging.  Humans sin, but you call us to love and be loved.  I am your child and because of that I want to be an example of your love in the world.  Amen

March 7 - Generosity = Compounding Joy

Philippians 4:14-20

If you haven’t ever read the entire book of Philippians, you are missing out!  It is one of my favorite books of the Bible, often called the book of Joy.

It is interesting that the author, Paul, spends so much time in this book talking about joy given the circumstances.  He is writing this letter to his friends, those he has mentored and brought up on the faith in the area of Philippi.  But Paul was writing to them while he was in prison for boldly preaching his faith.

In today’s reading from Philippians, Paul is expressing gratitude for the generous gifts he has received from the Philippians, which involves not only their financial support, but also their deep personal concern for his well being as well.

Paul says, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”   Or in other words, “I seek the profit that accrues to your account.”  As grateful as Paul is for all the love and support these friends have bestowed upon him, he humbly reminds them of this great truth! 

When you invest in the lives of other people for the purpose of the Kingdom of God, the compound effect in your life will be exponential.  Giving in an attitude of heartfelt generosity does not lead to the depletion of assets, it leads to compounding joy!

When we are afraid to give of our resources, we clutch tightly to the things we think will give us satisfaction, comfort, and joy.  We see the gifts of our time, money, our hearts and our very lives as limited, something we must grasp hold of tightly lest it slip out of our hands and be lost forever. We live in the fear of scarcity. 

Paul reminds us, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 

Have you ever considered how rich God is?  What does His storehouse of riches look like?  The one who created all things, who rules overall, is all powerful, and all knowing.  He lives high about the Milky Way, and as close as in our hearts. 

We can NEVER deplete His abundant riches.  And His lavish love, the love that spared NO EXPENSE, but gave up His Only Son’s life for us, can be trusted. 

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:23

We can never out give the greatest giver of all.  

Thank You Lord God for Your indescribable gift!  Teach me to live my life with an open hand, trusing in Your abundant supply for me.  May I joyfully and generously spend my life in loving and serving those whom You love and died for, just like You did for me.