Category: Jesus

Jesus

Jesus

Things God Gives

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In this post I talked about Where Do Good Gifts Come From. The short answer to which is God – God is the giver of all good gifts. Understanding this, I’d like to begin a series of posts on “Things God Gives”.

Actually the word “things” isn’t a great fit for this post, but it will have to do, as I don’t have a better way to describe it.

Things God Gives – His son

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Now you can see why I hesitate with the word “things.” Certainly the Holy Spirit is beyond a “thing.” So please understand I mean no disrespect here. I absolutely think it is biblical to see that God gave his son, out of his love for us. Beyond his son, God also tells us in scripture that the gave the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter.

Things God Gives – Holy Spirit / Helper / Comforter

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.”

The Holy Spirit is a gift that we can receive. Have you thought about that? What kinds of things would be different if you realized that one of the gifts that God offers is the Holy Spirit?

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever.” John 14:16

The Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as the Helper or the Comforter. We can call out, in prayer, for help and/or for comfort, but we can also ask for the gift of the Helper or the Comforter. Do you see the difference? This is something I am reminding myself of throughout my day. Realizing that in the scripture above, we see that this was a prayer (request) that Jesus made to the Father (God), it helps me to understand my need for the Helper.

In future posts I am going to explore more of the good gifts that God gives, but for now, I just want to encourage you to continue to pray that God will show you what a good giver of gifts He is and begin to open you up to receive from Him.

If you have any prayer requests, please feel free to comment, I’d love to pray for you.

Jesus

Where Do Good Gifts Come From?

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Have you ever thought about where good gifts come from? Perhaps at Christmas time, or your birthday? Perhaps you have a loved one who is celebrating a milestone and really like to find just the “thing” that will communicate your sentiments for this person.

Is Amazon the right place to start your search, or should you go to a local small business where the service and personal touch will be higher?

Actually you might be surprised, but scripture tells us the answer to this question.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

God is the giver of good gifts.

I am blessed to be a wife and a mother. These two roles have helped me to see what it is to give gifts out of love. God knows that even in our fallen state, we, parents, often have a desire to give good gifts.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

As I reflect on my walk with the Lord, I see that far too often I have tried to earn things, rather than accepting them as gifts. Over the coming weeks, I’d like to look further at God as the giver of good gifts. I’d like to do this for a few reasons.

  1. God has written much about His desire to give good gifts and I think sometimes in our ignorance we fail to ask for, or receive the gifts He is offering.
  2. I have come to see that many of the “things” he desires to give us, we have mistakenly tried to earn.
  3. I believe as we discover more of what He wants to give us as a gift, we will discover both more about Him and more about ourselves.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

“Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”” Ephesians 4:8

I pray that these writings will lead us to a greater experience of what God has for us.

Jesus, Yourself

Preparation

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Preparation

“The Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might perform them in the land where you are going over to possess it.”  Deuteronomy 4:14 

I read this verse in a devotional this morning and it really struck me – that this is showing me that God prepares us for where we are going. 

Backing up in this chapter, in order to read the context, I see it starts with the exact same them of preparation right in verse 1.

“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 4:1

It goes on to tell them not to add or take away from what is commanded.  That may seem obvious, but is it.  I too often find myself adding to what God shows me – you know if he asks me to walk a mile, I can think well it’s a lovely day, maybe he really wants me to walk two.  Sadly, I also can rationalize doing less than he commands at times as well.  Like, I know you wanted me to go speak to that person, but they look busy. 

Verse 5 once gain seems to be saying what verse 1 and 14 said, relating the statues and judgments as preparation. 

“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it.”  Deuteronomy 4:5

Verse 6 is so cool.  It basically says do what you are told.  And in doing so you will demonstrate something aka be a witness. 

“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” Deuteronomy 4:6

Wow I love this chapter.  Verse 9 encourages us to not forget and to share with generations. 

“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”  Deuteronomy 4:9

Beginning in verse 15 this chapter then shifts and begins to focus on a temptation that will be there for them because of how they received the Word of God.  You see they received it by hearing a voice, but not by seeing anything or anyone of form. 

“So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, so that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female.”  Deuteronomy 4:15-16

This really resonated with me as well.  Not necessarily forming traditional visible idols, but idols, nonetheless.  Our God is invisible, oh His works are very much visible (see Romans 1:19-20).  But because He is invisible the temptation can be there to look for and/or create substitutes that we are sometimes more comfortable with.  So this same caution can apply to us today. 

May we focus on hearing and doing the instructions from our Lord, that we may be the witnesses He has called us to be, and that we will be prepared to possess the land He desires to give us. 

Jesus, Mind

Kingdom of God

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Is Technology Disrupting Brain Development? | by Jump Associates | Medium

Yesterday I heard two messages that both mentioned the kingdom of God and I feel like God linked them together in a way that I had not considered before. 

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Matthew 3:2   

The word “repent” in this case comes from 2 Greek words meta, which means change, noeo’, which means mind.  So, repent really means change one’s mind. 

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17

Combining these verses – it can be understood as Jesus encouraging us to change our minds, because righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is at hand. 

With that as background, I’d like to expand on the role of the mind and the kingdom of God. 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12:2

“Transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  That phrase itself points out how we can be transformed – changed from the inside out.  The verse goes on to say what is possible when our minds are renewed, “that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  I want to live in such a way that I can prove the will of God.  I think of this as meaning that I am able to demonstrate to others (and myself) the will of God.  In other words, live out this life the way God wants.  Please understand, this is not about salvation or how you get to heaven – that is about faith in the finished work of Jesus and making him Lord of your life.  This is about how we live our life. 

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’ And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  Romans 10:9-10

Often the “kingdom of God” can feel theoretical. 

Back to changing our mind and the kingdom of God.  Often the “kingdom of God” can feel theoretical.  That is why I love the Romans 14:7 verse so much because it brings it down to somethings that we can all relate to.  In the message that I listen to yesterday, the speaker pointed out that sometimes we tend to focus more on the righteousness portion of the kingdom of God, but if we are not living in peace and joy and demonstrating these in our life, we are portraying an incomplete message of what the kingdom of God is. 

The peace and joy portion of what makes up the kingdom of God reminds me of the post I recently put up about Romans 15:13.  In that post I personalized the verse as “Now may the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, that I may about in hope by the power of the holy spirit.” Joy and peace are not things to muster up by some sort of forced will power, they are listed among the fruit of the spirit. This means like apples are fruit of an apple tree, joy and peace (among other things) are the fruit of the spirit.

Jesus, Spirit, Yourself

Hope, Peace, Joy

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God has brought this verse, Romans 15:13 in several ways over the last couple of months. The non-personalized version reads,

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

At times God prompts me to personalize verses. Too often when I read “you” it is processed by me as “you” as in everyone else. But when I read it with “I” or “me” it helps me to realize in a deeper way how the verse applies to me! If this is helpful to you, I encourage you to adopt this as well.

Now – timing matters

I love so much that this verse begins with “Now.” Faith is always in the now. In the verse that provide what faith is, also begins with “Now”, “Now faith is…” and in the Romans 15:13 verse the timing is now (perpetually) for us to have hope, peace and joy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Fill – the opposite of empty

I know many are feeling empty right now. This scripture prayer asks God to fill us with all joy and peace in believing.

Abound

What a wonderful word to precede “hope” with. “Abound in hope.”

How?

The ending of this verse let’s us know how it will be done, “by the Holy Spirit.” This not about a pep talk or self-will. It is a work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, Mind, Spirit, Yourself

God Affirmations

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This morning I did a search on Biblical Affirmations. Let’s face it, we all have times where we are struggling more than others. I have found that stating and re-stating truths is one of my greatest weapons on those rough days.

I found this resource – it is a little over an hour. It is this really cool combination of “I AM” statements followed by reading of scriptures that support those affirmations. Apparently this ministry has many such videos – consider checking them out. I pray that this resource will help you in a time you might be struggling or just bless you in a time when you are at rest.

Jesus, Mental Health, Spirit, Yourself

Being Seen

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I listened to a podcast called Things Above, which is based on Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth.” In this episode, the host, James Bryan Smith, talks to Michael John Cusick. He is a Christian Counselor who runs a ministry that does intensive counselling in Colorado. His ministry is called Restoring the Soul. I want to share some of my notes from this podcast in the hopes that it will be helpful for others.

The scripture he began speaking about was Proverbs 20:5 “The purposes of ones heart are deep waters, but a person of understanding draws them out.”

He related this to all the ways we mishandle our pain. Wow, did that resonate with me! In other words, often we can deceive even our own selves about why we are doing the things we are doing.

He shared about 5 “W’s” – Wickedness, Weakness, Woundedness, Warfare, and Wiring. Many people focus on the first W – through sin-management. Addressing the other 4 Ws often take care of the sin, without making it the focus.

Shame breads disconnection.

He shares that our deepest calling is to live in place where our soul is Seen, Soothed, Safe, and Secure. Our brain and nervous system is designed to be interpersonal. He goes on to explain how our “fig leaves” (referring to how Adam/Eve tried to hide their sin) do not cover as much as we think. He describes how when God sees us at our worst, He greets us with “well, of course.” Simply because we are so well known.

He talks about these needs for being seen, soothed, safe and secure are needs our entire life. When we don’t get these met, we tend to either try to play big or play small. When we don’t sense that anyone is coming for us, we find substitutes. He encourages us to take time to receive the gaze of God in our life to heal areas where we have not felt seen, soothed, safe or secure. Wow, again. How often have I tried not to “need” anything. Or respond with things like “I’m fine.” When I refuse to receive, I am refusing to be seen and soothed.

So this week I want to encourage you to allow yourself to be seen, soothed, safe and secure by receiving was is needed from God.

Jesus, Yourself

How God Leads

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The Way God Leads“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”  Psalm 32:8

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I really struggle with knowing what I should do.  I can be guilty of analysis paralysis. 

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

Let’s get practical with how to apply this verse.  As we go about our days, we need to make a routine of pausing to acknowledge God. Dallas Willard suggests beginning each day with this phrase, “God is here.”  I find that simple phrase so powerful.   

I’ll be the first to admit, at times, I have felt lost; felt like my prayers asking God for direction went unanswered. As a matter of fact, right this moment, one area of my life comes to mind that I have been seeking God for direction in for quite some time and I’m still not clear on what my next right step is. So I am coming to you as by far not an expert. However, I know God’s Word is true and I love knowing and reminding myself of His promises along these lines.

Here are more verses where He promises to lead us.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17

Isn’t that verse such a reassurance! I know for me, even with the current situation in mind, I can look back on my life and acknowledge that God has been leading in ways that I didn’t necessarily notice at the time. There were times when I noticed I was at a crossroads and needed to make a decision, but there have been many other times when I didn’t even know the choice I was about to make was going to be significant in my journey. That’s why it is so wonderful to know that my Redeemer is the very one who is leading me. On the other hand, there have been times when I have known of my need for wisdom and I have called out to God asking for insight.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [a]without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Another way I have known God to provide me with insight is directly through His word.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

This next verse is one that I have clung to since my teenage years, which is when I first learned of it, I believe. Did you realize one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into all Truth. Sometimes I pray, Lord, guide me into what is true here.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

Sometimes His leading is something we consciously pray for, and that is good. However, other times it starts with us simply committing what we are doing to Him. Have you stopped to consider that? We really all serving someone each day. That someone can be the Lord, it can be ourselves, it can be others, as in people-pleasing, or it can be a number of other things. I encourage you to begin your day by simply saying, God, I commit this day (this work, this trip, etc) to you.

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:5

Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

There are things we do not know. It may seem obvious, but it is just a fact of life. However, we do have access to an all-knowing God. Jeremiah has a wonderful exhortation for us to call out to God and He will answer. He’s going to show us things we do not know. That has to be one of the things I’ve actually struggled with at times. Simply the fact that He shows me something I did not expect or that was not on my radar screen so to speak. This should not surprise me, but somehow sometimes it still does. So may I encourage you when you see something that is unexpected, don’t always quickly dismiss it. Take it before the Lord, and ask Him if it is something He is showing.

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3

The last scripture I’m going to share is also such a reassuring one for me and it speaks to relationship. After all, if we are looking for guidance, don’t we want to be reassured that we are known by the one doing the guiding!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28

Jesus, Yourself

The Gift of Rest

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How many times have we read some verses and not really known what they are saying. This verse is like that for me:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … “. Matthew 11:28a

Did you see it? Rest in this verse is a gift. A gift that Jesus longs to give us. I don’t know about you but rest for me can sometimes feel like something that is illusive. Sometimes, I get myself so tired that I literally think I’m going to collapse from exhaustion, only to find that I “cannot” fall asleep. Aren’t these times just so frustrating? I describe this as a battle between my mind and my body. My mind is on overdrive, but my body is spent.

At times if these nights go on too long, or I have too many in a row, I can find that I literally start seeking rest or sleep or both. This is where this verse is so applicable. Rather than seeking the rest or the sleep, the invitation here is to seek Jesus and the rest will be given.

Ok, so that all sounds good in theory but because Jesus is invisible and we are so tired, sometimes I find that I just need someone to boil it down to what does that look like practically speaking. So here is what I am learning about “coming to Jesus” – it is not as difficult as I make it. I am learning a really practical way I can turn to Him (since He never left) is to simple stop (pause) and take a deep breath. In that breath I say His name (Jesus) and in the exhale I say “You are here.” I say these words silently. I usually say them multiple times as I breath slowly. I actually just learned recently, there is a term for this practice I’ve been doing. Some call these types of prayers, breath prayers. Who knew? Well apparently many people. But if you, like me, had not, I’m sharing with you. I’ve found these types of simple acknowledging prayers help me to return to the reality that Jesus is here and that I am safe with Him. And I receive rest.

I pray you will as well!