Thursday Devotional - Courage to do Nothing?

Jesus timely encouraged Paul in prison, giving him assurance he would go to Rome to testify. Jesus is trustworthy and Paul didn’t have anything to worry about, but did that mean he sat back and did nothing?  

Paul was in prison, so there wasn’t much he could do besides pray. Although he was already in prison, the Jews’ continued plots to kill him. God had Paul’s nephew find out about the plots, though, and he told Paul.

Paul could have told his nephew “Just trust God. Don’t worry about it!” since Jesus told Paul he would testify in Rome. However, Paul wisely (and prayerfully, I’m sure) did what he could do by sending his nephew to the commander.

Acts 23:17-22 ¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” ¹⁸ So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

 ¹⁹ The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

²⁰ He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. ²¹ Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

²² The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul had active faith. He also had the Holy Spirit and godly wisdom.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, we can fully trust God as Sovereign and in control of everything. That doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing. We are to have active faith. We can pray for wisdom to listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction on how to use the information available in a way that glorifies God and accomplishes His will. How will you and I do that today?  

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Courage in Uncertainty

My family and I are studying Joshua through Solomon (People of the Promised Land, Part I) in Bible Study Fellowship this year (last year was Romans). No matter what we are studying, it always applies to our particular situation!

Over the last couple of weeks we have and continue to face several health challenges. One big one is my Dad’s heart. He is having heart surgery again today because of a possible complication from his heart surgery earlier this summer. When fear surfaces, we keep clinging to several of the following verses in Joshua 1.

Joshua 1:1-9            After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9 

God prepared Joshua for the task He had given to him. None of these commands or promises were new (see Genesis 13, Deuteronomy 11 and 31). Joshua had heard them before. However, for Joshua’s benefit, God reiterated His plan, His promise, His presence and His principles.

When I start worrying about our family health challenges, these verses remind me that God will never leave us, we aren’t to be afraid or discouraged, and we are to trust in Him. He will enable us to accomplish what He has planned for us to do as we continue to study and meditate on His Word.

Where are you facing uncertainty? How do these verses challenge and encourage you?

We can have courage in God, despite uncertainty!

Alice

Just Walk

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”  Matthew 14:28-31

When I am tired, where will I find strength?  When I am afraid, where will I find courage?  When I am lost, where will I go?  These are the questions of a person in crisis.  You know this because the questions are not complicated but very important.  They are questions of desperation.  They are the sounds of a person who has looked every which way possible without finding an answer.  All of us have been there before.

It was Freshman year of high school.  My mother and me were living in an apartment, and she had fallen sick during the semester.  Yes, we had other family nearby, but my mom never wanted to be a burden to anyone.  She endured whatever pain she needed to accomplish her goal.  In this case, it was to finish her MBA and ensure her and her son would make it through the year together.  I ended up going to school a good portion of the year on my own.  I would wake up, get my clothes ready, and walk to the subway stop a half mile away to ride to school.  My mother and father were not big on excuses.   So, I just did it.  No fanfare.  No drama.  No poor me.  Just walk.  There is a word for that.  Some might call it ‘grit.’  I call it ‘faith.’  It means that when you end up in the situation where all you have are those three questions, you answer simply, “Start walking.”  When you are tired, you get up, and start swinging.  When you are afraid, you realize you have nothing to lose, and you fight.  When you have no where to go, you make steps in a direction, and you keep walking.  My mother and father always had faith in God.  They instilled it in me.  That’s why I got up, got dressed, walked to the subway, went to school, and then rode back to the hospital where my mom laid in bed writing her thesis paper.

One might ask where was God in all of this?  He was teaching.  Planning.  Preparing.  He is all-knowing that my mother and me would face other storms.  But He was always there.  Carrying.  Protecting.  Guiding.  My mother and me did not make it because we were something special.  We made it because we served an awesome God who watched over us.  He kept us out of Harm’s way, and kept my mother fighting when the pain was too great for her to even sleep.

The storms in our lives (or winds as Peter saw) are the tests of faith where God either found or watched over us.  Think of the storms from your past.  Sometimes, you may not have come out of it like you wanted, and you may not have known what to make of it all.  However, when it was all said and done we looked to God, and said, “I don’t know how I made it through, but thank you!”  Thank you, Jesus, for watching over me.  Thank you, Jesus, for making a way when I could not see one.  Thank you for giving me the courage and strength.  I do not know what you might be facing today, and I am unsure what storm may come tomorrow.  But I want you to remember that God is always there.  Always encouraging you to keep walking.

So as Christ said to Peter, come.  Sure, Peter eventually started to sink, but how many of you have taken that first step only to sink?  Remember the first steps Peter took, he did not sink!  He literally walked on water!  It is interesting that it noted he began to sink only when he saw the wind.  Perhaps that was why Paul said, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  Let us live by these words of faith by belief in what God can do.  Not seeing what seems impossible.  My prayer today is we take courage from the words of Jesus Christ and have the faith to just walk.  Amen.

Split Decisions

 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.  James 1:5-8

As much as I love the Lord and follow Him, there are times that I struggle with the latter.  It is not because I do not want to follow God.  Instead, I feel torn between the love I have for my fellow man and the love I have for God.  It explains why I really struggle with condemnation.  Sure, we all must be accountable for our sins and grow to be better advocates for God.  But there are people who I love dearly, and God has said that they are living in sin.  That’s a tough pill to swallow!  Thus, my world feels like it is unstable.  These are the times I realize my spiritual growth is a continual work in progress.

The word of God is meant to be a spiritual guide.  We all have situations where we are either unsure of what to do or how to respond on a spiritual matter.  The words of James thus seem to be words of condemnation for those in that divided world.  In fact, lots of the Book of James seems like it (ex. Faith is dead without good works – James 2:26b).  However, these are words of guidance and clarity.  If we look at these verses through that lens, one receives God’s wisdom in reading it, and thus is not in the ‘should not expect to receive anything from the Lord’ camp.  The words are welcome to the troubled and torn because they give direction.  We must look at the word of God, and pray that we find guidance in it and have both the courage and conviction to follow it.

Following God is not meant to be easy as Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Matthew 7:13)  But do not be discouraged by your past and current struggles for after telling Peter he would deny Him, Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:1-2)  It is ok to struggle with things God says to us.  The key is to keep walking toward Him.  Never give up.  Never lose faith.  What is your struggle with God today?  How will you continue to rely on God when split between God and the world?  My prayer is that we continually challenge ourselves to rely on God when facing split decisions.  Amen.

Follow the Path

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.  And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.  Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).  Acts 6:2-5

Over the past couple of months, I have felt challenged in different ways.  In those challenges, it feels that another path is being opened, and I have begun to pray what that might mean for me in the future.  That makes me nervous as no one truly knows what the future has in store.  When dealing with such uncertainty, there are two things I have come to rely on.  First comes from Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “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.”  The second, Philippians 4:13, says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  These are powerful reminders for me that while I do not know what the future has in store, I should trust God fully for there is nothing that I cannot handle through Christ. 

We must always walk faithfully the  path that God has set before us.  Today’s verses focus on the story of Stephen, who was about to take on a far different path than what was supposedly set for him.  He was one of five given the task to run a food program.  That would seem uninspiring.  However, Stephen's path would lead him to perform miracles, be falsely arrested, be an unyielding testifier for Christ, and see God and Jesus in the heavens before being killed.  Now sure, we might look at it as, “Hey!  He got stoned to death, and that’s not good, right?”  But through simply choosing to follow his path, he did things that even most of the Apostles did not do and saw God and Jesus prior to going up to Heaven.  How many of you would make that trade (live an incredible God inspired life and seeing both God and Jesus near the end)?  Had he not been faithful and followed what was asked of Him, none of this would have happened.  The Book of Acts is full of stories where people made the choice to follow the path God had laid out for them, and from Peter to Paul to Cornelius and others, their lives were changed and blessed along with furthering God’s Kingdom. 

God has laid out our path to a greater understanding of His will for our lives.  We may not fully understand it and we may be hesitant to pursue it.  However if we fully trust in Him and faithfully walk it, we, like Stephen, will have a fully blessed life.  What path is God presenting you with?  How can you trust in Christ to courageously overcome your fear of pursuing it?  My prayer is that we trust in God and Jesus Christ, and then simply follow the path.  Amen.

I'm Sorry

But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.  2 Peter 2:1

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.  Philippians 2:7

My journey toward being an unapologetic Christian was a tough one.  Even though I personally knew God at the bright young age of nineteen, it took almost twenty years to become Christian because of a person who falsely taught me what it meant to be Christian.  They would say that you had to meet the standards of God or you would not be saved.  What they did not say was that we were forgiven of our sins through Jesus Christ.  Thus every time I did not meet the measure, I felt like I was a failure never worth of either God’s love or a relationship with Him.  How do we fight a society claiming God is an angry God who is merciless and devoid of tolerance?

As Christians, we must learn to speak the truth especially when another’s belief is based on false teachings.  I remember hearing a preacher talk about a tragedy as being God’s way of punishing a group of people who sinned against Him.  While it is true that God is almighty, powerful, and capable of such things, the God we know is also loving and merciful.  So when I saw a person hurt by those preacher’s words, I simply looked at them, and said, "That is not the God I know.  I am so sorry someone led you to believe that."  The world will either teach others they are not worthy of God’s love or disillusion them with false teachings from those who claim to know God.   But as personal representatives of Jesus Christ, we must show the true loving God who gave His only Son for our sins.  When confronted with the argument that God is without remorse, concern, or love for them, we must reflect God’s grace, and there are no two words that show both love and grace better than a sincere “I’m sorry.”

We are unapologetically Christian, but it does not mean that we should not apologize for any false truths about God.  Our relationship with Him is the most wondrous and beautiful thing in our lives.  If someone is inhibited from making that connection due to prior experiences, let us share the special of favor Paul speaks of both defending and confirming God’s truth.  Find out what is behind their pain, and soothe them with words of love and understanding.  Who do you know that is against God  because of pain?  How will you stand when someone speaks falsely about who Christ is?  My prayer is that we are shining examples of the true living God to a deceived world by first simply saying, “I’m sorry.”  Amen.

The Hard Way

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.  John 3:19-21

Back when I was younger, there were many things that I would learn the hard way.  For example, most of us had the experience of the flame on the stove (I have to realize that many of you grew up with electric stoves that have no flame whatsoever).  Mom would tell us not to put our hands near the flame so as not to burn our hands.  My mom would never tell me something to harm me, but again, I had to learn the hard way.  I put my hand out over the flame one time too many and . . . OUCH!  That’s the last time I put my hand over the fire.  I had learned a very simple truth.

This brought me to the question of our knowledge of God’s truth.  We study and read the Bible all the time, but many see God as this mysterious myth or nonexistent being.  Furthermore, they will question whether Jesus Christ existed and how many have used faith for wrongdoing.  How do we know that God is true?

We have been shown the light through our own experiences to know salvation through Jesus Christ.  Today’s verses talk about truth versus evil and light versus darkness.  To know the truth, the simple answer is Jesus tells us so.  However while we believe in God’s word, this is also dangerous because if we just go simply believing ‘because God said so,’ we could just as easily be led astray by someone who puts on a mask saying they are with God (some ‘prosperity’ preachers would fit under this umbrella).  Living in the light does not mean you will not experience struggle or that we will live a life devoid of trials.  What we learn is that God is there with us every step of the way, and when we have made our choices for Him, the experience always shows us light and not darkness.  We find joy and not sorrow.  In time, we welcome the trials where darkness comes because through God’s Holy Spirit, God’s light shines through us for all to see!

The key to unveiling God’s light has always been within us.  Our times of darkness did not oppress us in the bondage of sin.  He sent His Son to show us the light and free us from it.  God’s word is but a reminder of the light we have, and through our experiences, we have proof of its truth beyond a shadow of doubt.  What questions of God’s faithfulness can you answer through your past?  How can this assure you of your walk of faith?  My prayer is that we embrace the light of God given us even if we learn it the hard way.  Amen.

Trust Issues

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.  Psalm 18:1-3

Do you ever fear of a relationship because you have trouble trusting them?   It might be something that has happened to us in our past holding you back, and other times, it may be a sense you have about them.  I remember when a close relative disappointed me and lost my complete trust.  The incident became a memory that would shelter me from others.  No one could be trusted.  However through God’s love, I was able to come back and find the courage to trust again.  That would change my relationships, both old and new. When I stopped limiting myself to avoid being hurt and extended the same level of trust that I had placed in God, future disappointments did not change me because I knew God had my back, and my relationships became more healthy because they were both strong  and authentic.

Trusting in God will unlock endless possibilities for your relationships with others.   There are numerous reasons why we lack trust.  We don’t trust others because we worry of them being worthy of it.  We don’t trust a situation because it has always failed previously, and we don’t even trust ourselves because we have either never done it before or have told ourselves it cannot be done.  However, we serve an awesome and mighty God for which there are absolutely NO boundaries.  If we pray earnestly for His guidance and truly trust Him, He will give us wisdom to know who to trust, His word as guidance to any situation, and His strength to overcome our own fears and doubts.

Surety in God gives us the confidence to move forward in any situation.  As today’s verses remind us, He is a rock, fortress, our strength, shield and salvation that is indeed worthy to be praised.  When the world may seem uncertain around you, trust in God that He would never steer you wrong, and then extend that very trust to others knowing He will always be there for you.  How much do you truly trust God?  Where can God restore your trust in others?  My prayer is that we remember God’s love and grace when dealing with our own trust issues.  Amen.

Fighting With God (It's Not What You Think)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12

The other day, a couple colleagues of mine were telling me their disappointing Christian experiences.  One pointed out that there were relatives who would blast non-believers for their choice and then act in ways that were as sinful as anyone else.  Another who was distant from the faith because of its treatment toward gays asked how a faith could speak of love and yet be so dismissive of the LGBT community?  I wrote about being a Road Warriors for Christ a few weeks ago.  It was clear that this was a road game in a hostile environment.  Yet somehow, God was with me in that discussion because I answered in a way I had not done before.

Speaking to the friend with troubling relatives, I noted that some Christians are hypocritical of others, and that was wrong.  However, it is not fair for them to paint all Christians that way.  Furthermore, one must make their decision on faith based on their own relationship with God and not how others portray that relationship.  Then to the gay advocate, I simply said it is true that God’s word is clear against the homosexual lifestyle.  Furthermore I admitted it is something I struggle with because there are great people I know who are gay.  My goal as a Christian was never to judge.  It is to point them to God so their relationship can be determined.  Most of all, I am to love them with all of my heart as I would love God.  I could see that speaking from my heart had somewhat softened theirs because they knew what I was saying was not the hate filled overly critical views they had heard from Christians before.  It was a flawed and loving person who was helping them see the God they might not have agreed with but could understand.

Allowing God to shine through us is the best way to handle any conversation challenging our faith.  It is never easy when we are attacked at times in vicious and unacceptable ways.  However Hebrews 6:10 reminds us, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Trust that He will be with you in your most difficult battles.  How can you rely on God when questioned about your faith?  My prayer is that instead of fighting against God, we address our opposition fighting back with God.  Amen.

I'm Christian and I'm Proud

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16

James Brown wrote a song back in 1968 when the civil rights movement was in full swing.  It stated quite simply, “Say it loud!  I’m black and I’m proud.”  Many of you might ask why on earth that would ever need to be said.  Well society back then was not always kind to African Americans.  Blessed with an incredible family, I grew up being proud of who I was even when there were subtle times society would question not only who I was but also whether I belonged.  This became my motivation and strength to persevere through those challenges.  I share this not to bring up my ethnicity.  Rather, it is bring up the conviction and strength one has when they know who they are.

As followers of Christ, we are to stand proudly on our faith.  Always!  The other day, I was putting a reminder of my Wednesday bible study in my online calendar.  I hesitated to put it there because my calendar is public to my team and peers and might be seen as politically incorrect.  Then like the lessons my family taught me, I asked myself, “Why do I need to deny who I am?”  We should neither hide nor shy away from the faith that has freed us from the bondage of our sins.  Much of who we are at work revolves around the fruits of the spirit (patience, love, honor, humility), and our coworkers and family feel secure knowing that we will do our best following the example of the God we adore and love.

As faithful Christians, who we are centers on the cross.  David said in the 27^th Psalm, “The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1a)  Our love for Christ trumps all.  Whether it is through actions or words, we should always embrace the God who gives us strength and is indeed mighty to save.  Where do you hide your faith?  How will you respond in a place where it feels uncomfortable to be a follower of Christ?  My prayer is that we like James Brown say it loud!  I’m Christian and proud!  Amen.

Simply Out of Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-3 

There is a project that I took on at work this year.  It focuses on helping others see their potential, and the reason I chose to take it on will not result in my getting praise or a promotion, and my passion for pursuing it is not for an expected reward at its completion.   Rather, it is the sincere hope that it makes a difference in the lives of others, and my drive comes from the love I have for my team and organization.  For that reason, the project deserves my best effort and dedication toward its success.

Our love for Christ must be the driving factor for our actions.  Many people believe in faith by works.  They believe that by doing things as written in scripture, they will receive an upper hand in Heaven.  Others take the approach of being saved by confessing of Jesus Christ as Lord by mouth, and then continue their life as if nothing has changed.  Both beliefs are flawed.  While there is some truth in both statements, neither indicates a true relationship with Christ.  I think of my wife and how wonderful she has been to me for all of these years.  My love for her grows continually, and as such, it motivates me to be a better husband to her.  In a similar way, a true love for Christ motivates us to act.  Thus, works are not a driving force toward salvation.  Instead, it is the byproduct of our growing relationship.  Furthermore, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord is something that cannot be an idle moment that just passes us by.  It is a transformative event that like any growing relationship motivates us to change making the relationship better.

To love Jesus is to commit to Him fully and unconditionally.  Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.  My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23)  This is at times challenging, but all growth, spiritual and otherwise, is.  We strive toward having a wonderfully unyielding relationship with Him.  That is what love for Christ is all about.  How do you measure your love for Christ?  What more can you do to reflect His love?  My prayer is that we grow for Christ simply out of love.  Amen.

Just Smile

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.  Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  Hebrews 10:32-35

People know that I love to smile.  I smile at those who I know well and care deeply about.  I smile at those who would call me an enemy because I want them to know the God I represent.  I smile because there is a joy inside knowing that I am saved from a sinful past that once told me grace was out of my reach.  I smile knowing I am God’s child.  Some people would accuse me of smiling too much.  My response is they focus on how they see the world too much and not the potential God sees in them.  This does not mean I do not have fears and struggles in my life.  What it does mean is that I believe with confidence Jesus came into the world, died for our sins, and rose to prove beyond any doubt He is Lord.

We must reflect the light of Christ even in our most trying circumstances.  Jesus says that we are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)  There are some days that we feel down, and others where the world punches us in the gut trying to take away the certainty we have in Christ.  But through Jesus Christ, we were given the precious gift of eternal life.  For that alone, we have a light within us that can endure any hardship or pain.  We must share that light without reservations, and no matter what the world may throw at us, it cannot put out His light that shine brightly within us.

With God, there is always reason to have joy in our heart.  While we may feel short term sadness over circumstances or be left with situations that concern us, we must never forget the suffering our Lord endured for us.  Knowing this, there is nothing we cannot overcome.  Where does your confidence lie?  How can you exhibit the light of God in times of struggle?  My prayer is that when the clouds of darkness head our way, we look at them, and confidently, just smile.  Amen.

Taking Ownership

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:11-13

My family decided to take a short trip to Chick-fil-a the other day.  I admired how dedicated their staff was to making the experience a memorable one.  All of them were cheery, and they treated us like . . . well . . . family.  Yet, they are paid no different from other fast food employees, and while they are a Christian owned business, there are other faith based businesses that do not go the extra mile like they do.  So what’s the difference?  Maybe, they believe in something bigger than themselves.  They choose to take ownership for their customer’s experience.  That is far more memorable than the spicy chicken sandwich or the free drink refills.

We as Christians have to own our faith.  Today’s verses are not just about how much Jesus loves us.  It is also a challenge to us as followers of Christ.  We are to be people of deep faith that willfully depend on what God teaches when we are under attack.  We are not to be painted into corners by those who either focus exclusively on God’s law or disregard God altogether. Instead, we are to live with an understanding of the greatest commandment; to love God with all of our heart and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (see Matthew 22:36-40).  Owning our faith means there are times we will not be popular and take stances others will not believe, but if we show God’s love through it all, we will be victorious for God's truth always wins in the end.

Believing in God is something bigger than us.  Jesus paid for our salvation in blood.  For that, we can choose to act like a hired hand and expect that He owes us something more, or we can go all out living for Him to make the world aware of His love, mercy, and wisdom.  Which would you choose?  How can you and I be more of an owner of our faith?  My prayer is that we truly take ownership of being faithful servants of God.  Amen.

Being Green

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:1-4

I was a Sesame Street kid (probably still am).  My mother made sure that what little television I saw was of that show.  One of my favorite lifelong lessons came from it and one of its main characters, Kermit the Frog.  When he was in a solemn mood, he would sing, “It’s not easy being green.”  Now many of us growing up thought it would be pretty cool to be a frog and maybe even green, but as I grew older, I understood the song was not about disdain for his color or being a frog.  It was about how his loving and caring personality often gets taken advantage of because either he was too nice or it seemed too convenient.  He did not shy away from being who he was.  After all, he’s a frog, and yes, he is green.  There is a lot to be said for someone who accepts the challenges that come with who they are and willingly embraces everything with it. 

A growing Christian faith is not always meant to be easy or comforting.  It is meant to be rewarding with the hope of God’s glory being revealed in one’s life.  While there are times our walk of faith will be fun, there are times God will ask of us to walk through something we do not want to face.  There are conflicts that I do not want to face, and sometimes, I run away because the pain or stress is too much!  Yet, God would look upon me, and nudge to tell me not to not give up and continue to fight knowing there is perseverance, character, and hope to be gained.  Our goal as Christians is not to fall into the comfort of a simplified faith.  It is instead to challenge ourselves, face our fears, and find true glory in our suffering for a wonderful and gracious God.

Our journey of faith is about persevering to the end.  No, it is not easy, but Dr. Brene Brown said it best saying, “You can choose courage or you can choose comfort.  You cannot have both.”  When we have shown courage to overcome fears, we will hear the verses of 2 Timothy 4:7 saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  Isn’t that what we should all aspire for?  What suffering must you persevere through today?  My prayer is that with our faith, we all can accept ‘being green.’  Amen.