This Is Me!

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west.
 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”  Isaiah 43:1-7

Most people would say that if you are socially liberal like me, it means you’re not Christian.  Now people want to get into long discussions on each stance that is represented, but in reality, here is what matters.  I am a firm believer that Jesus lived, died, and was born again freeing me from my sins.  I live for Him because of it, and I fight vehemently to live a life that He would be proud of.  I get a lot of grief from both Christian and non-Christian.  There is nothing perfect about me, and have failed at times to live a life God would be proud of.  But I keep trying and growing each and every day.  I get up, and I pray that I do better today than I did yesterday. Furthermore, God knows my heart for Him.  It’s the one thing that’s always been steady in my journey.  I truly love God, and most people see that in what I say and how I act.  He’s been so good to me!  He’s proven multiple times how real He is real in my life, and this year, He even reminded me that He’s known me all along.  So I have no shame burdening me.  I have a bunch of people who love me and keep me spiritually connected.  This is me.

God does not make mistakes.  Yes, we make them.  Some of us may make more than others, but there is something beautiful that we sometimes forget.  God is always with us.  It does not matter where we are in our life, and we matter no lesser than anyone else in their journey.  We are all on the same journey trying to find God and praying for clarity on how to best serve Him.  God gave us all a purpose, and it is not for someone to tell us what it is.  It is only the voice God whispers in our ear and His Holy Spirit within us that moves toward it.  This does not mean to follow your heart totally oblivious to His word.  In fact, I would say we must make every step knowing what His word says so as not to deceive ourselves with what just feels right.  And then, pray when your heart and His word are in conflict so that you will find His guidance, love, discipline, and surety.  This is how we grow closer to God.

God loves us unconditionally.  He gives us so much, and the first and most wonderful gift is that thing called grace.  It allows us to learn more about Him, and be encouraged even when we struggle and fall for as Isaiah 40:30-31 says:

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

So do not focus on the person you are or who you once were.  Don’t be discouraged by where your path has taken you or what someone says you are.  Be proud of how God made you, and continue to learn more about who God is and what He wants you to be.  What has discouraged you about your journey of faith that you can take to God today?  How can you be reassured of His love for you just as you are?  My prayer is that no matter where you are, be assured of God’s love for you, and embrace the wonderful person God made you by proudly accepting and saying, “This is me!”  Amen.

Tues Devo: The chase ends

1 John 1:1-4 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father,  and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” (NASB)

Hello,

This past weekend I spent a good amount of time reading through the book of 1 John, and some things really stood out to me. The first verse that struck me was verse 4, where John talks about his joy being complete. It struck me because like many of you (I assume) I am easily pulled into the mentality of pushing for more. It could be for more responsibility at work, more appreciated by others, more connection with family, more time to do personal things. But we have to watch that push. More is not wrong – but when it becomes the decision point of whether you have joy or not…..then it is wrong. Our joy has a completion point, it is in the person of Jesus Christ and the relationship His work on the cross brings to God the Father.

We can chase after things – but we don’t need to chase Joy, we have it through Jesus already.

Have a blessed day – I pray this reminder is valuable to you as it was to me.

Will Hill

Our Journey to Adoption, Part XI - Clarity After the Fact

As it looked more likely we could be the adoptive family for James and Sarah, Joe and I started looking at bigger homes. We were in a 2 bedroom 1 ½ bath condo that I had owned for almost 13 years. James and Sarah shared a room, but often woke each other up in the night or during nap time.

After looking a little bit, we decided it might be too much change at once! Being able to give James and Sarah their own room was a want more than a need, at least while they are little. We thought we should postpone looking for the time being.

However, a couple weeks later, my Mom got a call from a local family friend who said she was thinking about selling her house but hadn’t put it on the market yet. We looked at the house and liked it! She didn’t give us a price, so we made what we thought was a fair offer. She counter-offered, though, and we weren’t comfortable paying more. After much deliberation and prayer, we were led to walk away. The owner then planned to list the house.

A couple days later, the owner called us back and said she (and her grown children) decided she wasn’t in a position to get her house ready to list and show so she would go with our original offer. I couldn’t believe it! God clearly confirmed He had picked and provided this house just for us! It certainly wasn’t clear in the midst of all the deliberating. I had been confused why He led us to walk away when I felt like He had directed us to the house, but now it all made sense!

Jesus told His disciples many things they would only understand after His death and resurrection. Everything didn’t all make sense initially.

John 14:18-21, 28-29  ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” …²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

We’re to obey God, even when it doesn’t make sense or we think we have a better idea. He knows bests! Often we can look back and understand what He was doing, but only after the fact. If Joe and I had gone with the counter-offer we would have gotten the house God had for us, but we wouldn’t have experienced the peace and joy of His clear confirmation!

Alice

The Best Man

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Over my life, I have had amazing people whose existence has blessed me.  In my family, I have two brothers and a brother in law, and I have these amazing group of men who are like brothers and are always there for and supportive of me.  Some send me scripture, and others give me encouragement.  A few keep my spirits up, and yet another instills in me the confidence to move forward.  One however has been with me since my childhood.  We may not always be around and we are distant from each other, but the comradery we have when we are together is both unmistakable and unshakable.  While he is not directly my brother, he might as well be as he has been with me all of my life.  I pray for him for he has always been there for me, and should he need me, I will be there for him.  Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he is my best man!

We can have no greater friend than Jesus, and He blesses us with people who are always there for us.  For those of us blessed with a spouse, they represent a special kind of relationship that is blessed by God.  As pointed out in Ecclesiastes, there is clearly another type of relationship that is intended by God for our protection.  These are people who God places in our life.  I once read that a true friend is someone who will come over, drive with you, and dig where you can bury the body, and not ask any questions.  Now that is certainly extreme, but it speaks to the kind of loyalty a blessed best friend has for you.  Furthermore, they can be one who is a guide who point out blind spots or be a mentor in your spiritual journey.  Even Jesus had such a friend in Peter.  Even though Peter would deny Him, Jesus turns to Peter asking him to take care of the others and spread the word of the Gospel (see John 21:15-18).  While it is true that God is the only person who will never fail us, He would not have us stay in our own confines like a hermit.  We are to reach out to others trusting God as our protector for as it later says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12a)

We were not meant to lead a life of solitary confinement.  While the world is indeed a dangerous place run by those who would attempt to bring us down, we have a God who is with us every step of the way.  Along those lines, we must trust Him as we reach out to others with full confidence.  Although we at times will be disappointed, we will find someone God truly intended for us, and it will lead to fellowship with others under Him.  So remove all that may impede on building a lasting Godly relationship.  Trust in God, and trust in a true friend.  Who can you extend your trust to for the sake of building a more Godly relationship?  What friend could use more of the God in you?  My prayer is that we all trust in God to provide us guidance in finding our ‘Best Man.’ Amen.

Tues Devo: Identity

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 “So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.” (NASB)

Hello,

I have been thinking a lot this past week about the concept of identity. As a believer in Christ I want to say that my main identification point is as a Christian, a follower of Christ. But how is this known? I believe that this is known in our times of stress. When something goes wrong at work, what is the reaction? How long will it put you in a funk? When the kids put on large amounts of stress, how soon and in what manner do you approach Christ in prayer? When friendships hit a wall, where does your mind go (and for how long)?

Certainly we are not perfect. We make mistakes, we stay in the wrong attitude too long. But what I am getting at here is that if our identity is to be in Christ, which should be reflected as the center point of our attention in the midst of stress in other areas. Our identity is something that should come through in all circumstances. It doesn’t mean we don’t struggle through it, but that we clearly hold to Him in the struggle.

I hope that if you have been struggling with things around work, family or friends that this encourages you to step back and look at your identity, and let that identity drive your choices and attitude. As a believer, we belong to Christ – lets hold firm in that identity.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Love one another

1 John 3:11

For this is the message you heard from the beginning:  We should love one another.

With Valentine’s Day having just passed and heading off to a wedding this weekend, what better topic to talk about than love? 

In today’s age, we are often told that we need to be more accepting of different life styles.  I struggle with this because that is not what the Bible says.  Brothers and sisters in Christ, nowhere in the Bible are we told to accept life styles that are clearly wrong in the Bible.  What we are told however, is that we are to love one another.  When you love someone, you want what is best for that person.  At the same time, you want to protect that person from danger.  Ultimately though, you cannot stop someone from doing something, however you can show them love.

I want to urge you today to love one another, not necessarily be accepting of everything though.  Share Christ’s love today with those who you don’t necessarily agree with all of their life style choices.  Do not condemn them, rather love them.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part X - Opportunities while Waiting

After keeping James and Sarah over spring break last year, we were even more eager to expedite the process of having them placed in our home. After our additional rounds of background checks and interviews cleared, the adoption agency worked with us to get our adoption application filed with the State. We were told that could take some time for the State to approve us as the adoptive family, but once they did approve, the kids would need to transfer homes immediately and then there would still be a 6 month trial period. 

Not knowing when we would be approved, the adoption agency asked the current foster family if they would agree to transfer the foster placement ahead of time so that we could all plan for a set day. Surprisingly they agreed, and June 18^th was set as the official transfer day (the day before Father’s Day). To help with the transition, we gradually increased our length of respite care for the 6 weeks leading up to June 18^th.  After each extra-long weekend with the kids, it got harder and harder to say goodbye and return them to their current foster family.

As we tried to patiently wait for June 18^th, God gave us opportunities to use our last few weeks without permanent children to spend time with extended family out of state. We visited my 92 year old grandfather in Texas, Joe’s family in Ohio, and I visited my sister and her husband and new baby in Virginia. (It ended up being my last visit with my grandfather, as he passed in July.)  

Similarly, as we wait for our day of transfer to Heaven, God has things for us to do. We aren’t to get impatient or frustrated or give up and sit around doing nothing while we wait.

John 14:1-4, 12, 15 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” …  ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father…¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. 

Are you anxiously anticipating Heaven? Joining Jesus in Heaven will be the most exciting day ever! As we wait, how are you and I wisely using our time here on earth in preparation for that day? 

Alice

Tues Devo: The way out

Hello,

Raising little kids is fun! And interesting! And challenging….

As they start to become able to reason and understand decisions and consequences you begin to hear their rationale for why they did the wrong thing. The connections made between their environment at the time (including the actions of others) and the choices they make are both unique – and said with a great deal of conviction. One of the toughest lessons to work with them on I have found is that they really do have a choice about their actions/decisions – no matter what is going on around them.

Truth is, that pull of what is going on around them is neither new…..nor will it go away. While that may be slightly depressing - there is good news! The good news is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (NASB)

There is a choice – we can make the right choice. Take heart, look to Him and choose wisely!

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Spiritual feedings

1 Peter 2:1-3

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,  now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

When a woman has a child, you hear it preached everywhere that breast milk is the best thing they can feed that child.  Not every mother has the ability to do this however when we think about the reasons why this is best, it does make scene.  This milk is pure. 

So as Christians, the best source of feeding for us too is that which comes straight from the Lord.  To me, this means we need to be in the word.  While attending Bible Studies and reading devotions form different sources is great, the most pure feeding we can get is that from God.  Time in his word and time in prayer with him. 

How are you doing today on your spiritual feedings?  

Thursday Devotional - Born and Adopted Twice

Several weeks ago James announced he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart! Excitedly, Joe and I stopped and talked with him about what that meant! James knows who God is, knows he can talk to Him at any time and loves to pray. He also knows that Jesus died on the cross, but we weren’t sure he had a good grasp yet on what sin is and why Jesus had to die on the cross for our sins. So, we talked about sin and asked several questions about his understanding. Suddenly, he looked up at our elephant lamp and started asking questions about the elephant. That was the end of our sin conversation, at least for the moment!

We’ve had several more conversations with James and Sarah about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, what sin is, that Jesus isn’t still dead, that followers of Jesus want to obey Him, but we still sin and need to ask forgiveness for our specific daily sins, etc. 

Well, Monday at dinner Sarah looked outside at the darkness and said she was scared. I asked what she could do about being scared and she said “go to church.” James then interjected and told her she could talk to God and Jesus. I confirmed “Yes!”

Then, James stopped eating and said he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart. Unprompted, he said “Jesus, will you come into my heart?” [pause] “Jesus said yes!” We then talked through what having Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) in our hearts means - He forgives our sins and helps us love and obey Him. James was able to tell me what some of his recent sins were. At some point in the conversation I asked James what he wanted Jesus to do for him (to test the genuineness of his faith) and he said “forgive my sins!” So, I said he could also pray and ask Jesus to forgive his sins and help him love and obey God. He immediately and voluntarily prayed on his own in his own words about all that!!!

I hugged James and told him he was a child of God! After dinner was over, James got down and hopped to the bathroom to wash his hands, chanting “I’m a child of God! I’m a child of God!” Yes, I believe James’ faith is genuine. He has been born again and adopted into God’s family!

John 3:3  In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

John 3:14-15  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

Ephesians 1:5-8      ⁵ he predestined us for adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us, with all wisdom and understanding.

James has been born and adopted twice!  

Alice