Honest Reflections

Two-minute read.

James City Community Church, JC3 for short, celebrated its 30^th anniversary this year. As I looked around the auditorium, filled with people who have taught me, encouraged me, and loved me for the past 25 years, I felt overwhelmed. A month after my sister died, and right after 9/11 happened, I began attending the church, broken and distraught.

For the first time, I began to understand the Great Commandment: to love God and others. Redemption became real to me as I experienced freedom from Christ’s sacrifice. Love became a verb as the church members loved me, despite my unlovable qualities. Growth came as I discovered the spiritual blessings believers have in Jesus, lived out by the community around me.

Paul reminds believers we don’t earn our freedom from sin through good behavior or religious effort. Christ paid the price for our redemption through His blood. Spiritually, we can’t free ourselves from sin’s power and penalty; Jesus paid the price.

God lavishes grace on us from His abundance. He gives to us what we cannot earn, and as we become more like Jesus, we’ll do the same.

Like the people at JC3 did for me.

Their loving, kind actions taught me the importance of faith in Christ and allowing Him to transform our lives. As we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we will respond differently to the world around us. We will want to share what we’ve found in the Lord’s spiritual blessings with others. And as we do, the kingdom will grow.

God planned salvation from the beginning. He wants no one to perish, but all to come into an everlasting relationship with Him. We don’t have to manufacture redemption or earn forgiveness; we must receive the gift the Lord offers.

And when we do, we will want to share it with others.

Like JC3 did and still does with me.

As we lavish in the Lord’s grace, it will spill from us to the world around us. Redemption came from Christ’s love, freely given to all. Instead of defining yourself by past mistakes, remember Jesus’s forgiveness. Then share it with others so that they can receive the same.

Journal Questions:

• What past mistake or failure are you still carrying that God is inviting you to surrender to His forgiveness?
• How does knowing that God’s grace is “lavished” on you change the way you see yourself today?
• Where do you need to stop trying to earn God’s acceptance and receive the redemption and forgiveness He has already provided through Christ?

Application:

When a past mistake comes to mind, replace it with God’s grace and forgiveness and let it go.

Two-minute read.

“How do you do it?” Our neighbor asked.

“Keep it simple,” I said, the first words that came to my mind.

As RVers, we loved weekend getaways, especially when we lived in the city. Every other weekend, we would head out to a country destination where we could build a campfire, gaze at the stars, and enjoy the Lord’s creation. Because we couldn’t park our RV where we lived, Ron would pick it up the night before from storage so we could pack it for the weekend ahead.

When my neighbor asked how we did it, I had arms full of supplies for the trailer. She had noticed our regular weekend travels and wanted to know our secret to getting away so often.

Keeping life simple opens the door for adventure.

Camping reminds us of all the things we don’t need. Believe it or not, you can live without wifi and a constant connection to the global world. The luxuries of home really boil down to a roof over our heads, a place to sleep, and food to eat. You don’t need much money to enjoy the beauty of creation.

On a trip to Maine this summer, we had a young married couple as neighbors. Driving a truck, they pitched a tent, blew up an air mattress, and cooked over the open flames, having the time of their lives. The entire weekend cost them less than $100, but they had star-filled nights, sun-kissed days, and a Savior who never left their side.

When we keep our lives free from the love of money, we find contentment with what we have. Whether a tent with an air mattress or an RV with a bed, both give us what we need: a place to rest our heads. Biblical contentment finds satisfaction in what we have today, and trusts God will provide tomorrow’s needs. Our circumstances don’t determine the Lord’s faithfulness.

In the simplest of terms, our security comes from the Savior.

He provides all our needs.

And He goes where we go.

Circumstances can change. Bank accounts can change. Possessions come and go. People disappoint us, and plans fall apart. But the Lord’s presence never changes. Whatever we face, He faces it with us.

Journal Questions:

• What are you tempted to believe you need to feel content, secure, or satisfied finally?
• How would your perspective change if you truly believed that God’s presence is more valuable than anything you could possess?
• Where do you need to remind yourself today, “God is with me, and He will not leave me”?

Application:

List five things you could do today to simplify your life.

Two-minute read.

Today, people rarely send handwritten notes, a change that began with the rise of cell phones. As children, we sent cards and letters to keep in touch. Nothing brought more excitement than receiving an envelope from the mailman, your name scrawled in pen across the front.

Never one to wait, I would rip open the envelope to read a loved one’s words. Opening James letter may have surprised me. As Jesus’ half-brother and a major leader in the early church, he begins his correspondence by addressing something we all endure: trials.

James wants us to put on divine glasses.

Instead of looking at our trials from a human perspective, he wants us to use God’s lens. When we change our perspective, we’ll stop seeing our suffering and start seeing what the Lord can produce from it. James doesn’t want us to feel joyful in difficult circumstances, but to recognize how our Creator can use the experience for spiritual growth.

James knows we will face trials. Everyone does, and they come in many forms: disappointment, uncertainty, conflict, loss, waiting, financial pressure, relational struggles, or seasons when life doesn’t make sense. Trials come in all kinds of hardships.

We can trust the Lord easily when things go well, but difficulties reveal the areas where we place our trust: in ourselves or the Savior. If we choose God, perseverance develops. Perseverance doesn’t just help us survive; it helps us keep following the Lord when circumstances make it easy to quit.

Trust that God doesn’t waste your trials.

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in today, know the Lord’s developing something in you that He can’t develop any other way. Instead of just getting through the trial, make it your goal to grow in it. Difficult circumstances allow us to trust God, deepen our faith, strengthen our perseverance, and mature spiritually.

Joy comes from the Lord. We can’t manufacture it, but we can discover divine joy by keeping our eyes on Jesus. As we discover His joy amidst our trials, we will also find His strength. The problems don’t disappear, but divine peace settles in, replacing fear and anxiety with confidence in the Savior. Our trials will end one day, but our life with Jesus never does. In Him, we have eternal life.

Journal Questions:

• ·      What trial are you facing right now, and how might God be using it to strengthen your faith?
• ·      Where are you tempted to give up, and what would it look like to let perseverance “finish its work” in you?
• ·      How might your current struggle be developing a quality in you that God wants to use in the future?

Application:

Whatever trial you face today, look for ways God has grown you in it.

Two-minute read.

No matter what circumstances you find yourself in today, you can find something to give thanks for IN it, not for it.

When my husband discovered the bald spot on our trailer tire after our last camping trip, his heart skipped a beat. He took a picture of the exposed steel radial, ready to burst, and showed it to me. We had traveled close to 2000 miles on those treads, and praise God, it didn’t blow. In Ron’s estimation, the tire could have gone at any moment, leaving us stranded.

I’m not thankful for the situation, but I’m very thankful for God’s protection IN it.

We still must get the tire repaired. But changing a tire in our driveway doesn’t carry the stress of changing one on a busy interstate, something we’ve done many times. Now, every trip we make without a tire issue gives me reason to rejoice.

If we look hard enough, we can always find something to thank God for in our circumstances. When I lay in the hospital with a life-threatening blood clot, I thanked the Lord for modern medicine that saved my life. On the day my nephew died, I praised God for my husband who comforted me on that dark day. Receiving a severance package after losing my job of 16 years gave me a reason to praise Jesus.

The Lord doesn’t want us to rejoice over painful experiences, but we can trust He will use our difficult circumstances for His purposes. We can also find something to thank Him for in the situation. At a minimum, we can thank God for His presence in our valleys. Where we go, He goes too.

In our adversities, we can thank God for His mercies.

In our prosperity, we can thank God for His blessing.

In all circumstances, we can thank God for His presence.

The Lord desires a life characterized by joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. Praying continually and rejoicing always work together to keep the Son in our eyes. Leaning into the faithful Savior will lead us to a lifestyle of gratitude.

God remains faithful in every circumstance, and so we can rejoice always.

Journal Questions:

• What circumstance in your life right now is difficult to give thanks for, and what can you thank God for even in the midst of it?
• How might choosing gratitude change the way you see the challenges you are facing today?
• Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life, and how can remembering those moments help you trust Him in your present circumstances?

Application:

List three ways you see God’s presence in your current circumstances.

Two-minute read.

Have you ever thought that having plenty can test you spiritually as much as having little does?

During my long years of singleness, alone and dateless, I cried out to God with all my might. Questions poured from my soul: Why haven’t I met anyone? What’s wrong with me? What do I need to do?

On and on the pity party could go as I lifted my sorrows to the Savior.

But then I would meet someone.

And I forgot all about Jesus.

Without even going on the first date, I would have the wedding planned, knowing God had finally answered my prayers. I could stop obeying Scripture; the Lord would understand. I did it all for love.

And then the relationship would end.

Back to the pity party I would go.

Until I realized I needed God just as much, if not more, when things went well. Instead of forgetting the Savior when I met someone, I put Him at the center of the relationship. When I finally met Ron, my prayer became, “Help me represent You well to Him.” The Lord answered that prayer, and He remains the center of our marriage.

Living with enough means learning to cling to Christ not only in our struggles but also in our victories. We must learn contentment through our experiences, remaining content regardless of our circumstances. Having enough doesn’t mean we will never experience difficulties; it means we will remain stable despite them.

Paul learned to live faithfully at both ends of the spectrum, whether he had little or much. And he did so through Christ, who gave him the ability to do anything. We can experience the same contentment when we center our lives around Jesus.

When we have little, the devil can tempt us with fear, anxiety, or distrust. But when we have much, he will tempt us with self-sufficiency and forgetting our dependence on God. To find true contentment, we must learn, as Paul did, that circumstances don’t control our contentment.

We can live with enough because of Christ. No matter what our circumstances, Jesus gives us what we need to live with contentment. Through the Savior, we have the strength to remain faithful whatever comes our way.

Contentment comes when we learn to remain steady in Christ.

Journal Questions:

• What circumstance in your life is making it difficult for you to be content, and what would it look like to trust Christ in the middle of it?
• When you have plenty or when you have very little, what tends to determine your sense of security and peace?
• What are you facing right now that you need to surrender to Christ, trusting Him to give you the strength to walk through it?

Application:

Choose to trust Christ today, no matter what your circumstances.

Two-minute read.

Jesus teaches us to live in the moment.

In the middle of the Lord’s Prayer, Christ teaches us to ask for daily bread. The Savior doesn’t tell us to ask for tomorrow’s bread, or next year’s, but today’s manna. God invites us to trust Him one day at a time. We don’t have to carry tomorrow’s uncertainties while we live in today’s story.

In the past few months, I’ve adopted intermittent fasting as a lifestyle. As the days pass and it becomes a natural part of my life, I’ve developed a different attitude towards food. I enjoy my meals and the flavors that explode in my mouth when I eat, instead of taking them for granted. Practicing delayed gratification helps me appreciate the bread God gives me and deepens my gratitude for His provision.

During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns the people against praying merely to impress others. The Lord explains that our heavenly Father desires an honest relationship and already knows our needs before we even ask. First, Jesus directs the people’s attention to God, His character, kingdom, and will. Then He teaches them to bring their daily needs to the Father.

Jesus doesn’t teach them to pray, “Give us everything we’ll need.”

He says, “Give us today the food we need.”

Today points towards daily dependence. The original audience often didn’t know where they would get their next meal. We take food for granted; they didn’t. Even when I fast, I know a meal waits for me, but they didn’t.

Jesus’ profound teaching permits them to ask God for what they need.

And we can too.

Faith doesn’t pretend we don’t have needs; He encourages us to bring those needs to the Father. You may not need bread today, but you need strength to persevere, victory over anxiety, or self-control to defeat temptation. Whatever need you have, the Lord wants to hear it. Through daily provision, God helps us conquer this world’s troubles and discover the divine peace He offers.

Bread represents our daily needs: strength, grace, wisdom, provision, and courage. The Lord doesn’t give us a five-year supply of these things. He gives us enough for today. Walking with the Savior has a simple formula:

Pray. Trust. Receive today’s provision. Walk today’s step.

Then do it again tomorrow.

Journal Questions:

• What are you asking God to provide for you today?
• What “tomorrow” worry are you carrying that you could release to Him?
• Where can you recognize God’s provision in your life right now?

Application:

Trust God to provide what you need for today rather than borrowing tomorrow’s worries.

Two-minute read.

Hiking alone in the woods, I felt isolated. Spotty cell service cut me off from the world, and with each step I took, the connection weakened. But the woods’ beauty captivated me. The earth’s scent and the shades of green in the leaves, highlighted by rays of sunshine breaking through the canopy, brought my senses to life. Now and then, a scurrying animal or branches blowing in the breeze sent leaves falling to the ground, breaking the silence.

God’s creation in full glory.

And I felt fear.

My vulnerability in an unfamiliar place seemed highlighted. Worrying about snakes, bears, and other predators kept me from enjoying the beauty around me. Instead of turning around, I prayed.

“Lord, let me enjoy this beautiful trail. Don’t let me miss this moment.”

And He did, as God helped me conquer another mountain on another day.

In the past few years, I’ve climbed many mountains. And I’ve begun to understand that they come with life. Whether physically or metaphorically, we all become mountain climbers, overcoming fears one prayer at a time, one step at a time. We have a Creator who holds our hand as we traverse the hills in our lives.

With divine help, we can climb any mountain.

Every mountaintop comes with a view.

To see it, we must climb.

Holding our hand, God leads the way.

Fear tries to derail us from enjoying our Creator’s work. Only when we lean into Him can we experience the joy of our journeys. Instead of focusing on the “What ifs?” we can focus on “What will be?” when we trust the future to the Savior. We will find victory, not in our power, but in His.

Progress, not perfection, gets us to the top of the mountain. We will stumble and fall, but the Lord lifts us back up and helps us keep going. Perseverance happens in steps, not leaps. Putting one foot in front of the other and trusting God to hold our hand helps us achieve the dreams He gives us. We fulfill our purpose in millimeters, not yards.

Even though I didn’t know exactly where the trail would lead me that day, I trusted God’s guidance. With Him, we don’t have to have everything figured out. We must trust that our Father’s hand holds ours, and He takes the next step with us.

Mountaintop views come after the climb. Let the Lord lead you to the top.

Journal Questions:

• What situation are you facing right now that makes you afraid?
• What would change if you truly believed God was holding your hand through it?
• Where do you need to ask God for His help today?

Application:

Gain strength for today by clinging to the Savior’s hand as He holds yours.

Two-minute read.

Having spent the weekend in the mountains of western Virginia, I easily envision the lush green hills that tower over the landscape. Their majesty takes your breath away. Marveling over God’s creation and the work of His hands reminds me of His sovereignty.

We stayed at Mountain Lake Lodge, which, as the name suggests, has a lake. However, the lake currently has no water. Every 200 years or so, the lake empties and, as our tour guide explained, cleans itself. Removing and replacing the dirt rejuvenates the lake. Eventually, it seals itself and fills again, all by the intelligent design of our Creator.

Our help comes from the Lord.

Creator of heaven and earth.

God cares for us, just as He cares for the birds of the air and the lakes of the mountains. Even though we don’t always understand His actions, the Lord has a plan for our lives. He will give us the help we need when we need it.

The last time the lake emptied itself happened in the late 1800’s, and it remained empty for thirty years before refilling. Once the lake refilled to its 150-foot depth, it stayed full for over 200 years. According to our guide, it will take only a short time to refill when the time comes.

We don’t always know why things happen.

But we can trust the One who does.

Just like the lake goes through its cycle of emptying and refilling, the Lord does the same with us. Sometimes, we feel completely emptied, in desperate need of divine help. And God gives us the help we need, refilling us with his Spirit and making us new. Cleansing from within helps us face the day with strength from our Lord and Savior.

As Psalm 121 unfolds, the writer expands on the assurance of God’s help. He watches over us, never sleeping or losing interest. He holds us steady and keeps our feet from stumbling. The Lord provides shade in the heat of the sun, keeping us from evil. He watches our comings and goings and gives us life forevermore.

In Him, we can trust.

When you need help, look to the hills and remember the Savior. He will supply all your needs when you need them. Help comes from Him.

Journal Questions:

• Where are you looking for help right now, and what would it mean for you to intentionally turn your eyes toward God?
• What situation are you carrying that you need to surrender to the One who made heaven and earth?
• How does remembering that God is watching over you change the way you approach the uncertainties you are facing today?

Application:

When you feel overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, intentionally look to God first and trust Him to help you.

Two-minute read.

One of my favorite breathing techniques for calming the mind and soul starts with a deep inhale. I count to four slowly as I inhale, then pause for two. Slowly, I exhale to the count of six. Doing several deep breaths in a row, I focus my thoughts on the Savior.

As I breathe in, I imagine inhaling the Lord’s grace and goodness.

When I exhale, I visualize letting go of the negative and unproductive.

In the pastor’s message on Sunday, he used an analogy I had never heard before to describe grace: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

We receive grace because of Jesus. Each morning, we get fresh mercies from the Savior that allow us to start anew. The Lord only gives us enough grace for the day ahead. We don’t face today with leftovers, but with fresh evidence of His compassion and another opportunity to trust Him.

When Jeremiah wrote these words, Christ hadn’t come to earth. The nation experienced deep national grief and devastation following the destruction of Jerusalem. But in the middle of that grief, he pauses and remembers something unchanging: God’s character.

From the start of creation, the Lord’s redemptive plan unfolded. He gave the Israelites fresh mercies every morning. As the Old Testament unfolds, God points to our need for a Savior, and at the appointed time, Jesus came to earth and fulfilled His mission. Simple faith in Him gives us access to the Lord’s grace, and each morning, He gives us new mercies.

In my latest episode of repentance, I confessed my misdeed to the Lord. “Why do I do these things I don’t want to do?” I wrote in my journal. Ron reminded me that Paul had written the same words in Romans, confessing that he did what he didn’t want to do.

But through Jesus, I received forgiveness.

As did Paul.

As do you.

Every morning, when we awake, through Christ, we have access to God’s faithful grace and mercy. We can lay our sins at the foot of the cross and try to do better.

Breathe in God’s mercies. Breathe out the negative. Let the Lord’s cleansing breath remind you of His grace and mercy that arrive fresh each morning.

Journal Questions:

• Where do you need to remember that God’s love and mercy have not run out, even if your current circumstances feel difficult?
• What would it look like for you to receive God’s mercy as something fresh for today rather than carrying yesterday’s failures, regrets, or worries into this new day?
• When you look back over your life, where can you see evidence of God’s faithfulness that can give you hope for what you are facing today?

Application:

Take deep breaths and imagine God filling you with His grace.

Two-minute read.

“No one puts Baby in the corner!”

Written during a weekend at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA, the iconic 1987 movie Dirty Dancing came to life on the lodge’s grounds. The epic love story of Johnny and Baby unfolds over three weeks. As the movie comes to life, both grow into adulthood. The story reaches its pinnacle when Johnny dares to face Baby’s disapproving father.

Throughout the film, Johnny repeatedly shows self-control over his emotions, love for his friends and family, and ultimately bravery. By the end of the movie, Baby has left her nickname behind as she enters adulthood.

Fear didn’t rule Johnny and Baby.

Fear does not have to rule you.

Unlike Johnny, we have the Holy Spirit within us, giving us the power to face difficulties, love to guide our response, and a sound mind giving us self-control, discipline, and clear judgment.

When we faithfully use the gifts God gives us, we can face our mountains and resist the temptations that would steer us in the wrong direction.

Paul wrote Timothy’s letter from prison, near the end of his life. He encouragesTimothy to remain faithful, even when ministry feels difficult or frightening. Paul reminds Timothy that God has entrusted him with a gift and a calling, and doesn’t want his apprentice to shrink back from using it.

Timothy faced pressure, opposition, and discouragement. Paul knew proclaiming the gospel could bring suffering like no other. But he tells his young protégé not to let fear determine how he responds to God’s calling.

Johnny didn’t let fear stop him from doing the right thing.

And neither did Timothy.

True heroism comes when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

While Johnny’s story conveyed a fictional message, Paul tells a spiritual truth that stands the test of time.

God gives us a spirit of power, love, and self-control.

When we rely on Him, we can do anything. The Lord doesn’t put us in a corner; He takes us onto the dance floor and leads the way. In Christ, we can discover the rhythm of abundant life as we lean into His Spirit and follow His commands.

Put on your dance shoes. Lay aside your fears and enjoy the journey with Jesus.

Journal Questions:

• What fear or uncertainty are you facing right now, and how might God be inviting you to respond with His power instead of allowing fear to control you?
• How can you allow God’s love to shape the way you respond to a difficult person, situation, or decision?
• What would it look like for you to practice self-discipline and trust God’s strength in an area where you have been feeling overwhelmed or hesitant?

Application:

Let God’s Spirit lead you to live fearlessly in Him.