Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30 ESV, Romans 2:25-3:8 ESV, Psalm 11:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 19:10-12 ESV

Daily Verse: “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?” (Romans 3:3 ESV)

APISTEO (569): “To be unbelieving and is translated disbeliever implying that the unbeliever has had a full opportunity of believing and has rejected it.”[i]

Rejected belief.

Paul brings up an interesting point, God’s faithfulness versus humans.  Everyone has moments of faithlessness, even me.  But God never does.  When we doubt, God remains faithful. 

In my mind, I hear my mother’s voice, “Ye of little faith.”  She said the words to me when I doubted God.  Her words made me pause and think every time she said them.  “What does she know I don’t know?”

My mother’s devout faith grew from her earthly struggles.  Unexpectedly losing her father at five during the 1930’s depression, mom knew hardship.   Grandma sold eggs and took in laundry to make ends meet.  They never went without food or shelter, but they had a rugged path to walk.  From her challenges, mom’s faith grew.

God never leaves.

What my mother learned amid her darkest days, God never left her.  He remained faithful when she doubted.  Decades later, her enduring faith made it easy to say, “Ye of little faith,” to her daughter, who had little experience with life’s difficulties.

God’s always faithful, especially when we doubt.  From our perspective, God seems inactive, but He’s not.  The Creator’s plan began unfolding long ago and will continue through eternity. 

In a world of self-entitlement, people struggle to realize that the earth doesn’t revolve around them.  Just because someone doesn’t get what they want or think they deserve doesn’t mean God doesn’t care.  None of us deserve anything we have.  All sinners, the penalty remains the same, death.  But Jesus paid the price so we could live life condemnation free.

Remember my mother’s words when you doubt, “Ye of little faith.”  God will bring you through the storm.  Just because you doubt doesn’t mean God’s not with you.  Give the situation time; you’ll look back one day and understand.  But for now, just believe.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 34) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:37-18:17 ESV, Romans 2:1-24 ESV, Psalm 10:16-18 ESV, Proverbs 19:8-9 ESV

Daily Verse: “We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.” (Romans 2:2 ESV)

PRASSO (4238): “To practice, i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually. In Rom 2:3, he who does, poieo, the things mentioned, is warned against judging those who practice them, prasso.[i]

Perform repeatedly.

Writing to the Romans, Paul highlights the downside of judging others; you condemn yourself.  God judges, not us. Loving others means not judging them.  Unfortunately, forming incorrect opinions about others comes naturally, causing damage to relationships.

Instead of practicing judgment, change your thought patterns by repeatedly seeking Jesus.  Beginning a daily practice of reading God’s Word, journaling and praying will change the way you look at others.  Instead of judging them for their sin, you will love them in it.

Allowing the scriptures to illuminate your heart will help you become self-aware.  As the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, you become more graceful.  Judging others may take the attention off you, but it doesn’t negate the truth. 

Grace required.

Everyone needs grace because everyone sins.  My sin may differ from yours, but the price remains the same, death.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)

Before you point the finger at someone else, do some soul searching.  Yank the plank from your eye before pulling the splinter from someone else’s.  Thinking of yourself better than others never ends well.

Jesus humbled Himself for humanity.  Born in a nasty manger, raised as a carpenter, and died on a Cross for you.  Christ didn’t sacrifice Himself for you to judge. Jesus did it to show you how to love.

Judge less, love more.  The world will thank you.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 209) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36 ESV, Romans 1:18-32 ESV, Psalm 10:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 19:6-7 ESV

Daily Verse: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18 ESV)

ORGE (3709): “From 3713; prop. Desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e., violent passion by impl. Punishment. God’s purposes in judgment, Romans 1:18.” [i]

God’s purposes.

No one hurts us more than ourselves.  We blame God for choices we make that negatively affect our lives, then call it God’s wrath.  Consequences do exist for the decisions you make.  For some reason, we decide our mistakes equal God’s wrath.

Our introduction to God’s wrath happens in Genesis when Eve bit into the forbidden fruit.  God didn’t make her bite the apple; Eve made the decision.  When the Creator walked through the garden, Adam and Eve’s sin caused them to hide, covering up their nakedness.  What did God do?  He clothed them with animal skins.  The first sacrifice happened because of man’s sin. 

Consequences happen.

Would sin exist in the world if Eve never bit into the apple?  I don’t know the answer to that question.  If the alcoholic knew the first drink would lead to his demise, would he still take a sip?  Often in life, we don’t know how the choices we make will impact us in the long run.  No one knows the future but God.

When we sin, in whatever manner, God does forgive us, but He also lets us endure the consequences.  Spending more money than I had led me to debt.  God’s word clearly states, don’t become a slave to the lender, yet I did.  As a result, I spent years paying off my debts. 

Often, during that time, I wondered why God didn’t provide the means for me to become debt free.  After all, God owns all the resources, right?  What I know now, if the Creator supplied me with a check, I wouldn’t have learned the lesson.

God does have a purpose for us in this life, and He understands our sinful nature.  Jesus bridges the gap between God’s perfection and our imperfection.  The Creator will do whatever He wants, but sometimes, God’s responding to what we did.

 And the response remains the same as when God clothed Eve in the garden, love.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 181) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17 ESV, Romans 1:1-17 ESV, Psalm 9:13-20 ESV, Proverbs 19:4-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7 ESV)

 

KLETOS (2822): “invited, i.e., appoint, or a saint: -called.  In Roman 1:7 and 1 Cor 1:2, the meaning is “saints by calling.”[i]

Saints by calling.

God created you for a chosen purpose.  No one else can fulfill the Maker’s plan for your life but you.  Trying to accomplish someone else’s divine task will lead to failure.  MVPs don’t exist without teams.  Becoming one of God’s Most Valuable Players requires playing your position well.

Ron and I’s first volunteer gig together involved cleaning toilets.  Our role happened behind the scenes.  While people worshipped God in the auditorium, we cleaned the bathrooms, refilled the mints, and emptied the garbage.  Praying over the mints became my favorite part of the job; not knowing who would enjoy which ones, I prayed all would have their lives impacted as they learned about Jesus.   

Every position counts.

Whatever task God gives you, whether cleaning toilets or speaking from the podium, they build the kingdom.  Someone has to run the sound system, clean the bathrooms and preach the message.  No role carries more weight than any other, all of us equal in God’s eyes.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”  (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

As Christ followers, our tasks differ, but the importance remains the same.  Without each of us doing what God called us to do, His kingdom wouldn’t advance. Our Creator’s plan unfolds one day at a time as we apply His commands to our lives.

Whatever divine task God assigns you, do it to your best ability.  Building the kingdom requires all types of people to do different things.  Instead of changing people into your image, help them strive to become more like Jesus.  Give others space to live the life God intended them to live, not the one you want them to live.

Letting go of your expectations allows God to shine brightly through others as they fulfill His purpose for their lives.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 108) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18 ESV, Acts 28:1-31 ESV, Psalm 9:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 19:1-3 ESV

Daily Verse: “When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.” (Acts 28:3 ESV)

ECHIDNA (2191): “An adder or other poisonous snake.  Generic term for poisonous snake.”[i]

Poisonous snake.

Paul, stoking the fire, disturbs a viper that latches onto his hand. Without flinching, Paul shakes the snake off unharmed.  Unable to believe their eyes, Paul became a god in the native’s view.  Not knowing about Jesus and His power, the natives couldn’t help but come to this conclusion.

God’s protection over our lives comes in many forms.  When on a mission for the Big Guy, nothing will stop you, not even poisonous snakes. Stoking the fire reveals the snakes. Evil slithers in and out of our lives like a viper, leaving chaos in its wake.  But Jesus protects us from the snake’s bite, the Holy Spirit propelling us forward on our journey.

Shake it off.

Paul, following Jesus, suffered many things, shipwrecks, beatings, stoning, and snakes, to name a few.  Every one of his difficulties, Paul shook off and kept going.  When Paul spent two years chained to a guard, he shared the gospel with his captors and wrote letters encouraging the church.  Nothing stopped Paul.

Following Christ will disrupt the world around you in unimaginable ways.  Speaking truth to others, in love, requires tender care.  No one you know has a pain-free life; everyone suffers.  Jesus gives hope to the hopeless, peace to the anxious, and grace to the sinner, all with unconditional love.

As you become more like Christ, loving those around you, they may not respond as you think.  Adding more fuel to the flame will send the snakes scurrying.  Like Paul, don’t let them bother you.  Understand, dealing with snakes comes with the journey.  Victory comes with Jesus.

If someone says something hurtful to you, let it go.  Don’t ponder on the snake bite; shake it off.  Trust God’s work in their lives as you love them to the best of your ability.  Jesus brings us out of the pit into life, one step at a time.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 108) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14 ESV, Acts 27:21-44 ESV, Psalm 8:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 18:23-24 ESV

Daily Verse: “Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.” (Acts 27:21 ESV)

HUBRIS (5196): “Primarily denotes “wantonness, insolence,”: then, “an act of wanton violence, an outrage, injury,” Acts 27:21 “harm.”[I]

Wanton violence.

Decisions we make cause injury to ourselves.  Discerning God’s will challenges the most devout believer.  God asks us to put our desires on the back burner as we pursue His purpose for our life.  Dying to self grows us.  Everyone wants their way; typically, God has a different direction for us to go.

Paul, led by the Spirit, doesn’t think they should set sail, but the sailors disagreed and went anyway.  Let the suffering begin for the crew because they wouldn’t listen.

God doesn’t give us a road map for life. Instead, our Creator wants us to follow Him. Leading the Israelites in the desert, God used a cloud during the day and fire by night. They didn’t have a travel itinerary because they trusted the Maker’s guidance.

God navigates.

Without a doubt, the best way to let God lead you happens when you engage with the Scriptures daily.  Zig Ziglar, Christ follower and motivational speaker from the 1970s and ’80s, sums up the importance of reading the Bible well:

“I read the paper every day and the Bible every day; that way, I know what both sides are up to.”

Reading God’s word reveals truth you can find no other way.  However, if you don’t put in the time and effort to discover what the Bible says, you’ll never know its power.  Relying on other people to do the work for you doesn’t have the punch reading scripture on your own does.

Set a goal for yourself to read God’s word daily for a period.  No devotional, not even mine (said with a smile on my face), just the Bible.  Read the book of John first, which records Jesus’s miracles; it will make you want to read more.  Ask God to let your spirit engage with His Word and see what happens.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 255) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40 ESV, Acts 27:1-20 ESV, Psalm 7:1-17 ESV, Proverbs 18:22 ESV

Daily Verse: “And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.” (Acts 27:2 ESV)

EPIBAINO (1910): “from 1909 and the base of 939; to walk upon, i.e., mount, ascend, embark, arrive: as a verb means “sitting upon.”[i]

Walk upon.

Life’s journey requires moving forward and walking upon God’s path for you.  Created to love God and others, we all have a particular purpose.  The people God surrounds you with represent those He wants you to love, even the mean, nasty ones.  Loving happens in many ways, sometimes from afar, sometimes up close and personal.

Paul walked upon a ship to continue his missionary journey.  Sometimes, God calls us to walk across the room to begin ours.  Because of his love for people, Paul endured hardship to share the good news of Christ.  Laying aside his pride, Paul humbled himself for the sake of others, just like Jesus.

Keep moving.

Often, we get stuck on the journey.  A moment happens in our life, changing it forever, leading us on a path we thought we would never take, and we get stuck in it.  Instead of moving through the event, we lavish in it.

When my father died, I got stuck in the moment for three decades.  Carrying a chip on my shoulder, I felt like God, and the world owed me for what they did to me, taking my dad away.  Then one night, my husband lovingly showed me the chip, and for the first time in over thirty years, I began to move forward from my dad’s death.

On the other hand, we can get stuck in the good moments.  One of the life-changing events for me happened when I met my husband.  Married ten years in August of 2022, we’ve shared many moments since then, but it still ranks as one of the top five.  We can’t stay in those minutes; we must keep moving forward; life doesn’t give us a choice.

Appreciating life means living in the current moment, good or bad; both will pass.  Whether we want to or not, we must take the next step.  Each day, we embark further along the path as we pursue God passionately, trusting His plan, even if we don’t understand it.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 95) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81 ESV, Acts 26:1-32 ESV, Psalm 6:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 18:20-21 ESV

Daily Verse: “So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:” (Acts 26:1 ESV)

EPITREPO (2010): “as a verb, lit. denotes “to turn to” (epi, “upon, to,” trepo, “to turn”), and so “to permit, give leave, send,” “to entrust,” signifies “to permit,” Acts 26:1.”[i]

Give leave.

Standing in front of King Agrippa, Paul has permission to speak freely.  So, Paul does, telling the king his life story.  Growing up in Jewish culture, becoming a Pharisee, devout in his beliefs, Paul persecuted and killed followers of “The Way.”  But then, one day, an encounter with Jesus on a dusty road changes his life forever.

When someone gives you leave to talk freely about Jesus, take the opportunity to tell your story.   Like Paul, share how you came to know Christ.  Remember the moment Jesus changed your life forever; recall the feelings of falling in love with Christ.

Permit love.

One of my most complex struggles remains the same, receiving love.  My insecurities convince me of my unworthiness of affection.  Believing God thought so much of me; He sent Jesus to offer me salvation seems impossible.  Yet God did.  Jesus paid the price for my sin, creating an unbreakable bond between God and me.

Receive the love God has for you.  Allow yourself to accept Jesus’ divine affection.  Christ’s calling card reads, “Unconditional love to all who believe and trust in Me.”  To receive God’s love, you must believe in its truth.  Despite your flaws, Jesus loves you.  Every mistake you make or will make, God knows and still loves you.

Once you accept God’s love and tangibly encounter Jesus, you will have a story to tell.  Pursuing a relationship with God changes you from the inside out.  Your worldview changes when you look at it through the lens of scripture.

You realize quickly, God deems you worthy of love; permit yourself to accept it.  Then share what you have found with the world.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 100) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17 ESV, Acts 25:1-27 ESV, Psalm 5:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 18:19 ESV

Daily Verse: “So, said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” (Acts 25:1-27 ESV)

TOUTO (5129) & ATOPOS (824): Touto: “to (in, with or by) this (person or thing). Atopos: Out of place, i.e., improper, injurious, wicked.  This word means lit, “out of place” and denotes unbecoming, not befitting.”[i]

Out of place.

Paul, appealing to Festus, asks what he’s done wrong. Whoever thinks Paul has done something out of place must accuse him.  But they can’t because Paul hasn’t gone against Jewish laws or Caesar.  So Festus decides to send Paul to Caesar. 

In today’s world, false accusations happen regularly.  Thanks to social media, lies can travel the world faster than ever.  When truth becomes apparent, people don’t recognize it.  No matter how we share the message, one thing remains the same: Jesus.

Eternal truth.

Paul’s accusers don’t have a case.  But because they tried, Paul spoke in front of kings and queens about Jesus.  To gain the audience of royalty, Paul suffered false accusations.  Following Jesus takes us places we never thought we would go and gives us opportunities we didn’t know we would have.

Jesus never said we would have an easy life.  Christ offers eternal life to those who place their faith in Him.  On this earth, we will suffer in a myriad of ways.  Our reward awaits in the peace of heaven.

The next time you experience false accusations, remember Paul’s story.  God has a plan, one that has eternal consequences.  Follow Him closely, and God will use in miraculous ways.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 47 & 252) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4 ESV, Acts 24:1-27 ESV, Psalm 4:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 18:16-18 ESV

Daily Verse: “But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.” (Acts 24:4 ESV)

Epielkeia (1932): “This word suggests “sweet reasonableness”, is translated “clemency” in Acts 24:4; elsewhere, in 2 Cor. 10:1, of the gentleness of Christ.  It refers to the sort of moderation that recognizes that it is impossible for formal laws to anticipate and provide for all possible cases.  It rectifies and redresses the injustices of justice; a correction of the law where law falls short on account of generalities.  God remember we are but dust and deals with us accordingly.”[i]

Sweet reasonableness.

Appealing to the good nature of the governor, Tertullus took advantage of the situation to turn the people against Paul.  But what man plans for evil, God uses for His benefit.  In this case, Paul had the opportunity to share the gospel with all in attendance.  Only God knows how Paul’s words impacted those in the crowd.

People taking advantage of others’ sweet reasonableness happens all the time.   God blessed me with a kind husband.  I must consciously work at not taking advantage of him, and I fail miserably.  Naturally, kind people struggle to say no to others and get taken advantage of quickly. 

Become kinder.

All of us can become kinder.  Protecting others from their weaknesses exemplifies kindness.  If you know someone who struggles with saying no, don’t ask.  Listen to what others say.  Ask God to help you see them through His eyes.  When you do, becoming kinder happens naturally.

When we see people through God’s lens, their heartache becomes visible.  Instead of seeing them through our eyes, God gives us spiritual sight.  Jealousy fades away in the face of pain.  No one envies heartache. 

And even when we falter, God will bless our effort.  Like God maneuvered Paul’s journey in unexpected ways, He does the same for us.  Short-sightedness makes us miss the big picture.  God’s plan unfolds in crazy ways, and reading Paul’s story exemplifies this fact.

Whichever way God takes you, respond in kindness.  Jesus operated with sweet reasonableness to all He met.  If we want to imitate the Lord, we must do so with kindness.

---

[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 96) Thomas Nelson