Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 39:1-40:38 ESV, Mark 1:1-28 ESV, Psalm 35:1-16 ESV, Proverbs 9:11-12 ESV

Daily Verse: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1 ESV)

THEOS (2316): “A deity, the supreme Divinity; fig., a magistrate.  In the polytheism of the Greeks denoted an ‘a god or deity.  Appropriated by Jews and retained by Christians to denote ‘the one true God.” In the OT, “God” comes from the Hebrew words Elohim and Jehovah, the former indicating His power and pre-eminence, the later His unoriginated, immutable, eternal, and self-sustained existence.  In the NT, these and all the other divine attributes are predicated of Him.”[I]

Everything starts with God.

People will argue until their dying breath, God doesn’t exist, but that’s not the truth. God created everything.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 ESV)

Other theories exist about how the world began, but none proved.  Our existence depends on God’s creativity; each morning begins because God allows the sun to rise.  You live because God gives you breath.  Everything starts with God.  First, He created the world; then God made man.  Without the Big Guy, none of us would live.

Eternal and self-sustained.

Our human minds can’t comprehend God’s sovereignty completely.  An eternal being, God doesn’t need us; we need Him.  Our forever life begins when we believe in God’s existence.  God created us as an expression of His love.  Loving, worshiping, and serving Jesus becomes our gift to God. 

Theology means how you view God. Each of us develops a belief system about the nature of God, which determines our relationship with Him.  If we think of God as cold and uncaring, our relationship will reflect the belief.  However, understanding God’s unconditional love for you will draw you into a closer relationship with Him as you accept His affection into your life.

Believe God exists.  Pursue a relationship with your Creator.  Experience the love and mercy God offers.  Live life to the fullest today.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p138) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 37:1-38:31 ESV, Matthew 28:1-20 ESV, Psalm 34:11-22 ESV, Proverbs 9:9-10 ESV

Daily Verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 ESV)

HAGIOS (40):  “Sacred (phys. Pure, mor. Blameless or religious, cer. Consecrated) Fundamentally signifies separated, and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God.  It is used of men and things in so far as they are devoted to God.  The saints are thus figuratively spoken of as a holy temple.[I]

One Spirit

Holy Spirit, God within us, makes our body God’s temple.  Jesus taking up residency in our hearts changes us.  Beginning to understand and apply God’s love to our relationships brings new life.  Only one God exists, only one Spirit.

Paul, in Athens, challenges the Romans because they have a statue of an unknown god, along with all their other gods.  Speaking to the men, Paul shows God as the unknown god, the one and only God.

Holy and Separate.

Believing in the one true God makes you holy, separated from your sin.  God forgives wholly and immediately the moment you ask for mercy.  As we journey with God, we become more sensitive to the sin in our lives, realizing a constant battle of surrendering our will to His exists.

God’s spirit, the Holy Spirit, helps us win the battle.  Conviction from within helps us confess quickly.  When an errant thought runs through my head, I admit it to God.  Partnering with the Creator’s power, the idea doesn’t take root in my mind and turn into action.

Holy Spirit, our one and only, guide and direct us today.  Let us acknowledge Your promptings, confess our sins, and become more like Jesus.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 3) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 35:10-36:38 ESV, Matthew 27:32-66 ESV, Psalm 34:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 9:7-8 ESV

Daily Verse: ‘And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 ESV)

EGKATALEIPO (1459): “To leave behind in some place, i.e. (in a good sense) let remain over, or (in a bad sense) to desert:-forsake (7x), leave (2x).  To forsake, abandon, leave in straits or helpless.”[I]

Forsaken moment.

Jesus experienced abandonment and despair, taking our sin upon His shoulders; He endured the suffering we deserve.  His heart-wrenching words reveal Jesus’s agony.  God forsaking Jesus for a moment gives us eternal life.  Before breathing His last, Jesus uttered three words, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Everyone feels God’s absence at some point in life.  Currently, I have areas in my life I’m wondering, “What the heck, God?”  As much as I pray, nothing appears to happen.  At times like these, we must remember God’s sovereignty. Our heavenly Father knows all, we only know in part, trust His wisdom.

Keep going.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant it.  Victory over every evil came at that moment.  God didn’t forsake Jesus; He used His Son to connect with us.  Jesus’ humanity on the cross joins us with our heavenly Father.  Our minds will never understand God, not until we reach heaven.  Trying to figure everything out wastes time and energy.

Feeling forsaken doesn’t mean God abandoned you.  Emotions lie; God doesn’t.  Jesus promises, “I am with you always, to the end of age” (Matthew 28:20 ESV).

Jesus did what we couldn’t.  Live in His gift today.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 75) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 34:1-35:9 ESV, Matthew 27:15-31 ESV, Psalm 33:12-22 ESV, Proverbs 9:1-6 ESV

Daily Verse: “Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22 ESV)

STAUROO (4717): “To impale on the cross; fig. to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness-crucify (46x).  Metaphorically, ‘the putting off of the flesh with its passions and lusts,’ a condition fulfilled in the case of those who are ‘in Christ Jesus,’ so of the relationship between the believer and the world.”[i]

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Jesus crucified for you.

In a world full of narratives, Jesus’ truth stands the test of time.  With over 500 witnesses alive during the writing of the New Testament, they validate the book. The fact remains the same, Jesus lived and died for us.  His resurrection proved accurate because of eyewitness testimony.

Crucifixion meant hanging the offender on a cross, nails hammered through hands and feet holding the person in place.  Death comes from suffocation; the body’s weight pulls the arms down, eventually making breathing impossible.[i]  Jesus suffered for our sins; make no mistake about the facts.

Respect the act.

What Jesus did for us deserves respect.  No other “god” shows such love.  Buddha’s last words as he died from eating tainted pork[ii]:

“Work hard to gain your own salvation.” Buddha[iii]

Our Savior’s last words before drawing His last breath:

“It is finished,” Jesus (John 19:30 ESV)

People create gods out of humans.  God came in the flesh, fulfilling over 300 prophecies, connecting us to Him.  Jesus lived so that we could find life to the fullest.  He died for our sins, not His—honor Jesus’ actions with your life.  Show gratitude for His sacrifice by taking steps of faith.

Trust the one who hung for you—experience life to the fullest with Jesus as your guide.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 233) Thomas Nelson

[i]https://www.theguardian.com/science/2004/apr/08/thisweekssciencequestions

[ii]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19813312/#:~:text=Buddha%20died%20from%20an%20illness,toxins%20of%20Clostridium%20perfringens%20infection.

[iii]http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/2_31lbud.htm

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 32:1-33:23 ESV, Matthew 26:69-27:14 ESV, Psalm 33:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 8:33-36 ESV

Daily Verse: “But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” (Matthew 26:70 ESV)

ARNEOMAI (720): “To contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate. Forsake, or renounce a thing.”[i]

Everyone denies.

Peter, the beloved disciple who walked with Christ, denied Him.  Not wanting to suffer, when asked if he knew Jesus, Peter responded, “I do not know the man.” (vs. 72).  Jesus knew Peter’s answer in advance:

“Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (Matthew 26:74 ESV)

Inevitably, we all deny Christ at some point or another.  When we decide to go against Jesus’ teachings, the decision denies Christ.  Our actions speak louder than words when we consciously do something that contrasts God’s word.  As Peter did, we feel remorse for our activities, realizing our mistake.  Just like Jesus forgave Peter, He forgives us. 

Don’t deny.

When I began my adult journey following Jesus, I faced the challenge of denying Christ.  In my late 20’s, training for a new job, I attended a seminar in Florida.  Surrounded by assumed non-believers, someone started a spiritual conversation, asking each of us what we believed.  One verse ran through my mind:

“But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33 ESV)

Petrified, when my turn came to answer the question, I quietly said, “I love Jesus.”  To my surprise, the guy next to me said, “Hallelujah, praise the Lord.  My aunt says, I’m lost, but I ain’t lost.  I love Jesus too!”

Don’t deny Jesus.  Stand for the One who hung for you.  Watch in amazement as God blesses your faithfulness.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 41) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 30:11-31:18 ESV, Matthew 26:47-68 ESV, Psalm 32:1-11 ESV, Proverbs 8:27-32 ESV

Daily Verse:  “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” (Matthew 26:48 ESV)

PARADIDOMI (3860): “To surrender, i.e., to deliver over to another to keep, yield up, intrust, transmit.  Also means ‘to give over, commit, deliver’ and also signifies ‘is brought forth.’ Is used in the sense of delivering a person or thing to be kept by another, to commend or to deliver to prison or judgment.”[I]

Delivered heartache.

Betrayal especially breaks hearts.  Giving up a bond of trust you have with someone to benefit yourself defines heartlessness.  Every “Good vs. Evil” story includes one, if not several, betrayals of some sort.  Once betrayed, you never forget the pain.  Trust disappears as hurt fills the void.

Jesus’ betrayer handed Him over to endure unspeakable torture and suffering.  Watch “Passion of the Christ”[i] by Mel Gibson if you want to understand what Jesus experienced.  Judas’ kiss, betrayal of all betrayals, killed the King.

Painful lessons.

Judas’s betrayal of Jesus caused him remorse; he hanged himself (Matthew 27:5 ESV).  For both parties, the betrayer and the betrayee, pain exists.  Jesus experienced physical and emotional pain, as we’ll never know.  Judas’ understanding of his actions came far too late. 

Pain exists on both sides of the story, each of us carrying unseen wounds, some festering more than others.  Regaining trust after a betrayal impossible without God.  Jesus brings us all together at the foot of the Cross.  His death paid the price for our sin.

Forgiving a betrayal, for me very difficult.  God forgives quickly.  I struggle to do the same, not wanting to experience the pain again, afraid the offender will do it again if I forgive.  Creating appropriate boundaries helps me develop healthier relationships.   Some people I pull in close, others I keep at arm’s length.  Following Jesus helped me learn to set boundaries.

Give your pain to Jesus.  Ask Him to show you what to do next.  Jesus never betrays.  In Him, you can trust.

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[i] https://youtu.be/4Aif1qEB_JU

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 189) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 29:1-30:10 ESV, Matthew 26:14-46 ESV, Psalm 31:19-24 ESV, Proverbs 8:14-26 ESV

Daily Verse:  “And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.” (Matthew 26:37 ESV)

LUPEO (3076): “To distress; to be sad; be sorrowful, grieve, make sorry, be sorry, sorrow, cause grief, be in heaviness.” [i]

Jesus experienced sorrow.

Jesus, knowing His mission, dying on the cross for our sins, heads to the garden to connect with God.  Feeling sorrowful and troubled, Jesus asks Peter, James, and John to keep watch as He communes with the Father.  When Jesus returns, He finds the disciples sleeping, not looking out for Him.  Already sorrowful and troubled, betrayal gets added to the mix. 

Yet Jesus persevered.

Sorrow’s path leads to joy, but we must experience the pain, not run from it.   Jesus didn’t run. The Son’s strength came from the Father; we have access to the same power. Jesus endured earthly pain on His way to eternal joy. And so do we.

Everyone experiences heaviness.

For most of my life, I’ve avoided sorrow.  Afraid of the emotion, I tried valiantly to prevent it.  Whenever sorrowful feelings began to wrap their tendrils around my heart, I would find something to take my mind off the emotions.

Coping techniques help us deal with difficult emotions and live fuller lives.  Identifying our feelings requires sitting in them for a moment, experiencing them.  My go-to technique RAIN by Dr. Laurie Santos[ii]:

Recognize:  Identify your feelings.

Allow: Permit yourself to feel.

Investigate: Understand your feelings.

Nurture: Become a friend to yourself

Jesus felt deeply.  He experienced the same heartaches we do.  Instead of running from His emotions, Jesus moved through them with His Father.  In His darkest moments, Jesus prayed.  Eventually, sorrow becomes joy.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 153) Thomas Nelson

[ii] https://mindyourmind.ca/blog/using-rain-technique-part-2-happiness-lab-podcast-series

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 28:1-43 ESV, Matthew 25:31-26:13 ESV, Psalm 31:9-18 ESV, Proverbs 8:12-13 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34 ESV) 

KLERONOMEO (2816): “Be heir, obtain by inheritance.  Includes all spiritual good provided through and in Christ, and particularly all that is contained in the hope grounded on the promises of God.  The reward of those who have shown kindness to the “brethren” of the Lord in their distress during the tribulation, Mt. 25:34; the kingdom of God, which the morally corrupt cannot “inherit,”[i]

Enjoy the inheritance.

Following Christ means eternal life, starting when you place your faith in Jesus.  The moment God’s spirit takes up residence in our hearts, we receive His gifts:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” (1 Cor. 12:4-6 ESV)

God’s Spirit enables us to do divine tasks.  Our gifts vary as much as our personalities. The closer we follow God, the more we enjoy His peace. Believing in God’s promises applying His principles to our lives will cause our lives to change. Our actions become loving and kind as we trust our Savior more.

If we don’t accept our inheritance, we can’t receive the gift.  Trusting Jesus happens with a decision to choose Him.  Believe He existed and died for you, rising again, overcoming death.  Let God’s Spirit flow into you.

Bear the fruit

Whatever gifts you receive from the Holy Spirit, the fruit remains the same:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

Obtaining your inheritance of God’s spirit allows you to produce fantastic fruit.  Trusting Jesus with your life and learning about Him will draw you into a deep relationship with your heavenly Father.

Grab your inheritance today.  Place your faith in Jesus.  Let God’s Spirit take control of your life.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 139-40) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 26:1-27:21 ESV, Matthew 25:1-30 ESV, Psalm 31:1-8 ESV, Proverbs 8:1-11 ESV

Daily Verse: “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” (Matthew 25:2 ESV) 

MOROS (3474): “Primarily denotes “dull, sluggish” (from a root muh, “to be silly”); hence, “stupid, foolish.”  The word means morally worthless, a scoundrel, a more serious reproach than “Raca”; the latter scorns a man’s mind and calls him stupid; moros scorns his heart and character; hence the Lord’s more severe condemnation.”[I]

Avoid foolishness.

Lack of preparation leads to regret.  Today’s parable compares five young girls preparing to meet their bridegroom.  Five of them took oil for their lamps; the others didn’t.  Jesus called the unprepared girls foolish.  When the bridegroom came, they didn’t enjoy the feast because they had to buy more oil first.  The silly girls missed their chance to unite with their love.

Jesus’ story portrays a powerful lesson.  We must prepare ourselves for Christ’s return.  One way or another, we will reunite with our Lord.  Either our natural death on the appointed day will lead us into Jesus’ arms, or His return to earth, we will meet Christ. Both require preparation.  We need to learn to wait well.

Prepare for the Opportunity.

Placing our faith in Jesus and believing He will return begins the journey towards heaven.  Each day we’re on earth, we must wait well.  Knowing when our life on earth ends, we will stand before God and give account for our lives, which spurs us onward.

As I age, my body hurts more.  Since I pray for God to bless my husband and me with long life, I wait expectantly by taking care of my body, God’s temple.  Looking ahead to my eighties, I hope to remain active, playing golf and tennis all my days.  To achieve that dream, I must take care of my body now.  Therefore, I’m becoming healthier daily by walking, regulating my food intake, and practicing yoga—all things which will prepare me for playing tennis when I’m 80 someday.

Waiting well for Jesus means accepting His presence in our lives.  We keep our lamps full by spending time with Him daily through God’s word, each day growing closer to Him as the Holy Spirit takes control of our life.  Heaven and earth meet when our hearts connect with Jesus through His Spirit.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 169) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Exodus 23:14-25:40 ESV, Matthew24:29-51 ESV, Psalm 30:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 7:24-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Matthew 24:45 ESV)

Doulos (1401): “a slave.  Properly the “bond man” one who was in a permanent relation of service to another one whose will was completely subject to the will of another.  The focus is on the relationship, not the service.  Doulos views him in relationship to his master.”[i]

Bond with Christ.

When you choose who you will bond your life to, pick Jesus. Servant means “in a permanent relation of service to another…completely subject” to their will.  In a world that loves to follow others, chase after the One who will set you free. 

Becoming a slave to Christ means you place His will before yours.  When making life decisions, consult with the Master.  Connecting with God through scripture helps you discern His will for your life.  Committing to putting God’s plan above yours requires daily steps of surrender coupled with faith.  Deny your desires; embrace God’s.

Back to basics.

Returning to tennis as an adult, I played singles with Lynda every opportunity God gave us.  As a tennis teacher, Lynda helped me develop my game.  Whenever my friend began to lose, she would go “back to basics.”  Lynda focused her mind on the elementary aspects of tennis.  Racquet back, move your feet, eye on the ball; three things imperative to playing a match.  She taught me to go back to basics whenever I felt out of sorts.

I apply the same tactic to life, focusing on the basics when I don’t know what God wants me to do.   Lead with grace.  Forgive completely.  Love always.  Basic tenants for following Christ, daily tasks God never changes.

Becoming a slave to Christ means making Him your Master.  Giving Jesus authority over your life gives you a game plan.  Jesus calls us to love God and others.  Every day, you can ground yourself in those four words.  In each situation you face, the question remains the same.  How can I love them for Jesus?

Entering a relationship with Jesus will change your life in ways you can’t imagine.  Applying the basics to your life will help you bond with your Master.

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[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p 72) Thomas Nelson