Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 46-47 GW; Acts 8 GW

Life change happens.

Saul approved of Stephen’s murder.  He dragged people from their homes and threw them in prison.  Persecuting followers of Christ was his passion; Saul did it well.  But then, one day, Saul met Jesus.

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:3-4 GW)

From that moment on, Saul was never the same.  His killing of innocent men and women stopped as Saul discovered new life in Christ.  

Meeting Jesus does change your life.  God gives you a second chance.  All of the mistakes and blunders from your past don’t define who you are.  Instead, new hope arises as you get a “do-over.”  Faced with the same circumstances, you can make a different choice.  Obedience to God means doing what He wants instead of what you desire.  God’s way is always the better way.

Get to know Jesus.

Life change happens the moment you place your faith in Jesus.  Like Saul, in an instant, everything changes.  However, that minute is the beginning of a journey that never ends.  Saul’s trip began with three days of blindness and fasting as his traveling partners led him to Ananias, who gave him back his sight.  Saul becomes filled with the Holy Spirit and experiences baptism.  According to theologians, over ten years pass before his name becomes Paul.  In other words, Saul’s journey took time.

Our journeys take time as well.

Life change happens one day at a time.  When I first started following Jesus as an adult, my entire life changed.  My relationships are what experienced the most significant transition.  When you begin to understand the immense love God has for people, you can’t help but love them too.  Realizing the grace God extended to me made me want to do the same for others.  But changing was a process that is still occurring today.  Every day, God teaches me something new.

Experience life change.  Let God’s spirit guide your life.  Journey with Jesus, one day at a time.

Lord, thank You for giving us life change.  Forgive us for not getting to know You better.  Help us today learn more about You.   Let us experience life change like never before as we pursue You with our whole hearts.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

How has your life changed since meeting Jesus?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 45 GW; Acts 7 GW

Truth reveals.

Stephen, a disciple of Jesus, was the first martyr in 36 A.D.  Only 29 years old when he died, Stephen is a hero of mine.  Brought before the Sanhedrin, Jerusalem’s supreme rabbinic court, they accused him of speaking against the Jewish Temple. When asked the question, “Is this true?” Stephen defended his faith by recalling the lives of Abraham and Moses.  He reminded the chief priest of how the people turned their back on God.  Then Stephen accused them of acting just like their ancestors, lacking obedience to God.

Of course, the council members didn’t like what Stephen said.  They refused to listen to him.  Instead, they murdered him, leaving their coats with a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58 GW).  If you’re not aware, Saul becomes Paul after he meets Jesus on the road to Damascus, writing much of the New Testament.

“While council members were executing Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, welcome my spirit.” Then he knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them.” After he had said this, he died.” (Acts 7:59-60 GW)

Cling to Jesus.

Feedback is crucial if we are to grow.  The Sanhedrin couldn’t hear what Stephen was saying because he offended them.  If Stephen was right, then they were wrong.  The Sanhedrin couldn’t accept the possibility they were at fault.  Instead of dealing with their issues, they decided to get rid of the problem.

But you can’t get rid of Jesus.  Hiding from God never works.  He knows everything, good, bad, and ugly.  AND Jesus loves you!  Don’t run from Him; cling to God.  Lay your burdens at the foot of the cross, allow God to show you the error of your ways.  Understand, He wants you to find life to the fullest by letting go of the past and embracing the future God has for you.

We are all sinners in need of God’s grace.  Admitting our faults allows us to find healing.  Let God reveal the truth to you.  Embrace the love He has for you today and always.

Lord, thank You for revealing the truth to us.  Forgive us for our sins.  Help us accept the truth in our lives; let us become new people in Christ as we submit our lives to You.  May obedience to You become our top priority.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What truth is hard for you to accept?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 43-44 GW; Acts 6 GW

Find your lane.

Each of us has different gifts given to us by God.  Today’s scripture is about a conflict that arose.  While the disciples were busy sharing the good news, Greek-speaking Jews accused them of ignoring the needs of widows in the community.  Realizing they couldn’t do everything, the apostles chose seven men to help them deal with the issue in their ministry.  The solution pleased everyone.  Some served the widows, while others continued to devote themselves to prayer and spread God’s word.

None of us can do everything.  God equips us for our role in life.  Defining your passion helps determine your groove.  I’ve always wanted to write, but I didn’t pursue the passion until my fifth decade.  Writing my first book on prayer was something I couldn’t accomplish alone.  Editors, artists, photographers, lawyers all helped me create the finished work.  Each of us had a different purpose on the same project.

Do what you do.

Finding your lane means understanding your gifts.  If you know that you can’t cook, then don’t offer to serve in the kitchen.  However, if you love cooking, help feed those in need.  Some people sing others play instruments, while others run the lights.  No one does everything on their own; we all need help.

Billy Graham, the famed pastor of the last century, filled stadiums with over 200 million people.  Even though his name is the one remembered, countless people helped make those events a reality.  Janitors prepared the venues; organizers promoted the event, greeted people, and helped them find their seats.  Not one event did Billy do on his own; many served namelessly to help spread the gospel’s good news.

Find what you love, then do it for God.  Whether you write notes to people suffering, take meals to the sick or lend an ear to someone who needs to talk, all of these things serve God. Find your lane, then move forward, full speed ahead.

Lord, thank You for giving us purpose.  Forgive us for thinking we don’t have anything to share.  Help us today find our lane; show us where you want us to serve.  Help us grow the kingdom with the gifts and talents You’ve given us.  All glory is Yours.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What do you love to do?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 41-42 GW; Acts 5 GW

Belief changes everything.

From the moment you first put your faith in Jesus, life changes.  Acknowledging you’re not in control of the universe is a relief.  Trust me, I tried for years to make the world revolve around me, but it doesn’t, nor ever will.  Admitting my way of living wasn’t working; accepting the grace and mercy God offers genuinely did give me new life.  Jesus can do the same for you.

God cares about your heart.  He wants to give you the peace that surpasses all understanding.  But accepting God’s gifts means you must believe.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

Peace, not Pain.

“Peace, not Pain” is chapter 8 in my book, “Three Word Prayers for Everyday Living.”  My friend Lori created the prayer during a painful period of her life.  Because she believes in God, she clung to “Peace, not Pain” and found a way to move through the hurt, experiencing God’s joy at the moment.  Belief gives us the power to keep moving forward when life knocks us down.

Choose to believe today.  Take a chance on Jesus.  God isn’t the fruitcake many think He is.  Undoubtedly, in our humanness, we’ve all misrepresented God.  None of us can perfectly represent God’s unconditional love and grace to others, but we can try.  We can try to love others as God loves us.  

Drawing closer to Jesus means getting to know who He is.  And quite frankly, Jesus is incredible.  Jesus loves you, died for you, and wants you to have life to the fullest.  Which you will, when you begin to follow Him.  Jesus will take you places you never thought you would go.  

Believe in Jesus.  Let Him change your life, one day at a time.  Stay the course, live the adventure.

Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of faith.  Forgive us for not believing in You more.  With all my heart, I pray for people to have confidence in You.  As people turn to You, change their lives in ways they can’t imagine.  Give them peace in their hearts and lives to the fullest as they put their trust in You.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What stops you from believing in Jesus?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 40 GW; Acts 4 GW

God evokes strong feelings.

Whether you believe in God or not, He inspires passion.  Recently, promoting my new book, “Three Word Prayers for Everyday Living,” I advertised on Facebook.  The first comment was negative from a non-believer, which then spurred more negativity.  However, since the book wasn’t released, none of the commenters read it.  God gave me a whole new insight into the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Statistics show, most people don’t read the Bible. However, they have extreme opinions about something they haven’t read.  And people have profound emotions about God, whether they believe in Him or not.  As Christ-followers, we can’t let people’s negativity stop us from sharing our faith.

Speak boldly.

No matter what the opposition, share God’s love.  People exist who live to criticize others.  Criticizing people is easier than looking at the plank in their own eyes:

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:4 NIV)

We all have planks.  If you’re a close personal friend of mine, you know what mine are.  Before we point the finger at others, we must first examine ourselves.  When we do, we’ll realize we need God’s grace and mercy first and foremost.

When haters hate, give them to God.  As I read the negative comments, I prayed for my critics, “Bless them, fix me.”   Bringing God into the conversation reminds me, we’re all sinners in need of grace.  And God is a controversial topic for many people.  Life circumstances cause people to doubt God’s existence.  Conversing with an unseen God seems insane to some people, but maybe that’s because they never tried it.  I don’t know; I’m not God.

But I do know, God is real.  When people are negative, God is your refuge.  In Him, find protection from the storm.  Don’t let haters stop you from speaking boldly.

Lord, thank You for the firm foundation You provide.  Forgive us for succumbing to the negativity of this world.  Give us boldness to speak of Your love, grace, and mercy.  When people attack, let their efforts roll off our backs.  Don’t let us internalize the hatred; fill us with Your love instead.  Help us speak boldly always.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

Whose negativity do you need to pray for today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Ezekiel 38-39 GW; Acts 3 GW

Regular prayer works.

Peter and John prayed daily at 3:00 p.m.  Because of their Jewish background, they prayed at 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and sunset at the temple.  Dedication to prayer brings miracles.  As they were entering the temple, Peter and John came upon a man, lame from birth.  Every day, the disabled man sat at the temple gate, begging for money.  When the beggar saw Peter and John, he asked them for a handout.  Peter replied:

“I don’t have any money, but I’ll give you what I do have. Through the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, walk!” (Acts 3:6 GW)

Because of their dedication to prayer, Peter and John understood the power of Jesus.  And they knew how to share what Jesus gave them with others.  Regular prayer works because it keeps us in tune with our Creator.  Only with Him can miracles happen.  If we don’t communicate with the miracle maker, we won’t experience extraordinary events.

God makes miracles.

Events contrary to ordinary things, or deviation from the known laws of nature, a supernatural event define miracles. Indeed, one of the most extraordinary works of God I’ve witnessed is the softening of hardened hearts.  Restoration of broken relationships is miraculous.  Physical miracles are just as mighty.  But none of these things can we do without God’s intervention.

First responders experienced a miracle in March of 2015 when they heard the words, “Help me!” coming from inside an overturned car in the Utah river.  When they heard the voice, they lifted the car and discovered 18-month-old Lily strapped in her car seat, alive after spending 12 plus hours hanging above the icy river.  Her mother was dead, killed on impact; she couldn’t have spoken.  But yet the first responders and firefighters all heard someone yelling for help.

Miracles happen every day.  God is listening.  But if we’re not tuning in to God, we’ll miss the benefits.  Daily prayer helps us connect to the work God is doing.   Regular prayer results in God’s mighty acts.

Lord, thank You for connecting with us.  Forgive us for not making time with You a priority in our lives.  Deepen our desire to spend time with you.  Help us become more regular in our prayer time with You.  Show us Your might works as we do. IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

How can you begin praying more regularly?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Ezekiel 37 GW; Acts 2 GW

Daily devotion convicts.

Not a morning goes by that God doesn’t convict me of something.  Every morning, when I open my Bible, one scripture always speaks to me more than others.  Sometimes, God reminds me of something I did or said to someone else.  Other times, my guilt is over something I think I’m hiding from God, but in reality, I’m not.  But each day, when I seek God, He prompts me into action.

Many people receive texts, cards, or calls based on my morning time with God.  Confessing my sins to Him each day renews me and draws me back to my Creator.  Some days, I have to admit to others my wrongdoings as well.  But one thing is true; my daily devotion moves me closer in my relationship with God and others.

Devotion grows.

I remember the first time I read through the Bible in a year.  Around 30 years old, before Youversion, I had a paper Bible.  My reading plan was simple, read front to back.  Not at all how I would suggest someone read through the Bible the first time.  The Old Testament is brutal to get through if you don’t know Jesus.  I got behind at one point, eventually stopping.  During the period when I stopped reading, I noticed a difference in my spirit.  Unsettled and rattled are the words that best describe how I felt.  But as soon as I started daily reading God’s word again, His peace returned.

Now, a couple of decades later, I’m still reading my Bible daily, and how I know devotion grows.  From fifteen minutes a day, I’m now writing daily devotionals.  My time with God multiplied. The further I go in my relationship with Him, the deeper I want to go. My relationships are better than ever before, and God’s peace reigns in our lives, even in the storms.

Talk to God every day.  Read His word and apply it to your life.  Watch as you grow closer to God and others.  Your relationships will blossom like never before.

Lord, thank You for meeting with us every day.  Forgive us for the days we don’t show up.  Give us a desire to start our day with You every morning.  Let our devotion to You grow each day, helping us become a new creation in You.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

How is your daily meeting with God changing your life?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 36 GW; Acts 1 GW; Psalms 109 GW

Lying is innate.

All of us lie; we don’t need a lesson in deceit.  When you ask a three-year-old boy who has cookies all over his face if he ate the baked good, the toddler will instinctively say “No.”  Even caught red-handed, our instinct is to lie.  Human nature is human nature.  Understanding that you lie helps you forgive those who lie about you.  

Not only must we accept that we are liars, but we also must accept people lie about us. People tell falsehoods for many reasons. Perhaps they feel better about themselves by making someone else look worse.  Or maybe they’re ashamed of their behavior and are trying to cover it up by telling tall tales about someone else.  And making up stories about others is one way people entertain themselves.  People lie for all kinds of reasons.

But truth always prevails.  Bringing the facts to light may take time.  People become entangled in the lies they tell, as well as the ones they believe.  The difference between truth and a lie, the facts always come out.  Lies never stand against the test of time.

Wait for it.

When lies are swirling around you, wait for truth’s exposure.  False stories never last; the facts always come to light.  Right now, in our world, the truth about the past 18 months is beginning to emerge.  Manipulation through mass media is becoming more and more evident.  People realize you can’t believe everything you read or watch on the internet.  Fake news is more prevalent than real news.

But truth does survive.  Lies fall away quickly as the facts become apparent.  When you are the topic of the lies, weather the storm by standing firm on the truth.  Jesus endured many false accusations during His time on earth, but He grounded Himself in the reality of the Father.  God’s Son understood, lies don’t last; they always fade away.

Accept lying as part of life.  Trust that the truth always comes out.  Seek the facts, appreciate the truth.

Lord, thank You for exposing the truth to us.  Forgive us for when we lie.  Help us always to tell the truth.  When others tell lies about us, help us forgive them quickly.  Don’t let the devil get a foothold in our lives.   Let Your truth become our guiding light.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What lies have you told lately?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 35 GW; Obadiah GW; Psalms 108 GW

Truth enables decisions.

Our problem today is defining truth.  As my husband always says, lies go around the world three times before the facts catch up with it.  How are we to define reality in a world full of falsities? People spin narratives every day; whether they are factual or not doesn’t seem to matter.  When someone tells a lie, then corrects themselves later, most people never see the correction, just the false news.   How are we to make informed decisions if we can’t define the truth?

From my perspective, I have my truth, the way the world appears to me.  But my vision is narrow.  I know I can’t trust myself, because as God’s word says, the heart is deceptive:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV)

Defining truth is a challenge in today’s world, but one thing stands the test of time:  God’s word.  Over the centuries, the words within the Scriptures have stood the challenge.  Putting them into practice in your life will help define truth.

Tell the whole story.

Objectivity requires the facts.  All of us are operating from limited perspectives; none of us knows everything.  Only God sees the whole picture; we see only in part.  Accepting our limitations allows us to invite God’s perspective into ours.  When we seek God’s view, we gain His vision.

For instance, a common prayer for me is, “God help me see people through Your eyes.”  When I pray this, God illuminates things I can’t see, mainly their pain.  What God sees that we can’t is people’s struggles.  When we gain His vision, we begin to see their suffering, which in turn softens our hearts and creates better relationships.  We make better decisions because God reveals the truth to us.

Recognize your limitations.  Seek the truth through God.  Ask Him to reveal the whole story to You.  Gain God’s vision.  Discover His truth, and you’ll make better decisions.

Lord, thank You for revealing the truth to us.  Forgive us for the deceptions we believe in life.  Illuminate truth for us today, show us the whole story in our life’s circumstances.  Soften our hearts as we begin to see those around us through Your eyes.  Please help us make better decisions based on all the facts.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What truth do you need God to reveal to you today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jude 1 GW; Ezekiel 34 GW; Psalms 4 GW

False teachers require discernment.

Schisters know the right thing to say to get what they want.  We all know people like this; they could sell ice to an Eskimo.  When spirituality is the topic, false teachers abound.  To grow in discernment, you must steep yourself in God’s word.  Memorizing scripture helps you quickly discern when someone isn’t telling the truth.  Many people have done horrible things claiming their actions were because of God.

Throwing God’s name around isn’t something you should do lightly.  If what you’re doing contradicts God’s word, then odds are, you’re not listening to God.  Taking scripture out of context is something God frown’s upon:

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6 ESV)

Focus on God’s truth

If you study the truth, lies are easy to spot.  When you know something so well, you can identify the slightest variation.  On a visit to rural Delaware visiting friends, I rode in the car with my adopted niece.  Carolanne loves all things farming; as we were driving by the many fields filling the countryside, she said something profound.  “When you know the fields as well as I do, you can tell whose field is whose.”  Her remark stunned me, because to me, they all looked the same.  How could she possibly know the difference?  But she did because she knew the area so well she could quickly identify any field.

The same thing happens when we know God’s word so intimately, we can easily spot the false teachers.  Even though they sound convincing, exposing their lies is simple.  God’s word never changes, no matter how hard false teachers try.  Memorizing scripture helps grow your discernment and identify schisters without much effort.  But you must focus on the truth; it will lead you through the lies.

Lord, thank You for Word which guides us.  Forgive us for falling for false teachings.  Help us today identify the liars in our lives.  Expose them to us as we seek You.  Implant Your word in our souls so that we know the truth so intimately, no one can fool us.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

Who has tried to trick you lately?