Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 1-2 GW; Psalms 28 GW; 1 Thessalonians 1 GW

Pray passionately.

Paul is writing to the Thessalonians on behalf of himself, Silas, and Timothy.  He tells the Thessalonians how grateful they are for them and that the boys are covering the church in prayer.

Praying for people is the best thing you can do for them, no matter who they are.  The closer the relationship, the more fervent the prayers.  Someone told me long ago, “Mothers are only as happy as their happiest child.”  If one of the kids is in pain, moms feel it too.  Not a mom; I can’t speak from experience.  But I know when someone I love is struggling, my prayers for them become more passionate than ever.  In extreme situations, I fast and pray.

Fasting is “abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance.”  When partnered with prayer, fasting takes conversations with God to a deeper level.  Hunger pangs create an awareness of your physical need and turn your thoughts to why you’re hungry.  Thinking about the topic of your prayers will begin a heart conversation with God that can happen no other way.

Become passionate.

If you have a loved one who is suffering, fast and pray for them.  Although usually connected with food, you can abstain from anything.  Maybe take a break from social media; every time you subconsciously open the app, pray instead.  Television is another option; turning off the screen for some time will give you ample time to talk to God.  Whatever you choose, set a time you are going to fast, then do it.

On day three of a fast for one of my relationships, I can tell you, it works.  Fasting breakfast and lunch by 11:00 a.m., my prayers are passionate.  Today, my fervent prayer was for God to change me.  When you love someone, you’ll do the hard work to become healthy for them, enabling a more beneficial relationship.

Pray for those you love.  Become a passionate prayer.  Allow God to do the work.

Lord, thank You for wanting to talk to us.  Forgive us for trying everything else before we try You.  As we fast and pray, do Your work from within us.  Help us become healthier, helping those we love become healthy as well.  Hear our prayers, heal our wounds, calm our hearts.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

Who needs your prayers today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Habakkuk 1-3 GW; Philippians 4 GW

God brings joy.

Our hope is in God, which is where our joy originates.  No other way can we find God’s peace except in Him.  Joy doesn’t come from our circumstances; it cultivates within the heart.  Only when we allow God into our soul can His joy become part of us.  God’s an interior designer:

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NIV)

Our heart is where our natural human emotions live: jealousy, hatred, greed, lust—our wants and desires.  However, following our longings doesn’t go well.  I tried that lifestyle in my twenties; it led me to rock bottom with no place to look but up.  Our actions do have consequences, ones we must face.  Looking in the mirror at our misdeeds isn’t fun.  But with God’s grace, we can.

Plant the seed

In all we do, we plant seeds, good or bad.  When I act out of my human emotion, I leave broken relationships behind in my path.  But when I let God enter into the conversation, I build them.  Giving my negative feelings to God allows Him to redesign my heart.  When God holds the mirror up for me to see my sin, He does so with love.  

God’s interior design is grace and mercy.  Instead of allowing negative emotions to control us, He helps us lead with love.   As we begin to love others better, the seeds we plant will produce joy in our lives.  Our desire to submit to God will strengthen as we become joyful, allowing Him access to more and more of our hearts.

Joy is found in the Lord, nowhere else.  Let Jesus into your heart today.  Allow God to redecorate your heart with His love.

Lord, thank You for Your love.  Forgive us for rejecting You time and again, choosing our way instead.  Soften our hearts, help us allow You access to the rooms that need the most work.  Redecorate our souls with Your love, grace, and mercy.  As we move through our days, let us share Your gift to us with everyone we meet.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What room in your heart do you need to let God into today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Psalms 116 GW; Jonah 2-4 GW; Philippians 3 GW

God controls the beast.

Today’s scripture makes me smile.  I picture Jonah sitting in the belly of the whale, powerless in his circumstances.  Desperation defines his mood.  Why didn’t he do what God asked?  But no, Jonah thought he could run from God.  Sitting in the beast’s stomach, he now knows he can’t.  However, Jonah’s story is just getting good.

With few words, God rescues Jonah from his predicament, delivering him safely to shore.  Now, Jonah has a second chance to complete his mission.

We all end up in the belly of the beast a lot of times because of our actions.  No one has hurt me more in life than I have hurt myself.  Poor decisions led to hurtful situations.  But God controls my beasts, just like He did Jonah’s.  God also commands yours.  When we take our eyes off our problems and place them on God’s greatness, things happen.

Eyes on God

To find relief from your battles, you have to take your eyes off of them.  Instead, gaze at God.  Ask Him to deliver you from whatever conflict you’re facing.  Let God lead you to dry land, don’t try to navigate the waters alone.  When we do, we can find ourselves drowning, but with God, His life raft carries us to safety.

If you’re in the belly of the beast today, cry out to God.  Release your desperations to Him.  Tell God what the problem is, then tell your issue about God.  Remind your storm that God controls the winds and the rain.  He commands the beasts of the earth; God’s rule is sovereign.  Whatever the issue, God has the solution.

But we don’t find the answers until we turn to God.  Look to your Creator today.  Ask Him to deliver you from the belly of the beast.  Find rest in Jesus.

Lord, thank You for Jonah.  Forgive us when we run from You and find ourselves in a mess.  Praise God; You’re grace and mercy are unending.  Rescue us from the belly of the beast today, set us on dry land.  Then give us the courage to fulfill your divine tasks for our lives.  In You, we find life to the fullest.  All glory is Yours.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What beast do you need God to talk to today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Psalms 107 GW; Jonah 1 GW; Philippians 2 GW

Running is fruitless.

Jonah tried to run from God.  His divine task wasn’t a pleasant one.  God wanted Jonah to go to Ninevah and declare judgment on them.  Jonah didn’t want to obey, so he headed to the local docks and boarded a ship heading in the other direction.  God stirred up the seas, which caused the sailors to throw Jonah overboard.  A fish swallowed Jonah.  From the midst of the belly of the beast, Jonah cries out to God.

“I called to the Lord in my distress, and he answered me. From the depths of my watery grave I cried for help, and you heard my cry.” (Jonah 2:1 GW)

Jonah learned what we all know eventually, you can’t run from God.  In a recent writing class on grief, the facilitator talked about running towards your pain.  I realized I’d spent my life running from the painful moments in my life.  But in reality, God wants us to bring our hurts to Him so He can make beauty from ashes.

Turn back to God.

Just like Jonah cried to God in his desperation, we can do the same.  God wants us to turn to Him in the midst of our heartache.  When we cry, God cries.  The shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35 NIV)  Why was Jesus crying?  Because Lazarus died.  Even though God knew Lazarus was a miracle waiting to happen, He still felt the human pain of the experience.

Life is painful. Broken relationships, loss of loved ones, children leaving the nest, all of these things are painful.  When my summer women’s Bible study ended, I felt pain because the season ended.  From big hurts to small, life is full of bruises and breaks to the heart.

But when we cry to God in our distress, He is waiting.  Just like He rescued Jonah from the whale, God will save you from your beast.   Turn to Him.  God’s waiting to comfort you.

Lord, thank You for never giving up on us.  Forgive us for trying to run from You.  Help us process the pain we feel in our lives.  Instead of running, let us turn to You.  Heal our hurts, Lord, mend our broken hearts.  Help us to live life fully in You.  In You, we find life eternal.  IJNIP.  Amen.

Question for reflection

How’s your relationship with God today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Zechariah 12-14 GW; Philippians 1 GW

You have a purpose.

God created you for a specific work.  Your life events help form and shape you for the purpose God has for you.  And what God begins, He completes.

Listening to Zig Ziglar’s book, “Over the Top,” I loved when he talked about a recent contract he signed.  Sixty-seven years old at the time, he signed a seven-year contract.  And “Prayed the Lord would let me live long enough to fulfill it.”  His words struck me; I’ve never asked the Lord anything like what Zig did.  But he’s right; none of us knows how long we have on earth.  God’s words are clear:

“Our time on earth is brief; the number of our days is already decided by you.” (Job 14:5 NIV)

Now, I’m praying for time to repair the broken relationships in my life.  I’m asking God to let me live long enough to write a decade of devotionals and hopefully a ton of books.  Not only do I need time, but health and provision to allow me to do the work God has for me to do.

Work gives hope.

Having a purpose gives you hope.  As you follow Christ and begin to discover God’s plan for your life, you will experience life to the fullest.  In those moments when life knocks you off your feet, purpose helps you stand back up.  We all need something to do; idle hands are the devil’s playground.

Recently, when the devil knocked me to my knees with an attack, writing devotionals gave me purpose.  Thinking about everyone who reads my daily musings, encourages me, and grows with me, gave me hope.  The first thing I do is open God’s word, where He reminded me, I have a mission.  God is in charge of the heavy lifting, not me.  And He will complete the work he started.

God has a purpose for your life.  He will give you time to complete it.  Relax, God is in control.  He’s got your back.

Lord, thank You for having our backs.  Forgive us for fretting about time.  Instead, please help us find our purpose in life.  Lead us into full life as we surrender our will to Yours.  Through You, help us complete the work You’ve begun in us.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What work has God begun in you?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 9-11 GW; Romans 16 GW

Obedience protects.

Pick a topic: relationships, money, work.  The Bible has a lot to say about all of those and many more.  Did you know the big book talks more about handling money than salvation?  Probably because money is something we all need to manage.  Unfortunately, the love of money gets you into trouble.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV)

Notice, “love of money” is the problem, not money itself.  If you follow the principles in the Bible about money, you will learn how to manage money instead of letting money manage you.

Become obedient.

Obedience isn’t a one-time thing; it’s a constant becoming.  Whether you’re putting your finances in order or trying to have healthier relationships, it doesn’t all happen at once.  Taking repeated steps in the right direction pays off in the long run.

God’s word gives us practical advice on how to live.  Not because God doesn’t want us to have fun, but because He’s protecting us from ourselves.  Before I became obedient with my finances, I was up to my eyeballs in debt, losing sleep at night, wondering how I was going to pay my bills.  God’s peace was far from me because money was managing me.  Not until I became obedient to what God said did I begin to control money.

Whatever your struggle, find out what God’s word says.  If you are having relational issues, Google “Scripture on relationships,” you’ll find plenty.  You can do the same thing, no matter what the topic.  Compare different translations of the same verse so you can better understand what it’s saying.  Pick one that resonates with you, make the verse your screensaver, or write it somewhere you will see it often.  Allow the words to become part of you as you put them into practice.  Watch how God uses it in your life for good, not evil.

Lord, thank You for having an answer to all of our problems.  Forgive us for not wanting to know what You have to say.  As we search the scriptures for answers, they lead us exactly where we need to go.  Help us become more obedient to Your word every day.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What Google search do you need to do today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 5-8 GW; Romans 15 GW

Start with your neighbor.

Some people are afraid to follow Jesus because He might make them move to the jungles of Africa to save lost tribes.  “If I go all-in with God, what is He going to make me do?” 

The answer is simple, love your neighbor.  My husband and I love the diversity in our neighborhood. Last year drew everyone closer as we kept protective eyes on our block, praying for them.

I’m not saying God won’t make you move, but odds are, He wants you to start right where you are.  Because we live in a military area, our community is transitional.  Our neighbor beside us changes every year or so.  The rental home is perfect for young military couples.  Ron taught me how to live in a transitional neighborhood.

Bring the basket.

The first time we had new neighbors, Ron couldn’t wait to meet them.  Shy by nature, introducing myself to the folks next door never entered my mind.  We were cute putting together a little welcome basket.  I was nervous ringing the doorbell, which was anticlimactic because they weren’t home.  Determined, as soon as they returned, I raced over to meet them. Now when we get new neighbors, I’m no longer shy. Instead, I look forward to meeting them and hearing their story.

Jesus wants us to meet our neighbors.  He wants us to love them because eventually, they will ask why.  Why are you so nice to me?  That’s when you can tell them about Jesus and your faith in Him.    Leading people to Jesus means loving them as He would.  Jesus never forced His presence upon people.  Jesus loved people to the point of death.  All He’s asking us to do is take a casserole next door.

People have to hear about Jesus to know Him.  People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.  Love them first.  Wait for them to ask why?  Then build their faith as you share yours with them.

Lord, thank You for not asking us to move somewhere we don’t want to go.  Forgive us for our fears.   Show us ways we can share Christ’s love with those around us.  Give us opportunities to share our faith with others, building them up.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

Which neighbor needs Christ’s love today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Zechariah 14 GW; Romans 14 GW

Unity, not division.

One of the chapters in my book is on this topic.  All around our country, division is occurring.  As people of faith, our job is to unite, not divide.  Loving God and others is a one-on-one sport. 

Just like playing tennis, two players are necessary.  The difference between the two, following Jesus, isn’t about winning.  People aren’t drawn to us if our primary purpose is to win.  But people do enjoy the company of those who care more about them than winning.

As a life-long Christ-follower, I know about in-house debates; different points of view on scripture.  For instance, tribulation is considered the end time when Christ returns.  Some believe Christ returns before the tribulation, some believe in the middle, and others believe after.  Scripture supports each argument.  But the truth is, no one knows.  God is clear; we aren’t meant to know:

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32 ESV)

Love don’t debate.

Since no one knows the answer, I choose not to get involved in in-house debates.  When people try to engage me, I don’t.  For me, debating unknowables takes time away from loving God and people. And I’ve seen division occur because people disagree.  One of the hardest lessons for me to learn, life isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about resolution.

For instance, my tennis partner handles communications for our academy.  In a recent email, her wording confused one of the parents.  When the parent asked for clarification, my partner immediately apologized for her lack of clarity.  She had a choice; she could have chosen to push back and blame the parent or defend her words.  But instead, she decided to own her actions and seek resolution, not victory.

Choosing what debates to invest time into is tough.  Ask God; He’ll let you know which battles to fight, which to avoid. In the end, you’ll have more time to love.

Lord, thank You for guiding us.  Forgive us for not always seeking You for direction.  Show us the next steps you want us to take, Lord.  Make the battles clear to us, don’t let us engage in ones that take us away from loving You, loving others.  Our lives are Yours, IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What battles are you choosing?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Hosea 12-14 GW; Romans 13 GW

Blessings come from love.

When you give love away, it always comes back tenfold.  In God’s economy, He multiplies, not divides.  We are all equal in the Lord’s eyes; sinners in need of grace.

Loving your neighbor as yourself will bring you joy.  For instance, I love flowers, inheriting my mom’s love of them.  Each spring, I buy flowers to fill my pots on our back deck.  This year, I was zealous in my purchase and ended up with extra blooms.  Wanting to share my love with my neighbors, I found cute little pots for the gift.  When my neighbor answered her door and saw the flowers, her face broke into a smile.  And I’ll never forget her words, “God must have sent you.”

Surprisingly, my sweet neighbor had a water leak that caused thousands and thousands of dollars in damage.  A new washing machine installed improperly was the culprit.  Since the laundry is upstairs, her ceiling and floor needed replacing.  At her wit’s end, she was frustrated with life when I showed up unexpectedly with flowers.

Embrace the moment.

Trying to put into words how I felt in this moment is difficult for me.  My neighbor’s look of relief surprised me.  Adoring looks are uncomfortable for me.  And when she told me her dilemma, my heart swelled with love for her and God.  I was thankful I followed His promptings and loved my neighbor.  Not only did God use me to encourage her, but He also drew us all closer.

We can’t solve the big problems of the world; that’s God’s job.  What we can do is love our neighbor like ourselves.  And when you think of neighbors not only as those who live next door but everyone, you realize that many people need love.  In a world of anger and hatred, love is the answer.

Love your neighbor today.  Watch how God multiplies your efforts.  Enjoy the blessings.

Lord, thank You for loving us.  Forgive us for not loving our neighbors better.  As You place opportunities before us today, let us take them.  Help us love others better than ever before.  As You pour into us, let us pour it out to others.  All glory is Yours.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What neighbor needs love today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading:  Hosea 8-11 GW; Romans 12 GW

Change the way you think.

Easier said than done.  After writing this devotion, I intend to finish a book on prayer geared towards changing our thoughts.  Connecting with God is how we change our thinking.  Allowing His word to fill our minds aligns us with God, not the world.  If we genuinely want to change our thinking, we have to take deliberate action.

“Short Prayers for Everyday Living,” the current working title of my book, is how I’ve changed my thinking.  Using scripture, I developed three-word prayers that help me keep my eyes on the Son.

For instance, we live in an outraged world.  I struggle with anger issues, so much so, my husband was hesitant to marry me.  “Grace not Anger” is the three-word prayer I used to help me change my thinking.  When the heat begins to rise within me, I cool it with those three words, “Grace not Anger.”  Like water on a fire, I pray on repeat, breathing deeply until the rage subsides.  After years of practicing this, God changed the way I think.  Anger doesn’t have the control over me it once did.  In Christ, I found freedom.

Control your thoughts.

What you put into your mind is what you will get out of it.  When you get squeezed, the juice tells the story.  Currently, our entire world is getting squeezed with the pressures we’re encountering.  Hatred is the juice that seems most prevalent.  But what if God’s love was overflowing from us instead?  What if our hearts and minds were so full of Christ, in the heat of the battle, Christ’s love is our response?

You can change your thoughts with God’s word.  Whether you use three-word prayers or favorite scriptures, meditating on God’s promises will help you find what is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Lord, thank You for everything.  Forgive us for thinking like the world.  Help us today change our thoughts.  As we read your Word, fill us with the Holy Spirit’s presence.  When life gets tight, let Your love flow from us.  Today is the beginning of capturing our thoughts, giving them to You, and allowing Your Spirit to cleanse our minds.  Let us find what is good, pleasing, and perfect as we follow You, today and always.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What’s one thing you can do to change your thoughts today?