Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Micah 1-4 GW; Psalms 46 GW; Revelation 1 GW

God’s word reveals.

Revelation from God comes from reading His word.  Approximately 1,500 years passed before the final book of the Bible became a reality.  Written around 90 AD, John talks about Jesus’ return.  Over the past three thousand plus years, time and again, the words within the pages of scripture prove true.  Applying Biblical principles to your life reveals truth found no other way.  Becoming wiser means seeking God’s revealed truth. 

Apocalypse is a term used to describe end times.  However, the original meaning of the Greek word is “uncover, disclose, reveal.”  In the mid-1850s, the definition changed to “belief in an imminent end of the present world.”  Many people study Revelation to decipher when the world comes to an end.  God is clear; we’re not to know (Matthew 24:36 ESV).  As soon as I began studying Revelation, I learned this truth, becoming wiser.

Truth breeds wisdom.

Learning the original meaning of Apocalypse changed my whole perspective.  Always afraid to study Revelation, one change in thinking made me eager to learn more.  As my friend and I studied through the chapters, God revealed the myths we believed. Together, we became wiser as we paid attention to God’s word.

Only when we tune in to God’s message can we become wiser.  We’ll never learn if we don’t read the words written by people who dedicated their lives to the Creator.  Once you begin to apply God’s commands to your daily life, change begins to happen.  One day at a time, we become more like Jesus.
Choose one area of your life you want to change.  Find a scripture addressing the issue.  Write the words somewhere you will see them often.  Use Youversion to create a scripture image, making it your screensaver.  Day after day, ask God to reveal His truth to You.  Pursue your Maker passionately; wisdom comes with life change.  Enjoy the journey.

Lord, thank You for revealing the truth to us.  Forgive us for not seeking You sooner.  Today, as we seek You through Your word, open our eyes to things we cannot see.  Give us ears to hear Your message.  Help us apply what we learn to our lives, becoming wiser and experiencing life change.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What area of your life do You want divine help with today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Esther 8-10 GW; Acts 28 GW

Prayer fuels courage.

Trying to save her people, Esther enters the king’s presence even though he didn’t summon her.  Esther’s life was over if the king didn’t extend the golden scepter (Esther 4:11 NIV).  Knowing this journey began with three days of prayer and fasting bolstered Esther’s courage.  So far, so God.  For the second time, King Xerxes grants Esther immediate pardon by extending the golden scepter to her.  As a result, Esther and Mordecai save the Jews.

Life requires courage.  Whether you’re engaging in difficult conversations, setting boundaries in challenging relationships or meeting with kings, all need boldness to accomplish the task.  Thankfully, most of our divine jobs aren’t life-threatening, as Esther’s was.  But we still need God’s strength to complete our assignments.

When I met my husband, my heart was in pieces.  No longer did I want to “put me out there,” wherever “there” was.  However, God didn’t create us to live isolated and alone; He made us for community.  Having relationships is the only way to fulfill the Great Commandment: Love God and love others (Mark 12:30-31 NIV).

Love takes courage.

Opening your heart to another person takes guts.  Becoming vulnerable with someone gives them the power to hurt you.  The first time I opened my heart to Ron, God provided the strength.  I knew, even if Ron rejected me, God never would.  Because of my faith in Jesus, I could take the step of faith necessary to enter into a new relationship.  Eleven years later, God still is at the center of our marriage.

Esther trusted God, risking her life; she gained strength from her Maker.  As a result, Esther saved the nation.   Pray about whatever mission God is asking you to complete.  Ask your heavenly Father for the strength necessary to accomplish your task.  Trust God, as Esther did.  No matter what, God has your back.

Lord, thank You for giving us courage.  Forgive us for not seeking You first, trying to do life without You.  As You assign us our divine tasks, give us the tools we need to complete them.  Give us the courage to keep moving forward, trusting; Your plan is best.  All glory is Yours.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What do you need God’s help with today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Esther 6-7 GW; Psalms 9 GW; Acts 27 GW

Nothing is random.

Today’s passage reminds me, everything is significant.  Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans; God uses everything “for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28 NIV).  At a pivotal moment in Esther’s story, God uses a random, sleepless night to unravel Haman’s schemes.

Mordecai is Haman’s thorn in the side.  Obedient to the one true God, Esther’s uncle refuses to worship Haman.  Scheming and plotting to kill the Jew, Haman thinks his plan is unfolding nicely.  However,  King Xerxes experiences insomnia; reading the daily logs, he discovers Moredecai’s heroism.  When Haman arrives the following day, the king orders him to recognize Mordecai for his bravery.  Unintentionally, the king foils Haman’s plan to kill his nemesis.  All because one random night, the king couldn’t sleep.  Coincidences don’t exist.

You never know when God is moving on your behalf.  King Xerxes’ sleepless night was perfect timing in Esther’s story.  Not only did God use the king to save Mordecai, but the entire Jewish nation.  From all appearances, the situation was hopeless, but then God moved.

But then God

Time and again in my life, I find myself saying, “But then God….”  A random text or coincidental meeting turns into a divine appointment.  At the time, the event seems trivial, but in hindsight, it becomes monumental.

Walking onto the tennis court to play a random tennis match, I had no idea I would meet my future husband.  Stopping to get propane at TAC RV on a random camping trip, I met my dear friend Crystal.  Hitting my opponent in the face with a tennis ball at a random cardio class brought Diane into my life, a new sister to me.  The list goes on and on of random moments that became monumental in my life.  

Everything is intentional with God.  What seems hopeless isn’t.  Random incidents become “But then God…” moments.

Lord, thank You for Your divine intervention.  Forgive us for losing hope.  Help us recognize the “But then God” moments in our life.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear Your workings through random events.  Win our battles for us as we place our trust in You.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What random moment in your life was God’s divine intervention?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Esther 3-5 GW; Psalms 10 GW; Acts 26 GW

Distance is debatable.

We may feel like God is distant, but that doesn’t mean He is.  Let’s face facts, who doesn’t want God at their beck and call?  Everyone has an opinion on how the world should operate, but that doesn’t mean it will.  God is the boss; we’re the employee.  Just because our emotions tell us God is far away doesn’t mean He is.  And growth requires space.

When babies take their first steps, parents have to let go of their hands.  If the mom doesn’t release the tiny fingers, the child’s feet won’t find self-balance.  At first, the space is minimal; mom is inches away, ready to catch their wobbling toddler before they fall.  But as the child becomes more stable, mom moves farther away, still watching but giving them the distance to walk alone.  God does the same for us.

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV)

Reason like an adult.

God gives us space because He is helping us grow.  Just like mom knows to let go of her child’s hand, God knows when to release ours.  Maturity comes with each step we take.  Every day is a learning lesson, teaching us something new.  God never stops educating us.  We’re the ones who hinder the process because we want God to do the work for us.

Journeying through life means taking steps alone.  Potholes are part of the process.  We will have flat tires stopping our progress.  In life, things happen we don’t see coming, deflating our wheels.  Our choice is whether to fix the flat or stay stuck on the side of the road.  God wants you to change the tire and keep moving.  God will provide the tools you need; He is spurring you onwards.  

Choose to trust God is near.  God isn’t distant.  He’s giving you space to grow.

Lord, thank You for helping us become mature.  Forgive us for resisting the growth steps necessary.  Help us remember You are never far from us; feelings aren’t facts.  Lead us on the journey, help us keep moving forward, no matter what.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How is God trying to grow you today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Esther 1-2 GW; Acts 25 GW

Ego causes foolish actions.

King Xerxes was a powerful man, ruling 127 provinces from India to Sudan (Esther 1:1 GW).  Holding a banquet for his military officers, he wanted to show off his wealth.  For 180 days, the king flaunted his riches for all to see.  As if six months of partying wasn’t enough, King Xerxes threw an additional banquet for seven more days.  On the last day of the feast, his ego full speed ahead, the king ordered Queen Vashti to come before the crowd in only her crown.   King Xerxes wanted to show off her beauty and his power over her.  However, Queen Vashti refused, making the king look foolish in front of his guests.  

Powerful men expect obedience.  King Xerxes never imagined his queen would deny him.  His ego wouldn’t permit such thoughts.  As my husband always says, “Power and money corrupt.” They give us a false sense of security which shatters quickly.  Queen Vashti’s refusal was all it took to make the mighty king look foolish.

Manage your ego.

Each of us has an ego.  We all have prideful areas in our life, whether we realize it or not.  King Xerxes’ ego depended on his wealth.  Egos develop around the things we perceive as our strengths.  

Years ago, during a tennis clinic on volleys, I learned a valuable lesson.  Our instructor fed us a series of volleys, balls hit in the air before they bounced.  At the end of the drill, he gave us “sitters,” balls high and easily hit.  Time after time, people missed the sitter.

Standing sideways at the net, our pro, hip leaning into the white net cord, lifted his racquet over the net. “Your ego is here; Your volleys are here.” Using his other hand, he marked a point well below our egos.  

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3 ESV)

Don’t let your ego make you look foolish.  Instead, strive for humility towards others.  Let someone else play the fool.

Lord, thank You for Your guidance and direction.  Forgive us for letting our egos get in the way of the work You have for us.  Help us stay humble as we place You front and forward in our lives.  Let our actions glorify You.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

When has your ego made you look foolish?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Nehemiah 12-13 GW; Acts 24 GW

Become a ring leader.

Tertullus, an attorney speaking to Felix, is accusing Paul of causing trouble.  Spreading the news of Jesus stirred the pot in Jewish tradition.  Steeped in over 600 laws, Jews couldn’t keep them without regular sacrifice and ritual. Paul, previously a religious leader, says their animal sacrifices are no longer necessary.  Jesus fulfilled the law once and for all on the cross.  No one likes having their world turned upside down, especially the Pharisees whose identity was in their position.

Following Jesus means choosing a new identity.  Instead of finding worth in things of the world, your worth is in who God says you are.  Life Community Church, a church plant near and dear to my heart, starts its service off with this reminder:

Know your identity.

Understanding your identity leads to new life.  Once Paul understood what a relationship with Jesus means, he left his old lifestyle.  Instead of persecuting and killing Christ-followers, he uplifted and encouraged them.  Stirring the pot means challenging people to take steps of faith towards a new life grounded in the promises of Jesus.

 Recently, in a writing class I’m taking, we evaluated personal essays.  My submission was about “Pilot Pete,” a man whose faith impacted my life at a pivotal moment.  Because of my post, the class talked about God, which stirred the pot. Not everyone in the class believes in a higher power. Becoming a ring leader means talking about your relationship with Jesus to others.  You don’t have to know every scripture in the Bible to share with others what God does and is doing in your life.  All you have to do is tell the truth.  Tell others what God means to you and why.

Become a ring leader.  Give people something to think about today.  Share your God story with them.

Lord, thank You for giving us a story.  Forgive us for not sharing Your works in our life more.  Give us opportunities today to stir the pot by telling our tale.  As we tell others about You, help them gain a new perspective about You and themselves.  Help us ground ourselves in our identity in Christ.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Who can you share your God story with today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Nehemiah 11 GW; Acts 23 GW

Love where you live.

Nehemiah’s completion of the wall around Jerusalem meant people could come back and live in the city.  Casting lots is a way to discern God’s will.  Some people moved back; others didn’t.  God is intentional about where He places us.  Part of our purpose is because of our location.

In eighth grade, my history teacher was Mr. Stamler.  One assignment impacted my life more than any other during my public school years.  We traced our family history.  My family came from Ireland, through Staten Island, and settled in Pennsylvania.  I will never forget my teacher’s words when he reviewed my submission. 

“You never know where life will take you.”

Mr. Stamler is right.  God places us in families and locations so we can fulfill our life mission.  Wherever you are is part of your purpose.  Who God surrounds you with are the people He wants you to love for Him.  Whether in the city or country, we all have friends and family who need God’s love.  

Plant seeds of love.

Your garden is your neighborhood—acts of kindness breed love.  Taking care of your neighbor’s pet, bringing in the mail, keeping a watchful eye when they are away are opportunities to serve your neighbors.  Making a meal for someone who is in one of life’s valleys shares God’s love.  One way I plant seeds of love is through prayer, walking through my neighborhood, praying for those who live around me.  Wherever you are, God wants you to share His love.

Begin praying today for your neighborhood.  Ask God to illuminate ways you can plant seeds of love in your world.  No one else can do what you can do.  God placed you where you are for a purpose.  Spreading God’s love to the world around is a universal commandment.  No matter who they are, God loves them.  We’re to love them as well.

Love where you live.  Share God’s love with your neighbors.  Watch as your garden begins to grow.

Lord, thank You for giving us purpose.  Forgive us for not noticing the people around us.  Help us today; love our neighbors well.  Give us a vision of how we can serve them for You.  In all things, the glory is Yours.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

Who in your neighborhood can you share God’s love with today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Nehemiah 10 GW; Acts 22 GW

Purpose requires movement.

When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, the first thing God told him to do was “Get up! Go…”  Not until Paul made the journey to the city would he find out his next purpose.  So many times, we’re waiting for God’s will in our lives, but what we really must do is get moving.  Our purpose unfolds as we do the things we know to do. 

‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the one who has God’s approval, and to hear him speak to you. You will be his witness and will tell everyone what you have seen and heard.  What are you waiting for now? Get up! Be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.’ (Acts 20: 14-16 GW)

Paul found his purpose when he went to Damascus.  After Ananias gives him his orders, once again, Paul must “Get up!”  God doesn’t reveal the next part of our journey until we complete the first part of the trip.  Once we’ve arrived at one destination, God gives us another.

Start walking.

When you meet Jesus, the journey is beginning.  From the womb to the tomb, God has your path marked for you.  But you only get to see the part in front of you, not the entire trip.  Curves in the road keep us from seeing too far ahead.  If we knew what was around the next bend, we might not take the journey.  Walking with God means trusting; He knows what’s coming, already preparing us for whatever it is.  

Whatever you are going through today is preparing you for tomorrow.  The actions God is calling you to take now, whether forgiving an offense, praying for an enemy, or trusting for provision, are readying you for the next curve in the road.  Nothing surprises God; He reveals your purpose as you follow Him.

Get up and go!  Do what you know to do.  God’s purpose unfolds as you follow Him.

Lord, thank You for planning our paths for us.  Forgive us for not following You.  Help us stay on the journey as we take steps to follow You.  Give us clear direction for what You want us to do today.  Prepare us for what lies ahead.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What step does God want you to take today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Nehemiah 8-9 GW; Acts 21 GW

God is awesome.

Sunrise, sunset, God makes the world rotate.  However, He doesn’t take orders from us.  And God is clear; consequences to our actions are a reality.  

If you drink too much alcohol, you suffer a hangover.  Spending more money than you make causes debt.   Driving faster than the speed limit causes accidents and tickets.  We make choices that have consequences and cause pain. The decisions we make are our responsibility, not God’s.  When we suffer the outcomes of our actions, we blame God.  But God isn’t the villain; we are.

All my life, I’ve described the Bible as an instruction manual.  Within the book’s pages, God gives us directions on how to live.  When we begin to apply God’s principles to our lives, miraculous things start to happen.  However, we all have blind spots, areas we can’t see our disobedience.  Most of our hardships come from poor decisions on our part, not divine acts.  

Walk the walk.

God’s might becomes apparent when we start walking the walk.  When I began managing my finances according to Biblical principles, I became debt-free.  God didn’t send me a big check in the mail; instead, He taught me self-control day by day.  Learning how to handle money requires discipline.  God’s power in me gave me the tools I needed to make better decisions.  Promptings from God’s Spirit helped me recognize when I was heading in the wrong direction.

People tend to think God’s might come in big gestures, like parting the Red Sea or calming the storm.  And sometimes, God does do those things.  But most of the time, God’s power in our daily lives comes from small acts of obedience, choosing God’s path instead of our own.  Freedom comes in knowing you did God’s bidding, especially when it goes against our human nature and desires.

Just like the sunrises and sets, God’s might in our lives is daily.  Each breath we take is a gift from above.  Life itself is miraculous.  But we lose sight of God’s greatness because of our hardships, situations that are often of our own making.  

Walk the walk.  Discover God’s awesomeness. 

Lord, thank You for Your daily presence in our lives.  Forgive us for blaming You for our poor choices.  Help us take responsibility for our actions.  As we do, give us the tools we need to become obedient to Your will for our lives.  Show us how awesome You indeed are as we follow You closely.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

Which poor decision are you blaming God for today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Nehemiah 7 GW; Acts 20 GW

God protects from wolves.

Paul, preparing to leave for Jerusalem, is speaking to the spiritual leaders from Ephesus. Having completed his mission, Paul knows he’s not responsible for their spiritual growth. Paul taught them how to seek God; now, it’s their time to do so without him.  Unlike today, when Paul left Miletus, contact with the Ephesians became limited.  We send instantaneous texts to one another; they wrote letters whose delivery took days, weeks, and months.  Paul knew the wolves were ready to attack.

Nothing has changed; the moment we step into the world, the wolves are ready to attack.  Sometimes, I’m not off my knees before the devil sends an ambush.  One morning, not too long ago, I finished my Bible reading, barely closing the book; a dart from the enemy pierced my heart, sending me into tears.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

God has your back.

The devil might prowl, but God protects.  Clinging to God’s promises will help you survive the skirmishes.  Our main difference today, we have instant access to the scriptures.  Instead of scrolls, we have phones.  Downloading Youversion’s free app is the simplest way to connect with God when you need Him.  Highlight God’s armor for easy access:

Put on the whole armor of God…the belt of truth…breastplate of righteousness…shoes for your feet…shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:11-18 ESV)

Wear the armor of God; the wolves can’t touch you.  When they begin their attack, you’ll instantly recognize it.  Sometimes, we don’t realize we’re in the line of fire.  But when we bury ourselves in Christ, we’re always protected.  

Prepare for the attacks; they never stop.  Clothe yourself in Christ.  Let God do the fighting for you.

Lord, thank You for Your protection.  Forgive us for trying to fight the battle without You.  As the fiery darts attack us today, let our shields of faith protect us.  Help us put on Your armor today and every day.  Give us victory in the battle.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

How have the wolves attacked you lately?