Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Psalms 100 GW; 2 Chronicles 79 GW

Expectant hearts receive.

If you come to God deflated and not expecting Him to act, He won’t.  But if you come to God with anticipation and a cheerful heart, you will receive.

On a recent visit to Lancaster, PA, we visited an Amish Ferrier.  The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, Christian pacifism, and slowness to adopt many conveniences of modern technology.   Elam and Eli ran the blacksmith shop; they were servicing three horses when we arrived.   They serve the Lord with cheerful hearts.

Gelassenheit.

Gelassenheit is the German word that best defines Amish life: “not my will but Thine be done.”  In all they do, the Amish put God first, themselves second.  And they do so with a cheerful heart.  As a result, God’s peace floods their lives.

Walking into the garage of old, horse smells filled my nostrils, sweat trickled down my back as we watched the brothers work.  Eli was soldering a horseshoe when we arrived.  Elam was scraping an old shoe of a medium-sized riding horse.  Both were smiling the entire time.  Eli’s eyes lit up when he saw us; Elam’s grin was from ear to ear.  Dressed in long pants, long shirts with the sleeves rolled up, not once did they complain.  The entire time they talked to us, they were cheerful, their hearts full of God’s goodness in their lives.

No matter where we are or what our circumstances are, we are to serve God cheerfully.  Whatever task, no matter how difficult, do it with gratitude.  Good health and the ability to work are gifts from God that we should thank Him for daily.  When we do, the seeds of gratitude will blossom into a cheerful heart.  Just ask Elam and Eli; they know.

Lord, how thankful we are that You give us life.  Forgive us for taking our lives for granted.  Help us today serve You cheerfully.  Let us focus on what we do have instead of what we don’t have.  As we plant seeds of gratitude, let them grow into cheerful hearts, ready to receive from You.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

How can you cultivate a cheerful heart today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 4-6 GW; Psalms 132 GW

God’s love grows.

Solomon’s prayer is dedicating the Temple to the Lord.  He’s welcoming God into the temple and acknowledging, God keeps His covenant of love.  

First and foremost, God loves us.  He wants what is best for us, but our sinful nature battles God’s will constantly.  As long as we walk this earth, we’ll fight the human condition.  But as we begin to experience God’s love covenant with us, life change happens.

Jesus is the covenant.  Placing our faith in Jesus means submitting our lives to God.  Without seeing, we believe what Jesus said and did is true.  We’re admitting our sin and letting Jesus’ blood cleanse us.  Each day, as we give our lives to Jesus, we’ll begin to experience His love.  Jesus’ affection is one that never ends. He never stops loving us; He never stops forgiving us.  Jesus is.

Cling to the Covenant.

Grasp on to Jesus and hold on tight.  Following Him will take you places you never thought you would go.  God’s constant revelation of new truths into your life will make you crave more of Him.   As you begin to see the lies you’ve believed in your past,  you will experience absolute freedom.

Since I began writing daily devotionals two and a half years ago, the one God is constantly changing is me.  My prayer is for everyone who reads my writing to understand how much God loves them and to love Him back.  But the way God is changing me I never saw coming.  What He does is show me lies that I believed somewhere in my past.  These fallacies shaped my life.  They caused me to see the world incorrectly, which made me miss out on many blessings.

Not only does God reveal truths to us, but He does it with love.  So much affection that you want more.  I crave God to reveal the lies to me.  Only in His truth can I find true freedom.

Believe in the covenant.  Find freedom in Christ.

Lord, thank You for Jesus.  Every day, thank You for Jesus.  Forgive us for taking Him for granted.  Help us believe in Your covenant of love today more than ever.  With every breath we take, let us chase after You today.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What lie has God revealed to you lately?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Psalms 72 GW; 2 Chronicles 13 GW

Right actions blossom.

Righteousness is “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin.”  As sinners, God makes us righteous by forgiving our sin and making us white as snow:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

Approaching the world as a follower of Christ means first acknowledging our sin, then allowing God to work within us to make us new.

Because of Jesus, we are righteous.  

Jesus’ ministry was active; He was constantly doing the next right thing.  As a result, Jesus’s ministry blossomed.  His actions paved the path to salvation for us.

Blossoming righteousness means doing the next right thing.  Opening the door for someone at the store, stopping at the cross-walk to let pedestrians cross the street, apologizing when you accidentally cut someone off in traffic.  All of these acts blossom righteousness; they put the other person’s needs before yours.  Each action requires humility to complete.  

Let Jesus lead.

Nothing you did, or ever will do, will give you salvation.  Jesus’ gift on the cross is accessible to all.  Sharing the present with the world requires action.  Jesus wants us to bloom righteousness wherever we go because that is what draws people to Him.   

When we respond in love, not hate, people notice.  Kind words go much further than mean ones.  Simple actions of self-control can reap huge rewards.  For us to put into practice the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we must first know Jesus.  His Spirit working within us will cause us to do the next right thing.  When we do, we’ll blossom righteousness; Jesus’ light in us will shine brightly.  People will notice.  When they do, give Jesus credit for the change in you.

Lord, thank You for making us righteous through Jesus.  Forgive us for thinking we didn’t need You in our lives.  Praise You, Lord, for drawing us to You.  Help us today draw others to You by our righteous acts.  Show us what the next right thing is to do.  Equip us with what we need to accomplish the task.  With You, we can do all things.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What is the next right thing you can do today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Chronicles 27-29 GW; Psalms 30 GW

Victory is God’s.

When God moves, you know it.  A few years ago, I experienced job elimination.  Working as a volunteer staff person for a multi-site church, one of the campuses was closing.  Three full-time paid staff were out of jobs.  To maintain the positions, leadership decided to eliminate my staff position without talking to me.  

On a beautiful Thursday morning, I was sent a text and asked to come in for a meeting.  With a smile on his face, the pastor told me I no longer had a position. Of course, I could stay long enough to do the work for the next semester, but I no longer was on staff. The callous handling of the situation caused me much pain.

(Yes, I’m still working through the hurt)

My heart broke into a million pieces as he glibly let me go.  Eighteen months of hard work ended at that moment.  Without warning, I was in a pit I didn’t see coming.  

Twenty-five days after my heart broke, I wrote these words:

“Life with God is so much better than life any other way.”

Pits make you look up.

When we are in a pit, whether one of our own making, someone throws us into it, or we accidentally slide into it, they cause us to look up.  Desperate times in life cause desperate actions.  Soldiers in foxholes aren’t debating God’s existence when they’re under fire.  No, soldiers in battle pray.

Amidst my pit, I sought God.  We did leave that church, but we didn’t leave church.  Step-by-step God led me to where I am today.  Because of that pit, God completely changed the  course of my life.  Never would I have accomplished my Masters’s degree if I didn’t go through that pit.  And I give God all the honor and glory.  He pulled me out of the hole.

Whatever pit you’re in today, look up.  Ask God to show you the first step to take.  Then the next one.  Life is a journey.  We get out of pits one step at a time.

Lord, thank You for rescuing us from our pits.  Forgive us for thinking You don’t care.  Guide us today, show us clearly what step we are to take next.  Help us follow You, Lord, don’t let us get distracted by our enemies.  In You we find victory.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What pit do you need rescued from today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 26 GW; Luke 24 GW; Psalms 98 GW

Jesus opens your eyes.

Two disciples, walking to Emmaus after Jesus’ resurrection, are chatting about current events.  Jesus joins them on their stroll, questioning them about their conversation.  These two men who followed Him closely on earth had no clue who they were talking to at the time.  Jesus helped them understand the scriptures, yet they still didn’t recognize Him.  Only when they broke bread at dinner later that evening did the Lord open their eyes, and they finally recognized Him.

Sometimes, like the disciples, we miss Jesus when He is right in front of us.  Caught up in our own lives, focused on the worldly problems around us, we miss the point.   The disciples missed Jesus because they were trying to figure out what happened. Jesus’ intervention is what caused them to see and understand the scriptures.  We need the same assistance.

Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Only with Jesus’ help can we see and hear the truth.  In His time, Jesus will reveal all truth to us.  For now, Jesus gives us what we need.  Just like with the two disciples, Jesus opened their eyes at the appropriate time, not a minute sooner.  They had an “Aha!” moment of understanding.

When I first started following Jesus, I didn’t know all I know now.  Only at this point in my life is Jesus opening my eyes to certain truths I haven’t seen before.  Why now?  Because life is a journey, we grow as we go, not all at once.   Babies can’t handle the complex thinking of adults.   When we first begin following Jesus, we aren’t capable of understanding everything about Him.   But each day we follow Jesus, He reveals more of Himself to us.

Aha moments are part of following Jesus. Ask Jesus to give you eyes to see, ears to hear.  Watch as the scriptures open up for you.

Lord, thank You for giving us true vision.  Forgive us for doubting Your ability to help us understand.  Today, give us eyes to see and ears to hear Your truth in our lives.  As we open the scriptures today, give us divine insight to understand them.  Let us become more like Jesus as we follow You closely.  IJNIP.  Amen

Question for reflection

What truth has Jesus revealed to You lately?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 25 GW; Luke 23 GW

Jesus was innocent.

Criminals hung beside Jesus on the cross.  One was cynical and scathing, while the other recognized the reality of the situation:

“Don’t you fear God at all?  Can’t you see that you’re condemned in the same way that he is?” (Luke 23:40 GW)

In reality, we’re the criminals hanging beside Jesus.  Our sins would nail us to the cross, but Jesus was without sin.  He endured the pain and suffering that are ours.  Before you were born, Jesus died for the sins you would commit.  Because of our human nature, we will battle our sinful ways as long as we walk the earth.  Jesus’s sacrifice gives us the victory we can find no other way.

Just like the criminal who recognized his sin, we need to acknowledge ours.  True freedom comes in admitting our shortcomings.  When we give our weakness to Jesus, He gives us His strength.  Jesus hung on the cross in innocence so we could have life eternal.  But if we don’t admit our faults, we won’t recognize our need for Jesus.

Jesus’ sinless act is for you.

Sin is something we all have in common.   My shortcomings aren’t yours, but we all have them.  The beauty of living life with Christ, He takes our weaknesses and turns them into strengths.  But first, we have to admit what our faults are to ourselves and Jesus.  If we can’t profess we are sinners, we won’t enjoy the fullness of life Jesus offers.  Maturity means learning to confess our sin and acknowledging we need Jesus.

Jesus loves you.  Nothing you have done will change God’s affection for you.  All He wants is for you to come to Him.  Change your mind today.   Instead of mocking Jesus, embrace Him into your life.  Let His spirit begin a new work in you.

Lord, thank You for Jesus.  Seriously, without Him, our lives would have no hope.  Forgive us for acting like the cynical criminal.  Help us today become more like Jesus as we submit our shortcoming to Him.  Help us accept our imperfections and allow You to make us new in You.  As we move through this day, let us not forget what Jesus did for us on the cross before we were ever born.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What work is Jesus doing in your life?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 24 GW; Luke 22 GW

Jesus speaks the truth.

When Jesus told the disciples to go into the city to prepare for Passover, He gave them specific instructions.  Jesus told them what man to find and follow, what to say when they reached the house, and what to prepare.  Without blinking an eye, the disciples followed Jesus’ commands.  Everything was as Jesus said.

When we follow Jesus, things happen.  Applying God’s word to our lives means living counterculturally.  Putting God and others before yourself is not natural. In our world, self-centeredness wins; we are to fend for ourselves in the harshness of reality.  But for Christ-followers, He does the fighting for us; our duty is to follow His lead.

Because the disciples witnessed the miracles of Jesus, they had no problem following His commands.  Watching Jesus feed thousands with a couple of fish and some leftover bread would get anyone’s attention.  Witnessing Him heal people of their problems, whether physical or spiritual, is something you wouldn’t forget.  When Jesus told the disciples to go, they went.  Their experience with the Son of Man taught them to listen and obey immediately.

Act quickly.

When God tells you to do something, do it quickly.  Whether you’re reading one of Jesus’s parables or feel a prompting from the Holy Spirit, whatever the mission, make it a priority.  God is directing our paths every day; the problem is, we tune into the wrong station.

Instead of listening to God, we listen to the world around us.  People will tell you salaries, houses, and cars measure life.  God tells us life is measured by how well we love.  The two worlds collide when you begin to place God first.  God doesn’t care about your bank account; He cares about your heart.  When He tells you to do something, He expects immediate action.  The longer you delay obeying, the longer it will take to receive the blessing.

When God speaks, listen and act.  Blessings come when we obey Jesus. 

Lord, thank You for guiding and directing us.  Forgive us for not acting quickly when You give us something to do.  Today, help us to tune into You and react immediately.  When the Holy Spirit prompts us into action, let us act.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What is God telling you to do today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 23 GW; Luke 21 GW

Give in faith, reap in blessings.

Jesus watches what we give; He knows the motives behind the giving.  Today’s heroine, a poor widow with no name, gains His approval:

“All of these people have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on.” (Luke 21:4 GW)

Heartbroken, with only 2 pennies to give, the poor widow gave in faith all she had, trusting her God would provide for her.  She knew Jewish leaders had a reputation for mishandling funds, but her trust was in God, not man. 

Jesus noticed.

Attention from Jesus is something we all crave.  Aligning my heart with His takes sacrifice but is always worth the effort.  Giving in faith takes the emphasis off of our shortcomings and places it on God’s power.  God has already made way for you.  

God provides.

Reaching the halfway point of studying Ruth meant a review of the Levitical law.

“’When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God.’” (Leviticus 23:22 NIV)

Long before this poor widow walked the earth, or Ruth, another widow, existed, God provided for them.  Notice, His provision required work.  God commanded food left behind for the poor and widows, but they had to go out and gather it.  God creates opportunities for us; embracing opportunity requires effort.  Your effort reaps the blessing.

Put your faith in God.  Give to Him out of your poverty, not your abundance.  Jesus will notice.  God has already provided.  Your job is to glean; then, you reap the benefits of your efforts.

Lord, thank You for Your provision long before we ever existed.  Forgive us for doubting You and for expecting everything to come quickly.  Your word tells us, we must glean to reap.  Help us give life our all today, reaping Your blessings from our efforts.  Let us align our hearts with You.  As we give You our all, fill us with Your peace that surpasses all understanding.  Whatever circumstances we face, show us what You want us to do.  Then help us complete our divine tasks.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What divine task does the Lord want you to do?

2 minute read.

God gives Jesus authority.

As a child, I never understood who Jesus was.  I knew we had to celebrate certain holidays and attend church each Sunday.  Like other kids my age, I made the felt figures that depicted different Bible characters.  I assumed everyone followed Jesus because that’s what you did.  But I never understood who Jesus was until I was an adult.

Only when I was at rock bottom in my life did I begin to understand who Jesus is.  At that point, I began to understand sin like never before.  As I looked around at the pieces of my life, I realized I’m the one who made the decisions that led me to such a low place.  Instead of following Jesus, I followed my sinful nature.

In the pit of sin, I realized who Jesus was.  Son of God, His life made a relationship with God possible for me.  Every one of my sinful ways, Jesus bore upon Himself.  When I could not bear to look at myself, Jesus did.  With love in His eyes, He helped me out of the pit I created.

Jesus is our defender.

Years ago, in a church service in Delaware, I saw one of the best portrayals of how Jesus operates in our lives.  Presenting the message were the youth from the church.  My friend’s stepdaughter was part of the production as the defendant, a.k.a. sinner.  Dressed in a black robe, the judge (God) sat at the front of the courtroom.  When the lawyer(Jesus) stepped between my friend’s daughter and the Judge, her sin was no longer visible to God.   Jesus stands between God and us, hiding our sin.  God doesn’t see our sin because of Jesus.  To Him, we are perfection.

Jesus is your defender.  God can’t see your sin because of Jesus.  In Him, you are white as snow.  Your iniquities separated from you as far as the East is from the West.  Let Jesus bond you to God today.

Lord, thank You for Jesus.  Forgive us our sins, make us white as snow.  In You, we find new life today—one free from our past sins, full of Your promise for our future.  Let us live in the hope of Jesus today and always.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Have you asked Jesus into your life yet?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 21 GW; Luke 19 GW

Better view, better interaction.

Zaccheus was too short to see Jesus over the crowds.  Living in a world that didn’t include drones, his options were limited.  To get a better view, he ran ahead and climbed a tree.  From Zaccheus’s vantage point, he could see Jesus.  And Jesus noticed.

When Jesus approached the tree, He looked up and said:

“Zaccheus, come down!  I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5 GW)

Jesus noticed Zaccheus’s efforts to see him.  He also notices yours.  When you make an effort to seek Jesus better by expanding your vision, God notices.  God sees everything.  Every action you make to see Jesus more clearly is recognized.  And just like Zaccheus, Jesus will meet you right where you are.

Make every effort to see Jesus.

Zaccheus heard about Jesus and wanted to know more about him.  Whatever stories he listened to piqued his interest enough to go the extra mile to learn more about Jesus.  Climbing a tree was worth the effort when Jesus invited himself over for dinner.  Any scrapes and bruises Zaccheus experienced climbing up and down the tree were worth it.

Seeking Jesus might cause some bruises.  You may have to scrape your way through difficult situations to get a better view.  When we pass through storms, they will draw us closer to Jesus and give us a vision we couldn’t have any other way.

One way you can learn more about Jesus requires little effort.  Schedule time in your day to read the Bible.  You don’t have to climb trees; just open God’s word.  Spending 10-15 minutes of your day in the Scriptures will draw you closer to Jesus in ways you can’t imagine until you do it.

Jesus will notice your efforts.  You will draw closer to Him.  Jesus wants to come to dinner.  Open the door and let Him into your home.

Lord, thank You for introducing us to Zacheus and his persistency.  Forgive us the times we’ve given up seeking Jesus because the climb was too hard.  Help us today go the extra effort.  As we open Your word and read it, draw closer to us.  Give us insight into Your message.  Help us open the door for Jesus.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How can you make time for Jesus today?