Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 41 GW; Psalms 40 GW; Matthew 17 GW

God gives songs of praise.

Each day, if you look for God’s goodness, you will find it.  Even on the darkest days, God is with you.  Things happen we can’t explain.  People choose to turn their back on God daily. Instead of following His desires,  they follow their own.  We can’t control what others do; we can only control what we do.  You have the choice today where you focus your attention.  If you choose God, He will give you a reason to sing praises.

This morning as I was scrolling Facebook, one meme caught my attention.  The words said:

If you need help finding God’s goodness, start with life.  Remember, someone else is fighting for theirs today.  Gratitude for good health is one we all take for granted.  Intentionally praise God for the life He gave you, the air you breathe.  Every breath is a gift from God.

God is worthy of praise.

When you begin searching for God’s goodness in your day, He will give you a song of praise to sing.

Over Christmas, my husband I camped in Florida.  On the second day of the three-day drive, we were in Georgia on I-95.  Amid an emotional conversation, one in which I was crying, a piece of metal flew off a truck in front of us.  My husband, thank God, is an attentive driver.  He saw what looked like the blade of a push lawn mower when it dislodged from the truck, headed directly for me.  With his eye on the metal, he gently swerved, giving the object room to pass by just inches from the windshield.  God’s goodness causes me to sing songs of praise.

Start searching for His goodness in your life.  Let His good works fill your mouth with song.

Lord, how grateful we are for Your protection.  Thank You for waking us this morning to face another day.  As we walk through today, let us see Your goodness.  Fill our mouths with songs of praise as we follow You.  Forgive us for taking Your presence in our lives for granted.  Renew our faith as we seek You today.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How has God given you a song of praise to sing?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 39-40 GW; Matthew 16 GW

Picking up your cross means following Jesus.  What makes people want to follow Jesus? They realize they need a Savior.  Something happens in their life, and they are finally ready to ask for help.  When they do, Jesus is waiting with open arms.

Jesus’s life was far from one of ease.  Remember, He didn’t have electricity, running water, or an indoor toilet.  In His humaneness, He lived in what we would consider poverty today.  Jesus endured name-calling, beatings, and torture.  People Jesus grew up with didn’t believe He was the Son of God.  Jesus was considered a rebel.  His teachings went against Jewish tradition.  Jesus’s enemies were great, but His God is greater.

Suffering is a part of everyone’s life, even Jesus’s.  He doesn’t promise a rose garden; He promises us trouble:

“I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 GW)  

Picking up your cross will come with suffering.  But take heart, Jesus overcame the world.

Jesus overcomes.

Jesus helps you overcome the troubles in life.  He understands political upheaval and false teachings.  When Jesus entered the world, it was much like the one we live in today.  He faced every temptation and fear we do. Jesus dealt with the sick and dying.  He knows the heartaches of life.   But Jesus didn’t focus on the world; He focused on the Father.  By keeping in union with God, He became a victor.

When you pick up your cross and follow Jesus, you will gain victory.  His teachings will transform you.  You will find purpose in Him that will use your unique gifts.  In Him, you will overcome.

Lord, how we thank You for what You did on the cross.  We’re grateful You picked up Your cross for us.  Help us pick up our crosses and follow You.  Forgive us for the times when we fail to follow.  Give us the strength to say no to our desires as we embrace Your plans for us.  Let us see the world through the lens of Your love.  Everyone we meet carries their burdens.  Help us lighten their load as we reflect You to them. IJNIP. Amen  

Question for reflection

What will make you pick up your cross today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 37-38 GW; Matthew 15 GW

Traditions can mislead.

Jesus is addressing the Pharisees in today’s verse.  He’s making a distinction between “the command of God” and Jewish Tradition.  The Pharisees didn’t understand why Jesus and His disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating.  These were oral traditions passed down from generation to generation. In other words, the Pharisees are concerned with outward appearance more than inward cleansing.  

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is pointless, because their teachings are rules made by humans.’ ” (Matthew 15:8-9 GW)

Jesus is telling the Pharisees, “You’re missing the point.”  Because they focus on tradition, they miss what Jesus is trying to teach.  Living a life of faith requires a spiritual connection with our heavenly Father.  He’s more concerned about our relationship with Him than any human traditions.  When we consume ourselves with tradition, we break God’s commandments.  The Pharisees worried about making the physical world look good but were not concerned with the sinful nature that lives within all of us.

God’s commands cleanses us inside.

Washing their hands put on a show for the people around the Pharisees.  They were trying to impress the crowd, not God.  What Jesus wants is for us to have a relationship with God beyond what people can see.  If all we care about is outward appearance, we’ll miss the internal transaction God yearns for us to have.

You can only have one master.  In the simplest of terms, you will follow man or God.  If you get caught up in man’s traditions, you’ll miss God’s commands.  Without God’s commands, you cannot fully connect to Him.  Only as you practice Jesus’s teachings will you find life to the fullest.

Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to show us the way.  Thank You for His teachings; help take our focus off outward appearance and place it on Your commands.  Forgive us the times we get caught in human tradition.  Help us to identify the areas of our life where we’re breaking commandments because of misguided focus.  Our hearts are for You; our lives are Yours.  Today and every day, draw us into a deeper relationship with You.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection:

What human tradition is causing you to break God’s commandment?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 36 GW; Matthew 14 GW

Losing focus of Jesus makes you sink.

Peter walked on water until he took his eyes from Jesus.  Amid the wind and rain,  the disciple stepped hesitantly at first, then more boldly.  The moment he looked at the weather instead of Jesus, he began to sink.  Jesus catches him as he falters, then says:

“You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31 GW)

Don’t doubt Jesus’s presence in your life.  Instead, focus your gaze on Him with laser intensity. As storms occur, trust Him to lead you through them.  

Over the years, I’ve heard many pastors describe how storms work in our life.  We are either entering one, in the middle of one or coming out of a storm at all times. Wherever you are in the process, Jesus remains constant.  You may feel ravaged by the winds and waves that are raging around you, but Jesus is in it with you.  Focusing on Him will help you walk boldly on water.  

Jesus is Savior always.

Our earthly view doesn’t understand God’s heavenly ways.  When we find ourselves amid turmoil, we quickly forget who Jesus is.  Instead of turning to God, we try to solve our problems on our own accord.  The issue with excluding God, we’re not gaining His perspective.  Only when we focus our eyes on Him will we navigate the storm successfully.

Jesus is waiting for you to turn back to Him.  Whatever hurricane you find yourself in today, don’t get caught in the wind.  Instead, do what Peter did, shout out to Jesus, “Lord, save me.” Just as He stopped Peter from sinking, He will do the same for you.

Lord, You are truly amazing.  Your consistency amid our lives gives us hope on the dark days.  Help us to refocus our eyes on You today.  Instead of seeing the magnitude of the winds and waves, let us see Jesus.  Hear us as we cry out to You for help.  Listen to our pleas; stop us from sinking.  Instead, in all we do, let us glorify You.  Lord, let Your light shine so brightly through us today that the darkness completely recedes.  Let the world have no victory over us because we know; You are Savior in all circumstances.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What are your eyes focused on today, Jesus, or the storm?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 35 GW; Matthew 13 GW

Lack of roots causes you to fall from faith.

Root systems in plants are typically found underground, out of sight of the human eye.  The roots’ network serves four purposes: anchor the plant to the soil, absorb water and nutrients, feed the water and nutrients to the stem, and store food.  From a Christ-follower’s perspective, roots are the unseen practices in private that anchor us firmly in God.

Each day you choose to open God’s word, absorb His teachings into your life, memorize scripture, then apply it to your life; your roots grow deeper.  How extensive your root system develops is dependent on you.

Often, when you put Jesus’s teachings into practice, people misunderstand your intentions.  As a lifelong Christ-follower, I’ve experienced this many times over my life.  Roots in Christ cause choices that go against worldly practices.  When you don’t do what everyone else is doing, people tend to ostracize you.  Most people care more about what other humans think than what God thinks.  To keep the faith, you must develop a root system dependent only on God.

Daily devotion causes deep roots.

If you have ever planted a seed and watched it grow into a plant, you understand, growth takes time.  When you first begin seeking God, that is the first tendril of a root starting its journey into the solid ground of God’s goodness.  Every day you pursue Him, the seed grows a little more.  Eventually, the actions done in secret begin to overflow into your daily life as the sprouts of your devotion poke through into the world around you.

When the storms of life hit, hopefully, you’ve grown a root system that will sustain the rampage.  Troubles will happen.  God tells us so in His word.  But if your roots are in Him, He’ll support you no matter what rages around you.

Lord, how grateful we are for Your presence in our lives.  Help us today to strengthen our root system.  As we seek You, let Your word nourish us.  Let our minds memorize Your Word, so we have it on the ready, no matter what the day brings.  Blossom us into people who reflect Christ’s love to the world, no matter what the storm.  Let the love and grace we find in You flow from us to others.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How can you strengthen your root system today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 34 GW; Matthew 12 GW; Psalms 64 GW

Loving like Jesus produces good fruit.

With every person you encounter, ask yourself a simple question.  How would Jesus love them?  Each individual requires a different response.  People receive love differently. Past experiences and hurts cause people to build walls around their heart, protection from further pain.  Lack of trust causes people to question innocent motives.  If we’re going to love people well, we have to learn how to love from Jesus.

Within the pages of scriptures, Jesus shows us the way.  He cared for the sick, loved the unlovable, and forgave the unforgivable. Above all, Jesus took no offense. Jesus is the master at loving people. We can’t imitate what we don’t know.  If we want to reflect Jesus to the world, we have to know Him. 

You choose the fruit you produce.

Honestly, what you produce depends on you.  You can either react with anger, jealousy, and bitterness or not.  Controlling your reaction is that simple.  As an adult, you have the capability of managing your responses.  When you partner your life with Jesus, He’ll show you how to produce fruit with eternal ramifications.  His answer is always one of love.

To help me control my reactions, I tell myself what I’m not going to do.  For instance, I’m working on taking no offense.  No matter what someone does, I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt.  Instead of assuming negative thoughts, I’m working on not thinking anything.  When my temper begins to flair, I remind myself, take no offense.  More than anything, putting into practice what Jesus did helps me manage my emotions.  When I keep the feelings under control, I gain a better perspective of the situation.  Then I am more equipped to love instead of assume.

Lord, how grateful we are for Jesus.  His example of loving You and people is one we can all benefit from today.  Help us to forgive those we’re struggling to forgive.  Let us serve those who are sick and are in need.  Give us love from above to love those around us, especially those we struggle with most.  Today Lord, let us take no offense.  Instead, let us respond like Jesus, with love.  May we produce good fruit in all we do today. IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How can you love like Jesus today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 32-33 GW; Matthew 11 GW; Psalms 131 GW

Following Jesus leads to a blessed life.

Before you can follow Jesus, you must place your faith in Him.  What that means is trusting His teachings.  Once you trust, then you follow.  Following defined is “coming or going after or behind; pursuing; attending; imitating; proceeding in the same course.”  After you place your faith in Jesus, the blessings come as you pursue Him. The more you chase Him, the more your confidence will grow.

To imitate Jesus, you must get to know Him.  The disciples followed Him as He fulfilled His ministry on earth.  Reading the scriptures brings us into their story.  We learn how Jesus dealt with the storms of life.  As you dig into His parables, He teaches you how to love both God and others.   As you begin to put His teachings into practice, blessings will begin to overflow.  God’s blessings aren’t the same as man’s.  His peace is something man can never give.  Grace is only possible because of Jesus’s act on the cross.  God’s love reflects in His creation.

Believe in the Blessing.

When life is imploding around us, losing faith can happen.  When a spouse leaves or a child dies, the pain is unbearable.  Unexpected loss of any kind is devastating.  Understanding why things happen is beyond our human capacity.  During these times, continuing to believe is a choice.  We have to choose to follow Jesus, even when we don’t understand.  God creates beauty from the ashes of our pain, but only if we give it to Him.

Have faith in Jesus that He is with you, right now, today.  Whatever trial you’re facing, He faces with you.  Your heartache is His heartache.  Lean into Him today, trusting His promises to bring you His blessings of comfort, peace, and joy.

Lord, thank You for Jesus.  May all who read this continue to have faith in Him.  May we pursue Him today harder and faster than we ever have.  Thank You for Your blessings that only come when we keep the faith.  Amid turmoil in our lives, let our faith stay strong in You.  Help us to follow You wherever You take us.  Let Your plan unfold in our lives as we move through this day.  In You we trust.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

Are you missing Jesus’s blessing because you’ve lost faith?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 31 GW; Matthew 10 GW

Following Jesus not only makes you cunning as snakes but innocent as doves.

As defined by Webster’s 1828 dictionary, cunning is “knowing; skillful; experienced; well-instructed. It is applied to all kinds of knowledge, but generally and appropriately, to the skill and dexterity of artificers, or the knowledge acquired by experience.”  Innocent means “free from qualities that can injure.” Jesus makes you smart and considerate.

When you follow His commands daily, you gain Godly wisdom. God reveals truth to you as you journey with Him.  Cunning comes as you follow Christ.  The deeper your relationship, the more knowledge you will possess.  The more you apply His Word to your life, the more you have experiential knowledge of God.

When I first began my walk with Jesus as an adult, I didn’t know Him well.  Financially, I hadn’t followed scriptural guidelines.  When I started to apply God’s principles to my money, I became more cunning with what I had. Experiential knowledge from practicing God’s word gave me cunning I could find no other way.

Jesus makes you cunning.

All of us are in the process of becoming with Jesus.  When we place our faith in Him, it isn’t the last step; it’s the first one.  Cunning is something developed over time, with effort.  He is always teaching.  Whether or not we are listening is the question.

To begin your journey of becoming more cunning, try one thing.  Forgive someone you haven’t forgiven.  Pray for someone who has hurt you.  Bless someone you don’t want to bless.  Find a promise of God’s and apply it to your life today.  Watch how God makes you more cunning as you do what He asks you to do.

Lord, we’re glad you make us smart AND considerate.  Forgive us, Lord, for our fumblings as we learn.  Forgive us for people we’ve hurt unintentionally; let us make amends if possible. Help us follow You closely.  Let our proximity to You cover us in the dust from Your shoes.  Give us experiential knowledge as we apply Your teachings to our lives.  Make us more considerate every day as we choose You.  Without You, Lord, we are nothing.  With You, we are more than we could ever imagine.  In You, we find life.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

How is God making You more cunning?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 30 GW; Matthew 9 GW

Jesus forgiveness frees you.

In today’s scripture, Jesus declares, He has the authority to forgive sins.  For the paralyzed man, forgiveness freed him to walk again.  Sin not only weighs us down emotionally but physically as well.  Not all physical ailments are a result of unforgiven sin, but some are. The heaviness of our misdeeds can keep us physically down on the mat.  But when we confess and release sins to Jesus, He lifts the weight from you.

When we were children, my brother and I stole penny candy from my uncle’s store.  Forty years later, I still remember the tummy ache I had.  Guilt from our actions made me sick; we never ate the candy.  Only when I confessed our misdeed did the pain go away.  Our earthly father made us return the candy and apologize to our uncle.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean no consequences, but it does mean relief from the guilt.

Jesus has the power to forgive.

Jesus forgives because we need forgiving.  Every day, we sin anew.  

On the day of this writing, I finished my daily Bible reading, then opened Facebook.  When I did, I learned someone who caused me pain is going through a difficult life situation.  My initial reaction was gladness.  In other words, I was happy they were suffering.  To recap, I just finished reading God’s Holy Word, and the minute I closed it, I had a sinful thought.  Immediately I repented and began praying for the person.  But my initial reaction was not sympathy. 

Accepting you are an ongoing sinner is something we all must embrace.  Once we do, our relationship with Jesus grows closer.  We need forgiveness every day, not just once.  Realizing that fact isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.  The more we recognize our daily need for Jesus, the freer our life becomes.  Taking responsibility for your actions is the first step to freedom; asking Jesus for forgiveness is the second.

Lord, thank You for forgiving us of our sins.  Help us accept the truth of our sinful nature and our need for Jesus every day.  We’re grateful; once we place our faith in You, nothing can separate us.  Hold us close, don’t let us stray too far down the wrong path.  Draw us back to You with every minute and every hour of every day.  In You, we find freedom.  IJNIP. Amen 

Question for reflection

What do you need Jesus’s forgiveness for today?

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Genesis 28-29 GW; Matthew 8 GW

Jesus cleans.

In today’s verse, a man with a severe skin disease asks Jesus if He is willing to clean him.  Jesus’s reply, yes.  Although the healing is physical in this instance, Jesus also heals emotionally.  A cleaning of our soul occurs when we bear all to Jesus.  As we confess whatever sin we’ve condemned ourselves for, He responds in love.  

Jesus forgives.  Because He showers grace on our imperfections, we become clean.  The more we unburden to Jesus, the more He washes us in His love.  Confessing our faults paves the way for forgiveness.  When we begin to understand God’s grace for us, we extend it not only to others but ourselves as well.

Sometimes the hardest person we have to forgive is ourselves.  Let Jesus help you.  To receive His cleaning, you first have to ask.  His grace allows you to approach Him without fear.  No matter what the offense to confess, He will receive you with love.

Jesus will clean you.

When you ask Jesus if He is willing to clean you, His answer is yes.  No one judges you harder than you.  God isn’t in heaven, making a list of all your flaws.  He’s looking at you with love-filled eyes, His child, His creation.  We’re the ones who think God hates us for whatever reason.  But God isn’t capable of hating; He is love.  And He wants you to love yourself.  Allow Jesus to clean you.  Present your burdens to Him; let Him wash them away.

While putting away Christmas decorations, I put a hole in our garage ceiling.  The angst I felt at having to tell my husband was immediate. I didn’t want to have to confess what I had done.  However, the only way to rid myself of the guilt was to reveal the crime.  Confession cleans the soul.  With Jesus, you know He will always respond in love.

Lord, how grateful we are You clean us.  When we come to You and ask for forgiveness, You forgive.  Let Your grace wash over us as we come to You today. Help us lay our burdens at Your feet, not allowing us to take them back.  Direct our paths forward not to repeat our folly.  Help us live this day fully.  IJNIP. Amen

Question for reflection

What do you want Jesus to clean for you today?