Honest Reflections

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)

People will know Jesus in your life by love.  How you love others is a reflection of Jesus’s presence in your life.  He has shown us how to love people, now we’re to do it.  Jesus was present with people.  He listened to them (Luke 24:17-20 NIV).  He had compassion for them (Matthew 9:36 NIV).  He set healthy boundaries, allowing people to make their own choices (Mark 10:21-22 NIV).  He didn’t enable people in their sin (John 8:11 NIV).  He loves deeply (John 3:16 NIV).  He spoke truth (John 18:38 NIV).  He did everything with grace and mercy (Mark 6:34 NIV).  If you want people to know Jesus, love like He did.

If you want people to know Jesus, love like He did.

I can’t love people like Jesus if I don’t spend time with Him.  I don’t want to love everyone in my humanness.  None of us do.  People in our lives who hurt us deeply, are hard to love.  But Jesus loves them too.  We don’t get to pick and choose who we love, Jesus doesn’t give us that option:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12:30-31 NIV)

Who is our neighbor?  Everyone.  The person standing in front of you at the grocery store is our neighbor.  The poor driver who cuts you off in traffic is our neighbor.  The family member who constantly causes trouble is our neighbor.  The ex-boyfriend who cheated is our neighbor.  The person who murdered my good friend’s son is our neighbor.  How are we to love people who have caused us pain in our lives?  We let Jesus show us the way.

The first part of the great commandment is: “Love the Lord your God…” (Mark 12:30 NIV).  In order to love others, we have to love God first.  We have to seek Him daily, asking Him to fill us with His love.  We can’t love others without first receiving love from God.   He will show us how to love those who have hurt us deeply.  He will help us forgive those who have committed unspeakable acts against us.  He will protect us from further harm by helping us set appropriate boundaries.  Through Jesus, we can love anyone.   He doesn’t intend us to be their Savior, that’s His job.  He just expects us to love. 

Question of the Day:

Who do you need Jesus’ help loving today?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23 NIV, John 13:31-14:14 NIV, Psalm 119:17-32 NIV,  Proverbs 15:31-32 NIV

“After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:5 NIV)

If you want to set a good example for others, live it.  Many people in today’s world know how to talk a good talk.  They know all the right things to say.  What they don’t do is live up to their word.  Jesus lived up to His word.  He set a perfect example anyone can follow.  Actions speak louder than words.  Whatever example you’re trying to set, live it.  Live the example you want others to follow.

I was a store manager for years.  I led by example. I greeted customers when they walked in the door.  I dusted shelves, vacuumed floors and cleaned bathrooms.  I was on time for my shifts.  I didn’t leave early.  I respected my supervisors.  I never asked my employees to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself.  If I didn’t do it, they didn’t have to do it.  As a result, I had a very successful career.  I lived the example I wanted my employees to follow.  Jesus’ actions convey the same message: live the example you want others to follow.

Live the example you want others to follow.

I saw a reenactment of Jesus’ washing feet over 15 years ago.  The pastor, in the middle of his sermon, asked for a volunteer.  He sat them in a chair, lovingly took off their shoes, and washed their feet.  He didn’t speak, He just did.  I have never forgotten the visual story he told through his actions.  Jesus’s disciples, I imagine, felt the same way.  With awe and wonder they watched as Jesus prepared Himself to wash their feet.  This man, who had performed countless miracles, served them humbly.

Jesus leads with grace and humility.  His willingness to complete an undesirable task for another is a symbol of His gentleness.  Jesus didn’t consider Himself “too good” for menial work.  He was willing to do whatever was needed:

“Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1 NIV)

The greatest example Jesus set for us was on the cross.  He died so we can live.  Jesus knows the troubles we face today.  He knows the hopelessness we feel.  His desire for us is to trust in Him:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

To set the right example, do what Jesus did.  Follow Him and He’ll show you the way.

Question of the Day:

What kind of example is your life setting?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39 NIV, John 13:1-30 NIV, Psalm 119:1-16 NIV, Proverbs 15:29-30 NIV

“This is the day the Lord acted;  we will rejoice and celebrate in it!” (Psalm 118:24 CEB)

God acts!  Every day, God makes the sun rise and set.  He rotates the earth on its access.  He supplies air to breathe, food to eat.  He energizes us each morning with life.  He grants us sleep to rest.  He provides jobs.  He heals relationships.   He creates a masterpiece of our lives with His presence.  What does God do for you every day?  He acts!

What does God do for you every day?  He acts!

The New Living Translation of Psalm 118:24 uses “made” instead of “acted.”  Both are past tense verbs, meaning He’s already completed the work.  In other words, before you ever opened your eyes this morning, God has completed work on the day ahead:

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16 NIV)

Today may not feel like a day to rejoice for you.   Heartache is weighing you down.  The tensions of the pandemic make peace a far off thought. Fear of the unknown is a constant battle. God still made this day.  He understands what is happening in the world.  His heart aches with yours. He has no fear, nor does He want you living in fear.  He gives us hope: 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

COVID19 emphasizes the fragility of life.  An unseen virus has wreaked havoc with our world.  The reality of death is a topic not easily discussed.  COVID19 forces the conversation of mortality.  None of us know what the future holds, except for God.  God is not afraid of death. God created a way for us to overcome death.  We have eternal life through Jesus.  Eternity is happening now.  Our lives on earth are for a short time.  Our lives with Jesus are for eternity:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24 NIV)

Place your trust in Jesus.  Allow Him to ease your troubled heart.  He wants you to rejoice in this day, not dread it.  Follow Peter’s advice to find Jesus’s joy:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:7-9 NIV)

Question of the Day:

Have you trusted Jesus with your life?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11 NIV, John 12:20-50 NIV, Psalm 118:19-29 NIV, Proverbs 15:27-28 NIV

“I will not die but live,  and will proclaim what the Lord has done.  The Lord has chastened me severely,  but he has not given me over to death.” (Psalm 118:17-18 NIV)

Tell others what He does for you daily.  Focus on His goodness in your life, talk about it to others. If you’re still living, you have a story to tell.  God did something for you.  Each day you wake up healthy gives you something to tell.  In this time of COVID19, good health is a sacred commodity.  Those healthy are grateful, those who aren’t, scared.  If you have a job with steady income, you have something to tell.  

I posted an update for friends on my husband and I’s shared Facebook page recently:

“Life is good! Each day we continue to thank God for our health and His provision, then pray for our nation.”

Two simple sentences tells God’s goodness in our lives.  You can do the same. Tell others what He does for you daily.  In the bleakest of circumstances, God is with you.  The health care workers who care for us are gifts from God.  The people God places around us are shards of light in the darkness.  His light shines through them to us.  Even in quarantine, people find ways to connect.  Zoom allows people to see their loved ones.  God gave us a way to stay connected, even when forced apart.  All of these things, God does daily for us.  If you want to talk about God, tell what He does for you daily.

If you want to talk about God, tell what He does for you daily.

To talk about God daily, you have to seek Him daily.  Prioritizing God in your life, prioritizes Him in your speech.  When I spend time with God in the morning, I can’t help but talk about Him in the afternoon.  Each day I read the scriptures, He speaks to me.  A verse will jump off the page, I’ll know it’s meant for me.  Typically, during the day, something happens that reminds me of the verse.  I have an opportunity to apply its truth in my daily life.  As a result, I always have something to tell about God.  But if I didn’t seek Him daily, I wouldn’t have as much to tell.

During COVID, my prayer for our nation is to seek God.  He is the only one who can calm our fears and bring peace to our hearts.  But in order for people to seek God, they need to hear about Him.  We need to talk about His activity in our lives.  When we do, people will want to know Him better.  They’ll want His strength and  peace in their lives.  All you have to do is tell what He did for you.

Question of the Day:

What has God done for you?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13 NIV, John 11:55-12:19 NIV, Psalm 118:1-18 NIV, Proverbs 15:24-26 NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22 NIV)

You need to seek advice to see all the angles.  Seeing a situation from different viewpoints isn’t easy, but necessary to find the truth. 

My husband and I were camping in Illinois.  We spent the night at  Rest Up Camping and RV Corral.  The campground looks like an old western town.  When you view the front of the buildings, they appear two stories tall.  However, when you see the buildings from behind, you realize, they are false fronts.  The buildings are single story dwellings with a tall front to make them look larger than they are.  In order to understand the full picture, you have to look at it from all angles.  When you view a situation from all angles, you learn the truth.  We learned the buildings were fake.  Seeking counsel from others reveals the lies you’re believing.  In the quest for truth, counsel from others is needed.  Wise advice in your life, helps you see the truth.

Wise advice in your life, helps you see the truth.

Lying to ourselves is easy to do.  We believe a lie without realizing it.  For instance, my husband and I were golfing one day.  My husband texted a friend and his wife to join us.  They never returned the text.  However, when we were on the third hole, we saw them two holes behind us.  My husband immediately assumed we had done something to offend them.  He had no idea what, but for the next 12 hours, my husband fretted.  He automatically assumed the worst.  The truth was nothing like he thought.  His friend had responded to the text.  However, my husband had a new phone.  The response to the text went to his old phone,not the new one.  One glitch in communication caused my husband to believe a lie.  He jumped to a conclusion based on his own perspective that wasn’t true.

We have limited vision of the circumstances in our lives:

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV)

While on earth, we have two options for expanding our view.  We seek God and ask for Him to reveal His truth.  We seek counsel from others who are trustworthy.  Discernment is necessary to receive wise counsel.  Ask those who will tell the truth in love.  People who tell you what you want to hear are not wise counsel.  Choose wisely whose advice you accept.  As my mother said, “Consider the source.”  In other words, if you’re seeking God’s truth, don’t ask an atheist for advice.  Seek wise counsel, from a trusted source, your plans will succeed.

Question of the Day:

Are you seeking wise counsel in your life?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25 NIV, John 11:1-54 NIV, Psalm 117:1-2 NIV, Proverbs 15:22-23 NIV

“He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 24:6 NIV)

You respect authority in your life because of God’s sovereignty.  Sovereign means supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign ruler of the universe.  Supreme, in this definition means highest in authority; holding the highest place in government or power. Therefore, God’s sovereignty means He is the ultimate authority for all of us.  In other words, God knows who the President is.  God knows who your boss is.  God knows who your teachers are.  God knows who the people are in your life who have authority over you.  And He expects you to respect them:

“Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.” (Mark 12:17 NIV)

You respect authority in your life because of God’s sovereignty.

David understood God’s sovereignty.  Today’s scripture comes after a pivotal moment in his life.  Saul, King of Israel, is trying to kill David.  He is in a cave, relieving himself.  David sneaks into the cave and cuts off a corner of the King’s robe.  David felt remorse for disrespecting the Lord’s anointed one.  David understood, God had placed Saul in authority.  When he disrespected Saul, he disrespected God.  David felt this way, even though Saul was actively trying to kill him.  David respected Saul because of God’s sovereignty.

We all struggle with people who have authority over us. Respecting someone we disagree with is difficult.  Respecting politicians in positions of power is difficult if we’re on opposite sides.  Respecting bosses who don’t appear to know what they are doing is difficult.  Respecting our spouses when we completely disagree is hard.  Respecting God’s sovereign authority in our lives is challenging.  

If God is sovereign, why does He allow sinful leaders?  God has no choice, we are all sinful.  The politician is a sinner.  The boss is a sinner.  Our spouse is a sinner.  I am a sinner.  You are a sinner.  We are all sinners.   Anyone in a position of authority is a sinner.  We have sinful leaders because we are sinful people.  Therefore, we pray for all of us:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  (1 Timothy 2:2 NIV) 

The best way to show respect for our leaders is to pray for them.   Whether politician, boss or spouse, pray for them.  We respect authority because of God’s sovereignty.  Praying for them is our first step.

Question of the Day:

What authority figure in your life needs prayer today?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44 NIV, John 10:22-42 NIV, Psalm 116:1-19 NIV, Proverbs 15:20-21 NIV

“But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:5 NIV)

The voice to follow is the familiar one.  Most of us had father’s in our lives as children.  We know their voice.  The sound of our earthly father’s voice we’ve heard since birth.  My father died when I was 16. I can still hear his voice in my head 35 years later.  He had phrases he would say often, those are what I remember most.  His voice is familiar to me.  I trust his voice when I hear it in my memory.  

One of my father’s favorite phrases was, “If you’re going to do something, do it right the first time.”  His theory, which has proven correct, is that doing it right the first time means not doing it again.  I hear his voice say this to me in my mind when I know, I’m not doing something right.  I’m not putting my best effort into whatever task is at hand.  I’m looking for shortcuts to make the job easier.  At times like this, I hear my father’s voice.  The phrase will come from nowhere, and in it, I find truth.  I know I need to listen to his voice.  The voice to follow is the familiar one.

The voice to follow is the familiar one.

Listening to our heavenly Father’s voice is similar to our earthly father.  God knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV).  We heard His voice from the moment He created us.  His voice is more familiar to us than any other we’ve heard.  

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4 NIV)

Jesus is our shepherd, we are His sheep.  Sheep need a shepherd.  They live in a flock.  Two characteristics they exhibit: quickness to flee and panic.  A skilled shepherd knows how to handle their shortcomings.  The sheep, in their panic, know the shepherd’s voice.  Sheep also know where they get food.  They follow the one who feeds them.  Jesus stands firm for us when we want to flee.  He calms our panic.  In Him, we find nourishment for our souls.  His voice is familiar to us.  

We know the right voice to follow.  God’s voice speaks to us as we read His word.  Each day we spend time with Him, His voice is clearer.  As we memorize scripture, the verses will speak to us in moments we need direction.  His Shepherd’s voice guides us gently.  With love, He asks us to follow Him.  We know, His is the voice to follow.

  Question of the Day:

Are other voices stopping you from hearing God’s voice?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29 NIV, John 10:1-21 NIV, Psalm 115:1-18 NIV, Proverbs 15:18-19 NIV

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3 NIV)

When you focus on the wrong thing, you miss the point.  Jesus is walking along with His boys when He says the above words.  A blind man is sitting along the road.  The disciples ask Jesus,  “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2 NIV).  Today’s scripture is His response: “Neither…”. The disciples focused on sin, the wrong thing.  Jesus focused on God’s purpose.  When we focus on sin, we miss God’s purpose.

When we focus on sin, we miss God’s purpose.

Magician’s use misdirection in their acts.  After capturing the audience’s attention, the magician misdirects it to distract them.  While the audience focuses on the misdirection, the magician does his trick.  The trick isn’t magic.  A good magician knows how to direct the audience’s attention at all times. 

Satan uses misdirection as well.  He wants us focused on people’s sin. He doesn’t want us focused on people.  Satan knows, when we focus on other’s sin, we miss God’s purpose.  Jesus  gave us our purpose on earth with these words:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NIV)

Our purpose on earth: Love God, love others.  The Greatest Commandment is simple.  We make it complicated.  Instead of loving the sinner, we condemn him.  Hate the sin, love the sinner.  Jesus looked past the sin, he loved the person.  The disciples exemplify Jesus’s ability to use sinful people to accomplish God’s purpose through love.

Peter struggled with pride (Matthew 26: 33-35 NIV).   Matthew was a tax collector (Mathew 9:9 NIV).  Judas betrayed Jesus (Matthew 26:14,16 NIV).  Jesus loved them all, despite their sins.  Saul of Tarsus, became Paul after he met Jesus.  Saul tortured and killed Christians.  He was an unbeliever who did unthinkable things.  But Jesus loved him anyway:

“During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”   Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” “I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply.  “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9: 3-6 NIV)

We are all sinners in need of grace.  In our imperfection, Jesus loves us. As sinners, we strive to sin less, accepting we are not sin free.  When we focus on sin, we miss God’s purpose for us: love.

Question of the Day:

Whose sin has stopped you from loving them?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15 NIV, John 9:1-41NIV, Psalm 113:1-114:8 NIV, Proverbs 15:15-17 NIV

“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.” (Psalm 112:4 NIV)

If you want light in your life, practice grace, compassion and righteousness with others.  What you give to others is given back to you.  Paul reminds us in his letter to the Galatians:

 “Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant.” (Galatians 6:7 CEB)

In the darkest of times it is hard to shine God’s light.  One of the best portrayals I’ve seen comes from Louisa May Alcott’s, “Little Women”.  I recently watched the latest movie version of her classic tale.  Christmas morning has arrived, cold and blustery.  The times are hard, money and food are scarce.  Marmie, the mother of the four little women returns from visiting a sick family.  As the ladies sit to eat their sumptuous breakfast, Marmie informs them of the latest news.  The family has no food, the children are starving.  The girls look at the feast before them, then at their mother.  They know what they must do.  The family wrapped and placed the food in baskets.  After bundling themselves in warm attire, the five ladies carried the meal to the starving family.  Light dawned in the darkness for both families.  Light dawns for the upright.

Light dawns for the upright.

Do not mistake “upright” for perfection.  God inspects the heart’s intention, not our imperfect actions.  I have learned about intent this past year.   The words my mother said to me are starting to compute in my brain; “He didn’t mean to hurt you.”  Mom used this sentence when discussing something one of my brothers did to me when we were kids.  I interpreted their actions the wrong way.  I made the assumption they were intentionally trying to hurt me.  They were not.  In fact, often my siblings were trying to protect me.  My interpretation was wrong.  Because I made the wrong assumption about their outward actions, I didn’t consider the intent of their heart.  If I had considered their intent, I would have realized their heart was in the right place.  God looks at our hearts, more than our actions.

We are in dark times because of COVID19, but light is available.  Take a step towards the dawning light by trusting God with your cares:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

Once you have cast off your anxiety, let God’s light shine through you.  Look around at the people in your world.  Who needs help?  Who needs an encouraging word?  What small action on your part can give light to their world?  When you bring light to others, it will dawn in your life.

Question of the Day:

How can you plant seeds of light today?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24 NIV, John 8:31-59 NIV, Psalm 112:1-10 NIV, Proverbs 15:12-14 NIV

“David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32 NIV)

When you choose the right battle you will win.  The problem is choosing the right battle.  The battle David is choosing is one he knows he will win.  How does David know he will win this battle?  Because he has God on his side:

“The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37 NIV)

David tended sheep.  He protected them from attacks:

“Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17: 35-36 NIV)

David is still a shepherd when he brings supplies to Saul’s army.  He knows his strengths.  He knows his weaknesses.  He chose this battle because he knew he would win.  When we choose the right battles, we win.

When we choose the right battles, we win.

How do you know the right battles to choose?  Know your strengths.  David knew how to kill a giant.  He had killed giants before this day.  They weren’t human giants, they were lions and bears.  An adult, male lion weighs on average, 480 pounds. An adult male brown bear can weigh up to 1300 pounds.  When is the last time you met a human that weighed 1300 pounds?  David wasn’t afraid of Goliath, he had already killed many that were more ferocious than him.  If you know your strengths, you will know the right battles to choose.

In marriage, I have the opportunity to choose my battles regularly.  Oftentimes, I choose not to engage, even if I know I will win.  Battles in relationships aren’t about winning or losing.  Relationship struggles are about resolution.  I may have the strengths to win the battle, but that doesn’t mean I should fight the fight.  In relationships, the question isn’t: who can win the fight?  The question is: how do we find resolution?

Resolution in a relationship is more important than winning.  Resolution requires work.  When you decide not to engage in a battle that will harm the relationship, you will have resolution. We choose the right battles because we know our strengths.  We  find resolution because we know some battles aren’t worth choosing.  The decision is yours, do you want victory or do you want resolution?

Question of the Day:

What battle are you deciding about today?

Further Reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4 NIV, John 8:21-30 NIV, Psalm 111:1-10 NIV, Proverbs 15:11 NIV