Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Malachi 1:1-2:17 ESV, Revelation 21:1-27 ESV, Psalm 149:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 31:10-24 ESV

Daily Verse: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1 ESV)

PARERCHOMAI (3928): “To come or go, denotes “to pass away, to perish,”[1]

Pass away.

Things come, and things go.  Once a coveted possession, the hand-me-down green ten-speed inherited from my brother no longer exists—the moments I had with my treasure now only memories.  One day, the earth will perish, and a redeemed one will take its place.

On the day of judgment, when God separates the harvest, some will spend eternity in hell, while others enjoy the benefits of heaven.  Which way they go relies on the individual’s choice during their time on earth.  The mysteries of the heart to complex for me to understand.

But I do know those who believe in Jesus have the promise of a better tomorrow.  The party’s just starting in heaven when life on earth passes away.

Connect spiritually.

We become connected to God’s network when we share faith in Christ with others.  Even far apart, we remain connected with our brothers and sisters worldwide.

During the pastor’s sermon one Sunday, I learned his daughter had ailments.  Sending a note of encouragement, I included a scripture God placed on my heart.  Imagine my surprise weeks later when the pastor relayed the following story.

Praying for his daughter’s illness, the family found a scripture to lift to God and ask Him to fulfill the promise.  When things appeared dim, my card came in the mail, carrying the same scripture the family chose months before, encouraging them in the storm. 

Whether on earth or in heaven, we remain connected to God’s network.  A new one awaits when this world passes away—one with no tears, pain, or heartache.  In God, we can trust.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 193) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV, Revelation 20:1-15 ESV, Psalm 148:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV

Daily Verse: “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10 ESV)

PLANAO (4105): “To go astray, wander, frequently active, “to deceive, by leading into error, to seduce.”[1]

Go astray.

Deception leads the way when the devil comes to town; his number one weapon lies.  But guess what?  All lies get exposed, and Satan’s permanent address includes “Lake of Fire and Sulfur,” not a fun place to spend eternity.

But while the truth comes to light, lies can exhaust us.  The false tales we tell ourselves about ourselves, self-rejection, insecurity, and feelings of worthlessness can cripple us.

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.” Corrie Ten Boom

Look at God.

Keeping a steady gaze upon Jesus will keep the devil’s lies at bay.  God quickly helps us discern truth when facing the world’s false tales.  Nothing new happens under the sun; our human condition naturally inclined to sinful ways.

“God only knows,” I often say when discussing things of this world.  Why do tragedies occur, natural disasters happen, and unexpected troubles attack us? I don’t have an answer.  Only the Lord knows how the story unfolds; our lives part of a grander tale.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 ESV)

Our place in history didn’t happen by chance.  Like Esther, God placed us in this time and place for a purpose.  Only by seeking Jesus diligently and loving God and people as He did will we fulfill our calling.

Deception runs ragged over the world, lies spinning in all directions. One day, God will reveal the truth, but until then, the Lord helps us discern truth in our lives.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 202) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 12:1-13:9 ESV, Revelation 19:1-21 ESV, Psalm 147:1-20 ESV, Proverbs 31:1-7 ESV

Daily Verse: “And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.” (Revelation 19:5 ESV)

AINEO (134): “Means to speak I praise of, to praise and is always used of praise to God by angels and men.”[1]

Speak praise.

Every opportunity we have to praise the King, we should.  One day we will know everything, including God’s works in our lives we never noticed.

We studied the Lord’s Prayer in our small group and discussed God giving us our daily bread.

“What do you need each day from God?” Our group leader asked us to write our answers down on paper.

At first, I had no answer, but then I wrote, “Air to breathe, direction, grace, compassion.”  Not a day goes by; I don’t need God to provide my daily bread for me.  From the mountain tops, I sing the Lord’s praises.  God does so much for us, yet we rarely praise Him.

Thank God.

Nothing introduces God into a conversation faster than praising Him.  The simple act of thanking God for what He does daily brings up the Big Guy.  No one deserves more praise than the Lord.

“Thank God,” I often say in all kinds of situations.  Sick in bed with a cold, I thank God for my tennis partner who can handle lessons without me for one day.  Too tired to get dressed and get medicine, praise God for my husband who went for me.  Thank God I got sick on Wednesday, the easiest day to cancel.

We won’t run out when we look for reasons to thank God.  Once we start counting blessings, we engage our reticular activating system, the recognition part of the brain.  If you buy a red car, you see red cars everywhere; if you start counting blessings, they will abound.

Sing God’s praises every chance you get.  Give the Lord credit for the work He does for you.  In Him, we experience life to the fullest.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 8) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 10:1-11:17 ESV, Revelation 18:1-24 ESV, Psalm 146:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 30:33 ESV

Daily Verse: “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.” (Revelation 18:1 ESV)

PHOTIZO (5461): “From phos, “light,” used intransitively, signifies “to shine, give light,” in the passive voices, Rev 18:1.”[1]

Give light

God’s glory will light the earth with a brightness never seen.  No sunrise has ever illuminated the sky like Jesus will one day do.  The Creator’s majesty overwhelms our souls with His presence, and we will fall to our knees in praise.  One day, all will come full circle, the world earth redeemed.

One day, God will remove all our heartaches and pain.  No longer will we suffer, our struggles gone as we enter our heavenly home; only God knows when.  Hope eternal burns brightly as we follow the Lord.

Our final move to heaven will give us a celestial address.  Singing with the angels in the presence of the Lord, our souls exploding with joy; we will live in Christ’s presence, sharing His inheritance.

Trust Jesus.

Place your faith in the one you can trust, Jesus.  No other god compares to what we have in Christ.  Freedom from condemnation leads the way to eternal hope.  All things made new when we submit them to Christ.

From lowly sinner to beloved saint, Jesus cleanses us from sin and gives us a new identity grounded in Him.  Christ calls us beloved, His love for us unending.  God’s children, united by Jesus.

Let your life become a bright beacon for Jesus.  Clothe yourself in the white robes Christ offers, letting go of your past, embracing the future God has for you.

God gives us His light to guide our way in a dark world.  Often we can only see a few feet ahead, but we can trust God knows the future and has a plan.  Nothing we do escapes the Creator; He knows our needs before we do and provides.

Jesus lights our world with His grace and mercy.  Just like candles share flames to light each other’s wick, the more we share God’s love, the brighter His light becomes.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 268) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 9:1-17 ESV, Revelation 17:1-18 ESV, Psalm 145:1-21 ESV, Proverbs 30:32 ESV

Daily Verse: “They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14 ESV)

BASILEUS (935): “As a noun, means “a king” of Christ, as the “King of kings,” Rev. 17:14.”[1]

King of kings.

No one reigns higher than Jesus, Son of God.  Understanding how God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together requires faith.  Hard for me to put in words, but marriage helps me understand some.

Since Ron and I married, we’ve become one with each other and God.  Centering our lives around Christ’s teachings bonds Ron and me closer together than anything else, yet at the same time, we still have separate lives.

Each of us has different roles to play.  We grow together as we allow our lives to mesh, Ron’s strengths, my weaknesses, and vice versa.  God’s sovereignty blends us as we follow His commands.

Obedience matters.

Putting the King of kings first means doing what He commands, loving God and others.  Applying those principles to our life creates healthier relationships and draws people to Christ.  Disobedience leads to chaos.

Jesus leads us on a path to righteousness as we follow Him.  Each day, Christ gives us the grace we need to love the world and ourselves.  Without God’s Son, we couldn’t bond with God as intimately as we do.  When Jesus left the earth, His Spirit remained behind to reside within us, guiding our ways. 

Loving as God calls us to do, especially in marriage, a relationship like none other, we will gain a glimpse of how the triune God works.  But even then, we can’t fully grasp the wonders of the Creator.

King of kings, Lord of all, Jesus died for you.  In His embrace, grace and mercy reside, helping us to let go of the past and move forward into the future, knowing God has a magnificent plan for us.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 52) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 8:1-23 ESV, Revelation 16:1-21 ESV, Psalm 144:1-15 ESV, Proverbs 30:29-31 ESV

Daily Verse: “And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!” (Revelation 16:7 ESV)

PANTOKRATOR (3841): “Almighty, or ruler of all” (pas, “all,” krateo, “to hold, or to have strength”) is used of God only.”[1]

Ruler of all.

God’s sovereignty reigns over all creation; He alone judges the earth.  Understanding our sinful nature, God clothes us in righteousness when we believe in Jesus, giving us new life in Christ.  Sin’s punishment, death, ended with Jesus rising again, overcoming its sting.

Understanding the ever-reaching, never missing, all-encompassing power of God baffles me.  Trying to make sense of a chaotic world full of heartache and tragedy does no good.  Persevering and trusting the Lord’s promises helps us keep moving forward when the load seems too heavy to keep going.

One day, God will make all things new, eliminating the suffering of our world.  But until then, Jesus calls us to follow and obey.

Believe the Almighty.

Whether we understand all of God’s workings or not doesn’t matter as much as trusting what He says.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22 ESV)

God will sustain us.  Each day, when we ask for our daily bread from above, God renews our spirit and spurs us forward.  Life will bring many difficulties, but with Jesus, we can overcome them.

When an unexpected wave knocks you off your feet, employ forward-thinking instead of focusing on the pain.  Ask God, “How can I overcome this?”  Think about what you can control now and re-center yourself as you wait for God’s answer, knowing He has one.

Almighty Father in heaven, the sustainer of life, adores you.  In Him, you can trust.  Wherever God guides, He provides, never does the Lord leave you alone.

Sovereign over all creation; the Almighty reigns forever.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 188) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 6:1-7:14 ESV, Revelation 15:1-8 ESV, Psalm 143:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 30:24-28 ESV

Daily Verse: “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?  For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:4 ESV)

DOXAZO (1392): “As a verb, primarily denotes in the NT “to magnify, extol, praise,” especially of “glorifying”; God, i.e., ascribing honor to Him, acknowledging Him as to His being, attributes and acts.”[1]

Magnify praise.

Only God deserves His name glorified.  No human compares to our heavenly Father.  In Him, we find the peace we can find nowhere else.  When we enter the pits of life, God goes with us, helping us paw our way out of it.  Each step gently lifting us further to victory.

Indeed, God’s guidance and direction in life come moment by moment.  How badly I wish I knew what God plans for me, but He doesn’t let me in on those details.  Instead, God asks me to lean into Him, moment by moment, trusting, He’s got this too.

Find something.

Like Corrie Ten Boom thanked God for the fleas in her Natzi prison camp, we can find something to give God glory, even in our darkest moments. 

Praise God for my husband, who walked through our door five minutes before I received the phone call notifying me of my nephew’s death.  His arms wrapped around me, God in the flesh comforting me as I wept.

When we think of worst-case scenario’s in our lives, we must remind ourselves of God’s presence.  Wherever we go, so does He.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139:7-10 ESV)

Glorify God today, thanking Him for the air we breathe and the life He gives.  Let the Lord’s light shine brightly as we lean into Him, following minute by minute.  In Jesus, find life to the fullest.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 72) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 4:1-5:11 ESV, Revelation 14:1-20 ESV, Psalm 142:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 30:21-23 ESV

Daily Verse: “And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps,” (Revelation 14:2 ESV)

PHONE (5456): “Through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artif.), most frequently “a voice.”[1]

Articulate bestial.

Many theories exist about the voice’s origin in today’s verse, but none conclusive.  However, the sounds coming from heaven carry a melodious tune of victory.  Living in God’s presence means experiencing eternal joy with the Creator.

People articulate similar joy when their football team gets a touchdown in the last seconds of the game, making a miraculous comeback.

Or when Richmond’s college basketball team won the title as my flight landed in their city.  Joyous noise erupted from the entire plane as the team scored the winning basket.

Joyful noise.

Angels’ chorus grows larger every day as God calls people home.  A spiritual mentor of mine gained her wings after a long battle with cancer.  Kim lived her life passionately for Jesus and discipled me with love and care.  Now reunited with her son, she sings joyfully from heaven.

Joy comes when we gain our spiritual address with God.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  (Revelation 21:4 ESV)

Accepting death as part of life allows us to enjoy the present moment in eternity.  No one knows when God will call them back home, but we do know the day will one day come.  Until then, we can live fully for Jesus, not wasting a moment.

Let the peace that surpasses all understanding rule your life as you submit to Jesus.  Sing joyfully with the heavenly choir, allowing God’s spirit to connect us with those who have moved into the spiritual realm.

No more tears in heaven, nor pain, for the former things no longer exist.  God wipes away our tears, with joy we sing.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 268) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 2:1-3:10 ESV, Revelation 13:1-13:18 ESV, Psalm 141:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 30:18-20 ESV

Daily Verse: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear:” (Revelation 13:9 ESV)

AKOUO (191): “As a verb, is the usual word denoting “to hear.”[1]

To hear.

Communication requires two people: one sending information and one receiving it.  Right off the bat, we have a problem.  Because everyone’s different, we send and receive information differently.

My husband requires time to process the information he receives; I tend to conclude quicker.  However, Ron teaches me to analyze a situation from as many perspectives as possible before concluding.  Working out our communication differences in our relationship takes time and effort to listen to each other instead of assuming we know.

Active listening.

Nothing will improve your relationship with God and others more than becoming an active listener.  Set aside preconceived notions, don’t interrupt, and listen carefully.  Ask questions, but don’t take over the conversation when you need clarity.

When they finish speaking, repeat back to them what they just said.  Make sure both people have the same understanding.  Then move forward in the conversation, but not a moment sooner.

God does speak to us, but we must quiet our hearts and minds to hear.  If we spend our entire time with God telling Him what we want, we’ll never listen to what He wants from us.

For all that have ears, let them hear God’s voice.  Whether He whispers in the wind or screams from the mountaintop, may we hear what He has to say. Allow our spirit to connect with His, God’s peace within us.

People don’t hear because they don’t listen, not because God’s not speaking.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 12) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Zechariah 1:1-21 ESV, Revelation 12:1-17 ESV, Psalm 140:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 30:17 ESV

Daily Verse: “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Revelation 12:1 ESV)

STEPHANOS (4735): “Primarily, “that which surrounds, as a wall or crowd” (from stepho, “to encircle”) denotes of triumph Rev 12:1.”[1]

Denotes triumph.

John’s vision of a woman clothed with the sun wearing a crown denotes triumph over the evil of this world.  God does win the battle, even though it might not seem so from our perspective. 

Sometimes, the tragedies of this earth make me wonder why God doesn’t stop them.  War, famine, natural disasters, untimely deaths, heartache after heartache, the world chugging along on its eternal course.  Pain, the universal language we all share.

But in the end, God wins.  No matter what the storyline, Jesus wears the crown of victory, overcoming the world with the greatest act of love known to man.

Cross vision.

Keeping our eyes on the cross, where Jesus wore the crown of thorns on His way to victory over death, gives us hope.  Amid our heartache, Christ’s beaten, and bloody body reminds us this, too, shall end.  One day, we will enter paradise with Jesus.

Until then, God’s Spirit resides within us, strengthening us for the battle.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17 ESV)

God crowns us in victory when we place our faith in Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to reside in us.  Tapping into divine strength happens when we connect with God.  In our darkest hour, God will carry us through, one way or the other.

Gaze upon the cross today, remembering the battle Jesus won for you.  Imagine the empty grave; Christ made new as He overcame death.  When the devil attacks, remind him of the truth, he loses every time.

Victory comes through Jesus!

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 233-4) Thomas Nelson