Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-38:23 ESV, James 1:19-2:17 ESV, Psalm 117:1-2 ESV, Proverbs 28:1 ESV

Daily Verse: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” (James 1:19 ESV)

TACHUS (5036): “Prompt or ready: swift.”[1]

Prompt or ready.

Listen quickly, speak slowly, anger slowly, James wise advice helps us all.  Jesus’s half-brother teaches us how to receive God’s truth in our lives.

When others speak, we must listen if we want to hear what they say.  No one knows someone else’s thoughts, even if they think they do.  You can’t talk and hear at the same time.  And we can’t let anger distract us.  Not listening, speaking too quickly, and becoming angry close our minds to God’s truth.

Recently, I asked a friend to play mixed doubles with us.  “Maybe,” she responded.  Shocked, I became silent, thinking she didn’t want to play with me.  But as I listened, she shared her current health issues, prompting the answer.  If I had let my emotions take control and not listened, I wouldn’t have learned the truth; instead, believing a lie.

Don’t interrupt.

Readiness to listen means not interrupting.  You can’t interrupt and listen at the same time.  You effectively shut them up when you cut someone off, presuming you know what they will say.  I know that not interrupting people takes work because I struggle to keep my mouth shut.

But the more you practice listening, the better you become at it, as in anything.  Reminding yourself that you don’t know others’ thoughts gives people space to share them with you. 

When with others, come with readiness to listen and not speak, allowing them to express themselves.  Don’t assume you know their thoughts because you don’t.  No two people walk the same path; we shouldn’t act as if we know a path we never walked.

Every day, we have an opportunity to try again.  As an interrupter, I struggle not to interrupt.  I always find the truth when I put James’ wise words into action.  When you fail, say, “I’m sorry,” and try again.  God rewards the effort.

Come ready to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.  Watch as God reveals the truth to you, one conversation at a time.

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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. 248) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 35:1-36:38 ESV, James 1:1-18 ESV, Psalm 116:1-19 ESV, Proverbs 27:23-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6 ESV)

DIAKRINO (1252): “Is rendered “to waver.”[1]

To waver.

James ranks as one of my top five favorite New Testament books.  Not holding back, the author gives good guidance for following Jesus.  And James would know since he grew up with Christ, sharing the same mother.  When James tells us to have faith without doubting, we should listen. 

But we don’t.  Everyone doubts, including myself.  We waver between two opinions; God can/can’t meet our requests.  God can and will answer our prayers, but He might not respond as we desire.  Sometimes God says no, or not now.

Stand firm.

Trust God will answer your prayers, one way or another.  Believe God’s promises about you:

• God strengthens you (Eph. 3:14-16)
• God provides for you (Phil. 4:19)
• God answers your prayers (Mt. 7:7)
• God protects you (Ps. 91:2)
• God forgives you (1 Jn 1:9)

When you begin to waver, remember your identity in Jesus.  Think about how much Christ loves you, so much so, He sacrificed His life for you.  Jesus would get on the cross just for you if no one else existed on earth but you.  Grasping the unconditional love God offers through Jesus will change your life and give you a new purpose.

Choose Jesus today.  Put Him first in all you do, trusting Christ’s guidance.  Know, God’s love for you never ends, and nothing can separate you from it.  Place your faith in God, stand firm, and don’t let the waves of doubt derail your journey.  If you fall, get back up and keep going.

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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. 66) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 33:1-34:31 ESV, Hebrews 13:1-25 ESV, Psalm 115:1-18 ESV, Proverbs 27:21-22 ESV

Daily Verse: “So, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 ESV)

BOETHEO (998): “Is an adjective and is used as a noun in Heb. 13:6 of God as the helper of His saints.”[1]

Helper of His saints.

In the original Greek, helper means God helping us, those who believe and trust in Him.  How amazing the thought, the Creator of the world helps us.  Amid our pain, God comforts us; in our joys, God rejoices, and in the mundane, God walks with us.

Beginning our fall tennis classes, I chatted with my business partner about my anxieties: conflicts with court time, irritating a resident, not connecting with my students, or, worst of all, the class wouldn’t have fun.

“No one knows the anxieties I have when I’m on the court,” I said.

Receive it.

God offers a solution to my anxiety, His help.  But to receive His peace, I must seek Him and receive it.  I spent time journaling out my concerns and sharing them with God.  Then I shared them with my business partner because she could help me on the court.  And peace descended.

Relationships rule life.  Developing open communication with God and others will create stronger bonds.  Once I shared my coaching anxieties, my partner opened up about hers.  Everyone worries; becoming vulnerable allows others to share theirs with you.

Seek God for help today.  Ask Him into the trials of your life.  Become vulnerable with your Creator as you share the hurts of your heart with Him.  Let God into those places you let no one else go.  Allow Christ to see the shame you hide.  Let God’s love revive your heart as it flows into every nook and crevice.

Let God’s love change you in a world often driven by hate.  Forget what others think, care about God’s thoughts towards you, His precious child.  Jesus died and rose again, creating a bridge to eternal life with God.  Let Him walk with you on the journey. Receive the divine assistance Christ offers.

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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. 55) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32 ESV, Hebrews 12:14-29 ESV, Psalm 113:1-114:8 ESV, Proverbs 27:18-20 ESV

Daily Verse: “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15 ESV)

PIKRIA (4088): “Denotes “bitterness” in Heb 12:15, in the same sense, metaphorically, or a root of “bitterness,” producing “bitter” fruit.[1]

Producing bitter fruit.

Bitterness wreaks havoc in our lives, stops us from enjoying life to the fullest, and causes pain to others.  Unfortunately, identifying bitter roots in our lives takes effort; we don’t see them at first glance, but others can.  My husband loves to say, “They have a chip on their shoulder.”

Ron and I did “Five Dates: A His and Her “Funbook” for Couples,” which I highly recommend.  Innocent questions lead to deep conversations.  God revealed a chip on my shoulder through my husband with the question: “What are two of your biggest memories from high school?”

Roots revealed.

Instantly, my mind went to my father’s death at 16; jealousy towards my husband’s sporting regrets made me respond, “I wish my biggest memories were so simple.”

“Just because I haven’t experienced what you did, doesn’t mean I can’t sympathize.  You don’t get to wear your pain like a badge of honor.” My honey responded.

At that moment, God revealed a bitter root that started three decades ago.  The Lord removed the root using my husband’s unconditional love for me.  And I found a new fullness to life.

No one likes when the bad things in life occur, and we all will experience hard, painful moments in life that devastate us.  How we respond to those events determines the roots we will begin to grow.

If we lay our pain at the foot of the cross, trusting God to use it for His purposes, we will discover divine healing.  Peace will transcend our hearts that make no sense to the outside world.  From our hurt, God will lead us to victory, helping us to continue the journey and not get stuck in pain.

Ask God to reveal the bitter roots in your life.  Let the Lord dig in the soil of your heart and remove the bitterness.  Begin to produce life-giving fruit as you weed out the dark places in your soul.

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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. 201) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26 ESV, Hebrews 11:32-12:13 ESV, Psalm 112:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 27:17 ESV

Daily Verse: “And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,” (Hebrews 11:39 ESV)

EPAGGELIA (1860): “As a noun, is primarily a law term, denoting “a summons” and also meant “an undertaking to do or give something, a promise.”  It frequently stands for the thing “promised,” and so signifies a gift graciously bestowed, not a pledge secured by negotiation.”[1]

Give something.

Chapter eleven in Hebrews has a nickname, the “Faith” chapter.  Reviewing the list of heroes in the faith, and the steps they took that landed them in the Hall of Fame for their beliefs, warranted the name.  Each persevered, not knowing what the future held but trusting God’s promise of a better life.

God’s Hall of Famers trusted that God would give them something for their toils and troubles.  At the end of their journey’s waited paradise with the Lord.

God’s presence.

Repeatedly, God promises never to leave nor forsake us.  Yet when we become stagnant, unable to move forward because of anxiety about things that could happen, we negate His promise. 

Reading “The Cuckoo Syndrome,” Andrea Polk brought to light a good point.  Worst-case scenario thinking excludes God.  In other words, when we fret about things to come, we don’t think of God’s participation in helping us endure.

Walking boldly forward means trusting God walks with you, no matter what mountain you face.  Abraham trusted God to make him the father of nations, Rahab thrived as an adopted member of God’s family, and Moses marched onward, ever faithful to the Lord.

Wherever God takes you, He goes with you.  Whether in the pit or on the mountaintop, nothing separates you from Jesus once you place your faith in Him.  Begin embracing the journey, anticipating what God will do for you and in you as you continue forward.

God promises to give us eternal life if we place our faith in Christ.  Receiving the gift cost us nothing and the Lord everything.  Living intentionally for Jesus means trusting the promises God makes and acting accordingly.

Stand firm on God’s promises, apply them to your life, and experience the eternal peace you can find no other way.

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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. 93) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 27:1-28:26 ESV, Hebrews 11:17-31 ESV, Psalm 111:1-10 ESV, Proverbs 27:15-16 ESV

Daily Verse: “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” (Hebrews 11:31 ESV)

SUNAPOLLUMI (4881): “To destroy (middle or passive voice be slain) in company with: perish with.”[1]

To destroy.

Rahab became famous because she protected the spies who came to scope out the land.  She made her living by selling her body to men and protected God’s servants when they came to her door, which led her to a life that included a place in the genealogy of Jesus.  Married to Salmon, she’s David’s great-great-grandmother, from prostitute to matriarch in the royal lineage of Christ; Rahab had a virtuous heart.

Jericho fell at the hands of Joshua with the Lord leading him.   Rahab saved herself and her family by believing in God’s sovereignty.  Following her heart meant giving her life to an unknown God, believing in His power to save her.  And the Lord did, giving her a new life.

Fresh start.

Becoming a virtuous woman changed Rahab’s entire life.  Choosing to trust God gave her purpose. As a Canaanite; her adoption into the Jewish culture answers how they became a part of Israel. 

Trusting God gives us what Rahab found, a fresh start.  We can put our old ways behind us and make different choices.  Actions start in the mind.  Awareness of our thoughts helps us control our responses to the world around us.

Including Jesus in our thought processes helps us make decisions through His lens.  Applying the teachings we learn as we develop a relationship with Christ will change us.  Putting away fleshly desires and pursuing divine ones takes intention and thought but has fantastic results.

Discover your purpose one day at a time as you filter your reactions through the lens of scripture.  Before deciding, think about what Jesus would do, then do it.  Like Rahab, God adopts us into the royal lineage when we place our faith in 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 (p. 240) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 24:1-26:21 ESV, Hebrews 11:1-16 ESV, Psalm 110:1-7 ESV, Proverbs 27:14 ESV

Daily Verse: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

HUPOSTASIS (5287): “A standing under” (hupo, “under,” stasis, “a standing”), “that which stands, or is set, under, a foundation, beginning”; hence, in Heb it signifies “substance” in Heb. 11:1.”[1]

Firm foundation.

Faith’s continuing reality becomes a way of life.  Realities exist we can’t see and can’t prove with material evidence, but they still exist.  Even though not tangible, faith gives us belief in the spiritual realm and certainty of its existence.

Describing faith differs for every person; our relationship with Jesus as personal as our lives. Each day starts with Bible reading for me and has for over two decades.  In my late 20s, I began reading through the entire scriptures over 365 days.

In year one, I read through the Bible front to back.  About a 1/3 of the way through the Old Testament, I stopped reading why I can’t remember.  But what I do remember and never forgot; life fell apart.  The sense of peace I had reading the scriptures left me.

Active faith.

Visiting a spiritual mentor, I shared my dilemma with her.  “How’s your Bible reading?” she asked.  When I confessed, I stopped, she encouraged me to begin the journey again.  And so, I did.  Peace returned, and I’ve never stopped again. 

Explaining faith and the assurance we have in Jesus may seem odd.  But I know the difference between a life with God and a life without Him.  I choose Jesus.  Submitting my life to Christ, admitting I didn’t have all the answers, and placing faith in Jesus gives me life to the fullest.  Following my selfish desires led me into a pit of misery I never want to visit again.

Dive into the scriptures and seek Jesus.  Get to know God through the stories of others who gave their lives to Him.  Let your faith bloom as you live for Christ, putting Him first, others second, and yourself last.

Faith blooms best when we exercise it regularly.  Stay grounded in God’s word, trust His promises, and don’t base your decisions on circumstances; instead, trust Jesus and have a little faith!

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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. 260) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 23:1-49 ESV, Hebrews 10:18-39 ESV, Psalm 109:1-31 ESV, Proverbs 27:13 ESV

Daily Verse: “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (Hebrews 10:39 ESV)

HUPOSTOLE (5289): “As a non, is translated “of them who draw back” Heb 11:39”[1]

Draw back.

I shrank when my brothers threw earthworms at me as a child.  Not a fan of slimy things; if I made myself small, they couldn’t touch me.  We draw away from things we don’t like.

Life comes with challenges we must face.  When the next hill rises before us, we have a choice in approaching it with dread and trepidation or with excited anticipation.  Living life with Jesus gives us the courage to turn the challenge into an encouragement as God leads us to victory.

When David stood before Goliath, he didn’t shrink away from the challenge; he embraced it.  The servant with a heart like God’s knew the source of his strength intimately.  David’s confidence came from the Creator.

Stand tall!

Trusting in the Lord, we can stand tall like David.  Short in stature, the young shepherd didn’t need height to win the battle; he needed confidence.  David got what he needed from the Lord.  God provides the tools to slay our giants and win the fight.

When I sit at my desk and write, I balance a book on my head to help me maintain proper posture.  Having developed hip pain, slouching didn’t help.  As a result of my new discipline, I’m standing taller. The positive results help me feel physically better. 

Squaring back my shoulders and lifting my head, chin parallel to the floor empowers me.  I feel balanced and ready to take on the world, but when I shrink back, eye to the ground, shoulders slumped, I feel defeated. 

Jesus gives us a reason to stand tall and face the world.  All things work for the good of those who trust and believe in Christ, living their life following Him.  With Jesus, we either win or learn, but we never lose.

Remind your giant about the size of your God.  Don’t let the temporary problems of this world keep you from experiencing the eternal peace Christ offers.  Lay your burdens at the altar, then stand tall, knowing God’s got your back!

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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. 260) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 21:1-22:31 ESV, Hebrews 10:1-17 ESV, Psalm 108:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 27:12 ESV

Daily Verse: “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” (Hebrews 10:1 ESV)

SKIA (4639): “Is used of “a shadow,” of these as appointed under the Law, Heb 10:1.”[1]

Preliminary outline.

“The “shadow” then is the preliminary outline that an artist may make before he gets to his colors, and the “reality” is the finished portrait.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

When I don’t understand a verse, I turn to commentaries; Expositor’s a favorite.  Nothing beats their description of the law and its application to faith in Jesus.  Without the early commandments, we wouldn’t understand why we need Jesus.  Unable to keep them, we need someone who could.

Become colorful.

Placing your faith in Jesus fills the lines in the shadow.  Continually taking the next step of faith leads you to an unimaginable grace.  Christ’s presence in the present moment becomes so real it overwhelms you.  Understanding that life’s fragility and vitality coexist together gives it new meaning.

At any moment, God can call us home.  But in the meantime, live.  The poem at my mother and nephew’s funeral instructed us:

“think of me sometimes, but not too much.  While you live, let your thoughts be with the living.” Unknown

Our thoughts control our actions. To live, we must think in the now, not the then.  Taking with us the meat, leaving behind the bones.  Forgive yourself for the laws you struggle to keep.  Try to do better today, and keep going; life’s journey never ends.

Like a tire stuck in a mud puddle, spinning its wheels, when we spend too much time in the valley, we get stuck in a rut with our thoughts.  Not able to see a way out, we think life won’t change, but don’t believe the lie.

Like the unending waves in the ocean, time never stops, nor does life.  Grace moves us forward on the journey, allowing us to forgive ourselves for breaking the “law” and try again.  You can try again every day God gives you on earth and make different choices. Become colorful as you follow Jesus, applying His teachings to your life.  Let grace become your calling card.

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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. 228) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 20:1-49 ESV, Hebrews 9:11-28 ESV, Psalm 107:1-43 ESV, Proverbs 27:11 ESV

Daily Verse: “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15 ESV)

MESITES (3316): “Means lit., “a go-between” (from mesos, “middle,” and eimi, “to go”). Is used in two ways in the NT, “one who mediate” between two parties with a view to producing peace, as in 1 Ti 2:5, though more than mere “mediatorship” is in view, for the salvation of men necessitated that the Mediator should Himself possess the nature and attributes of Him towards whom He acts, and should likewise participate in the nature of those for whom He acts (sin apart); only by being possessed both of deity and humanity could He comprehend the claims of the one and the needs of the other; further, the claims and the needs could be met only by One who Himself being proved sinless, would offer Himself an expiatory sacrifice on behalf of men; “one who acts as a guarantee” so as to secure something which otherwise would not be obtained.  Thus, in Heb 9:15 Christ is the Surety of “the better covenant,” “the new covenant,” guaranteeing its terms for His people.”[1]

Go between.

Full confession, I didn’t begin to mature in my faith until my late twenties.  Raised in the church, I knew I needed Christ; I didn’t understand why.  Connecting with God’s purity requires a go-between; Jesus fits the bill.

When light enters a dark room, the darkness leaves, the two can’t coexist together.  Light expels darkness, or the absence of light equals darkness.  Either way, you can’t have them both in the same room. 

Jesus expels.

Our sin lives in the darkness; Jesus brings it into the light, expelling the darkness from our lives.  God and evil can’t coexist; Jesus forgives the sin in our lives and ushers us into the Lord’s presence.

Mediators bring peace if they do their job well.  Jesus excels at bringing peace into our hearts when we place our faith in Him.  Christ shows us a new way to live that will help us discover a vibrant life. 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

Embrace Jesus’s mediation in your life, and let the light into the dark areas of your hearts.  Experience life abundantly as you follow Christ, letting Him fill your heart with peace.

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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. 161) Thomas Nelson