Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Daniel 1:1-2:23 ESV, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6 ESV, Psalm 119:65-80 ESV, Proverbs 28:14 ESV

Daily Verse: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

SUMPATHES (4835): “Having a fellow-feeling, mutually commiserative: having compassion.”[1]

Mutually commiserative.

As Christ’s followers, we should agree we should exude the qualities in today’s verse.  Showing sympathy and brotherly love towards everyone we meet should become a usual way of life.  Asking God to keep our hearts tender and minds humble will help us show those qualities to others.

Feeling or expressing sympathy towards someone means putting yourself in their place and imagining what they feel.  No one can truly understand someone else’s pain unless they’ve experienced the exact same thing as the individual.  But we can try to understand their feelings of sorrow and express compassion to people in distress.

Express compassion.

Sympathizing with someone means expressing compassion to them through words or actions.  When my husband’s knee bothered him, I expressed sympathy by sitting with him when he couldn’t do everyday activities, getting him ice bags, and serving him, so he wouldn’t have to move.  Similarly, if I’m sick, my husband takes care of me. 

Sympathizing with someone lets them know that someone shares their pain with them.  Simple actions, like sending a card or cooking a meal, can lighten someone’s heart and make them feel better in their pit.

Everyone has pain in their life we can’t see.  People respond to the world around them from their hurts, trying to protect themselves from further harm.  When we express compassion, they let their guard down, allowing their hearts to soften and receive God’s love.

Become known for your compassion and sympathy towards others.  If someone’s actions hurt you, before concluding, remind yourself that they have pain too.  Hurting people hurt others, often unintentionally.  Allow God’s grace and mercy to flow through you to them.

Jesus lived His life sharing brotherly love and sympathy towards others.  Christ exemplified a tender heart and humble mind.  As followers of Him, we should do the same.

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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. 238) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-48:35 ESV, 1 Peter 2:11-3:7 ESV, Psalm 119:49-64 ESV, Proverbs 28:12-13 ESV

Daily Verse: “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11 ESV)

PAROIKOS (3941): “Having a home near, i.e. (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident).  In 2 Peter 2:11, “strangers.”[1]

Alien resident.

None of us belong on earth; our eternal home waits for us.  In the meantime, we must battle our worldly desires by keeping our eyes on Jesus.  Getting wrapped up in the trivial things of this life takes us off the narrow path.

I managed a small leather store in Williamsburg, VA, in my twenties.   A.R. Leather no longer exists, but I rode my bike to its doors when I worked for the company.  Mooretown Rd., a five-mile stretch, has a small gap between the edge of the road and the white line outlining it. 

I imagined the small black strip as the narrow path following Jesus each day.  If I left the trail, I would get back on as quickly as possible, knowing I’m safe when I’m on the right path.

Course correct.

As sojourners, an alien in a foreign world, we must do two things.  Know our destination and learn how to course correct.  Life with Jesus gives us our destination, heaven.  One day, we’ll walk through the pearly gates.  Until then, we must journey this life, sharing Jesus with others through acts of love and compassion.

Now and then, the flesh wins, probably more than we would like.  Like me on my bike,  make course corrections during those times.  Re-adjust your focus, place your eyes on Jesus and remember your mission: love God, love others.

Repeatedly, until the day God calls you home.

Never in this world will you get it entirely right.  Accepting the truth helps me let go of my aspirations of perfection.  Nothing I can do can save my soul, only Jesus, and He does it freely.

With Christ, our weaknesses become strengths.  The more honest and transparent you become with the Lord, the more God will use you.  Embracing our imperfections helps us receive God’s perfect love into our lives, then share it with the world.

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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: Ezekiel 45:13-46:24 ESV, 1 Peter 1:13-2:10 ESV, Psalm 119:33-48 ESV, Proverbs 28:11 ESV

Daily Verse: “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13 ESV)

ANAZONNUMI (328): “As a verb, means “to gird up” and is used metaphorically of the loins of the mind 1 Peter 1:13.”[1]

Gird up.

Preparing our minds for action means girding them for battle.  Our tongue’s readiness comes from our mind’s preparedness.  As the saying goes, when squeezed, what comes out?  Oranges produce orange juice under pressure.  Christ’s followers should reflect Jesus.

Intentionally setting our minds on Jesus will help prepare us for life’s battles.  Memorizing scriptures that address whatever issue faced will bring you God’s peace.  Remembering God’s promises will achieve victory when the adversary tries to derail your thoughts.

Set your intention.

You can prepare your mind for the battles you must face.  Some skirmishes will come out of nowhere, but we often know when we feel pressure.  Any warrior preparing for battle knows to put on their armor.

Philippians 4:13 carries me through many battles:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I can have difficult conversations, ask for help, seek sound advice, do the right thing, and take the more challenging path.  With Jesus, we can do anything; without Him, we fail.

Guird your mind by thinking about Jesus.  Remember the unconditional love Christ extends to you and give it to others.  Let grace and truth, spoken in love, lead the way in your relationships.  Prepared minds make quick work of the enemy’s attacks. 

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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. 19) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 44:1-45:12 ESV, 1 Peter 1:1-12 ESV, Psalm 119:17-32 ESV, Proverbs 28:8-10 ESV

Daily Verse: “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8 ESV)

ANEKLALETOS (412): “With this word, the words can be found, but due to joy, they are overwhelmed and not spoken 1 Pet. 1:8.”[1]

Overwhelmed silence.

Peter understood the unspeakable joy journeying with Jesus brings to your life.  Peter’s affection ran deep after walking with Christ and witnessing His death and resurrection.  Experiencing Jesus’s overwhelming love will make you speechless.

Embracing Jesus into your life will bring you joy you can’t put into words.  In the worst circumstances, Christ’s presence gives peace we can’t understand.  In the good times and in the bad times, God never leaves our side.  But first, we must believe.

Directed faith. 

We all have faith, whether we think we do or not.  Everyone thinks the sun will rise and set but doesn’t know if it will.  We trust our cars to run correctly and get us where we want to go.  Sometimes we place our faith in doctors that they will cure us.  Other times we trust a bank teller to put our money in the correct account.  Faith means believing in things we can’t see; we do it without thinking.

Placing faith in Jesus challenges people because He’s not tangible. Spirituality lives outside the physical realm.  Trusting in something we can’t see becomes more challenging when we also don’t completely understand it and can’t put it into words.

God’s relationship with His children varies.  How I connect with God differs from how my husband does.  But we still worship the same God and experience the same joy.  Faith doesn’t come with all the answers; if it did, you would no longer call it faith.

Place your faith in Jesus and experience the inexpressible joy it brings.  Stop trying to find all the answers and just believe.  Dive into the scriptures and get to know the Master; you won’t regret it.

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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. 25) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27 ESV, James 5:1-20 ESV, Psalm 119:1-16 ESV, Proverbs 28:6-7 ESV

Daily Verse: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” (James 5:7 ESV)

MAKROTHUMEO (3114): “To be of a long spirit, not to lose heart; to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others and to be mild and slow in avenging to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish.  It means “to be long tempered.”[1]

Long spirit.

Patience means settling in for the long haul, enduring the ups and downs of life until God calls us to our heavenly home.  The mortality rate throughout the world remains 100%.  Whether Jesus returns or we go to Him, we will experience the coming of the Lord.

In the meantime, we must wait well, trusting God’s plan for us.  Farmers learn the art of waiting better than most; planting seeds in the spring, they must wait months to see the fruits of their labor, trusting God to provide the proper amounts of rain.

Practice gratitude.

Farmers wait well by living a life of gratitude.  Each day that passes and their crops remain intact gives them a reason to praise the Lord.  When misfortune happens, they trust God’s provision through the trial.  Farmers understand the fragility of life, facing its truth every day as they watch their crops grow.

Visiting my childhood home this summer, I saw my friend’s massive garden full of God’s goodness.  Two rows of corn grew strong and tall in the hot sun.  A few weeks later, a wicked storm destroyed part of her crops.  One moment thriving, the next day gone.

Having a long spirit means trusting God no matter what the circumstances.  Recognizing life’s temporary nature helps you appreciate today because tomorrow doesn’t come with a guarantee.  And one day, this life will end, and you will rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus forever.

Focus your eyes on Jesus when your patience wears thin.  Remind yourself that this, too, shall pass.  One day, the coming of the Lord will take away all your earthly troubles.

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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. 155) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 40:28-41:26 ESV, James 4:1-17 ESV, Psalm 118:19-29 ESV, Proverbs 28:3-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1 ESV)

HEDONE (2237): “Pleasure” is used of the gratification of the natural desire or sinful desires and is translated as “lusts” Jas 4:1.”[1]

Translated as “lusts.”

Passions mean lustful desires in today’s passage.  Fleshly wants we think we need.  Battling the desires within us versus those of God remains the eternal struggle we all face.

Guilty pleasures seem the hardest to battle.  Schadenfreude means pleasure derived from another person’s misfortune.  When someone hurts us, our human desires may hope for some form of schadenfreude to befall the offender.

But we know Jesus calls us to pray blessings into their lives.  Our hurt hearts struggle to pray for them, much less ask God to bless them.  And so, the battle rages onward.  Not until we reach heaven will the war end.

Request help.

Ask God to help you with the battle.  Whatever fleshly desire you face, whether schadenfreude or something else, look to the Creator for assistance.  Don’t try to wage war on your own; victory only comes with Jesus.

Accepting our internal battle and admitting our war with the flesh helps us find victory.  Confessing to God and receiving His unconditional love helps us share our struggles with others.  By allowing friends to come alongside us in the battle, we find the strength to overcome.

Battling laziness, I need help winning the battle of regular exercise.  After confessing my lethargy to God for not taking care of His temple, I shared my struggle with a few close friends.  Different ones hold me accountable for certain exercise practices.  With my community, I gain victory over my laziness.

Instead of criticizing yourself for having fleshly desires, accept them as part of life.  Talk to God about the battle and embrace His forgiveness.  Then share your struggles with trusted friends and ask them to help you win the war.  In Christ, you can do all things.

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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. 111) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 39:1-40:27 ESV, James 2:18-3:18 ESV, Psalm 118:1-18 ESV, Proverbs 28:2 ESV

Daily Verse: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” (James 3:9 ESV)

KATARAOMAI (2672): “As a verb, primarily signifies “to pray against, to wish evil against a person or thing”; hence “to curse.”[1]

Pray against

Cursing someone wishes evil upon them and prays against them.  Our tongues lead the way in verbalizing our desires.  When we let them loose, they can cause much damage.  Although tiny, the tongue can become a mighty weapon if left unchecked.

Unfortunately, my mouth causes more trouble than I would like.  During my years as a District Manager, I unwittingly said something flippant about one of my manager’s vacation requests.  Not realizing I offended her, she didn’t tell me until I visited the store two months later.  During that time, she stewed in anger at words I don’t remember saying.

Tame the beast.

God tells us how to tame the mighty beast of our tiny tongues.  Cursing prays against someone; God wants us to pray for them.

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 ESV)

When we pray for someone, God changes our hearts.  Over time, we begin to see other qualities about them we couldn’t see focused on our hurt.  Often, they may not even know they offended you.  If we don’t reign in our tongue, we can cause irreparable damage.

Jesus never hurt anyone with His words.  Christ mastered the art of speaking truth in love, not letting His tongue take control.  With Jesus, we can win the battle by doing what He did.  Putting God first in all things, remembering our mission on earth doesn’t change, love God and others to the best of our ability, helps us overcome.

When you falter, and we all do, apologize and keep going.  Forgive yourself and do better next time.  Learning not to say anything in times of heated emotion will save you mountains of pain and create better relationships with those you love.

Don’t pray against people; pray for them.  Everyone has struggles we can’t see.  People operate from their pain and hurt us.  But if we let Jesus lead the way, we won’t take offense but instead ask Him how to deal with the situation.  Without a doubt, Christ’s answer always starts with love.

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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. 133) Thomas Nelson

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