It’s the day after Easter. We have just wrapped up a profound season of consecration and sacrifice. Throughout the six weeks of Lent, we dedicated ourselves to fasting, abstinence, prayer, and generosity. Our goal was to prepare our hearts for Holy Week. We experienced an emotional roller coaster during Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and the brutal beating and crucifixion of Jesus. It all culminated in the miraculous and powerful resurrection of Christ. Hallelujah! He is risen!
Easter was a time of fun, rejoicing, and special worship. Much planning goes into the worship service, a remarkable feat aimed at glorifying our risen King.
Now, the Easter season is done. We’ve put away the church displays and decor. My adrenaline has dropped. I am tired, but it’s a good tired. Everything is back to normal. Now what do we do?
The best news is Easter isn’t over! Jesus is still alive. The devil is still defeated. The power of sin and death is still broken. The kingdom of heaven is still a place of victory. Hallelujah! He is risen! Still!
The holy season has passed, and Jesus is still alive.
Hopefully, because of this season, we have changed.
Our faith has deepened as we have spent time with Jesus.
We are kind and compassionate as we have followed the way of Jesus.
Love flows from our hearts as we have sought to become more like Jesus.
We may observe Easter for a set period of time. But we can be ever-growing and ever-transformed.
We are blessed to walk with Jesus each day through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now is not the time to pack up your faith. It’s time to turn up the heat. Learn to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31).
Easter may be over for this year, but our journey with Jesus has just begun.
There have been times that my relationship with Jesus has felt dry. I can fulfill my “duties” as a follower of Jesus and a pastor, but if I’m not watchful, I slip into going-through-the-motions mode. I know better. God in His great mercy calls me back to my deep desire for Jesus.
Over a decade ago, I joined a cohort that changed my life. Everyone in the group was involved in church ministry, either as a pastor or a pastor’s wife. We were living for Jesus, serving Jesus, and yet feeling spiritually empty. It was there I learned that the way of Jesus doesn’t begin with doing. Doing emphasizes the external, not necessarily the condition of the heart. Following Jesus starts with being—longing to be in God’s presence and filled with His presence.
Being a disciple of Jesus begins with desire.
Desire is the deep yearning for knowing Jesus more and finding true life in Him.
Ruth Haley Barton, spiritual director and spiritual formation expert, says that Jesus “often brought focus and clarity to his interactions with those who were spiritually hungry by asking them, ‘What do you want? ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Such questions had the power to elicit deeply honest reflection in the person to whom they were addressed and opened the way for Christ to lead them into deeper levels of spiritual truth and healing.”
Mark 10:46-52 NIV Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Bartimaeus shows us what desiring Jesus looks like.
Cry out from the place of need. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
It wouldn’t be unusual to encounter a beggar on the side of the road. This road in Jericho was busy, even perilous. There sat Bartimaeus.
Suddenly, a crowd approached. Bartimaeus had highly developed senses that alerted him something significant was happening. He noticed the noise down the street, the pounding of feet on the ground, and the smell of dust in the air. He heard that Jesus was at the center of it all.
We don’t know exactly how much Bartimaeus knew about Jesus. Perhaps he had heard the prophecy that the Messiah would give sight to the blind. At the very least, he had heard the buzz about Jesus, the one who performed amazing miracles, including healing the deaf and restoring sight to the blind. Bartimaeus recognized that Jesus was someone special. He understood that Jesus could give him something far better than money. Jesus could restore his sight.
Bartimaeus was not timid. He didn’t care about being polite or offending anyone. He was in a state of desperation. He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
It can feel intimidating to acknowledge our needs, let alone express them openly. Most of us want to appear in control and have our lives in order. We can be completely honest with Jesus. There’s no shame in struggling or admitting we aren’t where we want to be in our relationship with Him. We can allow ourselves to be vulnerable. By recognizing our deep dependence on Jesus, we are free to pursue Him.
Here’s another remarkable aspect about Bartimaeus. He was one of the first disciples, apart from the inner circle of apostles, to declare Jesus as the Messiah. The title Son of David was specifically reserved for the Messiah. Jesus never corrected him or told him to stop proclaiming His Messiahship.
Let’s remember who we cry out to in our times of great need: Jesus, the Messiah, God the Son, the Lover of our Souls, who loves to make Himself more deeply known to us.
Leave behind your cloak.
When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus had called him, he immediately threw aside his cloak, jumped up, and went to Jesus. This action is astounding.
If you lived in Palestine during the first century, your cloak would probably be your most valued possession. You likely could afford only one. Cloaks were costly, thick, and heavy garments designed for multiple purposes. You would wear it as a coat in cold weather and use it as a blanket at night. Bartimaeus would spread his cloak in front of him during the day to collect any coins that passersby might toss his way. For Bartimaeus, his cloak was all he had. It served as protection from harsh weather, a blanket at night, and a tool of his trade.
It would have been understandable for Bartimaeus to cling to his cloak as a precaution. Just in case Jesus couldn’t or wouldn’t heal him. Just in case his sight wasn’t restored. Just in case he had to keep begging for the rest of his life.
But Bartimaeus had no backup plan. He trusted in Jesus completely, and he knew that his encounter with Jesus would change his life forever.
Do you have a cloak? Do you find yourself hiding or isolating? Do you rely on predictable comfort, self-protection, or self-sufficiency? How do you feel about casting aside your cloak and running to Jesus with trust? Do you want to be well? Do you believe that Jesus is more than enough? You might need time to wrestle with these questions. When you are ready, know that Jesus is waiting. You can cast aside your cloak and run to Jesus. Let your desire lead you to Him.
Name your desire in Jesus’ presence. Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” He is blind. Jesus can see clearly that he is blind. Naturally, he wants to regain his sight. However, there is power in naming your desire to Jesus. Jesus wants him to express it because doing so makes Bartimaeus’s need clearer and enhances his faith.
Bartimaeus didn’t hesitate. “Rabbi, I want to see.” He named his desire. Jesus didn’t need dramatic gestures. In a moment, without any fuss, Bartimaeus received what he had asked for. Suddenly, Bartimaeus could see. His darkness had ended, and the sunshine replaced it.
Jesus’ words affirmed Bartimaeus: “Go, your faith has healed you.” There was a prevalent belief that disabled individuals were more sinful than others or that sin played a role somehow. But, Jesus emphasized Bartimaeus’ faith. Sin had not caused his blindness; his faith led to his healing. He stepped forward despite the crowd’s opposition and trusted Jesus wholeheartedly.
Sometimes we hesitate to express our desires to Jesus. In these moments, silence is not golden. Pride can stand in the way. Fear can stand in the way. Feeling unworthy can stand in the way. None of these feelings come from God. The devil can wreak havoc in our minds when we remain silent and hesitant to speak out. When we declare our needs to Jesus, the darkness of secrecy is stripped away.
Similar to Bartimaeus, Jesus invites you to voice your needs. When you do, your needs become clearer, and your faith is reinforced. Jesus is lovingly attentive; He longs to meet you at your point of desire. He wants to transform your life.
Follow Jesus in a new way. “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
Jesus said, “Go.” Bartimaeus now had the freedom to go wherever he wished. He chose to follow Jesus and set off with the crowd. They made their way to Jerusalem in time for Passover. Bartimaeus had another special reason for going. He intended to make a sacrifice at the Temple to thank God for restoring his sight. Bartimaeus was no longer a helpless beggar; he had been given a new life.
God gives sight to the blind. God opens our eyes to see Jesus too. When we are healed from spiritual blindness, we understand who Jesus is and surrender to His way. We come to Jesus with desire to pursue Him and to know Him more deeply. A desire so intense and profound fills our hearts, ready for expression.
Following Jesus is more wonderful, amazing, freeing, powerful, and life-giving than we can ever wrap our minds around.
Ephesians 3:17-21 NIV And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
The Way of Jesus is about being with Jesus before doing for Him. It’s discipleship. It’s following Jesus closely because of our desire for Him. First things first.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:1 NIV).
The first verse in Genesis describes the state of our Earth before God began creation. We only know what it’s like to have light and dark, sky and seas, land and vegetation, sun, moon, and stars, and animals. We haven’t experienced anything else. Farther back than any human can remember, the Earth was formless, empty, and dark. This describes chaos.
The next phrase tells us that the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Chaos existed, but the Spirit of God was present as well. He brought order from chaos, making everything perfect and beautiful. Humanity was created in God’s image. Until the fall. Then, God’s image and His grand design were marred. God’s original design was shattered, returning to chaos.
Last year was challenging. January and February were hard as well. Health problems, mental health struggles, family challenges, job issues, relationship troubles—everything started to fall apart. At times, I could barely catch my breath from one situation before another followed closely behind.
I don’t want to speak too soon. Right now things are better.
The truth is, occasionally, we all find ourselves groaning amidst the chaos that is a part of life.
On a larger scale, injustice affects our world. The poor, individuals experiencing homelessness, and other marginalized groups bear the burden of oppression. Their cries resonate with our heavenly Father, who cares deeply and is outraged by how His children are treated. Our world groans under the chaos of suffering. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to love everyone and to speak out against injustice. At times, we need to step into the chaos alongside others, bringing the light and hope of Jesus. We need to do what we can to address tangible needs.
You may be experiencing chaos, or you may have found relief on the other side. My heart goes out to you as a fellow sojourner. To slightly modify a popular saying, “Life is hard, AND God is good” (I replaced ‘but’ with ‘and’). The goodness of God does not necessarily diminish or eliminate the pain of chaos. Rather, in the midst of chaos, we can discover God and His goodness there.
“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping” (Matt. 28:23-24 NLT).
A fierce storm arose, but Jesus remained undisturbed. As the waves crashed into the boat, He rested peacefully, knowing He had authority over the wind and the waves. Jesus was calm amidst the chaos.
The disciples would be safe with Him in the boat.
The disciples, however, were terrified. They woke Jesus up. “Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matt. 28:26b).
Jesus remained calm amidst the chaos, and He brought peace to the turmoil.
We often lack control over chaos, but Jesus does.
He is in the chaos WITH us.
He has power OVER the chaos.
We are never by ourselves.
We can always trust Jesus and find Him IN the chaos, no matter how intense it might be.
When life unravels and chaos intensifies, reach out to Jesus. He’s just one prayer away.
When I was a young married woman before children, I loved to spend time with the Lord in prayer. My church at the time taught us to pray using the Lord’s Prayer as a template. The goal was to pray for one hour each day. In fact, one hour was the minimum if anyone wanted to be “spiritual.”
And then the babies started coming…four in four and a half years, plus a straggler. I couldn’t go to the bathroom without getting interrupted. Forget about prayer! I struggled with prayer for years, wanting to spend time with Jesus and never getting enough. It was a tough season.
And then the Lord taught me something through a cartoon of all things. It showed a woman in deep prayer and reverence. Chaos broke out in the background, and the kids started shouting. The mom raised her head and shrieked, “Shut up! I’m trying to pray!” The Holy Spirit convicted me.
I was pursuing a prayer life instead of a praying life.
A prayer life is about the act of praying, the outward expressions, the checking off the box on your spiritual checklist. It might even be for show to demonstrate what a mature Christian you are because your prayers sound so poetic and religious.
A praying life keeps things simple. It’s a way of holistic way of living in communion with Jesus in which your heart, soul, mind, and body are engaged. Your life is saturated with prayer as you seek to do everything that you do with the Lord (Dallas Willard).
We tend to make prayer complicated.
Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV) describes the simplicity and humble posture of prayer. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Continue reading verses 9 to 13 for Jesus’ beautiful prayer model.
How do we pursue the simplicity of a praying life?
1. We cannot wait for the noise to stop before we pray.
Rarely will life quiet down long enough so we can pray. We all have active monkeys vying for our attention.
The outer monkeys. Have you heard, “Five little monkey jumping on the bed”? Twenty-five years ago, I had those every day. There other outer monkeys: work, school, extra activities. All good things. But there is never enough time in the day, and we may feel that we are too busy to pray. We can prioritize prayer and actually put it on our calendar. This can create space for a prayer life, but then we still need to work toward a praying life. We can pray as we go.
The inner monkeys. Henri Nouwen talks about inner monkeys. When we sit down and become quiet, we think, “’Oh, I forgot this. I should call my friend. Later on I’m going to see him.’ Your inner life is like a banana tree filled with monkeys jumping up and down.”
Instead of fighting off the monkeys, invite them into your prayers. As a thought enters your mind, turn it into a prayer. I think about my mom and her health; I can pray for her and ask God to heal her. I think about a situation at work; I can thank God that He has given me wisdom and that He is answering. I think about what I should make for dinner; I can thank God that He provides for my family, or I can ask Him to bless all the people who played a part in getting food to the table.
2. Our prayers don’t require many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 tells us, “God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”
There is an ancient practice called “Breath Prayer.” You breathe in. As you breathe out, you say a prayer. A classic breath prayer is “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”
Other breath prayers are: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” “Here I am, Lord.” “When I am afraid, I will trust you.”
The simplest prayers can link earth to eternity. The Lord isn’t impressed by our words or poetic delivery. Years ago, I was part of a Moms in Prayer group. We met once a week to pray for our kids. A new woman, Jenny, joined our group. She was a newer believer and very nervous about praying out loud. We encouraged her for weeks that God wasn’t concerned about her words. He saw her heart. One day I felt really burden about my children. A few women prayed for my request, and I didn’t really feel anything. Then, Jenny took a step of faith and prayed. “Lord, please help Joddi-Jay.” I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit and started to cry. God responded to simple words from a sincere heart.
3. Prayer is about communion, not just communication.
I learned a lot about communion in high school. I lived in a farming community 40 miles from my high school. During the summer, I had no way into town to see my friends. So I walked around my stepdad’s 40 acres of property. I took walks with God along the dirt roads. Sometimes I talked; other times I listened. The walks were glorious because I knew God was with me. I experienced that prayer didn’t only happen during sacred times or in sacred places like a church building. Prayer happened outside on dusty roads with a teenage girl and Jesus. I cherished those days.
Communion with God can be found anywhere. Brother Lawrence discovered this truth long before I did. A 17th century monk, Brother Lawrence dedicated his life to acquiring the presence of God. His early ambitions for spiritual status were not realized. He was assigned to the kitchen and soon Brother Lawrence committed himself to worshiping the Lord there. He prayed and communed with God during every task. Peeling potatoes and scrubbing pots and pans were opportunities to commune with the Lord. His story is written in the book called, The Practice of the Presence of God.
Brother Lawrence showed us that outer activity and inner communion occur at the same time. We miss out on all that God has for us when we divide the two. We live on both levels simultaneously, and the most meaningless activity can be a means of prayerful worship.
How is your praying life? God has so much of His presence for us to experience. As we practice His presence during mundane tasks, we will be able to follow the Apostle Paul’s instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Respond to God’s invitation to pursue a praying life with simplicity.
*What if Jesus Was Serious About Prayer? by Skye Jethani provided some content for this post.
A young woman called her local pregnancy clinic and care center in desperation. As a client, she was receiving support services from the agency and was hysterical—rightly so. “There’s something wrong with my baby. He isn’t expected to live after birth.”
She received referrals to places that could provide the help she needed. Ultimately, she decided to continue with her pregnancy, determined to cherish each day with her unborn baby. Her little son was born, and she treasured every one of the seven days he was alive. Today, she reflects on that time in her life with no regrets and sweet memories.
Six years ago, my dad’s heart stopped. He was in the ICU on life support for two months. Family and friends interceded in prayer on his behalf, and the Lord healed him through a day-by-day process. He faced a long recovery, relearning to swallow, talk, and walk. Throughout my dad’s healing journey, he shared about his out-of-body experience. He encountered an angel at the gates of heaven who told him it wasn’t his time to die. My dad had to return to earth.
He was devastated. Since he trusted Jesus at the age of 44, his greatest passion has been to be with Jesus forever.
He returned. Back to earth. Back to the hospital bed and medical tubes. For a time, my dad struggled with why he wasn’t allowed into heaven. What could possibly be left for him to do? Eventually, the need to understand faded. He found peace from God, knowing that each day is a gift, another chance to live for Him and share His love with others.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NIV).
This was one of my dad’s favorite verses before his near-death experience, and he still refers to it today. May we not take for granted the days that God has given us. May our lives embody His wisdom.
In 2017, in the early hours of the morning, I stood face-to-face with two assailants. They had forced their way into my house, brandishing guns. One of the young men (they were both teenagers) commanded me to the living room. I knelt on the floor with his gun pressed against the back of my head. I repeatedly called out the name of Jesus. As I cried out to the Lord, I was enveloped by the presence of the Holy Spirit like a protective bubble. I sensed Jesus reaching down to me, while my soul reached up to Him. Perfect love filled the bubble. I knew that the moment the young man fired the gun, I would instantly be with Jesus. I was ready. Like my dad, my greatest desire in life was to be with the Lover of my Soul.
My husband heroically saved my life. Instead of being in the arms of Jesus, I was still kneeling. The Holy Spirit bubble had popped. I heard my husband, as if from a distance, tell me to call 911. I felt confused and panicked. Once the crisis abated, I called my mom and learned that the Lord had awakened her to pray for me fifteen minutes before the crime. She travailed in prayer until five minutes after the police left. God had seen me and used my mom’s faithful prayers to protect me.
At first, I had questions about why I was spared. Eventually, I understood that I had been saved for a reason. It was not random. God had a purpose for me that I must fulfill.
Psalm 139 describes the intimate, intricate care God has for us.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you (vv. 13-18).
I love that all the days ordained for me were written in God’s book before any of them came to be! I have absolutely nothing to fear. I am called to embrace each day as a gift from God. I feel compelled to share the love of Jesus every day I am alive.
What about you? Tomorrow, when you wake up, will you take a deep breath and thank the Lord for giving you another gift? What will you do with it?
Don’t waste it. Don’t spend it selfishly on your own pleasures or comforts. Don’t let the thoughtlessness of others ruin it with irritations.
Instead, make someone else’s life better by sharing Jesus’ love. Smile, encourage, actively listen, meet somebody’s need, and tell your Jesus story.
Each day is a gift from God. You can touch your world with Jesus’ love, one person at a time.
Note: This is not one of my sermons (yet); it is a reflection about a very significant day for me.
God is unchangingly full of glory. We don’t usually ascribe the attribute “glory” to something or someone today. The word isn’t used often anymore. We might say a sunset is glorious but it’s hard to think of anything else. Because of this, we don’t completely relate to God being full of glory. The power of the word is lost on us.
Glory is a significant word used 100s of times in the Bible.
The Hebrew word for glory is kavod, meaning “weight” or “heaviness.” It signifies “important, intense, significant, gravitas.”
The Greek word for glory is doxa, meaning “honor, radiance, and splendor.”
In the Bible, the word “glory” can refer to different subjects, including the splendor of God, the worth of a person, and the honor given to someone.
When referring to God’s glory, it means ~the brightness of God’s person and presence. ~the magnificence of God’s presence, which is so dazzling that humans cannot see God directly. ~the moral attributes of God, which are considered the highest degree of importance, greatness, and honor.
God’s glory is multi-faceted, like a flawless diamond. God is in a class by Himself.
Let’s look at Scriptures in both the Old Testament and New Testament to develop a picture of God’s glory.
Picture compliments of Duygu (Pexels.com).
The glory of God in the OT
Exodus 40:33-38 NIV 33 Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.
How many of you have watched Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark? In the Old Testament, The Ark of Covenant is where God’s glory resided, and it was kept in the tent of meeting. The tent of meeting was portable and was moved from place to place. In the movie, Indiana Jones found it, and his enemy stole it. In the enemy’s greed, he opened it up to see the magnificent treasure despite Jones’ warning. There was no gold as the enemy had anticipated. Instead, the glory of God was released and decimated every person in the area, except for Indiana Jones and his girlfriend, Mirian. They managed to keep their eyes closed and not gaze at the irresistible glory of God.
Of course, this version is completely wrong, and the glory of God gives a creepy, evil vibe. But it does display God’s unlimited power.
This next account occurs during the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Israelites constructed a majestic place of worship to replace the portable Tent of Meeting.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 NIV 1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
Look at how the Israelites worshipped. After seeing a visible sign of God’s glory, they declared “He is good; his love endures forever.”
It’s God’s goodness and love that brought His glory to dwell among us.
The glory of God in the New Testament
Remember the Christmas story. Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a feeding trough. An angel appeared to the shepherds who were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. What did the angel and heavenly hosts proclaim?
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14 NIV).
People can’t exist near the glory of God. He created humans in His image, but their disobedience marred His image. From the beginning, God planned to restore us. God shared His glory as He came to earth in human flesh as God the Son, the God-Man named Jesus Christ.
John 1:1-5 tells us: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
God the Son, in His glory, was clothed in human flesh. He walked among us. He shared life with His disciples. He taught and ministered to the crowds. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and performed miracles. Jesus looked like a regular human being. Scripture tells us that he wasn’t attractive or physically remarkable in any way. There is one account, though, where God’s glory broke through.
Matthew 17:1-8 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Jesus revealed the glory of God in His life, death, and resurrection. When we trust Jesus as our Savior and Lord, our sins are forgiven, and we are made new. The Holy Spirit makes His home in us, and we become more like Jesus. The Lord God Almighty touches us with His glory.
The earth is still broken. One day Jesus will return and make all things new. We get a glimpse of this in the Book of Revelation. Read Revelation 21:18-27 for a description of the New Jerusalem, God’s Holy City. Until that glorious day, we live in the tension of the now and not yet. Meanwhile, we don’t despair, because as followers of Jesus, our God has shared a bit of His glory with US!
The glory of God shines through us.
Psalm 8:3-9NIV
3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
God made us a little lower than the angels and crowned us with glory and honor. God is in a class by Himself, but He shares a little glory with us. If God’s Word hadn’t said this, it would seem ridiculous, even blasphemous.
Romans 8:10-11NIV 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Do you love Jesus? Do you follow Jesus? Then His Spirit lives in you. The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. That’s glory!
You have good news to share! You have the power of God to share it! You have the message of hope that others desperately need. You aren’t left by yourself to reach people who don’t yet follow Jesus. Don’t keep it to yourself. The Holy Spirit lives in you and is with you.
Jesus has called us to be His disciples, and He has called us to make disciples. They go hand in hand. We can’t have one without the other. We’re in this together with Jesus and His Spirit. The days are gone when we keep our beliefs to ourselves, when we hold to a private faith, and be a good, law abiding person. People need Jesus!
It’s normal to be fearful or timid. It’s normal to worry about offending someone. If that’s you, join the club. And…know that the Spirit will give you the courage you need when you ask Him. Now is the time for you to be led by your passion for Jesus. You can be a disciple of Jesus. You can make disciples of Jesus, because you are filled with the Holy Spirit. God has shared a bit of His glory with you. Just imagine what the two of you can do together!
God is good/ All the time. And all the time/ God is good.
This is a timeless truth, and a fun saying to drum up excitement in a church service. It’s easy to talk about God’s goodness. God is unchangingly good. But this attribute of God is surprisingly hard to define. We think we know what it means until we try to explain it.
We usually list other attributes that are related but not quite the same. Loving, gracious, kind. Or we say things that He does. God helps us. God protects us. God provides for us. We really need to think about what we mean – or should mean – when we confess that God is good.
One helpful thing is to figure out what it doesn’t mean. By goodness we don’t mean that God is relatively good to something or someone else. When we say, “That pizza is good,” we mean, “Of all the pizzas out there, this is one of the better ones.” God isn’t good because he’s better than the other gods in the world.
What is the divine goodness of God? It is the bounty of God, liberally given and spilling over. God communicates blessings to all of his creations, especially humans whom He created in His image and likeness. God’s goodness is the opposite of cruelty and heartlessness. God’s goodness is the sweetness, friendliness, benevolence and generosity overflowing on us for our enjoyment. It is the sum of all God’s attributes.
When we think of God’s goodness, there are common goodness and eternal goodness. Common goodness is extended to everyone. Eternal goodness is extended to the ones who put their faith in God.
A Scripture about common goodness…
Matthew 5:43-45 NIV 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
A Scripture about eternal goodness… Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
How many times do we go through life without noticing the goodness of God? We can see His goodness in at least three ways.
In Creation God was good, is good, and ever more will be good. God poured out His goodness on all of creation, and said it was good. Genesis 1:27 (NIV) tells us that “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This time God said it was very good. Unfortunately Adam and Eve disobeyed God and barely had time to enjoy His goodness. All creation was marred when sin entered the world. Still God continues to bless us with His goodness. Psalm 33:5 tells us, “The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD” (NASB).
My husband loves the ocean. It’s his happy place where he is in touch with God and His goodness. I love watching the sunset on a clear evening. My heart dances with the beautiful colors. When I look up at the multitudes of stars, I am in awe of God and marvel at His loving goodness for little ole’ me. What do you enjoy of God’s creation? It’s His good gift to you.
In His Care God created the world, and He sustains all that He has made. Colossians 1:15-17 says this about God the Son: 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together (NIV).
God in His goodness did not set the world in motion and then remove Himself. He is actively involved in caring for it and for us.
If we think about it, everything we have comes from God. The air that we breathe, our hearts that keep beating, the strength we have to do our jobs, His healing touch when we are sick, the joy we experience in retirement. You can add to your own list.
We can rest in God’s goodness and in how much He loves us.
In Redemption The Latin word “redemptio” literally means “to buy back.” Humanity fell and sin entered the world. There is a horrific penalty for sin, and all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The penalty we incur is spiritual death, separation from God’s presence forever. The end of our life would be utterly hopeless except for God’s goodness. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross and rose again, buying us back from the penalty of sin. Through our trust in Jesus, we are redeemed. He bought us back and has given us new life.
God had no need of creating the world, and He had even less need of redeeming it. People can do nothing to deserve God’s goodness, but He made a way for us to enjoy an eternal relationship with Him through the suffering and humiliation of Christ. God runs to us faster than we run to Him. That’s the goodness of God.
It’s one thing to mentally assent to God’s truth. It’s another to practice what we know to be true.
How Do We Respond to God’s Unchanging Goodness?
Meditate on God’s many blessings to us. Meditation goes beyond mental reflection or thinking about God’s goodness. It is a deep contemplation. Let the goodness of God shape who you are and how you see the world. Don’t take it for granted. A deliberate rumination on the goodness of God should make us humble, patient, and trusting. It should also make us grateful.
Don’t grumble, “Why me, Lord?” when bad things happen to you. Instead when good things happen to you, exclaim, “Why me, Lord? Thank you, Jesus, for your goodness!”
God shares His infinite goodness with us. This should prompt us to worship Him with a thankful heart.
Share God’s blessings with others. Freely we have received; let’s freely give. Let our hearts be generous toward all, just as God is generous toward us. We follow the example of Jesus and love our enemies – those who misunderstand us, mistreat us, post mean things on social media about us, and those who hate us. We treat with respect people who believe differently than us and live differently than us. We care for those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, in prison, and oppressed. God has opened His heart of goodness to us. Let ours not be shut to anyone.
Call to Action How does knowing that God is unchangingly good make a difference in your life? How will you pay more attention to God’s goodness? How will you show God’s goodness to someone this week?
My husband Jonathan and I were fortunate to travel to Hawai’i (the Big Island) for our fortieth anniversary. One day, we went to the Volcanic National Park. The volcano had erupted seven hours before, spewing lava and remarkable rocks unofficially dubbed “baby earth” that lay strewn across the road. From various lookout points, we saw several billowing areas of smoke. The magnitude and magnificence of the place held us in awe.
There was one problem, though. It was raining, and raining hard. Our rain gear wasn’t adequate, but we decided that we wouldn’t be deterred. We hiked the trails and enjoyed the sights, all while it poured.
The adult part of me momentarily protested. Playing outside in the rain felt so childish. I could almost hear my parents scolding me. But we had traveled so far; it would be a shame to let dignity get in the way. So I shook off the “shoulds” and “oughts” of adulthood. Instead, I embraced a childlike attitude, eager to play and get soaked.
I had so much fun! My heart was filled with awe and wonder at God’s creation.
By the time we were finished, we were soaked to the skin, and we were soaked with joy.
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3 NIV).
We adults should learn some lessons from little children. Besides their immaturity, they have qualities that we tend to lose as we grow older.
Little children don’t worry about what others think. Their playful imagination is charming. They dream and pretend, not held back by what is possible. Do we hesitate to pursue God’s call because we’re hindered by what others will think? Do we limit God by what we see as impossible?
Little children trust the adults around them. They easily ask for help when they need something or comfort when they’re scared or hurt. Do we flex our self-sufficiency muscles instead of admitting we need God’s help? Do we turn to other things or people to ease the pain in our hearts?
Little children are humble and eager to learn. They haven’t yet developed pride or ambition. They are eager to discover more about the world around them. How much do we depend on God and the plans He has for our lives? How vital is it for us to spend time in God’s Word? Do we rely on it as our daily bread?
Of course, children aren’t perfect, but they possess an innocence we too often lack.
Jesus lovingly invites us to become like little children as we trust and follow Him.
The Book of Psalms is known as a worshipful and uplifting collection of songs. There are some favorites, like Psalm 23.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need (v.s 1 NLT). Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (v. 4).
Or Psalm 136.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His faithful love endures forever (v. 1).
Or Psalm 150.
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness! (vv. 1-2).
It’s true that the Psalms are beautiful and poetic. Some are also raw, gloomy, and desperate. King David and other authors did not hide their emotions; they approached God honestly. All of it is worship. Sometimes we mistakenly think we need to come to God with a happy face and heart. Come to Jesus as you are.
I was recently deeply moved by Psalm 89. I encourage you to read it. Little is known about the author. His name was Ethan the Ezrahite. He was a young man at King David’s court, well known for his wisdom.
The first 37 verses praise the Lord’s unconditional love and honor Him for His creation. King David is lifted up as one whose dynasty will last forever, but it depends on his descendants’ obedience.
Suddenly, verses 48 through 51 take a sharp turn. David faces rejection and defeat by his enemies. His former glory has faded, and God’s anger burns against him like fire. David is insulted and disgraced. What just happened?
And then, the last verse comes out of nowhere.
Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen! (v. 52)
The ending of the psalm holds significance.
There is strength in expressing gratitude. I don’t mean pretending everything is okay when it’s not. Honesty is the best policy, and God knows anyway.
Instead, no matter what is happening in your life, you can praise the Lord amidst it all. Don’t focus on the problem. Yes, it’s there. Focus on the solution, which is always Jesus!
The other day, I was dealing with a bad attitude. I was tired and not feeling well (not a good excuse). I complained, “Lord, I don’t want to take my medicine!” Can you hear the whiny tone of voice?
The Lord gently replied, “Why not praise me that you have medicine that helps?”
I responded, “But I don’t want to have to take it.”
The Lord patiently coached, “Why not praise me that you are alive today to take the medicine?”
His words pierced my heart. I praised Jesus from the depths of my soul for the life He had given me, and for His never-ending love.
No matter what happens in your life, praise the Lord through it all. At the very least, end your day by praising the Lord.
I believe I understand why Ethan the Ezrahite concluded the psalm with praise. In his wisdom, he recognized that praise and worship are the best responses. No matter what you’re going through right now, praise the Lord in the middle of it all.
Always praise the Lord. As a follower of Jesus, you’ll be doing that forever.
Last week I attended my fortieth class reunion. A few days before, my daughter asked me what I would tell my eighteen-year-old self. I thought hard about it and decided to write myself a letter. There were actually so many things I wanted to share. I could probably write a book, but I condensed it to a letter. Here’s what I decided would be important.
Dear Eighteen-Year-Old Self,
I’m here to share some wisdom gained over time that you might find hard to believe or understand. Still, I hope you’ll hold onto these words and keep them in mind for when the time is right.
You love Jesus, which is the best foundation for life. He has changed your heart in many ways, and your passion to follow Him every day will give you strength. As you seek to know Jesus more, you will be transformed to become like Him. That is your deep desire, but it won’t happen the way you imagine. The journey is long and not easy.
Right now, you believe that faith will protect you from suffering and sickness. If you have enough faith in the Word of God, you will be blessed with financial and personal prosperity. That’s what you’re being taught now, and you look to your mentors as stellar examples. However, this is an incomplete teaching. In fact, this way of thinking actually diminishes faith, making it about you and what you can gain rather than how you can bless Jesus and others.
The way of Jesus is the way of sacrifice and suffering. Our human nature hates accepting this truth. Nevertheless, it is part of God’s upside-down Kingdom where true meaning is found.
The path of Jesus is one of sacrifice and suffering. Our human nature resists accepting this truth. However, it is part of God’s upside-down Kingdom where true purpose is discovered.
Following the way of Jesus means to sacrifice.
~The first shall be last. ~Carry your cross every day. ~Love your enemies. ~Take care of people who cannot repay you. ~It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~Turn the other cheek. ~Be a servant of all.
Jesus left the perfection of heaven for us. He ministered to the crowds even when He was exhausted. Jesus stayed true to His mission despite being misunderstood, hated, and ultimately crucified. He laid down His life for us, the ultimate sacrifice. You already know all this, but you haven’t had many chances to practice it. Life will require you to sacrifice more than you can imagine. View it as a way to love Jesus and others as Jesus loves you.
Following Jesus involves accepting suffering.
You may face the consequences of your own choices or end up in a broken world filled with broken people. Sometimes, it will make no sense. Even during the darkest moments – and they will come – Jesus, through His Spirit, is always there.
When we suffer, it opens a door to our soul if we lean on Jesus. Suffering smooths out the jagged edges of who God has created us to be. There will be seasons in life that are excruciating. Suffering is the crucible in which you will learn to trust Jesus more, along with perseverance.
You might hit rock bottom. Know with all your heart that Jesus is with you as your Rock. He will uphold you, and keep you from drowning.
You are loved by the God who has given you everything. He loves you and values you unconditionally. You don’t need to strive for perfection. His love for you isn’t based on your performance. Understanding the depth and profoundness of Jesus’ love will bring you true freedom.
You will not find validation through people, not even your husband. Over time, you will realize that God’s promise to teach you His “love through your relationship with Jonathan” means something different than you expect. In your marriage, you will face trials and pain together. Jesus, through His Spirit, will surround you with the love you long for. You will experience His enduring faithfulness. You have found the one in whom your soul delights.
However, life is not meant to be lived alone. You can’t grow in your relationship with Jesus in isolation. Being part of a community is essential—a small group of people with mutual love, accountability, honesty, vulnerability, and trust. It may take a while to figure this out, but someday you will discover the life-giving blessing.
Your life verse will be: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength; and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31). Aim to live this out in every way.
There are many more lessons I’ve learned, but you’ll discover them along the way. You have what it takes as you spend time with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.
Grace and peace to you! ❤️
Your fifty-eight-year-old self
Maybe you aren’t eighteen years old, but something in this letter touched you. Keep it close to your heart. We are all on a journey of faith, becoming more of who Jesus created us to be, if we let Him. Jesus has the wholeness of soul you seek. He will sit with you in your brokenness. Often, He will bring healing; other times, He will give you the strength and hope during your weakest moments.
Trust Jesus to work in your life, no matter if you’re eighteen or eighty-eight (or older).
My granddaughter, Emma, has a talent for asking questions. She wants to understand what’s happening around her and make sense of her world. The problem is that, for the past year or so, her world hasn’t made sense. Our family has faced numerous hardships and heartbreaks. I long for predictability and stability for myself, my husband, our children, and our grandchildren, but our experiences often shake that longing to the core. Emma’s parents are wise and do their best to answer her “whys.” Sometimes, it isn’t enough for her searching soul.
Nevertheless, asking “why” can be powerful, leading to discovery and understanding. Our eyes may be opened to see the bigger picture more clearly. As we search the Scriptures and seek God in prayer, we learn to know and love Him more. However, there are times when asking “why” does not satisfy, and the answers we receive fall short.
We may never know why. Life can be tough. Amid the beauty and happiness, there can be unexpected tragedies and crises—illness, financial struggles, broken relationships, shattered dreams. My daughter-in-law introduced me to a song by Jet Trouble called “I Need You.” I’ve been listening to it every day on repeat. During life’s raw, painful, and confusing moments, Jesus is never offended by my honest and genuine questions. Even when I cry out in anger or doubt. When brokenness surrounds me and becomes part of me, the bottom line is, “I need You.” And I lean on Jesus.
God has given us many promises. He promises to provide us with His peace, comfort, and strength. However, He never promises to give us answers. When we find ourselves in a fog of uncertainty, we can lean on Jesus.
The Apostle John is known as the Apostle of Love. Love runs throughout His Gospel and three epistles. In his early years as Jesus’ disciple, he was part of the inner circle. During the Last Supper, he is described as “leaning on Jesus’ bosom” (John 13:23 NKJV). We don’t talk like that today. Back then, this was a gesture of deep affection and closeness, signifying a special bond between Jesus and John. As John leaned on Jesus, he showed his love and trust in Him.
Will we love Him? Will we trust Him? Will we lean on Jesus?
Job lost everything and suffered intensely. God appeared to him and revealed His glory, but He never explained Himself. Job was restored and blessed, but he was never given the full backstory that we read in the first two chapters of Job. However, after the divine encounter that left Job speechless, Job realized he could lean on God. (Jesus hadn’t arrived on the scene yet.)
Jesus is always enough. There are many reasons we might suffer. Maybe it’s the consequences of our own choices. Or it’s the result of others’ selfish and sinful actions. Or we suffer because we live in a fallen world that is far from God’s original, perfect design. No matter the reason, knowing the “why” doesn’t take away our pain.
But we must avoid getting stuck in the endless cycle of “why.” It leads us nowhere. Instead, declare the unchanging truth, “I need You!”
Jesus is our greatest need.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” (John 10:14 NLT). Jesus sees you and knows you.
Will we love Him? Will we trust Him? Will we lean on Jesus?
Every day is a gift from God, no matter where we are. He has given us today. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:39). Whether we have answers or not, we must lean on Jesus. We can fully trust in Him.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.1 The word transformation comes from the ancient Greek term, “metamorphosis.” The Bible uses the word “metamorphosis” to describe the transformation in the lives of followers of Jesus.
Romans 12:2 is one of the best-known verses about this. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (NIV).
People who believe in Jesus Christ and live for Him are being transformed by the Holy Spirit from the inside out. We begin to think differently, and our nature changes.
People attempt to make changes in their lives through self-control and willpower. That is good. But God says that we all need another change as well—the transformation of our hearts. It starts with believing in Jesus and trusting Him as Savior. That’s the beginning of our journey with Jesus. There is so much more than praying a prayer and going to heaven.
God has made it possible for you to go through gradual metamorphosis. You commit your life as a disciple of Jesus, and God’s Spirit lives inside you and changes you. Your attitudes, outlook, and desires change over time as you dedicate ourselves to learn what it means to follow Jesus on the Jesus Way.
Have you ever tried to transform a pig? It isn’t possible because the pig’s nature cannot change. Pigs love mud. You can give the pig a bath, spray the best body spray on him, put a gold chain around his neck, and bring him into the house. Eventually though, when you turn him loose or he finds a way to escape, the pig will jump into the first mud puddle he sees. Despite all that training, the pig is still a pig!
Thanks be to God for His power to change us! This goes beyond behavior modification.
There are many kinds of spiritual disciplines that lead to our spiritual formation.
In the classic book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster outlines three types of spiritual disciplines or practices: The inward disciplines, the outward disciplines, and the corporate disciplines.
Learning about the spiritual practices is essential as we seek to become more like Jesus. They are life-changing practices that the Holy Spirit uses to transform us inwardly.
However, it can be all too easy to emphasize the practices and lose sight of our relationship with Jesus. It’s a subtle change but it leads to practices that are not heart-felt. I’ve been there many times in my journey with Jesus. God in His grace has lovingly reminded me to return to being with Him.
I believe we are to focus on the why of spiritual practices more than on the what.
The bottom line is: BE with Jesus.
Following the Jesus Way starts with inner growth. You can do the right outward things without your heart being changed. However, when your heart is changed, your outward behavior will change. Your heart is changed when you spend time with Jesus.
The Jesus Way is counter-cultural. In Western society, it’s a badge of honor to be insanely busy. Even though we know that we should slow down, and we’ve heard about the Sabbath, our culture pulls us toward activities.
Many of us are tired, even exhausted. In our weary state, Jesus loving extends this invitation. Listen to His words. What stands out to you?
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30 MSG).
Jesus loves you so much. He yearns for you to come to Him, to keep company with Him. He wants you to thrive as you follow Him as His disciples. Jesus wants the very best for you.
My dad is my hero. When I was growing up, though, he was not a good example of taking care of himself. My dad didn’t believe in God back then; he was an atheist, so there was that. He was a driven person and pushed himself hard. While working on his PhD and researching for his dissertation, he came home at 3 in the morning, slept for three hours, and got going again. He earned his PhD in record time, received his professorship tenure more quickly than usual, and became internationally renowned for his discoveries in his field. He invested in property and reached his goal of being a millionaire before age 30. This was in the 1970s. A million dollars had more spending power than today.
My parents divorced when my dad was 35 and things spiraled from there. He lost his fortune due to embezzlement. At the age of 41, he contracted a virus that destroyed his pancreas and made him a Type 1 diabetic. He was two weeks from death when doctors discovered what was wrong. It took several years for him to regain his health.
During this time period, my dad committed his life to Jesus. He spent hours with Jesus, and his heart began to change. One of his favorite Scripture verses is Psalm 90:12. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” NIV).
My dad is dedicated to being intentional and wise with the life God has given him. His days are centered on being with Jesus, and allowing Jesus to form his heart. His life doesn’t revolve around himself. He has dedicated his life to doing whatever Jesus asks him to do, even if it doesn’t make sense or is uncomfortable. He hears from Jesus because he makes time to listen, and he is obedient. That’s why my Dad is my hero.
True, meaningful life comes from Jesus alone, and by making space to be with Him.
Our life-giving connection to Jesus sustains us during times of joy and sorrow. It is characterized by a constant closeness that transcends our comprehension. Jesus is always at our side, ready to console and guide us. Seeking Him with open and humble hearts enables us to recognize His living presence in our daily lives. Through the gift of the Spirit, the very life of Christ takes root in our hearts.
The Jesus Way calls us to move beyond surface living into a deep relationship with our Savior and Master Jesus, and the people he loves. Our highest calling is to abide in His presence and yield to His transformative touch.
When we cultivate our relationship with Jesus, He transforms us from the inside out.
Once, there was a man named Nehemiah. He was a Jewish exile living in Persia and held a prestigious position as cup bearer to the king, ensuring that every drink served was safe for the king’s consumption.
One of the Jewish brothers visited Nehemiah and reported that the walls of Jerusalem were broken, and its gates had been burned with fire.
Nehemiah was overwhelmed by the news and felt heartbroken. He mourned, fasted, and prayed to God for mercy. He asked God to allow him to return and assist his people. It was highly unlikely that the king would permit Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. The king needed him.
Nehemiah continued to pray, and an opportunity arose for him to make his request to the king. The king was pleased to send Nehemiah! God granted Nehemiah favor. A date was set, and arrangements were made to supply the timber and other materials needed.
The Jewish enemies opposed the rebuilding of the wall. They discouraged and threatened Nehemiah, spread false rumors about him, and attempted to halt the construction. Nevertheless, Nehemiah persevered, and the walls, with a circumference of 2.5 miles, were completed in just 52 days!
Nehemiah is the man credited with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but he clearly could not have done it alone. He rallied the community for this holy cause, which included the men of Israel, the men of Bethlehem, the priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers, the temple servants, and the descendants of the servants of Solomon. Nehemiah led them effectively. Each family was assigned a specific section of the wall to rebuild. As all of God’s people worked together under Nehemiah’s leadership, they accomplished an incredible feat.
Like Nehemiah, we need one another. You can’t become more like Jesus in isolation. You NEED community.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
No church is perfect because people can be messy. Ideally, a Jesus-centered community provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. It fosters spiritual growth and shared experiences. It’s a place where individuals can find strength and accountability in their spiritual journeys, creating a communal space for love and growth.
Western Christians find practicing community challenging because of our tradition of individualism and aversion to authority. Community requires sacrificing some privacy and rights. It often involves adapting to different ways of doing things. Living life together entails becoming vulnerable at times, acknowledging our weaknesses and needs. It also involves addressing these needs and demonstrating strength on behalf of others when necessary. Communal life means being willing to submit to the family of God, particularly to those whom God has placed in positions of ordained office—Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
Spiritual formation within the community context requires sacrifice. However, Jesus sacrificed His life for us to be one, just as He and the Father are one.
But whatever the costs, we must learn to live in community. We must learn to deal with our differences in a biblical manner. We must work together on the mutual call to build God’s kingdom. We must live as the body of Christ, where every part of the community cares for every other part. We must rediscover what it means to live shared lives of generosity, mercy, friendship, and hospitality. Many of these virtues of the ancient church have been lost over time. It’s time to be awakened by the Holy Spirit.
Western spirituality often considers church community an optional complement to our personal relationship with Jesus. Many act as if God alone is sufficient and that other Christians are completely unnecessary. “Worshiping in your own way” has supplanted church gatherings. However, the Bible directs us otherwise.
In the creation account, God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:26 NLT).
“Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us…” This is the first mention of the Trinity. We know there is one God. The “us” refers to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God, three persons. God Himself is a community.
The Trinity created Adam.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Genesis 2:18 NLT).
But Adam wasn’t alone; he had all the animals God had created, and God Himself walked with him. What else did Adam need? He needed human community.
God created us with a need for others.
So, God created Eve. Understanding the original language of the Bible is crucial. If you interpret the word “helper” through the lens of our current culture, you’ll think of an assistant or someone who provides help. This evokes an image of someone who is subservient, less than, or not equal. Like many other languages, one cannot directly translate a single word to another. It may require a phrase to convey the intended meaning. This also applies to the word “helper.”
“Helper” can be defined as: One who stands eye to eye. A complement that makes each other whole. A counterpart. An ally.
In our best situations, we need one another. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (NLT) says, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
We are all part of the body of Christ. This call for community extends beyond merely attending Sunday worship services for an hour and a half. It involves cultivating strong and supportive relationships with Jesus-minded friends, both inside and outside the church.
The early church nurtured deep relationships. As followers of the Jesus Way, they were often misunderstood, which encouraged them to stick together and remain united.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Every day, these followers of Jesus met in the temple courts, but there was more. They gathered in small groups in homes and spent time together. They learned the apostles’ teachings, shared meals and Holy Communion, and prayed together.
Our schedules would need significant adjustments to meet every day. However, we could meet more than once a week if we prioritize it. Spiritual formation can take place in community groups or small groups. It’s not guaranteed if interactions remain surface-level.
Groups are life-giving when they embody depth, vulnerability, and commitment to spiritual transformation.
I feel blessed to meet with an accountability partner every Monday. Our meetings always begin by asking, “How is your soul?”
God desires us to become more like Jesus as we follow the Jesus Way. You can’t do it alone; you need community.
What is it about solitude and silence that makes us feel uncomfortable? The fear of living in solitude petrifies most people. Our fear of loneliness drives us to seek noise and crowds. We maintain a constant stream of sounds, even when we don’t pay attention. We have smartphones, earbuds, and social media platforms. Siri and Alexa are here to answer our questions, control gadgets in our homes, and even tell us knock-knock jokes. Then there’s Gemini, which promises to be our best friend.
Jesus calls us from loneliness to a place of solitude and rest.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
I love this paraphrase of the passage. It describes the rhythms of grace we experience when engaging in spiritual practices on the Jesus Way.
SOLITUDE
Solitude is a fundamental spiritual practice that is essential for spiritual formation. Although we may believe that reading God’s Word and prayer are more important, without silence and its companion, solitude, it becomes quite difficult to discern what the Spirit conveys to us as we read and pray.
We must not confuse solitude with loneliness. Loneliness is inner emptiness, while solitude is inner fulfillment. By nurturing inner solitude with Jesus, He liberates us from loneliness and fear.
The desire for solitude reflects a yearning for God. It embodies the wish to experience intimacy with Him, free from distractions. In this space, one can hear the divine whisper of Jesus more clearly.
Solitude is a state of mind and heart. There is a kind of solitude that can be experienced at all times. Crowds, or the lack thereof, have little to do with this inner solitude. One might live as a desert hermit yet never truly know solitude.
However, solitude is also a place. It is a moment in time designated for God and Him alone. We disconnect and retreat from the noise, busyness, and distractions of being around others. It is a space where God’s Spirit and our own spirit coexist. Whether we are alone or with others, we always carry a portable sanctuary within our hearts. Jesus embraced this inward heart solitude.
Solitude is also a physical location. Jesus often sought places of solitude.
Before beginning His earthly ministry, Jesus was led by the Spirit to go into the wilderness to fast and pray for 40 days.
Jesus went to places of solitude to seek God. There, He discovered the peace and presence of God. When we seek solitude, we, too, will find that peace and presence.
Silence is the constant companion of solitude. The two are inseparable. Without silence, there can be no genuine solitude. The practice of solitude and silence forms the foundation of the Jesus Way.
Although silence entails the absence of speech, it always requires the act of listening.
We often think of silence as simply being still, but it extends far beyond mere quietness. The practice of silence represents a radical reversal of our cultural tendencies. Silence requires relinquishing our so-called control over our relationship with God to Him. Silence is the inner act of letting go. We seek the quiet to discover God.
By engaging in this practice, we create a space for listening to God and being present with our inner longings.
Silence deepens our experience of solitude. We learn to rest in God. Jesus understands that the sources of our exhaustion are numerous. We often remain completely unaware of how they exact their toll. We might be adhering to a perceived duty of what it means to be a good follower of Jesus (or spouse, friend, or professional) with all the “oughts and shoulds.” It takes a lot of energy when we feel guilty about being tired, ill, or grieving, and attempt to suppress those feelings instead of addressing them. Eventually, all that effort wears us out.
We come to Jesus in silence to restore our souls.
We often underestimate the impact of our constantly plugged-in world. I recently listened to a podcast featuring a man who conducted an experiment. He decided to embark on a seven-week fast from technology. Before he began, he had his brain scanned for reference. There was an enlarged area in his brain that looked noticeable but wasn’t concerning. He fasted from technology and then spent four weeks living with monks in a monastery, followed by three weeks in an Amish village. The man described the withdrawals and panic attacks he experienced. Well into the fast, he began to enjoy the slower pace and appreciate each moment. Upon his return, he had another brain scan, and the enlarged part of his brain had shrunk significantly. While the experiment was not scientifically verified, the man’s experience warrants attention. What are we doing to ourselves by relying so heavily on technology?
When silence becomes a habit, we grow more sensitive and intentional with our words.
Silence is ultimately connected to trust. We will never allow God to take control until we trust Him. Practicing silence is one of the clearest signs (besides love) that we are following the Jesus Way.
Jesus invites you to slow down. Draw near to Him through solitude and silence. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start where you are, not where you feel you “should” be. Be realistic about your actual life. What can you honestly do? Let that be enough.
“God is unchanging.” When we state this truth, the meaning is complex, because God has multiple attributes and none of them changes.
For starters, God is infinite and eternal. He is impossible to measure or calculate. He is without end of beginning, God is greater and more vast than we can comprehend. He fills the universe and beyond. He has always existed and always will. Even so, God is personal. He loves and cares about each one of us. How’s that for boggling the mind?
There is so much more!
God is all-powerful. O Sovereign LORD! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You! (Jeremiah 32:17 NIV)
God has unlimited power; nothing is too hard for Him. He sees everything. He knows everything. God spoke the world into being. In Genesis 1, God said…and it was.
Nothing takes God by surprise. He doesn’t say, “I didn’t see that coming!” God has power over life and death, but He isn’t a cruel dictator. He is good, and His power reflects His good character.
You could say, “but bad things still happen. Look at all the wars and diseases and poverty and hate in our world. If God has all the power, why doesn’t He do something about it?”
Fair point. People have argued that for centuries.
All the things I mentioned above are connected to people and the decisions they make. God made a world that was perfect and put two sinless people in charge. They gave their authority to the devil, and sin has been around ever since. This is not God’s doing. But because He is just (another attribute we’ll look at) He must let consequences unfold.
Human minds can’t understand as much as we want to. So we must trust that God holds us in His hands, along with our hurts, fears, and needs.
God is sovereign. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him. He has the power to do as He pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop Him or challenge Him, saying, “What do You mean by doing these things?” (Daniel 4:35 NIV).
God is self-sufficient and self-sustaining. He has the master plan, but as I said before, He is not heartless. He has no need of anything, including us, but He wants to work with us. He believes it is good to work through us to accomplish His will.
God is sovereign but too often we treat Him like He’s a vending machine. We put in some money, press the button, and get what we want. Or we treat Him like He’s a genie in a bottle ready to grant our three wishes no matter how selfish those wishes are. God always knows what’s best according to His master plan. He is our benevolent King.
God is holy and just.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:1-3 NIV).
God is absolutely perfect and just. He wants to be in relationship with humanity, the ones He created. But His holy presence requires that He rejects our sin. God loves us so much, though, that He sacrificed Himself, God the Son, on the cross and rose again so that we can stand in right relationship with Him. When we trust Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are forgiven and given new life. God also respects our free will. He didn’t make us robots. God fights for us, while giving us the entire decision as to whether we will place our trust Jesus. In His holiness, justice is not something God does or has. Justice is who God is. God is merciful.
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a] his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV).
Mercy is the counterpart to justice. God knows the past, present, and future, He knows every thought, word, and action we’ll take today, tomorrow, and far into the future. He administers justice fairly. As followers of Jesus, God listen to our cries for mercy and washes away our sins.
Mercy is the goodness of God confronting human suffering and guilt.
Our society claims that we don’t need God’s mercy, because we’re not sinners. A good and loving God would never punish us forever. Remember God is merciful. He is equally just. He has already provided humankind the way of salvation. He wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Remember free will. He lets people make the final decision. God doesn’t want anyone to choose eternal judgment because God is love, but some people harden their hearts and choose that. It’s an indescribable tragedy.
God is love. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).
God is love. He does not just love or have love. He is perfect love.
God extends His goodness because of His loving nature. Nothing we can do or say will make God’s love for us any less. He grieves; He is saddened, but He doesn’t love us less. As Jesus followers, our bad moments do not make us bad people in God’s eyes. If your child makes a bad decision, they are still your child. You don’t love them less.
Because we’ve trust Jesus as our Savior, we are part of God’s family. When we confess our sins to Him, He forgives us and cleanses us instantly, and remembers those sins no more.
Some of us may feel unlovable or unworthy of love, but that is a lie. I know you feel that way, because I wrestle with that too. Regardless of how you feel in the moment, what God says about you in His Word is true.
Here’s a Scripture that states God’s love for you. Personalize this verse, and claim it for youself.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8 NIV).
It is life-changing when we realize that our unchanging God desires to be in a relationship with us. We have been adopted into His family and are deeply loved.
Call to Action:
How does knowing that God is unchanging affect the way you trust Him? Which of God’s attributes do you understand more clearly now? Thank God for His attributes that are most meaningful to you.
When I watch a show, I have a major pet peeve. It’s when someone says, “I promise.”
It’s usually in a setting where a person is in distress because of a horrific situation. The protagonist leans down and looks into the victim’s eyes, and says, “I’ll come back for you, I promise.”
“I’ll fix this, I promise.”
I’m sure the protagonist has every intention of keeping their word, but so many times, it doesn’t work out. They don’t come back. They don’t fix it. Many times they die.
Now whenever I hear the words, “I promise” coming from a TV character, I yell at the screen. “Don’t make a promise. Don’t get their hopes up. You probably won’t keep it! You’re probably going to die!”
My mom is a woman of her word. She never says that she will do something if she has the slightest doubt that she can’t do it. Instead she says, “I’ll do my best.” She rarely says, “I promise” and when she does she will not stop until she accomplishes it.” Looking back, there is only one promise she didn’t keep. When I was a girl, my mom promised me the she would make me a sting ray stuffed animal. She was an excellent sewer, and often made my clothes. Life happened, chaos and trauma happened, upheaval happened. My family fled for our lives. The sting ray was the last thing on our minds. I think my mom had a great track record.
Have you been hurt by people who didn’t have a great track record? They gave you their word and didn’t follow through. Maybe they betrayed you. You trusted them and they let you down. Maybe they ended a relationship by their immoral decisions.
This world is broken and people are broken. That’s why we all need Jesus and the salvation He provides us. As we follow Him, we can gain strength that our God is completely unchanging.
God is unchanging.
God being unchanging means that He never differs from Himself. He doesn’t need to grow or develop. He is perfect so changes are unnecessary and impossible. When it is said that God is unchanging, it doesn’t mean that God can change but chooses not to. It means that God cannot change. He will always be the same. The revelation that we have in the Word of God is sufficient for knowing Him in the past, present, and future. Today and forever.
All that God is…He has always been…and all that He has ever been…is who He will ever be.
And all things as they change proclaim The Lord eternally the same. —Charles Wesley, author of over 6,500 hymns and a key figure in the Methodist movement
If we are to experience the life-changing power of Christ, we have to see God as He really is – not as we want Him to be or think He should be to gain our love and respect. That last part is so hard. Too many people lose faith when something bad happens and then they blame God for it. Theologian AW Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
Today as we learn about our unchanging God, we may have to change our thinking about Him.
So let’s take a look at some Scripture that reveal that our God is unchanging.
Psalm 102:25-27 NIV 25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Malachi 3:6-7 NIV 6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
Hebrews 13:6-8 NIV 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Our God is unchanging but he’s not inactive. He is not a stoic, impersonal, distant being. God dynamically interacts with His creation. Human beings bear His image, although broken by sin. When we trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, He restores that image. God is actively and lovingly involved with us.
You have to believe that God is unchanging.
You have to know that God is unchanging.
Why is this important?
Without knowing and believing, there is no basis for trust. When life gets hard, you’ll doubt His love. You won’t be able to put your full confidence in Him. When you trust Him, you can walk in the supernatural peace that only God can give.
Knowing that God is unchanging provides a solid foundation for faith, offering stability we need in a constantly changing world.
Call to Action:
How does knowing that God is unchanging make a difference in your life? Ask God to show you an area in which you need to trust Him more. Ask Him to help you by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Change can be good. I don’t like it, but I know that change can be good. Change for change’s sake is a waste of time. But purposeful, innovative change breathes freshness and vitality.
On a personal level, though, I like to stick with a routine, to play it safe and feel comfortable.
Sometimes, though, Jesus calls us out of our comfort zones. He might lead us in a different direction or to a new ministry. He might ask us to stay where we are, but to make adjustments that turn the place around.
I started blogging in 2013 with a few breaks here and there. My purpose was to help my readers thrive in life and in leadership. I thought I would put my Doctorate in Strategic Leadership to use. My premise was that when people thrive in their relationships with Jesus, their leadership thrives as an outflow. When we walk with Jesus, He empowers us to be effective in what He has called us. When leaders thrive, their ministries thrive, and God is glorified.
However, the past two years I have sensed a shift in focus. There are lots of blogs and podcasts out there on dynamic leadership with huge followings. Leadership guru Carey Nieuwhof’s tag line is “Thrive in life and leadership.” He didn’t “steal” it from me, but I have used that for more than a decade.
I have been asking Jesus to show me if it’s time to stop blogging or to start over. I believe His answer is that I’m suppose to start over. I love Jesus, I love people, and I love God’s Word. I spend about twenty hours a week studying for and writing sermons for Sundays. Throughout the day, I get thoughts that inspire me in my relationship with Jesus. Why not share those?
That’s what “The J Word” is about – Following Jesus and His Word. It might be a sermon. It might be a short devotional. Whatever it is, I pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and equips you to love Jesus more.
Let’s be more like Jesus today than we were yesterday. Stay tuned!
Call to Action
Is there an area of your life that Jesus is asking you to change? What is it?
What are you going to change? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you.
Earlier this summer, my husband I took a trip to the California Redwood Forest. The last time we had visited was almost 39 years before on our honeymoon.
We traversed the well-worn dirt paths, surrounded by lush green foliage on either side. It was like a blanket that partially covered the mammoth roots of the mighty towering trees. Step by step we went deeper into this enchanting land. I felt transported into the story of J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings series, specifically Lothlórien, the fairest realm of elves. Only this was more breath-taking and surreal.
I paused and the Holy Spirit met with me. I was suddenly aware that just as I stood surrounded by the lofty redwoods, I was engulfed by His presence. My spiritual eyes discerned the presence of God pervading the forest as the Sustainer of Life of every living being. I wept with profound awe and worship. I was also grateful that no other hikers were in the area during this beautifully holy moment.
Suddenly the words of Psalm 8 enveloped me:
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
The psalm describes the majesty of God and His close relationship with human beings. It defies logic. The Creator of the universe gave us charge of everything He made. When we read other passages, God not only shares His authority, He pours out His love on us.
“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”
Too often our view of God is minuscule compared to His majesty. We lose sight of His glory.
“I saw the Lord, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1 NIV).
The Apostle John, the author of Revelation, described the throne of God in heaven:
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
This is the God who loves us so much that He made a way to be in relationship Him. That way was through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we place our trust in Jesus and commit to follow Him, we are adopted into God’s family.
This all-powerful God is also all-loving. And, He loves you!
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you wrap your mind around this and to remember that your God is greater than anything you can ask or think. No matter what you might face in this life, it pales in comparison to your God. He can accomplish so much more than you can possibly imagine.
When you follow the Supreme God, you will thrive in life and leadership.
My oldest daughter, Jessika, has a penchant for asking questions. As a little girl (almost from the time she could talk), as soon as I said something, she would ask “Why?” She wasn’t trying to be difficult; she genuinely wanted to know. So I would formulate the most thorough answer I thought possible for a two/three-year old to understand. Again, she would respond, “Why?” The older she got, the longer these sessions lasted. She had an insatiable desire to deeply understand her world. Of course, there were occasions that it was not possible to have an extended conversation.
Sometimes I had to say, “I don’t have time to talk about this right now. You just need to trust me.”
Today as a grown woman with girls of her own, Jessika’s questions are much more complex, and she continues to investigate beneath the surface, seeking to understand the “Whys.”
Asking “Why” can be powerful, leading to discovery and understanding. Our eyes may be open to see the bigger picture more clearly. As we search the Scriptures and seek God in prayer, we learn to know and love Him more. However, there are times when asking “Why” does not satisfy and the answers we receive are simply not enough.
We may never know why. Life can be hard. Life doesn’t always make sense. Amid beauty and joy, there are also unexpected tragedy and crisis, illness, financial set back, and broken relationships. Hardship often leads us to desperately ask, “Why?” God is never offended by our sincere questions. He promises to give us His peace, comfort, and strength. However, He never promises to give us answers.
Hebrews 11 commends the men and women who lived by courageous faith and received God’s promises. It also commends the ones that endured tremendous hardships and suffering. “All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us” (vs. 39-40, NLT). They continued to live faithfully for the Lord without knowing the reasons for their difficulties or seeing the end results of God’s promises.
Job lost everything and suffered intensely. God appeared to him and revealed His glory, but He never explained Himself. Job was restored and blessed, but he was never given the back story that we can read in the first two chapters of Job.
I wrestled for months, even years, asking “Why” my youngest daughter was born with Spina Bifida. One day when she was about two years old and had just experienced a series of medical difficulties, I called out to the Lord, desperate for answers. He gently directed me to Psalm 139:13-16.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (NLT).
God spoke to my heart, “This Word is true for your daughter. I was not looking away when she was being formed. I oversaw every detail.” That day my questions were not answered, but they were settled.
Jesus is always enough. There are many reasons we may suffer. Perhaps it’s the consequences of our own choices. Maybe it’s the result of others’ sinful and selfish actions. Or we may suffer because we live in a broken world fallen from God’s original perfect design. It might be a spiritual attack. Regardless of the reasons, knowing the “Why” does not take away our pain.
In John chapter 9, Jesus passed a man who had been blind from birth. His disciples asked him “Why?” Then they offered their best guesses, “Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” (vs. 2). “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him” (vs. 3).
The man was born blind and had lived in darkness his entire life, all to demonstrate God’s glory. That was the answer, the one directly from Jesus. But, what did that mean? The disciples could have kept asking questions. In that moment, though, even with the best answer, the man was still blind.
But Jesus didn’t leave him there.
Jesus touched the man and healed him. Jesus opened the man’s physical eyes and he could see all the images that had for decades been hidden from view. Jesus opened the man’s spiritual eyes and he could clearly see the Light of the World and worshiped Him.
In that moment, there were no more questions. He had found the answers in Jesus Christ.
Life is rarely neat and tidy. We may never receive an satisfactory answer to our soul-searching questions this side of heaven. However, we can find God at the heart of every unanswered questions, and He can absolutely be trusted.
In the midst of all our challenges, all our heartaches, and all our questions (whether answered or not), the loving, healing presence of Jesus will always, always be enough.
We will thrive in life and leadership when we rest in Him.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “pride”?
I often think of people who overestimate themselves, consider themselves as better than others, and see no need to rely on God. They elevate themselves, sometimes taking advantage of others to get what they want or acting above the law.
We see in Scripture that God opposes the proud.
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6 NLT).
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Our old human nature leans toward pride. It is wrong and separates us from God.
Pride isn’t always obvious though. It’s not just the arrogant, self-absorbed ones who are driven by pride. There is another side of pride that is more subtle. It’s thinking too lowly of yourself.
Pride happens when you diminish God’s love for you. You hear lies about yourself and you believe them.
You feel worthless as a person. You have a hard time accepting yourself and are critical of yourself but extend kindness to everyone else.
You may even entertain thoughts that you are a mistake and doubt that you have God-given purpose. (I can relate with that one). As a result you might even allow people to treat you like a doormat because you feel that you have no value.
You might seek attention from others in an attempt to please them and gain validation from them.
You feel hopeless, unable to see God’s blessings and presence in your life.
You respect the worth of other people and recognize their sacredness, but somehow you’re an exception.
When you hold on to these thoughts and feelings as reality, you’re putting your thoughts and feelings above what God says about you. You’re saying that you know better than God. That is a form of pride.
God’s Word says that you are fearfully and wonderful made. He knew you when you were in your mother’s womb, crafting you with special care (Psalm 139:13-16). You are a masterpiece designed with something amazing in God’s mind (Ephesians 2:10). You have been called according to His purposes (2 Timothy 1:9) and God equips you to do what pleases Him (Hebrews 13:21).
It gets even better!
If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, God is your God. He has adopted you into His family as His beloved child.
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5 NLT).
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! (1 John 3:1 NLT).
Yes, these verses say “us” but they include you, not just everybody else.
God chose you. You are His child; He is your Father. He loves you deeply. That is the truth!
Kick pride to the curb. Take God at His Word. Find Scriptures that talk about you being in Christ or Christ being in you or how much you are loved. Believe what He says about you and spend time dwelling on that.
Don’t believe the devil’s lies. Don’t believe the lies you tell yourself. Train your mind that what God says is true. His Word is exalted above everything and everyone else.
We are nothing without Jesus, but with Him we are priceless. That’s true humility.
Reject prideand you can thrive in life and leadership.
When my kids were young, we were a homeschooling family. I wanted to invest in their holistic development based on Biblical principles. Also, the nearest school was a one hour bus ride away, and it was rated one of the lowest academically in Washington State. The last two reasons alone were compelling reasons for my kids to learn from home.
My daughter was in second grade when she started getting exasperated by spelling lessons. She would whine, “I can’t do it. It’s too hard.” After several sessions of her griping and throwing up her hands in defeat, I came up with a plan.
She would memorize Philippians 4:13.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (NKJV).
The moment she said, “I can’t…” she had two choices. She could either write out the verse multiple time or she could sing a fun children’s song for ten minutes.
I can do all things, all things, all things. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.
How many things can you do? All things! How many things can you do? All things!
The song quickly lost its charm!
Eventually my daughter stopped saying, “I can’t…” She might have thought it or mumbled it under her breath but she had learned not to say it out loud.
In hindsight this wasn’t a very good method of discipline. It didn’t develop love for God’s Word. It was a source of punishment. It also didn’t promote being honest about feelings and learning how to manage them. Instead I shut my daughter down. I would do this differently if given the chance.
Nevertheless, my mistakes do not negate the power of God and His Word. In fact, the verses before v. 13 expound on the hardships the Apostle Paul faced.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).
And then…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (NKJV).
Life can seem overwhelming sometimes. It can deal harsh blows.
You feel weak. You lack the ability. You have no control over a situation. You struggle to lead. You face the insurmountable. You’re at the end of the rope. You can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sometimes taking the next step can seem impossible. It’s through Jesus that you find contentment and strength the carry on.
Notice that the verse doesn’t stop at “I can do all things.” That would simply be positive self-talk. The truth is “I can’t do all things.” The key is in the second half of the sentence “…through Christ who strengthens me.”
You can’t but God can.
And He does when you place your trust in Him.
Let your focus move from yourself to the One who strengthens you.
Spend time pondering and applying the verse to your situation. Write it down or sing it if that works for you. Whatever you do, allow the truth of God’s Word to sink into your spirit.
As you do, you’ll find that you thrive in life and leadership.
“Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys” (Exodus 40:36-38 NLT).
Have you ever read this passage and felt envious? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be led throughout this journey called life by the visible presence of God? If God Himself were leading us, wouldn’t His direction be unmistakably clear? Wouldn’t it be so much easier to follow His will if we could actually see evidence of Him? Wouldn’t it eliminate the questions and confusion we often face today. Certainly having God in our midst would solve all our problems. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t…
A quick skim of the Israelite’s wanderings reveals that having God in their midst was not a panacea to selfish, sinful choices or willful disobedience. Moses repeatedly intervened on behalf of the community because the Lord was furious with their blatant disregard for His holiness. They complained about their hardships, longing for the luxuries available to them in Egypt, the land of their former captivity. They refused to enter into Canaan, their land of promise because of the reports of the fearful, unbelieving spies. They rejected the leadership of Moses and the priesthood that God Himself had ordained. They were seduced by Moab, enticed into sexual immorality and idolatry. All these events occurred while the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, manifested as visible dazzling light and dreadful fire.
I would like to think that if I were in the story, I would live differently. But my misguided prideful notions last only a moment.
As followers of Jesus Christ we are blessed by an intimacy with a holy God that was not available under the Old Covenant. We have access to both a personal relationship with God and His unlimited powerful resources.
He miraculously resides within us.
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (Ephesians 3:16-17, NLT).
He fills us with His presence.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
As marvelous as all this is, sometimes I am strangely forgetful and unaware of these truths. My sinful self is completely preoccupied with me. When I allow it to control, I lose sight of God’s glorious presence as I focus on my own agenda. I grow discouraged and weary when my journey takes an unexpected detour. I become impatient and agitated when my progress is halted, resentful when others are promoted instead of me. I get stressed out when situations are difficult. I complain about all the meaningless things I don’t have and get burdened down by comparing myself to others. I shrink back in fear as I look through the filter of self-sufficiency at imposing obstacles. The pursuit of accomplishing great things for God distracts me from the beautiful simplicity that He makes His dwelling (tabernacle) within me. He is right here in my very midst.
Left to my own devices, I am oblivious to the obvious…I’m not much different from the Israelites after all.
But there is one difference, and it’s significant.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:24-25).
As a believer in Jesus, my self-absorbed sinful nature has been crucified with Christ. My new self, who is being renewed into Christ’s image and likeness, is riveted to His presence. I live, move, and breathe with the knowledge that His Spirit directs my steps. He empowers me to live for Him. I know that I know that I know my Lord is in control and lovingly oversees every detail.
You don’t have to be oblivious to the obvious. God has so much more in store for you. You can live in daily awareness that God is always near—counseling, assisting, and leading through the Holy Spirit with you and in you.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:19-20).
Friend, when you walk each day with Jesus, you can thrive in life and leadership.
If you’ve followed my writing on social media or my blog, you know that I strive to be positive and uplifting. With so much pain in our world, I want to share the hope found in Jesus. Sometimes, though, life isn’t pleasant. When we only show the positive, filtered side, it becomes inauthentic. Others wonder what’s wrong with them when everyone else seems struggle-free.
In the spirit of transparency, today was a hard day. My daughter, Haven, has been seeking medical help for over a year for on-going and increasing pain. She has gone from doctor to doctor, from specialist to specialist. She was finally referred to the experts in Seattle (three hours away), and her appointment was today.
I had arranged transportation a month ago and confirmed it a week ago. Yesterday, the company called with our pick-up time of 6:30 am, plenty of time to make it to the hospital. Everything was set. Then today, things fell apart. Our ride was delayed. We called the hospital to explain our situation. The receptionist advised that the clinic was closed, but we could come and find out if they would see us when we arrived.
We got there an hour late and rushed to the neurology surgery clinic. That receptionist looked surprised when she saw our appointment time. I recounted what had happened. She went to speak to someone in charge. She returned with a smile on her face. “They said they will work Haven into the schedule.” Haven and I sighed with relief.
Ten minutes later, the receptionist approached us. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “The doctor is too busy to see you. I’ll schedule you a new appointment.” I suggested that we wait and see if there were any no-shows. But, we left the clinic with our new appointment in hand. A telehealth appointment. Couldn’t we have had a telehealth appointment in the first place?
Haven was devastated. We stopped at two bathrooms so she could cry. There was nothing I could do to fix things. Once again, she had been the recipient of the systemic failure too common for disabled and marginalized people who rely on those systems. And so, Haven has yet another month of waiting in pain.
We got home and Haven cried some more. This time I joined her. We cried and yelled and cried some more.
Sometimes a little rant is good for you.
As Jesus-followers, and especially women, we are told not to express “negative” emotions. Sadness, depression, and anger are signs of a lack of faith and self-control. When we feel them, we either dismiss them, refusing to experience them, or we keep them a secret and pretend they don’t exist in our lives. Being human, though, means that we have emotions. God has given them as a gift.
Throughout the Book of Psalms, the authors cried out to God in the midst of suffering, persecution, and betrayal. They acknowledged their pain while trusting the Lord.
Jesus Himself expressed “negative” emotions. He felt anger toward the Pharisees (Matthew 23), and lamented over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34-35). He wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35). And, He always, always trusted His Father.
I don’t doubt God’s goodness and faithfulness to me. However, people and the systems they create can be broken and cause harm. Life can just be plain ole hard. When that happens, it’s okay to rant a little, while, at the same time, finding hope in Jesus.
The J Word 