faith – Cultivating Faith

Sweet Child of Mine

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NLT)

Throughout different letters to the churches, after Christ’s resurrection, the disciples were teaching believers that they had been adopted into God’s own family. Sons and daughters have the provision and protection of their father. They know that they can trust him to look out for their every need.

As I was thinking about the relationship of a child with their parents, I recalled a time that I was perhaps seven years old. I don’t recall what happened, but I distinctly remember putting my favorite toys into a wagon and running away from home. Petulantly, I thought leaving the people who loved me, protected me, and provided for my every need was the way to get what I wanted. Ironically, I only ran away to the end of the street because I knew I wasn’t permitted to go beyond there. Perhaps fear of not being found if I traveled too far kept me on my street. I am not sure of how the issue was ever resolved, but I can assure you that I foolishly made other choices out of frustration and anger until I recognized that my parents made decisions to protect me and not because they were being unreasonable.

As a child of God, do I see that He is working for my good? Do I have faith in His perfect and unfailing love? Or am I like that petulant seven year old child because He didn’t follow my plans for my life? In 1 Corinthians 6:19, we are instructed, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Jesus purchased us with his life. He ransomed us with the shedding of his own blood on the cross. Bearing on his body, the stripes that we would never have been able to withstand. Carrying shame for our sin. He destroyed the grip of death and overcame what separates us from God.

Once we recognize the gift of grace and the immeasurable cost, we should put our faith at work in obedience. Confidently understanding that if God gave His own son as a ransom for us, He will only work toward our good and fulfill the very purpose He placed within our spirit.

This was not the original devotional I set out to write this week, but our wonderful Father had different plans. And I trust the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the One who guides me in all truth. I hear Him saying, “Sweet, sweet child of mine, I have more for you than you could possibly fathom. Step towards me, and I will whisper the direction for you to journey. Faith comes in each step forward in obedience. Your obedience delights me and is your act of worship. When you decide to do things in your way and in your own timing, you prevent me from fulfilling my plans for you. My plans are good and give hope. I am the Alpha and Omega. I have seen all that has passed and all that is to be. I can do above all that you can ask or think. You can choose to trust me, or you can go your own way. But only one way leads to an abundant life. Choose life, my child. Allow me to be your all in all, your anchor in the storms of life. I am the safe harbor you can not create for yourself in your own strength. I alone will be your fortress. Come rest in my embrace, sweet child of mine.”

Mirror Mirror

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24 NLT

We all remember the story of Snow White and the Queen, who questioned the mirror. Today, let us each ask our own mirror: “Mirror mirror on the wall. Is there any integrity among us all?” Integrity means that we are called to live with purity doing what we know is right even when no one else is watching. Integrity is something that has slowly been degrading even within the Church. This has happened as a result of comparing our actions against the darkness of the world. Instead, we should be measuring ourselves through the lens of Christ. Are we walking and emulating Christ’s life here on earth? Anything else will result in us falling short of our calling.

During Christ’s ministry, he stated that he did the will of the Father (John 6:38). Later, as he is instructing believers (John 15:18-19), he proclaims,”If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” We all know the scripture,”Do not conform to this world but transform yourselves by the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:2).

Christ was clearly consecrated. He was set apart and filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling him to complete the will of his Father. He spent time in God’s presence, and it kept him connected or centered. Being imprisoned and beaten and crucified on a cross wasn’t easy for Jesus. He even asked God if the cup, the plan could be any other way. But Jesus subjected his will and trusted God. He did the hard things. Even offering forgiveness to those who scorned him and took his life.

As sons and daughters, we are called to live a life set apart from the darkness of this world. We can not live set apart if we measure ourselves against anyone or anything from this world. We should look to the Lord as our guide for how we should act or react in any situation. He is the only way. He alone is truth and life. We can be light in this dark world or allow the world to dim our light. This past month, as I have taken my eyes off the Lord, I have grown frustrated with what I see in the world. The Lord has been reminding me to keep looking at Him and nothing else. I need to examine my own heart and actions. Determining if I am demonstrating integrity regardless of anyone else’s actions. My pastor has this saying that he uses to challenge us, “Have some salt about you.” It means stand for what is right in every situation and let the Lord handle the rest. And be thankful for His grace and mercy always. Amen.

Stop! Identify Yourself

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good works he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

The most important thing we can do for the next generation is ensure they know their identity. There are so many different influences in children’s lives, but none as powerful as parents. The Bible instructs us in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he shall not depart from it.” In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, the Bible states, “And these words which I command you today shall remain in your hearts. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise.”

How can we expect our children to know who they are and how much God loves them if we don’t tell them? We spend so much time thinking we have to give them all the things we didn’t have growing up. But none of that will matter if they aren’t secure in understanding they are loved by a God who chose them before they were formed in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5).

Thinking of my past, I know that there would have been less searching and making poor decisions if I had discerned my value in the eyes of the Father. I would not have turned to people, looking for validation and approval, because I would have recognized that it is only something God can give. We have such a short opportunity to really help our children and teenagers grasp hold of the power in being a child of God. That the equipping of the Holy Spirit provides all the resources we need to walk in this world. A small window of time to teach them that the word of God is living and active. It protects and provides wisdom for today, tomorrow, and all the days they will remain on earth. Help them to stop and identify themselves by the eyes of our loving Father and know what His word says about them. Amen.

RESPECT

Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you. (Exodus 20:12 AMP)

Long before Aretha Franklin wrote a song about it, God was instructing the children of Israel in how to live a long and happy life. Honor or respect your parents. Honor and respect are synonyms. They mean to treat someone with high regard or place a higher value upon them.

Working in healthcare, I come in contact with many families. There are families of various cultures, ethnicity and dynamics. The situation that often breaks my heart the most: hospitalized parents facing difficult health situations alone. They share that they are estranged from their children for various reasons. To be alone after a stroke, or cancer diagnosis just seems to increased the stress the patient feels. They are utterly alone and facing many medical trials and quality of life issues. They are often overwhelmed. Medical professionals can only assist so much and will not be there daily after discharge from the hospital.

I recognize that not everyone has had great experiences with their parents. Parents are just as falliable as each one of us. It is maturity that helps us recognize our parents are just people: full of hopes, dreams, heartbreak and failures. Their experiences may have had influenced some of their behaviors and actions during our upbringing. Previously, I have shared that my birth father basically abandoned my mother, my siblings, and myself. He formed a new family and other than cards for birthdays and holidays, there wasn’t much contact. Honestly, it took me years to forgive him for the pain resulting from his abandonment and other things I experienced in my early childhood. Although I don’t have a relationship with him, that was by his choosing. If I were to meet him today, I would still treat him with respect.

I don’t always agree with my parents. However as an adult, I understand that not being in agreement does not negate the instruction of God. He doesn’t say, “Honor your parents when your thoughts and actions are in alignment.” Our instruction is to offer them respect because it is the way righteous people act. If my parents do not believe everything I do about the Bible and the Word of God, I will still show them honor, because honoring them shows honor to my God. I am obedient to Him.

Although our culture in the United States has drawn away from the extended family model, it doesn’t mean that we should not remember our parents and provide love and support in their times of need. In Colossians 3:14 we are called to “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Or in Roman 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” If we are called to love our neighbor and our enemy, how much more honor should we be willing to give our parents.

We are to be set apart from this world, and that includes how we treat even those who hurt us. We are too used to hearing, “Respect is earned.” This is not in the Bible. We are called to love and love unconditionally. That is the way God chose to love you. Even when you were His enemy (Romans 5:10 ESV). I am not saying it will be easy, but obedience often isn’t. However, it is God’s instruction on how we are to live, and He always equips us in all He calls us to do.

Bridges of Grace

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. (Hebrews 4:16 AMP)

Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff and looking out across a vast canyon. The other side is miles away and the gorge is miles below you. There is no way for you to get from the side you are standing on to other side. This is how it feels to be separated by our sins from the God who created us. Our sins and shame keep us separated from all the promises and blessings of God. We know that we cannot climb down safely, and all our efforts to search for a way to get across are in vain. Our works, our plans, and our efforts will always fail to get us closer to God. Our faith is what makes that relationship possible.

Our faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ is the bridge that connects us to our Heavenly Father. It isn’t something that we earn, it is a gift given from a loving Father. His love for each of us is so fierce that He willingly gave His own son to take our place and die on a cross. It supercedes any mistake that we have ever made. The chasm of our sins can no longer separate us from God, because Jesus paid the price for us. God’s mercy was poured out on us that we did not receive the penalty for our mistakes.

Understanding that we have been given such a precious gift sets us free. We don’t have to rely on our own abilities, but can trust in the word of God. His promises and provision have built a bridge across the canyon that kept us apart. We now enter His presence with all boldness. In fact, God has made His home inside us as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Jesus said that he would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit so that we would always have a direct connection with our Father. The bridge of grace that God built cannot be torn down. No mistake, no matter how big we think it is, overcomes the power of the work Jesus did on the cross. Once we have repented from our sin, and choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are forgiven. Don’t let the shame of your past mistakes make you think that Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t enough. Let go of the past and look toward the One who purchased your future. Don’t dishonor all He has done to set you free. Walk across that bridge and choose freedom. Amen.

Casting Stones

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down a d wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued to ask Him, he raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first. ” (John 8:3 – 7 NKJV)

When you continue to read the rest of this passage, all of the Pharisees were convicted and left. They could not condemn her because they could not say they had never sinned.

I wish I could say that I have never judged someone, but that would be a lie. However, as a person who has been saved by the grace of God myself, I need to look at others through a lens of compassion. Compassion is the very heart of God. We see it Jesus’ life and in every aspect of His ministry.

We need to recognize that we can not look at someone and see their heart – only God can. We will never walk in their shoes or fully understand their experiences. We can not see the parts of them that are broken or that are healing. We as Christians are called to love everyone, even those who are not our friends but who might persecute us (Matthew 5:43-48).

I have heard people say that Christians are hypocritical. That means that we often behave or talk in the direct opposite way our moral standards indicate. I am the first one to say that I am working on looking more like Jesus every day, but I am not there yet. So how can I expect others to be perfect? But we also shouldn’t deceive ourselves and forget about where we were before our Salvation. If you gossip, envy, choose unforgiveness, or are jealous, then you are not living like the new creation you are supposed to be (2 Cor. 5:17). We are called to live like Christ, which means walking with love and compassion. We can use our lives to help people grow into their true potential, or we can keep them in chains. I know which type of Christian I want to be – so I put aside the sin that so easily entangled me (Hebrews 12:1), renew my mind, and reset my heart to do the work that God has placed before me. Amen.

Big Blessings in Little Packages

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more that food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:22-24 NKJV)

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all thes things shall be added to you.” (Luke 12:29-31 NKJV)

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about our state of mind and choosing to focus on our blessings. This week I want to show you how God shows up and blesses us even in the tiniest of ways. Remember that often times, God uses us – His children to send blessings, but sometimes He will surprise us. The blessings may come from people or places we couldn’t imagine.

Several years ago, I started keeping a vegetable garden. Whether starting it from seeds or purchasing the plants, I have grown a variety of vegetables every season. Some years have met with success and others a mixture of successes and failures. Gardening is such an expression of love and joy to me, because I always learn something new and many people in this area garden and love to share their ideas with me. This year I had decided I would start my garden from purchased plants. I have had a busy ten months and didn’t have the extra time to start from seeds this year. The problem was that we had a lot going on all through April and the month of May. Every time Alan and I would discuss the garden, some other barrier would come up and we just couldn’t figure out when we would get the garden started. I basically decided that I wouldn’t have a garden this year. I would just appreciate that some of the herbs I had grown in containers last year had burst into fabulous growth again this year. But God!!!

Last week I was driving home, and turning into our neighborhood, I saw a box at the edge of the road saying, “free plants”. I didn’t stop right then, because once I got home I had to run out again and I wanted to keep to my time schedule. As I was getting ready to leave the house again, I kept thinking about those plants. So we stopped as we were leaving the neighborhood and I ended up with several tomato plants – more variations, than I have ever tried growing before. We left some plants, because I wanted someone else to be blessed. However, the following day driving by the same house while running errands another box was there stating again, “free plants”. Stopping to look, there were several varieties of peppers. Again, there were more varieties than I have ever tried growing before. Then this week, while working outside putting up our greenhouse, our neighbor offered some broccoli and cucumber plants. I went from having no plants for this season to having an abudance of plants! We quickly went to work getting them transplanted into our garden.

I know many people will read this and think – that was just luck. But I don’t believe in luck, I believe in the goodness of my God. He is so good that He cares about everything that matters to me. It is His love and good character that drives Him to care for each of us. In the Epistle of First John, it states in chapter 3, verse 1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” God loves to bless those who are in His family. He understands all our needs and not only fulfills those, but often times desires to give us things that give us joy. Keep looking for God’s big blessings even in the tiniest of packages! Amen.

RECOGNIZING THE FATHER

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. (John 5:19 – 20 NLT)

During a recent conversation, the subject turned to the Bible and discussion of the Old Testament God. The person commented that the “God of the Old Testament is an angry God.” I really understood why they might have that perspective. In fact, I often preferred reading the New Testament over the Old Testament for years, because it was difficult for me to reconcile the God of the Israelites and God manifested through the life and actions of His son Jesus Christ.

In reading the New Testament, we have a clear lens of God as love. Jesus gave us the ultimate expression of love in not only laying down his life for his friends but for everyone (2 Peter 3:9).

In the Old Testament, God continued to demonstrate His faithfulness in keeping His promises to the Israelites as His chosen people, but honoring that they had free will. They often turned away from God. He remained steadfast. His position and faithfulness never shifted but man’s did (Lamentations 3:22-23). God was always working His plan for redemption for all mankind through His only Son. The laws established during the time of Moses was a way to demonstrate that without grace all mankind was lost.

Lord thank you for a love that is steadfast and unwavering. I see your deep love for all your people in both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures. Thank you for revealing your heart and plan, to restore us to an intimate relationship, with you through Jesus Christ. When I read about his ministry it unveils your heart. Keep helping me see You throughout the ages as Holy, Mighty, but also full of grace and mercy. I love you Abba. You are so good. Amen.

Beyond Blessed

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV)

Listening to conversations happening around me, lately I have been hearing people spend a great deal of their time complaining about first world problems. They complain about the weather, when they have a roof over their head to keep them dry and warm. They complain about their health, but they have access to medical treatments and doctors – unlike many people in other countries. They complain about feeling alone, but they are only interested in the phone they hold in their hands. I have found myself often complain about traffic, but fail to recognize the vehicle that I have is a convenience and many others do not have access to the same.

As a nation, we have been so blessed, but we choose to complain instead of rejoice. We have become like spoiled children, undisciplined and ungrateful. Today, I need this reminder of how blessed I am. I will recall, with wonder, the goodness of God in my life. He has provided me with so many blessings: family, friends, a home, a job, and my health. Why do I have any right to complain about the goodness that God has poured into my life?

Maybe you see your blessings too, but the negativity that surrounds you from within the world, has twisted your thoughts and speech. Now is a great time to get on top of it. We do have control of our negative thoughts and emotions. We are told in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” When we spend time in God’s word and with Him in prayer it becomes harder to see anything but His goodness and His love. He is the perfect embodiment of love.

Next week, let’s start our mornings reflecting on how good and loving God has been to us. Before our feet even hit the floor for the day, spend time thanking Him for your blessings. Then our armor is in place (Ephesians 6:10-19), and we will be able to withstand the negativity of those around us. We will be able to throw off the shackles of their disappointments and tap into the joy of the Lord – maintaining our strength and our purpose to bring light into the dark places of this earth. Amen!

Two Become One

“Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:22-24 NKJV)

“Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate,’ And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.'” (Genesis 3:12-13 NKJV)

In the beginning of all creation, God created us in His image. Man and woman He created each of them – family was always part of His plan. The enemy’s plan is to destroy all that God has created and he often centers his attacks at families. When I was very young, my parents divorced. By the time I was five years old, my birth father was no longer a part of my life. There is something that happens to families when the person designed to be the head of a household is absent. We visibily see it all around the world. Some of the greatest damage is done to the children caught in the midst of the destruction broken families leave behind. For girls, it results in them struggling with their identity. The one who is supposed to love and teach them that they are priceless and worthy, has abandoned them. This leads girls and young women to doubt that they are worthy of love. For boys, it impacts their undstanding of leadership. Without that foundation of a male role model, young men often don’t understand what integrity looks like. Oftentimes, this broken family unit results in the next generation repeating the mistakes of the adults they have watched during their lives. It happened in my family. My grandparents were divorced, and then my parents, many of my aunts and uncles, and then my siblings and myself.

Generational curses stop, when we recognize our identity in Christ Jesus and understand God’s plan for our families. The weapon of every husband and wife will be the sword of the Spirit (or the word of God) as we are told in Ephesians 6:17. We must have Christ as our foundation, recognizing that He called us worthy when He gave His life as an atoning sacrifice on the cross. We are called chosen, a royal priesthood and a God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9). We have the best Father looking out for our best interests and we can depend upon Him. When we each understand the love of God, then we are able to love our spouse as we should and the family operates as God designed. I can’t change my past or my divorce, but God takes our ashes – the things the enemy uses to destroy us – and creates something even more beautiful. I have been happily married for almost seven years, to a man who honors God and understands the design God has for families.

We need to become aware of the battle that the enemy has waged against our families. We need to cast down every stronghold that comes against us. We have the weaponry at hand, we just need to pick it up and dust it off. Opening the Bible and reading God’s word is the most important equipment we will ever need for every season in our lives. Armed with His word, we will know how to stand and how to command seas to still or make mountains move. Jesus himself said that we will face trials and difficulties, but that we will not be overcome, because He overcame!

Father, I come to you now and thank you for the precious gift of your word, inspired by your Holy Spirit. I thank you for the way you designed the family. I declare that your people, sons and daughters, will walk in their identity. They will recognize they are worthy, because You call them worthy. It cost you everything to redeem what was lost in the garden, but you gave it willingly. I declare that the family will be strong and the enemy’s plans to attack the family unit is defeated! Jesus you have overcome and you ensured that we have victory in every battle. We will walk in the knowledge that in seeking after you, and loving you, we are equipped to love and serve one another. You are love and we will embody that love in our families and break any strongholds the enemy tries to establish. From generation to generation we will have families function as you, Lord designed – and the two shall become one flesh. Amen.