The Look of Love

“You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent.” Isaiah 62:6

When you are truly in love with someone, you can’t help but talk about them. It spills out of the overflow of your heart. You want the world to know how amazing they are and how happy you are to have them in your life. If you’ve ever seen the movie Elf (if you haven’t – promptly go out and rent it, even in the heat of summer!), the main character, Buddy, declares this statement loud and clear upon falling in love with the leading lady: “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it.” I ran into a grandmother this week that had a photo album of her beautiful new little granddaughter in her purse to show anyone who might have a spare moment. I also saw a billboard proposing words of love and marriage to a woman named Kelly. And my favorite moment this week was when the 3-year-old daughter of a dear friend of mine looked up at me and announced proudly in a public restaurant, “I love you Mimi” (my nick name). Love is not ashamed or timid; it is proud and demonstrative.

What if Jesus had not been willing to demonstrate His love for us by dying on a cross because He was ashamed of us, or embarrassed to call us His children? Just for a moment, let that thought – of life without Jesus – sink in. How do you feel? There is no loneliness or fear or evil like the thought of living without Jesus. So if we really call ourselves followers of Jesus and if we truly love Him, why then are we afraid to pray in public? Why are we uneasy that our friends, co-workers, neighbors or even family will find out we’re Christians? Why are we anxious about sharing what God’s Word says on an important issue that comes up? He gave His all – His reputation, His throne in heaven, His very blood and life’s breath – to show you He loves you and to show the world you were worth dying for. Who needs to hear of your love for Jesus this week? Let His sacrifice for you and example of demonstrative love empower you to share the “Good News.” (John 3:16)

How Bright is Your Light?

“…become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:15-16a

Is it just me, or is there hardly a different anymore between the lifestyles, attitudes and value systems of followers of Christ and followers of the world? If people were merely watching your life and mine, would they be able to tell that we were followers of Jesus? What sets you and me apart as believers? I’m afraid the distinction is becomes less and less and our light as believers in this dark world is dulling. It is easy to say we love Jesus and talk about Him when things are going well. But it is how we handle crisis, temptation, tragedy, unforeseen circumstances, persecution, inconvenience and rush hour traffic :) that should truly allow our identity and hope in Jesus to shine bright in a depraved and desperate world. They are crooked and need to see a pattern of what it looks like to be straight. They are depraved and need an example of what it looks like to be moral.

Should you take on this challenge, read Romans 13:11-14, Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:15-21 and Matthew 5:3-12. Now make two columns down a page and under the left hand column, write down what it looks like to live in the world (the Bible also calls this living in darkness or your old man, which is your sinful nature before Christ) and under the right hand column, write down what it looks like to follow Christ (the Bible calls this living in the light or in the new man which is the new nature given to us when we give our lives to Christ). Now carefully study that list and take an honest evaluation at which column you primarily fall under? What needs to change in order for your light/ your life as a follower of Jesus to shine brighter? Take time to pray about this right now and ask Jesus to shine His light into the dark areas of your life so that your light might be radiant to lost souls (and to compromising believers!) around you. Matthew 5:16 says “…let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Control Freak

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

I will admit it – I am a control freak. I’m a typical first born who is ultra responsible, afraid of failure and one who tries to control my environment so that I can remain in a place that’s comfortable and calculated. And can I also confess that the events of my life have been anything but comfortable and calculated. What is this illusion that I reach for, somehow believing I can provide for myself and keep everything in perfect order? Ha! Jesus gives us the verse above toward the end of His incredible Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew chapters 5-7). In the verses surrounding this one, He has addressed a core part of who we are – worriers! He knew that we’d stress out about what we’re going to eat and what we’re going to wear, which college we should go to and who we’re going to marry, if we should take that job and how we’re supposed to raise our kids, how we’re going to make it in a struggling economy…and the list goes on…and on…an on, doesn’t it?! :) In verse 32, Jesus says “your heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.” I love that description of God as our tender, heavenly Father who knows our needs. He’s not a genie who magically gives us what we want, or a cold judge who determines if our good works outweigh our bad and then gives us our just reward. He is our Father who knows us better than anyone else. He says that we are to seek Him first, then these things (fill in your needs here) will be given to you. He does not say, go make it happen for yourself and it would also be nice if you sought Me and my opinion along the way. Now if you love control as much as I do, we are reminded of our sin of self-sufficiency here. There are so many areas of life we waste time on by worrying, or planning on how we are going to “make it happen.” I admit that sometimes, the idea of total surrender – even to God – makes me feel (and wrongfully so) helpless and dependent – which, let’s face it, I am! But the more I walk with Christ the more I want His will for my life more than my own. The stronger I grow in my relationship with Him, the more I want His opinion and direction for my life and the more I rest in His promises to provide for me, protect me and love me.

So, in the middle of your life right now – with all your needs, desires, questions, and dreams – are you seeking Him first? Are you wasting time worrying when He has already promised a good plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)? Ask Him about it. Get to know Him better. You will discover His character and the ability to rest that comes from having a personal relationship with Him. He tells us that not a single sparrow falls to the ground that He doesn’t know about. How much more does He then know the intimate details of your life! He knows your thoughts, the deep desires of your heart, the number of hairs on your head, and He compares the thoughts that He has about to the number of grains of sand on the shore. Wow!

Talk About Big!

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

God is more powerful that our circumstances, than anything that threatens to overwhelm us. There is no pit too deep, no emotion too commanding, no enemy too powerful, and no problem too large that God cannot reach down and save us from. So, what situation, question, emotion, problem, or enemy is threatening to overwhelm you right now? Do you believe that God’s hand can truly save you from that? What promise from God’s Word can you claim to underscore the peace and reassurance that truth should bring?

Also, from this verse we see that there is no silent cry of our heart that goes unheard by His ear. We never have to worry about God being too busy for us or fear that because we may not feel as spiritually “important” as the next guy that our prayers are not equally as important to our Father. What prayers do you feel like God has not heard, either because you haven’t seen them answered or because you do not feel His nearness? Are you willing to trust right now that He has heard and is working on your behalf (even this very second) to accomplish His best plan for your life?

Go Fish

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

I have had the privilege over the past several weeks to talk with women about how to study God’s Word. I am amazed that some of us can grow up in church (this was my story) and never be taught by those in spiritual authority over us how to study the Bible for ourselves. We are given amazing messages, full of insight into what the text is about and wonderful application strategies for how to apply it to our lives, but there is a difference in giving out fish and teaching men to fish for themselves. I want to be able to fish on a daily basis and not have to wait until Sundays. So, today’s blog is a quick, very easy method of how to study the Bible. When I approach a passage of Scripture, I ask myself the following questions (and I did not make this up, this is a method I learned from Anne Graham Lotz – for further instruction, see a video on her website here: http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/resources/topic/all-bible-studies/learning-hear-his-voice/).

1. Before you begin, invite the Lord into your time in His Word, asking Him to speak to you personally and clearly. Then ask yourself the following questions as you read a portion of His Word.
2. What does the passage say? (Make a verse by verse list of the obvious facts, using the words found in the text. Be factual.)
3. What does it mean? (Write down the spiritual lessons that you see in each verse. Ask yourself “is there a command to obey?”, “a promise to claim?”, “a warning that I should heed?”, “an example that I should follow?”, etc. Make sure that you’re careful to keep God’s Word in the context in which it was given.)
4. What does it meant to me? (Now take your spiritual lessons and put them into the form of a question you could ask of yourself. As you write them down, listen for God to speak to you personally.)
5. Pick an application question(s) to journal on and pray through and ask God to show you how to put it into practice.

It may take some getting used to, but I promise you, your reading of God’s Word will come alive as you begin to see Him speak specifically to you in the language of your life. Try using this method with your favorite passage of Scripture and tell me how it went! (Caution here, don’t try and bite off too much. Start with a verse or two to get the hang of it, otherwise, you might become discouraged.) For those of you who are visual, I will give you an example of a verse I read this morning.

My verse: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

1. What does it say?
   a. Set mind on things above, not things on earth.
2. What does it mean?
   a. The focus of a believer should be on the things that are on the mind of God’s.
   b. The things of the earth are temporary and will pass away. There is no lasting value and if our mind is wrapped up in affairs of the earth, ultimately it will have been a waste.
   c. A heavenly or a kingdom-minded perspective allows us to see the happenings of earth with clear perspective.
3. What does it mean to me?
   a. What does God’s Word tell me about the things that are on the mind of God? Is my mind focused on these things?
   b. Where is my mind wrapped up in the affairs of this earth and how can I redirect them so that I’m viewing them in light of eternity?
   c. Am I struggling with why God’s allowing certain things to happen in this world (i.e. earthquakes, floods, famine)? What is God saying about Himself and our need for Him?
4. Now I would journal away and ask God to drive the lesson(s) down deep into my heart, so that I might be transformed by His Word!

He promises to be found by you when you seek Him with all of your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Now, go learn to fish for yourself and enjoy the journey!

Going on a Treasure Hunt

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

If I had to make a list of my top 5 treasures, what would make the cut? If I had to show you my most recent bank statement, what would the way I spend money tell you about my priorities? If you were to look at the month of April in my day timer, what would it reveal about how I spend my time? If God came to me right now and asked for an account of how I’d invested the spiritual gifts He’s given me, what would I have to show Him? Those are convicting questions. There are some areas I struggle with more than others, but overall, how I spend the commodities of time, treasure and talent should allow you to easily pinpoint the things that capture my heart.

When a good thing becomes the main thing, it becomes an idol. When money becomes security, when a relationship becomes your identity, when your talent becomes your self-worth, when a hobby consumes your life, when you look to substance to comfort you, when the voice of another person drowns out the voice of the Lord, you are handing over the reins of your life to something/someone other than God. And that is dangerous. Ezekiel 14:3 says, “…these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.” Paul tells us in Colossians 3:5 what to do with idols – and he doesn’t mince words. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” That’s serious business. Paul’s telling us to put to death (root out of our lives) anything that rivals God in giving you your identity, comfort, security, self worth, etc. This may seem like a morbid illustration, but which would you rather do: walk around with a diseased arm that’s slowly killing you, or cut that wound out and experience health and vitality once again? A few years back, I had a form of skin cancer – melanoma – removed from my body. I hate needles and hospitals and could have forgone surgery and pretended it would have no lasting impact in my life while in all reality, the cancer was slowly making its way to my bloodstream and then it would have been too late. Instead, I subjected myself to needles and the skillful hand of a surgeon who removed it and created a “margin of safety” so I would be healed. That, in essence, is what allowing idols into our lives do to us. They make their way down into the depths of our heart where they sap our spiritual energy, peace, joy and hope and slowly kill our relationship with God and effectiveness for Him. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” The good news is, the choice is yours. You can choose this day to ask the Surgeon of your heart to cut out the infected area of your life so that you can restore Him to the throne of your heart. And don’t miss the part about creating a “margin of safety.” Sometimes it may require you to cut out friends who are a bad influence, or certain substances that are too powerful to resist when you need comfort, or maybe your margin of safety is finding an accountability partner to make sure you’re getting up out of bed in the morning to spend time with God. Jill Briscoe, a women’s author and speaker said once, “I’d rather be sleep deprived than God deprived.” Your idol may not be sleep, but what’s depriving you of God?

1. Make a list of your top 5 treasures.
2. Evaluate each one to see if they are subject to God or if they are competing with God for any of the above mentioned areas in your life (security, identity, self worth, comfort, etc.). Be honest with yourself here. It may be painful to admit, but in the end it beats the alternative!
3. Get serious about rooting out any of your treasures that are an idol. If you’ve identified an idol, what does rooting it out of your life look like? Now confess that idol to the Lord and ask for His hand to guide you through the process. Also, who can you invite in on your journey? Find someone to hold you accountable. Accountability is incredibly effective here!

Can You Really See?

“To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

I work full-time in a Christian ministry and am surrounded by believers for the majority of my days and yet more and more, I am meeting Christians who have relegated God, or spiritual things, to certain parts of their lives. In a snapshot, this is what they look like: They go to church on Sundays. They call out to God only when they’re in need. Some can even hang with the best of them when it comes to Christian lingo. But where are the truly spiritually minded Christians? Where are those who see ALL of life through the lenses of Scripture and what God is up to in the world? We wonder why our lives lack purpose and meaning and why we can’t sleep at night. As a culture (and even a Christian culture), we obsess over money, over trying to keep up, over being perfect, and we look to relationships and materialism to fulfill the deep longings of our hearts. But if we’re honest, God is the answer to each of those issues. God alone brings real and lasting purpose to our lives. He is our security and our true fulfillment. We do not have to be perfect to earn His love; He looks at us as righteous and pure if we’re covered by the blood of His Son. He has given us everything necessary for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3). He is our peace. What other explanation but God can suffice when you see a Christian couple who has lost a child to cancer but can still smile and praise Jesus. Knowing that we serve a loving God who is infinitely powerful, completely sovereign over our circumstances and who promises a plan for our lives that is full of hope, creates a peace that passes all understanding.

How do we stay spiritually minded? Romans 12:2 reminds us we must constantly renew our minds – in God’s Word, through prayer, by being in fellowship with other believers – sharing with each other what God is teaching and being held accountable to live lives worthy of our calling as believers. So let’s hold ourselves accountable right now and ask these questions together:

1. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the greatest), how spiritually minded am I? What does my time with God (in His Word, in prayer, in fellowship with other believers) look like and where does it need to improve?
2. Am I experiencing the abundance of life and sense of purpose that God has intended for me? If not, what needs to change? Is He a part of or is He ALL of my life? If only a part, what needs to change for Him to become Lord over all of my life?
3. Am I experiencing peace in my current circumstances? If not, what attributes of God do I need to reflect on to renew my perspective?