Recently I attended my uncle’s funeral service in Alabama.  This was the second time in a month I had visited the area for a funeral.  Funerals are often stressful events complete with family drama and awkwardness.  We grasp for just the right words to say; the words that will provide comfort and ease a little of the pain.

If you’ve ever experienced this kind of loss, there are no words – especially not in the initial moments and days.

But sitting in the service, listening to all the beautiful words spoken about my uncle’s life, I began pondering a couple of things.

My uncle was a die hard Auburn football fan. I was reminded of this the moment I entered the chapel and a sea of blue and orange flowers and ribbons assaulted my eyes.  From the spray atop his casket to numerous wreaths and plants, Auburn colors were well represented.

Then my eyes did a double take.  As I scanned the room once more taking it all in, standing proudly right smack dab in the middle of the Auburn madness, was a lone spray of red and white.

Chuckling, I remembered several years ago my uncle did not take kindly to positive references from me of “Roll Tide” (you know, that other Alabama team).  Most of his family also rally around the Crimson team, so you can imagine the tension and noise level of an Iron Bowl in years past.

Though sworn enemies during every pass, punt, and tackle, after the final score was displayed, life resumed as usual.  There was love and laughter – meals and prayers.  People could agree to disagree and love while doing it.

Good lesson.

But life was not resuming as normal today; there was a new normal being created.

I listened as his grandson spoke about the measure of a man.  He beautifully described a life well lived – one full of love for family and God.   He referred to my uncle as a hero.

Searching my mind, I started recalling my own memories with my uncle.  And with a sad realization, I had to dig back a ways to find some.

Life gets busy. Living a thousand miles away makes it harder to keep in touch.

Just excuses.

I know.

Sadly these are excuses a lot of us make at times.

And then it really hit me….

How often do I do this with Jesus?  How far back do I have to dig to find a moment with Him?  How long does it take me to recall the last time He answered my prayer or comforted me in a time of distress?  When was the last time we laughed and cried together?

Because this is what a relationship with Jesus is – living life together creating memories and stories to share with others.   Allowing Him to guide every step and decision along the way, we can love others the way He does.

Though I may have fallen short in the relationship with my uncle, he has left me with these important lessons.

So Roll Tide/War Eagle.

And Thank You!

 

 

Face2Face

• Read Isaiah 2: 2-5 and Psalm 65
  • Compare the two sets of scriptures making notes of similarities and truths.

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• Isaiah 2:5 calls us to “walk in the light of the Lord.”
  • Using Ephesians 5: 7-14 and 1 John 1: 5-10, what does walking in the light of the Lord look like?
  • Are you walking in the light? If so, how?  If not, what changes are needed?

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Read Amos 4: 1-3
  • What do these verses reveal about Bashan?
    • What are the warnings and promises mentioned?
    • How do these verses apply to us today?

Christmas 2013, my husband surprised me with a new car, complete with an oversized, obnoxious bow on the hood.  Completely excited and overwhelmed, I stared at this gift knowing changes they were a comin’.

So allow me to be transparent with you – every car I ever owned should have been condemned by the Board of Health.

Seriously – not joking.

Like many of us today, my car was a second home.  Traveling between work, school and home, many meals were consumed in the driver’s seat. Clothes, shoes, papers, and random debris littered the rest of the interior space.

And I guarantee, at any given point in time, a McDonald’s french fry sat lonely under a seat.

One time I was driving to an evening class at the school I was attending, and I had a flat tire.  Pulling to the side of the road, I was too far from home to call my husband or daddy for help.  Not knowing how to change a flat tire (and let’s face it – even if I did, I wasn’t going to attempt it), I called campus police.  When the young officer arrived, he immediately opened the trunk to retrieve the spare (who knew??).

I’m not sure if his face registered shock, disbelief, disgust or all of the above.  It took twenty minutes to empty the contents from the trunk to the side of the road.  At one point he stopped, turned to me, and said, “Ma’am, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much junk is someone’s car!”

Of course, after the tire was changed, all that junk found its way back in.

And when my children came along a few years later with milk bottles and Happy Meals, the messes – and smells – only got worse.

This type of car care was my norm for years – until the Christmas present car.

The Lord had been on me about the way I cared for these blessings (children and possessions) He provided.  There was no reason my family should ride in disgusting messes.

So I chose to follow His prompting to obedience.  I would keep this car pristine.  No food or drinks would be consumed in the car (and yes, I still had young children).

Our first outing in the car that Christmas Eve morning was to Starbucks, and we pulled off to the side of the road – got out of the car – and took our sips. No drinking in the car.

So this summarizes riding with me….

Everyone thought I was silly and wouldn’t keep it up.  And at times it was challenging.  There were many occasions we pulled into parking lots to sit on the pavement and have a Frappuccino, but never in the car.

For almost four years, we successfully kept a clean car.

Then Hurricane Harvey surged into town.

The Christmas car was submerged in flood water and declared a total loss.  It sat for two weeks waiting on the tow truck, and when it was finally picked up, the interior was covered in mold, sludge and mildew.

I had been obedient.  I had required obedience of others.  Now my car was a mess of lumpy stink.

And this led me to a verse a friend shared a few weeks ago – (BH – Before Harvey) – and now had new meaning for me:

 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 (emphasis mine)

At first, I saw no meaning for my life in this verse. The whole new lump phrase stood out, but there was no apparent application.

Until AH – After Harvey.

Leaven is used to make dough rise – it adds a little something to the whole. It infiltrates and spreads throughout whatever it is added to – much like sin. A little sin begins to spread and affect the whole body. And before we realize it, our whole life is a mess.

But Jesus has made it possible for me, and us, to become like unleavened bread. To remove the sin we allow to sprinkle into our lives and create a new lump in our hearts and behaviors.

Staring at the mold covered car seat, I realized somewhere along the way my obedience had lost its meaning. It had become something I did without my heart behind it. I had never bothered to share with anyone the why behind my actions. And though obedience does not necessarily require an explanation to others, it often doesn’t hurt.

So as the process begins of finding the right replacement car, one mold and mildew free, God is preparing this new lump (me). He is removing (a little painfully) the old leaven in my life and faithfully molding a new creation, one that I pray is pleasing in His sight.

What about you?

Are you leavened?

Are you ready to become a new lump?

Face2Face Time:

• Reread Isaiah 1. Compare this chapter to 2 Kings 21.
  • What is the connection between these two passages?
  • What significance does this have for us today?

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• There are nine commands in Isaiah 1: 16 – 20.
  • List them.
  • Using your concordance, write out a scripture to go with each command.
  • Circle the command you struggle obeying the most right now and pray it this week.

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Choose one (or all) of the four kings mentioned in Isaiah 1:1.
  • List everything you learn about your choice with a specific focus on his/their impact on Judah.

I remember before the first day of school began, the district I taught in would place all the teachers on hot, smelly school buses and have us tour the neighborhoods where the students lived. Home after home had large, black lawn size trash bags on their front porches. We soon learned this was where the students kept their clothing and other belongings, because there was no room in the home for them.

One week ago, this was momentarily my life. Hurricane Harvey hit our Texas community with a fierceness I’ve never experienced. The rain pelted the ground relentlessly. The first floor of our home was completely lost to the infested waters of the nearby river. Furniture, photos and the like covered in sewage and sludge.

What we could salvage was thrown into black garbage bags. The same kind of storage bags the students used.
The night before, as the water inched closer and closer, I stood on our back patio and prayed relentlessly. I rebuked the waters from passing over the patio line. I reminded God that He could stop the storm immediately. I even quoted the scripture in Mark 4:35-41 where Jesus calms the storm for His disciples.

But God said No.

He had another plan. A better plan I cannot imagine yet, because my ways are not His ways (Isaiah 55: 8-9).

The flooding occurred overnight, so it was difficult to see what was happening. We could hear the water pouring in like a waterfall and were helpless to stop it. When light finally came through the windows, 3 feet of water stood on our first floor and it was STILL raining! The rain WOULD NOT STOP!

Boats were rescuing families from homes, because all 400 homes in our community were under this water. We took our trash bags, placed our children in the boat (where snakes were frantically swimming by) and floated away to our new normal.

A normal that consists of watching a truck with the words JUNK emblazoned on its side haul off trailer after trailer of our possessions.

But this is not the story I need to share – these are just the facts of an event that occurred in my life. The story I want to share – that I hope you continue to read is what took place before and after this catastrophic event.
My God is a good God – Always. In His infinite wisdom, He had been preparing me for this life altering event for months.

Back in March of this year, I began a journey of getting healthy and losing weight (written about this already, so feel free to take a look). Walking twice daily and other aerobic exercises were preparing me for the two mile walks required to return home because the demolition teams blocked the streets to drive in. There has also been a lot of heavy lifting and stair climbing to remove debris.

There is no way I could have helped with this at the beginning of 2017.

While walking every morning and night, my husband and I met many of our neighbors – neighbors that felt comfortable boating back into our homes with us after the rain stopped and waters receded enough to wade through the home to access damage. Neighbors who we knew needed help with tearing out sheet rock and removing granite and could send work crews from our church. Our pastor had preached a series on “Loving Your Neighbor,” and we were witnessing his words in action.

Seeds and Nuts A whole range of risk areas with headings such as djpaulkom.tv cialis no prescription commercial, legal, technical, regulatory compliance and security. Tomato:Know as the levitra 20 mg Love Apple, the notoriety of the tomato as a support to love has long been used to treat impotence by ancient cultures all over the world. You will find thought about this free samples of cialis risks connected with buying medications from overseas. But the patient can be given a longer life with the help of http://djpaulkom.tv/kokoe-x-dj-paul-kom-re-up-video/ cheap viagra in india. Every year our youth group participates in Bounce – a program helping areas demo and reconstruct homes affected by disaster. My daughter and husband had attended one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana this past summer. As soon as the waters receded, 20 of these students and some of their families descended on our home (along with 31 of my husband’s co-workers and my tireless, hard- working brother) and our home was completely gutted in 24 hours. After that, many of my church friends helped clean, organize, and box, among other chores, the remains of our house that needed to be stored or go with us to our rental.

Within one day of homelessness, a beautiful friend took her home off the market and gave it to us as a rental. And it has a treadmill in the master bedroom!!

Both cars were totaled in the flood, so we needed rentals. Please understand, this hurricane affected four to five hundred thousand people in the Houston area. The chances of getting a rental were small. Four of us looked and made reservations in a town 20 miles away. We got up early and were the first ones in line at the Enterprise. When we walked in, the sweet man just shook his head and said he only had two. Telling him we could drive two more hours north to get the other two cars – he looked at me and said, “I want to help you. I’m going to give you my truck.” And he did.
So now my husband and I both had trucks which would help in hauling off and transferring items to the rental.
Sunday morning I had nothing to wear to church. A sweet friend brought over a dress; however it plunged a little low for worshiping Jesus. Fretting on what to do, I happened to look down by the bedroom door –and I kid you not, there was one safety pin pressed down in the carpet.

Friends have provided meals, numerous hours of labor, and restocked make-up (because this Texas girl loves a little make-up).

I know many people have similar stories of generosity and assistance, but one more event occurred that was a sweet gift from God to me only.

I am a women’s Bible teacher at our church and have been writing our fall curriculum on Isaiah. One commentary I ordered to help with research was not released until September 1. It is my favorite commentary when writing. Understand our entire neighborhood, as well as many around us, were completely submerged in water. There is no mail, UPS, Fed-Ex deliveries being made.
Yet…
On September 2, one small, yellow envelope leaned against the door of our flooded home. Inside was my Isaiah commentary. No other deliveries or mail had been made. So many cars, dumpsters and debris littered the streets that a truck could not get down to our home.
But God provided.

He always provides. Always.

From a safety pin on the floor to a place to lay our weary heads at night, He is faithful.
I don’t know what tomorrow holds. How long it will take to rebuild our home.
But I do know God is with us every step of the way. He has provided an incredible network of friends we consider family to walk beside us too.
I pray with all my heart you have this assurance in your life too.
If you don’t, or would like to know why I am madly in love with this great, big God, please reach out and ask. There is so much more I can share than in these few, meager words here.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

“Fatty, Fatty two by four; can’t get through the kitchen door.”

“My mama’s so big, when she sits around the house, she sits around the house.”

Popular sayings I remember hearing and often saying as a child.  Funny when you aren’t the recipient – devastating when you are.

Sadly, I’ve experienced both sides.

Somewhere in my early twenties, I began a battle with food.  Having danced most of my life, it was easy to stay in shape and keep the pounds off (especially during high school and college when there was a weekly weigh in).  Can you even imagine getting away with weighing young girls today in front of peers?? But when I slowly started dancing less and less, pounds attached to my body at a rapid pace.

Like many girls beginning college, the freshman 15 appeared (plus 10 or 15 more).  Between classes, work and marriage, there was never enough time in the day for exercise and healthy meals.  Drive-thru meals and junk on the go became staples in my everyday diet. The Pizza Hut on campus was not my friend.

I started receiving lots of comments from “well-meaning” loved ones.  My personal favorite was my uncle’s incessant reference to me as “Lard Butt”.  I laughed it off, but those words stung deep.

Not enough, however, to force me to action.

My wardrobe changed in attempts to cover the problem areas, but let’s get real, my whole body was a problem area. Especially internally.  I’m not just talking about the damage inflicted on my physical organs – I was destroying my spiritual body as well.

God never intended for me to abuse my body the way I have.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own: you were bought at a price.   Therefore honor God with your bodies” (emphasis mine).

I knew this.  At times I’ve taught this.  But I did not live this.

Until now.

Today, for the first time in over two decades, I am classified as “overweight”.

I’ve been severely obese, moderately obese, Category 1 obese, and obese.

But not today.  Today the BMI chart says overweight.

I am aware this chart doesn’t carry a lot of credibility for most.  Too many other factors play a role in determining health:  muscle, height, age, etc.

Yet there is such satisfaction in the absence of obese flashing in front of me.

I don’t share this for praises or congratulations.  If we’re honest, there should be sadness that I missed the mark all these years.  Years of fatigue where I couldn’t join in activities. Years of laziness – gluttony – slothfulness. Oh the list could go on and on…
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Here’s the message- the book of James does such a beautiful job describing the way to live our lives.  Black and white guidelines laid out on the pages for us.

The central command in the short five chapters, at least for me, is don’t just hear, don’t merely listen, don’t nod your heads in agreement – DO!

I heard all my life about taking care of my body.  There were even great role models and teachers!

I knew how to take care of my body.  I just refused to do it.

Then, during an early morning quiet time several months ago, these words of hearing and doing grabbed my heart in a way they never had before.

My issue was not food or lack of time for exercise; my issue was obedience.

Every day I chose to eat horribly and not exercise was another day I walked in disobedience.  Because trust me, I knew the right thing to do.

In that moment of realization, I made a choice.

I chose to obey.

It’s a daily process.  Sometimes a moment to moment process.

But He has been with me every step of the way.

So I will continue to say:

Yes, Lord, today I will make healthy food choices.  Yes, Lord, today I will exercise.  Yes, Lord, today I will drink water.

Yes, Lord, today I will obey.

 

Consider

Where in your life are you refusing obedience?

Read the book of James.

I’m curious.  Have you ever experienced conflict with another person?  Perhaps a spouse, child, co-worker, family member, friend, random stranger on the street…  A conflict that leads to hurtful words, out of control emotions, indignation and at times, periods of silence? Please assure me I’m not the only one!

I’ve been struggling with conflict recently – an internal conflict.  A war within myself.  Battling thoughts ping-ponging in my brain – struggling in self-control to ensure that thoughts do not become actions.

When we’ve witnessed nastiness rewarded and hissy fits that produce positive results, it is increasingly challenging to bridle our tongue and restrain negative behavior. Rationalizing reasons to spew my two cents over my situation continue to play over and over in my mind.  Every emotion begs for release.

At one time, I would not have entertained this ping-pong ball battle.  I would have slammed that little white ball off the table the moment it was in sight, with nothing held back.

But what did this behavior accomplish?  I may have felt better for a moment – until the regret moved in and got comfy. Or I replayed the scene relentlessly in my head analyzing how I should have said something differently or with more OOMPH!

Honestly  though – I just looked foolish. I’m sure most of the time people walked away shaking their head questioning my sanity.  “What is wrong with her?” must have been thrown around a time or two.

And it was the perfect question.  Because there was definitely something wrong with me.  James 4:1 says, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” Notice this does not say – Did someone offend you?  Did someone hurt your feelings?

When facing conflict, instead of throwing a temper tantrum and allowing all the nastiness to seep out, what if we took the time to analyze what is going on inside of us?  What worldly desires are behind your thoughts?

Better yet, what if we went to God in prayer and submitted our emotions to Him?  What if we ask Him to remove selfish desires and worldly wisdom and replace it with His desires for us and His wisdom?

He is a big God.  He can handle our emotions and disappointments.

And maybe we would experience fewer conflicts.

 

Consider

 

• Describe in your own words the difference in judging between Matthew 7: 15-20 and Matthew 7: 1-5. What about James 4: 11-12?
• Read Luke 18: 1-8
  • What does this parable teach you about persistence?
  • What area(s) of your life need persistence?

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• Write our Hebrew 10: 22-25 from The Message. What comparisons do you see with James 4:8?

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Read Psalm 32 and Psalm 51.
  • Create 3 lists:
    • David’s actions
    • God’s actions
    • David’s advice
  • What, from these lists, speaks to your heart?
• Read Numbers 12
  • How do Miriam’s words and judgements impact her and those around her?
  • Do you recall a time in your life when your words and/or judgments made an impact?

Authority.

What thoughts and feelings surface when you encounter this word?

Anxiety

Relief

Anger

Pride

Authority often brings strong emotions and actions.  We either accept and submit to authority, or we dig our heels in and rebel against it.

Unfortunately, my track record is filled with heel marks.

I was a fairly good kid – minding my parents and following the rules.  It was pretty easy to do when daddy threatened boarding school for rebelliousness.

Yet, somewhere along the way, I realized I knew better than those in authority.  My way worked best.  My way produced optimal results.  My way made sense (to me).

Clearly I was a model employee.

It is embarrassing to count the number of situations where I flat out told my boss – you know, the one in authority – “no” to an assigned task or way of implementing procedures.

Here’s a reminder on authority:

Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. (Merriam-Webster)

And another interesting tidbit on authority…

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1

Every time I refuse to submit to a person placed in authority over me, I am actually refusing to submit to God. 1 Peter 2:13 tells us, “Be willing to serve the people who have authority in this world. Do this for the Lord.” ERV

Such a hard lesson to learn – at least it has been for me. Which is probably why the Lord has consistently provided opportunities for me to choose to grow in this area.

One such opportunity appeared this week. A simple request was asked of me by a person in authority and required a response on my part. Feelings and emotions immediately came into action, because it involved an area I’m invested in and passionate about and would be a different path than I would have suggested.

I didn’t say yes and I didn’t say no. Yay me, right? What I did say was, “I’ll pray about it.”

Because I am slowly and agonizingly learning my way is often not God’s way. And I desperately must seek His way when making choices.

But honestly, I did not have a choice to make. That deserves repeating. I DID NOT have a choice to make.

Someone in authority asked something of me. What they asked was not against God’s Word, would not cause me to sin, and was needed for the better of the whole. No choice necessary. The answer is simply yes. Yes, because God has placed this person in authority, and I trust God.

So maybe, just maybe, I’m learning. It’s a process (a slow process), but one worth the effort.

 

Consider

Read the following verses and list everything revealed to you about wisdom.

• 1 Corinthians 1: 20-21
• 1 Corinthians 2:14
• Romans 1: 18-25

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What are some areas that hinder our acquisition of wisdom from above (God’s wisdom)? Use the following verses to help you.

• 1 John 2: 15-17
• 1 John 3: 7-10
• 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16

Feeling ambitious?

Choose one of the following passages to study. What do you learn about wisdom from this passage? Do you have any characteristics similar to the person(s) in the passage?

• Numbers 12 (Miriam and Aaron)
• Numbers 16 (Korah)
• 1 Samuel 18 (Saul/David)
• 1 Samuel 25 (Nabal)
• 2 Samuel 15 (Absalom)
• 1 Kings 12 (Rehoboam)

 

 

There is an old Jewish tale of a rabbi telling his student how to make amends for harsh words spoken to others.  The rabbi meets the student in the middle of their windy town with a feather pillow.  Ripping the pillow apart, the feathers scatter in every direction blowing further and further away.  The rabbi tells the student to retrieve every feather to make amends for the words.  The student declares this is impossible, and the rabbi agrees.  It is the same with trying to fix the harm inflicted by hurtful words.

With approximately 175,000 words in the English language, is it any wonder our mouths get us into so much trouble?  Words are powerful – inciting a myriad of reactions from those around us.

What we say matters.

Sometimes this is really obvious. Like the time I was pacing frantically back and forth in the hospital, desperately crying out to God for a miracle, when a single word uttered had a life changing impact. The doctor had informed us there was nothing more they could do – they had tried everything . Then he asked, “Do you want us to keep trying?”

There are only two ways to answer this question – Yes or No.

With a yes there is still possibility and hope for a miracle.  Death is not yet a reality.

But with a no, you feel you are giving up – losing faith – creating the ending.

Although this is an extreme example, so many of our words have a similar effect in the lives of others.

We can rip an idea to shreds or help build the foundation of a dream.

We can help pave a straight path, send off on a detour or cause a landslide.

We can provide hope or despair and incite anger or relief.

God’s Word has a lot to say about our words.  The following verses offer two extremes:

Proverbs 16:24 tells us, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste^[a] and health to the body.”

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Words can be health and life or death.  Luke 6:45 reminds us that our mouths speak from the overflow of our heart.

I don’t know about you, but I could definitely use a heart check – daily!

Let’s commit to monitor our words and their effect on others.

What we say matters.

 

Consider

• Read the following verses making notes of everything said about words.
  • Matthew 12: 33-37
  • Mark 13:11
  • Luke 6: 43-45
  • 1 Cor. 12:3
  • Proverbs 14:23
  • Proverbs 29:19

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How do these scriptures apply to your life right now?

• Spend some time reflecting on when you speak harsh, angry words. What motivates you to this reaction? Is there a consistent trigger?
  • If so, find verses to pray over this particular motivation. For example – anger, impatience, control…

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Read Genesis 24: 45 -52
  • List what is said and the action(s) produced.
  • What does this reveal to you about the connection between words and actions?
  • Commit to observing what actions your words create this week.

When my daddy unexpectedly passed away, the most common phrase I heard was, “I’m praying for you.”

Frankly – I didn’t care.  These words were hollow and meaningless to me in those weeks of initial grief. I reached a point where I refused to open cards or take phone calls, because I just couldn’t hear “those” words again.  Don’t get me wrong – I desperately longed for prayer; I just wasn’t receiving it personally.

Because honestly, how many of us have uttered the prayer thing to someone and walked away never giving it a second thought?   Please assure me I’m not the only one.  We have sincere intentions to pray for others, yet life gets busy and complicated directing our prayer focus elsewhere.

Why do we tell someone we will pray for them instead of just praying right then and there with them? You know, put actions with our words.

In the book of James, we are reminded our faith should result in works – works flowing out from us because we are changing from within to become more like Jesus. (James 2:14-26)

Are the excuses starting in your mind?

I’m not good praying out loud.

I’m too embarrassed.

I don’t know what to say.

I might stutter or say something wrong.

Let me assure you – the person you are praying with – the one clinging to you for hope and comfort and urgency – they are not going to remember if you dangled a participle, split an infinitive, stuttered or went silent for a minute.  They probably won’t remember much of the prayers content at all.

What will be remembered is you loved them – you loved them so much you made yourself vulnerable enough to pray with them.

 Consider:

• Read the following verses:
  • Luke 3:8
  • Romans 3:7
  • Romans 9:19
  • Romans 11:19
  • 1 Cor. 15:35

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• How do the previous verses fit with James 2: 14-26?
• Read Joshua 2: 1-24
  • Make a list of Rahab’s actions.
  • Write out the reason(s) for her actions.
  • Where in your life is this kind of action needed?

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Trace Abraham’s life from Genesis 15 – 22.
  • List major events, travels, encounters.
  • Where is he obedient in these chapters?
  • Do you observe a progression of maturity in his life?
  • What characteristics in Abraham’s life do you want exhibited in your own life?

Recently I experienced the privilege of celebrating with a precious friend over an answered prayer.  Together we prayed scripture for months over a situation, and as usual, God was faithful to answer.  Rejoicing together and praising Him for His goodness is nothing short of exhilarating.

There was a time in my life – not that long ago – when an experience like this was not even in the vicinity of possible for me.  God took me through a long season of friendlessness.  Removing every important relationship from my life (outside of family) occurred quickly.  Twenty year friendships dissolved as quickly as pressing send on your phone.

This was a lonely, hard season full of tears, anger and hurt.  While wandering in this desolate wilderness of solitude, I began learning to rely solely on Him for companionship and advice.  But I was also building a protective wall to protect myself from ever experiencing the pain of lost friendship again.

Then, in typical God-fashion, Bible verses and themes appeared repeatedly in my quiet times – everything I read, every sermon I heard, and everyone I listened to had the same message:

  Proverbs 18:24

            One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:5-6

            Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiples kisses.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 

So I started earnestly praying for this kind of friendship.  I desired the friend that would stick closer than a brother.  The friend that would wound me with the Truth.  The friend that would pick me up.

Do you have a friend like this?

Now most of us have an assortment of people in our lives that serve different purposes.

There’s our shopping friend – the one who snatches the atrocious item out of our hands while chiding us for picking it up in the first place.

Or our playdate friend – the one who gives us those brief moments of sanity while our children are occupied playing with theirs.

Maybe you have an exercise friend, mealtime friend, or a hobby friend.

Some of us are blessed to have all of these friends.

But do you have the friend that immediately looks at you and knows you’re not okay? The friend that will get on their knees beside you and lift your burdens to the throne? The friend that cries with you? Laughs with you? Does a happy dance around the living room to celebrate with you?

In my season of loneliness, God revealed how I had become transparent with the wrong people.  People who would never pray with me or for me.  People who would never open up God’s Word and cover my hurts and fears with Truth.

And He didn’t stop there.  God also showed me how I had intentionally avoided developing friendships where I would have this kind of person in my life, because I didn’t want Truth.  I had no desire to know what He said about my behaviors, thoughts and actions.

Can you relate?  Are there times in your life when you avoid the people in your life that will give you Truth?  And then we find ourselves wondering why life seems so out of control.

Sweet person reading these words – my heartfelt prayer for you is a friendship from God that far exceeds anything you thought possible.  And you find yourself rejoicing together over the answered prayers you have pray together.

He is faithful.

Consider

• Read the following verses. What do they teach about favoritism?
  • Genesis 25: 27-34
  • Genesis 37: 3-4
  • 1 Samuel 1: 5-6
  • Deut. 21: 15-16
  • Job 13:10
  • Acts 6:1
  • Romans 10: 12-13

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• James tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment in 2:13.
  • Has anyone ever extended mercy to you?
    • Describe how receiving mercy made you feel.
    • Is there anyone that you need to extend mercy? If yes, take action toward obedience.

Feeling ambitious?

Read the book of Jonah.

Write out every time mercy is shown in these 4 chapters.

Note the who, what, where, when and why.

What is revealed to you through these chapters about obedience and mercy?

 

 

 

 

But if you look for truthfulness

You Might as well be blind

It always seems to be so hard to give

Honesty is such a lonely word

Everyone is so untrue

Honesty is hardly ever heard

And mostly what I need from you

 

Words recorded by Billy Joel in 1978 –yet even more applicable today.  Beginning with the premise that truth is harder to find than love, Joel penned these words expressing that having love does not necessarily mean you have truth.  Originally titled, ‘Home Again,’ he felt the title didn’t fit the message and retitled ‘Honesty’ instead.

Though the haunting melody and catchy lyrics entertain, I find a deeper message here.  (Not that Billy Joel had this message in mind.)

Our world today is in desperate need of truth, but few of us are willing to honestly share the truth we know.

But first, we must understand there is a very big difference between honesty and truth.

According to a prominent attorney in a Forbes magazine article, “…being honest means not telling lies.  Being truthful means actively making known all the full truth of a matter. Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to truthful.”  (March 6, 2016)

Sadly, it seems many Christians feel this way in the world today.  We pat ourselves for not telling lies- yet fail miserably at actively making known the full TRUTH.

If we have accepted Jesus Christ, we have the only Truth.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  John 14:6

So what is the truth?

Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17

Everything from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 is truth.

Period.

The truth does not change, it does not adapt to the culture, nor bend for the approval of the masses, it does not change with passing trends, and it will not be watered down to excuse our constant abuse of it.

Now we certainly don’t mind being honest.  And we might even share a little truth if we are asked. But we genuinely struggle to actively make it known, like we are called to do.

Our blind world longs for truth but they are receiving something that only sounds good.

 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 2 Tim. 4:3  

And there are so many willing to tell them exactly what they want to hear and okay their lifestyles and habitual sins.

And those of us that know the Truth stand by on the sidelines watching the game too afraid to go in and get tackled.

Because if we are on the field, we will get tackled.

It’s inevitable.

But we are needed in the game.

The world needs those of us who love Jesus and who know truth to actively tell them those things.

We possess the playbook.

Our playbook has the winning play.

It’s game time.

Consider

• Read Ephesians 4: 17-31.
  • There are 7 commonalities between this passage and James 1: 19 – 21. What are they?

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• The word religion is used 5 times in the New Testament. Read the following verses:
  • James 1: 26-27
  • Acts 26:5
  • Col. 2:18 (translated worshipping)
    • How are you specifically practicing God’s Word and sharing it with others? Specifically consider your speech, service, and separation from the world.

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Read Matthew 13: 1-9 and 18-23
  • What are the four kinds of hearts?
    • Describe each one in your own words.
  • Which of these best describes your heart right now? Why?
    • Search for scriptures to pray about the condition of your heart.