Category: Wisdom

Posted on in Apologetics, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Worthy of Honor

I heard something interesting recently. One difference between praising God and worshiping God is how we talk about it. While the connection may be a little more complex, it made a lot of sense to me. Praise happens in the third person; that is, we talk about Him to people. We tell others how He is working in our lives. Worship is when we talk to God directly. We tell Him how amazing He is!

So, that has me thinking about how often I praise God versus how often I worship Him. I am the only one in all of creation who can worship and honor God like I do. And, you are the only one who can worship God in your way. We are made in His image, yet still unique.

One day soon, those who love God will be singing “holy, holy, holy.” So, if we don’t speak up or sing out, that part of the heavenly chorus is missing. Even so, during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem during Holy Week, Jesus said that if the people didn’t praise Him, then the rocks would cry out.

At church lately, we have been singing a song called “Worthy” by Elevation Worship. I can’t recall all the lyrics from one day to the next, but that doesn’t matter. All I need to remember is that only Jesus is worthy of my worship and praise. He is above all and greater than everything!

That song has been waking me up, and I am glad Jesus is on my mind first thing. Whatever I have going on in my day or life, Jesus is bigger and better. My problems are not problems for Jesus! He doesn’t face the same obstacles; He has overcome them all!

So, when I worship Him, I agree with Him. I come into alignment with Him and His purposes for me. When I praise, I tell others all about Jesus, and we build up our faith. As I pray, telling Jesus about my problems, those very same problems hear how strong and mighty Jesus is! It’s a good trade! My problems will either be resolved, or I will grow in His strength and handle them with His grace.

It all starts with Jesus. Only He is worthy of all our praise and worship. We must lay down anything else that would compete with Him. Your phone, job, hobby, schedule, distractions, not even your family… nothing and no one is worthy of all your praise and worship besides Jesus! Honor Him today!

When we seek Jesus first, He will take care of the rest! He is our treasure and our reward. We don’t have to strive because in Him is life and all we need.

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“Lord, You are more precious than silver, more costly than gold, and more beautiful than diamonds. Nothing I desire compares with You.” Help me live it out, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What does it mean for you when Jesus is greater than all of your problems, your schedule, your decisions? How does thinking of Jesus as your treasure and reward change your plans and your efforts today?

Task: Catch up on my old blog posts about praise and worship!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom

Finding Grace #532

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week flew by! We had a whirlwind mix of work, school events, and traveling!

Mother’s Day was on Sunday. We enjoyed church, seeing friends, and then relaxed. I am grateful for the love and support of so many wonderful ladies!

On Monday, I had an orthodontist appointment. We talked about my MARPE plan after the 3D mockup. The good news is that I am done with turns! I don’t have any other appointments until August, and then we will discuss our next steps.

On Tuesday, Lydia had her final middle school orchestra concert. (That’s hard to believe!!) In addition, she had to get a new (rental) viola because a seam was busted on her other one. She also got a new bow. At some point, we’ll have to decide if we keep renting or buy a viola. Decisions, decisions!

Wednesday evening was an orientation at the high school. Lydia is a little nervous but also excited about the fall. She has some experience already, having been there several times for Congress, Speech, and some orchestra events. Because of extracurricular activities, Lydia has grown in confidence this year, and I know God will be with her!

I crammed a lot of work into a few short days! Lots of patients and lots of charting, lol! My coworkers complimented me on my unique way of teaching difficult concepts in a practical, memorable way. That made me feel good, and I am glad they trust my input!

Friday was the thirteenth anniversary of Dave’s death. I have been able to take it off for several years in a row. It is a gift to myself, so I don’t have to pretend to be upbeat if I am not feeling it. It’s not that I will automatically feel sad, but I just give myself the day off so I can “be” and do whatever I want. We usually celebrate by doing fun things and eating good food in his honor.

The best part of the week is that we hopped onto a plane to visit family! Some of us went to a barefoot shoe expo today, and tonight we are hanging out with the others.

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Fan the Flame

Last Friday, I attended our church’s weekly prayer meeting. I am glad I went, though honestly, I considered skipping it since it had been a long week. Still, I decided to go with a good attitude and expectant heart, a sacrifice to honor the Lord.

I walked in, sat with a friend, and waved to a few more. It turned out to be a really good experience with the Lord! Just what I needed.

In addition to worship and prayer, we happened to have a special guest. He was an evangelist with roots in our church from about 45 years ago! He told some cool “God stories” and then gave a brief sermon.

The topic was about not quenching the Holy Spirit, protecting His holy fire in our hearts, and fanning the flame of our faith. Satan hates our relationship with God and wants to pull us away from all Jesus has for us. He wants to kill our passion and influence, and he is always looking for ways to get us off track.

So, if you find yourself disinterested or feeling blah about God’s work, then you need to fight to stay close to Jesus. Check your heart and discipline your flesh; consider fasting and re-establishing good boundaries. Get rid of distractions and tune your heart to the Master.

To fan the flame, we must pray without ceasing. Fervent prayer, mentioned in James 5:16, leads to tremendous power and spiritual energy. Prayer, quite simply, is a two way conversation. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we listen. That said, we also must steward our time, energy, and resources. How we love, pray, and serve matters. Let’s choose wisely!

We also fan the flame when we invest in our relationship with God. To start, we do this by praising Him, reading His word, talking to Him, and asking the Holy Spirit to help us. In the parable of the ten virgins, five were prepared with oil, and five missed out because they were not prepared. The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and the time we put in with Him to work in our lives. We cannot live off someone else’s faith!

Later, we were all praying together as the speaker closed. He went around and had a word of prophecy for a few of us. This is basically a special insight and calling out God’s truth in our lives. He addressed a few physical conditions with healing prayers. This included a couple of people with gut issues, and he then asked if there was anyone with neck issues. After a minute of no one stepping forward, I said, “Oh, maybe that’s me!” I was surprised!

He prayed for my neck, then asked a few questions about me (to get a fuller picture and make sense of things). I don’t recall all he said in the moment, but the main takeaway was that I felt “seen” by God. Yes, the healing words were important, but the personal connection with Jesus is what meant the most to me!

Sometimes we need those little personalized reminders of God’s love. He does not owe us anything; in fact, the opposite is true! But He is so kind and gracious to bless us. I would have rather stayed home, but in faith, I went, and He had a sweet message for me. Thank You, Jesus!

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Father God, thanks for meeting me on a personal level! Thanks for encouraging me and bringing healing to my life. In You, I have everything I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you had a personal connection with Jesus lately? When was the last time you felt the fire of faith?

Task: Fan the flame of faith today and don’t let the devil steal your joy. Spend time with Jesus like your life depends on it! Spiritually, it does!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Helping or Hindering?

On Monday, I was teaching a class, the fifth in a series on healthy lifestyle changes. Now, Veterans are at a higher risk of essentially any illness or chronic condition you can think of compared to the general population. This includes financial concerns, relationship problems, PTSD, drug abuse, alcoholism, and homelessness.

Many of the Veterans in my class were struggling with a variety of issues. Sadly, that is to be expected on some level. But the class was meant to introduce some action steps to address some of the health issues and perhaps ease their mental and emotional concerns as well. We talked about nutrition, stress management, sleep, exercise, resiliency, gratitude, etc.

What struck me was that even as the class ended, many of the people were still stuck in the past. One person would ask a question or share an experience, then others would chime in and commiserate. There were some tears and some laughter, and I think it was a good thing overall. However, some of the people almost worked themselves up as a result.

It was as if they couldn’t let themselves rest or relax. I know hypervigilance is common and can be difficult to change, yet letting go of what we cannot control (past, present, and future) is vital. In Romans 12, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I wanted to share that Jesus calls us to bring our burdens to Him, but that wasn’t really the scope of the class. Instead, I sprinkled tidbits of faith here and there. 

I did not feel called to share my story, but I did explain that we all have past hardships, trauma, or grief. No one is immune. But we must check our words and even our thoughts in order to keep moving forward.

Several people made up their minds to try new things, but I’m curious how many of them will let go of their anxiety and worry, understanding that we don’t “have to” live in fear. I will be praying for the class that they might take a step of faith and trust Jesus. I’ll pray they realize how much God loves them and wants to give them His joy and peace.

Our stories — and how we tell them — are powerful. We can rehash all the old hurts and fears, or we can let the Lord redeem them and make something beautiful out of our darkest moments. It’s never easy, but it is our choice to make.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for setting us free from all our burdens – sin, shame, sickness – so we don’t have to stay stuck. Help us walk in that freedom and grace. Keep us close to You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are the stories you are telling yourself (or others) helping or hindering your healing? What’s one step you can take to keep moving forward?

Task: Write down a few key turning points in your life story, whether joyful or painful. Then, rewrite them using God’s perspective – see the story through the lens of Jesus and how He may want to use it for His glory and your good.

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

No Joke!

Happy April 1st! Or as some may say, April Fools Day! I don’t have any tricks for you, but I am here to say that connecting with God is no joke! It’s the most important part of your day!

I try to meet with God each morning before life happens or distractions creep in. However, sometimes, I am still sleepy or just don’t connect as easily. I am working on my sleep routine, as it is fairly common for most of us. But, I don’t want to miss Jesus!

Yesterday, I was reflecting on Holy Week and even read that part of Scripture. Still, I was having trouble focusing. Now that my work schedule has changed to full-time hours, my whole morning has shifted earlier. I am doing well, but still figuring out the timing so I am not late.

So, on my drive to work, I skipped the usual audiobook or podcast about God and took the opportunity to connect with Him personally. (That is the point!!) Often, I’ll meditate on a specific Bible verse, but yesterday, I just sang an old song from the heart.

I learned the song at summer Bible camp as a teenager, but it came to me again. I sang it a few times and then broke it down phrase by phrase.

“You are love, You are life, You are LORD over everything.
Alpha, Omega, Jehovah the King of kings.
Wonderful way maker worthy of my offering.
Hallowed be Thy Name.”

What does it mean when it says God is love and life? I am so grateful to be able to recognize and receive His love and live the life He predestined for me (Ephesians 2:10).

What does it mean for Him to be LORD over everything, or the Alpha and Omega? In Revelation, we see Jesus say this: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” He is before all things, and all things were created through Him and for Him.

What does Jehovah mean, and why is Jesus the King of Kings? Jehovah is similar to Yahweh, the name God revealed to Moses in the desert. As King of Kings, Jesus reigns over every part of creation. He reigns over outer space, our world, each country, and each person. There is nothing not within His dominion. So, we can trust that He is in control.

What does wonderful way maker mean? For me, this is something I rely on daily! I am always asking God to make a way for me, or to show me His path forward, or to help me figure out the next steps. I love how faithful He is to constantly guide me and provide steady direction when I need it most.

Finally, I ended with two portions of the chorus. Hallowed by thy name is talking about holiness. God is above all and separate due to His nature, and therefore He is worthy of all our praise. We cannot do anything without Him!

As you can see, God’s love for us is no joke! This Holy week is evidence in that Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, to redeem us so we can be with Him forever. Then, as further proof, God raised Him from the dead. Indeed, His Resurrection is our Victory, too!

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God, thank You for sending Jesus as our perfect sacrifice. Thanks for not waiting for us to get everything right. We praise Jesus for being our righteousness. Help us as we continually refocus and live for You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you connect with God in the morning? What questions do you have about Jesus’ death and Resurrection?

Task: If we don’t have a plan, we will fail to accomplish our goal of connecting with God. So, pick a passage of Scripture to meditate upon today. You could start with the Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 23, or Luke 12:27-31.

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

The In-Between

Right now, there is a lot going on in my life and in the lives of those I love. Not to mention the broader context of our nation or world. There are some really good things… and some not.  All around me, people need money, jobs, healing, comfort, and peace.

Regardless of how we think or feel, we can trust Jesus. When we can’t see all the details, we can trust Jesus. When we don’t understand how it could possibly work out, we can trust Jesus.

When we are in the in-between, that place between where we were and where we want or need to be, we can trust Jesus and lean on Him. It might be awkward, painful, or messy. Or, it might be pretty good sometimes. Whatever you are facing, He knows all about it.

To build our faith in these dire times, we can review all the ways He has come through in the past. In Psalm 136 ESV, we read of His faithfulness to generations past:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.”

 All hope is NOT lost in the in-between. God is moving in ways you cannot fathom. Over and over, these ancient words remind His people to give thanks.

Our Victory is already won because of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection. We can fully rest in His finished work. We don’t have to add or do anything else, and really, what else could even compare?

Our beloved Father’s steadfast love endures forever! May you soak in His love, grace, and faithfulness today. Praise the Lord!

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Almighty God, You are steadfast and so is Your love for us. You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now. Knowing that, may we fully walk in Your grace and love today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has Jesus been good and faithful to you this week, this month, this year?

Task: Take a moment and reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness. He is the One who makes things happen, and He is working it all out for you! Make a list of all the good things He has done for you AND all the tough things He has brought you through! Then, thank Him and praise Him!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Finding Grace #524

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was good overall. The only negative thing was that my left ear popped on both Tuesday and Thursday as a result of my MARPE journey. The bones in my face are slowly moving around, and I think the pressure changes forced air out of my ear. It was very painful, as if the bones collapsed. Thankfully, this is fairly common, and my ear was not damaged at all. It was just a little shocking since it came out of nowhere… once, I was driving! Later, I recognized the same thing happened to my nose a month ago… The jolt feels like someone punched me, but only lasts a few seconds. On Thursday, the pain radiated down my jaw and lasted for around 36 hours, and I called my orthodontist. I have been praying that God would prevent this from happening again because it is scary. Still, I know I don’t ‘have to’ be afraid.

On Monday afternoon, I got my taxes done and then had a chiropractor appointment. I am so grateful for all the ways God provides for Lydia and me! I am getting a small refund, and I really appreciate how He works things out in my favor. That’s grace.

Lydia and I talked about confidence this week. She was feeling down, and I listened to her concerns and offered encouragement. We all feel that way sometimes, and it is not good to compare ourselves with others. I coached her through some issues and pointed her back to Scripture and Jesus. I pray she is on the right track now. All glory to God who always helps me with my parenting; He is such a good Father.

Today, Lydia celebrated the beginning of Spring with a little shopping. We just had fun going around town and buying some clothes and trinkets. We also got some fancy drinks and some Chik-Fil-A. Tonight, we are relaxing while watching a movie!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Not Luck But Grace

Not quite two months ago, I started my MARPE orthodontic journey. I have had some routine follow-ups, and I am turning the device (cranking it each morning with a small wrench). I now have a small gap between my teeth!

My speech is improving, though sometimes, my words still sound garbled. I think I talk so much for work that my mouth just gets tired! It helps to swallow or drink some water. My patients have been kind and understanding when I explain the situation. I just don’t want to hinder their understanding of me!

Eating is still a bit of a challenge, but I am doing well overall. I am able to eat more variety now. I take my time and eat slowly as much as possible. But at work, it is more challenging. As it is, my lunch break is sometimes cut short due to patient care or interruptions. So, the thirty minutes fly by considering all that needs to be done to eat, brush my teeth, and clean food out of my MARPE device!

Mostly, I am eating simple soft foods, like beans and rice for lunch. I can add veggies chopped up in my food processor, too. I will probably branch out and add new things at some point, but these are easiest for now.

My coworker, another Registered Dietitian, said I was the perfect person to go through the MARPE experience because I can figure out how to eat well. 🙂 Notice the small gap in my upper teeth in this St. Patrick’s Day photo at work yesterday!

This week, I started teaching a multi-week class for Veterans. I will be educating them on how to add more anti-inflammatory foods (such as fruits and vegetables). I told them about my MARPE journey to explain why I might be talking a little strangely. Also, I explained how trying new foods can sometimes be awkward, but it is so important to give it all they’ve got. I said, “If I can do this MARPE journey, which is rather awkward, you can add some broccoli and cabbage and figure out how to cook them.”

Good health is not luck. It is God’s gracious blessing and takes discipline to maintain it. We must build good habits and do the difficult work: chop those veggies, manage stress, go to bed on time, and exercise, etc. I am convinced that even then, it is God’s grace that sustains us. We cannot guarantee a long, healthy life. Sometimes people still die prematurely, yet we can trust that God has numbered our days and will fulfill His plan in our lives.

I am grateful for what God is doing in my mouth through the MARPE. Moreover, I am excited to see how He uses me (and my mouth!) to continue to bless and serve others. He is so good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the work You are doing in my life (and my mouth!). Help me use everything You’ve given me for Your glory. May my mouth bring You praise and glory! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What’s one step you can take to promote healthful personal habits today? If you don’t make that change, how will that affect your health over time?

Task: Please continue to pray for my mouth and MARPE journey. My teeth are often sore, and I would still very much like to avoid any further surgeries. Thank you!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Sitting In the Silence

There is so much going on in the world right now, and much of it can be overwhelming. On the flipside, it is tempting just to ignore it ala ‘ostrich style’ and bury our heads in the sand. We don’t really have that luxury, though!

Here and abroad, violence, politics, and social issues are taking up many of the headlines, not to mention retaliation, fearmongering, persecution, misunderstandings, and twisting the Truth. Some of these issues affect people I know, while others are more distant. But on the whole, they are concerning. We are moving ever-closer to the end (Revelation!).

In times like these, I am more grateful for the hope we have in Jesus. We don’t have to shoulder these burdens alone. We can submit all our fears and concerns to Him; Jesus is more than capable and will take care of them in His timing.

It is good to be aware, stay informed, speak up, and take action. But sometimes, it is best to disconnect from the media and stay close to the Lord. As we fix our gaze on Him, He calms our hearts and instills courage. He may lead us to get involved in an issue, or He may direct us stay the course and carry on with whatever He has already told us to do. It’s unlikely I will change the whole world, but I can impact my little corner of it. (Galatians 5:22-23 and Galatians 6:9).

I find that being too busy is the worst thing when I want to hear from the Lord and find His peace. I have to let go of expectations, turn off the noise, lay aside my phone, and just sit with Him so I can tune in and listen. I might read the Bible or journal. I might sit in silence or sing a worship song. The goal is to seek God’s heart, and that takes time and intention.

Artificial Intelligence can make it difficult to know what is true, similar to someone fired up on the internet! Pick a topic; either way, people make assumptions and generally don’t check the facts or care to present all sides of the issue.

Yet, when we sit in silence and wait on the Lord, we are reminded that all Truth belongs to Jesus because He is the Truth (John 14:6). All details, data, and decisions must be filtered through His lens. Sitting in silence does not mean remaining silent or squandering a God-given opportunity to make a difference. It just means submitting to the Lord’s timing and plan first, waiting on Him instead of forging ahead on my own.

When I read a post online, sometimes I wonder if I am doing “enough.” People debate whether Jesus would do this or that… when statistics show they’ve likely never read the Bible in its entirety. Do they actually know the real Jesus, or just a cultural idea of Him? Then, I think about all I do daily to provide insight or to listen to patients, friends, family, etc. I would much rather pray and respond in my actual life than get into a heated debate with a stranger I’ll never meet in person or someone I only run into a few times a year (or less).

I don’t generally share all my thoughts and opinions in person, let alone on the internet! But that doesn’t mean I don’t have ideas to share. I generally prefer to wait, gather well-rounded information, and share it with those I know personally. We don’t have to agree, but we can have a respectful conversation!

The key for me is sitting with the Lord and listening, so I know what to say when the Holy Spirit gives me the opportunity. His words are life and peace. We have the ability to bring His merciful conviction or gracious comfort to a world in desperate need. But, we can’t be in a rush or ignore Him!

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Lord, thanks for giving us peace, grace, wisdom, and courage. Help us listen to You today and be willing to pivot in a new direction, as needed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have a difficult time hearing from God? What is He telling you today?

Task: Sit with the Lord today. Lay aside any distractions and be willing to sit in silence, if that’s what it takes. Write down anything He tells you for future reference.

Posted on in Apologetics, Books and Movies I Like, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Wisdom

A Bird’s-Eye View of the Gospel

This week, I finished one of my church training courses! It was about the Synoptic Gospels, that is, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These books have a lot in common, so they are grouped together. We may see them as biographies of Jesus Christ, though they actually provide little detail about his early life. Mostly, they capture the three years of Jesus’ ministry.

The course was not a super deep dive, but it helped me to see the bird’s-eye view. As I read my Bible alongside the course, it was cool to envision the authors’ word choices and what they included or left out. Of course, they were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, who is the main Author.

As an author myself, I also felt this way when I was scribing the Gospel of John. It is fascinating to understand the overall purpose, the grouping of texts, and why things aren’t always chronological. It is even more amazing that, despite their differences, each of the four Gospels contributes to our understanding of Jesus. In fact, if they all ‘matched’ in details, that would signify possible collaboration and lead to speculation.

I’ve heard the parallel that if you and I were at the scene of a car crash, we could each give our report to the police. However, I might focus on who ran the red light, and you might focus on how many passengers in each car were hurt. We’d have different perspectives, but we’d have a more complete story.

Matthew, an eyewitness and disciple of Jesus, writes for a Jewish audience to show Jesus is the Messiah and King. It opens with the genealogy of Jesus, a perfect bridge between the Old and New Testaments, as lineage remains an important concept for Jewish people today. Matthew groups teaching topics together, such as the Sermon on the Mount in Chapters 5-7. Also, he writes of the Kingdom of Heaven because the Jews do not like to say God’s Name, out of respect.

Mark is next in our Bibles. He likely captured Peter’s account before Peter was martyred in Rome. Mark’s Gospel is full of action and urgency, with every other paragraph starting with ‘at once, or immediately, or after that.’ The Romans loved action, and Mark focused more on what Jesus did rather than what He said. Jesus is shown to be the Suffering Servant.

Luke’s perspective is broader, and we find the most information about Jesus’ childhood. Luke, a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, wrote for the Greeks, and he uses classical Greek methods to portray Jesus as the Son of God. Luke talks more about the body and medical conditions because the Greeks were focused on these things. (Think about Hippocrates, the “Father of Modern Medicine,” or the physicality of Greek sculptures.) Luke shows that Jesus is for everyone.

Mark’s Gospel was likely written first, and Matthew and Luke then drew on Mark’s content and added their own material. Mark was written around 58-65 AD, while the other two were written around 60-69 AD. The Apostle John wrote his gospel, much later, likely in the 90s AD, along with Revelation. His perspective was to show the signs of Jesus being God, Messiah, and Savior. I love that he took a different strategy altogether.

I also learned more about Jesus’ parables and miracles. He did more than what is recorded, but what we have in the Gospels is sufficient for our faith. (John 20:30-31). Parables were used to hide the truth from those who opposed Jesus and to reveal it to those who cared enough to seek it. They are simple stories to show Kingdom principles. Miracles are unusual events that would not normally occur without an outside force or power. In the Bible, Jesus’ miracles demonstrated His power over Nature and illness.

Overall, this was a great course. The more I read and learn about the Bible, the more I am amazed. My favorite part was piecing together the chronology of Jesus’ life and ministry. It helped me understand the story better and avoid getting lost in the middle. I am looking forward to the next course on Acts!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your Word and Truth. Teach us Your ways and help us to walk in Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Which is your favorite of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John?

Tasks: For a cool chronological way to read the gospels, check out PlusNothing.org. For a great book on understanding Jesus’ parables, check out this book by John MacArthur. Read this article about the reliability of the New Testament compared to other ancient texts. The Bible wins, hands down!