Tag: trusting God

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Procrastination, Wisdom

What Are You Waiting For?

We spend a fair amount of our time waiting. Waiting for the elevator, green light, and next cash register. Waiting for the mail, waiting for our kids to get dressed, and waiting on the phone for technical support.

Whether we’re waiting for answers, waiting for a promotion, or just waiting for Spring, it’s easy to feel discouraged when we don’t see our circumstances changing as quickly as we want.

While we wait for breakthrough, we can doubt ourselves. Day by day, we can grow discouraged. Am I on the right track? Why did I think I could do this? This is more difficult than I thought. I’ll never finish this…

We can also doubt God in times of waiting. Fear, in combination with doubt, can make us misunderstand our Heavenly Father’s intention toward us. We may feel pretty desperate when we can’t feel His love.

But when I look at life through God’s lens, I see that, quite often, God is waiting for us!! Waiting for us to do what He said (obey), waiting for us to stop trying to control outcomes, waiting for us to have a better attitude…

God only has good in store for us. Instead of giving up on us, He gently coaches us along. If we seek Him while we wait, the time seems to be better spent.

When I think about it that way, it prompts me to consider how closely I am following Jesus. I want to walk in step with Him because then I will be in His perfect timing.

I don’t want to miss anything He has for me!

Praise God, there are several things we never have to wait for. To start, we have immediate access to God’s presence, salvation, and forgiveness. Today is the day of salvation!

We don’t have to wait on God to listen to Him, trust Him, obey Him, gain godly wisdom, or have internal peace. We also don’t have to wait to be kind, gentle, or gracious to others!

God is faithful. He knows exactly what we need…when we need it.

He is not slow in keeping His promises… He is patient with us. His love never fails!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for being so patient with me. Help me walk closely in-step with You, Lord. Help me listen and obey as You lead me. Thank you for directing my path! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What are you waiting for currently? Are you doing everything God has asked you to do?

Task: Determine to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading. It may be difficult, but He is eager to help you!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Worship

MercyMe at the Movies

Over the years, I have grown more comfortable going to see movies on my own. The crazy thing is… it always seems God that meets me at the theater! I’m not joking! Each time I go by myself something interesting happens…

Yesterday, I went to see a matinee showing of “I Can Only Imagine.” I went to a matinee during school hours. As soon as I walked in the door to buy my ticket, my friend, Gwen, ran over to greet me.

I didn’t see Gwen standing there so it was a funny surprise. She was waiting for a friend who I found out was my former neighbor. Lori recognized me from when she and her family still lived on our block. Now, she and her family live out of town near Gwen; their kids go to school together.

We briefly caught up and decided to sit together during the movie. Seeing these ladies was a cool and unexpected blessing. I had considered going to an earlier showing yesterday but decided to run errands instead. I’m so grateful God directs our steps!

The movie told the story behind the hit song of the same name. The movie, in my opinion, was not overly religious…but it was very real. It did not hide the character’s pain or gloss over ugly details. I loved seeing how a relationship with Jesus changes everything.

The main character, Bart Millard, grew up in an abusive household. But when he was in high school, his father started seeking the Lord. It was challenging for Bart to forgive his father, but he did. Praise God, his dad was transformed into a new man! He and Bart improved their relationship before it was too late.

For me, the story, told in the song and movie, highlights what Easter is all about—REDEMPTION. Jesus Christ loved us so much that came to earth and He gave His life on the cross for us. His blood paid the price of our sin and took away the punishment we ourselves deserve: Death. We could never accomplish that on our own.

The movie was a great reminder that Jesus never gives up on us! No one is beyond His salvation. He wants everyone to come to Him… What grace!

But, God didn’t stop there. On Resurrection Sunday, Jesus rose to life again through the power of the Holy Spirit. The best part is that when we accept what Jesus did for us, we are forgiven AND we also receive a new life. We are transformed from the inside out.

Knowing Jesus gives us hope for our future in Heaven—but He also gives us new purpose today. Not only do we have redemption but Jesus also brings RESTORATION.

Jesus renews us and makes us whole. We have new opportunities and can make good choices that honor Him. Because of Jesus, we also can live with joy and fulfillment even in the midst of painful circumstances. Trust me… I know!

We don’t need all the answers to walk by faith. Some situations may years to resolve, but we know that someday, Jesus will make everything right. He is faithful and just!

How awesome that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us, too!  Not only are we forgiven and have peace with God, but the Holy Spirit’s power is our strength when we ourselves are weak. He enables us to do far more than we can think or imagine according to His power working in us (see Ephesians 3:20)!

Though we should all encourage each other and work together to glorify Jesus, God has made each of us for a unique role. Therefore, how He works in each of our lives may also look different. We don’t need to compare ourselves! 

For me, having God’s power alive and active inside of me means I can choose to walk by faith instead of fear. I have Victory over fear. I am FREE and don’t have to be afraid!

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Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross for me! Thanks for giving me new life and freedom. Help me live boldly and walk by faith. Renew me and transform me from the inside out. In Your Name, Amen.

Questions: Have you received God’s free gift of salvation? From what has Jesus redeemed you?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by MercyMe. Read this article about the song and movie! And, go see the movie! 🙂

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom, Worship

Trusting God in Transition

Happy Spring!! I hope you are enjoying sunshine and warmth!!

Here in Fargo…it still looks like winter. In fact, we just got another dusting of snow again this week. However, the snow won’t last long. Change is on its way!

I’m thankful that I chose last week to travel to my hometown in Illinois rather than this week. Because the Lord directed our path and timing, we didn’t have to travel on wet or icy roads. Thank You, Jesus!

Soon, my mom and dad won’t have to deal with snow in Florida!

As my parents finish packing and head south, I have been thinking about life in our small community. Local friends are rallying around my mom and dad to show support, share a meal, and send them off.

Clearly, I’m not the only one grateful for their influence and impact. They have quite a legacy of servant leadership, faithfulness, kindness, and generosity!

I’ve also been recalling all of our memories in the home they built. Since I have been in Fargo for several years, distance has created ’emotional space’ regarding the actual house.

But still, it does seem odd not to be able to call it HOME for much longer… 

Nonetheless, I’m proud of my parents for making the transition. They have been talking about it for a long time. And, I’ve also happily acquired some treasured items from their 43 years of marriage (so far). Bonus!

Moving can be difficult as familiarity is left behind….but I know from personal experience how rewarding it can be to jump into the unknown.

Besides, it’s normal to have new challenges now and then. They remind us this world is not our home… Let’s keep moving forward. God has so much more in store!

God promises to be faithful to those who love and follow Him… Jesus is not bound by zipcodes, timezones, weather, the postal service, or any airline. I know He will take care of my parents just as well in Florida! It is a new adventure!

Transitions can be both scary and exciting. The best part is that times of transition can draw us closer to Jesus. But it’s our choice whether to draw near…

We all have times in our lives where our faith is challenged and doubts creep in. But, if we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, we will remain steady. He is our Rock and our sure foundation. Our hope is in Him.

With Jesus, nothing of value is really lost. Most of us prefer safety and comfort over uncertainty, but everything that truly matters is secure in Christ. We find true peace and rest in Jesus. He will never let us down!

So… I take comfort in those wonderful memories of growing up in the country. I appreciate all the time we spent outdoors and as a family. But, I also look forward to creating new memories… at the beach!

God is good and His plans for us are also good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your love and grace. Thanks for protecting and providing so well for us. In times of transition, help us to rest and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you in a time of transition? How can you trust Jesus to help you thrive?

Tasks: Ultimately, this world is not our home… Listen to the song, ‘Home‘ by Chris Tomlin.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Worship

I Belong to God

Last Friday night, I, along with three other ladies, spoke at a women’s event at our church. We each briefly shared our stories as it related to the theme: I Belong to God.

Ironically, each of us interpreted the theme differently, but each story provided a unique angle and gave a deeper, more well-rounded view of the theme. How cool!

One lady shared about how she doesn’t always feel like she belongs. She often feels outside the social circle, but with Jesus, she never has to feel that way.

Another lady shared about how belonging to Christ gives her identity. She shared how she has grown over the years as she understood who she is in Christ.

I shared a quick version of my story, and the fourth lady’s story was about saying yes to God’s call. We also sang worship songs in between testimonies.

For my story, I shared I had grown up in a Christian home and met Jesus at a young age. While I had the head knowledge that Jesus loved me, in my heart, I was afraid.

Looking back, it was difficult for me to put a finger on the root of my fear—and because I couldn’t figure out exactly what the problem was, I never really dealt with it. I just let it become a stronghold over the years. In some ways, fear became my comfort zone.

Then, I shared about moving to Fargo and about our cancer journey. What an emotional roller coaster! It wasn’t easy—our faith was stretched thin at times—but we chose to trust Jesus. And, He really did come through for us in so many ways.

When everything in my life fell apart, God was there to catch me and pick up the pieces. I saw that He is bigger than all my worst fears and was the only sure thing that remained after Dave died. He has taken such good care of me and my daughter, Lydia.

Recently, I came across a quote by Emily Freeman: She says, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.” I love that because we all find ourselves in unexpected situations and seasons that we didn’t plan.

If you are facing a choice between FEAR and FAITH, choose faith.

When you belong to God, you can cling to Him in the midst of uncertainty. You can trust in His provision. And, you can rest in His grace. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. He’s got you covered!

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Heavenly Father, You are so good! Thanks for setting me free from fear. Help me walk in Your grace and live for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your story and does it include Jesus? Have you ever written it down or shared it with someone?

Tasks: Write down the evidence of God’s grace in your life—share them someone who needs encouragement. Listen to the song, “It Is Well” by Kristene DiMarco and Bethel Music.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Worship

Finding Grace #105

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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 I really relied on my neighbors! On Sunday, Lydia across the street while I had a meeting at church. I could have taken Lydia with me, perhaps, but she was much more excited to go play with her friends. I was grateful.

Then, Monday turned out to be a snow day and school was canceled! I was glad but had planned to stay home that day anyway. Lydia and I relaxed at home, other than a phone meeting with my writing coach. With the blizzardy weather, I was going to wait until later in the day to clear snow. While I was on the phone, my neighbors came and cleared my driveway and sidewalks. It was totally unexpected and such a blessing.

Tuesday and Wednesday were normal work days. On Tuesday, another friend stopped by to see if I needed help with the snow. It was already done, but we had a good conversation instead. In the evenings, we also finished up cheerleading and JBQ seasons. It will be nice to have our evenings a little freer.

On Friday, Lydia was off for a planned teacher day. She kept busy reading and playing, while I prepared for a talk that night at church. I was sharing my story with some other ladies for a women’s worship night. It was a fun event, and Lydia once again went across the street to visit the neighbors!

The weather has been slowly getting warmer. It is supposed to be in the 30s this next week, and I am sure the snow will be melting even more. Spring is almost here!

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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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

More Than Anything

My friends and I are moving along as we scribe the Gospel of John. We are each going at our own pace, and I am enjoying the slower process. I’m somewhere in the middle of the pack and just started John Chapter 6 this week.

The first real ‘story’ in John 6 is when Jesus feeds the 5,000 people. When adding the women and children, there would have been many more! This miracle is one that gets a lot of ‘attention’ and as such, it is easy to focus on this ‘big’ event.

But just before that story, I saw something small that I must have previously overlooked. John 6:2 (NLT), says of Jesus, “A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.”

Verse 2 stood out to me because of the sense of desperation it portrays. Perhaps the dry, barren desert setting makes it more dramatic… but it seems these people were desperate for signs and breakthrough, not necessarily Jesus Himself.

Lately, I have seen a ton of answers to prayer both for myself and other—both big and small. It is amazing how God meets our needs in creative ways! However, verse 2 is a great gut-check to make sure I am actually seeking JESUS, not just what He can do for me.

I certainly have felt pretty desperate at times, as I am sure you have, too. Thankfully, whenever I feel like that, I have learned to seek the Lord more intently.

I think I am on the right track, but I will be meditating on this for a few days. I can only imagine how Jesus must’ve felt when people just wanted to use Him.

Yet, despite all that, Jesus had compassion on the people and continued to minister to their needs… hence, the story of feeding the 5,000 people (and the rest of the chapter). Wow! What grace.

Indeed, there are times when life does feel pretty desperate. Each season has its own challenges. We all have ups and downs, but hopefully, our trials turn us to Jesus.

JESUS is the ultimate solution to any problem we face. He knows exactly what we need and always comes through for us! He is faithful.

Yes, Jesus uses people and circumstances to meet our needs (and vice versa), but clearly, our help originates with Him. When we start with Jesus, everything else works out, too.

When I feel overwhelmed, I remember that Jesus has already OVERCOME! I can persevere because He is my strength when I am weak. In Jesus, I have Victory!

Jesus doesn’t just bring healing—He is the Healer. He doesn’t just come to the rescue, saving us—He is the Savior. His gifts lead us back to Him, the Giver. He is so good!

When life’s trials grow intense, may we seek Jesus more than anything else! But let’s not wait until trials come and we grow desperate. Let’s seek Jesus even when life is good. Only He satisfies.

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God, thanks for taking such great care of me. You are so good. But, Lord, I want YOU, Jesus, more than what you do for me. Please help me want you more than anything. In Your Name, Amen

Questions: When trials come, do you seek Jesus first? Do you seek Him even before trials come?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “More Than Anything” by Natalie Grant.

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

My All In All

Recently, I ran into a friend that I haven’t seen for several months. As we briefly caught up, he said that if I needed help with things around the house to keep him posted.

He said, “I know you’re pretty self-sufficient, but if you need help with clearing snow, let me know.” It was a kind offer but on the flip-side almost seemed as if he was implying that I could probably take care of it…so perhaps I don’t really need help…

At first, I just laughed and said thanks. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Besides, when it snows, I am outside by 5:30 in the morning if it is a school-and-work day. I don’t have much time to wait—and would not expect someone to come that early!

Still, the idea of self-sufficiency stood out to me. My friend doesn’t know that I have lyrics to the song, ‘Lord, I Need You‘ by Matt Maher next to my bathroom mirror…and the song comes up right away in my google search bar.

Yes, every hour I need the Lord… and with His help, I do what needs to be done.

Growing up, I gained a good work ethic and a variety of skills that serve me well in this stage of life. Perhaps reading all those ‘Wild West’ pioneer stories about women on the frontier helped develop fortitude, too! 😉

There is no need to apologize for being independent…because life can be tough!

But for me, it’s less about self-reliance and more about God’s grace and provision. I know if God leads me to something, He will help me through it. My goal is to do my best for Him.

I know so many people have more difficulties than I do, so I don’t ever want to take my situation for granted. Generally, I try to have a good attitude and not complain…

Honestly, every day has unique challenges. But in most cases, I just grin and bear it…and try to keep moving forward. Those closest to me know I don’t have it all together. 🙂 So it seems that other people probably just don’t see me struggle.

After talking to my friend, I read John 5. Verse 19 caught my attention: “Jesus gave them this answer: ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'”

The entire passage is good, but for me, this verse was a good gut-check. Am I trying to do too much on my own? Do I seek the Lord’s input as I go about my day? Do I readily ask for His help or struggle unnecessarily?

No matter what, I can always choose to depend on the Lord more! He alone is my sufficiency. Everything I need to be is in Jesus; I cannot be productive or effective without Him. It is vain to attempt anything in my own strength. Trust me, it never goes as smoothly!

Jesus is strong when I am weak. His grace covers me. His love carries me.

He always comes through for me!

I love that God is always working in me, through me, with me, and for me…to bless others and bring Him glory. If I just focus on what God is doing around me and join Him, everything else will take care of itself. I don’t have to do everything, just that ONE thing.

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Father God, how great is Your love! Thanks for the reminder that You are all I need. Your grace is sufficient! Help me remember to come to for help…first thing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you consider yourself to be self-sufficient or independent? What are your best skills? Do you let God use your skills and tailor them for His purposes?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “My All In All” by Phil Wickham. Rely on Jesus!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

On Feelings and Frostbite

Yesterday (Tuesday), I had the opportunity to speak at a local moms group. By request, I shared my story in light of making end-of-life decisions. My goal was to provide perspective and offer basic information for these moms.

Through a casual conversation, we discussed wills, trusts, life insurance, and more. To be clear, I am not an expert on any of these topics. But I have experienced the how-tos and what-not-to-dos.

I also recommended these ladies consult with an attorney, accountant, and/or a financial planner. I don’t recommend taking a lot of unwarranted risks in these areas!

I really enjoyed speaking with these moms, and afterward, I went to work like usual. But the emotions caught up with me there (unexpectedly), as my coworker and I just-so-happened to discuss similar topics. Gotta love God’s timing!

Occasionally, I still get a little teary-eyed when discussing all we went through with cancer. And lately, I have been reflecting on our journey more anyway…

I know March will be here soon, and I can’t help but think of two important times. First, I recall March 2010 when Dave found his job in Fargo. We moved later that year, which set the stage for other big life changes.

I’ve also been thinking of March 2013 when Dave was so sick and near death (he died in May that year). That was a tumultuous time and we felt desperate.

This flux of emotions tends to cycle through periodically, though as we move toward March, I have felt it more. Perhaps that’s because we are also fast-approaching another milestone: the five year anniversary of Dave’s death.

Yesterday, we also received several inches of snow. That’s not unusual for February, but I still had to blow snow in the dark of morning and shovel twice. For me, snow removal builds character (ha!), but yesterday, I was more reflective.

In the afternoon, I shoveled away the snow and contemplated my sadness. The physical activity was good for me and channeled my emotions into something productive.

I thought it would be a quick job, so didn’t change out of my work clothes. I wore lightweight dress pants and my lightweight gloves. I didn’t wear a hat and my hood kept falling off. I wanted to work quickly so my fingers wouldn’t freeze!

After about twenty minutes, I thought about going inside to warm up. But, I was still praying through my emotions and just wanted to finish. I threw more snow on already-high mounds. It was difficult because it required a lot of effort to corral the snow!

Soon, my fingers weren’t cold anymore—they were numb.

It was only when I came in about fifteen minutes later that I noticed my fingers again. They were bright red and tingled, like other parts of my skin. There was no frostbite, but that’s not unheard of with extreme wind chills like we have in Fargo.

Thankfully, I had gotten through both the snow and the rough emotions.

Praise God, I felt so much better!

As I put away my snow shovel, I thought about how people manage their emotions in a similar manner. Many people try to ‘shovel away’ their sorrows, without actually understanding the pain. It’s like having spiritual or emotional frostbite.

They bury sadness and grief, frustration and remorse, anger and resentment without dealing with them. They don’t allow themselves the time to heal. Some people freeze their feelings, becoming numb and unable to function properly.

For me, the pain can still feel rough at times, though it has gotten much better overall.

Nonetheless, I still allow myself to feel my emotions and pray them through. The feelings don’t last forever, and I know it will be okay…sooner or later.  

Like snow, healing is messy. It can be difficult work to decipher our feelings and keep them contained. Yet, I always learn more about myself in the process. Reaching a new level of healing or self-understanding isn’t always fun…but it is a valuable gift!

Yesterday, I was also reminded of God’s grace and goodness. Only He can bring full healing. And, the more I share my story, the more grateful I become.

God has been so faithful to me. He has provided for me in ways I cannot even explain. Despite my losses, He has never let me down. What Victory!

Yes, when everything feels like it is falling apart, Jesus is there. He is greater than my pain or problems, and He loves me through each trial. He protects me and allows me to be myself—feelings and all. By His grace, He holds me together!

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Dear God, thank You so much for your grace and goodness. Thanks for taking such great care of me. Please direct my path and guide me on this journey. Thanks that I don’t have to get stuck emotionally. I choose to move forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you experienced any signs of spiritual or emotional frostbite? Will you let Jesus handle it?

Tasks: Listen to ‘King of My Heart’ by Kutless and ‘I Will Call Upon the Lord’ by Elevation Worship. Write down your feelings and experiences in a journal. Trust in Jesus!

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Valentine’s Victories

A couple weeks ago, I was discouraged when I received some not-so-great feedback on a writing project. My writing coach thought I could do a better job. I was rather disheartened until a friend popped into my office unexpectedly and encouraged me.

So imagine my relief on Monday of this week when I received positive feedback instead! I had revised the same material from before and my writing coach was pleased with the improvements.

As we talked, I explained how frustrated I was previously and how difficult this task had been for me. We discussed how our most challenging work often happens to be the most important.

Sometimes the ‘edits’ are easy—like grammar and punctuation—and don’t affect the overall content. But other times, the edits are tough. Content revisions are more important structurally, and in my case, lay the foundation for the next round.

There will be a bigger payoff later if I do the hard work now.

As I realized the significance of the work I had done, I was excited. I had pushed through this perceived setback, and to me, it felt like a breakthrough.

The victory made we want to celebrate! Soo, on a whim, I decided to go to the movies!

On my way to the theater, I praised God for the writing victory and thanked Him for the movie, too. It almost felt like a Valentine’s date because God blessed me so much that day.

I used a gift certificate to buy my ticket and also bought a kid-sized popcorn (not wanting to over-do it!). I even shared some “snack cash” coupons with the couple in front of me.

I watched ‘The Greatest Showman’ and I’m so glad I did!

The movie was fabulous and I highly recommend it! The music (soundtrack) was also so inspiring. Without giving too much away, I loved the overall message about being yourself and appreciating each other’s differences. It makes you consider what is really important.

Most—if not all—of us have felt like we don’t belong at times. There are days when we struggle with feeling like we don’t measure up. Or, maybe we have been rejected and treated poorly… Sometimes, it’s totally unfair!

Some people feel down on Valentine’s Day if they don’t have a ‘special someone.’ I can understand that perspective. But, don’t be discouraged. Turn those feelings around and make someone else feel special.

Sometimes, we overlook how powerful it is to love people and show kindness every day. Even just a little note or phone call can have great impact.

Remember, whether or not you have Valentine’s plans is not a determination of your worth. You are so very loved!

In Christ, we have infinite value. If we have that perspective, we see that with Jesus, we can thrive. When we keep our eyes on Him, we see His grace and blessings—not our lack.

In Jesus, we have Victory! We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS!

 My little girl, Lydia, reminded me of this Victorious perspective in a recent drawing.

I asked her to explain the picture, which to me, looked a little like four people at a disco party… 😉 Lydia explained, “This is a picture of my family. The first person is my daddy, then you and me, and then God.”

Lydia is starting to understand the difference between immediate and extended family…

I loved that she drew what was in her heart, including both her daddy, Dave, and her Heavenly Father, God. And, the disco figures made me smile. 

I see Lydia’s confidence in God’s love for her as a huge Victory!

Nothing can compare to God’s love for us! He is soo good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for taking such good care of me. Thank you for leading me to Victory. Help me stay close to You and keep the right perspective. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you had a personal breakthrough recently? Have you seen any good movies lately? How can you show God’s love to others today?

Tasks: Write down your victories in a journal so you can remember them. Celebrate your successes and thank God for all He has done.

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom, Words

Nick at Night: Seek and Find

As I mentioned last week, I am scribing the gospel of John with friends. Mainly, I want to engage with God’s word in a more personal way. I am learning more each day! Last week, I shared a little about Nicodemus in John Chapter 3, but am still thinking about him…

I used to think Nicodemus went to Jesus at night because he feared what everyone (his fellow Pharisees) would think. That may be true, in part, but as a friend recently suggested, maybe he didn’t want to be interrupted by all the crowds that followed Jesus.

Perhaps it’s a parallel that Nicodemus (in spiritual darkness) sought Jesus, the Light of the World (which John mentions later). At any rate, I’m guessing Nicodemus was so intently searching for truth and answers that he couldn’t wait until morning to talk with Jesus.

Similarly, there are times I cannot sleep at night because I am dealing with something. In fact, this happened to me recently. Each time I woke up in the night, I had a prayer on my lips for a friend in need. I love that Jesus is always available to listen, help, comfort and teach us…even in the middle of the night.

We do not have to question if Jesus wants to help. Whenever we come to Jesus for help, we will receive encouragement and direction. That said, we also may receive correction like Nicodemus… We need to be willing to do whatever Jesus says.

v.10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?

Here, Jesus gets on Nicodemus for being a spiritual leader without actually understanding spiritual concepts. Ouch… Apparently, the Jews had created eight different ways one could be ‘born again’ (all physical things to do to earn God’s favor). The Jews missed the point of spiritual rebirth and salvation from sin.

But Jesus made it simple.

Interestingly, in my Bible, the words of John 3:16-21 are not in red, suggesting that perhaps Jesus did not say them. This surprised me because I always thought it was Jesus talking. It seems that this may be John’s explanation of what Jesus was saying.

I asked my friends for their input (on who said what) and learned some other Bibles and translations handle this differently. Many Bibles have those words in ‘red letters’ or quotations, but not the one I am using currently… So, I did some prayerful searching online and saw this is a common question.

Various Bible scholars have wondered the same! No one has an exact answer because (ahem) we weren’t there. But either way, the basic consensus is that the words are inspired by God and the message does not change.

We don’t have to lose sleep over what God meant in John 3:16. The point is: God so loved the world and so Jesus came. God gave us Jesus, our Savior, and we have eternal life through Him alone.

We know John did not record every single word or action Jesus did (John 21:25), and that’s okay! Instead of agonizing over the details, we will let the Holy Spirit lead us.

Here are a few takeaways:

It is common to hurry through our day, but in doing so, perhaps we are missing what Jesus really said (or maybe didn’t say). There is always more to the text than meets the eye—I love that my friends are picking up different aspects of the same text!

Nicodemus came directly to Jesus for answers to his deepest questions. He didn’t rely on someone else to ask for him. Jesus often spoke in metaphors and I love that Nicodemus sought clarity. Also, he trusted Jesus’ perspective and didn’t make it about himself.

Studying the Bible with other people can help everyone grow in faith. Nonetheless, we have to personally apply what Scripture says to our own lives.

Finally, God’s Word is trustworthy. When we have questions, it’s okay! God is big enough to handle them with His grace and truth. And, when it comes to Jesus Christ, He is always worth taking a closer look!

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God, thanks for the gift of Your Word! Renew our minds and draw us close to You. Teach us Your ways and lead us into deeper fellowship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? Is there anything in Scripture that you’ve had questions about lately? How can you pursue a deeper level of understanding?

Tasks: Listen to “God so Loved,” by Jaci Velasquez. When you sit down to spend time with God, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, Jesus, the Living Word.