Tag: Victory

Posted on in Gratitude, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous

Sufficient For My Smile

On Monday, I went to the orthodontist for some X-rays and scans to update my MARPE progress. I have not turned my device for a little over a month. My orthodontist wanted more information before deciding whether I am done with that part or need to do a few more turns. We will talk through the plan in mid-May.

I did not see the orthodontist yesterday, but I did have a chance to talk with the technician. I asked a few questions, and she answered them and gave me some insights. We weren’t sure about all the details, but I will soon find out more.

I think my progress is pretty good overall. I am on the bottom aligner tray #13 out of 29 (to start). Later, I will get more lower trays and start the top ones. One difficulty is still eating and chewing. Every meal is still a challenge, and I am favoring softer foods that are already bite-sized or smaller. The technician helped me understand why.

After taking some pictures and bite samples, she confirmed that my teeth aren’t really touching when I close my jaw, except for the very last tooth in the left back. So, when eating, instead of moving my teeth up and down, I kind of have to move my jaw sideways a little to grind the food. And, that’s just barely helping!

It makes total sense, and I am glad I am not going crazy, lol. We agreed it is just par for the course right now, probably not forever. While my upper teeth and palate have expanded very nicely, my lower teeth are going the traditional slow-and-steady route. That’s part of what we wanted to do with the new scans, so the orthodontist can better predict how things will line up in the end.

We also verified that my front teeth are not connecting at all, and they are still likely off in the middle. I can’t quite tell because my bite is “off,” and I’m not currently able to clench my teeth enough to see! She reminded me that the only thing that might help my lower teeth to move toward the midline would be surgery.

To be honest, I practically forgot about possibly needing surgery! I have been patient and diligent in wearing the aligner and cleaning my device to the point that I hoped they would just be enough. So, I was a little unsettled about the reminder, but I am choosing not to get too far ahead of myself. Instead, I will keep praying!

If my bottom teeth remain off-center and there are no other concerns, I think I could skip the surgery. But in theory, if none of my teeth line up correctly (as is happening now), surgery might be needed. However, not only is that probably a lot of money, but it is also a long recovery that I would like to avoid. Still, there could also be some other advantages, so I won’t be stubborn and rule it out altogether.

So, all in all, I am pleased with everything thus far, but I am still not out of the woods. I am right on track and am trusting the Lord to make it all work out. His grace is sufficient for my smile!

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God, thanks for taking such good care of me. You do all things well, for Your glory and my good. Help me trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has Jesus been working in your life this week?

Task: I would appreciate your prayers for my continued success with MARPE, and for the orthodontist to have wisdom about my next steps when I talk to him again. Thank you!

 

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 Apologetics, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Worship

The Lord’s Prayer

This week, I have been reviewing the Lord’s prayer! This is found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. It is perhaps the most underutilized piece of Jesus’ direct teaching! The words are not magical; they help us remember our mission.

Often, if you’ve grown up in a church that uses this as part of its daily or weekly liturgy, it can become so familiar that it feels mundane. But we must slow down and take the time to understand the background of Jesus’ meaning. Then, with humility and expectation, we can connect more fully to God’s heart and power.

On Monday night, I listened to a Blurry Creatures Podcast episode featuring a couple of guys who put together both a movie and a TV show about The Lord’s Prayer. Essentially, we can remind ourselves of who God is and our role in His Kingdom. They broke down each phrase, like I did last week!

So, on my Tuesday morning drive, I prayed through the prayer slowly. Father in Heaven: Now, I have a great earthly dad, and it’s amazing that God is even a better dad than Tom! 🙂 Heaven refers to Ancient Near Eastern cosmology (as described in the podcast), but for my purposes, it’s helpful to remember that God is above all things, visible and invisible. He is all-powerful but still loves us fiercely.

Hallowed is an older word for holy, meaning “set apart as sacred.” I sang this song because it reminds me of God’s character and of how we must respect and revere Him. He is not someone we can casually disregard. Carrying His Name means we bear responsibility to represent Him well. Yet, He has great grace for us when we fail to live up to His standard. Thankfully, that’s one reason Jesus came! 

Regarding the next phrase, we live to serve God, not our own purposes. It’s His Kingdom, not ours. Yes, we are citizens of Heaven and can bring many of those benefits to Earth through prayer. But our requests must align with God’s purposes and plan. He is not obligated to give us everything we want!

This is in line with the concept of daily bread. Jesus’ disciples would have thought about the manna their ancestors received in the desert for forty years. God took care of the essentials, but they depended on Him. This is where I asked for help in my workday and thanked God for all the ways He has provided for me this week. It was a good way to reflect on His grace and goodness.

The last part is about forgiveness. When we hold grudges, we act as if God’s mercy cannot cover someone’s faults or mistakes. But we forget how much we have needed it! For me, it is about trust. I can trust that God will take care of the other person as He sees fit. I can let it go and give it to Him to handle. Indeed, I can rest in the knowledge that God won’t hold my sins against me because Jesus already paid for them on the Cross.

Surprisingly, I learned that the phrase “for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory” is a doxology likely added in later manuscripts for liturgical reasons to make it sound more complete. It is not original to Jesus, but still quite compelling! Everything we are should reflect glory back to our Heavenly Father!

Finally, God does not lead us into temptation… but He does allow us to be tested. May we stand firm in our faith and trust Him. It’s okay (natural even) to doubt and ask questions, as long as they lead us closer to Jesus. He is faithful and will never let us down.

All that to say, I loved the conversation I had with the Lord driving to work. It set the tone for my day. It got my mind off “me” and put it back on Him. Yet, I still had a space to tell Him what I needed. I think I will make it part of my regular practice!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all the ways You care for me. You always give me exactly what I need! Help me be a good reflection of You so I may bring You glory and fame. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you pray regularly using the Lord’s Prayer? What other prayer strategies do you use?

Tasks: If you haven’t already, memorize the Lord’s Prayer so it’s ready when you need it! Listen to it presented in song form here!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #526

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 full of praises for the Lord. We have much to be grateful for!

Work went well. It was busy, as usual, but I felt good about what I accomplished!

I took Lydia to two healthcare appointments. The first was just a routine lab draw, and all that went well. The next one was audiology for Lydia’s tinnitus. Dave was born partially deaf, and we just monitor Lydia’s ears to catch anything if it changes. She potentially has a tiny bit of hearing loss, but it is difficult to tell for sure because of the ringing in her ears. However, she is used to it, and it has not affected her at all day-to-day. However, even a small change each year could add up over a decade or more. For the most part, everything is stable, and that is a really good thing!

We celebrated Good Friday at church yesterday. It is always a solemn event, as we remember Jesus’ bloody sacrificial death. Lydia and I watched The Chosen (season 5) to prepare during the week. It helps to envision what happened leading up to the Crucifixion. If you would like to watch The Chosen’s version of the Last Supper, here it is all in one spot. Thank You, Jesus!!

We had some cooler weather again this week, which is not unusual for Spring. Funnily enough, we went from no snow to a lot of snow over a few days. In fact, even just overnight and into this afternoon, we’ve had several inches again! I went outside to take some pictures, and the birds were SO loud. I bet they were having an emergency meeting to figure out who said they should come back ‘so soon’! Anyway, I loved seeing all the robins, juncos, and even blackbirds flying around and sitting in my five trees!

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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, 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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot

Finding Grace #525

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 had some ups and downs, but I saw God’s faithfulness anyway. 

First, this week had an element of death. A dear friend had a miscarriage the day after she discovered she was pregnant. A beloved aunt (by marriage) lost her sister after a brief illness, similar to my mom’s. Both of these were very sad, and I tried to support both of these ladies with God’s help. He comforts the brokenhearted and is near to them.

I also have some really good news regarding my teeth and MARPE. I had an X-ray to check on my palate, and it is right on track. Even though the gap between my teeth has been minimal, the X-ray shows I’ve already had a six millimeter expansion! This is close to what I need, so we will hold off on further turns of my device for now. Next month, I will have more detailed scans and 3D modeling to see whether there are any benefits to further expansion or if I am fully done. This also depends on my bottom teeth, which are moving more slowly because of our plan. Either way, I’ll still have the device in my mouth for six months to help things stabilize after we finalize the process. I’ve had ideal progress so far, praise God!

On Thursday, Lydia and I woke up to a chilly house. I didn’t think anything of it at first, except when she mentioned it. I happened to take a look at the thermostat, and it was totally blank (dead). I changed the batteries, but that didn’t help. I waited a little while, prayed, and asked my neighbor who to call. I had a man come over in the afternoon; he just adjusted the batteries, and it turned right on! He double-checked the furnace, then started putting his shoes back on. He said I didn’t need to pay anything, but I offered to pay him something for coming all that way. I gave him twenty dollars for the trouble! Win-win!

My blog website was down for about an hour one evening. The server was down on my blog hosting site. This occasionally happens, but it usually gets fixed right away. I spent some time on the phone with tech support, but there was nothing wrong on my end. Thankfully, I wasn’t hacked and didn’t lose any of my data or posts. Lydia and I prayed for God to protect everything, and it all turned out well!

I saw the first robin of Spring this week! I also saw some other song birds and woke up to their singing. The weather has been windy and cold with a few flurries, but also sunny and warmer on a few days… I also am seeing the grass green up a bit. I love this time of year! 

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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, 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 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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

While the Nations Rage

Yesterday, we came home early from work and school because Lydia had what seemed to be a migraine. I gave her some medicine and let her rest. It was an unexpected afternoon off, and while I did some planning and a little cleaning, I mostly rested, as well.

Coming home early also gave me time to check in with a few friends and family. I checked on a couple of ladies who are in-between jobs and a friend who needs to find daycare for her child. I reached out to a relative whose sister is having health issues, too. I was able to lift them all up in prayer because God graciously gave me time back in my day.

I also prayed for America (so many issues!) and situations around the world. I prayed for persecuted Christians in Nigeria and other places that they would stand firm in their faith and that they could still be a witness for Jesus despite the great risks. I prayed for those experiencing famine, drug running, human/sex trafficking, and natural disasters. I also prayed for the various wars that are going on, including the recent Israel/Iran war (which includes many countries).

While I don’t have any great answers to these complex problems, I can trust that God is in control. He loves the world that He created and the billions of people in it. I know He has good things in store for us. I also know things are going to get a lot worse before they get better (read Revelation!).I am grateful Jesus is King. He is the Prince of Peace who reigns over all the chaos.

As Christians, we have the opportunity and responsibility to pray and work toward resolutions. However, online, we can get caught up in arguing with strangers about our causes. We must not fall into the trap that our only arena is the internet. We must show up in our communities and get involved where it matters.

Christians are unique because we have the Holy Spirit’s power in us, and He wants to use us to change the world with His love, grace, and Truth. History shows that Christians are associated with positive cultural change when they are doing what they are supposed to do. If they fail to follow through, then everyone suffers.

We can do our part by praying and taking action, and we can rely on God to do what only He can. Indeed, the Bible shows us God’s love for the nations. In Deuteronomy 32:8-9, we read how God divided the nations and set their boundaries after the rebellion at the Tower of Babel. He took Israel for Himself to serve as an (imperfect) example and to eventually lead the rest of us back to Him.

Check out the following verses:

Psalm 86:9 says,  “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”

Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” 

John 3:16 says,  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Acts 10:34-35 says, “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'”
 
Revelation 7:9 says,  “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count,  from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

 And so, we see God’s heart for the nations. No group of people is better than another; we all need Jesus Christ. That’s why we can pray with confidence: it is His ultimate desire that all hearts be turned to Jesus. We can move forward in peace as we share the Good News, knowing He will return soon.

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Heavenly Father, You reign over all the Earth! Nothing catches You off guard. While you hate evil and will soon make it right, in 2 Peter 3:9, we see You are patient so that all can have time to know Jesus. Give us wisdom and courage as we spread Your light to this dark world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you praying for today? What can you do to help those around you?

Task: Listen to this song by the late Rich Mullins: While the Nations Rage. Remember: You don’t have to be nervous or afraid about the world’s state of affairs. Trust Jesus!

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.