November 30, 2020

It Depends On Others

We come to part three of this series. In Part One we focused on how our loving actions stem from our love for God, our Master. Part Two taught us that our actions are shaped by our own choices of who to serve, ourselves or the world or God. Today we will consider that growth in our Christian walk depends on others.

It really does.There are so many facets that a growing spiritual life entails, but I wanted to focus on our view of others for a moment. We know we are commanded by the Lord to love others, but how much? How often? Why is it so important?

The first and best place to look for answers is always the Bible, so let’s go there. Here is what Jesus says :

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 NIV

How loving He is to share His commands so we can be successful in serving Him and God properly. He points out that EVERYONE will know we are following Him, just because of the way we love! That’s a pretty amazing statement! Loving others tells them about Jesus:)

It is easy to love someone who is nice to us. It is usually easy to love other Christians because we are one in the Lord. But what if others are not nice or Christian? I found a verse that I don’t remember reading before!

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV

God, us, and others…We all relate to each other. Depending on our love for God, love for ourselves and love for others, we make choices that reflect our level of commitment to each other and to God. It is all relative. Those choices, made based on Jesus’ command to love will determine if we grow stronger in our relationships or weaker. That is the underlying theme of this series. Everything is relative, but love is the bonding agent between us all. Love is the motivation. Love is the answer.

Paul is talking to the Colossians about giving grace to non-believers. He suggests we speak carefully, with grace and wisdom and use our time wisely. We will draw people to want to know Jesus when we treat them as Jesus would. The wisdom Paul says to use is found in God’s Word, in great supply!

Dear Father:

Thank You for guiding our time in Your Word. You teach us so much. Your best for us is that we desire to do our best for others. Please guide as You love to do, giving us a glimpse of the “big picture” of how important it is to always relate with love. Thank You for the abundant supply of inspired words You gave to the authors in the Bible, that guide our actions. You make it possible for us to live for You and love for You in a world that sometimes doesn’t. We love You so much! Amen.

GROWwork:

List one positive change you can make to improve your relationship with God. Find a verse to encourage you to do that this week.

Pray for love and grace to relate to others this week. Look for opportunities to use the bond of love to draw others to Jesus.

Love and prayers to all. Have a great day!

Tina

November 29, 2020

It Depends on Us

In part one yesterday, we focused on how our actions depend on God. We may act respectfully and characteristically of God because we love Him so much. We are His servants, although we are treated like His children. We obey our Master, Father…if we choose Him, that is. We may choose God and righteousness or the enemy and our world’s gods. The choice is ours.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24 NIV

It is just not possible to serve two masters. Whatever master we choose, we will draw closer to and emulate. Others will be able to tell who we serve by what we do the most. Do they see us hate, turn away from, listen to, turn towards, help, pray for others? Do they see us being loving or selfish, kind or unkind? We shoulder both the responsibility and the privilege of deciding who we want to look like….Jesus or the world. Here’s a couple verses that can guide our actions:

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 ESV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

Dear Father:

As Your child and as Your servant, I am happy to serve You. I don’t always make the best choices on my own, however. I need Your wisdom and guidance every single day of my life. Thank You for loving me so much that I see how to love others, with grace that forgives. Thank You for Your constant presence in the Holy Spirit that coaches me to obey You more and better. I love You! Amen.

Friends, this was the hardest devotion to get down on paper. I think it is because we DO have so many choices, and the important choices we make either move us a step toward God or away from God. It is all up to us but it is not about us. It’s all about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and doing their will.

Love and prayers to all!

Tina

For today, tomorrow and Monday, I feel led to do a three-part devotion with the series title being, “It is All Relative.” Today’s devotion is:

It Depends on God

You know how you can talk to some people about absolutely anything, because they are a best friend? You can pick on them or tell them when they are right or wrong?And with others, are you not as free because you are not as close? That’s the subject of our next three devotions. How we act depends on who we are relating to. God is no exception to this.

As Christians, we should treat God as our Master because, well, He is God! We are His bondservants. As defined in Merriam Webster’s dictionary a bondservant is “one bound to service without wages.” also : SLAVE Paul’s letter to the Colossians describes how bondservants should relate to their masters:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” Colossians 3:22

Paul was telling bondservants to obey their masters, not just because they are owned, but because a sincere heart shows respect to God. The way we behave is a reflection of how we feel about God. He explains in verse 23 that ALL we do needs to be as if we are doing it for the Lord.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Everything we do is relative. All of our actions need to point to our love and respect for God. That seems like a simple point, but it has huge implications; it changes everything!

When we work a job, Paul’s advice suggests we do it as if God was our boss. When we cook a meal for our family, we are to do it as if God was there. It means we think before we speak. What we say, think, do, feel, etc., depends on our love for God. Our actions mirror His patience and love. It ALL depends on God.

Dear Father,

Thank you for inspiring Paul to write this message that is so vitally important to our spiritual lives. In order that we shine the light of your love, we need to act it out in all we do. You are our master and we want to obey You always. Please help us focus on servanthood as we enter the Christmas season. Remind us, with the Holy Spirit’s nudging , that our actions tell others who we depend on for our joy and strength. May ALL we do honor You. We love You! Amen

GROWwork:

When we let our actions depend on God’s approval, what things may change?

As for me, I will be more patient and respectful of others. With the Lord’s help, I will listen better. We are doing ALL of it for the Lord:)

Love and prayers to you all,

Tina

***This is actually Friday’s post. I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, but I am all better!

Do you ever feel like life’s chores tug at you from many different directions? I do! I feel the tug to put away Thanksgiving decorations, decorate for Christmas, clean out the fridge of leftovers, plan menus for next week, get the car inspected, get my winter clothes out and summer ones packed away, make a Christmas gift list and start shopping and do some writing. (my favorite) It’s tough to know where to start when there doesn’t seem to be an end. My focus is non-existent but my worry is present!

The good news… I know a trick that really works! This idea came from a dear pastor of mine. When I was a teen, Reverend Daily paid special attention to us teens. Very often in his sermons he would talk directly to us. One Sunday, he was talking about the importance of reading our Bibles. He offered that, if we read the Bible just 15 minutes a day, our grades would go up. It didn’t make sense to me, but because I trusted him, I tried it. In no time, I had a more positive attitude, better focus and my grades went up. True story!

Before Reverend Daily said it, God did! After Moses died and Joshua was going to take his place as the leader of the Israelites, God said to Joshua,

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 ESV

There is a peace that comes from reading your Bible. Jesus meets us there while we read and He will teach us and encourage us every time. As the verse states above, we are to be careful to do all that is written in the Bible. That means our priority list will have Jesus at the top. We will hand over burdens to Him and trust Him to guide our path. We will pursue the Lord, on purpose, all during the day and night. We will tug at Him instead of feeling tugged.

Dear Father,

You are all that’s good. You help us every time we need it, which is often. Please meet us in the Bible each day and feed us what You want us to be filled with. Focus our eyes on You so that other things, lesser things, don’t stress us out. Thank You for not minding that we tug at You a lot. We trust You and love You and want to both of those better! Amen

GROWwork:

Look up a verse or two about trusting God and post them in your house somewhere where you will see them often. Remind yourself to tug at the Lord often. He doesn’t mind:)

Love and prayers to all!

Tina

Today is a Thanksgiving Day, like no other before. If you had told me, last Spring, that the next eight to ten months would be the “twilight zone” of all time, I would have said you were crazy, when you weren’t. If you told me I would be going to six stores to find toilet paper, I would have laughed. But…I am not laughing.

Well, I wasn’t at first. Then, I took some advice from someone, a doctor actually, who listened to my concerns and anxiety and suggested I take on a hobby. A hobby? Fun? I think I was more shocked than anything that the doctor would suggest focusing on something other than the pandemic. How could I think of fun things when I had to stock our supplies and clean off all groceries with sanitizer and make sure we have ten of everything?

I exaggerate for effect, sort of. All I knew is, if I didn’t worry, then the problem of Covid would devastate my family and I. Needing to stabilize our shaken up world I did not think of fun as a viable solution. However, just to follow doctor’s orders, I started to consider her words. Then it hit me hard!

The enemy of this world is thrilled right now. He is seeing us all focusing on the bad, what has changed, the security we have lost, the fun we no longer seek. He is having fun at our expense! Our worrying is a joy to him. He whispers to us that we are doomed and we NEED to worry and fret and attack each other over differences of opinion, as to how to beat this Covid monster. He is a liar!

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. I Peter 5:7 -8 ESV

Why am I listening to a lying prowler? Since when do I take my marching orders from the devil? Why am I letting him dictate how I think? He is so dead wrong. We CAN still be secure. We CAN still have security. We have Jesus! He hasn’t gone anywhere or changed in character or presence. In fact, He never ever changes.

As the enemy of the world wants us to see the dark, the negative, and make us worry, Jesus wants us to see His and God’s light. In other words, Jesus wants us to see what He sees, NO darkness. I get it now, Jesus… You can’t see darkness because you actually ARE the light!

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 ESV

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 ESV

Dear Jesus,
Please help us take care of our families the best we can, while standing in Your light. The world has enough darkness, so we are thankful for Your constant light. Thank you for joy you give us as we focus on you. We love you! Amen

Thank you for reading. My hope is that you realize what I didn’t at first…we can have hope and faith in what we cannot see. We can still have joy in the Light of Jesus. Enjoy your day, even though it is different. Jesus is there with you:)

Love and prayers to all! Hang in there. Seek Jesus. Seek fun:)

Tina

You are my King, the One I serve. It’s my delight to honor You.

You are my soul’s true guiding light. I’ll follow roads You lead me to.

No matter how the journey goes. There will be highs. There will be lows.

But this one thing I know is true. I know full joy in loving You.

Riding a bike used to be my favorite thing to do as a kid. All the kids around us had bikes and we went everywhere on them. When I thought was ready for a bike with gears, I asked, but didn’t get one, but my older brother did. I tried once, without his permission, to ride it. Big mistake, taking it down the street. I didn’t get very far before I fell off the bike; I had jammed something up and the bike was un-rideable. As I walked back home dragging the bike, I asked myself, “Now why did you do that? He’s gonna kill you.” He didn’t surprisingly! He was so happy the bike wasn’t broken. He fixed the gears easily.

There are times I have stepped outside God’s will (gotten out-of-gear ) because I thought I knew best. Like any plans that are selfish or built without God, they fell…just like me on that bike. Just as I was afraid my brother would say “no” so I took the bike anyway, I ran ahead without God’s okay. Like I did with my brother, I asked for His forgiveness.

When we ask God to “okay” our plans, He has different ways of answering. For one, He may not answer right away, for His own reasons. He may purposely make us wait for His own timing. He may tell us “No,” for His own will to occur.

But we do know this!

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

And this!

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. NKJV

There’s no way we could comprehend God’s plan, even if He explained it. He is just eons and eons ahead of us in years and wisdom. He is God! It sure beats the alternative, running off on our own and making a mess of things. Plus, we want to do HIS will, not ours, so we need to pray about it and take a step in the direction we think He approves us. If we get it wrong, He will shut the door:)

Dear Father,

You have seen me “mess up” a few times too many because my pride or impatience got in the way of sound judgement. Thank You for never giving up on me and always encouraging me that every day is a fresh new day to live for You. Please guide me as I aim each day to please You in all that I do. I love You! Amen

GROWwork:

Think of three things you can do to get “in-gear” with God.

Love and prayers to all of you,

Tina

Many of us believe that the end times are near, because the world is experiencing so many events foretold in the Bible. The world is changing; people are changing and not always for the better. There is still much positive about our world, but there are serious concerns in the areas of peace, warfare, societal relations and international relations, to name a few. People’s attitudes have become irreverent and selfish, even my own at times, if I am not careful. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warned us of these exact things.

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV

That is a pretty specific list! The good news…God’s Word gives us the best possible chance of following His Son’s teachings. The choice is ours to make. Who will we follow? The wise choice is Jesus.

Here are some things to consider:

1. The world is not going to save us; Jesus is.

2. The enemy in the world hinders and hurts us; Jesus heals and helps us.

3. The world offers finite happiness. Jesus offers a deep down everlasting joy.

4. The world cannot forgive sins; only Jesus can do that.

5. The enemy in the world offers eternal death without God; Jesus offers eternal life with Him and God!

There really is no comparison! Even so, living in the world can offer serious temptation for Christians. and non-Christians alike. That’s why our minds, as well as our hearts, need to be transformed daily.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2-3

Dear Father:

Please forgive us for any wrong attitudes or habits we took on from the world. We don’t want to look like the world, but like You. Thank You for giving us Your guidance and instruction every day.You always encourage us too. We love You! Amen

GROWwork:

1. List some of the world’s bad habits or attitudes that you have been tempted to take on before.
2. What can Jesus do to keep you from these desires of the world? What is YOUR part in it? Thank Him for His transforming power.

Love and prayers to all. Stay safe:)

Tina

I am in the office and it feels like just me and God. My husband and dog are oblivious that I am even awake yet. My open Bible on the desk, I am excited to read in the quiet. But first, I am gifted a beautiful scene just outside my window. The crepe myrtle boasts a new birdhouse and some eager visitors. Three little birds are in the bird feeder tray, pecking for food, but as they peck they are spilling more seed than they eat. All that seed on the ground is wasted.

Are we not like those birds sometimes? Do we hungrily run to our Bibles for spiritual food but just peck here and there to get a small snack, and leave the rest of the Bible lying there? For sure, I have been guilty of that. Oh, I loved God and His Word, but I thought just a little bit would hold me. Finding a verse that pertained to my current problem, I would feel satisfied. Later, I would feel depleted again. I didn’t appreciate what being full of His Word felt like. The Lord showed me it is literally is life-giving and life-sustaining. Jesus says so:

But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 60: 50-51

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26 NIV

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2 NIV

These verses tell us: God provides for us. We are His birds that are provided spiritual and physical food. God is good, so feeding on His words is good! The word “abundance” stands out. Because there is no limit to God’s love and power, it makes sense that He would want the most and best for us and want us to have it abundantly, not just for a snack.

Dear Father,

Thank You for being our abundant source of spiritual food. Like little birds, feed us what we need for each day through Your Word. Create in us a hunger for Your Word that fills us to overflowing with your love so it spills out on others. We love You! Amen

GROWwork: (for your journal or to consider doing)

1. Look up how many times abundant, or abundance, abounding are used in the Bible. Write three things God has given You an abundance of.
2. Leave your Bible open on a table or bedside where you will read it. That open Bible will remind us that God’s food is there for those hungry for Him.

Love and prayers to you all. Please be safe:)

Tina

As we return to our Thanksgiving traditions this year, the ones we can practice despite Covid-19, I feel extremely grateful and it surprises me. Funny thing about trials; they can make us more appreciative. It’s as if the Lord changes our wide angle lens to a focusing lens so we see what we still have that is precious. We have serious heartbreak over this pandemic and lives that have been lost; we do. It’s tragic. Tragedy makes us seek relief and the best relief comes from God. Knowing He is in control, we can still thank Him for our blessings.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

I give thanks for family coming over today. I have told them to “come hungry.” My husband, and I have longed for this day. We will enjoy good food and just be together, six feet apart!

My daughter, Jessie, coming with her fiance, Evan, for this family holiday is a treasure. Our daughter, Kellie is bringing a couple special friends, for which we are thankful. Maggie cannot come until exams are over, so we will miss her but see her soon! This love and longing we feel for being with them is not unlike the love and longing God has for us and we have for Him. What we love, we will naturally long for. David is “coming hungry” to God.

My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. Psalm 119:20 ESV

There is a longing for God’s spiritual food when we love Him:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 ESV

Dear Father,

Thank You for loving us and adopting us into Your family. Thank You for spotlighting our blessings that we sometimes take for granted. Please be with our sisters and brothers that are fighting Covid. Draw near to their families and let them feel You hold their hands and comfort them. Give us opportunity to comfort them as well. You see the love and longing in our souls. Use us to love others with grace like You do. Keep us hungry and dependent on You. We love You! Amen

GROWwork:

1.In the book of Psalms, David is extremely thankful and hungers for God’s word. Read through a couple chapters and circle or write in your journal the words that He uses to express his longing for God. It is constant and strong!

Wherever you are and however you celebrate, or not, this year, may God bless you with His love and longing. You are in my prayers, brothers and sisters:)

Tina