Christina Crute

Called to Holiness

November 14, 2020

Have you ever had to hold your tongue because the words that were ready to come out would be unkind and perhaps start an argument? Did you manage to keep the words in? Did you go ahead and speak them? What happened? These are things to consider while we are not upset, so that when we do feel the urge to be hurtful, we have a better plan!

A very, very long time ago, in high school, I was called “a fool” by a classmate. I won a golf tournament of sorts in my gym class and received three whole Snicker bars! I was so proud of myself! I gave one candy bar to a girl who asked. Another girl saw me give up a candy bar so easily and said, “You’re a fool ” Was I angry and embarrassed? You bet! Did I tell her off? Nope. I was too scared to. I just allowed her comment, along with the laughs of the other students, to silence me.

I was thinking of giving her a candy bar. Seriously, I was, but she was so mean that I withheld it. I’d like to relate this to Jesus. Jesus had tons of criticism and was hated by many. Yet, out of love and obedience, He still chose to die for all, not just people that were nice to Him. Even on the cross, He did not withhold His love, but asked His Father to forgive the very ones who hurt Him!

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:33-34 NJKV

He set the example for us. We can never be as holy as Jesus, but that IS what He asked us to try and do, as Peter writes below.

…as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 NKJV

One more scripture, because the Bible says it much better than I…

-who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:23-24 NKJV

Dear Jesus,

What You did for me will always overwhelm my heart. I don’t know how You manage to love those who hurt You. I am sorry for times I have hurt others with my words or actions. Please help me to think of Your example of holy love for others. Our world seems crazy right now and spewing hateful words is a common occurrence on tv, news and social media. Please quiet my soul to focus on Your higher plan of holiness and love for me. Your calling is my desire. Help me to be different than the world. I love You! Amen

Journal Homework:

1.Think of and write about a time someone hurt You with words or vice versa. What can you do different next time?

2. Look up a verse about loving others and write it down and memorize it. Ask God to hide it in your heart for when you need it.

Love and prayers to all!

Tina

Cramped Housing

November 13, 2020

One of the things that is not on anyone’s priority list when house shopping, is cramped housing. We like to have space to live comfortably and not having to compete with others in the household for space. This thought parallels the housing of the Holy Spirit in a very simple way.

When we confess our sins and ask Jesus to be Lord of our life, He takes us at our word, cleanses our heart and moves in. We allow Him to reign supreme with all of our heart. As humans do, though, we get distracted by things of the world, and add them to our possessions and a little bit of our heart houses them. If we are not careful, we will start to desire possessions more than we desire God and our heart gets cramped.

Every house needs decluttering at some point, and our heart is no different. We, often unknowingly, store away things we don’t really need. Worldly attitudes, lowered values, and prideful ways can all move in to our heart. The way to declutter is just a prayer away. Jesus makes it so easy on us. We can talk to Him or the Holy Spirit at any time and He will hear us every time.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

Sometimes I think Jesus loves a sinners’ prayer the best. When we admit we need Jesus to overcome a sin, we don’t ask for a little bit of Him to last a day. We want Him to live in us and stay in us always because we know we are nothing without Him. This may all sound simple, but, salvation is simple. Sometimes it is good to see the simple to grasp an extraordinary truth. The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts!

Dear Father,

You know what’s in our heart before we even ask You to clean it. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to abide with us. I want you to have my whole heart clean for You and not just a corner. If You see areas that need to be cleaned, nudge me that they are there. Help me to love you wide open and willing for all of my days. I love You! Amen

Journal Homework:

1.Draw a picture of a heart, yours, and write things in it that You value.

2. Draw another heart and put references of Bible verses that will help you keep your values in line with the Lord’s.

Being a Tool

November 12, 2020

A professor once asked me, when I was in college, “If you were an animal, what animal would you say you were and why? To this day, I think about how relevant that was to seeing myself as I was, but also as I wanted to be. By the way…I was a rabbit because I was energetic and easygoing and a little shy:) I wanted to be more outgoing , like a puppy. And this relates to us how, you ask?

Looking at ourselves in a different way may help us see what we need to change or keep doing. For example, if the professor asked me what tool I was in God’s garden shed, I would have to do some deep thinking about my purpose, work experience and helpfulness to Him. There is absolutely no judgement here, only an invitation to think about our purpose from God’s point-of-view. Here are some questions to consider:

What gifts has God given me that can sow His Word?

What shape am I in, as a tool, shiny and new, or well-used?

Am I an obedient tool? Do I work like I am supposed to?

Do I hide in the back of the toolshed so I don’t get called to work?

What is our job as a tool? Is it to understand God’s plan or just be available?

Will we do any dirty work that He wants or just the easy stuff?

For this devotion, you may want to write out your answers in your journal. I will do the same.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

And let not us grow weary in doing good for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Dear Father,

We know You can do all things without us, but we also know You want to use us to spread the gospel. As we ask ourselves questions and read Your word, please enlighten us to Your purpose for our gifts. Give us opportunities to use them for Your glory. We know that gifts of encouragement and sympathy and compassion are just as important as other seemingly great talents. May You find us to be a willing and useful tool for Your glory. You deserve all praise forever! Amen

How much Joy?

November 11, 2020

Do you like a meal or dessert so much that you look forward to it and plan to eat a super-sized portion the next time you have it? The same pattern of thought prevails for spiritual food. There are so many reasons to love God’s word that spiritually nourishes us. We can look forward to each reading because we know we will be filled with its abundance! His Word is organic (original) truth . It is also sufficient and healthy! Here are a few verses (bites) we can chew on!

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Jude 1:24

Jesus said,” I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

Dear Father,

Thank you for giving all You could possibly give to me, Your life. I feel the abundance of love. You have set the bar high for us so that we may know what real love is capable of. You have given me so many blessings in our family and friends. You have guided me through trials with Your abundance of wisdom. Everything You have and do is generous. You never give up on me. I love You exceedingly! Amen

Journal Homework:

1. Detail how God gave You what You needed before…peace, guidance, love, etc. Thank Him for answering prayer.

2. Write down your favorite physical meal and one of your favorite spiritual meals, such as a chapter or book in the Bible.

If you care to share any favorites, please do!

Love and prayers to all,

Tina

Taking Out The Garbage

November 10, 2020

Has this happened to you? It is trash day, time for you to throw out the garbage but you forget because you have a hundred things on your to-do list? That means new garbage will pile up as the can is full and cannot take any more. The new garbage will just go wherever we can fit it, as we eagerly wait for trash day to come around again.

Believe it or not, this is similar to how we deal with knowledge of God and information from the world. Much of the information that the world sends us via social media, tv, movies or magazines, honestly is garbage. It does not make us a better self. It just piles up in our brains. It needs to be disposed of before we can enjoy what we know is truth.

The truth from the Bible is life-sustaining and reusable; over and over we can use God’s word to feed on, grow spiritually healthy. It will not bog us down. The more truth we know about God, the lighter we actually feel!

The problem comes when we cannot tell what information is garbage and which is truth. Not everything in the world is bad. Things OF the world that are contrary to the Word of God are bad for us…kind of like junk food. We have things that the world may consider valuable, things that have been given to us, things we have earned, even popularity or fame, but…anything we have gained is garbage as compared to gaining Jesus. I will go with Paul’s honest appraisal of the world’s contribution to our lives and how valuable Christ is, in comparison:

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8

The best part of holding the things of the world loosely or going without them is that we can gain more of Christ. I am sure you have heard the saying. “You can’t take it with you.” (This phrase is the title of a famous play in 1936 by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. Source: theidioms.com)

Not only can we not take it with us. We cannot let it pile up in excess and burden us down where we cannot easily get to Jesus. Hebrews 12:1 draws a great picture of our journey with Jesus. It is like a race. I love this analogy!

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NJKV

Dear Father,

There are so many bright, shiny things in this word that beg us to value them and accumulate them. These things may make me happy for a period but can also weigh me down. Letting go is sometimes hard but then I feel so light after I release them. Any suffering or losing I do here is to gain You. Help keep my eyes on the eternal, not temporary things. You are my treasure for all time! Amen

Let’s Clap Our Hands!

November 9, 2020

Psalm 47:1-2 tells us to clap our hands!

Oh, clap your hands all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

Sometimes we do not feel like clapping our hands. Sometimes we get our feelings hurt. Sometimes we are disappointed. Sometimes we are in a trial and clapping is not what we feel like doing. Sometimes Covid-19 changes our world and it doesn’t feel as bright anymore. We may feel like we are in a dark place. How do we have light again?

Consider this example…There is a device called “The Clapper”, a device that plugs into a socket. When you clap, the light turns on. Pretty cool, right?

That is not unlike the Word of God. The Bible is full of light! If we plug into it, light will flood our hearts, and we will shine out to the world. It is simple in theory, but to let go of our dark feelings and focus on the light takes effort. It means denying self and our right to have things go our way. It is human to want what we want, but what we need is to want what Jesus wants more.

This morning was tough for me. In prayer I asked God, “How can I get rid of this hurt feeling so it doesn’t ruin my day?” His answer was to show me His light. It is a choice we make to dwell on good things or bad things. If you’re human, it is easier to dwell on the negative, but…just clap your hands because God is Good! He is our future and eternity. If we have to suffer a bit down here, it will make being with Him all the more wonderful!

If we let Him, He will flood us with light. If we are all lit up and clapping, lol, maybe the world will take notice and we can shine the way to Jesus. He is the light of the world!

Let your light so shine before men that may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Matthew 5:16

Father,

You are awesome and just praying to You is a great honor. You hear every prayer. You heard mine this morning. Any suffering You allow in my life is for a reason. I do not need to understand it all, but I will trust You all day, every day. Please keep the light on in all of Your children so we can all point others to You. The world needs Your light. We love you! Amen

Journal homework…Name one thing that concerns you or brings you down and then find a verse that talks about light. How can you use that verse to light up your heart? Post the verse on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror to remind you that Jesus’ light is always there for the asking:)

Love and prayers to all of you,

Tina

All In With Prayer

November 8, 2020

Good morning! Today is a day of rest and a great day to bask in the greatness of the Lord. It’s a great day to come into His presence in a special time of prayer. We can ask Him for our needs but more importantly, we can listen to Him.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”

In a quiet, secluded place with no distractions, be still and pray out of your love for Him and listen to what He may say to you. Here are some ideas of things to discuss with our Father. Just a suggestion:)

Lord, I love You. Please lead me because…

Teach me how to…

Forgive me and correct me when I….

Thank You for my trials and blessings because…

Give me an opportunity to help ….(person’s name)

Touch those who need Your help and peace…(family, friends, church,world)

You are my King, Lord…(call Him all the names that He is. Adore Him. Praise Him)

I desire that Your will be first on my list and in my heart and life.Please help me hear You better so I can obey You forever. Show me how to be more like You.Amen

Love and prayers to all,

Tina

Choosing Our Trials

November 7, 2020

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to choose our own trials? If we could, we wouldn’t choose the ones we have now, most likely. We would choose trials that made sense to have, ones that didn’t last long and ones that didn’t make us too uncomfortable. We don’t like to feel discomfort or suffering. We are human that way.

We are also, as humans, self-centered, in that we want to understand and control our lives and plan what is in our life. We do not plan for trials because we don’t want them. They often surprise us at the worst times. But maybe we should…plan for trials that is. Sounds crazy right? Why would we want to plan to have trials?

Because the more capable we are of understanding the purpose of our trials, the more we can glorify God in them.

The Lord gave me these thoughts today. I would like to share them with you.

God wants us to lean on Him for understanding. God does the directing. We do the leaning. We lean on God’s wisdom, not our own. The word acknowledge generally means to “accept something that exists or is true.” (Oxford American Dictionary) God exists and is truth and is worthy of our trust.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

2. God wants us to listen, to just sit still. God does the speaking. We do the listening with a quiet soul so we can hear what He is saying. This exalts Him.

Be still, and know that I am GOD; I will be EXALTED among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

3. God wants us to learn from Him. We take His yoke and go where He intends. We are harnessed to Him, not unlike oxen that are yoked together to make the load lighter for both of them. (The Woman’s Study Bible by Thomas Nelson) In this way, God gives us relief from our burdens.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find REST for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is LIGHT. Matthew 11:29

4. In summary, God wants us to copy Him. He set the example and now it is our job to copy it.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

Dear Father God,

You are awesome. Words can’t express how much I love You. Thanks You for providing in Your word all that I need to know, to live a righteous life with You as the guide. I will be quiet my heart and mouth more often and listen for Your words. I will lean to, listen for and learn from you. I am yoked to You for Your glory to be shown. Thank You for all of my blessings and even my trials. They make me NEED You more. You know best. You are God! Amen

Journal Homework- Write a four-part prayer. Tell God how much you love Him, Thank Him for Your blessings and your trials, ask Him to guide you and, fourth…listen for what He has to say to you.

A pastor of mine taught me that part of prayer is listening, perhaps the greatest part because it is not self-seeking. It is allowing God to reign supreme as you acknowledge you need His guidance.

Love and prayers,

Tina

A Cog in the Wheel

November 6, 2020

I just finished a book in which the “cog in the wheel” expression was used about an employee of a big company. I was pretty sure what it meant, but looked it up anyway. Oxford’s American Dictionary defines a cog as “a tooth on the edge of a wheel or gear that transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel or bar.” The man in the book I read had a seemingly unimportant job (cog), but without him, the big company (wheel) wouldn’t move.

That isn’t much different than how loving others works. Just as two sets of cogs have to engage to make motion, love and action have to engaged in order for anything to be produced. So often we say, “I love you” that it’s meaning has been demeaned, I think. We can say we love a dress, car or tv show, but do we really? The word LOVE is more important than material things that please us. It is an action that comes from the heart.

When we, as Christians, say we love one another, but do not match our words with action, then no loving action will be produced. Jesus tells His disciples how important it is to do the showing of love to others.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 ESV

Notice He uses the word love four times and the word ‘you’ six times. Jesus makes it clear that this is not a request of His. It is a commandment; the disciples are to act like He did. That’s what a disciple does. He learns from His teacher and puts into practice the exact things the teacher does.

Galatians 6 is a good chapter to read about love. In particular, these verses written by the apostle Paul, stand out to me, as an active model of love:

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6: 9-10

Dear Father,

Thank You for opening our eyes to new ways of seeing things. Whatever brings us closer to You, we want to see and do. You didn’t just say You loved people, You prioritized them, listened to them and fed them food and living water. Anyone who knew You, knew Your loving heart. Let me be Your “cog in the wheel” that puts others first and use my heart and action to love others as You did. Help me to do this in honor of all You have done for me and all the love You have shown me. Amen

Journal Homework –

1. List five small loving acts you would do for others if you had the time or money.

2. Pick one, pray about it, and ask the Lord to give You an opportunity to do it.

May God bless your day, His way!

Love and prayers,

Tina

Connected to a Lifeline

November 5, 2020

Things don’t always go the the way we want them to. After this presidential election, is complete, half of the country will be ecstatic because their candidate won. They will be joyful and looking forward to the future. The other half will be disappointed, because the vote for the two candidates is so close.

Just as much as we want our candidate to win, God wants US to win. He knows our potential…He made us after all…and He knows we can do great things if we just rely on Him. He wants to use us to accomplish His will. That is not unlike voters wanting their candidate to accomplish their will…our version of what’s best for America. We think we know what is best. But…

We will not always be right. We will not always get our way.

Only God truly knows what is best, because He is over all things, while we are just in the midst of them. That means His perspective is way different than ours. Here’s one of my favorite verses, because it explains that perspective in a humorous way.

Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Psalm 113:5-6

I laughed out loud the first time I read that verse. David knows what He is talking about! God has to look DOWN to even see heaven and earth! He is above all, so of course He sees all and knows all. God didn’t make us to know it all. We were meant to depend on Him.

“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 NJKV

Prayer is a lifeline to Him. We only have to pull on that lifeline to be tethered to Him. We can let Him lead us into and through His will. As always, God reminds us that it is HIS will that needs to be accomplished.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for being there for me always, especially when I read Your word. Your Word comforts me and lets me know that it’s not good to put my hope in things of this earth or our own wisdom, such as it is. My hope is in You. Please lift my eyes up to You, the only lasting Hope. You know better, always. Thank you for the lifeline of prayer, that helps me readjust our grip, helping me to let go of my own to grab onto Yours. I love You Lord. Amen

Journal Homework…

Think of someone who was your “lifeline” before. Write what they did for you that made an impact on your life. Thank the Lord for them.
Think of someone you can help, someone that may need a friend, help with a bill or a meal. Thank God for that opportunity to do what He would do.

May the good Lord bless your day and keep you healthy and looking up:)

Tina