Read posts that help us learn to live out our faith in real life

Dirty Dishes

We do this thing at my house, maybe you do it at yours too. We don’t always eat at the dining room table. Sometimes I eat at my desk. The kids often eat lunch in front of the television. My husband eats breakfast in the living room while he watches the news. Because of this, occasionally we end up with dirty dishes all over the house.

The only way we can solve this problem and get the dishes cleaned is when someone takes the dishes and puts them in the dishwasher. (I know what you’re thinking – don’t eat all over the house. But even if we eat in the dining room, at some point the dishes have to go into the dishwasher. Stay with me.)

Talking about how many dirty dishes there are doesn’t help.
Being sorry for the mess doesn’t help.
Apologizing for forgetting doesn’t help.
Admitting to laziness doesn’t help.
Even identifying which dishes are mine doesn’t help.

The only thing that will solve the problem is action– physically picking up the dishes and carrying them to the dishwasher, putting them inside, and running them through a cleaning cycle.

Now you see where I’m going with this. The only thing that will solve the issues in my life is not talking about them. It’s not being sorry for them. Or even admitting how I made them worse.

The only thing that works is when I bring my issues — my sins, my aggravations, my worries, whatever — to Jesus Christ and let Him do His transforming work. And that’s extremely important. Often we tell Jesus all about our stuff but we don’t ever surrender it. That’s like setting the dishes on top of the dishwasher. Or maybe even putting them inside without running the cycle. When that happens, all that’s really changed is geography.

Jesus changes things. He is more than able to take care of all the junk I bring Him. I just have to let Him have it.

Now, I think I have some dirty dishes to deal with.

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5

Better Than John the Baptist

By Paula

Even before John the Baptist was born, he was given the task by God of getting everybody ready for the coming of Jesus. In one way of thinking, we have been given a similar commission to get folks ready before the return of Christ. That’s not the only thing about John worth copying.

He was aware of his own unworthiness, attesting that he wasn’t even worthy to lace up Jesus’s sandals. (John 1:27)

He was convinced about who Jesus was, the Son of God, the payment for our sins, the promised Savior. (John 1:33-35)

He told people what he knew about Jesus. (John 1:15)

He understood it was all about Jesus, not about him. (John 3:30)

He took his doubts and discouragement straight to Jesus. (Luke 7:19)

When all was said and done, John the Baptist fulfilled his mission. I know I could stand to be a lot more like John, especially when it comes to his boldness and his single-mindedness. Jesus Himself affirms that no one ever born was greater than John.

Yet in the next breath, Jesus says that whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John. (Matthew 11:11) How can that be? John did some amazing things. I’d be hard-pressed to equal his accomplishments.

The greatness Jesus is talking about doesn’t come from what you and I do, though. It comes solely from what He does for us. His death and the salvation it purchased get us admission into the kingdom. We just have to accept it. Once we’re in, Jesus entrusts us with the most amazing job ever — to tell His story.

Our Mission

By Paula

“Your mission, if you choose to accept it . . .”

Most of us don’t consider ourselves special or notable. Changing diapers, doing laundry, or paying the bills are certainly not our typical idea of significant work. We are faces in the crowd, numbers on a list. One of Satan’s great weapons is getting us to forget who we are, to embrace this idea that we are nothing and nobody, incapable of doing much or leaving much of a mark.

The truth is, at the moment of salvation, Christ blessed us with “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3) including eternal life! He also gives us the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Our familiarity with the fruits may cause us to dismiss them. The fact is, all of these ‘powers’ are supernatural in origin and exercise! They are the proof of the presence and actions of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

God called us as His own and He equipped and empowered us for a Kingdom work, a mission.

So what’s our mission?

Jesus spells it out at least four times in the New Testament.

(Matthew 28:18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(Mark 16:15-16) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

(John 21:15-17) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

This commission embodies the essence of Christianity, calling us to share the love and message of Christ with others. The charge to Peter to “feed my sheep” underscores our ongoing duty to care for each other.

(Acts 1:8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

A witness is someone who tells what he knows. We don’t need lots of experience or training to tell what we know.

How did Jesus change my life?
Why He matters to me?
How are my daily activities different because of Jesus?
How is my outlook affected?
What difference does He make?

Our great responsibility

(Ezek 33:8) When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.

The character of God hasn’t changed. If He held an Old Testament prophet responsible for not doing His job, we can expect He’s going to hold us accountable as well. But it’s extremely important to understand, our responsibility is limited to the “speaking out” part. We ARE NOT held accountable for someone’s rejection of the warning.

We have a tremendous responsibility and privilege to fulfill this mission. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish it. We can rely on God’s guidance, strength, and grace as we spread His love, share His truth, and make a positive impact in the world around us.

Let’s embrace this mission wholeheartedly.

How to Glory

By Paula

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24

Who doesn’t like to be recognized for hard work, a job well done, and the dedication they put into their tasks? Individuals naturally appreciate the acknowledgement and encouragement they receive. However, it is crucial to maintain a balance and not let recognition lead to excessive pride or egotism. So, here’s the question: how can we manage this desire for affirmation, attention, and encouragement while also cultivating humble submission to God?

1. Recognize true glory.

The verses in Jeremiah outline what we should get excited about– our great God who demonstrates His lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. I know the Lord, and He reveals Himself to me, wants to be known. Moreover, His unfailing love and abundant mercy accompany His acts of justice. With awe and reverence, we can embrace the profound revelation that God desires to establish a personal relationship with each and every one of us. Through His grace and infinite wisdom, He continuously reaches out to us, seeking to reveal His truth and power. It is with utmost joy and gratitude that we can acknowledge and proclaim the majesty of our Lord, who willingly discloses Himself to those who long to know Him.

2. Examine our motives.

Why are we doing what we’re doing? Are we just trying to show off our brains and skills? Or are we chasing after money and fame? Maybe it’s about seeking recognition? Our true motivation should come from something greater than that. We should be driven by God’s word, inviting others to know and experience the life-changing power it possesses. When that becomes our mission, we realize that our ultimate satisfaction lies not in applause or attagirls (or Amazon rankings, *ahem*) but in being unconditionally loved by God.

3. Follow God’s example.

The verses in Jeremiah emphasize the qualities that God embodies: lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. Let’s leave judgment to God. However, we can focus on displaying love, kindness, and compassion toward others. Concentrating on what we can GIVE rather than what we must GET from others is the necessary perspective shift that will help squash our need for affirmation.

Understanding and knowing God is an ever-unfolding, transformative journey. Don’t miss out on it while chasing self-esteem, likes, or affirmation — the temporal. Take God’s advice. Glory in the fact that you have a relationship with the Creator King of the Universe!

PS - If you DON'T have a relationship with God, reply to this post. I'd love to explain how you can.

Revival Acrostic

By Paula

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. Psalm 119:88

Revival

Renewing
Energy

Re-igniting
Evangelistic
Vision

Rejecting
Every
Vile
Impulse

Remembering
Escaped
Vengeance.
Instead,
Vicarious
Atonement

Refusing
Excuses,
Verbalizing
Intended
Vigilance

Restoring
Each
Vital
Intimacy,
Venerating
All-Sufficient
Lord

Consider Your Ways

By Paula

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways … You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.” Haggai 1:7,9

When God says, “Consider your ways,” what does He mean?

Does this sound familiar?

I’m spinning my wheels.
I can’t seem to get ahead.
Two steps forward, three steps back.

When Israel faced a similar circumstance, God said there was a reason for the frustration and wasted effort. In fact, He said He was behind it.

Why?

Mixed up priorities.

His recommendation: Consider your ways. Look at what’s happening. Take a good, hard look at your life. See the connection?

This message was for a generation who had grown up in Babylon. Just like the generation who came out of Egyptian slavery, God had to patiently instruct them about who He was and what it meant to be one of His people. They needed to learn things like you shall have no other gods before me, and you won’t put your own success or prosperity or comfort ahead of worship.

It’s not that God is like a petulant five-year-old who demands our undivided attention. (Although He would be just in requiring it and receiving it.) The Temple represented His presence. He wanted Israel to have such an intense desire for His presence that Temple-building was at the top of their agenda. There was a reason He wanted them to desire His presence.

God wanted to respond to them by filling the place with His glory and His peace.

We are a generation who needs His instruction more than we’d admit. Unlike Israel, we don’t have to resort to a physical building to experience God’s presence. Through the work of Jesus Christ, He lives within us. Now. All the time.

But just like in Haggai’s day, we have trouble mustering that desire for Him. Like Israel, we are easily distracted by the pursuit of success, prosperity, and comfort. So we hinder His plan to fill us with His glory and His peace.

Maybe it’s time we take Haggai’s message to heart. Maybe it’s time to consider our ways. It’s time to consider my own ways.