You’re right, I don’t understand.

Several years ago, my sister was laid off from work and we decided to start a Bible study. As we walked around town putting up flyers for our new adventure, she said, “We should do it at the jail.”

In the silent recesses of my mind, I balked. Thoughts loudly and vehemently swirled around my inability to handle such an adventure.

My low confidence in leadership and lack of skill navigating the complexities of a jail ministry led me to blurt out immediately, “You don’t understand, I don’t feel called to do a jail ministry, I just want to study the bible with other women.”

I know. . . excuses, excuses! But, honestly, I didn’t’ feel ready, or spiritually mature enough. Or maybe I just didn’t have enough love for the women hurting there at that point of my rededication journey.

You see, like many in the church, I had lived my life with God on the backburner. I said my prayers throughout the day, went to church on Sundays with my family, and lived the best I could.

It wasn’t until after my girls graduated high school and I looked back at every single area of my life where God had carried me, loved me, forgave me, and guided me through my rebellion that I fell before him in tearful gratitude and thanksgiving.

The Strong Conviction to Understand

Rededicating my life to him soon after, my thirst for more of his word became insatiable. I longed to share this freeing feeling with other women struggling in their faith journey. Hence the Bible study adventure with my sister.

Needless to say, the venture was a flop. No one came to the library for Bible study. She went back to work, and I spent my days off studying by myself and inviting women to join me in my living room.

It started small with two or three of us, and eventually grew as we felt the urge to move it to the local library and offer it to women in our community.

Two years later, a sermon I was listening to and a passage in the Bible struck me with strong conviction. John the Baptist is sitting in prison and contemplating his predicament, which leads him to question Jesus.

The preacher on television shares his ideas of John’s thoughts: “If Jesus is who he says he is, he will get me out of here.” “If he loves me, he will save me.” He is feeling doubt because he knows Jesus’ power, yet he is not experiencing freedom from his circumstances.

 “When Jesus had finished giving orders to His disciples, He moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns. When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent a message by his disciples and asked Him, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Mathew 11: 1-3

The faithful John the Baptist is questioning Jesus. Perhaps he is lonely or scared. Maybe he is beginning to feel betrayed. I’m pretty sure my sinful thoughts would lead to, “After all I’ve done for you?”

I’m not sure. What would I say about Jesus if I were in John’s predicament?

Putting myself in John’s shoes for just a split second allowed the Holy Spirit to wash over me with conviction and purpose. Memories of my sister’s idea flooded my brain. I knew in that moment, “I have to go to the local jail and tell women how much Jesus loves them.”

Seriously, Lord, I didn’t feel you prompt what I think you prompted.  

I can’t do that. I don’t know how to do that. My ugly flesh balked again. Really? If that is true, I won’t have any difficulty. He will open every door and there will be no obstacles. And that is exactly what God did. Every query got a yes, and every request to learn more and be a presence in the local jail was answered.

At that point I was an experienced Bible study facilitator, but I had never taught a lesson. So, I prayed often during my study time for God to give me words, songs, and scriptures to help these women see no matter what they did, God still loves them.

Understand, It’s Going to Be Hard!

God is faithful! My two thirteen-week stints at the jail taught me to trust God and love others in a way I have never done before. I’m not going to sugar coat the situation, because personally it was rough, heart-wrenching, and discouraging.

One particular day stands out to me above all the rest. The minimum-security drug rehabilitation unit I visited held six women. As we sat around a table and I started my lesson on Rahab, I assured the ladies that every single person inside these four walls and outside these four walls sins; we just sin in different ways.

However, every single one of us will be forgiven of our sins when we lay it before God, and accept his son Jesus as Lord and Savior. He in turn transforms our hearts to will and want what he wants!

A girl, I’ll call Nadine (not her real name), a newly baptized Christian, looks at me with tears welling, and screams, “You don’t understand! I’ve committed murder! I had an abortion!” As I’m digesting this confession and my soul is feeling the depth of her pain, the women in the room begin to confess, too.

The woman on my left says, “I’ve had an abortion.” The girl next to her, I’ve had two abortions.” Around the table they confessed their multiple abortions until it came to the last woman who said, “I didn’t have an abortion but I tried every way I could to kill that baby. I even . . .”

I can’t put into words her confession. It still creates a horrific image of pain and heartache in the deep corners of my mind. For the first time, I am seeing the heavy, darker side of an issue that brings people to battle.  Yet, no one wants to talk about the long-term consequences for women who make this choice.

God is showing me hurting, desperate women; numb and suppressing the pain of their sin for so many years they turn to drugs for escape, instead of him.

Volunteering at the Pregnancy Resource Center did not prepare me for this!

My mind was fiercely battling with images of tortured babies and the pain of this one woman who could not forgive herself.

Praying desperately for the “show no emotion” facial expression, and for the right words to minister to this woman, I pulled her aside to pray with her and over her.

Specifically, I assured her, “You don’t understand, Jesus holds your little one now and did the second he departed this world. He is also holding onto you! You confessed, you repented, you turned from your sin and now you are a new creation. The old girl you once were is gone and, in her place, a new girl stands, forgiven and fully cleansed of murder. I pray now, God gives you the power to forgive yourself.”

Revelation 21:4 says this: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

What we only get a glimpse of now in ministry, we will understand fully when Jesus returns.

Bible Study Teaches Me to Understand

 Bible study has taught me over the years God is faithful. When he leads me to a difficult place he leads me through it. I got in my car that day and let the tears flow. I hit my steering wheel with my fist and questioned why he let me experience such pain and heartache in the world.

Slowly, in the depths of my soul, I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me. His comforting embrace deflated all the pent-up anger and frustration. In its place was an appreciation and softening of my heart that was missing two years before. He sees and feels their pain the same way I do.

 You and I can study the Bible all we want, but until it moves us to become the hands and feet of Jesus, it is our secret treasure.  It’s freeing power to remove sin and change lives is held closely and tightly.

The sad truth is: As much as we love being together and talking about his amazing power in study, we will never persuade a dying and broken world of their need for him in the comfort of our little groups.

“You don’t understand” becomes a true statement from a lost world to a saved one.

Unless. . . we take the time to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, wipe away a few tears, and give them the hope of glory we hold so dear. It doesn’t have to be a jail either! It can be a nursing home, a workplace, a health club, or even a daycare. There is someone out there who needs us to listen, validate their situation, and offer them hope.

The great news is, when God leads us to it, he will equip us through it!

Check out the site for more encouragement to understand our walk!

I’m here for you!

Mysty

Simplifying Health Faithfully

Mark 1 shows us the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God. His message of repentance, the faith required to believe, and his authority are all on display.

John the Baptist prepared the way,

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Mark 1:4

I think it’s interesting after Jesus’ baptism the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. When he returned, he began driving out demons (spirits).  Here are the points I noted:

1. The demons knew him and saw his authority.
2. He taught the scriptures with authority.
3. With a word, the demons came out and Jesus silenced them.
4. At once, his fame spread everywhere in the region of Galilee.
5. He healed many, and cast out demons.

We know from the scriptures; demons have zero power in the presence of Jesus. They are silenced, sent away, and they even know their ultimate fate of torture for eternity.  

But knowing this, the demons have no power to stop their evil acts. Much like lost souls have no desire or power to stop living for themselves and harming others in the process.

The cycle of sin and abuse spiral out of control as demonic activity reigns in the lives of people. Whether they try to escape mentally through pleasure seeking, are driven to eating excessively, buy all the latest trends, or drown themselves in work, the insidious power of evil won’t loosen its grip.

 People invite more demons in through their lifestyle choices. Before they know it, the people around them are sucked into the swirling abyss of constant pleasure seeking and escape from pain. Innocent children are affected and turned towards evil too and not by their own choice!

And here we thought the Old Testament was dead and gone.

Nope.

God just chose this place and time to put his Son in the midst of their depraved culture to show us and them who the demons and eventually we—will surrender to.

At the mighty name of Jesus, EVERY knee will bow!

When scriptures like this speak to you and me and God opens our eyes to areas where demonic spirits have more control over our lives than the Holy Spirit, we have hope.

 All we have to do is call on him, my friend.

No demon is too big or too strong for Jesus.

If it’s the spirit of anger—hand him over to Jesus.

If it’s the spirit of fear—trust Jesus to meet your needs.

If it’s the spirit of unbelief—-ask for faith to take over instead.

If its’ the spirit of greed, gluttony, power, or selfishness—-sincerely plead with Jesus to reign over your heart in its place.

If it’s sexual sin, confess to him and repent—he is faithful and just to forgive.

No one is above the need for Jesus.

A centurion and a synagogue leader are perfect examples in the Bible of how the strong may become weak. They heard of Jesus’ power and authority to heal spiritual and physical ailments, and both came to him. They understood authority as leaders of men, who were both holding high positions, yet now power to help the people they love.

No matter how important these men were, they came to a place of humility and understood the greater power of God.

In like manner, no matter how important we think we are, eventually we will all come to a place of humility before Jesus, too.

He has been given all authority and all power. The centurion said,

Just say the word and my servant shall be healed. (Mathew 8:8)

I want that kind of faith and confidence. At the same time, I want the humility to surrender my past, my pain, and all my ugliness to him.

You and I have the wholeness of the gospel and the fullness of Jesus to absorb these next few weeks and I pray we understand it as the complex, deep, and abiding word that it is.

In it we will see miracle after miracle, and healing after healing. But we will also see Jesus submitting to Father God’s will.

If we understand that concept as the most important element of worship, I believe we will walk away from this study with unshakable faith.

I look forward to studying with you! Check out the resources on the blog for your physical and spiritual encouragement!

A delightful theme I see in Ezra is even during the dark reign of sin’s captivity and punishment, the hand of the God is on us. Are you like me, and sometimes wonder how much of the circumstances you are experiencing are of your own creation?

In my teenage years and early adulthood much of my confusion, pride, pain, and lack of solid relationship was born out of my own rebellion. Dark, ominous thoughts, and self-loathing lingered through those early years.

Much like Israel emerging out of seventy years of captivity, my own darkness began to finally abate at nineteen. I wonder in awe sometimes at how the hand of God was all over me during that time and it brings me to tears to see the parallel in Israel’s history.

Please join me this week as we read the book of Ezra and see how the hand of God is on him and his people as the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia, return to Jerusalem.

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to make a proclamation throughout the kingdom. (Ezra 1:1)

The proclamation is “Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold. (v3-4a)

Not only were they to be given money, manpower, and the animals to assist in the work of rebuilding the temple, ALL of the vessels of the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar carried away will be returned.

How do you see God moving the heart of a pagan (nonbelieving) king in these verses?

King Cyrus decrees the God of heaven charged him to build a house at Jerusalem and return all the vessels of the temple. I see God moving heaven and earth in perfect harmony as he orchestrates kings to do his bidding for His purpose and His glory.

The exodus, the end of slavery, the growing legacy of David and Israel’s rise and fall, all play a part in reflecting His power and holiness. Knowing God moves in a mighty way helps my faith stay strong when things happen that I don’t understand.

Most importantly, I also see what the enemy takes, God will restore.

The pain of arguing and fighting, and the insecurity poverty wrecks in a home to the point of total rebellion, is no match for the love he is capable of showering over every situation to reach those He loves.

What area of your life can you look back on and see the hand of God there guiding you? Take a moment to thank Him and if you haven’t yet, maybe ask Him to restore the peace, the harmony, and the contentment you once knew, or maybe never knew.

Ezra-The Scribe and Rebuilding of the Altar

Ezra is a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD God was on him. (Ezra 7:6)

Now in the second year, after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, the Levites and kinsmen who came out of captivity appointed Levites to supervise the work.  

As we read Ezra 3:10 -13 take a moment to see and savor what true repentance and understanding looks like when a people remember how worshipping God wholly and completely used to be.

Please, write your thoughts about what the Holy Spirit is showing you in these verses in your journal and I’ll share mine below.

The children of Israel gathered to make sacrifices to honor God in the original place of the first temple Solomon built. As the people gathered to build the temple and stones were laid, the childhood memories of the first majestic temple come flooding into their hearts and minds.

They are overcome with such a mixed bag of emotions they are undone! Regret, shame, relief, redemption and awe of God roll up in their hearts and they dissolve into weeping messes.

Repentance works that way.

When past pain, heartache, and sin’s repercussions are behind us and a feeling of forgiveness and love emerge to wash all the shame away, we are left with tears of redemptive joy!

Jesus the cornerstone of the eternal temple will come a few hundred years later and establish a new place of worship. He creates the avenue of redemption through his life, death, and resurrection and restoration takes place in the temple of our body.

Glory to God for this amazing picture of grace and salvation.

Ezra 5-6 Opposition Abounds but God is Still Moving

We don’t know how much time elapsed but the governor of the outlying province and his associates saw the rebuilding of the temple and were threatened by the Jews’ prosperous work and convinced Artaxerxes they were wicked and rebellious.

So, he makes a decree to stop the work on the temple and the rebuilding of the city until the reign of Darius.

 Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to rebuild again as letters to Darius are sent to search the royal archives and for the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem.  Darius the king makes a simple decree:

Let the work on this house of God alone.

The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River. May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy the house of God. (Ezra 6: 7,8b,12)

What do you see happening in this passage of Ezra 5-6?

How do you respond when you face opposition to what God has called you to do?

Once again, God directs the heart of a king to provide authorization, approval, and funds to rebuild the place of worship. It is he who orchestrates the big picture and allows things to fall into place.

What would happen to the stress, worry, and dissatisfaction of our lives if we just trusted God with the big picture?

The cost of our redemption is paid in full by Jesus.

Whatever is needed to lift us spiritually comes in the form of a loving church family and a solid effort to read God’s Word daily.  In the midst of this, the adversaries flee and ask for a blessing and prayer!

Ezra Sent to Teach the People

In Ezra chapter seven we see the repeated phrase “for the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (we also see it in the first person–  “the hand of the Lord my God, was on me” and in the plural form—“the hand of our God on us”).

My friend Gayle uses this phrase often in natural conversation.

She can fall down and bruise her face and she’ll say, “The hand of the Lord kept me safe and I didn’t hurt myself severely.” Much like Ezra and his contemporaries, she sees the hand of God in her life.

She even lives in expectation of God’s hand upon her. What would that look like in your life?

As you and I read the letter of King Artaxerxes in Ezra chapter seven we see this beautiful truth all over it!

1. He makes a decree that anyone (the people in captivity) who wants to return to Jerusalem may go.
2. Ezra is taking the Law of God with him.
3. Silver and gold are supplied by the king and his counselors for the house of God.
4. The money will be used for worship and whatever else is required for the house of God.
5. Whatever is decreed by the God of heaven, let it be done in full for the house of God.
6. Ezra is given power to appoint judges and magistrates to enforce the Law of God.
7. Ezra is to teach those who do not know the Law.

Ezra says, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king, his counselors, and before the king’s mighty officers. I took courage for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go with me.” (Ezra 7:27-28)

Ezra 7 ESV – Ezra Sent to Teach the People – Now – Bible Gateway

Now, the beauty of the bible is its authentic style and genuine portrayal of the character of God and the character of the people represented. Despite having the letter from the king giving him all authority to carry out the above tasks for God, Ezra was still afraid!

When you and I are given a task to do for God we can expect to meet opposition on every side and experience some fear. We can have the decree of salvation firmly tucked into our soul and still be ashamed to ask for help, too!

So, before we step out in faith, we can humble ourselves before our God to seek Him for a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.

If we declare God’s hand upon our lives, we also have the freedom to walk in it!

As you read Ezra chapter eight this week look for the hand of God on his people and enjoy the same promise it carries into the lives of each and every Christ follower you know.

I am especially enjoying how to face the fear of a God given task in verses 21-23 and the action plan displayed by Ezra and the returning exiles to defeat fear.

What nuggets of truth in these verses can you hold onto and memorize for your next battle with fear?

Ezra Prays About Intermarriage and The People Confess

The end of our reading this week takes us through Ezra chapter 9 and 10.

We understand from scripture that intermarriage with foreign wives led the Israelites away from God. In their worship, their daily lives, and how they treated one another.  The order of repentance for them and for us is to confess and turn away from sin.

This sounds very harsh and contrary to God’s command to “honor the wife of your youth” and take care of the widows and fatherless”. But I don’t see God saying not to support them financially and give them what they need.

I see God pointing out the children of this union do not know him. They don’t even speak the language of their father’s people. Scripture is clear about Rahab the prostitute from Caanan, and Ruth the Moabite being accepted by God because they gave up their pagan ways and followed the One True God.

So maybe, when you and I read these chapters and the command to put away foreign wives and children we can read it through the understanding of God’s grace and goodness.

God does not turn his back on those who repent and have a sincere heart change. There is no evidence of this in the wives of the returning exiles or else they would be accepted by God. The influence and abominations of their unclean ways will continue to influence their husbands.

God says we can’t have two masters, or please both masters, because we will be led astray.

Since God sees all and knows all, His decision here is right and just.

How do theses passages speak to your heart today?

Is there someone in your life influencing your faith in God in a negative way?

How can you pray for rescue in this situation?  

The Israeli survivors were still allowing the dark reign of sin to define who they were. The were embracing the culture’s ungodly ways and creating pain and heartache for their families in the process.

When I participate and approve of things contrary to God’s Word, I am doing the very same thing. God warns me not to do things or become deeply involved with events/people/ organizations that tempt me to forget Him.

This doesn’t mean I can’t associate with them, because I am to be in the world and not of the world. However, I don’t want my affections, personal goals, and identity to get so enamored with the world that I forget the good God whose hand is upon me at all times.

Find your own nuggets in the book this week, my friend! I pray if lifts you and carries you through all your questions and concerns! If you want more encouragement from Bible study check out the Daniel Overview, too!

The biggest impact the book of Daniel has on me as a bible student is: Unfailing character, faith, and resolve cannot be removed no matter what the circumstances are or who rules the world.

Judgement came to Israel and the fate of the people resulted in either captivity, famine, or death by the sword. Daniel is one of the captives taken to Babylon and entered into the king’s service. He and three of his friends have their names changed, learn a new language, and are taught the customs and laws of a new nation.

Since he is held accountable to the “chief of Eunuchs” I can assume he and his friends have also been made eunuchs. Just imagine the fear, trauma, and anxiety of leaving literally everything you knew as a young man and entering the service of this pagan ruler.

“Daniel resolved he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. And God gave him favor and compassion in the site of the chief of Eunuchs.” Daniel 1:8

Daniel has no control over his life except in the area of food. All the choices of study, how he lives, the language he speaks, and even his name is dictated by a new king.

As followers of Christ, we can relate, can’t we?

We live in a culture that wants to dictate right and wrong with an evil lens. We can choose to go along with it or take a stand. The massively greedy retail giants control the airwaves and try to pollute our view of what’s good.

Daniel and his friends, made up their minds they would not defile themselves.

Later, God honors the three friends in one of the most spectacular displays of grace I’ve ever seen in the bible! You know this story from when you were a little child in Sunday School. The fiery furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar creates a statue of himself and expects everyone to bow down and worship him.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel 3:13-18

Daniel 3 ESV – Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image – Bible Gateway

Character, faith, and resolve in the face of death and being burned alive is before the three young friends of Daniel. Making a choice against everything honorable and holy takes extreme courage and faith. They are resolving in their hearts not to bow down to idols.

At the risk of death, they are not giving in to evil, and their core values shine a light on what really matters in life.

Remaining faithful to God.

It reminds me of Jesus in Luke 12:8-12 telling the disciples not to deny him before the authorities. He tells them “everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God”. He tells them not be anxious about what they will say, because the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say.

Time and again God is there for faithful believers. Daniel and his three friends escaped famine and sword and were shown favor.  Today is no different.  It is exactly how we as Christians can have bold faith and respond when we are attacked for our convictions.

We can graciously and respectfully refuse to bow down as evil rages in our culture and Christ will show up to strengthen us.

He was in the fiery furnace with Daniel’s three friends and he will be there for our fiery trials too.

What encouragement do you find in this today?

How is God using your circumstances to draw you closer to Him?

Daniel and The Writing on the Wall

Moving through the book of Daniel we see his life is long as her serves four kings of the Medo-Persian empire. In Daniel chapter 5, we meet Nebuchadnezzar’s son:

 ^“Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. ⁴ They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.⁵ Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. ⁶ Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.”

Daniel 5:2-6

Daniel 5 ESV – The Handwriting on the Wall – King – Bible Gateway

The queen mother remembers Daniel and his ability to interpret visions. I’m sure the picture of her deceased husband succumbing to his pride and eating grass like a wild animal is still etched in her memory.

I infer Daniel is put aside in this king’s court because the queen mother has to remind him who Daniel is. Nebuchadnezzar made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans and astrologers because of his ability to interpret his dream.

Here is what we can gather from the text:

1. Belshazzar is in active rebellion against our holy God by purposely defiling the instruments used in the worship of God. His life is one of disbelief, revelry, and worship of wealth and false gods.
2. When he sees the writing on the wall his merriment fades and the color drains from his face as his knees knock.
3. He doesn’t even know what it says, but he is terrified to see a human hand appear and write on the wall.
4. His mother remembers Daniel and urges for him to be called.

Friend, God sees the heart of everything we do. Daneil may have even felt forgotten when Nebuchadnezzar passed, but God still has plans for him. The unwavering favor of God over his life, I believe, is a result of his prayer life and unflinching character.

It is an example of faithful living I cherish and hope to live out myself.

The queen mother remembered the light and wisdom found in Daniel. May we too be remembered for trusting God humbly for answers.

How does Daniel’s vision make you think about our culture’s attitude towards God today? Are there similarities? How so?

What does the picture of revelry then fear in this king show you about his character?

What stands out to you in Daneil chapters 5 and 6?

Daniel, the Angels, & His Visions

In Daniel chapters nine, the aging prophet begins to reflect on the exile of his people and the time elapsed in captivity. He begins to pray, earnestly, fervently, and with great remorse for the sins of his nation.

If you’ll notice as we read the Bible in a Year, Daniel’s prayer is much like each prayer of his contemporaries. The prayer pattern of the prophets looks like this:

1. They acknowledge the authority, love, and power of our mighty God and pay him the reverence and respect he is due.
2. Then they confess their sins and the sins of their leaders and people. The lack of obedience, the greed, the idolatry, and intentional following their way instead of God’s way.
3. Lastly, they ask for God to hear their prayer, listen to their pleas, and grant forgiveness, mercy, and redemption.

As he was speaking, the angel Gabriel came to him and assures him he is greatly loved. I did a three-day Bible lesson on this for the YouVersion Bible app a few years ago. It just amazed me the level of care and concern God showed Daniel.

I am convinced it is because of his unfailing character and unflinching faith.

Don’t you want that for yourself and your family today?  I sure do. Fear can consume us if we take our eyes off the Lord and all he’s done for us.

Daniel 9:20-11

At the end of chapter nine and beginning of chapters ten and eleven, Gabriel explains to Daniel the spiritual battle taking place in the heavenly realms and gives him a vision of how this long battle will end. Kings and kingdoms will rise and conquer, and their power grows to plunder and spoil the lands they take over, but only to fall to the next king and kingdom.

Daniel is trembling and troubled for weeks at the site of this future vision of destruction and devastation. But low and behold, the final King, the messiah Jesus Christ will come to rule and reign forever!

Daniel Chapter 12

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation until that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1

The good news of the gospel is not good news until you and I understand the bad news. I think if people could just wrap their minds around their own sinfulness and falling short of our holy God, then they would understand why they need a Savior.

Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mathew 10:28) There is a promise from Him encouraging us not to focus so much on this life and our bodies, but to really think about our souls and eternity.

In chapter twelve we see this promise come to life, for the people of Israel and for us, who place our trust in the Lord.

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. “ Daniel 12:2-3

If your walk with God and my walk with God, meaning our faith, words, action, and writing, turns others from their sin and towards the righteousness of Jesus, seeds of faith are sewn.

God waters them to make them grow! Someday, long after we leave this earth, those who listened and obeyed are wise and will shine like the brightness of the sky above.

Summary

Wow! Daniel’s life of unfailing character and unflinching faith is rewarded in a beautiful way. The assurance to go his way until the end is locked into place. He shall rest and stand in his allotted place at the end of days. (vs. 13).

Enjoy the book of Daniel this week my friend and let me know what nuggets you find there!

What do you learn about God in chapters 9-12?

What do you learn about the future?

How does knowing the future draw you closer to God?

What dos placing your faith and trust in God look like in your daily life?

I look forward to serving you here and on my podcast, Family Focused Health, where we tackle health topics each week and what God provides in His Word and the garden to sustain us body and soul, check it out on the podcast page!

Moving through the book of Ezekiel you and I will see the glory of heaven and the Spirit of God in motion. Ezekiel is called to prophecy to the house of Israel but is also warned by God about their hard hearts. They will not listen to what he has to say about the coming judgement and their idolatry.

We see this resistance in ourselves and the ones we love, don’t we?

Does anyone want to hear about their lifestyle and habits that don’t honor God or themselves? It’s just not what we want to hear! The people of Israel are no different.

Ezekiel has a mountain of resistance before him and some really bad news to share. So, what does God do? God gives him a picture of the throne of glory and how the hosts of heaven worship and honor God.

The stark comparison of heaven’s glory and proper worship to Israel’s confused mix of a little of God here, and a little pagan there is striking.

The half-hearted loyalty and stiff-necked people are stubborn and resistant to the only true Deity who can give them peace and contentment.

So, I think of Ezekiel as the heart of stone prophet. Not that his heart was hard but that his message was a plea for people to tear down the wall around their hearts that shuts God out. You know that wall all of us carefully build to protect ourselves from emotional turmoil and further disappointment.

Much like Israel, our culture places too much trust in the world around them. They get sucked into the mainstream of life and its ways and before they know it, the principles of God’s law are forgotten. As a society, they depend on jobs, finances, or the government for security and even guidance.

Ezekiel is saying to Israel, and I believe to us, wake up.

He becomes the watchman to warn the people of their wickedness—even though God’s already told him they won’t listen. God puts it this way:

“If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”

 Ezekeil 3:18-19

Judgement came to the house of Israel, and the people were scattered. Yet God’s plan to redeem and restore them is a beautiful shadow of how He will send His son Jesus, a few hundred years later, to save us.

God tells Ezekeil the exiled people of Israel will be given a new heart!

They will realize their sin and repent of their idolatry.

“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people and I will be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20

Questions to Ponder:

• Why do you think the Holy Spirit put theses verses in the bible?
• How does it move you to think, speak, or live for God in a different way?
• Are you a watchman for the lost people within your influence?

The hope of the gospel is to surrender our entire way of thinking to the Lord Jesus Christ and confront the broken awful blackness of our soul. As we lay it before him and ask Him to redeem and restore us, a new regenerated soul is born. We have a one heart with Christ, a new heart and a new spirit.

Gone is the heart of stone with its cracked wall of feeble protection that allows loneliness, jealousy, envy, and greed to seep in and corrupt our souls. In its place is a pliable, open softness towards ourselves, our past, and those around us!

It’s a heart willing to forgive generously, love unconditionally, and move excitedly to honor and please God.

Glory to you, God for the message of freedom to face our sin, confess our sin, and lay it before you for our healing.  A new life here and for eternity!

God bless you, today. I am praying for you as you read this and listen to the message God has for you! You’ll find more encouragement, recipe devotions, and health tips on the blog, so look around and let me know what you think!

I’m expanding my physical and spiritual health ministry into a podcast too; it’s called Family Focused Health and it’s on Spotify! I would be so grateful if you can join me there each week for health topics, scripture, and ways to implement healthier lifestyle habits into our lives.

Ephesians 4:17

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Futility of their thinking is defined as useless thoughts. Therefore, spiritual and emotional health starts by letting Christ take every thought captive. He wants you and I free from futile thinking because it is purposeless and unfruitful for us and our children.

So, how do we follow the apostle Paul’s advice and no longer live in futility of thinking?

Or as I like to say, “What does letting go of useless thoughts look like in the Christian life?”

I don’t think it’s easy by any means, but I’m hoping with more time in prayer, and quickly recognizing when I’m susceptible, God will guide me through it. Especially if I take a biblical approach to those useless thoughts.

With that in mind, my plan is to dive a little deeper into Ephesians with you today and define futile thoughts. We will then identify them in our lives and the lives of our children and learn how to biblically create new thoughts to replace them. The best part is we all have the ability to do this!

It’s called neuroplasticity. The brain’s ability to adapt to changes in the environment, learning, recuperating from an injury, and experiences. (1) If you want an in-depth way to learn about creating new thought patterns check out Dr. Carline Leaf’s blog.

My friend, I believe building ourselves and our children up in times of great evil depend on our ability to biblically adapt our brains to this environment.

Shall we get started?

How the Gentiles (Non-Jews) Are Futile in Their Thinking

When the bible talks about Gentiles, we know the writers are referring to non-Jews. In today’s culture believers of Christ may consider non-Christians in a similar light.

 The one of the primary themes in this powerful book is how experiencing Christ’s grace gives us a heart for others, a persona of general peace, and a loving nature.

Now, I understand we don’t get there overnight.

But as Christ continues to transform our hearts into his image, we long to be rid of the ways of the world alongside futile thinking. Paul, the author of Ephesians, gives us four distinct descriptions of useless thoughts the Gentiles practice and what we may even see in ourselves at times.

“They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” (Ephesians 4:18)

1. Darkened in their Understanding
2. Separated from the life of God
3. Ignorant
4. Hard Hearts

Four Ways Useless Thoughts Affect Christians

First, we Christians can be darkened in our understanding, just like non-believers. We see this when morality and spiritual issues arise. Lack of knowing and reading God’s Word can affect how we respond, think, and feel.

It can also leave us open to false teaching. But what happens to people like you and me who read the Bible every day and still struggle with areas of darkened understanding?

We are easily frustrated, fall into a defeated mindset when we mess up, and berate ourselves and others when we don’t get our way. Before we know it, we are falling back into our old patterns of coping.

Binging on food, television, our drink of choice, or ranting verbally to anyone who will listen is something I’ve been guilty of more than I care to admit. Even worse, is withdrawing into myself and believing the worst about myself and how the other person feels about me.

They are lies from the enemy, I am too eager to believe because he is so good at convincing me it’s true. And I forget who I am in Christ.

 I know Jesus came and died to free me of that way of life and that way of thinking. However, living out victory takes intentional thought-grabbing moments and laying them at his feet.

I don’t mind admitting, I need help doing this more often. It’s also something my heart longs to do better in my closet relationships. Maybe you do too.

After all, understanding is a gift (Daniel 2:21) to be prayed for (Psalm 119:24). It has cognitive, moral, and spiritual implications. (1) When you and I are darkened in our understanding, there may be an area of our sin nature we are reluctant to surrender to Christ.

This can be an area of pride, fear, or anger. Or it may be lustful desires for material things, desire for attention, success, or food. Paul is urging us to see with new eyes and grasp with new thoughts, the power of Christ’s grace and generosity.

He knows how hard it is to put off the old self and what we’ve been taught to believe our entire lives. However, we’ve been given the special gift of a renewed spirt.  With the Spirit comes a heart willing to bow to Christ and love anyway. It’s a heart who yearns to let go of the old life and its corrupting ways.

Second, useless thoughts separate us from the life of God.

When you and I heard about the good news of Jesus we were taught the truth that is in Him. (Eph. 4:21) The sinful life entangling us and separating us from God has been bought and paid for by Christ.

Ideally, we can come before Him and commune with Him, whereas before, we could not fully do so. No longer darkened in our understanding of who God is and what he has done to repair and restore relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus, we desire to walk with Him in holiness and righteousness.

Although this new relationship does not take away the sins naturally falling from our human nature, it does change our hearts to please God, seek Him, and get to know Him better.

The thing I notice the most is when I give in to selfish, useless thoughts, I feel distant from God. Do you ever feel that way?

 Sometimes I still choose to do things my way, and not His. Then I have the nerve to complain, “Where is God? Why isn’t He doing something about_____?”

Thirdly, ignorance can be at the root of useless thoughts.

The context of ignorance in this verse seems to be willful and intentional. God has said from the beginning if we love Him, we will find Him when we search for Him with all our hearts. (Jeremiah 29:13)

The question may be, “Where are we searching for answers?” When old wounds, hurtful comments, or difficult situations take place in our lives we have a choice.

We can stop and identify the emotion triggered with the experience. Before letting our thoughts get carried away, we can ask, “Is this true?” 

Sometimes we associate and insert thoughts that progress us towards a negative direction when they are not even true! Instead, we can memorize a familiar scripture to plant the seeds of God’s truth in its place and counteract untruth.

I’m not talking about denial I’m talking about confronting negative thoughts, determine the root, and determine if it’s true.

Or we can hang on to our old patterns of thinking. In my life it may look something like this:

My Family: “Why did you leave the door open to the garage and let all the cold air in?”

 My Thoughts: “Great job being careless and leaving the door open.”

My Words: “I don’t know, I guess I forgot to close it.”

Maybe ignorance, in this case, is willfully choosing to continue a negative cycle of thinking with others because of a history of criticism, distrust, or fear. Were my thoughts above true?

No. They were not true. However, the emotion evoked was shame and guilt, which from previous experience with the person asking the question made me feel careless.

Lastly, a hard heart dwells on the interaction repeatedly and holds a grudge.

Jesus taught us to forgive offenses as often as they happen. We tend to think, well, he was God in the flesh, He can do that. For you and me, it’s not so easy.

The idea Paul inspires is putting off the old self corrupted by its deceitful desires and be made knew in the attitude of our minds. (Eph. 4:22b, 23) God loves us so much we can be filled to overflowing with His love.

When I worked in a hospital as a registered nurse, I resisted getting too close to my patients. I purposefully hardened my heart, so I would not get hurt. It was a practice I had learned early in life when my father chose to live far away and my mom had trouble showing love.

But, like he does so many times in life, God had other plans.

I married into a wonderful family who did show love in big ways and often. And despite their many and varied illnesses, my patients and their families showed massive love to one another and those of us who cared for them, too.

Slowly and gently God chipped away at this hard heart. The power of his love builds resilience and replaces useless thoughts with those that restore and heal broken and hard hearts. Slowly, as we learn to trust Him more, He renews our minds, too.

Summary of Letting Go of Useless Thoughts

Maybe we can close in a prayer today using scripture to speak to our hearts and opens our eyes to God’s better plan.

Father in heaven, you see our hearts, you know we struggle at times with futile (useless) thoughts. The enemy can easily attack us through the words of those we love because of the way we show our emotions. Thank you so much for enough grace to build our faith so we are not tossed about by careless words, human cunning, or deceitful schemes of the devil. Praise you for your glorious renewal of our spirit each day, Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

Have a wonderful day, my friend. May your heart be light as you place your spiritual and emotional health in the hands of the Lord!

If you need coaching help be sure to let me know here! I look forward to hearing from you!

References:

Elwell, Walter A. “Entry for ‘Understanding'”. “Evangelical Dictionary of Theology”. . 1997. Biblestudytools.com

Gulyaeva NV. Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroplasticity: An Expanding Universe. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2017 Mar;82(3):237-242. doi: 10.1134/S0006297917030014. PMID: 28320264.

“And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name, Gershom, for he said, ‘I am a sojourner in a foreign land.”

Exodus 2:21-22

Exodus 2 ESV – The Birth of Moses – Now a man from the – Bible Gateway

The messiness of passing through this life affects us physically and spiritually. I see this in my life and the lives of the ancient people in the bible as God shows me how they struggle, just like me.

In Exodus 2 this morning, I learn about Moses’ journey to becoming a leader. I see the cry of his heart gain a voice as he names his son, Gershom. ‘A sojourner in a foreign land’; he is not a permanent settler but readying for a temporary stay.

It’s a familiar story in his life.

He is passing through Midian as he passed through the tall reeds of the Nile River as a baby escaping infanticide. Displacement sets deep in his heart as Pharoah’s daughter took pity on his crying frame.

Although his sister secures continued nursing from the mother who loves him by offering the princess a wet nurse, he is destined to be raised an Egyptian. A few short months later, the young toddler is handed over to the princess. She calls him Moses because she drew him out of the water.

It’s messy when you know you are different and you feel like you don’t belong.

He is an outcast among his adopted family because of his heritage and he is scorned by the Hebrews because he looks, and acts like an Egyptian. Although he risks his own life defending a man being beaten by an Egyptian, he is not accepted.

One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked at their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.  When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?”  He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.”

Exodus 2:11-14

Fleeing in fear as word of his killing the man spreads to Pharaoh, he arrives in Midian. He is rewarded for defending the daughters of Reuel as they attempted to water their flocks among rowdy neighboring shepherds. Reuel gives him Zipporah as a wife, and she bears him Gershom.

Lean On Jesus and Follow His Example

I think you and I can empathize with Moses’ predicament. In a culture whose values and morals are very different from God’s plans and ways, we can feel like outcasts, too.

Not feeling a kindred spirit with the people of Pharoah’s palace or in Midian is the same way we feel about the world. It has no eternal hold on us because we are just passing through.

We have a heart for the weak and the downtrodden, just as Moses did, and we’ll face retribution for standing up for what is right. At times our biblical worldview clashes so abruptly with the culture we have to decide when to stand our ground.

The best news of all is Jesus came passing through our mess to share the load. When the weakness of spirit and body begins to overwhelm us, we lean on his example of perseverance and prayer.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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.”  (Mathew 11:28-29)

We can also rest in what He accomplished on the cross. Defeating sin and death by taking on God’s wrath was the major purpose of his sojourn. However, in the process, he also accepted the outcast thief beside Him, forgave those who persecuted Him, and secured the care of His mother.

 His short, messy stay here changed the entire world.

We can too.

Focus More on God as We Pass Through Life

Knowing you and I are sojourners in this place helps us focus more on God and what He wants us to do.

The apostle Paul understands this age-old struggle. He assures Christ’s followers at Corinth to rest assured when this tent of a body is gone, we have a heavenly home with God for eternity. It is normal to groan in these feeble bodies as we long for our heavenly home.  (2 Corinthians 5:1-2)

Despite feeling out of place, we can be effective and fruitful in our calling.

The darkness of the world is passing away and the true light is shining through the hearts and faith of every believer. (1 John 2:8) We have hope as we keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

(1 John 2:17)

So, if the cry of the outcast is on your heart today, embrace it!

Following the examples of Moses who struggled with it, and Jesus who accepted it, is part of our ministry. Neither one of them let the messiness of passing through stop them from accomplishing God’s purpose.

When I had my first baby, I experienced a kind of love I’d never known before—unselfish love. Holding her and looking at her little face filled me to overflowing with wonder and protectiveness. It was so intense; I would grit my teeth to keep from squeezing her too tightly.

She did nothing to earn it, and had nothing to offer in return. But her complete helplessness captured my heart like nothing else ever could.

Yet, my love for my daughter does not compare to God’s love for her. Or His love for you and me, for that matter.

“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so we might live through him.”

1 John 4:8-9

I would gladly lay my life down for my child’s, just like God, in the flesh of Jesus, laid His life down for me.

A pure unselfish love you and I long for in the deepest parts of our souls.

Jesus’ Example of Unselfish Love

• He goes before us, and we know his voice.
• Lays down his life for his sheep.
• Came so we may have abundant life.
• He prepares a place for us.
• He brings the light of understanding into darkness.
• He did not come to judge the world but to save the world. (John 3:17, John 12:47)
• Humbled himself to become a lowly servant and set an example for the world. (John 13)

My sheep know my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:27-28

That kind of love is what moves mountains of destructive behavior into an abyss. Knowing and understanding you and I did nothing to deserve the selfless love of God frees us to discard our attachments to the world.

Our complete helplessness has captured His heart. He sent His Holy Spirit to abide in us, guide us, and shepherd us to live an abundant life.

We can be free to do that spiritually and physically without deceptive man-made items drawing us back into its clutches. Sugary sweets don’t have control over us, we control them. It has a proper place in celebrations, without becoming a greater comforter than time spent with God.

His comfort is unselfish. It doesn’t steal our health, age us before our time, cause overgrowth of bad bacteria in our intestines, destroy our livers, or wreak havoc in our blood vessels. God’s comfort, through His Son Jesus, brings us complete contentment in body, mind, and spirit.

It’s a beautiful gift we are so full of, we share it with our own families.

How does the amazing, unselfish love of God free you and comfort you today?

I am here for you as your RN Health and Wellness Coach! There are free resources here and scientific references for improving healthy habits like sleep. You’ll also find ideas for preparing healthy meals, eating intentionally, and exercising. Also, let me know if you have any questions or would be interested in me coming to speak at your church group or ladies’ group. I look forward to serving you!

Christmas brings a mixed bag of emotions for many people. Sometimes the gift of peace and joy mingle with sorrow and grief.

If you’re confused and having trouble finding peace today, I pray you find rest in the promise of your obedience.

In it, you may find your shalom, an indescribable ability to be content in all circumstances.

Jesus said:

” Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:32-33

” Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

(John 14:27)

Here is what I’ve witnessed in myself and others over the years:

• 1. Peace does not mean freedom from pain, sorrow, tension, anxiety, difficult relationships, or doubt. It is finding contentment with who you are in the midst of it all.
• 2. Fear is a tactic of the devil to steal peace and disarm you from your purpose.
• 3. Time does not heal all wounds, Jesus does.
• 4. People will reject you more if you faithfully follow Jesus, ask for the peace only He can give to do it anyway.
• 5. Emptiness in your soul will never be filled with food, intimacy, drugs, money, material things, or alcohol. It only disappears with full surrender to Jesus.

I’d love to hear what you are learning about peace this season; will you share your wisdom in the comments below?

The Gift of Peace is Jesus

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

The names of Jesus in Isaiah chapter nine reassure me God is in control. The eventual plan of His mercy and grace is for those who accept Him to be restored to right relationship with Him.

It’s a gift of peace deep in our souls only the Prince of Peace can bring.

Sinful lives you and I live daily, and the curse of the garden, will have no power to separate us from God ever again. However, it is not the kind of peace the world gives. We still experience grief, sadness, loss, and conflict with others.

We have to live in the tension of our secure relationship with God and our longing for others to know Him. Living peacefully with others to our best ability looks a little different too. We can honor others, while still sharing truth in the following ways:

1. How we respond to dishonorable behavior and harsh words
2. How we act towards other people
3. How we talk to people
4. How we look at other people

Jesus responds to dishonorable behavior by asking questions and telling stories. He gets to the heart of the situation and brings light into the darkness. We can too!

New Testament accounts show our Wonderful Counselor treating the least of these with dignity and respect. Calling simple fisherman, tax collectors, and sinners to follow him establishes their place of honor for eternity (Rev. 21:14)

Our Mighty God, who became a baby and grew up a poor and humble servant, talks to people with compassion and respect.  Following His example, we can put pride aside and see others as equals.

The Everlasting Father looked at people through the eyes of mercy and saw them as image bearers of Himself. So, we can joyfully do the same.

The Gift of Peace: Living in the Spirit

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”   (Romans 12:17-18)

Although, I know as a Christian, I am not going to intentionally return evil for evil. I find myself talking about those who hurt me to my closest inner circle.

It may be to my husband who doesn’t know how to handle my ugly cry, or my mom and dad who’s been in my shoes.  Do you find yourself doing that too?

“As far as it is possible live peaceable with all,” is a statement from God’s word to which my rebelling heart sometimes cries, Ok, how?

How do I let ignored texts and phone calls roll off and not take offense?

The truth is, when weeks go by and I can’t spend time with those I love most, I feel rejected and unloved. It may not even be true, but it’s clear where I fall in the list of priorities.

My heavenly Father whispers deep into my soul, “Yes, daughter, I feel your pain, because I remember you doing the very same thing to me.”

I remember it too.

How sobering to be in a tiny speck of my Father in heaven’s shoes.

Moreover, how freeing it is when my heart understands what the Holy Spirit is telling me!

He gently reminds me over and over, “whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Mathew 10:37b)

I am living in the flesh and not according to the spirit. I am reacting to unmet desires and placing my love for people above God.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

The gift of peace comes into my heart when I release my unmet desires before the Father and rightly adjust my own priorities. I set my mind on Jesus and my focus on why He came into this world in the first place.

He came to restore me and you to right relationship with God the Father. It’s a mistake to think He came to bring peace on earth, or within our own households (Mathew 10:34-39)

But as far as it is possible, you and I can live peaceably with all.

So, we pray.

We call upon the Giver of Life to silence any raging thoughts and make them obedient to Christ Jesus. Help us treasure every moment with loved ones without expecting them to fill an emptiness in us they will never be able to fill.  Remind us to reach out in love in all circumstances.

Most of all, if there is any lingering resentment present, we pray it vanishes as the love of God fills us to overflowing as peace fills our hearts.

I pray this gift of peace settles your sweet soul today as much as it does mine. I am here for you if you need prayer or someone to walk alongside you in your pathway to wellness– physically and spiritually!

You can book an appointment to talk your own personal RN Health and Wellness Coach here:

Mysty,

Simplifying Health God’s Way

Boost post

The gift of joy is the most satisfying element in life, and it is free.

Everyone who thirsts may come.

He who has no money may buy and eat! It has no price.

Why do we spend our money on things that are not bread and labor for things that don’t satisfy?

Isaiah says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near”

When we return to the Lord, he has compassion on us and abundantly pardons straying thoughts, selfish desires, and pride.

The Lord’s Word goes out from his mouth and does not return empty but accomplishes all that He purposes.

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)

The word of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream to reassure him the child within his virgin betrothed is indeed from God. I can only imagine the relieved joy in his heart upon hearing this news.

Mary has remained faithful to him, there is no shame in this conception. Nor is there a need to divorce her quietly. The angel says, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Mathew 1:21)

 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus (Mathew 1:24).

Joseph, son of David, his thoughts whirling about how to get out of this situation is led to accept all the Lord spoke through the prophet Isaiah.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Immanuel’ (which means God with us).  (Mathew 1:22-23)

The gift of joy is coming through his wife, and he is privileged to raise the Son of God. How quickly his thoughts of turmoil turned to dismay and wonder!

Although righteous, he did nothing to earn this highest honor. Even though his culture shuns the unknown circumstances of Jesus’ birth, and may question the purity of his bride, the gift of joy overrides doubt.

What gift of joy overrides the fear and doubt in your life today?

Let God’s thoughts over you and His reassurance of who you are in Him be the gift of joy in your heart today. Your spiritual health and wellness are of great importance to Him, and to me! Jesus came so we may have life abundantly, here on earth and eternally.

What needs to take place for you to experience joy for a lifetime? King David may have some ideas for you and me today.

A Gift of Joy for a Lifetime

I will shout to the heavens over you Lord, for you have pulled my face away from anxiety, fear, pain, and illness.

When I cry to you for help, you heal me.

You take my soul from the pit of hell and restore life to me.

I sing praises to you among my brothers and sisters in Christ and give thanks to your holy name, because your anger is but for a moment, and your favor is for a lifetime.

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)

I take king David’s words of song in dedication to the temple and put them in my own words because God is worthy of extolling praise and has taken my drawn face out of the pit many times.

The foes of doubt, never measuring up, not being accepted fully by those I love, and physical infirmary pale in comparison to the gift of joy coming when all God’s plan is fulfilled.

The lowly shepherds relate to my occasional feelings of being the outcast. Taking care of animals night and day would be a low position in society.  However, it is thought the shepherds keeping watch over the flock by night were assigned to care for the sacrificial lamb to be slain (Wilson, 2012).

The perfect spotless lamb had to remain free of injury for the coming sacrifice. A heavenly calling and important job requiring diligence and commitment brought the angel of the Lord to their presence.

What has your face drawn and downcast today?

Pray this with me today:

God there is an emptiness on my heart that can only be filled by you. The loss of my loved one runs deep and at times sadness pulls me into a pit. Lord, please take my weeping and turn it to joy. I praise you for giving me the true spotless lamb who sacrificed all for me and restores life to me. I look forward to the day when I can rejoice with the one, I’m temporarily separated from, because we share a deeper eternal joy surpassing this lifetime. Give me the strength to continue your heavenly calling on my life that I may pursue you with diligence and commitment as the shepherds did.

In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Conviction, A Gift of Joy

Another surprising way God has of bringing us joy is conviction!

Although conviction has a way of bringing remorse and sorrow, once its power grieves the heart enough to seek repentance, there is a gift of joy-filled relief.

There is no more bearing the weight of guilt and shame.

In its place is the ability to say goodbye to selfishness that prevents healing in relationships. Conviction is bittersweet truth bringing lasting comfort, only the Word made flesh can do.

I see the nation of Israel under conviction in Nehemiah chapter 8. After seventy years of captivity, they are allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its wall of protection.

On the day of completion all the people were gathered to hear the reading of the law (God’s Word). Many are hearing it for the first time and raising their hands in worship.

As the priests move among them explaining the words, Israel is moved to weeping and mourning their sin.

{And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.  Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9-10}

Nehemiah 8:9-10 ESV – This Day Is Holy – And Nehemiah, who – Bible Gateway

The night of Jesus’ birth the lowly shepherds witnessed a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among those whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2;14)

Elevated to a position of grace and favor, they made haste to find the baby lying in a manger. “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them.”

God wants to restore you and I to the place of grace and honor too.

He makes a way for us, just like he did Israel and the lowly shepherds. It is through the Word made flesh, Jesus.

Once we see and understand this, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength. Conviction, my friend, is the gift that brings us to Him.

May He be your strength today! I look forward to serving you and helping you simplify your health physically and spiritually. Contact me for your next women’s event for speaking or teaching!

Mysty

RN Health & Wellness Coach

Simplifying Health God’s Way