Christian Archives - Tomme Stevenson

April 1, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed are They Who Mourn

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4 powerfully reminds us that mourning is an inevitable part of the human experience in a broken world. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the burdens of a world full of challenges, or the pain of broken relationships and regrets, mourning is something we all face.

To Mourn

But this verse isn’t about being stuck in sorrow, it’s about the hope that follows. Grief and loss are real, but they don’t define the end of the story. They open the door to comfort, healing, and renewal. Even during pain, we are not abandoned. We are met with love, grace, and reassurance. The comfort we receive comes through our faith. Delivered through others, or the quiet peace that grows within us over time. We can trust that our pain is not meaningless, and that hope shines through, even in the darkest moments.

Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

Mourning is not just about what’s been lost; it’s about what’s missing now. The emptiness left behind is sometimes the most challenging part. It’s not just the absence of a person or situation but also of something that once brought us joy or purpose. So, how do we fill that space?

The answer is believing that God’s presence will fill the void. Through Him we can turn to love—deepening relationships with those still with us. We can fill the emptiness by embracing a new purpose, turning pain into something meaningful through service, creativity, or personal growth. What matters is that we don’t numb the pain with distractions but allow something that truly nourishes the soul to fill the void.

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

Resilience

True resilience lies in finding God’s purpose, even in tragedy. Grief may cloud that purpose at first, but in time, we are faced with a choice: Will we allow loss to define us in despair, or will it transform us into something stronger, wiser, and more compassionate? God doesn’t remove the pain, but He gives it meaning. He uses suffering as a catalyst for growth, helping us understand life and love on a deeper level.

Never does a man know the force in him until some mighty affliction or grief has humanized the soul.- Frederick W. Robertson, The Sermons of Frederick W. Robertson.

There is always the temptation to fall into victimhood, to let pain define us as helpless or unworthy. But that path often leads to bitterness and isolation. Instead, God invites us to trust that He can use it for good even in the worst circumstances. This is where we can experience actual growth: amid hardship, we can choose to rise above it and be transformed by it.

Suffering is never without purpose. Even in our deepest pain, God is at work. The Bible speaks of how God turns ashes into beauty, works all things for good, and is always near to the brokenhearted. Mourning is not just an expression of loss—it’s an invitation to draw closer to God. In our weakest moments, we often feel His presence most profoundly. Grief creates a vacuum, but that space can be filled with God’s love, grace, and the hope of resurrection.

Beauty from Ashes

Isaiah 61:3, “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Tragedy is a choice: either a point of surrender or resistance. Choosing redemption means trusting that God can bring something good from even the worst circumstances. Choosing victimhood closes us off from that possibility. The invitation is always there.

“Even amid our worst times, God has not abandoned us. We may feel overwhelmed by our problems and sorrows — but God is never overwhelmed, nor do they take Him by surprise.” – Billy Graham.

Ultimately, to mourn is not the end. It’s the beginning of healing, transformation, and a deeper relationship with God. Beauty from ashes—this concept speaks directly to the heart of redemption. God can take what is broken, burned, or lost and bring something new, even more beautiful, from it. It doesn’t erase the pain but transforms it, giving it purpose.

Think of how fire refines gold or how a forest, after being ravaged by fire. It grows back more vibrant than before. Similarly, our deepest struggles and losses can lead to our most extraordinary growth. If we allow God to work through them. This is where true beauty can emerge—not just from what we gain, but from what we’ve endured and learned along the way.

Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

March 11, 2025February 28, 2025

An Opinion is only a State of Mind.

Christians making Christians An opinion is only a state of mind; it does not predict the future. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines opinion as “a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter.” We too often give too much credence to someone’s opinion, including our own. Many of the disagreements I hear are formed when opinions differ.

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” — Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning.

Christian Opinion

As a Christian, I think it is time to walk back our opinions. We often take too strong a stand on our emotional state about a subject. The genesis of our opinions is not our knowledge of the future, but environmental elements of our past. We form opinions because of past experiences, cultural, or social influences, media information, peer pressure, group dynamics, personal and emotional bias, education, and personal interest. There are probably many other reasons, but none of these reasons is knowledge of the future.

Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Having a strong opinion about a matter does nothing to make a difference. Making a difference comes from active involvement in relieving the condition you oppose or improving a condition in which you feel a deficit. Telling everyone you meet your opinion only stirs up controversy. Controversy gives birth to anxiety, which fosters conflict.

2 Timothy 2:23-24 – “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.”

Influencers

We live in a dysfunctional world full of misinformation and half-truths. Millions of people write online articles to create conflict by influencing public opinion. They do this out of greed, not as a public service. The more diversion they can create, the more site traffic they create, the more advertising income they receive. These are not people interested in improving the world. Their goal is to create income with passionate speeches and convoluted logic.

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

“Tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” – Tim Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism (2008)

There are legitimate influencers with a true passion for their cause. Some of their causes are misguided and based on sketchy logic, but they are heartfelt. Some influencers take great pains to find the truth and communicate it with an objective view, but it is rare. We are all influenced by the abovementioned reasons; no one is above unconscious influence.

Our Position

Proverbs 18:2 – “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

“One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.”- John Piper, A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life (1997)

Our position as Christians is to rise above the ordinary. We can’t stop having opinions—God-given emotions overflow into opinions—but we can watch how we communicate them; consciously acknowledging that they are emotions, not facts. Changing the future by arguing a position is counterintuitive. We change the future by doing, not talking.

James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

March 4, 2025February 13, 2025

One Person Can Make a Difference.

One Person can make a difference. I know many of us don’t believe it can be us. We believe we have an impact on our families and friends, but that is not a real difference in the world. It seems like one more drop of water in the ocean, one more grain of sand on the beach.

Matthew 17:20, “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

The Star Thrower

The 1969 essay by Loren Eiseley entitled “The Star Thrower” described a man who didn’t look at the totality of his effort but the importance of making an effort. A concluding statement says, “ Only then have I allowed myself to think. He is not alone any longer. After us, there will be others.” What gives me hope is not that I would change the world, but maybe, through my actions, there may be others who can and will.

There are people like Micheal J. Fox who have raised billions for Parkinson’s research. Jane Kristen Marczewski (Nightbirde) used her short-lived fame from AGT to proclaim that we all have a loving God, even in bad times. These are contemporaries who used their circumstances to change the world. They exposed people to needs and provided hope. But most of us don’t have that stage. Our sphere of influence is small; our accomplishments are mundane.

After Us Will Be Others

Eiseley’s “After Us, There Will Be Others” should be our rallying cry. Helping one person a day, week, or month might catalyze world change. Even in our suffering, we can provide hope. There is not even one of us that will not leave a legacy. The question is, what will that legacy be? God has given us everything to stimulate the “Butterfly Effect” for eternity. We can set in motion the dominoes that create change for generations to come. It is our actions that save a life for eternity. It is not the totality of our effort but the importance of making an effort. We don’t know what God has in store.

1 Corinthians 2:9, “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

If you spend the rest of your life impacting just one Person for Christ, you may save millions. That Person may save two, and those two each save three. This ripple effect continues until Christ returns, potentially saving millions. One Person can make a difference.

We Each Have a Story

We each have a story. Our lives ebb and flow with the effects of a fallen world. Unfortunately for the teller but exuberant to the listener, great stories start with great tragedy. The definition of a great tragedy is different for different people. As North Americans, we do not see a tragedy like South Americans might. Many people live everyday lives that I find hard to comprehend.

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

But all these stories must be lived and told. The overcoming must be passed down from generation to generation so that others might have hope. The overcoming, Christ’s intimate intersection with our lives, must be kept alive. When we see the tragedy as tragedy, we lose sight of God’s great plan for our lives. We come alive when we see tragedy as the genesis of a great story of salvation and redemption.

James 3:4, “Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.”

The tragedy is a tragedy, deep, dark, and depressing. But the outcome, the final scene, does not have to be. It can end as one of the greatest stories ever told, and that story can change the world.

One Person Can Make a Difference

One Person can make a difference in the life of another. God planned it that way. Have hope. Seek compassion, love, and grace from the creator of the universe, and he will give you a mighty story that will comfort listeners long after your passing.

Matthew 25:21, “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

February 25, 2025January 31, 2025

Change: What You Are Not Changing You Are Choosing

God is a God of Change What You Are Not Changing You Are Choosing is a quote from Laurie Buchanan. It suggests that you are implicitly accepting it as your reality by not taking action to change a situation.

We face choices daily—some we make actively, others through inaction. Yet, the truth remains: what we refuse to change, we are choosing. Scripture teaches us that God calls us active participants in our faith and lives, not passive bystanders.

Deuteronomy 30:19, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live.”

This verse reminds us that choosing to remain in unhealthy patterns, toxic environments, or spiritual complacency is still a choice—one that can keep us from the abundant life God intends for us.

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis.

Are You Settling for Less Than God’s Best?

Are you staying in a situation that drains your spirit, hoping it will somehow change on its own? Are you waiting for the “right time” to grow spiritually, mend a broken relationship, or pursue the calling God has placed on your heart?

James 4:17, “If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin.”

Inaction is still a decision when we know we need to act.

Faith Requires Action

Jesus often called people to step out in faith before transformation happened. The blind man had to wash in the pool (John 9:7), Peter had to step out of the boat (Matthew 14:29), and the woman with the issue of blood had to push through the crowd to touch Jesus’ robe (Mark 5:27-28). Each had a choice: remain the same or move toward change.

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” – Oswald Chambers.

So ask yourself:

What area of my life am I waiting for God to change when He is waiting for me to take action?

What fear is holding me back, and am I trusting God’s strength over my own?

Am I praying for change but resisting the steps God is prompting me to take?

God’s Promise for Those Who Choose Change

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

God does not call you to change on your own—God equips, strengthens, and walks with you.

If you’re not actively choosing growth, renewal, and obedience to God’s direction, you may choose stagnation, fear, or comfort over calling. But the good news is, today is a new opportunity to choose differently.

What will you choose?

Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

January 28, 2025January 16, 2025

The Need to Love and Be Loved

"To be loved is the fire that keeps us warm through the coldest winter nights." The need to love and be loved is one of the most decisive impulses created in us at birth. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the Bible’s most significant chapters ever written on this subject.

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love

This chapter captures the essence of our shared human experience: the deep and universal longing to love and be loved. At the heart of so many of our struggles lies this profound truth. Reflecting on my frailties, I see a common thread—either I haven’t loved enough or felt unloved. Our ego, insecurities, self-esteem, and self-image are all rooted in one pivotal question: How do we perceive the love in our lives?

John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I yearn for that kind of love. A love so boundless that I would give my life for it. A love that surrounds, protects, fulfills, and sustains me. I want it to consume me—to be overwhelming, awe-inspiring, even terrifying in its power. I want it to be extraordinary. And I long for it because that is how God created us to be: vessels for this incredible, life-altering love.

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul. – Augustine

He Loved First

1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.”

These seven simple words hold staggering power. God’s love is our foundation, yet I falter when faced with the messiness of human relationships. People are flawed—they say, think, and do things that can be hurtful. They don’t always love us in the way we desire or expect. But isn’t that how I am to God? Flawed, unpredictable, and imperfect—yet fully and unconditionally loved by Him.

Romans 8:38-39: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This truth should anchor my heart. Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Yet, why do I still wrestle with feelings of isolation or struggle to love others freely?

The answer lies in our broken world. We live in a fallen creation, surrounded by people who often don’t know Christ or understand the trustworthy source of love. The world distorts God’s perfect love into something transactional and shallow. It’s no wonder so many feel unfulfilled.

But even in my humanity, even when I feel unloved, the way forward is not to focus on the love I receive but on the love I give. I find joy when I love others—even those who do not reciprocate or deserve it. Through loving others, I feel the warmth of love in my heart.

2 Thessalonians 3:5: “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”

In loving others, I reflect on the very nature of God. Love isn’t easy, but it is always worth it. In giving love, we touch the divine and discover our true purpose.

January 21, 2025January 16, 2025

Is Adversity Part of God’s Plan for Your life

Adversity and Faith Is adversity part of God’s plan for your life? That is both a scary and humbling thought. First, I don’t believe God necessarily brings adversity upon us. It is not in His nature. But He does allow our actions and those inherent in a broken world to affect us adversely. I believe He allows this because we need direction and guidance that can not be achieved through prosperity. We will not modify our behavior if we do not see the natural outcome from behavior contrary to God’s teaching.

“Out of the cross comes the resurrection. Out of weakness comes real strength.” – Timothy Keller

Throughout my life, I have developed this philosophy: adversity is an opportunity to either become a victim of my circumstances or the author of a great story demonstrating the power of overcoming. In the middle of the fight, it is hard to see that there are two paths available to us. We can give in and give up, letting the tides of life wash us out to sea, or we can use this opportunity to grow stronger and be an example to others who might suffer the same fate.

Resilience in Hardship:

Several examples in the Bible show how God uses adversity to create greatness. Like Joseph, Moses, and Esther, challenges can be opportunities for preparation and transformation. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, perseverance and faith can lead to unexpected triumphs.

1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Whatever situation you are in, there is a way out. It may not be simple, quick, or painless, but it exists. God will not let you suffer beyond His ability to save you. Resilience and patience are the key.

Unlikely Heroes:

God often uses ordinary or overlooked individuals—like Esther, Ruth, and David—to accomplish extraordinary things. His use of ordinary people reminds us that everyone has value and the potential to make a significant impact, even in adversity.

God doesn’t create superheroes to show His compassion and grace. He uses everyday people like you and me.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29: “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him.”

Never think you are not good enough to be a beacon of light. Don’t believe that you are not significant or worthy to be rescued. No matter your personal view of yourself, God cherishes your existence.

Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Divine Providence and Timing:

As seen in the stories of Esther and Joseph, timing plays a critical role. Difficult seasons often position people for opportunities they never anticipated, revealing a higher purpose at work. We cannot see the future, but we know that the future God has planned for us is more significant than we could envision. It does not seem that way when you are in the eye of a storm, but all storms run their course and come to an end.

We need to be resilient to withstand the storm. That resilience can not come from within us but from above us.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Courage to Act:

Like Esther’s bold decision to approach the king, overcoming fear and stepping out in faith can lead to remarkable outcomes, even in uncertain times.

Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Start creating your story of overcoming by believing you will overcome through God’s grace. With that conviction, start moving in that direction. Great stories require movement and stepping out in faith when the outcome is uncertain.

Psalm 144:1: “Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”

Transformation Through Faith:

Faith in God can bring healing, growth, and redemption as demonstrated through Paul’s conversion or Job’s restoration.

Jeremiah 30:17: “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord.”

We live in a time-constrained, linear view of life. We see only what is in front of us, and we don’t see the ripple effect of every interaction. God does; He knows the future. We move forward through faith.

Joel 2:25-26: “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. You will have plenty to eat until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you.”

God is in the business of restoring broken lives, healing wounded hearts, and redeeming what has been lost.

January 14, 2025December 30, 2024

Creating a Future by Embracing the Moment

Kyrgyzstan 2024 The present moment is all we truly have. Think about it—there are 31,536,000 seconds in 2025, and once they’re gone, they’re gone; no rewinds, no replays, no do-overs. Every single second is an opportunity, and this New Year, let’s commit to making the most of them.

Ephesians 5:15-17, “So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Kaki King eloquently stated in her 2008 TED Talk (paraphrased):
“If time stretches infinitely behind and infinitely ahead, then each individual moment might seem small and meaningless. But if nothing else has a place in the universe either, then every moment becomes the most important moment ever.”

What if we treated every moment as sacred? We, as humans, are wired to plan and strategize, always looking forward. Yet, in doing so, we risk missing the beauty and significance of our moment. But that’s not how God designed us to live.

Emily Dickinson wisely said, “Forever is composed of now.”

Planning for the Future, Living in the Now

Planning is powerful—there’s evidence to back it up. A landmark Harvard study from the 1980s showed that people with detailed written plans outperformed their peers by over 50 times. That’s incredible! But here’s the key: planning is only valid when paired with action. A vision for the future is meaningless unless you’re moving toward it intentionally, starting now.

Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

God’s purpose for your life isn’t some far-off destination. It’s unfolding moment by moment. While He created you before the foundation of the universe, He also exists in the present. God is in the moment, and by living intentionally, we align ourselves with His purpose.

Time is Irreplaceable

James 4:13-14, “Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

“Lost time is never found again.” – Benjamin Franklin.

Time cannot be stored, reused, or replaced. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. This truth doesn’t mean we need to obsess over every second, but it calls us to deliberate how we spend our days. Even intentional rest, like sleep or quiet reflection, has profound value. Sleep, for example, isn’t wasted time—it’s foundational to healthy aging and overall well-being. One study revealed that improving your sleep patterns could increase your chances of healthy aging by 18%.

The same goes for strategic thinking. Effective leaders don’t just act—they take time to think deeply. Research shows that strategic thought is twice as important as communication and 50 times more critical than hands-on tasks.

A Call to Action

In the moment is where intentionality meets action. Begin with a clear vision of where God is leading you. Without it, the movement lacks purpose. Many New Year’s resolutions fail because they’re vague or lack deep meaning. But this year, let your resolution be different.

Chase God’s passion for your life. Live intentionally. Embrace the present moment as the most critical moment that has ever happened. When you do, you’re not just creating a better future—you’re living fully in the now.

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – Ralph Marston

Let’s make 2025 a year of purposeful, intentional moments that build the life you were created to live.

John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority but will speak whatever he hears and tell you what is to come.”

January 7, 2025December 27, 2024

Love

Christ calls us to love one another. There is a significant difference between caring for someone and being deeply connected to them. Caring involves showing compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. It doesn’t require liking them; it’s an intentional act that soothes their wounds and quenches their thirst. Being deeply connected goes further. It includes all care qualities but adds a profound passion and longing. To feel this connection is prioritizing them above all else—it is an act of selflessness.

Love is not only something you feel; it is something you do. – David Wilkerson

1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”

However, being in love is not the same as being co-dependent. Needing someone for your survival turns love into parasitism, draining their energy for your sustenance. Sometimes, we encounter people who seem to complete us, fill a void, or make us feel worthy, but this isn’t love—it’s addiction.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Christ’s devotion to us is profound and unwavering. He extends compassion, grace, kindness, and patience, giving His very life so we might have eternal life. Jesus does not demand that we fully comprehend the depth of His sacrifice—a passion so great that He gave Himself for a world that rejected Him. God’s care is entirely selfless, requiring nothing from us to complete Him, fill a void, or affirm His worth. It is a commitment so powerful that He offered His Son to endure a horrific death, all so that we might live.

John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Every Day

1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love.”

He commanded that we love one another and treat one another with intentionality that goes beyond personal comfort. We are to put doing right ahead of being right. Trying to survive in a broken world is enough for humans. We see the seeds of hate everywhere. We are constantly immersed in a world where being right is much more important than doing right. Somehow, our opinions and attitudes are the drivers of the world. We lose sight of the fact that God decides the world’s future, not humankind. Our opinions are just opinions; they shape our thinking and attitudes, but not the future.

Ephesians 4:2, “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

I’ve realized that when people treat me unkindly, it’s rarely about who I am but rather a reflection of their life experiences. Seeds of anger and disrespect were sown in their hearts long before our paths crossed. Often, a small, insignificant act triggers these buried emotions to surface. Loving them means looking beyond the hurtful behavior and recognizing it as the overflow of past pain.

Choosing to love in those moments is no small task. It’s easy to see ourselves as victims of the interaction, but we must remember that God’s love for us covers every inequity we may endure on this spinning orb. His love reminds us that our time here is fleeting while eternity stretches endlessly ahead.

John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Sacrificial

Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

The concept of romantic connection is often misunderstood. Much of psychology emphasizes that humans are inherently self-interested—that every interaction involves, and will always involve, some form of personal benefit. Psychologists are correct in this: We are not divine. So, how can we truly connect on a deeper level if we are imperfect? In a fractured world, that question becomes layered and challenging.

To build healthy relationships, one must first find security in who God created them to be. If someone feels incomplete, they will search for validation elsewhere. But the truth is, God does not create incomplete people—fear and doubt do. When God gave His Son for humanity, it wasn’t because He lacked anything. He acted out of the certainty of His purpose and the depth of His care. As children of God, made in His image, we must embrace this truth about ourselves before forming authentic bonds with others.

Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

To be devoted to someone means placing their well-being above your own—not by indulging their every desire, but by serving them in ways that truly benefit them. Imagine two people so deeply devoted to each other that each willingly sacrifices their happiness for the other’s sake. In this mutual selflessness, both would find immense joy in the other’s happiness.

However, we live in a fallen world, and achieving even a glimpse of this level of caring requires sacrifice and intentionality. It demands a conscious effort to prioritize the other person’s needs while striving to love gracefully and purposefully.

God’s Love

1 John 4:16, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

God’s caring for us is perfect, unblemished, and forever. There is nothing we can do to separate us from that. His unwavering desire for us gives us the power to care for others.

Romans 8:31-39, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

December 31, 2024December 30, 2024

All Will know God

God and Nature All will know God exists even if they do not acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. Many people acknowledge a power greater than themselves without allowing that power to have dominion over their lives.

Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Know God

Creation screams His name. When I want to experience oneness with God, I hike into the mountains, find a scenic spot overlooking valleys and mountain peaks, put on incredible music, and let Him come to me. The combined beauty of the outdoors, man’s creativity in creating beautiful music, and the miracle of my existence stamp my soul with an indelible mark of His love, compassion, and caring. In that moment, I know God, and He lets me know, He knows me.

Psalm 96:11-12, “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”

The day-to-day interaction with God validates that He sees me as a person who is unique and perfect for His purpose. Every small decision sets the stage for future big decisions; God is in the details. When we do not allow Him in the daily boring stuff, we set ourselves up for future challenges. But today, I’m thinking about the glorious, unmistakable signature of God.

“God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works. This is boldly stated by the psalmist: ‘Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?’” A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Daily Grind

Meeting Him in the daily grind is easier if we can connect with God on a grand scale. When the repetitive mire of a fallen world seems to overwhelm us, we visually go back to that mountaintop. We bask in His creation’s incredible beauty and complexity, knowing that today is not challenging for Him. He’s got this.

“The universe is the theater of God’s glory.” John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion

Psalm 19:1-2. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they reveal knowledge.”

This year, find your spot where God’s presence is undeniable. We are all built differently. We all have our quirks, passions, and visions of beauty. Achor your faith in the tangible. When life crescendos into chaos, have a place to seek God. Go to that place often to refuel. God created all of this just for you. Knowing he is the author, he wants you to experience great joy and peace.

The Stones will Cry Out.

Isaiah 55:12, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”

Remember some of Christ’s last words to the Pharisees in Luke. The Pharisees in the crowd ask Jesus to rebuke His disciples for their loud praises. He replied (Luke 19:40), ‘“I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”‘

In times of need and you lament before the Lord, even the stones will cry out.

December 17, 2024December 12, 2024

Hope and Love in a Season of Grace

Proclaiming hope and love in a season of grace is one of our most critical missions as Christians. This Christmas season can be highly stressful for many people.

Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, set free those oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Urgency

These words carry a sense of urgency and purpose, a call to action that feels especially relevant in a year marked by chaos and challenges. Amid the dysfunction, God’s voice remains clear, challenging us to proclaim His favor and glory to all who cross our paths.

“Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love of our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” – George McDougall.

This season, my plea is simple yet profound: reach out to hurting people. Extend not empty platitudes but genuine love. Quiet desperation is a silent killer, an emotion that suffocates the soul.

As we enter this season of celebration, I urge you to reach out to hurting people and offer them a lifeline. Don’t aim to cheer them up or solve their problems—love them. Many people battle quiet desperation, a stifling emotion that isolates and burdens. While we are not the ultimate solution, God can work through us to bring light to their darkness.

Fortune

For those fortunate enough to recognize God’s blessings, this season is a time to reflect with gratitude.

Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

We celebrate relationships, opportunities, and the hope of a brighter future, grounded in the knowledge that God has given us the choice to embrace hope in this moment.

But not everyone experiences this season with such gratitude. For some, the holidays are a stark reminder of what they lack. Broken relationships cast long shadows, opportunities feel distant, and the future appears uncertain. Their thoughts swirl with regret over what might have been, and their hearts grow heavy with grief. Life for them is not a glass half empty; it’s a glass that feels too small to hold anything at all.

Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

These words remind us of God’s nearness to those in despair and call us to embody His compassion by extending love and hope.

Seasons of Darkness

Having faced my seasons of darkness, I know the despair that can rob a person of hope. For some, Christmas is not a celebration but an escape—a time to forget pain rather than reflect on joy. The light others see as hope can feel like the oncoming glare of despair. For those without Christ, peace feels unattainable, and the promise of salvation seems like a distant dream. I have been there, praying for the pain to end, longing for peace that seemed out of reach. Yet, peace without Christ is an illusion, and our true destination without Him is one we dare not desire.

Matthew 25:45: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Celebrate

This Christmas, I urge you to invest in someone else’s life. Don’t try to fix their problems; instead, be a source of hope. Walk alongside them in their journey. Let them see God’s love through your actions and presence.

Be the one who brings light to another’s darkness, the one God rejoices over. This season, choose love, hope, and be a vessel of God’s grace to those who need it most.

May His love be poured out upon you, and may you be filled with His love this Christmas. May the true meaning of Christmas bring you great joy, peace, comfort, and many other blessings.