Hope Archives - Page 3 of 16

July 1, 2025June 7, 2025

Surviving Life in a Broken World

Anxiety Spurgeon Surviving life in a broken world can be all-consuming. It seems to me that we used to have to deal with political and economic chaos in larger, more pronounced clumps. Governments would change, and recessions would come and go over extended periods. There was always a ramp-up to change. The world has changed.

1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Now it seems as though things change almost at a moment’s notice. Along with managing our emotional baggage, we must cope with the ever-changing landscape of world change. What used to take months or years to adjust now takes weeks or days. Planning for our future has become a game of whack-a-mole. We now deal not only with all the dystopias created by navigating our personal lives, but we are also bombarded with constant world change.

“Sometimes God lets you be in a situation that only He can fix so that you can see that He is the One who fixes it. Rest. He’s got it.” – Tony Evans, Facebook, June 7, 2012

Understanding God’s View

Most of us struggle to understand God’s view of our life without also trying to integrate God’s worldview. I know I do. It has become so ever-present that I have accepted I may never know the “why,” but I can at least discover the “what’s next.” God never told Job why, so I guess He won’t tell me either. But He will guide me in the direction of what to do because of it.

Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist.”

I now sometimes find myself overwhelmed with the dysfunctionality of world events. I layer those events on top of my life events, and it seems everything is out of control. And, by the way, it is outside of my control. God is executing His plan for His kingdom. God looks at people, not governments or country boundaries. Most of us view the world in terms of people groups, where some will win and some will lose. God looks at us as individuals, each with the ability to win through acceptance of Him as King.

God’s Control

I know that I often look at current events and project their occurrence onto the people making the decisions, but that is a false narrative. God is in control. He put all of this in motion before the foundation of the universe.

John 17:5, “Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”

None of this is a surprise to God. All of it is part of His plan for humanity. We can step back from the chaos and gain a unique perspective on eternity that allows us to suspend judgment until we see God’s plan. The world may be out of our control, but it is never outside of God’s control. This has always been true of our personal lives. What has happened to us or is still happening has intent. That intent is to expand God’s Kingdom. Our reaction should not be asking why the past was the past, but what do you want me to do about the future?

Revelation 22:13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

We should take the same perspective on world events. What do You want me to do? I’m not going to pretend that there will be no adverse impact on Christianity, but that impact is likely to be temporary. We ultimately know the end, it is outlined in Revelations. The question is how and when we get there.

Surviving

First, as best you can, let go of the contemporary hype surrounding everything that’s happening in the world. God is doing great things that are outside of our understanding. Pray that God’s will will be done. Pray for protection for you and those God has put in front of you. Continue to follow your faith, not as it pertains to current events, but as it pertains to God’s Kingdom.

Remember, in the end, He wins.

Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

June 24, 2025June 7, 2025

Make God Smile

Make God smile. Your passion matters more than logic; God smiles when you rely on Him rather than the world.

I read about a homeless boy, Ricky White, who earned a Doctorate in Music. He played the tuba. Let that sink in. A Doctorate in Tuba is already an unusual story. But that’s not what made me pause. What gripped me wasn’t the degree or the instrument, but the passion behind it —a passion that refused to die. That’s the story worth telling.

Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

“I’d like to die fighting a good cause, something worthy.”

That quote stayed with me. It came from Dr. Richard Antoine White, born in 1974, now known as “R.A.W. Tuba.” He grew up in the streets of Baltimore, often sleeping in abandoned buildings and relying on hope and grace to survive. When asked about his greatest ambition, his answer was powerful:

“I’d like to die fighting a good cause, something worthy. When it comes, it comes, but I ain’t going to lie down easy.”

And could I add my own words?

“I want to make God smile.”

What’s your Great Ambition?

Have you stopped to ask yourself lately? Do you see yourself the way God sees you?
Are you aiming too low—or not at all? Do you let others, or worse, society, define your purpose?

You were made for more. In the last few years, the people God has brought into my life have challenged me deeply. They’ve shown me that the greatness God places in us isn’t theory or motivational fluff. It’s real, and it’s waiting.

Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

There is greatness in you. It’s not a compliment, it’s a calling. The greatness I see in others burns like a white-hot flame, lighting everything around it. And your life, like mine, has led to this moment —a crossroads, an inflection point. From here, we can launch into the great unknown or spin into the dark abyss of banality.

I know which one God built me for, and I believe He built you for it too.

Just a Morning Thought…

I understand that many of you don’t realize how exceptional you are to God. We often live in the past. Believe me, I know that temptation all too well. But today, just for today, what if we felt the wind on our faces and took a step into the unknown? God is already there, and He’s smiling.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Let’s be real. When Anthony White was homeless, did you think he had a 10-step plan? Do you think he said, “The way out is to take up the biggest, clunkiest instrument in the orchestra and make a life out of it”? Do you think his friends cheered him on with, “Dude, go for it! Sounds like a bulletproof plan!”?

Probably not.

Let’s be honest: The tuba is not the band’s superstar. It’s not the path to fame, fortune, or flashy headlines. God breathed on it, and it became his instrument, passion, and calling.

So, What About You?

Your passion may seem even more unlikely than Anthony’s. But God doesn’t make mistakes. He planted a seed in you, too—one meant to grow, flourish, and light up the world. The world may try to convince you that it’s not practical, profitable, or logical.

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Ignore all that. If God created galaxies, mountain ranges, and microscopic wonders with breathtaking precision—why would He skimp when it came to you? Thrust me, He won’t, and He didn’t.

What Makes God Smile?

It’s not your achievements, your résumé, or people’s approval. It’s your obedience while pursuing the life He created you to live. He’s not surprised by your greatness—it was His idea in the first place. His joy comes when you trust Him enough to live it. To shut out the world’s noise, and to say yes to the impossible.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, “This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.”

So, I’ll ask again: What is your great ambition, and are you ready to make it a reality?

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank you for making me fearfully and wonderfully. Forgive me for doubting my worth or listening more to the world than you. Ignite in me a holy passion that cannot be extinguished. Give me courage to step into the unknown, to pursue the purpose You planted within me, and to make You smile with my obedience. May my life reflect Your design and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

June 17, 2025June 7, 2025

The Answer I Didn’t Expect

Answered Prayer The answer I didn’t expect was created because it wasn’t within my design.

I asked for Strength, God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom; God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for Courage, God gave me difficulties to overcome.
I asked for Love, God gave me troubled people to help.

James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Missed Answers

When I first read this quote, it stopped me. Not because it was profound, which it is, but because it held a mirror to my own life. For years, I have prayed for strength, wisdom, courage, and love. But I didn’t always recognize the answers when they came. Sometimes, they appeared as an inconvenience; other times, as a hardship. And often, they showed up wearing the face of someone in need.

Proverbs 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”

“Faithful servants have a way of knowing answered prayer when they see it, and a way of not giving up when they don’t.” – Max Lucado.

It’s easy to assume that when we ask God for something good, the answer will be immediate and obvious—a clear path, a burst of energy, a wise insight at just the right time. But more often, God works through the long road. He doesn’t hand us strength like a tool; He gives us opportunities to become strong. And that usually means facing difficulty, struggle, and pain— the kind that tests our resolve and stretches our soul until we feel like snapping.

Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Answers Refined through Fire

I’ve worked among people who have very little by the world’s standards—materially, economically, and politically. And yet they are some of the wealthiest people I’ve known. Why? Because they live lives filled with difficulty that have taught them endurance, humility, and generosity. They don’t ask for an easy life. They ask for the grace to keep going. They don’t quote books, they live wisdom.

God’s answers are rarely what I imagined. When I asked for wisdom, I found myself in rooms where I didn’t understand the language or the culture, trying to solve problems I didn’t create. When I asked for courage, I was sent into uncertain territory, sometimes physically, often spiritually. And when I asked for love, I was given the chance to care for people whose needs and pain made me uncomfortable, people who challenged my assumptions, interrupted my plans, and needed more than I thought I could give.

1 John 4:7, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Answers Disguised as Burdens

In those moments, I’ve learned something important: God’s blessings often come disguised as burdens. And in serving others, especially the “troubled people” the quote mentions, I’ve discovered not only love but the very heart of God.

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This quote isn’t a feel-good slogan; it’s a map, a pattern, a reminder that the life of faith isn’t about avoiding pain or staying comfortable—it’s about transformation. We are forged in the fire of difficulty, not destroyed by it. We grow through the problems we’re called to solve. We find courage not in the absence of fear, but in facing it with purpose. And we learn to love by pouring ourselves out for others, especially those the world has forgotten.

True Blessings

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed or underprepared, take heart. Perhaps you’re not failing; maybe you’re in the middle of an answered prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

June 10, 2025June 6, 2025

The Church in Aisle Five: How the Marketplace Becomes Your Ministry

The Legacy you leave The church in aisle five: how the marketplace becomes your ministry. For many individuals who do not attend church—whether due to disbelief, disinterest, or disillusionment—the only Christian witness they may encounter isn’t a pastor behind a pulpit but a businessperson behind a counter.

They may never sit through a sermon, open a Bible, or step foot in a sanctuary. But they will, at some point, buy a cup of coffee, get a haircut, or ask for help at a hardware store. In those moments, the person across from them—ringing up the order, sweeping the floor, or fixing a mistake—might be the closest thing to “church” they ever experience.

For the Christian businessperson, that makes the marketplace their ministry.

If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased. – Maya Angelou

A Life That Echoes

Most of us want our lives to matter. We long to leave behind more than just a name—we want to leave something meaningful. For me, that “something” isn’t fame or success, but an echo of grace or wisdom that outlives me—something so rich in truth and compassion that it gets passed on, told, and retold. We should not strive to leave a legacy FOR people but leave a legacy IN people.

Sean Rowe captures this beautifully in his song “To Leave Something Behind”:

“I’m not trying to change your mind, ’cause I was born to leave something behind.”

Every interaction in the marketplace is an opportunity for that echo—an opportunity to live out grace, patience, mercy, truth spoken gently, and love without strings attached.

It might seem like a kind word to a weary mother, eye contact and presence with a grieving man who struggles to express his pain, or grace for a customer who erupts in frustration. These seemingly small moments may hold more power than a thousand sermons.

The Ministry Outside of Religion

People in pain seldom inquire about theology or doctrine. Most quietly ask, “Is there a love big enough to meet me in this hurt?”

And you, as a follower of Christ in business, might be the one God has placed in their path.

2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us”

Sometimes, that appeal doesn’t sound like a sermon—it feels like warmth, kindness, and safety. Your office, your store, your place of business—it becomes an oasis in a chaotic world—a moment of hope for someone who has long stopped looking for it.

Ministry From the Heart

Polina Gelman, a member of the WWII Soviet bomber squadron known as the “Night Witches once said: “That which is done from the call of the heart is always better than that which is done out of obligation.”

How much more true is this when Christ forms that heart?

Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”.

You don’t need to preach to reflect Jesus. You need to live in such a way that someone walks out of your shop or office thinking: I felt seen, I felt safe, and I felt, somehow… loved.

That experience could be the beginning of their faith. That kindness might be your legacy. That moment could mark the start of your echo.

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.”

Even in aisle five.

May 27, 2025April 11, 2025

You Are a Child of the King: Embracing Your Royal Identity

We are made in the Image of God You Are a Child of the King: Embracing Your Royal Identity. That is a fantastic statement of self-worth. It is a statement most of us can’t internalize. We can’t see ourselves as royalty; we see the failures, shortcomings and defects, not the purple robe of royalty. We know, intellectually, that we are descendants of royalty. But that knowledge doesn’t filter down to our consciousness.

Genesis 1:26–27: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

We are made in the image of the creator of the universe (Imago Dei). Think of this: You are created in the image of the most omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, Most High, All-loving, Transcendent being in all the universe.

Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Past Performance

Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

We judge ourselves using two flawed measurements. First, we judge ourselves based on past performance. Past performance is just that—past performance. It is not an indicator of future worth. Our worth is not determined by what we’ve done—good or bad—but by what God has done for us through Christ. God has wiped the slate clean from past performances. Past performance is only good when you give your testimony of redemption. Past performance is only about how far God will go to redeem you. That’s it, nothing more.

1 Timothy 1:16, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him.”

Worldly Performance

The second measurement is worldly performance. This measurement is significantly flawed because it adopts a short-term perspective and is based on an ever-changing foundation. We are unique, shaped by different passions, skills, experiences, and motivations. Our cultural backgrounds shape us in many ways; where we grow up, the values and morals our families instill in us, our economic environments, and the influences of the world around us all contribute to who we are. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately evaluate a person’s worth according to contemporary world standards, as these criteria are too volatile and fleeting.

So, where do I look first when I look at myself and want an honest and fair evaluation? Go to the scriptures. Look at yourself through God’s eyes. It is the only accurate measure of worth. What does God think of you? You are His offspring, His child, and His love.

The more a person loves, the closer he approaches the image of God. – Martin Luther, “What Luther Says”

Living with the Image of a King

Colossians 3:10 – “…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”

What does it mean to bear God’s image? God has endowed us with these characteristics:

Moral Likeness – Our conscience guides us with an innate sense of right and wrong.
Relational Capacity – God designed us for relationships, reflecting the relational nature of the Trinity.
Creative Ability – Just as God creates, we express creativity through art, invention, and innovation.
Authority and Stewardship – God calls us to govern and care for creation as His representatives.
Value for Human Life – Every person holds inherent worth, regardless of race, status, or ability.
Justice and Compassion – God calls us to protect the vulnerable and care for the marginalized.
Unity and Reconciliation – Because we all bear God’s image, this truth should inspire us to pursue peace and reconciliation.

1 John 3:2, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

Live like you reside in the Palace of the King.

Your past failures? Redeemed.
Your past successes? A gift, not a measure of your worth.
Your future? Defined by God’s grace, not your track record.

May 20, 2025May 19, 2025

I want to be an Avenging Angel.

Living Well is the best Revenge I do; I want to be an avenging angel, raining down brimstone and fire on all that is evil in the world; I want God to empower me to wreak havoc on all that is wrong. I want to be invincible and omni-powerful; I want to walk into the private enclaves of the rich and powerful and demand retribution. How cathartic would that be? How validating and hopeful would the world seem to me? Me, reigning over the unjust and the unworthy. But who would want to rain down brimstone on me?

“There are two great days in a person’s life – the day we are born, and the day we discover why.” – William Barclay

Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

God’s Intent

But that is not God’s intent. One of the hardest lessons for me to learn is that salvation, not retribution, makes the world livable. When people come to understand God’s love, they become the type of people we want in our world. It is not the elimination of evil but the conversion of evil that makes all that Christ has taught us work.

Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

That’s difficult for me. I want revenge; I want evil to suffer. Like Jonah, I don’t want the people of Nineveh’s salvation but their elimination. I want them punished because they have caused so much harm to others. It is hard for me to comprehend God’s compassion. Why does He want them in His kingdom after what they have done?

Proverbs 24:29, “Do not say, “Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

Wouldn’t that be great to travel the world visiting the despicable, the vicious, the depraved, the unscrupulous, the hateful, and the godless people to present them with their eternal separation from Christ? To stand back and watch when they realize their actions culminated in destruction.

God’s True Intent

“The only way to overcome our enemy is by loving him.”. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship

That is not Godly. God will allow the Godless to reap their rewards, but only after giving them every opportunity to repent. My prayer should not be for retribution but salvation. I should dedicate my life to attracting those who do not know God to God. Boy, that is a big ask.

1 Peter 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”

Like Jonah, I need to accept that what Christ did for me is precisely what He will do for others. I should want Him to extend the grace He gave me to others. It is not us against the world. It is the world against God, and those who choose God will prevail.

Matthew 5:38-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, also turn the other to him. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him also have your coat.”

It would be nice to be God’s avenging Angel, to vanquish evil. But that is in Revelations, not today. That is God’s domain. We must save those who do not see the light, not condemn them. That’s the hard part. God wants us to love, not hate.

“To return evil for good is devilish; to return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.” – John Stott in The Message of the Sermon on the Mount

1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

May 6, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

When I initially thought of peacemaking, I thought of conflict resolution. It seemed to involve people who go out of their way to help others restore harmony in their relationships. I thought of Gandhi, for example. But the more I study the Beatitudes, the more I am starting to understand that these are not each a distinct type of person or a distinct stage of life but a continuum of how we are expected to live. We should display the characteristics each Beatitude highlights daily and in everything we undertake.

Because of our past transgressions, we should exhibit a posture of poverty in Spirit. Mourning for the world’s condition and showing humility in our creation should be part of who we are—being dissatisfied with the world’s level of compassion and mercy, especially for the underserved. All of this should be constantly in our prayers. Peacemaking is not different.

“As I have said, the first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but humility.” –Nelson Mandela.

Peacemaking is Active, Not Passive

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Peacemaking is the act of showing compassion and kindness in all that we do. It is curbing our speech, holding back criticism, and extending praise. Fundamentally, it is allowing God to speak through us. A Christian has the confidence and trust in Christ to let slights go unnoticed. There are times when non-believers will speak against our beliefs out of ignorance. Understanding that challenging and creating hard feelings is not the way to conversion.

Jesus is referring to those who intentionally work to resolve disputes, heal relationships, and create an environment of peace. This often requires humility, wisdom, and self-sacrifice. It takes a person who exhibits all of the characteristics embodied in the Beatitudes.

A Reflection of God’s Nature

2 Corinthians 5:18, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Peacemakers are “called children of God” because they reflect God’s character. Throughout Scripture, God is the reconciler—restoring humanity to Himself through Christ. When we pursue peace, we align ourselves with His divine mission. In biblical terms, peace (Hebrew: shalom) means wholeness, completeness, and right relationships—with God, others, and even within oneself. Peacemakers don’t just stop fights; they work to establish justice, truth, and restoration. They live in a way that makes conflict highly improbable.

Peacemaking Can Be Costly:

“If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” – Thomas Watson.

True peace often comes at a price. Jesus Himself was the ultimate Peacemaker, but His work of reconciliation led to suffering and sacrifice on the cross. Christians who strive for peace may face resistance, misunderstandings, or personal loss.

Psalm 72:7, “In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!”

April 29, 2025March 23, 2025

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart

Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

What does it mean to be pure in heart? Can a man achieve purity on this side of Heaven? The Greek word for “pure” in Matthew 5:8 is katharos. It means to be “clean, blameless, unstained from guilt. The word can refer specifically to that which is purified by fire or by pruning. I believe this passage refers to having a singleness of heart toward God. Not that you are perfected in Christ, but you have a passion for what God has a passion for. Your spirits are aligned.

“The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are but awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace.” – Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?

James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”

Dystopian Purity

We live in a dystopia where worldly desire rules everything we see and touch. Society’s pull is constant and powerful. It is easy for us to accept that there is no life outside our worldly environment. We must conform to exist. To some extent, that is true. There are parts of the world we live in that we must conform to. But Christ showed us that we can exist in the world and still be holy.

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”

The aim of Jesus Christ is not to reform society but to change the hearts of sinners like you and me. Purity isn’t only about avoiding sin; it encompasses everything from maintaining purity in thoughts, motives, and emotions. Paul struggled greatly with this. He met Christ. He knew the importance of salvation and obedience, yet he struggled.

Romans 7:19: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”

Being Pure

Being pure in heart is not a destination. It is a process. It involves constantly being vigilant about the temptations around us. Technology has made temptation more accessible than ever. Social media, entertainment, and the internet constantly expose us to content that can erode purity. Being pure in heart can feel lonely or countercultural, especially when friends, colleagues, or even family members have different definitions of purity of heart.

“O Lord, keep our hearts, keep our eyes, keep our feet, and keep our tongues.” – William Tiptaft.

The human heart wrestles with pride, selfish desires, and weaknesses that can make it hard to consistently choose righteousness. What steps can we take to give ourselves a chance at heartfelt purity?

Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Stay Rooted in Faith: Regular prayer, scripture reading, and spiritual disciplines help guard the heart and mind.
Guard Your Inputs: Be intentional about what you watch, read, and listen to, filtering out negative influences.
Turn from Temptation: The best way to rid yourself of a bad habit is to replace it with a good habit. Every time temptation raises its ugly head, turn to a positive habit like reciting a scripture, starting to talk with God, or writing down your concerns. Occupy your mind with something useful.
Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who encourage you to live righteously.
Embrace Grace: Perfection is impossible, but God’s grace provides strength and restoration when we fall short. Embracing grace is the foundation of faith.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

April 22, 2025March 15, 2025

Blessed are the Merciful

Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Mercy: “Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” We live in a dog-eat-dog world: competition and the desire to get ahead are hammering at us from all directions. We don’t always see someone else as someone we can harm, we see them as just another meat popsicle in a world of meat popsicles. Compassion and kindness is something you want, not something you give.

That sounds harsh, but it is how most people view life. Showing mercy should mean doing what is right, not what you have the right to do. It means not being constrained by legalism.

What is Mercy?

Mercy is being kind to the grump next door. It lets someone else have the last sandwich, cookie, or pie. Mercy shows grace to someone wrong but whose bias shields them from the truth. It is taking the time to listen when it is your turn to talk. Mercy is not overpowering someone with your force of will but using gentle persuasion. Mercy is remarkably patient and kind.

Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Each of us is given a position of leadership. That could mean setting an example for siblings, raising children, heading a household, or holding a position of authority. From time to time, we are given the power to control others. How do we use that power? Do we use it as an opportunity to serve and be an example, or is our life so hectic and chaotic that we want the shortest path from point A to point B? Worse yet, have people controlled us with power, so we use our power as an opportunity to get back in control?

Matthew 6:14, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Being Merciful

Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

“Justice is when you get what you deserve. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve. Grace is when you get what you don’t deserve.” — Anonymous.

Being merciful and being meek are interrelated. We talked about meekness and God’s desire for us to approach each interaction with a sense of humility. Humility is the foundation of mercy. Once we understand that we are saved through God’s mercy, through no effort of our own, then we can extend that same attitude toward others.

Psalm 40:11, “Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.”

Can we expect compassion and kindness when we do not extend it to others? We, as Christians, are an extension of God’s kingdom here on earth. How can we expect to receive something ourselves if we do not give it to others? Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Mercy is not for them that sin and fear not, but for them that fear and sin not. – Thomas Watson, The Beatitudes

April 15, 2025March 10, 2025

Blessed are they who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”

Many of us were raised in the church believing that if we follow the proper practices, associate with the right people, participate in Bible study, and attend church, we will gain God’s favor. While salvation is a gift, it comes with a cost. We are taught you cannot be passive and expect God to love you; some form of transaction must occur. Nothing in life is truly free, not even salvation.

The Wrong Hunger and Thirst

Deuteronomy 8:6, “Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.”

We are led to believe every sin and every transgression is an indictment against our worth to God. Hungering and thirsting after righteousness isn’t about doing the right things but about aching on the inside for a worldwide revival. To hunger and thirst is to feel the vacuum left by worldly desires and want it filled with God’s love.

John 6:35, “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God. It is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. – John Piper

Hunger and Thirsty for the Lost

One of my biggest daily challenges is seeing the injustice in the world and maintaining my sanity. I become emotionally hijacked every time I read the news. The number of people who deal with injustice and foundational needs is staggering, as is the world’s wealth. Why do we still have these problems? Why do certain people gravitate to a position of power just to use it to gain more power? When is enough, enough?

“The greatest disease in the West today is not tuberculosis or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but love is the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. Many in the world are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love.” – Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light.

Psalm 43:1,” Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked.”

Because I love God and want to please Him, I try to live according to His will. I will fail again and again, but I will keep on trying—not because it is a pathway to salvation, but because I want to please Him. My hunger and thirst are not about gaining His love but about spreading His love throughout the world.

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Be Satisfied

I need to yearn for the salvation of others, To be desperate for the unsaved, and to lament the plight of the underserved and downtrodden. My prayers should be numerous. I pray for a world where God reigns with love, compassion, and grace. I pray that authorities and governments listen to God’s voice and respond appropriately. Let us pray for the impossible and rejoice in what God accomplishes.

John 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”