Thank You
Today’s devotional is relatively short but written with heartfelt thanks and hopefully still serves as a valuable takeaway for those of you reading it. The definition of thanks shows a deeper meaning than when we typically use the word in today’s culture. To show thanks means “kindly or grateful thoughts; and expression of gratitude.” Today is Good Friday, for Christ-followers it should be a day of reflection, a humble reminder of God’s mercy, and a day of thanks. Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. It’s on this day in the moments before he took his last earthly breath, John 19:30 tells us Jesus’ final words from the cross“…it is finished, then bowed his head and released his spirit”. What is finished exactly? The sacrifice for our sins. That is something we should be abundantly thankful for especially when we consider what happened on Sunday. What happened on Sunday? Jesus rose from the dead showing hope lives and salvation is offered through the surrendering of our free will and choosing his good and perfect will! These days should be full of thanks for God’s abundant grace, the gift of salvation, His love, and the hope that is alive. “It is finished, Jesus is risen!” Hallelujah!! Thank you, Lord! There is a song by Sarah Hart Pearsons titled, “It is Finished”, it is one of my very favorites. The lyrics are a heartfelt thanks for the gift we’ve been given and have the choice to choose it. In response I say, “Thank You, I receive”This is sweet salvation, this is sweet salvationI believe because You said itBut I trust because I know YouIt is finished, it is doneYou have risen, I have wonIt is finished, it is doneNow I’m singing hallelujah Father, thank you for such a precious gift. May my heart and actions reflect what these days mean, my love for you, and how thankful I am. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. This week’s playlist: Sarah Hart Pearsons—It Is Finished – YouTube Carrie Underwood – I Surrender All (Lyrics) – YouTube Vertical Worship – “This We Know” (Official Lyric Video) – YouTube
Liar, Liar: Extinguishing the Lies of Satan
“Don’t let one lie spoil a thousand truths.” ~unknown When I read that, it struck a chord with me. Any of these lies sound familiar? That healing will never come. They always… They never… That relationship is too broken. I’m alone. No one understands. I’m not good enough. The list of lies Satan uses is extensive. He is a liar. Period, no wiggle room because scripture tells us so in John 8:44. And one day quite literally his pants will catch fire. Well, maybe not his pants, but you get the idea. Ok, back to the point. The enemy of our souls, he thrives when we start to believe the lie. He likes to use the same hurts and old triggers to start us down a slippery slope of believing the lie. He isn’t picky, he’ll use the one that strikes us, the one that causes discomfort, pain, or doubt. That’s the one he’ll keep coming at. In his limited abilities and limited creativity, he may use a slightly tweaked version, a different person, a new hurt that feels like an old one, a circumstance that feeds the word “always/never.” But God, He is unlimited in his ability and creativity. That’s the truth we each need to stand on… We need to remember what God has already healed, in body, heart, or spirit. Praise Him for the relationship already restored and blossoming. Believe we are called His, we are enough and never alone. He is always there for us but in His unlimited wisdom gave us family and friends to share life with. Understand that “always” and “never” are strong words when it comes to imperfect and flawed humans because each one of us needs God’s grace, daily. Pause for just a moment and look at this image. For the most part, they look the same; however, if you really looked, you may have noticed one is slightly different. The image on the right is courser, not as refined as the one on the left. However, here’s the full picture and a reminder that our God is always a truth-teller. It’s up to us not to trust everything we see or feel. Even sugar looks like salt sometimes. Or as a friend recently said to me, “Shahla, your feelings are real, but that doesn’t make them reality.” So, what lie do you need to stop in its tracks? What one lie are you allowing to destroy a thousand truths? Let’s allow the truth to push back the lie. That’s where the enemy loses, that’s where victory is found. “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:50 “Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together.” Ephesians 2:4-5 Oh Jesus, thank you for being unlimited in power, grace, and mercy. Thank you for being the ultimate truth-teller. Lord, for any lie being believed or any crack the enemy is trying to sneak into, may Your word make him flee, may the salt you offer and call us to be make the enemy shrivel as we stand firm and hold tightly to Your truth. Help give us discernment to recognize lies, to see clearly the liar the enemy is, and know the difference between the enemy’s course false sugar and Your refined truth giving salt. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. This weeks playlist:https://www.youtube.com/embed/XE2NAzqSDPQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent Haven’t Seen It Yet Danny Gokeyhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/NT2SPCP-PZ4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent See A Victory Caleb and Kelsey Cover (Elevation Worship)https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2XtRuPfaAU?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent Raise A Hallelujah Bethel
Jesus Wept
As Christ-followers we should be weeping for what grieves God. We should be paying attention and weeping for what’s happening in the nation we live, pray to see what grieves Him, and praise Him that we still have the freedom to openly worship Jesus. We should be weeping for those that have blended Christianity into a dying world instead of boldly standing on the fullness of the Word. We should be weeping for and intentionally reaching out to the lost, whether in our families, our places of work, or social media pages; praying for the souls that will be lost if they don’t come to know and believe Jesus.
Defeated Faith
Defeated Faith. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever spoken defeat out loud? How about let heartbreak define the situation instead of hope and the possibilities with God? If so, here is what you must remember.
Compromise
If you’re married like me, you are probably well-versed with the word compromise. During our almost 29 years of marriage, this word has been applied numerous times. Especially if you’ve ever asked the question “What do you want for dinner?” Can anyone else relate? Compromise is something that is applied in most of our relationships whether with our children, family, or friends. But we must be careful with our compromises. Think of them as a commodity of sorts, especially when we look at the meaning of the word. One definition of the word sounds relatively harmless – “to come to agreement by mutual concession.” An example of this type of compromise is when we compromise with our spouse on budget decisions or what’s for dinner. Or we go to a restaurant a friend loves but we don’t, you get the picture. So, what happens when we find ourselves within another definition of the word? “to make a shameful or disreputable concession. What if we spend our compromise commodity in the wrong way? Maybe we’re compromising, out of fear, worry over loss of relationships, or not being included, maybe we want to avoid conflict or think one little compromise is harmless. Maybe we compromise with the tv shows we’re watching, the music we’re listening to, or the social media interactions we have. Maybe we’re giving up our quiet time with God, or watching pastors that aren’t teaching sound doctrine because we’ve gone to that church forever or their popular… There are plenty of places in our lives we compromise. However, we must be careful with where, who, and when we’re doing it and at times, ask ourselves, “What am I compromising in my life that takes me away from Jesus?” Here’s another way to think about it. Take Paul for example in 2 Corinthians chapter 6. Paul considered what his actions said about Christ. It’s the same for us. What we do, what we compromise on reflects what we believe. As believers, we should stand true to God and refuse to compromise his standards for living. “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.” 2 Corinthians 6:3 With that in mind, let’s ask ourselves again, “What am I willing to compromise on?” Besides where to go to dinner. Lord, thank you for giving us the standard of how to live. Help us not compromise in any area of our life that would grieve You, let us be mindful of how we are reflecting what we believe with the compromises we make and with those we don’t. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. This week’s playlist: Anne Wilson – My Jesus (Official Music Video) – YouTube My Jesus Anne Wilson We The Kingdom – Don’t Tread On Me (Lyric Video) – YouTube Don’t Tread On Me We The Kingdom Confident (Official Lyric Video) – Steffany Gretzinger & Bobby Strand | BLACKOUT – YouTube Confident Steffany Gretzinger
Lost: Finding Your True North When You Don’t Know The Way
Directionally challenged. That’s how people used to describe me. Never knowing where I was at or how I was going to get there. LOST. Google maps changed my life. Really. I spend a lot less time lost. Spiritually challenged. That’s how people used to describe me too. Never knowing where I was at or how I was going to get there. LOST. The Word of God changed my life. Really. I spend a lot less time lost.