Christian

The Light of the World

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had just gotten into bed and turned off the light. Then I heard the doorbell camera chime. It chimes a lot when it’s windy outside, so I assumed it was just the wind. But then it chimed again, so I picked up my phone and opened the app. And I saw the beam of headlights heading straight toward the garage door. Someone was in the driveway. When I saw the vehicle, I knew immediately who it was. It was the neighbor plowing our driveway after ten o’clock on a snowy Saturday night. I nudged my husband, and he saw what I saw. A good neighbor, indeed.

This man who plowed our driveway is a good and thoughtful man. He’s been overly generous sharing the excess of what he has with us. He’s not typically one I would associate with, because our style of living is very different. He’s a little rough around the edges. I would say he’s not refined, but then I’m not sure I am either. We just have different priorities in life, and that’s ok. He’s good people.

He offered his lawn equipment and air conditioners to us to use free of charge. He freely gave of the excess of firewood to us and our friend. He’s taught his young adult son to be as thoughtful and giving as he is. He also works to make this small community of ours better and safer.

This man is no different from anyone else. He has his own set of faults and flaws. I’m sure if I spoke to his family, they might hint at some of his failings if the conversation went on long enough. I don’t need to know those things about him. I want to know him as a good neighbor.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

This man whose lights were beaming onto my garage door is a good man, but that won’t save him. He can perform acts of goodwill and kindness every day like it’s his job, but on judgment day that won’t be what God is looking for. God says that all mankind must seek forgiveness and repent of their sins. Jesus is the light of the world, for all of us walk in darkness. When we receive his forgiveness, we have received the light of the world into our lives.

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9

Jesus is the fountain of life. The thing is. We can’t just look at the light, like I did from my doorbell camera. We must follow the light of the world. Wherever he leads, we must follow. We must walk in the light, for it is not only a light for our eyes. It is a light for our feet. Jesus says that if we follow him, we won’t walk in darkness, but we will have the light of life.

When we walk in spiritual darkness, we can’t see the path ahead. We make wrong decisions. We act on selfish impulses. We take risks that can cause life-altering changes. We stumble around not seeing the trouble that could be right in front of us . And we say that we love our life.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. John 3:19-21

When Jesus said that he was the light of the world, he had just forgiven a woman caught in the act of adultery. That act would have typically sentenced the person to death by stoning. Her accusers stood nearby pointing the finger of shame and accusation at her, ready to throw stones. After Jesus heard their accusations, he bent down and wrote in the dust. Then he spoke a profound sentence that stunned every one of her accusers. He told this group of important men that the person in their group who had never sinned could throw the first stone of death at her. And guess what happened. When Jesus stood up to face them, the woman stood alone. All of her accusers had silently walked away. They too were guilty of sin. Perhaps not sins that required them to be publicly rebuked and stoned to death, but their sins may have been even greater than hers. And they knew it. Their silent walk of shame spoke more words than their loud accusations of adultery.

Yet Jesus did not require them to repent. He allowed them to walk away unchanged with hardened hearts. He knew and they knew they were guilty and needed to confess their sinful ways. They had the option to repent and turn to faith in the One who knelt drawing in the sand before them. And they did not.

But this woman caught in an adulterous act was not condemned by Jesus. He knew her sin, yet he told her to go and sin no more. He offered her a word of hope because he knew she would be shamed by her community. He knew she needed hope because her sin would perhaps cause her lifelong harmful consequences. She needed forgiveness and hope, which Jesus freely offered. And she walked away forgiven.

Read the story of the adulterous woman at John 8:1-11.

God does not push us to seek him. He waits for us. He’s everlastingly patient with each of us. But the light of the world continues to shine for all of us to see. And in our moments of despair, when all seems lost, the light of the world is waiting for us to reach out to him and repent. He will accept with open arms anyone who calls on his name. But we have to know that faith in God and salvation are always optional. It’s a risk we take when we choose to walk our own path in the darkness. We may believe that our walk in the darkness is a great life, but little do we know the joy and peace we’re missing without the light. Only the light of the world can save us.

But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone. ~Oswald Chambers

We have a choice today and every day. We can choose to walk in darkness, or we can choose hope and forgiveness and the light of the world. If you are still walking in darkness, open your heart today and seek forgiveness of your sins and repent. Your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will lead you into his light.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

Mouse in the House

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We have a mouse problem in our house. Yes, we’ve seen mice. It seems they like to taunt us, running to and fro throughout the living room as we sit and watch. We hear them feasting on the poison bait that we’ve set out for them. If we’re lucky, we’ll find the dead bodies the next morning. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. I’m thankful that we haven’t noticed any bad odors, but I wonder where they go to die if not on my living room floor.

But now I’m hoping we’ve turned a corner for the good. I don’t want to be braggadocious, but we may have found a solution to keep our house rodent free. We’ve discovered a product that is supposed to repel all rodents with a high frequency sound that isn’t heard by humans. The first night these night lights were plugged in, we heard a bit of mouse noise but didn’t see any mice. I want to say that so far it seems to be working. We’re hoping to keep the winning streak going.

The problem with the mice is that we don’t know how they’re getting into the house. We’ve seen evidence of them in the kitchen, and we’ve seen them dead and alive in the living room. Oh. We had the same problem last year and never figured it out. But this year, we’ve already seen more mice in one month than we did all last winter. That’s a problem in my book. We did plug one hole in the kitchen with steel wool, so hopefully that problem is solved. But we have no idea how they are getting into the living room.

I walked into one room the other day, and I thought I noticed a bad odor. It smelled like a rotting carcass. It’s rather faint and intermittent, so I’m not sure if it’s real or imagined. If it’s real, then the evidence is hidden and I’ll have to find it. I’m not looking forward to that. I’ve started an investigation, but I haven’t found anything. I’m afraid to do a thorough search, because this is one time I don’t really want to find what I’m looking for.

I can’t say that our house is free of mice. It may take some time and some waiting. We’ll have to watch and look for evidence. Or maybe we’ll hear a mouse but not see one. It’s a bit of a wait and see time for us right now. Time will tell if these new magical night lights work long term.

Then just yesterday morning, as I was walking to the kitchen I saw it. A dead mouse near the front door. At least it was dead. That’s what I tell myself. When we installed the repellant night lights, I knew we might need to get a few more to thoroughly block the mice. Now I know where I need to place a few more. I’m glad they found the new treasure trove of poison traps in the laundry room that did the work. But my goal is complete eradication of these pests. I don’t want them lurking anywhere in my house.

I also noticed a couple of days ago that the poison trap I had set out near the front door last year was empty. It wasn’t touched last year, but I guess the mice are hungry this year. I need to replenish my supply of bait.

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:14

When we repent of our sins and surrender our lives to Christ, we are free from sin. The burden of carrying the weight of unforgiven sins has left us. We are free. But here’s the thing. We can’t keep on sinning. We must turn our back on any sins that had a stranglehold on us and walk away from that life. Otherwise, we’re like the mice that keep returning. We don’t need to return to our old way of life, because we live by another standard. We live by biblical standards and beliefs once we’ve rejected sin. We can’t just dodge sin. We must reject all acts of sin in our lives.

As new believers, we need to put barriers in our life to keep us from veering back to sin. We’re living a different life now. In this new forgiven life, we’re now living under the crucifixion of Christ.

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. Galatians 6:14

Just as I’m unsure yet if I’m smelling a rotting mouse carcass, sin can sneak in and entice us when we least expect it. The thing about sin is that we can’t wait to sniff it out. We must remove it immediately before it takes hold in our lives. Oh. We’ll notice the odor all right, because it doesn’t come off as a fine fragrance. It’s rotten to the core. And now that I know the mice have found a new path of travel in my house, I need to button down that area with more nightlights to ward them off. The same goes for my spiritual life. I need to equip myself every day with the full armor of God. Otherwise, a temptation to sin could catch me off guard.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

Most of us are not consistent spiritually because we are more concerned about being consistent externally. ~Oswald Chambers

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:12-14

Pickleball Drills

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I signed up to take another pickleball class. Call me crazy. This class was for intermediate players. Some people in the class had taken it multiple times, which tells me that they’re serious about their pickleball. I enjoy playing as a hobby, but I don’t see it overtaking my life. It’s a fun way to stay active. But some people I’ve met take this game way too seriously. And now I’m in a class with them. Talk about intimidating. Fortunately, the instructor assigns a group of four or five people to each court. Then we stay with our same group that day. So I haven’t had to play against the “good” players. Oh. Some of the ones I played against were good and had a bent toward being serious about their game. Then there were people like me. We’re just there to learn more, improve our game and have fun.

There are six indoor courts with a different drill set up on each court. The participants are assigned a specific court to start on and then rotate to the next court and so on every fifteen minutes. After the sixth drill, each group plays a short game. It’s a good set up. The time goes quickly, and some drills are more complicated than others. Everyone has an opportunity to practice each drill multiple times in their allotted fifteen minutes. Each instructor gives individual feedback along the way, as needed. It’s still intimidating, but it’s good to gain more in depth knowledge of the game.

As I’ve regularly played pickleball and taken classes throughout the past few months, I can say I’ve seen a bit of improvement in my playing. I’m still not great. I even hesitate to say I’m at an intermediate level, but who’s asking. I enjoy playing and getting some exercise. I need to stay active as I progress through these older years of life.

Here’s what I’ve noticed about other players. They come in all ages and sizes. Some choose to play every day. Others take one class and then don’t play very often. There’s an old saying that goes something like this. You get out of something what you put into it. And it’s true. I talked to one player last week who said she was embarrassed to say that she learned to play well over a year ago. But she hasn’t played regularly after that initial class. I could tell that her playing skill was similar to mine, whereas the woman who has been playing regularly for two years and has taken multiple classes plays at a much more advanced level.

During these classes, I’ve realized I had developed some bad habits in my game. The drills I was practicing were an attempt to break me of those poor moves I had adopted. It was painful to have to relearn new methods of play and to unlearn the old, easy and incorrect moves. It would have been much easier to continue to play poorly and complain about my bad pickleball moves than to unlearn them and relearn the correct moves. But I’m persevering and seeing improvement.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 2 Peter 3:18

I’ve noticed that just as in the effort someone puts into their pickleball skills, the same type of growth spurts and struggles also appear in a person’s spiritual life. Once a person becomes a Christian, they need to take steps to grow their faith and their relationship with God. We can’t just confess our sins and then do nothing else with our faith for the remainder of our days. We’ve just started the most important relationship of our lives, and there is work to do. Oh. Works won’t get us into heaven. I’m not saying that. I’m saying that we need to spend time getting to know God, and there are actions we need to take to do that.

The same steps that go into building a relationship with someone else applies to deepening our walk with God. These steps are rather simple, but we seem to avoid or ignore them. They may take a little bit of our time, which we deem so important. And time is valuable. But so are our souls. Some say marriage seems like an eternity, with all the ups and downs of a marital relationship. But true eternity is forever. And once we cross over the divide between our earthly life and death, we’re in eternity forever. So, we must choose today to strengthen our relationship with God to the best of our ability so we can have an amazing eternity with him.

Here are some simple steps to drawing closer to God. Read and study the Bible. Pray. Attend church. Build friendships with godly people. Memorize Bible verses. Join a small group to study the Bible, pray and fellowship together. Find a mentor who has walked their faith journey for years. And we should also share our faith with others.

The thing is. The pickleball instructors were once beginner players, just as I am. Along the way, they committed themselves to practice and drills over and over again. They played the game on a regular basis and didn’t quit when things got tough. And now they’re seasoned players and are coaching newbies like me.

The same goes for my spiritual life. I need to see improvement in my words and actions and thoughts. I need to see a renewing in the way I view the world. I must align all of my beliefs with biblical standards. If I’m going to say that God is the ultimate authority in my life, then I must bow my will to him and submit my all ways to him. I must run my desires through a biblical sieve. Do they pass the test of holy living or not? Oh. It won’t be easy, and I must be willing to bend and break. My will must not be above God’s will in anything I do or say. It’s all about submission to my heavenly Father.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

And then, once we’ve walked the baby steps and our faith has matured, it’s time for us to share the wealth. We can mentor and disciple other believers in their own faith journey. We can walk with other believers in their path of growth in Jesus Christ. We don’t need to walk this walk of faith alone. We need to come alongside others, just as our mentors walked with us through our journey. We must do the journey of faith with fellow believers. We’re not in this alone.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

Crushing Disappointment

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

It was the night the Awana kids had been waiting for ever since the opening week. They could wear their Halloween costumes, and they were allowed to spend their hard-earned Awana bucks in the Awana store. They were so excited. They didn’t know what goodies were waiting for them in the store, but they were ready to find out. They were thrilled to see everything on display as they took turns carrying in their fake money and shopping for goods. And when they came back with their prizes, they were beaming.

It was finally the last little boy’s turn for my group. I went with him. He was ready to spend the seven fake dollars he was holding in his hands. But he wanted to save some for the next time the store was open. They only problem was that seven fake dollars don’t buy much in the store of little goodies. There were some big costly prizes to be bought with the right amount of money. And the prices and size of the prizes trickled down to little bits. He had to stay in the little bit section. He looked and looked over all the prizes that were in his price range, but he couldn’t find anything he wanted. Nothing was jumping out at him. And I tried to help him by pointing out toys and goodies he might have missed. But no. Nothing.

And then the most awful thing happened. Someone came to the door of the room and told us that the store was closed. Shopping was done. As I coaxed him out of the room, his head hung dejectedly down to his chest. He had nothing to show for his seven fake dollars. The boy who is usually full of his own self importance was left with nothing. I tried to encourage him by telling him that he had time to earn more money for the next time the store was open. It will be a few months before the store opens again.

The kids can earn Awana bucks by memorizing Bible verses and bringing their Bible, Awana book and vest each week. He sometimes forgets to bring them, and he doesn’t always have a Bible verse memorized. He’s more interested in talking back and writing on the white board. He doesn’t seem to understand that those things don’t earn him any money. He’s only seven, and he may not have much encouragement at home to learn the verses each week. But he can do it if he would put forth the effort. I see some moments of encouragement and goal setting with him in my future.

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. Philippians 4:15-17

As I was reading my Bible this week, I came across Philippians 4:15-17. It jumped out at me differently this time. I wondered. Did Paul ever feel disappointment in his situation? Did he assume all the churches would financially support him as he sat in prison? Did he believe that the believers in the cities he had travelled to on his missionary journeys would remember him in his time of need?

Paul had been put in prison because of his teachings about Jesus Christ who had appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Paul’s life had been transformed by the saving power of Jesus, and he used every day of his life to tell others about his newfound freedom in Christ. He wanted others to know this Jesus and believe in him, too. But there were those who didn’t agree, and they hated Paul with a vengeance. As he had once hunted followers of Jesus, he found himself being hunted for the same reason. And then he was imprisoned before being killed.

In the book he wrote to the Philippian church, Paul was joyful. As he sat in jail, he showed no signs of disappointment or discouragement. His faith was in Christ alone. He wrote letters to the churches he had visited and ministered to. He would hear along the grapevine how the churches were doing, and he learned of the struggles some of them were experiencing. He wrote to give them words of encouragement and admonishment. He loved those people and hoped and prayed that they would remain faithful to God. Since he couldn’t be with them in person, he did the next best thing by writing letters.

When Paul was in prison, he needed financial support. One church he had ministered to sent him money and supplies on a regular basis. Others sent nothing. He told the church of Philippi that he had learned to be content with nothing and with a lot. He had lived through both extremes and found that God was the sustaining force of his life whether his belly was full or empty. Whether he was warm or cold, he would praise the Lord. His situation would not alter his view of God or his joyfulness.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:12

I wonder though if he ever experienced disappointment in the churches that never helped him out. Did they ever think about him and then ignore his needs? Were they just always so low on cash and supplies that they couldn’t scrape up anything for him? Didn’t they think to plan ahead and set aside a little bit each week to share with him? Did they just not have enough faith to trust God for their needs? Or were they so single minded that they only thought of themselves? Can you imagine him sitting there pining for the generosity of those who had been helped by his teachings? And then getting nothing in return? We never hear of that in his writings.

Unlike my little Awana guy who didn’t plan appropriately enough to earn more money and was greatly disappointed, Paul was joyful regardless of his circumstances. He was thankful for those who prepared ahead of time and faithfully helped him out. He knew that times were tough for them, as well. And he let them know that he was joyful regardless of his situation, and he wanted them to be joyful with him. He didn’t create a list of those who never helped him, and he never chastised them. Even though he knew that this group of believers in Philippi was the only church to send him supplies, he loved the others just the same. He knew that if they shared with him in need, God would bless their generosity. The other churches didn’t know the joy they were missing out on by not helping a fellow believer in need.

Paul’s joyfulness can be a great lesson for us when we become disappointed and disillusioned with others. Our expectations may be out of control and unrealistic, while the actions and words of others may be, as well. Our joy must come from God and God alone; not in our accomplishments, which are fleeting, but in the love and mercy of God our Father. He alone is our present help in trouble. He will not fail or forget us. He stands with us as we stand strong in faithfulness to him.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10

Doppelganger

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

In case you didn’t know, I have an identical twin sister. Many say we look alike, but honestly, I see no resemblance. But still others can’t seem to figure us out. Through the years, my twin has told me that she has been mistaken multiple times for a certain famous actress. Judi Dench. I told her that I’ve never been Judi Dench’d. Not ever. But she’s told me many times about her experiences. I can’t figure it out.

Just the other day, I stopped at my favorite new bakery. This small shop makes the most incredible chocolate chip cookies. They’re only open three days a week, for which I’m grateful. Otherwise, things could get dangerous for me. I stepped up to the counter and the owner of the shop waited on me. Here’s what she said. You remind me so much of Judi Dench. My response to the magical cookie maker was “it’s interesting you say that.” And I proceeded to tell her the story of my twin sister and Judi Dench.

I told the baker that I was not Judi Dench. I was not anyone famous. I also let her know that this was my first experience at being Judi Dench’d. I was thrilled. As soon as I got in my car, I called the Judi Dench doppelganger and told her that I was now in the club. She laughed.

I’ve been taking a pickleball class for the past few weeks. On the first day of class, one of the women told me that I looked really familiar and wondered how she might know me. I told her that I was fairly new in town, so I didn’t know many people. But I mentioned that I had a twin sister, so maybe she was confusing the two of us. Since that day, we’ve had multiple conversations about where she and my sister may have seen each other. No where. They haven’t gone to the same places or run in the same circles. So I told her about Judi Dench. The next day at class, she told me that she had looked up Judi Dench. And she said she saw a resemblance. Go figure.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Just as some people may confuse me with my sister or with Judi Dench, the one I most want to look like is Jesus Christ. I know I don’t physically look like him. That’s not the point. He was God come to earth as a man. I’m a woman conceived by my mother and father. So in that way, there’s no comparison. But do I resemble Jesus Christ in my attitude and in my words and actions? Do I have a kind sweet spirit that radiates love to others? Do I forgive as I have been forgiven?

We believers must distinguish ourselves as ones set apart for the Lord. We can’t be like those who don’t profess to be Christ followers. That means we can’t be involved in all the same activities. We must live distinctly different from those who don’t claim Christ as their Lord and Savior. There must be a difference. If there isn’t, then what sets us apart? We are called to be holy. We must separate ourselves from relationships and attitudes and behaviors that don’t align with the teachings of Jesus. There are biblical standards for a reason. And we who have repented of our sins have a responsibility to uphold those standards in our daily lives.

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

You may ask what exactly was the attitude of Christ. Let’s look at that. Galatians 5:19-26 compares the lives of those living against the will of God and those living by the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We can see a big difference in just the words that are used to describe each type of life. Which one best describes me? Which one best describes you? Oh. We can fool ourselves and perhaps others, but we can never fool God. He sees right through us and he knows exactly where we stand in relation to him. Let’s not kid ourselves. Let’s choose the way of the cross and crucify the desires of our sinful nature and walk away from them. Then and only then will we be known as a follower of Christ.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:19-26

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

I must ask myself. When others spend time with me, do they recognize me as a child of God? Do they wonder what it is that makes me different from others? Does my life reflect the teaching of Jesus Christ? Do my words and actions speak volumes about my commitment to living a life of Christian discipleship? Do they see that I live a life set apart for God?

The Word of Christ should infiltrate every pore of our being. There shouldn’t be an instant that we’re not saturated in his likeness. As we go about our days, in every moment, the love and grace of Christ must shine through us. Oh. It sounds so lovely. And it is. But we are human and we have moments where we aren’t so godly. And others catch a glimpse of that. What should we do? We acknowledge our sin, repent and move on. We do better. We learn from our failings. We allow others to mentor and disciple us. We learn from the sages of old who have walked before us. The Christian walk is a daily commitment to serving Christ.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. John 17:14-16

Testing Her Religion

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had a Monday morning hair appointment scheduled. I arrived a few minutes before my stylist, so I waited. When she walked in, she told me that she was sitting in her car reading. We both are hobby readers, so I asked what she was reading. She said she had started reading about the forty days of Jesus. And she had inspired a group of coworkers in the salon to read the book with her. She was on day two, but she wasn’t sure if the others had started their reading yet. She also mentioned a couple other Christian books that she’s reading. She’s all shook up about the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Because of it, she said she’s testing her religion and wants to help her co-workers understand the Bible more.

In the few months I’ve been seeing her, I’ve learned that she is politically conservative. We’ve had some interesting conversations about politics in our state and country. We agree on some things, but not everything. And we don’t really dig deep into our agreements or disagreements. We’re cordial in our discussions. She’s talked about God and the Bible and church. She’s expressed interest but made no outward signs of getting back in church. At one point, she mentioned that she wanted to start reading the New Testament. When I followed up with her a month later, she admitted that she hadn’t opened the Bible.

I’ve read that there is a spiritual surge happening in our nation since the assassination. Many people are returning to church and seeking solace in God in answer to the harmful rhetoric and violence that’s continuing to roar loudly in our country. People are seeking to be filled with something more than hatred and anxiety. They’re looking for something to fill that deep longing of the heart. They’re searching for the meaning of life. Honestly. They’re searching for God.

Just as multitudes are turning to church to find the answer, so is my hair stylist. Oh. She knows a lot of the answers. She’s attended church. She’s read parts of the Bible. She’s familiar with Christianity and Bible stories. But she’s searching for more. And she’s searching in the right places. Oh. We’ve had conversations about church and God. I’ve invited her to my church. When I saw her earlier this week, she said she’s back in church. She and her kids. I guess her husband hasn’t had the awakening that she’s had. She’s hungry for biblical truth. I pray that she finds a deep and fulfilling relationship with her Creator. And I pray that she keeps seeking that close relationship with Him.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:15-17

The sad truth is that regardless of how many turn to God in these early days of awakening revival, many others will harden their hearts. They will want nothing to do with God. They will seek vengeance and resistance to the God of truth. Some will turn to violence and criminal activities. Others will harbor bitterness and hatred in their hearts. Many will numb themselves with alcohol and drugs or just plain scrolling. Others may end their lives and even the lives of others. God help us.

For those of us who come face to face with those who have experienced this renewed attention to spiritual matters, let’s keep the door of conversation open and civil. Let’s hear what they have to say. Let’s listen to their questions as they seek truthful answers. Let’s guide them to the ultimate truth, the Savior of the world. Let’s follow up with them in their search. They may need help in getting to the truth and may not really know where to turn. Let’s not be afraid to share the gospel with them. Because if we don’t share the message of salvation that we know to be true, someone who doesn’t know the truth may misguide them. We who have experienced the saving grace of our Lord and Savior must speak up. We must live our faith boldly in front of those who are searching and in front of those who are condemning us. We can’t look the other way and hope someone else takes up our cross. We must willingly take up the cross ourselves. Each of us. It’s our call. It’s our responsibility.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Regardless of where we’re sitting, be it a crowded hair salon or a quiet coffee shop, and someone asks us a spiritual question, let’s not shy away from the answer we know in our heart of hearts. Let’s share boldly. Even if others around us hear our conversation, let’s speak up. God is working in the hearts of many, and we each have a part in responding accordingly. People are opening up to the truth of Christianity, so we must speak it out loud. It’s not the time to be shy. God does not give us a spirit of timidity but of hope and power and self-control. Let’s spread the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his purpose and grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Don’t Forget the Salt

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I eat oatmeal for breakfast every day. I make it in small batches so I only have to cook it a couple of times a week. Yes. I cook it from scratch. I don’t use the packets. And when I cook the oatmeal, I always add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. It just gives the oatmeal a better taste. I’ve learned that the hard way.

The other day I was cooking oatmeal and I must have gotten distracted. The next morning when I took my first bite something tasted off. At first I thought the maple syrup I drizzle over it was bad. But no. I had used the same maple syrup the day before and it was fine. I kept eating the weird tasting oatmeal when it finally dawned on me. I had forgotten the salt.

Now I’m stuck for the next few days eating saltless oatmeal. Oh. I’ll survive, but my breakfast won’t be nearly as enjoyable as it usually is. I won’t look forward to my morning meal, as I normally do. I just have to remember to add salt the next time I cook oatmeal.

Each morning I’ve been eating this unseasoned oatmeal, I can’t ignore how unpleasant it is. What does salt do that makes food taste so much better? Especially oatmeal? Isn’t oatmeal supposed to be sweet instead of savory? I don’t understand. Nevertheless, I’m still eating the bland breakfast, and I can’t wait until I have a fresh batch to devour. And, by the way, when adding salt to oatmeal, never add enough so that you can actually taste the salt. That’s not the purpose of salting oatmeal. And that’s why I’m not adding salt to my oatmeal when I reheat it. It wouldn’t be the same. That would just make it salty oatmeal.

The reason salt is added to any dish is to enhance flavors that might otherwise get lost. It brings out the layers of goodness in any dish. Instead of eating bland food, salt takes the dish up a notch. It makes eating a more pleasant experience, so a little salt should be added to any dish that you’re cooking. Not to taste the salt, but to enhance the all around flavor.

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Matthew 5:13

Did you know that the Bible actually talks about salt? There are several verses that talk about how salt is good for seasoning. Oh. You may ask. What does that have to do with little ole Christian me? Well. Let’s find out.

Matthew 5:13 tells us that as followers of Christ, we are the salt of the earth. And if we’re not salty Christians continually seasoning our culture, we’ve lost flavor. We’re worthless. Salt is also known as a preservative. It helps prevent rotting in certain situations. So we believers living a salty Christian life are helping to preserve all humanity from falling deeper and deeper into utter chaos and ruin. Oh. It may not seem like we’re having any effect. But imagine if there were no Christians on the earth right now. Evil would reign supreme. And that isn’t the case today, even though times may seem pretty hopeless. As long as there are Christians walking this earth, the Holy Spirit is still present doing his work. Because when Christ comes to call his children home, the Holy Spirit will depart this earth and all chaos will break out. This is not the time.

For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:7

We have to realize that, as Christians we have a circle of influence, and we must season it with our godly lives. Whether it’s in our neighborhood, our workplace, our family, or our extracurricular activities, we must live with Christian purpose. Anywhere we interact with people, we Christians are the seasoning because the Holy Spirit is with us. And if we lose our seasoning, just as salt does, it means we are not actively living out our faith. We can’t stop living faithfully to Christ, or we lose our purpose and our Christian influence. So we must always be willing to give an answer for the hope that we have. Our hope is in Christ.

Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! Luke 14:34-35

We have to know that we aren’t living without hope. We have the hope of the world living within us. That hope keeps us salty. We as believers keep this world in check even when the tide seems to be turning against us. But in order for us to keep the world in check, our hearts and lives must live in check with the Holy Spirit. We must walk in the truth of the Light of the world. We can’t afford to lose our flavor. Otherwise, we’re not any good. Our testimony is worthless if we don’t keep our relationship with Christ fresh and growing. We followers of Christ serve an important role in the maintenance and upkeep of today’s culture. We must do our part and live faithfully according to God’s Holy Word, because the world is watching.

For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other. Mark 9:49-50

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6

Facelift

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

A woman who has grown famous by pushing her daughters into fame has admitted to having her second facelift. She’ll be seventy soon, and I must say she looks beautiful. There are no more wrinkles on that pretty face of hers. Oh. Her first facelift was fifteen years ago, so it was time for a refresh, or so she says. And she admits that not everyone who is aging will go this route, but this is her way of aging gracefully. She goes under the knife to age gracefully. Think about that for a minute. But then. She’s worth millions or maybe billions, so she can do whatever she wants with the money she has earned by offering up her daughters to fame and fortune. Apparently, it’s working.

As everyone on this earth will face death, so too will this woman. Hopefully, that won’t happen anytime soon, but she isn’t invincible. She is continuing to age regardless of her efforts to hide it. Oh sure. She can hide behind her pretty smooth face and tell the world she’s aging gracefully. But she’s also had a hip replaced. Who knows what other health related issues she lives with that are kept under lock and key. But really. We don’t need to know her medical history. And now we know what we don’t need to know. Oh. Many suspected this last surgery. When you compare photos of her from earlier this year to her new photo shoot, there is an obvious difference. She’s proud of the way she looks. I guess she thinks she earned it. After all, her definition of aging gracefully seems to be working well for her.

And. She’s trying to profit off of her new look. She’s had t-shirts printed up by her son’s company to sell to women who want to be like her. There will be those who buy the shirt and wear it proudly. And some will probably be inspired to undergo unnecessary surgery, too.

This woman can have all the surgeries she wants, but underneath that smooth veneer she is still aging. Surgeries can only do so much to help her age gracefully. The cut of the knife won’t change her age. It will make her look like an older woman who’s trying to look younger. An older woman who’s afraid to accept the natural beauty in a wrinkled face or sagging body parts or stretchy skin. It happens to all of us. She wants to look as young and fresh as her daughters. Some people say she now looks like them. And others say she choreographs her life to be photo-ready at all times.

But does she know that keeping up with youth comes at a price. And I’m not just talking about a financial price. Does she still have any elasticity left in her skin, or was it all pulled too tight? She can probably afford anything money can buy, thanks to being the momager of her daughters’ careers. Her management of her girls has made at least one of them a billionaire. Reports indicate that she has helped her children start fifteen businesses. Fifteen. And according to industry sources, she gets a ten percent payout from everything her family does. Imagine.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

The question I would ask is this. Has she had plastic surgery on her soul? Or. Is it still stained with unconfessed sin? Has she confessed her sins and repented of her sinful ways? Is she following the teachings of Jesus Christ? Does she even believe in God and his saving power?

One day she too will stand before her Maker and her life will be examined closely. It will be far too late for any type of spiritual surgery. What our Heavenly Father sees on that day will be what he bases her final judgment on. No going back. No physical surgery can fix what she will face in that meeting with her Maker. Regardless of how youthful she looks on that fateful day, God will be searching his records to see if her name is in the Book of Life.

The thing is. God sees this woman and he loves her so much. He isn’t interested in all the unneeded surgeries she puts herself through to make herself acceptable to society. He cares about what he sees on the inside of her. He cares so deeply about her soul and its condition. It isn’t important to him that she has millions of dollars stashed away, or that she owns multiple homes. He isn’t impressed with the nips and tucks. That isn’t what makes him love her. He loves her because she’s created in his image, and he wants her to want him. He’s jealous for her love and affection. He wants her to commit her life to him. She’s wasted so many years of her life living for herself. Making herself into an older woman who thinks she’s aging gracefully by cutting and smoothing out her skin won’t gain God’s approval. It isn’t smooth skin that will save her in the end. Doesn’t she know that?

God’s the Creator of the universe, and he’s the master surgeon when it comes to aging gracefully into eternity. He knows the only solution to an eternal life with him is eradicating the sinfulness of her life. Oh. She still has time to turn her life over to him. He’s still waiting. Patiently waiting. I wonder if she’ll ever give him the time of day as she schedules photo shoots and interviews and schemes up new business deals for her kids. Will she ever make time for God?

You may not be planning to have a face lift to stall the aging process. And you may not have repented of your sins. But there is still an opportunity for you to do so. As long as there is breath in your lungs, you can still turn to God. Don’t be deceived by the planning and scheming in today’s world. Don’t let your heart be hardened against God, but trust in him and repent today. While there is still time.

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrews 3:12-15

Clinically Speaking

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

Earlier this spring, I took pickleball lessons. One hour a week for four weeks. Oh. I learned to play pickleball, and I’ve been playing it weekly ever since. It’s a fun sport for us non-sporty retirees. Yeah. Injuries can happen. I’ve heard the horror stories. And I’ve noticed that my pickleball group and I have continued to improve from our once weekly games. We have seen definite improvement week over week. We’re getting better, but we’re nowhere near pro status. That isn’t our goal. We just want to have fun.

When we were leaving the courts last week, I saw a sign indicating it was time to register for pickleball leagues for the fall. I’m not ready for that. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for that. I’m still very much a beginner. I dug around on the park district’s website to learn more about the park’s fall pickleball plans. I discovered that they offer a three-week clinic for beginner and intermediate players. I think I’ll join. I want to sharpen my skills and solidify my knowledge of the rules, which is somewhat slippery at times. There are lots of rules in pickleball.

I sent the link to my pickleball crew, but it seems that no one can join me. And that’s ok. I can sharpen my skills with a new group of beginners. But I wonder. When will I stop seeing myself as a beginner? Because, at this point, I feel I don’t do anything intentionally when I’m playing. The way I serve or volley or lob or dink just happen. And yes, dink is a pickleball term. I want to be an intentional player.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

I became a Christian when I was a young child. I remember the night. Our church was having a revival, and we went to church every night for about a week. And it was during the school year. My family never missed a service, so we went every night regardless of whether we had school the next day or not. At the end of the service one night, I went to the altar and asked Jesus to forgive my sins. I became a new creation in Christ that night. I think I was eight or nine.

Oh. My family attended church every time the church doors were open. If there was a service or an event at church, we were there. I attended Sunday School, church, prayer meetings, revival services, missionary meetings, VBS and church camp. It was what we did. We went to church. My parents were faithful followers of Christ, and they instilled that practice into their children.

Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, the same as taking pickleball classes doesn’t make you a pickleball champion. There is a learning process and the daily practice of abiding by biblical principles that grow our relationship with Christ. Yes. We still need to attend church and attend often. We need to be involved with fellow believers. And we should be involved in the work of the church in some way. But works don’t make us a Christian, and works won’t get us into heaven.

It’s the daily laying down of our will and surrendering to walking the path of Christianity that helps grow our faith. In order to know God’s Word, we must read it on a regular basis. And we must study the Bible. It isn’t enough to just read it. It isn’t a novel we read once and then set aside. We must dig into it and seek to understand what God is saying to us. We must spend time in prayer, not just praying for things we want. We must pray for the needs of others, and we must pray for our spiritual and political leaders. We must pray that people who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior will make that commitment. Actually, we must pray about everything. There is nothing off limits that we can’t pray about. And we must practice sound biblical ethics. There’s no point in becoming a Christian if we still plan to lie, cheat and steal and commit other ungodly behaviors.

Being a new Christian is similar to being a novice pickleballer. We need to be mentored by someone who has spent years honing their commitment to Christ and then are willing to share that knowledge with newbies. We can sign up for the new Bible study group at church, so we can learn more about God’s Word and build relationships with other believers. Oh sure. Getting involved with others may be risky. But isn’t going it alone just as risky? Anyone who’s ever tried to play pickleball alone knows it’s impossible. You can hit the ball against a wall all you want, but it isn’t the same as playing a game with a foursome of players. To get the full effect of pickleball, you need to play real games with other players. It’s the same in Christianity. We must spend time with other believers who will encourage us and sharpen us in our walk with Christ. We need accountability.

Oh. Neither pickleball or Christianity are rocket science, but there is a learning curve as a beginner. And what I mean is that, as a Christian, we need to find solid biblical teachers to guide us. Just as my first pickleball instructor left out a lot of pickleball rules and details that beginners need to know, some Bible teachers interpret Scriptures incorrectly and can lead new believers down the wrong path. And there are “Bible” teachers and people who identify as Christians who don’t teach biblical truths. We need to find Christian teachers who teach sound biblical truths. They’re out there, but you may have to search until you find a biblically sound church with solid preachers and teachers. Just don’t stop learning and don’t settle for questionable teaching. You won’t regret all the biblical truths and practices you will learn if you make a habit of lifelong learning.

Discombobulated

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Several Sundays ago, I walked into the church sanctuary and saw people sitting in my row and the row behind mine. I call it my row, because it’s where I sit every Sunday. They weren’t sitting in my exact spot, but they were in my row. So I kindly asked them if the seats were taken, and they said yes. I moved one row up and sat down. They must be visitors, I thought. I had never seen any of the people sitting in those two rows, so I wasn’t sure what was going on. They seemed to know each other, because they were chatting away.

As the sanctuary began to fill up, I noticed the family who usually sits behind me was sitting across the aisle. Since no specific family sits in the row in front of me each week, I wasn’t sure who would be misplaced there. But the very tall family who usually sits two rows in front of me sat right in front of me on this particular Sunday. They’re giants. And I couldn’t see a thing.

I noticed other people being displaced to other seats that morning, as well. I bet they were wondering the same thing as me. Why is everyone sitting in the wrong seat this morning? Who are those strangers taking up two rows? Are they going to be here next week, too? Is this our new normal?

When it was time to greet people around us, I turned around and shook the stranger’s hands. I had no hard feelings, but I hoped they didn’t ask if they were in my seat. I wasn’t sure how I could say yes without being cynical. So much for being a gracious Christian.

Oh. I hadn’t planned to say anything to these strangers about the fact that they were sitting in my row. But I was thinking it, and I knew I was wrong. I wouldn’t say I had a bad attitude, but I was borderline.

At the end of the service, the pastor announced a baby dedication. Sure enough. These two rows of people were with the new parents whose baby was being dedicated. I must say I breathed a sigh of relief.

Ever since that Sunday, I’ve realized that a few families have intentionally moved from their usual seats. And I’ve wondered why. There’s no rhyme or reason for it that I can tell. Oh. Some of these families arrive just after the service starts, so they don’t always have a prime choice. But they’re now choosing to sit in a different section altogether. I don’t understand. What made them switch?

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23

And this past Sunday, I’m not sure what was happening. Several people were sitting in rows they don’t normally sit in. Once again, I’m stumped. Because when one family sits in the wrong row, it’s a domino effect. Several other families and rows are impacted. It could get ugly, but I’ve never seen that happen.

Oh. I know these are trivial matters in the whole scheme of things. But sometimes it takes only one small change to throw someone into a very difficult mood. Even in church, these things happen.

But then again. My mind goes back to eleven months ago when I walked into that church for the first time. I knew that wherever I sat, someone was probably going to be displaced. Because we know that everyone has their special seat. And I’ve continued to sit in the same general area every Sunday. I’ve noticed that one couple who had initially sat a row or two in front of me now sit across the aisle. I’ve wondered on occasion if I’ve displaced them permanently. I’ll probably never know. She did introduce herself to me early on, but she hasn’t spoken to me since. Even when I ran into her at the garden center months later, she didn’t acknowledge me. Most likely, she didn’t recognize me. That’s what I tell myself.

Sometimes we just make mountains out of molehills. There’s nothing to worry about, but we catch ourselves stewing about what we say is nothing. But that’s not really what we’re thinking. And we allow that nothing to simmer until it’s something big in our minds. And we just can’t seem to let it go.

Why do we adults act like kids? Why don’t we just move on when we say we’re “fine” but we really aren’t? Life could be so much simpler if we didn’t let the little things become so big. Our hearts just aren’t in the right place. And we take things way too personally. Let’s act like adults. And if we call ourselves Christians, let’s overlook the small stuff and pay attention to the really important things. Life doesn’t have to be as difficult and awkward as we make it.

And, I have to be honest. As a woman, I notice this mainly in women. Myself included. I don’t see men getting bent out of shape about someone sitting in their seat in church. I don’t hear men complaining about someone ignoring them at the garden center. We women can be really petty and pretend to be godly at the same time. Don’t think I’m pointing the finger at you. I’m preaching to myself when I say this.

Ugh. Heaven sure looks sweeter all the time. At least I won’t be faced with these trivial matters once I get there.