Author: Christine

Who are you today on this Good Friday? Are you one of the women named Mary who stand at the cross of Jesus? Or are you a Peter that when asked if you are a follower of Jesus, you say no or give a non-answer? Maybe you are a bold follower like Joseph of Arimathea who asked for the body of Jesus from Pilate? Perhaps you are a nay-sayer?

On this Good Friday, as we re-read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, may we examine our own hearts, confess sin, and prayerfully come to Jesus. Maybe you need to recommit your life to Jesus after wandering astray. Or you are already a faithful follower and you desire to continue to grow and mature in your faith so you may encourage and teach others. If you have never known Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life, today may be the day.

Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end. Praise God Sunday, Resurrection Day, is coming!

Gospel accounts: Matthew 26-28; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18-20

Why does it do that? Where does it go? What is that? Why? Where? How? When? What? The endless questions of a toddler. They are searching, questioning, discovering, learning. Curious of the world around them. Trying to make sense of it all.

As adults, aren’t we doing the same? Working, going to school, interning, reading, questioning, watching. What do I want to be? Can I turn my passion into a business venture? What is the purpose in my life? Of course, our questions are much deeper than that of a toddler. We are looking for meaning. Seeking truth. Pursuing.

King Solomon had it all. Wives. Children. Riches. Wisdom. Chariots. Horses. A large kingdom to rule over. To the average Joe, he had it all. What could possibly be missing from his life? God! In the beginning of his reign, he sought God. And “Solomon son of David took firm control of his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful.” (2 Chron 1:1) He was successful in all he did. But when it came right down to it, at the end of his life, King Solomon wrote these words, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Etc 12:13) The meaning of life was not in stuff. Not in accomplishments. The meaning of life was found in his relationship with God. Our meaning in life is found in a saving relationship with Jesus. Ask yourself, “Do I have a relationship with the Son of God?” “Do I pursue Jesus best, placing Him first in my life?”

“We will never spend our time more valuably than in the pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ.” (Beth Moore)

You didn’t make the cheer squad. You went to sit at a table with friends and they quickly called over to others to fill the seats. Rejected. Alone. Hurt. God develops in you other talents. Sends new friends. Your heart mends. How many of us have had to deal with rejection? In today’s world, with many technological advances, scientific discoveries, people become enamored with knowledge. With those of us living under a biblical worldview, however, our faith in God, our beliefs can be rejected by those who want to live according to their own truths. Do not be discouraged, friend. They are not rejecting you, they are rejecting God. As God told Samuel, “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me not you.”(1 Samuel 8:7 NLT) Samuel was old and the last judge. The nation of Israel, instead of looking to God, looked around at other nations and desired to be ruled like them.

Today, is it not the same? Instead of turning in faith to God, to serve Him, let Him be Lord of our lives, people seek to do their own will, their own way. As they please. Dear Christian, do not be discouraged. They are not rejecting you, but God. Continue to dig deep in His Word, worship, pray. Let your light continue to shine in a darkened world, desperate for Light! Be encouraged by these words in Hebrews 13:15 “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”

Sitting on my porch. Feeling the breeze. Watching the trees sway. It is a changing wind. Warm today. Stormy tomorrow. We know the old saying for March: “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”

In our daily life, we experience winds of change. Maybe God has brought a new relationship into your life. Or a health change. Or a career change. But what does not change, or Who does not change, I should say, is God. Regardless of what we are going through, we know God is there with us. He is our Rock. He is our sure foundation. His promises are true. When He says in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” believe this. As John MacArthur interprets, “There is absolutely no way whatsoever that I will ever, ever leave you!”

Television ads. Yard signs. Email. Texts. Snail mail. Your senses have been under attack. Watching the news. Listening to podcasts. Reading up on current issues. Not only was it hard to keep up with, it was exhausting. If I am being honest, I was distracted. During this past election cycle, I took my eyes off God and my daily time with Him. I lost focus. My mission, the Great Commission, did not seem as great, as urgent. Upon being convicted of this, I confessed my sin to God. For putting other things, people above Him.

As a Christian, I am to hunger and thirst after righteousness. I need to be sharing God’s word with loved ones. Sending texts and emails proclaiming the greatest victory ever to take place on planet Earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news we all need to hear, share, accept, believe with our whole heart.

As I reevaluate what I spend my time watching, reading and listening to, let me “hunger and thirst for righteousness for they (me, you) shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5: 6)

Psalm 42:1-2a “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God.”

“And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…” Judges 2:11

The nation of Israel, in the time of Judges, was a mess. Giving in to the gods of the surrounding nations. Disregarding ALL God had done for them.

As Christians today redeemed by the blood of Jesus, have you, we, me, disregarded ALL God has done for you, us? Are you walking after the gods of this world, having left your first love? If so, call out to Jesus in your distress, repent and return to Him. As King David declares, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed! They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:2-3

Will you let Jesus lift you out of the pit? Will you allow Him to place your feet on solid ground? Will you sing a new song, with a new heart and a new desire, giving Him all your praise? If so, put your trust in the Lord today.

Salty snacks. Sweet treats. Caffeinated beverages. We all have cravings. Some are food related. Some are physical behaviors. Others can be drug related. How do we resist the cravings? Is it dangerous to engage the craving? Has it taken over our bodies and is assaulting our minds? As humans, we are weak and fleshly. Some days we are strong and are able to resist. Even for longer periods. Great. Other days, we are weak and give in.
As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit giving us strength with each new day while also remaining in the flesh. Whom are you feeding each day? The Spirit or the flesh? It is a constant daily struggle, a battle to see who wins. Resist the devil. Turn away from your evil desires, your sinful cravings.
In Galatians 5:16, Paul says, “ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Let the Holy Spirit lead, guide and direct your thoughts, your goings, your desires. Crave God’s words and His teachings. Engage in Christian fellowship and Bible studies. Share your struggles. Allow other Christians to pray for you, to come along side you. Let us take to heart the teaching of the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:24-25: “ 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.”

Salty: an adjective to describe a food item like pretzels. It can also describe someone’s character as harsh, offensive or even witty. But salty can also mean something near the ocean. I enjoy going to the beach and the water I visit is salty. I have a sun hat I wear that says, “Stay Salty,” encouraging me and others to love the salty ocean water.

As I am reading about the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, I came across verse 13 which says, “You are the salt of the earth…” The word salt took on new meaning. Just as salt was an important ingredient in preserving food long ago, it is still an important ingredient in cooking. Salt enhances the flavor. So what is Jesus telling His followers when He said, “You are the salt…?” Are we to season the world for God? Does our world need more salt? Yes! More truth to be spoken by us. More disciples willing to share the gospel message with others. Be an influencer for Christ in your words and in your actions. Let us season the world for Christ, to bring Him glory. Stay Salty, my Christian friend.

New year. New goals. New resolutions. As humans, we realize we have flaws. So we seek to improve. Improve our body. Improve our mind. Improve our relationships. With personal trainers and nutritionists. With self help books. Good to be learning. Good to be improving. But I would challenge you to see your main flaw is our own human condition. Born in sin. Doing what sinners do until God draws you to Him. Then you are changed. From the inside out. Your body that you want to improve is now being used in service to God. So set healthy eating goals and exercise. “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8) Your mind that you want to improve is now focused on God. On His ways and His words. So read your Bible, learn what God wants you to set your mind on (Colossians 3:1-2). The relationships that you want to improve is now possible because of the relationship you now have in Jesus. Model His love, His patience, His kindness, His grace as you relate to others.
Is this the year of the new you? If so, I pray this is because of what Christ is doing in you, changing you, conforming you to be more Christ-like in your daily walk, your daily devotions, your daily prayers.

Not feeling festive? Decorate anyway. Not feeling social? Reach out anyway. Feeling apart from God? Worship anyway. As Christians, we feel guilty when we have the “blah’s.” We know it is wrong. But sometimes, it is hard to shake. We go about our day, do our jobs, our chores, our responsibilities, but the feeling is still there. Whether it is for a day, a week, or a season. Changing seasons can be hard. Loss is difficult. How do we overcome the “blah’s?” We come to God. We read. We pray. We devote ourselves to Him. We meditate on His words. Feelings come and go. We can be fickle. But God. He is faithful. He is steadfast. Hesed. His faithful, steadfast love. That is what sustains us. He is the One who sustains us. Fills us. Encourages us. Strengthens us. Let us take our mind off self, focusing instead on God. His love. His greatest act of love in giving us Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Sing. Worship. Read. Pray.

Psalm 30:10-12 “Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord.” ¹¹ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
¹² that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”