But God

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

In verse 7 of Romans 5, the apostle was talking about how very rarely will one die for a righteous person, and certainly not for an unrighteous one. And then verse 8 begins with one of the most powerful statements in the Bible - But God! Us grammar geeks say that if you make a statement, then add the word 'but', it negates anything you said prior to that 'but', even if it was good. Let that sink in a moment here. The verse starts with 'but God'. If we apply our grammar logic, God negates anything that came before him. He negates sin. He negates death. He negates hate. But God.

I read an article yesterday about a Catholic college professor who stated he believes Jesus was gender fluid, then went on to nullify what Jesus did for us on that cross by spewing such twisted logic that I cannot and will not repeat it here. My heart broke reading it. Why? Because people will believe it and be led so far astray they won't find their way back. Jesus willingly went to that cross for the most heinous, ugly death imaginable - for US - for all of us. Did we do anything to deserve this kind of sacrifice? Nope. I know I didn't.

....but God - that's the true wonder and miracle of the cross, and nothing anyone can say ever will negate what God did for us.

Your Debt is Paid

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NIV

I read an article today about an incident that took place in our city a few days ago. Police were called to a serious incident, a car chase ensued ending with the suspect crashing the vehicle. This person later died of their injuries. This is pretty much all the information that is being released to the public at this time pending the investigation, but people talk and assume things that may not be true. Some of the comments from readers were downright cruel, saying they got what they deserved without even knowing who this person was or what they were doing when they attempted to run away from the police.

What they fail to realize is that this same fate could happen to any of us 'but for the grace of God'. Human law may categorize crimes; God does not. Sin is sin and we are all guilty. I'm guilty. God's gift of his perfect Son to take our sin and conquer death by rising again and his Spirit living within us gives us the wisdom we need to make good choices. This person made a bad choice and there are consequences to every choice - good or bad. I can only pray he had been saved because at this time it's too late for him.

But if you're reading this today, it's not too late for you. That gift of eternal life is yours if you will just accept that Jesus is Lord, that he died for your sins, rose again and lives forever to bring you to eternity with him. Don't let your eternal soul pay for sin when Jesus has already done so - your debt is paid! Hallelujah, Jesus is Risen!

Lead by Serving

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NIV

The preceding verses talk about first being a servant if one wants to be great. Jesus, as he always did, modeled the behavior and attitudes he wanted to see in others. This verse tells us that he knew he didn't come to rule over people but to serve them by presenting himself as a sacrifice.

We all struggle in relationships, thinking we need the upper hand because our fight or flight response demands that we be I  control. But in order to properly lead others we must first be willing to be a servant, offering ourselves as a sacrifice to their needs. It may take some time but soon others will see in us desirable qualities and want to mirror them.

To Save or Not

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:13 NIV

Today is Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem a week before his crucifixion. The word they shouted, Hosanna, means to save. The people knew who he was, or thought they did. They were looking for someone to deliver them from the rule of the Romans, not a savior.

So can you imagine what Jesus must have been thinking as he rode into town? He knew all of this. He knew what they were really looking for. He knew, and understood, that they needed so much more than physical deliverance. He knew he was to be the sacrificial lamb. Yet there he sat, on that donkey, riding into town. He was assured in his station that he was about to deliver them and generations to come from death.

We often think we know what we want or need. We think we know what others want or need. We must realize that we have no clue. Only God knows what we really want or need and his plan is far bigger than petty business on this earth. Putting that into perspective helps us see what others need through God's eternal eyes.

Rest I Must

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord , make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 NIV

Most Saturday mornings I'm up early, forgoing sleep to get to an 8am aerobics class. Today I slept in. My physical body needed to rest and as important as exercise is, sleep is equally if not more important. Our bodies need rest. Our minds need to relax and reset.

This is also true for our spiritual self. Our spirit needs rest because we must be rested in order to face the wiles of the devil. In letting our spirits sleep safely in God, we know we can withstand anything.

Make sure to rest yourself and your spirit daily. 

Travel Light and Rest

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

I switched jobs last year. I'd always thought it was a good move. I'd prayed about it. I like the work. But I've struggled all this time trying to figure out how to really use my talents and get 'into the job'. The job itself is not difficult and I like working to help build better communities for people. I just hadn't found my niche. Well ain't God something? Just when I rested and prayed He answered. This week I was involved in meetings that will take our work to the next level, using the skills and knowledge I've honed in the last 20 years. It will allow me to think creatively about how best to help my community and I'm excited about that.

And you know how God did that? Not only through the work itself but through a coworker who brought me a devotional about shaking off the dust and moving on if you find your ideas and such not welcome. Read Mark 6:11. You see, one of the reasons I've struggled is because at my last job, although I liked it very much and was somewhat of a visionary and forward thinker, not everyone saw things the way I did. Not everyone liked my ideas and it made it difficult for me to really use my talents. Know what Jesus said about that? In sending out the disciples, he said if they don't like your ideas, leave and shake the dust off as you leave. Basically - bye! Don't look back and move on to where you will be welcomed. And that's where I am. I need to leave behind what was and look to the future. God's got a great future planned for me and I know I can help make a difference. He's put me in such a place at just such a time as this. I need to trust and keep moving forward.

And in my obedience to him I can rest in the knowledge that he will safely guide me. I can travel light and then rest a bit. No need to carry my baggage with me. God will supply my needs just like he did with the disciples. Get there. Get to work. Get it done. Travel light and rest.

Rules to Live By

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

I had an annual checkup today. All is good. I'm healthy and doing what's needed to keep myself that way. It's important I follow my doctors orders as he is here to help me. If I decide to go off the rails and let my body go to ruin, I'm the one that will be paying in the end. My doctor can only help me so long as I do what I need to do. We are each responsible for our own health and wellness and happiness.

So it is with God's love and guidance. He will help us as long as we keep his commandments. It sounds harsh but how can you help someone who won't help themselves? God's rules are to protect us and guide us to a deeper faith with him. In him we are safe.

Let God's grace fill your heart and learn to trust him.

My Mother's Keeper

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14:21 NIV

I don't normally get personal in this blog, but today's post is different. I struggled with what to say about this verse that hasn't already been said, so I'm going to say what's on my heart. My mother. For those of you reading that know her, how she is now is very different than what she used to be. Time and age have taken its toll in a way I never thought it would with her. Her brilliant mind that taught highschool and Sunday school for most of her life has turned against her. But she's still with us and we treasure every day we have with her.

I came along later in life than she and dad probably imagined, so I didn't know my mom before she was a seasoned mom and teacher. And for all the lives she lived, I'll never get to ask her about those now. I want to know the brave young woman who got married at 18 and watched her husband ship off to the Navy to serve on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War. I want to know the high school student who was president of the Latin club - Latin! I want to know the young girl who wore pants (shocking!) and learned to shoot a gun. And I really want to know about THAT NIGHT that everyone in her yearbook wrote about where she stayed out all night long with my dad and they went drag racing in the next town over! My mom! The woman who told me rock music was of the devil. The woman who forbade us to dance at my wedding. The woman who would not let me wear jeans till 10th grade and not out in public.

She was all of those and more. She knew the rules and knew how to break them. She eventually learned that you can't break the rules without consequences and I think that's what she really tried to instill in me. She understood that when you love God you keep his commandments - you follow his rules. I didn't always follow the rules, especially those set by my parents...but hey, what kid does? It's part of growing up. But we eventually come around and know that rules are there to protect us. God's rules do the same thing. His rules bring us to a higher place that will finish our faith. That is our ultimate goal.

Like that old song says, loving God means to "trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus."

Action and Reaction

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

It really is a blessing when I allow God's words to permeate my soul, sometimes showing up in this blog like they did yesterday, because sometimes He really does validate what I've written or prayed about. Today's verse is the perfect follow-up to yesterday's post. As servants of Christ, we are to exhibit the love and character of God himself. But what is God's character? We are but humans; he is the creator. There is no way we can understand how God himself would act.

We have the apostle's words to show us how we should act in order to further the work of Christ. We are to act in love and gentleness, kindness and patience - qualities that are hard to come by. Yesterday I wrote about having a servant's heart, mainly as it applies to work. But part of having a servant's heart is to act in love and kindness with self-control. People can get pretty worked up, but our reaction is what will change their minds for Christ - or turn them off.

I'll end with a twist on a popular phrase circling social media: Don't be the change you want to see in the world; be the change the God wants in the world.

A Servant's Heart

I know I've been away from here for a few days and I was feeling somewhat guilty. Then God laid on my heart why - I needed the right words to say. Today's blog is not based on a specific verse but on what God wants me to say.

When you got up this morning to get ready for work - whatever that work may be - how did you think about it? Did you only think of what you can get out of it? If you work because you need to earn a salary to live, is that your only motivation? If you are working in a job you dislike, what is your attitude towards your employer? I get that there are many variables that will go into the answer you might give for these questions, but let's explore a servant's heart.

When you go to that job that God has provided you with so you can take care of your family, I bet that you would be eager to go to work everyday if you were working directly FOR God, with Jesus as your supervisor. I know I would! To get to see Him everyday and talk to Him and get direction from Him - wow! Now that's a cool job! But guess what, you already are working directly for God. As a Christian, everything you do reflects God's grace and faith at work in your life. I'm not saying every day will be sunny and roses and ponies - some days will be a struggle. But every day you get to work is a day you have the opportunity to shine and show others the grace and love of Christ through your attitude and your work product. Ephesians 6:7 (ESV) says, "Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man."  Jesus himself modeled the example he wanted us to use. In John 13, Jesus washed his apostles' feet. He tells them he's given them an example he wanted them to follow. If he, as teacher and Lord, washed their feet, so too can they wash others', for no one is above another. We are all human.

We work for people and we work for a paycheck, but that is not our life's work. Our life's work is to show God's love and humility right where we are, everyday. Do you go above and beyond when asked, or do you grumble about it not being your job? Do you embrace change or do you bristle because 'that's the way we've always done it'? I can't say that I've never harbored these thoughts. Spiritual growth though comes when I acknowledge the wrong and make it right.

Successful businesses and enterprises are built on change. They're built on new ideas and trying and failing at doing things differently. The key behind all that? The attitude of those doing the work. Having a servant's heart means doing your work as if God is going to complete your performance evaluation. He knows when we are making excuses. He knows the status of our hearts. Make yours a servant's heart today and reap the rewards to come.

Read All About It

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8: 1-2 NIV

Pick up a newspaper or click on a website and condemnation rules the galaxy. If condemnation were a human, it would probably be very much Darth Vader-like. We sit in judgement of others, thinking we are better than them because 'we wouldn't do such a thing', or 'we'd never think that of someone', or a myriad of other thoughts and inner conversations. It's easy to get caught up in it.

It is true that if we see someone go astray we are to gently reprimand them and lead them back to grace; that is our duty as fellow believers. But to God all sin leads to death - all sin - not just the big ticket items. To God, a petty lie is just as bad as murder. Humans are the one who put values on sin, and quite possibly should in a fair and just society. That's for our benefit in this life, but this life isn't the only one that matters.

If we truly exist to further God's grace then we must demonstrate the full breadth of his grace, not just the pieces that are convenient or easy.

We Work Hard for Their Money

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 NIV

I've worked in the government sector for over 20 years, most of it working with programs that help low income people and families. I've met many people from all walks of life and have had the privilege of working with some of the most compassionate people I've ever met. As a government employee I've dealt with the 'my taxes are paying your cushy salary to just sit there' mentality, have even had people say it to me in person. But those few exceptions are just that - exceptions. With the help of hard-working people from the private, non profit and public sector, I've been engaged in projects that have helped thousands of people over the years. My work is secondary to the boots on the ground, but without the intermediary between the funding source and the recipient of the benefits, there is no program to help them. It's thankless work really and it's harder than you think. Government funding comes with lots of red tape and hurdles - there's a surprise - and compliance with the literally hundreds of rules and regulations can be mind-boggling. But I love it. I love that the programs I help manage benefit those most in need.

Most of the people I know that work in these programs, especially those in the non-profit sector, aren't in it for the money. They'll be the first to tell you there's not a whole lot of money in it. But they do it because they want to give of their time and energy into something worthwhile that makes their community a better place for everyone, not just those with means. These programs grew from grassroots movements whose organizational values mirrored this verse - it's more blessed to give than to receive and we should help those who may not be able to help themselves right now.

Look around and see how you can be a blessing to others. I promise, the rewards are greater than the sacrifice.

I Believe

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Acts 2:21 NIV

I had the privilege of watching my daughter and two close friends, a mother and daughter, be baptized into faith. It was so beautiful to witness. Baptism is a public acknowledgement of the decision to follow Christ.

This verse promises us that if we call on his name, believe in him, we will be saved. At that point nothing can change that fact. Not sin, not death, not dementia, not illness of any kind. We are saved for all eterniry and will be made whole again when we reach heaven. This is God's promise to his children.

Believe and you will be saved.

Work Work

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

If you've been reading my daily devotionals you know that I just went through a high rank testing. I've been prepping for years, but recently upped my game to make sure I was as physically ready as I could be. No one can take a test without preparing in some way. You have to know the material. You have to get yourself ready. And you have to prepare yourself in plenty of time in case something comes up near the end that takes time away from studying.

How nice to know that not only are we prepared to do the work God has for us, but he has prepared us for it already! We must allow ourselves to be used of God but he has our work ready for us to dig in.

Let God lead you to the work he has already prepared you to do.

Happy and Heavy

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 NIV

My heart is both happy and heavy. Happy because God saw me through my testing today. He gave me the strength to push through heavy workouts, muscle soreness and busy weeks. He helped calm my nerves and focus on what I knew I needed to do.

It's heavy because a family member is going through a rough time. It seems God is no where to be found and what's going on here is greater than him.

But it's not. Nothing here can get the better of God, but sometimes it's hard to trust he knows what he's doing. But we must.

Yes you dear children have overcome because he is greater.

Suited Up

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 NIV

I loved that this was my verse for today. Tomorrow I will face some formidable opponents in my sparring matches as I test for my next rank. I will be suited up! It would be silly of me to leave my headgear at home. If I get hit in the head I'm done for. Or forget my shin pads or mouth guard. In order to conduct my sparring matches I must have my proper gear on.

But this verse also helps us in daily life. I gave a training today. I spent time preparing the materials and understanding the subject. It would be unprofessional to go into that training room not properly suited up for the training.

If we have any chance of standing against the devil and his schemes we must be suited every day to do battle. We must know God's word. We must know how to show God's love and work our faith.

We must be prepared so get suited up!