Strength to Finish

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

I just read an article about verses that we frequently misquote. This is one of them. Since every word in the scripture is intentional we need to suss out what this one is speaking to. But I also believe that understanding the context allows you to apply the scripture to our modern, daily lives.

This one was perfect for me yesterday because I have been sick all week. I've been off work thankfully but I still had other obligations,  ones that require extra energy I just don't have. I needed to be reminded that no matter what I'm facing God gives me strength. He knows what daily responsibilities we have. He knows where our energy must be expended. He knows that we want to give it our all because when we do we glorify him.

He will give us the strength to do what we need to do. We need but to ask. He will help us teach that class, do the job, pick up the kids, fix dinner, wash clothes, whatever it is we need to do. He will also help us find the courage to share his word, and stand up for what we believe in a world trying to shush us. This is his promise.

So whether in context or applied to tour life, God's word is real, breathed from the Holy Spirit. Let is speak to you and give you strength.

What Do We Deserve

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10 NIV

All I could think when I read this verse was, woah. Our outward actions mean nothing of our heart isn't in the right place. God will know if we are giving because we want to or because we are expecting praise in return.

I went to get my hair cut and colored today. I've been going to the same hairdresser for years. She does a good job. She would not have been in business for as long as she has if her heart wasn't in it. She makes a living doing what she likes, her deeds match her heart.

We cannot fool god. He knows our heart and mind. We must examine our own motives and be sure they align forst with God's word and then with God's will for our lives. Don't be the ones who give to be seen. Give because your heart desires it.

Happy Birthday America

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Our founding fathers knew a thing or two about self-discipline. They were anything but timid, acting in full knowledge of what awaited them had they failed. They availed themselves of God's power and authority in setting up our country's founding documents. Where would we be today had they not been empowered to do what they did to ensure the freedom of the new nation?

Being full of the spirit of God we should be bold, acting in the full wisdom and knowledge that God gives us. We cannot fulfill our charge to spread the gospel if we are afraid. We must be bold, daring, but humble, kind and acting in God's steadfast love. For he is where our strength comes from. 

Don't be shy about God's love. What America needs...what the world needs...is bold Christians acting with God's love.

Mere Mortals

Now keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 NIV

In these two verses God embeds five truths, five lessons...five! I want to focus on the question that is asked. He calls others 'mere mortals'. When I read this all I hear is the announcer at Disney's Haunted Mansion, you know the one who talks to you as you enter the hall. He talks about us being mere mortals.

I like how it's worded in the verse. If God is with me, what can these puny humans do to me? Take my money? God will provide all I need.  Physically hurt me? God is the great physician. Even go so far as to take my life? I will spend eternity with God.

Being content with this knowledge is not hard. Our spirit can be at peace knowing we do not have to be afraid. We will have struggles but nothing compares to what awaits us. Our future is secure.

Payday Musings

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6‭-‬8 NIV

It's payday so I was paying bills...fun times. As I was writing checks and balancing the checkbook I stopped for a moment to thank God that we have wonderful jobs so that we can pay our bills. He's provided the wisdom to balance our budget and save for things we need. I also thanked him for our home and incredibly low mortgage payment. Most people don't even pay rent that low!

Then I proceeded to file an application for our daughter for financial aid for school. It's worth a shot, right?

If I gave into the flesh I probably would not have had a very good reaction to paying the bills or to the fact that we probably won't get financial aid for college. Why? Because I wouldn't have the peace thar comes with living in God's spirit. With him in my heart I know he will give the wisdom we need to make good choices and we can trust him to help our daughter pursue her dreams of a college degree. My heart sings knowing he will take care if us no matter what the balance is in our checking account. Money may make the world go round but God creates the world and put it into motion. So why should I worry when the creator has me in his hand?

Live by the spirit, live forever. Live by the sword and flesh, die by the sword and be forever separated from God.

I Need Webster

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5‭-‬6 NIV

I conducted a day-long training event today. When I read this verse this morning I thanked God for the reminder and asked for his wisdom as I delivered the presentations. After six hours of teaching and answering questions, I was pleased with how the training went. As I was leaving the room one of the attendees stopped me. He said, "I like you so I say this to help you. It's pronounced 'cognitive' as in cognition. Everyone says it differently but I wanted to pull you aside rather than correct you in front of everyone."

Well after I recovered what was left of my pride....and stifled the biggest laugh I've ever felt coming on....I reminded him that we've also been pronouncing the word 'status' wrong for decades! He agreed and said that I was doing so well until I said cognitive wrong and I then lost all credibility.

I couldn't really do anything but say thanks. I mean what else can you say when you make such a horrible awful mistake in butchering the English language like that?

Lucky for us God doesn't find fault because we ask him for wisdom or discernment, even when we pronounce the words wrong. I think God would accept our praise and prayers regardless of the language, which by the way we use the word regardless wrong all the time. But I digress. God won't sit through you're PowerPoint and find fault with it. He won't point out your grammatical mistakes. He won't bring up the time you got tongue tied while talking or that last presentation where you mixed up the words. He's there to help you over those hurdles. He gives generously. Let him.

Now, go Google cognitive. You know you want to.

The Perfect Advocate

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1‭-‬2 NIV

If you were to find yourself in a tenuous situation the first thing I bet you would do is find someone to help you. Someone to speak on your behalf, who believes in you and trusts that you are on the right side. And even if you were wrong they still trust you want to make things right. I am blessed enough to have not just one advocate but several.

We also have Jesus who prays for us and pleads to the father on our behalf. I bet there's not an attorney anywhere who can negotiate like Jesus can! No matter how many times we mess up or act like only silly humans can, Jesus will be there to fight for us.