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Spirit Come Down

I’ve had the same worship song playing on repeat in my mind for several weeks—ever since I got home from serving as a leader at our church’s annual houseboat trip for high school students. Living on a boat with thirteen teenage girls and another adult leader alongside 23 other houseboats was both exhausting and exhilarating. There’s something awe-inspiring about staking boats to a piece of land, setting up camp, and creating a vibrant, Christ-centered community.

Spending a week away from the world not only provided respite from normal responsibilities, it also freed us to connect with one another and the Lord. Without many of the distractions of regular life at home, we had time to play outside, enjoy creation, worship God, pray together, and learn from the Bible. Perhaps most impactful were the times we gathered by the water’s edge nightly to sing worship songs and listen to a teaching from Scripture. 

We started the week by inviting the Holy Spirit to move among us, and He didn’t disappoint. Sitting on the shoreline looking out at the lake, I thought of the words in the opening lines of Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2, NIV)

That same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation transformed hearts and lives on a rocky shoreline at Lake Shasta. But long before students set foot on the boats or dipped their toes into the water, the prayers of many people laid the groundwork for that week at camp. Some of us gathered as a group to pray, many of us also prayed on our own. The day before students arrived, I felt prompted to pray for specific kids by name. At the end of the week, I brushed tears out of my eyes as some of those students professed their faith in Jesus before being immersed in the waters of baptism. Many others saw similar answers to prayer as they listened to students share about their lives being transformed.

Since returning home, I’ve thought a lot about how the Spirit moved at camp. Being away from daily routines, having time and space to enjoy creation, and focusing on spiritual growth opened the floodgates for the Holy Spirit to work. Although the camp experience was powerful, the same Spirit who hovered over the waters there is with us always. Jesus made this clear in His teaching: “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17, NIV)

So, while it’s easier to focus on the Spirit when we’re surrounded by the beauty of creation with our days scheduled around worship, prayer, and spiritual conversations, we can still find Him in regular life too. The Bible assures us: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” (1 John 4:12-15, NIV)

This year I’ve been praying God would make me more aware of His presence on a daily basis. I’m beginning to notice not just the obvious places where He reveals Himself (like on the shores of Lake Shasta while singing worship songs), but in the subtle ways He answers simple prayers, reassures me with encouraging words, or prompts me to show love to others.

The Holy Spirit lives within every follower of Jesus, but we can invite Him to fill us and spill out from us in increasing measure each day. The experience on Houseboats was inspiring, but God’s presence isn’t only in places of beauty and respite. If, like me, you want to see more of the Holy Spirit in your life, invite Him to pour Himself out on you, to lead you, and to prompt you every day. 

Ever since singing it on Houseboats, I can’t get the words of “Rest on Us” out of my head. Enjoy this short video clip from our week at Lake Shasta:

Or, listen to the full length version by  Maverick City Music and let it become your ongoing prayer. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qryRCbNYro

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Psalm 107: Redemption Stories

Sometimes I write to remind myself what’s true. It gives me hope when the world churns out bad news faster than I can process it. Whether it’s another mass shooting, a respected leader making a questionable decision, a brutal and unjust war, or a gut-wrenching situation with a friend or family member, there’s no shortage of news to send me into a downward spiral of angst.

Thankfully, the Bible includes plenty of examples of people experiencing difficult and sad situations. This week my devotional led me to Psalm 107, which gave me several relevant illustrations. Written by an unknown author, most scholars believe it was penned to celebrate the Jews’ return to Judah after being held captive in Babylon for 70 years. Their time in exile was God’s discipline for their disobedience following numerous warnings by different prophets. After being humbled in Babylon, the psalmist calls out God’s goodness and reminds us of the blessing of following His ways: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.”  (vs 1-3, NIV)

The psalmist continues by calling upon those who have been redeemed to praise the Lord and recount stories of His goodness. He includes examples of people who pleaded for God’s help and received His deliverance. Some were redeemed from problems of their own making; others were redeemed from circumstances beyond their control. In each case, their stories have something in common: those in distress were humble enough to ask God for help and to thank Him for their deliverance.

The first example describes people wandering in the wilderness who are lost and hungry: “They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.” (vs 5-6, NIV)

I see a modern parallel in this example. So many people in the world today seem to be wandering in the wilderness, trying to find meaning, identity, hope, and comfort apart from God. Author and pastor Paul David Tripp explains the result of these hollow endeavors: “Whenever you name something in creation as the thing that will satisfy you, you are asking that thing to be your personal savior…you are looking horizontally for what will only ever be yours vertically. In other words, you are asking something in creation to do for you what only God can do.”1

In contrast, the psalmist reminds us where to find true fulfillment: “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (vs 8-9, NIV)

Next, the psalmist describes prisoners in bondage who had rebelled against God and despised His plans. Deep in their misery, they finally sought Him for help: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” (vs 13-14, NIV)

There’s another modern parallel in our culture today. Have you noticed we’re repeatedly fed the lie that true freedom is found in doing whatever we want? Ultimately, as we distance ourselves from God’s ways and give in to our selfish desires, we discover we’re actually not free at all, but in bondage to sin. Only when we cry out to God and admit our need for Him do we find true freedom through Christ.

Next, the psalmist describes rebellious fools who suffer physically because of their sins: “They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.” (vs 18-20, NIV)

The people he describes harm themselves physically as a form of rebellion against God.2 I shudder to think of the many examples of this in our world today. Yet, God in His goodness remains ready and willing to save anyone who calls out to Him. He sent out His word to heal and rescue in the past, and still does it now.

Lastly the psalmist describes sailors at sea who witness the might of God’s creation and then seek His help in the midst of a storm: “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (vs 28-30, NIV)

Storms in life may take us by surprise, but they don’t catch the Lord unaware. Sometimes we get angry at God during hard seasons and want to blame Him for our misfortune. We feel resentful, viewing pain and discomfort as “bad” instead of seeing them as normal parts of life.  If we’re honest, we often feel entitled to ease and comfort and get offended when we don’t have them. But storms in life have much to teach us about ourselves and God. They mature us, teach us to rely on Him, and lead us away from taking good things for granted. This perspective enables us to appreciate times of ease instead of expecting them.

The Bible includes these stories and examples so we can learn from them and, hopefully, not repeat the same mistakes the Israelites did. God is good and wants to share His goodness with us. He has plans for us that are good, so let’s take the advice of Psalm 107: “Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.” (vs 43, NIV)

The ache we feel when upsetting events happen in the news or in our personal lives sometimes leads us to discouragement, anger, or hopelessness. When we feel this way, it’s important to remind ourselves of God’s sovereignty. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. Let’s humbly remind each other of this truth on the days when the world feels especially hard, sad, or ugly.  Listen to “Reign Above It All” and let it give you a fresh perspective today. 

  1. David Paul Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, Crossway 2014, May 24 entry.
  2. Walvoord and Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books 1985, 871.

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Experiencing God in Creation

I remember the first time I heard the term “screen time.” My boys were little and a wise friend encouraged me to set specific limits on how many minutes they were spending in front of screens each day. Back then, it was mostly TV shows and computer games since smart phones, tablets, and social media hadn’t been invented yet. 

Since those days, the amount of time people spend on screens has increased exponentially. As much as I want to limit them in my life, it’s not unusual to find me glued to my computer, phone, or tablet as I’m writing, posting, texting, scrolling, reading, researching, listening, or watching.  Much of the content I focus on builds my faith and equips me to lead and serve. There’s an endless trove of resources online to learn about God and to grow spiritually, but it’s impossible for me to keep up. I could spend every day scanning new blog posts, video teachings, podcasts, articles, and book reviews and still have more to discover. And even though I’m usually learning about biblical topics from godly people, I find myself feeling on overload at times.

Trying to process the content I’m encountering overwhelms me when I try to ingest too much at once. When that happens, I know it’s time to power down and head outside where I can simply be with God. Nature opens a window to understanding God’s character by noticing all that He’s created. In fact, Scripture tells us we don’t need books or screens to learn about the Lord:

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:7, ESV) 

I took a hike in the foothills recently with my husband and purposely left my phone on the kitchen counter.  Needing a respite from the constant inputs of technology, it was a relief to be reminded of God’s goodness and to feel His presence in creation. As we plodded along a familiar trail, the array of sights, sounds, and smells reminded me of the Lord’s tremendous creativity. No matter how many times we hike the same path, there’s always something new and different to see because He’s constantly at work.

Enjoying a panoramic view at the top of a steep incline spoke of God’s grandeur and vastness. I was reminded that “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17, NIV)

Crouching beside the trail to study the intricacy of a white flower with delicate red accents revealed His attentiveness to detail. As we continued, the colors, shapes, and sizes in the array of flowers along the trail captivated me. (Although I hadn’t brought my phone, my husband had, enabling me to capture photos throughout our hike.)

As we walked along the trail, flowers in brilliant red, deep violet, golden yellow, and soft orange told me that the Lord values beauty and variety. I especially loved finding orange poppies that are unique to our state and yellow globe daffodils that are indigenous to the mountain near our house. They showed me each creation God makes is distinctive in some way.

Author and pastor David Paul Tripp sums it up saying: “The radical truth of the existence of God isn’t just preached to us on Sunday; it’s preached every day through the beauty of the sunset, the power of the storm, the inexhaustible wings of the hummingbird, the hugeness of the mountain, the whisper of the breeze, the smell of the sizzling steak, the beauty of the petal of a rose, and so on. The power and clarity of creation’s message leaves no human being with an excuse. You have to work to deny God’s existence because it is so readily visible everywhere you look.”*

Tripp’s comments refer to this passage from Romans: “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20, NLT)

How about heading outside this week to see what you can discover about God’s character by observing His creation? Click here and let Ellie Holcomb’s song “I Don’t Want to Miss It” inspire you to continue this practice throughout the summer.

*Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional, Crossway Books, 2014, May 12 entry.

Summer in Sight

A few months ago I read a book called Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge. It urges readers to maintain a mindset that pursues growth and staves off decay. The premise is simple: use it or lose it. As we get older, we have to be more intentional about keeping our bodies and minds strong by consistently engaging in physical activities, intellectual challenges, and community connections. 

Although I’ve always believed in the importance of regular exercise, my regimen has become more focused recently. I’ve ridden a spin bike for several years at my own pace, usually while enjoying a podcast or an audio book. I thought I was pushing myself until I started taking classes online. It was humbling to discover how challenging they were. Turns out I wasn’t training as hard as I wanted to believe because my mind and body were focused on different tasks. Getting them in sync has made my workouts more effective. Instead of putting in half-hearted effort, I’m more aware when I need to modify or take a day off to rest. My endurance has improved and I feel stronger and more durable. Because I don’t want to lose the ground I’ve gained, I’m intentional about making plans and goals to maintain my physical fitness.

As formal Bible study programs wind down and we head into the unstructured months of summer, I see a clear correlation to my spiritual life. I’ve grown in the last year through consistently studying God’s Word and gathering with others to learn together. Now, just because organized groups are taking a break, I don’t want to put the brakes on studying the Bible with others: “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 NIV)

As much as I love the freedom and flexibility of summer, I know I’m better off maintaining a connection with people who will spur me to stay in God’s Word consistently. Just as forsaking exercise won’t benefit my body, taking a vacation from spiritual growth won’t be positive for my heart or mind.  

One of my favorite things about summer is choosing a study and inviting a few people to meet periodically to discuss it. Looking back, I smile thinking of friendships that have grown during breaks from formal group gatherings at church. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me this year.

Why not try it too? Summer is the perfect time to ask a few friends to go through a Christian book or Bible study with you. Whether you meet weekly or pick dates around your travels, you’ll be blessed by continuing in community. There’s no better way to create accountability and remain in God’s Word. Don’t let the relaxed pace and warm weather lull you into complacency. If you’d like suggestions for summer studies, click here for a few options.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

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Don’t Compensate, Confess

True story: many years ago I received a bouquet from the leader of a group I’d been serving. Although I love flowers and accepted them with a smile, I threw them away as soon as I got home. I’d been hurt repeatedly by the person who presented them to me, so her grand gesture in front of others felt hollow and forced. The flowers were like salt being poured into a gaping wound that she had created. It took a long time and some good counseling to to work through the hurt and bitterness I felt.

Can you relate to my reaction? Have you ever had a relationship with someone who struggled with apologizing? Maybe they tried to compensate for hurting you by giving you gifts, paying you compliments, or offering kind gestures. Whatever they did, it probably didn’t improve your relationship the way admitting they were wrong and asking forgiveness would have.

It doesn’t feel good when people hurt us and then try to “make nice.” Does it surprise you to know that God feels the same way? Consider this passage from Haggai:

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says: If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?’”

The priests answered, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?”

“Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.”

 Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.” (Haggai 2:11-14, NIV)

This somewhat strange example illustrates a hard truth: Our sin not only hurts God, it repulses Him. One commentary explains, “disobedience renders even sacrificial worship unacceptable.”1 Just as a kind gesture doesn’t replace an authentic apology, doing good things to honor the Lord doesn’t compensate for our sin. Approaching Him without confessing our sins hinders our connection to Him.

The prophet Isaiah explains how sin blocks our communication with God: “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2, NIV) Although confessing our sins may feel uncomfortable, it’s vital for keeping the lines of communication open with God.

Let’s pause for a moment to clarify what sin is. In ancient Greek it means “to miss the mark” and in ancient Hebrew it means “to go astray.” In archery whether an arrow veers from the bullseye by a millimeter or a foot, it still misses. The Bible says we’ve all missed the mark of perfection that God requires: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, NIV)

This isn’t just about sins that show on the outside that we consider “big” like murder or adultery. We also fall short by smaller, hidden sins like harboring bitterness, envy, jealousy, and unforgiveness. Being prideful and unwilling to admit we’re wrong are also quiet but destructive sins. 

Our culture doesn’t like to talk about sin or even to acknowledge its existence. But for those who follow Christ, it’s important to remember that our forgiveness was bought at a massive cost. Sin is so bad Jesus came to earth and died to pay for it. Admitting we’re sinners and accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross is the only way to compensate for our sin.

There are two elements to forgiveness we need to keep in mind. First is positional forgiveness: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV) This happens when we accept Christ’s death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Acknowledging that we’re sinners and accepting Jesus’ death on the cross as the punishment for our sins eliminates the barrier of sin that kept us from connecting to God personally.

This amazing truth can be confusing, however. We all know that even after accepting Christ, sin is still a factor in our lives. Because of this, we need to be intentional about examining our hearts and actions regularly. Confessing to God when we’ve sinned against Him enables us to receive relational forgiveness. Jennifer Rothschild explains, “He doesn’t love you less because you sin. Rather, He loves you too much to let you stay there.”2 Scripture reassures us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV) So, positional forgiveness is a one-time event that redeems our sinful state, saving us from God’s wrath and eternal judgement. On the other hand, relational forgiveness restores fellowship with God and purifies us from our ongoing sins.

Take a few minutes and consider: Is there an action or attitude that might be blocking your connection to God right now? Are you covering over sin and trying to compensate for it instead of confessing it? Perhaps you’re serving God in a specific ministry while harboring sinful thoughts and attitudes. Maybe you’re involved in “doing good” for others but overlooking the ways you’re hurting people closest to you. If you’re trying to cover the stench of sin instead of cleaning it out, be honest with yourself and God. 

Jennifer Rothschild encourages us: “Our personal purity of heart not only honors God and gives our obedience greater significance, it can be an influence for good to all we encounter…through Christ’s grace and strength, we can maintain pure motives and pure hearts not only for our sakes, but for God’s glory and others’ protection.”2

Confession and repentance may feel difficult and even frightening at times, but Scripture tells us they bring refreshment to us: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19, NIV)

Listen to “Come to the Altar” and let it prompt you to stop ignoring the sin God wants to cleanse from your life so you can enjoy close fellowship with Him again. Click here to listen.

1. Walvoord and Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books ©1985, 1543.

2. Jennifer Rothschild, Take Courage: A Study of Haggai, Lifeway Press 2020, 156 & 159.

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The Promise of Peace

If you grew up in church, you may remember waving palm fronds or making crafts out of them in Sunday School on Palm Sunday. (And if you didn’t grow up in church, just keep reading.) Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem marks the beginning of the final days before His crucifixion. In the church, it’s known as Holy Week—kicking off on Palm Sunday and culminating on Easter. In case you need your memory refreshed, here’s how Matthew’s gospel tells the story:

“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 

They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’

‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’

‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’” (Matthew 21:1-11, NIV)

Matthew wrote this to convince Jewish people that Jesus actually was the Messiah. So, he makes a point to show the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 that Jesus fulfills by entering Jerusalem riding on the foal of a donkey. In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses when they were going to war, but donkeys when they came in peace.

The people shouted “Hosanna,” which means “Save now!” It was both a praise and a petition that they were recalling from Psalm 118. The Jewish people were desperate for relief from the oppression of Rome and expected the Messiah to arrive as a political hero and a conquering king. They wanted Him to fix their problems in the present. 

Jesus’ arrival was part of a much bigger plan to offer eternal peace with God, but the people were only looking for a fix to their current circumstances. They cared more about what was happening outside of them than within their own hearts. I think the same can be true of us.

Sometimes we want Jesus to wave a magic wand and make everything better when He’s actually inviting us to participate in something that has eternal significance. In the book of John Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV) Following Jesus brings lasting inner peace that far exceeds the temporary peace we find when circumstances go the way we want.

Here’s how Bible teacher Jennifer Rothschild explains this deeper peace of Jesus: “The Hebrew word for peace (shalom) can also be translated as completeness, soundness, or welfare…We have wholeness, soundness, and welfare from God because we have peace with God through Christ.”

She ties this to God’s promise to the Jews who were re-building the temple in the book of Haggai: “‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9, NIV)

The triumphal entry was the official presentation of Jesus as the Messiah—the rightful descendant of King David who had been prophesied throughout the Old Testament. His arrival on Palm Sunday brought the glory and peace of the Lord to the temple that had been proclaimed in the time of Haggai as well as many other parts of Scripture.

The crowd clamored to worship Jesus when He first entered Jerusalem. Sadly, a few days later they called for His crucifixion when He didn’t bring the version of peace they expected. I wonder sometimes, how are we like the crowd on Palm Sunday? Are we more interested in a Jesus who provides quick fixes for our current circumstances? Do we join with the crowd in praising Him, hoping He’ll give us what we want? Are we quick to reject Him when He doesn’t give us the kind of circumstantial peace we think we deserve?

Simple faith in Jesus leads to lasting peace. This doesn’t mean life will be perfect or easy. In fact, not long before His crucifixion, Jesus explained “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we find deep peace that doesn’t depend on our circumstances but on lasting hope found in Him.

God’s glory exists all around us and His peace dwells within everyone who follows Him. Where do you need to take heart, look beyond the world, and embrace the deeper peace of Jesus today?

Take a deep breath and enjoy a five minute worship moment listening to “Peace” by Bethel Music. Click here to listen.

Jennifer Rothschild, Take Courage: A Study of Haggai, Lifeway Press 2020, 145-6.

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Pitfalls of Comparing

I remember friends encouraging me to join different social media platforms when they first launched. Although my curiosity was sometimes piqued, I was hesitant about wading into those waters. Truth be told, the main reason was an acute understanding of my weaknesses. I’ve always been prone to compare myself to others and I have a competitive streak that isn’t always positive. I knew scrolling through pictures and commentary might stir up envy, insecurity, or a critical spirit in me. 

I avoided joining for several years. But once I started posting blogs, a few savvy friends convinced me that if I wasn’t on social media, my writing would be hard to find. So, with reluctance, I joined. Scrolling through posts, I saw the allure and the pitfalls of social networking. Just as I’d suspected, I had to limit my exposure and log out as soon as negative feelings surfaced—whether it was feeling left out, not good enough, judgmental, or annoyed. Now that I’ve been on it a while, I also get reminders of older photos that make me wistful comparing past memories with current realities. Have you noticed that comparisons often seem to trigger strong emotions in us?

Social networking has heightened an issue that’s existed since long before the advent of computers. The tendency to compare and compete is part of the human condition. It has quite a history in Scripture, starting with Cain, who let it consume him to the point of murdering his brother, Abel (Genesis 4). Sisters Leah and Rachel also let competition and comparison taint their relationship. For them, it spurred a baby-producing frenzy that led their husband, Jacob, to father twelve sons and one daughter with four different women. (Genesis 29 & 30)

We see another danger of comparison when the Jews in Haggai’s time compare the smaller temple they’re rebuilding with the grander one from Solomon’s era: “Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?” (Haggai 2:3, NIV) Looking back to compare their rebuilding efforts with the larger temple of the past could’ve squelched any motivation they had to keep working. Jennifer Rothschild explains, “The real danger of comparing is possibly missing the real glory. Looking at our lives, callings, and work with eyes of comparison means we can’t see with eyes of faith. It was true that Zerubbabel’s temple was not as outwardly impressive as Solomon’s.” However, a few verses later we read: “‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9a, NIV)

Jennifer Rothschild encourages us to be wary of comparison:
“We can’t always see the full potential of something while we’re in the middle of it. We can’t see how the seeds planted by one small act may grow. We fall into the comparison trap and end up stuck in discouragement because we compare what we see to the wrong things.”

So, what’s our response if we want to get a healthy handle on comparison and competition? Let’s look at three New Testament examples and see what we can learn.

God’s Work in Your Life vs. Someone Else’s: After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples several times. In one instance, He told Peter about some difficult circumstances that would unfold in his future. At that point, “Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them…When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” (John 21:20-22, NIV)

Jesus confronts Peter’s quickness to compare by redirecting his attention back to Him. His swiftness with refocusing Peter reminds us that when we’re tempted to compare what’s happening in our lives with someone else’s, we’re heading into unhealthy territory– especially in matters of faith. The best response when we’re starting to compare is to turn our attention back to Jesus.

Different Gifts, Strengths & Ministries: Apollos was a gifted teacher who captivated the early Christians with his eloquence. Paul, on the other hand, was less articulate but taught with an incredible knowledge of Scripture. Unfortunately, some believers began dividing into factions, with one group rallying behind Paul and another behind Apollos. Paul addressed this unhealthy competition saying, “When one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:4-6, NIV)

Comparison caused these believers to confuse their priorities. They were making the giftedness and speaking style of their preferred teachers into a competition, completely overlooking the consistent message of the gospel both were preaching. They had lost sight of what was truly important. When we lose perspective and begin comparing different teachers, ministries, or churches it’s time to step back, look at the big picture, and re-focus on how they are each playing a part in accomplishing God’s plans.

The Past vs. The Present: If you’re prone to romanticize the past, take Paul’s words to heart: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV) God may have done amazing things in your past, but remember that He is always on the move doing new things. Don’t get stuck reveling in what once was and miss out on what He’s doing now.

One of my favorite quotes is: “Comparison is the thief of joy” (attributed to Theodore Roosevelt). This phrase realigns me when I’m veering into a negative mindset. Ask the Lord to help you remember this the next time you’re tempted to compete and compare in unhealthy ways.

If, like me, you want to stop the cycle of comparison, let this song give words to your prayers. Click here and listen to Micah Tyler’s “Different.”

Jennifer Rothschild, Take Courage: A Study of Haggai, Lifeway Press 2020, 98 & 99.

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Acts of Obedience

My husband and I call them “acts of obedience.” They’re actions we feel God calling us to take that are confirmed by His Word. Usually they involve things we’re not eager to do because they’re inconvenient, uncomfortable, or costly. Sometimes they require a commitment of time or financial resources. Usually there’s some kind of blessing that springs from our obedience, but it’s rarely immediate, obvious, or what we expect.

Jennifer Rothschild highlights the importance of obeying God using the example of the Jews rebuilding the temple in the book of Haggai: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,’ says the Lord.” (Haggai 1:7-8 NIV)

The people had stopped building the temple, opting to tend to their own homes instead. In this passage, they’re urged to reconsider and obey God’s command to re-build His house. Jennifer Rothschild explains, “Sometimes we obey…because deep down, it serves us. But sometimes obeying God just isn’t convenient—kind of like the Jews who preferred to finish their own paneled houses instead of God’s house. Who wants to go up a mountain, gather wood, and build God’s house when you’ve got your own fixer-upper that needs paneling?”

She continues, “We don’t obey to get good stuff from God. We obey to give glory to God. We do it for Him, not for what we get from Him. We can find blessing in the process of obedience regardless of the outcome of obedience.”

Let’s consider three acts of obedience that honor God and explore the underlying blessings they bring.

1) Finances: Including God in our financial decisions is a simple act of obedience that isn’t always easy. Early in our marriage, my husband and I committed to tithing consistently. Although there were many ways we could have spent the first ten percent of our income, we knew God’s Word was clear about the importance of giving. This act of obedience has been painful at times and has meant setting a budget that required us to “give careful thought to our ways.” However, we’ve also discovered an unexpected blessing by giving to God’s work through our church and other organizations. The funds we set aside are the Lord’s, not ours. We’ve loved partnering with Him to give financially because we know we’re honoring Him and blessing others. Obeying the Lord has also brought us joy and led to freedom and peace with our finances. (For a deeper dive on this see Malachi 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Hebrews 13:5)

2) Relationships: Sometimes God calls us to acts of obedience in relationships. For my husband and me, that started before we met. Both of us prioritized marrying someone who followed Jesus because we didn’t want to be unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). We also honored God’s plan for sex to be saved for marriage, even though the world told us this was impossible and outdated (Hebrews 13:4). Over the years, we’ve been called to many other acts of obedience in relationships: initiating hard conversations that we wanted to avoid; offering forgiveness when we wanted to hold a grudge; spending time with people who haven’t been easy to love. Each time we’ve chosen to obey God and do things that are counter to the world’s wisdom, we’ve discovered greater peace and health in relationships. (See Romans 12:9-21, Ephesians 4:17-32, Colossians 3:1-17 for more on this.)

3) Gifts & Talents: Each of us has been given specific spiritual gifts and natural talents to benefit the world around us, to bless others, and to build the Church. I love discovering potential in people, drawing it out of them, and watching how God uses it to grow His kingdom. Scripture explains our responsibility to use what God has given us: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT) Gifts and talents are resources we’re required to steward, just like our finances. This means considering how we spend our time so that we can share them with others. Using the gifts God has given also leads us to spiritual maturity. If you’re unsure of your spiritual gifts, try taking a spiritual gifts assessment online or check out S.H.A.P.E. by Erik Rees. (See Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12 for more on this).

At first, obedience to God sounds like a burden or a chore, but it’s actually an incredible blessing. When we choose to follow the plans laid out by our Maker, we’re aligning with the way we were designed. This brings pleasure to the Lord while evoking great joy and peace in us.  So, while we aren’t guaranteed specific material rewards by obeying God, we do receive spiritual blessings that are far more lasting and fulfilling.

Is there an act of obedience you’ve been avoiding? Consider praying about it and asking the Lord to help you follow through for your good and His glory. 

Many years ago when I worked at a Christian camp, we sang a song called “I’ll Obey.” The lyrics are simple, but profound. Click here to listen and make it your prayer today. 

Jennifer Rothschild, Take Courage: A Study of Haggai, Lifeway Press 2020, 76.

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Small Beginnings

Tearing out the sheet of binder paper, I wrote a bullet-pointed list of discussion questions based on a Bible passage I’d been studying. Each week I’d take my hand-written questions and photocopy them in my sorority’s study lounge, known as “The Pit” because of its location in the basement of our house. Climbing the steps to the expansive living room, I’d sit on the floor near the fireplace glancing regularly at my watch, waiting to see if anyone would come.

Inviting girls in my house to join a Bible study had been a stunning leap of faith for me as a sophomore in college. Before God had emboldened me, I’d always been someone that craved approval and validation from others. I liked fitting in, not creating a stir. This venture launched me way past the limits of my comfort zone. Not everyone cheered on my efforts. As you might imagine, Bible study veered beyond the typical activities for girls at my secular university. Some weeks ten of my sorority sisters would show up, others no one would come. 

I didn’t know that God was preparing me for many other opportunities to write, lead, teach, mentor, and serve. Looking back, I see how the Lord used that time to equip and prepare me to walk alongside others growing in faith. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of pouring into a variety of women at different seasons in my life. Usually it’s only a few, but over time this has added up to a lot of lives.

That’s what I thought of when I read this passage: “Do not despise these small beginnings for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10a, NLT)

So often when God prompts us to act, we expect big, splashy results immediately. When we don’t get them, we become discouraged and want to quit. Or, we get distracted and lose our focus, as the Jews re-building the temple did in the book of Haggai.

Jennifer Rothschild encourages us saying, “You may feel small, insignificant, thinking who you are or where you are is unimportant compared to the seemingly big significance of others’ lives and situations. But no one and nothing is really small and insignificant. The big impact of small things can be overlooked if we aren’t careful… God does know your name. He doesn’t overlook you just because somebody has a bigger problem, a bigger project, or a bigger personality. No matter how big the world is and no matter how small you may feel, God has called you to take courage and finish the work He has called you to…Let His voice be louder than the outside voice of opposition and that nagging inner voice that tries to convince you that you are too small for your call.”1 

Recently, I returned from IF:Gathering—a conference attended by thousands of women in person and online all over the world. Sitting in the audience with 4000 other women, I watched as one gifted speaker after another took the stage. Their teaching energized me and spurred on my faith. But, if I’m honest, there were moments that I also felt a little angsty and cynical. I’m not proud to admit that I slipped into comparison mode a few times. As soon as I did this, joy drained out of me. Listening to accomplished speakers with multiple published books and thousands of followers made my own efforts to impact others for Jesus seem small by comparison.  For a few moments I bounced between envy and self-doubt, until the Holy Spirit reminded me of truth. 

I couldn’t stay in a negative mindset for long when I remembered the good things God has done in and through me. The fact that friends had accepted my invitation to spend time and money flying 1500 miles to attend IF:Gathering was cause for celebration. My “small beginning” with my traveling companions started almost 9 years ago when I invited them to join a Bible study to explore the Christian faith. Seeing how much they’ve grown is a testament to the way God uses small beginnings to bring big results. But this takes time; typically we don’t get the instant gratification we crave when it comes to matters of faith.

I wonder if you can relate to my feelings. Are you ever tempted to dismiss or discount a work of the Lord in your life? Do you ever feel like the part you play isn’t big or important enough? Some small beginnings lead to big things that are large in size—like Jennie Allen’s vision to start IF:Gathering. But other small beginnings lead to things that are big in value—like journeying alongside a few people consistently and helping them to grow spiritually over time. Taking the step of faith to respond to God’s prompting matters more than the size of what He’s calling you to do.

Is there something you’ve begun that’s stalling right now? Do you need to re-engage with that small group Bible study you’ve stopped attending? Or, is it time to reach out again to that neighbor you’ve been meaning to invite for coffee? Do you sense God stirring in you to mentor someone? Or is it time to ask a more mature believer to mentor you? What about starting that Bible study with your neighbors that you’ve been talking about for years? Or is it time to say “yes” to that invitation into leadership that seems like a big stretch for you?

Let this song we sang at IF:Gathering inspire you. Click here to listen to “God of Revival” by Phil Wickham.

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  1. Jennifer Rothschild, Take Courage: A Study of Haggai, Lifeway Press 2020, 60-61.

Not Limitless

Strapping the new watch on my wrist, I tap the screen and scroll through the different functions it performs. Besides telling time, it tracks my heart rate, my physical activity, the number of steps I take daily, the number of calories I burn, and the quality of my sleep. By linking it to an app on my phone, I’m able to see detailed statistics complete with bar graphs, line graphs, and circle graphs measuring each of these things. Some days I find it interesting, other days it feels like another critic reminding me when I’m not measuring up.

I score points for every minute my band senses I’m moving. The harder I push myself, the more points I score. (I can also get negative points for being sedentary for too long, so that’s fun). The watch automatically sets the goal of 150 points per week. When I meet that goal, it vibrates on my wrist and flashes a message: “You met your goal, way to go!” Here’s the part that’s maddening, though. Once I “earn” all of the points towards my goal, the watch establishes a new goal for me that’s higher. So instead of feeling satisfied with what I’ve accomplished, I focus on the corner of the screen that tells me what my next goal is and how many points I’ll need to get there.

As long as I keep a healthy perspective, the watch serves as a useful tool. But, at times, I’ve found myself getting sucked into the stats a bit too much—especially when I’m obsessing over meeting the goals it sets for me.  It’s a great example of the direction our culture has been moving for the past few years. We’ve become captivated by measuring, quantifying, and assigning value to so many things—whether it’s how many steps we take each day or how many likes we get on a social media post. In every realm, we’re pushed to reject limitations and to see how much more we can accomplish. We’re programmed to want “all the things” and to feel serious FOMO if we’re not keeping up with everyone else.* We are fed the lie that it’s possible to be amazing in every category: having a successful career, a thriving family, a vibrant marriage, a robust social life, a deep faith, a fit body, a beautiful home, and time to serve others with sincere hearts. We’re led to believe there’s no limit to what we can do.

And that’s why I love that the Bible includes what happens to Elijah after his miraculous showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. After calling down fire from heaven and proving God is the ultimate power and authority, Elijah transitions into a season of despair and discouragement. This begins when he receives word that Queen Jezebel plans to kill him for making fools of her prophets before ending their lives. “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’’’ (1 Kings 19:3-4, NIV)

Stop and think about all that Elijah has experienced leading up to this: he lived by the brook Cherith for eighteen months while God sent ravens to feed him; he stayed with a widow in Zarephath where the Lord rescued them from starvation by replenishing their food supplies daily; he prayed for the widow’s son to be raised from death and God granted his request; at Mt. Carmel he poured water over an altar and then prayed God would set the sacrifice on fire and the Lord consumed not only the sacrifice, but the rocks and dirt as well. Yet now, when he hears Jezebel plans to kill him, he loses heart. He runs away, tells the Lord he’s ready to die, lays down under a bush, and falls asleep. Recognizing Elijah’s deep exhaustion, the Lord sends an angel to minister to him: “All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” (1 Kings 19:5b-6, NIV)

Elijah had been faithful and obedient to God through so many incredible challenges. At Horeb, he reached his physical, spiritual, and emotional limits. Utterly depleted, he needed rest. I wonder, though, in our current culture how this would’ve played out. Would Elijah’s watch have said something like this: “Great job slaying the prophets of Baal! Your next goal is….”? 

Friends, it’s time for us to realize we have limits. We can’t do it all because God didn’t design us that way. Even when the Lord does great works through us by the power of the Holy Spirit, we still need rest and replenishment. “God is not mad at you because your body is tired or your mind is frayed or your soul is unusually heavy—not after the kind of project you’ve just finished, or the difficulties you’ve just endured, or the emotional marathon you’ve just run. He isn’t agitated by the limitations of your flesh. Instead, He stands patiently ready to minister to you, to work through those deficiencies, and to nourish you as you recover from them.”1

This is a message I’m writing for myself as much as for you. We have to stop believing the lies fed to us by our culture and by the enemy that we need to push ourselves to the limits of our capabilities in all realms. There is so much pressure to do more and to be more. We’re wearing ourselves out trying to prove it’s true. “With all the busyness, legalism, strictness, and tension that may be an ongoing part of your daily life, take a moment to breathe deeply, enjoying the gracious and sincere affection of your Father today. He sees. He knows. Sister, rest.”2

By all means, allow yourself to be stretched. Accept challenges and celebrate growth. Let the Holy Spirit use your gifts to build the Church and expand God’s kingdom. Don’t shy away from opportunities for refinement. But realize, also, that you’re only human, and that’s exactly how God made you.

Click here and be encouraged by Jordan St. Cyr’s song “Weary Traveler.”

  1. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 193  
  2. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 193.

*FOMO is “fear of missing out.”

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