Category: Accountability

A Clean Heart

Playing alone quietly, I accidentally ruined the small toy I’d found to occupy myself. I couldn’t have been more than five, but I still remember the horror of realizing I had broken something that didn’t belong to me. We’d been visiting the home of family friends and, since their kids were the ages of my three oldest siblings, I’d been left to my own devices. On that day, I’d found an old mobile with a dangling yellow bird in a back bedroom. I hadn’t meant to ruin it, I’d only been testing to see how far I could stretch the spring before it would recoil again. But my experiment backfired when I stretched it so far that the spring’s metal bent and stayed extended for good. Realizing my mistake, I decided to hide it and pretend nothing had happened.

Not long after, one of the older kids discovered the mobile and accused me of ruining it. Stammering to cover my mistake, I blurted out the only thing I could think to say, “I, I, just found it that way, it was already broken!”

Everyone knew I was lying, but I wouldn’t admit the truth (until now). I’ll never forgot that moment–it’s the earliest memory I have of not confessing a wrongdoing. Of course, my behavior was simply human nature. It started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, hid from God, and then tried to shift blame when their sin was uncovered.

None of us likes to admit we’re wrong, but confessing our sins to God regularly needs to be a part of our ongoing communication with Him. Unconfessed sin separates us from the Lord and hinders our relationship with Him. It also prevents spiritual growth and hardens our hearts, closing us off to the things God wants to teach us. Confessing our sins consistently helps us to keep short accounts with the Lord and stops us from traveling too far down roads that will lead us away from Him.

One of the best examples of this kind of prayer comes from King David in Psalm 51. It was written in the later days of David’s rule over Israel when he had become powerful, prosperous, and revered. Although he was a wise and godly king, he was far from perfect. In fact, he wrote this Psalm to confess and repent after committing adultery with Bathsheba, getting her pregnant, and trying to cover his wrongdoing by having her husband killed in battle. If you need your memory refreshed, you can read the story in 1 Samuel 11 & 12. This is probably the best-known example of a prayer of confession and repentance in Scripture. David uses several different words for sins in this Psalm including “iniquities” and “transgressions.” These words can be used interchangeably. Here’s how it starts:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” (Psalm 51:1-4, NIV)

Using the metaphor of being physically washed, David describes the need for spiritual cleansing from sin. Think about times when you’ve been physically unclean- covered in dirt, sweat, and grime. It feels amazing to shed grubby clothes, step in a hot shower, and rinse off all the filth. But have you ever thought about the ways sin makes you spiritually dirty? Confessing to God allows us to “come clean” and gives that same feeling of refreshment and renewal on a spiritual level. 

Reviewing recent events in your life and confessing specific times that you’ve dishonored God in thought, attitude, or behavior stops sinful ways from getting deeply ingrained in your life. The more quickly you recognize sin and let the Lord root it out, the less hold it has over you. The metaphor of physical washing illustrates this so clearly. The longer we go without bathing, the more effort it takes to get clean. The same is true of our spiritual lives, but the consequences have much higher stakes.

Sometimes we feel bad about having our sin discovered or about the consequences it causes, but how often do we recognize that our sins hurt God? David’s prayer acknowledges this when he says, “Against you, you only, have I sinned.” (Psalm 51:4, NIV). Jesus paid for our sins by choosing to die on a cross. He experienced unthinkable pain to free us from the bondage of sin, yet so often we hold onto behaviors and thoughts that hurt Him deeply.

David understands the severity of his sins and takes full ownership over them. He recognizes that only God’s mercy can save him and cleanse him. He also knows that he needs a clean heart to be restored into a right relationship with God: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NIV) 

David’s request for God to purify his heart exemplifies the second part of confession: repentance. This happens when we recognize we’ve been headed in the wrong direction (away from God) and ask Him to turn us back around. Repentance invites the Lord to realign us with His ways, because confession with no intent to change is hollow and meaningless. 

There is a tension to this, I know. We’ve been saved from sin, yet we continue to struggle with it. Scripture understands this paradox and urges us to press on: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in 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 1:8-9, NIV) 

Instead of feeling dread at the thought of owning up to your sins, think of it like you would a daily shower. Our bodies don’t stay clean permanently, so we wash them regularly. We don’t see this as futile, but necessary. In the same way, sin happens in our lives daily, even if we try to avoid it. Confessing it is our chance to reconnect with God and to renew our efforts to follow Him wholeheartedly.  When we lay it before the Lord and let Him cleanse us, we get to start new again. 

In another psalm, David tells us “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12, NIV) Why not stop now and confess to the Lord? Then thank Him that He doesn’t keep a running tally of your sins.

Confession isn’t a popular topic in the world of music, but For King and Country does have a good song about it. Listen here.

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Opening the closet door, I recoiled at what I found on the other side. In the six months since we’d stowed our summer gear, a few critters had taken up residence in the dry, dark space. Thick spider webs laden with dust hung in the corners and mouse droppings were strewn across the plywood floor. Before we could enjoy a day of fun at the lake, we would have to clean out our storage locker and wipe down all of our gear.

It hadn’t taken long for the elements to have their way over the winter months. Armed with a broom and a bucket of water, we got to work killing spiders, removing webs, sweeping out droppings and dirt. The season of fun couldn’t start until we cleaned the grime off our summer toys.

As we worked, I thought about how the gradual decline into disorder had occurred. It was a perfect example of entropy. Without our regular presence there to keep things tidy, nature had taken its course. It was our responsibility to get things back in order.

The more I cleaned, the more I saw the parallel to our spiritual lives. We have great intentions and set plans in place. We commit to people and activities that will help us to grow consistently in our relationship with God. We resolve to do a variety of things to stay on track, whether it’s reading our Bibles more, saying “yes” to serving or using our spiritual gifts. We have noble intentions about being held accountable by others or eliminating behaviors and activities that don’t honor God. But somewhere along the way, we just can’t tend to all of the things we want to do and spiritual entropy sets in. Our lives default to old behaviors and thought patterns when we’re not paying attention. 

Is it time for you to do some spiritual spring cleaning? Have some of those commitments you made in September or January been pushed aside? Are you having trouble remembering the “one word” you chose to focus on this year? Take a look at the questions below and see if any of them resonate. Use the corresponding verses for encouragement to get back on track.

-How are you doing with making Bible reading a regular discipline in your day? “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8, NIV)

-Are you making it a priority to gather consistently with other believers at church, Bible study and/or small group? “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)

-Is it time to clean out some unhealthy thought patterns that are influencing what comes out of your mouth? Have cynicism, negativity, gossip, foul language or criticism slipped into your conversations with more regularity? “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)

-Are other negative thought patterns affecting your perspective consistently? Are you holding onto bitterness, anger or malicious thoughts and letting them color your outlook? Are you withholding forgiveness from those who have hurt or offended you? “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32, NIV)

-Have you stopped trying? Maybe apathy and complacency have a hold on you. Perhaps you’ve gotten comfortable with the way things are and don’t want to put yourself in situations that require effort or change. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:22-24, NIV)

-Have you let busyness force you to replace the important with the urgent? “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10: 38-42, NIV)

-Are you fighting against your natural inclination to critique and judge others? “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12, NIV)

-Do you need to clean the cobwebs of worry out of your mind? “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26, NIV)

If you’re feeling convicted, why not pray and ask God to help clear out the grime? Invite Him to partner with you in your spiritual spring cleaning. “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV)

Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve defaulted to some thoughts and habits that have sidetracked you spiritually. Instead, embrace the powerful truth of “Maybe It’s Ok” by We Are Messengers.

Don’t Float Adrift

Sitting in the driver’s seat, I waited as my husband backed the boat into the water. It was our first time out that spring and although a slight chill hung in the air, the brilliant sunshine heralded the approach of summer. Already envisioning the day of watersports that awaited, I turned the key in the ignition. I expected to hear the engine roar to life. Instead, I was met with silence. It didn’t take long to realize that the battery was dead. Before I had time to react, a light breeze pushed the boat away from shore and I found myself in a predicament: I had a dead engine and no paddle. 

My elation about the start of waterski season abruptly turned to panic. I’ve been remembering that unsettling feeling of floating aimlessly as I anticipate the end of my weekly Bible study. As much as I’m ready for a break in my busy schedule, I’ll miss the steadiness and predictability of meeting with others for study, prayer, encouragement, and fellowship. 

There’s something about having a workbook to complete and a group to meet with that helps me to stay grounded and in God’s Word regularly. If you’re like me, you may feel cast adrift when summer comes and you don’t have a set schedule or a group to hold you accountable.

Circling back to my story: on the day I was floating with a dead battery, my quick-thinking husband enlisted the help of another boat whose driver threw me a line and towed me to the dock. After hooking up the battery to a charger, the day was redeemed. So, if you’re feeling a bit forlorn about Bible study ending, think of this post as a line I’m throwing to lead you to a plan for recharging spiritually. There’s no reason for you to be floating adrift all summer.

Recently I’ve been energized by a shift in my routine that I’d love to share. My times with the Lord have been rich and have brought meaning and personal application from His Word without the need for a Bible study workbook. I’ve written this post to share what I’ve experienced so that it can be a resource you’ll revisit multiple times. I hope it equips you to study Scripture and find it accessible on your own. Maybe you’ll enjoy it so much you’ll want to keep doing it, whether you’re in a group study or not.

Start by committing to carve out a regular time to connect with God. Making it a daily goal will ensure it becomes a part of your schedule instead of a disruption to it. Ask Him to give you the time and desire for this—it’s a prayer He loves to answer. James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Make a Plan: First, decide what you want to study. You may want to choose a book of the Bible to read through (probably best to start with the New Testament).  A few shorter books with great themes are James, Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians. Reading through the Psalms is also an excellent option. You might consider alternating what you read each day, going back and forth between the New Testament and Psalms. Studying Psalms will tell you a lot about God’s character and will often put words to things you may be feeling. The New Testament books will remind you of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and will show you how to continue growing in your faith. Another option is to read through the different chapters suggested at the end of this post. 

Prepare & Invite: Before opening your Bible, take a moment to be still and prepare your heart to read God’s Word. Clear your mind and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Ask Him to give you a humble and responsive heart that will be transformed by Him. (If you’re like me, you’ll be tempted to skip over the preparations to get to the part where you’re actually“doing” something, but don’t fall for it!)

Read/ Observe: Slowly read the portion of Scripture you’ve chosen two or three times. Observe the basic facts. What did it mean to the people of the day when it was written? (If you have a study Bible you’ll find the introduction at the beginning of the book you’ve chosen and the notes at the bottom of the pages to be very helpful for providing this context). 

  • What does it tell you about God? (His attributes, desires, promises, commands)
  • What do you learn about mankind or yourself? (Does something in your life need re-alignment with God?)

Meditate: Focus on the parts that speak to you directly. If the chapter is lengthy, break it up into chunks to be read over several days. You can pick just one portion to read and then continue with the rest on subsequent days. Answer any of the following that apply:

  • What has connected to my heart or mind?
  • What is the passage really saying? How can I say it in my own words?
  • What can I adore God for because of this? What sins can I confess? What can I thank Him for? What petitions does it lead me to make for myself or others?
  • Why is God showing me this today?
  • How does God want me to respond?
  • What is one verse that stands out to me or that sums up the main point of this section?

Respond in Prayer: Talk to God about what He’s shown you through this text. Ask Him to reveal what He wants you to do. Wrestle with anything that challenges you or seems too daunting to apply to your life. Confess anything that convicts you. Ask for help to apply what you’ve learned.

A Few Practical Suggestions: The most effective way to do this exercise is to use a journal to write your answers. Copy down the Scripture passage or key phrases from it. Underline things that stand out to you.  Then, spend time meditating on the passage and responding to it by writing your thoughts. Use the questions above to prompt dialogue with God. Remember, the point isn’t to check this off your “to do” list for the day, but to spend time enjoying the presence of God and letting Him speak to you through His Word and through the quiet moments you’re spending with Him.

If you have a friend or two from Bible study, consider inviting them to make a commitment to have daily quiet times over the summer too. You can meet periodically to share what you’re learning. In between times, you can text, call, or e-mail to encourage one another with what you’re experiencing as you draw near to God.

Having a consistent quiet time will be something that will enable you to continue growing for a lifetime no matter what season you’re in.  In fact, the freedom and flexibility of summer is a perfect opportunity to try something new and different that will allow you to continue moving forward in your walk with God instead of floating adrift.. 

Listen to Jamie Kimmett’s song “Prize Worth Fighting For” and let it motivate you to spend time with the Lord consistently this summer.

My “All Star” list of some favorite New Testament Scriptures to meditate on in your quiet time:

  • Matthew 5, 6 & 7 (The Sermon on the Mount)                     
  • Mark 4             
  • Luke 12
  • John 15
  • Acts 2 & 17
  • Romans 8 & 12                                                                                                                       
  • 1 Corinthians 13
  • 2 Corinthians 4
  • Galatians 5
  • Ephesians 2 & 6
  • Philippians 3 & 4
  • Colossians 1 & 3
  • 2 Timothy 1 & 2
  • Hebrews 12
  • 1 Peter 1
  • 2 Peter 1
  • 1 John 4

*Inpsired by “What is a Quiet Time?” by Redeemer West Side Prayer Ministry. Oct. 2014. To read the full article, click here.

Aligning with God

Things just fit together and function optimally when they are in correct alignment—whether it is our spinal columns, the wheels on our cars, or the foundations and frames of our houses. It turns out that having proper alignment in our spiritual lives is also important if we want to have a healthy relationship with God.

As an impatient twelve-year-old, I couldn’t wait to get braces. Blissfully ignorant about the pain involved with bringing my teeth into alignment, I longed to have a mouth full of metal. When the orthodontist finally put them on, it didn’t take long to realize that braces weren’t any fun. He predicted my teeth would be straight within two years, but with each passing month, the end date never seemed to get any closer. Despite the orthodontist’s best efforts, my teeth weren’t moving. Perplexed, he finally brought in a specialist to examine me. Together, they concluded that I had poor “tongue rest posture.” Unlike most people, I rested my tongue on the bottom of my mouth instead of the top. Each time I swallowed, that small but powerful muscle pushed outward with such force that it prevented the braces from moving my teeth into perfect alignment. 

The prediction of having them off within two years was put on hold until the problem could be solved. After months of therapy with a specialist, my tongue finally began behaving and the braces started moving my teeth according to plan. They ended up being on from the start of sixth grade until mid-way through my sophomore year in high school, which was four and a half years altogether. I still remember how slippery and smooth my teeth felt when they were finally free of metal– I couldn’t contain my smile for days.

Shortly after getting my braces off, the orthodontist gave me a set of retainers to keep my teeth from shifting. I noticed that if I went too many nights without wearing them, I’d have trouble fitting them onto my teeth. I learned that even after having braces, teeth never stay fixed in place permanently. The only way to maintain alignment is to wear retainers consistently, which I still do to this day. (I certainly don’t want braces again.)

Having teeth that are aligned isn’t just about cosmetic appeal, but structural soundness and dental health. This principle stands true for many aspects of the physical world—things just fit together and function optimally when they’re in correct alignment—whether it is our spinal columns, the wheels on our cars, or the foundations and frames of our houses.

It turns out that having proper alignment in our spiritual lives is also important if we want to have a healthy relationship with God. Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer explains that “it is the surrendered heart that rolls out the red carpet for God to speak.” So, if we want to discern the voice of God, we must continually align ourselves with His will. Like a spiritual retainer, studying God’s Word brings our hearts and minds back into alignment with His plans and purposes. 

I think Jesus sheds light on the process of aligning ourselves with God in this passage: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:7-10, NIV)

The word “remain” can also be translated “abide” or “stay.” This implies a long-term commitment to walking consistently with Jesus. When we remain in Jesus, we obey Him through our words, actions and attitudes, revealing that we are following Him earnestly. Keeping His commands surrounds us with the protection of His love and grace. Much like my retainers corral my teeth and keep them from moving out of alignment, staying closely connected to Jesus enables us to obey Him. This is not only for our good, but for His glory.

Conversely, when we stray from God, we fall out of alignment with His purposes. We begin to make plans and decisions using worldly wisdom and selfish motives. I didn’t realize my teeth were moving until my retainers stopped fitting easily in my mouth. Similarly, the changes resulting from poor choices may be subtle at first, but the shift out of alignment with the Lord is inevitable. And if something is skewing that alignment, He’ll wait patiently until we realize it and are ready for Him to help us change. We can’t move forward spiritually while ignoring issues that need to be addressed.

To discern God’s voice, we must walk with Him consistently, putting into practice the things we discover in His Word. This means we need to be studying the Bible, talking about it with others, and involving ourselves in a community of believers. If you’re just beginning this journey, don’t let this overwhelm you. Keep pursuing God and asking Him to align your heart with His. Trust Him to lead you one step at a time.

The song “Hosanna” by Hillsong United has some striking lyrics that exemplify the difference between aligning with God’s will and asking Him to align with yours:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Listen to the song and make it your prayer today.

Songwriters: Brooke Ligertwood, Hosanna lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God, Lifeway Press, 2017.


The Gateway to God

Turning the pages in old photo albums recently, I discovered a picture I’d taken on a trip to Europe many years ago.  There’s no doubt, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most widely recognized structures in the world. Of course, Paris isn’t alone in having a noteworthy landmark– many cities are identified by their famous towers. It’s just part of human nature to want to create a structure that gives a place a distinct identity. For citizens who live there, it’s often a symbol that evokes a sense of pride.

After reading the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, it’s clear people have been doing this since ancient times: “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’” (Genesis 11:1-4)

By the time construction on this tower was underway, these descendants of Noah were showing signs of drifting from the path of righteousness. The most obvious example of this was their reason for building the tower—they wanted to make a name for themselves. The tower wasn’t meant to bring honor to God, but to bring them glory. Instead of following the Lord’s mandate to expand His kingdom on earth, they used their God-given skills and intellect to further their own agenda.

The underlying issue here is the sin of pride. While some positive forms of pride help us to have self-respect or to put forth our best effort, the sin of pride takes this to an unhealthy level. It’s more about elevating ourselves. It lacks the humility to see how God makes our success possible. One definition describes pride as “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.” Saint Augustine describes it as “the love of one’s own excellence.”

Those constructing the Tower of Babel set out to build something that would be widely admired. Author Florence Littauer explains, “Although the word Babel means ‘gate of God,’ our God knew this tower was not a doorway to his holiness but instead a step toward the reverence of humanity.” A quick look at Scripture reveals that pride and self-glorification are not the gateway to God:

  • Proverbs 16:18 
    “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
  • Isaiah 57:15
    “For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’”
  • 1 Peter 5:5-6
    “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
  • 1 John 2:16-17
    “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

While it’s clear that the true gateway to God is through humility, even those who follow Him are susceptible to the sin of pride. Anytime we want “credit” for something good we’ve said or done, we’re elevating ourselves and slipping into a prideful mindset. (That’s really convicting for me). We can also unintentionally tempt others to become prideful. For example, when we put gifted pastors or leaders on a pedestal and overemphasize their personal qualities, we’re inviting them to view themselves as special or superior. If we’re not giving God the glory for the good in ourselves and others we admire, the sin of pride is not far away.

Rather than making a name for ourselves, we would be wise to heed to words of Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” (NKJV)

Casting Crowns’ song “Only Jesus” has one of the best messages I’ve heard for combating the sin of pride. It’s a bold proclamation to reject self-glorification and to point people toward Jesus instead.

Florence Littauer, Journey to Jesus, p. 58, Hensley Publishing, 2004.

Jen Wilkin, God of Creation, Week 10, Lifeway Press, 2018.

All Scriptures quoted from the New International Version except where noted.

Five Ways to Stay Plugged In

Recently I returned from a mission trip in Mexico. The week away from the normal comforts of home was both inspiring and exhausting. Our group adapted well to riding on bumpy local buses to and from our worksites, doing manual labor without power tools, camping in tents, attempting to bathe with water slowly draining from a plastic “sun shower,” and even using port-a-potties with a rather pungent aroma. But there was one comfort of home that most people couldn’t do without: cell phones. While they were used mostly for taking photos and communicating with family back home, they appeared to be the one convenience that was indispensable.

The first year I went on the trip my eyes widened as I observed students clamoring for any outlet they could find to charge their phones. Every plug at the fast-food restaurants where we stopped on the way would be charging phones from the moment we arrived until the moment we left. Some creative students even hung phones from ceiling outlets.

My first year on the trip, I was fortunate enough to be on a worksite with a foreman who had a truck and a phone charger. I never had to jockey for position at a power strip in camp during the few hours the generators were running. Every year since then, I’ve relied on my first foreman to be my power source and he has graciously obliged. On our most recent trip, I scurried to his truck before program one evening and plugged in my phone. When I returned later, I was disappointed to see that it hadn’t charged at all. A quick investigation revealed that the cord had been unplugged from the lighter to make room for a different type of charger. I just hadn’t noticed in my haste. No matter how long my phone remained plugged into that cord, it was worthless without a power source.

And what is true for our all-important technology is even more essential in our spiritual lives. We simply can’t function well when we’re not consistently connected with our Power Source, God. Maybe this is the twenty-first century equivalent of abiding with the vine that Jesus describes in John 15.

I’ve been mulling over another passage on this theme written by Paul and Timothy:

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9b-12, NIV)

The prayers offered by Paul and Timothy in this passage show the value and necessity of staying plugged into God for the source of our power. As we do that, we receive wisdom and understanding from the Spirit so that we bear fruit and grow, continually strengthened with His power so that we have endurance, patience and joy.

As summer approaches, most of us look forward to a break from our regular routines. We anticipate the ease of a relaxing vacation at the beach or the excitement of traveling abroad. Leisurely days reading a book by the pool or finally tackling a project on our to-do lists sound inviting after the rigors of the year.

What is unfortunate, however, is that for many of us a break from gathering for a large-group Bible study also equates with a break from our spiritual lives altogether. This is like hoping the charge on your phone will last throughout the summer without bothering to plug it in. It won’t.

So before you kick up your feet and revel in the newly opened places in your schedule, why not plan how you’ll stay connected to your Power Source during the break from your usual Bible study? Need some suggestions? Well, I’m glad you asked…

  1. Choose a new devotional to read daily. Take the time to do the suggested activities and to read and study the Scriptures included. Instead of rushing through it, make the time to absorb what it says.  Here are several I’d recommend:
  • Embraced: 100 Devotionals to Know God is Holding You Close by Lysa TerKeurst
  • Awaken by Priscilla Shirer
  • Encouragement for Today by the Proverbs 31 Ministry Team

2. Choose a book of the Bible and keep a journal. After each chapter, stop and answer these four questions:

  • What does this teach me about God
  • What does this teach me about myself?
  • What do I need to do as a result of reading this passage?
  • What character qualities do I see in God displayed in this passage? (Questions adapted from Day 5 lessons in Finding I Am by Lysa TerKeurst)

3. Choose a Bible study to go through or finish a Bible study workbook that you didn’t complete during the year. Invite a few friends to do it with you.  Take the time to let the lessons sink in and then apply them to your life. Schedule times when you can meet during the summer to discuss what you’re learning. Text or e-mail each other in between meetings so you can hold one another accountable.  Here are several I’d recommend:

  •  The Quest by Beth Moore
  • Becoming a Vessel God Can Use by Donna Partow
  • Women of the Word: The Family Tree of Jesus by Marybeth McCullum (I’ve revised and updated this since it was done at Focused Living in 2015-16) Click here for more information

4. Read a book to gain deeper insight on a topic you want to learn about. Get some biblical perspective from a trusted Christian author.  Here are a few I’d recommend:

  • Love Does by Bob Goff
  • Chasing God by Roger Huang (founder of SF City Impact and SF City Academy)
  • I Give You Authority by Charles Kraft
  • Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi
  • Flourish by Natalie Maki (An author from CPC Danville!!)
  • The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
  • Fervant by Priscilla Shirer
  • Forgive and Forget by Lewis Smedes
  • The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (revised and updated)
  • Surprised by Hope by NT Wright

5. Subscribe to an online study or devotional from one of your favorite Christian authors. You can start by subscribing to this blog if you don’t already. I’ll be posting throughout the summer.  Scroll back to the top of this post, look at the right side of the screen and you’ll see the heading “Subscribe to Blog Via E-mail.” Just fill in your e-mail address and click the blue “subscribe” button. Be sure to confirm your subscription the first time you receive an e-mail from this site. You might also check out the offerings at Proverbs 31.org. (The ministry founded by Lysa TerKeurst.)

Whatever ideas you decide to try, make it a priority to continue engaging your faith. My prayer is that you’ll connect to your spiritual Power Source during the summer months with the same consistency that you charge your electronic devices. Happy summer!

Truth That Sticks

Stepping into the steaming shower felt glorious. Rivulets of brown water poured off my filthy body and circled the drain. It was my first time serving on a mission trip south of the border and I’d never been dirtier in my life. During our lunch break, we got word that a nearby “beauty salon” not far from our building site would allow us to pay for showers in their little shop. It was the only chance I’d have all week to bathe with hot water. The drawback was that I would have to put on the same dirt-encrusted, sweat-saturated clothes I’d been working in all morning. Rubbing off several days’ worth of grime in the shower rejuvenated me, but having to put the filthy clothes back on was unpleasant, to say the least.

It never feels good to cover over something clean and new with something old and dirty, and yet we often default to that mode when it comes to our spiritual lives. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians reminds us, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV). After studying Paul’s teaching for the past two months using Kelly Minter’s Bible study: All Things New: A Study on 2 Corinthians, I want the truth I’ve learned there to stick with me so I don’t put back on the ways of my worldly life without Christ.

Re-reading the thirteen chapters of 2 Corinthians, I’ve chosen some key truths that I want to incorporate into my life for the long haul. Below you’ll see the new perspectives I’m striving to put on in place of the old I want to leave behind. (If you’ve been doing the study along with me, make your own list before you read mine—no cheating!!)

  1. Hardships create opportunities to learn patient endurance and to receive God’s comfort. Going through hardships allows our capacity for empathy and compassion to grow so that we can share God’s comfort with others who experience similar difficulties. (Chapter 1:3-6)
  2. We are the aroma of Christ. This will draw some people to us as the scent of life and will repel others from us as the smell of death. (Chapter 2:15-16)
  3. Our hope in the gospel makes us bold and transforms us into the likeness of Christ through the Holy Spirit. (Chapter 3:12 & 18)
  4. We are like fragile, ordinary jars of clay that contain the light of knowledge and the glory of God. This reminds us that our power is from God, not from us and causes us to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal instead of what is seen and temporary. (Chapter 4:6,7,18)
  5. We live and walk by faith, not by sight. We are new creations and have become the righteousness of God through Christ. (Chapter 5:7, 17,21)
  6. We must strive to keep open hearts with those we love and minister to rather than letting negative responses deter us. We must use discernment and not yoke ourselves with unbelievers in our close, consequential relationships. (Chapter 6:11-12, 14-17)
  7. Godly sorrow recognizes how our sin hurts God. Repentance leads to salvation. (Chapter 7:10)
  8. Giving to those in need is a privilege, not a burden. We need to take our good intentions about giving and follow through with them. (Chapter 8: 4, 10-12)
  9. When we sow (give) sparingly, we will reap sparingly. This goes for our finances, our time and our gifts. God loves when we give of ourselves cheerfully. Giving shows that we trust Him and allows us to be conduits for His abundant generosity to others. (Chapter 9:6-11)
  10. We must demolish anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. (Chapter 10:5)
  11. Paul experienced tremendous hardships for the gospel but persevered to the end of his life. We should not be surprised when we suffer for the gospel but can rejoice knowing it’s evidence He’s using us too. (Chapter 11:23-29 lists some of the major things Paul experienced. The hardships I’ve faced for Christ seem minor in comparison).
  12. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. When we are weak, we can find our strength in Him. We need to lean into Him to access His strength. (Chapter 12:9-10)
  13. As believers, we are called to be of one mind and to live in peace. This requires significant and intentional effort for all who call Jesus their Lord. (Chapter 13:11)

Although we’re new spiritual creations from the moment we receive Christ, practicing these alternate ways of operating is a daily battle. It takes a lifetime of consistent Scripture reading and regular study. It requires a lot of prayer and time spent with others who will spur us on in our faith journey. We’re already new creations through Christ, but we won’t be completely perfect while sin exists in the world. For these truths to stick, we must lean into God daily to renew our minds and take our thoughts captive.

That tension of the “already but not yet” is a constant theme in Scripture. We’re already new, but not yet perfected. We’ve already received salvation, but are not yet at home with Christ.  But it’s that tension that keeps me humble and causes me to rely on Him daily. It reminds me to cast aside those filthy clothes and opt for the clean ones given to all who are new creations in Christ.

What truth will stick with you from my list? Is there something impactful you’ve learned that I didn’t mention? Share it in a comment so that others can be inspired too.

Enjoy a worship moment celebrating your new life in Christ with Chris Tomlin’s song “Resurrection Power.”

Kelly Minter, All Things New: A Study of 2 Corinthians, Lifeway Press 2016.

One Mind

It was the spring of my senior year in high school and I felt like an eagle ready to take flight. I was excited about college in the fall, but also eagerly anticipating the three weeks I’d be serving at a Christian camp that summer. My dream to work there had begun four years earlier when I’d been a new camper on the brink of starting high school.

I loved everything about the camp and couldn’t wait to be old enough to apply for the “work crew” position available to graduating seniors. The positive and encouraging environment there was infectious and intoxicating. The camp staff was young and fun-loving but also had a deep faith that I admired. Of course, I also enjoyed basking in the sunshine, learning to waterski, socializing with friends, and sleeping on the houseboat roof at night. But more than that, I was drawn to something deep, authentic, and inspiring about the whole environment.

Naturally, I couldn’t wait to work there. When I was finally old enough, I jumped at the opportunity to apply. A few months later I stepped onto the front deck of a little houseboat for my first round of staff training. I was giddy with excitement. As the weekend unfolded, however, feelings of dismay began to eclipse my enthusiasm. Others on staff seemed to know and love Jesus in a way that I’d never experienced. They sang worship songs with passion and relished the idea of sharing their deep love for Jesus with campers. I felt like a fraud by comparison. My walk with God had been inconsistent in high school and pleasing Him had not been my focus. My motivation to serve at camp had been fueled by wanting extended time in the Christian environment I’d loved so much as camper. Improving my tan and getting in a little waterskiing were side bonuses that didn’t sound so bad either.

Looking back, I see now that although I’d accepted Jesus as my savior years earlier, I’d never allowed Him to be Lord of my life. I enjoyed parts of the Christian lifestyle, but I’d never pursued my personal relationship with Jesus consistently. I had several areas I’d been unwilling to surrender to Him. My motives and goals for being on staff weren’t bad, they were just immature. I had been focusing on the positive experiences I could gain from serving at camp; others on staff were fueled by a love for Jesus and the desire to impact campers for Him. Our contrasting goals give a good illustration for Paul’s words: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2, NIV). Their minds were on heavenly things, while my mind was on earthly ones.

Paul’s closing remarks in 2 Corinthians echo this sentiment: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11, NIV, emphasis added) Paul encourages all believers to have a shared vertical perspective, looking to God to define their identities, goals, and worldviews.

This teaching applies to us now as much as it did to the church at Corinth then.  As followers of Christ we’re meant to pursue Him individually, but we’re also called to “be of one mind” collectively. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for believers to gather with a variety of intentions and motives and to have no unity at all. Like my camp experience, we can be in the same place for entirely different reasons. Earlier in 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul encourages the Corinthians to examine and test themselves. This is something we can only do on a personal level and with the help of the Holy Spirit. No one else can determine what’s truly going on in our hearts and minds.

When we’re in sync and “of one mind” with other believers, we create opportunities for God to work in powerful ways. However, when our minds are set on conflicting priorities, it creates frustration and ineffectiveness.

Maybe it’s time to take stock and determine if you’re “of one mind” with other believers in your midst. Consider a Christian group where you have an ongoing investment of time and resources—it could be your church, a Bible study, a small group, a ministry team, or a group that serves in some other way together. Ask yourself these questions and answer honestly. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you through what you learn about yourself.

  • Was this group set up to serve a specific goal or purpose? If so, are you striving to help it accomplish those goals through your words, actions and attitude?
  • When it comes to this group, do you usually think about what you can get from it or what you can give to it?
  • In this group are you typically more concerned about your personal comfort & personal preferences or aligning with the bigger picture purpose?
  • Are your motives for being a part of this group pure? Is there an ulterior reason you’re there?
  • When things in this group aren’t going well, are you more inclined to complain and criticize or to voice constructive concern and to pray for resolution?

As you answered these questions, did you discover anything that needs to shift in your perspective? It might be as simple as adjusting your focus and attitude. It could involve having a hard conversation or making a difficult choice. Maybe, like my camp experience, recognizing that your focus needs to change will bring much needed clarity that leads to spiritual growth.

Being “of one mind” doesn’t happen naturally for a bunch of sinners like us. It requires effort, intentionality and the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.  Striving to be likeminded with other believers leads to unity, which was Jesus’ prayer for us from the start. On the night before His death He prayed to His Father, “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23, NIV)

Being “of one mind” allows us to accomplish God’s purposes and to show the world that He’s real. The song “Make Us One” by Jesus Culture gives even more context to the importance of striving to be unified with other believers. Make it your personal prayer as you listen today.

Thoroughly Equipped

I remember the first time my family went to the snow when our kids were very young. Taking a toddler and a pre-schooler on a trip to Tahoe in the dead of winter wasn’t something we could have done without significant advance preparation. Not wanting to invest a lot of funds in gear our boys would outgrow quickly, we devoted our energy to borrowing anything friends would lend us: mittens, boots, jackets, snow suits, socks, long underwear, hats, goggles, and sleds (of course). We knew that forgetting just one of these items would have put a damper on enjoying outdoor activities in the frigid conditions. We had to be thoroughly equipped to create a positive experience. Forgetting even one mitten or boot would have ruined the whole adventure.

In much the same way, God knows that we need to be thoroughly equipped to carry out His will. His Word promises us He’ll give us everything we need for spiritual impact: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

Just as my husband and I did the work to provide our boys with the gear they needed for the snow, God does all that’s required to equip us for every good work. He doesn’t miss a single detail. Our responsibility is to study His Word so that we can put on the spiritual equipment He’s prepared for us there. We simply receive what He provides and allow His Spirit to work through us. Scripture reminds us of this several times:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3, NIV)

“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)

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, NIV)

Beth Moore explains, “We are equipped and made capable by Scripture even for good works that don’t necessitate sharing the Word. Scripture is just as strategic for equipping the man or woman of God who works in government, stays home with the kids, or fixes car engines. That’s the power of it. The Word of God works wherever the person of God works.” (p. 142)

None of us is exempt from being used by God, no matter what station in life we hold. Looking back over my past, I can see how the Lord used me whenever I made myself available to Him. From college onward, I recognize God’s handiwork–sometimes it was through my actions and quiet influence, other times it was through my words. Each season of my life has afforded new ways to impact others with God’s love and truth. The opportunities to be used by Him have changed with every chapter, but they’ve never ceased.

We’re headed into the home stretch of studying 2 Timothy so it’s time to take stock of what we’ve been learning. “If we get to the end of this study with a good look over our shoulder at the journeys of Paul and Timothy but no clear gaze ahead at the path we’re called to walk with equal tenacity, we will have missed the mission in 2 Timothy’s message. We—common people with common problems–get to carry on the uncommon legacies of Paul and Timothy. To do so deliberately will be to do so most effectively.” (p. 133)

It’s time to pray about how we’ll let this study change us. If we walk away with more head knowledge but no real plan to act on what we’ve learned, we’ll have missed the point. So I’ll ask a few questions to help you clarify your thoughts: How is God stirring in you as you study 2 Timothy? What are you learning about how to turn your vertical focus into a horizontal impact? If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, can you look back and see how God has equipped you previously? Is there anywhere new you sense Him calling you to step outside of your comfort zone? These may be scary questions to answer, but don’t let them intimidate you. Remember that God is trustworthy and He has good things in store for you. All you have to do is let Him equip you. He’s already prepared everything, you just need to tell Him you’re available to receive it.

“Do Everything” by Steven Curtis Chapman gives some good encouragement on this topic. Click on the link to enjoy the song.

Beth Moore, Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy, Lifeway Press, 2016.

Pouring Out What’s Been Poured In

Clutching her hand, my voice quavered as I looked up, pleading. “Tell me again, mom, tell me again.” Leaning down to kiss me goodbye, she handed me my lunch and reassured me gently, “Jesus is holding your hand. Just remember, even when I can’t be with you, He can. Even if you can’t feel Him, you can trust that He’s there.” The lump in my throat slowly shrank and my courage returned as I pulled on my backpack and joined my siblings for the car ride to school.

Starting first grade at a new school in a new town hadn’t been easy. Every night as I climbed into bed, my stomach twisted in nervous knots. Every morning I fought back tears as my dad dropped me off. But all of that had changed once my mom started reassuring me about Jesus’ love and care for me.  She was the first person to entrust me with the good news of the gospel. Throughout my childhood, she used her gifts to share God’s Word-whether it was reading stories to me from Scripture or teaching  neighborhood kids at an after-school Bible class in our home.

As I got older, other people came into my life to shape and encourage my faith as well. There was Micki Ann, my wise small group leader during high school who patiently poured into a gaggle of teenage girls despite having a toddler and a newborn of her own. Later in my college years, I had a string of mentors who entrusted me with God’s Word and coached me to become a leader among my peers. Julia, Kim, Stacy and Kelly each left an indelible mark on me during that season by encouraging me to stand apart from the crowd and follow Jesus. In young motherhood, there was Melinda, who taught me how to be a godly wife and mom and Courtney, who helped me to understand my identity in Christ and the importance of healthy boundaries.

And of course, throughout adulthood there have been mentors I didn’t know personally who have shaped my faith by entrusting me with Biblical truth: Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kelly Minter, to name a few.

All of these women and others like them poured into me in the same way others had poured into them. They used their varied gifts to nurture my faith, to draw out my potential, and to help me discover how God could use me. And like them, I’ve had the blessing and privilege of spurring on others in their walks with Jesus. Some have been formal mentoring relationships, others have sprung up naturally over time. Some I still see regularly, while others I rarely get to connect with anymore.

The cycle of being entrusted with the gospel and then sharing it with others has repeated from one generation to the next for over two thousand years. The pages of the New Testament are filled with examples of people pouring out their lives to pour the gospel into others. Their names and surroundings were different, but the cycle remains the same. All followers of Jesus share the call to entrust the gospel to others using the gifts God has given them.

Paul puts perfect words to this when he urges Timothy saying, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us….And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 1:13-14 and 2:2, NIV)

Over the next few months I’m going to spend some time on this idea of pouring out what’s been poured into us.  I’ll draw on inspiration from Beth Moore’s Bible study, Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy (Lifeway Press 2016). Whether you do the study or just follow along with my posts, I pray that you’ll be encouraged, inspired and challenged to discover more of what God has entrusted to you and how you’re being called to share it with others.