Category: Encouragement

Four Reasons We Can Be Thankful

Standing in line at the grocery store recently, I overheard two customers at the neighboring check stand commiserating about a current event. Their sour demeanors and dramatic overstatements were a sharp contrast to the festive holiday atmosphere in a store overflowing with Thanksgiving cheer. Walking to the car afterwards, I felt sad thinking about their cynicism and how it rippled out to affect the people nearby.

That brief interaction provides a snapshot of the negative atmosphere in our culture right now. Our nation is deeply divided and disillusioned following a rugged election year. The world is in turmoil resulting from multiple natural and manmade disasters. Compounding these issues, we’re being fed a steady dose of hyperbole and drama on newsfeeds and in the media that’s leading us to be more angry, anxious, and unhinged than ever. Many people seem incapable of seeing anything good or positive in the world around us.

And yet, in the midst of the complicated mess, followers of Jesus can remain thankful because our hope is not in human leaders or manmade institutions. Our hope isn’t in circumstances unfolding according to our desires. Our hope is in the living God who is sovereign over all things. Our gratitude for this truth can flow abundantly, no matter what’s happening to us personally or in the world at large.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Isaiah 40. It seems especially fitting this week as I reflect on thankfulness for the Lord and His sovereignty. So, read on and celebrate four reasons we can be thankful no matter what is happening in our world, nation, state, city, community, or home.

1) God has no equal. No earthly leader, no matter how wise or respected could ever compare to God. Likewise, no earthly leader, no matter how corrupt or evil, could ever thwart God’s plans. People who seem important or influential in this world may make a positive or negative impact for a limited time, but they will ultimately blow away like chaff in the wind.

 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. ‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One.” (Isaiah 40:21-25 NIV)

2)  God tends to the big picture and to the small details simultaneously. The Lord knows the stars by name and calls them out one by one.  Nothing escapes His gaze. We can be deeply thankful that the God of infinite power and unlimited strength also notices the smallest detail.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26 NIV)

 3) God’s wisdom surpasses ours. Even when we don’t understand what the Lord is allowing in this world, we know He is trustworthy. His understanding is beyond anything our miniscule minds could comprehend.  He is everlasting and sees world events from a vantage point that has a much larger scope than anything we can see. This means we can be thankful even when God’s ways and purposes are hidden from us.

“Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:27-28 NIV)

 4) God renews our strength. No matter how weary and beaten down we become, we can always find refuge in Him. His strength is available and accessible to us whenever we seek it. Not only does the Lord renew and restore us, He enables us to soar like eagles so we can rise above even the most distressing situations.

 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)

This holiday season be intentional about expressing your gratitude to the Lord and sharing it with others. You’ll be a refreshing counterbalance to the many hurting, negative, and cynical people you encounter. Because no matter how ugly or distressing the events in the world are, we never have reason to despair when our trust and hope are in the living God.

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When Interruptions Become Opportunities

Before the time of streaming entertainment on demand, I remember watching good old-fashioned network TV as a child. My family would crowd onto the couch together on specific nights to enjoy a few shows. Once in a while the broadcast would cut to a somber news anchor announcing: “We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special report.” The information often detailed a major event like a natural disaster, an emergency situation, or the death of someone important. After delivering the news, the anchor would say, “And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.” 

As I’ve thought about serving in various ministries over the past few years, I’ve been pondering times when there have been interruptions to my “regularly scheduled programming.” I’m not proud to admit it, but for a long time, I viewed these interruptions as irritants that were getting in the way of “real” ministry. They felt like distractions hindering me from accomplishing the tasks needed to put on programs. 

At some point, the Lord helped me to recognize that those interruptions were actually part of His plan. They were opportunities to walk alongside others and help them grow as followers of Jesus. At the same time, they provided experiences that softened some of my sharp edges and helped me to have more compassion and empathy. I started to see that prioritizing people over programs actually led to healthier relationships and meaningful spiritual growth. Interruptions were opportunities to mentor people and care for them. They were chances to guide them toward wisdom found in God’s Word and to recognize its relevance in their situations. Instead of rushing past interruptions, I began realizing the value of pausing to engage them. Here are a few ways God has used them with me:

-Circling Back: Sometimes in a meeting or small group issues arise that need one-on-one attention. When I’ve sensed that someone seems to be struggling, I’ve tried to follow up and connect outside our group or team meetings. Sometimes people just need to feel seen and heard. At other times they need encouragement, affirmation, or clarification. Heeding the Holy Spirit’s prompting and making time to check in with someone separately opens the door for God to work in and through us.

-Discipling through Conflict: Anytime we work or serve with people, conflicts arise at some point. Pretending they don’t exist usually just creates awkward interactions that lack authenticity. Addressing conflict through healthy communication opens opportunities for everyone to unpack misunderstandings and identify false assumptions. Perhaps someone needs to learn an applicable truth in Scripture. Maybe there’s an opportunity for spiritual refining or character development. Perhaps there’s a chance for someone to be convicted by sin or to recognize a blind spot. If we lean into awkward situations and seek better understanding, we’re creating opportunities to help ourselves and others mature spiritually and personally.

-Giving Permission to Pause: There are times when someone’s personal struggles may interrupt ministry programming. When a key member of a team I led lost her husband, we rallied around her to provide support. We were in the throes of launching into a new year and she didn’t want to leave us hanging, but we knew the best way to love her was to give her time away from serving. When personal hardship strikes a team member, the first priority needs to be showing love and compassion before worrying about how program logistics will be impacted. The interruption provides a beautiful opportunity to love someone when they’re hurting by giving them the time they need to heal.

There’s a story in Matthew’s gospel when an interruption leads to a powerful moment of ministry. Jesus travels by boat with His disciples to a solitary place. They are grieving the death of John the Baptist and seeking respite. However, “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Concerned about practical matters, the disciples approach Jesus as evening draws near and say, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Instead of agreeing with their suggestion, Jesus replies, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matt 14:14,15b,16, NIV)

Maybe you remember what happens next: Jesus takes five small loaves of bread and two fish, gives thanks to God and then feeds five thousand men, plus women and children. Not only does everyone eat their fill, but the disciples collect twelve baskets filled with leftovers.

Consider how differently Jesus and His disciples view interruptions. He seems to be the master of pivoting and adapting to new situations. Rather than being annoyed by the crowds greeting His boat, Jesus has compassion on them. Instead of dismissing them and sticking with His original plan, He ministers to them. When the disciples urge Him to send people away to find food, Jesus uses it as an opportunity to grow their trust in Him as the ultimate Provider. The interruptions become moments of ministry and revelation.

When we slow down and engage them, interruptions can become significant catalysts for ministering to others. What’s your usual response when they occur in your “regularly scheduled program”? Whether it’s in ministry, at home, at work, or somewhere else, there’s always an opportunity to grow in how you handle them. If you’re prone to anger, annoyance, impatience, or irritability when interruptions occur, consider praying and inviting the Lord to show how you can honor Him more in your response. You’ll discover joy on the journey and will bless others in the process.

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Ebenezer Stones

This spring marked the culmination of two significant seasons in my life: my youngest child graduated from college and I completed my fourth and final year serving as Women’s Ministries Director at my church. It’s been a poignant time as I’ve looked back at God’s faithfulness over the past four years. New and exciting ministry endeavors await, but before I dive into them, I’d like to pause and reflect on what I’ve learned. This summer’s posts will stand as stones of remembrance that mark where the Lord revealed Himself to me–my prayer is that they glorify Him and provide practical wisdom that will bless others and build His kingdom.

One of my favorite stories about stones of remembrance comes from the book of Joshua. After fleeing from slavery in Egypt and wandering in the desert for forty years, the Israelites enter the promised land at long last. Moses has passed away and they are now under the leadership of Joshua. In a miraculous set of events, the Lord holds back the rushing waters of the Jordan River at flood stage so that His people can move safely into the promised land. Once they cross, Joshua instructs them to set up a monument using twelve large stones from the riverbed.  “He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’  tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.  He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4:21-24, NIV)

Later in Scripture, symbols of remembrance are called Ebenezer stones. This label appears in the book of First Samuel when Israel’s army musters for an attack by the Philistines. As they prepare for battle, “They said to Samuel, ‘Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.’ Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites…Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’” (1 Samuel 7:8-10, 12, NIV)

So, Ebenezer stones commemorate the Lord’s help and faithfulness at specific points in time. Anything we lay eyes on can become an Ebenezer stone that symbolizes of our gratitude to God, whether it’s written or visual. These tangible reminders give us reassurance and hope for the future and prompt us to tell others about what the Lord has done in our lives.

Maybe this slower-paced season is a good time for you to do some reflecting too. Whether you’re flying to a faraway place, relaxing on a beach, lounging by a pool, or hiking a mountain trail, why not take some time to consider where the Lord has been at work in your life over the past year? What have you learned about Him and about yourself? How have you grown spiritually? What stones of remembrance will mark this season in your life as a testimony of God’s faithfulness? Who will you tell so that you can give glory to the Lord?

Want to learn more about Ebenezer stones and the hymn that made them famous? Click here.

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All Roads Lead to Rome

“All roads lead to Rome” is a saying that refers back to when the Eternal City was the hub of the world’s largest empire. Straight roads with solid foundations fanned out from it in all directions. People traveling through traded not only goods and news but also ideas and beliefs.1 Paul’s longing to reach this vibrant city culminates in the final chapter of Acts after a harrowing sea voyage that includes a violent storm, a shipwreck, and a snake bite. By the time he arrives in Rome under the watchful eye of his centurion guard, Julius, Paul has traveled 2000 miles as a prisoner bent on making his defense before Caesar. Let’s examine a few key moments on this final journey recorded in Acts 27 & 28.

The Storm at Sea: A risky decision by the ship’s pilot to keep sailing deep into the fall months leads to a tumultuous journey from Caesarea to Rome for Paul and his companions. Over a series of days, their “violently storm-tossed” vessel rolls and pitches over angry seas while the ship’s crew fights to keep it afloat. When they’ve taken every safety measure possible and have no sun or stars by which to navigate, our narrator, Luke, explains, “all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” (Acts 27:20, ESV)

At this point Paul, a mere prisoner and passenger on the battered vessel, speaks up: “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.” (Acts 27:21-22, ESV) While this may sound like a spiteful “I told you so,” Paul is actually reminding them that through God’s guidance, he predicted the disastrous voyage (27:10).2 With his credibility established, everyone on board listens this time as he describes a vision he’s had from an angel promising he will make it to Rome and everyone on the ship will survive. Paul finishes by encouraging them: “So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” (Acts 27:25, ESV)

While it’s unlikely you’ve been in Paul’s exact circumstances, there’s a good chance you’ve weathered a storm in the past or will in the future: a cancer diagnosis or chronic illness, a job loss or financial ruin, a tragic accident or unwelcome surprise, mental illness, anxiety, depression, divorce, loneliness, rejection (you get the idea). When storms blow through your life or the lives of those you love, do you take heart and have faith in God? Do you encourage others with His promises? As followers of Jesus, there is never a reason to sink into utter despair because our hope isn’t in our circumstances, but in Him.

The Shipwreck: After two weeks of taking a thrashing from the violent storm, Paul and his companions break bread together at his urging and give thanks to God. Just as Paul foretold, the ship runs aground on a reef, but all 276 passengers safely make it to land (with the help of the Centurion, Julius, who refuses to allow the Roman soldiers to kill the captives in their care.) Once ashore, Paul miraculously survives a venomous snake bite while building a fire on the beach with his companions. The waterlogged survivors soon learn they’re on the island of Malta, just south of Sicily and less than 700 miles from Rome.

So, in the midst of the two-week storm with no ability to navigate or control the ship’s direction, Paul and the rest of the travelers discover they were being drawn to Rome the whole time. God’s sovereign hand spared their lives and guided them through hurricane force winds and treacherous seas.3 Surely Luke must have been remembering the story he penned in his gospel about Jesus calming a storm. On a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee Jesus’ distressed disciples awaken Him from a nap during a fierce storm. Jesus rebukes the wind and the raging waves; the storm ceases and there is immediate calm. The disciples marvel at this, saying to one another: “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:25, ESV)

When you’re in the midst of a storm, do you trust in the sovereignty of God? Do you rely on the Lord’s strength to guide you? Even when you feel out of control and can’t see how the storm is going to end, do you have faith that the Lord is at work?

The Arrival in Rome: Three months after landing in Malta, Paul and his companions begin the final leg of their journey. Luke describes the culmination of their travels with minimal fanfare saying simply, “And so we came to Rome.” (Acts 28:14b, ESV) However, he follows this with a touching interaction between Paul and a group of Roman believers: “And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.” (Acts 28:15, ESV) Followers of Jesus travel between 35 & 43 miles south of Rome to greet Paul despite the fact they’ve never met him. 

Imagine Paul’s utter exhaustion after such an arduous journey. How encouraging it must’ve been to be greeted warmly by a group of believers who valued his teaching and shared his deep love of God. Maybe seeing their joy and devotion to the Lord reminded him all the effort was worth the tremendous challenges he’d faced. Even giants of the faith get depleted and need to be cheered on every so often. Do you know people who serve tirelessly for the sake of the gospel? Consider praying and asking God to show you how you can encourage someone who has spurred on your spiritual growth.

The Wait for a Trial: After arriving in Rome Paul spends two years under house arrest awaiting his trial before Caesar. During that time, he writes letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians as well as a personal letter to Philemon. Whether traveling or staying in one place, free or in chains, Paul preaches and teaches the gospel with passion and conviction to those near and far. The Holy Spirit produces an abundance of fruit through his faithful obedience that we are still benefiting from today. 

Although Acts 28 marks the end of Luke’s chronicles of the Holy Spirit being poured out on followers of Jesus, it closes without a sense of finality. Perhaps that’s because it’s meant to be only the birth story of the Church. Paul, Peter and the other believers were just the beginning. The narrative has continued to be written in all the years since then through the lives of all who have received the power of the Holy Spirit and have sought to be witnesses of Jesus “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, ESV)

  • 1. Jen Wilkin, Week 10 video, Acts: The Gospel Goes Out Part 2, The Village Church.
  • 2. NIV Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan, p. 2018
  • 3. Jen Wilkin, Week 10 video, Acts: The Gospel Goes Out Part 2, The Village Church.

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True and Rational Words

Following Paul on his continued journey through the Roman legal system, Acts 24 begins with his appearance before Governor Felix in Caesarea. Paul makes his defense against the accusations of the Jews, refuting all claims while leveraging the opportunity to share the gospel in court:

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.” (Acts 24:14-15 ESV)

Governor Felix keeps Paul imprisoned and summons him often for conversation: “And as [Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.’“ (Acts 24:25 ESV) Felix holds Paul for two years, speaking with him regularly but never coming to a personal decision about the truth of  Jesus that Paul teaches, despite feeling convicted by his words. Felix likely believes Paul isn’t guilty but wants to retain the favor of the Jews and hopes Paul will offer him a bribe to get released.1 He puts off making a decision about Paul’s legal situation long enough that he’s eventually replaced by a new Governor named Festus.

Contrasting Felix’s indecision and slowness to act, Festus hears Paul’s case immediately and grants his request for an appeal to Caesar. However, before sending Paul up the chain of command, Festus consults with his friend, King Agrippa on what charges to bring against Paul. (Fun fact: King Agrippa is the son of Herod Agrippa who was eaten by worms and died in Acts 12). In his speech before Festus and Agrippa, Paul shares the story of his conversion on the road to Damascus and adds a few details not mentioned previously, specifically quoting the words spoken to him by Jesus:

“I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads…I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” (Acts Acts 26:14-18, ESV)

Paul continues his testimony by explaining, “To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22-23, ESV)

Interrupting Paul’s impassioned testimony, Festus exclaims: “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” To which Paul replies without hesitation: “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.” (Acts 26:24-25, ESV) 

Undeterred by Festus’ criticism, Paul goes a step further by addressing the other distinguished listener in the audience: “’King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.’ And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you but all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.’” (26:27 & 29, ESV)

Paul uses intellectual reasoning, deep knowledge of Scripture, and personal experience to persuade these three influential men to believe his claims about Jesus. Despite his thoughtful testimony, each of them rejects the truth he offers. Felix avoids it by remaining perpetually undecided, Festus dismisses it by calling Paul crazy, and Agrippa balks at it with cynicism. Although they respond negatively, Paul never wavers in his passion “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” (Acts 26:18, ESV)

If you’ve ever shared your faith in Jesus, it’s likely you’ve experienced at least one of these responses. Maybe you’ve known people like Felix, who pause when they hear preaching on God’s judgement but remain perpetually undecided about putting their faith in Jesus; or like Festus, who dismiss followers of Jesus as “crazy” because they don’t want to bother thinking deeply about faith; or like Agrippa, who hide behind cynicism and condescension to make themselves feel smart instead of humbly considering Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. Felix, Festus, and Agrippa were worldly rulers with political power and prestige but lost in spiritual darkness. Perhaps as Paul addressed them he was thinking of what he’d written to the church at Corinth. If you’ve been rebuffed while sharing your faith, take heart by reading Paul’s words:.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength… But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 25, 27-31, NIV) 

Friends, the world may mock us as fools, but our faith in Jesus is “true and rational” (Acts 26:25). Some may dismiss it, but let’s remain steadfast like Paul–walking in the light of God’s truth and inviting others to turn from darkness and receive the forgiveness of Christ.

1. Jen Wilkin, week 9 video of Acts: The Gospel Goes Out Part 2 by the Village Church.

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Receiving the Word

Several years ago, my family embarked on a grand adventure that included six stops in three countries over sixteen days. Staying two or three nights in each place, we traveled by planes, trains, and automobiles. We packed and unpacked multiple times while acclimating to different languages, foods, and cultures in each country. There were magical moments and major meltdowns, but in the end, it was worth all of the inconvenience to experience a different part of the world together.

Although the duration and purpose of the trip was different, I thought of how it feels to be on the move frequently as I read about Paul’s second missionary journey in Acts 16-18:17. He and his companions cover more than 1500 miles, likely traveling on foot or hitching rides on carts to preach the gospel in Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Phyrgia, Galatia, Troas, Samothrace, Neopolis, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. They not only endure the hardships of travel (without all the modern conveniences my family had), they also experience hostile crowds, false accusations, brutal beatings, imprisonment, and, to top it off, mocking intellectuals. 

Beginning in chapter 17, Paul follows a consistent pattern in each place he visits, starting by reasoning with Jewish people in the synagogues, then going out to preach among the Gentiles. “Since it was customary for the synagogue leader to invite visiting rabbis to speak, Paul…usually had an open door.”1 However, in Thessalonica “the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, [and] set the city in an uproar.” (Acts 17:5a, ESV) Envious of the itinerant preacher’s’ popularity, “their motives for causing the riot were rooted in personal jealously, not doctrinal purity.”2 So, rather than rejoicing at the incredible news that Jesus was the Messiah, the Jewish leaders felt threatened by Paul’s captivating preaching and ran him out of town.

By contrast, the Jews in Berea “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11b, ESV ) The Bereans studied the Word for themselves and compared it to what they heard from Paul. They must have been reading the Scriptures diligently long before Paul arrived, so when he told them about Jesus, they saw He was the fulfillment of the prophecies they already knew.

Do you see the two aspects of faith the Bereans practiced? They heard and they studied. They gathered consistently to listen to teaching in the synagogue, which provided guidance for them, but they also read the Scriptures on their own to gain wisdom and discover personal conviction. In the same way, reading the Bible independently grounds us in truth while studying it in community brings clarity, direction, and deeper understanding. 

This past year I watched this play out in the lives of four teenage girls I had the privilege of mentoring. All of them loved the Christ-centered community they experienced on youth group trips but hungered for a deeper knowledge of God and the Bible. So, we spent their senior year of high school studying Scripture weekly before school in a quiet corner of a local bagel shop. Since all four were headed off to college, we often talked about the challenges of pursuing Jesus consistently once they left the comfort of home and the familiarity of our church community.

Over Christmas break the five of us met at the bagel shop and sat at “our” table to download about their first semester in college. It had been more challenging for some than others, but they all agreed that they’d arrived at school grounded and confident in their faith because they’d spent consistent time in God’s Word prior to going. At college, all of them prioritized seeking out communities of believers who would continue to spur on their faith. One of them commented, “I loved meeting together last year, but didn’t realize how important it was until I left home. I’m so grateful for the foundation I had before I went to college.” Like the Bereans, these girls studied Scripture privately and sought spiritual growth in community. 

Which is more natural for you: gathering with others to hear the Word, or spending time on your own to study? If you’re more prone to hearing God’s Word through others in group gatherings, you may be missing building your own personal connection to Jesus. You also may not be experiencing the power of conviction that comes from reading the Bible for yourself. And if you’re more of a Lone Ranger who loves to study solo, you may be missing out on receiving guidance, encouragement, and wisdom from others.

For those of us who have regular exposure to the Bible, church, sermons, podcasts, books, and all other biblical content, we can become apathetic or take for granted what’s familiar and easy to access. We may hear without responding, feeling no passion or sense of urgency to apply it or share it with others. We don’t “receive the word with eagerness” like the Bereans. This apathy robs us of experiencing “life that is truly life,” as Paul says. (1 Timothy 6:19b)

Knowing the Bible grounds us; it keeps us rooted in truth that sustains us through every season of life. One of my favorite passages provides a vivid example of this:  “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV) (Go back and look at the top of this post– the photo I took was inspired by this passage several months ago.)

Let’s prioritize both hearing good teaching with others and studying Scripture independently so we can take Paul’s wise words to heart: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15, NIV)

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  • 1. Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, p. 1980
  • 2. Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, p. 1994
  • Comments on the church at Berea inspired by the video teaching from the Village Church- Acts: The Gospel Goes Out Part 2, week 5.

“In Between” Times

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2-3, ESV) Launching on the first missionary journey in the history of the Christian faith, Saul and Barnabas set out from the church in Antioch to spread the gospel to the ends of the known Roman empire in the first of three missionary journeys.

“It has been 12 years since Paul’s conversion (Acts 9), and his ministry begins at last. For 12 years he has been in the background, preparing for the work God had called him to.”1  Often, when we’re reading Scripture, we move from one event to the next without realizing how much time has elapsed between them. This is easy to do when in just one chapter (Acts 13) Saul and Barnabas strike an evil magician with temporary blindness, bring a powerful proconsul to faith in Jesus, share the gospel and see many believe in a synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia, and shake the dust off their feet as they’re persecuted and driven out of town.

Reading one amazing occurrence after another might tempt us to overlook the “in between” times. But those action-packed events were preceded by long, slow processes the Lord used to deepen Saul’s faith, lead him to spiritual maturity, and equip him to be God’s chosen instrument.

Seeing that twelve years elapsed between Saul’s conversion and his first missionary journey prompted me to consider what I was doing twelve years ago. Looking back, I see how the Lord used that time to prepare me for what’s happening in my life today. Combing through old photos, files on my computer, and Bible studies I’ve completed, I’m astounded to realize how much I’ve learned, experienced, and grown since then. Some pictures brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.

One photo captures my ten and twelve-year-old sons and my mom. With fresh crew cuts, they’re beaming as their grandmother holds an umbrella over them during a sudden cloudburst on a family trip to Washington D.C.

My sons aren’t old enough in the photo to have any trace of the teenage angst that we’d contend with later. My mom is healthy and vibrant with no signs of the physical decline that would plague her over the subsequent nine years. When that photo was taken, some of my most difficult experiences hadn’t happened yet. And while I didn’t enjoy the hard moments that would come to pass, I do see how God used them to teach me greater dependence upon Him. 

Twelve years ago, a Barnabas in my life gave me my first opportunity to write a blog. I almost said “no” because I was overwhelmed with a house remodel that was going terribly wrong. I didn’t know God would use that mess to expose some ugly aspects of my character He wanted to refine. Twelve years ago, I hadn’t yet attended a writer’s conference and had no idea that I’d be given the opportunity to write two Bible studies or be invited to serve as a leader in Women’s Ministries. I hadn’t started teaching women at church and wouldn’t have guessed I’d be leading the group of gifted speakers that I serve with today. Twelve years ago, I didn’t know a friend would ask me to lead a Bible study with her, inviting acquaintances from school and the sidelines of youth sports into her home to discover the truth of the gospel. I see now that the Lord used many different encouragers to draw out gifts and knowledge He’d placed in me to impact others.

So many rich, challenging, and rewarding experiences have come to pass in a little over a decade. I can see how God used each one to open my spiritual eyes and deepen my understanding of Him. It happened slowly, though, one step of obedience at a time.

As I was walking down memory lane, I found some notes I’d written tucked in an old Bible study book that I worked through with a friend one summer. I am amazed at the list of things I wanted to remember from it. Here are a few that stand out to me:

  • Anyone who takes the time to enter an intimate relationship with God can see Him do extraordinary things in his or her life.
  • God never asks people to dream up something to do for Him—He already has a plan.
  • God develops my character to match the assignment He has for me. This takes time!
  • Give yourself to an obedient love relationship with God. He will impact those around you. 
  • Blessing others is a byproduct of my obedience and experience with God.
  • When the Spirit speaks, I need to respond right away.
  • How I do something is as important to God as what I do.
  • The Holy Spirit prepares us for things to come.
  • God will let you know what He is doing in your life when and if you need to know.
  • When God gets ready for you to take a new step or direction in His activity, it will always be in sequence with what He has already been doing in your life. Every act of God builds on the past with a view toward the future.
  • God builds your character in an orderly fashion with a divine purpose in mind.2

Statements that resonated with me eleven years ago have jumped off the page and into my life since then– giving me firsthand experiences proving they are true. I’ve learned over and over that what we do with the “in between times” matters. Every moment we invest in studying Scripture, praying, worshipping, serving, discovering and using our spiritual gifts, and building Christian community lays a foundation for what the Lord has in store next.

Why not spend a few moments looking back at your spiritual history? How has the Lord prepared you for what He’s doing through you today? Whether you have an abundance of examples or only a few, right now is the perfect time to pray and invite the Spirit to deepen your faith and lead you to whatever He’s preparing you for next.

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1. Acts Part 2: The Gospel Goes Out, Kelsey Hency, Elizabeth Woodson, Nathan Campbell, Jenni Hamm, Krystal Brummitt, The Village Church 2020, 17.

2. Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King, Lifeway Press, 2007.

Expansion and Opposition

Moving at a steady clip through significant events, the book of Acts continues to show us our roots in the Christian faith. While it helps us to understand church history, it also spurs us on to follow in the footsteps of Spirit-filled believers who have gone before us. Let’s explore some key events that give context and inspiration for us today.

In Acts 10 we saw the Holy Spirit fall on Gentile believers in the household of Cornelius. This event affirmed that the gospel is for everyone. We first saw this with the Samaritans who believed in Christ and received the Spirit when Philip preached the gospel to them in Acts 8. It continued with the Ethiopian eunuch who met Philip as he was reading Isaiah 53 traveling in his chariot. Thus far, every person who has received the gospel has either had some Jewish heritage (Samaritans were partly Jewish) or has taken initiative to follow the Lord (the Ethiopian and Cornelius). In Acts 11:19, however, the believers go a step further by intentionally taking the gospel to uncircumcised Greeks—full Gentiles with no history or connection to Jewish beliefs or faith in the God of the Jews.1

Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 8 sparks the scattering of Jesus’ followers and the spread of the gospel to Gentile lands. Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus venture to the cosmopolitan city of Antioch, the capital of Syria and the third-largest city in the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria. (Now part of modern-day Turkey).2 “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” (Acts 11:21, ESV) This vibrant commercial center filled with “gross immorality and ritual prostitution as part of its temple worship”3 would become the base of operations for Paul’s missionary journeys. (Paul’s Hebrew name, Saul, is used in the first twelve chapters of Acts. Luke starts referring to Saul by his Roman name, Paul, in Acts 13:13.)

Antioch becomes the location of the first Gentile church and is the place followers of Jesus were first called “Christians.” “It was common for the Greeks to give satirical nicknames to particular groups…it was all a fun word game and a verbally dismissive gesture. Then a new group cropped up in Antioch; since they were characterized by behavior and speech centered on Christ, the Greeks called them ‘Christians,’ or ‘those of the party of Christ’… Both the Bible and history suggest that the term Christian was probably meant as a mocking insult when it was first coined.”4 

Note that the expansion of the Christian faith and opposition to it were happening simultaneously. Followers of Jesus were so impassioned about sharing the gospel that they continued to spread it in a city bent on sin and filled with cynics and mockers of the faith. It doesn’t sound so different from today, does it? On top of this, the term “Christian” that had been used to make fun of Jesus followers showed that “people recognized Christians as a distinct group. The church was more and more being separated from Judaism.”5

Personal application: Before continuing, let’s stop and make this personal. How are Christians known today? What part are you playing in coloring the way non-believers view followers of Jesus?

Back in Jerusalem, news about large number Gentiles coming to faith in Antioch prompts the church leaders to send Barnabas there. “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.” (11:23-4, ESV) Likely seeking more help to teach and equip the growing number of new believers, Barnabas goes to Tarsus to retrieve Saul. Together, the two spend a year in Antioch teaching the new believers. 

Note that the church in Jerusalem sends Barnabas, a faithful and wise servant of Jesus. He, in turn, seeks reinforcements by bringing back Saul to help him when the numbers grow too large for him to manage on his own. 

Personal application: Let’s stop again and consider. Where can you be a Barnabas to someone who is a few steps behind you on the journey of faith? Who could use your wisdom, support, and encouragement? Or, are you in need of a partner to provide reinforcements for a ministry you’re serving? Is there a gifted and knowledgeable Saul that you could ask to serve alongside you?

Now let’s look at another portion of this action-packed chapter. While Barnabas and Saul nurture the growing church in Antioch, back in Jerusalem Herod curries favor with the Jews by using his power against followers of Jesus. (This is Herod Agrippa 1, the grandson of Herod the Great who was in power when Jesus was born.) Herod orders the execution of James, one of the original twelve disciples, and imprisons Peter, likely intending to put him to death next. Probably remembering Peter’s previous prison break at the hands of the Lord (Acts 5), Herod orders four soldiers to stand guard around the clock in six hour shifts.6  “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” (Acts 12:5, NIV) 

Rather than losing hope after the death of James, the believers seek the Lord in prayer on behalf of Peter. And while they’re praying, the Lord moves powerfully—freeing Peter from prison despite his being chained to two soldiers and having two more guarding the cell. The Lord answers the believers’ prayers so quickly that they’re in disbelief when a servant girl tells them Peter is at the door, “They said to her, ‘You are out of your mind’…But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed.” (Acts 12:15a-16, ESV) Even in the act of praying, the believers struggle with unbelief. How reassuring to see that God amazes those who seek Him, even when they’re not anticipating a positive outcome.

Personal application: In the face of discouraging circumstances, do you fall into despair or fall on your knees and seek the Lord in prayer? Do you believe the Lord can work in seemingly impossible circumstances and wait expectantly for His answers? 

This action-packed chapter closes with a short description of the death of Herod Agrippa 1: “an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory…but the word of God increased and multiplied.” (Acts 12:23a-24, ESV) God’s justice prevails in His perfect (and often mysterious) timing. We can take heart and follow the example of Jesus followers in Acts who persevered in the face of opposition and saw the gospel continue to spread. In our polarized culture with increasing disdain for the Christian faith, this is an encouraging reminder. 

If you skimmed through the personal application questions, consider circling back now reading them again. Spend time praying through them and waiting to see what the Lord reveals.

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Stepping Out in Faith

Sometimes God asks us to move forward with a plan and only gives us minimal details. When we step out in faith and trust Him, we get a front row seat to witness His power. The Bible includes many stories of courageous people doing this, but one of my favorites is found in the book of Joshua.

For the past few months we’ve been following the narrative of the Israelites fleeing Egypt and beginning their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Today’s story fast forwards to when God’s people are on the brink of crossing into the promised land. Moses’ successor, Joshua, receives instructions from the Lord for leading all of the Israelites across the Jordan River at flood stage.  Here’s how Scripture explains God’s plan: 

“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’ Joshua said to the priests, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.’ So they took it up and went ahead of them. And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’” (Joshua 3:5-8, NIV)

Although they’re unsure what the Lord will do, the priests and the people follow His plan and watch a miracle unfold before their eyes:

“Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away…So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” (Joshua 3:15, 16a, 17, NIV)

Imagine being the first two priests to step into the rushing waters of the Jordan balancing the holy and precious Ark of the Covenant on poles on their shoulders. Mud and slippery rocks at the water’s edge likely made it daunting, but they stepped into the swirling waters with obedience. Kristi McClelland explains, “[God] doesn’t promise to tell us everything that’s going on ahead of time. He doesn’t promise we’ll see a blueprint before we start building. The reward is often on the other side of obedience…Life doesn’t always afford us all the facts before we make a decision. But we can always decide to trust God’s character. We can always decide to believe in God’s goodness and steadfast love.”1

So, what does it look like in contemporary times to step into the waters of obedience and trust God in the mystery? For me, I think of a Bible verse that’s framed on my wall: “I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see.” (2 Cor 5:7). It was a gift from some women who have become dear friends since I stepped out in faith to start a Bible study ten years ago. It felt risky and uncomfortable joining with another friend and agreeing to lead this group. I wasn’t sure what we would study or how I would find answers to their questions, but I trusted God would give me what I would need. Ten years in, He hasn’t failed me.

Recently I sat listening to an acquaintance share about starting a similar group. After keeping her distance from faith-related activities for many years, she’s been inspired by the strength and grounding she sees in others who know the Lord. Now she feels like she’s missed out by holding back for so long. Craving meaningful connections with others, she reached out to invite women to a group that she feels ill-prepared to lead. At the same time, she’s been praying God will show her He’s real and has been astounded by the answers He’s giving her. My new friend is stepping out in faith, not knowing what the Lord will do, but trusting Him. The enthusiasm in her voice and the light in her eyes reveal evidence of God’s work in her life.

I could fill pages with stories like these—of people stepping out in faith to trust God and watching in awe as He worked in and through them. Kristi McClelland likens this to “eating a mystery.” She compares our choices to believe God and take action without fully understanding all the details with the Israelites’ choice to eat the strange new food the Lord provided in the desert. They called the bread that tasted like honey “manna” which translates to “What is it?” The metaphor of eating the mystery fits well with David’s invitation in Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” We can only taste the Lord’s goodness if we’re willing to put the mystery into our mouths.

Looking back at my life, I’ve never regretted times I’ve stepped out in faith instead of holding back and playing it safe. Opportunities to see God at work are His invitation to get us involved in what He’s doing. It’s our choice whether or not to respond.  

Where might the Lord be calling you to step out in faith, trust His goodness, and eat a mystery? Pray and ask Him to show you what He wants you to know and do. Trust Him to walk alongside you, to part the waters, to feed you the manna, and to give you the courage. You’ll find life is fuller, richer, and more meaningful than you could ever imagine. 

Be inspired listening to “Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp. As you watch this video, you’ll see clips from a movie based on an event in his life that made these words real to Him. Whether God is inviting you into something exciting and new or holding out His hand for you to trust Him during a hard season, walking by faith is the best choice you can make. Click here to watch.

1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus and Women in the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 43-44.

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Carrying the Wilderness with You

Hiking was one of the main activities my family enjoyed when I was growing up. Sometimes my dad liked forging his own trails and taking us “overland.” He led the way with confidence, but the paths he chose rarely ended where we expected. I remember one afternoon when we trampled through knee-high, brittle grass trying to find our way back to the car. The sun dipped behind the hills as we trudged along, shivering in the waning light. As we reached the gravel parking lot complaining of aching feet and rumbling bellies, the first stars twinkled in the night sky. That’s probably the closest I’ve come to wandering in the wilderness in a literal sense.

Bible teacher Kristi McClelland explains: “We often think of a desert or wilderness as something we want to get out of. But the Jewish people view the desert as the place where the Lord often meets His people and speaks to them.”1 The Israelites experience this after leaving Egypt under Moses’ leadership. In the desert God shows them His character and demonstrates His care for them. The events they witness reveal the Lord’s power, presence, protection, and provision. A glance at the first four chapters of Exodus provides ample evidence:

-The Lord fights for them: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

-The Lord surrounds and protects them: “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them.” (Exodus 14:19)

-The Lord makes a way for them: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (Exodus 14:21-22)

-The Lord provides food for them: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” (Exodus 16:11-12)

-The Lord provides water for them: “I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” (Exodus 17:6)

-The Lord protects them from enemies: “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, ‘Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.’” (Exodus 17:15-16)

The Israelites’ time in the wilderness gives them tangible, personal, and specific evidence of the Lord’s hand at work in their lives. No wonder Kristi McClelland says the Middle Eastern perspective asks: “How do I carry the wilderness with me?” and “How do I remember the word the Lord taught me in the wilderness?”2

Although I’ve had limited experience wandering in the actual wilderness, there have been many times when I’ve metaphorically found myself in the desert—times when I’ve felt lost, discouraged, and unsure how to proceed. Although they were difficult seasons, I look back on them with gratefulness because of how I encountered the Lord. That’s why Kristi McClelland’s words resonate with me: “In the desert—the wilderness—God meets you and teaches you unique lessons that these dry and barren places frame in a way no other place would. In the Middle Eastern culture, the wilderness is seen almost as a sacred place, a place of intimacy where God speaks a ‘word’ to you.”3  

In the desert of my freshman year of college, the Lord met me in my loneliness and taught me to pour out my heart to Him and He became my closest confidante. During the wilderness of discouragement and depression in young motherhood, God beckoned me to seek Him for comfort and He became my shelter in storms. More recently, I wandered in the desert after an intense season in my life came to a close. Leading up to it, I’d been stretched to the limit for over two years managing care for my mom as her health declined. When she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, four months of daily visits and constant monitoring of her medical needs consumed me. After my mom passed away, my sister and I spent six months sorting the contents of our family home and preparing to put it on the market. 

Although I’d been grieving all along, the magnitude of what I’d experienced fully caught up with me only after my mom’s house sold. Instead of being relieved, I felt untethered, adrift and unsure how to move forward. As I turned to the Lord for wisdom, He coaxed me to rest and grieve. He helped me to see that my constant productivity had shielded me from fully experiencing my grief. He impressed upon me the wisdom of Psalm 46:10: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (NASB 1995) My time in the wilderness provided much-needed margin to process, pray, and find comfort in the Lord’s presence. Eventually it also allowed me space to hear from Him and discern what He was calling me to next.

Desert seasons feel disorienting and uncomfortable; we’re not sure which path to take or what our destination will be. We may not enjoy them, but they are incredible opportunities to grow in trusting the Lord. So, instead of asking “Why?” or “How long?” we’d be wise to invite God to teach us and reveal Himself to us. Seeking the Lord in the wilderness instead of rushing through it enables us to grow deeper in faith and equips us with tools we can use and share with others. I’ve seen the God’s power and felt His strength during wilderness seasons in ways I never would have experienced in times of ease and comfort. 

“The Lord drew Israel into the desert and spoke to her there. The place that seemed to only represent barrenness became one of restoration and redemption, of covenant pledge, of love everlasting…The Lord often speaks to His people in a special way in wilderness seasons.”4  Will you let Him do the same for you? 

Click here and be encouraged by Jeremy Camp’s song “Wilderness”

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  • 1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus & Women: In the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 22.
  • 2. ibid, p. 23
  • 3. ibid, p. 22
  • 4. ibid, p. 26