Category: Forgiveness

Putting On Our New Nature

The summer before I started high school, I got an edgy haircut and a vintage jean jacket at a thrift store in Berkeley. Dangling earrings and frosty “Zinc Pink” lipstick completed my look. It was all part of my master plan to reinvent myself as I launched into 9th grade. Another aspect of my new appearance included ditching shoes in favor of bare feet. My parents warned me of health and safety concerns, but it was to no avail. Over time, I developed thick callouses that desensitized me to sharp pebbles and rough surfaces.

Although I wanted to believe my feet were tough, they were still vulnerable to injury. I ignored that truth until I walked on scorching pavement one sweltering August afternoon. The tender burns were painful for weeks and the quarter-sized blood blisters remained on the balls of my feet for months. They served as a humbling reminder of my foolish choice to cast common sense aside for the sake of looking cool (in my own mind, at least).

Even though I wear shoes most of the time now, it’s still a challenge to prevent callouses from developing on my feet during the summer months. To keep them from becoming too thick, I buff my feet with a file in the shower a few times a week. If I wait too long, the callouses get tougher and harder to remove. (Apologies to squeamish readers who find this a bit too graphic.)

Strangely, I thought of that regular part of my hygiene routine as I read Ephesians recently: “With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.” (Ephesians 4:17-19, NLT)

In this passage, the word “Gentiles” refers to those who do not follow Jesus or value God’s ways. Their closed minds and hard hearts cause them to be desensitized to sexual sin and to engage in activities that dishonor God, moving them further away from Him. Similar to my feet, they develop thick callouses on their hearts that give them the illusion of invincibility. Believing they are experiencing ultimate freedom, they are actually enslaving themselves with an unquenchable thirst for pleasure that only increases as it’s given free rein in their lives. Like the burns on my bare feet, people pursuing sexual gratification outside of God’s clear boundaries don’t realize the pain they’re ultimately causing to themselves and others in their lives.

Believers’ attitudes and behaviors in the realm of sexuality look markedly different, however. Paul asserts: “But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:20-23, NLT)

Paul reminds believers that we’re meant to live differently. The callouses that deaden us to sin have been removed from our hearts, lovingly buffed away by the grace of Christ. Our habits, behaviors and attitudes about sexual activity set us apart from the world because we have a “new nature.” Rather than taking our cues from social norms, personal feelings, or physical urges, we seek the wisdom of the Bible as our guide.

Of course, with the steady influence of the world all around us, it’s still easy for believers to fall into misguided views on this topic. When we ignore truth in Scripture and float with the current of popular culture, we’re bound to make compromises when it comes to our views on sex. Rather than being deceived or confused, let’s stand solidly on the wisdom of God’s Word that has remained unchanging for thousands of years. Let’s open our Bibles and allow God’s truth to buff away the callouses of the world that numb us to sensuality and lust. Let’s stop normalizing habits of mind and body that ultimately damage our souls and our relationships.

Maybe it’s time to consider where you’ve let the world influence you more than God’s Word. Are you willing to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to search your heart and convict you of any changes you need to make? How about committing to seeking God’s wisdom instead of letting our culture be your guide? This isn’t about guilt or shame, but about eliminating the sin that’s hurting us and hindering our spiritual growth. It starts in our hearts and minds long before it’s expressed in our behavior.

God knows us and knows our struggles. He loves us and wants what’s best for us. Tasha Layton’s song “Look What You Done” provides a poignant reminder of God’s grace and power to change even the most deeply rooted sin in our lives. Click here to listen.

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Wearing God’s Glory

Opening the door, the student aide walked in with a message from the school office. Furrowing her brow, she scanned the classroom before turning to me and asking, “Where’s the teacher?” Grimacing and willing my face not to turn red, I snatched the note from her hand and replied, “I’m the teacher, I’ll take care of that, thanks.” 

I was a few weeks into my first year teaching and trying desperately to command the respect of my high school pupils. At twenty-three years old, it had only been five years since I’d graduated from their ranks. After a few embarrassing run-ins like this one, I was determined to differentiate myself from the teens on campus. So, I headed to the mall to buy some clothes that were more tailored and less youthful. Until the students got to know me, I knew what I wore needed to set me apart from them. 

Although it happened years ago, I remembered this season in my life as I read the instructions about the clothing for the priests serving in the Tabernacle. What they wore showed they were different; they’d been set apart by God to perform sacred duties: “For Aaron’s sons you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.” (Exodus 28:40-41, ESV) Covered with precious gemstones, the ornate priestly garb displayed the Lord’s glory, beauty, dignity, and honor (“glory and beauty” are used in the ESV, “dignity and honor” are used in the NIV).   

Today we might be tempted to view this as interesting but irrelevant information. Because of Jesus, we no longer need priests to make blood sacrifices on our behalf. However, the New Testament clarifies that every follower of Jesus now serves in this role: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV) 

We too, are a royal priesthood called to live set apart from the world around us. Instead of sacrificing animals, our charge is to tell people Christ made the sacrifice for them. We get to help others move from the darkness of sin and death to the light of God’s love and mercy.

While we’re no longer required to wear elaborate clothing like the priests serving in the Tabernacle, Scripture still emphasizes the importance of adorning ourselves with glory, beauty, dignity and honor: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14, NIV) 

Through the Holy Spirit, followers of Christ display character qualities that set them apart from the world. Let’s consider each piece of “clothing” and how wearing it honors the Lord and reveals Him to others.

Compassion is “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.”1 Demonstrating compassion gives us an opportunity to show the Lord’s love and concern for people in difficult and vulnerable situations. If you’re not naturally compassionate, consider asking the Holy Spirit to increase it in you. Then, invite Him to lead you to people who would be blessed by receiving it.

Kindness is being benevolent, considerate, and helpful to others. Kind people look outward beyond their own needs and desires to notice others. Through kind words and actions, we reveal the fruit of the Spirit and become the hands and feet of Jesus. Try praying for the Lord to fill you with His kindness, then be on the lookout for someone who needs it today.

Humility is “not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”2 C.S. Lewis said a truly humble person “will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”3 Pride and self-absorption stand in opposition to humility. It may be challenging, but consider asking the Lord to humble you and to help you to think of yourself less frequently.

Gentleness is the quality of being free from harshness, sternness, or violence. It is being docile, soft, and delicate.4 Scripture explains, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). Gentleness diffuses tension and softens defensiveness. Do others feel soothed by your words or stirred up by them? Ask the Lord to give you more of this fruit of the Spirit if it’s lacking in your character.

Patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.”4 This vital fruit of the Spirit is in short supply in our world today, so demonstrating it to others makes believers stand out from the crowd. If patience is a struggle for you, ask the Spirit to pour it out on your life to bless you and those in your presence.

Forgiveness is releasing resentment for wrongs and offenses committed against you. It means letting go of grudges and relinquishing your hurt to the Lord. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV) The world tells us to stoke the fires of resentment and to hold fast to grudges. However, remembering God’s forgiveness should compel us to offer grace and forgiveness to those who sin against us.

Clothing ourselves with the characteristics of Christ reveals God’s presence in the world. Like the priests of ancient Israel, we bring the Lord’s glory and beauty to those around us. Dan Bremnes’ song “Fingerprints” will inspire you to remember the important part you play in shining God’s light into darkness. Click here to listen.

Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 8.

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1. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/compassion

2. Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, Zondervan, 2002.

3. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Geoffrey Bles, 1952.

4 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentle

5. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=definition+of+patience&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Spreading Christ’s Aroma

Clenching a pipe between his teeth, my grandpa would light sweet-smelling tobacco and stand puffing away in our garage. This is one of my most vivid childhood memories. Every year he would travel from Philadelphia to California to spend two weeks with the family of his only child, my mom. His visits included a few predictable elements: he would always bring mint bark from his favorite candy shop on the Jersey shore and rye bread from a Jewish deli in Philadelphia. At some point during the visit my grandpa would bake a Philadelphia cheesecake (he eschewed the “lesser” New York cheesecake with a crust that he considered too sweet). But the thing I remember most about my grandpa’s visits is the spicy, pungent scent of tobacco that would permeate our garage long after he’d flown back to Pennsylvania. I don’t smell pipe tobacco very often, but when I do, it makes me smile.

That sweet fragrance of my grandpa’s tobacco came to mind as I learned about the outer court of the Israelites’ Tent of Meeting in Exodus recently. I never realized the important role fragrance played as an element of worship. Outside the Holy Place, a powerful mix of acrid smells wafted through the courtyard; the comingled scents of livestock, urine, manure, and blood were probably overpowering as the people brought animals to be sacrificed. 

In contrast, a sweeter scent met the nostrils of any priest entering the Holy Place. The Lord gave Moses a specific recipe of spices to combine and explained: “Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.” He instructed Moses to consecrate all objects inside the Tent of Meeting by anointing them. Additionally, the Lord told Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons, consecrating them as priests. He concluded by explaining, “This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from their people.” (Exodus 30:25 & 31-33)

The smell the people would detect on the priests would be uniquely associated with the Lord. It was sacred and signified what Scripture reiterates numerous times: “The Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:35b, NIV)

Here’s the part that’s most inspiring, though. Each element of the Tent of Meeting pointed the way to Jesus and has corresponding facets in the Christian faith. When it comes to the aroma of God, here’s what the Apostle Paul explains in the New Testament:

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16, NIV)

“Paul’s metaphor would be readily understood by his audience, with the apostle and his co-laborers portrayed as victorious soldiers in a triumphal procession. During these Roman military parades, captives of war would be marched through the streets as garlands of flowers were carried and incense was burned to the gods. The aromatic perfumes wafted on the air as spectators and those in the procession breathed in their fragrance. At the parade’s finale, many prisoners would be put to death. Thus, the aromas were pleasing and life-giving to the victors, but they were the smell of death to those who had been defeated.”1

Unlike the Roman processions, every person now has the option to side with the victor by accepting Christ. The truth of the gospel causes people to face the reality of their sin. Those who smell the aroma of life recognize they need the blood of Jesus to atone for their sins. Those who smell the aroma of death hear the truth and reject it—preferring to ignore sin or re-frame it rather than admitting it. Jesus states this clearly in John’s gospel: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” (John 3:36, NIV)

The New Testament declares that followers of Jesus are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9)  So, just as the priests came out of the Tabernacle emitting the smell of the sacred oil and incense, followers of Jesus give off the scent of Christ through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

We have the privilege and responsibility of spreading the aroma of the knowledge of Christ wherever we go. The smell of Jesus is always good, right, and true, but that doesn’t mean it’s always nice, easy, or pleasant. Some people will be drawn to it and others will be repelled by it. Jesus told His disciples: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” (John 15:18-19, NIV)

If you’re walking with Jesus, you’re going to smell like Him. Sometimes people are going to like this about you, and sometimes they’re not. Don’t be tempted to veer from the truth, even when it’s not popular. True life and freedom are found only in Christ: “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31b-32, NIV)

Envisioning Jesus leading a triumphal procession in victory over death and sin inspires celebration in me. Click here and “smell” the aroma of victory as you listen to Phil Wickham’s “Battle Belongs.”

Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 7.

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1. “What does it mean that Christians are the aroma of christ?”gotquestions.org.

Preparing for Worship

They’d been trekking in the desert for three months after a terrifying flight from Egypt. Tired and dirty, they made camp at the foot of Mount Sinai and awaited instructions from their leader. The Israelites carried gold, silver, and fine fabric given to them by their captors, but no one would’ve guessed the riches they possessed looking at their chapped skin, matted hair, and dusty clothing. 

Despite the weariness of travel, Moses must have felt reassured arriving at Mount Sinai as he thought back to when he first met the Lord. God had spoken from the burning bush, calling Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and providing reassurance: “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” (Exodus 3:12, NIV) Now, they’d arrived at the mountain and were preparing for their first worship service before the Lord.

Moses climbed up and down the mountain several times receiving instructions from God to share with the Israelites. There were many tasks to complete before they would be ready to worship: “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’” (Exodus 19:10-11, NIV) For the next two days all of their efforts were focused on preparing for worship. Perhaps during the time spent washing their sweaty bodies and filthy clothes, the people pondered the majesty and holiness of their God.

We’ve come a long way from that today, haven’t we? I remember helping one of my sons pack clothes for a weekend event at his prospective college a few years ago. Looking at the information letter he’d received, I reminded him they’d encourage him to wear his “Sunday Best.” With a dramatic flourish of his hand, he gestured toward his tattered hoodie and jeans and said, “Done!” Clearly, I’d stopped fighting the battle of asking him to dress up for church.

Preparing for worship isn’t just about clothing though, is it? It’s about the state of our hearts. Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 13 about a farmer sowing seeds in a field. Some seed falls on a hard path where it’s eaten by birds; other seed falls on rocky places where it springs up quickly but withers because it has no roots; other seed falls among thorns that choke out the plants as they grow. Lastly, some seed falls on good soil where it produces a bountiful crop. Jesus’ parable illustrates different situations that affect a person’s ability to receive the gospel. It’s also a reminder to prepare the soil in our lives as part of readying ourselves for worship. 

Many of us give little thought to the state of our hearts and minds as we come to worship. Sometimes we view it as a consumer experience; we expect to get something out of it but don’t consider what we’re bringing to it. Or we wedge it into a packed day and see it as just another event on our schedules. However, being intentional about preparing for worship will enable us to be joyful participants instead of passive spectators. Here are a few ideas:

Prepare your heart. Confess any sins that are hindering your connection to God and that will prevent you from engaging whole-heartedly in worshiping Him. Don’t be like the Israelites the Lord chastised: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” (Isaiah 29:13, NIV) Follow David’s example and invite the Lord to speak to you: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11, NIV) Or personalize Paul’s prayer in Ephesians: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19, NIV)

Prepare your mind. If you know what Bible passage will be covered in that week’s sermon, read it in advance. You’ll absorb so much more if you’re already familiar with the text. If you don’t know the content of the sermon, choose a psalm to read that will set your mind on the Lord and help you to be open and teachable: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18, NIV) Ask the Lord to purify your mind so that you can receive godly wisdom: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21, NIV)

Prepare your body. Be well-rested so that you can participate fully in worship. The Israelites prepared through cleansing their bodies and washing their clothes. Tending to our appearance isn’t about impressing anyone else at church, but about showing reverence to the Lord. When we do that, it signals to our minds that we’re getting ready for something special: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1, NIV)

Prepare your relationships. We can’t worship God sincerely while treating others poorly. Consider if there’s anyone you’ve hurt and pursue reconciliation with them: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV) Also, consider if there’s anyone you need to forgive: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV)

Prepare continually. Spend time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading throughout the week. Let God speak to you in silence and solitude. Cultivate your relationship with Him consistently and you’ll find times of corporate worship to be even more meaningful and encouraging: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15, NIV) “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV) “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:18, NIV)

Let “Here I Am to Worship” inspire you to maintain a focus on worshipping God throughout the week. Click here to watch.

Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 2.

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Seeking Shalom

Her long, tangled hair hung like a curtain in front of her face. With eyes downcast, she wrapped her arms around her chest, shivering in the early morning light. The thin tunic she’d thrown on a few minutes earlier wasn’t meant to be worn in public, but it was all she could find when the men had burst into the room to drag her from bed. Standing before a disapproving crowd, she wondered why the man she’d been with wasn’t there next to her. She may have ignored the commandments about adultery, but she knew both people should be stoned to death according to the laws in Leviticus. 

Shivering, she shifted from one bare foot to the other on the stone steps of the Temple Mount as the Pharisees questioned a young Rabbi from Galilee. She didn’t know this new teacher, but it seemed they had even more contempt for Him than they did for her. Soon she realized she was being used as pawn in their scheme to trap this man named Jesus. But they were no match for Him: “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ’Go now and leave your life of sin.’” (John 8:9-11, NIV)

Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, but He also didn’t condone her sin. His compassion for her meant that He wanted more for her than the life she’d been leading. He aimed to restore her to the wholeness and harmony for which she was created. Kristi McClellan explains, “The Lord doesn’t hate sin because we broke a rule, law, or instruction. The Lord hates sin because sin disturbs our shalom. It disrupts our harmony, wholeness, flourishing, delight, and communion with God. It disrupts the way God created us to be—in relationship with Him and with one another. In encouraging the woman…to leave her life of sin, Jesus was inviting her into shalom—a renewed sense of the harmony, wholeness, flourishing, and delight the Lord wished for her to know and experience in her life.”1

Kristi explains that God’s laws are His instructions for how to live the abundant life He desires for us. That sounds a lot different than the check list of “do’s and don’ts” I tried to live by in younger years. I remember believing the lie that following God’s laws meant leading a safe, but dull life devoid of fun. I was drawn to the allure of sin and the false freedom it promised. I stayed stuck in a cycle of quiet disobedience for a long time, carrying guilt and shame all the while. I didn’t feel I deserved the Lord’s forgiveness until I was ready to clean up my act. Ironically, throughout this season I was participating in Christian community, attending church, and portraying myself as a “good” girl. Never did I consider sharing my struggles with a godly confidante or asking the Lord for help. The idea of confessing my sin horrified me. I was too worried about disappointing people I respected. I also wasn’t ready for the changes I’d need to make to repent with sincerity.

The world, the flesh, and the devil influence us to believe that God’s ways are rigid, strict, and unreasonable. They tell us that true freedom is found in flouting His commandments and breaking boundaries He sets for our good. It’s not until we’re mired in sin and unable to extract ourselves from it that we realize sin isn’t freedom, it’s imprisonment. David says it well in Psalm 32: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin…Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.” (Psalm 32:3-5, 10, NIV)

Remaining stuck in sin robs us of strength, joy, and peace. It leads to unhealth on many levels– spiritual, emotional, mental, relational, and physical. The longer we carry the burden of sin, the more damage it does to us and those we love. The Bible speaks to this and offers a solution: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16, NIV) Confessing to God in the quiet of our hearts brings forgiveness, but we may also need to speak it aloud to receive the support needed for change. While this sounds scary, being honest about sin brings it into the light so we can experience deep cleansing and healing. If you’re carrying the burden of sin, ask God to help you lay it down and to lead you to a godly confidante who can walk beside you. 

Jesus longs to restore shalom to your life. Will you let Him do it?

“How Can It Be” by Lauren Daigle is a powerful song inspired by the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8. Listen now and let it encourage you to be honest and receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Click here to listen.

1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus and Women in the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 114.

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Session 8: Jesus’ Model for Prayer

Did you learn the Lord’s Prayer as a child? Maybe, like me, you recited the words without understanding their meaning. Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV) There’s much to learn from this short but powerful model for prayer. 

First, by referring to God as our Father, Jesus shows us that He is accessible, intimate, and personal. At the same time, “hallowed be your name” illustrates the importance of approaching the Lord with reverence and awe. One commentary explains, “Too often we barge into God’s presence with presumptuous ‘to-do lists’ for Him, without being mindful of His holiness, His awesomeness, and the vast chasm that separates our nature from His. That we are even allowed to come before His throne is due only to His gracious, merciful love for His own (Hebrews 4:16). We must never take that grace for granted.”1

Our Heavenly Father is sovereign and deserves to be praised just because He’s God, not because of anything He’s done for us. This provides a humbling reminder that God doesn’t exist for us, we exist for Him. Acknowledging His holiness helps us to regain perspective when our needs seem urgent.

Next, praying “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” invites God to increase His kingdom on earth right now through each of us. As followers of Jesus, we are citizens of God’s kingdom, and we carry that citizenship with us wherever we go. We’re each marked by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Just like a passport identifies you as a citizen of a specific country, the Holy Spirit identifies you as God’s child. So, wherever you go, you have the opportunity to let the light of God’s love shine out from you, as Jesus describes when He says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Praying for God’s kingdom to come impacts how believers view their immediate circumstances. We recognize that God has empowered us to change the atmosphere of our surroundings and we invite Him to work in and through us. In the rest of the prayer, Jesus shows three ways we can pray personally that will expand the Lord’s rule and reign:

-Make Room for the Kingdom of God in Your Daily Life: We have the privilege of asking God to meet our needs for “daily bread.” Just as our bodies were made to need sustenance from food every day, our hearts were made to need daily connection with God. Going to Him consistently reminds us self-sufficiency is only an illusion. Everything we have, including our ability to earn a living, ultimately comes from God. Asking the Lord to meet our physical and spiritual needs daily keeps us humble, but also enables us to grow in our connection to Him and our dependence upon Him. So, commit to spending time in God’s Word and prayer consistently, even when the Extraordinary Prayer study comes to an end. Be intentional about creating space in your schedule to be quiet before the Lord. Ask your Heavenly Father to show you what distractions you can eliminate that will free you up to draw near to Him consistently. To read an expanded explanation on this portion of the prayer, see the link at the bottom.*

-Expand the Kingdom of God with Confession and Forgiveness: In the next part of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus illustrates the importance of identifying and confessing our sins.  “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12, NIV) We’ve become a society averse to accepting responsibility for our wrongdoing. But if we follow Jesus, we must be willing to confess when we’ve sinned and seek forgiveness from God and others we’ve hurt. Likewise, we expand God’s kingdom when we forgive others for the wrongs done to us. This is the only portion of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus expands on further: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15, NIV) Our willingness to ask for and offer forgiveness stands out in a world bent on sidestepping sin, nursing resentment, and seeking retaliation. For a deeper dive on these two topics, see the links at the bottom.*

-Spread the Kingdom of God by Praying Against Temptation and Evil: In the final portion of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus tells us to pray: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13, NIV) Our flesh and spirit battle continually; praying for the Lord not to lead us into temptation and to deliver us from evil demonstrates humble acknowledgement of this fact. It’s a request to keep sin from gaining a foothold in our lives. When we know our weaknesses and are aware of the areas where we’re likely to fall into sin, we can pray proactively, asking the Lord to guide and protect us. Relying on God’s strength to withstand temptation also encourages others who may be struggling in similar ways. Making the hard choice to uphold integrity and righteousness expands the Lord’s kingdom and inspire others to do the same. 

Increasing God’s dominion on earth starts in our hearts and minds. Let Rend Collective’s song “Build Your Kingdom Here” inspire your prayers today. 

*Interested in understanding more? Take a look at this post on daily bread by clicking here, this one on confession by clicking here or this one on forgiveness by clicking here.

1. Commentary quotation from:  https://www.gotquestions.org/Lords-name-vain.html

The GOAT 5a: Adultery & Divorce

Continuing our march through the greatest sermon of all time, we come to Jesus’ teaching on some hard topics: adultery and divorce. Just glancing at the headlines in any gossip magazine shows us the standards He sets reveal a sharp contrast to what we see in the world today. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus continues to raise the bar, admonishing us to be faithful in our relationships. 

He starts by expanding on the 7th Commandment found in Exodus 20:14: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”(Matthew 5:27-30, ESV)

Like His discussion on the relationship between murder and anger in Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus again explains that what happens in the heart leads to sinful behavior. Here He addresses the root issue of adultery: lust. While there are times we may admire someone’s appearance, lust moves into the driver’s seat when we take a second look. When we ruminate about that person sexually and let our minds roam freely, we’re headed for trouble.

Jesus uses exaggerated language here to make His point, telling us to gouge out our eyes or cut off our hands if they’re leading us to sin. He’s using hyperbole to get our attention, not telling us to maim ourselves. Being faithful in our relationships means guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23) and taking extreme measures to avoid sin. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1, NIV)

What might you need to “throw off” to be faithful in your relationships? What distracts or detracts from the people that matter most to you? Is there someone who influences you negatively? A website that leads you down a bad path? A social media platform that takes your thoughts in a negative direction? Are there books, magazines, or movies that make you fantasize unrealistically and see your spouse as less appealing? Maybe it’s time to cut them out of your life.

Jesus continues with another weighty topic: “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:31-32, ESV)

The Bible gives two clear grounds for divorce: (1) sexual immorality (mentioned here and again in Matthew 19:19) and (2) abandonment by an unbeliever (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7:15). There are other instances not explicitly mentioned in Scripture such as abuse or addiction where separation may be warranted. The goal of separation should be for one or both spouses to pursue help and healing with the hope of reconciling. Meeting with a godly, trained counselor to confront issues and challenges should take place before ever considering divorce. Even in the two instances where there are biblical grounds, divorce is not required or even encouraged in Scripture. Confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration are the goal. Divorce should only be viewed as a last resort.

While the world sees divorce as a valid option for almost any reason, we can see God’s original intent for marriage in the first couple, Adam and Eve: One man and one woman in a committed, loving, lifelong relationship. God intends for such faithfulness in a relationship to reflect His forever love for His people: “I will betroth you to me forever;  I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.” (Hosea 2:19, NIV) God designed marriage as an illustration of the love and commitment between Himself and His people: “’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:21-32, NIV) 

Despite these teachings in Scripture, most of us have been exposed to the pain caused by divorce. If you haven’t been divorced yourself, you’ve witnessed its ripple effects in family members and friends who have experienced the deep hurt it causes. That pain is part of the reason Scripture says God hates divorce (Malachi 2:15-16). Note that it does NOT say God hates divorced people. Nothing could be further from the truth. God’s love and grace are open to us all and there are no second class citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven.

For those who are married or hope to get married, the chances of maintaining a healthy marriage and avoiding divorce increase as we keep our focus on Jesus and let Him guide our relationships: “Contrary to what’s been reported for years, the divorce rate [for Christians] is not 50 percent; it’s more like 30 percent. And then we find that people who keep God at the center of their home and family stay married at far greater rates, and even thrive within those marriages. One of the reasons for this is that those whose first commitment is to the lordship of Jesus put fewer expectations upon their spouses to meet emotional needs that only God can meet. The lessening of unrealistic expectations gives marriages a stronger foundation upon which to withstand difficult times.”*

Sanctus Real’s song “Lead Me” describes the challenges and benefits of fighting for a healthy marriage. After the song, scroll down for some additional resources to maintain a healthy marriage.

Resources to support your marriage:

CPC Danville’s Marriage Mentoring program. Click here for more information.

Making Love Last by Laura Taggert

Becoming Us by Beth and Jeff McCord

I would be remiss not to address pornography, which is a huge issue related to these topics. Here are few articles for you:

“What Does the Bible Say About Pornography?”

“Is Pornography Addiction an Acceptable Reason for Divorce?”

*Quote from article: “Is The Divorce Rate Among Christians Truly The Same as Among Non-Christians?”  

Portions of this post were inspired by Tyler Scott’s sermon at CPC Danville “The GOAT: The Sermon on the Mount Part 5”

The GOAT Part 4: Anger

It’s been a strange year for all of us. The pandemic and a variety of other challenges have wreaked havoc on our emotions. Although I’m usually calm and even-tempered, I’ve been surprised by the amount of anger I’ve felt this year. Most of my extreme feelings have been sparked by circumstances beyond my control, not specific people. However, I’ve often vented my anger on others in ways that they didn’t deserve.

I’ve had to pray through my anger many times in the past year. So, Jesus’ teaching on it in the Sermon on the Mount seems especially relevant right now:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22, NIV)

Murder seems like a much bigger offense than anger, but Jesus shows us here that both come from the same root within us. Anger influences our feelings when we stew on it in our minds. Soon it reaches a boiling point and we overflow with resentment. If this pattern continues, our attitudes are flavored with bitterness and our relationships are tainted.

In His teaching on anger, Jesus gives several solutions we can use to keep ourselves in check and to prevent anger from taking over: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV)

If you know you’re at odds with another person, seek reconciliation rather than avoiding them. In a modern context, “offering your gift at the altar”could be any activity for or with the Lord: praying, reading your Bible, making a financial donation, volunteering, serving, leading a Bible study, singing a worship song, attending church, etc. This teaching encourages us to reach out and make things right with others before engaging in spiritual activities. It echoes the prophet Samuel’s words to King Saul: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22, NIV)

Jesus continues His teaching saying, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:25-26, NIV)

Jesus’ point here is that we shouldn’t let animosity with another person remain unsettled or it will spill over and affect others. When hard feelings escalate and we include more people in the conflict, this magnifies the issue and causes a ripple effect. Think of a contentious divorce or a rift between close friends. When anger leads our decisions, many people get hurt. Is the emotional carnage really worth it in the end?

Scripture has many wise words on anger. If, like me, you’d like to grow in handling your anger biblically, try applying these principles next time your blood begins to boil:

1) Recognize and admit if you’re being prideful or handling your anger sinfully. Sometimes our anger is justified, sometimes it isn’t. Pause and ask yourself if your anger is something you need to process only in prayer or if you need to address it with the one who offended you. Confess it to God and to anyone who has been hurt by your anger: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, NIV)

2) Leave room for God’s wrath. This is especially important in cases of injustice, when people abuse those who are innocent.  The Lord is righteous and all-knowing; we can trust Him to act justly in His timing, not ours. We cannot control how others behave or respond, but we can make the changes needed on our part: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19, NIV)

3) Return good for evil. We can transform our feelings toward adversaries by empathizing with them as fellow humans. Recognize their brokenness instead of viewing them through the lens of anger: “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21, NIV)

When you’re ready to confront the one who stirred up your anger, keep these principles from the book of Ephesians in mind:

1) Be honest and explain what caused your anger. People cannot read our minds; we must speak the truth in love: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”  (Ephesians 4:25, NIV)

2) Keep short accounts. Don’t be a peace-faker by avoiding your anger and letting it build up. Deal with it before it reaches a boiling point. Be mindful of what triggers your anger and set healthy boundaries with those who don’t bring out the best in you: “’In your anger do not sin’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26, NIV)

3) Attack the problem, not the person. Talk to the person, not about them: “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. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:29 & 31, NIV)

4) Don’t react on your first impulse or let your anger lead you. Pause and ask the Lord to show you a godly way to respond. De-escalate the tension instead of adding to it: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV)

Cooling a hot temper is not accomplished overnight. But through prayer, Bible study, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit, ungodly anger can be overcome. If, like me, you’ve allowed anger to lead you, why not join me in practicing healthier responses? Seek to glorify God and watch your thoughts and relationships change for the better.

Portions of this post were adapted from this article:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-anger.html

This post was also inspired by Tyler Scott’s sermon at CPC Danville:

http://www.cpcdanville.org/ministries/worship-arts/media/the-goat–the-sermon-on-the-mount–part-4–message-on-demand/

Forgiving Our Debtors

Pulling up to the curb, the bus parked in front of an odd-looking building. I was tired and unenthused; all of the churches and historic sites in England were starting to blend together. Jet lag and being constantly on the move were starting to wear on me and I was tempted to skip this stop and just stay on the bus. Thankfully, I didn’t.

Stepping onto the sidewalk, I was confused by the building that stood before me. One half looked like a 1950’s era cinderblock church, the other half was the shell of a 14th century gothic cathedral. The two didn’t match at all and the cynical part of me assumed someone with poor taste had designed this strange site.

An enthusiastic tour guide welcomed our group and ushered us inside the newer half of Coventry Cathedral. From the moment he began to speak, I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical tour. Everything in the building had been designed to point visitors to different truths about God, His Word, and what it meant to be an authentic follower of Christ. I could have lingered in that massive building all afternoon contemplating the significance of each symbolic object and space. 

Continuing on, I wasn’t prepared for the most profound part of the tour as the guide led us out of the modern building and into the old gothic cathedral. Although the exterior walls were intact, German bombs had obliterated the roof and interior during World War II. The tour guide explained that shortly after it was destroyed, the cathedral stonemason discovered that two charred medieval roof timbers had fallen in the shape of a cross. He set them up in the ruins and eventually they were placed on the altar amidst the rubble. The words “Father Forgive” were later inscribed on the wall behind the cross.

Seeing the blackened cross and the words behind it brought a lump to my throat. The people of Coventry Cathedral had grasped the magnitude of God’s love when He allowed His son to die on the cross so that the sins of the world could be forgiven. They knew their only option was to offer forgiveness to the very enemies who had destroyed their cathedral.

Their choice to forgive perfectly captures one line in Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew’s gospel: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This is the only portion of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus expands on further: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:12, 14-15, NIV) There are some powerful lessons we can learn from the example of forgiveness set by the people of Coventry Cathedral.

Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling: The morning after the cathedral was bombed on November 14, 1940, the decision was made to rebuild a new cathedral that would lead the people of Coventry away from bitterness and hatred. My guess is that if they had waited until they “felt” like forgiving the Germans, the church would still be in ruins both spiritually and physically.

Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event: It took over a decade for the new cathedral to be constructed. The rebuilding process enabled the people to examine their hearts and create a new structure that was a physical manifestation of God’s grace and forgiveness. The second church was built at a perpendicular angle to the original one so that the two buildings form the shape of a cross when viewed from above.

Forgiveness allows God to work in you and others: The bombing of the cathedral ultimately led the congregation to begin a ministry of peace and reconciliation that continues to provide spiritual and practical support in areas of conflict throughout the world. Forgiving their enemies brought emotional and spiritual healing that freed them to help others on their own journeys of forgiveness.

Forgiveness doesn’t require an apology first: The decision to rebuild the cathedral and to use it as a symbol of God’s forgiveness was made while the war raged on with the Germans. The people of Coventry didn’t wait in defiant pride until restitution was paid. They didn’t demand to have the atrocity committed against them be rectified before they forgave. They chose to forgive, and they trusted God to bring justice in His perfect timing.

While Coventry Cathedral provides tangible examples about the keys to forgiveness, the four points I’ve listed come from my personal experiences. I know first-hand how hard it is. I’ve spent much time wrestling with God and His Word as I’ve worked through my pain in the process of forgiving others. If forgiveness were easy, we wouldn’t have needed Jesus to die on the cross to make it possible. Because He did that, we have no choice but to follow His example. 

How could we ever withhold from others the forgiveness that God so freely gives to us?

Click on the link to hear further wisdom on this topic with Matthew West’s song “Forgiveness.” Below the link you’ll find other helpful resources on forgiveness.

For further reading on forgiveness, I highly recommend Lewis Smedes’ book Forgive and Forget.

To learn more about Coventry Cathedral, click on the link:

http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/wpsite/

More Like Jesus

Opening Megan Fate Marshman’s book Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God & His Plans for You made me curious, but also skeptical. The cynical side of me wondered what more we could learn from two Bible passages that most Christians have heard many times: Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Romans 8:28-9. But as I delved further, I realized these Scriptures overflow with spiritual truth that we may miss at first glance.

You may be familiar with Jeremiah 29:11 since it’s often used to reassure people in times of uncertainty: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV) 

This passage was originally written to Jewish people who had been living as exiles in Babylon. The Lord had allowed them to be carried into captivity as a consequence for their worship of idols and rebellion against Him. The hope-filled future this passage promises ties directly to the state of their hearts. As they turned back to the Lord, He would listen to them and they would be able to renew a genuine relationship with Him.

In the original Hebrew, the word “heart” describes “the most interior organ” and encompasses our minds and our inner being. Strong’s Concordance explains that the heart is the seat of desire, inclination, or will. It is also the well of emotions, knowledge, and wisdom. All of our thoughts, desires, words, and actions flow from the heart.  So, when we’re seeking God with all our hearts, our gaze is fixed steadily on Him. This is what the Lord wanted for His people when they were captives in Babylon, and it’s what He wants for us today.

Another oft-quoted verse that Megan covers in her book is Romans 8:28-9:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:28-29, NIV)

Most of us know verse 28 well, however, reading verse 29 is essential to understanding the definition for “good” in this context. We often interpret it to mean easy, comfortable, pleasant, or favorable. For many of us, “good” is synonymous with getting what we want, when we want—or having events unfold according to our desires. However, in the original Greek, the word “good” describes that which is beneficial in its effect. One commentary explains “The things themselves may not be good, but God harmonizes them together for believers’ ultimate good, because His goal is to bring them to perfection in His presence. Even adversities and afflictions contribute to that end…this is a continuing activity of God. And His working is on behalf of ‘those who love Him,’ who are further identified as the ones who have been called according to His purpose.” 

According to Romans 8:29, the ultimate “good” in God’s purpose is for us to be more like Jesus. So, when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we trust that whatever events unfold will be used to transform us to be more like Jesus—not to make us comfortable or to make our lives easier or happier. 

At this point, you may be thinking this definition of “good” doesn’t sound very enticing. So, let me share a personal example to show how hard things can be good and can make us more like Jesus.

Three years ago, my eighty-three-year-old mom was living on her own in the house where I grew up. Her health was starting to slip, but she was stubborn and independent and had no interest in moving. Unfortunately, a series of medical issues landed her in the hospital. When she was released, she decided to move into an assisted living community near my home where she could maintain her freedom but have more support when she needed it.

Over the next two years, my mom and I found a rhythm. I managed her bills, her house, her medical appointments, and her care. I got to know her friends, her schedule, her habits, and her needs more intimately than I ever had before. My four siblings helped when they could, but the responsibility for my mom rested mostly on me. This made sense since I lived much closer than all of them. I tried hard to be gracious and understanding about my siblings’ busy lives and the many valid things that kept them from being involved more consistently. As time progressed, I even preferred handling most of my mom’s affairs on my own. It was easier and less complicated than having them opt in where and when they could. I didn’t see it at the time, but in hindsight I recognize that pride and resentment were beginning to build in me.

Two years later, when my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given months to live, my siblings all jumped to action, wanting to be involved and informed about every detail. They came to town often to be supportive and to spend as much time with our mom as possible. I welcomed and encouraged their involvement, but also felt some underlying anger. Suddenly I was managing my mom’s care while coordinating visiting schedules and trying to keep her house in order for them. I was feeling territorial and grasping for control amidst many disruptions in my life, but I didn’t see it at the time. Resentment was lurking beneath the surface, but I ignored it and acted like everything was fine. Still, my unacknowledged anger leaked out of me, robbing me of sleep and making me irritable and impatient with others. When I finally recognized what I was feeling, I started praying daily, asking God to take my thoughts captive and to make them obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Over time, He answered those prayers, helping me to release my bitterness and resentment and to find grace and gratitude for my siblings’ presence and involvement.

 God worked through that hard season to refine me and to help me understand myself better. He conformed me to be just a bit more like Christ by exposing my pride and resentment and covering it with His grace. His goodness softened my heart and fostered healthier relationships in my family. There’s no doubt I’ll continue to grapple with those negative emotions at times. But I also know that as I seek Him, He will bring about His good purposes and continue making me more like Jesus.

The verses from Jeremiah and Romans highlighted in Meant for Good contain powerful and transformative truth. I’m excited to study them with you over the next six weeks. Let’s start by listening to Fernando Ortega’s “Lord, I Want to Be Like Jesus” and making it our prayer throughout this study.

  • Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God & His Plans for You, Zondervan, 2020.
  • Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001.
  • John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books, 1983, page 474.