Category: Intimacy with God

Praying Strategically

Many of us are strategic with our schedules, our finances, and our retirement. But it’s less common to find people who are as calculated and deliberate in their prayers. Although he’s best known for rebuilding Jerusalem’s broken down walls, the prophet Nehemiah provides an excellent example of how to pray strategically. 

To give you context, the events in his story unfold about a thousand years after Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt.  The book of Nehemiah takes place after the Jews’ seventy-year exile in Babylon. When the story opens, they’d already been allowed to return to Judah to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. Although they were free to go back, many Jews chose to remain in Babylon. Nehemiah was one of those who stayed behind to continue working as chief cupbearer in the palace of the King of Babylon. This influential position would have put him in close contact with the king daily, somewhat like a butler. Being a cupbearer to Artaxerxes was an esteemed role that was probably well paid and enabled him to live very comfortably. 

Chapter 1 opens with Nehemiah learning news about his home city of Jerusalem. He finds out, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” (Nehemiah 1:3, NIV)

Nehemiah’s first response after hearing this distressing news is to pray:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:4-11, NIV)

Here are few things we can learn from his prayer:

-Start with Gratitude and Acknowledgement: Nehemiah opens his prayer by remembering God’s promises and His faithfulness. He recognizes the Lord’s character and sovereignty and approaches Him with humility. Try beginning your prayer time by making a point to thank God for His faithfulness in your life. Point out the character qualities you appreciate about Him. If you’ve been reassured by a specific promise or verse from the Bible, thank Him for how it encourages you in your circumstances.

-Admit Your Sin: Nehemiah takes ownership over his sin and the sins of his people. He recognizes that their exile was a direct result of their disobedience to God. He doesn’t blame the Lord for the hardships they’ve endured. Nehemiah understands that their sin over the long haul has had profound effects on them as a nation and as individuals. 

Is there a difficult situation you’re dealing with now that might be the result of long-term disobedience? Answering this may not be easy, but keep in mind that conviction from the Holy Spirit is not condemnation—it’s an opportunity to recognize and relinquish sin you’ve been harboring. Give it to God so it won’t continue to hinder your relationship with Him. Then, rest assured–we’re called to confess our sins, but God doesn’t keep a running tally. Psalm 103:12 tells us: “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” And 1 John 1:9 promises us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

-Know Scripture so You Can Pray God’s Will: In his prayer, Nehemiah reminds the Lord of the promises He made to Moses. Read Deuteronomy 30:1-5 and you’ll notice how similar it is to what Nehemiah says. Clearly, he knows God’s Word and claims it with authority in his prayer. He remembers the Lord’s promises from the past and applies them to his current situation. Try taking a verse, a promise, or a situation from Scripture and personalizing it for a specific circumstance you’re facing.  Discovering God’s will in His Word and asking for it to be done in your life leads to powerful and effective prayers.

-Let Your Broken Heart Prompt Prayer and Action: After hearing terrible news about his people and his homeland, Nehemiah’s first impulse is to pray. His distress brings him to his knees before God. Maybe, like Nehemiah, you’ve heard about something happening either locally or globally that breaks your heart. It’s easy to feel helpless or overwhelmed at the thought of intervening to alleviate the suffering of others. Instead of dismissing those feelings, pray and ask God to show you if there is something you can do. Pay attention to the ways He may be nudging you to respond. If you’re already involved in a cause you believe in, pray and ask God to show you how you can maximize your impact there.

-Invite God to Leverage Your Resources and Connections: Nehemiah ends his prayer by asking God to grant him favor with “this man,” referring to the king. He knows Artaxerxes has valuable resources that can be used to help his people, and he asks God to use this relationship for the good of others. Maybe, like Nehemiah, there is a relationship in your life that you could leverage. Do you know someone with power, influence, resources, or authority who could use those things for good? Pray boldly and ask God to let you find favor with that person so that He can bless others through them. (This prayer prompt and the one above could go together in certain circumstances.)

Growing in our understanding of prayer nurtures our relationship with God. Let Meredith Andrews’ song “Draw Me Nearer” be the cry of your heart today.

Praying Honestly

Few people have heard the audible voice of God. There are a several instances recorded in Scripture when individuals dialogued with Him, but there’s one person who had multiple conversations with the Lord throughout his life–Moses. Some of the things we can learn about prayer from this hero of the faith may surprise you.

Let’s start with some background context. You might remember that Moses was born as a Hebrew slave in Egypt. His people, the Israelites, had emigrated to Egypt from Canaan about 400 years earlier during a severe famine. When they first arrived in Egypt, the Israelites were a large extended family of about seventy people consisting of twelve brothers, their wives and their children. Their father was Jacob, who had been re-named “Israel” by God. His family members and their descendants became known as Israelites. The Egyptians also called them Hebrews. Jacob and his eleven adult sons came with their families to Egypt at the invitation of Joseph, the twelfth son who had risen to a position of honor and power in Egypt. (This is the same Joseph that received the coat of many colors from his father and who was sold into slavery by his brothers as a teenager. His story is in Genesis 37, 39, 40-50.)

After Joseph’s death, life for the Israelites began to deteriorate as new Pharaohs came to power. The Israelites’ population steadily increased. This caused subsequent Pharaohs to fear the Hebrews would become so numerous they could overpower Egypt by joining its enemies if war broke out. To eliminate this threat, the Egyptians eventually enslaved the Hebrews and worked them ruthlessly.

In Exodus 1 & 2 we learn that Pharaoh’s solution for controlling the Hebrew population was to order that all Israelite baby boys be slaughtered at birth. However, when Moses was born, his mother concealed him for the first three months of his life.  Scripture explains, “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.

Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. ‘This is one of the Hebrew babies,’ she said. Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?’

‘Yes, go,’ she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him.  When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, ‘I drew him out of the water.’” (Exodus 2:3-10, NIV)

Moses grew up as a prince in the household of Pharaoh, However, at the age of 40 his life pivoted dramatically when he decided to kill an Egyptian who he’d witnessed beating Hebrew slaves. Fearing retribution from Pharaoh, Moses fled to the neighboring land of Midian where he later married the daughter of a priest and lived as a shepherd.

Moses’ first personal encounter with God occurred when he was 80 years old. The swagger he had as a prince of Egypt had been stripped from him after four decades of being humbled in the desert.  His first conversation with God caught him by surprise while he was tending his flocks: “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’

And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’

‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’ Then he said, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:2-6, NIV)

The Lord went on to explain that He had seen the misery of His people and was appointing Moses to go and lead his people out of slavery. Shocked, Moses’ first words to God were: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11, NIV)

The Lord replied, “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)

What stands out to me in this conversation is Moses’ surprising combination of reverence and honesty. He knelt humbly before the Lord and hid his face, but then boldly proclaimed his doubts about being able to fulfill the task he’d been given. Instead of just saying, “Yes, Lord” and then walking away with angst wondering how he’d follow through, he openly expressed his fears. And the Lord reassured Moses, promising to be with him and to give him a sign of His faithfulness. 

Later in the same conversation, Moses again showed bold honesty with the Lord saying, “’Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’

The Lord said to him, ‘Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’

But Moses said, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.’

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.’” (Exodus 4:10-16, NIV)

Moses’ lack of eloquence and fear of public speaking made him want to opt out of the Lord’s call on his life. Once again, God reassured him and even made a provision for his insecurity by offering to let his brother communicate for him. (Let’s not miss the irony that we’re learning about prayer from a hero of the faith who didn’t think he was skilled at speaking.)

The conversation Moses had with God inspires me to speak honestly in my prayers and to admit my inadequacies. It gives me the freedom to tell Him about my lack of confidence and to express my doubt that He could work through me. God’s reassurance and provision for Moses encourages me that we don’t need to be intimidated when approaching Him. We can be reverent but honest. When we read something in Scripture that seems too difficult or daunting to obey, we can be truthful, admit our hesitation, and ask Him to help us wrestle through it.

Is it time to take off your polite veneer in prayer and to be honest before God about your struggles, weaknesses, and inadequacies? If God reassured Moses and provided for him, there’s a good chance He’ll do the same for you.

Need a more modern example of an honest conversation with God? Then enjoy Jason Gray’s song “I’m Gonna Let It Go.”

Seek Him

Like many people, I don’t love change. So, the way I prepare for it is by figuring out what’s next for me. If I can’t prevent a transition, at least I can try getting comfortable with the fact that it’s going to happen. 

So, last summer, as I began my final season of a three-year term as Coordinator for a women’s Bible study at church, I started emotionally preparing for my role to end. Bracing myself for the impending change, I started praying about what was next for me. But every time I asked for the Lord’s leading, the two messages He seemed to repeat were: 1) Seek Me instead of answers from Me. 2) Continue to focus on where you’re serving now and don’t worry about what comes next.

It seemed that every book I read or Bible study I did kept repeating that message. Here’s one quote that captures it well: “Listen, He is the prize. Not His direction, guidance, and clarity, not even His comfort, relief, and encouragement. Just Him. He is the One who encompasses all you are searching for. When God speaks, His chief aim is to reveal Himself. He desires to make Himself known and lead you into a more intimate relationship with Him. If you overlook this main objective in search of more self-focused ambitions (even honorable ones), you will not be able to clearly discern His leading. The distorting filter of pride and self-importance will skew what you’re hearing, mistaking the voice of your own ego for the voice of God. The clarity you desire comes from matching your chief aim in hearing Him with His chief aim in speaking to you.” (Priscilla Shirer*)

Keeping this in mind, I began searching the Bible for every instance of the word “seek.” Turns out it’s in there quite a few times. Throughout the Old Testament Israel’s kings were advised by wise counselors and prophets to seek the Lord. God’s chosen people were also repeatedly admonished to seek Him and to steer clear of foreign idols and false gods. Some listened, quite a few didn’t.

Many of us are familiar with the words of Jeremiah 29:11, which are often quoted when people transition from one season in life to another: “’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.’”  

These words of reassurance aren’t always set in context, however. They were written to the Israelites who had been taken captive and brought to Babylon. Jeremiah’s words here encourage them that God hasn’t forgotten them, but the verses that follow also include some important instructions for them: “’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. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.’” (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

God reassured His children they would be rescued from exile, but a previous verse also mentions it wouldn’t happen for seventy years! While they waited, He invited His people to call upon Him and He promised He would listen to them. Many of the captives would live their remaining days in Babylon, never seeing their homeland again. That didn’t mean God had abandoned them. In fact, He invited them to draw near to Him and assured them of His presence. However, He also made it clear that seeking Him required wholeheartedness.

The word “seek” used here is the Hebrew verb “baqash.”** It means to search out by any method, but especially through worship and prayer. The implication is “to strive after.” Seeking God involves ongoing effort and focus. Once we begin a relationship with Him, we’re meant to spend the rest of our lives striving to know Him more deeply. 

The word “heart” used in the passage is the Hebrew noun “lebab.”** It characterizes our soul, mind, inclinations, conscience, moral character, and appetites. So, to seek God with all our hearts reflects a pursuit of Him that is complete and connected to all areas of our lives. It means surrendering to His will and His ways without holding anything back. Learning to do this takes consistent practice for a lifetime. It seems there are always areas of our lives we either consciously or unconsciously withhold from God. As we pursue Him, He reveals them to us and gently invites us to surrender them to Him.

I think that’s what He’s doing in me. As I slow my pace and seek Him, I’m giving Him room to show me where I’m holding out on Him and where I need further refinement.  There are moments when I struggle with impatience–I just want to know His plan for me so that I can start implementing it. Instead, God seems to be reminding me to be still in His presence so that I can learn more about His character. He wants to shape my character so that He can use me effectively. If I run ahead of Him, I’m missing the point. It’s not about finding the next place to serve, but becoming more completely surrendered to Him.

In the last month, I’ve changed my early morning routine and have begun spending my quiet time on the front porch sitting in a rocking chair wrapped in a blanket. Before opening my Bible or journal, I remain still for a few minutes and take in the sights and sounds around me. I’m learning that my neighborhood has a predictable morning rhythm. While I usually see the same runner at the same time or notice certain neighbors following regular patterns, I’ve also realized that the natural world is always changing. The white blossoms that filled my apple tree in late April have been replaced by tiny green fruit. Birds are constantly active, whether it’s chirping and calling from the trees or taking flight and soaring overhead. Rays of sunshine spotlight new blooms on the lavender across the street that weren’t there a few weeks ago. Sitting quietly taking it all in, I see that life teems around me– I’ve just never stopped to notice it before. It reminds me that even while I’m still, God is always at work. 

Tiny apples have replaced the spring blossoms. Watching them transform reminds me that God is always tending to what He’s created.

By seeking Him in the quiet of early morning, He’s revealing Himself to me. He’s reminding me that even while I wait, He’s at work, not just in the natural, but in the supernatural. The daily changes I see from my porch show me that He moves methodically and incrementally. Sometimes the differences start so subtly that I don’t notice them for a while. I’m reminded that He’s dependable and trustworthy, but not predictable. I recognize that God is always tending to what He’s created. Rather than waiting impatiently for Him to reveal what He’s doing, I’ll continue seeking Him so that I can know Him better and follow Him faithfully.

Natalie Grant’s song “More Than Anything” provides a powerful reminder to seek God rather than just expecting answers from Him. Will you join me in making it your prayer today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unG_klty9IY

*Discerning the Voice of God, p. 105

**The descriptions for the Hebrew words are compiled from Strong’s Concordance. “Baquash” is Strong’s #H1245 “Lebab” is Strong’s #H3824.

Don’t Float Adrift

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God’s Names Reveal His Character

Brilliant gold, orange, and pink clouds accentuated by the black silhouette of trees in the dawn's early light brought me reassurance that God holds all things together.
Some nights I toss and turn, my mind churning on the many things that are heavy on my heart. In those quiet moments, I lay my concerns before God, hoping to offload them onto Him so I can get a few more hours of precious sleep. It seems there have been a lot of burdens to entrust to Him lately. Some days I write feverishly in my prayer journal about the many people and situations where I long to see God bring help, change, and healing. I pore over passages of Scripture searching for words of hope and encouragement to guide me. 
 
But sometimes, God doesn’t reveal Himself to me through the pages of Scripture. Instead, He gives me an experience to show me His majesty. Recently I had a sleepless, angst-filled night. When I finally shuffled out of my bedroom bleary-eyed and groggy, I noticed an unusual glow coming through the front window. Glancing outside, I saw our car in the driveway reflecting hues of gold, pink, and orange in the early morning light. I stepped outside for a better look and caught my breath as I admired God’s handiwork splashed across the sky. Within a few minutes, the brilliant colors faded back into the muted greys of the winter morning. Interestingly, this same thing happened again later in the week after another sleepless night. Again, the vibrant colors only appeared for a few minutes before fading away, but both times I was there to see them and to be encouraged by God’s presence. I immediately thought of a verse that has reassured me frequently in the past year: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17, NIV)

Remembering His character and drawing near to Him put my worries into perspective and brought me peace. The color-drenched sunrise was a visual reminder of the Lord’s infinite power. I knew that the same God who created breathtaking artwork in the sky would be sovereign in my life and would tenderly care for me and the many concerns that swirled in my mind. There was no doubt that He would hold all things together.
 
So frequently we come before God with a list of fears, needs, and concerns. And while He does invite us to give our burdens to Him and to cast our anxieties before Him, He also longs for us to come near to Him just because we love Him. Priscilla Shirer advises, “Don’t bypass the relationship because you’d rather have answers to your questions. God wants to speak to you because he wants you to know Him. Knowing His direction is just a byproduct. He wants to reveal truth about Himself to you because this knowledge will lay the firm path toward fulfilling His purpose for your life.” (p. 107)
 
Throughout the Old Testament, God appeared to different people and reassured them with exactly what they needed. And when He did this, the people he encountered would label Him with specific names. Each one revealed a different aspect of His character. I’ve included several of them below. 
 
-Elhohim means Creator and is first found in the creation story in Genesis 1:1
-El Shaddai means The All-Sufficient One and is first found in the story of Abraham in Genesis 17:1-8
-El Elyon means The Most High (Sovereign) and is found in the story of Abraham and Melchizidek in Genesis 14:18-20
-Adonai means Lord or Master and is found in in the story of Abraham in Genesis 15:2
-El Olam means The Everlasting God and is found in the story of the Treaty at Beersheba in Genesis 21:33
-El Roi means The God Who Sees and is found in the story of Hagar in Genesis 16
-Yahweh means LORD or The Self Existent One (also translated later as Jehovah) and is found in the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3:13-15
-Jehovah Tsidkenu means The Lord is Our Righteousness and is found in prophetic remarks about Judah and Israel found in Jeremiah 23:6
-Jehovah Jireh means The Lord Will Provide and is found in the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:14
-Jehovah Raah means The Lord my Shepherd and is found in the words of David in Psalm 23:1
-Jehovah Shalom means The Lord Send Peace and is found in the story of Gideon in Judges 6:24
-Johovah Rapha means The Lord Who Heals and is found in Moses’ instructions to the Israelites from the Lord in Exodus 15:26
-Jehoval Shammah means The Lord is There and is found in the vision of the temple and city rebuilt in Ezekiel 48:35
-Jehovah Nissi means The Lord is My Banner and is found in the story of the Israelites defeating the Amalekites in Exodus 17:15 while Moses held his arms high with the help of Aaron and Hur
-Johovah Sabaoth means The Lord of Hosts and is found in the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:3-11 and the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:42-47
-Johovah Mekoddishkem means The Lord Who Sanctifies and is found in the discussion of observing the Sabbath in Exodus 31:12-18
-Qanna means Jealous God and is used to describe God’s desire to have the unrivaled affection of His people in Zechariah 1:14
 
Which aspect of God’s character do you need to focus on right now? Maybe it feels like you’re lacking in some way and you need to know He’s the All Sufficient One. Or perhaps you’ve been overlooked or forgotten and need reassurance that He is the God Who Sees. Maybe you’re struggling to trust God through financial challenges and need a reminder that The Lord Will Provide. It could be that you or someone you love needs physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual healing and you need to lean into The Lord Who Heals. Whichever name and character quality resonates with you right now, draw near to God and let Him comfort and encourage you.
 
On those mornings when I witnessed amazing sunrises, a song came to mind that seemed perfectly suited for those moments. Click on the link below to enjoy, “Nobody Loves Me Like You” by Chris Tomlin.

Names of God lists compiled from LORD, Teach Me to Pray and LORD, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur.
Discerning the Voice of God by Prisilla Shirer, Lifeway Press, 2017.

An Honest Look at Priorities

It was one of the strangest, but most memorable gifts I’ve ever received—a clear jar filled with whole walnuts surrounded by grains of rice. The note attached to it explained that if I opened and removed the contents, I would learn a valuable lesson. If I put the rice back first, the walnuts wouldn’t fit on top. However, if I started with the walnuts, the miniscule grains of rice would nestle in the small spaces that remained between the nuts.

It was a visual reminder to help me prioritize wisely in the daily activities I chose. And one of the most important priorities I’ve discovered over the years is spending time with God daily. Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer explains, “Most of us feel we don’t have enough time to meditate on God’s Word, but—let’s be honest. We have time for anything we make time for. It all comes down to priorities.” (p. 91). In Discerning the Voice of God, she lists various activities we may prioritize over reading the Bible; things like watching TV, reading magazines, surfing the internet or talking on the phone. (If you’re doing the study, you’ll see what I’m talking about on page 90). 

Most of the distractions on her list are activities of leisure that steal our time. But many of the people I rub shoulders with regularly have lists that look a bit different.  It’s the necessary parts of life that often create a sense of urgency and cause us to get our priorities out of balance. I’m talking about things like running errands, cleaning, exercising, cooking, driving kids, helping with homework, grocery shopping, working, volunteering, e-mailing, caring for grandchildren, or going to medical appointments. I think it’s the mundane daily tasks like these that tend to pull us away from time with God more often than activities of leisure. After all, they must be done to keep life clicking along at a steady hum.

And that’s where the rice and walnuts provide some needed perspective. I think many of us view Bible reading and prayer as luxuries rather than necessities. We see them as the grains of rice to fit around the big, important “walnuts” in our lives. Prayer is a last resort when we’ve tried everything else. Similarly, reading the Bible is a thing we “should” do, if only we had the time. The “walnuts” on our to do lists demand our time and attention because they must be accomplished.

We get caught in a vicious cycle when our priorities are skewed. The things we think are the important “walnuts” prevent us from focusing on what really matters. Here’s how Jesus explained it: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life. And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34, NIV)

Essentially Jesus says that the cares of this world are the rice and seeking Him is the walnut. There are several key phrases we can’t miss in the passage. First, Jesus says, “your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” This means we don’t need to fixate on running after the necessities of life because God is our provider.  He orchestrates events to make sure we have what we need, so we don’t have to spend time fretting over these things. Instead, He invites us to seek Him first, knowing that “all these things will be given to you as well.” In other words, if the jar represents our day and we put the “walnuts” in first by spending time with God, there will also be room for the “rice” of tending to our responsibilities.

If the idea of spending time with the Lord before you tackle your day sounds impossible, can I invite you to try it as an experiment for a week and see what happens? Be intentional about planning it out the night before so you can try to develop a new pattern for your mornings. Personally, I’ve discovered that when I start my day with the Lord, everything else just falls into place. The things I need to accomplish get done or I realize they can be finished later. Sometimes what seemed urgent really wasn’t that important. And many times, something that felt like a daunting and time consuming task ends up taking much less time than I anticipated. The best part is that my heart and mind are aligned with the Holy Spirit. I have more grace and patience to offer others, a more positive outlook on my day, and a healthier reaction when I encounter frustrations. Why not give it a try and see what happens?

The best way to start is by praying and asking God to help you prioritize your time. Ask Him to increase your ability and desire to spend time with Him reading the Bible and praying daily. “As you seek to hear the Holy Spirit speak through Scripture, you are tuning your spiritual ears to catch that moment when a passage, verse or phrase—or even just a single word—grasps your attention in an almost shocking way, drawing your thoughts directly toward it and how it applies to a specific situation in your life.” (p. 87) When we draw near to God consistently, this opens opportunities for us to discern His voice. 

Listen to Lauren Daigle’s song “First” and make it your prayer today.

Prisciilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Listening for God’s Voice

Regardless of our age or station in life, all of us make choices about what we listen to and what we ignore. For those who love God and follow Jesus, it’s important to consider what input we choose to receive daily. How do we make ourselves available to hear from God? How do we learn to discern when He is speaking to us? Why do some people seem to hear from Him often and others not at all?

Pulling into a parking space, I stopped the car and turned to look at my two little boys in the back seat. They’d been listening to a story on a CD and I was surprised to find one of them hunched down with his ear next to the speaker in the car door.  Over the following weeks, my concern grew as I noticed many times when my son didn’t respond to me when I was talking to him. Finally, I made an appointment to have his hearing tested.

At the end of the visit, the doctor came in to report his findings. I braced myself for the news until I saw him smirk. “Your son doesn’t have a hearing problem, he has a listening problem.” My fear was quickly replaced by frustration. It turns out his hearing was perfect, he just listened selectively. Apparently, the stories playing in the car were worthy of his full attention, so he leaned close to the speaker to filter out all other noises. Conversely, there were times that I talked to him that didn’t seem as interesting or important, so he just didn’t listen. A mix of relief and exasperation filled my mind as we left the doctor’s office.

As I think about that story years later, I realize that all people have a “listening problem,” whether their hearing is perfect or not. Regardless of our age or station in life, all of us make choices about what we listen to and what we ignore. For those who love God and follow Jesus, it’s important to consider what input we choose to receive daily. How do we make ourselves available to hear from God? How do we learn to discern when He is speaking to us? Why do some people seem to hear from Him often and others not at all?

First and foremost, the Bible is our primary source for understanding how the Lord speaks. It is the guidebook for learning how to tune our hearts to hear His voice. God’s Word speaks to us directly and is also meant to be the filter through which we examine everything else in our lives. Scanning my Bible’s concordance for passages on hearing, listening, and obeying, I found ample information in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are a few of the many things I learned from Jesus’ teaching on these topics:

Jesus’ Followers Know Him and Recognize His Voice:“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16)

Jesus’ Followers Obey His Teaching: “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.’” (John 14:23-24)

Jesus’ Followers Rely on the Holy Spirit for Guidance: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

Jesus’ Followers Experience Peace by Listening to Him:“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

In the next few weeks, I look forward to unpacking Priscilla Shirer’s updated version of Discerning the Voice of God to learn more about these concepts. I loved the original rendition of this study when I did it in 2009. Little did I know what trials and challenges I’d face shortly after completing it. Knowing how to discern God’s voice and to follow His leading have reassured me more times than I can count over the years since then. I hope you’ll join me as I continue to explore and deepen my understanding on this weighty topic.

For some musical inspiration, listen to Crowder’s song “Red Letters” and be struck by the power God’s words have to change our lives when we lean in and truly listen. (For those who are unfamiliar with the term “red letters,” some Bibles use red print to signify direct quotes from Jesus in the New Testament.)

Priscilla Shirer, Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks, Lifeway Press, 2018.

God is With Us in Our Fears

Simple sayings like “Joy to the World” and “Peace on Earth” pop up everywhere during the holiday season. There is another phrase recorded multiple times in the Christmas story, but we rarely see it printed on cards or included in song lyrics: “Do not be afraid.” We often overlook the fear that is woven throughout the Christmas story, but on at least three separate occasions, angels addressed it with different characters—Joseph, Mary and the Shepherds. All of them received the same reassurance:

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”  (Matthew 1:20)

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’” (Luke 1:30-31)

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:8-12)

Many of us don’t like talking about our fears, let alone admitting we have them at all. Yet, there is great freedom when we acknowledge them to God and remember that He is with us, just as He was with Joseph, Mary and the shepherds.  He’s always ready to trade our fears for His unparalleled hope, courage and peace. The command “do not be afraid,” is intended for us today as much as it was meant for those familiar characters in the nativity story.

Looking back, I see how God has revealed Himself to me during many fearful moments in my life. I’ve found comfort, courage and hope when I’ve given my fear to Him and have remembered that He is “Immanuel… God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) My most vivid memory of this happened during an especially difficult season in my life a little over a decade ago.

My Dad’s health had been deteriorating rapidly as he neared the final stages of a neurological disease that had slowly frozen the muscles in his body.  A fall at home had landed him in the hospital and shortly after, he’d been transferred to a skilled nursing facility. Although he was slated to “rehabilitate” from a bruised hip bone, we all knew he was in his final days.

Because my dad’s disease was so advanced, he needed one-on-one care beyond what the facility could provide. While we figured out what to do, family members had to take shifts watching over him. One of my brothers had stayed with him the first night while we scrambled to make longer term plans. Standing at the foot of my dad’s bed the second night, my stomach lurched when I realized it made the most sense for me to take the next shift. Fear gripped me even as the words tumbled out of my mouth, “I’ll stay with Dad tonight.”

After saying goodbye to my family and sharing a quick prayer in the parking lot with my husband, I steeled myself for the night ahead. I had to confront my fear head on, there was no way around it. Although the facility’s staff was just down the hall, I fretted that I wouldn’t know what to do if something went wrong with my dad in such a fragile state. Instead of letting fear paralyze me, I opened my Bible and began reading different sections aloud. Favorite passages took on deeper meaning under the circumstances. I’ll never forget reading this prayer to him:

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:6-8)

After reading several more passages and praying with my dad, I turned out the lights and tried to settle into the chair next to his bed. Listening to the rattle of his irregular breathing kept me from drifting off, so I continued to pray silently. As the evening unfolded, I had a first-hand experience with the words of the psalm, clinging to God and letting His Word encourage me. I trusted that His right hand was upholding us and drew courage from that. I took comfort knowing my dad and I were sheltered in the shadow of His wings. The Lord’s presence in the room was palpable.

What could have been a horrific night for me turned out to be one of the most sacred I’ve experienced. Knowing God was present, I leaned into Him and entrusted Him with my fear, which allowed me to experience His nearness in a way I never had before.

I wonder if it was similar for the Shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth. What could have been a terrifying experience became a holy moment because they trusted God’s words delivered by the angels, “Do not be afraid.” Instead of backing away and avoiding their fear, they listened and acted on what they’d been told:

 “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:15-18)

Think of what they would have missed if they’d shrunk back in fear when the angels proclaimed the Messiah’s birth. I know what I would’ve missed if I’d refused to stay with my dad or hadn’t invited God into the room that night.

Any time we face our fears and trust the Lord to walk with us through them, we open ourselves to seeing Him work in mighty ways. Will you let your fears paralyze you, or will you face them knowing He is with you? Let the chorus of Josh Baldwin’s song “Stand in Your Love” give you courage today.

All Scriptures quoted from the New International Version.

God is With Us in Our Anxiety

Ever noticed those tickers that scroll across the bottom of a TV screen on certain news channels? They provide a constant stream of information so that if we’re not worrying about the main news story, we can find another thing that will unsettle us instead. Unfortunately, I think my brain works in a similar way. Like a news channel, my mind seems to have several screens in view simultaneously, with thoughts in the forefront and a whole lot more that constantly scroll through the background. And the screens multiply as the holidays approach.

I don’t like to admit it, but fighting against feelings of anxiety is a regular struggle for me. And I know I’m not alone. Anxiety is rampant in our culture for people of all ages and stations in life. Even those who faithfully walk with the Lord often forget that Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with Us.” (Matthew 1:23)  Jesus assured His disciples, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

When I stop to remember this promise, it soothes my frayed nerves and reminds me to lay my worries at the feet of Jesus. Just knowing He is with me eases my racing mind and helps me to realign my focus on Him. If you struggle with anxiety like I do, then you might find reassurance from some of the passages below. Use them to realign your thoughts and to help you trade your anxiety for the true peace found only in Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7
“ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

A synonym for the word “cast” here is “transfer.” So, casting our anxiety before Jesus means we transfer the tangle of our worries from our minds to His hands. Regardless of how the circumstances unfold, we can trust Him because He cares for us.

Philippians 4:6-8
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Instead of expending mental energy worrying, we can direct it toward praying about the things that make us anxious. As we thank God for His faithfulness and trustworthiness, He fills us with an inexplicable peace that isn’t tied to our circumstances. That peace allows us to replace anxious thoughts with God’s truth. If you struggle with giving your anxious thoughts to the Lord, try writing them down on a piece of paper or in a prayer journal to stop spinning on them needlessly.

Romans 12:1-2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The world goads us toward worry and anxiety all day long. The best way to fight against this is to pray and ask God to renew your mind. Invite Him to cleanse your mind of worries, fears and fretting and to renew it with thankfulness, hope and peace. Make this a daily practice when those anxious feelings begin to tighten their grip on you.

2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Many things in this world distract us from the knowledge of God and the truth of His Word. The antidote is to pray and read God’s Word. Whenever I’m feeling anxious, critical or insecure, I stop and ask God to take my thoughts captive and to make them obedient to Him. If I can, I pray aloud using this verse and the previous one together, simply saying, “God, take my thoughts captive and renew my mind.” It’s amazing how quickly claiming the truth of Scripture in prayer shifts my focus away from anxious thoughts and towards the reassurance that God is with me.

Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

To be steadfast is to be resolute, firm or unwavering. When we keep our minds steadfastly focused on God and His trustworthiness, we can find peace in any and every circumstance.

For many of us, the holiday season includes a liberal dose of anxiety. But if we reflect on the Christmas story, we can find examples of people who trusted the Lord instead of fretting.  Take Jesus’ mother, Mary, for example. She praised God for choosing her to be the mother of the long-promised Messiah. Her status as an unwed, pregnant teen opened her to ridicule, judgement and shame. Yet because of her trust in God, she could say with confidence, “I am the Lord’s servant…May your word to me be fulfilled…My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:38, 46b, 47) If anyone had cause to be anxious, it was Mary. Yet she trusted God, rejoiced at His goodness and welcomed the new direction her life would be taking. She knew God would be with her no matter what stressful circumstances she would encounter.

Thinking about Mary’s situation and her reaction to it humbles me. She not only accepted God’s plan, she welcomed it, celebrating her pregnancy instead of being anxious over it. Her example inspires me to trust God and give Him control of that ticker scrolling through my brain.  Let the significance of her trust in God sink in as you listen to “Be Born in Me” by Francesca Battistelli.

All Scriptures quoted from the New International Version.

Keep Walking

The Old Testament book of Genesis mentions a man named Enoch whose greatest claims to fame were that he “walked with God” and that he didn’t experience death (Genesis 5:21 & Hebrews 11:5). While Scripture doesn’t clarify how the rest of us can circumvent physical death and be taken straight to heaven, it does have quite a bit to say about walking with God. The physical act of walking doesn’t involve tremendous skill or fitness, but it does require forward motion. Turns out this is also true of our spiritual walk with the Lord. The pages of Scripture include many words of wisdom–here are a few things I’ve learned about walking with God:

    • Talking about God’s Word is meant to be a regular part of daily life. The Bible isn’t intended to be a reference book on the shelf, but a daily guide for our actions, choices, and relationships with others. It’s meant to be shared and discussed, not kept to ourselves: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”(Deuteronomy 6:5-7, NIV, italics added)
    • God wants to walk with us through our hardships and challenges. His constant presence guides us through our fears and difficulties. He comforts and protects us in painful seasons: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:2-4, NIV, italics added)
    • Constant acknowledgement of God and awareness of His presence leads to blessing. Staying closely connect to Him keeps us grounded in truth and walking in the right direction: “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.” (Psalm 89:15, NIV, italics added)
    • Walking with God enables us to draw strength from Him continually: “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 40:30-31, NIV, italics added)
    • Walking with God consistently helps us keep our priorities in the right order. It enables us to align with God’s agenda instead of expecting Him to align with ours, reminding us that He is sovereign and we are His humble servants. His constant companionship helps us determine where to invest our time and attention: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8, NIV, italics added)
    • Walking with God keeps us out of the darkness of evil, confusion, ignorance and sin. Life is truly fulfilling when we walk in the light of God’s love and grace: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12, NIV, italics added)
    • Walking with Jesus purifies us from sin and connects us to fellow travelers on the road of faith: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7, NIV, italics added)
    • Walking with Jesus enables us to be obedient to Him and frees us to love others as He’s called us to do: “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 6, NIV, italics added)

The idea of “walking by faith” means that we are striving to see the world through the lens of our belief in God and what we learn by studying the Bible. Instead of taking things at face value, we look for the spiritual implications and opportunities for growth that exist within them. We continually ask God to show us what He wants us to learn through the situations we face.  We expect to see Him at work in our lives and are open to letting Him change us into better versions of ourselves: “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.”  (2 Corinthians 5:6-7, ESV, italics added)

Ultimately, we don’t just want to be people who talk about faith philosophically once or twice a week at church and Bible study.  We want to display faith through our actions, decisions, and lifestyle.  This happens as we grow in our understanding of God and learn to trust Him more

If any of these things are new concepts for you, don’t fret!  Learning and growing is an ongoing process, not a one-time transaction. Whether you’re taking the first step in your faith walk or continuing the next leg of a long journey, you’re headed in the right direction if Jesus is your constant companion.

“Walk by Faith” by Jeremy Camp provides a great reminder for us to walk consistently with God, no matter what.

God of Creation by Jen Wilkin (week 7), Lifeway Press 2017.

Artwork by Jen Murphy