Category: Transformation

You Will be With Me in Paradise

Jennifer Rothschild’s Heaven Bible study walks participants through many Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments that give us insights about Heaven. It feels irresponsible and redundant for me to summarize such complex theology and nuanced perspectives in brief blog posts. However, as I’ve worked through her study, personal experiences related to the end of life and Heaven have come to mind. So, instead of unpacking the workbook sessions, I’ll share a few stories that I hope will bring hope and encouragement to you. First up is a reflection on a journey I took with an unlikely companion as her life was coming to a close.

A few times a year I used to walk across the street to my elderly neighbor’s faded blue house. With my young sons in tow, we’d bring flowers from our yard or treats from our kitchen to brighten her day. She didn’t drive and rarely left the house. The first few times we knocked on her door, she was suspicious and stone-faced. She stood at the threshold to shield us from the mess inside as we tried making small talk over the droning of her TV. But behind a tangle of gray hair and a haze of cigarette smoke we were surprised to discover a wry sense of humor and a trove of fascinating stories. With each visit, the door opened wider until one day, she invited us inside.

Over the years Maxine shared fragments of her life story.  Many of the memories were sad, but she recollected them with surprising detachment. In time I pieced together a history that helped me understand her hardened exterior. A bitter divorce from a cheating husband left Maxine feeling rejected and alone. When her younger sister with four small kids was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Maxine moved in to care for her. After the loss of her sister, she stayed to help with the kids and eventually found temporary comfort in the arms of her grieving brother in law. A short-lived romance ended with guilt, shame, and estrangement from the nieces and nephews she’d nurtured through the death of their mom.

Our paths crossed later when she retired and moved into the house across the street to care for her aging mother. Bitterness had already grown deep roots in her heart by then and she remained at a cool distance when we’d stop by to visit. When her mom died a few years later, we didn’t hear about it until several months had passed. Knocking on the door to offer belated condolences, a card and flowers, her gruff demeanor revealed protective layers she’d put on after one too many losses. Still, that act of compassion opened the door for a slowly growing friendship in the years that followed.

One afternoon almost a decade later, I heard from a different neighbor that the “old lady in the blue house” had been taken away in an ambulance. While in the hospital, her doctors determined living alone was no longer a viable option, so Maxine made plans to sell her house and move into a board and care home. Her health continued on a steady decline there over the following weeks. One day I arrived to find her in bed staring vacantly toward the television. Josie, the House Director, was on the phone making arrangements for hospice care. I’d had several conversations with Josie during my visits and we’d bonded realizing we shared a common faith and a desire to see Maxine experience God’s love.

Despite my hopes, discussing spiritual things had never been comfortable between Maxine and me. She knew about my faith and had sometimes poked fun at me for visiting her to earn “Brownie Points” in Heaven. I longed for her to accept God’s love before she died but felt awkward and unsure what to say.  Sitting on the edge of her bed, I breathed a silent prayer for courage. “Maxine, do you know why I’ve been helping you so much?”  She raised her eyebrows, tried to speak and sighed in defeat.  My heart pounded as I continued, “I want you to know that God loves you. I believe He put me in your life to help you, just like you cared for your sister and your mom in their last days.”  She frowned, but I kept talking, “You and I have different opinions about God, but I’m going to keep telling you He loves you until you believe it.”  Unable to retort with her usual sarcasm, she remained quiet until her eyelids grew heavy. Hoping to continue the conversation, I left planning to return the next day.

The phone rang while I was making school lunches for my boys the following morning. “Hi, Marybeth? It’s Josie.” Dreading what she’d say next, I squeezed my eyes shut. “I   wanted to let you know that Maxine passed away last night.”

Disappointment and sadness overwhelmed me.  My throat tightened and tears formed in the corners of my eyes before spilling down my cheeks. How could she be gone already?

Josie continued, “I called to tell you about the last conversation I had with Maxine.”  I wiped my nose and took a deep breath as she continued.  “Every day I told her God loved her, but she never seemed to believe me. Last night I took a chance and asked if she wanted to accept the Lord’s love and be with Him forever. I think she must have known the end was near because instead of rolling her eyes she answered ‘yes.’ Maxine prayed with me to receive God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus. She passed away a few hours later.”

The lump in my throat kept me from responding.  As the tears flowed down my cheeks, I stammered, “You don’t know how relieved I am to hear that. Thank you so much for telling me.”  Hanging up, I dried my cheeks with my sleeve and thanked God for the time He’d given me to show my neighbor she was loved.

Looking back, I see Maxine’s life contained a steady stream of hurt and disappointment that had become the mortar for a thick wall of pride.  A powerful combination of rejection and loss had made her feel unlovable and alone. It had been safer for her to withdraw from the world than to risk being abandoned again. Believing she’d made too many mistakes, she assumed even God wouldn’t want her. Ultimately, her crumbling health dismantled the wall of pride, allowing her to accept a love she could enjoy forever.

Weeks later, two of Maxine’s old friends knocked on my door looking for information about her. There hadn’t been a funeral and they wanted to celebrate her life, so they invited another neighbor and me to have lunch and share stories about her. Many of the snippets I’d heard about her life made more sense with context from her friends. They knew her as a wild, worldly woman with a sharp tongue, a flair for fashion, and bad luck in love. Because she’d cut off contact after moving in with her mom, they never saw the broken old woman she became. Nor did they know she died as the cherished daughter of the King, redeemed by the love of One who would never leave her.

Maxine’s story reminds me of the thief on the cross who believed Jesus was the Savior and heard Him say, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43, NIV) Maybe you’re lamenting the hard heart of a friend or family member. Let Maxine’s story remind you never to lose hope. God can pierce even the thickest wall of pride with His love, mercy and grace—even in the final moments of life. Or maybe you’re someone who doesn’t believe God could love or forgive you. Consider these hope-filled words from the Bible and let them lead you to believe and be saved:

 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son…If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness… If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (John 3:16-18, 1 John 1:8-9, Romans 10:9, NIV)

Post inspired by Jennifer Rothschild’s Heaven.  Order your copy using this link.

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Reflecting on 2025 Before Launching 2026

Walking in my neighborhood, I spied several families already taking down lights and removing lawn decorations. At home, pine needles shedding from my Christmas tree announce the final days of the “most wonderful time of the year.” The holiday season is coming to a close, but regular life hasn’t kicked back into gear yet for some of us. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past twelve months in preparation for the year ahead. Will you consider joining me in pondering the three questions below before you get swept into the current of 2026?

  1. What shaped your character, faith, and worldview?

I try to be intentional about what I allow into my mind since the things we read, watch, listen to, and experience all affect our mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. Here are few inputs that have shaped me positively in 2025:

Bible in a Year:  I always made excuses for not committing to reading the Bible in a year, but in 2025 I gave it a try using a chronological reading plan on the YouVersion app. Instead of going through a devotional book, I started reading Scripture daily on my phone while eating breakfast.  I’d be lying if I didn’t confess a few sections were a bit of a slog, but overall, the experience enhanced my understanding of the Bible’s cohesiveness. Reading it chronologically also brought depth and context to the specific books I studied with groups during the year (Revelation and Matthew).  I benefitted from  my daily reading so much, I’m doing it again in 2026. Want to join me? Studies show that reading the Bible four times or more each week is a key indicator of life transformation.1 Let me know if you’re giving it a try.

Studying Revelation: I’ve always shied away from the last book of the Bible but when my women’s Bible study at church chose Jen Wilkin’s Revelation workbook, I dove in headfirst. Writing blogs about this apocalyptic book for ten weeks felt like being back in college. Despite the challenge, I realized that I’ve been missing out on understanding the whole story of Scripture by avoiding Revelation. With a reliable teacher guiding me and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, even the most intimidating book of the Bible became not only accessible, but inspiring.

Books: A few years ago, a friend gave me Name Above All Names by Alastair Begg and Sinclair Ferguson. Finally making time to read it this year, I see it as a new classic. Examining seven key qualities of Jesus’ identity and ministry helped me to have a clearer picture of who He is and all He has done for us. I also re-read an old classic: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. So many familiar examples we use to explain our faith find their roots in Lewis’ writing. Classic books and older authors sometimes don’t grab our attention the way popular or current ones do, but many newer books just re-package great writers’  ideas. Will you consider reading or listening to at least one classic book this year that will expand your knowledge about the Lord or some aspect of your faith journey?

Practical Podcasts: Among the many I listened to, one that consistently expanded my knowledge and spurred on my faith was Susie Larson Live. Susie’s knowledge of Scripture and desire to bring health and wholeness to her listeners’ minds, bodies, and spirits provide meaningful content and clear action steps.

Now, that you’ve read my answers, consider what shaped your character and worldview this year for better or for worse. What will you add or eliminate for 2026 so that the world shapes you less and the Holy Spirit shapes you more?

2) Where did you see God at work? How did you grow personally and/or spiritually?

In-Person Discipleship: Studying the Bible with small groups of high school girls regularly and mentoring a few college girls one on one showed me the power of consistent connection. Asking the Spirit to use the gifts, wisdom, and knowledge He’s given me has led to relationships that have blessed me beyond measure. I’ve seen that growth happens little by little studying God’s Word together. As relationships deepen, trust grows, and life transformation occurs for everyone involved.

If you’re a mature believer, will you pray and invite the Lord to use you to walk alongside someone younger in faith this year? And if you’re new to faith or just checking things out, will you ask the Lord to lead you to a spiritually mature person who can help you learn and grow?

Stillness and Silence: I am a person of action, but the Lord has reminded me that I need to slow myself to His pace instead of demanding that He move at mine (which is usually faster and involves less patience.) Through slowing down over the holiday season and practicing silence and stillness daily, I experienced some profound moments with the Lord. In one instance, He convicted me of sin, in another He reminded me to seek Him for comfort about a situation I was grieving. During another time of stillness He reminded me that even good things like family and friends can become idols that take His rightful place on the throne of my life. Had I been rushing through the holiday season and using busyness to avoid confronting pain, I would have missed hearing from the Lord.

Fasting: Studying the Gospel of Matthew recently, I was struck by a statement Jesus makes in the Sermon on the Mount: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do…put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting.” (5:16a, 17, 18a) Jesus assumes that His followers fast regularly, and although I’ve practiced it from time to time, this has never been a regular discipline for me. So, in the past few months, I’ve given it a try. Fasting has been a physical way to direct my energy (and angst) when I’m praying for something that feels beyond me. I’m still learning, but it’s been a surprisingly positive experience thus far.

Now, how did you grow personally and/or spiritually in the past year?

3) Where will you focus your energy in 2026?

I want to be used by God to bless others, make disciples, expand His kingdom, and bring Him glory. I want to trust God with the unknowns that lie ahead. I pray the Lord will expand my capacity to receive His Spirit and that He will use my time, resources, and gifts to pour into others and point them toward Him. This year I hope to grow in my understanding of God’s grace and to recognize I am never above needing it. I also hope to re-route some of my unhealthy thought patterns by asking the Lord to help me take my thoughts captive (2 Cor 10:5) and renew my mind (Romans 12:1-2).

Before launching into 2026, take some time to ponder where you’ve been. Reflecting on the past helps us to be more intentional about the future. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8, NIV) Happy New Year!

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  1. “Bible Engagement and ‘The Power of 4’: A Key to Spiritual Growth”, Center for Bible Engagement  

From Beginning to Forever

Each week as we’ve studied Elizabeth Woodson’s From Beginning to Forever the lesson has ended with an opportunity to summarize the portions of Scripture covered that week. So, by the end of the study, participants have written an overview of the entire Bible. Following the chapters of the study, here’s my humble attempt at re-telling the highlights of the grand narrative of Scripture:

The Creation and Corruption of the Kingdom: Genesis

In the beginning God creates the heavens, the earth and everything in them including the sun, moon, stars, plants, animals, and people. God creates humans in His image and tells them to multiply His kingdom and to rule and subdue the earth. The first two humans, Adam and Eve, succumb to temptation and choose to do the one forbidden thing—eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This breaks their fellowship with God and brings the pollution of sin into the pure and perfect world. God promises one day Eve’s offspring will crush the serpent who led them to sin, giving the first prophecy of the Messiah.

A Promise to Restore the Kingdom: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

God makes a covenant with Abraham promising him land, numerous descendants, and blessing that will impact all people on earth. The Lord confirms this covenant with Abraham’s son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob. God changes Jacob’s name to Israel (although both names continue to be used interchangeably after this.) Later, Jacob’s sons sell their brother, Joseph, to slave traders who take him to Egypt. After many trials, Joseph becomes second in command of Egypt and, through God’s direction, prepares the country for a severe famine. The rest of Jacob’s family later emigrates to Egypt to escape the famine. After several generations Jacob’s descendants (known as Hebrews or Israelites) became slaves in Egypt. About 400 years later, God uses Moses to deliver the Israelites from slavery, to lead them to the promised land, and to help them become a distinct nation with clear laws and boundaries.

A Divided Kingdom: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

After 40 years in the desert, Joshua leads the Israelites into the promised land to take possession of it and fulfill God’s promise. A series of judges rule Israel until the people demand a king. Saul becomes the first king, but his disobedience displeases God and he loses His favor. David becomes the next king. Although he’s imperfect, he seeks to follow God’s heart and the Lord promises his offspring will rule eternally, foreshadowing the Messiah. Solomon succeeds David as king and is wise and wealthy, but unfaithful to God by marrying Gentiles and worshipping their gods. The kingdom divides when Solomon’s foolish son, Rehoboam, becomes king (the northern kingdom is called Israel, the southern kingdom is called Judah). Disobedience causes both kingdoms to be taken captive about 130 years apart–the northern kingdom is exiled to Assyria and the southern kingdom is exiled to Babylon. After exile, King Cyrus of Persia allows the Jews of the southern kingdom to return and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem under Ezra’s leadership and King Artaxerxes of the citadel of Susa allows the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah’s leadership. The Israelites continue to struggle with disobedience and worship of false gods through subsequent generations.

Life in the Kingdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Wisdom literature in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs provides guidance, encouragement, and warning for people living in the time period covered in the previous section. These writings give a framework for a life of flourishing that includes: 1) acquiring wisdom and following the law 2) fearing the Lord 3) submitting to suffering. Prophets enforce God’s covenants and remind people of the blessings and curses God will bring as a result of their obedience or disobedience. The Israelites are supposed to exemplify God’s love and faithfulness but worship idols and participate in sin and social injustice instead. As a consequence, God exiles them to Assyria and Babylon (mentioned in the previous section). Prophets give the people hope that a Messiah will come to bring salvation and restore them. Despite their sinfulness, the Lord continues to be faithful.

The Arrival of the King: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

God remains silent for 400 years between the books of Malachi and Matthew. The New Testament opens with the birth of the promised Messiah, Jesus.  Throughout the course of His life He fulfills all the prophecies and covenants related to the Messiah in the Old Testament, overcomes temptation, and remains sinless. During His years of ministry He heals people, casts out demons, brings dead people back to life, and preaches about the kingdom of God. Jesus teaches that belief in Him will bring eternal life and reconciliation with God, His Father. Despite His innocence, Jewish leaders accuse Him of blasphemy and convince the Romans to charge Him with treason and crucify Him. Three days after dying on the cross, Jesus resurrects from death and appears to many of His followers to give them final instructions and prepare them  for the arrival of His Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom Community: Acts thru Jude

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gives His followers the mission to go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching the to obey everything He commands. His followers receive the Holy Spirit and become witnesses for Him in Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond. In the book of Acts God shows Peter that the gospel is for everyone–Jews and Gentiles can both be included in the family of God through Christ. Paul preaches the gospel far and wide to both Jews and Gentiles, teaching them that they are saved through faith in Jesus by God’s grace. The epistles explain God’s call for  believers to be ambassadors of Christ and to walk worthy of their calling in Him. Additionally, the epistles warn against false teaching and encourage believers in the midst of the trials and persecution they face while living as aliens and strangers in the world.

 The Kingdom is Restored: Revelation

Exiled on the Island of Patmos, the elderly Apostle John receives a series of visions revealing events that will unfold before and during Jesus’ return to earth. In his vision, John witnesses the throne room of heaven, God’s wrath poured out on rebellious and sinful people, the final judgement, the defeat of Satan, and the physical return of Christ. John sees the old heaven and earth pass away and the merging of a new heaven and earth. In the New Jerusalem God dwells with His people and Jesus rules and reigns with them for eternity. The shalom of the garden is finally restored and God’s plans and purposes prevail.

Understanding the Kingdom- A Worthy Endeavor

I’ve been learning about the Bible all of my life, have read it from start to finish several times, and have been studying it consistently for the past 25 years. Despite all of this time in God’s Word, I’ve never been able to summarize it like this before (shout out to Elizabeth Woodson for crafting a study that made it possible for me to give this overview). The more I learn, the more I realize how beautiful and multi-faceted Scripture is.  Reading it, believing it, and applying it is truly a worthy endeavor. God’s Word is living and active; it shows us everything needed to live a life of purpose and flourishing now and forevermore.

Elizabeth Woodson, From Beginning to Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture, Lifeway Press, 2022.

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Believe You Belong

When was the last time you read a children’s book? What I love best about a well-written story for kids is the way it taps into relatable truth for all ages. With silly rhymes and whimsical illustrations, one of the all-time greats at doing this is Theodor Geisel, more widely known as Dr. Seuss. Using fantastical creatures in imaginary settings, this beloved author plays on our heartstrings and gently pricks our consciences as he highlights different aspects of human nature.

You’re probably familiar with his most popular books like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat, but one of my favorites is a lesser known one called The Sneetches and Other Stories. The title story describes creatures called Sneetches who spend their time roaming on beaches. There are two kinds of Sneetches: Star-Belly and Plain-Belly. Star-Belly Sneetches think they are superior to Plain-Belly Sneetches and the story opens by describing the division between them:

“When the Star-Belly Sneetches had frankfurter roasts 
Or picnics or parties or marshmallow roasts, 
They never invited the Plain-Belly Sneetches, 
They left them out cold, in the dark on of the beaches.”

Maybe you can identify with the Plain-Belly Sneetches. You know how it feels to be an outsider or an outcast. Overlooked. Inconsequential. Perhaps, like me, you’re having flashbacks to seventh grade or freshman year in high school. Or maybe there are still times you struggle feeling like you don’t fit in (which I can also relate to, by the way).

That’s one of the many reasons I’m excited to dive into the book of Ephesians this fall. In six power-packed chapters the Apostle Paul urges us to understand how putting our faith in Jesus opens the door for us to be adopted into the household of God. Being grafted into a holy and eternal family regardless of our background means our identity and value aren’t based on our pedigree, but on the unmerited favor of God expressed through Christ: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8, NIV) When we grasp the deep significance of God’s grace, we can live like we’re loved, regardless of our place in the world.

The first three chapters of Ephesians describe who we were apart from Jesus and who we’ve become through Him. Chapter 1 explains how God chose us and marked us with the Holy Spirit. Chapter 2 reminds us who we were in the absence of Christ: “excluded, foreigners, without hope, without God, far away, separated from God, alienated, strangers, outsiders.” Contrasting this grim reality Paul then describes the identity of those who have accepted Christ: “fellow citizens, members of God’s family, reconciled to God, having access to the Father, a holy dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (These lists include words from several translations.) Only Jesus’ death and resurrection make this dramatic change possible. Ephesians 3 takes us further by describing the abundant spiritual inheritance we have as members of God’s family, the blessings we receive through Christ, and the vastness of God’s love for us.

While Paul’s opening chapters solidify our new identity in Christ, the second half of Ephesians shifts to show us how to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” we’ve received. (Ephesians 4:1b, ESV) With practical and specific wisdom, he explains the importance of recognizing our spiritual gifts and using them to continue maturing in our faith. He illustrates the significance of believers joining together so they can reveal Christ to the world. Paul gives instructions for how to “live as children of light,” (Ephesians 5:8b, NIV), how to relate to others, and how to carry out our responsibilities as believers.

Paul’s letter ends by reminding us of the spiritual armor available to all believers. He charges us to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10, NIV) He urges us to recognize our true adversary is not other people, but the devil and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12d, NIV)

Discovering who we are in Christ changes how we see ourselves and relate to others. Look at how a new identity changes the Plain-Belly Sneetches after they ride through a “star on” machine:

“Then they yelled at the ones who had stars from the start,
‘We’re exactly like you! You can’t tell us apart.
We’re all just the same, now, you snooty old smarties!
And now we can go to your frankfurter parties.”

While they’re a bit more brash than we’re called to be, the Plain Bellies’ new identity boosts their confidence and gives them a sense of belonging. Attending frankfurter parties may not be the pinnacle of joy and belonging for you, but understanding your unconditional acceptance into the family of God should change everything. Feeling like an “insider” or an “outsider” in the earthly realm becomes inconsequential in the light of God’s great love for us.  

I can’t wait to unpack this life-altering truth with you in upcoming posts. (I’ll be working through Ephesians using a study guide written by Jackie Hill Perry, Melissa Kruger and Jasmine Holmes. Click here if you’d like to order a copy.)

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Dr. Seuss, The Sneetches and Other Stories, Random House, 1961. Click here to read “The Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss

Wrapping Up Acts

We’ve been camped out in the book of Acts for quite a while (7 months and 19 previous posts, to be exact.) This pivotal narrative has revealed the fulfillment of prophecy from the Old Testament. It has also provided crucial context for understanding the astounding changes in Jesus’ disciples and the rapid expansion of the gospel. Really, Acts is the bridge between the first four books of the New Testament and the twenty-two that come after it.

Some of you reading this have been part of the Focused Living Bible study that has studied diligently and met weekly to delve into Scripture using Acts: The Gospel Goes Out Parts 1 & 2 by the Village Church. Along with our small group discussions, we’ve also had twelve gifted teachers lead us through the twenty-eight chapters of this incredible book. So, as we wrap up, I’ve included a brief compilation of my notes along with a link to each teaching (the notes really don’t do the teachings justice). As you read (and watch), you’ll notice some powerful repeating themes. My hope and prayer is that the head knowledge you’ve gained studying Acts becomes heart knowledge you’re living on a daily basis.

Acts Introduction:  Pattie Cox

  • You need the backstory to write your story. 
  • General themes in Acts: the Gospel, opposition and persecution, history of the early church, the Holy Spirit.
  • The Holy Spirit is the person who fuels your story.
  • Anything is possible empowered by the Holy Spirit.

To watch Pattie’s teaching click here.

Acts 1: “The Ascension” Heather Congo

  • We need to wait AND walk as Jesus’ witnesses.
  • Stand on the proof of Jesus.
  • Lean into the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Pray continually and in community.

To watch Heather’s teaching click here.

Acts 2: “Pentecost” Amethyst Thomas

  • Bold faith saves lives.
  • When you are confused, ask questions (don’t criticize).
  • When you are confused about the Holy Spirit, turn to the Holy Scriptures 
  • Who will you pray about boldly sharing your faith with?
  • What if someone had not shared the Gospel with you?

To watch Amethyst’s teaching click here.

Acts 3:1-4:31 “A Healing, a Sermon, and a Prison” Vanessa Lepisi

  • Faith says it’s possible, but hope says it’s possible for me.
  • Don’t walk past a hurting world and pretend you’re helpless when you have the Helper living inside you!
  • The Spirit stirs in you and then empowers you to speak words of life!

To watch Vanessa’s teaching click here.

Acts 4:32-5:42 “Church Formation” Marybeth McCullum

Pleasing people may have value for a moment but pleasing God has value for eternity.

Temporary Value: Eternal Value:
Being generous to receive praise from othersBeing generous for the glory of God
Focusing on your personal agendaFocusing on God’s agenda
Deceiving others with hypocrisyDemonstrating integrity & honesty
Hollow gestures for showSpirit-led actions to bless others

                                                     

  • Where is your fear of discomfort holding you back from growing spiritually and encountering the Lord in new ways?
  • If we’re intent on pleasing people more than obeying God, we’re missing out on all the ways God may want to use us to bring more of His kingdom to earth.

To watch Marybeth’s teaching click here.

Acts 6:1-8:3 “Stephen” Lisa Van Randwyk

  • One faithful believer can have profound impact through a faithful God.
  • Stephen’s story shows the impact of one life, one voice, and one tragedy.
  • God’s resumé is a story of faithfulness from generation to generation.
  • You have a story of God’s faithfulness in your life; a story with telling!
  • Don’t underestimate the impact of what the Spirit can do through you!
Pattern of GodPattern of Man
Promise KeeperDisobedient
Covenant MakerIdolatrous
RescuerWorships Self
Giver of Wisdom and FavorForgetful

To watch Lisa’s teaching click here.

Acts 8:4-40  “Simon and Philip” Pattie Cox

  • The Gospel goes out in invitation and warning; be “Gospel Invitation” people!
  • God uses ordinary people like you and me.
  • All are invited to Jesus, not to an organization or a program.
  • The Gospel goes out in words and deeds and results in joy.
  • We can have unity even in diversity—“In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
  • The Gospel goes out in warning: Don’t be amazed by the wrong invitation or fooled by those who misuse it.
  • God is the great pursuer, those previously excluded (Gentiles) are now welcomed.
  • God uses obedient believers to explain the Gospel to seeking souls.

To watch Pattie’s teaching click here.

Acts 9:1-31 “Saul’s Conversion” Tracey Shepherd

We are God’s instruments, chosen to play a part in His masterpiece. 

Chosen Instruments:
Surrender to Jesus as The Way
Obey the ways of Jesus
Rise and Go
Play a part in opening the eyes of others
Come alongside other chosen instruments realizing they have one part to play in God’s greater masterpiece.

To watch Tracey’s teaching click here.

Acts 9:32-11:18 “Peter’s Ministry” Lindsay Hanover

  • The Gospel is for everyone. God does not show favoritism. And neither should we.
  • When we hear the Lord’s voice, are we quick to obey?
  • What are the areas in your life that need changing or softening?
  • When faced with criticism do we let the Holy Spirit defend us?
  • Are you open and willing to go where God is calling you, even if it’s out of your comfort zone?

To watch Lindsay’s teaching click here.

Acts 11:19-12:25 “Expansion and Opposition” Kelly Holbrook

God has the final say:
in the gospel spreading despite persecution
in the church’s hearts by giving them hope
over earthly kings 
in the faith of the church
over sin

“The chapter opens with James dead, Peter in prison and Herod triumphing. It closes with Herod dead, Peter free and the word of God triumphing. Such is the power of God to overthrow human plans and to establish his own in their place.” -John Stott

To watch Kelly’s teaching click here.

Acts 13 “Paul and Barnabas” Temtem Armonious

  • The Good Kind of FOMO urges us not to miss out on enjoying the gift of the Holy Spirit and all He can do through us. (FOMO= “Fear of Missing Out.”)
  • In the presence of the real light, the fake light does not stand a chance. 
  • When in doubt, step back into the real light. (Ephesians 5:8)
  • When you step into the action, the Holy Spirit equips.
  • Don’t count your losses and missed opportunities just yet! The Holy Spirit prevails over human failure.
  • Be relatable to the world without conforming to the ways of the world. (1 Cor 9:20-23)
  • We too have a share in the gospel. Do you want it?
  • Transformation is the job of the Holy Spirit. Full joy comes when we are full of the Holy Spirit.

To watch Temtem’s teaching click here.

Acts 14- Acts 15:35 “The Jerusalem Council” Wendy Hagen

  • We are all made to worship something. What do you worship?
  • We are made to give and receive encouragement.
  • What do you go to for comfort instead of turning to God?
  • Idols aren’t always bad things, except when they become “ultimate.”
  • People aren’t meant to be worshiped.

To watch Wendy’s teaching click here.

Acts 15:36-16:40 “Paul’s Second Missionary Journey”  Vanessa Lepisi

  • Is opposition a sign we ought not to proceed?
  • When men divide, God multiplies.
  • Putting our egos aside puts Jesus on the pedestal and makes us willing servants of all.
  • A season of suffering may be a small price to pay for God’s greater glory. Suffering you’re enduring may not be about you at all! Keep enduring in faith and hold onto hope. God wastes nothing, not even our pain!
  • When faced with opposition consider your methods, giftings, and motivations to see if you’re aligned with God’s will.
How do you know WHEN to “become all things, to all people”? Ask yourself:
Is it ultimately MY choice & no one is forcing me?
Does it call into question my character or integrity before God?
Does it contradict the word of God?
Does it keep me safely inside my comfort zone?
Does it cause more unity than division or strife?

To watch Vanessa’s teaching click here.

Acts 17:1-18:21 “No Longer an Unknown God” Pattie Cox

  • Be women who turn the world upside down for Jesus.
  • Be women who KNOW Scripture, God’s Word.
  • Be women willing to DIALOGUE with people.
  • Be women who LIVE AS JESUS IS THEIR KING.
  • Be women whose spirit is provoked by seeing the culture from God’s eyes. 
  • Be women who can enter into the false stories of the culture and tell them the true story of Jesus.
  • Your suffering gives an opportunity to turn the world upside down.
  • Invite people into the community of believers.
  • Tell the world about your personal God.
  • Introduce the world to the presence and promises of God.
  • Be women who persevere and who are courageous despite suffering.

To watch Pattie’s teaching click here.

Acts 18:22-19:41 “Paul’s Third Missionary Journey” Heather Congo

  • What we believe matters. We must improve our accuracy, reason boldly, turn away from idols and to the one true God.
  • Who can help you toward greater accuracy?
  • How might you need to be open to correction?
  • What idols do you need to turn from?
  • How can we challenge ideas and industries that propagate evil while also maintaining a good standing in our society?

To watch Heather’s teaching click here.

Acts 20-21:36 “Paul in Jerusalem” Lisa Van Randwyk

  • Follow the Spirit’s current. Invite Him to partner with you every day.
  • The Spirit’s current sometimes leads in a surprising direction.
  • The Spirit’s current gives direction, encouragement, and warning.
  • The Spirit’s current keeps us steady in dangerous waters.
  • Currents diminish in intensity the deeper they go; as we’re grounded in the Word, we won’t be so easily thrown off by our culture.

To watch Lisa’s teaching click here.

Acts 21:37-23:35 “Accusation and Arrest” Dana Van Egdom

  • God is good, even when things don’t go according to plan.
  • God is always working on your behalf.
  • Live your life like you’ve been saved!
  • Stay connected to the TRUE vine. (John 15)
  • God is the good in our testimony!
  • God uses ALL of our story for His glory.
  • We can take courage because God is with us.

To watch Dana’s teaching click here.

Acts 24-26 “Appeal to Caesar” Kelly Holbrook

  • God doesn’t waste anything. He uses our gifts, experiences and circumstances to bring His glory.
  • Paul’s calm demeanor → earned an audience
  • Paul’s speaking abilities & knowledge → persuaded Roman officials
  • Paul’s circumstances → shared Jesus 
  • Paul’s citizenship → got him to Rome to preach the gospel
  • Paul’s story → testified to the truth that Jesus is Lord!
  • How do you respond to unfair or false accusations?
  • What gifts has God given you to glorify Him?
  • How has God used the story He’s written in your life to bring Him glory?

To watch Kelly’s teaching click here.

Acts 27:1-28-31 “Paul in Rome” Pattie Cox

  • The Gospel is progressing then and now.
  • Your faith in God can spill over to encourage others around you.
  • Trust God to do all the He has promised.
  • Make the most of every opportunity.
  • The Gospel is for everyone.
  • The Gospel always confronts people with a choice.
  • Persecution brought a greater harvest.
  • Ordinary people do extraordinary things by the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • The story is to be continued in you – move it forward!
  • God has a zero margin of error, guaranteed 100% achievement rate. He cannot fail.

To watch Pattie’s teaching click here.

At the beginning of Acts Jesus told His disciples “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, ESV) Like His followers then, we are called to be witnesses to what He’s done in our lives now. We aren’t called to be attorneys arguing our case or judges making rulings– we are called to walk with Jesus and to tell others how that makes all the difference. Be inspired by all you’ve learned studying Acts and invite the Spirit to continue His work in and through your life daily.

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Saul’s Transformation

With his dying breath, Stephen prayed for his executioners. And as he was being stoned to death “witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58b, NIV) Just a few chapters later, Saul resurfaces. Now he’s traveling to Damascus in pursuit of disciples of Jesus who have fled Jerusalem. He’s bent on squelching the spread of the gospel that he believes is tainting the purity of Judaism. 

On the road, Saul encounters a blinding light and a voice from heaven saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Cowering on his knees and shielding his eyes, he stammers, “Who are you, Lord?” and receives a stunning reply: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:4-6, NIV)

Saul finds himself humbled and helpless–led by the hand, rather than storming into Damascus with power and authority.  Then, “For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” (Acts 9:9, NIV). Being a devout Jewish man, Saul would’ve been familiar with the practice of fasting. The Hebrew scriptures he’d studied all his life contained numerous examples of men and women of faith who had fasted and prayed to mourn, repent, worship, seek direction, exhibit humility, or understand visions they’d received from the Lord.

This encounter with the risen Christ was the catalyst for a complete re-set of his life. Perhaps those three days of blindness and fasting began softening his heart. Shrouded in darkness, maybe he recalled the Lord’s words in Ezekiel with a fresh and personal understanding: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NIV) In the quiet, maybe he also thought of Stephen’s speech and began to recognize how all the ancient prophecies in the scriptures had been fulfilled by Jesus.

Perhaps Saul also needed time to reconcile what he’d done—to grieve the lives he’d destroyed, to repent and seek forgiveness from the Lord. Maybe that’s why he later wrote: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Tim 1:15b, NIV)

Ultimately, those three days prepared him for what the Lord had in store next: “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:17-19, NIV)

No doubt Saul had participated in many ritual cleansings in the past, as all devout Jews did. However, this baptism represented the death of his old life as a legalistic pharisee and the birth of his new life as a follower of Jesus. In the span of three days his murderous zeal for destroying the church transformed into a passionate ardor for building it: “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Excerpts from Acts 9:20-22, NIV.) 

Typically we see the change in Saul as immediate because we skip over those three days of hunger and darkness as he waited on the Lord. Let’s stop and consider what we can learn from Saul’s example:

1. After encountering Jesus, Saul waits. He goes to the city and stands by for further instructions. I wonder how often we miss the ways the Lord wants to work in us because we’re perpetually in motion. The noise and busyness of our culture leave no time for reflection and contemplation. We’re constantly receiving input and ignoring the importance of margin. The Lord moves and speaks in times of stillness and silence. Can we truly be His witnesses if we’re never stopping long enough to be still in His presence and listen? 

2. After encountering Jesus, Saul fasts. Likely a familiar practice from his past experience, fasting was a key element in the transforming work the Lord was doing in his life. Although many people now equate fasting with weight loss, its true purpose is to create a focused time of prayer for a specific reason. Hunger pangs are a powerful reminder of our need for food. But rather than urging us to eat, they can prompt us to pray. If you want to learn more about this powerful practice, you may be interested in the attached articles: 

3. After encountering Jesus, Saul’s physical and spiritual eyes are opened. In our western culture we value what we can see; it’s challenging to view life through a spiritual lens. We are constantly busy and over-stimulated or we’re too exhausted to engage in anything that requires focus and deep thought. We anesthetize ourselves with mindless entertainment, but claim we are too busy to slow down, read our Bibles, pray, and spend time enjoying the presence of the Lord. We give our attention to shiny objects rather than fixing our gaze on what has eternal value.

If you’d like to improve your spiritual vision, add Paul’s prayer from Ephesians to your daily rhythm: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 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 1:17-19a, NIV)

If you’re ready to learn more about the value of slowing down and learning spiritual practices that help you to see and hear the Lord more consistently, consider reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer.

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Pouring Out the Spirit

Inspiring stories spill off the pages of the book of Acts. We see the lives of ordinary people transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, causing the message of the gospel to spread like a swollen river flooding the flatlands. Fishermen from sleepy villages perform miracles and speak to educated men with wisdom, courage, and authority.

This begins when Peter and John heal a man who had been unable to walk since birth. In Acts 3, an amazed crowd listens as Peter preaches about Jesus, the source of the healing power. Later, the Jewish authorities inquire, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit replies: “let it be known to all of you and all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else.” (Acts 4:7b, 10-12a ESV) The text describes the reaction of the Jewish leaders: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, ESV)

After threatening them, the Jewish authorities release Peter and John and they return to the other believers. Together, all of them pray with conviction, inviting God to do a mighty work in them: “`And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31, ESV)

While these events are inspiring, they may feel far-removed from life in the modern world. Perhaps you’re intrigued but doubt you’d ever experience God’s power like this. Or maybe the whole situation sounds intimidating, scary even. You probably know that if you were trying to find this kind of courage or power on your own strength, you wouldn’t get very far. But let’s not miss two key phrases describing Peter and John: “they had been with Jesus” (4:13) and they were “filled with the Holy Spirit” (4:8 & 31). They weren’t operating on their own power, wisdom, or authority, but on what they’d received from God through their relationship with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

It may seem difficult to fathom, but the same courage, boldness, and authority flow through us when we abide with Jesus and tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, everyone who accepts Christ receives the Spirit: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 1:13, ESV) We’re just empty vessels, all the power comes from Him: “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

The believers in Acts 4 already had the Spirit, yet after they prayed, the text says they were “all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31b, ESV) So, being filled with the Spirit is not just a single event, it is an ongoing process.

It’s normal for us to experience spiritual “leakage” in our daily lives—whether it’s through being distracted by the cares of the world, falling into sin, or becoming apathetic about prayer and Bible reading. Just like praying for our daily bread, we must continue drawing back to the Lord and asking for His Sprit to pour out on us again. Doing this affirms the prophetic words Peter quotes in Acts 2 “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (Joel 2:28a, NIV)

The believers in Acts 4 spoke with authority and acted courageously because because they invited the Spirit’s filling so frequently. If we’re longing to experience more of the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives, all we have to do is follow their example and ask. Try praying something like this daily: “Lord, pour out your Spirit on me. Fill me until I’m overflowing and use me to do your will today.”

The Spirit moves when we’re consistently pursuing God one step of obedience at a time. Phil Wickham’s song “Heaven Fall Down” captures this idea of inviting the Spirit to fill us so we can expand God’s kingdom on earth. Let the lyrics become your prayer as you listen.

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www.marybethmccullum.com: Pouring Out the Spirit

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com.

Stoking the Spirit

Isn’t there something magical about a campfire under the stars? Wood crackles and pops as flames dance on a cool, dark night. The light draws people to gather and enjoy the warmth. It creates a sense of connectedness among those who savor the glow together—especially on a chilly evening. 

For the past few years I’ve enjoyed participating in this nightly ritual on our church’s annual mission to Mexico. The temperatures were especially cold on this spring’s trip, so gathering around the campfire was even more enticing. At the end of each evening, the only way to encourage the students to return to their tents was to douse the flames. As buckets of water poured out, steam hissed, rising with plumes of smoke from the quenched fire. Once the water extinguished the flames, everyone scattered to seek warmth zipped inside tents and nestled in sleeping bags.

This image of fire makes me think of the Holy Spirit, often characterized as fire in the pages of Scripture. Acts 2 provides the most obvious example of this: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4, NIV)

Although we no longer see actual flames on our heads, followers of Jesus still have the fire of the Holy Spirit living within us. And just like a campfire, we can stoke the flame of the Spirit, or squelch it. That’s why Paul includes such specific and clear instructions in Ephesians 4 for how to walk worthy of our calling. He says: “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30, NLT)

Paul follows this statement with some pointed commands:“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32, NLT)

Paul makes similar statements elsewhere in Scripture: “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, NIV)

Jesus promises that once the Spirit enters our lives, He never leaves. He says to His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 15:15-17, NIV) Don’t miss that first part– the way we show Jesus we love Him is by obeying His commands. This lays the foundation for Paul’s admonishing us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1).

So, what does obedience look like? How do we avoid grieving the Spirit who lives within us? According to these passages, it has everything to do with how we live—our mindsets, the choices we make, and the way we treat others. Bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and contempt have no place in the lives of authentic followers of Jesus. Instead, we’re called to be characterized by kindness, tender heartedness, and forgiveness.  We’re urged to reject evil and embrace good. 

While I could list many examples and scenarios to illustrate these principles, I think your time would be more wisely spent inviting the Lord to search your heart to make this personal. Consider slowing down and creating mental space to be quiet in His presence. Pause and ask God to show you if there are ways you’re grieving or quenching His Spirit in your life. Give Him permission to reveal any attitudes or perspectives you’ve adopted that dishonor Him. Let Him shine a light on your behavior toward others that grieves His heart.

As the Lord brings specific sins to mind, confess them to Him and cancel permission for the enemy to use them as an access point in your life any longer. Command any darkness or evil to leave and invite the Holy Spirit to come and expand His presence in your life.1

 There’s no way to succeed in walking worthy of Christ by trying harder on our own strength, but with confession and repentance, we’ll experience refreshment from the Lord (Acts 3:19). Conclude your prayer time with worship by praying the lyrics of “Rest on Us.” Click below to listen.

This is the final post in my Ephesians 4 summer series on walking worthy of Jesus. Don’t miss my new series on the book of Acts this fall and winter.

1. Inspired by Tim Hughes’ sermon, “Are You Hungry?” Park Hill Church Podcast, August 6, 2023. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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Living as a Temple

Smoothing the wet stucco onto the side of the small house felt satisfying. Just four days earlier, our group of 250+ people had arrived in a rural valley on the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico to build twelve simple homes for families in need. Each day’s work included careful reading of building instructions followed by intense physical labor. We shoveled rocks, mixed concrete by hand, carried buckets of sand and water, measured and sawed boards, then hammered walls and roof panels. Next, we wrapped the walls in baling wire, felt paper, and chicken wire before getting to the final stage of applying stucco. Each step of the process required a complete understanding of the instructions before proceeding. Any mistakes had to be corrected so that the house would be sturdy. So, smoothing on the stucco the last day felt like a huge accomplishment after all the work that had led up to it.

Although the homes we built were simple, I’m guessing we experienced a similar, albeit lesser, feeling of satisfaction to Moses when he finished the construction of the Tabernacle. Executing the many detailed, specific instructions from the Lord must have taken incredible focus and keen organizational skills. So, completing it was quite a feat: “And so Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle…So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.” (Exodus 40:33b, 34, 38, NIV)

The Lord no longer leads His people with a pillar of flames, but make no mistake, His fire still burns brightly through all who follow Jesus. The New Testament explains that the disciples traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks with all other Jews. It was fifty days after Passover and Jesus’ resurrection and ascension: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4, NIV) At this moment the Lord fulfilled the promise Jesus made earlier to send His Holy Spirit: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth…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 14:16b, 17, 26, NIV)

The physical dwelling place for God is no longer in an ornate tabernacle or a stately temple, but within the bodies of all Christ-followers. The Apostle Paul explains, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV) How amazing that the fire that guided the Israelites in Exodus and filled the apostles at Pentecost now resides within each follower of Jesus.

“If God meant simply to convey the idea that the Spirit lives within the believer, He could well have used words such as ‘home,’ ‘house,’ or ‘residence.’ But by choosing the word ‘temple’ to describe the Spirit’s dwelling, He conveys the idea that our bodies are the shrine, or the sacred place, in which the Spirit not only lives, but is worshiped, revered, and honored. Therefore, how we behave, think and speak, and what we let into the temple through our eyes and ears becomes critically important as well, for every thought, word and deed is in His view.”1

Paul emphasizes this in Romans when he says, “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. 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.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

So, how do we honor God with our bodies as temples and behave as living sacrifices?

Live guided by the Spirit instead of the flesh: Living by the flesh means following natural/ sinful impulses without regard for God. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:16-17, NIV) For further understanding on the difference between living by the Spirit and the flesh, see Galatians 5:13-6:10.

Don’t side with the world. Ask the Spirit to reveal where you may be compromising your faith and drifting into ways of the world by living and thinking with indifference or hostility to God and His will. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NIV) See also, 1 John 2:15-17.

Don’t grieve/quench the Spirit. “The Holy Spirit is a fire dwelling in each believer. He wants to express Himself in our actions and attitudes. When believers do not allow the Spirit to be seen in our actions or we do what we know is wrong, we suppress or quench the Spirit.”2 Ask the Lord to eliminate patterns of thought and behavior that dishonor Him.  “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. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:29-32, NIV) See also 2 Thessalonians 5:16-22.

Moses followed the intricate plans the Lord gave him for the Tabernacle with painstaking accuracy and attention to detail. We can emulate him by applying the wisdom of Jesus– the true and better Moses: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25, NIV)

Take a moment to worship the Lord by clicking here and listening to Brandon Lake’s “Living Sacrifice.”

Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 10.

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1. https://www.gotquestions.org/body

2.https://www.gotquestions.org/grieve-quench-Holy-Spirit.html

Shining God’s Light

Howling winds whipped through the trees; branches shuddered and crashed into one another as rain pelted the ground. Then, with a loud pop and a flash of sparks, the main electrical transformer in my neighborhood shut down. Powerful gusts had pulled the lines out and left them sizzling in the intersection below. A fire truck blocked traffic at the entrance to my neighborhood and kept curious people like me from getting too close to the live wires. 

After talking with the fire crew and watching them reroute a line of cars, I headed home and discovered my house was cold and dark. I assumed we’d have power back within a few hours, but as the sun sank low, electricity still hadn’t been restored. So, my husband and I found flashlights, added blankets to our bed, and prepared for a cold, dark night. We were discouraged to wake up the next morning and find that the screens on our clocks remained numberless. Ultimately, the power outage lasted for fifty-six long hours. When the lights finally flickered back to life on the evening of the third day, I’d never been so grateful for the electricity I usually take for granted. 

Ironically, the power outage happened the same week I was learning about the construction of the Sanctuary in Exodus. Not surprisingly the description of the lampstand in the Holy Place caught my attention: “Make a lampstand of pure gold. Hammer out its base and shaft, and make its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms of one piece with them.” (Exodus 25:31, NIV) Further study revealed this significant detail: “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually.” (Leviticus 24:1, NIV)

The Lord instructed Moses to make the Sanctuary’s exterior from animal skins and heavy fabrics, which would shroud the Holy Place inside in utter darkness. So, God told Moses to make a lamp that would be continually burning. As the high priest, it would be Aaron’s job to tend to the lamps every morning and evening so that they would burn without ceasing. They would be a visible reminder of what Scripture tells us: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5b, NIV)

The theme of light and darkness threads throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:1-4, NIV)

John’s gospel opens by describing God’s choice to send His son to earth: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4, NIV) Jesus took this a step further by making a bold statement followed by a promise: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12b)

When we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Savior, we receive the joy, hope, and peace of salvation. God’s light not only shines on us with His blessings, it also shines through us. Jesus explains this in the Sermon on the Mount 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)

During the power outage, my husband and I were fortunate to have good friends nearby who shared their electricity with us. Thanks to them, our food stayed cold in their refrigerator, our computers charged in their outlets, and our bodies were cleansed in their hot shower. It would have been a much harder week without these small luxuries. And just as our friends shared their power with us, we are called to do the same with God’s light residing within us.  

Imagine a sunset over the ocean. The rays of light affect everything they touch so that the glow of the sun shines on the water and reflects off the wet sand, creating vibrant hues and stunning shades of color. In the same way, the warmth and light of the Lord’s love affects everyone who encounters it. As we receive God’s love, it changes us so that we color the atmosphere around us by radiating His love, grace, and peace. As conduits of His light, we reflect the Lord’s glory and become sources of hope for a world that is mired in spiritual darkness.

If you’ve never thought about it before, start inviting God to let His light shine through you. Ask Him to fill you with His presence so you shine brightly wherever you are. Pray that He’ll connect you with other believers so you can build community that radiates the warmth of God’s love outward. Draw strength and confidence from Christ’s light within you and let it bless others wherever you go.

Take a moment right now to worship Jesus by enjoying “Light of the World” by We the Kingdom. Click here to listen.  

Inspired by God of Freedom by Jen Wilkin, Lifeway Press 2022, Week 6.

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