Mark 10:215 (AMP) I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.
This past week I got to walk around with a soon to be two-year-old during prayer. He had a great time in exploring, as I took him to a room so his mom could intercede without having to be distracted. I prayed and walked around and he followed. We sat in chairs and I prayed. We laughed and I prayed. He was just full of joy. Then it came to me, he has no worries about what is going to happen next. He is not thinking about tomorrow. He is not even thinking about what happened yesterday. He is just in the now.
Matthew 6:33-34 (AMP) But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
My little buddy was eager just to walk and explore. Why are we trying to claim to be “adults” when He tells us to be more like children? What if maturity did not look like “adulthood” but if we are more like a child. Would that be the sign that we are really growing? I am not talking about needing only milk of the Word like babies. I am talking about being tender and responsive. The heart to be teachable and flexible and respond to correction. What if we welcomed correction? What if we humbled ourselves like children?
Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
John 17:3 (AMP) Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.
We have to accept grace for all that it is. Not just the avenue of our salvation, but as our teacher as well (Titus 2:12). Grace is the way God works in His might and power throughout our lifelong walk with Him. A heart that understands this will come to know the spirit of God’s love in Jesus Christ. That tender, teachable, touchable way to true power – to lasting, miracle-expecting, Christ-exalting power and blessing. This is what happens when we receive like a child. Keeping our hearts tender, flexible and expectant.
Father God, I come to You as someone with years of life experience, yet still so much to learn. I humbly offer myself for You to search my heart and mind. I submit to Your Body. Help me remain teachable, open to correction, and pure in heart. Guide me to focus on what You desire now, to seek Your kingdom first, and to stay mindful of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Isaiah 26:3 (AMP) You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
Where our minds stay planted has to do with what we really care about? The link of the heart and mind has to do with our assurance of who Christ is within us. Honestly, we can tell who God really is and who our god is by what we think about the most. I know it has been a while since I have written, but that does not mean I have not been reading my Bible. I have been doing a deep dive in Galatians 5:17-23 and it is taking me some time to get all the good meat that comes from just sitting in these few verses. It really gives you a heart check, of which the Word is supposed to do.
Jonah 2:8 (AMP) Those who regard and follow worthless idols turn away from their [living source of] mercy and lovingkindness.
Jonah 2:8 (MEV) Those who follow vain idols forsake their true loyalty.
I have also been reading the minor prophets and the letters from Paul. Many might not like Paul’s writings, they may have never really read the Old Testament minor prophets either. The Israelites were constantly moving away from God as their heart center because they were selfish individuals. They were self-seeking, they were concerned about their wants, their desires, their pleasures. Taking care of themselves were their primary concern. They were disloyal to the precepts and principles of God because they hated rules, regulations and anything that wanted to put order in their lives. Sounds like what happens today when the body of Christ abuses grace, to give license for our self-life to rule and reign. Nobody likes being told what to do. However, I have found the most mature listen to correction. They truly honor God and their lives show it.
It is impossible for a true believer, a true person given themself over to Christ, to habitually live for themselves. The question that arose out of prayer was about loyalty. Are we loyal to family over Christ? Are we loyal to our jobs over Christ? Are we loyal to our pleasures over Christ? There is a divide happening and it has to do with loyalty. This was foretold by Jesus Himself.
Luke 12:49-53 (AMP)I have come to cast fire (judgment) on the earth; and how I wish that it were already kindled! I have a baptism [of great suffering] with which to be baptized, and how [greatly] I am distressed until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division [between believers and unbelievers]; for from now on five in one household will be divided [over Me], three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.
This did not happen with His first coming, so do you think He was talking about His return? There are far more verses in the Bible about His second coming than about the first. If we look at how many were confirmed with His first, I think we need to pay more attention to the ones that talk about His second coming then. Our minds need to be fixed on Him and the mission He gave us, the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (AMP) But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (AMP) For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness [to be dedicated, and set apart by behavior that pleases Him, whether in public or in private]. So whoever rejects and disregards this is not [merely] rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you [to dwell in you and empower you to overcome temptation].
What we treasure is where our hearts are. What we meditate on is our treasure. An alcoholic is going to think about drinking alcohol more than anything else. The same who is going to commit adultery in their marriage. Honestly, that is what God thinks of us when we say we are waiting on Him to come again yet live our lives like we never knew Him. It is what you would rather spend your tithe on rather than honoring God with it. I think of Him when I am in church and serving (so many can be in a house of worship and still think of only themselves). I think of Him when I am driving. I think of Him when I am working out at the gym. I think of Him when I am at the grocery store. I make time to spend with Him during the day at home, especially when I have down time. If I do not think on Him, I am thinking of other things. I can come up with conversations that have nothing to do with reality. Remember the initial verse that started this blog. Go back and look at it. Perfect peace. There is an abundance of peace not for just those who believe in Him, it says for those who keep their minds on Him.
I am at peace even in these last days. There should be no fear with the things happening in the news. God knew. Jesus told us about it. The Old Testament prophets wrote about it. The letters by Paul are filled with it. John got to see it. Why are we worried? Is it because our loyalty is really in question? Read Matthew 25. Do some research on what weddings were like when Jesus was telling His disciples about His return. A marriage contract was written before the bride was taken by the groom. There was weight to it and the bride had to stay prepared for the moment she was taken. She would be caught up unexpectedly. It was a joyous celebration. Her loyalty was shown off after she was taken to the bed chamber. It may have been a year of waiting, but she stayed prepared. Did she say that she was not married before she was taken away, so that she could live how she wanted? Or did she live her life as faithful to the husband that was going to take her up? She was loyal to him and only him, from the moment of the betrothal because technically she was his wife. Put that in perspective, we are His bride. Live like one! Are we loyal to our King and Husband? His love is not empty. Live a life that bears the fruit of that love.
Abba, Father, Creator, You are more Wonderful than we could ever imagine. You are Holy and Worthy of all Honor and Praise. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Teacher. We desire You more than anything else. We repent for the idols that we put before You, whether it was family, jobs, pleasures or ourselves. We are excited to be living in the days that the prophets wrote about and dreamed about. We are so grateful for the grace You have given us to empower us to recognize when we need to shift back to You. You are truly a God of Mercy and Loving Kindness. Your Word says that You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is focused on You. Let us continually keep You and Your Word before us. Let us meditate on You and Your Word. Thank You for opportunities to turn back to You when our focus does veer off from You. Let us check our Peace. Let our hearts be renewed as our minds our renewed daily. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Galatians 5:16 (NKJV) I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
A big change that has happened in my life these past seven years is that I am not in a hurry to get things done. I have deadlines and places to be, but time is not such a burden. There was a period of time that I had to remove my watch because I found myself looking at it every time I was in the presence of others, because I needed to be somewhere else. I have my routines. There are appointments that I have, that is why I am writing this on a Saturday instead of a Wednesday. I am actually going to my youngest son’s baseball games in a couple of hours.
When I am at the grocery store, I see so many people in a hurry, even at ten in the morning. I can stop to talk to the florist or the cashier. I am not in a hurry to get anywhere; I have time to look for something interesting to fix my family this week. That to me is what it is like to stroll along.
The message translation says that this about the above verse, “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.” Rick Reiner writes that walking in the spirit is taken from a Greek word peripateo which is translated as to live, we are to live in the Spirit. Do you have habits? I have a routine which you could say is a habit. Every Sunday we make an order at a Starbucks for coffee, then we go get my car washed before church. There is a Starbucks we frequent (three to choose from…I know first world problems), but if there is a big even in town I have to choose from the other two. Here is the habitual part, instead of my mind being in auto pilot, I have to choose a different route. To live in the Spirit is to be habitual.
Another translation for peripateo can mean to stroll in the Spirit. I like this because this is how I see my life these days. A person who strolls in the Spirit is rested, released, unhurried, peaceful and calm. It is the opposite of living in the flesh, which allows you to become obsessed and compulsive. Peace is a promise of the abundant life we have in Christ. To me this is a position of prosperity of the Kingdom of God, along with love and joy.
Ephesians 2:3 (AMP) Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind].
Now the opposite of living in the Spirit or strolling in the Spirit is to live according to our flesh. Does being saved mean I no longer have to deal with my flesh. No, however, we can now overcome our flesh. According to the next verses I am going to show you, to live according to our flesh means that we have consciously made a decision to live according to the law that we were freed from. Living in bondage to our sin is living under the law. Freedom to sin is saying you like being bound to the law. You are not really free.
Galatians 5:17-18 (AMP) For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
Galatians 5:17 (MSG) For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.
Galatians 5:17 (TPT) When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.
What about there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? This is found in Romans 8:1 and is often used out of context by believers to defend their flesh life. Christ did not come to defend sin, He came to demolish sin in our lives. This takes a life of surrender and submission to Christ. Paul even talks about the struggle in Romans 7:15-25. He talks about his struggle with the flesh, yet He could not overcome without Christ. That is why there is not condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because even though his flesh struggles the one strolling, walking, living in the Spirit will overcome.
Romans 8:5 (AMP) For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].
Renew that mind. Get those thoughts lined up with His Word. Take them captive and allow Christ to renew every part of your life. This is not a onetime thing. This is daily. When we get in the habit of it, peace and joy are on the other side. I made a decision years ago that I did not want to live a certain way anymore. I did not like having worries and turmoil be a part of what I expected every day. I did not want to be embittered and push people away. I wanted to be known for joy and peace. So, I made a change. I chose surrender. It did not happen overnight, and it has not come into completion. I am pressing forward in Christ.
Make the path of the Spirit the place where you habitually live and walk. Become so comfortable on this spiritual path that you learn to leisurely and peacefully stroll along in the higher things that God has called you to. Living your life in the Spirit realm is not to ignore those around you. It is your place of freedom so that the yearnings of your flesh do not creep out and fulfill themselves. We cannot be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. However, we cannot be so overcome by the world that we have neglected our spirit life. It is a stroll. Be at rest and at peace and joy will be sure to follow.
Galatians 5:13 (AMP) For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.
Out of the abundance of love, it is that we serve. Some have already tuned out just because I have used the word “serve.” This only can be done through the abundance of love that we receive. Why? It is hard to give what you are already lacking in. Did I just call it what it is? Yes, I did.
Romans 12:9-13 (AMP) Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.
The Modern English Version starts off with verse thirteen as, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” Who are we called to serve? This right here says I am to serve the Lord. How can I do that if I omit His people? Does it say it is permitted to only serve your family? This right here says that in the body of Christ we are all members of one family. Can we pose the same question that Jesus was asked when they inquired about who is their neighbor? Who is my family?
Ephesians 2:19-22 (AMP) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Here is what I tell our church, and I personally watch out for, if it is of the flesh (me trying to live) then I am going to have to keep defending it. A defensive person is usually refusing to let go of something that God does not think is beneficial any longer. That is not living in the abundance of His love.
John 12:25-26 (AMP) The one who loves his life [eventually] loses it [through death], but the one who hates his life in this world [and is concerned with pleasing God] will keep it for life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Jesus was not too popular when He talked about loving your neighbor, forgiving seventy times seven in a day, serving, taking up their cross, etc. Really any instruction that was not their idea or their ability to live any old way was not popular. Serving when you want something in return is not going to be fulfilling. Serving yourself is not fulfilling, that includes saying that you only serve your family (that is self-serving). Serving only when you feel like it will not be fulfilling. It is out of the abundance of His love that we serve and that is the only way it will be fulfilling. Serving is how we tell the world what love looks like.
Mark 10:45 (AMP) For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
What about the age-old excuse, ‘my gifting is not serving’? Yes, there are those that have a gift of serving. There are those that have a gift of giving. There are those that have the gift of teaching. However, every one of us should be doing some element of each of these in our lives. Just like it is not the job of the fivefold evangelist to be the only person that ministers the gospel. This is why I am willing to be outside of myself and do for others.
John 15:9-15 (AMP) I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing. “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.
There are three different roles God gives us in this new life in Christ. We are adopted in as family, sons and daughters. We are also bond servants, as Paul calls himself over and over again. We are also friends. We all start off as sons and daughters. With deeper revelation of His love, we become servants and willing call ourselves bond servants (willing to do serve in any capacity). This does not diminish our place as sons and daughters, yet it elevates it. Lastly, we become friends. Not in the familiarity way that we do with people today. This is a holy role, and it is out of an abundance of reverence that we get to be called friends.
There was recently a well-known mega pastor that is now serving time in jail for what he had done to some teenage girls years ago in his home. Can God forgive? I believe so, with a truly repented heart. Here is where many in the church have an issue, they do not want him to be restored. If his reason for going through the steps is just to get to the restoration of a pulpit ministry, then I would question his heart motive. To me, he would be of greater testimony of forgiveness is if he would go back in the church and pick up a mop. A leader who will not serve, does not need to be a leader. That is why we watch before promoting. If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you. If you are not wanting to serve, but willing to take a leadership role, then you have missed what God called a servant.
What about Acts chapter six? What about the disciples having men chosen to distribute the food so they could devote themselves to prayer and ministry of the word? Do you think they never gave to the needy after then? Do you think they never served in other capacities? Feeding the widows and orphans was not beneath them, they needed help to fulfill what other areas they served. I do not believe their hearts were not to meet the needs of others when they had the capacity. This would be contradictory to what Jesus lived and taught. They had become out of balance. Serving without abiding leads to burnout. Abiding without serving leads to stagnation. I want to be counted as faithful, even until the last breath that I take. Prayer, reading the Word, spending time in His house and serving one another in brotherly love is part of living in the abundance of His love.
Abba, Father, our Banner, You are worthy of all honor and praise. You are Holy and Marvelous. Thank You for sending Your Son to restore our relationship with You. Through Him we are born again and made new. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Friend, and for Your Word. We repent for seeking gifts to build ourselves up and for only participating in the body when it serves our own desires. We are sons and daughters, also Your bondservants to the Gospel. We long to know You more and to be called friend. You reveal Yourself to us in ways beyond our imagination. We are grateful for spiritual gifts, but above all, we thank You for Your love. May we desire Your love above all else. Let us be trees of righteousness. You set the captives free so that we seek fulfillment only in You. We choose surrender today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.
John 17:23 (AMP) I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.
How does the world know what real love is? Jesus tells us right here. Division in the church is not a sign to the world of what real love is. Social media, the news, even in our thoughts we are consumed with what divides us. Do you think the Father is pleased?
Galatians 5:14-15 (AMP) For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
Unity is a sign of His love flowing through His body (the church). Where there is strife, discord and resentment love cannot do its work in us. The early church was so mighty because of their love for each other, their reverence for God and their unity.
Acts 2:1 (NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
It is not enough to be in the same physical place; it is about our thoughts as well. I remember when our pastors decided to move our church from a small rural county road to a place within a larger city. The cost of the property and the amount of the property was quite large. Some men came against them and said that we did not need to purchase it and left. Some men left years later saying, we should never have moved there (after we could not afford it any longer). Were they right? Let’s look at an example in the Bible for the answer.
Before the day of Pentecost, Peter had come before the people saying they needed to pick a new apostle to replace Judas. What does he do? He says to pick out all of the men that had been with them since the beginning and they will cast lots. You can find this account in Acts 1. Two men were identified and Matthias gets chosen via casting a lot to be the new apostle. That’s the last we heard about that and him. Was that God’s chosen way of doing things? No. What happened though? They were unified, and after the Holy Spirit was received and because of their unification thousands were added to the church. What would have happened if there were some in the group who spoke up against casting lots? Unity was their expression of love. Eventually, we see that God picked Paul to be the next apostle.
Why are churches so divided over methods? The enemy likes an ineffective church. We become stagnant in our love for each other, seeking the best for each other, because we are too consumed with our methods being the best way. We say things like, “why are they having church at that time?” Or “I do not like the way they do things.” The only time we should speak up about something is if sin is permitted. Methods are not what should divide us. What happens if I do not agree with why we are doing something? I say get to know the heart of those leading (especially your pastor) and trust that they are hearing God. Another thing do not compare your church’s methods with the another’s. Do you want your church to make an impact? Unity draws blessings.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (AMP) Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you.
Philippians 1:27 (AMP) Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.
We are to be unified under the authority of the Word of God. Is it more important to be right than to be united? What could our church had done if those who were called to be with us did not leave just because they did not understand. What would have it cost the early church to be in disunity of the decision of Peter to cast lots? What would have happened if they demanded they use a different method? What if they would have done like Christ and fasted and prayed under their request? That method would have been correct; however, it would have come with a cost. It would have come with the cost of disunity; the outpouring of what God could do through the early church would have been minimal.
Look all through the books of Acts and it talks about decisions being made, the excitement and the unity, then the exponential growth. It takes a deep love to allow this to happen. Everyone would take ownership of the methods and there would not be an undertow of discontent.
I want to see lives impacted for eternity rather me having to be right all the time. I do not want my discontent to be a reason that we are not effective. I had asked God a couple of years ago how Connect Church can walk and live in a manner worthing of His calling. This is the verse that He gave me and I have been standing on it ever since.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (AMP) So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].
If there is no unity there is no love abounding. God is love. He desires a unified church.
John 4:23-24 (MEV) Yet the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.
As I was writing the prayer for last week’s blog, this verse came to mind. Then I pondered, how many people worship God and love the spirit part, but lack the truth part. So many worship their problems and circumstances, their identities outside of Christ, their feelings and emotions, their thoughts, etc. When is Jesus going to be enough for us? We need to stop defending our flesh with “we are enough” and replace it with “Jesus, You are more than enough.”
I recently read the book The Fight for Female by Lisa Bevere. There was a section in it about the “Fight against idols.” I am forty-five years old and in the throngs of perimenopause. Hot flashes get all the attention but that is not all a woman goes through. We have brain fog, feeling tired even when we sleep at night, frozen shoulder, times of sadness, just the don’t want to’s, then being sensitive about things we really do not care about. We can get all up in our thoughts. My identity is not in what I am going through. I can spiral and skid into the crazy that is perimenopause or I can combat it with truth.
Let me show you some areas that can be a sign of idolatry in our lives then we are going to combat it with truth. What we determine to be rest. Sometimes we are striving so much in our day to day lives that we choose what we think is rest instead of receiving the gift of community that He gave us. Separation is not to do within the body but the body as a whole is separate and light into darkness. Isolation can be a form of idolatry. Idols can be found in our homes, and I am not talking about the decorations. Here is how Lisa defined an idol: “an object of extreme devotion; a representation or symbol of an object of worship; a false god; a false conception; fallacy; a form or appearance visible but without substance.“
Idols are created when we turn to that which is less and treat it as more; as a source of identity instead of the God Most High. Idolatry is often the practice of engaging with the right thing in the wrong way. For example, marriage, children, a career, friends, a spouse, food, sports, and even exercise are all good things, but if we attach too much importance to any of these, they can potentially become an idol.This happens when we give our strength to or draw our strength or comfort from sources outside of our Creator. This could mean we the wrong focus and are looking for the right thing in the wrong place or we’ve made ourselves the source. Addiction can be a form or idolatry. Entertainment can become idolatry. – Lisa Bevere
When I look inward and start to make decision that is best for me, then I have made an idol of myself. This is not about being healthy or healing emotionally. This is about becoming whole in Christ. How do I know? I have been there. I wanted to do the selfish thing years ago, when I claimed to be a broken woman living for Christ. I was so hurt with the church that we are serving now. I felt so unappreciated and still have to fight those things. I have feeling of sacrificing so much for people that, in my thoughts, would never consider me. I felt so used and taken for granted. The thoughts of giving all of me and nobody would care if I was not there. Can you see the idol of myself? What had to happen? I had to get back in the truth of His Word. Here is the lie that I believed, I was an orphan because no one was like me.
Ephesians 1:5 (AMP) He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will
When Paul wrote this, He was thinking of the current Roman law that stated that adopted had their debts erased and transferred to the adoptive father. This is not talking about the adoption of children, they were adopting adults, with new rights and responsibilities. They were adopting heirs. Their past had nothing to do with their adoption. An adopted son could not be disowned, they could not be disinherited, and they could no longer be identified as an orphan. I have stated before that the orphan spirit is not of God, so therefore it must be antichrist, which makes it demonic. Yes, Christians can be oppressed by demonic spirits. Is deliverance needed? A heart of repentance and surrender is needed. Do these thoughts try to creep up? Yes, but now I have a weapon to cast them down.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (AMP) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
We are to worship God in Spirit and Truth. The truth is that we cannot reason away with what Christ gave us as a gift. I am not an orphan. I have been adopted into a family that has Christ as the head. I do not have to keep striving, because He is my rest. I am not alone and He adopted me into a family that includes all of those that have received Him as Lord and Savior. We may have our differences and things we don’t like about each other, but if we direct one another toward Christ, He can transform us to reflect His image. We can love like He loves. We can stop telling each other that “you are enough” and tell the truth that “He is more than enough.”
John 15:9-11 (AMP) I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.
I tend to be joyful person. I have been through some trials in life, and I have been known to complain when it did happen thinking that I had a sympathetic ear. I have learned to not because some people used it against me. If you do not know this about me, my husband and I took over as the pastors of our church about thirteen years ago. Before that we served as associate and assistant pastors at the same church for nearly thirteen years. This has apparently given license for people to correct me from those that I submit to and those that I serve. I have had comments from “I love to see you serve me,” to “you are going to hell.” Then there are those that weaponize my words or actions, just to see me get corrected yet again. I have been hurt by people like you would not believe, but yet I am still here.
So, when God gave me the word “joy” for 2026 my first thought was “what is going to happen now?” The first book in the Bible I read for this year was Habakkuk. We ended 2026 in our church with not very good attendance, but deeper growth for those that wanted it and better giving. We ended 2026 not in a new building, as we had hoped for all year long, and now entering year seven in someone else’s building. We even got really close the last month of the year. So, I cried out to God, why? That is when I got the word “joy.” Habakkuk starts off in chapter one with, “O Lord, how long will I call for help and You will not hear?” When we have doubts about His goodness, He is still faithful. I read this book over and over again for a full week. God said He would show up in a mighty way. God told Habakkuk it would get worse before it got better. Yet Habakkuk responded in faith.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (AMP) Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].
With every time correction has come into my life, I have checked it against the Word. When it lines up with His Word, I accept it gladly. It is a discipline from the Lord. He will help me change this within me. One thing I never did was bite back or disrespect the person it came from, even when malice was intended for me. I am grateful for the people that allow me to speak into their lives. I have learned from experience what it means to genuinely care for others. If we are afraid of correction, then we are missing out on something that is necessary for our spiritual maturity. There are so many babies still in the body of Christ because people are not allowing Word of God, the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ to do what they were given as gifts for.
The next book I read was Philippians. Paul is in prison, literally chained to a person that was guarding him, writing this letter. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness depends on our circumstances. Joy depends on our relationship with Christ. Paul had a confident assurance of God’s love and work in his life and the life of fellow believers. The secret to joy is grounded in our relationship with Christ. There are some that say, “I have lost my joy.” Have you lost Christ? Look back at John 15. Jesus is telling us the importance of our abiding in Him (our relationship with Christ). It all goes back to love. The real reason we have lost our joy, is because we have become self-involved. We look out for our own self-interests. We start asking “what about me?” We can have joy, even in hardships. Joy does not come from our circumstances. We are not to rely on what we have or what we experience to give us joy, but Christ within us.
Philippians 2:1-5 (AMP) Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]
It is the confidence I have in Christ that I know that people have a problem with. It grieves me to know that what they most want they can have too. What is limiting others from attaining such? Not that I have arrived myself, it is to surrender more. I am pressing on. I will continue to press on. It is when we give up or find something else to get our identity in that we become stagnant in our spiritual growth. I desire for growth in all of His body. It is hard to watch people “lose their joy” yet with not receive the gift that will point them back to their dependency of Christ.
Which brings me to the third book of the Bible that I have read this year, Nehemiah. Being in leadership I have heard gripers and complainers or what our church needs to do, what we do not have that meets their needs and so forth. It is easy to sit back and analyze and talk about the problems that you see. Instead of gathering people to discuss, be like Nehemiah and pray then act. Nehemiah saw a problem, was distressed about it, didn’t complain about it, not wallow in self-pity about it, he took action. Nehemiah became a person who God could count on. He did not even allow the people who were giving false reports to distract him. He did not allow the ones who did not participate in the rebuilding get him discouraged (I need to work on that one myself). He not only rebuilt walls but wanted to align the people back to the heart of God. They spent days listening, being taught and implementing what they heard from the prophet Ezra as he read them the law. God does not want our actions without our faith. This is the book that we get “the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).” Another thing I got from Nehemiah is the importance of our praise and thanksgiving. I want to start off my closing prayer with what is written in Nehemiah 9: 6. Pray this prayer with me and add it what you are most thankful for.
You are the Lord, You alone; You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host (the heavenly bodies), the earth and everything that is on it, the seas and everything that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the heavenly host is bowing down [in worship] to You. Jesus, Your Son, was with You at the time of Creation. We were created through Him and for Him. You sent Him in fullness of Love to die for our transgressions. You have forgiven us of our inequities and we in turn at to forgive others. We repent for not forgiving as you commanded. You gave us the gift of Your Holy Spirit. You gave us this gift to mature us and grow us. You also gave us the gift of the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ. Your desire has always been that we would work together to mature into a glorious Body. We thank You for desiring so much for our lives. We thank You that You desire for us to be full of joy and peace. Thank in our submission to self-control empowered by You we are secure in who we are in Your Son. You are forgiving, gracious and compassionate and abounding in love. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Even though hardships may come upon us, even persecution, You remain faithful. You are patient and keep your covenant of love. We love you. We choose to remain in Your Son. In Jesus Name, Amen.
2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.
We are already a few weeks into 2026 and I am just now getting around to summing up the last quarter reads of 2025. I have been spending time with my immediate family, as everyone was home for most of the day. When they are home, I do not like to lock myself in my office and write. I do continue to read, but not nearly as much as when the house is empty. In the last quarter of 2025 I finished reading through the Bible, Romans through Revelations. I was done by the end of November and took the first days of December to read a chapter a day of Luke. The last week of 2025 I read Habakkuk in its entirety daily. There is something that God showed me and I will hopefully write on it next week.
The one phrase that stood out to me as I was finishing with Revelations was, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” I wrote about it in my blog titled Echo. I did complete 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan as a devotional. It was very eye opening to me about the founding of our universities and their beginnings as seminaries. There was one that really stood out to me were the Four Chaplains that gave their lives aboard the Dorchester on February 3, 1943. They were all from different denominations but held the same heart, “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends, John 15:13).” They gave everything including their life vests, books and clothes to make sure all survived, even though they lost their own lives. They gave their lives without being asked. This is the life that I aspire to live.
I also read nine books. Some I purchased at yard sales and at thrift stores recently. Bringing my yearly total to 47 books read. Here is list of my fourth quarter reads (I will write about two of them):
The Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel
Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistar Begg
Beyond Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
I His Image by Jen Wilkin
The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
Healing the Wounds of Rejection by Joyce Meyer and Ginger Stache
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I picked this book up at a yard sale recently. It was an encouraging book about the importance of a church that puts prayer as their priority. It is a church with a surrendered heart that the Holy Spirit dwells. “The first step in spiritual awakening is demolition. We cannot make headway in seeking God without first tearing down the accumulation junk in our souls. Rationalizing has to cease. We have to start seeing the sinful debris we hadn’t noticed before, which is what holds back the blessings of God.“”Anytime the people get hungry to truly know the Lord, the Holy Spirit quickly puts a shovel and into their hands.” We are going to be willing for God to deal with our deep-rooted issues. A truly humble church is a powerful church. Are we passionate about what He is passionate for. Jesus said that His house should be known as a house of prayer. We currently do not have our own building, or we would have the doors open more that they are. Currently we meet on Tuesdays at eleven for prayer and Sundays we invite people to come in pray at twelve thirty as our service is at one thirty. The American church is all about comfort and convenience, yet He is the same God that said, “and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).” What are we passionate about? Brooklyn Tabernacle were passionate about prayer and surrender. We know them because of their choir. Reading some of the stories of change in that city because of this pastor and the heart of prayer that they have. It encouraged me to continue.
In HIs Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character: By Jen Wilkinson. Have you ever asked the question: I want to know God’s will for my life? “If we focus on our actions without addressing our hearts, we may end up merely as better behaved lovers of self.” Jen takes ten attributes of God and had us reflect if we can see those in our own character. They are Holy, Loving, Good, Just, Merciful, Gracious, Faithful, Patient, Truthful and Wise. Do you see the possibility for you reflecting Him in all that He is? First and foremost, God is Holy. “If we emphasize any of his attributes above or apart from his holiness, we fashion him after our own imagining or for our own ends.” You do not have to be conformed to who you were. We are conformed to His image, we are to reborn, remade, reformed. Understand your positional holiness and you will want to pursue practical holiness. God our most loving is the hardest part for people to grasp. His love is not transactional. His love is not conditional. “When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love God even if it costs us. And it costs us -it costs our pride, our comfort, our self-will, our self-sufficiency. At times, it costs us amicable relationships with family, our expectations of safety, and more. But in laying these aside, we learn the worthiness of the object of love in a deeper way. We find increasing freedom, and as we mature, we resolve to love God no matter what it costs us. When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love our neighbor even if it costs us. And it costs us – it costs us our preferences, our time, our financial resources, our entitlement, our stereotypes.” It is such a good book that I am adding it to my pile to read again in 2026.
I write these blogs on books to encourage you to read. First and foremost, pick up your Bible and read it daily. I am reading a new study Bible this year and so I am reading a chapter at a time. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart to you as you read. Do you get bored reading the Bible? Ask God to help you with that. For years, I didn’t read just read my Bible, only focusing on the verses that went along with my devotions. But my desire to surrender led me to pick up the Bible and truly read it. It became part of my journey to seek more. I have no regrets, and neither will you.
This Sunday I have decided to give away some of my books. Something I have not done. However, holding onto them only benefits me. God had told us to be generous with all that we have. So, I have set aside a box and will be taking them to church for others to do with their liking. I pray that you have a blessed 2026!
Ephesians 6:15 (AMP) and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
Preparation is something that we take for granted these days, especially in world where we do not like to wait. How about a world where everything revolves around self? I am a woman that likes to be prepared. Do you know when I prepare for birthdays and Christmas? Right after the last one ends. I know they will be coming around the same time every year. I am not in the stores right now looking for wrapping paper. I bought enough for my family and probably yours when it all went on sale right after Christmas.
Today I had a sweet mom and her two kids over to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. I have learned that I need to prepare when have littles over my house now. My boys are eighteen and twenty-one, so my home is no longer set up for babies and toddlers. One of the things I did, other than put items away, was I baked ahead of time half of the cookies we were going to decorate. The waiting is the hardest part when they are that young. I spent my morning preparing for them. I had them in mind when I set up my living room.
The preparation of the cookies was not just for my gifts to others; it was also a way for them to gift people as well. We made enough to share. That took preparation. I planned on them having all they needed. I planned on them having more than enough. Why? Is that not how our Father in Heaven is (Matthew 7:11)?
This time of year, is my favorite. I get to give in ways that are special to me. I search out opportunities for our church to bless others in our community. I love to bake, so there are lots of people that are going to get treats from me. I love to find treasures for others and let them know that I am thinking about them and listen to them.
Above all, I get to help prepare the special Christmas message for church. I have been meditating over it for weeks and have been talking to my husband about what the Bible reveals about Christ’s birth. What special piece does God want us to pay attention to this year? Last year we shared about it not just being a story. Christ’s birth is recorded in history. Everything that happened is not just a story, it really happened. The story of Christ’s birth is not a myth. This year, are we going to have ears to hear? There is a parable about preparation. I will end this blog with the parable. I hope you take a look and know that you are loved and that I want the best for you. The best was given on Christmas Day!
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]. – Matthew 25:1-13 AMP
Luke 10:25-29 (AMP) And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.” But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
My husband and I have been on a topic of Heart Matters on Sundays. The topic has a lot to do with our whys. I am also reading a book by Lee Strobel called The Case for a Creator. Lee admits that he clung to science as the reason that he did not believe there was a God (a Creator). In his book he states, ” For me, living without God meant living one hundred percent for myself. Freed from someday being held accountable for my actions, I felt unleashed to pursue personal happiness and pleasure at all costs.” If you have read any of his books or watched the movie, The Case for Christ (of which there is also a book), you would realize that Lee no longer holds those thoughts.
Luke 8:18 (AMP) So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.
Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
Matthew 5:8 (AMP) Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
I was asked by one of our youth many years ago, “what can I do before it would be considered a sin against God?” I told them that it is not that you are desiring to do just enough that it is not considered a sin, it is the why do you want to do that thing. Why are you asking that question? The point was what is the intent of the heart? It all goes back to why the lawyer asked the question in Luke 10; it was about self. A self-centered person is going to justify and vindicate their reasoning.
How would you answer the question: how can I have a heart of repentance and a contrite spirit? This is not a bad desire. I looked up the definition of contrite spirit, and it has to do with deep remorse for sin and a humility before God. Repentance is not a bad word. These desires have nothing to do with legalism either. They are so full of grace if you just knew the love that God has for you.
James 4:6 (AMP) But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”
Titus 2:12 (AMP) It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age
God gives more strength to those who stay humble and set aside their own self-interests. There is so much power when we choose a life of surrender. There is so much more to life with you walk in obedience.
I have a situation where I am judged quite heavily due to unmet expectations. If I say that I am a Christian and I quote so many scriptures, then why I am not doing this. If I did that, it still would not please them. There would be another reason for them to be upset at me. It is not about me though. I have come to realize that. It goes back to a surrendered life. They do not want to live it because they are pursuing their own happiness and pleasures. My life convicts them and that is okay. A person living a life of surrender is going to make a person living their lives for themselves mad. I am secure in the love of Christ; I am rooted and grounded in it.
Does that come from a place of love? Yes, it does. My desire is for them to know this freedom as well, but I cannot compromise so that they will want to just do just enough, to surrender just enough. It is the same type of question my youth asked, how close to the line of surrender can I get without having to go all in? Why do you not want to go all in?
In Acts 24 we read about Paul’s time in prison. There is a certain governor named Felix that was put over his charge because he had an understanding of people of “the Way.” Felix and his wife took an audience with Paul and was presented the Gospel. However, “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you‘ (verse 25). ” Did Felix never see him again? He did, he had an intent, but was it pure? “At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him (verse 26).”
Why are you a follower of Christ? If you are not, why aren’t you? Why do you attend church? If not, why aren’t you? Why do you do good works? Why do you serve others? If not, why aren’t you? Why do you speak the way you do? Why do you read your Bible? Why do you pray? Do not be afraid to realign your heart with these matters. I am rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. I love that about myself, because I cannot love others well without it. If I were not, then the Gospel message that I preach would be about self-gain. We were created in His image to glorify God. My love is to glorify God. My serving is to glorify God. My giving is to glorify God. My attendance at church, to build up His body, is to glorify God. I follow Christ, because He glorified the Father. I read my Bible to know the God that I am glorifying. I pray because He is a God to be honored and praised. When He answers prayers; it is for His glory. That is why the heart matters.
Desiring for More 