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When no water reveals a flood of blessings…

Yesterday morning, we woke up to no water in the house. We discovered that our deep freeze had died some time ago (ruining all of the food in it) and that it had tripped the GFCI. That circuit also powers the heat wrap for our well, so we also found out that our well had frozen outside and the pipes/tank had burst.

So I put a call in to the well company and tried to figure out how I could work dealing with the well repair person and getting this freezer and ruined food to the dump in the middle of a horribly busy day.

But thankfully, I was working from home today, and I have an amazing team that I work with who are all trustworthy, hardworking, and who are supportive whenever something comes up in our “real lives” for any team member. I just let them know what was going on and that I might be AFK (away from my keyboard) a few times throughout the day dealing with everything. Mia and Mandee were also very understanding and used bottled water for getting ready for school and work.

The well ended up being really costly repairs, but we are now better prepared for the future, and the unsightly shack we had built around it is now replaced with a less noticeable fake rock. And the money that was left over from the insurance paying for my stolen truck (along with funds from our Dave Ramsey inspired “Emergency Fund”) helped us cover the expenses. No doubt, it will have implications on our budget for a year or so, but my wife and I remembered earlier times in our marriage where we would have been looking to help from others or paying high interest to cover our emergencies — and we had an opportunity to thank God together. And we got to share with so many how the unexpected situation of a stolen truck ended up being a blessing in the end.

And I was able to load up my trailer and make it to the dump literally as the last person they were letting in. I got everything unloaded and even had employees at the dump driving out right behind me to leave for the end of their day! And I made it home in time for time with family before covering a long night of scheduled maintenance work for my team that helped cover for me during the day.

Several times, as I hit what seemed like roadblocks, I just humbly prayed, “Lord, I could really use some help with ____” and thanked Him — and my wife and I had a great conversation about how amazing it is how heartfelt, surrendered prayer when we are beyond what we can control have a miraculous way of being answered time and time again. What a wonderfully exhausting and grateful sleep I had after such a crazy day!

Then, this morning I woke up to Facebook reminding me of this graphic that I created 7 years ago:

What a great reminder to do be JUST, be MERCIFUL, and be HUMBLE in everything we do.

If there is something worth making a resolution for this year, it’s that my life will better reflect these three — and I need the power of Love, the power of the Holy Spirit, of Christ in me, to fuel this into who I am at my core.

We have so much to be grateful for that even the emergencies, even the unexpected expenses, even the unexpected inconveniences have the handprints of God’s justice, His mercy, and His willingness to humble Himself to be a part of “our little lives” daily.

Thank you Jesus!

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A Mother’s Flowers

I read this story from Readers Digest recently:

When the supermarket clerk tallied up my groceries, it was $12 over what I had on me. I began to remove items from the bags when another shopper handed me a $20 bill. “Please don’t put yourself out,” I told him. “Let me tell you a story,” he said. “My mother is in the hospital with cancer. I visit her every day and bring her flowers. I went this morning, and she got mad at me for spending my money on more flowers. She demanded that I do something else with that money. So, here, please accept this. It is my mother’s flowers.”

Leslie Wagner, Peel, Arkansas, Readers Digest “30 Stories About the Touching Kindness of Strangers That’ll Make You Tear Up”

Today, my wife is letting me use her car to take my daughter on a promised shopping trip to Charlotte, NC (as part of my daughter’s birthday celebration). My father in law, Larry Fowler, is going to help us out by picking up Mandee from work and bringing her home (probably a solid 1.5 hours out of the way for him). My parents, Jean and Jim Ballinger, are in Myrtle Beach, SC (about 4 hours from us) and have been working with Carmax there last night and today to test drive and help us purchase a replacement vehicle for my stolen truck — which my mom is going to drive to us when everything is finalized. I’ve had several friends at work (John Cooper, John Robitaille, Austin Bruce) encourage me by driving me to and buying me lunch while we’re dealing with this. And I’ve had so many friends that we see at work (Jim Blaine, Traci Hill, Jennifer Mason, Brianna Smith, Tricia Brown, Travis Bowers, Donnie Williams, Ken Marler, Jessica Bonds, Julie Coates, +more) , at church (Andrew Smith, Austin Barnett, +more), online (Tom & Christy Pierce, Susan Cope, Dakota Milton, Michael Mcleymore, Matt Elder, Hillary Brackins Anderson, Eddie Pat Glance, Jay Horton, Allison Uhler, Daniel Hutchins, +more) etc. that have been especially encouraging and helpful through this whole process.

Sometimes, it is easy to overlook the many small kindnesses around us. But when we are able to slow down and recognize them, it sure is inspiring. It makes me want to look for opportunities to do the same thing for others! And when I look at how kind and loving the Lord has been (and continues to be) towards me and my family, it inspires me to see more clearly the many ways He shows us love — through them and through the precious Blood of the Lamb.

Maybe today I will get to carry that gift of love and deliver it to others? I really hope that I won’t miss an opportunity to show kindness! We never know when our small act of kindness is part of the story that keeps someone else’s heart warmed against some of the harsh and cold realities of this life’s challenges.

Someone might look at me writing stories regularly about Jesus, love and hope — and mistakenly believe that it is natural, or easy for me to remain hopeful, to not hurt, to not doubt, or to be positive — but I’ve dealt with deep depression, suicide attempts, hopelessness and overwhelming anxiety and grief too. But I can truly say that I was blind to see the loving kindness that was around me, and I was only looking into the darkness. I have turned and gone another way (towards the light), and I see your kindness now — and I want to be that kindness now.

Thank you each for your loving kindness towards me, and towards whoever you’ll encounter today. Thank you Jesus for revealing your love powerfully like light breaking through the darkness. Amen.

‭John‬ ‭13:35‬ ‭ESV‬
[35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.13.35.ESV

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My Love Letter to You

‭
My friends,

Since God loves us so much, is there any doubt or confusion that we ought to love each other?

Not even one of us has ever seen God.

But if we truly love each other (not lust or codependency or mutually beneficial, transactional or manipulative behavior — but committed, faithful and sacrificial love for others) — isn’t it clear that God lives in those of us who live this way, and that His love is brought to full bloom and full expression of His Spirit alive within us?

Is it an offensive claim for some to hear us say that — God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and that He lives in us?

Is it an even more offensive claim for some to hear us testify that — the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world, and that all who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God?

If we know how much God loves us, then we have put our trust in his love. We know that God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows and blooms more perfectly in His love.

If we love one another, if we love both our friends and our enemies, showing mercy and forgiveness and love eagerly to all, then we have nothing to fear and only an electable of more opportunities to show this love while we still breathe.

And if we love one another, we will not be afraid after our last breath, because even facing a day of judgment, we can face him with confidence because we live and live others like Jesus gave us the example here in this world.

This love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we were afraid, it would have been because we feared punishment, but this would reveal that we have not yet fully experienced his perfect love.

We do not teach fear, we teach love. We do not live out of fear, we live out of love.

And we love each other because he loved us first.

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, hates a family member, hates a neighbor, hates another person, hates an “enemy” — that person is a liar.

If we refuse to love people that we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

He has given us this command: Those who love God must also love one another.

And for those who misunderstand or wish to twist this to justify their fear or hatred for some and their preference for some — Jesus has made it clear. We must love not only those who are like us, but we must love our neighbor, we must love those in need, we must love those who are undeserving, and we must love even our enemies.

This is how God has loved us who have all at one time or another proven ourselves enemies of God — yet He has loved us and shown us a different path along The Way — a life that abides and grows in His love. Amen.

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I could use more Faith, more Hope, and more Love

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭ESV‬

This month has been insane. I don’t even have the time to write it all down here. When I saw today’s verse, at first I just went into study mode. But then I realized how much I really and truly need more faith, more hope, and more love right now in my life. I’ve really been trying to stir myself up and to endure gracefully. I’ve tried to encourage so many others that I see hurting during this season — and I’m hurting too. So I think this verse is perfectly timed for me.

I used to think that the proper order should be hope, faith and love — like a set of steps. I thought about hope as “not quite faith”, as a type of “gamble” where I didn’t quite think the odds were in my favor but it “might happen”. In the common English language, this is how many of us might use the word “hope” — whereas “having faith” that something will happen usually describes someone who is mostly confident that it “will happen”.

This difference in our common use of these three spoken terms today — versus their use in our modern day translation describing the three graces of faith, hope and love (that Paul spoke about in his letter to the Corinthian church over 1900 years ago) — makes me appreciate the bracketed guidance that the AMPlified version offers us:

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:13‬ ‭AMP‬
[13] And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1co.13.13.AMP

The extra detail can throw some readers off and doesn’t make it an easy translation to preach from — but it sure is helpful for studying and digging in (to really chew on what is being said).

Anyone can take a verse and twist it to their own preferences — look at how Satan does this to tempt Jesus — look at how religion has been misused to justify war and oppression through the ages — look at how religion is used by some even today to fuel hatred and division — look at how even well meaning students like myself can misunderstand on first glance and want to sort and order things to my own whim if I’m not a good Berean willing to study and learn (rather than manipulate).

But the graces of Faith, Hope and Love do not speak of generic human feelings, emotions, attitudes or perspectives. They speak of gifts from God that are the power of Christ in this body of believers who walk in The Way. The graces aren’t about me sitting myself up to maybe hope a little, and eventually being strong enough to have faith, and to aspire to one day be strong enough to love — as if training myself to eventually run a marathon. All of this would just be the striving of men, not something spectacular and amazing! These three speak of the power of God!

Faith is a gift from God:

‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8‭-‬9‬ ‭ESV‬
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:8‭-‬11‬ ‭ESV‬
[8] For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

And we receive this gift by hearing the Word of God:

‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭ESV‬
[17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Faith (trusting God’s promises), Hope (confident expectation that He is fulfilling His promises) and Love (that grows out of His love for me) are graces given to us — not demanded of us. They aren’t precepts to just be learned and applied and practiced and sharpened by people who are conscientious and are good citizens. Our God makes the bold claim that people who we see outwardly as faithful and hopeful and loving people can’t even stand proud of this themselves — because if it is true, genuine faith, hope and love it isn’t from them. Imagine how infuriating offensive such a statement would be to those who are proud of the image and reputation they have created outwardly for themselves — if their true intentions are to leverage that for their own benefit rather than it actually being the genuine graces of faith, hope and love.

Would it infuriate me to hear that I can’t expect that person to love me back just because I’ve been doing what I think is loving towards them — that what I’m doing is trying to be controlling and manipulative, and that shows nothing of real love at all? Could I hear that I need to repent and ask God to give me His love — so that I might actually love others well?

Would it infuriate me to hear that my attempts to try harder at stirring up or proving my faith by my actions, service, and consistent practices are actually undermining any real opportunity for faith because I’m still making it about myself rather than being humble, contrite and surrendered? Could I hear that I need to repent and ask God to give me the gift of faith that comes from Him?

Would it infuriate me to hear that my confidence in a sinners prayer, or a baptism, or a church membership, or service to others, or regular attendance, or constant tithing, or building a ministry, or knowing the Bible is not a source of hope that can be relied on and that it all falls short of the hope and confidence that we are given freely through Christ Jesus?

I apologize if my study this morning has been more academic than relatable. But I don’t need us to just read together and like each other, or like the topics we’re discussing, or enjoy writing and reading about good, intellectual, wise things. We need the power of God to lay hold of our thoughts, our minds, our hearts, our words, our actions, and our lives. We need the grace of God that is so much more powerful that anything we could muster up in ourselves. We do not need to play at Christianity — we need to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit of Almighty God in The Way that Jesus Christ had shown us. We make an amazing claim that only God himself can fulfill.

May you know the grace of God and may your lives be blessed by His abiding presence in and over and through your lives, my friends. Lord, help us to be what we could not be on our own — like you. Amen.

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The Gentle, Respectful and Open Invitation

There is a lot to be said about being gentle and respectful — especially when we interact with people who think, believe and behave differently than we do. Being harsh and disrespectful to others who are different than us isn’t a sign of commitment or superiority — it is a sign of weakness, fear, foolishness and a lack of love. Someone who always points fingers at others in a demeaning way shouldn’t hide behind their beliefs as a blanket excuse for their hatred, condescension, pride and self righteousness.

I do not have to shame and scare people out of their tribe and into mine. I do not have to win converts into my way of thinking. You see, I serve a Holy and powerful God who calls me to be loving, gentle, respectful, generous, and forgiving even towards anyone that considers themselves my enemy.

It isn’t my depth of understanding or application of his wise guidance, precepts or laws that I use to convince people “to consider my religion as their best choice” — but it is the visible testimony of my new life walking with Him, my explaining how the truth of the gospel impacts me deeply, personally and powerfully each day, and my heartfelt reliance upon Christ in me (the Holy Spirit, God with us, Emmanuel) to bear fruit that is a blessing to those around me. That all serves as the call for others to “Come as you are” to meet my beloved Jesus.

That statement “Come as you are” can make many a self-righteous, religious man (who trusts in his own actions, not in the grace and mercy and power of God) hate and lash out at “those people who deserve hell” — but this is the ONLY GOSPEL THAT CAN SAVE! That statement “come as you are” is the only perspective that can keep a preacher safely on his knees in front of the cross– instead of lifted up on a pedestal where he will fall like a great weight has been tied around his neck. That statement “Come as you are” is the only exit ramp sign that breaches the gap between the broad and The narrow Way.

I invite you, my friends, to “Come as you are” not so you can try change your ways and be a better or more blessed person — but so that by the power of God you WILL be so much more than just those things. I invite you to “come as you are” because you are wonderful, amazing, unique and loved — regardless of how others see you or how anyone (including you) thinks you “measure up”. I have found a friend in Christ who lives in me, I have believed in Savior Jesus who lived died and was resurrected, and I have realized a Good, Good Father in Almighty God — and my confidence, my hope, and even my faith is a precious gift that I have been given and told to spread out on my table and invite others to “Come as you are” and to “taste and see that the Lord is good”. Amen.

‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭AMP‬
[15] But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1pe.3.15.AMP

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Let’s Be a Gift to Others Today

We each have a uniquely wonderful opportunity today to make the world a little bit better for those around us.

Whether you’re the janitor, the CEO, the office worker, the fork lift driver, the stay at home parent, the college student, the professor/teacher, the policeman, the struggling artist, the waitress, the government employee, the surgeon, the receptionist, or wherever your day will take you — there will be opportunity.

You may be talented at helping someone learn something new — then share wisdom with someone today.

You may be talented at remaining calm and consistent rather than being led around by your passions and desires — then be there alongside those who are struggling and hurting.

You may be someone who has been forgiven and who is good at forgiving — then be there alongside those who are overly critical, depressed and anxious.

We don’t have to “fix” others and there is rarely any help in “judging” others either — especially when we don’t know their whole story or situation. But we can serve and love everyone and anyone — with a high probability of positive impact.

Why would we do this — And how can we do this?

Pragmatically speaking, the world is always a better place when people love and care for each other rather than compete and war against each other for power and position. And positive change is not a single hero changing the world, it is a cascading avalanche or wild fire that builds larger and larger from initial small acts that are repeated and amplified.

We decide to turn and take one small step in the right direction. We are intentional and purposeful with our time, our words, our actions, and our resources. We chose to do something that is about others and not ourselves. Then we repeat this again and again as opportunities present themselves — because we are eagerly watching and waiting to see them appear in our day.

We cannot control whether or not they will be seen, appreciated, or inspiring. Our one act may not can a flame that spreads throughout our circle of influence, yet we have still made a difference. Or it may have a widespread impact as it stirs a chain of people to also “pay it forward”, yet we never know or recognize it. Still a difference has been made.

As a Christian, I do not live to be the face of some new movement or to take credit for starting the fire by some act of loving service. I look at the life example and teachings of Jesus Christ about selfless love — I see what He did for me through the cross — and I trust and believe in His resurrection and in His ensuring Kingdom both here in earth and in Heaven — and I follow Him. He not only inspires me through His life example, but He gives me strength to love and serve others through the Holy Spirit.

If you are struggling with the “why” and the “how” of knowing your purpose, seeing the opportunities, believing you can make a difference, or being strong enough to do it on your own — I encourage you to look to Jesus. Look to His promises. Speak with Him today in prayer. If you don’t know how to do this on your own, reach out to me and I will be happy to introduce you to my sweet friend Jesus. God bless you my friends! May your life today bring glory to God, and hope, love, peace and the fruit of blessing to those you encounter! Amen.

‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭AMP‬
[10] Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1pe.4.10.AMP

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Who do we “seek the best or highest good for”?

This morning’s YouVersion Bible app “Verse of the Day” is:

But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Luke 6:35 AMP

And the second word of this verse in most English translations is “love” (ἀγαπᾶτε in the Greek that sounds like “agapao”) — which is a verb, in the present active imperative, second person plural tense. It is an instruction given by Jesus to a multitude of disciples that is also given to us.

In fact, He even explains later that all of the law and all of the words of the prophets are built upon this — “love”.

And I especially like how the Amplified version expands this out in their translation in perfect “ELI5” form (“ELI5” = “Explain like I’m 5”). With the bracketed note “[that is, unselfishly seek the best or highest good for]” that they point towards “your enemies” in the gospel way that is shocking and offensive to our ego and carnal sensibilities.

You want to hear from God? He instructs you, commands you to seek the best and highest good — not for yourself, not for those who love you, not for those who are good in your eyes, but for your enemies.

Yep, this is where the rubber meets the road, where true saving faith is revealed, where most of us must count the true cost of Discipleship. And we must truly decide whether we will lay down those heavy burdens of offense, of unforgiveness, of grudges, of longing for revenge, of accusing others, or judging others — to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. It isn’t whether we will go to church, or graduate seminary, or preach publicly, or cross streets and oceans to win religious converts, or post scripture and encouragement online. It is whether we will seek the best for them — not just hope or wish or want for these enemies the best things — but to be active in seeking it on their behalf.

Can we admit that in our flesh, that is quite unnatural?

Can we lay down our religious coverings, and instead bear naked and fully exposed the desires of our hearts — and honestly admit that “enemy” that we have been clinging to so strongly that we cannot grasp a firm hold upon the grace available to us because of the cross?

Yes, this gospel is about surrendering our own demands so that through faith in God’s plan and purpose, we can trust that love and forgiveness is the cure that we need for the disease that was killing us. Yes, it sets us free from “enemies” holding our hearts captive in unforgiveness — to us soaring and seeking the best for those same people who are beloved by God.

Are our eyes open to see that those we once deemed “enemies” are now “beloved”?

If this is a heavy burden, realize that if we measure them by what they have done, we will be measured by what we have done, and that is a long spiral down into the pit of hell. It will crush our opportunities today by taking our hearts and minds captive to a cell and shackles that only imprisons and hurts us, not them.

To know what we should do and not do it is sin, and the wages of sin is death. He says we should seek the best and highest good for them.

Decide now…

We will go out today to live amongst the world, but we mustn’t be content with living as they do, “Christian”. Let’s not take the name of the Lord in vain by claiming the name like a cheap costume at Halloween, but leaving the one call that would truly let the world see God in us and would truly give Him glory. Amen.

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Be a Blessing to Those Who Hear

What a convicting message for me to consider. But when I start looking at what the scriptures, I see that it isn’t just “what I’m loudest about” but that language like “don’t let any” and “only such speech” are the kinds of words used to describe how we are to live and speak and behave as vessels of the holy spirit of God.

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin]. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29‭-‬32 AMP

Lord, help us.

You know what, friend? We have an opportunity to repent in this area of our lives. We have an opportunity to be quick to listen, slow to anger, and show to speak — like Almighty God is with us.

As we’ve heard before, the first step towards recovery is admitting we have a problem.

Instead of getting offended at “such a preposterous accusation” when we read such a convicting question — what if we realize as a Christian that we got mad or dismissed a question where the bar was set much lower than the Word of God calls us to live. And for those quick to throw out any commands as “old law”, that’s Paul in the new testament, friends. That isn’t law — that’s whether we are walking with God as vessels of His holy spirit or not.

Lord, help us. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

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Epitaph

This morning, I’m reminded that my love for you is my love for the Lord.

Not my studying and digesting and understanding and teaching the Word of God like a good theologian.

Not my defending the Word of God through debate and reason like a good apologist.

Not my singing and praising with voice and instrument like a good worshiper.

Not my touching and healing or casting out evil spirits by the Word of God like a good healer.

Not my speaking prayers with the tongues of angels and tears and pains of heartfelt concern for the needs of others like a good intercessor.

Not my revealing God’s will and bringing a timely and convicting message to the people of God like a good prophet.

Not my delivering the Roman road gospel explanation and offering an altar call for response and baptizing many in the name of the Lord like a good evangelist.

Not my feeding and providing for the needs of others like a good philanthropist.

These things alone can become tasks, checklists, routines, practices — dead religion and self- righteous hypocrisy.

But love.

Love makes all the difference.

I love you.

He loves you.

In all the things we will do today, we will show others how much we love them:

  • By our respect or our disrespect
  • By our presence or our absence
  • By our gentleness or our harshness
  • By our selflessness or our demands
  • By our patience or our impatience
  • By our joy or our anxiousness
  • By our forgiveness or our bitterness
  • By our making peace or our opposition
  • By our self-control or our attempts to control others

And the world is in desperate need of love. People are even turning their backs in droves from “the usual religious places” because they are not finding love there — they are looking for Jesus — and are understandably doubtful that He is there amongst all this activity and practice, but where there is so little love.

So let us set our sights on living others, Christian, beloved of God — because they truly are beloved by God. Ands out is our job to show that love to them in the language and manner they can see and understand is real.

Go love greatly! Because we are greatly loved!

Amen.

The story of Mary and Martha immediately following the golden rule in Luke 10 is not by coincidence:

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?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, who stripped him of his clothes [and belongings], beat him, and went their way [unconcerned], leaving him half dead. Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road]. But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him], and went to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them [to sooth and disinfect the injuries]; and he put him on his own pack-animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return.’ Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers?” He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.” Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:27‭-‬42 AMP

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God is not a Liar

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19 AMP

At times, especially during times of difficult challenges, I have found myself tempted to doubt that God is good and has good in store for me. But every single time, He has proven to be faithful and shown me in due time that the storm wasn’t there to bury me, but to clear the way for what He had in store for me.

However, even though it is true, telling someone “God has good in store for you” or “God is faithful” in the middle of a storm where it feels, looks, tastes, and seems like they are about to drown may not be comforting — in fact, it may be like pouring salt in the wound. It may sound like “fix it” advice when they need love delivered in a different language than just a spoken truth.

God provides love in so many more ways to us than just written words in a book. So if I follow His pattern, I will love in more ways than just quoting words from the book or sharing lessons online.

Help me, Lord, to be faithful when the orphans communicate a need to free the purse strings. Help me, Lord, when the widows need a comforting hug and a warm place to sleep and food on their plate to appreciate the opportunity. Help me, Lord, to see a friend in need of something I have and to be open handed. Help me, Lord, to find a friend in need of the type of healing that only you can bring and to be prayerful. Help ne, Lord, to love and be faithful like you are faithful to me all my days. And I begin to realize that when my time is spent being faithful and loving to others — it is such a blessed opportunity. Then, even the sting of betrayal or abandonment but others doesn’t leave me with less love to pour out, because you are my source of love to give. And the depths of your love for me to tap into and receive in order to give never runs out. Amen.