Getting Your Hands Dirty

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-4, 14

Last week, my wife and I were privileged to go to the hospital and visit friends who had their first child. I was amazed at the responsibility of a child and thought through some of the differences a child would bring into someone’s life. When we arrived in the room, I was able to hold her while she quietly slept and occasionally yawned. She was easy to handle but quite fragile. There was a lot of attention being focused on this little girl. I kept my eyes on her most of the time while talking to the family. It was a precious moment! After a while, she was stirred to emotion and began crying. Of course, my wife had her in her arms by that point; I had already passed her off right before the cries started. It wasn’t long until she seemed to be at ease. She was quiet and still but emitted a little bit of odor. My wife graciously handed the baby over to her father, and he inspected her. There was a mess to be cleaned up; It was personal, private, and obvious.

Have you ever thought about how we treat relationships at times? It is easy to be friends with someone who always responds the way you want them to. It is easy to get to know someone who has the same interests, job, socio-economic status, cultural background, and ideas on life. What is hard is to engage and take initiative in building relationships with those who are different. Of course, relationships are built over time, vary in levels of trust, and at times can be tested. Should we walk away so easily when relationships get messy? There is a part of us that wants to be separated, isolated, and unchanging. However, there is also a part of us that yearns for contact. With contact, there will be conflict at times, yet we must change according to truth and adapt to show that we care. This is the only way to grow in the context of a community.

Have you ever thought about what God looked down on when He saw us walking around and living in our sin? He could have said, “I do not want to get involved in the mess they have created for themselves.” He could have remained distant, silent, and uninvolved, yet He didn’t. Galatians tells us, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” We were condemned by the law. It exposed the personal, private, and obvious sins in our messy lives. Like helpless babies, we are unable to do anything for ourselves. Actually, Paul told the Ephesians that they were dead men walking (Eph. 2:1-3).

However in spite of our filth, Jesus entered the world we live in. He got his hands and feet dirty. He felt the desert air on his face. He felt the sun beaming down. He rode on filthy donkeys, wore dusty sandals, and built things as a carpenter. He loved on children, rebuked false professors, and showed grace to the repentant. He calmed the disciples’ fears on the sea. He was betrayed by one of them, Judas Iscariot, and saddened by the rejection of one of his closest friends, Peter. He loved by initiating contact with sinners in their messes. He loved by confronting men and women with truth. He loved by never compromising his character—the nature of his Father that He declared and came to reveal (Hebrews 1:1-3). He loved on the cross by dying for the way, truth, and life. He entered our world so we might be born again and see His (John 3:1-6).

Jesus was the Word made flesh. He lived among real people in a real time and was full of grace and truth. He proved that God loved the world not in thought only, but in sacrificial action. He chose to love us, so He might display the greatness of His glorious grace. In His extravagant love, based on truth, He revealed the grace-filled life and died for the church—a community connected in Him and bearing the cross with grace, truth, and love. The church is not of this world. We are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 1:3), but we must love, be incarnate, and be His body to those who are wallowing in their mess. Who is it that you need to reach out to and love? Who can you show Christ to? Pray. Act (Don’t pass your opportunities on to someone else!). Live in the power of the Spirit. Enjoy God’s presence in being part of the body of Christ.

Alive in the Word,
Brian Johnson

The Pruning Process

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:1-8

Have you ever had the green thumb and tried to grow something? Sometimes, it can be harder than you think. This time last year, I sowed my yard with grass after tilling up the whole thing. Some of it came up, and some of it didn’t. The soil, weather, and maintenance all had a factor in the growth process. What about house plants? Have you ever tried keeping those things alive? Recently, one of our house plants was demoted to the patio in the back yard. It is a big peace lily and was attracting too many bugs, according to my wife. I wondered if it would survive the sun and weather…

Over time, the weather has been nice to the plant. It has received some rain from time to time, and we have watered it on occasion. The main problem has not been with the surroundings of the weather, but the sun has beamed down on it and scorched many of its leaves. I have painfully watched this over the past few weeks. Finally, I decided to trim the scorched leaves and see if it would survive. I took my pruning scissors and cut off almost every stem that had browned. The plant looked greener, but it also looked like a mess. The only thing that would be able to sustain it now would be a strong root system.

Did you know that our life in Christ is like a plant or a vine? Christ is the vine, and His Father is the vinedresser. This means that Christ is all we need! Without a connection to the root, there will be no spiritual growth or fruit to prove a real work of God. Secondly, the Father is always in control of the growth. He sees the root of our hearts and knows if we are really connected with Jesus Christ. He knows what is producing fruit and what is producing green leaves. Do you remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree? He was looking for fruit on it, and in Israel, and He only saw the external religious system based on self-righteousness. He cursed it, because it did not produce organic and spiritual fruit of the Spirit— love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Next, the Father removes all of the “fluffy stuff” that is not producing real fruit. There is much activity going on today in the name of Christ, but I wonder how much of it is directed by the Holy Spirit and saturated in the Word of God. Then, all of the branches of activity and growth, that are not Christ-centered and God-honoring, are cast into the fire and burned. Man is not saved by works of righteousness, and the evidence of a fruitful, Spirit-filled life reveals a true connection to Christ! Lastly, we have the promise of answered prayer if we abide in Christ. God answers our prayer to display His glory, strengthen our faith, and show the world the reality of abiding in and following Him.

Are you rooted and built up in Christ today? As I went out to water my rugged-looking plant on the patio this morning, I noticed new growth had taken place in just a few days. The pruned stems were dying on the end, but the roots were providing nutrients for fresh, green growth. All of the ugly, brown leaves were hindering the plant. Once they were pruned, new life came out from the base of the plant. There is also a flower budding from the center. It still is not the prettiest plant in the world, but it is vibrant, healthy, and growing. Sometimes, our life can look messy from a distance, but God is producing new growth by pruning the areas of our lives that contain “fluffy stuff” in comparison with eternity. As He prunes, He is adding substance and depth to our hearts which produces fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. First John 2:17 reminds us, “And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever.”

Being pruned,
Brian Johnson

The Joy of Perspective

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46

Perspectives or the way that you look at things affect every aspect of your life. If you look at your bank account and see it dwindling because of gas prices today, you might get depressed. However if you look at the innocence of a child and their zest for life, you might be able to find joy no matter what is going on in your life. The streams of true joy run deep, and they can only be found in one place—God‘s presence. The Psalmist reminds us, “You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (16:11).

What kind of perspective on life have you had lately? Recently, a friend invited me to visit with a man who had moved from Africa to Nashville, Tennessee. He greeted us at the door with a smile and joy in his heart that we had stopped by. As I walked into his apartment, I noticed that he had a kitchen table, a couch, and a lot of empty space for his family of three. There were two perspectives that were clashing. In my view of comfort and ease, I wondered how he could be so happy. This alone made me ask a lot of questions about where he found his joy. He told me of a man who had visited his village in Africa and was spreading the Good News about Jesus. At first, he rejected the man, but the more that he heard the Gospel the more it affected him. As a result of the preacher sharing the Gospel, he was born again by God’s Spirit and began walking with Jesus. This was the source of his joy, happiness and peace.

After learning about his salvation experience, he showed me pictures of where he came from in Liberia, Africa. The roads were made of dirt, some gravel and very little pavement. The homes were built out of bamboo with leaves on the roof and a mixture of mud was used as mortar. He lived in a small place where they grew their own food and survived off the land. The basic mode of transportation was two feet or a bicycle if you were really blessed. He said you could easily walk 10-15 miles in a day. With my perspective being opened up to another culture, my friend informed me of a place he wanted to take the man to get some used furniture. We were able to drive to a benevolence center and pick out a few things—a full mattress, a fold-up single mattress, a few pillows, 3 wooden chairs, an old office desk and a couple of blankets. These items were able to meet his basic needs, and they were free. They didn’t seem like much to us, but it would be the comparison of taking an American to American Signature Home and saying, “Get what you want!” He was happy and overjoyed!

With my perspectives refocused, I came home realizing how blessed and spoiled I can be. I live in an air-conditioned home filled with furniture, books, food in the cabinets, clothes in the closet, running water, and ice. There are so many things that surround us and bring us comfort yet are we really comforted? Are we really happy? Are we really joyful? A.W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God, speaks about the Blessedness of Possessing Nothing. He uses Abraham offer of Isaac as a backdrop to say, “After that bitter and blessed experience I think the words my and mine never again had the same meaning for Abraham. The sense of possession which they connote was gone from his heart. Things had been cast out forever. They had now become external to the man. His inner heart was free from them. The world said, ‘Abraham is rich,’ but the aged patriarch only smiled. He could not explain it, but he knew that he owned nothing, that his real treasures were inward and eternal.”

Are your real treasures inward and eternal? Are you like the man who treated the kingdom of heaven like a treasure and sold all that he had to buy it with joy? Or like the merchant who was searching for great pearls and after finding one sold all he had to possess it? This is not saying that the kingdom of heaven can be purchased. The way has already been purchased. It is revealing the point that knowing Christ, the King of the kingdom, is priceless and abandonment to Him provides rich joy and real perspective on this life that we live!

When He Speaks

A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

For three days, I worked diligently on a painting that would be given to an expectant mother. I watched as the colors fell into place and became one of the most unique things I had ever done. The baby's name soon was creatively decorated onto the canvas, and finally, the decision on which scripture to use was finalized. As I wrote the bright pink verse on the pink and green polka dotted canvas, I did not know then how true they would be for me in the next few days...

Just a week before I began this gift, I had applied and been accepted to Western Kentucky University's online Master's Program in Elementary Education. I was overjoyed at the possibility of pursuing a purpose in my life. The door opened for me so quickly to go back to college; I never once took the time to really pray it through. It just seemed as if it were the right thing to do.

In my heart though, I believe I knew better. Just like the pink and green dots so brilliantly corresponded, a teacher with a year off should take the time to get her Master's degree. Or so I thought. We joke about it now, but my husband questioned me one afternoon about going back to school. The anxiety about it was overwhelming me, and with such clarity and conviction, I told him, "I would rather be a mother, than have a Master's."

For the past nine months, I have longed for a child. In December of 2007, when I learned we were in fact pregnant with our first child, I knew God was answering my prayers. Just two short months later, when that same God took the baby into His arms, I asked Him over and over why it had to be this way when He had just given me all that I wanted. When we didn't get pregnant in the next few months and knowing I would not be teaching in any school in the upcoming fall, we decided that God wanted us to further our education. I shared the information with family after being accepted, and as excited as they all were, my dad said the most peculiar words after learning of the news, “I thought you were calling to tell me you were pregnant." He even seemed disappointed (don't take this wrong because my father would love to see me graduate again).

I'll be honest... I was too. Two years ago when I graduated from Western, I was so thankful to be leaving and had no intentions of going back. God seems to have His own ideas and plans, and He actually wasn't keeping them from me. You see, as I was busy making my own plans to head back to school, God was speaking His plans for me loud and clear through paintings, family, and in my heart. I would not be going back to school because 1) the cost is currently too expensive, and 2) we are pregnant with our second child.

Now, I don't know the specific plans God has for me, and I'm not sure that I will ever meet this child that is within me. What I do know is that, through the steady sound of a heartbeat on an ultrasound monitor, God speaks clearly. He speaks directly. He speaks with great wisdom. When He speaks, we must listen. Our lives are not our own, and our decisions are not ours to make. So with a humble heart, I write to express my deepest apologies for misinforming you about my returning to college, and I meekly ask you to pray for us as we anticipate the plans God has for our future...

The bright pink words on the canvas stand out now. They are so plain yet now incredibly beautiful, as I know that God was using them to speak to my heart. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." How awesome it is when God speaks!


Listening to Him,
Jenna Johnson
(See the “Bright Pink Canvas” here.)

Could You Pass the Salt?

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."
Matthew 5:13

Can you tell the difference between something that is salty and something that is not? If you would like to experiment, you should come to my house for dinner one night, and then let me take you to my grandmother’s house where things are well-seasoned. My wife and I experiment almost every night in the kitchen, and our green beans, peas, and other meals taste nothing like my grandmother’s. She enjoys using fat back, bacon grease, and cast iron skillets. Her meals have flavor to savor while ours can be bland and taste like they have just come out of a frozen bag or can. Often, they do.

Now that you are hungry, let’s transition this thought to what Jesus was saying in Matthew 5:13. He wasn’t talking about food with flavoring or seasoning, but he was giving a profound illustration of what the character of Christ in the life of a believer should be. There is plenty to do, but God’s first priority for His children is to be—like Christ. He wasn’t worried about whether you were going to the most popular church down the road, had the coolest Bible cover in Sunday school, or lived on the streets. He is concerned about who you are…

Since my wife and I are learning to cook, we often take breaks by going out to eat. A few weeks ago we stopped at Captain D’s. As we were driving in, I noticed a young lady who was taking out the trash. She had the biggest smile of anyone that I have ever seen while doing the dirty work. I couldn’t help but stop and ask her what was making her smile so much. She told me she knew Jesus and that everyday was a blessing. This was not the first time I had seen her. The previous week she was wearing the same smile while working behind the counter with rude customers. She was consistent, vibrant, and full of flavor. I left her presence wanting to know more about her relationship with Jesus.

Does your influence leave others wanting to know more about Jesus? At a recent baseball game, I purchased a bag of roasted peanuts. Do you know how expensive things are at sporting events? I normally try to be conservative in spending, but I could not help but pay $5 for a drink. The salt on the peanuts was delicious, but it created an incredible, mouth-watering yearning for something to drink. This is the whole purpose of being Christ-like. We do not have the power to save anyone, because the Holy Spirit must work on and melt the hearts of men. However, God can use those who are really connected with Christ to create a thirst and hunger for the eternal life that we possess in Jesus. Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” We are not called to be water, but salty lives that create soul-wrenching thirsts.

How do we get salty? First, we must realize that there is no cookie-cutter Christian. God works on everyone in His own way, and we are not to look like everyone else. We are to look like Christ. We are not to be like pre-assorted, canned, and bagged vegetables. Many today think if they can go to the most-marketed church that they will automatically become salty. You can be in the biggest and best church, and be savorless because you might be Savior-less. The character of Christ only comes by knowing the Person of Christ. Have you met him? Secondly, saltiness comes when the Word of God becomes the key ingredient in your life. The savorless and powerless are more concern with culture than with being a Christian. I fail often, but I am glad that God is still cooking on me. If you see me and find that my spiritual tastes are bland, could you please pass the salt and direct me to Christ?

Tasting and Knowing the Christ is good,
Brian Johnson

Waters Gone By

Then surely you could lift up your face without shame; yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; Because you would forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away, And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.
Job 11:15-17

Just a week ago, I had been accepted to Western Kentucky University’s Graduate program. I was anxious and spent time preparing for my upcoming classes. That was only seven days ago.

Just a month ago, I sat in a church in West Tennessee completely filled with the Spirit. I witnessed praises and testimonies, hearts being changed, and lost being saved. Only thirty days since then.

Just six months ago, I lay on a hospital bed singing Amazing Grace, as I waited for my doctor to arrive with the same news he had told me two days before. Only six months ago, my child went to Heaven.

Just a year ago, my husband drove me to the Emergency Room as the pain in my lower abdomen increased. We waited hours to find out I had a ruptured cyst, and I would be missing a week or more of teaching Kindergarten. Just a year ago…

Just five years ago, I was starting my third year of college at WKU after having had a car wreck the year before. Just ten years ago, I was starting high school at Greenbrier and was busy trying to fit in. Just twenty years ago, I was starting Kindergarten at Watauga Elementary with white-blonde hair and snaggle teeth. All of this seems like yesterday, and yet so much has changed since then.

At five years old, I could have never guessed that God would completely guide my life these twenty years later. I wouldn’t be able to understand why I couldn’t go back to Graduate School or how I would come to marry a preacher. I would have been saddened to know of the death of my own baby, and I couldn’t imagine being a teacher missing school. I couldn’t picture the journey I would take to get to college or the years I would spend trying to make lifelong friends in high school. I could only see what was right in front of me.

Yet God knew. He had designed every year for me. He knew exactly how my hair would grow and why I didn’t need braces as a young child. God was there in my teenage years when I wasn’t making the friends I wanted because they weren’t the ones I would need. He also was there that afternoon on my lunch break as my head collided with the windshield, and He helped me to gain the courage to head back to Western. He planned my wedding and realized my first year of marriage wouldn’t be easy. He specifically intended for my miscarriage to teach me the blessing of children. God put me in churches to help me realize my responsibilities as a Christian and that sitting in my pew wasn’t enough. He also had that acceptance letter sent to my door, and He saw me when I didn’t pray about going back to school. God knew the changes that would take place.

In the times where everything changes, we are able to see God move. We are able to put the past behind us and realize they are simply as the waters gone by. Our futures look brighter when we are able to put in perspective the fact that God is in complete control, and that “All things work together for good to them that love the Lord… (Romans 8:28).” God knows the plans for your life, and no matter how rough they may be, He knows which stream He will take you down. He understands that there are rocks along the way, but the beauty that lies ahead of you is worth the wait.

Riding His Waves,
Jenna Johnson

Leap of Faith

Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”
John 9:10-11

Jumping into puddles was SO easy when I was a child. It would thrill me, after each storm, to run through these little miracles God had left behind. The mud and the drops that splattered onto my legs never bothered me at all. Turns out I'm not a child anymore, and the truth is every spot irritates me to no end.

The mud on my legs has been quite evident lately. It's been no question to those of you who know me well what it is I've been covered with. You know how my heart aches and what it is I've been longing for, and yet none of those things have come to pass. The puddles continue to pile up around me, and my heart longs for an escape from them all.

Instead of taking these "acts of God" head on, I've tiptoed around them. I've been so scared of getting dirty. I've been clinging to my clean clothes and worrying that the stains that may have found themselves splattered into my life would never come out.

The stains life leaves behind usually cannot be washed away. As they settle into the fabric of who we are, God has no intention of you doing His laundry. He simply uses each spot as a testament of who He is and how faithful we are. Will we spend load after load trying to rid ourselves of these blots, or will we simply trust that He is God and has a special purpose for each blemish?

With all of this in mind, I have quickly learned that each puddle is made for me. I can either run straight through it, wallow in the mud, or tiptoe around the water. There aren't many other options... Dirty may be the only way I can come out, but dirty is what I am, a simple sinner saved by God's grace. God is using the mud to clean me up. Romans 8:28 says that, "All things work together for good to them that love God..." ALL THINGS. Every single puddle. Each spot of mud. He uses them all.

Instead of spending my days avoiding the puddles that life brings me, I should take them head on, full force, and wait for the cleaning. I've realized that maybe God hasn't intended for me to have exactly what I want. All these things I've been stained with are preparing me for the future, and right now is not the future. What God had in store for my life was a brand new puddle, and it's going to take a lot of mud to get through.

I'm plunging straight into college. Not motherhood, not teaching, not housework... College.

I have applied to an Online Elementary Education Master's program from Western Kentucky University and if accepted, will begin classes on Monday, August 25th. Yes, it sounds strange. It's probably crossed your mind that I just washed my hands of teaching a little over three months ago... But God wasn't completely finished. He wanted me to go back, get my hands dirty, and love learning all over again. Here it is, one of the biggest puddles I've faced, and yet the only way around this one is a leap of faith...

One Step at a Time,
Jenna Johnson

Resistance Training

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Have you ever seen anything implemented in your life and begin to make a change? I can remember one of the first times that my basketball coach told the team to run down to a nearby graveyard and back. It was less than a mile down the road and was part of our conditioning. It seemed like 10 miles in those days, because my lungs and heart were not in that good of shape. After a while, I could tell the changes that were taking place in my body and I was actually becoming healthier and faster. What used to be a dread became a delight, because I was able to sense the freedom of running like the wind.

Change is often difficult to overcome in our lives. We can get set in our ways, cold, and indifferent. We had rather sit still and enjoy the same patterns that we have always been in. When it comes to the Gospel, we are always subject to change. The Gospel can not set idle in our lives. It will impact us and tear down every comfortable wall we have in our hearts when the Holy Spirit implants the engrafted Word and begins a work in our heart. When God begins a work in our heart, we repent and change according to His will. Actually, true salvation is a miracle of change where a dead man who is lost in sin is quickened and made alive in Christ. The Gospel has power and permeates every aspect of our lives.

While helping in revival services this past week, I watched the Gospel have it affect on many hearts. There was a 13-year old boy who heard the truth last Monday and came quickly to the altar of prayer. Within 15 minutes, Jesus saved his soul, and he said his burden of sin and condemnation had gone away. The boy who came into the church with his head down and little to say left with a smile and joy in his heart, because his sins were forgiven. The young girls and boys who played outside noticed the change immediately saying, “He’s acting like a different person!” God’s grace, mercy and peace will make a person a new creation.

The second situation that occurred was between two men who used to be at odds against each other on the streets. One of the men had been saved and called into the ministry. He was full of the Spirit as he testified to what God had been doing in his life. He had only preached a few times, and he said that in many pulpits, he felt like he was being judged by his past. He said many in the congregation didn’t seem to appreciate what God had done in his life, because they couldn’t see past the old person he used to be. He emphatically said that the old man that he once was dead, because Christ had saved his soul. The song leader, formerly being an investigator, was blessed to see God’s work and reminded him that he used to be after him while creating havoc in the streets. God’s grace had reached into his life and changed him from the inside out. After this testimony, a man in his 30s stood up in the back of the church and confessed that he used to despise the man. Apparently, they had confrontations on the street. He openly asked forgiveness from the Lord and the man who at he had been at odds with. Without hesitation, they met each other in the middle of the aisle, embraced, and were reconciled through the power of the Gospel.

How is the Gospel of Jesus Christ impacting your life today? Is there anything different in your life in comparison to the rest of the world? The Gospel of grace is life-changing. I do not mean that it changes your life once and you are saved and done. Salvation begins at a point in your life when you repent, have faith in Christ, and are declared righteous on the merits of Christ alone. Many think this is the beginning and end. However, this is only the starting point of everlasting life. At this point, you begin to life! You will not be able to walk close to Jesus and not be changed. How long has it been since you felt the pains of change? When I starting running to be conditioned to play basketball, everything in me wanted to rebel and quit. I had been used to walking. Sometimes, the Lord wants to take us to the next level through discipline that we may be able to run the race that is set before us more effectively!

Potential Servants

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption.
Acts 13:36

Have you ever seen the potential in something that someone else has been unable to see? I can remember one of the first houses I looked at when I began searching for a home. It was located in a nice area in Nashville, Tennessee, yet was going to be moved to another location. The home could have been bought at a cheap price, placed on a nice plot of land, then remodeled and bricked. I was almost sold on the deal when my imagination began roaming, and I thought of the wife and children that may make the house a home. It had great potential. The only problem was if I would be willing to pay the price. Initial costs, remodeling, time, and sweat…

Over the past few days, my eyes have been opened up to lives that possess great potential. At the women’s prison on Sunday, there was a young lady sitting in the middle of the crowd who was moved by the message from Psalms 1. It was comparing and contrasting the life of the righteous and the wicked. It explained the progression of sin from walking in the wrong crowd, standing in the way of sinners and then sitting in the seat of the scornful. I am sure that she never imagined sitting in prison when she was learning her multiplication tables in 3rd grade. However, she had been drifting through life like chaff in the wind. She didn’t have any stability, security or satisfaction? Who knows where she would have been if someone had been around to see the potential in her life and direct her to Jesus? On Sunday, tears fell from her eyes as she heard of the hope and life that is found in Jesus Christ.

At the mission, a young man named Martel, 24, sat across the table eating his lunch consisting of fried chicken, slaw, carrots, bread and cheesecake to sweet to eat. He ate it anyway but couldn’t’ handle a second one. He was from Detroit, Michigan. He had moved to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University before getting in trouble and quitting school. He was now on the streets for a short while before deciding what he was going to do next. He shared with me a little about his life and the wake-up call he received when his brother died in May from a gun-shot wound. He realized that life was not all about the money, and the stuff he had been doing. After watching God provide for his daily needs in a miraculous way, he told me that he began searching for truth. His mom and grandmother told him where to look so he turned to the Word of God. He had so many questions about God’s Word and could quote from his hand-held New Testament better than many that sit in the church pews each Sunday. He shared gospel lyrics that he had written and said that he wanted to continue to study God’s Word to know Him better. God was at work and blessed our fellowship. I saw in him a vibrant, fresh, and inquisitive heart behind the camouflage shirt and khaki pants. He’s on rock bottom from a worldly perspective, but rock bottom is not bad when you are standing on the ROCK of Jesus Christ!

During a youth weekend, I noticed the crowd of young people from various states gathering to worship and serve the Lord. Though many of them wore shirts, ties and dresses and came from established families, I saw a real hunger for God’s Word and a yearning to live successful lives for the glory of God. Success is not measured by dollar figures, homes and cars, but by a life devoted to God’s service. These young people longed to see the lost saved, church alive and Jesus exalted. Worldly success is temporary while godly success lasts in eternity. We live each day in between the two, and it is important to measure which we are impacting the most. These young men and women have been privileged with a godly home, church and strong foundation and are reaping the benefits. In Luke 10:2 Jesus said unto his disciples, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.”

Whether you have been in jail, been homeless or lived a stable home life, there is great hope for anyone who will turn to Jesus casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Life is not picture perfect, but can leave us shattered, battered and bruised. Though I walked away from the house and thought the price was too much to pay, I am thankful that Jesus saw my ruined sinful condition, made me a new creation, and filled me with His Spirit that my heart would be a sanctuary for Him to dwell in! If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31b) Are you living at your full potential?

Who Am I

I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts.
Psalm 119:94

The facts are all there… Just ask my mom, she will tell you exactly who I am. Her opinions melted and broke my heart as she described her thoughts of me. It is not everyday you call your loved ones and ask them to tell you what they think of you. However, as I listened to a familiar Casting Crowns’ song today, I was intrigued to know what others thought.

If you did not know me as a child, let my mother tell you what I was like. She claims I was energetic and entertaining, singing songs and getting the attention of others as much as possible. She explained that I was self-confident and a leader among my friends. Mom said that I loved sports (I don’t remember this), and I was my daddy’s girl. Learning came easy for me; I was smart but not studious. I loved church and the friends I made there, but who I was continued to change despite what I was being taught in God’s house.

As a teenager, one who had been saved and was a child of God, I had changed a bit. As my mother spoke today, it seemed simple for her to describe me and also point out negative terms to depict who I was in those years. I was driven to excel, and it did not matter to me how I got to the top as long as I did. I was involved – if there was a club to be in or a gathering of teens to meet up with, I was there. My mom relates that I was self-centered and a manipulator – I seemed to get whatever I wanted with no effort. Just after I had been saved, I started acting as one who did not know Christ at all.

Hearing these descriptions from my mom really pierced my heart, knowing that they were true. It seemed to hurt my mom as she spoke of me in this manner, and I understood the pain I had caused her. Still, I imagined how God felt about me at that time, how I must have broken his heart as He watched me become the person I was. Would He even want to claim me as His own?

Grace was involved in my life. I cannot tell you how or when I noticed who I was becoming, but God told me who I was. It is never easy when God rebukes you for your wrongdoings and who you are. It became clear that I was a person who was difficult to love. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions (Ephesians 2:4-5a).”

The eyes of a parent can see things others cannot. When I asked my mom to portray me as I am today, she smiled; I could just hear it in her voice. She said, “You have become a servant to others instead of worrying over pleasing yourself.” Is this the way God sees me too? He is my Father; does He think of me the way my mom does? “You are a teacher and a writer who is creative, responsible, gifted, and resourceful; you use your talents for the benefits of others. You are focused on God’s work and not your own.” My hope is that others see me for who I am just as God does, not for what I do. “…For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7b).” Who I am is not who I used to be. Do you hear it? It is the smile of a Father who can be pleased with His child.

Completely His,
Jenna Johnson

Challenged

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 1:3 NASB)

At 5 years old, I graduated from a tricycle to a bike that had training wheels. I can remember the first ride in the front yard of our house. Every body (Dad, Mom and my sister) was watching to see if I could make it. It was like watching a fawn trying to take it’s for steps, or maybe like a baby bird that was just learning how to fly. Of course, as you could guess, the momentous occasion of peddling the bike by myself ended in 30 seconds or so. I was on the ground, but ready to get back up again. Have you ever felt like this when it comes to sharing your faith with someone else? Unsure, unstable, and winging every word you say. You don’t have to be.

Yesterday while at the mission, I watched something unfold from the distance that inspired me. First, there was a homeless guy named Raymond who has visited 49 states and 4 Canadian provinces. He is in his early 60s. He is tall, toothless, yet talented with words. Second, there was a group of high school students participating in a mission’s outreach program called M-Fuge. They are living at a local college and reaching out into the community of Nashville at various ministries. They are right out of school for the summer, saturated by the world, yet willing to serve. As the students began preparing the trays for those eating, Raymond comes in and begins questioning them. He says, “Are you really Christians or are you just pretending?” With a smile and a laugh, he realizes that he has taken these high school students off guard. How would this make you feel if you were asked this question? The girls respond to some of his questions to defend themselves about why they are there to serve. They responded, “We are trying to do good that God’s light may shine through us.” Before everyone gets into the cafeteria, he asks them, “What can God do for a sinner like me?” He told them to hold that thought, and he would be back after lunch was served.

Taken back, the girls talk among themselves and then disperse to meet and greet some of the homeless that are coming in for lunch. On this day, there are not as many people eating at the mission, because it is the first of the month. Many get there checks, and the day on the street is called, “Dope Day!” In a week or so, the money will have been spent on drugs, alcohol and women. They always come back looking for help in a few weeks. Raymond seems to be clear headed and often has a smile on his face. He comes back after lunch and begins questioning the young girl’s faith about Jesus, salvation, the One True God, and how to deal with sin. He probes them for answers about this great salvation that they speak of. He acts like he doesn’t understand anything about the gospel of Jesus Christ. One young girl is drilled about how she knows this is real. She gets so frustrated and almost mad as he refuses to believe her answers. They take Raymond to the Scriptures and try to explain John 3:16 and God’s amazing love in giving his own Son as our Substitute and ultimate Sacrifice. He said, “I get it.” He then asks, “Do you know what 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us?” All of their Bibles were on the bus, so one of the chaperones pulled his from his backpack and allow the girl to read, “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Behind his worn clothing and toothless but priceless smile, he explained the purity and purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He talked about the sinfulness of man, the imputed righteousness of Christ, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the joys of eternal life. He told the girls that his hope was in Christ and that he was following Him. A High School Junior named Baillee said, “I knew it!” As we all walked away, we learned the valuable lesson of not just knowing what you believe but making sure your beliefs line up with Scripture. Eventually, you and I will be faced with people where the rubber meets the road. Will you be able to stand, ride or fall? It all depends on how much training you have done in your front yard at home!

Digesting Truth

2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Swallowing things have never been that hard for me. From childhood thinking watermelon seeds would grow in my stomach to an 8th grader who could inhale two Big Mac’s with fries on family road trips to visit relatives during the summer, I have never had much of a problem eating, swallowing and digesting. However, how you ever had a friend who would have a lump in their throat when it came time to swallow medicine that they needed? I remember a friend who refused to take what the doctor had prescribed to make him better. Only after much pleading and coaxing would he swallow the antidote.

Do you ever feel like life isn’t treating you fair? Your 1, 5, and 10 year plan has not worked out just the way that you wanted it to. After leaving college six years ago, my plans were to become a successful business man and hopefully being in the six figures by age 30 or 35. My goals were to have my family in a place of financial comfort where we wouldn’t have to think about making payments week to week or month to month. I wanted security in the temporal things of life. Then, I met Jesus on April 7, 2003. After shattering the self-sufficient and invisible view I had of my self, He showed me my depravity and sinfulness. At 2:20 in the morning, He regenerated my heart, and I was justified by faith in His work of redemption. That night, I picked up my cross and have been walking ever since.

Over the past year, I have been able to walk with Jesus through the valley of the shadow of death by losing my grandfather (77), our first hopes of a child (6 weeks, 1day), and my dad (48) a month ago. Though He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, He has been my best friend (Isaiah 53:3). He’s listened to my groaning, reminded me where they are, and comforted me on my first Father’s day and birthday without them. Over and over again, He reminds me that this life is not about my comfort. This life is so short and so fragile. You really could be here one day and gone the next. I guess in losing these close family members, I have been able to walk to the edge of eternity and begin grasping what Jesus meant by “eternal life.” My eyes have been opened, heart is being renewed, and mind is in awe of God who is Sovereign. He is so intricately detailing your life that you would be amazed at all the work He is doing behind the scenes to conform you into the image of His dear Son.

Even with this year of grief, I just got back from a 12-day Biblical Tour of Israel. This was planned last August, and the LORD knew exactly what I needed to get away and get closer to Him, His Word and the Land on which He placed His Name. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He walked with real people, in a real place, at a real time. We saw the ruins of the towns that Jesus ministered in around the Sea of Galilee, took a boat on the waters that He stilled, and walked in synagogues that He would have entered. We saw the gates and walls that Nehemiah restored in Jerusalem, the platform of the Temple, the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. However, my favorite places were the Place of the Skull where Jesus died for our sins and the Garden Tomb that was completely empty. It’s hard to swallow the truth that God would love us so much that He would give His only begotten Son as the sacrifice for our sin. What a sorrowful and bitter cup of sin He drank on our behalf, but remember the victory of the third day! I do not know what trial you are going through right now, but I can point you to the One who can help you say, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing!”

Salt on an Open Wound

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3


There was a time in my life when a mixture of salt and water was the cure to everything. My dad would often bring me a glass when I had lost a tooth, caught a stomach bug, or cut my lip. When I was little, I did not realize that, upon taking a drink, the concoction would burn at the very touch, but as I grew older, I knew when I saw that golden Tupperware cup that I was in for some hurting.


I will admit that despite the burn, it was not long after drinking dad’s remedy that the cut or sore was almost completely healed. After running from him, I would complain for an hour about how bad it tasted and how angry I was that he had made me do such a thing. I never could understand that in the moments I swallowed the salt water, I was in a process of healing, and in time the awful taste it brought would be just a memory.


Since then, I have been made to drink that “salty water” again. The Lord has passed me a cup that I never want to drink from again. The sting from this wound feels as though it will never heal, and I am forced to feel the agony of when the salt hits the scar. This is a cut that is deeper than the surface of skin: the memory of a child.


For months I have been through the injuries and scar that losing a child leaves. I have ached upon hearing of others’ pregnancies and tasted the teardrops that this memory brings, none of which have felt as if my heart is mended. In fact, I recently ran from a friend that shared my due date as I saw her growing stomach among a crowd a people. My wound is still there.


It is easy to say we are past the hurts that lie within our hearts, but the truth is that we are allowed to hurt and to grieve. There are reasons for all of these as stated in Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3-4, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” God understands our sorrow, and He Himself knows our pain. Yet I cannot understand the immensity of His hurt as He allowed His only Son to die in my place on the cross (John 17).


I do not know what hurts you are holding onto, and I cannot understand what aches within your heart. However, I do know that if you will allow Him, God can pour salt into your wounds and heal you. Mark 9:50 states, “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” If we are to be the “salt of the earth,” we must be more like Christ. When we face these circumstances, God is able to instill Christ-like characteristics in us as we draw closer to Him. Each moment is an opportunity for God to restore your injuries in a way that will glorify Him. Please do not step away from your Heavenly Father when He offers “a cup of salt and water”; He is making you new again.


Hurting yet Healing,
Jenna Johnson

Words of Encouragement Email: johnsonwordsofencouragement@gmail.com

Who's the Fool?

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (1 Corinthians 3:18-19)

Approximately fifty years old with gray hair. A white, collared shirt with black pants and boots. Dark eyes and a friendly smile. A tragic situation, needing help. What could I give a man who had just this day lost his father and had learned his mother was hit by a car? The desperation was looming on his face, and I knew I had the capability of giving him what he wanted: fifty-six dollars.

Of course, my immediate reaction was to help; I had seen my husband offer assistance to many. However, I also felt a “tug” at my heart as if God was speaking to me. After the man mentioned my husband’s name and claimed he knew what we had been going through, I quickly felt as though I was supposed to know this person standing in front of me. Standing in the church parking lot for our fundraising yard sale, I wrote a check to the church clerk for cash, and then, without hesitation, I handed the man $56 to assist with his travel expenses. I told him I would be praying for him and to please contact Brian when he learned of his mother’s condition.

It is fair to say that I will never hear from this stranger again. After his black truck left the church parking lot, my phone rang. Brian was calling from Israel, and I jumped right into questioning him about this “familiar” character. To my disgust, Brian informed me that he did not know the old man, that he had never talked to him before, and that it sounded as if I had been fooled. I cried as I hung up the phone, without even realizing why, but my heart grieved within me.

Driving away with tears in my eyes, I could not understand why a person would do such a thing to someone, especially one at church! Many of us would look at the deceitful old man as a fool (and we may be right), but personally, I cannot blame anyone without looking at myself first.

Upon questioning my actions, a small thought came to me; it was clear that I had played the part of the fool that day. You may be wondering, “How?” Let me explain, it seems at times when, at our weakest, the devil Himself can creep into our lives. This time was mine. I was:
· Hungry (from not eating lunch),
· Angry (that I was forced into an uncomfortable situation),
· Lonely (with Brian away in Israel), and
· Tired (having not slept well).
It is in moments like these, we always need to HALT. It was a perfect day for the devil to have his way. Without prayerfully considering what to do, I reacted hurriedly, thus the reasoning behind the outcome I faced. Proverbs states, “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding… For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:2, 6).” Had I simply stopped and realized that my heart was grieved because God was speaking the truth over the situation, I would have “HALTed” and asked the Lord for wisdom.

What areas in your life are you playing the fool? How often do you find yourself looking back wondering how you could have done things differently? It is sometimes challenging for us when put in situations to ask of and use God’s wisdom because we are fools. It is through the knowledge of the Lord that we are made wise. Make certain you HALT; let God provide you with His wisdom.

Working on Spiritual Wisdom,
Jenna R. Johnson
Jennarjohnson@yahoo.com and http://jennarjohnson.blogspot.com/
Visit Words of Encouragement on the Web.

P.S. – Brian and the group will be returning from Israel on Saturday, June 7th. Please remember them in prayer as they travel home. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!

Silence!

“Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” (Psalm 4:4)

The clock had already passed ten. My car was not yet in the driveway. It was parked among other teenagers’ cars as we all blatantly skipped curfew. We sat and talked for hours and the laughter and discussions we had are still fresh in my mind. That thrill of staying out late was something I longed for, but the fear that overwhelmed me on the ride home vanquished the fun I just had.


From the road, I could see that the lights were turned off in the house. As I drove up the driveway, the gravel beneath the tires seemed as loud as thunder. I quickly dimmed the lights and quietly turned the lock in the back door where I heard no sound. I rounded the corner towards the stairs, and there he was, sitting in the dark in the chair beside the steps.


The silence in the room was frightening, and his voice was stern as he prompted me to get in bed. The walk up the staircase was difficult; my knees were weak and my heart was pounding. As anxious as one could be, I rolled into bed in the clothes I had been wearing so as to not keep him up any longer… Neither of us would get any sleep. The shrill of laughter and chatter was gone, and I was forced to listen to the silence. It was the last thing I wanted to hear, so I would turn on the radio until he, right below me on the first floor, said to turn it off. My father wanted me to think about my actions in the deafening stillness.


Our Heavenly Father can silence us as well, whether we have earned it or not. My mind wanders to when Jesus was on the cross of Calvary. Luke 23:35-37 says, “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.” Not once did Jesus reply to their loud attempts to ridicule him. He was silent. His thoughts were on doing the Father’s will (Luke 23:34).


Why is it so hard for me to be quiet, to simply stop doing, and start listening? Here I am in a season of complete silence, no Kindergarteners screaming or whistles blowing, and yet I cannot sit still. As Brian prepared to leave for Israel, he wrote me a letter which I opened today as his flight took off. It was evident to me that my Father wants me to hear Him as I read what Brian had written, “…Please use this quiet time to get closer to the Lord rather than running around aimlessly…” Above the noise, the daily rush, and my constant need to be going, God spoke loud and clear, and now, here I sit, in a quiet house, waiting for what He might do next.


Hushed and humbled,
Jenna Johnson
Jennarjohnson@yahoo.com


P.S. – Please continue to cover Brian and the group in prayer as they embark on a 12 day tour of Israel. I will be filling in for him while he is away. He is to return on June 7th. Contact me with any questions or concerns.

Heaven

Revelation 21:3-5 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Recently, I visited a 97-year old man who welcomed me into his apartment (or old-folks home as he would call it) with a song. Apparently, he had been singing before I got there and was filled with the thoughts of his future home. He was singing, “Someday when I travel my last mile here, the call will be coming for me, I’ll enter the life-boat that will be near to carry me over the sea, He’ll hold to my hand.” What a blessed thought to know that we should have nothing at all to fear in this life. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Knowing Christ is the greatest comfort for every age-group, economic status, and nationality. As strangers and pilgrims in this wilderness of the world, we know that we have a home that is prepared for us someday.

Growing up as a child, we were always occupied by what we would be when we grew up. I know that my great ideas of having a wife, children, home and a few pets was all that I really thought about. Now, that the Lord has blessed me with a few of those things, I occasionally set back and think about all that there is to come, and “why am I here”? Romans 8:18 reminds us, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Many today are living for the here and now and have lost an eternal perspective. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Christian brother or sister, we have much work to do while we are here. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).

The Apostle Paul reminds us of our great purpose in Christ in Philippians 1:21-25 saying, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith (NASB).” After losing my father a week ago, a baby to miscarriage, a grandfather, and my wife’s grandmother during this past year, my heart is strengthen by the eternal truths of God’s Word and energized by the Spirit to exalt Christ everyday while I am here on this earth. There is only One who holds the keys to death and hell and sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand (John 10:27-29). Like the 97-year old saint who was singing, we can rest secured that Jesus is holding us and will bring us safely through the valleys and over the mountains of life. One day, we’ll make it home to the other side where there is no more death, sorrow, crying or pain. It will be worth it all.

Life is temporary
This sounds so contrary in the world’s eyes
Everyone gets too attached
Each other they begin to despise
Some have great wealth, some fortune, some fame
Others are poor, or lonely, a no name
It really does not matter.
I’m only here for stay.
I stop, look, then go my way.
I am on a continual path, to my real home—Heaven.

I can do all things through Christ!

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Unexpected trials… Have you ever had any that made you want to stay in bed and forget everything that was going on around you? Often, our lives can be like the dreams that we wake up to in the morning and are glad they were only in our mind. If you live very long, you will face trials that you see coming on the horizon, and some will drop down like tornados to test the strength of your faith in Christ. Some people look at trials as horrible times of tragedy, but I am learning that trials come into our lives to give us a clearer view of God’s greatness, power and strength. I can see why James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2-4NASB)

The Lord never promised that life would be easy. He did promise believers that he would always be with us. Even on the brink of Jesus’ death on the cross, He reminded his disciples, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This morning I barely wanted to get out of bed, and then I remembered in my meditations the greatness of God and His tender strength. God’s word began welling up inside me and the clouds of pain and hurt went away. For many of you who may not know or have forgotten, life is but a vapor. One week ago, my dad was home with my mother, and this morning he is at home with the Lord.

Last week’s Words of Encouragement was entitled “Role Models.” One of my favorite role models is my dad. I think that is the way it should be. I even was able to tell him that just a few days before his death. Let me give you a brief wake up call! My dad went to sleep last Thursday afternoon and never woke up. He must have had a heart attack in his sleep. What a glorious way to pass from this life to the next! He was 48 years old and had been married to my mom for 31 years. They had never known any one else. From the outside looking in, this seems like a tragedy, but from a 27-year old son’s perspective, it is a tremendous blessing! As I preached my Dad’s funeral, I told our family and friends that I was either heartless or there was power in the word of God.

Growing up, I never had any doubts about where my dad stood with the Lord. Being a son, I was able to read the open book of his life. I saw the weaknesses and the strengths. My dad often spoke of being saved at a revival service at his home church in August of 1977. He liked to sing and would often sing a song, “Do you know how it feels?” In the song, he questioned the congregation on the sincerity of their salvation. My father knew God and lived out the truth. He took our family to church, gave me the eye at the end of the pew (this often meant discipline after church), taught me the value of hard work, and how to love a wife. This morning I listened to a song that he had recorded entitled, “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” It basically says that he hoped that he lived everyday letting people know how much he loved them! When you love with all your heart, you can die with a clean slate and little or no regrets.

My last encounter with my dad was at a basketball banquet last week where I grew up. At the close of the evening, we departed with warm embrace and an “I love you.” I guess I write today to those hurting hearts that are beaten down by life. I am reminded of a 17th century poet named John Donne. He wrote two poems that strengthen me. They are “Batter My Heart Three- Person’d God” and “Death, Be Not Proud.” My wife and I have lost her Nana in July, my Granddaddy (Dad’s dad) in August, Ethan Caleb (our baby we lost due to a miscarriage) in February, and Daddy on May 8th. My heart is broken, bruised, shattered and battered yet growing stronger everyday. I have never felt God so close in my life. He is with me, and He is with you. Death can not stop a child of God. It can only motivate us to glory in the cross, be gripped by grace, and overcome all obstacles. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:55-58 NASB) Please do not be defeated, discouraged or doubting, but determined to keep pressing on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

Role Models

Judges 2:10-11 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

Where would you be today without a Christian influence in your life? Can you imagine growing up without hearing the Gospel? Most of us are blessed beyond compare with godly men and women in our families and to live in a place where there is no one sharing the Gospel seems so distant and unheard of. While talking with a man from California yesterday, I came to realize how blessed I truly have been. He began telling me about his life of sitting around with friends and smoking crack and drinking alcohol. He said he thought this was the normal thing to do, because he never really had anyone around who was a Christian. As I briefly shared the Gospel and explained the guilt and shame that he was experiencing, he was amazed that God could forgive him. He couldn’t understand why Jesus had died on the cross for sinners like you and me.

In the book of Judges, we read about what happens when there is no one to replace the leaders of the past generation. When Joshua led the children of Israel, they were faithful to the Lord. Even after he died, the elders who had seen the great works of God were able to keep the people focused on serving the Lord. However somewhere in between these generations, people quit speaking of God and living for him. Maybe they assumed that everyone would be fine by finding there own way. Basically, they began to compromise and allow the world to infiltrate there lives through intermarriage with the Canaanites which led to them serving Baal and Ashtaroth. Baal was the Canaanite god who was called “the lord of heaven”. He was the farm god of rain and the storm. The worship practices included animal sacrifices, ritual meals where they would offer food to the gods and sensual dances. Ashtaroth, a sacred prostitute, was the goddess of sex and war. With these false gods, the children of Israel were led into sin, sin and more sin. They looked for prosperity instead of the Person of God and promiscuity instead of purity until the oppression became too great, and they began to pray in repentance and anguish.

The days of Judges were dark and dreary, but God’s faithfulness always shone through by raising up a leader who would deliver the people from their oppressors. This would last a while until the Judge died, and the people returned to their wicked ways. Four times we read, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). We are living in these days today. God is being attacked more and more and disregarded as Ruler of the Universe. The Bible is scrutinized and dulled down by man’s opinions and the Church of Jesus Christ is hidden among the tares of false professors. What an opportunity to live for and reflect the glory of God!

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians saying, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV). The Philippians were following Christ and had the example of Paul to remind them. Paul told them to live pure and holy that they might shine forth like stars in the country sky. Like runners in a race, he desired to pass the baton, the word of life, to the next generation who was coming along. Today, you have been placed in providential places to be a spiritual leader to those around you. Do you see someone wandering in the darkness of sin or drifting away from Christ? Don’t be afraid of reaching out and showing them that you care. You may be the very person that God uses to be an index finger pointing others to the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world!

Me

Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

(written 12-03-04 Hendersonville, TN 3:54PM)

Who keeps my heart beating?
My lungs full of breath?
My mind full of imagination?
Who holds the key of death?

In reality, I have no control
Over this life that I live
At any moment it could stop
If God decided not to give

The next breath that I breathe
Is a blessing in disguise
When I grab it, it’s gone
Before my very eyes

I would like to hoard enough
To control my number of days
But my hands are too small
So I lift them in praise!

To the Giver of Life
In Him all things move and be
What a precious gift I have!
Me

Touching lives

Matthew 8:1-4 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Can you think of someone who has touched your life throughout the years? What was it about them that made them so great? Was it the time they spent with you, encouragement, or something they may have done that meant so much? We all have been on the outside looking in at some point in our lives and needed someone to reach out with a welcoming and loving hand.

In the scriptures above, we find a man who was a leper. A leper in the days of Jesus had a serious disease that would eventually lead to death. There was no cure. It involved sores on the skin that would spread all over the body. As a result, the leper would be an outcast to society. They were defiled and had to stay away from everyone else. They lived a life of isolation. What a great picture of sin in our day. It is infectious and spreads to everyone around leading to defilement and isolation. In the end, the loneliness, guilt and brokenness can drive a person to their knees looking for hope and comfort. Have you ever been at this point in your life? I know I have!

The focus of these verses is the healing power of Jesus Christ. This man probably had not been touched in years. His body was probably sensitive, dirty and aching. However, Jesus not only listened to the broken hearted man but also touched him where it hurt the most. What a picture of grace we see in Christ! He has the power to touch sin-defiled souls and say be clean. Nothing can compare to His touch and His Words. Did you notice how fast he was cleansed? Immediately…

We must never underestimate the power of Christ to impact those who are separated from God and dead in their sins. The apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). He also told the Colossians, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person”(4:5-6).

We, the Church, are the body of Christ. He desires that we touch the untouchables with His truth and love. As I teach and preach each week, I can’t help but wonder how good of a job we are doing at stepping outside of our comfort zones, lending a helping hand, and sharing Christ’s compassion. It is easy to be like the Pharisees and look away in disgust over the spiritual leprosy that infects our society. We are commanded to live at high moral standards and be separated from sin, but on almost every page of scripture, I find Jesus full of grace and truth in the middle of publicans and sinners.

Today while visiting the prison, I began looking around at the ages of some of the young men. They could not have been much older than twenty. I wondered where their parents, friends, teachers, coaches and pastors may have been. I know these are the people who touched me the most and directed me in life. Although some will choose to remain a spiritual leper, let’s be careful to listen, open enough to care and willing to share the truth of God’s Word each day! Only eternity will tell how many lives Christ has touched through you!

Side Roads

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Have you ever been frustrated with the path you are on in life and seemed like you were going no where? The other day while travelling from Bowling Green, Kentucky to White House, TN, my wife and I were slowed down to bumper to bumper traffic for what seemed to be miles of waiting. The interstate had been shut down and all of the traffic was redirected to a nearby highway. Immediately, we began thinking of all of the alternate routes that we could take to try to bypass the situation. Our impatience and determination to get ahead of everyone took over because we were ready to be home. It was late at night, and we really wanted to rest and relax at home. Instead of waiting with everyone else on the detour to another exit on the interstate, we decided to keep moving faster down the road. Our friends were behind us and sat through the traffic.

After some consideration on our own, we headed down the highway where there was no traffic. The only problem was that we drove about 20-25 miles out of the way. While finding ourselves in the midst of nothing but roads and farmland, I decided to call our friends who had sat through the traffic. They had made it back to the interstate and were 10 miles down the road. We would have been in front of them if we had waited in line with everyone else. With wasted gas and wasted time, we were left frustrated, tired and ready for bed.

Does this sound like your spiritual life? Are you always trying to get ahead of God instead of waiting for Him to deliver you in the right time? It is so easy for us to lose the discipline of waiting on God and try to make things happen in our own power. This sounds a lot like the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years, because they didn’t have the faith to believe that God’s way was the best way. God used the wilderness to teach them to move when He told them to move and stay put when He told them to stay put. One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is moving forward without the blessing of God. While in the desert, the Lord led the children of Israel with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Today, the Holy Spirit indwells and directs the believer with the Word of God into the purposes that God has planned for your life. Grow where you are planted until the Lord asks you to go somewhere else.

There are many successful people that live religious and moral lives by the world’s standards, yet are driving down side roads that lead nowhere in comparison to eternity. The attraction of fortune and fame or a better way of life can be devastating on the eternal impact we can make for the cause of Christ. God often uses circumstances to slow us down and enable us to hear the His voice. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” It is easy for us to stray away sometimes and allow our ears to get dull of hearing God’s Word. If you find yourself in a quiet place in your heart crowded with people, listen because God wants to speak to you and prepare you for the road ahead. If you fail to listen now, your frustrations may lead you astray until you realize that time and energy has been wasted and God’s way is the best.

Prayer is the key to staying in the center of God’s will. My wife and I were tired and ready to be home. We allowed our impatience and frustration of sitting in traffic to overwhelm us and take over. We didn’t want to slow down and therefore wasted time. The world tells us, “Faster, faster, we need another master.” Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Let the Spirit of God navigate your life and you will always be where you need to be no matter what time it is day or night!

Access

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Have you ever thought about the great freedom that you have to access things all around? Growing up, I wanted access to the cabinets at home that were securely guarded by my mother. I couldn’t eat sweets all day and especially before supper. Occasionally, she would grant me the privilege of getting a snack before supper. I can remember having my own key to my parent’s house and being amazed that they would entrust me with it. Later, I was given keys to a car at sixteen years old. Can you remember the power and freedom that you enjoyed? About a year ago, I was able to get a key that would give access to me and my wife’s first house. There is definitely power in having access!

My mom is no longer guarding the cabinets, and I can lick the bowl of yellow cake batter without her watching over me. It seems that I have also lost the awe of entering my parent’s home, driving my car and entering our home anytime. Accessing these things is part of everyday life. They become mundane. The privilege of being able to get into the cabinets at will and having a key to my parent’s home, a car to drive and a home to sleep in each night has turned into a right that I think I sometimes deserve. These blessings are easily taken for granted. Even the freedom to access my bank account with a debit card loses its luster when I look at the account balance.

With our accounts of sin being settled with God at Calvary and with the realization of true conversion in the heart, we are given peace with God through Jesus Christ. We are adopted into the family of God and become His sons and daughters. Have you ever seen a loving Father turn away his son or daughter when they come to them with a question or desire? We have an amazing privilege today to go to God in prayer and access His wisdom, nurture, love and truth for every situation. It is not a right that we deserve or have earned. It is all of grace. We never have to worry about the account running low, because He is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. He is the Creator of the earth, above all things and is watching over His children. Have you forgotten about the gift and privilege of prayer?

Today, we have the power to access about anything that we want. From the power of buying books to getting on the internet, we can retrieve any kind of information that we desire. With good relationships with people, you can access many homes. However, the only way to access Heaven is through Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Do you understand the greatness of the One who allows God’s people to access heaven? Though millions of people are praying today at different times, only those who are conversing with God through Jesus Christ are being heard. There is only one true God. How great of a revival do you think God would send if His people would pray and seek His face?

God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives the challenge, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The power that is needed in the church today is a result in God’s children knowing their Father in heaven. Daniel 11:32b says, “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Are you looking for strength, wisdom, understanding and courage? It is only found in Christ. “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18)

There’s Something about that Name

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Have you ever been in close contact with someone who is famous and been overwhelmed with awe and joy? The giddiness, excitement and rush can cause you to do some crazy things. In Junior High, Miss Tennessee came to our school to support the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. When she walked the halls with the crown and beauty, I could have melted and especially when she handed each student an award for completing the program. During my senior year of high school, my basketball coach took us to an NBA game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. I was in an arena of giants, and one of my friends got his own souvenir from the trash can. It was a cup that his favorite player had taken a drink from. Recently, I met Lennox Lewis (an amazing boxer) in the airport, Dierks Bentley (a country music singer) at a prayer breakfast, and saw John MacArthur (a Bible expositor) speak in person. For some reason, there was a sense of joy, excitement and respect which arose in my heart.

If you have ever come into contact with someone like this, I am sure that you acted the same way. Nervous, intimidated and scared to say a word, because whatever you say may make you sound ignorant. The moment is awkward for both parties. They don’t know you at all, and you seem to know everything about them from a distance. If only we could capture the same awe, reverence and love for the greatest person who ever walked on this earth—Jesus Christ. These men and women have been lifted up because of the gifts that they possess. Some look beautiful. Some can slam dunk any way you would like for them to. Some can box any man. Some are amazing singers. Some are amazing teachers. However with all of their gifts and their revenue combined, none can compare to Jesus!

There is something about His name that has echoed through the halls of history. The bookstores are full with pages refuting the beauty, historicity, significance, teachings, miracles, power, love, sacrifice and claims of the Christ who lived in Galilee two thousand years ago. He’s approachable, but beware, He knows everything about you. He leaves no room for hypocrisy, is not influenced by money or power, and hates the pride of men. When you come into His presence, you will immediately be humbled by His grace and left speechless by His glory! Though He inhabits eternity, he resides in the hearts of the lowly who need His mercy to make it each day. He saves all who come to him by faith with a repentant heart. From the most arrogant church member who has never met him to the homeless drunk on the street, He shares His gift of salvation. Have you really met him?

Five years ago this week, I found myself to be trapped in religious traditions, lost, lonely and broken inside. I was crying on my bed in the middle of the night, desperate, willing to change, in need of forgiveness and yearning for peace. I had no where to go and no where to turn. The Lord came looking for me, and he found me in the darkness of my sin. He picked me up, began carrying me, and now He’s teaching me to walk by faith and not by sight. He has never left me since, but corrects me often. The glamour, prestige and excitement of meeting these big-named people has drifted away with time. They left their impression for a moment, but Christ has captivated and will captivate me for eternity. My heart is still giddy and full of joy and excitement. As I realize and understand more about Jesus each day, I stand amazed that He would speak to someone like you and me!

If you are out there…

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Have you ever wondered if there are any more honest people left in the world? For some reason, we are not living in the world that my grandfather would tell me about. He often spoke of his dad being the kind of man that would fill his merchant’s baskets full of grain, would shake it down and continue filling until it was full and overflowing. He wanted to be honest and give each person that came into his mill a quality product for an honest price. Also, the days of only needing screen doors with latches are overshadowed by our homes with security systems whether it’s a dog or an elaborate alarm device, dead bolts, and weapons to defend against any intruder. We can definitely tell that people live like there is no God who will judge every action and word spoken.

During this past week, my wife and I decided to get away for a few days to celebrate our anniversary during her spring break. We were excited to have the bags packed; reservations made, and were ready to get on the road. The trip was going great, and when we were about 20 miles from our destination, we stopped for gas and enjoyed our lunch together. Everyone was happy until we stopped at a bookstore nearly 10 miles down the road, and I realized that my debit card was missing. I checked and rechecked my checkbook but to no avail. This would not have been so bad if I hadn’t already lost my Driver’s License earlier in the week. My wife had already encouraged me to get a wallet or something to keep up with everything. In the past 17 years, I have only had one wallet and didn’t use it very much. The atmosphere went from happiness to fear and frustration. I had already been a victim of identity theft in October of 2005, of which is just now getting cleared up, and I definitely didn’t want to go through that process again.

Have you ever had to retrace your steps and think of where you may have lost something? This is the journey we embarked on. It only took 10 minutes to go back to where we last stopped, but it seemed like an hour. I had a receipt in my pocket from the restaurant and decided to call them on the way. They searched the dining room and didn’t see anything. The lump in my throat grew bigger especially when I knew our first anniversary trip was in jeopardy. Finally, we made it back to the gas station, and in desperation, I approached the counter and asked if anyone had turned in a debit card. What is the likelihood of someone finding a debit card and not trying to use it for themselves? The employees asked me my name and wanted to see my driver’s license (my brand new one). From under the counter, they pulled out my card and said an older gentleman found it out in the parking lot. What relief flooded my heart! I could not help but praise Christ for the honesty of the man and protection of my name.

There are still honest people out there who desire to walk in the truth (3 John 1:4). Whether this man knew the Lord, I do not know. However, he did reveal that he feared a future judgment. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Everyday, we live under the Sovereign rule of Almighty God. Hebrews 1:3 speaks of Christ and reminds us of His Majesty, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” God knows, sees, and hears all things. How should we live in light of God’s holiness and righteousness? For those who are out there living to please the Lord Jesus Christ, I say thank you in advance for blessing others by being right, honest and fair.

Wedding Vows

(3-29-07 Hendersonville, TN at the Spear’s 5:45AM)

Divine Providence has led me to this place
Our broken roads have been filled with grace
To prove to ourselves and God above
That He alone can sustain love

And so, in this divine moment
I rest in Christ’s atonement
For He set me free from the bondage of sin
At the cross, His Presence transcends

Uniting my heart to yours in His Soveriegn will
I promise to love you in valleys or highest hills
Vowing my heart before God to you
With the eternal words, “I do!”

I know you were made just for me
For this reason, I’ll not neglect my bended knee
You are a gift from God showing favor to this man
Mine to be before time began

For richer, poorer, till death do we part
Jenna Renee will be stamped into my heart
Never to leave nor forsake a love so real
With these simple words, this covenant I seal.

A Celebration of Marriage

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Have you ever been mesmerized by looking into the marriage of a husband and a wife? Growing up, this captured my mind so often. There was something about the holiness of God within my parents that I respected, revered and was amazed at how they worked everything out. Every morning, my mom would prepare breakfast for my dad and me and my sister. She would kiss him everyday before he left for work and would welcome him every evening when he came home. Their bedroom was for the most part off-limits unless invited in to. They ran the home together with distinct roles and brought their children up in the admonition of the Lord.

One of the greatest object lessons in the Christian faith is the institution of marriage. God ordained marriage between man and woman in the Garden of Eden, blessed it and told them to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and have dominion. For the past year, I have been learning what this is all about. On March 31, 2007, I exchanged vows with and entered into a covenant marriage with the young woman that God had brought to me. We did not sign a contract, but we covenanted together to be husband and wife until death do we part. These were strong words that were spoken and are not to be taken lightly. If I broke my word, I would be striking against the character of God in me. Today, this seems to be the norm, and it causes tragic consequences for the relational stability of both the spouses and the children that are involved. Sin destroys and distorts the beauty of everything God created, however, He has provided the cure for the death and destruction that it brings—Jesus Christ. In Christ, all things can be made new and restored to its magnificence and beauty!

Over the past year, I have learned a lesson that I would like to remind and share with you. First, the foundational characteristic of any good home is that it exists to glorify God. This first begins with each individual in the home having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. With the Holy Scriptures being the standard to live by, there is a greater authority to go to instead of each other’s personal opinion. Searching out the truth and living by it causes our hearts to change, adapt and be purified as the Holy Spirit speaks in the home. You might ask, “How does this work in the home?” Have you ever gotten mad or upset at your spouse? If you have been married for 3 months or longer, this has happened. If we want to have a peaceful home, then the situation must be discussed and resolved in a loving way. Living a Christ-centered life will cause you to apologize and forgive your spouse. Keep a clean slate with the Lord and your spouse. This will greatly benefit your ability to sleep at night! I have never slept well when I left everything festering inside. The situation only gets worse in the morning and hearts begin to harden. Jesus said in Matthew 19:8, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.”

Living by the Word of God changes everything! If I want to fully worship God then things must be right individually with the Lord and with my spouse. This involves good communication (prayer), financial sense (stewardship of resources), and every other area of my life. The greatest part of marriage is that it reminds us that we are works in progress. If we are not progressing in love and godliness then there must be a breakdown somewhere. In some ways, marriage has trapped me because I can’t worship God and be mad at my wife. Actually, marriage has freed me from the self-righteousness that I sometimes think I possess. God reminds me often of my sinfulness as my character is reflected by my spouse. It humbles me and shows me that I need His grace more and more each day to be all that He wants me to be. If we can get it right in the home, then the church will be holy instead of hypocritical and our children will be disciplined instead of disillusioned. May God bless your marriage or singleness. His design for both is that we be pure and holy before Him in love!