And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV. Take the time to read through Hebrews 11. Yu will find so many examples of men and women who walked by faith and did exploits. Every hero recorded in Hebrews 11 is an example for us. Each of them began by believing in God. So it is the same with each of us. We decide to believe that He is. It is a decision. I think our greatest step of faith was taking Him at His Word for our salvation. The longer I walk with the Lord the more I understand the importance of “releasing” my faith as I pray and believe. Many years ago our church had the policy of “bringing” our tithes and offerings to the front. Darryl and I have been tithers and givers since we first married. As I placed our check in the offering plate that Sunday, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me–are you doing this as a result of habit? Is there any faith involved? I had to admit, not much. I knew God would bless our giving, but when I began to release my faith as I gave, it changed my expectation. It turned from passive faith to a more active faith. A greater trust that our needs would be met began to grow in a new measure. We became even easier to be generous in helping others, because we trusted that as we obeyed Him, He would keep His promises. I began to realize that I could use active faith as I prayed and believed for many things–not just finances. There is a rest that has come when this active faith combines with trust. When I focus on whom it is (God Himself) I am praying to along with releasing my faith I find peace settling in where there was turmoil. The peace that passes all situations and understanding begins to flow and what seemed impossible becomes possible. I still may not know how things are going to work out, I just have confidence that they will. My position shifts from being under the situation to being above it; after all we are the head not the tail. Courageous confidence begins to grow. Hopelessness is replaced by hope and we begin to walk the victorious walk God has promised. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. Jeremiah 17: 7-8. NLT. I encourage you to take one area of your life that you have been struggling to trust Him. Find some scriptures that tell you the truth about those situations and begin to release active faith into those challenges. Maybe your challenge is your children. Keep on praying, “Father, they are in Your Hands, I trust You to work in their lives.” When you read those words, did you say, Yes, Lord, I trust You. Or did you find yourselves unsure? If so, keep on asking Him to help you grow in your trust. Active faith definitely means growing in your trust in who Your God is. One of my favorite prayers is “Father, I trust You.”. Have you ever declared your trust in Him? My attitudes and perspectives (especially when things don’t go according to my natural thoughts think they should I simply say, “Father, I don’t understand, but I trust You. Please work this situation out for Your glory.” I don’t try to figure it out; I just leave it in His hands. Father, I thank you for helping us learn to release our faith and trust. I ask you to teach us how to walk in more active faith in those areas that challenges us. I thank you that you are broadening our faith into all areas of our life, In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NKJV.

Come! The Greek word Jesus used in this wonderful scripture is deute. It’s very connotation contains the idea of coming, with a joyful exclamation! Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him. I need this scripture today. Life has been quite heavy lately but amid hard diagnosis for family members, a difficult birth story and challenging decisions, how refreshing it is to know He bids me to come! There is no hesitation, no requirements, just simply “come”.

Who is He calling? Those who labor. Kapiao is the Greek word used here. It means to grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toil, burdens or grief). The picture is of a person who has been working hard and long at their task. They have been diligent to the point of exhaustion. This is the person God is calling to come to Him. He also singled out those who are heavy laden (phortidzo). This is a military term for the pack every soldier is required to carry with them on their assignments. The weight depends on how long they would be gone.

As I write this article, I am aware of my exhaustion. It is not simply a physical exhaustion, but it is mental as well. The burden God is showing me I am carrying…the backpack, if you will, is my concern for others. A friend who’s son has schizophrenia and is having a difficult time right now. My daughter-in-law, who is recovering from birth complications for my eleventh grandchild. My sister and niece, who are beginning cancer treatments this coming week. As I come to Him, He is showing me I need to lay them at His feet. How about you? Have you been working hard at your assignment for Him? Have you taken on the concerns of others?

As I waited upon Him today, I realize it was not wrong to be carrying these concerns. The problem comes when we do not yoke up with Him. He does not mean for us to carry these by ourselves. The entire purpose of a yoke is to re-distribute the weight, so it is easier to bear. But if we don’t take the time to come to Him and receive His rest, we will end up trying to carry the whole thing by ourselves. Yesterday I as I hugged and prayed for my exhausted son. I felt a shift. We came to our Lord together. There is a blessing and release that comes from praying together, isn’t there? I am not the refresher, but we know the One who is!

What is His promise? I will give you rest (anapauo). This Greek word comes from ana which means up and pauo to make to cease. It means not only a cessation from toil, but refreshment, to rejuvenate, to reinvigorate or revitalize—all good things! Someone asked me yesterday how I was, and I simply admitted, “I am exhausted”. I think they wanted me to say, “I’m great!”…but he took the time to listen and pray for my burdens. I began to feel my own shift beginning to take place. As he prayed, it was hard not to sit in my weariness, but to engage with my faith. But as I did, I felt stronger.

When we “come” to Jesus in our weariness and exhaustion, we must “come” in faith, or we will leave in the state we came in! When we take up His yoke, we set ourselves as learners. He wants to teach us something. To reveal some part of Himself or His Father we have not experienced or understand as yet. Since He is gentle and lowly in heart, we must come to Him in the same way: humble and meek. Not as know it alls, but teachable. He knows all of our to-do lists. Are we willing to let Him adjust it?Do you trust Him enough for Him to set your agenda? I know as I sit in His Presence, acknowledging His Lordship, things shift in my soul. My perspective gets exchanged for His perspective and somehow the weights fall off. Freedom from fear happens. I know He who holds my life, also holds those precious others. It may take a few times of coming to do the great yoke and burden exchange, but if I keep coming, it happens. I recommend you coming to Him sooner than later!

Father, I ask you to help us take to heart your invitation to Come! Just as we are, knowing the blessing that comes from spending time with You. Let us come with faith, humility and a teachable spirit. We choose to trust you with every heavy burden we are trying to carry. Thank you for your love, grace, and mercy. I pray for strength for my friends today, In Jesus’ Name, amen.

I commend our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church at Cenchrea. Romans 16:1 NLT

This week our brothers and sisters who belong to the Southern Baptist Convention find themselves in a big dilemma. They voted to uphold their position to expel any church who has installed a woman as pastor. Apparently, the leadership felt so strongly about this position that they will separate from their long-term brethren. I, personally, don’t think this is a hill to die on, but they did. My heart hurts for the broken relationships that have ensued. Then, I came across this woman named Phoebe, a leader recognized by the Apostle Paul. I am sure this woman was brought up in the Southern Baptist Convention discussions.

Although I have read this chapter many times, I never took the time to do any research about our sister Phoebe. Reading Paul’s commendations of this remarkable woman makes me want to not only get to know her, but become like her! This is the only place that she is mentioned, but we can learn a lot about her. Cenchrea is a seaport a few miles east of Corinth. We know she was a leader in some capacity. Paul gives her the position diakonos–which can be translated as deacon, servant or minister. She is the only woman named in the Bible as deacon. By this, we can infer, that she had a place of responsibility and leadership.

She was given the privilege and responsibility to carry this important letter from Paul to the church at Rome. What a surprise! A woman was entrusted with this special task. She not only saw to it that it arrived, safe intact to the elders at the church in Rome, but her job was to read the letter aloud to the church. Paul entrusted her to accurately interpret his writings with the correct expressions and emphasis. This was a very important task.

Paul strongly encouraged them to welcome her, to receive her in a manner worthy of the saints. As I read this part of the verse, it made me wonder, “do I know how to receive God’s people in a manner worthy of the saints?” Do we as a church even think along those lines? I believer our Black brethren churches could teach some of us a thing or two in this area. They take the time to honor their people. It was important that the church at Rome received Phoebe as worthy among God’s people.

There is another interesting phrase in verse two that describes our sister. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Romans 16:2. NIV The word “benefactor” in the NIV or “patron” in the ESV (protrastis: Greek) infers someone who was well off financially, but used that wealth for others. Phoebe seems like an amazing well-rounded woman. We know she was a leader who led well. Paul, who discerned character well, admired and trusted her.

My question to myself, and I guess the reader….are we using our influence well? Can we be trusted by the Holy Spirit to use our gifts for His glory? Do we walk a commendable walk with our Lord? I know many, many believers who I would say a resounding “yes”! We can always grow in these areas, but, please know others are watching the good job you are doing. Keep it up. Do not grow weary in well-doing. You may be someone’s Phoebe, and that would be a good thing!

The body of Christ needs good leaders, no matter the gender. Brothers and sisters, please allow the Holy Spirit to use you as He sees fit. If you are called into leadership, do it circumspectly. Remember these scriptures as you relate to each other: For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28. NLT.

Father, I thank you for helping us grow in wisdom with one another. I thank you for Phoebe’s example and how she was a helper to many. Teach us to honor each other, like Paul honored his friends in Romans 16. I ask you help us rightly develop disciples into good leaders, firstly by walking as good examples ourselves. We pray for our Southern Baptist brethren, that you would let the spirit of reconciliation work in all hearts. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

(I wrote this article the other day…most of it in “real time” as I processed my feelings with the Lord and His Word).

I just hit my wall. Frustration is rising. Looking up these scriptures has given me a vent—much like the vent on a pressure cooker or instant pot. But my feelings are still rolling. Nothing big, just a cancellation of an expected appointment. Why does this feel so bad? I feel like am expendable. Move me around like an insignificant item. Because frustration makes us focus just on ourselves. It is “all about me”…but can’t it ever be about ME, a little voice speaks in my head? Do I always have to let others have their way first? When that voice speaks, the pressure rises again. Frustration is the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of the inability to change or achieve something.

As I step back, I sense God taking a deep breath. He says,” Daughter, you don’t know the reason they had to shift things.” You are assuming they are taking you for granted that you will always work on their schedule. They may face a tough choice. And they are trusting you to understand, in love. Do you care about the person? Of course. When I think about these things, the pressure lets up and peace settles. I am loved by the Father. His love is immense and overwhelming. Why would I let myself feel so belittled by an appointment change? Silly, isn’t it? But our emotions are like that. They are strong and they are intense, if we let them. I recognize I have the choice…to build on my frustration or let it go. Building on it will not change the situation, only cause me more anguish. Letting it go makes much more sense.

I Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Wow, all those always. Once again, God’s Word shows me the better way. It points out my weaknesses and helps me to grow in His ways. Love is patient. Hmmm… frustration isn’t very patient, neither is it kind. It is not self-seeking. When it becomes about me, I need to take a pause and try to look at things from the other person’s point of view. It is not easily angered. Did the incident show how quickly my anger meter could rise? Yes. Oh, it keeps no record of wrongs. This means I can’t start a list. It’s difficult, isn’t it? When it’s not the first time I or you get shifted, it’s hard not to go there. Love rejoices with the truth—since I don’t know the reason behind the shift, I have to trust that there was a good reason for the person.

Love always protects. Doesn’t that include someone’s reputation? Always trusts? When I shift my focus from me to others and then on to the Lord, I can relax and trust He understands. Romans 8:28 becomes my go to verse, that He will work everything out for my good, as I am called to His purpose. Then comes that word “perseveres”. Am I willing to stay the course, not only for the reason I wanted the appointment, but also to value the relationship and keep it intact?

I began writing this blog almost one week ago. My frustration level was high and I felt hurt. But as I let the Word of God begin to re-center me, I felt so foolish. I know I am not the only one with these kind of feelings. I am so grateful that in the situation all I could do was turn to the Lord and let Him defuse my steam. The meeting will happen, God will direct my path as I trust Him.

I want to encourage us all to take the time to go to the Lord to let off your steam. Loving people, really loving them, isn’t easy. But in the long run, so worth it. Take the time, my friends, to go to Him and the Word to get your perspectives aligned. The next day, I received a call from my dental office reminding me of an appointment I thought was the following Wednesday. Instead, it was on Monday and I had double booked. So I had to re-schedule. They were very kind and understanding, as I should have been! Life is too important to waste it on frustration. It is ok to own the feelings and admit they are there, but don’t let them spoil your hour, your week or your month!

I recognize the moving of an appointment is a small thing. But my emotions were definitely BIG! Many sources of our frustration have a much bigger impact on our lives. Please don’t just “live” with it. Find out the source of your frustration. Examine your feelings. As you can see, I had to be honest about how the change made me feel. Those were my initial feelings, none of them based on the truth of the situation. By the time I finished looking at 1 Corinthians 13, my “feelings” had changed. Peace was restored and I could see more clearly. Frustration often leads to anger and anger, when not dealt with properly can wreck havoc in our lives. It just isn’t worth it. Frustration that leads to anger that leads to bringing healthy change is a good thing.

Father, I thank you for teaching us through Your Word. I thank You I can find direction, hope and peace as I simply walk in Your Truth. It really does set us free. Help us draw near to you in our frustration and show us Your way to handle it, because I know you always have the best way. Oh Father, You always want to help us live an inner peaceful life, no matter what our circumstances are. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future, your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Joshua 4:6 NLT.

Last week, if you read “Faith and Our Story”, you read the back story of our marriage. It was bittersweet remembering that special time, but it also reminded me of God’s faithfulness. Darryl studied art at the University of Washington. He longed to be an artist, but after he got saved, the Lord asked him to set aside his painting. It was a hard request for him. In a typical Darryl fashion, he tried to do it, anyway! Until finally, he felt God even took away all his ideas to paint. He said, Ok, I will put away my idol. He used his creativity in many other ways, but he obeyed the Lord and was at peace for many years.

About thirty years later, he felt a release to paint again. His first paintings were gifts to our now grown children. Rosanna received a beloved beach scene. Elizabeth, a special painting he took from a photo taken on Mt. Baker, and our son received an interpretation of a space galaxy. They hang in their homes to this day. I whine, “where is mine?” I want one! Finally, in 2000, I received a huge, amazing painting of our life together. He put in every car we owned, every house we lived in and through symbolism, every part on the globe we ministered in together. Our children are represented, as well as our pets. It is truly a tribute of our life together. I am so grateful to have this reminder of God’s faithfulness. It is only one of my reminders (memorial stones) of His work in our lives.

God knew the Israelites would need reminding about His power, His plan and His purpose. Not just for the current generation, but for future generations. I have had many talks about the various parts of this painting with my grandchildren. Looking at it, I think about our mission trips to Ghana and England and Jamaica. It prompts me to pray for those special places. I have a watercolor, painted by my friend, Bonnie. When I see it, I often pray for their family. So these are not just decorations, but reminders of God’s loving gift of a friend. They are more than beautiful decorations; they are memorial stones.

I know I am blessed to have this wonderful painting, and maybe you are thinking, I don’t or can’t have anything like that. But look around your home. What are the memories attached to your photos, your knick knacks, your books or wall art? Many people use journals as memory stones. They are a wonderful way to commemorate God’s goodness. I’ve written before of how important the Lord’s Supper is to remind us of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. We all have short-term memories.

Too often, we focus on negative things. When left alone, our minds seem to forget the good things, and dredge up the wrong things. Therefore, we need to put into practice 2 Corinthians 10:5. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. ESV. If we take the time to use our “reminders” it will help us focus on Philippians 4:8. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. I heard my daughter praying Sunday during worship, “we know who you are, and we know what you can do. “, let us not forget who you are and what you can do. That is what these reminders help us do.

Father, we need help to not only take the time to set up memorial stones, but to actually use them to remember your goodness. Teach us how and when to think of You and Your goodness. Forgive us for forgetting the good things you have done, and focusing on our struggles. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6. NKJV

Forty-nine years ago today, I said, “I do” to Darryl Jay Rodman. Our whole story really is a story of faith. We first met when I moved back to Washington from Alaska. This was in 1972, and we had flights in and out of Whidbey then. Because I had a three-hour layover, I wrote a letter to a friend who really loved any excuse to come to the airport, and asked him if he wanted to hang out. Instead of staying at the airport, he asked if he could take me to meet this woman. We ended up in an old Victorian home next to a small church called Zion United House of Prayer. As we walked in the house, George left me in the living room. There was a young man sitting on the couch reading his Bible. I said, “hello”. He looked up and said “Praise the Lord” in a very short don’t bother me tone. I thought, what a spiritual snob! That was my introduction to my future husband.

The associate pastor of the church next door ran this house. Her name was Rev. E.M. Woodward, or “Mom” as we called her. She was a small English woman, who was a prophetess and teacher. She lived a life of faith and trust. God led me to move into that house, and I learned what a walk of faith really looked like. The house had 20 or more people living in it and we prayed for food and other needs. Darryl was the pastor’s right-hand man and learned from. Darryl did not live in this house. We didn’t really hang out, but were both busy about God’s assignment for ourselves.

This was a unique time. God was moving in the Seattle area. Our Senior Pastor, Eugene Drayton was an African-American. God told him to get ready for an influx. He told him to stop preaching “clothesline” messages and begin to open his heart to all kinds of people. It was wonderful–all kinds of nationalities and backgrounds began to get saved. There were services during day and three night time services. We learned to follow the Spirit and listen to his voice. Prayer would happen whenever there was a need. It became a lifestyle.

There was really no dating during this time. We just wanted to get to know Jesus better. One day, in 1973, the pastor asked for a meeting with me, Darryl, and another young woman, named Malana. He said he felt God wanted the church to expand to Portland, and would we plant a church there! Here we were, three single people. But we did it. In an awkward moment, Darryl came to me and said, “You don’t think God is asking us to get married, do you?” I said, no way. He looked so relieved! We moved to Portland. I learned a lot about Darryl during the three months I was there. Again, none of us even thought about dating during this season.

Because of some situations, I moved back to Seattle and continued my leadership role at the house. I did not see Darryl for about 8 months. One day, some of us headed to California to a conference. We spent the night at the house in Portland. As I passed Darryl in the hallway, I felt God show me the love he would have for his wife! I thought that is weird, why would I be thinking about that? (I also could tell God had worked some of his self-absorption out since I had seen him). A few weeks late, I felt the Lord tell me, “You and Darryl are going to get married”. Wow, I kept that stowed away in my heart! Finally, I shared it with Mom, expecting her to say, “No way”. But she said, “I can see that working!”.

She sounded Darryl out to see if God had been speaking to him about marriage, and she came back and said, “It will not happen soon”. I said, Ok…and went about my business. My heart just wanted what God wanted. “I prayed, “Father, if this is you, then fine. If not, I throw it out the window. You catch it and make it work.” I left for a two-week trip. Apparently while I was gone both Mom and Pastor Drayton met with Darryl! As they talked, he said a roll a dex with all the single gals in the church flashed by! My name wasn’t on it, but when they mentioned my name, he said, “I have peace”. So we sort of had an arranged marriage.

When I returned, Mom informed me that Darryl was coming up that night from Portland to ask me to marry him! The next morning at breakfast, he asked if I wanted to go to the Arboretum. I said, yes. We awkwardly made small talk in the car. As we walked through this beautiful area, he said, well I guess you know why we are here! I said, yes. He said, do you want to? I said, ok. That was it! Our first date and we are now engaged! This was May 11, 1974. We both had peace. Of all the young men around me, Darryl’s integrity and walk with the Lord inspired me. I felt safe with him.

Pastor Drayton had a trip planned to Texas on May 25, so we scheduled our wedding at 9:00 a.m. that morning two weeks away! Our pre-marriage counseling comprised him telling me if Darryl wanted to kiss me while I was cooking spaghetti, to let him! We told our folks, called people to invite them and two weeks later we were married. During those two weeks, I found a dress. My sister helped make our bridesmaid dresses, and we figured out how to make things work. During those two weeks, God blossomed a love between us that was amazing. He told me that we would have very few storms within our marriage, but many storms outside that would drive us closer to together. He told Darryl that he was bonding our hearts together with barnacle glue., the strongest natural made glue on the planet. During these two weeks, Pastor Drayton’s father passed away, so Mom did the ceremony.

God’s guidance for me was “it is not what Darryl wants, it’s not what Martha wants” it is what God wants that matters. As we sought him first, our egos weren’t part of our story. We submitted the journey to Him, and it was good. We had many challenges, but somehow, by God’s grace, we walked them out with Him and each other. He was an amazing man, and it privileged me to be his wife. He passed away October 5, 2012. I still miss him.

My heart take away for each of you reading this, especially if you are married is: seek Him and His ways together. Don’t give up. Don’t forget who it was that you married and why you said yes to them. Ask the Lord to refresh your marriage. If you are single and looking, don’t settle what looks good on the outside, but seek Him and His heart for your future. Darryl and I were a team–in fact many of the churches we ministered together in had started jokingly calling us “Dartha”! If you are single and not looking, keep teaming up with King Jesus…He is the best teammate! I know this is a different post than normal, but I just felt to share our story.

Father, I thank you for the journey Darryl and I had together for 38 years. I thank you for the children we produced and the eleven grandchildren that love you. I thank you for touching marriages with our story, because you are a good good God. No matter what our day holds, we choose to trust in the Lord with all our heart, and lean not to our own understanding. Help us to acknowledge You and You will direct our paths. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. Psalm 4:7 NLT.

My daughter, Elizabeth, gave me a book for Mother’s Day. It is called “Women at Halftime“, by Shayne Moore and Carolyn Castleberry Hux. She informed me, “Mom, you need a journal to read this book”. So I went a purchased a journal, separate from my current one. As I read this book, it became very clear why I needed a journal. The sub title is: A guide to Reigniting Dreams and finding Renewed Joy and Purpose in Your Next Season. Throughout the body of the chapters are myriads of suggestions on how and what to observe and journal about your life. Then at the end of the chapter are even more questions to answer! I may be done by next year! However, one of the suggested assignments was to observe and journal for five to seven days what brings you joy.

The amazing thing is, before I read that in the book—I had already begun noticing certain joy givers in my life. I love it when the Holy Spirit works with so many aspects of our life. I looked intentionally for the joy-givers, because when there are a lot of challenges and struggles around me, I have a tendency to focus on them. And of course I found them! David, in this verse, you have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine realized that God was his source of greater joy than abundance of things. So why joy? What is it about that part of the fruit of the Spirit that is so important? Remember Nehemiah 8:10? The joy of the Lord is my strength. There is something about joy that helps sustain us. It gives us the strength to endure and helps lift us above them so we see things from God’s perspective.

A joyful heart is good medicine,but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 NLT. Life can be difficult. It can dry up and crush our spirit. Learning to acknowledge and receive the joy-givers in our hearts helps counteract these joy-crushers. Developing a heart of gratitude helps us spot our joy-givers. But we must not just acknowledge they are there, but we must allow that joy to re-vitalize our spirits. If we are honest, it often comes down to our choice. Please understand, I don’t think God ever intends for us to walk around like fake Pollyannas when we get hit with major storms. We take those concerns to Him and then, after we process them with Him, begin rejoicing, knowing that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Or lean on the promise, “all things work together for good to those called to his purpose”. I know these thoughts are not new thoughts, but we all may need to be reminded of them.

Find your joy-givers, even amid any difficulties. Let them touch your spirit and your soul. It will also be good for your body. Sometimes joy seems to be an expendable fruit, but trust me, it isn’t. We all need it. Ask the Lord to help you learn to cultivate it, it will change your life and your influence.

Father, I thank you for opening our eyes to the joy-givers in our lives. Help us to cultivate even more joy. Forgive us for ignoring this necessary aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. You truly are better than abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. I Timothy 1:5 NLT.

As I was reading through 1 Timothy, I came across this simple sentence. Paul, in writing to his beloved son, Timothy, clearly states his purpose. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. I Timothy 1:5 NLT. “All believers” includes you and me! Some days this seems so far above and beyond my comprehension, must less my implementation! Except for Jesus and His work on the cross, none of us have any hope of walking this scripture out!

We find the clue on how we do this in his phrase: all believers would be filled with love, not just any love but love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. The only way we can be filled with this kind of love is to first receive it for ourselves. Ezekiel 36:26-27 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. We must ask and believe Him and His Word. Allowing the Holy Spirit to monitor our hearts is key to them remaining tender and responsive.

Then we come to a clear conscience. This is definitely something that we must maintain. We clear our conscience through forgiveness and repentance. Which includes humbling ourselves and admitting we sin and need forgiveness. So often, we want to blame shift or self-justify our actions, at least to ourselves! As we practice repentance and forgiveness our hearts and consciences are cleansed.

Genuine faith—faith that makes a difference in your day-to-day life. We start with the seed of faith we all have been given and then watch it grow as we depend on our Savior. The opposite of genuine faith, I would think, is fake faith. Talking the talk, without walking the walk, would be fake faith. The wonderful thing about genuine faith is we learn to lean on Him. We find himself faithful and trustworthy, so we lean on Him some more and grow more faith.

But why bother? Maybe many believers around you don’t seem to care about a pure heart, a clear conscience or genuine faith, so why should you? Paul wrote this first letter to Timothy to help him lead the church at Ephesus. It was important for him to encourage the believers in Ephesus (and us) to stop listening to false teachers. When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste your time in endless discussions of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 NLT. If we don’t maintain a pure heart, a clear conscience and grow a genuine faith, we could fall subject to false thinking and false teaching. He continues to encourage him in 1 Timothy:19-20Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God. This may sound harsh, but I believe it shows us the seriousness of the situation. Hardening our hearts, justifying sin to our conscience and faking our faith lead to bad ends.

Paul’s heart, as should be every believer, is to help people live a life of faith in God. We need each other to stand strong in our faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. My dear friends, we must not see how little we can do to walk with Jesus, but to do, as Osgood Chambers says, “Our utmost for His Highest”. The days are drawing darker and darker. If we walk, filled with love that comes from a pure heart, clear conscience and genuine faith, we can’t help but be lights amid that darkness. It is challenging and a learning process, but with His grace, mercy and forgiveness, we can do it!

Father, we need your help. This is not something we can ever do on our own. Please help us walk with a tender and responsive heart toward you. Convict us when our hearts, conscience and faith are not pleasing to you, and teach us a better way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit. John 15:8 NIV.

There is something about reading through John chapter 15. I find it both challenging and comforting. In the natural, I admit I am not a gardener. It is by God’s grace that the plants my husband cared for, for so many years, are still mostly alive. I say mostly, because I know they probably need to be re-potted or fertilized (or at least I think so) but they get watered and are still green! I value those plants because he loved them. When we have a relationship with our Master Gardener, then we change our perspectives about His touch, including pruning.

But, I am so grateful we have a Master Gardener that looks after His planting. Every time I read through this chapter, I am in awe of how He works so patiently with me, as His planting. The pruning isn’t fun, but learning to trust our Gardener makes the process go smoother. Years ago, I watched Darryl prune some apple trees. He kept cutting and cutting, I thought there isn’t going to be anything left of that tree. But the next year, the apples grew bigger and tastier than ever before.

It can be humbling to realize we have branches which are bearing little or no fruit. Trusting the Gardener’s wisdom that we will bear even more fruit after the pruning comes with experience. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. John 15:3. That is the promise. If we want to bear more fruit, we must go through the pruning process.

It’s also humbling to understand that, apart from Him, we can do nothing. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5. Oh, how I find myself, thinking surely I can do something. That nothing part brings me up short. We cannot bear any fruit at all unless we stay connected to the vine and let His Spirit move in and through us. This is really a good thing!

Some branches He has cut off from me aren’t pretty. Judgement which has led to a critical spirit, envy, unforgiveness, self-pity, pride, selfishness. These all fall under the works of the flesh, don’t they? Unfortunately, some of these have had to be cut off more than once! I admit, sometimes the pruning of what I think are branches that are bearing good fruit is often harder to understand. Some of it is still a mystery.

His pruning happens in different ways. When we cooperate with what we read in His Word, pruning happens. As the Holy Spirit points out places that need changing and we submit, pruning happens. Listening to the preaching and teaching of the Word and applying it, pruning happens. He may use circumstances, as well. I know He used my time as a caregiver to work some deep changes in my life. We don’t need to fear His pruning shears.

But all of it has brought me closer to trusting Him and His wisdom. John 15:8-9 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. We must look at the bigger picture, like Jesus did. It is not about us; it is about Him. When we make it about Him, remembering His love and suffering sacrifice He did for us, it is easier to allow Him to make these changes. The goal of pruning is for us to become more Christlike. Everything He removed and is removing from my life benefits me first!

Father, I am so grateful for Your work in our lives. Help us yield to Your pruning shears in trust and faith. Help us to embrace the pruning process, no matter how it comes. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in glory of His Father and will judge people according to their deeds. Matthew 16:27 NLT.

How often do you think about the second coming of Jesus? I remember as a young teenager riding my horse around sunset looking up and seeing the pink and purple clouds–and wondering if He was going to come back…and would I be ready. Those days are long gone and my thoughts about the second coming have evolved.

As I read through our textbook for the Basic Doctrine class I teach, I have learned a lot. Did you know that the doctrine of the second coming is mentioned 318 times in 216 chapters of the New Testament? Wow, it was very important to the New Testament authors. Taking time to really focus on these scriptures is not only enlightening and encouraging, but also stimulating and sobering, at least for me.

Our life here on earth really is short. But it matters. Ou Savior, Jesus spoke those words at the beginning of this writing. He declared He will come back, and for a purpose. That purpose is actually the ending for his first coming. For the unbelievers, there is a Great White throne of judgement that determines their eternity. Then I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:11-12. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15 NLT. For believers, there is a judgement of Christ, but it is based on our deeds. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. 2 Corinthians 5: 10:11. When it’s over, it is over. There are no do overs. I want to hear, well, done,my good and faithful servant. But I do not serve Him for the rewards, I serve Him because of my love for Him and my appreciation for what He did for me.

Did you realize every time you partake of the Lord’s supper you “show for the Lord’s death, until he comes?” 1 Corinthians 11:26. Jesus is looking forward to coming back. Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going. John 14:1-4 NLT. These are much more comforting words that the thoughts about judgement! But both are true, and we need to understand that.

What we do here matters. It really does. The good news is that as we follow Him, we will be prepared for anything He asks us to do. As a teacher, I want my students prepared and successful. The Holy Spirit is an excellent teacher. He wants us to succeed, so as we listen to Him, we will! I don’t understand everything about the “last days”. To be honest, I don’t know if I am pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post tribulation. I know if I lean in to Him, I will be ok, and so will you, and for that I am thankful. I encourage you. What you are going through right now will end. Whether it is with the greatest interruption of all times (the second coming) or the end of your life, He has a plan, and it is good.

Father, I thank you for preparing a place for us. I thank you that you are coming again at a set time and it will be the right time. Please help us use our time wisely while we are here on earth. Teach us to number our days. In Jesus’ Name, amen.