Trusting Him

Series: Trusting God in Hard Times

I spent Thanksgiving week in the hospital with my sister. She had a routine procedure which was complicated by a mineral imbalance. Her procedure was on Monday and we were still there on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, which was three days longer than expected. Nights are not very restful in hospitals with nurse visits every 4 hours and blood work in between. On Wednesday night at about 2 am, I remember the technician drawing blood. The look of desperation on my sister’s face was so intense. We all wanted to go home, but she especially wanted to go home. It was more than just getting out of the hospital. It was imposing a strange gloom on her that was turning into depression. As soon as the technician left early that morning and I saw her face, I had this deep impulse to pray in the most raw and honest way. With her hands held in mine, I prayed a prayer of complete surrender. I asked our Father to show His power in a quick, obvious, unequivocal way by making her get better. It was through raw emotion and overwhelming tears that I petitioned Him. After thanking Him for His Son and for His grace offered so freely, I uttered the word, “Amen.” At that very instant, I had a calming peace and confidence in knowing that we–my sister and I–had completely, wholeheartedly surrendered, trusting the Lord would deliver.

Her next lab result would not show a significant improvement, but our faith and trust remained. We continued to hope her condition would improve, AND IT DID! Our family spent Thanksgiving Day in the hospital and shared that holiday meal with other families in the same situation. We had so much to be thankful for. We had each other! Even though her condition prevented her from going home, it wasn’t life threatening. Yes, it was inconvenient, but she was alive. We all are alive! This ‘hard’ time for my family certainly doesn’t compare to what many people have experienced in their own hard times. But, it was a moment in time for me that was difficult–one that I had struggled with surrendering.

Sometimes I fail to fully surrender to His power and mercy. When I finally reach the point of realizing I am not in control and His will must be made complete, do I finally TRUST Him to take care of it! Placing complete trust in Him brings a peace and confidence in knowing the situation will be resolved according to His eternal plan.

I am encouraged by these scriptures, perhaps you will be too:
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)

Father, thank you for loving me enough to send your Son to Calvary for my sin. Forgive me, Father, when I fail to trust you in ALL things. Help me to completely surrender my whole life to you. Thank you for your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Michelle Tittor
Cleburne, Texas

Hard Times

Series: Trusting God in Hard Times

HARD TIMES! What are they? According to WIKIPEDIA , to give someone a “hard time” is to cause difficulty for that person, or to treat that person severely. Hard times are very personal. Satan has a way of knowing just how to tempt us. What you consider severe treatment I may “blow off” and ignore. Everyone has “hard times,” most of us more than once, many of us frequently. If you haven’t had any, be assured that they will come. Some people even seem to live their lives waiting for the next “hard time.” As Stephen C. Foster wrote in his song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” “By’n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door, . .”

We are promised hard times if we live as Christians. We may be ridiculed, lied about, ignored, forsaken by those we love, scorned by others. Business may be destroyed, possessions wiped out. And these are just the easy problems! What about the tortures of the early Christians? Have you known anyone recently who died for The Faith? Whose family has been ripped apart, taken into slavery? No one I know has been thrown to the lions, or burned at the stake, or even whipped to death, for any reason, much less for The Faith. If I had my own “trial by fire,” could I endure?

When I was in high school, a girl I knew had not one, but two abortions (both illegal at that time). I could not believe that anyone would do this! I already believed, without discussion with anyone else, that life begins at conception. My reading of God’s Word had made this plain to me. While in high school, I promised myself, deep inside myself, that I would never intentionally cause harm to any child of mine, before or after birth. Without consultation with any human, this was my conviction

During the 1950’s and ‘60’s there was an especially hard epidemic of Rubella, a usually harmless “childhood” disease. About 25% of babies whose mothers contracted Rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy were born with “congenital rubella syndrome.” As quoted from kidshealth.org:

Rubella in a pregnant woman can cause congenital rubella syndrome, with potentially devastating consequences for the developing fetus. Children who are infected with rubella before birth are at risk for growth retardation; mental retardation; malformations of the heart and eyes; deafness; and liver, spleen, and bone marrow problems. Nothing that medicine or other therapies could offer would positively affect the outcome of the pregnancy.

I contracted Rubella between the second and third months of my second pregnancy, the absolute worst time to have it because of all the development occurring in the baby at that time. My immunity prior to my breaking out with the tell-tale spots was “zero.” After all signs of the disease were gone, my immunity was so high it could not be accurately measured. While in training as a Speech Pathologist, I had worked with both children and their parents following the birth of a child with “congenital rubella syndrome.” I had seen the heartbreak of the parents, the handicaps of the children, who frequently were unable to care for themselves or learn past normal 3 – 5 year development. Now, I felt, I had caused this “curse” on my own child whom I wanted so much! HARD TIMES had hit!

My doctor insisted on an abortion. Colorado had just passed the first abortion law in the United States. It stated if two doctors agreed that continuation of the pregnancy would result in serious medical or emotional problems for either the fetus or the mother, a legal abortion could be performed. So, I could fly there, have the abortion, come home, and all would be well. One major problem my doctor had not considered…Me!I wanted this child, but I wanted this child to be healthy! Here I was, carrying this life conceived on purpose in love, yet, as I reasoned then, I was responsible for (i.e., blamed) for his ruined life! (I have since learned the difference between responsibility and blame.) I felt, “How could I bear to sentence my child to a life of extreme difficulty hardship? How could I handle it?” Yet I knew I couldn’t purposely kill this child! I dove into a deep depression.

I told my doctor, “No.” Paul (my husband) was in complete agreement with me. But very few people were. I lived the next seven months in torture, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I continued to suffer from depression, yet I had to care for our year-and-one-half old daughter every day, and try to keep our home going. I could hardly tolerate for anything to touch my skin. I felt like I was stung by everything that touched me. So the doctor put me on pain killers and anti-depressants (both dangerous to a developing fetus).I spent my afternoons during our daughter’s nap time writhing in agony on the bed, sobbing repeatedly, “Oh, God, please!” That is ALL I could pray for seven months! I could do nothing but endure. My faith was so weak!

I had yet to internalize the scripture from Romans 8:26-27:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. (NIV)

Through the Spirit’s intervention Almighty God heard my prayers. Our son was born a healthy 8+ pounds. His development was precociously fast; he totally defied all human predictions regarding rubella syndrome. This child whom medical experts said I should abort is a faithful son to God, his Heavenly Father. He has known from an early age, Who saved him from a lifetime of disabilities. How could anyone have suggested that I terminate that life? I praise God daily for His merciful kindness!

That was truly a “Hard Time” for me. I learned that if God, in all His love and power, could see me through constant seven-month anguish, could and did protect our son from the ravages of rubella syndrome, He can and will see me through anything this world has to strike me with. His answer is not always the one I seek. But in His perfect love, “. . . we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28, NIV)

How did I get through that “Hard Time”? Prayer! Intervention of the Spirit! In my weakness I did not understand the intervention of the Spirit. But God was, as He always is, faithful. His Word is perfect, His promises are true, our trust in Him will prove His love. Some babies are born with disabilities, some acquire them. Not everything we pray for will receive the answer we seek, but God wants to send only His best for our eternity. Sometimes He sends HARD TIMES! and we grow. But He will see us through. This life is brief. He who endures shall receive a crown of life, forever no Hard Times but PERFECT “TIMES” with our God!

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV). . . Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev. 2:10 (NIV)Almighty God, help us to know You better, to trust You, to love You, to believe that You want only the best for us. Sustain us through our “Hard Times.” Help us to trust that You know what is best, and that truly “Good Times” on earth are only those times we live in service and love to You. Thank you for the intervention of your Spirit, who helps us know and love You more. Through Jesus, our Savior, Amen.

Marilyn Schulze
Stephenville, Texas

Trust and Obey

Series: Trusting God in Hard Times

I grew up singing the song, “Trust and Obey”. The lyrics remind me that obedience and trust go hand in hand.

At the core of our being, we must believe that there is nothing “hard” for God. He is the creator of the universe and everything in it. Is there someone more worthy of my trust?

Here is a verse to hold on to, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock” (Isaiah 26:4).

How do you trust God in difficult situations? By obeying God in everything, everyday! He asks us to love. Love unconditionally. He asks us to forgive. Forgive mercifully. He asks us to give to those in need. Give generously. He is beside us every day, available to give us strength.

Our faith will grow as we obey and learn that God’s plan is the best. As our faith grows we trust more and more.

Keep Prov. 3:5 in your heart: “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”. We are tempted to rely on our finite self, but God has been helping humans for thousands of years! He knows our heart and what we need. He is absolutely the best one to trust! While you wait for God to work out your situation, keep obeying, believing, praying and trusting. At the end of the day, make a choice to accept God’s will, which has an eternal perspective.

Dear Father, I want to trust you fully. Give me strength today to turn my life over to you. Forgive me for sometimes doing things my way, ignoring your commands. Help me, God, to surrender to your truth. I want to proclaim you as my Rock! In Jesus name, amen.

Terry Smith
Stephenville, Texas

Feasting on the Word

Series: Hungering for the Word

The awesome beauty of God’s creation was evident in the lunar eclipse that occurred this week. Earlier in the evening the sky was filled with clouds hanging in lovely shades of pink and purple after the sunset. The sight was truly breathtaking. The view was ours for the taking, a once in a lifetime experience. God’s presence is all around us just waiting to be acknowledged and embraced. Whether we are skiing in the mountains, basking in the sun on a beach, enjoying a beautiful sunset or counting the colors of a rainbow, we have a choice. We may choose to see God in all His glory, or we may be oblivious to the beauty that surrounds us.

Hungering for the Word is a similar choice. We may choose to feast or we may be content to nibble on a few bites here and there. I grew up in a home where daily Bible reading was as much a part of our routine as the delicious meals my mother so lovingly prepared. We had workbooks with lessons to prepare for Sunday Bible classes and were expected to learn the “memory verses.” We took pride in being counted among the Daily Bible Readers each week.

I am grateful for the traditions and habits instilled by loving, faithful parents. I am thankful for the security of being reared in a Christian home. However, I remember a day, when I, as a young wife and mother, realized that I needed to take responsibility for my salvation. I earnestly prayed that I would hunger for the Word. I believe hungering for the Word means that “[l]ike newborn babies you should crave–thirst for, earnestly desire–the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto salvation.” (I Peter 2:2).

Father, we know that in the beginning was the Word. He is the Life and Light that is eternal. We praise You, God, for creating us in Your image! We praise You for the hope of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May we hunger for Your Word and feast at the table You have prepared for us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Jan Alderfer
Stephenville, Texas

Eat, Sleep and Drink It

Series: Hungering for the Word
My oldest brother, Jimmy, is eight years older than me. When he was in high school playing football, I idolized him. During his senior season, he fumbled the football a few times in the early portion of the season. Coach Williams decided to give Jimmy a lesson about holding on to the football that he would not forget. He required Jimmy to carry a football with him everywhere he went, 24 hours a day. This was to serve as a reminder to Jimmy, both consciously and subconsciously, about the importance of holding onto the football during a game. For Coach Williams, football was to be a top priority for his players. It was stated in a succinct philosophy. His players were to ‘eat, drink, and sleep football.’ He wanted football to be in their consciousness 24 hours a day.

God is a little bit like Coach Williams. When it comes to the focus of our lives, God wants us to be Kingdom-focused. Jesus said, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.” Mike Cope has written a book entitled One Holy Hunger: When God Is All You Want. Hungering for God and His kingdom should be the passion of every Christian.

One of the ways that our hunger for God and His presence in our lives grows is through our consuming of His word. Certainly, we are a people who have been blessed with Bibles in our lives. I am sitting in an office where there are 20+ Bibles, in numerous translations. At home as well, there are multiple Bibles. Many who read this today can be seen on Sundays with your personal Bible tucked under your arm, strolling into church. BUT THE QUESTION FOR YOU TO ANSWER: DO I REALLY ‘HUNGER’ FOR THE WORD OF GOD IN MY LIFE?? It is not enough to own the most recent translation with concordance and maps and topical index.

My early morning routine, as I eat breakfast, is to consume the Abilene Reporter News. I begin with the Sports section, then the main section with world and local news, and finish off with the Life section. In a way, I hunger for it. I desire to begin my day with the news. DO YOU HAVE A DAILY HUNGER FOR ‘GOD’S WORD’? ARE YOU AS MOTIVATED AS I AM FOR THE SPORTS SECTION OF THE NEWSPAPER TO HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU THROUGH HIS WORD? My prayer for you and me is that God’s word will become an indispensible part of our spiritual diets. May our philosophy become: I am going to ‘eat, drink, and sleep’ the kingdom of God. Hungering for God’s word in our lives is a good beginning place.

Prayer: ‘Father, create within me a ‘holy hunger’ for You. Help me prioritize my life and my days to include time for Your Word.’

Terry Brown
Abilene, Texas

The Word Can Change You

Series: Hungering for the Word

I know a man who is very passionate about the Word. When he was in college, he considered going Premed, but instead chose to pursue a degree in Bible. His freshman year he developed a strong desire to memorize scripture. He met a man named Marlin (or Merlin, as I like to call him), who worked with him daily on his memorization. Marlin taught him a special strategy for scripture memorization.

By the time he graduated, he had memorized the Sermon on the Mount, I and II Timothy, part of Acts, I Peter, most of I John, II John, chunks of the gospels, the first five chapters of Revelation, nine chapters of Hebrews, etc. After graduating and getting into ministry, he spent a few years teaching a freshman Bible course at ACU. He would let the students play “stump the chump”--they were allowed to look up any verse in the New Testament, read it aloud, and if he couldn’t tell them the exact book, chapter, and verse location of the excerpt, they got an extra point on their next test. They only got one extra point the entire semester.

Early in his ministry he met a very special man named Keith Barnett. Keith lived in a small Midwestern town. When Keith was nine years old, he was getting off the school bus one day and preparing to cross a street to get to his house. He waved excitedly at his mom, who waited on the other side of the road. As he stepped into the street, a car hit him and dragged him 70 feet. He lived, but he had brain damage, his speech was impaired, and he walked with a limp. However, the accident did not damage his heart of gold.

One day at church, Keith approached the young preacher and said, “Mister, I would just give anything in the world to be able to get up and speak the way you do. I want to know scripture that way.”

The preacher replied, “Well, Keith, of course you can learn to do that. I can teach you, if you’d like.”

Keith’s face lit up. “You would...teach me? You would do that for me?” The light left his eyes as he came to a realization. “But...I’m too dumb to learn how to do that like you.”

The preacher says his heart broke whenever Keith said those words. “No, Keith,” he told him. “You are NOT too dumb. We can work together. You pick the passage you want and I will teach you how to learn it.”

Keith was so excited. He worked with the preacher several days a week. The preacher taught Keith the things that Marlon taught him several years before. Keith’s mom said that Keith would pace back and forth across his room every afternoon, reading and reciting over and over. He worked and worked, practiced and practiced. When he was ready, he called the preacher and asked if he could meet him at the church building to recite his chosen passage.

They met in the preacher’s office and Keith recited the parable of the ten virgins, with passion and vigor and a light in his eyes. Keith did not miss a word and, more than that, he felt the words as he said them. It was more than simply memorizing words from a page. Keith felt accomplished. He felt like he’d worked hard for something and produced visible fruit. His disabilities and shriveled appearance faded as he spoke the very same words that Jesus spoke long ago.

When he finished his recitation, he was so overwhelmed by the weight of his accomplishment, by the realization that he had put every bit of his heart into learning his chosen text, he collapsed into a chair, sobbing with his head in his hands, thanking the young preacher.

The next week, Keith stood in front of the church of 700 people and recited his passage and gave a lesson about it. Tears flowed and hearts filled with joy as Keith spoke with confidence and zeal about the word of the Lord. His mother’s tears were silent; she glowed with pride.

Keith, a poor, disabled, twenty-four year old man who was still fully dependent on his mother, discovered things about himself that he did not know existed as he memorized scripture. The act of memorizing and reciting scripture was a humanizing act for Keith; he was affirmed in a way that no other accomplishment could offer.

Dear God,

Thank you for the saving power of Your word. Thank you for its singular ability to change us, recreate our perceptions of ourselves, and to bear fruit in our lives. Draw us nearer to Your heart as we connect with You through the Word that You have given us. We love you.

Through Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Erin Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Hungry?

Series: Hungering for the Word

When you go awhile without food, your body sends you a little reminder. You feel hungry. If you don't eat, the reminders get more severe and intense. After a while, the reminders stop. Then, much more serious consequences begin. You actually start to consume your self. Eventually, you will become weak. Then your body starts to shut down; you can't see, you can't think and you die. You need food to live. Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" Matt. 4:4.

Most of us have ignored those hunger pains for His Word. Or we have substituted other words. Many times we are past this stage and feel no pain. But we are starving; we are becoming weak. Our thinking is affected. We can't see as we should. Some are close to death. Others have died. Nothing replaces food. Nothing replaces the Word of God. you can't live without it. So why do we try? Some try to live on milk when meat is needed. So foolish!

Dear God, I am so sorry. I have turned from the bread of life and have stuffed my life with junk. Please forgive me. Please give me the nourishment I need...Your Word. I am weak; I don't think straight. Please give me the wisdom to know what I need. In the name of Jesus, the True Bread from Heaven, I pray. Amen.

2 Peter 3:8 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

Similarly, I believe one word from the Lord holds the value of a thousand words of men. The words of the Lord are moving, calming, helpful, wise, joyful, guiding, saving, and a host of other adjectives.

The Bible is an amazing gift for mankind. It tells the story of God’s love and the sacrifice of His blameless son for our sake. There are answers for life’s difficulties, hardships, adversity, suffering, wants and needs, and ultimately eternal salvation for our souls. If we hunger after the Word of God, we will be more than satisfied--we will be satiated.

Last week I went to a funeral for a friend. She was a joyful person, a Christian who lived a life that influenced every person she touched. Her funeral offered the opportunity to come to the front of the church building and share memories of our friend. The result was a stream of people happy to have the chance to tell stories about their friend. The words from her friends helped all of us visualize Jennifer’s joy, eccentricities, kindness, love, giving spirit and enthusiasm. The congregation was moved to tears and laughter through such positive words of men and women.

At other times words of men and women convey bitterness, anger, shame, sadness. Such words and feelings spread like viruses to other people and can separate us from God. The spirit of man is vulnerable and may be buoyed by God’s word. Satan is lurking and ready to capitalize on opportunities to mislead us. Reading the Bible daily is like a tonic for our souls. When I have experienced stress and sadness, I have always found comfort in reading the Bible. It is amazing that very often the specific words I read provide needed guidance and solutions for that day.

Dear God, please help me continue to hunger after your word. Help me be bold to share your message today. Thank you for the guidance we find through study of the Bible.

Sherilyn Svien
Stephenville, Texas

Spiritual Formation in Every Season

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

What happens when you take a knife to a piece of wood and run the blade across the same spot repeatedly? Eventually, the indentation will become deep. It will be noticeable–the wood will be able to feel it and others will be able to see it. For me, “spiritual formation” can often mean making noticeable indentations on my own heart.

In our progressive society, ancient rhythms often get a bad rep. However, people are consistently finding that the “new and improved” ways of spiritual formation are leaving them emptied and dry. You know which “new” ways I’m talking about; they are always under scrutiny, causing rifts within the church and constantly spawning turmoil and controversy. As the new ways fall short, people choose to return to ancient methods of spiritual formation. One of these ancient ways is observance of the seasons of the liturgical year.

Many Christians are not familiar with the seasons of the liturgical, or Christian, year. They are as follows:
Advent (which we are currently in; the four Sundays before Christmas)
Christmas (December 25-January 5)
Epiphany (January 6)
After Epiphany (after January 6 to the beginning of Lent)
Lent (begins six-and-a-half weeks before Easter)
The Great Triduum (Thursday, Friday, Saturday of Holy Week, before Easter Sunday)
Easter (extends for fifty days after Easter Sunday; ends on Pentecost)
After Pentecost (from Pentecost Sunday to the beginning of Advent; about six months)

What is so important about these dates? Think about the first Passover, the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first manifested and the church began, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the preparation of John the Baptist for the coming of Christ, and the birth of Christ Himself. All of these dates celebrate and remember real events, real moments in the life of Jesus and the church.

We can also remember events in the nation of Israel that relate to these dates. Even in the time of Isaiah, the people of Israel longed for a Messiah: “It will also come to pass that before the call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). The themes of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany are in anticipation and celebration of Israel’s Savior–our Savior. The seasons of the Christian year even observe Jewish holidays–Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, Passover. We are united with the nation of Israel–God’s people through the ages–in our observance of these events and seasons.

The understanding that I have of the Christian year is that it follows the pattern of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. As we travel through His life time and again, we are practicing the spiritual discipline of living in the pattern of Jesus’ saving life throughout the year. Of course, we cannot attain spirituality on our own. The spirituality that we can claim and have is because of Jesus’ choice to come to earth in human form, resist sin, overcome it, and reconcile us to God. Everything that we have depends on His life, death, and resurrection. Which means it is REALLY important, or, rather, essential.

Observing these seasons year after year etches scripture, tradition, and sacred memory on our minds and hearts, just as that knife on wood makes an irremovable indentation. It brings joy and excitement, reflection and rememberance. In Christianity Today, Mark Galli (managing editor) says of Christian author Robert Webber, “In an age that says, ‘time is money,’ Robert Webber says, ‘time is spirituality.” Time and humanity are two of God’s most intricate and unexplainable creations. Exploring how the two can work together, based on Jesus Christ, in a way that is spiritually formative brings renewal from season to season and new discoveries with the passing of time.

God in Heaven,
Thank you for sending Your Son to overcome death for us in Your name, so that we may be reconciled to You.
Thank you for the life of Your Son, the life of Your people, and the seasons of the year, in which we can celebrate life with Christ Himself.
We love You in seasons of change, seasons of lament, seasons of want, seasons of joy, and seasons of abundance.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Erin Daugherty, Stephenville, TX

To find out more about the seasons of the Christian year and to learn how they can be spiritually formative, read Ancient-Future Time by Robert Webber or go to http://www.crivoice.org/chyear.html.

All for One and One for All

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

As the holidays are approaching, everyone is looking forward to the NFL Playoffs and the numerous bowl games. There is the Cotton Bowl, Ticket City Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Rose Bowl, and countless others. The regular seasons are winding down for collegiate and professional football and the championships begin. I remember the beginning of the season. As you followed your favorite team this year, you possibly watched a transformation before your eyes. The team started the season as individuals. The individual players wanted all the glory for themselves, to be in the spotlight, to carry the ball and to catch the game winning pass.

As the season grew long and teams faced adversity, the individuals looked for leadership and bonded with each other. The teams that banded together, overcame adversity, and played with all their hearts may not have won all the games or even be competing for a championship, but those who believed in a common goal still formed bonds and transformed from an individual to a team.

Similarly, you began your spiritual life as an individual. You tried to find happiness and be fulfilled by turning to God. But, you began to get discouraged and possibly distracted. You continue searching alone and seem to fall short.

Just like any great sport, we need a coach and teammates. We must have a relationship with our spiritual coach. If you look to this coach with an open heart, He will guide you through the tough times and celebrate with you in the great times. We should be training with the Lord on a daily basis, determined to be more like Christ in our daily walk. Just like your favorite sports team, greatness and perfection do not happen without practice. The coach urges the players to perfection during practice, as well as during big games. We should listen to the Lord during our life journey and He expects us to practice and perform in the time of need. However, we must remember we are not alone in the spiritual walk. We have teammates! Our teammates and we have an even greater bond than that of any sports team--we are bound by blood. We are meant to open our hearts to the Lord and have a relationship not only with God, but with others. Through spreading His word we shall all be unified.

Jesus prayed in John (17:20-24) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

As Jesus prayed, we are all one in Him. So as you study the word of God on your own spiritual walk, remember that we are not alone. Submit your heart to the Lord and look to your teammates for support.

Gracious Heavenly Father. Thank you for your guiding hands in our spiritual walk and for the blessings of our spiritual family during this time of growth. Open our hearts to allow us to look for your guidance. Allow us to work in unison to spread the glory of your name. Guide us through any obstacles that we may face. Please give us the strength and knowledge during this time. As Jesus has prayed, may our love be spread throughout the world through our growth. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Adam Tittor
Cleburne, Texas

People Watching

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

People watch television, sporting events, the stock market, and grass grow, but have you ever just watched people. You know; people watching...It’s what you do when you’re bored, sitting on a bench at the mall or by yourself at the airport. Some may say it’s tacky, but it can be very entertaining. People will do all kinds of things in public that they don’t think anyone will notice. I won’t go through any kind of list, but it can be quite humorous. Then, sometimes people or more ironic than humorous.

For instance, the father who gets on to his daughter for sucking her thumb while he puts a big dip of snuff in his mouth or the mother who screams at her child for making a “scene”. My favorite is the “lovey dovey” boy friend who can’t keep his eyes off of every other young lady that walks past him and his girlfriend. The best part of people watching is that you can think about and criticize other people and completely avoid any self reflection at all.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” What if people could watch us not just at the airport or the mall, but 24/7. What ironies would they see? Better yet, where would they say that our treasure lies?

In the United States today and in churches all across this great land people are discussing how true spiritual formation occurs in people. In small groups and coffee shops from shore to shore people with frustration in their voice confess that they are stagnant in their faith. They feel as if their heart is not truly in it. There is a lot of truth to that statement. Spiritual formation begins with the heart and Jesus knew that our heart’s focus is on those things that we cherish.

What do you chase after with an unquenchable thirst? What was your last Indiana Jones moment all about? Ironic, isn’t it? There’s a correlation between the answer to that question and what our spiritual pulse is. You can be in it to win it, but if your heart isn’t in it, nothing truly formative can happen in your spiritual life...in my spiritual life.

Prayer:
“O God, I can fool everyone and even myself, but there is no place too far that you are not there.

Help me to seek the kingdom of heaven and treasure the God who first loved me. Help me to love and bear fruit in the lives of those created in His image. When my flesh seeks out treasure that is fleeting and temporary give me the courage to let it all go and find true treasure in You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.”

Tanner Fain
Stephenville, Texas

The Heart of the Matter

Series: The Reign of God in Our Hearts

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart.
Peter, do you love me? Feed my sheep.

Why questions are important questions. Why do you want to marry her/him? Why do you want to go to school there? Why do you like that field of study? Why did you decide to take that opportunity? On and on it goes. Some reasons are better than other reasons. “Why” gives us some insight in what motivates us to do certain things.

Faith growth is essentially a “why” question, too. Why am I a Christian? Why do I serve people? Why do I honor the teaching of the Word about holiness? Why do I look for ways to encourage other believers and build up my congregation? Why is my faith growing? Why is it in disarray?

I like listening to Paul offer up (and remind us!) of his “why” for serving Jesus. Do these sound familiar?

• By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:8-10)
• Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15)
• The love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. 5:14)
• Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
• You obeyed from the heart that form of teaching which saves. (Romans 6:17)

These simple texts take us back to the headwaters of faith and more importantly, what sustains our faith. We aren’t simply baptized and added to the church. Jesus said to Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” I guess another way of putting it would be, “Peter, how do you regard me in your heart? Think about that as you enter into ministry with me.”

The story in Luke 7 stirs my heart every time I read it. What would I have done if I had been there? A uninvited woman breaks into the banquet and plops down at Jesus’ feet. It’s socially awkward. Her gratitude compels her to toss social protocol aside. She rests at Jesus’ feet, applying perfume, kissing them, weeping on them and wiping the tears with her hair. By any cultural standard that’s strange to say the least. But, “thank you!” is the only thing on her mind. Jesus turns to the offended host and says, “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).

I think that is the baseline for spiritual maturation. Being gripped in our hearts by the magnitude of grace, our sinfulness, our utter desperation and what God has done for us is first order business for genuine faith growth and enduring discipleship. We get up in the morning with a “why” for living and serving in the gospel that compels us forward with zest and purpose. It isn’t tradition, or peer pressure or a strange sense of “ought to”. It’s because our hearts have been turned over. We have become as those who are willing to do whatever and be whatever because God has done the most extraordinary thing for us. Perhaps that’s what Jesus meant when he said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”

Prayer:
Father, may our hearts be captivated by the power of your love and mercy. May our lives be surrendered each day to the gospel as a celebration of praise and thanksgiving that reaches into every corner of our lives. May your will be ours and your holiness sought after because our hearts are lost in pursuit of yours. Amen.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas