Do You Long for It? (1 Peter 2:1-3)

Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

I asked Jesus to come into my heart when I was six, and as a child, I loved God’s Word. While I’m not sure I would have described myself as “longing” for His Word, I remember reading and memorizing scriptures with joy.

Then came my twenty-year rebellion. As my path meandered, times when I wanted nothing to do with God intersected with moments I desired nothing more than to find Him again.

I recommitted my life to Jesus in September of 1993, and for a while, I was content just knowing I was back in the fold. Praise God, that contentment didn’t last. About five years into my renewed relationship, I realized I needed more. If I was going to become the woman God desired me to be, if I was going to “grow in respect to salvation,” I needed really know God’s Word. I needed to meditate and study and respond.

I needed to long for it.

In the last 23 years, I still experienced seasons where that longing was suppressed—usually by my own selfishness or pride. But for quite a while now, I seek to spend time in God’s Word daily. And I find myself missing that time when I neglect it. I recognize such weakness in me that if I don’t take this crucial time, I tend to falter.

I’ve “tasted the kindness of the Lord,” and the least I can do is make time for Him, in prayer and enjoying the “pure milk” of the gift of my Father’s Word.

I pray for you, my friend. Long for the Word of your Father. Grow in Him. Be grateful to Him.

You Are Worthy! Yes, You! (1 Peter 1:17-19)

Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-19

Have you ever felt unworthy? And I don’t mean that put-yourself-down “I’m pond scum” kind of unworthy. I mean, have you ever pondered on what Jesus did for you? And then recognized how very unworthy you are?


Over the last couple of years, God has blessed me so abundantly. I live in a beautiful area. I am able to teach from the comfort of my home. I have a wonderful church where I serve by coordinating the drama ministry and by leading a small group. I’m married to a great man who supports me in so many ways.

I often shake my head (literally!), wondering how He could possibly love this flawed, weak woman as much as He does.


I am unworthy of His blessings. Oh, but He—in His unimaginable grace—sees worth in me. So much so, He trusts me to help fulfill His mission. Amazing grace.


Then I read verses like this, and I’m humbled again. And convicted.


Humbled because I am redeemed by the “precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” God the Father saw enough worth in me, He sent His beloved Son to pay the price for my sin (John 3:16). I resonate with the words of the psalmist: “Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?” (MSG, 8:4).


Convicted because I have to ask myself, do I really “conduct [myself] with fear [with reverent awe] during the time of [my] stay on earth”? I pray I do. I know I want to. It’s my heart’s desire to somehow, in some small way, give back to God a fraction of what He’s given me.


To somehow let Him know how grateful I am He sees worth in this cracked, unworthy vessel.



Amazing grace. Indeed.

Fallen Away ... (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-3

I know how easy it is to believe things contrary to God’s word.

I made some really unwise decisions when I was young, decisions that allowed me to “fall away from the faith.” I listened to the lies of the enemy, and spent twenty years on a journey that led me, as I titled a book I wrote, on a crooked path, away from and back to the arms of the Father.

I see this same “falling away” in many people today. Young people raised to know God are making choices to follow the world. Older people, disillusioned because of loss or difficulty, claim God is unfair or, because of their pain, doesn’t exist at all.

A large part of the problem is that many Christians don’t really know why they believe what they believe. They go to church on Sunday, and then never touch their Bibles or talk to God the other six days and 22 hours of the week. And since they really don’t know truth, it’s very, very easy for them to believe the lies whispered in their ears.

That’s why I pray regularly for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray they’ll ground themselves in God’s word. Study it. Meditate on it. Investigate its truths. I pray they’ll spend time talking with and listening to God. I pray they’ll be protected by the Spirit.

And I pray that those who have “fallen away” will repent and recommit their lives to God. Just as I did.

Don't Shipwreck Your Faith (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

Today’s scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-19

Paul gave good counsel to Timothy—counsel we should heed ourselves.

We need to fight the good fight. And whom are we fighting? In another letter, Paul wrote that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). We’re fighting against the devil and his forces, and in order to combat them, we need to daily put on our “armor.” (See Eph. 6:10-17.)

We need to keep the faith. As we deepen our relationships with God, our faith grows stronger and less vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. We need to spend time with God every day. Reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible. Praying. Spending time in quiet solitude, just listening to His voice. Learning about Him through corporate worship.

We need to keep a good conscience. If we seek God’s will and do what He’s called us to do, we will grow more and more like Christ. Sin will be abhorrent to us, and we will strive to live righteously.

If we live for God, if we keep Him the priority of our lives, we won’t reject our faith and “suffer shipwreck.”

Learning ... and Teaching ... (Philippians 3:17-19)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 3:17-19

Paul’s heart broke when he thought of the lost. He didn’t look down on them or take on a “holier than thou” attitude. He didn’t ridicule them. He didn’t ignore them.

He wept over them. He foresaw their destruction—eternal separation from God. And he desired that his spiritual children would not follow in their steps. Paul exhorted the Christians in Philippi to follow the example of godly men and women, to walk as they walked. I know he’d pray the same for us today.

Do you have an example of strong faith that you can emulate? Do you have a mentor who exemplifies a godly walk? Maybe it’s your parents. Or a church leader. Or someone whom you’ve never met, but who inspires you.

If you don’t, please find one. Read the works of C.H. Spurgeon or Oswald Chambers or C.S. Lewis. Ask your Bible study teacher if she would recommend a mentor. Look around you. There’s someone who would be honored and privileged to walk with you on your path to stronger faith.

And if you’ve been walking with the Lord for a while now, be an example to those younger in their faith. Help them to avoid any pitfalls of following the world.

Be a Grown-up (Philippians 3:15-16)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 3:15-16

Just as we mature and grow physically, we mature and grow spiritually. And we require the same things: food to nourish; relationships to develop emotionally; study and learning to stimulate mentally.

If a child isn’t fed regularly and nutritionally, her growth is stunted. If she doesn’t have regular, positive interaction with others, she becomes socially inept. If she is never given the opportunity to read or learn, she stays childlike in her thinking.

The same is true for believers. We must be nourished by God’s word—studying it, meditating on it—every day. We must spend time with God in prayer and solitude, listening to His voice. We must also spend time with other believers to learn from them and fellowship with them. We must stimulate our minds by reading books that make us question, that strengthen our beliefs, that challenge us.

Some seem to think that being a Christian means praying a prayer and then just going merrily on our way.  While accepting God’s gift of salvation is key to forgiveness and eternity with our Lord, it’s not the end. It’s the beginning. Let us not be content with where we are today. Rather, let us have a true desire to be more, grow more, develop more. So we can indeed be mature Christ-followers.

Working Together with Christ (Philippians 2:12-13)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

As I was praying over today’s blog, I wanted to make certain I wrote truth, especially the part about “work out your own salvation.” Some read these words and interpret them to say we can save ourselves. I don’t believe that’s what Paul meant at all. I reviewed some on-line commentaries, and one wrote:

"While Christ is our Savior, and the author of our salvation, we must accept him and work together with him. Hence the Holy Spirit says, 'Save yourselves' (Acts 2:40), and 'work out your own salvation'" (http://bible.christiansunite.com/pnt.cgi?1102).

It goes on to define “With fear and trembling”: With constant anxiety not to fail.

Our desire should be to obey God’s commands and do His will, being confident He’s working in us according to His plan. And when we do His will, when we strive to be Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and actions, God is pleased.

I pray this will be my heart’s desire. And I pray the same for you.  

A Daily To-Do List (Philippians 1:9-11)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians continues with some words of instruction, words that we, too, can take to heart. He calls his readers to love abundantly, learn continually, seek wisdom, choose the excellent things of God’s word, and live righteously.

My goodness. Quite a list, isn’t it? Makes me feel really inadequate.

Loving abundantly … This should be relatively “easy” for followers of Christ. After all, the second greatest commandment is that we’re to love others as ourselves.

Learning continually … I’ve written about this many, many times. We must study and meditate on God’s word. It’s the only way to gain knowledge.

Seeking wisdom … Obtaining God’s wisdom also comes from spending time in His word.

Choosing the excellent things … And what are the excellent things? We’ll delve more deeply into this idea when we get to the fourth chapter, but they’re those things that edify us and help us to be more like Christ.

Living righteously … In order to do this, we need to strive to live as Christ would. We need to follow God’s commandments, focusing on His will.

Paul’s not asking for much, is he? (You can’t hear my mild sarcasm …) The good news? We’re those works in progress we talked about yesterday. We need to ask for God’s help every day to become what He’s called us to be.

With His help, we can follow Paul’s instructions. And maybe one day, we’ll actually live them.

Work In Progress (Philippians 1:3-8)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 1:3-8

I love this book! Every verse has some nugget to encourage or to affirm or to convict. And today’s verses are no exception. I’m not sure even where to start!

Oh, wait a minute; yes I do. I begin by echoing Paul’s prayer. I do “thank my God upon every remembrance” of my friend, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I do pray that you continue to “fellowship in the gospel.”

But I want to focus today on verse 6: “… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ …”

I’ve written in previous blogs that we are all works in progress. We are being refined as silver. We will one day be as pure gold. It’s so comforting to remember: I’m not complete yet. God is still at work in me. As I often say, every day God wakes me out of bed is a day to serve His purpose. And one day, I pray I’ll stand before my Lord and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I pray for each of you: Give yourself completely to your loving, gracious, merciful Father. Your Abba. Let Him complete His work in you, so one day, you too can hear those wonderful words.

Wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14)

Today's scripture: Psalm 27:14

Waiting ... one of my least favorite things to do. I don't really like waiting in traffic, waiting in line at the grocery store, or waiting for a doctor's appointment. I'd much rather do than wait.

However, quite often, God asks us to wait. Wait for answered prayer. Wait for direction. Wait for a revelation of His will.

That's not easy for many of us ...

The thing I love most about today's verse is through the waiting comes growth. We become stronger in the wait. We learn to trust Him more. We learn to stay calm in the storm. We learn to see how His plans are always better than our own.

I've been praying for years for something near and dear to my heart. I believe God continues to ask me to wait. As I've waited through the years, I've come to rely more and more on God, trusting Him to work everything out according to His plan and His purpose. I know, because He's asked me to wait in the past, He will answer my prayer one day.

I can wait, with confidence and courage, growing stronger in faith every day.

Growing Spiritually (Ephesians 1:15-17)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 1:15-17

Without proper nutrition, we cannot grow well physically. Malnourishment affects every part of the body.

It’s the same with our spiritual growth. If we’re not properly nourished in God’s word, we remain stagnant … and sometimes even decline.

Paul prayed that the Christians in Ephesus would have a “spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

Proverbs 2 outlines the importance of godly wisdom. It should be a “hidden treasure” that we search for diligently, and when we find it, we will “understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God” (v. 5). Moreover:

… knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
Discretion will preserve you;
Understanding will keep you,
To deliver you from the way of evil … (vv. 10b-12)

And where do we gain knowledge? Through God’s word. Daily study and meditation is imperative.

Think of it this way: If you’re planning to be a doctor, you will be diligent in your study. You may even have to curtail other activities in order to have the time and energy to devote to learning. Right?

It’s the same as a follower of Christ. If you want to grow in Christ, if you want to have godly wisdom, if you want to truly know God, you need to spend time in the Bible. It shouldn’t be an afterthought. Rather, it should be the first priority of your day.

What are you doing that would be better spent gaining wisdom and knowledge of your Lord? Nourish yourself daily so that you will be spiritually healthy.

Learning God's Truth (1 John 2:20-21)

Today's scripture: 1 John 2:20-21

When we committed our lives to God the Son, we received not only an anointing from the God the Father, but also God the Holy Spirit indwelt us. He is in us. And He helps reveal the truth of God’s word. As we study and meditate on God’s word, we know the truth.

Time in God’s word is the only way to really know God and His will. And it takes time. Every day. I know I write about this a lot, but it’s true. Until I spent time with God—every day—my walk with Him was, well, up and down, back and forth. It was too easy to neglect God. To neglect my faith. And fall into old fleshly ways.

When I made it a point (literally an appointment) to spend time with God each day, my life changed. For the better. As I learned more about Him and His love, grace, and mercy, my faith grew stronger. I had more peace. More joy. And As I trusted my life to Him, I became more content with whatever He sent my way.

Now, my day isn’t complete without spending time with God. Sometimes it’s only a few minutes. Other times, it’s much longer. The important thing? Keeping Him first and foremost in my heart and mind. Learning more about Him and His will.

Every day. What will you do this day to know your God more deeply?

A Firm Foundation (2 Cor. 3:10-11)

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
(2 Corinthians 3:10-11, NASB)

On Wednesday, I looked at how some of us are seed planters and others are reapers. Today, Paul continues the thought of how we all work together to reach people for Christ. This time, he uses the analogy of building.

I worked for many years at a Christian credit union that focused on working with churches and other ministries to build facilities. And one thing is certainly true: Without a solid foundation, no building stands.

It’s the same with our faith. It must be laid on a firm foundation. Our foundation is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the foundation and the cornerstone of all we believe.

We often first learn of Christian faith by hearing a gifted speaker or preacher. He or she may have laid the foundation of our understanding what it means to be a follower of Christ. But most of the time, others help to build our faith.

Sunday school teachers. Parents. Grandparents. Friends.

My own foundation was initially laid by my own father. He was the one who first introduced me to Jesus. My father left our family when I was seven, though, so for many years, my faith was built into by my mom and my maternal grandfather.

Through the years, as my faith has grown, I’ve had gifted teachers help me better understand God’s word. I’ve read wonderful books that have enriched my Christian walk. I’ve studied and meditated on the Scriptures.

All built on a foundation laid many, many years ago.

Who helped to build your faith? And under whose faith are you helping to lay a foundation … or on what foundation are you helping to build?

Solid Food (2 Cor. 3:1-3)

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
(2 Corinthians 3:1-3, NASB)

We all start out as helpless infants relying on someone else for our daily needs. We’re fed milk, not solid food. But the day comes when our mommy or other caretaker gives our first bite of solid food. And few of us go back to a milk-only diet.

It’s the same with our spiritual lives. When we first come to know Christ, we take baby steps. We learn the basics of our faith. We memorize John 3:16 and Psalm 23. We rely on the teaching of others to help us better understand our faith.

But one day, we read the Bible on our own. We pick up a commentary or study written by a godly man or woman. We begin to dig deeper, seeking to understand more of who God is.

At least that’s the way it should be. When Paul wrote his second letter to the church at Corinth, apparently there were many who hadn’t left spiritual infancy. They weren’t ready to “eat” the solid food of God’s truth. They were still entrapped by their flesh, continuing to walk like “mere men.”

And they weren’t spiritually healthy, just as if an infant didn’t receive solid food at the right time.

Spiritual growth comes when we read and meditate on God’s word. It comes when we spend time in prayer, talking to Him and listening to His voice. It comes when we fully surrender our lives and our plans to His will.

Don’t keep drinking “milk.” Open up God’s word and feast.

Knowledge versus Love (1 Cor. 8:1-3)

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
(1 Corinthians 8:1-3, NASB)

“Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.”

So often unbelievers say they can’t accept the Christian faith until they know more. They want all their questions answered before they commit. They want to have all the mysteries explained.

My answer to them is two-fold: First, the Holy Spirit illuminates God’s word for believers and helps us better understand what God is trying to say to us (see 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3); second, even for believers, there is so much of the Bible that remains a mystery. And that’s as it should be. I don’t want to serve a God whom I can fully know. Because if I know as He knows, then that would make me like Him.

And I am not God.

I read and study and meditate on God’s word every day because I want to know Him more. Not because I want to be Him, but because I love Him. Just as I want to spend time with my husband because I love him.

I love God, and I am known by Him. And in His infinite grace and mercy and love for me, He wants me to know Him as well.

And so I do have knowledge of Him. I do know how holy and just and righteous He is. I do know He can’t coexist with sin. I do know He offers grace and mercy to those who seek Him. I do know He put a plan of redemption in place—for me. I do know that Jesus Christ will return one day to gather His followers to heaven. I do know that we will spend eternity in a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1).

Because He loves us.

I don’t need to know every nuance of God. I don’t have to understand every single word of every single verse of His word.

The Holy Spirit will reveal to me what I need to know. Because God—Father, Son, and Spirit—loves me that much.

Life-Long Learning (1 Cor. 4:1-2)

I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
(1 Corinthians 4:1-2, NASB)

We need to be taught. None of us learns by osmosis. We’re taught by our parents to speak, to behave properly, to understand values (or so we hope). Then we go to school, and we’re taught math, history, and science.

We go off to work, and we’re taught the essential duties of our jobs.

And if we’re really, really fortunate, we have good teachers who have hearts for helping us learn what we need to learn.

It’s the same with our faith. We need good, godly teachers to help us understand what it means to be followers of Christ. We need people who have spent countless hours studying God’s word, investigating it, looking at each word’s meaning in Greek or Hebrew. We need men and women whose passion is to teach believers about God, about faith.

And we learn from each other as well. That’s one of the things I love best about group Bible studies: learning from each other. The Holy Spirit speaks to each of us as we prayerfully study God’s word. And oftentimes, He’ll give me an insight that differs slightly from the insight He’s given you—and we can both be inspired.

Learning should be life-long, and this is even more so for followers of Christ. We’ll never learn, this side of heaven, all the Bible offers: encouragement, affirmation, exhortation, conviction. But as long as we’re on this earth, we should seek out godly men and women who love God’s word and learn from them.

And then, perhaps one day, we can teach others.

Do Not Walk as Mere Men (1 Cor. 3:1-3)

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
(1 Corinthians 3:1-3, NASB)

Just as we start life with milk as our sustenance and then grow to eating solid food, we start our spiritual lives with biblical “milk” and then grow in maturity by “eating” more solid biblical truth. At first, we need to be taught by godly men and women, but then we should get to the point where we prayerfully meditate on and study the Bible for ourselves, spending time thinking through and applying what we study.

If we never get to this place, we continue to live as spiritual infants, and that’s tragic.

Unfortunately, I think this is where so many Christ followers are in their spiritual journeys. And ever more unfortunately, this is why they so easily succumb to the lies of the enemy. Because they don’t study God’s word for themselves, prayerfully considering what God is telling them, they can’t discern what truth really is.

Believers are always at war with the flesh, but immature believers allow the flesh to win out more often than not. Paul seems to be saying that they’re content to be Christians by name, but fleshly by nature. They’re living, as one commentary put it, “like ordinary, unconverted men” (Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament).

If we’re truly followers of Christ, there should be a distinct difference in how we live in comparison to nonbelievers. We should desire to grow in faith. We should strive to live as Jesus did, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). We should be the light of Christ to a dark world (Philippians 2:15).

And if we’re not? If we’re just going through the motions? It would be better to not call ourselves Christians at all—and at least live honestly as “mere men.”

Hard-Pressed (Phil. 1:23-26)

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
(Philippians 1:23-26, NKJV)

The farther I go down life’s journey, the more I resonate with the opening words of today’s scripture. I truly am “hard-pressed” between a deep-in-the-heart desire to be with Jesus and remaining here in this temporary body.

Now, I’m not certain my “remaining in the flesh is more needful for you,” but I do know God has a purpose for every moment I live. As He does for you.

Do you know God’s purpose for your life? Have you determined your unique mission? If you haven’t, may I encourage you to do so?

You have been gifted to serve God and others in a way only you can. God will speak through you, through the stories He’s given you, to touch lives. And I can tell you, once you understand what God has called you to do, your life will be richer and more blessed than you can imagine. Knowing you’re following God’s plan is liberating because then you can pray for His will in all you do. His desires become your desires. And for as long as you retain your earthly residence, you can be confident God will do those “needful” things through you. And when you finally “depart to be with Christ,” you’ll hear “good and faithful servant.”

I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine anything better.

May your week be blessed!

A Good Work (Phil. 1:3-8)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:3-8, NKJV)

I love this book! Every verse has some nugget to encourage or to affirm or to convict. And today’s verses are no exception. I’m not sure even where to start!

Oh, yes I do. I begin by echoing Paul’s prayer. I do “thank my God upon every remembrance” of my friends, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I do pray that you continue to “fellowship in the gospel.”

But I want to focus today on verse 6: “… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ …”

I’ve written in previous blogs that we are all works in progress. We are being refined as silver. We will one day be as pure gold. It’s so comforting to remember: I’m not complete yet. God is still at work in me. As I often say, every day God wakes me out of bed is a day to serve His purpose. And one day, I pray I’ll stand before my Lord and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I pray for each of you: Give yourself completely to your loving, gracious, merciful Father. Your Abba. Let Him complete His work in you, so one day, you too can hear those wonderful words.