Seek Relationships & Find Opportunities

There is a lasting camaraderie and relationship that happens when you have a shared experience with someone or a group of people. Whether it's a party, a trip, a day of fun, working together, the people you went through it with have a lasting relationship, whether it's a good one or a bad one. A common experience I love to recall was my time working at Portage Lake Bible Camp, alongside people I grew close to and continue to do life with when we can today. These are friends who I've stood up with at weddings, who have come to visit me in the hospital when things were rocky - even though I hadn't seen them in months before then, and we still try to find time to get together for a day out in the midst of life. We grew together as college kids, running through the camp's grounds playing capture the flag, sorting beads in arts n' crafts, having late-night chats as roommates in the dorms, and helping kids conquer their fears at the top of climbing walls. The best parts were growing together and in faith as we worked with kids, working through their faiths. This time was valuable, and I didn't realize how valuable those summers were until they were over.

When you have relationships and you are able to invite someone into your life, you can form opportunities to grow together, and as individuals. Our church recently set a vision to reach 1000 invites into our lives and journeys with Jesus by 2025. This vision does not say "invite 1000 people to MCRC (our church) or even a church." It says into your life and journey with Jesus. It's not about treating people like targets to get them saved, but it's about building a genuine relationship with them, learning who they are, what they need, how you can help each other, and to do that you have to open yourself too. Show your struggles, be open about your life and your past. You never know what kind of story people need to feel encouraged when they don't feel hope. Show them they can get through the storms of life because you have been there and did. 

Jesus displayed this in His ministry. He focused on relationship and raised up His disciples, an imperfect group of people, to follow Him and experience a hope through His resurrection. If it was one thing we can see about Jesus throughout the Gospel, it was that He cared about people. He cared about relationships. He cared about unity. His first miracle happened at a party for the benefit of people. 

There is truth behind Teddy Roosevelt's quote, "Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care." You can knock on peoples doors all day long and try to slam them with Bible verses and quotes, but the truth is that isn't as effective as actually building a relationship and trust with them first. Jesus Himself said, 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Jesus displayed relationship and open opportunities. The woman at the well. Healing people. Lazarus and his family. The disciples. Zacchaeus. All of these started with relationships and loving people. You won't win a heart through fear tactics (at least for more than a minute), and you won't win through slamming their lifestyles. You will win by showing that you care first and giving yourself a passport into their lives. No one wants to hear they are sucking at life, unless it's from someone they trust. 

You already have someone in your life you can start that relationship with. Maybe it's someone you see at the gas station every time you're there. Or your bank clerk. Or someone in your hunting group, or crafting group. Maybe you have a person you work next to. Start with dinner, coffee, snacks, a hobby. Then over time, the opportunities and the questions will come up because you care and you're different. Show it. Be it. Hint, simply ask them how you can pray for them. Then follow up the next time you see them, asking how that is going. The worst they can say is "no, thank you." 

James 2:14-17 states:

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

No one will care about your theology until they know you care about them. To do this, you listen. You build trust.

Scripture to Read:
James 2:14-17, John 13:34

Questions to Ponder:
Who is someone in your life regularly that you could get to know and ask how you can pray for them?
How do our "marching orders" in John 13:34 back up this relationship tactic of reaching people?
What is a relationship you value that has changed you?

Seek Contentment & Find Healing

The question I hate the most right now is "when is Lucy going to get a sibling?"
It always hits me out of nowhere, but feelings of sadness and rage come over me at the same time.

The answer that goes through my head is: "Are you freaking kidding me?! Do you realize how hard it was for me to get her here? What kind of gut does it take to ask a person that who almost died to bring her last kid in to the world? Don't you realize that my health, home, and life would all flunk that inspection test you have to do for that adoption stuff? Not to mention how poor we already are. And do you really think I want some stranger deeming me an unfit mother in her unkempt home, with her crappy health card?! No. Unless a stork really does deliver babies to people's doorsteps, or the clouds open up and baby falls into my arms, no. None of y'all's business, yo."

But, the good Christian in me replies: "Well...you know, that is only for the Lord to know. I suppose when and if the time is right, He'll open doors." And I leave it there before my blood pressure sends me to the emergency room.

Now, I have to be a little light here, because there are poor, unsuspecting souls who innocently ask me that question who have no clue that I deal with depression, or have major heart issues, exacerbated by the last child, or know anything about me at all. But I really do get wrecked by pregnancy announcements, and the baby aisle, and when my child asks for a sister. It super-duper sucks. But those are the moments, I have to breathe in deep and remember contentment.

Because I can stop and remember that I do have a child, who is healthy, who is happy, who is spoiled rotten. I can stop and say "thank you" to God another time for her, in the midst of the "another baby" rant in my mind. I truly believe we can find healing after we choose to seek contentment.

I believe we can truly apply this to any area of our lives that leaves a bitter or saddened feeling. There are some things we read in the Bible about contentment:

It is a choice. Paul states that he has learned to find contentment in every situation, at his lowest and when he had much. (Philippians 4:11-12) Contentment is not an easy thing, and it takes practice and choosing over and over to use it.

God can help you with contentment. Paul goes on to say in verse 13, "I can do all things through Him Who gives me strength." While contentment is a hard thing to grasp when your blood pressure is raging, or you mind is telling you that nothing is fair, or when another devastation hits, God can show you the strength to keep going. It takes time. It's so tiring, but it will happen if you rely on Him.

Contentment is the seed for healing. When I see families with all of their kids and know that the kids have someone else to play with. Christmases are energy-filled. And the dinner table is well-rounded, I can feel some healing. Because I remember that I am so content with my child's big imagination, and the fact she is in love with her cousins, and that she doesn't need help creating energy at Christmas. I can look at our photos around the house with the three of us, and know that we are perfect as three. And if God decides to add more, I will be content with that.

Healing can come when we can find contentment in even the hardest parts of life. Paul displayed this well, as he went through hardships and blessings throughout ministry. Trust God's plan. There is a reason He gave me one child. There is a reason He even gave me A child! I trust that He will carry us where we need to land, and He will open any doors that need to be opened. I can be happy when He blesses others, because I have blessings of my own that make the most sense to me, no matter what others think about our family dynamics.

Scripture to Read:
Philippians 4:4-20, 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Questions to Ponder:
What is something you are trying to find contentment in right now?
How can you begin the process of healing and reminding yourself to see what you have, rather than what you don't have?
What is the difference between contentment and complacency? Why should you strive for contentment, but avoid complacency?

Seek Solitude & Find Comfort

I have a lot of health issues that require tons of doctor appointments. It gets very overwhelming and draining at times to keep it all straight, to douse the worries of everyone around me, and to still feel like keeping up with "regular health" stuff, like going to the dentist, and physicals. Not to mention getting my daughter to them. The calendar is filled with appointments and follow up tests at any given time, and I admit, some days I want to just throw it all in and be done.

As an introvert, I long to be alone a lot as well. I need at least once a week where I have the house to myself for a few hours where I can either veg, clean, ninja attack the toy room without a rejecting 4 year old, binge watch Netflix, or just sleep, depending on how ridiculous the week has been. When I have a week of absolute crazy, and thing after thing, and life is just overwhelming, I find great comfort in that solitude.

When Elijah sat under a broom tree because he was overwhelmed by life, despite the miracle he had just witnessed on Mount Caramel in facing the prophets of the false god, Baal, and learning Jezebel was after him, he was just done with life. He begged God to take his life, in fact, and he fell asleep. Even though it was after a great miracle, that took great faith, in which Elijah had, life was still so overwhelming.


I feel that I am an Elijah. I have walked through life, surrounded by great miracles, yet I fall beneath the broom tree and wish it would all just stop being overwhelming. But then we read that the Lord sent an angel to comfort Elijah, and give him what he needed to keep going. And that is exactly what God does for me again, and again, and again, and again...and will continue doing until He's done with me here on Earth. 

I get overwhelmed a lot. If you know me, you know this is an understatement. But I feel burned when people think I'm shallow in faith, or unintelligent, or when they simply don't care about or see what I actually have to offer. I get incredibly hurt when I feel used, or taken advantage of. The result- unsureness. Overwhelming questioning, of my worth, of my faith, of my purpose in this world. 
However, each and every time, God shows up and gives me what I need to continue this hard and unknown journey. He gives me people to affirm me, His Word to guide me, and little things I notice when driving on a low day that comfort me. 

So for those comforts and affirmations from Him, I am so grateful. I need them as I find myself questioning who I am and whether or not I'm really up on my faith, my "biblical foundation and intelligence" Truth is people, none of us will be until we are Home. Truth is, I am who HE says I am. And that is all the comfort I need to keep going, another day, another night.

Maybe you're experiencing an overwhelming life lately. Maybe you feel questioned, slandered, or like the hardships just won't end. Take comfort from Elijah's story - his very true and very real God story. Sometimes you need to seek solitude to just stop life for a second and take stock. Just like God found Elijah in that overwhelming moment of life where he just wanted to stop, and wanted his life to stop, God sent resources. He knew what Elijah needed and He most definitely knows what you need today and for this day on. Find comfort in your moments of solitude to just remember how God moves. He has greater plans for you yet! 


Scripture to Read:
1 Kings 19:1-18, Matthew 7:7-8

Questions to Ponder:
When have you felt overwhelmed by life? What did you do?
Have you ever felt filled up by God in hard times? What was it like?
What do you do to find solitude?

Seek Humility & Find Unity

I have never been a fan of "one-uppers". You know, those people who chime in while you're in the middle of your story, only to stomp it out and share that they have done your story before, only bigger, better, braver, and stronger? I could talk about how much I worked one week, only for someone else to dive in and say they worked more. Or if I've had a wisdom tooth pulled, they had four pulled... and it was way bloodier, more painful, and cost them WAY more.

I fall into the one-upper trap a lot. Only because I hate it so much, so I one up others. It's mean, I know. But sometimes, you just want to jab that punch a little bit ahead of them. As I consider myself more and more when I do this, however, I realize that whenever someone is sharing something, I'm putting myself before them, rather than rallying for them.

Humility is something that seems to be against human nature. The business of people is not putting others ahead of you, it's getting ahead. But the very basis of humility is what cultivates unity and oneness. If you are working on a team with people, you don't try to one up each other. That kills teamwork. That essentially causes competition rather than camaraderie. We see a lot of "one-upping" in the Bible. And we see Jesus' example of humility too. We can choose between the two.

Jesus had the ultimate "one-up" on the disciples, yet He didn't jab them with self-centeredness. He empowered them and let them do their thing from time to time, so they could be ready for when He wasn't there anymore. He cultivated unity between them. In fact, Jesus prayed for unity among believers. He knows that this is the key to a strong body of believers. Not strong in the sense of pride and "better than everyone else", but strong in the sense of together. Of living life in a world that isn't ours. Of being one for a common mission.

There are many times we have to set our egos aside to be a listening ear, a supportive car ride, an understanding mind. Without humility, these things don't happen. Without humility, unity might as well be dead in a group. If every person in a team bragged and insisted that they are "the best", what good is that for a team?

As CS Lewis states, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."

So how do you walk through life, not thinking about yourself when it comes to working with others? We look to Jesus. We try to see how He sees. Love how He loves. Live how He lived on this earth. It is a hard thing to grasp that Jesus was fully God and fully human. He struggled like we as humans did, and He has a full perspective as only God does. So did He struggle with humility? He never sinned, but did He struggle with how "human" the disciples could be? Or how "human" needy people could be?

Philippians gives us a little idea of this:

"Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to Go and died a criminal's death on a cross." 

8   
Jesus strove for unity. He did so so much that He gave up His divine rights to be unified with us and died so we could be unified with Him. He even prays for unity in John 17 before He departed and left His followers on this Earth.

If you truly want to cultivate unity within your circles - your church, your family, your work, your small groups, your play groups, etc., stop putting yourself ahead, or at the same level as God. Start hearing people and relating, but not "one-upping". Love people, as Jesus loved while He walked this earth.

Scripture to Read:
John 17, Colossians 3:12

Questions to Ponder:
Have you ever had trouble working with someone on a team? How did it turn out?
How can we embrace the same attitude as Christ when it gets hard to stay humble and unified?
What does Jesus' prayer for His followers tell you about how He felt about unity?

Like a Good Parent

A study revealed that 4 year old girls ask their parents 390 questions a day, which equals about a question ever 56 seconds of their awake time. (Daily Mail) "Mommy, can I have milk?" "Can I watch a show?" "Where's daddy?" "Why does the kitty play?" and everyone's favorite, "how do babies get in mommies' tummies?"  It can be overwhelming and exhausting to field so many requests in a day, or work your way around those tricky ones that you know YOU want to teach your kid about, but feel that 4 years old isn't the appropriate time to. She'll ask for cookies for breakfast, TV shows every hour of the day, and if she can eat something she found on the floor of the car. I like to grant my child with things she likes, but those things probably wouldn't be in her best interest.

While we probably don't approach God with as many requests or questions each day as a four year old girl, we certainly ask Him questions and make requests. He wants us to come to Him with questions as we read in our current theme verses, Matthew 7:7-8. He wants us to work through our faith and to put in requests. However, we need to realize that like any good parent, God will respond to those questions and requests in the way a good parent would, but even better, as we read further in Matthew 7:9-11. This is the bottom line of our requests - to remember that God will give us what is best for us, not always what we want.

Just like we as parents can see the bigger picture for our kids to an extent, God can see the ultimate bigger picture in our lives. We know that if we let our kids eat cookies everyday for breakfast, it will form bad habits and diet issues. We know that we want our kids to do more than sit in front of a TV all day because they need to explore their worlds and learn. The same goes for God. He knows what will happen years down the road, and what we need to get through the things that are coming.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9-11)

We are told to ask, seek, and knock, but we need to remember Who we are asking, as well as make requests that we can follow through with too. If we want opportunities, we need to look for them, rather than sit around waiting, then know which ones God wants for us by learning His voice and being in tune with His heart for us. In fact, we are told to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness. This is a good way we can get in tune with His will and His direction for us. 

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 7:7-11, Matthew 6:33

Questions to Ponder:
If you're a parent, what is the craziest question or request your child has asked you?
What kinds of things do we ask for that sound good, but may not be that good for us after all?
How do we get in tune with what God wants for us?

The Heart of Seeking, Asking, Knocking

It is a toy overload in our house after Christmas or birthday. For whatever reason, it is believed that my daughter doesn't have enough to entertain her in the toy world, and we end up with piles of toys that invade every room of the house for months. I feel like it's a strategy to make her mama snap. I literally step on a different princess figurine every time I walk up the stairs. I gave up putting together puzzles and putting them away because it would be 10 minutes before they are all turned over again and mixed together. She has enough dolls to take up another bedroom, and I think they have more clothes laying around than I even own for myself...yet they are all still naked...all. the .time. The random pieces to play sets, the fake kitchen food, the stickers...oh, my...the stickers...everywhere.
Yet there will always be something she wants, or in her mind, needs.

We all "need" something, that we don't actually need. We DO need basic necessities, but we DON'T need 100 princess figurines that cause our moms to curse like sailors under their breath. (Don't judge me. Pray for me.) We live in a culture that says get what you can. Buy it all. Get the deals while you can, even if you don't really need it. We make wish lists (I love Amazon), and we budget for things that will break and decay over time. Yet in Matthew 7, Jesus says to "Ask, and it will be given to you."

I think a lot of times we misunderstand this passage. There is more to it. Because in the previous chapter of Matthew, also the Sermon on the Mount, literally 8 verses before "Ask and you'll receive" we also read,

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33

This is after Jesus says we will be provided for - clothes and food, and not to worry about tomorrow. This verse alone tells us that when we seek, ask, knock, we need to seek His kingdom first. In other words, what is the motive for your asking, seeking, knocking? Do you trust God enough to give you what you need when you need it? I do believe we receive blessings in all shapes and sizes. Whether your blessings look like family, great friends, or even processions, they are God's and they should never come before Him.

I think it is important to ask God boldly for things, or opportunities, but just check your motives. Are you asking for your gain or His? Do you trust Him to bring about these things or opportunities in His timing and in His discretion? Remember, He sees the bigger picture, after all. Even Abraham asked God to spare Sodom for Lot, but God still destroyed it. He did spare Lot, however. Sometimes our asks don't match God's plan.

Scripture to read:
Genesis 18:16-33, 19:1-29

Questions to ponder:
What are some things you've asked God for? Were they needs or wants in your mind?
Why do we have trouble trusting God's plan for providing for us at times?
How can we remember God's faithfulness to us so we don't worry?

Seek and Find

One game my daughter likes to play is hide and seek. I don't know a single preschooler who hates that game. I think there is something so exciting about the possibilities for a kid her size when it comes to down to it. "Who will I find?" "Where will I hide?" "What will I discover along the way?" It is exciting for them, much like traveling to a new place is exciting for me. "What will I see?" "What will I be inspired by?" "How will I see God in new ways?"

During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us,
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8

One thing we have to notice about this advice from Jesus is that there are action words that require us to do something. We have to ask. We have to seek. We have to knock. In order to heed the opportunities God has for us, we need to do our part. Being intentional in doing these things may sound easy on paper, but it can be and is incredibly hard. 

To fully experience what God has for you, over the next several days, we will be discussing what this looks like - to be intentional about seeking, asking, knocking. We will also get the chance to consider the things we will gain when we ask, when we seek, when we knock. I hope that we can learn much together and grow deeper in our faith and relationship with Christ.

Scripture to read:
Matthew 7:7-12

Questions to ponder:
Have you ever asked God for a bold request?
Have you ever worked hard to seek God in impossible and in mundane days of life? What was that like for you?
What kinds of opportunities have you asked God for, if ever?

Teachings of Jesus - How We Pray

Growing up every night, my father would come into each of my brother and my bedrooms and we would say our prayers. Many times they would be repetitive night after night, thanking Him for the day, and about keeping dad safe on the road driving truck, and keep mom healthy and sane with us kids at home for days on end, and to help us sleep good. It was one of those ritual things we just did every night that didn't really add up to anything for us, until we were older and suddenly that ritual thing became more real for us. Life got real, and with that prayer life got real too. Now we are praying with our daughter every night, which may feel like nothing more than a ritual sometimes, but we know that ritual can become real for her, and we hope and pray it does.

Jesus taught us a model for prayer, as He gave His Sermon on the Mount, as well has how to pray authentic prayers. Not to do so for show and showing people how "well" you pray on the street corners. Or by babbling over and over with many words. But to simply offer a heart-filled prayer, speaking genuinely to Him. I think we get caught up in the words even today, wanting to sound good or fearing we won't sound good, so we refrain from praying. The truth is though, God wants to hear your heart, not your words.

As Jesus laid out a model for the people in His Sermon, we can take that and offer up our own hearts to Him:

"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name..."
Recognizing that our Father is sacred and sits in the high throne of of lives. He sees the bigger picture and knows the steps for us, because He is in Heaven. Praise His Name because it is great indeed. There is a sign of respect in this opening line, as He is to be revered and not taken lightly. What a reminder of Who we are talking to as we open our prayers!

"...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."
Being open to God's full will, knowing that His plans are greater and higher than our own. We can plan and ask for His blessing on our plans, or we can ask Him to do His will in our lives and direct our steps for us. I think a lot of times, we come to Him with our own plans, and do what we think it best for us, rather than asking Him and waiting for Him to direct our steps.

"...Give us this day our daily bread..."
If you're like me, you worry about days, weeks, months down the road, when really God wants us to only worry about today. We pray that He provides for us TODAY and let tomorrow's worries come with tomorrow. This doesn't mean we are reckless with our futures, but it means we don't let worries destroy our today, because there is nothing we can do for the things that are coming. Let the bridges come as you need to cross them, and pray for provision today.

"...and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..."
Come to God with any confessions, admitting you are in the wrong, and forgiving those who are in the wrong with you. This isn't for the purpose of "clearing your name", but for setting your heart straight. Many times we think we are not in the wrong in situations, but really we need to see our side of what the possible issue is. We come to God, doing a heart check of where we are in life. Humble yourself and see all sides of the issues you are facing, knowing you need to let it go and let God take it, no matter how the other side feels about it. The relief you feel for letting something off the hook is more valuable than you know.

"...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
While God never leads us into temptation Himself, He can provide us the strength to lead us through a struggle of it. Praying that He reminds you to hold on to the things that are solid, and to remind you that there is something Greater to be had. Though we will stumble over and over, striving to have His strength to get us through those times is a huge step in dependence on Him. Praying that He helps you to see light in every situation and know that there is a fuller life to be had, even in the dark times, will help you to see through those struggles.

Jesus provided us with a model, but wants your heart when you pray. Whether you take this one or pray as you go, check your motives and your heart behind your prayers. Always consider God's view and His way. The best part about talking to God is that you can talk to Him like you would a friend. Be open, honest and real with Him. Not only will this provide you with a way to recognize His voice more and more, but will build your relationship with Him. In a time that rituals reigned, Jesus found it necessary to lay out a structure of prayer. Don't let your prayers be ritual, but let them be real.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 6:5-13, James 5:16

Questions to Ponder:
How often do you pray to God? How would you say your prayers are structured?
Why is it important to check our hearts when we go to God in prayer?
How do you think God will answer prayers?

Teachings of Jesus - The Lost Son

There is a deep love for (in my opinion) junky cars among males, and some females I know in our community. I can't even grasp how someone can tow a "hunk of junk" (again, my opinion) and find value in it. Maybe it's been in a wreck, or rusted out so bad that there's hardly anything left, or it's missing so many pieces. But every August, I drive around and see the "hunks of junk" sitting in peoples' yards, in places they show them off, with derby painting and signs on them, ready to go out and battle at our county fair. I also see restored vehicles that are no where near what they were, and I am blown away by the work put in. It's incredible how people can take those "hunks of junk" and actually make it a beautiful, moving, purposeful vehicle again. These vehicles had been given purpose again.

It's something to be considered. No matter how far we have fallen into a pile of purposeless life, squandering our lives and finding ourselves bound for the dead end of life, we can remember that we have a God Who will restore us, giving us life once again. In fact, Jesus shares a story about this.

How much disrespect was there displayed when a son asks his father to give him is inheritance before his father has passed? Never is there more love than when a father actually gives it to him. Jesus uses the story of the lost son in Luke 15 to display His love for us. Even though we are selfish people, wanting to gain all we can for our own purposes, Jesus is always waiting, like that father to take us back. There is much to be learned from this little story, that holds great meaning:

We all choose to run away sometimes. I don't think there is a single person living that has obeyed, followed and trusted God 100% of the time. We have all at one point said, Lord, give me what's mine and we ran the other way. Maybe we don't ever give our talents, resources and credits to God. Maybe we claim our own fames before giving God any credit for getting us there. Whatever it is, we fall and will fall at some point.

It takes rock bottom to "come to our senses". As we read about the lost son, at the bottom of life, working with the pigs after burning through his money, that was when he realized he had chosen completely wrong. Sometimes we need to be at the absolute bottom of our lives to realize we need to step back and chose differently.

The Father is always watching for us. "While he was still a long ways off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion for him." No matter how deep we are in life, or how far we have placed ourselves away from God, He is always watching, waiting, and ready for us to come back. Don't ever think you are too far away to go back, or that you have to get cleaned up completely before you go back. Simply know you need Him and you need to change. Let Him do His perfect work in you.

We may become bitter of someone else's gain. The older brother completely missed the point, as we often do in this story. We can do everything right and know we'll earn because of it in the end, but unless we actually have a heart change and appreciate the love of our Father, we will lose out in the main celebration. The goal is to seek and bring home the lost, not work on our own means.

Where do you relate with this story? Perhaps you are a father, waiting for a loved one to come to their senses. Or you have been the lost son, squandering all you have been given from God for your own gain, at the bottom of life. Or your the eldest brother, doing you, waiting until you get your piece without a heart for the mission. Where ever you are, find hope today. The Heavenly Father is waiting patiently for your return, to restore you and give you purpose again. 

Scripture to Read:
Luke 15, Ephesians 2:8-9

Questions to Ponder:
Where you do you relate in the story? Why?
How does Ephesians 2:8-9 tie into this story? What about from the eldest brother's perspective?
How do you view salvation? Something you have to work for or something done for you?

Teaching of Jesus - Go the Extra Mile

One of the lowest times of my life actually ended up being one of the most spiritually high ones for me. After facing a medical crisis after my daughter was born (she was almost 2 weeks old), I got myself a helicopter ride and a major surgery out of it. I can't even begin to tell you the chaos that was going through my mind as I was wheeled to a waiting helicopter, leaving my newborn and husband behind, unsure of seeing them again. It was crazy how fast things changed in the matter of an hour. However, as I came through surgery and a painful recovery, I was blessed. People literally rallied around my family that I didn't even know. Cards, finances, daily gifts, child care, prayers, update web pages, rides for my husband, paying our bills, visits...I can't even remember half of them (drugs do that to you)! But my life was incredibly blessed because people were willing to go the extra mile for me and my family.

I think going the extra mile for someone not only blesses them, but it is a huge testimony. Jesus actually tells us to go the extra mile for someone:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." - Matthew 5:38-42

The Roman law at the time Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount required anyone to carry a soldier’s gear for 1 mile if asked. Jesus however, tells you to not only fulfill the 1 mile, but to go 2 miles. I'm sure if someone were to approach you on a hot day and ask you to carry their heavy gear a mile, you would probably grumble and complain under your breath, but do it because you had to. I know I probably would. But imagine if when you get to the end of your mile, and the soldier reaches to take his stuff back, you stop him and say "no, that's ok. Let's go another mile." I'm sure this wasn't common, as the Romans weren't that smiled upon as rulers over the people.

What is the difference between mile 1 and mile 2, though? If you really stop to picture this scenario, can you see why this would be a surprising situation. Imagine the questions and conversation that would come up between the soldier and the person walking the extra mile. I'm sure the "why" question would come forth.

Apply this thought to something else today. If you just go out of your way to bless someone else and open conversations, not because you have to, but because you want to, imagine the impact or the seed this could plant. Mile 1 fulfilled an obligation, but mile 2 opened a conversation. We should never expect someone to go an extra mile for us, because then we are the ones who have the wrong frame of mind, but we should always be looking for ways to go the extra mile for someone else. Not only will this cause someone else's day to brighten, but you will be blown away by how much it will blow your mind.

Who is someone on your mind that you could bless today? It never has to be anything huge. I have been blessed so deeply by a simple card with lovely words. Go the extra mile to encourage someone. The story and testimony it portrays is bigger than you would think. There is a reason Jesus makes it a point to tell the people to do this. He knew that with kindness and sacrifice comes a relationship.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 5:38-42, Mark 12:29-31, Galatians 6:9-10

Questions to Ponder:
When has someone gone the extra mile for you? How did it make you feel?
Who is someone you can go the extra mile for? What could you do for them?
How does showing kindness go a long ways for sharing your faith and foundation?

Teachings of Jesus - Talents

I just love seeing a collaboration of gifts play out for a bigger picture. Church is an example of this, as people step up to share their various talents, from a smiling face at a door greeting, to rocking babies in the nursery, to singing in worship. It is truly something heavenly when people can use their piece to provide a means of testimony, no matter how big or small they feel their talent is. Working at camp was another example that I enjoyed seeing played out. I just loved seeing and getting to know everyone and what made them tick. I would never touch a skateboard, but we had guys (and gals) that could rock those things. And everyone of them carries a story with their talents and gifts. How they came to love this thing. How they came to use it for Jesus. How they grew from it. It's just awesome.

As Jesus shares in Matthew 25:14-30, a parable about how to give back through the resources He gives us, we can't help but cringe a little reading that story. The truth of the matter is, all of what we have has been given to us from God. He gives to us based on how well we use what we have to further His purpose, and that is Kingdom expansion. There are some things we need to take note of here, however:

Using our gifts and talents takes work on our part. If you notice in this reading, the servants who had a return on their talents were the ones who went out and did something to earn more. They doubled their starting amount and the master was pleased with how they had worked with it. The one servant, however did nothing. Yes, he kept it safe, as he justified in the passage, but he also brought nothing out of it to help his master.

The master also gave his servants a different amount of gold each. He knew what each one was capable of. Perhaps the first servant had proved before many times that he was reliable and would do what he was supposed to with his gold, thus the master trusted him with more. On the flip side, the last servant didn't get as much because he really didn't do anything with what was given to him, defeating the whole purpose of being handed a bag of gold in the first place. As we place this principal with what we have been given, would you say you are the first servant, doing what you can to use your gifts wisely to fulfill your master's purpose and mission? Or are you considered the 3rd servant, trusted with little and returning with little? This is a hard pill to swallow, but a necessary one if you truly want to grow in the mission.

Finally, we see that we work for Christ. Nothing else in this world matters, but furthering His Kingdom. That is our mission. We do that through our gifts, our talents, our resources, our love for people. He has given us what we need to accomplish this in the unique ways He created us. We can use our gifts for our own, selfish purposes, or we can do it for an eternity of good on behalf of something greater than ourselves. You will be held accountable and God will give you what you can be trusted with. How you use it is up to you.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 25:14-30; Ephesians 2:10

Questions to Ponder:
What are some gifts, talents, resources that God has given to you?
How are you using these things for His good?
How does Ephesians 2:10 tie into this concept?

Teachings of Jesus- Treasures

My daughter has a bag or box of different things she treasures. They can contain different items any given week, but those are the things that are usually dragged around the house, scattered all over the living room, and negotiated over as we make outings on whether or not she can bring them. Though these things change any given time, one thing has stuck with her as most prized since she was very little- her bright, soft butterfly-patterned blankie. It has been so loved, that we've sewn it multiple times, tried to wash out stains that remain, and driven across the county to retrieve it before a night of drama ensues. It is truly the one thing she can't go far without.

I think we all have something like the favored blankie. It can be anything in adult life that you can't let go of or have anxiety over thinking about losing or never having. Maybe you can't live without your status or title. Perhaps you think your life can't start without a significant other. Possibly money has a hold on you, or achievements, or the way people perceive you. Maybe it is something simple like a favorite dress, or shoes, some sort of big kid toy that you like to show off. Whatever it may be, know that Jesus has a different idea of what treasures are:

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

This passage could give you all sorts of feelings. Perhaps you are saddened by it, or angry with it, but I encourage you to take comfort in it. It is actually a passage that helps me realize that this world is not my goal, or my end all, nor can this world take away the one thing that is most valuable to me - my faith. That is a treasure stored in heaven that can't be stripped from me here on earth.

When we seek treasures of this earth, and strive to have every status, toy, dollar, experience, on our list, we will never be content. We will be aimlessly, hopelessly wandering around in this life, never fully happy. If we have those things we want, we can lose them in the blink of an eye. Nothing is for certain, except the things of heaven.

Jesus sums this up with  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  It is easy to value the things around us - to take notice of what people have that we don't. Sometimes we can get so obsessed with getting the things we have that we forget the things that really matter. Don't get distracted by the things that won't make a difference in 100 years. Treasure things that won't go away and that will make differences for an eternity.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 19:16-22

Questions to Ponder:
What do you spend most of your time doing? Most of your money on? How do these things show where your treasures lie?
Why did Jesus tell the young, rich ruler to sell his possessions?
How can you personally work on storing up your treasures in heaven?

Parables of Jesus - Foundations

I don't know anything about building stuff. I can barely hang a picture on the wall without a mishap or having it look terrible when I'm done. But I do know that foundations are important. I couldn't tell you how to build one, but I know from house-shopping that that is a deal breaker if it isn't good. Jesus knew that firm foundations were important as well.

As He wraps up His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sums everything up with a visual of foundations.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27

After this sermon filled with words on loving each other and how to find relationship with God and each other, Jesus sums it up with this. Seems appropriate since the words of His sermon are great for foundation building one's faith. Have you really stopped to think about what your foundation is? When the bottom falls out of life or when the storms come, are you still standing on the Rock?

It takes great faith indeed to know that everything will be okay in the midst of hardships. But after you experience so many storms and adjust your foundation accordingly, the storms won't get easier, but the ground you're standing on will be firmer. I think storms help us realize whether or not our foundation is there. This advice Jesus leaves the crowd with is played out perfectly in Peter's life as we see him try to toddle on the waters as Jesus encourages him to do in Matthew 14. Though Peter sinks because of the fear from the storm that overcomes him, Jesus catches him and asks him why he didn't hold onto faith longer.

We can knock on Peter and his short faith all we want, but he got out of the boat, in a storm, and trusted Jesus. The rest of them sat in the boat. I can't tell you why for sure, but I'm guessing fear, the storm, unsureness, was part of it. I think the last thing people want to do in a storm is sink in water. But we see the depth of Peter's faith, though not long.

What kind of storms have you feeling like you're sinking today? I hope you have the faith or begin forming your faith into one that isn't afraid to step out of the boat and allow Jesus to catch you when things get shaky. Peter shouldn't have been ashamed, nor should you be ashamed to have Jesus catch you when you fall. He wants to. He's waiting to. He wants you to put your faith out there to test and continue refining it. We can't do it any other way. Storms, hardships, unknowns - those things beat on us, our houses, and they may collapse it, but pick it back up and learn from your mistakes and the paths you've walked down, ready to adjust accordingly. This is what makes a solid foundation.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 14:24-32

Questions to Ponder:
When have you completely felt your life fall apart? How was your foundation in that time?
What kinds of teachings from Jesus can you put into play to allow your foundation to grow stronger?
How is your faith when it comes to taking risky steps with God's guidance?

The Parables of Jesus - Fruit & Fig Trees

My husband is obsessed with fruit trees, and he's starting to get our daughter hooked too (at 4). They will look at those catalogs for hours, pointing at the trees they dream of having in our yard. My daughter will draw pictures of 1 tree with 10 different "fruits" on it. She will tailor a tree for mom and a tree for dad, each with the stuff on it we like most. Then she'll draw one for her with things like peaches, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, apples, cookies, and other things she loves to eat on it.

One indicator Jesus gave us for knowing if someone was real or fake is the fruit they bear. I think any good follower of Christ stops and asks themselves "am I really a follower?" We question our faith because someone throws their own standards out to follow, or someone seems better at life than us, and then we wonder. But Jesus talks a lot about fruit as He walked through His ministry, as it compares with evidences of our faith. Fruit is also a historical part of the entire Bible. The forbidden fruit. Fruitfulness being mentioned throughout the Old Testament in God's people and in cities. The visual is all throughout, and we see it in parables and visuals Jesus displays. Matthew 7: 15-20 tells us that it's the indicator of false prophets. John 15:1-17 tells us to abide in the vine (Jesus) so you can bear good fruit. Jesus even curses the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22, as it was useless for having any figs for Jesus. Though the tree had leaves, it had absolutely no fruit.

We can definitely walk through life looking lush and vibrant, but really, we have no fruit to offer. These things may look like accomplishments, rewards, bucket lists, and being MVP on a team, but that doesn't mean anything from a fruitful perspective.

So how do we know if we are actually producing "good fruit"? It is easy enough to attend a church service once or twice a year and be an overall good citizen, but what is the markings of a true heart change?

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

So how do these things look in your life? I know that we all don't have all of these down at any given moment, but are you striving for these things? Not only do these fruits indicate what kind of faith you have, but practicing them brings about great light for Who your God is. We can never ever earn salvation, nor do we have to work for it, but what kind of fruit is your life showing? Do you strive to be a heart for God and showing the world Who He is? Stay connected to the Vine that will give you that heart. 

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 7:15-20, John 15:1-17, Matthew 21:18-22

Questions to Ponder:
Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you feel you could use work on? How can you work on that this week?
Have you ever had some bad fruit come out? (Remember we are not perfect all of the time.) How can you work on focusing on good fruit when you feel like bad fruit wants to come out?
What is the difference between fruit and leaves? Why do you think Jesus cursed the fig tree?
How do you stay connected to the Vine?

Parables of Jesus- Specks & Logs

To set this up, preview a video a friend of mine made here. 

"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." - Matthew 7:3-5

I think we can all relate with the fact we sit in a Sunday service and hear a convicting message, but then start thinking, "geez, too bad so-n-so isn't hearing this." Or we decide how we'll strategically place the verses used on our facebook page so those less than perfect friends will see them and hopefully change their evil ways. Or we get into a conflict with someone and instead of looking at how we contributed to the problem, we immediately start considering every little thing (related or unrelated) with the other person we're mad at and hate. "I can't believe so-n-so won't clean up her work messes...uhg! And she is a cat person. I totally can't stand cat people!" The worst part is our work mess is probably bigger, but we don't see it because we've grown so used to it, plus we probably have a cat too.

We won't grow if we're busy pointing out everyone else's faults, and according to Matthew 7, we will be judged more harshly for judging others. I think sometimes people misinterpret the word "evangelism". Some see it as finding a person to "change" or to provide "direction" to so that "you" may bring them to the Lord. The problem with this is that God makes the change and He provides the Hope for them. If you don't see yourself on a level playing field as you do the next person, the one who hasn't found Jesus, then you have some work to do. We all have specks and logs in our eyes.

The woman caught in adultery and her story is a great reminder of this concept for us all. As she is shamefully drug out to the middle of the road and accused by Pharisees and Religious Leaders. Even though these religious ones knew this was a sin indeed, they still were using this woman to trap Jesus into saying the "wrong" things so they could use it against Him. But Jesus, the One Who had indeed shared about specks and logs brought this concept into play told the crowd to stone her, as this was the punishment of the day, but for the one who had never sinned to go first. He gave this woman grace, and He gave the Pharisees truth, just what each of them needed.

This illustration Jesus uses has to beg some questions of each of us. We all have work to do. We all have a log in our eyes. We all to an extent see the specks in everyone else's eyes, because we are insecure. We don't want people to see our faults, so we point out others' faults. We may say passive aggressive things to the person who annoys us. We may get into conflicts and think it is ALL the other person's fault. Everyone is a critic in life. We all are insecure, and if we are confident, we are still seeing faults. Don't fool yourself. Humble yourself and start doing some checking into your own life. Start applying sermons to yourself. Start finding ways to change your heart before your go around trying to Bible-beat everyone else. This indeed says a lot about a person.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 7:1-6, John 8:1-11

Questions to Ponder:
When has been a time you felt like judging someone, or did judge someone? Why do you think you felt this way?
When has been a time you felt judged or were judged? How did you feel?
What do you think Jesus would say in the case of your life being drug out into the middle of the road to be judged? What about to the people you want to judge?

Parables of Jesus - Salt & Light

I had a youth pastor that would call us piles of poop- not to be mean, and probably not in those words! But as Christians, he would tell us that we could either go be fertilizer and grow relationships beyond our comfortable circles, or stick together as "holy huddles" and smell bad. I can't tell you why this visual has stuck with me for over 15 years now, but it has, and it actually works for me.

As I got older, and began experiencing this concept of holy...poop, I would realize that this was indeed a true comparison for a lot of people. I saw impacts made by people simply leaving their circles of Sunday morning and small groups, to love on someone else in their lives that didn't attend those things, and suddenly that person was signed up for everything in church. They bought in because someone showed them there is more that a religion at stake. There is powerful relationship.

On the flip side, I've seen cliquey Christians, who never left their circles, and without even knowing it, turned someone off to that life. I've seen circles formed at churches while a lonely new person stands on the outskirts against the wall, and I can't say I've ever seen that person again. It's a hard habit to break, because the people in your circle are the people you truly love. Maybe they've gotten you through the "poop" of life and have had huge impacts on you. But we need to realize that there are people outside the circles, standing right there - whether on Sunday mornings right inside your church building, or right outside the walls of your church, somewhere in your life, who now need help getting through their "poop".


Jesus tells us in His Sermon on the Mount the following:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men.You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Salt, intended to give flavor and preserve, can become useless if other chemicals get to it. Jesus uses this visual on purpose because He wants us to go out into the world, beyond our huddles, but He doesn't want us to get sucked into the world. This doesn't mean we build forts around our churches to keep the world out, but it means we rise above the temptations, worries, and desires of the world. Have a faith so strong that you don't need to worry about being pulled down into the petty things. Salt is only useful if you actually put it on food, or if you're in Michigan, on ice. It doesn't do much good sitting around in the container. In fact, it can clump up and eventually stop being good for anything. 

Light is another great visual here. I can't tell you how many times I stumble around my house in the morning and late at night, simply because I am trying to find a light switch. That flashlight feature on my phone is probably used the most. But this is similar for people who don't see the Hope of life. There is a trapped feeling in this world when the bottom falls out, but if you know Christ and if you have eternal perspective, you know that this world is not the end. There are better and more exciting things awaiting us after this life. The problem is we don't share our hope with anyone else. We clump up and get excited together in our huddles and small groups, but we fail to go beyond and share our stories of the time our bottom of life fell out, but hope prevailed with people who need a taste of hope. Don't hide your light in a church building, or at home. Share it. Let others who feel hopeless see the light. 

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 5:13-16, John 8:12

Questions to Ponder:
Who is someone you can think of that needs some hope? How can you invite them into the hope you have without overloading them?
According to John 8:12, where does our light come from? Why must we never boast about it being "our" light? How is this accomplished?
Take some time to consider your story. How does God's light shine through it?

God Never Changes

I scrapbook. I'm one of those crazy people who has piles of stickers, and unending paper in every color. I even sell scrapbooking stuff to help support my habit. The reason I love scrapbooking? Preserving memories, crafting moments again that were snapshots in my life. Now that I have a child, the memories seem more precious and more urgent to keep. One thing I notice as I shuffle through Christmases, vacations, birthday parties, and general memories from over the years, is there are constant changes. Even though we resist change, over time we all change. Our kids grow. Our spouses change. We change. 

One thing that never changes is God and His love for us. This is great news! For so many reasons!

First of all, when our world is shaking, God is steady. We just need to build our lives on Him. I see people shake under unknowns. I know I can be shaken by the unknowns waiting for me. But what we need to remember is that even when everything seems to be falling apart, God remains. Matthew 7 tells us to build our house on the rock, so when the wind and the waves come to beat on us, we have a solid foundation. Where do you end up when the bottom falls out? There is a true test here of your faith and foundation when storms hit. 

Secondly, our purpose in life is solid. We may go through identity crises, change our careers, our majors, or find ways to find purpose in life, but as Christ-followers, we have our marching orders, and they have been the same since Jesus walked on this Earth. (Matthew 28:19-20, John 13:34-35, Matthew 22:37-40)

We can fret and worry about why we're on this Earth, but the truth is we are here to expand he Kingdom. How we do it comes from our gifts, talents, skills, that God gave us. Our stories serve great purpose in expanding the kingdom. You may have just the testimony someone needs to see hope in our  God. This purpose will be in place until Jesus returns.

He is also our strong tower, our safety, and that will never change. When you really think about it, anything we have can be taken away from us. It's scary to think about the things you could lose in your lifetime. But there is one thing no one can take from you, and that is your faith. Your very fortress of faith will stand forever as long as you have allowed Jesus to take your reigns and rule your heart. No one can remove that, except God Himself.

He is always with us. There are multiple promises all throughout the Bible that tell us that God will be with us everywhere we go. Though at times it may not feel like it, He's there. Nothing can separate you from His love. 

Take heart. In a constantly changing world, you have a never-changing, all-powerful God, Who sees the bigger picture of your life. He desires for you to know Him and to find contentment in Him. Celebrate this attribute of God today! 

Scripture to read:

Malachi 3:6, Psalm 100

Questions to ponder:

How do you handle change? How does it make you feel? 

How can this never-changing God help you make changes to better know Him? 

Write your own "Psalm" to God, praising Him for His constant presence and love in your life. 

Mornings are a Crisis

Mornings can be a crisis in my house. There are many mornings that I spring out of bed, roll out the task list and plug away on anything and everything that gets in my path as I run around the house like a highly-caffeinated house keeper. (The highly-caffeinated is the only true part here, y'all.)
But then there are mornings where the alarm goes off and I hit snooze a few too many times...you know...the Tuesdays after a holiday weekend that just leave you dazed and confused. (You mean it's not Friday?!) After hitting the snooze too many times, I scramble to the coffee pot and spill grounds all over in the water before hitting the on button, and I stumble over the dog to the pile of (miraculously) clean laundry to find something that resembles pants and a shirt (hoping and praying that I'm not grabbing something that would raise an eyebrow at work - y'all have the "oh really?" concert t-shirt, admit it.) And I'm doing this all before I remember to turn on a light. As I shove contact lenses in my eyeballs and coping with the war that is my hair, I glance at the phone and see I have to have my kid to her school, 30 minutes away, in 25 minutes...and she's still sleeping.
There is a lot of yelling about shoes, praying for no speeding tickets, and heaven forbid I get stuck behind a tractor during harvest season (they earned their road - they were up on time.) Mornings are a crisis sometimes. It's terrible and it sets the tone for us all under the Ruhlig roof.

They say it takes 21 days to kick a habit, and then I read that's a myth, and it actually takes 66 days. Then another article said it takes 90. Either way, kicking a habit is hard. Whether it's smoking, establishing a new routine, reading your Bible every morning, getting your taste buds to accept healthy things over unhealthy things, not hitting the snooze button in the morning, getting to bed earlier...all of these things are hard to cement in. But developing good habits are everything. When you can make a habit out of spending quality time with God in your mornings, you get a kingdom tone to your day. The tractors are less frustrating, the shoes are still lost, but the patience presents itself more willingly.

We see an array of things take place in Luke 19:1-10. I'm sure most of you know the story of Zacchaeus. (The wee little man who climbed the sycamore tree?) He sure had some habits to get over, yet he was curious about this Jesus he had heard about, and Jesus called him out. Not in a judgy sort of way, but in a "let's be friends" sort of way. The people watching commented in a judgy sort of way, but Zacchaeus overcame his habit of cheating people and promised Jesus he would pay it all back. Now, we know it wasn't easy for Zacchaeus to do this. Habits, good or bad, as we know, are hard to kick. Yet Zacchaeus wanted to experience this Jesus fully, without his old ways. It's not easy to break those ways, but we can find something better waiting from below our trees.

Scripture to read:
Luke 19:1-10, Ephesians 4:17-32

Questions to ponder:
What are some habits you have that you would like to trade in for a better experience with Jesus?
What kind of joy could you experience if you gave up certain habits - like the joy Zacchaeus had when Jesus came to his house?
How can you help others get through kicking habits that you once had?

Change Your Priorities

I hate dieting. I have to admit that I am in love with Taco Bell and their crack-filled quesadillas. (Sorry if this is out of line, but let's be real.) I love burritos and tacos and crunchy things in my burritos...and cheese. I love cheese. Thus, I hate dieting. But I know that with dieting comes a healthy, happy life that only broccoli and cauliflower crust pizza can bring me. (It's a lie.) I am the type of person to read of a new fad diet and consider what foods are on the "yes" list, then get the "no" list and see coffee creamer at the top and I'm out. I will not compromise coffee creamer, or burritos, y'all, not to mention pizza.

But isn't that kind of what we do in our faith walks? We say, "ok God, you can have that area of my life. Go ahead and bless my mess." But then we hit finances and time and we say..."umm...I'm out." Or we get to dating standards, or clothing, or forgiveness. "God please bless me, but please don't touch my blessings." C'mon, we've all been there. No one's perfect. In fact, we read of a young, rich man who had all of his stuff together, accept he wouldn't give up his riches. He could recite verses, laws, and knew all sorts of information about faith, not to mention the mansion, the money, and the memories. But he walked away from Christ saddened. He couldn't part with the one thing that stood between him and a deep relationship with his Heavenly Father. He's offering a life of health, but I can't let go of my burritos.

I have to point out that God doesn't look down on our riches, or our blessings, but He does look down on the things that come before Him in our hearts and for this man, it was his riches. Maybe for you it's music, movies, technology, exercise, work, even family. It can literally be anything. The reason is we just don't trust. We don't believe that God can actually offer us something better than another person, or pay raises, or losing weight, or burritos... In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33-

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

True satisfaction comes from finding God first. Fill your heart with Him and He'll give you all you need. Your priorities will shift, your view of those desirable things will change, and you will find out that only One thing remains when all of those other things are gone. Get rid of the things you put between yourself and God today. Put Him first and prioritize growth in Him. 

The same goes with dieting, I suppose...

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 19:16-30, Matthew 6:33

Questions to Ponder:
What is something you have a hard time letting go? How is it affecting your relationship with God?
How do you seek His Kingdom first, before all else?
What kind of satisfaction do you think you get when you seek His Kingdom first?

Change Your Surroundings

The most powerful moments I've had with God weren't surrounded by the chaos of everyday life. While God certainly can show up anywhere, and He is everywhere, changing your surroundings to a place you can truly hear Him and see Him in different ways allows you to experience Him louder and more clearly. One of my favorite places to experience God is early mornings in the Dominican Republic, a place I love dearly, and wish I could see more often.

A typical morning in the DR for me begins with stirrings from my bed as I realize the meringue music from the community clubs around us has transformed into the sporadic crows from roosters, and I begin to feel the excitement of the atmosphere around me. I spring from my bed and rush to the first coffee made in the housing kitchen. The time is valuable, and I don't want to miss a drop. As I juggle my Bible, journal, and fresh cup of coffee along the grounds, I seek the perfect spot that has the most serene view of the gently wafting palm tree just on the horizon where the light begins to filter through the stars. The moment with the sunrise is one I find hard to describe. There is something humbling, yet majestic about it. I find God in those moments, as I read His Word through filtered DR sunrise light, and jot down the things He inspires me with. These moments are cherished for me because I maybe get them once a year, sometimes longer. While I know I can experience God's greatness anywhere, those moments come alive.

I may not have a Dominican sunrise in the middle of January at home in Michigan, but I can find the time and find a sereneness in my daily routine. It's hard to dive into God's stillness when the TV is on, or when the phone is next to you ringing in work emails, so get away from those things. Jesus even got away from chaos now and then to reconnect with His Father.

Throughout the Gospels, we read various spots where Jesus is alone. Whether in the desert, walking on water, praying on the hillside, avoiding large crowds, teaching alone from the boat while the crowds stood on shore, to praying alone in the garden the night before His death, Jesus displayed solitude to experience His Father. He would even encourage His disciples to rest and be alone, as He did in Mark 6:31-32. It's important to find these moments and those places to connect with your Heavenly Father.

To grow closer to your friends, your spouse, your kids, you spend time with them. The same goes with God. Get to know Him through every moment, whether it's a beautiful sunrise over a palm tree wealthy horizon, or from the quiet moments in your recliner in the morning as the blizzard blows outside the windows. Get your essentials and experience God where you are. Change your surroundings to deplete the distractions and find His voice.

Scripture to read:
Mark 1:35-37, Psalm 46:10

Questions to ponder:
Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the "everyone is looking for you", as Jesus would hear from His disciples?
What do you do to find solitude and hear God's voice?
Where have you experienced God in a powerful way?