Category: Thoughts and Meditations

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” – Ephesians 6:10

Be strong in who? In the strength of whose might??? The Lord’s (not yours)!!!

Life can be very hard. The challenges, burdens, and obstacles we encounter can be absolutely crushing. If you only try to tackle them based on your resources, your abilities, your strength, and your energy, they probably will overwhelm you at some point. You may think you’re navigating life fine but there’s a very good chance you’ll experience a season in life that’s beyond your abilities. The strength you need to navigate a fallen world in obedience to Jesus Christ won’t be found in yourself. It must be found in Lord Jesus.

Be strong in Lord Jesus. Let the might of Jesus be your strength. Make that the habit and pattern of your life when things are going well. Then you will be prepared when things go haywire. Draw near to Jesus. Submit your whole life to Him. Admit your need for Him, His grace, and His power. Get to know Him more intimately and fully through prayer, reading and meditation on Scripture, worship, and service. Regularly practice taking small leaps of faith about things you “couldn’t possibly do” and discover His power and faithfulness.

When you succeed, give thanks to Jesus. When you fail, go to Jesus in prayer. When you’re anxious or afraid, go to Jesus in prayer. When you’re overwhelmed, go to Jesus in prayer. Stop asking Him to renew your strength to overcome and instead ask Him for His strength to overcome. Stop demanding specific outcomes and simply focus on glorifying and obeying Him, no matter what. Belt yourself with truth. Protect your heart with righteousness. Walk in the gospel of peace. Shield yourself with faith. Guard your mind with the truth of your salvation by grace. Wield the Word of God as your weapon against lies. Pray with perseverance. #FollowJesus

“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – Ephesians 5:21

The Christian life isn’t supposed to be focused on “who’s in charge”. It’s not a competition to get to the top, accumulating power and authority over other people. Jesus is in charge. The rest of us merely work for Him. One way we serve and honor our Lord is to submit to each other. Voluntarily. Joyfully. Mutually, one to another.

This submission isn’t about roles, offices, ages, or stages. Every Christian should honor the image-bearing dignity of every other Christian. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should love each other, listen to each other, respect each other, and put each other’s interests first. When we do this, submission isn’t hard. Submission isn’t a burden. Submission becomes a privilege and a delight. So, how are you at submitting to other believers?

Mutual submission shouldn’t be risky or hurtful, because those we’re submitting to also submit to us. In mutual submission lies ever-growing trust, love, and respect. So, again, how are you at submitting to other believers? Is it grudging, half-hearted, avoided, or dreaded? Is it legalistic or is it truly done out of reverence for Christ? #FollowJesus

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31

Hopefully this isn’t an issue for you. However, many Christians sin in these areas whether they realize it or not. Perhaps because of past suffering. Perhaps because of behaviors modeled by parents or mentors. Perhaps because of a naturally fiery temper. The reason why isn’t as important as recognizing when you have problems in this area. Why? Because sin is sin and these things are sins!

Honestly evaluate yourself and your actions. Do you have a short temper? Are you easily angered? Is your anger very powerful and hurtful once it’s unleashed? When you’re stressed about someone, do you tend to think and say things about them that aren’t true or are meant to turn people against them? Has your past suffering hardened into bitterness that makes you and others around you miserable? None of these things glorify God. None of these things look like Jesus. All of them are sins.

If your answer to ANY of these questions is YES, then Jesus is inviting, commanding, and empowering you to change! First, recognize that all of those behaviors mentioned in this verse are sins. Sins that cause more sin. Admit that. Confess that. Reject that pattern of behavior. Seek God’s help to change. Get help from other believers to change.

If you’re struggling with bitterness, you may need counseling to help you recognize that your bitterness is only hurting you and those you love. Get help releasing your bitterness and pain to God and asking Him to heal those scars. If you have talked about others in any way that makes them look bad, stop. Completely. And apologize every time to break that commitment to speak only true and positive words. If you’re battling a volcanic temper, confess that sin every time it erupts. Then draw nearer to God and walk in the Spirit because the Fruit of the Spirit will change you! #FollowJesus

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” – Ephesians 4:15

Have you grown up to be just like Jesus? That’s our call as Christians. God makes us new creations in Jesus Christ. We’re born again by grace through faith in Jesus. Like newborn babies, we’re then expected to grow up spiritually. We shouldn’t stay the way we were before we put our trust in Jesus or the way we were when we first believed in Jesus. Our life in Jesus Christ is meant to be one of increasing spiritual maturity.

As we hear, read, and speak God’s truth in the loving character of Jesus, we’re supposed to mature in every aspect of our lives to be just like our Savior! Our thoughts should become like His thoughts over time. Our desires should become like His desires. Our words should become like His words. Our actions should become like His actions. Our character should become like His character. Every aspect of our lives is supposed to mature and become like Jesus!

Jesus isn’t meant to just be the Lord of certain compartments of our lives. He is to be Lord over every aspect of our lives. Every aspect! How we work. How we play. How we rest. How we raise our families. How we do business. How we shop. How we give. How we vote. How we serve. How we spend. How we save. Is Jesus the Lord of every part of your life? Are you growing up in every way to be like Jesus?

If you don’t feel like you are, then evaluate your life. What’s holding you back? Are there parts of your life where you’re still trying to be the boss and you haven’t surrendered to Jesus? Are you giving your first and best to God or holding onto that for yourself? Are you devoting enough time and energy to activities like prayer, worship, Bible reading, serving, and growing alongside other believers? Is there a persistent sin holding you back? Whatever holds you back, get the help you need to get past it and simply #FollowJesus.

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!”
– Psalm 126:4-5

When you pray in the midst of difficult seasons, remember that the Bible is full of promises like this! If Jesus is your Lord, then He IS with you. He hears your prayers. He sees your tears. He understands your pain and He loves and cares for you. God’s Spirit lives in you and will give you the strength to endure and keep moving forward. Pray for strength day-by-day, hour-by-hour. God is faithful. There is joy ahead for His people. That may or may not include temporary blessings here on earth but it certainly includes the eternal blessings and rewards of life everlasting in God’s presence.

One day, God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people. One day, God will wipe away every one of your tears! One day, there will be no more suffering, sickness, injustice, evil, poverty, disability, or death. When that day dawns, it will last forever. Go ahead and sow seeds of faithful obedience in your tears. Worship and obey God. Serve and proclaim Jesus. Nurture and embrace the Holy Spirit. Especially during seasons of sorrow, pain, and grief!

Stay faithful when it hurts, knowing that God is faithful. He will restore. He will bless. He will reward. He will bring life, beauty, and joy everlasting. #FollowJesus