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Go. Be. Hospitable!

Bible Journal Post – 3 John & Psalm 45

Has your week been as crazy busy as mine?!?! Some days, I make my list and schedule for the day and due to unexpected circumstances, NOTHING on that list or schedule is accomplished. Then, I feel frazzled, stressed, and rushed. But, I was reminded through our Bible Reading today, 3 John 1, that my focus needs to be on others! I get so caught up in my world of taking care of my families’ needs, work stress, and keeping a house that I lose focus on Walking in the Truth.

3 John 1:3-4 says, “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

We can only know Jesus and share Him with others when we know Him personally and spend intimate time with Him. John tells Gaius in 3 John 1, that he knows that Gaius is walking in the truth because of what he has heard about Gaius’ actions. John praises him because he treats everybody the same. John is not only speaking about what Gaius knows, but about his actions that demonstrate truth. Gaius was not a well known person or a public figure. He seems like he might have been just an ordinary man in his community. But, he simply opened up the doors of his home to others that were traveling through his town. Even though these people were strangers to him he invited them in and was considered a partner in the truth.

3 John1:8 tells us that “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.”

According to dictionary.com, hospitality is 1) the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. 2) the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

How do you show hospitality to others? I am sure that Gaius, like us, had other events happening in his life that made hosting others stressful. But, he did it anyway.

In this day and age, hospitality might look different.

Of course Facebook these days can be both a blessing and a curse. Yes, there are times that I spend too much time mindlessly scrolling through posts that mean nothing to me and add nothing to my day. But, every now and then I will read a post from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are giving their lives on the mission field that is priceless. As I was preparing for this post, I stumbled upon a post from Amy N’Todd Block who are missionaries at Village of Hope in Guatemala. I encourage you to find them on FaceBook and read the post that Amy posted on Thursday of this past week. It is a true definition of hospitality and a demonstration  living out the TRUTH.

We may not be missionaries out in the field, but how can we be missionaries here at home in our busy lives and support those around us? Of course, we can help financially support missionaries we know are spreading the Truth and join together with them in their endeavors.

But what about here at home during our daily activities? Sitting at the soccer field watching your children play a game? The baseball field? Grocery shopping? Doctors appointments? Picking up the dry cleaning? Grabbing lunch at a restaurant? Walking the halls at school or work? During your daily walk to get or stay healthy?

I have been impressed with a gal that I pass every morning during my walk on the trail. I am walking with my faithful companion (my dog, Sami), my hat on, head down (so I don’t trip) and ear buds in my ears. I used to not pay attention at all to those who walk by me. This was MY time. But, every morning as this one particular lady passes me, she steps closer to me, smiles hugely, and puts her hand out waving at me with a loud “Good Morning”! The first time I experienced her, I l was shocked because she made me smile and feel happy. Now, I expect it from her and am always ready to smile back and say good morning when we pass. That small act made me so happy that guess what? I have been intentional about getting others attention on my walk and smiling and saying “Good Morning”! I try and see how many people will smile and say good morning back to me! This is hospitality, treating strangers in a warm and friendly way!

The simple smile, a friendly “good morning”, and a little small talk may be the beginning of a relationship where we get to share the Truth! What are others saying about your actions?

Go. Be. Hospitable!

Love

Today’s reading:  2 John 1, Psalm 44

Today’s post is written by my friend Paige Holt. I’ve loved getting to know Paige over the past few years through our weekly small group Bible study.  She is a wife, a mother, and a surgeon who’s passion, love and care for people is simply contagious –

From the time I found out I was pregnant with my first child, Parker, I was worried about being a mother.  I had known that I wanted to be a mother for my entire life but once the reality hit that I was actually going to have a baby I couldn’t stop my mind from racing.  My biggest fear was that I would not bond with my child.  I was consumed with reading books about nursing, baby milestones and growth.  I talked to mothers about their journey trying to gain insight in to how it was that they developed the deep love and connection that they had with their children.  My own mother was detached and absent and my fear was that I would have that same relationship with my child.  Even after Parker was born, I struggled with fear.  I worried that I would become hardened, that the late night feedings would wear me out and that I would begrudge my baby for my lack of sleep.

I remember quite clearly when Parker was about four weeks old and he was nursing in a quiet midnight feed that it dawned on me how much God loved me.  In spite of my sin, in spite of my life of sin, he had entrusted this precious little human to me.  He had given me a soft heart for this little child.  He was giving me the ability to love this little human that he had created.  And, it was during that quiet middle of the night time, that God started speaking to me.

It was during those quiet times, with dimmed lights, that I realized how much I loved this little human.  Yes, he was cute and cuddly.  But it was much deeper than that.  I knew that I would give my life to protect this child.  And it dawned on me that God loved me so much that he sacrificed his own son so that I could be saved.  To be a new parent, holding this little snuggle bunny, and to feel the weight of love that God had for me by his sacrifice of His own Son is a feeling I will never forget.  It made me think about how heavy the burden of sin is that it would take such a sacrifice.

2 John 1 encourages us to love one another.  The author states that we should be full of love.  The truth will be with us forever.  And the passage shows the imagery of mother and child.  I am very grateful for those doubts and questions and concerns about motherhood.  It was the time in my adult life when I started to hear God’s voice again. The little nudges. The quiet whispers in the middle of the night.  All leading to the epiphany that God loved me in spite of my sin and made the ultimate sacrifice to be with me.  And in the end, I am his.

No matter where we are

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

What a promise. What is on your heart today that you believe is in God’s will that you need to ask him for? I know it is in his will that we share the gospel, share his love, that we give, that we repent, that we flee from sin and that we turn our hearts and will toward him.

How often do we take this promise too lightly? No matter where we are, anytime, we have the ear of the almighty God, creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Lord of All, and oftentimes my prayers are just so lame it is embarrassing.

I repent right now Lord for treating you so small. You rescued me, you gave me mercy and grace. You offer perfect truth through your Holy Spirit and your word in the Bible. Thank you for forgiving my sin, for loving me, for listening, for your mercy and grace that I can never repay.

Taking God’s promises too lightly in my world is a result of my own selfishness, which ends up becoming idolatry; me first, everything else second.

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:21 NLT)

I asked my boys to read 1 John 5, then share any thoughts that the reading might have provoked. They both (separately) mentioned verse 21. The ESV uses the word idols, but I sure love how the NLT puts it in our terms today and basically defines idols as anything that might take God’s place in our hearts.

Preston related this verse to having the desire to play video games that he knows are wrong/bad for him. Peyton related it to choosing sports over spiritual growth. Pretty sure we can all relate!

Even during the writing of this post I allowed myself to be distracted by looking for the best hotel for an upcoming business trip. Hmm, the one with a 4.4 rating or the 4.3 rating that looks like nicer rooms but not as desirable location? Pretty sure I checked out for 15 minutes browsing photos and reading reviews. In the end, my investment in that search was about about seeking what would please me and would give me the most comfort. After wasting time on this search I literally felt empty and even a little depressed. Nothing on this earth will ever satisfy like the living water of Jesus… nothing.

Lord Jesus I need you, every day, every hour, every second. I repent for allowing the things of this world to take your rightful place in my heart. Renew me, restore me, guide me today for your glory. Amen.

Today’s reading links: 1 John 5 & Psalm 43

My Dear Children…

I don’t get too many handwritten letters anymore but, when I do I think about the time, effort, love, and focus that was put into crafting a letter to speak to someone. When I first read 1 John 2 I sit back and imagine reading such a letter as John starts out, “My dear children…”

Today’s Reading 1 John 2 and Psalm 40

John was an older (experienced) and wise man when this letter was written.  Reflecting on the remarkable life of John I think of the opportunity he had to follow Jesus from his youth. He was our last living apostle and he wrote some beautiful letters to reassure our faith and to remind us to trust God’s word and watch out for false teachings.  This whole letter is full of so may amazing truths about our Father but I selected a few takeaways for today.  1) Know who is on our side 2) Remember how to live out our daily lives 3) Remember the importance of our spiritual growth.

  1. Know who is on our side.

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world.    1 John 2:1-2

We can be reassured that though we are broken and sinners, we can find hope that our advocate Jesus has already paid the ultimate price and will stand with us at time of judgment. Hebrews 7:25 says “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”

2.  Live out the life God calls us to.

We are then reminded to know and keep His commands.  1 John 2:3 “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands.”  and 1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” What joy we encounter when our day is filled with serving Him and submitting to His will.  I pray to have more of these days living in a servant, kind, forgiving, selfless, gracious, and loving way like Jesus did. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.  1 John 2:10

3. Importance of Spiritual Growth

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on the account of His name.

I am writing to you, fathers (mothers), because you know Him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men (women), because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, Fathers (mothers), because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men (women), because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12-14

To all believers of all ages.  continue to walk and search for Him each day.  Stay in His word and take each step with it guarding you in your heart and mind.   Men, women, young and old all have different spiritual walks.  Don’t let this journey get static. Grow, develop, and share His wisdom to not only build you up but to share this glory with others.  Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22  or Ephesians 6:10-18.  

 

17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 

“I desire to do your will, My God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

 

Remain in Him and He has promised us eternal life.

 

Elevation Worship – Your Promises

References: Tyndale & David Jeremiah Study Bibles

Introduction to 1 John

Psalm 38

How do you view accountability?  As a child, accountability often looked like a yard stick.  Maybe that’s why I get nervous when I think about it.  I may not have liked it, but I always needed it.  Even now, as an adult.  It was true in Bible times too.  Today, as we ready to read 1 John, the apostle John is exercising his responsibility to hold Christians accountable.  When you examine it you will see three distinct components.  A reminder of who Jesus is, how we react to that understanding and finally, why it matters.

I John starts with a reminder of who Jesus is.  If you haven’t noticed, its easy to get mixed up about Jesus.  That is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago when John wrote this book.  People everywhere were questioning Jesus’ divinity.  After all, how is it possible to be human and God?  Our faith is easily sidetracked with such questions.  Many of us already have. For example, it is far easier to believe that Jesus was just a “good guy” than it is to believe he is God.  In 1 John, John rebutts these falsehoods with a strong message of truth.  He reminds us that Jesus was, in fact, “from the beginning,” meaning that he was with God before all of creation.  He also points to evidence of his humanity, recalling that they saw him personally and were able to touch him physically (John 20:27).  These reminders of truth hole us accountable to the core truth’s of Jesus.  

As we recall his perfect nature, John begins to encourage us to act accordingly.  The behavioral change John is talking about starts with our heart which is justified through Jesus’ sacrifice. We need to remember our need for forgiveness and salvation, often.  This remembrance causes behavioral changes.  He fills our renewed hearts with His love and goodness.  Out of this river, flows righteousness and good deeds.

In conclusion, John encourages us to be confident.  Not just for eternal life, but for true life.  Right here on earth.  God cares about our struggles.  He wants to intercede.  He will intercede.  Sometimes, we just need a reminded.

While We’re Waiting…

Today’s reading is 2 Peter 3 and Psalm 37.

I’m always amazed at how God speaks to through His Word to tell us what He wants to tell us right when we need it. As I write this, we are anxiously awaiting our third child with my wife at thirty-eight weeks pregnant. Generally speaking, she is the more patient of the two of us, but she just left for a walk because she is willing to do just about every wives’ tale (except drink castor oil) to get this baby to come out. My grandparents on my Mom’s side were some of the most laid back people I’ve ever known. I have heard my Dad say if they were sitting on the couch in their living room watching TV and the house went up in flames my Grandpa would likely calmly look over at my Grandma and say, “Well..Berniece…the house is on fire..we should probably leave now.” Due to this, my Mom is also a very patient person. Around 3 years ago, she began to have undiagnosed back issues and has been in a wheelchair most of the time since then, not knowing if she would ever walk again. Through this, I’ve not heard her complain once. In fact, instead she will tell you this has brought her closer to God, and she’s been in the Word more than ever. She is amazing and truly an inspiration to me. Just in the last few weeks she walked up to communion and drove for the first time. God is good!

As I mentioned earlier, it is amazing how God speaks to us through His Word.  These last few weeks I’ve become frustrated and impatient with some aspects of my life with things not happening how and as quickly as I would like them. Then, God smacks me on the side of the head with His Word (metaphorically speaking) with 2 Peter 3 and Psalm 37 on waiting for and trusting in Him.

2 Peter 3:4 tells us that others will get us to question Him and His promises, and I would add the we also do so in our own minds. We are reminded in 2 Peter 3:8-9 His timeline is not our timeline. He is not slow, but instead will give us what we TRULY need when we TRULY need it.

He also gives us instruction on what to do while we wait in these chapters. Psalms 37:4-5 says, “Seek your happiness in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desire. Give yourself to the Lord: trust in Him, and He will help you.” THIS is what I’m called to do during this time of waiting. Keep the focus on Him, not my worldly desires, and trust in Him.  More of today’s reading points to this in 2 Peter 3:14-15, 2 Peter 3:17-18, Psalms 37:7-9, and Psalms 37:34.

While God does not promise to give us the worldly things we ask for that we think are in our best interest, He does promise to always be there for us and give us what is truly best when it is truly best (Psalms 37:4-5, Psalms 37:9, Psalms 37:23-24, Psalms 37:34, Psalms 37:39-40, 2 Peter 3:9, and 2 Peter 3:13-15). He delivered on His promise of salvation and gave us the only thing we really need in Jesus’ perfect life, death, and resurrection freeing us from the bondage of sin.  When He allows us to have what we have been asking for, be healed, or walk again like my Mom (the details of this are a whole other story on God’s amazing provision), let us give Him and no one else the credit as Peter instructs us to do (2 Peter 3:18)! Glory to God..glory to God forever!

Check out this lyric music video for “Trust In You” by Lauren Daigle. I hope it can bring you strength and encouragement as it does me.

 

False Teachers

2 Peter 2 and Psalm 36

When I read these words the first time, I wasn’t sure where to start. I definitely prefer a more positive message. After rereading again (and again), I found hope and bit of a happier note in the Psalm.

As we start into the readings today by Simon Peter, he writes about false teachers and their destruction. False teachers started to spread rumors and teachings that were against God’s word. From what I am envisioning, these “teachers” were standing on street corners, preaching their views. They were trying to capture the hearts and minds of “depraved” people.

Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;

If the people were weak or wanted to hear a different view or wanted to have someone support their wrongdoings such as greed, they listened to these false teachers.  However Peter points out that they will be fall into harm’s way.

13 They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.

Peter then goes on to tell of the many times God overruled these types of people and lead good or evil. As I was reading the examples of Lot, Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, I also thought about Moses. As he was leading the people out of Egypt, God demonstrated his power by parting the Red Sea and then collapsing it back in on the “evil” people. We read these examples of how God does have a plan to take care of those who follow his word.

17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Kind of harsh, but in a way comforting. It also reminds us that he is the judge. He will handle it. We don’t need to try to take over his “job” and condemn the evil. He’s got it.

As we read Psalm 23, the message is consistent. For those who don’t follow God or who don’t “fear” him, God will handle it. We hear his word:

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.

Again, I find comfort in this message. It’s all in God’s hands.  Let us take rest in knowing God has it under control even if we don’t see it right away.  We need to be patient.  Good can triumph over evil.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
    nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen—
    thrown down, not able to rise!

 

 

 

Snap Out Of It

Do you ever forget, like I do, what we have access to as children of God? Often, I think we Christians forget that our lives don’t have to look the same as everyone else’s. Let me explain.

Think for a moment about the way the rest of the world lives their lives on a daily basis. Most people’s lives are packed to the max. Families are always stressed, way too busy, and pack their schedules with unnecessary commitments. People are wearing themselves out climbing the ladder of success, only to miss out on the joys of life along the way. People are living in fear and turning to material things and false securities to find their strength or a sense of peace. People are living with deep guilt and regret for the mistakes and choices they’ve made. Marriages are falling apart left and right, and the biggest priority in life seems to be self above all else. It’s a broken world… no one would argue with that.

Here’s my question: Why is it that the lives of so many Christians (my life included!) can start to resemble the picture I just painted? Granted, we are all broken and sinful people at the core, but I think we often forget that as adopted children of God, we have the opportunity to live differently than the rest of the world. Yet, it’s so easy to forget this truth when we live day to day life surrounded by a world that lives in the way I described above.

That’s why I love 2 Peter 1. Peter is writing to believers as if to say, “Snap out of it!” Often, I need this sort of shoulder-shaking faith reminder… and I’m sure you might, too.

2 Peter 1:1-9 (the MSG) says,

“Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

There is seriously so much goodness in these sentences, and I could focus on any number of these truths… but I want to trust that no matter what time of the day you are pausing to read this little post, the Lord will reveal to you what part of those verses, or the entirety of 2 Peter 1, He wants you to rest in today.

For me, the biggest thing I think God is telling me is that I don’t have to live my life like the rest of the world does. In fact, my life should look totally different from the rest of the world. As a daughter of Christ, I can live in freedom… not overcome by guilt due to my mistakes and failings. I don’t have to cling to worldly things for my security or turn to temporary comforts for my satisfaction… the only thing that can truly satisfy my soul is my Jesus. I don’t have to be fearful about the future, but instead, I can trust that God has a plan for my life and that He is a provider at His very nature. I don’t have to be busy and stressed all the time, but I can live a full life. I can live a full life that honors God and allows me to treat my body like a temple, rather than running it into the ground all the time as I try to do “all the things” in order to just keep up. My goals don’t have to be centered around money, prosperity, and success… instead, they can just focus on what will honor my God the most every single day. And I don’t have to be enough on my own… in fact, I was never made to be enough in the first place. I shouldn’t hold myself to the same standards that the rest of the world holds themselves to… because the only reason they do so is the fact that they don’t know Jesus.

I hope you are reminded today that your life as a Christian should look different from the rest of the world’s lives… and that full life is already waiting for you to take hold of. Jesus is just waiting. 

The Lord Rescues

Intro to 2 Pet and Psalm 34

Welcome this morning to 2 Peter. It looks like Bible scholars best guess is that 2 Peter was written two-ish years after 1 Peter and maybe about a year before Peter died. He sends this second letter because he can foresee some of the problems that the people of Asia Minor will continue to face after he is gone and he wants to shore up their faith and the truth in their hearts. In this letter he warns believers about false teachers who might cause them to question their faith and he wants to seal in their minds that the reports about Jesus are completely true and not fiction. He wants to challenge them to continue to grow in their faith and to live Godly lives in anticipation of Jesus return. It all sounds so very practical for today…isn’t God amazing! He knew what the people of Asia Minor were facing 2000 years ago and He knows that His same help and truth is meaningful to us this morning.

Ps 34 A few days ago my husband and I made the trip to another state to move one of our 18 year old daughters into a dorm to begin her first year away from home at college. She and her dad are planners extraordinaire so for the past 6-8 months they have been making lists, planning schedules, planning weekend visits home, purchasing supplies, and readying her for this move. I knew it would be important for her to have her new surroundings feel like home so I did my part to try to replicate everything (on a much smaller scale) that makes her feel secure and comfortable…down to the same home fragrance we use here.  We even had her favorite meal, tacos, before she left. All three of us felt pretty confident in our preparation, training and readiness for her to move.

The night before my husband and I were to begin our trip back home without our daughter, she came over to our hotel room after dinner to visit. Tear drops started rolling down her cheeks from her big blue eyes and my husband and I felt shredded. She began to tell us that she was fine with being away from home, she was ready to make new friends, and she didn’t feel nervous about how she would do in her classes…everything was fine except that she wasn’t prepared for losing her entire adult support system in one weekend. She has built relationships with parents of kids she babysat for, she was blessed enough to have relationships with several of her good friends parents, we have some family close enough to us that they have been able to be in her life, and we have dear friends who have loved our kids like their own for years. She was losing a big system that would not be quickly replicated in a new city and in a college setting. These people are a big part of her safety net and her everyday life and now they would be miles away. We talked through the fact that none of these people would stop loving and supporting her because of this move but we all knew it would look a lot different. In my heart, I was crying out to God, “How do I help her through this?” I knew I was pretty much powerless.

The next morning my husband and I gave her our final hugs and headed off for 7 ½ hours in the car to home. Our hearts were so heavy we could hardly talk to each other. It was hard. About 4 hours into the trip my husband called our daughter to see how her morning had gone. (We just flat needed some encouragement!) When our daughter answered the phone, she sounded like a different kid than the one we had left a few hours back. She was her usual happy, chipper little self and my husband and I were looking at each other with eyes as big as saucers wondering what had happened. She began to tell us that she had gone to church with a girl she had met at orientation back in June. They went in and found a seat and the lady next to her in the pew introduced herself to the girls. When the lady (who is close to my age) found out they were students, she visited with them and told them they were welcome at her home any time they wanted to get away from the dorm, do some baking or cooking or just study in peace for a few hours. She also made a date for several days later to have them over for dinner. Let me remind you that we are talking about God here… one sweet lady at church just isn’t enough of a gift from Him. He also let our daughter’s roommate run into an adult cousin of hers at church. The cousin and family took the girls out for lunch after church and filled a few more hours of that first long day of nothing to do before classes start. What? Really God? In just a few hours He completely turned things around for our daughter and comforted my husband and I beyond what we can express! Are all her troubles solved with these gifts from God? We all know they are not. She will still feel loss and probably struggle with many different fears about the unknown in the days and weeks to come but she does walk away knowing that God cares deeply about her and what she is dealing with today. She got to see His interest in her life and His love specifically for her, in several people reaching out to meet her exact need, hours after we had cried out to God! I think I could have penned David’s Psalm 34 myself on the rest of our drive home. Read it again, it’s only 22 verses, to see the hope and unabandoned joy that David gets from God, and the praise and gratefulness he tries to give back to God. It’s beautiful and my heart seeks to give God the honor He deserves for His precious personal love for each one of us!

 

Also..the lady who had her over for dinner on Wednesday fixed tacos for dinner!!

A Pear

 

Todays Reading: 1 Peter 4

Several weeks ago, Jillian and I embarked on a wellness journey together to renew our bodies, minds, spirit and relationship. The adventure that we are on focuses our energy to rethink how we eat and what we eat. I have had to take a few more doses of “will power” and dedication to stay committed. Some of my favorite foods are breads and grains to which this program is not ascribed. I have been eating a larger amount of the healthy foods: fruits and veggies. I have notice a positive change in my energy, focus, and endurance.

As I am retraining my mind and body I started to consume large amounts of fruits and veggies as I had previous mentioned. As an example, one day I packed for lunch and snacks: 1 bag of chopped carrots, 1 bag of chopped celery, a bag of pistachios, a fit-packer container of chicken and sweet potatoes and a apple and a pear. I felt almost like the hungry caterpillar. Throughout the day I consumed about 90% of the lunch, except for the pear. An aside, I am constantly purchasing too unripen fruit and my wife always reminds me. So with that stated, the pear was a beautiful green pear and hard as a rock when it was purchased. While on this journey, I would bring lunches as the one previously detailed to work and forgot about the pear.

About a week went by and I remembered the pear. I searched the fridge for the pear and finally found it at the back of the office fridge. It was bumped and bruised and soft and something really not appetizing. Then I remembered a story from my mission days about a traveler who would have the luxury of having pear. I had to just try and see if this pear would be any good. I took a bite and the pear was awesome. It had to be given a little bit of misuse and handling and struggles and strife to really allow the fullness of the flavor and refreshment to be fulfilled. It was so tasty that I almost ate the core.

1 Peter 4:12-16

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Here we are told about the sufferings and pain that use Christians will face and what the rewards are. Its like this pear, when we are green and sparkling we are unripe and easy to watch and see. But the fullness of the manifestation of God is only seen when we have some bruises, some scars, some disappointments, some hard days, some crying nights, and some unrest. We have to have hope, because when we are at the lowest humbled level this is when God can and will do some amazing work in us and through us. We have to be vulnerable to allow the Spirit to make us bruised so that others can see the sweetness and awesomeness of God.

Take ways:

  • Journeys with my wife are always fun and exciting
  • The Spirit wants to work with you and make you ripe
  • The more bruises that you have, the more work God has prepared
  • As Paul states “ when I am weak, he is strong” – 2 Corinthians 12:10

Be blessed this week.