by Catherine McDaugale | Aug 26, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV))
Do you know what’s in your heart? Probably not. As we see from the verse in Jeremiah, our hearts are deceitful. That means you can think your heart is fine even when it isn’t. Yet, the contents of your heart can be revealed by your words.
As Jesus said,
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 (NKJV))
That may seem harsh. But it’s true. Whatever’s in your heart – good or evil – will come out.
The contents of your heart can be revealed at the most inopportune moments – like when you stub your toe on the corner of the coffee table or when someone cuts you off in traffic. The curse words that come out of your mouth may surprise you. But the circumstances didn’t cause them. They were the result of what was already in your heart.
The Bible has many examples of people who were unaware of the contents of their hearts. In one, Jesus revealed what was in the scribes and Pharisees’ hearts.
Remember how Jesus healed the man with the withered hand? When Jesus healed him, “his hand was restored as whole as the other” (Luke 6:10 (NKJV)).
Wouldn’t that have been amazing to see – to watch with your own eyes as a man’s withered hand was regenerated into wholeness? It was a miracle.
But when the scribes and the Pharisees saw it, the Bible says that “they were filled with rage” (Luke 6:11 (NKJV)). A man’s hand had been fully restored, and they were moved to a madness that was expressed in anger. Why? Their hearts were wrong. They were laser-focused on a rule – a man-made interpretation of God’s law.
God had commanded, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work . . . .” (Exodus 20:8–10a (NKJV)). Over time, they twisted God’s law to mean that supernaturally healing someone constituted work.
Their hearts were so focused on their interpretation that they missed the miraculous. In fact, they had watched Jesus closely to see if He would heal the man. They wanted to find something they could use to bring charges against Him (Luke 6:7).
So, how do you know what’s in your heart? Ask God to show you. Pray: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24 (NKJV)).
When God reveals something in your heart that shouldn’t be there, repent. Admit that you’re wrong and that God is right. Ask God for forgiveness. And then walk by faith with God in the freedom that only He can give.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Aug 12, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV))
God’s ways are better. The Hebrew word translated as higher in Isaiah 55:9 means exalted, above. God’s ways are exalted because they are better.
And God’s ways have always been better. Right after Adam and Eve first sinned, they realized they were naked and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. The Bible says that “they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings” (Genesis 3:7 (NKJV)).
Have you ever seen a fig leaf? It’s scratchy. The top of the leaf is rough and sandpaper-like, and the bottom has small stiff hairs. Ouch! Not to mention that it’s a leaf. How secure could their “clothing” have been?
But God. He “made tunics of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21 (NKJV)). God’s way was better. For one, the “tunics of skin” were softer than the fig leaves. And they were more durable and flexible.
Moreover, those tunics of skin showed Adam and Eve how to cover (atone for) their sin so they could still be in a relationship with God. For sin to be covered, innocent blood must be shed. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). And the sacrifice of that animal pointed to the ultimate sacrifice God would make for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins – once and for all (Hebrews 7:26–27, 10:10).
So, spend some time meditating on how God’s ways are better than yours this week. Thank Him for revealing His ways in the Bible so you can know Him. Then be willing to yield your ways to His as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jul 15, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 (NKJV))
God won’t force you to walk in the Spirit. But if you do, it will help you avoid temptation and live a life that’s pleasing to Him. With that in mind, here are 10 ways to walk in the Spirit.
1. Read your Bible
If you want to find out how God wants you to live, you need to read your Bible. Your ways and thoughts are not like God’s (Isaiah 55:8). God’s ways and thoughts are higher (Isaiah 55:9). And He’s revealed them to us in the Bible. So, if you want to know what they are, read it.
2. Memorize Scripture
Memorizing Bible verses helps you to think about God’s Word – His ways – throughout your day. And when we meditate on God’s ways, we’re less likely to give in to temptation. As the psalmist prayed, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)).
3. Pray
Jesus gave us a great example to follow. He regularly got away to spend time with God the Father and talk to Him (see, e.g., Mark 1:35). As Jesus told Peter, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38 (NKJV)). Pray every day, all throughout your day.
4. Sing
God likes it when we sing to Him. And He has told us to sing. In Psalm 47:6 (NKJV), it says, “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” Why? “For God is the King of all the earth . . .” (Psalm 47:7 (NKJV)). Singing is a form of worship. And worship reminds us of our proper position before God. Not only that, there’s joy in worship. So, play your favorite worship song and sing it to the Lord.
5. Gather
The Bible tells us to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another” (Hebrews 10:24–25 (NKJV)). Regularly coming together to worship God, learn from your pastor, and pray with each other will nudge you in the direction of doing good works instead of fulfilling the lusts of your flesh.
6. Fellowship
As it says in Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV), “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” When you fellowship – spend time with other believers, talking about the things of God – you naturally encourage and exhort each other in your walk with God.
7. Tithe
This one might seem odd to have on the list. But it’s not. God loves it when you cheerfully give back to Him a portion of what He’s given to you (2 Corinthians 9:7). And the way you treat money reveals what’s in your heart. As Jesus taught us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)).
8. Avoid temptation
Galatians 5:19–21 lists some of the works of the flesh. If any of them are a temptation for you, set up boundaries, and then don’t cross them. For example, if you have a problem with drinking alcohol and getting drunk, don’t go to a bar with friends, telling yourself that you’ll only drink soda. Don’t set yourself up for failure.
9. Discover your spiritual gift
God has given each of us at least one spiritual gift. Romans 12:4–8 tells us those gifts are prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. Pray and ask God which one(s) He’s given to you. Pastor Ed Taylor has taught a great series on spiritual gifts. Here’s a link: Teaching on Spiritual Gifts.
10. Serve
Pray and ask God where He wants you to serve with the gift(s) He’s given you. When you hear about a need in your church, step out in faith to find out if that’s where the Lord wants you to serve. Use your spiritual gift(s) to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Even Jesus (God Himself) came to earth not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28).
Of course, there are more than 10 ways to walk in the Spirit. The more you focus on spiritual things, the more you’ll be attentive to God’s Holy Spirit. So, commit to looking to the Holy Spirit for guidance, reading your Bible, and praying every day. Then, you’ll grow spiritually and stay close to God as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jul 1, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. (Habakkuk 2:1 (NKJV))
Are you willing to be corrected? That’s kind of a loaded question. On the one hand, many of us would say yes. Yet, on the other hand, we don’t think we’re wrong. So, maybe you wouldn’t be willing – at least not right away.
But maybe we should be – especially when we come to God. After all, God is the source of truth. He knows all things. If it’s between our word and God’s, God is right 100% of the time.
And that’s the attitude Habakkuk had. Habakkuk came to God and told God how he saw things. But then he waited for God’s correction. Notice that Habakkuk didn’t say if he would be corrected but when.
Habakkuk knew his perspective probably didn’t line up with God’s truth. Why? Because God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours. As God said:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV))
Simply put, God is God, and we are not.
Unlike Habakkuk, we sometimes come to God to try to impose our will on Him. We tell God all about a situation – what we think and how we feel. Then, instead of waiting for God’s correction, we ask God to follow our plan. After all, we think we know the best way to fix it. We pray something like: Dear Lord, This is what’s wrong with that person and that situation. And here’s what I want You to do about it. Everything would be great if You would just . . . .
But what if we were more like Habakkuk? What if we poured our hearts out to God – how we see things and what we think about a situation – and then waited for God’s correction? Instead of coming up with how you think God should solve your problem, wait on Him by praying and reading His Word. Ask God what He wants to show you. Then wait for His response – and His correction.
As you pray and read the Bible, God will align your thoughts with His. He will correct you and make you more and more like Jesus. And that’s the end goal – to be molded into His image and not the other way around. How beautiful it is when we finally come to the point of being willing to receive God’s correction like Habakkuk.
So, are you willing to be corrected? Let’s remember that God’s correction is making us more like Jesus, submitting our will to His, as we walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jun 17, 2024 | Bible Study, Christian Living, Ministry
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 (NKJV))
Jesus is the One we should look to when we want to know how we should serve. He served perfectly and gave us an example to follow. Although there are many others, here are three things you can learn about serving from Jesus.
Jesus Had an Attitude of Service
As we see in Mark 10:45, Jesus didn’t come to the earth for others to serve Him. Although He is God, He didn’t exempt Himself from serving. Instead, He came to serve others and to literally give His life for us.
If God Himself came to serve, we should use our lives to serve others too. Jesus told us that to follow Him we need to deny ourselves (Mark 8:34). When you go somewhere – to work, a friend’s house, church, or even the grocery store – do you go with an expectation of being served? Or do you go looking for ways to serve others, both practically and spiritually?
Jesus Served with Compassion
At one point in His ministry, Jesus and His disciples sailed to a deserted place to rest. They needed rest because “there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31 (NKJV)). The people saw them depart, so they followed them on foot and caught up to them (Mark 6:33).
Instead of being annoyed (I likely would have been annoyed), Jesus was “moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34 (NKJV)). Despite being tired, Jesus was compassionate toward the people who came to Him.
The Greek word translated as compassion means to have an emotional response so strong that you’re moved to action. Jesus was moved with love for them in a deep way.
That kind of care for others can only come from God. Only with His Holy Spirit can we serve others with compassion like Jesus. Pray and ask God to help you to be moved with compassion for the people you serve.
Jesus Made Time for Prayer
Jesus often got up early to pray to the Father. For example, Mark 1:35 (NKJV), tells us, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” Jesus got up before the sun rose to spend some alone time with His Father.
And if you go back a few verses, you’ll see that Jesus didn’t go to bed early the night before. Instead, after the sun had set, He spent the evening healing the sick and casting out demons from the people who were brought to Him (Mark 1:32–34).
You can pray anytime, anywhere as you go throughout your day. But there is something special in that time you set aside to spend with God the Father. When you are completely focused on Him, waiting on Him, praising Him, thanking Him, you’re more apt to hear what He wants to tell you. Make an appointment – like you would any other appointment – to spend time alone with God in prayer.
So, let’s learn these three lessons from Jesus about how to serve.
- Go to places with an expectation of being there to serve others.
- Ask God to see people through His eyes with compassion.
- Set aside alone time with God the Father in prayer.
Follow Jesus’ example in serving this week as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jun 3, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (John 15:4 (NKJV))
Social Connection
Are you connected? In this world of social media, we’re more connected than ever before. We have Facebook “friends” and followers on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter). We scroll and scroll and scroll through pithy quotes and videos posted by our “connections.”
Despite these connections, we’re more isolated than ever before. Studies have shown that increased social media use results in a higher rate of depression. We feel disconnected and lonely. Why? The connections aren’t as connected as we’d like – or even need – them to be.
So, are you connected? True connection comes from one-on-one time with someone, sharing life, and getting to know them face-to-face. And the same is true for your relationship with Jesus.
Spiritual Connection
Are you connected to your Savior? Reading a quick devotional or the Bible quote of the day won’t necessarily connect you to Jesus. To be connected, you need to spend time with Him.
- Talk to Jesus about what’s on your heart.
- Open your Bible and ask Him to speak to you.
- Slow down as you read His Word and hear what He wants to say.
- Sing a song to Him.
- Thank Him for who He is and all He’s done.
The Results of Connection
As you do, your connection to Jesus will grow stronger. You’ll be a branch that’s in constant contact with your Lord. Then based on your connection with Jesus, you’ll bear fruit. You’ll have more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.
That fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)). What great things to have in your life! Do you want more joy? Spend more time with Jesus. Do you need patience and peace? Stay connected to your Savior.
As you go through your week, intentionally think about Jesus and set aside time to just be with Him. As you stay connected, you’ll have the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Then that love, that joy, that kindness – and all the rest of the Spirit’s fruit – will bless you and overflow from you to bless others as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | May 20, 2024 | Bible Study, Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. (Psalm 100:4 (NKJV))
How do you prepare your heart for worship? In Psalm 100, the psalmist instructs the reader to start with thanksgiving and then transition into praise.
And that makes a lot of sense. Praise is the overflow of thanksgiving. When your heart is full of gratitude for what God has done for you, you naturally start to praise Him.
Gates and Courts
What does the psalmist mean when he refers to entering God’s gates and courts? What are they?
To enter the area of God’s temple in Jerusalem, a person had to pass through one of its gates. For example, Acts 3:2 tells us about a man begging at the temple’s gate called Beautiful.
After you entered through one of the gates, there were different courts where the people would go to worship God and where the priests would perform the sacrifices.
So, if you followed the psalmist’s instructions, you would start thanking God for who He is and all He had done when you went through one of the gates to go to the temple. Then by the time you entered the courts, your heart would be prepared to praise God for those things.
Modern Gates and Courts
How can we follow the psalmist’s instructions? We don’t have gates and courts like they did at the time Psalm 100 was written. But we can treat the parking lot of the church building like a gate and the door to the church like entering the courts of the Lord.
Try it the next time you go to church. As you enter the parking lot, start thanking God for who God is and all He has done for you since the last time you were there. For example, you can thank Him for
- getting you to church safely;
- His continued provision in your life;
- a special time you had with a family member or friend;
- your ability to think, breathe, and talk; and
- the fact that He is more than able to help you with any problem you have.
Then when you go through the doors of God’s house, praise Him for who He is and all He’s done. Share with others about God’s goodness in your life. Sing to Him during worship.
The psalmist goes on to give us reasons for thanking and praising God. He reminds us that God is “good”; God’s “mercy is everlasting”; and God’s “truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:5 (NKJV)). Amen to that!
So, how do you prepare your heart to worship? Make it a habit to thank and praise God. As you do, you’ll cultivate a heart of gratitude and praise as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Apr 22, 2024 | Bible Study, Christian Living, Spiritual Growth
There are six things the Lord hates – no, seven things he detests . . . . (Proverbs 6:16 (NLT))
Did you know there are things that God hates? Well, there are. And in just one passage, the Bible gives us a list of seven of them.
The word detests means something disgusting or abhorrent. The New King James Version uses the word abomination. That’s pretty strong language. I know I don’t want to do something that God thinks is disgusting or abhorrent. And I’m guessing that you don’t either.
So, let’s take a few minutes to learn about seven of the things that God hates.
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“A proud look” (Proverbs 6:17 (NKJV))
The first thing on the list in Proverbs 6 is a “proud look.” The word proud means “to exalt oneself, magnify oneself.” I like how the New Living Translation (NLT) says “haughty eyes.” It’s the opposite of humility.
We’ve all seen others with this kind of look. In the 80s we’d say they were “stuck up.” (Yes, I’m old.) It’s not a pretty look. It’s a look that says, “I’m better than you.” In essence, they have exalted their wants above what God wants for them.
Be careful. It’s easy to see this sin in someone else and not in ourselves. Ask God to reveal if you’ve had a proud look recently. If He reveals something to you, repent from it and ask Him for His help to change.
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“A lying tongue” (Proverbs 6:17 (NKJV))
This one is pretty self-explanatory. A lying tongue speaks lies and deceives others with words.
And there is no small or little, white lie. Any untruth is a lie no matter how insignificant you think it is. God doesn’t like it so we shouldn’t do it. It’s that simple.
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“Hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17 (NKJV))
I’ll keep this one brief. I think most already agree with God that it’s abhorrent when someone kills an innocent person. Murder is something we should hate. Taking someone’s life without cause is wrong.
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“A heart that devises wicked plans” (Proverbs 6:18 (NKJV))
The fourth thing that God detests is when a person devises wicked plans or as the NLT puts it, “plots evil.” When you first read this, you might have thought, I don’t devise wicked plans. I’m good on this one.
But the Hebrew word for wicked means trouble, things that are unjust or unrighteous. So, if you’re planning on doing something contrary to God’s will – that is, intentionally thinking about what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it – it’s unrighteous. And it’s something that God hates.
For example, if you’re planning on partying this weekend (which means getting drunk) or sleeping with your boyfriend, those are things God has said we shouldn’t do (see Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:18). Examine yourself and make sure you haven’t been devising wicked plans.
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“Feet that are swift in running to evil” (Proverbs 6:18 (NKJV))
Are you quick to join in when friends ask you to do something you know God doesn’t want you to do? The NLT phrases it as “feet that race to do wrong.” Be careful that you’re not giving in for fear of missing out. Prioritize God so you don’t have feet that move quickly into sin.
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“A false witness who speaks lies” (Proverbs 6:19 (NKJV))
This one is similar to number two, but it’s more specific. Being a false witness who speaks lies means someone who gives false testimony about someone else. God hates it when we don’t tell the truth about what someone said or did.
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“And one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:19 (NKJV))
Finally, God hates it when someone brings division into a family – and that includes His family. If you’re trying to get your point of view heard to bring people to your side, you’re causing division.
Instead of being divisive, we should seek unity among our brothers and sisters in Christ. As the psalmist declared, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 (NKJV)).
If God hates these things, we should too. Examine your heart and make sure that none of them are a part of your life. If God reveals anything to you, turn from it and ask Him for forgiveness. Then put God first and decide to do things His way.
And remember, God hates these behaviors, but He loves you. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins (John 3:16). In response to His love, let’s avoid doing the things He hates as we walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Apr 8, 2024 | Bible Study, Christian Living, Life, Spiritual Growth
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 (NKJV))
What is God’s will for you? If you want to find out, the best place to learn about His will for your life is by reading the Bible. The Bible expressly says that certain things are God’s will. To get you started, here are seven things that are God’s will for you.
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“Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NKJV))
God’s will is for you to be cheerful at all times. How can you do that? By meditating on God’s faithfulness – who He is and all He has done for you.
When you’re focused on yourself, it can be hard to be full of joy. But when your focus is on God, you can rejoice every time.
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“pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV))
God wants you to be in constant communication with Him. Make a daily appointment with Jesus to spend time with Him one-on-one. Use that time to praise Him for who He is and all He’s done, thank Him for the blessings in your life, bring your concerns to Him, and intercede for others.
But then also talk to Him throughout your day. Ask Him for guidance in making a decision. Thank Him for an easy commute. Pray for strength to love someone with His love. Praise Him for providing food for you to eat. Pray for healing when your kid falls on the playground. Talk to Him about everything. Nothing is too small or too big. Take it all to Him.
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“in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV))
No matter what’s going on in your life, you can be grateful for all God has done for you. God wants you to give thanks “in” everything.
Despite your circumstances, God has forgiven all your sins. At the very least, you can thank Him for that. You can also thank Him that, one day, you will get to be with Him where there will be no more death, sorrow, pain, or crying (Revelation 21:4).
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“respect all human authority” (1 Peter 2:13 (NLT))
It’s God’s will for us to respect all of the people who are in authority over our lives. That includes the pastors at your church, a boss who doesn’t lead well, and those who don’t align with your political ideology. Why? So, your honorable life will “silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you” (1 Peter 2:15 (NLT)). People will compare any allegations with what they see in your life.
Besides, it’s God who “puts down one, and exalts another” (Psalm 75:7 (NKJV)). Ultimately, it’s God who puts people into positions of authority to accomplish His perfect will. We don’t always understand why. But we can trust that God knows what He’s doing.
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“abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NKJV))
God wants you to be pure: to abstain from sexual immorality. As the New Living Translation phrases it, “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.” As that passage goes on to explain, “God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NKJV)).
And be vigilant, not only about what you do, but about what you watch, read, and let yourself think about. Pray for God to help you to be pure and holy. Ask Him to reveal if you’re doing anything that He doesn’t want you to do. If He shows you something, stop doing it.
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“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37 (NKJV))
I’ve included this one and the next because, even though they don’t expressly say, “This is the will of God,” they were spoken by Jesus (who is God). Jesus said, “You shall,” which means it’s mandatory. God wants you to love Him. And how much? Not just a little bit but with all your heart, soul, and mind.
God wants us to give Him everything we are and everything we have. If you hold back an area of your life, you’re not loving Him with all your heart, soul, and mind.
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“You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 (NKJV))
God also wants you to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Who is your neighbor? It’s not limited to the person who lives next door to you. Instead, the Greek word for neighbor, plesion, means any other person that you chance to meet. In short, everyone is your neighbor. If someone crosses your path, you are to love them as you love yourself.
So, those are seven things that the Bible says are God’s will for you. Take God at His word. Start applying those truths to your life. As you do, you will draw closer to Jesus. Then, God will reveal more of His will for your life as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jan 22, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Ministry
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19–20 (NKJV))
Everyone Should Be on Mission with Jesus
As a born-again believer, you are part of what’s been called, “The Great Commission.” Jesus wants all of us to tell others about Him and to teach them His commands. He wants us to be His hands and feet.
To do that, you don’t have to be a pastor or transition into full-time ministry. You don’t have to travel to a foreign country. And you don’t need to get a degree in theology. Of course, Jesus may call you to do those things. But not having them doesn’t mean that you’re off the hook.
In any event, the mission starts right where you are – right where Jesus already has you. It’s no coincidence that certain people are in your life. Your coworkers, acquaintances, and family are your mission field.
Yet, although you don’t have to be anything special, you do need Jesus. Jesus will guide you and equip you to do whatever He asks you to do when you go on mission with Him.
A Successful Mission Requires Abiding
We can’t do God’s work on our own. Jesus said that we can’t do anything without Him; we need to abide in Him to bear much fruit (John 15:5).
Abiding in Jesus is not a difficult concept. Like many Bible principles, it’s pretty easy to understand. The Greek word for abide is meno, which means to stay put or remain. So, abiding in Jesus means to stay put in Jesus, to remain in Him.
As a born-again believer, His Spirit lives inside you (1 Corinthians 3:16). Jesus is with you all the time. But you still have free will. Your focus can be on Jesus. Or it can be on other things. Even though Jesus is with you, you can be a million miles away in your mind, thinking about something else.
Abiding in Jesus is a conscious decision on your part to be present with Him: to keep your mind focused on Him and remember that He’s right there with you every step of the way. When you make that decision, it’s an act of abiding. It may be a choice to spend time with Jesus by
- reading or listening to His Word;
- asking Him for advice or direction;
- thanking Him for something good that happened;
- singing to Him;
- obeying when His Spirit prompts you to do something; or
- choosing not to do something because you know He doesn’t want you to do it.
Unfortunately, if we’re honest with ourselves, these abiding acts may only last a few seconds or minutes before we return to our own thoughts – to whatever we want to do.
When another person is with you, it’s easy to remember that he’s there. And everything is different because of his presence. You alter the way you talk, what you say, what you do, and how you do it. You pay attention to him.
For example, when I go downstairs in the morning and my husband is there, I don’t ignore him. I say good morning, hug him, and make conversation. My behavior and actions change because he’s there.
When he’s not there, I don’t talk to him. Instead, I get a glass of water, eat breakfast, and go about my day. But when he’s present, I slow down and spend time with him.
Like I already said, Jesus is with us all the time. Yet, how often do we acknowledge His presence in our lives? We often go about our day like He’s not there – without talking to Him or spending time with Him.
Going on Mission with Jesus
You can’t go on mission with Jesus unless you’re abiding in Him. Without paying attention to Him, you won’t know what He wants you to do or how He wants you to do it. And you won’t have the strength to do it. Abiding in Jesus is mandatory.
So, I decided to do an experiment. I’m going to set aside a day to be super intentional about abiding in Jesus to see how my life is different and to record what happens along the way.
Stay tuned for the next blog post to find out how it goes. In the meantime, I challenge you to abide in Jesus. Find out what happens when you intentionally walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jan 8, 2024 | Christian Living, Life, Ministry
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. (James 4:14 (NKJV))
As we start a new year, let’s take a moment to consider the brevity of life. Bottom line: it’s short.
Sure, when you were a kid, the days seemed to drag on forever. I have a distinct memory of watching the clock in eleventh-grade English class. The minutes ticked by ever so slowly. Each time I looked up, I expected it to be close to the end. Yet, only a few minutes had gone by.
As you get older though, the days, months, and years start to zoom by, barely waiting for you to catch your breath. Before you know it, decades have slipped past.
This life is short. And it’s even shorter if you look at it in comparison to eternity. Even if you live a long life and make it to be over 100 years old, 100 years compared to forever is really, really brief. “Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor” (Psalm 39:5 (NKJV)).
So, let’s remind ourselves that we only have a limited time here on Earth. Let’s be like the psalmist who asked God to “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)).
And as we realize that life is short, let’s commit to using our time wisely. It’s so easy to waste our lives on frivolous things. We get sidetracked by things that won’t last into eternity. When we’re focused on ourselves, we tend to prioritize entertainment and comfort. We need wisdom to know how we should be spending our time so we can glorify God.
The Bible compares the things we do to gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw (1 Corinthians 3:12). One day our works will be tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13). The fire will reveal what kind of works they were.
If they were works you did for yourself – wood, hay, or straw – the fire will consume them. But if the works were done for Jesus – gold, silver, and precious stones – they will survive the testing (1 Corinthians 3:14–15). As they say, only what’s done for Christ will last.
So, as we enter into 2024, take time to ask God what He wants you to do with your life. He’s prepared good works for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Seek God first this year (Matthew 6:33) and abide in Jesus every day (John 15:4). Don’t waste your short life. Purpose in your heart to glorify God as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Dec 11, 2023 | Christian Living, Life
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . . (John 1:14 (NKJV))
I’ve heard it said that entertainment is a reflection of culture or where culture is headed. And it’s true, isn’t it? When you watch a movie, you somehow become a part of it. You want the encounter to be heartwarming, exciting, encouraging, or empowering. As you live out the story with the characters, that experience wouldn’t be those things if it didn’t fit into your worldview.
Christmas movies are no exception. And, unfortunately, a closer look at the most popular ones reveals that they have little, if anything, to do with Christ Jesus.
Instead, the scores of Hallmark Christmas romance movies and holiday favorites like
- It’s a Wonderful Life,
- A Christmas Carol,
- A Christmas Story,
- Elf,
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas,
and others abound with themes of family, belonging, loving, giving, Santa Claus, and poking fun at the difficulties of family gatherings. They’re centered around man-made traditions. And they are often light-hearted and give us that warm, fuzzy holiday feeling.
Those that include angels and ideas about the meaning of life often contain beliefs that are contrary to a Biblical worldview (e.g., humans don’t become angels or come back to warn others about their destiny). And other than a random Christmas carol, the name of Jesus or the reason we celebrate His birth is rarely mentioned.
I’m not saying that the movies are bad, in and of themselves. Nor am I saying you shouldn’t watch them. (I confess, I watch Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life just about every year.) But we should be aware of what’s missing from them. And we should recognize that Christ Jesus isn’t a part of many people’s lives – they don’t give Him a single thought during this time.
When we realize what’s missing, we’ll be more likely to share why we celebrate Christmas. The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Christ Jesus left His glory in heaven to be born as a baby – a baby who grew up to be a man. He lived a perfect life (Hebrews 4:15) and died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven (Colossians 1:13–14). We celebrate His birth and the hope that He brought to a hopeless world.
So as Christmas draws near, be intentional about sharing the hope that only exists because of Christ Jesus. Make sure that Christ is at the center of your Christmas celebration. And praise God for the amazing sacrifice He made for you as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Nov 27, 2023 | Ministry, Thoughts
Serve the Lord with gladness . . . . (Psalm 100:2 (NKJV))
Let’s face it. Serving others can be hard. Difficult. Tiring. And even exhausting.
You may have started with the right mindset – joy and even excitement at being given the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Then over time, that delight may have fizzled into showing up out of a sense of obligation. Instead of serving because you get to, you may have begun serving because you feel like you have to.
Yet, God wants us to serve with gladness. The Hebrew word (simcha) that is translated in English as gladness means joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, and rejoicing – and not just a little bit of those things. Simcha suggests an exceeding joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, and rejoicing.
Serving shouldn’t be a chore. It’s not a duty or a “have to.” Serving the Lord is a privilege – it’s, I can’t believe I get to be a part of this amazing opportunity! Because remember: when you’re serving others, you’re really serving Jesus (Matthew 25:34–40).
So, practically, how do you serve the Lord with gladness? Here are three tips to consider as you examine yourself:
1. Check your heart motivation.
Who are you serving? Are you really serving the Lord? Or are you serving yourself?
In your mind, are you doing it because you’re worried about what others will think about you if you don’t? Or are you doing it out of an overflow of gratitude for what Jesus has done for you?
As a born-again believer, you have much to be thankful for. Because Jesus died on the cross, your sins have been forgiven (Colossians 1:13–14). You are free (John 8:36). You’re a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). And you have the promise of eternal life with Him (1 John 2:25).
Cultivate gratitude in your heart by remembering all that Jesus has done and continues to do for you. Meditate on His goodness and His love. Praise Him for who He is.
2. Check your fuel tank.
Have you been spending time with Jesus? If you’ve only been spending a few minutes here or there – if you haven’t been abiding in Him – your spiritual fuel tank may be empty.
As Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 (NKJV)). Spending time with Jesus isn’t optional if you want to serve Him. You can do nothing for Jesus in your own strength.
Be with Jesus daily. Think about Him as you go through your day. Read His Word. Talk to Him. Worship Him. When you do, your spiritual tank will be full, and you’ll be ready to bless the people God puts in your path.
3. Don’t skip weekly rest.
After God created everything in six days, He rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2). He blessed that day (Genesis 2:3) and set it apart as a day of rest for men (Exodus 23:12). As Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27 (NKJV)).
After Jesus came and died for our sins, we are no longer judged by whether we keep the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16). We don’t have to rest every Saturday. It’s not a legal obligation.
But the principle still stands. God knew we would need rest. He’s our Maker, and He knows us better than we know ourselves. If you don’t set aside a day to rest in the Lord, you will eventually end up frazzled, weary, and wondering why you’re doing what God’s called you to do.
So, make sure you’re serving with the right heart motivation, abiding in Jesus, and taking time to rest in Him. When you do, there will be a natural flow of His love through you as you serve others. Then you’ll be able to serve the Lord with gladness as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Nov 13, 2023 | Christian Living, Thoughts
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 106:1 (NKJV))
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching – a time for family gatherings and expressions of gratitude. (And a time to wonder, Where did 2023 go?) It can be hard to give thanks if you’re going through a difficult season. Yet, God wants us to give thanks “in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)).
It’s challenging to have a thankful heart when we’re focused on the bad stuff or the hard things. Although our feelings are very real, they can keep us from seeing the bigger picture. Instead of showing us the truth, those feelings give us tunnel vision.
But as a born-again believer, you have a lot to be thankful for. You are God’s child, and your heavenly Father is amazing!
If you’re having trouble finding reasons to be grateful this Thanksgiving, here are 20 reasons you can give thanks no matter what you’re going through. Take a moment to look up the verse for each one. Then meditate on how awesome that truth is!
- God is good (Psalm 100:5).
- God loves you (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).
- God is always with you (Psalm 139:7; Matthew 28:20).
- God will never leave you or drop you (Hebrews 13:5).
- God will strengthen you (Isaiah 41:10).
- God will help you (Isaiah 41:10).
- God will uphold you (Isaiah 41:10).
- God is strong and mighty (Psalm 24:8).
- You are safe in Jesus’ hand (John 10:28–29).
- God thinks about you more than the number of grains of sand (Psalm 139:17–18).
- God’s thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace (Jeremiah 29:11).
- God hears your prayers (1 John 5:14–15).
- Jesus is praying for you (Romans 8:34), and so is the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
- God understands your thoughts (Psalm 139:2).
- God is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
- God is conforming you into the image of His Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29).
- God will complete the work He has started in you (Philippians 1:6).
- Jesus is preparing a place for you so you can be with Him (John 14:2–3).
- Jesus will come again (John 14:3).
- One day, God will make everything new (Revelation 21:5).
So, “[e]nter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 (NKJV)). Focus on who God is and all He has done and continues to do for you. Choose to be filled with gratitude as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Oct 16, 2023 | Christian Living, Life, Ministry
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39 (NKJV))
Difficult people can be . . . well . . . difficult. So, what should you do when you encounter them?
It’s tempting to try to get away as soon as you can – or avoid them altogether. Let’s face it, sometimes we wish we were high up on a mountaintop where they can’t find us. But that’s not what God wants us to do. Instead, the simple answer is that you should love them.
We all have difficult people in our lives. I’ve heard it said that if you can’t think of anyone then you’re the difficult one (haha). But seriously, we can all be “difficult” at some point or another. So, dealing with difficult people is just a part of life.
Jesus told us how we should treat others. And He didn’t qualify His commandment based on how the other person treats you. Jesus said,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” (Matthew 22:37–39 (NKJV))
Who is your neighbor? It’s common in the English language to think of your neighbor as being limited to the person who lives next door to you. However, the Greek word for neighbor is plesion, which means any person who comes across your path.
Jesus’ commandments can be simply put: love God and love others. And how are we to love them? The Greek word for love in that verse is agape – the kind of love with which God loves us – a self-sacrificial love. It’s the highest kind of love.
In First Corinthians 13, we learn more about agape love. It tells us,
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NKJV))
Jesus calls you to be patient with the person who irritates you. He wants you to be kind to someone who has been disrespectful to you. He wants you to love others as He loved you.
It’s a high calling. And it’s one you can only fulfill when you’re walking in God’s Holy Spirit. You can’t love with His agape love if you only have your own selfish desires in mind.
So, the next time you need to deal with a difficult person – while talking on the phone, by responding to a text message or email, or while she is standing right there in front of you – ask God to help you love that person with His agape love. Pray for guidance about what you should do and what you should say. Ask Him for His love to flow through you and into that person’s life.
In short, love each person God puts into your path. Be patient. Be kind. Don’t be proud or rude. And don’t demand that you get your own way. Choose to do things God’s way and love others with His agape love as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Sep 18, 2023 | Christian Living, Spiritual Growth
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23 (NKJV))
How close are you to Jesus? Are you walking right beside Him?
When I was thinking about it the other day, I remembered a family I had seen walking to the park on a sunny afternoon. The parents walked steadily down the path. Yet, their kids either lagged behind, darted ahead, or ran all around them. At times, the kids were on the path. But other times, they were out in the field, pushing the boundaries of how far they were allowed to go.
It was apparent that each child was focused on his own agenda. Most of the time, they didn’t walk closely with their parents. And the farther away they got, the louder their parents had to shout so their kids could hear them.
Our walk with Jesus can be like that. We don’t always walk closely with Him. As God’s children, we can be like the kids in that family. Sometimes we get way out ahead of Jesus, slow way down, or go off the straight and narrow path, doing our own thing. The farther we get from Him, the harder it is to hear what He’s saying.
And God doesn’t shout at us. Instead, He usually speaks to us like He spoke to Elijah.
When Elijah ran away and hid in a cave, God told him,
“Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 11–12 (NKJV))
God didn’t shout at Elijah. Instead, He whispered to him.
And God speaks to us in the same way. He often speaks to us in a still small voice. So, if we’re not close to Him, we won’t hear what He wants to tell us. If we don’t draw near to Him and pay attention, we won’t be able to hear Him whisper.
But if we’re like John, so close that we could rest our head on Jesus’ chest (John 13:23), or like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39), we’ll be able to hear Jesus whisper to us. We’ll be able to hear everything He says.
If you want to be close to God, He’s given us a beautiful promise. When we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). God lets you choose whether you want to be close to Him.
So, how close are you to Jesus? Are you close enough to hear Him whisper to you? If you’re not, take God up on His promise. Draw near to Him.
- Spend time in His Word, the Bible, finding out what He wants you to learn.
- Put on a worship song and praise Him.
- Talk to Him all throughout your day.
- Meditate on His power and might.
- Keep your thoughts focused on Him.
Then, stay close to Jesus and listen for His voice as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Sep 4, 2023 | Christian Living, Ministry
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him [Jesus] and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” (Luke 10:40 (NKJV))
On the one hand, it’s easy to judge Martha. We can look on from afar – knowing Jesus’ admonition that Mary had chosen best by sitting at His feet and hearing His word (Luke 10:39, 41–42) – and quickly condemn Martha for not doing the same thing.
But on the other hand, could you imagine if Jesus was at your house for dinner? Wouldn’t you want everything to be perfect? You’d likely get out the pretty place settings and cook a delicious meal. You’d want all the finest for Jesus. Not to mention vacuuming, ensuring that the bathroom was clean, and picking up the toys that had been strewn all over the floor.
It’s important to remember that serving isn’t bad. And it wasn’t bad for Martha to want Mary to help her. Martha’s desire for Mary’s assistance – in and of itself – wasn’t wrong. Maybe Martha thought that, with Mary’s help, she’d be able to finish all that needed to be done so she too could sit with Jesus.
But the order Martha did things was wrong. When we’re serving Jesus, the order is always relationship first and then serving.
Without relationship, our works are meaningless from an eternal perspective. Jesus told us, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4 (NKJV)). Jesus taught us that we need to abide in Him because, without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
God has planned days for us (Psalm 139:16) and prepared good works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). But we cannot know
- what He has for us,
- how He wants us to do the work, or
- have the strength to do that work in His way
without abiding in Jesus. We need to start by spending time with our Lord and Savior, at His feet, hearing His word.
We can do a lot of things for Jesus in our own way and in our own strength. But those things won’t have any eternal value.
We see evidence that Martha was doing it in the wrong order. We know that she was serving in her own strength because she was complaining. She told Jesus, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” (Luke 10:40 (NKJV)). In other words, “It’s not fair. I’m doing all the work!”
We also see that this happened with the church in Ephesus. They were doing a lot of works. But they were doing those works in their own way and in their own strength. It had become all works and no relationship. And Jesus’ response? He said, “I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4 (NKJV)). Ouch!
But Jesus gave them the remedy. He told them, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Revelation 2:5 (NKJV)). He wanted them to remember the most important thing – their relationship with Him; turn back to Him; and do those things they did when they first came to know Him.
Remember when you first came to Jesus? You wanted to spend time with Him. You desired to be close to Him. And you were overjoyed at the opportunity to be in His presence and learn about whatever He wanted to show you.
So, let’s stay close to Jesus. Let’s keep the order straight in our lives: relationship then works. Spend time sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His word. Praise Him for who He is. Be present with Jesus and look to Him for direction as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Aug 7, 2023 | Christian Living, Life, Thoughts
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13–14)
There was a time when I felt like I would never be able to live in the present. Like everyone else, I have a past. And like many others, I spent a lot of time looking back – thinking about things that had happened to me and regretting the choices I had made.
I was stuck. And I didn’t know how to change my thinking. I had been doing the same thing for years. It was like I thought I could solve a puzzle by replaying an event over and over in my head for the umpteenth time. But there was no puzzle to solve.
Then one day, I found the Biblical tools to help me. I was browsing in my church’s bookstore and saw a sermon series on CDs. (Remember when we still played CDs in our cars?) The series was called Free From Our Past. I bought it, thinking, Well, it couldn’t hurt.
And it turned out to be one of the best investments of my life. In the sermons, Pastor Ed Taylor teaches Biblical tools that can help you to walk in freedom. God used that sermon series to teach me how to let go of the past hurts and live in the present.
By living in the present, my relationship with God grew stronger. I could walk more closely with God because my mind wasn’t focused on what once was. Praise God for that!
And now, Pastor Ed has released a book based on that sermon series called Free From Your Past: learning to live the life you’ve always wanted. If you struggle with ruminating on your past or know someone who does, I encourage you to get a copy of his book (from Calvary Church’s bookstore or on Amazon) or listen to the sermon series on the church’s website for free.
So yes, you can live in the present. You can learn Biblical principles that you can apply to yourself. By applying God’s Word to your life, you can enjoy the time God’s given you today. You can stop wasting time and making new regrets.
In the Bible, Paul gives us a great example of letting go of the past. Before Paul started following Jesus, he persecuted the church. Innocent blood was on his hands (Acts 7:54–8:1). I’m sure he had many regrets. Yet, he was able to accept God’s forgiveness and live a life committed to doing what God had for him in the present. Paul purposefully forgot his past (the things that were behind him) and reached forward to what God had in store for him (Philippians 3:13).
Let’s commit to being like Paul – forgetting those things that are behind us (the past hurts and regrets) – and reaching forward to whatever God has for us now. God has fashioned days just for you (Psalm 139:16) and has prepared good works for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). Stay in the present, living in the days God has made for you and doing the work He’s prepared for you as you walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | Jun 12, 2023 | Bible Study, Christian Living, Spiritual Growth
The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalm 119:160 (NKJV))
Food is a funny thing, isn’t it? On the one hand, we need food to survive. Without food, your body will use its stores of fat and muscle until there is nothing else to sustain it. Studies suggest that we can only survive about one to two months without eating food.
On the other hand, we can abuse food by eating things that are unhealthy. Brain imaging has shown that when a person eats sugar, it stimulates the brain in the same way that drugs, like cocaine, do. The bottom line is that eating certain food leads to health while other food leaves us overweight, sluggish, and sickly.
It’s the same with spiritual food. There is spiritual food that leads to life. And other food that will lead to death.
The source of our spiritual food is crucial. We can get caught up in listening to things that sound good to us. Yet, they aren’t true. The Bible warns us that
a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NLT))
When we eat unhealthy spiritual food, it leaves us sluggish and sickly – in a spiritual sense. It moves us farther away from, instead of closer to, God.
We must remember that only one source of spiritual food is founded on truth. The rest are derived from lies.
And the source of that truth is God’s Word, the Bible. As Psalm 119:160 teaches us, all of God’s Word is truth. To be spiritually healthy, we need to be nourished by the truth found in His Word.
Indeed, Jesus’ Words are life (John 6:63). He is the bread of life (John 6:35, 58). And, we can feed on God’s faithfulness (Psalm 37:3).
When we eat healthy spiritual food, our walk with God grows closer and more intimate and our faith is built up. We are stronger and able to withstand spiritual attacks from the enemy because we are firmly grounded in God’s Word.
So, let’s commit to eating healthy food – the spiritual food that leads to life. Spend time in God’s Word, the Bible, every day, feeding your soul. Stay spiritually healthy so you can walk by faith with Him.
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by Catherine McDaugale | May 29, 2023 | Christian Living, Life
Jesus said, “‘[Y]ou shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30(NKJV) (quoting Deuteronomy 6:4))
Without a doubt, I’ve had days that don’t start off well. Those days often begin with me waking up late. I jump out of bed and hurry to get ready and out the door. Inevitably, a day like that leaves me frazzled and anxious. And I never seem to make up for the time that was lost at the beginning of the day.
On the other hand, days that start well begin with prayer. On those days, I wake up and focus my mind on God. I take the time (in bed or in the shower) to talk with God and pray through what Jesus told us is the greatest commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
Those days always go better. With a good start, I’m able to prioritize what’s important and rely on God throughout my day.
I challenge you to try starting your day well. Instead of going over all the things you need to do the moment your wake up, reorient your mind to God. Then pray through the first and greatest commandment.
Here’s an example of what that might look like.
Abba, Father, You are an awesome God. You made me; You are my Creator. And You made this day. Please help me to love you with all of my mind, heart, soul, and strength.
I give You my mind. Please help me to meditate on You – on who You are and all You have done for me. Please help me to keep You first and foremost in my mind throughout the day. Help me to remember to come to You with everything that arises today – to seek Your wisdom, guidance, and strength. Help me to consider You in every decision I make.
Please protect my mind from spiritual warfare. When an unwelcome thought enters my mind, help me to take it captive to the truth in Your Word.
I give You my heart. All of my dreams and desires are in Your loving, capable hands. I release them to You, knowing that You know what’s best for me. I thank You for being my good, good Father whose will for me is perfect. So, I pray that You will do what seems good to You with each of my desires. Your will, and not mine, be done.
I praise You that my soul belongs to You. I am Yours. Thank You for saving me and forgiving all of my sins. I am so grateful that You did what I couldn’t do on my own. I thank You for keeping my soul secure in Your hands.
All that I am and all that I have is from You: my body, time, possessions, and money are Yours. Please help me to be a good steward of what You have given to me. You have blessed me with so much. Help me to glorify You with all that I do today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Then don’t forget to think about the second commandment: to love others as you love yourself (Mark 12:31). Look for opportunities to show kindness to those you encounter. Be ready to give practical help to those God puts in your path. Let someone get in front of you while you’re driving in traffic, smile at someone you pass by in the hallway, hold the door open for someone, or pray with someone in need.
As you begin each day by praying and focusing your mind on our loving, beautiful God, you’ll have the best start you could have to your day. So, start your day well. And then keep your thoughts focused on God as you walk by faith with Him.
Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash
