Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 54

Nicodemus, the Woman at the Well, and Me

Who knew I’d have so much in common with a Pharisee and a Samaritan woman from the first century? Like them I fear I’ve missed a great spiritual blessing because I let the physical get in the way. Maybe you share some similarities too.

This week I started reading through John’s Gospel during my morning time in the Word. I’ve read chapters 3 and 4 countless times. In chapter 3, a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night. This religious leader recognized Jesus came from the Father but wasn’t sure what to do with it. Jesus answered his unspoken question about eternal salvation.

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” John 3:3

Poor, confused Nicodemus. He was so focused on physical things he failed to grasp the great spiritual truth Jesus proclaimed. Jesus patiently explained about new spiritual life through faith in God’s one and only Son. I like to think Nicodemus got it and I will meet him in heaven. But Scripture doesn’t tell us.

The very next encounter of Jesus that John records for us is with a Samaritan woman at a well outside the Samarian town of Sychar. Once again, confusion reigns when the woman fails to recognize that Jesus speaks of eternal life and great spiritual blessing instead of that liquid stuff we call water.

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.”

On a positive note, John lets us know that the woman finally got it. She drank deeply from the spiritual well of living water and her testimony of Jesus impacted her entire town.

This week when I read these two stories back to back, I noticed this similarity for the first time. Initially, both Nicodemus and the woman failed to grasp great spiritual truth because they were too focused on the physical.

Then it hit me. How often do I do the same? How often do I miss something incredible God holds out because my feet are too firmly planted on terra firma?

Do I miss #SpiritualTruth because I’m physically focused?
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I can imagine Jesus saying the same thing to me He said to the woman. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you…”

Oh my. What have I missed? If I only knew.

I too often allow this physical world to dominate my thoughts. The pursuit of material things and meeting temporal needs consume my energy and my resources. Yet physical things – even food and water – don’t satisfy me long. Another need, another desire soon pops up.

Has a physical focus caused you to miss #SpiritualBlessing?
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And even when I try to focus on the spiritual over the physical I am limited. I impose physical boundaries on spiritual things that have no limit. I apply physical rules to truths that operate in different realm.

If I only knew…

Do you ever share this same struggle? Is your spiritual life hindered by your physical focus? Do you limit what God can and wants to do in your life because you’ve imposed your own physical limits?

Let’s shift our focus and drink deeply from the Living Water today.

Shift your #focus and drink deeply from the #LivingWater today
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How has a physical focus limited what God wants to do in your life? What are some ways we can foster an eternally minded focus in our daily lives?

Do you have anything in common with #Nicodemus or #WomanAtWell? #SpiritualTruth
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Give Fair Trade Gifts for Christmas

A young girl in the slums of Bangladesh will eat today because of Fair Trade. This Christmas, your Fair Trade gift purchases can help feed hungry families and protect girls from human trafficking. Instead of spending all your Christmas shopping money at the mall or on Amazon, choose to buy fair trade products that support impoverished girls and women in third world countries.

What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade products are produced under standards designed to end and prevent poverty and its devastating consequences, such as human trafficking and hunger. Fair-trade buyers, ensure that artisans receive fair wages and that the goods purchased were produced in an ethical and environmentally friendly manner.

How can you help?

One easy way to help impoverished people around the world is to buy Fair Trade products for Christmas. I have seen the difference it makes first-hand. As some of you know, I have traveled twice to Bangladesh to work with young girls at the Light of Hope Learning Center in Chittagong. Light of Hope provides education, life skills, health care, and the Gospel to at-risk girls in poverty. Light of Hope also teaches the older girls how to sew so they can participate in the handicraft business and receive fair wages. Fair Trade can mean the difference between hunger and food. Trafficking and safety.

#FairTrade products can mean the difference between #hunger and food
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Where can you purchase Fair Trade Products?

Although numerous sources exist, one I trust is WorldCrafts, which supports more than 70 artisan groups in over 30 countries around the world, including the Light of Hope Learning Center! Hear their commitment:

We are committed to our artisans for the long term. By investing in product development, maintaining certain levels of products orders, and encouraging sustainable production practices, we help create viable employment for women and men in poverty. Women no longer need to turn to prostitution for their next meal. Parents can provide education and nutrition to their children. Our standards guarantee impoverished families hope for a better life.

#WorldCrafts is a trusted source for #FairTrade products
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Here’s an added incentive for you to make difference!

I recently partnered with WorldCrafts to help promote their artisans. That’s why I can give you a little extra incentive to purchase. You can save up to 20% off your purchase of regularly priced WorldCrafts products with code KHWC15 until December 31, 2015!

Just look at these!

Check out all the wonderful crafts and offerings from the WorldCraft artisans. My favorite earrings are a WorldCraft product. But I want to feature a few products from the Light of Hope Learning Center.

WorldCraft offers five products from the Light of Hope Learning Center. These products are made by the center’s older girls on peddle sewing machines (electricity is too fickle to trust!) and by hand. They each earn a fair wage plus a per item fee. Their earnings help provide for their families and instill hope for a better future.

Advent Tree 
Burlap Stocking
Red Burlap Stocking
Small Cosmetic Zipper Bag
Thin Red Line Bookmark

A few ways you can help!

If you’d like to help make a real difference in the lives of impoverished people around the world here are a few ways you can help:

Buy a Fair Trade product from WorldCrafts or another Fair Trade company. Don’t forget to use the discount code I gave you above!
Encourage your friends and family to help by putting Fair Trade products on your Christmas list.
Share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and more! There are images below designed specifically for Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Host a WorldCraft party and invite your friends!
Host a BFF party! BFF is a ministry that advocates for the Light of Hope Learning Center. Share a wider range of Light of Hope handicrafts with your friends. If you live close enough to me, I would love to come and talk about Bangladesh and Light of Hope.

How will you commit to help today? I’d love to hear about it!

5 ways you can make a dent in #poverty #FairTrade
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Share this image on Facebook!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect for Pinterest!

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Here’s one for Twitter!

The post Give Fair Trade Gifts for Christmas appeared first on Kathy Howard.

5 Things I Wish Christians Would Stop Saying

Just because we hear something – or say something – over and over again doesn’t make it true. For instance, my 3-year-old grandson refers to Hulu as “WeeHoo.” Whenever my daughter carefully pronounces it correctly for him. He says, “No, Mom. It’s ‘WeeHoo.'” Yes, the illiterate toddler thinks he knows better than the grownup.

As silly as that sounds, we sometimes do that with God and His Word. We have allowed things out of line with Scripture to become so embedded in our brains, we now accept them as fact. Or we take a truth out of context and misapply it. And unfortunately we repeat these things to others.

5 things I wish #Christians would #stop saying. #Christianese
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Although not an exhaustive list, I hear Christians make the following five statements over and over again:

1. “We are all God’s children” – All people are definitely God’s “creatures,” created by God and for God. But only those who have been spiritually born again through a saving relationship with Jesus are God’s “children.” Here’s what God’s Word says:

Through Christ, we can be “adopted” as God’s sons and daughters. (Ephesians 1:5).
Only those with the indwelling Holy Spirit are children of God (Romans 8:15-17).
Only those redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ are children of God (Galatians 4:4-7).

At its best, this phrase is incorrect. At its worst, it gives people without a saving relationship with Jesus, a false sense of eternal security.

2. “Judge not” – We too often quote these words of Jesus as an excuse to ignore sin in others’ lives or as a reason for others to leave us to our own detrimental behavior. The passages we whip out are Matthew 7:1 and James 4:12. Unfortunately, we regularly fail to consider the context of the greater passage and the whole counsel of God’s Word.

Yes, both Jesus and James condemned a harsh, critical “judging” of people’s motives. This kind of “judging” is motivated by a self-righteous, hypocritical attitude. But in the whole of Scripture – including words of Jesus and James – God clearly commands Christians to lovingly point out sin and exhort each other to holiness. It is not our place to determine their motives, but it is our responsibility as a member of the body of Christ to gently identify behavior that God has already judged to be “sin.” The goal is to reconcile that person with others and with God and to keep the sin from spreading to others (Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:5-7, Hebrews 12:15, James 5:19-20). For more about “judging” read this post.

3. “God will never give us more than we can handle” – There is just one problem with saying this: It’s simply not what the Bible teaches. Many well-meaning people quote 1 Corinthians 10:13 to back up this understandable desire. But the context of this passage is about temptation. Here’s the good news: God does promise that He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear; He will always show us a way to stand firm.

So what does God teach about the amount of trials and difficulties He will allow into our lives? In a nutshell: He will allow far more than we can handle. Paul wrote that he had suffered extreme hardship in Asia, “far beyond his ability to endure so that he despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11). God allowed this so Paul and his companions “might not rely on themselves but on God.” For more on this topic, read this post.

4. “God is love” – Yes, I believe that God is love! Scripture says it over and over (1 John 4:8-10). God defines real love. He is loving by nature. He expresses this divine love in all that He does. But unfortunately, some Christians try to stand on this truth – “God is love” – to rationalize sin or to dismiss hell.

“A loving God wouldn’t send people to hell.”

“God loves me, He would want me to be happy.”

But our loving, holy God does not sweep sin under the rug. Instead His love moved Him to provide a way of salvation for all people by sending Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:11). And Christ’s love compels us to repent of our sins, accept His sacrificial death, and be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). God’s love provides a way of salvation, not a license to sin.

5. “All sin is the same” – Most assuredly, any and all sin separates us from God and brings eternal spiritual death (Romans 6:23). In that way, all sin is the same. But Scripture does show that some kinds of sins cause far greater harm to ourselves and other people or bring far greater consequences than other sins. (For more on this see this article at BillyGraham.org.)Here are a few examples:

Sexual Immorality – Due to the intimate nature of sex, sexual immorality has unique consequences, such as tearing apart families and even directly impacting our relationship with God (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Pride – Scripture condemns the sin of pride over and over. In fact, the Bible says that God “opposes the proud” (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Pride is an underlying attitude that manifests itself in a host of other “sinful” ways.
Hypocrisy – Jesus sternly warned the Pharisees about their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13-36). This kind of self-righteousness blinds us to our own sin and our need for God. “Woe!”
Leading others into sin – Jesus’ language was harsh for those who would dare lead a “little one” into sin. It would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be thrown into the sea. Sounds serious! (See Matthew 18:1-9.)

You may not agree with me on all these, and that’s okay. What I hope we will all do is go to God’s Word to find His truth. But, let’s not ever settle for a “truth” we’ve grown accustomed to.

Have you ever said any of these 5 things? How do you feel about it now? What are some other things you hear often from Christians that don’t line up with God’s Word? Be sure to share what God’s Word says about it!

The post 5 Things I Wish Christians Would Stop Saying appeared first on Kathy Howard.

10 Tips to Help Your Speaker Do Her Job

Not long ago I spoke at a women’s retreat in another state. When I arrived at the hotel, a few members of the women’s ministry team were gathered around the registration table in “panic mode.” Several things had gone wrong at the last minute, the name tags were missing, and a snowstorm was rolling in.

You know what? The women who attended didn’t notice any of these things. They enjoyed the fellowship and God’s Word ministered to their hearts. The weekend was wonderful – snowstorm and all – because the women’s ministry team had focused on the most important things.

We women do love all the special touches at an event. But decorations and door prizes are like fancy wrapping on a package. It’s the contents in the package – the spiritual message and personal ministry – your women will take home.

This women’s team made sure the content of the event met the needs of their women by providing me with everything I needed to prepare and taking good care of me while I was there. They enabled me to carry out my ministry to the best of my ability.

10 tips to help your event #speaker minister effectively. #WomensMinistry
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Want your event to meet the needs of your women? Use these tips to help your speaker minister as effectively as possible to your women.

Give her one contact – More than likely, your speaker is working with multiple churches at a time. If every member of your team contacts her about different aspects of the event it only distracts her from her task. Appoint one woman on your team to be the speaker’s contact. Then let her handle all communication with your speaker.
Pray for her – Your speaker needs your prayers both before and during the event. She may have spiritual struggles, family issues, or illness. Be purposeful by putting it on your event to-do list. Ask your team to join you in praying for her and help them know how to pray. (See “6 Ways to Pray for Your Speaker.”)
Remember her job description – Over the years, I’ve been asked for decorating input, sample retreat schedules, and help with technology. Even though I don’t mind helping when I can, it does take me away from my primary task – preparing the message from God’s Word. Your speaker probably has multiple women’s events for multiple churches on her calendar. Help her keep her focus on her God-given task. Don’t ask for her opinion on the food or with games.
Diffuse any “landmines” – A couple of years ago, I was half-way through a retreat when one of the members of the ministry team told me the church had recently discovered their pastor was having an affair. I quickly reflected on the talk I’d already given. Had I said anything that would have poured salt in the wound? Make your speaker aware of any big issues happening in your church or with any of the women in attendance that could affect her messages or her interaction with the women before she comes.
Give her the demographics – The more your speaker knows about your women the better she can target the message. Give her details like age range, level of spiritual maturity, and church background. Are most of them stay-at-home moms? Or do they work outside the home? Is your church in an affluent suburb or the inner city?
Share the purpose of the event – Make your speaker aware of the primary reason you’re holding the event. Is the event your big, annual outreach event or a retreat for spiritual renewal? The nature of the event greatly affects not only your speaker’s message, but her delivery as well. She wants to help you reach your goal.
Set aside a “ministry area” – When I speak at a women’s event, my ministry task goes beyond just voicing a message. I believe God has me there to minister to the spiritual needs of the women in attendance. Yes, that’s giving the message, but it’s also praying and talking with women one on one. But that requires a quiet corner. Set aside a spot – either a separate room or a discreet corner where your speaker can meet individually with women.
Enable her larger ministry – Many women’s speakers bring books and other materials to your event. Provide outgoing, dependable women to run her product table so she can focus on your women. Bless your speaker by telling the audience about the book table yourself and encouraging them to visit it. Many speakers feel awkward “marketing” themselves. Do it for her so she can minister freely.
Watch for “monopolizers” – You know these ladies because they’ve also demanded a lot of your time. Whether she wants to share her life story, pour out all her problems, or talk to your speaker about how she can get into speaking too, you may need to run interference so all your ladies have an opportunity to connect with your speaker.
Provide a private sleeping room and bathroom – Many speakers ask for this in their speaking agreement. It’s not that she is “anti-social” or demanding (usually anyway!). No, your speaker needs a quiet, private place where she can go to pray and prepare to speak to your ladies.

Your speaker longs to be effective. She desires for God to use her in the lives of your women. You can help her help them.

What other ways can you think of to help your women’s event speaker?

 

 

 

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6 Ways to Pray for Your Event Speaker

The fall season for Women’s Ministry events is in full swing! It’s very likely your church will be having a special event with a guest speaker before the holidays hit. Whether you are in women’s ministry leadership or an attendee, your speaker needs your prayers! This post gives direction for ways you can support her in prayer.

I was nearing the end of the message when I felt the first tickle. I cleared my throat and continued. But the tickle grew more persistent. Someone handed me a glass of water, but the need to cough grew stronger. While a volunteer read a Bible passage, I turned to the wall, hacking loudly behind my hand and praying fervently the coughing fit would quickly end.

The speaker you have scheduled for your next women’s conference or retreat desperately needs your prayers – before and during the event. She may have spiritual struggles, family issues, deadlines – or allergies!

We all know prayer is vital, but we often allow the busyness of those last days to distract us from the event’s primary purpose – the spiritual growth and encouragement of your women. Dozens of details press in and each day we tell ourselves we will “pray later.”

Be purposeful in praying for your speaker. Put it on your to-do list. Ask your team to join you in prayer and help them know how to pray for her.

Here are six specific ways you can pray for your speaker and her ministry to your women:

Message Preparation – Your speaker wants the message she prepares to touch hearts and meet the needs of your women. Pray God will give her wisdom and discernment as she studies and prepares (Colossians 1:19).
Physical Needs – Pray for your speaker’s health, relationships, travel safety, and even her technology tools. Everything area of her life can impact her ministry (Romans 1:9-13).
Spiritual Protection – The enemy does not want your speaker’s message to be powerful and effective. Pray that God will “protect her from the evil one” (John 17:15).
Spiritual Growth – Your speaker is still growing spiritually. Pray she will grow in her knowledge of God and live a life that pleases Him (Ephesians 3:14-19; Colossians 1:10-11).
Message Delivery –Your speaker can’t leave life behind when she approaches the front of the room. She may be dealing with a scratchy throat, a rebellious teenager, or a packed schedule. Pray she can deliver God’s message with clarity, boldness, and grace (Colossians 4:4-6, Ephesians 6:19).
Message Effectiveness – This is the end game! Pray her message will hit its mark and bear much spiritual fruit (Colossians 1:10).

Don’t forget to let your speaker know you’re praying for her. It’s great encouragement.

Do you have a speaker coming to your church soon? Can you think of additional ways you can pray for her?

Note: If you need a speaker for you next event, check out Kathy’s speaking information!

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Twas the Night Before Monday

Do you tirelessly serve your children and husband, but feel they don’t notice? So you try harder. And harder. Or worse, you feel they take advantage of you? So you find yourself working yourself to death while feeling like a martyr. I’ve certainly been there!

This past weekend, our church hosted a women’s conference called “The Cure for the Perfect Life,” based on the message in author Kathi Lipp’s book of the same title. Kathi challenged us to stop trying to live up to everyone’s expectations – including our own! She pointed us back to God. What does He want for our lives? How can we follow His call? Kathi encouraged us to rebel against the world’s view of “perfection” and instead bask in God’s love and acceptance.

Ann Elise Hunter – a friend and fellow member of our women’s ministry team – wrote 4 skits for the conference. She acted out the following poem while it was being read. Boy! It sure hit its mark in my own heart! I hope you are both challenged and encouraged by Ann Elise’s “The Night Before Monday.”

 

Twas the night before Monday, and all through her house,

Not a creature was stirring, except Margaret Klaus.

The backpacks were set by the front door with care,

In hopes that her children would notice them there.

~

Husband and children slept soundly in bed,

But Margaret decided to clean up instead.

While dressed in her nightgown that lacked certain luster,

She gave everything a good shine with her duster.

~

The lunches were made for each child by request,

And her husband’s shirt had been neatly pressed.

If only they knew how much I did for them each day,

They should praise me and throw me a glorious parade.

~

Her calendar was filled with so many good deeds,

She always told friends she’d take care of their needs.

And she thought to herself, “I’m such a great pal,

My friends keep me close to boost their morale.”

~

She laid out her clothes for the upcoming day,

Then started to tidy and put things away.

When what to her wondering eyes should now loom,

But a pile of clean laundry strewn out ‘cross the room.

~

“Those kids are ungrateful,” she thought in frustration,

“Didn’t I build them a better foundation?

I bend over backwards and what do I get?

But a husband and children who don’t break a sweat.”

~

“Done,” she said as she looked all around,

Then grabbed her Bible and went to sit down.

Let’s see what the good Lord is going to say,

To help me recoup from this exhausting day.

~

Ahh, this peace and quiet is just what I need,

And she looked at the pages and started to read.

This passage was certainly not meant for me,

I need something besides Philippians 2:3.

~

I’ve always put everyone’s interests before mine,

But I do some complaining and do tend to whine.

And looking to heaven she finally knew,

There was something important she needed to do.

~

Climbing out from her chair, she got down on her knees,

She knew ’twas herself she’d been trying to please.

She knelt down and prayed to the Lord up above,

“Let me love others the way that YOU love.”

 

Have you ever worked tirelessly trying to live up to others’ – or your own expectations? If so, what areas of your life do you struggle in most?

Special thanks to Ann Elise Hunter for allowing me to share her poem with you!!

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Does God Need an Update?

Last week, Pope Francis visited the United States. Thousands came out to see and hear him at every stop. But his visit raised a question in the media that troubles me. Several times during news stories I heard journalists pose questions similar to:

Will the Pope address ways the Church can be more relevant in our culture?

Don’t get me wrong. I believe Christians must show how our faith is relevant to people today. But what the media suggested went beyond strategies for reaching and engaging individuals where they are with the Gospel message. They wanted to know how the Church would “update and change” to better reflect our current secular culture. To bring Christianity into the 21st century.

This question doesn’t begin and end with journalists. People from every country and generation seem to want to change or update Christianity to suit their lifestyle. People want our culture to speak to God’s Word instead of allowing God’s Word to speak to the culture.

Consider with me for a moment just how ridiculous this idea really is. We humans – who are beings created by God from a handful of dust and live but for a moment in time – think we have the right to tell the Creator how things should be, what is right and what is wrong, and how we should be able to “get to heaven.”

Job tried this. Here is God’s response:

“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?… Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?… Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?” Job 38:2,4; 40:2

Jesus and Christ and His saving work on the cross is relevant to every person in every culture in every century. All have sinned and are separated from God. All need a Savior. Christ died for all. God doesn’t want any to perish, but all to be saved.

That never changes. It is always relevant.

And yes, I know that’s not really what those journalists are talking about. They are thinking of ethics, and lifestyles, and the things people consider to be important. Those things change constantly.

But God does not change like shifting shadows. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

#God is always #relevant. He created life and established its boundaries.
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The one, true Creator God is perfect holiness. He is Life. He is Light. In Him there is no darkness at all. He is the Almighty, Sovereign One. He has no beginning and no end. He is all powerful and all knowing. He created life and established its boundaries.

And this is the God to Whom we say: “Hey, why don’t you step into the 21st century? Aren’t you a little behind the times?”

Really? Think about how ridiculous this really is. If our culture doesn’t agree with God’s standards, then who needs to change?

If the #culture doesn’t agree with #God’s standards, who needs to change?
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Have you ever thought that God or the Christian faith needed an “update?” If so, in what way?

Note: I totally agree that Christians and the Christian faith is and should be relevant to the culture. I believe Paul expresses this in his declaration that he tried to be “all things to all people in order to win some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). But Paul meant in ways that did not contradict God’s moral standards or teach doctrine differently than God has revealed in His Word.

The post Does God Need an Update? appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Have You Underestimated God’s Grace?

For a long time I underestimated God’s grace. Oh yes, since I was a girl, I knew God’s grace is powerful, effective, and miraculous for our salvation:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2 :8-9.

But in my limited understanding, I left God’s grace on the altar of my conversion.

Then some trials and difficult challenges hit my life and I discovered my self-sufficiency was merely an illusion. I realized I cannot live a day, make a move, or even fill my lungs with air without the glorious, ever-present grace of our great God.

His grace is always there. Sometimes it goes unnoticed. Sometimes it is rejected. But just as water is essential for physical life, God’s grace is essential – and available – for our spiritual life.

Like a spring-fed river, divine grace flows constantly. Sometimes God’s grace is quiet and deep, patiently soaking into the dry nooks and crannies of our souls. Other times it surges, cascades, and pounds, working to smooth our sharp edges and wash away deposits left behind by the world.

No dam can stop it. No bank can contain it. It knows no bounds.

The unbounded grace of God is lavishly abundant – for any day and every day.

The unbounded #grace of God is lavishly abundant – for any day and every day.
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In Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome, he writes that those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ no longer live “under the law.” We no longer live under condemnation and judgment. Instead, those who are in a saving relationship with Jesus live in and under the reality of grace, completely and abundantly covered.

Paul knew all about grace. The Greek word translated as “grace” is charis. It is used 156 times in the New Testament. Paul penned 103 of them. He understood God’s grace in a way most of us never will. A strict Pharisee who adhered to the Law to the letter, he persecuted and killed Jesus’ followers. Yet, he received God’s grace in lavish abundance. This self-proclaimed “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:16), experienced the overflowing richness of God’s grace. And he was never the same.

A river of grace flows through Paul’s life and writings. He shows how God’s grace washes through and over every part of a believer’s life. God’s grace is not “just enough” for us. It’s more than sufficient. It is freely given. Abundantly poured out. Without boundaries or limits.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8, NIV

God extends His grace in our every day and any day. He pours it out on us as we encounter hardship and He pours it through us when we deal with difficult people. His grace is always abundantly available. Sometimes we simply fail to rely on it. We forget about its availability. We try to operate in our own strength. We underestimate its power.

Believer, let us lean on God and His lavish, abundant grace! He offers it freely!

What about you? Do you tend to underestimate God’s grace? If so, in what ways?

Do you underestimate God’s #grace?
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The Trees Sang in Praise

Have you ever heard trees sing? Yesterday, I heard them. Oh yes, they loudly praised our glorious God.

I am in Alberta, Canada this week. Yesterday, some friends and I drove into Banff National Park to go hiking. Our destination – the Larch Valley. The Larch tree – the only deciduous conifer in the world – grows only in this area. Its green needles turn to gold in mid to late September. The timing was perfect.

The trail head begins at Moraine Lake about 20 kilometers above Lake Louise. It then rises 1,500 feet providing incredible views of Moraine Lake below and the famous Ten Peaks that surround the valley.

A view of Moraine Lake after a few switchbacks of the trail.

Every turn in the trail revealed new wonders. I snapped dozens of photos in an weak attempt to capture the rare, raw beauty. The golden trees, the majestic mountains, the cascading water all sang praise to the One who formed them.

The first sight of the golden Larch trees!

They lifted their voice to glorify our Creator God. And we heard their song.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

Let the trees of the forest sing,

let them sing for joy before the Lord,

for he comes to judge the earth.  1 Chronicles 16:31-33

Larch Valley with an incredible 360 degree view!

Praise be to the LORD God , the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. Psalm 72:18-19

When was the last time you “heard” creation praise they Creator? When was the last time you listened?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post The Trees Sang in Praise appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Whose Handiwork are You?

It’s really hard not to be self-focused. For starters we live in such a self-absorbed culture. Everything we hear and see encourages us to put ourselves first. Then there are the day-to-day necessities involved in keeping ourselves alive and properly presentable.

So too often when we sit down with God’s Word, we bring the same self-focused attitude. See if any of these thoughts sound familiar:

How can God’s Word help me in this situation?
How can God’s Word encourage me today?
How can God’s Word make me feel better about myself?
What guidance can God’s Word give me today?

Lately, God has been showing me that I far too often approach the Bible with selfishness and even pride.

I’ve been reading “Women of the Word” by Jen Wilkin. In the first chapter, she writes about several ways we wrongly approach Bible study. Here’s a collection of quotes from her first section “Let the Bible Speak of God:”

“From beginning to end, the Bible is a book about God… We must read and study the Bible with our ears trained on hearing God’s declaration of Himself… The Bible does tell us who we are and what we should do, but it does so through the lens of who God is… If our reading of the Bible focuses our eyes on anyone other than God, we have gotten backwards the transformation process. Any study of the Bible that seeks to establish our identity without first proclaiming God’s identity will render partial and limited help.”

Did this hit you like it hit me? While intellectually I know that the Bible is about God – and not me – I still had to admit that I often think about me first when I go to God’s Word.

The #Bible is about #God. Not us.
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I’ve been working to purposefully think of God first and foremost when I open the Bible. So, when I read I familiar passage the other day, I saw it in a different light:

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10, NIV

In the past, when I read this verse, I focused on the idea that I am God’s poem, His beautiful handiwork. And while that’s true, God should be the primary focus.

Do you read #Ephesians2:10 with the emphasis in the right place?
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To emphasize this point, let’s take a step back and read this verse in its larger context:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

God has miraculously saved us by His grace. Our salvation is His work from beginning to end. Since we cannot do anything to save ourselves, there is no room for pride. We cannot boast about our accomplishments. God is the One who has done it.

Yet, we get to verse 10, and we make it about us.

Read verse 10 again, out loud this time. Once with the emphasis on the word “handiwork” and once again, with the emphasis where it should be:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are saved only because of His gracious work on our behalf. We are who we are only because God has created us anew.

No room for pride. No cause for boasting. Only praise and thanksgiving.

Did your out loud reading give you a new perspective on Ephesians 2:10? If so, how?

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