Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 59

I Really Blew It

I missed a big opportunity. God handed it to me in a silver pickup truck and I let it get away without a fight. I really blew it.

It happened last Saturday. I had just stepped out of a Lifeway store and was headed to my car. Just as I reached the first car in the parking lot I heard, “Ma’am? Excuse me ma’am!”

“Ma’am? Oh, does he mean me?”

I turned to see a young man sitting in a pickup truck, now directly between the store and me. His window was down and he was looking my way.

“Yep. He meant me.”

The young “cowboy” wore a sleeveless t-shirt and tattoos covered both arms. He needed directions. “Is there a bookstore around here somewhere?”

I thought about looking around for a camera. I mean, really? He was sitting in front of a bookstore. Surely this was a joke.

“Seriously?” I replied. “Lifeway is right there,” I pointed as I declared the obvious. But I could tell he had no idea what Lifeway was by the look on his face.

“Uh, it’s a Christian bookstore,” I tried. Half statement, half question. Still no recognition.

“I’m looking for self-help books,” he added hopefully.

Okay. Seriously, I have no excuse.

I stumbled around and told him I didn’t know the area – which I didn’t. That I had a friend waiting in the car – which I did. Then I suggested he try Sam’s, which was close behind us.

Kicking myself over a #MissedOpportunity
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By the time I got to the car, I was kicking myself over the lost opportunity. As I began to tell Janet about the encounter, all sorts of better responses began to pop into my head.

There’s a Book in there (I would be pointing at Lifeway) that will give you help that lasts for eternity.

I have a Friend that can help you with anything and everything.

Or simply:

Do you know Jesus?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve quoted or taught or written about 1 Peter 3:15:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

This guy needed hope. I know the ultimate Hope.

I blew it.

Praying today that God will give me another opportunity. Maybe I’ll head to Lifeway.

When was the last time you missed – or took – an opportunity to share your Hope?

Oh, and by the way – do you know Jesus?

This guy needed #Hope. I know the ultimate hope. But I blew it
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Are You an Unholy Saint?

When I became a mother for the first time at the age of twenty-five, I was completely clueless about taking care of a baby. High school activities had taken priority over teenage babysitting. My beautiful daughter Kelley was the first baby I really ever had anything to do with. Diaper changing, feeding, burping, and bathing were all new territory. I was a mother who didn’t know how to mother.

By God’s mercy my sweet mother stayed with us two weeks to help. She gave me a crash course in mothering and even taught my husband a thing or two. But the day she left I stood on the porch holding Kelley, sobbing, and thinking, “What am I going to do now?” (In case you’re wondering, Kelley did survive. She is a happy, healthy young wife and mother.)

When Kelley was born I fully became a mother. You can’t be “sort of” a mother or halfway a mother. However, I had a lot to learn about how to act like a mother, how to fulfill that role. Three children and more than twenty-five years later, I’ve had lots of practice and lots of opportunities to make mistakes. Without a doubt I am a better mother now than I was that day I stood crying on my front porch. But I’m not perfect. I’m still learning how to be a mother.

My sanctification – spiritual growth – is the same. The first time I came to the cross of Christ many years ago, God the Father declared me to be holy. He exchanged my sin for Christ’s righteousness. From that moment on, I stand “positionally” holy before the throne of God. That’s why the Bible refers to all believers as “saints” (translated from the Greek word that means “holy”).

However, my character, attitudes, and actions were – and are still – far from the transcendent holiness of God. I was an “unholy saint.” Thus began a lifetime of “progressive” holiness, or sanctification, as God continually shapes me to be more and more like Jesus.

Christians can be described as “unholy saints”
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This ongoing, lifetime process toward holiness is what Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18:

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

God is constantly working to make His saints holy
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Over the years, God has refined me and worked on my character. I am more Christ-like today than I was two decades, or even a month, ago. But I still have a long way to go. By fits and starts and baby steps God is still making this saint holy.

What about you? Where are you in God’s saintly process? In what ways is God working on you today?

The post Are You an Unholy Saint? appeared first on Kathy Howard.

Follow the Example of Blue Bell Ice Cream

I love Blue Bell Ice Cream. My family loves Blue Bell. We each have our favorites, so when everyone is coming home for a weekend visit I pack the freezer with multiple cartons of our favorite treat.

Strawberry for Wayne.
Banana Pudding for Kelley.
Cookies and Cream for Mark.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for Sarah.
Pralines and Cream for Jeremy.

Plus I usually get one of my favorites. Oh, and a carton of Homemade Vanilla for any pies, cakes or brownies that may show up.

In case you’ve missed it in the news recently, Blue Bell just issued a total recall of all its products because of potential listeria contamination. The problem began in January with a handful of positive tests on products and 8 sick people. At first it appeared only one of Blue Bell’s 3 plants were involved. But then products from a second plant tested positive for listeria.

Paul Kruse, Blue Bell’s CEO and president, issued this statement on April 20:

“We’re committed to doing the 100 percent right thing, and the best way to do that is to take all of our products off the market until we can be confident that they are all safe. We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers. Our entire history has been about making the very best and highest quality ice cream and we intend to fix this problem. We want enjoying our ice cream to be a source of joy and pleasure, never a cause for concern, so we are committed to getting this right.”

The company is taking aggressive steps to rid all factories and equipment of every trace of listeria. In addition to the recall, they’ve added additional safety measures, cleaning processes, and testing procedures all to make their ice cream safe again and to insure it stays that way.

When people’s health and even their lives are at risk you can’t mess around. You can’t cut corners or do “just enough” to get by. Blue Bell seems to be stepping up to the plate.

But can I say the same about how I deal with sin in my life? Like a microscopic amount of listeria can contaminate an entire ice cream factory, one “small” sin can infect my life and even spread to others.

Jesus taught that sin requires aggressive attention:

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. Mark 9:43-45, NIV

Jesus used hyperbole to teach a vital spiritual truth. Sin in our lives can’t be tolerated. There’s too much at risk. It requires a deathblow. The question is am I willing? Are you willing?

What “product” do you need to recall? What “plant” do you need to shut down today?

P.S. I will eat Blue Bell again!

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15 Characteristics of Grace

Are you a person of grace? Those of us who have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus have received God’s lavish grace in great abundance! But are we sharing it or keeping it all for ourselves?

Often, I’m like a stagnant pool, hoarding His grace like a selfish child. But God calls us to be channels, not pools. As someone who receives His constant supply of glorious grace, I should willingly share it with everyone around me.

What does it look like to be a person of grace? To extend the grace to others God has poured out on us? These 15 characteristics (compiled from passages in Ephesians and 1 Corinthians) will help us evaluate whether or words and actions reflect God’s grace:

15 characteristics of #grace
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Doesn’t insist on being right, but seeks to make things right
Willing to be inconvenienced
Seeks the welfare of the other person
Speaks words that build up, not tear down
Doesn’t demand to be heard, but strives to listen
Focuses on others needs instead of our own
Acts with humility, not pride
Doesn’t keep score
Looks for ways to help and encourage others
Freely forgives
Seeks to understand
Doesn’t expect a return
Focuses on the important over the urgent
Doesn’t pick and choose whom to show grace
Doesn’t overlook sin, but encourages holiness

Seem overwhelming? Remember, God has given us everything we need to live a life that pleases Him (2 Peter 1:3). In those moments when it’s hard to show grace to someone else, ask God to help. And remember we did not deserve His grace either.

When do you find it most hard to show grace? What are some things that help you show grace to others?

The post 15 Characteristics of Grace appeared first on Kathy Howard.

9 Bible Verses to Comfort the Lonely

Have you ever been lonely? Perhaps you’re lonely now. You can feel lonely even in a crowd without a close companion by your side.

People leave. Death and distance separate loved ones. Relationships dissolve. Trouble and time tear us apart.

Even the most loving and dependable people will eventually leave us. Christians will face hardship, loneliness, and a multitude of other trials. But there is One who will never forsake us. One who is always for us.

May these Scriptures from God’s Word give you peace and comfort as you draw close to the One who will never leave you.

9 #BibleVerses to #comfort the #lonely
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Deuteronomy 31:6 – God is with you in the midst of any and every fearful and difficult circumstance.
Psalm 118:6-7 – The LORD is with you! He is your Helper and Victor.
Psalm 9:9-10 – The Lord’s sheltering presence is safe and reliable. He will never forsake those who seek Him.
Psalm 68:5-6 – God draws close to those who are lonely and provides for them. He is a “father to the fatherless” and He “sets the lonely in families.”
Isaiah 41:10 – God holds you in His hand. He will help you and give you strength.
Lamentations 3:22-24 – The LORD is all you need. He is faithful, loving, and compassionate to those who wait for Him.
John 14:16-21 – The Lord’s presence is permanent and intimate.
Romans 8:39 – Nothing can ever separate you from Jesus and His love.
2 Timothy 4:16-18 – Even if everyone else deserts you, the Lord will stand at your side and strengthen you.

Even if you feel alone, you can trust that God is with you. Ask Him to comfort you with His faithful presence today.

Which verse spoke most to your heart today? Why?

Feeling #lonely today? God will #NeverLeave or #forsake you
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The Answer to Life’s Biggest Questions

Many things puzzle me. I have questions about a host of random, non-life-threatening issues. Here are a few examples:

How can mothers always hear the baby cry in the night, but fathers rarely do?
Why can’t I find a pair of jeans to fit my body?
How do I always end up in the slowest line?
Why is my hair neither curly nor straight?
Why does 1 ounce of chocolate contain more calories than 1 ounce of fruit?

Okay, I realize there is a logical or scientific answer to most of these questions. But I don’t know them. And in the big scheme of things, the answers to these particular questions aren’t really all that important anyway.

However, some questions are critical. You might even say some questions are a matter of life and death. The answers to those questions matter greatly.

In first-century Jerusalem, the question at the top of everyone’s list was this:

Who is the Messiah and when will He come?

They’d been waiting centuries for the Anointed One to come. The Messiah would save them, redeem them, give them hope and a future.

Who is the Messiah and when will He come?

Most of them missed Him when He did come, but a few did not. And after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, those few began to give the answer and the number of people who had the answer grew.

Who is the Messiah and when will He come?

And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.” Acts 5:42, NLT

Jesus was the answer to the biggest question in Jerusalem in the first century. Jesus is still the answer today for life’s biggest questions. And not just in Jerusalem, but everywhere.

Why am I here?

 Jesus

What is the meaning of life?

 Jesus

 Is there life after death?

 Jesus

How can I know God?

                        Jesus

 Yes, life is complicated and hard and unfair and messy. And giving everything to Jesus doesn’t magically “fix” everything. But He is the answer to the big questions and He has the power and authority to take care of everything else in His time and way if you’ll depend on Him.

Have you ever given your life to Jesus? If not, why not today? Let Him be the answer to all your big questions. (Find out more about a relationship with Jesus.)

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A Prayer for the Persecuted

Almost every day there’s another story in the news about Christians being persecuted because of their faith in Christ. Each account seems to be more brutal than the next. Yes, these stories break my heart. But they also call me to prayer.

Are you praying for persecuted believers in the middle east and around the world?

Yesterday, during my morning Bible reading, I came across a passage that makes a powerful prayer for the persecuted. It is part of the story in Acts 3-4 about Peter and John healing a man who had been crippled from birth. The miracle drew a crowd and gave Peter an opportunity to tell the crowd about the One who has the power to heal and to save. He told them about Jesus.

The healing and the preaching got Peter and John arrested. After spending the night in jail they were brought before the Jewish leaders to explain by what power the man was healed. So Peter got to preach again!

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12, NIV

#Salvation is found in no one else. Only the name of #Jesus #Acts4:12

The Jewish leaders felt their hands were tied. The crowd had witnessed the miracle. And the man was running around as proof he had been healed. So they ordered Peter and John not to speak or teach again in the name of Jesus, threatened them with future punishment, and released them. This time.

Immediately they went to meet and pray with the other believers. They raised their voices in prayer. They praised God and asked Him to help them stand firm through future persecution and to continue to work miracles in the name of Jesus.

#Praying Acts 4:29-30 for #PersecutedChristians around the world
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They knew the persecution would continue and even increase as they obeyed God. They didn’t ask God to remove the persecution. No, instead they asked Him to give them boldness to testify and for God to glorify the name of Jesus in their midst.

Their prayer is a great example for us today. To pray for ourselves and other believers around the world:

Strength to stand firm
Boldness to speak out
Glory for Jesus

Will you pray for yourself and someone else today?

Are you praying for #PersecutedChristians around the world?
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A few other posts you might find helpful:

4 Ways to Prepare for Christian Persecution

My Changing Perspective on Christian Persecution

10 Things to Pray for Christians in Iraq

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I Can’t Fix Everything

Micah with his Uncle Mark

My three-year-old grandson Micah doesn’t like messes. He likes things neat and tidy. Last week at the grocery store, as we pushed the cart past the paper goods, we glanced down the aisle. Six or 8 large packages of toilet paper had fallen off the too-packed shelf and were spread out across the tile floor. We could not continue our shopping until Micah had re-shelved all the errant packs of Northern, logos facing out and right-side up.

Then, the very next day, Micah got another chance to show his penchant for cleaning up messes.  Micah’s aunt – my second daughter – got married on Thursday and Micah was the ring bearer. He and the flower girl, Charlie, had practiced walking down the aisle on Wednesday night. But Charlie did not drop any flower petals during the rehearsal. She saved that for the actual ceremony.

Micah and Charlie began the walk down the aisle holding hands and looking quite dignified. All was well until they reached the back row of chairs, the point where Charlie had been told to begin dropping the petals. When the first two hit the ground Micah stopped in his tracks.

I could see Micah from where I stood on the front row. He looked at the petals then he looked at Charlie.  I knew what Micah was thinking: “Oh no! She dropped them! The petals are supposed to be in the basket, not on the ground.” So he did what any neat, orderly person would do. He picked them up and put them back in the basket.

Micah’s dad, who was standing in the back, encouraged Micah to not worry about it and keep going. Charlie grabbed his hand and urged him to start walking again down the aisle. Micah did start walking and he kept walking all the way to the front. But he kept glancing down at the falling petals. He really wanted to stop and pick up each one. I could tell.

I’m a lot like my grandson. I like things neat and orderly. I want my life, my husband’s life, and my kids’ lives to be problem-free. And when problems inevitably arise, I want to fix them. In fact, I try to fix them.

Sometimes I can help. But more often I just can’t. I cannot control every situation. I can rarely influence other people. The world is broken. Life is messy.

The world is broken. Life gets #messy. But I know the ultimate Mess-fixer.
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Thankfully, I know the only One who does have control of every situation. The One who is the ultimate problem solver and mess fixer. And our all-powerful, sovereign God also cares about every single problem, every single mess.

Our all-powerful, sovereign #GodCares about every problem, single mess.
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But that doesn’t mean He works the way I would. But I only see today. My knowledge is so small. You see, I would put the petals back in the basket. But our God often allows them to be strewn all along the path. Just so the Bride can walk over them in joy.

What messes mark your life today? How might God want to work differently than you would choose to work?

 

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5 Reasons We Need the Resurrection

Jesus’ death on the cross is not sufficient to provide the abundant and eternal life God has promised us.

Does that statement shock you? If you are a Christian, I would expect you to be highly offended and perhaps not read another word. But if you’ll hear me out, I think you’ll agree with me.

The apostle Paul firmly believed the cross was not enough. Read what he wrote to the Corinthian Christians:

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 1 Cor 15:17-19, NLT

Peter also knew that our eternal hope depended on the resurrection of Christ:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3-4, NIV

So why do we so often leave out the Resurrection when we share the Good News of Jesus? We don’t forget to talk about the Cross. And yes, praise God, the death of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary provided the payment that my sins – and yours – had earned. Our sins deserved the death penalty. Our sins brought us spiritual death and separation from our holy God. But Jesus Christ took that penalty on Himself. Without the cross of Christ we would still be condemned by our sins. But that is only part of the Gospel message.

The Gospel is incomplete without the resurrection.

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul succinctly expressed the Good News. He boils down the message to its most important components.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  1 Cor 15:3-4, NIV

5 reasons we need the resurrection

Yes, Jesus’ death paid the price of our sin, but His resurrection provided our hope for life – both now and eternally. Don’t miss these important truths:

Jesus’ resurrection proves everything He said and did was true. See John 14:20
Jesus’ resurrection defeated death! That victory is His and ours! See Romans 6:9
Jesus’ resurrection provides us with new life in God. See Romans 6:10, Col 3:1
Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our physical resurrection. See Rom 8:11, 1 Cor 15:20-21
Jesus’ resurrection gives us power for this life. See Philippians 3:10, Romans 8:11

The resurrection is the power of God for those who believe! Because Christ has been raised, we will be raised! Believers, we have the same power living in us that raised Christ from the dead! Let’s shout it out!

What was your first reaction to: “The cross is not enough?”

Do you tend to forget about the resurrection? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the power of the resurrection in your life.

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The Power of “For”

One Easter Sunday morning, while listening to my pastor explain the wonder of the Gospel, one little three-letter word hit me upside the head. “For.” There’s a lot of power in this small preposition.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8, NIV

“For” is translated from the Greek word huper. It means “instead of, in behalf of, in the place of.” I also looked up that little preposition in the dictionary. Then I dropped the meaning of the word “for” into the middle of Romans 5:8. The expanded statements greatly enhance our understanding of Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross for you and me.

While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “in place of” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “instead of” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “on behalf of” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “in the interest of” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “in exchange for” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “in order to save” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “with the purpose of” me.
While I was still a sinner, Jesus died “in order to obtain or acquire” me.

I’m the one that deserved to die. I am the sinner, not Jesus. Yet, while I was still running as hard as I could away from Him, He willingly accepted the punishment that was really mine. That was really yours. Why? “For” me. “For” you.

Take a few minutes and plug your name into the statements above. Jesus died in exchange for Kathy. Jesus died in the interest of Laura. Jesus died on behalf of Julie. Jesus died instead of Sue.

If you have never accepted Jesus’ death “for” you, do it today! Find out more about how to know Jesus as your Savior.

Which of these statements impacts you the most today? Why?

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