Liz Curtis Higgs's Blog, page 7

God is Good. All the Time.

Years ago, when my family gathered around the dinner table, I was the one who said grace. Not because I knew the Lord, but because I knew this simple prayer:

God is great, God is good, 

And we thank Him for our food;

By His hand we all are fed,

Give us, Lord, our daily bread. Amen.

All through my childhood, I spoke these truths, even before I understood them: God is great. God is good. Indeed, He is a “great God, mighty and awesome” (Deuteronomy 10:17). And He created things that are “pleasing to the eye and good for food” (Genesis 2:9).

But, above all, He is goodness itself.

Comforting thoughts, in a world gone bad, gone wild, gone mad:

“Whatever happens, His goodness is always present.” —Carolyn
“He is so good, and cannot do anything that is not good.” —Lynn
“Out of sorrow and tragedy, His goodness shines through.” —Amy

Last week, I saw His goodness on display.

I was waiting to board a plane for home, when a conversation caught my ear. “May I escort my new friend to her seat?” I turned to see a young man with a kind smile bending toward an elderly woman in a wheelchair.

“Sorry, but I’ll need to do that,” the flight attendant explained, as she pointed the wheelchair toward the jet way.

Clearly disappointed, he said good-bye, then watched the older woman head for the plane. “Good talking to you, ma’am!” he called out. A moment later, he reclaimed his seat and said to no one in particular, “Some people are so nice.”

“Like you,” two people said in unison. Smiles were exchanged, and a warm glow settled on those who were close enough to witness the uncommon scene.

When we do good deeds, they’re really God deeds. His goodness, His mercy, His kindness pouring through us. Tempted as I am to take credit whenever I manage to do something right, I know where the prompting — and the power — comes from. He alone deserves the praise.

God truly is good. Yes, all the time.

Some memory verses to remind you of God’s goodness:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).
”For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (Psalm 100:5).
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

Heavenly Father, in a world that grows darker by the hour, Your goodness remains a beacon of hope.

What does the goodness of God mean to you? Take a second to share your thoughts below. Not only will your comments bless your sisters — our friends at DaySpring want to bless you in return!

DaySpring is giving away 10 copies of my new book, It’s Good to Be Queen, plus Daily Grace Serving Dishes, divided into four sections, perfect for condiments, dips, nuts, anything you wish. (I love mine.) By leaving a comment, you’ll be entered to win both items. I’ll select 10 winners at random on Monday, August 3 at 9:00am ET, then reach out via email for your mailing address. Thanks for sharing, especially this week!

Your grateful sister, Liz

@LizCurtisHiggs



P.S. The lovely flower photos were taken by our daughter. Thanks, Lil!

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The One Who Names the Stars

Late one night, while English majors were sleeping, the word creative morphed from being merely an adjective—“a creative person”—into a noun. “She’s a creative.” It happened first in the advertising world circa 1962. Mad Men, all that.

The best definition of a creative? The Lord himself.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). What a remarkable declaration of His sovereignty! The Hebrew word bara’ means “create,” but it also means “choose.”

In the beginning, God chose.

He made a mind-boggling series of choices. Light and dark, land and sea, birds and animals, plants and trees, male and female. “All things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Through His power. For His pleasure.

The beauty of His creation points to the beauty of Him. Our online sister, Tes, is awed by “all the colors He makes. He is an artist!” And Angie is amazed that “everything He has created has its own unique qualities.”

No two alike. Each one distinct.

God chose the particular look, sound, taste, scent, and texture of everything. Including us.

We have the privilege of enjoying His creation, but make no mistake—it was all about Him from day one. “For thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11).

He is the One who says, “It is good.” He chooses. He decides. He creates. He approves. He refines.

Whenever I lose sight of His staggering creative powers, I take a page from Isaiah and walk outside on a clear summer night. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name” (Isaiah 40:26).

The One who names the stars calls you by name and calls you His.

When He knit you in your mother’s womb, our creative God was just getting started. In due time, you were born—a miracle!—and then, Lord willing, you were born again. Another miracle! “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

He is not finished creating you, beloved. You can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Especially in those moments when we feel undone, isn’t it comforting to know He’s not done?

Heavenly Father, out of nothing, You made everything. You created us. You chose us. We’re grateful that You are still molding us, still shaping us into the image of Your Son, because our flaws are huge, Lord, and our weaknesses are undeniable. We need You. We love You. We trust You. We praise You. We thank You.

Where do you see God’s creativity on display right this minute, right where you are? Take a second to share your thoughts below. We’d love to know what you’re seeing!

Your grateful sister, Liz

@LizCurtisHiggs 

P.S. With only a few days left before It’s Good to Be Queen releases on July 21, do take a look at our pre-order freebies, created to encourage and delight you! www.itsgoodtobequeen.me.

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Gentle Shepherd

People may be cruel. Life may be harsh. But Christ? He is gentle.

Paul said, “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you” (2 Corinthians 10:1). Hard to resist such a tender invitation.

The Greek words here point to meekness. Yes, it rhymes with weakness, but it means the exact opposite! Meekness is strength reigned in. It’s yielding without surrendering. It’s power withheld and gentleness released.

Leo Buscaglia once said, “Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.” Nothing and no one is stronger than our Jesus.

One of our online sisters, Matilda, confessed, “Many times I’m sure He could just shake us. But His gentleness prevails.” Yes, it does. Thank you, Lord.

Humility is the behavior He models. Gentleness is the language He speaks. We saw it on Palm Sunday when He entered Jerusalem, “gentle and riding on a donkey” (Matthew 21:5), just as Zechariah had prophesied centuries earlier.

The Lord bids us, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29) .

Rest. Could you use some of that? Right now? This minute? Because that’s what He’s offering. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Yes, please.

Janel admits, “When I’ve sinned, I tend to be a hider. He knows how to gently love me past those times.” So right. If we’re hurting, if we have questions, if our souls are uneasy and our hearts are burdened, the only safe place to land is in the arms of our gentle Savior.

Jesus honors those who are gentle, meek, and kind with this astounding promise: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) .

The great and powerful, the mighty and militant? They inherit nothing. The Lord has reserved His Kingdom for those filled with “gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:23), the fruit of His Spirit.

Paul urged the believers at Philippi, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5).

He is near. All the time. When He asks us to come to Him, turn to Him, lean on Him, He is not asking us to travel some distance or struggle to reach Him. He is near. He is here.

Laura is grateful to know, “His gentleness brings us through.”

Lord Jesus, our world is anything but gentle. Now, more than ever, we need Your gentleness, Your kindness, Your tenderness to ease our feelings of helplessness, of uselessness, of restlessness. We don’t know what the world is coming to, Lord. Help us rest in the reality that You know.

What does the gentleness of Jesus mean to you today? Please share your thoughts below, for your own sake (it helps to put things in writing), as well as to encourage others. And, if you’re curious, I found this gentle shepherd and his flock at Nazareth Village in Nazareth, Israel. He truly exudes the tenderness of Christ. Please, Lord, may we all do the same.

Your grateful sister, Liz

@LizCurtisHiggs

P.S. What happens when the boldness of Sheba meets the gentleness of God? Find out on July 21st when It’s Good to Be Queen reaches bookstore shelves. Pre-order your copy, get some fun freebies, and learn more about my Shebalicious new Bible study at itsgoodtobequeen.me. Dear sister, your support of my writing ministry means so much!

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Stand Still

You’re right: steadfastness isn’t a word we use every day. Since we’re talking about God, though, it describes Him perfectly.

Firmly fixed in place. Not subject to change. Immovable.

We can see the world swiftly changing before our eyes. But Almighty God? He never changes, never moves. He is steadfast.

Cara wonders, “How impossible would it be to serve a God who changes His mind? He is always the same. He is always good.”

Yes, He is.

“For he is the living God and he endures forever;

his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” Daniel 6:26

Glory be, that’s an amazing truth! Read it aloud, if you can, or whisper it when no one’s watching. This power-charged verse addresses any fears or doubts we might have about His authority or His sovereignty.

Nothing can change who God is or what God says or what God does.

Nina believes, “He is a rock in the sea of life.” That bedrock, that cornerstone, cannot be moved, though the storms rage and the waters break against it.

When the ground beneath us is shaking, the Lord “stands firm” (CEB). When we lose people we care about, He is “abiding to the ages” (YLT). While some things last no more than a season, He is “everlasting into worlds” (WYC).

The Bible is timeless because He is timeless. It’s not an ancient book for an ancient people, it’s a new Word for every generation, including ours.

Dawn is comforted knowing that “He will always be the same God, with the same statutes, with the same love and grace that are outlined through His word.” So right, Dawn. In our day-to-day world, same can mean boring, been there, big yawn. But in the spiritual realm, same is marvelous, miraculous.

Our rock-solid assurance is this: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

He is the same, beloved. He “who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8), never waivers in His character or wearies in keeping His covenant. If you belong to Him, then He is your God, now and forevermore.

And get ready for this! When doing research for my Scottish historical novels, I often stumbled across the word fastness, as in, “The Highlanders retreated to their mountain fastness.” I assumed it was a typo; that the writer meant vastness. Turns out, fastness means a secure refuge, remote and secluded, well protected by natural features.

Our God stands, or steads, in just such a fastness, where He meets us, guards us, and protects us. It’s not a mere concept; His fastness is a real place of safety for us.

If your week has been hard, if the news of late has been too heavy to bear, then run to His fastness and take refuge beneath the shadow of His wings. If an hour can’t be managed, try fifteen minutes of silence and solace. You’ve no need to do or say anything. Only remind yourself of this:

Our world may be falling apart, but our God never falls apart.

Heavenly Father, we are running to you. Right now, this minute. The demands of the day can wait. It’s You we need, and You alone.

What does the steadfastness of God mean to you? Please share your thoughts below, knowing they will bless many.

Your grateful sister, Liz

@LizCurtisHiggs

P.S. So, what was Sheba’s response to our steadfast God? I can hardly wait for you to read It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming as Bold, Gracious, and Wise as the Queen of Sheba, releasing July 21st. You’ll find a Study Guide inside the book and free video Bible studies coming July 21 on Vimeo!

 

Pre-order your copy today from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Christian Book Distributors, or your favorite bookseller. If you pre-ordered it weeks ago, you can still get in on our free offer. Just fill out my publisher’s easy form to receive a set of our beautiful, wisdom-rich Queen Cards by mail and be entered to win a complete collection of our exclusive Queen of Sheba Crown Jewels: three necklaces, two pairs of earrings, and one bracelet, a $99 value!

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Grace Is

Have I mentioned lately how wise you are? Your understanding of life and loss and learning and laughter and loving God comes from a well of experience, made deeper by the hours you’ve spent in His Word and in His presence.

When you share your wisdom on this blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, you bless thousands. No kidding. Thousands.

That’s why this week, four of our sisters will teach us what grace is…in a sentence. Then, I’ll toss in my two cents, and give the Lord the last, best Word.

“His grace is a gift I could never earn or deserve.”—Lynn

Even so, some of us are still laboring to the point of exhaustion, trying to earn His forgiveness. Staying up late, running ourselves ragged, making must-do lists, thinking if we work hard enough for God, He might stamp us “Approved.”

Beloved, it’s time to stop striving and rest in this truth: Grace is a gift. Salvation is a gift. Faith is a gift. And God Himself is the greatest gift of all. “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).

“Without His grace, I am hopeless and lost!!”—Brenda

We’re all nodding on this one. Me too. Praise the One who solves such problems. With His grace, we have hope. With His grace, we are found.

When things look or feel or seem hopeless, they are not. That’s the adversary, trying to convince you to give up. Stand firm. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).

Once Christ has found you, you are no longer lost. He has claimed you, forgiven you, and will never lose you. It’s a finished work. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

“When I make a mess of my life, God continues to love me.”—Mary

That’s grace, all right. Most people avoid mess-makers, but not God. He said to the apostle Paul (and to you and to me), “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And in messiness. And in wretchedness.

“I always need His grace, especially when I don’t think I need it.”— Diane

This is so the truth. Two of the most dangerous phrases in the English language are “I’ve got this” and “I don’t need help.”

In those moments, the Lord quickly points out our pride—often through a humbling experience—then bids us come to Him, certain of His loving-kindness. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Lord, we marvel at Your unimaginable, indescribable gift of grace. We know we can’t purchase Your gift with our works. We can only accept Your grace with empty hands and grateful hearts and lips full of praise.

How would you finish the sentence, “Grace is…”? Please share your thoughts below, knowing they will bless many.

Your grateful sister, Liz

@LizCurtisHiggs

P.S. The queen of Sheba? A recipient of God’s grace? Read her surprising story in It’s Good to Be Queen, releasing July 21st.

   

Pre-order your copy today from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, CBD, or your favorite bookseller. Then, fill out my publisher’s easy form to receive our lovely set of Queen Cards by mail and be entered to win a complete collection of Queen of Sheba Crown Jewels!

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Does God Laugh Out Loud?

When I asked our online sisters what they praise God for most of all, Nicole’s comment took me by surprise: “I absolutely love His sense of humor.”

She’s not the only one.

Kathleen says, “I know I’ve given Him a chuckle or two over the years,” and April reminds us, “We humans are capable of some pretty silly antics.”

No kidding.

So, does God actually laugh out loud? His Word tells us, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs” (Psalm 2:4 ). Sounds promising, until we read the rest of the verse: “the Lord scoffs at them.” Specifically, He laughs at earthly rulers who stand against Him and His anointed.

Naturally, God doesn’t find disobedience funny at all, so His derisive laughter here is meant to humble. Though the Hebrew word sachaq usually means “laughter, merrymaking, rejoicing,” it also can be translated “mocking, scorning.” A snicker. A harrumph. A snort.

Ah, but when God laughs over the people He loves, the sound is as gentle as His embrace. We may not hear His laughter, but we can sense His pleasure. We won’t find LOL in his Word, but we do find the promise, “so will your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).

Even if we don’t see anything funny about a situation, God does.

As a little kid, I was famous for stamping my foot whenever I threw a full-blown tempter tantrum. My older siblings seldom hid their amusement. “Don’t laugh at me!” I would fume, looking and sounding even more ridiculous. My brother Tom invariably found a way to make me giggle, then gave me a hug to ease my embarrassment.

God handles us in much the same way, helping us see how truly foolish we are, even as He shows us the depth of His love, compassion, and forgiveness.

How can we be certain God has a sense of humor?

We are made in His image, so surely laughter began with Him.
God promises, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter…” (Job 8:21).
He uses humor in our lives in dozens of beneficial ways.

By His design, laughter dissolves stress, relieves anger, eases disappointment, lowers blood pressure, mends relationships. And that’s just the short list.

Ask medical professionals, and they’ll tell you: when a patient begins to regain her sense of humor, it’s a sign of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing at work. Just as God’s Word tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

My friend Elizabeth Jeffries is fond of saying, “God makes me laugh,” and Marci “loves His comic timing.” When He answers our prayers in unexpected and creative ways, when He makes a way where there was no way, we can’t help but smile and shake our heads in amusement. And amazement.

Heavenly Father, thank you for helping us laugh at ourselves and our world. Show us how to find joy—not in spite of our circumstances, but in the midst of them. When it’s “ time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4), give us the courage to make a joyful noise, knowing You’re not laughing at us: You’re laughing with us. 

Can’t wait to hear what the Lord’s sense of humor means to you! Please take a second to share your thoughts below.

One of my goals this summer is to respond to as many of your comments as possible. (Forgive me for being rather hit-and-miss at that.) Plus, I want to post my blog every Wednesday, not just some Wednesdays. Or Thursdays.  Thanks for your patience as I seek new ways to encourage you!

Your grateful sister, Liz,

@LizCurtisHiggs

P.S. You’ll find a dozen humorous stories in It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming as Bold, Gracious, and Wise as the Queen of Sheba, releasing July 21st. Thanks for pre-ordering your copy today from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or ChristianBook.

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Consider the Source

Some people are intelligent, educated, informed, clever, but the truly wise bow to the Source of all wisdom.

Like Solomon, who wrote, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
Like Daniel, who said, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his” (Daniel 2:20).
Like Paul, who told the church at Corinth, “You are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Without His wisdom, we’re lost in the wilderness, with no compass or map to guide us. Ah, but with His wisdom, we’re on the path to peace and the road to righteousness, following the One who leads with love.

Both Hebrew—chokmah—and Greek—sophia—capture the same meaning: “wisdom, skill.” Wisdom isn’t simply thinking; it’s also doing. God pours His wisdom into those who love Him, so we’ll use it for the good of others and for the glory of His name.

How does His wisdom work in the real world? I invited my speaking and writing sister, Susie Larson, to share her heart with us this week. If you’ve not heard Susie on her radio show, Live the Promise, then here’s the scoop: she loves God, loves His Word, and loves people, which explains why everybody loves Susie!

Adapted from her brand-new book, Your Sacred Yes, from Bethany House Publishers, Susie Larson points us to wisdom’s Source:

In a day where chaos seems to reign, it’s good for us to remember where our help comes from: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Consider our tendency to race through life at sprint pace. We run ourselves ragged until we’re overwhelmed and underjoyed. I lived that way for years. But you know something? It wasn’t wise. And it surely wasn’t God’s best for me.

Dallas Willard once gave this advice to John Ortberg: “You must arrange your day so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God.”

How do you need to rearrange your day so you can experience regular deep contentment, joy, and confidence with God? Pause and really think about that question for a moment because it’s a life-changing proposition.

Caught up in this whack-a-mole culture, we ask God to bless us quick. “I need a green light here, Lord. I’m late!” Or, “Please, please don’t let that officer pull me over.” Or, “Why did I sign up for this? How did I get myself into this mess? Lord, get me out!” We race ahead and repeatedly beg God to bail us out.

Here’s an important point: God’s love never goes away. Our mess-ups don’t make Him give up on us. He’ll meet us in all of our wandering ways and provide a way out and back to the path that’s best for us. He provides new mercies every morning because we need them. But still, when we’re sloppy with our yes, we miss out on God’s best.

Now consider the invitation not to race ahead, but to follow God’s direction in our lives. Sometimes God gives us more information than we expect, and other times, less. But the point is, when we wait on Him, we stay in step with Him. And every step we take will have redemptive possibilities.

God offers us wisdom for our daily lives because we need it. Dare to ask Him for more wisdom. Dare to trust Him as He leads. His will for you is your best-case-scenario. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

Thanks, Susie, for gently stepping on our toes with that green light bit (smile), and reminding us why God’s wisdom is worthy of our praise.

To celebrate Susie’s new book, I’m giving away 5 copies of Your Sacred Yes. Simply leave a comment below, sharing what God’s wisdom means to you. I’ll choose 5 winners at random on Monday, June 8 at 8:00pm ET and pop your book in the mail.

Your grateful sister, Liz,

@LizCurtisHiggs

P.S. For my sisters in Michigan and beyond, a special invitation for Ladies’ Days at Gull Lake Ministries in Hickory Corners on June 16-19. Pick the day that suits—Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday—then join us and find out why It’s Good to Be Queen!

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Trust Issues

When I was young, I had a knack for giving my heart to people who were untrustworthy. People who said one thing yet did another, who could smile and lie without blinking an eye.

In my naiveté, I believed that love and trust were one and the same. I didn’t understand that however quickly I fell in love, learning to trust that person was another matter. Trust required a season of testing and waiting, of promises kept and expectations met.

I was too impatient for all that. My once-tender heart was soon bruised, wounded, broken, hardened, until I was wary of loving anyone.

Then God appeared. Or rather, my eyes were opened, since He was and is and always will be.

From my earliest days of knowing Him, here’s what I read in His Word:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5).
“Obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance” (Romans 6:17).

Love. Trust. Obey. He wants it all: the whole of our hearts.

Loving Him came easily, once I grasped the magnitude of His love for His children. But trusting Him completely? The whole “Let go, let God” thing? That took years. And obedience? Oh my, oh my. A work in progress, fueled by the Holy Spirit.

His Word tells us, “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy” (Psalm 111:7). That truth alone should be enough to convince us to trust Him completely. Still, we worry, we fret, we doubt.

Because God knows us well, He shows us well. He demonstrates His trustworthiness again and again in our lives.

Our trust in Him becomes more than a shrug, an acknowledgement, an “I guess so.” It’s a trust grounded in experiences we can point to. “Look! God did this for me,” and “No one but the Lord could have managed this,” and “See? He came through at just the right time.”

Can you name one now? A time in your life when God stepped in and proved His trustworthiness?

Remembering those moments, and seeing them happen to others around us, builds our faith. Whether He spares us from tragedy or He walks us through it, this is a God we can trust.

Some of our online sisters value His trustworthiness above all His many attributes. Here’s why:

“He will never let me down or betray me.”—MaryJane
“We can always trust His motives. He will never act out of ill will.”—Rebecca
“I trust God for everything. He’s always there.”—Jane Ann
“Sometimes we can’t trust our loved ones, but we can trust Him.”—Janet

Beloved, let it never be said of us, “She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God” (Zephaniah 3:2).

That’s the last place we want to land. Better to stand with confidence and say with the psalmist, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10).

So, how are you doing this week with trusting God?

Consider sharing your thoughts by leaving a comment below. I read and treasure each one. So do many others.

The best hours of my week are spent studying God’s Word and thinking about how I might encourage you.

Your grateful sister, Liz,

@LizCurtisHiggs

   

P.S. The next two weekends, I’ll be speaking at Summit University in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania at the LYFE Women’s Conference 2015. Our theme? “If the Crown Fits.” You know we’ll be checking out my favorite queen of the Arabian Desert. If you live anywhere nearby, please join us.

P.S. 2  You can watch the queen of Sheba meet our trustworthy God in It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming as Bold, Gracious, and Wise as the Queen of Sheba, releasing July 21st. Why not pre-order your copy now?

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One King to Rule Them All

This is the word from His Word that finally set me free.

When I accepted the truth that He is the King of kings and I am the queen of zip, life became more joyful, change became more manageable, pain became more bearable, hope became more certain, and love became more real.

If God is sovereign, then we are not in charge of our world after all. Huge. Relief. Even in our leadership roles, in our positions of responsibility, God is the One who guides us.

He rules. He reigns. He redeems.

Only the Almighty holds sway over the earth and all it contains. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).

His will, not our will. Sovereignty in a thumbnail.

The word sovereign comes from ancient origins and means “over” and “above.” Someone who is “superlative in quality” and “of the most exalted kind.” Someone who has “curative powers” and “undisputed ascendancy” and “supreme power” and “absolute autonomy.”

Thank you, Merriam-Webster, for perfectly defining the One we serve.

“Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?” (Deuteronomy 3:24)

Easy answer: No god can do what our God does. His deeds are King-size, His works are mighty, and His supremacy is assured.

For many of our online sisters, God’s sovereignty is the one quality of His they treasure most.

Debbie reminds us, “Only because He is Sovereign can He be all-wise, all-knowing, all-present, all-good.”

Marcia believes, “Nothing happens that He hasn’t approved of. I’ve learned He can be trusted with what is best—even when I can’t see it at the time.”

Christine admits, “Knowing and truly understanding His sovereignty makes His other attributes all the more endearing and precious to me.”

Dorsee says, “Because God is all that He claims to be, I never have to fear anything in my life happening outside of His knowledge or power.”

You are so wise, my sisters.

How does the truth of God’s sovereignty affect the way you do life? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. It means so much to your sisters here and to me!

Your grateful sister, Liz,

who is fighting a sinus infection (lovely) yet resting in His sovereignty

@LizCurtisHiggs

   

P.S. We’ll discover God’s sovereignty in action in It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming as Bold, Gracious, and Wise as the Queen of Sheba, releasing July 21st. Why not pre-order your copy now?

 

The post One King to Rule Them All appeared first on Liz Curtis Higgs.

The Big Ask

“Please forgive me.” I’ve said this so often lately, I considered having it printed on a T-shirt, just to save time.

Wait. I could have several shirts made, one for every occasion.

Please forgive me for being pushy.
Please forgive me for being late.
Please forgive me for being busy.
Please forgive me for being me.

That’s the starter set, of course. The list of things I’ve done wrong is so long, those please-forgive-me T-shirts could fill a Hollywood walk-in closet.

And I’m not talking about my before-I-knew-the-Lord years, with all those flashy, splashy sins. Oh, no. I’m talking about this week, with promises I’ve forgotten, deadlines I’ve missed, unkind words I wish I’d never said, and thoughts that don’t qualify as true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or even remotely praiseworthy.

If you get this, please raise your hand. I desperately need to know I’m not alone.

The psalmist nailed it: “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3). Honestly? None of us could stand. Not one.

Then comes the next verse. The good news.

“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you” (Psalm 130:4). How like the Lord, to remind of us our sins, then offer a remedy for them in the same breath.

When we ask a friend to forgive us, what are we really saying?

I am truly sorry for what I did.
I wish I could undo my mistake, but I can’t.
I pray this won’t affect our relationship, which I deeply value.
I need your forgiveness in order to let go of my guilt.

Now imagine saying all those things to the Lord, knowing He listens, understands, and forgives. These are the truths He wants to hear from us. Not excuses, not blame-shifting, but “I am sorry. Please forgive me.” It really is that simple—or that difficult, if we still think goodness comes from our efforts, and aren’t willing to own our willful disobedience.

In a court of law, the jury is often more lenient if the accused shows genuine remorse, sorrow, or regret. I believe that’s what God wants from us too.

David shows us the way: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Our brokenness, our humility pleases the heart of God. It means we’ve accepted the reality that we cannot manage on our own. As Kim recently shared online, “Without forgiveness where are we? Just sinners with no hope.” So right.

Yet with Jesus, we have eternal hope.

Tamara says, “His forgiveness always gives us a second (and third and fourth) chance to get it right.” Maybe that’s your testimony as well, beloved.

Carolyn admits, “Although I turned my back on Him for a period of years, He never stopped loving me and welcomed me back into the fold with open arms.” Jennifer, too, celebrates “His capacity for forgiveness and his willingness to lavish it on me!”

Believers have been shouting out the power of His forgiveness since day one. “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” (Acts 13:38).

Having been proclaimed, now it needs to be claimed: His forgiveness is meant for you.

Heavenly Father, our sin is ever before us. Give us the strength to not only ask for your forgiveness, but also receive it. Wash us clean. Make us whole. Send us out with Your praise on our lips: “This is the God who forgives!”

What do you need forgiveness for this week? Might you put it into words, so He can lift that burden off your heart and place it in His hands?

Your sister, Liz

@LizCurtisHiggs

   

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