Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 12

What Quirks and Kindness Can Teach Us

I was hanging out with my grands several years ago and slicing apples for a snack. Caroline (3) sat beside me on the kitchen counter while Andrew (1) waited at my feet. I handed him an apple slice, made sure he was munching happily, then went back to slicing.

Pfhhhtt. Splat.

Something warm and wet hit my foot.

“Andrew! What are you doing?”

Pfhhhtt. Splat.

A slimy piece of apple skin sputtered from his mouth, and, this time, landed on the floor. He’d taken a bite, chewed it until the fleshy part disintegrated, and spit out the skin.

“He doesn’t like skin on his apples, Gigi,” Caroline remarked.

Apparently not.

I took the remaining apple wedge from him to trim the skin off.

But Caroline was faster.

By the time I’d wiped the apple goo from the floor and my foot and picked up Andrew’s apple piece again, she’d nibbled all the skin off her apple wedge.

“Here Andrew,” she said triumphantly, holding out the naked fruit, “no skin!”

He scrutinized her gift for skin remnants, then popped it into his mouth, cheeks bulging like a well-fed chipmunk.

Later, as I reflected on the exchange between the two, God reminded me:

1. He created us to be unique, with different likes, dislikes, and preferences. A preference for skinless apples is one example. We need to remember that different isn’t wrong, just different. How much better would our relationships be if we graciously allowed room for “different” without treating it as right or wrong?

2. He created mankind in his image with a natural capacity to love, share, and serve. Caroline’s thoughtful act of service to her brother is a sweet example of this. We can be similarly sweet.

3. He provides an endless source of patience and grace to help us deal with the often-amusing, sometimes-annoying quirks of our families and friends. Lord, make us as patient with others as you are with us.

I’d like to issue a challenge – consider the ants (or grandchildren, cats, dogs, trees, birds, sky, or anything else that catches your eye). Study it. Prayerfully ponder. Invite God to reveal himself to you through what you see. Then leave a comment below to share your observations.

I can’t wait to hear how God shows himself to you.

“Go to the ant . . . consider her ways and be wise.”

Proverbs 6:6

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Published on October 16, 2023 02:32

6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution

When was the last time you and someone you cared about had a conflict?

How’d it work out?

Did you interact respectfully or blow up in a full-fledged tantrum? Did you draw closer together at the end of the conversation or farther apart.

Pastor/Teacher Chip Ingram says,

“Conflict is inevitable. Every time you bring two people together, there will be conflict. The question is NOT ‘how do we have a conflict-free marriage?’ The question is “how do we deal with the conflict that WILL come?’

A recent walk through a neighborhood reminded me of the different ways people deal with conflict.

Consider the neatest pile of yard trash I’d ever seen.

The homeowner had cut every limb exactly the same length. The tops of the branches faced the street, the cut ends faced the yard. Each limb lined up a foot from the road like soldiers at attention. He’d tucked four palm fronds neatly among the other evergreens at evenly spaced intervals, adding a decorative flair to an otherwise monochromatic pile of greenery. It was picture worthy.

Farther down the street, another neighbor had also dragged yard debris to the road. His pile looked nothing like Neat Nate’s. An irregular mound of soggy leaves graced one end. A hodgepodge of carelessly flung branches, yard netting, and a Chick Fil A box completed the display.

A third neighbor added his contribution to the trash man’s collection—a black bag filled with unknown contents tied tightly and flung to the road.

The variety of trash piles reminded me of the most helpful part of Chip Ingram’s study, Experiencing God’s Dream for Your Marriage, the section on conflict resolution.

I thought about my family’s history of conflict resolution. Sometimes we’ve been like Neat Nate. We’ve organized our conflict and given it socially acceptable labels. The Silent Treatment. Adolescent exploration. Boundary Testing. Passive aggression. Micro and macro disobedience. Somehow giving it a trendy name and pigeonholing it made us feel a little more in control of our struggles.

At other times we’ve been too weary, frustrated, or hopeless to do anything other than dump our conflict on the side of the road for all to see. Our transparency was a cry for help and prayer.

Finally, there have been times when we were too ashamed, too disheartened, and too hopeless to do anything but throw a big, black bag over the top of it so no one but us would know how ugly it was.

Ingram, in the study, makes two significant points about conflict:

1. Conflict is normal.

2. Conflict is an opportunity for growth.

As Chip says, “Conflict is inevitable. Every time you bring two people together, there will be conflict. The question is NOT ‘how do we have a conflict-free marriage?’ The question is “how do we deal with the conflict that WILL come?’”

After this study, we set a few ground rules, in advance of our next conflict, to ensure we fight fairly.

Here are our ground rules for fair fighting:

1. If I’m not ready to talk about what’s bothering me, I’ll tell you. I will not give you the silent treatment and leave you wondering.

2. If we agree to delay the discussion, we will address the issue in a timely manner. No sweeping stuff under the rug until it accumulates into an ugly mess.

3. During our waiting period, we will still act in a loving manner toward each other. (No monosyllabic answers, cold shoulders, or drawing uncrossable lines down the middle of the bed.)

4. When we talk, we will use “I feel” sentences instead of “you always” or “you never.”

5. We will listen actively, repeating what the other has said if necessary.

6. We will acknowledge that while conflict can come from selfishness, as Ingram says, it can also arise from differences in belief, perspective, and style. Conflict is not always because of sinful behavior. Sometimes it’s simply the result of two very different people living in the same household.

Perhaps, like my husband and me, you’ve always thought of conflict as dangerous and harmful. In light of this different perspective, we’re encouraged by Ingram’s statement that if we deal with conflict in a healthy way, our marriage will not only survive, but THRIVE.

What have you learned about healthy conflict? Do you have a rule for fair fighting you’d like to add to my list? Why not leave a comment and share your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you.

And if you live in the Columbia, SC, area and would like to learn how to pray with power, please join me at First Baptist Church of Ridgeway on Saturday, September 30, from 9-3. We’ll laugh, learn, and worship together as we explore the sometimes mysterious, God-ordained means of talking to God. This event is free, but attendance is limited and you must register by emailing Phyllis at phan38@aol.com. Click the image below for more information.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post 6 Tips for Successful Conflict Resolution appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Published on October 09, 2023 02:20

The 9-Word Prayer that Will Change the Way You Witness

Have you ever watched someone with the gift of evangelism share their faith and wished you were so bold? Have you heard people talk about spiritual conversations they’ve had with coworkers, friends, and family and wondered, Why doesn’t God give me opportunities to share my faith like that?

I’m not a fearless evangelist, nor do I have the spiritual gift of evangelism, but years ago I learned a prayer that has opened up many opportunities to share my faith.

Lord, show me where you are at work today.

This simple prayer is part of D. James Kennedy’s Evangelism Explosion training that teaches people how to share their faith clearly and boldly. It’s based on Jesus’ words in John 5:17,

“My Father is always at his work . . . .”

When I ask God to show me where He’s working in the world, it reminds me that God is always drawing people to himself. There’s never a lack of opportunities to share my faith; I’m just usually too self-absorbed to see them. I bumble past people every day whose hearts are tender and receptive to spiritual things because I’m just not looking for them.

Praying this prayer and believing God will answer it keeps me alert for spiritual signs that God is using my neighbors’, friends’, and family’s life circumstances to open their hearts to him. This happened recently with one of my dental patients.

When I asked him what was going on in his life, his eyes filled with tears.

“My wife’s been battling cancer, and it’s not looking good.”

“That must be very scary,” I said. My statement unleashed a flood of words, and for the next ten minutes we set aside his dental needs to talk about his greater need—to know that whether his wife lived or died, he would one day see her again. By the end of his appointment, I knew God had answered my prayer to show me where he was working in the world.

Maybe God had answered my prayer by bringing the man to our office that day. Or arranged for me to be assigned to him instead of another hygienist. He might have led me to ask the question that unlocked the deepest concern of his heart. Or perhaps it was all three. One thing I know for sure, asking God to show me where he was at work in the world encouraged me look for his answer.

God is at also work in your world today. Will you have eyes to see it and be a part of what he’s doing in someone else’s life? I encourage you to begin your day with the simple nine-word prayer, “Lord, show me where you’re at work today.” Then be ready to join him.

Father, I pray for everyone reading this post. Help them care enough about this sad, sick world to share the hope they have in Christ. Give them eyes to see where you’re at work around them and courage to come alongside you. Give them tender hearts and gentle words. Use them to draw men and women, boys and girls to a saving knowledge of you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

What helps you boldly share your faith? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post The 9-Word Prayer that Will Change the Way You Witness appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Published on October 02, 2023 02:17

One Good Reason Why We Don’t Have to Understand Everything to Believe

“Daniel’s a good man,” Catherine said, her dark eyes filling with tears. “He takes good care of his family, he works hard. But he doesn’t believe. Says it isn’t logical.”

This mother’s heart was breaking for her adult son, and as we talked, I watched it crack open. Years of prayers, bucket-loads of tears, and nightly fears that her precious son would one day die and spend eternity separated from God spilled out in one frantic, slobbery, heart-breaking conversation.

“He says it isn’t logical. . .”

Tim, a college student at our Wednesday night Bible study, peppered my husband, our pastor, with questions—archaeology, science, biblical history. My husband is well educated and was able to present a sound defense of the Bible and its truths, but it was apparent that the young man’s questions were limitless.

“Faith doesn’t require us to set aside our intellect,” he finally said to Tim. “There are volumes of good, sound reasons and evidence for what we believe. But you’re never going to get all your questions answered. Ultimately, you’re going to have to exercise faith.”

Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he reward those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

The thought that we should be able to understand everything about God is ludicrous. And presumptuous. And prideful.

Daniel and Tim would never expect to fully understand everything about Einstein, or DaVinci, or Aristotle.

“It’s impossible,” they’d respond. “They’re geniuses. There’s no way we could even begin to get inside their heads.”

Yet they and others like him expect to be able to fully grasp the breadth and depth of God?

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts

Isaiah 55:9

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know I am a passionate student of God and his Word. I believe God calls us to dig deep and ponder long in our pursuit of him. Yet the hammock in which our lives must rest is trust—even when we don’t fully understand.

Lord, we pray with the psalmist, my heart is not haughty,

Nor my eyes lofty.

Neither do I concern myself with great matters,

Nor with things too profound for me.

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul.

Like a weaned child with his mother;

Like a weaned child is my soul within me (Psa. 131:1-2).

Quiet trust. Believing faith.

What about you? Do you struggle with what you don’t understand about God, or is it easy for you to rest in faith? Do you think acknowledging the limits of our ability to understand God means we’re setting our intellect aside? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

I’m looking forward to being with the wonderful ladies of First Baptist Church, Ridgeway, SC, this Saturday for my seminar, Praying with Power. I’m asking the Lord to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we hope or imagine as we do a deep dive into prayer.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post One Good Reason Why We Don’t Have to Understand Everything to Believe appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

Comments One Good Reason Why We Don’t Have to Understand Everything to Believe by LoriAHatcherThe Gift of God’s Grace – Meet Jeannie Waters by LoriAHatcherOne Way to Experience the Joy of Biblical Hospitality by LoriAHatcherHow to Use God’s Gifts without Alienating Others by LoriAHatcherDo You Ever Worry about Failing God? by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesWhen You Feel Hopeless to Influence Your Children The Kind of Christian Life I Want How to Help When Your Friend Is Hurting

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Published on September 25, 2023 09:58

The Gift of God’s Grace – Meet Jeannie Waters

It’s my delight to introduce one of the sweetest women I know. Meet Jeannie Waters. I love this woman so much! She’s the gift of biblical encouragement, wrapped in a story, tied up with a hug.

Jeannie’s a gifted writer (as you’ll see) and a wise believer. Her first book, A Place at His Table, released this month to my great delight. She’s sharing some of her wit and wisdom with us in a chapter from her book. If you love it, which I know you will, be sure to click on the link below to buy a copy for yourself (and one to give a friend).

The Gift of God’s Grace

My body jolted from the head-on collision. Distracted by thoughts of my mom’s recent diagnosis, I’d exited the interstate and turned the wrong way onto a one-way street.

“God, please help me,” I prayed as steam erupted from my crumpled car. “Look what I did. Please let the other driver be okay. Oh, Father, please help us.”

I released the breath I’d been holding when I saw the other driver exit his car and walk toward me. “Are you okay?” I sputtered through my car window while I fumbled for my cell phone to call Ray, my husband. “I drove the wrong way. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

The kind man smiled. “I’m fine. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

We had escaped unscathed, and the man I hit responded with grace instead of a barrage of angry accusations.

“Thank You, Father,” I whispered under my breath. Moments after I climbed from the car on wobbly legs, Ray arrived.

He hugged me, and a geyser of tears erupted from my pool of relief and regret. As we drove to the hospital in a second attempt to visit my mother, he patted my shoulder and listened to my play-by-play account of the accident.

“We all make mistakes, Jeannie,” he said.

It wasn’t until we joined my brother, Ed, and his wife, Suzanne, at a hospital cafeteria table that I inhaled my first deep, post-accident breath. “It was my fault,” I said. “I can’t believe I did that. That man could have been seriously injured, but he was so kind.”

Ed spoke words that soothed my soul. “You were wrong. You caused the accident, but it wasn’t intentional. You can buy a new car, but I can’t get another sister. I’m thankful you’re okay.” My brother’s words assured me that although I’d broken a traffic law, no one condemned me. Instead, everyone involved had extended grace.

Suzanne echoed his affirmation. “Jeannie, we’re just thankful no one was hurt. You’re much more important to us than a car.” More grace.

I’m grateful God provides grace as a gift to His children. Sometimes it comes straight from His heart to ours. Other times He uses kind people like Ray, the other driver, or my brother and sister-in-law to deliver it.

In the book of Joshua, as the Israelites stood poised to conquer the city of Jericho, God extended grace to one faith-filled woman and her family.

Rahab, like the other residents of Jericho, deserved God’s judgment. She had worshiped the false gods of her countrymen and lived as a prostitute. Yet her heart quickened when she heard of the miracles the God of the Israelites had done. When three Israelite spies appeared at her doorstep, she pled her case.

“Please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death” (Joshua 2:12-13). *

In an outpouring of grace that came straight from God, the spies assured her they would spare hers and her family’s lives. “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you” (v. 14).

Rahab didn’t deserve such grace. Neither did I when I crashed my car into that poor unsuspecting man’s vehicle. Which is the whole point of grace. If we could earn it or deserve it, it wouldn’t be grace.

The psalmist’s description of God’s character tells us this gift originates in the heart of our heavenly Father. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Amazed by God’s grace and the countless times other people have extended it to us, we long to share this blessing.

When I remember those awful moments after my accident, and, on a much more serious scale, think about Rahab the prostitute, I marvel anew at the grace God freely gives His children. This knowledge makes me want to be a grace bearer too.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 103:8

Let’s Pray

Thank you, Father, for undeserved favor. Open my eyes to opportunities to extend Your grace to others with my words and actions. In Your gracious name, I pray. Amen.

Embracing the Gift

What’s the most recent evidence of God’s favor in your life? Offer a prayer of gratitude for this blessing. Thank Him for the ways family, friends, or strangers have extended grace to you.

Sharing the Gift

Consider choosing one of the examples below or follow through on your own ideas for passing along the blessing of grace.

-Speak words of gratitude to store clerks and restaurant servers, even if they make mistakes.

-Withhold unkind responses when someone speaks or acts unkindly.

-Contribute to a stranger’s needs by donating food, clothing, and other necessities or volunteer for a ministry your church supports.

-Roll the trash container to the street or run an errand during inclement weather for an elderly neighbor.

-Share the way God’s grace blesses you with someone who may not know Christ or with a fellow believer who needs encouragement.

Table Tip

A GRACE MEAL

Thank God for grace and His blessings we can’t secure for ourselves. Extend a dinner invitation to someone who may be unable to reciprocate. Consider a single mom, widow or widower, a person who is physicallyunable to cook or a family who would enjoy a meal around your table.

*Scripture verses are taken from the ESV.

About Jeannie

Southern author, speaker, and storyteller Jeannie Waters shares a homespun mix of biblical truth and heart-hugging encouragement. An award-winning writer, she helps readers embrace God’s Word and share His blessings with others across the table. Jeannie and her husband of more than fifty years live in an historic Georgia city and enjoy five grandchildren.

Jeannie combines her love for God and people in A Place at His Table: God’s Daily Gifts to Satisfy Your Heart, a 40-day devotional filled with memorable table stories, biblical principles about God’s blessings, and practical Table Tips. She encourages readers and those she meets: “Instead of allowing fear, doubt, and worry to sabotage your peace, pull up a chair to God’s table and find His heart-satisfying gifts.”

Visit Jeannie at www.JeannieWaters.com where she shares her love for Jesus and ideas for “Connecting with God and Each Other.” Find her on social media @jeanniewaters44.

Here’s a link to purchase Jeannie’s lovely book: https://amzn.to/460yKXq

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post The Gift of God’s Grace – Meet Jeannie Waters appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

Comments The Gift of God’s Grace – Meet Jeannie Waters by LoriAHatcherOne Way to Experience the Joy of Biblical Hospitality by LoriAHatcherHow to Use God’s Gifts without Alienating Others by LoriAHatcherDo You Ever Worry about Failing God? by LoriAHatcherWhen Life Hammers into Your Quiet by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesWhen Life Hammers into Your Quiet When You Feel Hopeless to Influence Your Children The Kind of Christian Life I Want

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Published on September 18, 2023 03:16

One Way to Experience the Joy of Biblical Hospitality

Have you experienced the joy of biblical hospitality?

If you’re like me, you’d much rather be the ones extending hospitality than receiving it. In our self-sufficient society, I find it much more comfortable to be the gracious giver than humble receiver. Do you feel this way?

But every now and then, we all need help. Such was the case that summer when we vacated our house to extend hospitality to a special family who needed our home more than we did. In advance of their arrival, we tossed around a few ideas about where we could stay. The back porch was unairconditioned. The tent leaks. Extended Stay America was pricey. So was Airbnb.

Then a friend offered to let us stay in the room over their garage. “It has its own bathroom,” she said, “and it’s right off the kitchen. You are more than welcome. We’d love to have you.”

We gratefully accepted.

For almost a week our dear friends shared their kitchen, their hot water, their laundry room, and, glory be, their air conditioning. We exchanged greetings as we headed out to work in the mornings and shared meals in the evenings where we recapped our days.

Best of all, we got to know each other better, prayed together, and laughed. Although we’ve been friends for decades, our time in their home knitted our hearts together and gave us greater insight into how to love and support each other.

Instead of being stressful and difficult, our time away from home was restful and relaxing. Our host and hostess sweetly demonstrated what 1 Peter 4:9-10 instructs:

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If you have the opportunity to extend hospitality, whether it’s inviting a church visitor home for dinner after the service, having neighbors over for burgers and games, or allowing a college student to live in your spare bedroom between semesters, I encourage you to do it.

God will use your kindness and generosity in ways you can never imagine. In the marvelous, mysterious economy of God, everything you’ve given in Jesus’ name will find its way back to you, shaken, pressed down, and running over, either in this life or in the life to come.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

Now it’s your turn. When have you extended hospitality in Jesus’ name and been refreshed by doing so? Share your experience in a comment below. I’d love to hear your story.

And if you live in the Columbia, SC, area and would like to learn how to pray with power, please join me at First Baptist Church of Ridgeway on Saturday, September 30, from 9-3. We’ll laugh, learn, and worship together as we explore the sometimes mysterious, God-ordained means of talking to God. This event is free, but attendance is limited and you must register by emailing Phyllis at phan38@aol.com. Click the image below for more information.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post One Way to Experience the Joy of Biblical Hospitality appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

View more on Lori Hatcher's website »

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Published on September 11, 2023 02:27

How to Use God’s Gifts without Alienating Others

I’m guest posting over at Our Daily Bread’s blog, God Hears Her.

Some days, I’m hard to live with.

Ask my husband, David. God bless him.

Maybe you are too?

David is a carefree spirit whose motto in college was, If I can crawl over it, I can sleep on it. He eats whatever I cook and seldom notices piles of laundry or dirty dishes. If an opportunity for fun or adventure presents itself, he’s all in. He’ll figure out the details later. He’ll abandon even the best laid plans to help someone in need—especially children and the elderly.

I’m the exact opposite. I emerged from the womb with a desire to organize, control, and direct. As soon as I could read, I arranged my Little Golden Books in alphabetical order. My stuffed animals stood in line on my bookcase according to height. I preferred (yes, past tense) projects and plans over people.

In adulthood, structure helped me adapt to the chaos of new motherhood. No napping in the car for my babies. They had to be nestled into their cribs at 10 am and 1 pm. I wasn’t totally rigid. I was spiritually mature enough to recognize that if nap time conflicted with Sunday church, naptime could wait. But I admit, even then I chafed.

My gift of organization and love of structure helped our home, and later our homeschooling, run smoothly. One daughter, a firstborn like me, thrived. The second, a free-spirited people-person like my husband, survived. Now a mother herself, she’s striking her own balance between spontaneity and structure. Enough structure to keep her kids alive. Enough spontaneity to make it fun.

Now that our girls are out of our house, my husband is the sole beneficiary of my gifts. Since I love to plan my free time, I assume he’ll appreciate helpful suggestions for how to spend his Saturday. I share ideas for how we should spend our time, money, or energy. But sometimes I forget he has ideas, too.

Most of the time, he overlooks my bossiness. In my enthusiasm, I can get a little . . . overbearing. Every once and a while, though, I cross a line . . . .

To read the rest of the post, “Some Days I’m Hard to Live With,” I invite you to CLICK HERE to hop on over to God Hears Her.

COMING SOON!
Praying with Power Seminar
First Baptist Church Ridgeway, SC, Saturday, September 30

Click the image box below for more details 🙂

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post How to Use God’s Gifts without Alienating Others appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

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Published on September 04, 2023 02:47

Do You Ever Worry about Failing God?

Do you ever fear you might fail God? That you might behave so faithlessly that you bring shame to yourself, your family, and your ministry?

Consider one of the most well-known leaders of the Christian (and Jewish) faith – Aaron the high priest.

The owner of an impressive pedigree, Aaron was an unlikely candidate for spiritual and moral failure.

He was:

a Hebrew born into slavery in Egypt.

the son of Jochebed and Amram and brother to Moses.

the primary spokesperson for God (and Moses) as God prepared to deliver his people from slavery in Egypt.

He’d been Moses’ COO, the media specialists for the greatest escape of all time, and the voice that spoke God’s words to Pharaoh. He’d heard God speak, bridged the gap between Moses and the Israelites, and stood beside his little brother on the scary walk to Pharaoh’s throne room.

He’d held the rod that became a serpent, seen the death angel pass over the Hebrew camp, and stepped onto the dry riverbed of the Red Sea. He’d eaten food that came from God’s hand, drank bitter water turned sweet, and witnessed the glory cloud of God descend upon the mountain. Most miraculous of all, he, his sons, and 70 elders had seen God – and lived.

Yet while Moses and God transcribed the Law onto stone tablets on top of Mt. Sinai, Aaron descended into idolatrous worship at its base. Sucked into doubt, fear, and disbelief, he caved to the pressure of the crowd and turned his back on everything he believed.

How can a man who has known God so intimately fail so profoundly? And how do we – frail humans who won’t see God face to face until heaven – have any hope of standing firm until the end?

I don’t normally ponder these dark, sobering thoughts. But Aaron’s failure, right there on the pages of Scripture, paired with recent accounts of godly men turning their backs on God brought me here. It comforts me to know the great apostle Paul feared the same things.

In 1 Corinthians 9:27, he confessed to being afraid, after having preached to others, that he would be “disqualified.” Set aside. Hamstrung in his spiritual race to finish well.

But Paul’s fear didn’t paralyze him, and our fears don’t have to, either. Instead, it fortified his determination. And it led him to take concrete steps to guard against moral and spiritual failure.

“I beat my body and make it my slave,” he declares. My desires won’t rule me. With God’s help, I’ll rule them.

He, too, remembered all the reasons Aaron and the children of Israel had to stand firm in God. “They walked through the sea on dry land. Followed the cloud in the desert. Ate manna from heaven and water from a rock.”

But just experiencing God’s power isn’t enough, he says. We must intentionally guard ourselves against loving the things of this world more than the God of the heavens. Against sexual immorality. Against our tendency to test God’s patience and grumble about what we don’t have instead of expressing gratitude for what we do (1 Cor. 10:1-10).

Take heed, he warns, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (v. 10:12).

And then he tosses the rescue ring of hope: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (v. 10:13).

Christ in us IS greater than the greatest temptation. We don’t have to fall victim to Satan’s schemes and the Siren’s song of the world and the flesh. We have a race to run. A prize to claim. A Savior to honor. And a declaration to hear – “Well done, good and faithful servant.” May it ring in our ears for all eternity. Every time we say no to sin, we say yes to Jesus.

Every time we erect boundaries to protect our purity, we say no to sin and yes to Jesus.

Every time we change the channel, close the account, or delete the email, we say no to sin and yes to Jesus.

Every time we give ourselves to God’s kingdom instead of our own, we say no to sin and yes to Jesus.

We’re not doomed to fail because other mighty men and women have failed. We are positioned to succeed because God promises a way of escape for every temptation we face.

And He will give us the courage to take it.

If we want to guard ourselves from being disqualified, we should:

1. Never think we’re above moral or spiritual failure. It could happen to anyone. This is why we must remain vigilant.

2. Check our hearts regularly. What do we love? Where will our current path lead us? Where do we spend the majority of our time, energy, and thoughts?

3. Erect boundaries around everything we hold dear: our spiritual lives (are we spending time with God every day?), our physical lives (are our habits healthy and holy?), and our relationships (if God was an unseen guest in this relationship (and He is), would he be pleased with what he saw?)

4. When temptation comes, look for the escape. Then take it. Like Joseph did. And Daniel. And Paul. These men are inspiring examples of people dedicated to “Well done” living.

And if you blow it like Aaron did? Confess. Repent. Forsake.

While the consequences of spiritual and moral failure are great, God’s forgiveness is greater. First John 1:9 points to the way back: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

We are never out of God’s reach of forgiveness and restoration. When Aaron followed the people in sin instead of taking a stand for righteousness, he brought great harm to many. But when he and the people humbled themselves, grieved over their sin, and wept in prayer, Moses interceded for them, and the God of mercy and grace gave them all a second chance.

He renewed his covenant with the nation, promising to go ahead of them into the Promised Land and deliver them from their enemies. The Israelites recommitted themselves to the Lord, with Aaron, their high priest, leading the way.

Today, ministers or Christian leaders who fall can’t and shouldn’t immediately be allowed back into leadership simply because they’ve confessed and repented. This isn’t the point of this post. The point is that we can never out-sin God’s grace and his willingness to forgive.

When one of his children sincerely repents, he will always forgive us. We may have to live with the consequences of our sin for a lifetime, but we can forgive ourselves and move forward, knowing God has forgiven us.

How about you? Do you fear failing the Lord? Which protective suggestions mentioned above can you put into place to guard yourself? Or maybe you feel like you’re not likely to fall? That temptation is something other people struggle with? Has Aaron’s example caused you to reconsider this?

Or perhaps you’ve already failed. You assume there’s no hope that God would ever want to use you again in his service? Does 1 John 1:9 give you hope that perhaps there’s a way back after all?

Wherever you find yourself today, talk to God about it. Take the necessary steps to move forward, and watch what he will do.

About Refresh Your Hope,
60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart

How can you hold on to hope in an uncertain world? Especially when experiencing disappointments, setbacks, and discouragement? In Refresh Your Hope, Lori Hatcher invites you to renew your confidence and courage by calling attention to the remarkably good news—you have a hope greater than you could ever imagine.

An unshakable hope.

In this uplifting, Scripture-driven 60-day devotional, Lori returns to our rock-solid foundation—God’s amazing promises and His faithful character. Each warm, story-based reading will help you grow closer to God as you reflect on His assurances, His generous nature, and His unwavering commitments. Strengthen your prayer life with thought-provoking prompts. Replace anxiety with joy, peace, and trust while encountering Bible truths about the ultimate Source of hope.

Available now on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other fine retailers.

Why not share a copy with a friend who could use a fresh dose of hope?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive a weekly 5-minute devotion to help you rediscover the excitement of God’s Word, CLICK HERE.

The post Do You Ever Worry about Failing God? appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

Comments How to Use God’s Gifts without Alienating Others by LoriAHatcherDo You Ever Worry about Failing God? by LoriAHatcherWhen Life Hammers into Your Quiet by LoriAHatcherWhen You Feel Hopeless to Influence Your Children by LoriAHatcherFeeling Hopeless in Your Marriage? 5 Reasons to Have Hope by LoriAHatcherPlus 5 more...Related StoriesDo You Know How to Protect Yourself? When Christian Leaders Fall When Life Hammers into Your Quiet When You Feel Hopeless to Influence Your Children

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Published on August 28, 2023 02:58

Do You Every Worry about Failing God?