Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 28
April 23, 2020
Becoming Fluent in the Language of Grace -- A Guest Post on Grace on Parade
I was overwhelmed. Homeschooling my two daughters, serving in a leadership position in our church’s women’s ministry, and juggling a part time job, I struggled to get it all done. But I loved to please, which is why, when a friend asked me to take on a special project, I said, “Yes.”A week later, when she asked me if I’d completed it, I said, “Yes.”Except I hadn’t.Shame over my inefficiency and fear of what she might think of me squeezed me into a corner. The lie had escaped my lips before I realized it.
Now I’d failed twice—first by not doing what I’d promised and second by lying about it. Imagine what a field day Satan and my conscience had with those two sins.After a miserable day of Holy Spirit conviction and self-condemnation, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I called my friend and confessed. . . .
I'm honored to guest post on my friend Karen Wingate's blog today. To read the rest of this post, including the six grace-filled phrases we should all learn to speak, CLICK HERE to visit Grace on Parade.
Update on Refresh Your Faith!
In less than a month, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible will officially launch. Early reports tell me that ChristianBook.com is offering a 27% discount and will begin shipping tomorrow. Amazon has it available for pre-order. Will you join me in asking God to direct this book to everyone who is looking for a way to energize their quiet time and gain new insights into God's Word? I especially hope to reach those who find themselves approaching their quiet time out of duty rather than delight.
Thank you so much!
HOT OFF THE PRESS: FREE Bible Study Guide and Small Group Discussion Questions! Did you know there is a FREE Bible study guide and discussion questions to accompany the Hungry for God...Starving for Time devotional? Click HERE to download your copy. Now you'll have everything you need to use Hungry for God as the basis for your next small group Bible study.
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 20, 2020
When Sheltering at Home Is Hard -- COVID-19
The corona virus has required most of us to shelter-at-home when not working, fetching groceries, or exercising. At my house, this has been mostly a good thing. My husband, David, and I have enjoyed unhurried morning devotions, long walks, and relaxed conversation. We’re working out a routine and trying not to get on each other’s nerves. He’s an extrovert who’s missing people, and I’m an introvert who’s missing solitude. Like we did in our newlywed years, we’re learning to live together in respectful harmony.
But some days it’s not easy.
One of the hardest things about being together all the time is, well, being together all the time. Not very profound, but profoundly true, yes? It helps when you love the person with whom you’re sheltering.
About a year into our marriage, we struggled to understand why we always seemed to argue on Saturdays. All week long we’d look forward to being together on our day off, but by nightfall we’d find ourselves frustrated and grumpy.
One Saturday evening, in answer to my bewildered prayers, the Holy Spirit brought about an epiphany. As we sat around the dinner table, I sighed happily. “Mmmmm, today was such a good day. I got so much done!”
“It was a good day,” David agreed. “I didn’t do a thing.”
And therein lay the rub.
I’m a task-oriented doer who loves to check off boxes. David is a hard worker who believes Saturdays are for kicking back, chilling out, and relaxing.
We realized our different viewpoints would continue to cause frustration and anger unless we somehow worked out a compromise.Thankfully the Lord gave us an idea.
“Saturday morning is all yours,” David said. “I’ll cut the grass, change the oil, or fix something. Just give me Saturday afternoon to veg in front of the television or take a nap.”
From the very first Saturday, our plan worked as smoothly as Shea butter on a baby.
He cheerfully tackled the To-Do list I presented each week, knowing his chance to chill was only a few hours away. I smiled all afternoon while he channel surfed or snoozed, basking in the happy glow of the morning’s accomplishments.Even more than what we did or didn’t do on Saturdays, we learned that the contrasts in our personalities and viewpoints weren’t wrong, just different.
Now, thirty-five years and a pandemic later, we’re revisiting those early lessons. Some days are better than others.
Each morning we talk about the day ahead. “What does a good day look like to you?” we ask, then do our best to make it happen.
Sometimes we’re selfish. When we take stock at the end of the day, one person’s needs and desires were met while the other’s wasn’t. Some days are train wrecks. Most of the time we find a balance that pleases us both.
As we walk through these unusual days, we’re learning to give our expectations to the Lord and hold them loosely. To give each other grace. To be kind. Gentle. Forgiving. Unselfish.
We’re all dealing with less than ideal circumstances. But we have much to be grateful for.
When we get to the end of this social isolation period and jump back into our busy lives, I hope we’ll be able to say, “This has been a sweet opportunity to enjoy each other, spend uninterrupted time together, and grow closer.”I don’t want to look back on those weeks and say, “Gosh, what a miserable time. Why did we fight over so many foolish things?”
To remind us to honor God in the way we relate to our husband (child, grandchild, or whomever we’re sheltering-at-home with), will you join me in committing to memory these two powerful Bible verses:
Ephesians 4:32: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
And Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”?
These wise words remind us that as we serve those around us, we’re not really serving them at all.
We’re serving Jesus Christ.
And we’d do anything for Him.
Wouldn’t we?
Now it's your turn. I'd like to hear what you've found to be a hard aspect of sheltering at home. And then share a blessing. Leave your comment in the box below and join the conversation. If you're reading by email, CLICK HERE to visit Hungry for God online and leave a comment.
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
[image error] Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 16, 2020
Refusing to Ride the Worry Train
“Sue, I’d like to talk with you about a problem. I’ll see you in my office first thing Monday morning.”
Ever gotten an email like this? On Friday afternoon at five, when the whole weekend stretches before you, and there’s nothing you can do except fret?
Or how about a voice mail like this one: “Hello Mrs. Gooding, this is Dr. Simpson. I just got the results of Buster’s pathology report. Unfortunately, it’s not good. The office is closed for the weekend, but call me first thing Monday, and we’ll discuss your options.” Two days to wait with nothing to do but worry and cry.
When was the last time you were afraid? Afraid you’d lose your job, your health, your home, your loved one? Afraid of punishment or persecution, poverty, or pain? When have you faced an agonizing wait—for a diagnosis, a deliverance, a breakthrough, or a rescue?
Sometimes God allows uncertainty into our lives to test us. He tested Abraham, and he tested Job. He tested the Israelites in the wilderness:
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deu. 8:2).
But unlike the statement above, “. . . there’s nothing you can do except fret,” there is something else we can do. Every fearful situation leaves us with two choices—we can respond in fear, or we can respond in faith.
When we respond in fear, we torment ourselves with every possible scenario—all horrible. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat (or we overeat), and we can’t concentrate on anything but IT. Scary thoughts consume every waking moment. What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ?
If we’re Christians, our all-consuming worry makes a mockery of everything we say we believe. Our mouths say, “I believe God’s promises,” but our actions say, I believe God’s promises only when everything’s going well.
When we respond in faith, we command fear instead of allowing fear to command us.
When fear wraps our necks in a suffocating choke hold, we whisper the promises of God.
When fear screams lies into our souls, we shout back truth in the name of Jesus.
When fear pounds us with what-ifs and whys, we fight back with “Fear not, for I . . .”
When we respond in faith, we choose to believe what God says instead of what our circumstances tell us. We reign in our thoughts and make them captive to the obedience of Christ. We refuse to ride the worry train to its miserable destination.
If you’re experiencing a frightening situation right now, God may be testing you to see what is in your heart and to see if you will obey his commands. Contrary to what you may think, you have two choices—faith or fear. Which is it going to be?
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior,” (Isa. 43:1-3).
What about you? Which choice usually wins when you encounter something scary? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading via email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and share your thoughts.
Update on Refresh Your Faith!
In less than a month, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible will officially launch. Early reports tell me that ChristianBook.com is offering a 27% discount and will begin shipping tomorrow. Amazon has it available for pre-order.
Will you join me in asking God to direct this book to everyone who is looking for a way to energize their quiet time and gain new insights into God's Word? I especially hope to reach those who find themselves approaching their quiet time out of duty rather than delight.
Thank you so much!
HOT OFF THE PRESS: FREE Bible Study Guide and Small Group Discussion Questions! Did you know there is a FREE Bible study guide and discussion questions to accompany the Hungry for God...Starving for Time devotional? Click HERE to download your copy. Now you'll have everything you need to use Hungry for God as the basis for your next small group Bible study.
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
Ever gotten an email like this? On Friday afternoon at five, when the whole weekend stretches before you, and there’s nothing you can do except fret?
Or how about a voice mail like this one: “Hello Mrs. Gooding, this is Dr. Simpson. I just got the results of Buster’s pathology report. Unfortunately, it’s not good. The office is closed for the weekend, but call me first thing Monday, and we’ll discuss your options.” Two days to wait with nothing to do but worry and cry.
When was the last time you were afraid? Afraid you’d lose your job, your health, your home, your loved one? Afraid of punishment or persecution, poverty, or pain? When have you faced an agonizing wait—for a diagnosis, a deliverance, a breakthrough, or a rescue? Sometimes God allows uncertainty into our lives to test us. He tested Abraham, and he tested Job. He tested the Israelites in the wilderness:
“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deu. 8:2).
But unlike the statement above, “. . . there’s nothing you can do except fret,” there is something else we can do. Every fearful situation leaves us with two choices—we can respond in fear, or we can respond in faith.
When we respond in fear, we torment ourselves with every possible scenario—all horrible. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat (or we overeat), and we can’t concentrate on anything but IT. Scary thoughts consume every waking moment. What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ?
If we’re Christians, our all-consuming worry makes a mockery of everything we say we believe. Our mouths say, “I believe God’s promises,” but our actions say, I believe God’s promises only when everything’s going well.
When we respond in faith, we command fear instead of allowing fear to command us.
When fear wraps our necks in a suffocating choke hold, we whisper the promises of God.
When fear screams lies into our souls, we shout back truth in the name of Jesus.
When fear pounds us with what-ifs and whys, we fight back with “Fear not, for I . . .”
When we respond in faith, we choose to believe what God says instead of what our circumstances tell us. We reign in our thoughts and make them captive to the obedience of Christ. We refuse to ride the worry train to its miserable destination.
If you’re experiencing a frightening situation right now, God may be testing you to see what is in your heart and to see if you will obey his commands. Contrary to what you may think, you have two choices—faith or fear. Which is it going to be?
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior,” (Isa. 43:1-3).
What about you? Which choice usually wins when you encounter something scary? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading via email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and share your thoughts.
Update on Refresh Your Faith!
In less than a month, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible will officially launch. Early reports tell me that ChristianBook.com is offering a 27% discount and will begin shipping tomorrow. Amazon has it available for pre-order. Will you join me in asking God to direct this book to everyone who is looking for a way to energize their quiet time and gain new insights into God's Word? I especially hope to reach those who find themselves approaching their quiet time out of duty rather than delight.
Thank you so much!
HOT OFF THE PRESS: FREE Bible Study Guide and Small Group Discussion Questions! Did you know there is a FREE Bible study guide and discussion questions to accompany the Hungry for God...Starving for Time devotional? Click HERE to download your copy. Now you'll have everything you need to use Hungry for God as the basis for your next small group Bible study.
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 12, 2020
Is It Time to Refresh Your Faith? A Vlog
Today I’m sharing by video the challenging time in my life that inspired my new devotional book, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible.
If you’re reading by email and can’t see the video, CLICK HERE.
Amazon Description:
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before! It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith
contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Each devotion challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Refresh Your Faith’s conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
From Lori:
When I began my treasure hunt through the Bible, I found golden nuggets buried in familiar portions of the Bible. In obscure books like Ezra, Habakkuk, and Philemon were dynamic, life-changing verses. Before, I’d avoided or skimmed these less-familiar sections. Now their gems shined with extraordinary brilliance.
In the more well-known books, I discovered unlikely verses that sparkled with truth and life application. Perhaps if others knew these gems were here, I thought, they’d fall in love with the Bible too. It’s my prayer that as you journey with me through little-known and often overlooked verses in every book of the Bible, you too will discover the joy, excitement, and riches of God’s Word. I hope you’ll not only fall in love with the Bible, but you’ll also fall in love (or back in love) with God, the author of the Bible.
Chapter titles include:
• Will God really provide? (from Leviticus)
• God of wrath or God of love? (from Judges)
• The A I couldn't earn (from James)
• When murderers go free (from Amos)
• Fellowship and fish tacos (from 1 John)
• When God allows what He hates (from 2 Kings)
• Speak up for those who can't (from Proverbs)
• One reason God answers our prayers (from Daniel)
• Will Jesus really return? (from Zephaniah)
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
If you’re reading by email and can’t see the video, CLICK HERE.
Amazon Description:
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before! It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith
contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Each devotion challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Refresh Your Faith’s conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
From Lori:
When I began my treasure hunt through the Bible, I found golden nuggets buried in familiar portions of the Bible. In obscure books like Ezra, Habakkuk, and Philemon were dynamic, life-changing verses. Before, I’d avoided or skimmed these less-familiar sections. Now their gems shined with extraordinary brilliance.
In the more well-known books, I discovered unlikely verses that sparkled with truth and life application. Perhaps if others knew these gems were here, I thought, they’d fall in love with the Bible too. It’s my prayer that as you journey with me through little-known and often overlooked verses in every book of the Bible, you too will discover the joy, excitement, and riches of God’s Word. I hope you’ll not only fall in love with the Bible, but you’ll also fall in love (or back in love) with God, the author of the Bible.
Chapter titles include:
• Will God really provide? (from Leviticus)
• God of wrath or God of love? (from Judges)
• The A I couldn't earn (from James)
• When murderers go free (from Amos)
• Fellowship and fish tacos (from 1 John)
• When God allows what He hates (from 2 Kings)
• Speak up for those who can't (from Proverbs)
• One reason God answers our prayers (from Daniel)
• Will Jesus really return? (from Zephaniah)
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 11, 2020
He Is Risen!
"The bedrock of our Christian faith is the unmerited, fathomless marvel of the love of God exhibited on the Cross of Calvary, a love we never can and never shall merit." ~Oswald Chambers
Happy Easter, friends! May the joy of our risen Lord consume you this day and every day.If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 10, 2020
5 Characters of the Easter Story You're Probably Forgetting
Say the names Casey Affleck and Emma Stone, and people will immediately recognize them as the 2017 Oscar award winners for Best Actor and Actress. Say the names Danny Trejo and Wallace Shawn, however, and you’ll doubtless find only a few who can tell you who they are and what they’re known for.
Despite the fact that Trejo and Shawn have acted in dozens of movies, people often overlook them because they aren’t high profile stars.
Every Easter drama and passion play also has headliners. So does the biblical account of the Easter story—Oscar-worthy leading men and women who held up-front roles in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. But behind the headliners stand characters who played significant, if under-recognized parts.
I’d like to spotlight five men and women we often forget when we study the Easter story.
Simon of Cyrene
Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention Simon as the man who carried Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. Most criminals were forced to carry their own crosses, but Jesus was apparently too weak from his brutal lashing to be able to carry it. Simon was jerked from the crowd and forced to help him.
Because Cyrene is located in modern-day Libya, some have speculated Simon may have been a dark-skinned black man who had come to worship in Jerusalem for Passover. Many Jews lived in Cyrene at the time, however, so it’s more likely he was a dispersed Jew.
Mark 15:21 records that Simon had brought his sons, Alexander and Rufus, to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Because people from Cyrene were some of the first to place their faith in the resurrected Christ on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10), many scholars believe that Simon, his sons, and even his wife may have been among those early church members.
Romans 16:13 gives us a possible connection. The apostle Paul wrote, "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well."
Considering that Simon probably lifted the blood-spattered cross from Jesus’ onto his own, witnessed his crucifixion, and heard the news of his miraculous resurrection, it’s easy to understand why scholars believe Simon may have become a follower of Jesus.
The Centurion at Jesus’ Tomb
We know little about this minor character in the passion of Christ. In ancient Rome, centurion means “captain of 100,” so we know he was a man of power within the Roman government. As a law enforcement officer, he would have seen the dregs of society and also rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous.
During one of his shifts, the centurion witnessed Jesus’ tortuous death on the cross. He saw his humanity when he cried out, “I thirst.” He felt his agony when he screamed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He felt his compassion when he heard Jesus pray, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
This man, a formal instrument of Roman justice and punishment, weighed Christ’s charges against his character and spoke two sentences: "Truly this was a Son of God," and “Certainly this was a righteous Man."
Unlike the religious leaders of the time, this pagan soldier recognized what others refused to see—the true human and divine natures of Jesus.
The Apostle John
When Jesus was arrested it the Garden of Gethsemane, all his disciples forsook him and fled. Gospel accounts later tell us Peter and “another disciple” followed him into the high priest’s courtyard (John 18). Some Bible scholars suspect this “other disciple” was John.
In the Gospels John is often referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” The Bible also lists John as the only disciple present at Jesus’ crucifixion.
While the others hid in fear of arrest, John bravely stood beside Jesus’ mother as she watched her beloved son die (John 19:26). From the cross, Jesus spoke to them. "Woman, here is your son,” he said to Mary (John 19:26).
"Here is your mother," he said to John.
Scholars agree that with these two statements, Jesus was reassuring his mother that she would be cared for while also bestowing the responsibility for his mother’s care upon John. “From that time on,” John 19:27 states, “this disciple took her into his home.”
True love often demands that we put another’s welfare above our own. Although John’s courage failed in the Garden of Gethsemane, his deep and abiding love for Jesus ultimately caused him to do the right thing. Not only did he stand beside his Friend in his deepest hour of need, he accepted the responsibility to care and provide for his mother for the rest of her life.
John, a sometimes-overlooked character, deserves the Best Supporting Actor award for the crucial part he played in the Easter drama.
Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph, like Nicodemus of John 3, was a secret disciple. The Bible describes him as a member of the Sanhedrin, the judicial body of the Jews. Despite being a “respected member of the council,” (Mark 15:43), Joseph “had not consented to their decision and action” to arrest and prosecute Jesus (Luke 23:50-5).
Passion plays sometimes portray Joseph as a cowardly, conflicted man who remains silent when the votes are cast for Jesus’ condemnation. Perhaps this is true. I prefer to give Joseph the benefit of the doubt, assuming he hoped to quietly influence others to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and perhaps even use his prominent position to protect him.
Regardless, Joseph demonstrated great courage after Christ’s death.
Risking the ridicule of his peers, endangerment of his wealth, and expulsion from the council, he boldly petitioned Pontius Pilate for Christ’s body. He purchased a linen shroud, took Jesus’ body from the cross, and transported it to his own tomb. There he and Nicodemus quickly anointed the body with burial spices and placed it in Joseph’s tomb, “for the Sabbath was drawing on.”
Joseph goes down in the cast of characters as a man who voted his conscience, used his influence for good, and courageously stepped up to do the right thing no matter what it cost him. We’d do well not to forget him.
Pilate’s Wife
It seems odd to end the list of noble yet easily forgotten characters in the Easter story with Pilate’s wife, a person we know little about. Unlike her well-known husband, she isn’t even named in the Gospels.
We can assume, because she was married to a prominent Roman governor, that she was high born, Roman, well educated, and wealthy. With little more than assumptions however, it’s best to focus on what she did rather than who she was.
On the morning of Jesus’ trial, she sent her husband an urgent message, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him” (Mat. 27:19). Scripture records that Pilate “knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him” (Mat. 27:18), but chose instead to disregard his wife’s wise advice.
Like Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate’s wife took bold and courageous action against a very powerful man. Women of the Bible website accurately describes her heroic deed: “Pilate’s wife is the only recorded person who spoke up against the decision to kill Jesus.” Female in a world where women were devalued, and powerless in her own right, Pilate’s wife was used by God to deliver timely advice.
Her one-line cameo appearance unequivocally earns her a spot on the list of characters you don’t want to forget in the Easter story.
During Easter weekend, why not take time to reread the Easter story with an eye for the marginalized and obscure? I’m confident you’ll find other unforgettable characters who will inspire and deepen your appreciation for God’s ability to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things
Father, help me see the Easter story through fresh eyes. Reveal yourself to me in new ways. Show me how I can be a bold, courageous, faithful disciple who loves and serves you well. In Jesus’ name I ask, Amen.
This article originally appeared on Crosswalk.com.
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
[image error]
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
.
Available now on Amazon.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
Despite the fact that Trejo and Shawn have acted in dozens of movies, people often overlook them because they aren’t high profile stars.
Every Easter drama and passion play also has headliners. So does the biblical account of the Easter story—Oscar-worthy leading men and women who held up-front roles in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. But behind the headliners stand characters who played significant, if under-recognized parts. I’d like to spotlight five men and women we often forget when we study the Easter story.
Simon of Cyrene
Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention Simon as the man who carried Jesus’ cross to Golgotha. Most criminals were forced to carry their own crosses, but Jesus was apparently too weak from his brutal lashing to be able to carry it. Simon was jerked from the crowd and forced to help him.
Because Cyrene is located in modern-day Libya, some have speculated Simon may have been a dark-skinned black man who had come to worship in Jerusalem for Passover. Many Jews lived in Cyrene at the time, however, so it’s more likely he was a dispersed Jew. Mark 15:21 records that Simon had brought his sons, Alexander and Rufus, to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Because people from Cyrene were some of the first to place their faith in the resurrected Christ on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10), many scholars believe that Simon, his sons, and even his wife may have been among those early church members.
Romans 16:13 gives us a possible connection. The apostle Paul wrote, "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well."
Considering that Simon probably lifted the blood-spattered cross from Jesus’ onto his own, witnessed his crucifixion, and heard the news of his miraculous resurrection, it’s easy to understand why scholars believe Simon may have become a follower of Jesus.
The Centurion at Jesus’ Tomb
We know little about this minor character in the passion of Christ. In ancient Rome, centurion means “captain of 100,” so we know he was a man of power within the Roman government. As a law enforcement officer, he would have seen the dregs of society and also rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous.
During one of his shifts, the centurion witnessed Jesus’ tortuous death on the cross. He saw his humanity when he cried out, “I thirst.” He felt his agony when he screamed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He felt his compassion when he heard Jesus pray, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” This man, a formal instrument of Roman justice and punishment, weighed Christ’s charges against his character and spoke two sentences: "Truly this was a Son of God," and “Certainly this was a righteous Man."
Unlike the religious leaders of the time, this pagan soldier recognized what others refused to see—the true human and divine natures of Jesus.
The Apostle John
When Jesus was arrested it the Garden of Gethsemane, all his disciples forsook him and fled. Gospel accounts later tell us Peter and “another disciple” followed him into the high priest’s courtyard (John 18). Some Bible scholars suspect this “other disciple” was John.
In the Gospels John is often referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” The Bible also lists John as the only disciple present at Jesus’ crucifixion.
While the others hid in fear of arrest, John bravely stood beside Jesus’ mother as she watched her beloved son die (John 19:26). From the cross, Jesus spoke to them. "Woman, here is your son,” he said to Mary (John 19:26).
"Here is your mother," he said to John.
Scholars agree that with these two statements, Jesus was reassuring his mother that she would be cared for while also bestowing the responsibility for his mother’s care upon John. “From that time on,” John 19:27 states, “this disciple took her into his home.”
True love often demands that we put another’s welfare above our own. Although John’s courage failed in the Garden of Gethsemane, his deep and abiding love for Jesus ultimately caused him to do the right thing. Not only did he stand beside his Friend in his deepest hour of need, he accepted the responsibility to care and provide for his mother for the rest of her life.
John, a sometimes-overlooked character, deserves the Best Supporting Actor award for the crucial part he played in the Easter drama.
Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph, like Nicodemus of John 3, was a secret disciple. The Bible describes him as a member of the Sanhedrin, the judicial body of the Jews. Despite being a “respected member of the council,” (Mark 15:43), Joseph “had not consented to their decision and action” to arrest and prosecute Jesus (Luke 23:50-5).
Passion plays sometimes portray Joseph as a cowardly, conflicted man who remains silent when the votes are cast for Jesus’ condemnation. Perhaps this is true. I prefer to give Joseph the benefit of the doubt, assuming he hoped to quietly influence others to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and perhaps even use his prominent position to protect him.
Regardless, Joseph demonstrated great courage after Christ’s death.
Risking the ridicule of his peers, endangerment of his wealth, and expulsion from the council, he boldly petitioned Pontius Pilate for Christ’s body. He purchased a linen shroud, took Jesus’ body from the cross, and transported it to his own tomb. There he and Nicodemus quickly anointed the body with burial spices and placed it in Joseph’s tomb, “for the Sabbath was drawing on.” Joseph goes down in the cast of characters as a man who voted his conscience, used his influence for good, and courageously stepped up to do the right thing no matter what it cost him. We’d do well not to forget him.
Pilate’s Wife
It seems odd to end the list of noble yet easily forgotten characters in the Easter story with Pilate’s wife, a person we know little about. Unlike her well-known husband, she isn’t even named in the Gospels.
We can assume, because she was married to a prominent Roman governor, that she was high born, Roman, well educated, and wealthy. With little more than assumptions however, it’s best to focus on what she did rather than who she was.
On the morning of Jesus’ trial, she sent her husband an urgent message, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him” (Mat. 27:19). Scripture records that Pilate “knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him” (Mat. 27:18), but chose instead to disregard his wife’s wise advice.
Like Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate’s wife took bold and courageous action against a very powerful man. Women of the Bible website accurately describes her heroic deed: “Pilate’s wife is the only recorded person who spoke up against the decision to kill Jesus.” Female in a world where women were devalued, and powerless in her own right, Pilate’s wife was used by God to deliver timely advice.
Her one-line cameo appearance unequivocally earns her a spot on the list of characters you don’t want to forget in the Easter story.
During Easter weekend, why not take time to reread the Easter story with an eye for the marginalized and obscure? I’m confident you’ll find other unforgettable characters who will inspire and deepen your appreciation for God’s ability to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things
Father, help me see the Easter story through fresh eyes. Reveal yourself to me in new ways. Show me how I can be a bold, courageous, faithful disciple who loves and serves you well. In Jesus’ name I ask, Amen.
This article originally appeared on Crosswalk.com.
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
[image error]
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
.
Available now on Amazon.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 9, 2020
"Mercy In Disguise," a Sneak Peek into Refresh Your Faith
On Monday, April 13, 2020, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible will launch on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and ChristianBook.com. Before it does, I want to share a sneak preview with you, my friends and faithful readers. I hope the devotion from the book of Jonah, “Mercy In Disguise,” will encourage and inspire you today.
Thanks for praying that the book launches well and reaches everyone who needs to refresh their faith and draw closer to God.
Hugs,
Lori
Jonah
Mercy in Disguise
“Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy.” Jonah 2:8 (nkjv)
Does anyone not know the story of Jonah? Rebellious prophet catches the first ship headed south after God calls him north to preach to the wicked Ninevites. A storm arises, threatening the ship and all those on board. Jonah confesses his sin, offers his life in exchange for the crew’s, and urges the sailors to toss him overboard. But instead of drowning, Jonah gets swallowed by a great fish, who just happens to be swimming toward Nineveh. Jonah repents of his rebellious ways, the fish burps him out, and he heads toward the city center, preaching repentance as he goes. The city responds, and they all live happily ever after. The End.
If you ask someone, “Who gets saved in the book of Jonah?” they’ll respond, “Why, the Ninevites, of course.” Every kid in children’s church knows this. Jonah shines as an ambassador of God’s mercy toward the disobedient, unbelieving Ninevites. But hidden in the first chapter, we find something unexpected—glistening examples of God’s mercy toward Jonah, toward a disobedient, believing Hebrew.
The first glimmer of God’s mercy toward Jonah comes in the form of a storm. “The Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up” (Jonah 1:4).
Jonah recognized it for what it was—a divine response to his sin. “I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you,” he told his shipmates (verse 12). But he was wrong about God’s intent. Jonah assumed the storm was meant to kill him as punishment for disobeying God’s call to go to Nineveh. And he was willing to accept his sentence. But he wasn’t willing to take the entire crew with him. He instructed the sailors, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea . . . and it will become calm.”
They did. And it did.
Jonah was a dead man. He knew it and the sailors knew it. As they threw him overboard, they prayed to God, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life” (verse 14).
But God didn’t send the powerful storm to destroy Jonah. He sent it to save him. How do we know this? Because Jonah didn’t drown. God sent the storm to save Jonah from himself.
As he sank into the depths of the sea, God extended His mercy a second time. Instead of wind and waves, however, God sent a whale. “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah” (verse 17). In Jonah’s mind, his situation went from bad to worse, but we know better. Instead of becoming fish bait, Jonah became a passenger in the world’s first submarine. God used the great fish to shelter and transport Jonah back to a place of repentance and restoration.
But Jonah’s repentance wasn’t instantaneous. While he should have been praising God for his unlikely rescue, he sat with his arms crossed in the pitch-black belly of the whale for three days and three nights. Floating in gastric juices and breathing the stench of rotting fish carcasses, he resisted God’s mercy and clung to his worthless idols of prejudice, superiority, and rebellion.
Until a light dawned.
“When my life was ebbing away,” Jonah prayed, “I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple” (Jonah 2:7).
“And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land” (verse 10).
As Christians, we all have our Jonah moments. We sense God’s call and run the other way. Fear, prejudice, a lack of faith, or a school of other excuses hinder us from obeying what we know He wants us to do.
Because He’s committed to helping us grow and bear spiritual fruit, He orders the circumstances of our lives to give us every opportunity to turn back to himself. What looks like punishment might instead be the velvet glove of mercy.
When we return to Him, He’ll again work through us to bless other people. We may not see an entire city come to faith in God like Jonah did, but we can be confident He’ll use us to accomplish His good and perfect will in the lives of those around us.
Uncommon Thought
What looks like judgment may instead be God’s mercy in disguise.
Unusual Faith
As you look back on the difficult seasons of your life, have you ever considered the possibility that God may have allowed those times to draw you closer to himself or to redirect your steps? Could what looked like punishment instead have been a manifestation of His mercy? What about your life now? Are you walking in obedience to God, or are you running in the opposite direction? Have you been reluctant to obey something He’s called you to do? Demonstrate your faith by saying yes today.
Would you like to hear what one reader thinks about Refresh Your Faith?
If you're reading by email and can't see the video, CLICK HERE.
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 7, 2020
It's Time to Party, and You're Invited!
There was a glitch with yesterday's post, and the information about the PARTY got buried. I didn't want you to miss the fun, so I'm resending all the glorious details in the correct format. Hope to see you there!Remember how long the time seemed between summer vacation and Christmas? Or between the start of your senior year in high school and graduation? Or how the days of your engagement moved like a three-legged turtle climbing Mt. McKinley?
I’ve waited for Monday, April 13 for a very long time.
More than three years, to be exact.
But it’s almost here – the day my latest devotional book, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible, launches with Our Daily Bread Publishing. Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
My eyes leaked joyful tears over feedback like:
This from Melissa G:
“One of my goals this year was to get back into my faith, and this book helped reignite it. It’s been great for me during this hard time when it’s hard to trust in God and his word. This book helped me find my faith again and allowed me to be more open to Christian books!”
And this from Cheri S.:
“This devotional ‘from every book of the Bible’ is wonderful. It’s down-to-earth, relatable, yet so insightful. It shows me God’s truth from a slightly different perspective, layering more truths into my heart. I love the easy style of reading. This is a book I’d be happy to give to a seasoned Christian to gain more insight, a new believer who wants to learn more about the Bible, and everyone in between. It’s great for men, women, and teens.”
And this from Robin D.:
“This devotional is like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant world of devotionals. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the passages of scripture anew. This book is a winner!”
Today the book launches on Amazon, and tomorrow we PARTY!Please join me on the Hungry for God Facebook page on Tuesday, April 14, from 8-9 pm EST for a live event. My husband David and I will broadcast from home (we're sheltering together :). We’ll play online games; compete for prizes like restaurant gift cards, books, and signed copies of Refresh Your Faith; and get to know each other better.
The author trivia game will help you learn fun facts about me. The conversation starters will help me get to know you better.
Here’s the link to the Hungry for God page: https://www.facebook.com/HungryForGod/ . Please like the page and RSVP to join the party. Then show up on the Hungry for God page Tuesday night, April 14, at 8 (EST) and join the fun. I can’t wait to see you there!
If you’d like to pre-order your copy of Refresh Your Faith, click here to visit Amazon. or here to visit Christian Book . com.
Thank you for your overwhelming support, kind words of encouragement, and PRAYERS. Please don’t stop. My hope is that God will use Refresh Your Faith to help many people fall more in love with God and His Word. And for those that don’t know Him? That they’ll discover Him for the first time. May God be glorified.
~Lori
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
April 6, 2020
Refresh Your Faith Footer
That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
[image error] Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!
[image error] Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.
“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
March 30, 2020
Let's Not Waste Our Isolation -- 10 Tips for Redeeming the Time during Coronavirus Sheltering
Today begins week three of the unofficial shelter-in-place recommendation our governor has implemented for South Carolina. As a dental professional, I’ve been working shorter hours with limited patient contact. Our office is open for emergencies only for the foreseeable future. My husband was sent home two weeks ago from his full time job. As a bi-vocational pastor, he continues to minister to our small congregation through phone calls, text messages, Facebook Live, and Zoom.
Together we’re struggling to find our new normal.
We’re grateful to be healthy and vacillating between enjoying the slower, less-stressful days and chafing at all we could be accomplishing if we weren’t sheltering at home. We wish the crisis was over and life would get back to normal.
Normal meaning plenty of chicken, canned food, and toilet paper. Birthday parties and weddings. Bible studies, worship services, neighborhood gatherings and coffee with friends. I long for the days when I can hug a friend in the grocery store instead of waving at her from six feet away. I miss dropping in on my parents without being afraid I’m going to infect them with a virus that might kill them.
We’ve Been Given a Trust
But until the sickness is vanquished and life returns to normal, we’ve been given a trust. First Corinthians 4:2 reminds us, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
Like a lawyer administrates a financial inheritance or the state oversees a guardianship, the trust of time at home comes with the understanding that we will give an accounting.
When the stay-at-home orders lift and we resume our day to day activities, what will we have to show for the hours and hours and hours God has given us at home?
Will we have stored up wood, hay, and stubble? Or gold, silver, and precious stones? Intentional acts? Or mindless inactivity? Will my body, my relationships, and my spiritual life be better because of the time I’ve spent at home, or worse?
I don’t want to waste a minute of my isolation.
I want to redeem it. I want to squeeze everything good out of every moment. I want to leverage the time God has given me by doing things that will advance God’s kingdom and benefit my family, my neighbors, my community, and the world.
I don’t want March, April, May, and who knows how long to go down on my calendar as wasted months with nothing to show for them. We’ll never regain these days of our lives.
I want to spend mine well. Don’t you?
10 ways we can redeem our time at home during the coronavirus isolation:
1. Read the Bible. How often have we raced past our Bibles on the way to work, school, or some other responsibility, lamenting, “I’d love to read my Bible more. If I only had more time.” Now we have it. The possibilities for diving into God’s Word are endless. Why not organize a study online with a few friends through Zoom or FaceTime? Pull that Bible study book off the shelf. Watch a video study online. Read a book of the Bible you’ve never read before and record what you learn about God.
2. Pray. Dedicate some time every day to pray for the lost, the sick, and those who are caring for them. Pray for our leaders. Ask friends how you can support them through prayer. Reach out to missionaries, especially those overseas. Many serve in countries with poor healthcare systems far away from family. Start a prayer journal to help you remember requests. Be sure to date the requests and leave room for answers.
3. Exercise. We all know regular exercise promotes physical health. This is especially important now, when a strong immune system could make the difference between life and death. Exercise also promotes mental and emotional well being, giving us reserves to combat the extra stress of social and physical isolation. Many communities allow individual exercise like walking a dog or going for a run. If you’re confined indoors, you’ll have to get a little more creative. Check Youtube for workout videos or, if you prefer a live class, visit Planet Fitness’ Facebook page. There you can work out by working in. Their free “Home Work-Ins,” sessions provide a series of 20-minute classes that don’t require equipment.
4. Connect with someone you haven’t talked with in a while. In the past two weeks I’ve exchanged text message conversations and phone calls with three out-of-state friends, a missionary in Mexico, and a friend from high school. We’ve caught up on the events of our lives, swapped book and movie recommendations, and prayed together.
5. Look for creative and safe ways to serve others. Reach out to the elderly, the sick, and the disabled in your church and community. Check in with those who depend on Uber and Lyft services to get around. Ask them if you can pick up groceries or prescriptions. Be safe and use precautions, but don’t let fear prevent you from helping those who can’t help themselves.
6. Share. Rather than thinking about what you don’t have, look for ways to share what you do. Residents of my daughter’s neighborhood set up a card table in their driveway and filled it with colorful bouquets of poppies stuffed into Solo cups. They posted a picture with the message, “We are a small business, and since we are unable to sell to our usual restaurants, we thought we’d share with our neighbors!!! Come by and grab [a bouquet] to brighten up your home.” This creative couple turned a bad circumstance into a good one, looked for a way to share, and made a lot of neighbors smile. 7. Read good books. Remember that stack of books on your bedside table or bookshelf? Now’s the time to dust them off. Immerse yourself in fiction with redeeming value, classic literature, or Christian living titles. Revisit old favorites or pick up a new one. If you’re looking for a story-driven devotional, I’d love for you to pick up a copy of my new book, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible.
8. Explore something you’ve always wanted to learn. My friend Heather ordered a calligraphy book. James is experimenting with acrylics. Other friends are digging out piano books and polishing their skills, writing the next American novel, and learning to sew. Renee and Jimmy played tennis for the first time in a long time, and Jean’s researching how to record online Bible studies. Many websites are offering free classes.
9. Play a Game. If you’re sheltering at home with others, break out the cards or dig out the board games. Some of our family’s current game favorites are Exploding Kittens (no cats are hurt during this game), Rummikub, and I Should Have Known That Trivia Game. If you’d like to have some fun with others but can’t leave your home, download the free version of Psych in the App Store. Start a game, download the password, and invite others to play along with you in this Balderdash-type game. Several years ago, while visiting our daughter and son-in-law in Spain, we invited our youngest daughter and her husband in South Carolina to join us in a game. Through the wonders of technology, all six of us were able to play in real time despite being separated by almost 4,000 miles and the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Spread truth and light. First Peter 3:15 reminds us, “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Many around us are frightened and filled with questions. Their spirits are tender and searching. As believers, we can share hope, truth, and light.
Every morning, ask God to show you where He is at work and how you can join Him. Invite Him to speak through you in person, through texts and messages, and on social media. And remember to smile. One smile in a sea of worried faces can change the atmosphere and lift someone’s burdens. Thank the cashier that rings up your groceries for coming to work that day. Express your appreciation to those who serve you. These weeks (and maybe months) of social isolation don’t have to be lost time. With forethought, prayer, and creativity, we, our families, our communities, our churches, and our nation can come through stronger, wiser, and more like Jesus.
Update on Refresh Your Faith!
On April 13, Refresh Your Faith, Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible will officially launch. ChristianBook.com is offering a 27% discount and will begin shipping tomorrow. Amazon has it available for pre-order. Will you join me in asking God to direct this book to everyone who is looking for a way to energize their quiet time and gain new insights into God's Word? I especially hope to reach those who find themselves approaching their quiet time out of duty rather than delight.
Thank you so much!
HOT OFF THE PRESS: FREE Bible Study Guide and Small Group Discussion Questions! Did you know there is a FREE Bible study guide and discussion questions to accompany the Hungry for God...Starving for Time devotional? Click HERE to download your copy. Now you'll have everything you need to use Hungry for God as the basis for your next small group Bible study.
Are you hungry for God, but starving for time?
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord.
Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive.
Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.
Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.
If this post was meaningful to you, would you consider sharing it with a friend by clicking on one of the buttons below? Did you know you can receive bi-weekly Hungry for God posts sent directly to your email inbox? Visit http://www.lori-benotweary.blogspot.com and click on the link in the right hand corner to Subscribe Via Email.
Copyright 2018 by Lori Hatcher
Refresh Blog
A place to refresh your faith, hope, and prayers with 5-minute weekly posts.
- Lori Hatcher's profile
- 101 followers
