Lori Hatcher's Blog: Refresh Blog, page 56

The Prisoners Are Listening -- What Happens When We Praise God in Suffering

I had a most interesting conversation with a friend. I hadn’t seen Debra in years, and we were catching up on each other's lives. 

“How’s everything going?” I asked. 

“It’s going well,” she responded. “Steve lost his job several weeks ago.” 

Normally when someone tells me her husband has lost his job, the conversation doesn’t begin with, “It’s going well.” Like chocolate syrup on barbecue, the two just don’t normally go together. 

“I’m sorry to hear about Steve’s job,” I said, but before I could say more, she interrupted me. 

“It’s OK. I remember years ago when your husband lost his job. You’d come into Bible study, and we’d ask you how it was going. Every week you’d have a new story of how God was taking care of you.How he’d met your need that week. I know if he took care of y’all, he’ll take care of us.” 

I thought of Debra as I read Acts 16. 


Paul and Silas didn't know others were watching either. They were just faithfully living out their calling, preaching and teaching the gospel in Philippi. Many were coming to faith in Christ. When they exorcised a demon from a slave girl, however, the tide of popular opinion turned against them. 

The slave girl’s ability to foretell the future had given her masters a steady cash flow. Now it was gone. And boy were they mad. 

Hauling them before the magistrates, they levied charges against them. The officials were eager to comply—these foreigners were upsetting the balance of their city. Beating them viciously, they confined Paul and Silas to the deepest part of the jail, stretched their legs out as far as they could go, and locked them in the stocks. 

What did Paul and Silas do? Whine and complain because they were being punished for doing good? Become angry at God for not protecting them? Turn their backs on him because he wasn’t holding up his end of the bargain? 

“But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God . . .” 

They glorified God. Not despite their troubles, but in their troubles. 

And what happened next? 

“. . . and the prisoners were listening to them.” 

When a believer experiences a trial and continues to praise and glorify God, people take notice. They listen to what you have to say, because your suffering has earned you the right to say it. 

People expect believers to praise God when everything is going well. Why wouldn’t they? Like Satan said in Job 1:10, “Why shouldn’t Job serve you? You’ve blessed everything his hand has touched.” 

“But take your hand of blessing away,” Satan hissed, “and see if he doesn’t curse you to your face.” 

People who are prisoners, chained in hopeless captivity to the world, the flesh, and the devil, recognize true freedom when they see it. And even if they don’t appear to be watching, like my friend Debra so many years ago, they are. 

They’re listening to how you speak about God. They’re watching for the next chapter, to see what’s going to happen. And deep down inside, even though they may be skeptical or disbelieving, they’re hoping God will come through for you. 

Somehow, deep inside the jail cells of their hearts, they know that maybe, just maybe, if God rescues you, he can also rescue them. 

And that’s exactly what happened. 

“Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” 

If you’re going through a trial today, be aware that others are watching you. And they can spot a fake a mile away. It’s not enough to paste on a Bible promise and a plastic smile and lie through your teeth. You’ve got to own the truth that God is in control, and he’s going to use everything in your life for your good and his glory.

 What kind of kingdom ambassador are you? If you're struggling to trust God, check out this link of 50 Promises of God. Or read through the book of Psalms, writing down every attribute of God you find. Coming face to face with God will grow your faith and build your trust.

The prisoners are listening.
And God wants to use you to help set them free.












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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Will Your Marriage Be the Last One Standing?

I remember how it felt to be the last one standing when the stomach bug ravaged our family. 


I desperately sprayed Lysol on everything that didn’t breathe (and maybe a few things that did). I bleached hard surfaces, laundered bedding, and washed my hands until they cracked. 

Not me, I vowed. I will not get sick. It’s not going to get me. 

I felt the same way recently when I heard the news that two more of our friends had separated. Married longer than we’ve been, they appeared to have a stable marriage. Now they’re living in different houses, deciding if their marriage is worth fighting for. 

Hearing the news makes me want to reach for the Matrimonial Lysol and spray anything that dares get within 10 feet of my marriage. I want to scrub away the lies we’re tempted to believe – that someone else will understand us better, that a little pornography doesn’t hurt, that we deserve someone more exciting. I want to launder away the soil of selfishness, laziness, and pride. Most of all, I want to wash my hands of the excuses we make for not loving each other like Christ loves us. 

I don’t want my marriage to be the last one standing. My husband and I want to be part of a long line of lifers—couples who have navigated the waters of marriage from “I do” to “’til death do us part.” I want our marriage to grow sweeter as the years go by, not sour or cynical. 


Here we are on our wedding day, Dec. 28, 1984I want us to hold hands when we’re 90, sneak kisses when we think no one’s looking, and fall asleep in the same bed every night. 

I want my husband to still think I’m pretty when wrinkles and grey hair replace smooth skin and highlights. I want to always admire his muscles and tell him how handsome he looks. I want to pray with him, not against him. 

Now more than ever, I want to love my husband when it’s easy and when it’s hard, because our kids are watching. And our grandkids. And God. They all know neither of us is easy to live with. But we’re going to keep our commitment to each other, because we promised. 

And about that promise – the one we made before God. I don’t want one day to look at Jesus’ nail-scarred hands and pierced side and say, “My marriage was too hard. The sacrifice was too great.” 

Our marriages are the best examples to the world of what committed love looks like. They're reflections of God’s love toward us – unconditional and never-ending. This is why we can’t give up.


We have to continue to become the husband or wife God intends for us to be. We have to go the extra mile, and the next, and the next. We must grab hold of our marriages and not let go – to be like Jacob and say, “I will not let you go until you bless me!” And we must forgive - seventy times seven.

Finally, we must pray circles around our marriages and our mates every day. This is spiritual warfare, and we can no longer remain ignorant or disengaged. Satan is prowling, seeking whom he may devour. He wants it to be us. 

I refuse to be the last one standing. It’s time to stand up and be counted.

"(We) can do all things through Christ who gives (us) strength" (Phil. 4:13).

Will you join me? 

If you leave your name in the comment box. I’d be honored to pray for your marriage today.

And if you need another reminder to fight and pray, take a few minutes and watch this clip from War Room, "It's Time to Fight." If you're reading by email, click here to be challenged and inspired.







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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

10 Scriptures about Death to Comfort the Grieving

I didn’t fully understand the depths of grief until the year my family lost two sisters and a brother within eight months. 

My brother-in-law lost a five-year battle with cancer, my sister died an agonizing death from a toxic clash of prescribed medications, and my sister-in-law died suddenly from a triple brain aneurysm. 

Before 2010 I had a head knowledge of death, but afterward, I’d been baptized by fire. As one family member eloquently described, “I felt like my body had been cut open and all my happiness pulled out.” 

God comforted us through those horrible days in many different ways. Friends made hospital visits and attended funerals. Distant relatives emailed sweet expressions of sympathy. Fellow church members sent cards and casseroles. Our greatest source of comfort, however, was the Bible verses we read in the days surrounding our loved ones’ deaths. 

To read the ten verses we found especially meaningful, click here view the slideshow, "10 Scriptures about Death to Comfort the Grieving," on Crosswalk.com.

Or follow the link: http://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/10-scriptures-about-death-to-comfort-the-grieving.html.

And if you know someone who's struggling through the throes of grief, I'd be honored if you'd share this post with them.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

How to Quench the Flames of Fear

Before my friend said a word, I knew something was wrong. 

She didn’t meet my eyes when I greeted her, and her normally bright smile sagged like a limp balloon. Taking her by the hand, I led her into one of the side rooms of the building, away from curious eyes and listening ears. 

“What’s going on?” I asked gently. Silent tears filled her eyes. 

“I haven’t felt well for months,” she began. “I thought it was just reflux or indigestion . . . then I started losing weight. They did an MRI last Friday. I’m waiting on the results.” 

Her eyes met mine, and before she said the words, I knew what was in her heart. 

“I’m scared.” 

I knew that look, because I’ve seen it in the mirror – fear, terrible fear that squeezes your heart and takes your breath away. Capable of driving every rational thought out of your head and replacing them with spinning nightmares, it makes you want to run away. But there’s no place to run, because IT is everywhere. 

The last time I felt fear like that, I took to the streets. Shoving my feet into my running shoes and lacing them tightly, I knew I had to go somewhere – anywhere. 

“Lord,” I prayed. “I’m afraid. I don’t know what to do, and this looks bad. Please help me.” 

Call Cathy, God’s still, small voice said. 

Cathy? Yes! Cathy. Cathy would understand. Cathy’s been where I’ve been. She’s gone toe-to-toe with this giant and lived to tell the story. 

Shoving my headphones into my ears and dialing the phone, I prayed she’d answer. When she did, I blurted out my story, panic squeezing my throat, making it hard to push the words out. Hard even to breathe. 

Cathy listened quietly, then said the words I needed most. “Let me pray for you.” 

Her prayer changed nothing about my circumstances – at least not immediately – but it brought about a marvelous transformation in my heart. As Cathy prayed, she reminded me of what fear had made me forget: 

That God saw my circumstances. 

That he was able to work in ways I could only imagine. 

That his resources were unlimited. 

And that he hears and answers prayer. 

The panic that had taken my breath away subsided, and by the end of her prayer, my heartbeat had returned to normal. Even better, I felt hopeful. 

Thinking back on the precious gift Cathy gave me that day, I knew what to do to help my frightened friend. 

“Jackie,” l said, “let’s pray.” 

Like Cathy’s prayer for me, my words didn’t change anything about Jackie’s immediate circumstances, but they reminded her God not only knew about her need, but he cared. And he had the power to work in her life. 

So the next time you face a frightening situation, or you encounter someone who is, pray. More than anything else, prayer will take a fire hose to the flame of fear and set you on the path to comfort and peace. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7) 

Now it’s your turn. How have you experienced the peace that comes through prayer? Leave a comment below and share your story.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Why Child-like Prayers Work

I’ve never seen a child eat with so much enthusiasm. Like a squirrel to an oak tree, Caroline had moved from across the kitchen to my side. A tug on my leg induced me to pick her up and plop her on the counter beside me while I carved up the fat, green watermelon. 

“Mmmm. Mmmm,” she purred, eagerly watching as I raised the knife and split the striped orb in half. Before I could cut the first slice, she had reached an eager hand into its wet, pink center. I handed her a bite-sized morsel. Cramming it into her mouth and chomping down, she squirted a pink river down her chin and onto the front of her t-shirt. “Mmmmm,” she said again, reaching for another. 

We sat there for a while, me cutting the watermelon into little pieces and she happily eating them. Finally, her tiny tummy full, she wiggled to the edge of the counter so I could set her back onto the floor. Off she ran, satisfied and happy. 

Jennifer Kennedy Dean, in Live a Praying Life , describes a similar situation. “A child simply assumes that the need or desire is potent enough to speak for itself. All that is required is to bring that need to Mom’s or Dad’s (or Gigi’s) attention. The request assumes the answer. The child’s only thought is to bring the need to the source of supply.” 

Her observation made me realize that I often treat God as a reluctant giver instead of an abundant provider. Caroline helped me better understand God’s heart toward me. 

When I realized Caroline was hungry, I eagerly met her need. My supply was abundant, and I fed her with a liberal, generous hand. I didn’t resent her request, nor did I find it burdensome. In contrast, it made me happy that she came to me. She trusted me to satisfy her desire. I loved feeding her. 

God the Father feels the same way about us. He invites us, nay, expects us to bring our needs to his attention. His supply is ample, and his heart benevolent. He smiles when we push back from his table satisfied and happy. 

It’s no surprise, then, that Jesus told his disciples, “. . . unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mat. 18:3). 

Dean writes, “You don’t need to build a theological case for why God should want to meet your need. He wants to meet your need because He’s your daddy, and you are the apple of His eye.” 

Father, forgive us for treating you more like a deadbeat dad than a generous father. Help us trust you with the eager, sure confidence of a little child. When we forget, remind us that you are a father who loves to give good gifts to his children. Grow our faith. Show us your ways. Lead us ever deeper into the ocean of your love. In the strong name of Jesus we pray, Amen.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Sincerity Isn't Enough - What God Says About Worship

Like every other event gone bad, the celebration started well. 


People gathered from all over the land. Singers and musicians, their hearts full of joy, led in songs of praise. A brand new cart, pulled by two strong oxen, stood ready. King David had sought the wisdom of the people, and all had agreed – it was time for the ark of God, the place where God’s presence dwelt, to return to Jerusalem. The Israelites’ hearts overflowed with happiness and excitement. 

Until something went terribly wrong. 

The oxen pulling the cart stumbled. The ark shifted, sliding precariously close to the edge. Acting without thinking, Uzzah, reached out his hand to steady the teetering ark. Before the oxen could take another step, Uzzah was dead. 

And so was the celebration. 

This millennia-old story contains a powerful and timely lesson for us today. Like David and the Israelites, many of us approach God with sincerity and enthusiasm. Taking our cues from the pulse of the population, we decide that if it seems right to the majority, it must be right before the Lord. If it feels right, we conclude, it must be right. 

But that’s not what God says. 

He didn’t say it in King David’s time, and he doesn’t say it now. God doesn’t leave worship to the dictates of our own hearts or the popular trends of the day. He’s very specific about how we should worship him. And while he leaves some areas of our Christian lives to our own discernment, he gives very clear instructions about this most important matter. 


“God is spirit,” John 4:24 says, “and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” 

What does this mean? 

The Israelites worshiped God in the Spirit – their hearts were dedicated to him and his purposes. King David loved the Lord. The people longed for God’s power and presence to fall upon them. The men who drove the cart wanted to honor God. But they failed to worship him according to truth. 

Truth is God’s instructions to us through his Word, the Bible. The sacred pages contain “everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). They also contain God’s specific instructions for how the Israelites were to transport the ark of God (See Numbers 4:15 and Deuteronomy 10:8). King David followed the desires of his heart (which in this case weren’t wrong), but he failed to consult God’s Word. 

We’re often like King David. We have an idea for how to honor or serve God, but we fail to hold the idea up to the plumb line of God’s Word. Here are some examples of “spirit” worship that goes against “truth” worship: 

We neglect to worship regularly with other believers. 

Hebrews 10:25 tells us “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

We claim the name of Christ, while failing to honor him with our bodies. 

First Corinthians 6:19-20 commands, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 

We accept some parts of the Bible as inspired while dismissing others. 

Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

We exchange what’s right for what’s politically correct. 

James 4:17 warns us, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” In the wake of Uzzah’s tragic death, King David sought the Lord in spirit and in truth. He dug into God’s Word, memorized its precepts, and applied them to his life. The result was a beautiful, joyful, celebration of God’s presence among them. 

“So David and the elders of Israel and the commanders of units of a thousand went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom, with rejoicing” (1 Chr. 15:25). 

What area of your life and worship needs to come under the authority of God’s Word? Why not surrender it today? When you worship God in Spirit and in truth, like David and the Israelites, you will be filled with joy.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

Stinky Feet - Why Jesus Humbled Himself and We Should, Too

It was ugly. 

The scene at the customer service desk made me want to be somewhere else. 

“I can’t believe you don’t have this in stock,” the red-faced man yelled. “This company is pathetic. This store is pathetic. And YOU’RE pathetic,” he said as he leaned over the counter, pointing his finger at the tiny, blonde employee. 

“I’m so sorry, Sir,” she responded. “I’m going to do my best to get you what you need.” 

While I watched, the girl spoke softly and kindly to the customer. Everyone in line breathed a sigh of relief when the man finally left, still not smiling, but satisfied. 

“May I help the next customer,” the employee called, and I stepped forward. 

“You were very kind and patient,” I said to her. “I was praying for you.” “Thank you. Usually when something like this happens, there’s usually something going on in the person’s life that has very little to do with why they came into the store.” 

That young lady was very wise. She had enough self-confidence not to take such an abusive attack personally. I don’t know if she knew Jesus, but she certainly modeled his behavior. 

On the night Christ was betrayed, he took off his outer garments, knelt before his disciples, and washed their stinky feet. 

Peter resisted. He knew the Messiah shouldn’t doing the nasty, demeaning, and subservient task. Foot washing was a job usually reserved for the lowest of servants. Certainly not the Messiah — God in the flesh. 

John 13:3 shows why Christ responded in such a humble manner: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” He knew his authority. He knew where he had come from. He knew where he was going. 

These truths can help us, too. Let’s look closer. 

Jesus’ Authority 

Knowing his father had given him authority over everything, Jesus didn’t have to demand a position of power. He didn’t have to bite and scratch for respect. He had no need to prove himself to anyone. He was secure in who he was and the calling God had given him. 

Christ’s words to Peter on the night he was arrested show us a smidgen of Jesus’ authority: “Do you think I cannot call on my Father,” he said, “and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mat. 26:53). 

As Christians, we have no authority of our own, but God has granted us all the rights and responsibilities of adopted sons and daughters. We are positionally “seated in heavenly places” with Christ, with full authority to serve as his ambassadors. Nothing the world throws at us changes that. 

Jesus’ Origin 

Jesus also understood that he had come from God. Even more significant, he was God. Nothing could diminish his deity. This enabled him to serve others humbly, trusting that, in due time, God would exalt him. 

While we’re not God, we can move confidently through life, because we know God has a purpose for our time on earth. Unlike those who don’t believe in a Creator, we understand that God knit us together in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:16) for a reason. We’re not accidents. 

We also know, “all the days ordained for me were written in (God’s) book before one of them came to be.” This knowledge comes with a responsibility to humbly serve others as Jesus’ hands and feet in the world. 

Jesus’ Destination 

Finally, Christ knew where he was going – back to God. He understood that while his time on earth was limited, his time in heaven was forever. This knowledge charted the course of every day and every action. Knowing that his unselfish and sacrificial works would pave the way for untold numbers of people to obtain eternal life, he submitted himself to the horror and indignity of the cross. Because he knew the end of the story, he was willing to endure the temporary bad to accomplish the eternal good. Jesus taught his disciples this, and his words are true for us today. 


“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me” (John 12:24-26). 

Understanding that we’ll spend eternity in heaven with Christ enables us to pour ourselves out for others, knowing God not only sees our sacrifices in his name, but promises to reward us. Nothing we do in Jesus’ name will go unrecognized. One day we’ll stand before God’s throne and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest,” and everything we’ve endured will be worth it all. 

Today is a new day, full of opportunities. Will we react humbly, like the young girl in the department store, or pridefully like the angry customer? Will we leave a fragrance of Christ behind as we serve others, or will we stink to the high heavens as we demand that others serve us? You decide. 

May the Holy Spirit be mighty within us today.

To help you ponder the joys of servanthood, here's one of my favorite songs, The Servant Song.





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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

You Gotta Serve Somebody

I don’t usually collect spiritual truth from rock music stars, but Bob Dylan got it right when he sang, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” 


Part of the 1979 album by the same name, the hit song explores that, whether we realize it or not, everyone serves something. Dylan’s song resonated with his listeners, climbing to #24 on the Billboard Magazine Hot 100 singles chart and earning him the Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Male, but the concept didn’t originate with Dylan. 

Second Kings 17:33 explores a similar theme. Describing the Israelites’ faith, it says, “They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods. . .” 

King Saul was a prime example of this type of double-mindedness. Consider his leadership during the battle with the Amalekites in First Samuel 15. Because the Amalekites were a particularly wicked nation with a long history of troubling God’s people, God called Saul and the Israelite army to annihilate them. And Saul obeyed – sorta. 

He commanded the army to destroy everyone and everything that breathed . . . except . . . the Amalekite king and the best sheep and cattle. I can kinda understand wanting to preserve a few juicy cheeseburgers or rib eye steaks, but I have no idea why he’d want to spare King Agag’s life. In blatant disregard of God’s clear instructions, he kept him alive. When the prophet Samuel questioned him, he lied and blamed it on the soldiers 

Saul served God when it benefited him, but when other, more attractive options came along, he served himself instead. His divided loyalty cost him the kingship. 

Sadly, many of us suffer from the same kind of double-mindedness. We attend church faithfully when we’re experiencing a trial, but skip church when life’s going well. Or we attend nominally because we’re afraid something bad might happen if we don’t. We fear God, but serve ourselves. 
 
We give to God’s work, but only after all our wants and pleasures are satisfied. We always give something, because we fear God might reverse our fortunes, but sacrificial giving seldom enters our minds. We fear God, but serve our pleasures.
We wear the garb of faith around our Christian brothers and sisters, but put on the cloak of invisibility around everyone else. A little faith is OK, as long as it doesn’t offend anyone, but we never say or do anything to make someone think we’re a fanatic. We fear God, but serve popular opinion. 


Paul David Tripp, in his book, New Morning Mercies, describes it this way: “Whatever commands the love of your heart also shapes the direction of your life . . . Whatever controls the worship of your heart controls your choices, words, emotions, and actions . . . A desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing.” 

“No one can serve two masters,” Jesus said in Matthew 6:24. “Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” 

In God’s kingdom, there should be no half-hearted disciples. “Be hot or be cold,” Revelation 3:16 challenges us. Be all in or all out. Joshua 24:15 makes it clear: “If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”

And as Bob Dylan says, you “gotta serve somebody.” Who’s it going to be?
Now it’s your turn. As you’ve read today’s devotion, perhaps the Lord has brought to mind an area where you’ve been double-minded or half-hearted. I encourage you to surrender totally to God’s leading. Do whatever you have to do to be all in. Say with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 
May God richly bless you as you step out in faith. 


 If you're reading by email and can't see Bob Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody," CLICK HERE.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

The Best Way to Witness

Many of us struggle with sharing our faith. It’s scary, sometimes awkward, and always heavy with the weight of eternal consequences. We know every conversation about spiritual matters leads to a decision of some sort, and we don’t want to mess it up. 

The burden to do it “just right” is sometimes paralyzing. And what does “just right” look like, anyway? Is it filled with Scripture verses and fire and brimstone? Should it follow a formula or a plan? Must it always contain four points and a prayer? 


A story from Acts 3 and 4 gives us a glimpse of what sharing our faith can look like. Let me set the scene: Peter and John were going to the temple to pray. On the way, they met a lame man begging for money. Because the apostles were spiritually sensitive, they recognized the man needed much more than money — he needed to be healed, physically and spiritually. 

“Silver and gold I do not have,” Peter said, “but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 

Needless to say, this miraculous healing created quite a stir. The lame man began enthusiastically praising God, causing people to gather. Peter, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, recognized the perfect opportunity for a spiritual conversation. 

Let’s look at how he handled this God-given chance to share his faith. 

1. He opened the conversation by talking about the man’s miraculous healing. 

Each of us, if we’re believers in Christ, has received a miraculous healing. Greater than the lame man’s physical healing, we’ve been healed spiritually. Our souls are no longer dying. Instead of being crippled by our sinful natures, we are free to walk in the power and strength of the Lord. We should begin here when we share our faith with others. 

2. He gave Jesus the glory for the transformation. 

“Why do you look so intently at us,” Peter said, “as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? . . . (Jesus’) name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong.” Unless they knew us before we came to faith in Christ, most don’t realize what our lives were like before Christ. 

Because we like to spotlight the good parts and minimize the bad, we’re tempted to keep quiet about the less-savory aspects of our past. By doing so, we steal God’s glory. Instead, using appropriate discretion, we should share what our lives were like before Christ, giving God all the glory for the transformation only he could accomplish. This is what Peter did when he said, “Don’t look at us – God did this miracle.” 

3. He didn’t ignore the elephant in the room – sin. 

We tend to shy away from talking about sin. Telling someone they don’t measure up to God’s standards is awkward and scary. We fear they’ll reject us. Maybe call us self-righteous, confrontational, or judgmental. But if we don’t help people realize they’re lost, how will they understand they need a Savior? 

If you encountered a person walking down the road engulfed in flames, would you say, “Oh my, you need new clothes. These look awful. Let me take you shopping and see what we can do”? No. You’d scream, “FIRE!” and do everything you could to save them. So it is with those with whom we interact every day. Their lives (spiritual and physical) are in grave danger, and we must care enough to sound the alarm. 

Peter did this to the crowd at the temple. “You denied the Holy One . . . and killed the Prince of life . . . yet now, brothers, I know you did it in ignorance.” 

4. He pointed them to God. 

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out . . . and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20). 

If we’re true believers, we know that transformation can only come through Jesus. No amount of self-help, force of will, or self-control can make us good enough to go to heaven. Our good deeds, the Bible says, are “filthy rags.” We need Christ’s righteousness for eternal life, and we need Christ living inside us to live a fruitful, productive, peace-filled, guilt-free life here on earth. "If anyone is in Christ,” 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 

And so we must connect the dots until they lead our dear ones to the cross. 


The next time an opportunity arises, take a deep breath, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the words, and tell someone about Jesus. Tell them about the miracle he’s done in your life. Describe how sin prevented you from having a relationship with God, but that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin on the cross. Encourage them to repent and turn to God for the life transformation they desperately need. 

What’s the best way to witness? Tell others what Jesus did for you. When the proof of God’s miraculous power is standing right in front of them, it’ll be mighty hard to argue. 

“And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it” (Acts. 4:13).



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher

What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do

I thought I was losing my mind. 

I was 18 years old. By all outward appearances, I had the world by the tail. I’d graduated fourth in my class, had a full-tuition scholarship to the college of my choice, and a steady boyfriend. Life was good. 

Except it wasn’t. 

I became increasingly overwhelmed with the knowledge that I was making crucial life decisions with no wisdom to draw from. What college should I attend? What career should I choose? Who should I date and (eventually) marry? The stakes were high, and the wrong choices would affect the rest of my life. 

Unlike many 18 year olds, I knew I didn’t know it all, and the fear of making the wrong decisions overwhelmed and frightened me. 

I reached a breaking point one summer morning. Every day for a week I’d awakened, looked in the mirror, and sobbed. I knew I needed help – counseling at the least, but I couldn’t afford it. And heaven forbid admitting to my parents that I was struggling. 

Since I couldn’t afford a counselor, I opted to call my pastor instead. Pastors are like counselors, I reasoned. Maybe he can help me. I’d been attending a church for several years. I’d walked the aisle early on, prayed “The Sinner’s Prayer,” and been baptized. 

But I was there for all the wrong reasons. On the outside I was a faithful teen in the youth group. On the inside I was still desperately lost. 

I don’t know what I planned to tell my pastor that summer afternoon, but I never expected what came out of my mouth. Instead of questions about decision-making, futures, and careers, the dam broke when my pastor asked, “What’s on your mind today?” 

Before I knew it, I was a slobbery mess, confessing sins I’d swept under the rug, rationalized, and justified. “I’m living my life my way,” I said between sobs, “and I’ve made a mess of it.” 

I’m sure my pastor was confused—after all, he’d seen me walk the aisle, had baptized me, and knew I’d attended every church event for the past two years. But he also knew how to recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit. 

“Lori,” he said kindly, “would you like to ask Christ to be Lord of your life?” He knew my sin was only a symptom of an unsurrendered heart. Though I’d been acting like a Christian on the outside, I’d never truly repented and surrendered my life to Christ. 

“I’d like that very much.” I don’t remember if he prayed first or I did, but I was all in. 

“God, I’ve been living my life my way and doing a terrible job of it. I don’t want to be in charge any more. I want you to be in control. Help me live in a way that pleases you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.” 

Such a simple prayer, but the angels sang that day. The crushing weight I’d been carrying lifted, and my heart soared. I was free. Free from guilt. Free from shame. Free from fear. Free from confusion. Nothing had changed in my immediate circumstances, but I knew with all my heart that God was in control of my life, and everything would be OK. 

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” and it was true. 

I left my pastor’s office a new person. Things began to change almost immediately. I found myself wanting to read the Bible. I attended church not just to be with my friends, but because I wanted to hear from God and be with God’s people. No one told me that some of the music I’d been listening to and the clothes I’d been wearing weren’t pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit revealed it to me. I willingly and eagerly made changes. I wanted to please God in every area of my life. 

And those anxious, agonizing decisions that were overwhelming me? I began to ask God about them. I’d pray, look for his answers in the Bible, and seek the counsel of godly men and women. While I still had anxious moments, I rested securely in the knowledge that God was guiding me, and I had no need to fear. 

Scripture calls King David “a man after God’s own heart.” I believe he earned this distinction because he sought the Lord in everything. The phrase inquired of the Lord occurs 15 times in the Old Testament. Eight of these instances describe David’s willingness to seek God’s counsel. Because of this, God guided, blessed, and secured David’s life. 

If you’re struggling with a decision or a perplexing situation right now, God can help. 

The first step to knowing God’s will is knowing God himself. If you’ve never confessed your sin, repented (been willing change), and accepted what Jesus did to pay for your sin on the cross, now’s the time. You can’t benefit from God’s wisdom until you become his child. (If you’d like more information about how to know for sure you have a relationship with God, CLICK HERE.) 

Once that’s settled, you need to do what David did — inquire of the Lord. We do this by praying and reading our Bibles. The Bible contains the answers to every moral decision we’ll ever face. It also contains practical wisdom for almost every other question we encounter. What the Bible doesn’t specifically address, the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit will reveal to you if you seek God with all your heart. 

Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, said, “David didn’t assume just because it looked good, he should do it. Not every good thing is God’s thing. Ask God about everything. And when you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything. Just wait.” 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him,” James 1:5 promises. James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” 

Father, we ask you to lead us, guide us, and provide for us. Protect us from foolish mistakes and our own stubborn, rebellious, independent hearts. As Pastor Cymbala said, we don’t want to go anywhere you don’t want us to go, even if it’s a good place. Help us seek you with all our hearts and please you with our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.



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Copyright 2012 by Lori Hatcher