Kathy Collard Miller's Blog, page 11
January 30, 2022
The Lie I Believed About Marriage
I don’t remember exactly when I first decided as a child that the stability of my parents’ marriage meant my future marriage would always be stable. 
But I realized I had done that when my mom left the house because she was so unhappy. I was newly married and the shock of hearing the news stunned me. I can clearly feel again the emotional jolt and the thought that rocked my world, “Then I guess it’s just a matter of time before the same thing happens to Larry and me.”
As a result, I began to not only feel fearful of that seeming eventuality, but I began to look for evidence that it was about to happen–that Larry and my “stability” would be destroyed. The more I looked for tell-tale signs, the more I could find.
My fear tore away at my faith in God’s ability to stabilize my marriage in difficult times. TWEET THAT!!!!My perfectionism, which I had not yet identified, created an all or nothing world. If Larry didn’t love me perfectly all the time, it meant he had fallen out of love with me. I expected the inevitable: our marriage wouldn’t last.
The fact that my mom returned to my dad and they were reunited didn’t seem as significant as the initial jolt that eroded my idea marriage could be a commitment.
Instead, I believed the lie: since my parents’ marriage can’t make it, no one can, including mine. TWEET THAT!!!If my parents were still alive, they would be celebrating their anniversary on February 1st. I’m showing a photo of them on their wedding day. They did “last” until my father died suddenly at age 50 of a heart attack. They enjoyed wonderful years together after that very short separation.
Larry and I will be celebrating our 52nd anniversary this coming June.Obviously, we’ve both learned marriage is a commitment through the hard times and the easy. The disappointing and the joyful times. Again…obviously, the example of another couple doesn’t mean anything about my own marriage. God must be the central core of the strength to keep a commitment to love, with or without feelings.
I honor my parents. Thank you, mom and dad, for persevering even though you struggled. I appreciate you.(If you would like to learn more about how believing lies in childhood can affect our current choices, check out Larry and my book: Never Ever Be the Same: A New You Starts Today) 
January 10, 2022
You Might be Arguing with God and Not Know It
In the Old Testament book of Malachi, we read how the Israelites were arguing with God. Either they didn’t recognize it as arguing or they were just obstinate. Any of us–all of us–have been in both categories. With God and with other people.
That topic is at the root of what goes on in Malachi 3. Here’s a devotion selection from our book, God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature. God’s question was “Will man rob God?” (Malachi 3:8).
In our daily lives this can apply in many ways. Do you have a child who whines? A friend who argues? A spouse who counters everything you say with something he thinks is better?
Those responses might be some of the strongest obstacles to good communication. They also block an intimate, trusting relationship. In your relationship with such a person, maybe you’ve consistently shown your love but they still argue and distrust your love.
That’s what is happening here in Malachi between God and his people, the Israelites. The book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. After God speaks through Malachi, he will be silent for 400 years until Jesus arrives on the scene.
God is speaking through his prophet Malachi and says,
Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, “How shall we return?” Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, “How have we robbed you?” In your tithes and contributions. (Malachi 3:7-8)God has been trying to woo his people back to following him, but they are determined to argue and whine about everything. Yet God consistently pursues them.
Here are some of their arguments found in Malachi 3:
How shall we return? (vs 7)How have we robbed you? (vs 8)How have we spoken against you? (vs 13)These are empty defenses with no true desire to seek God. God’s people aren’t looking for truth. They really don’t want to hear God’s answers because then they would have to admit they should change. They just want to argue so they can continue in their disobedience.
Yet God still pursues them because his nature never changes and he is always desiring for his human creation to see how much he loves them. In Malachi 3:6, he says, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob are not consumed.”
God is saying, “I’ve been seeking you all along because I haven’t changed my desire nor my plan. Even when I’ve given you consequences, my desire was to shock you out of your rebellion into obedience. And guess what. I’ve prepared the biggest shock waiting in the wings of the stage of time.”In the beginning of Malachi 3, God lays out the plan: I’ll send my messenger (John the Baptist) who will prepare the way for the greatest appearance in history: my Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is the ultimate example of my undying, never-changing love. I referred to the Savior and my plan all the way back in the Garden of Eden when I told the serpent he would someday be destroyed by the ‘offspring/Messiah Jesus’ (Genesis 3:14-16). Can you see my plan has never changed? If I changed, you would have been completely destroyed a very long time ago.
We can be secure and confident in our God who never changes or wavers from his plan. Jesus was predicted and God fulfills the prediction. God always keeps his promises. What does God’s unchanging nature mean to you?How have you argued with God and what do you want to do about it?Mighty God, I praise you for your never-changing character which means your plans never change. Thank you for your unchanging love which gives me great security. God’s Intriguing Questions: 40 Old Testament Devotions Revealing God’s Nature is available in print, Kindle, and audio.
January 2, 2022
Book Drawing! “Unraveling the Lie-Knot” by Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner
Read below for the details of the drawing. Here’s more about Sheryl’s book:
All of us are products of our upbringing and experiences, and, whether we realize it or not, have come to believe things that aren’t actually true. Those false beliefs hold us back. They are like recordings that constantly play in our minds, condemning us, accusing us, shaming us, and blaming us. Is it possible to silence these thoughts that have tied us in knots for so long? Can we ever find peace? Yes! The Bible promises we can be tranformed by renewing our minds. Discover how to identify and unravel the lie-knots so that you can move forward and become a fruitful disciple of Jesus
Here is Sheryl’s message to you!Dear friend,
I wrote this book to help you find a short cut to freedom. I don’t want you to be stuck any longer — like I was for two decades. And I did not even know I was trapped!
I was a young pastor’s wife, expecting my second child, caring for a busy toddler and helping with my husband’s vibrant ministry. Daily, I battled anxiety, fear, depression, and despair. I expected to live out my happily-ever-after fairytale life, but instead, I dreaded facing the challenges of each new day. I was unaware of the devil’s strategy to distract, deceive, and destroy me. His plan was draw me into temptation by feeling sorry for myself. Once I took the bait, he was able to entrap me, and hold me hostage. I felt powerless as I remained tangled up in the lie that I could never recover from my past mistakes or overcome the traumatic experiences I had faced. Maybe you can relate?
Deception is crucial to Satan’s tactics and at an early age, he began planting seeds of discontent, exclusion, hurt and hate in my heart. TWEET THAT!!I did not know what the Bible said about the devil and through my difficulties and trials came to understand what the verse in John’s gospel meant. “He (Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44 NIV)
Now, it is clear to me that Satan especially targets women to deceive us. It is his primary mode of operation. He knows we have influential power with men and in our families, and our innocent, yet sometimes sinful choices, can set an example and pattern for others.
As a young child, I had no control over the negative comments that were made about my appearance, lack of skills, or personality. As an adolescent, I listened and paid heed to the lie, thinking if I took drugs or drank alcohol I would easily fit in with the cool kids. I numbed my damaged emotions with alcohol and street drugs.
As a teenager, I became dependent on these chemicals, which propelled me into engaging in illegal and immoral means to support my habits. Unknowingly, I had exposed myself to deeper deception, and became helplessly ensnared in the lies of chemical dependence, anger, bitterness, selfishness, and irresponsibility.
I share my failures in this book to connect with you. It is my prayer you may identify with my sense of entanglement, disappointment, and frustration to move through her losses and trials on my own. Your list of what has happened in your past may be different than mine. Or not.I am excited for you to become more aware of areas you may feel trapped, helpless, or hopeless. I pray, as God reveals Himself through our study of God’s Word, you will have increased discernment, new resolve, and the ability to overcome. It is gratifying and victorious, to find out how to combat lies, and defeat them.
Once we understand how to cut through the lies we have believed about ourselves, our circumstances, and our views of God we can be triumphant. Implementing our faith, with His help, we can sever ourselves free from anxiety, depression, anger, and bitterness. As we depend on Him and as truth is revealed by His Word, led by the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can learn how to “unravel the lie-knot.”
Thank you, Sheryl, for those powerful words. I trust my readers will feel hopeful knowing God wants to work deeply in our lives.
To enter the drawing, make a comment on my blog post. The drawing ends Sunday evening, January 9, 2021. Only USA addresses can win.
Exchanging hurt for hope is Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner’s focus—a message she shares with audiences as a radio and television personality, author and speaker. A dynamic teacher and motivating leader, Giesbrecht has endured many changes and challenges, moving her to a deep faith, trust, and dependence on God.
She serves as the South West Freedom In Christ Region’s Director of Care and Training and leads the Community Freedom Ministry at Canyon Hills Church in Bakersfield. Sheryl serves on part-time field staff with Freedom In Christ. (www.ficm.org)
Sheryl an award-winning author of four books. Her fifth book, Unraveling the Lie-Knot was released in June 2021 and is available at www.ficm.org. She served as Focus on the Family’s columnist for Pastor’s Wives for four years. Hundreds of her columns, magazine and devotional articles have appeared in Focus on The Family Magazine, Just Between Us, Discipleship Journal, CCM, Walk Thru the Bible’s – InDeed and Tapestry publications.
Sheryl has a heart for missions and is avid about reaching out to the poor and needy, locally through the local Rescue Mission and worldwide through various ministry partners. Giesbrecht is a Lead Like Jesus Facilitator www.leadlikejesus.com and has been personally involved with equipping hundreds and facilitating the training of thousands of leaders internationally.
The joys of Giesbrecht’s life are her children and fourteen grandchildren. She is excited about the new beginning she shares with her marriage to Dr. Jim Turner. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts from Biola University, a master’s in ministry and a doctorate of theology. She lives in California’s central valley where she enjoys running 5K races with her 89-year old mother.
Stay in touch with SherylStay in touch with Sheryl: www.sherylgt.com
@SherylGiesbrechtauthor – Facebook
@SGiesbrecht – Twitter
Sherylgiesbrecht. – Instagram
Sheryl Giesbrecht – Pinterest
Buy book online at:
https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Lie-Knot-Discouragement-Deception-Depression/dp/1913082334
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unraveling-the-lie-knot-sheryl-giesbrecht-turner/1139521166
https://freedominchrist.com/unravelingthelie-knot.aspx
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58236055-unraveling-the-lie-knot
https://www.powells.com/book/unraveling-the-lie-knot-9781913082338
December 29, 2021
Planning Your 2022 Resolutions? Beware!
There’s a great danger to be aware of when planning your resolutions. Here’s a little quiz to help you possibly identify the danger.
Have you ever planned your resolutions (or a goal) saying things like:
I’ll never get angry againI’ll always show love toward that person who is unlovableI’ll never be discontent againI’ll always be joyful in every circumstanceI’ll have my devotions every dayIt’s easy to think that such determination will bring us success—even that it’s the only way to make a resolution. We may think that God demands such commitments. But have you noticed that when we can’t follow through, we get discouraged and give up? Even thinking God has given up on us also?The good news is that God is more patient than we think. And His patience allows us to grow in our sanctification “little by little.” He’s not impatient with us when it takes us time to overcome our struggles and grow in grace.
I Timothy 4:15 tells us that. It says, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.”
Vine’s Dictionary says the word Greek word “progress” is the idea of a pioneer cutting his way through the brushwood.
How does the pioneer do that? Little by little. He doesn’t have a mile-wide ax to cut down a swath big enough for his house in a day. Instead, he takes one step and takes one chop in the brushwood with his ax. He progresses one step and chop at a time.
That’s the kind of “progress” the Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy to have. Step by step. Chop by chop. Little by little.One of the principles I write about and speak about to give the biblical perspective of this is what I call “The 1% Principle.”
Instead of expecting or trying to make plans for 100% perfection, we can make small goals—like 1% growth.
So let’s apply that to the resolutions and goals we wanted to make above.I’ll never get angry again becomes I’ll concentrate on the time of day I often get angry and make changes that will support patience.I’ll always show love toward that person who is unlovable becomes find one thing I actually like about them.I’ll never be discontent again becomes I’ll find one thing to be satisfied about right now.I’ll always be joyful in every circumstance becomes I’ll find one thing to appreciate right now.I’ll have my devotions every day becomes I’ll have my devotions 3 times this week.Such thinking in the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to make more progress because we’ll be persistent rather than get discouraged and give up.
Reaching a 1% goal encourages us and empowers us to continue trusting in God for the progress He desires. And we’ll give Him the glory for the progress we’re making rather than pour contempt on ourselves because we haven’t reached perfection.What 1% resolution does God want you to make? I believe you’ll make greater progress that way rather than forming unrealistic resolutions.December 20, 2021
The Holidays are Hard on Relationships
The holidays are hard on relationships and that makes us sad. We want our times together with those we love to be perfect and life-giving. 
If we keep in mind God orchestrated every human contact, we can be grateful even when it’s a challenging connection. During the stressful time of the holidays, relationships can create tension which steals our Christmas joy.
When we are tempted to grumble about our imperfect connections, let’s remember the truth about relationships.
Sometimes we define “good” as “trouble-free.” We can easily assume God made a mistake or is mean-spirited when He connects us with an “unlovable” person. And certainly God might lead us to limit our availability, but every person has a purpose in our lives and we have God’s purpose in their lives.
Especially at Christmas, there might be a specific talent or perspective you offer few others can offer. Look for that kind of opportunity.
Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” How appropriate at the stressful time of Christmas.
Relationships are an invitation to draw closer to God.For instance, if boundaries are needed, seek His plan and don’t immediately assume you should cut off the relationship.
I remember a challenging friendship which seemed her fault. I thought of requirements for her behavior which would eliminate my uncertainty.
Suddenly, I saw my plan of not needing to seek God’s guidance at each challenge as we navigated our friendship.
I released my control and learned to be more loving and kind with God’s power.
I remembered James 1:2: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
At Christmas, everyone celebrates differently. That can feel stressful and we might want to withdraw or control.
God’s power can give us a gracious perspective of honoring others and see how we can depend upon God more effectively because of it.
3. Relationships are examples to encourage us.Is there someone who handles stress better than you by depending upon God? Ask her how she maintains her peace.Is there someone who sets up priorities more effectively than you? Ask her about how she makes plans.Is there someone who makes Christmas more worshipful ? Ask her to share her ideas.Most of us resist asking for help, but we need to humble ourselves. One humble question can open the door within another person’s heart to ask for help.
4. Relationships aren’t for comparisons.You may have a friend who decorates amazingly for Christmas and you don’t know how to make those amazing bows. Don’t belittle your lack of designing skills.
Another friend is a fabulous gourmet cook and you can’t seem to remember to take the neck and giblets out of the cavity of the turkey. Don’t apologize every time someone takes a bite of your simple meal.
God never wants you to compare with another. I Corinthians 12:5-6 tells us, “there are varieties of service, … but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.”
You are uniquely suited for God’s service to others.
Be grateful for the God-given skills He’s given you, even if they seem lacking in comparison.
You have ideas others lack and are impressed by.Use them for God’s glory.
What principle have you found most helpful in your relationships during the holidays?
To grow in your relationships and friendships, I wrote a women’s Bible study, At the Heart of Friendship: Daughters of the King Bible Study Series. It has ten lessons on various aspects of friendship and also includes examining the relationships of different friendships featured in the Bible. Check it out at: At the Heart of Friendship
December 14, 2021
I Have Breast Cancer
Those are words I never thought I’d think about myself, say or write about. But it’s true. On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, I learned I have invasive ductal carcinoma. If you’d like to follow my journey into this new territory, you can go to my page that includes prayer requests, devotional thoughts, and updates on God’s work. CLICK HERE
But here on this blog post, I want to share with you how God prepared me for this new adventure, and I didn’t have a clue how God was working six weeks before my diagnosis.
I was enjoying sitting on the deck of a retreat center overlooking a beautiful valley vista. Oak trees dotted the area and several were right in front of me. Woodpeckers and other birds flew back and forth continually. When one would occupy one twig, another one would fly by. Then the first one would fly off. Up to twenty birds were continually scattering among the huge oak trees never alighting for more than thirty seconds.
The tapping of the woodpeckers on the wood of the trees and the buildings interrupted my thoughts. Each woodpecker stayed tapping only a short snippet of time.
On the move. On the move. On the move. Every one of them seemingly anxious to find a new spot. They seemed to be unsettled, erratic, aimless, and without direction.
What motivated them to move from tree to tree, from branch to branch, from high in the tree to low in the tree? I didn’t know.
In the midst of observing this seemingly chaotic scene, I suddenly knew God’s message through the birds.Although Jesus created and designed the endless work of the woodpecker, Jesus was never like the birds I observed. I reflected on His journey as a human. I could picture him walking from town to town. There’s never any indication of tension, unrest, lack of confidence or confusion.
He never demanded other people to “stay still” so that He could remain at peace and inner rest. His peace came from a complete dependence upon His Father’s will.
Jesus didn’t flit from one plan, passion, purpose, perception to another.
Jesus was secure, settled, resolute, confident, unrattled, poised, and peaceful.Jesus’s confidence came from the truth He spoke:
“you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” (John 8:28-29 ESV)
I was meditating on that truth when God gave me a gift from a woodpecker.As you can see from the photo, I was sitting about twenty feet away from a post that secured two bells and it seemed to be a favorite place for the woodpeckers to alight and look over the valley.
At one point, just as a woodpecker flew off from the cross bar, I noticed something very tiny fall off the place where the bird had left. I expected it would fall to the ground quickly, thinking it was a tiny piece of wood. But it began floating.
And it continued floating peacefully very, very slowly. I realized it was a feather from the woodpecker.
At any moment I expected it to float out of my sight but instead it floated closer and closer to me for more than a minute, maybe even two minutes.
As the seconds passed, I kept thinking, “There’s no way it’s going to come close to me. What would be the chances of that?” I wanted to stand and reach out for it but feared I would create a slight breeze and chase it away. I sat waiting.
As I continued staring at it coming closer and closer, my awe increased. And finally, the woodpecker feather landed on the deck at my feet.As I now face God’s invitation that could bring feelings of unrest, distrust, fear, confusion, and many other feelings and temptations, I reflect on Jesus’s peace and confidence.
And His gift of the woodpecker feather as a reminder He wants to strengthen me with His peace.I won’t be perfect in abiding in confidence and peace like Jesus did. But I will learn more and more to allow God to work in my life the way He desires for His glory.
I have remembered that experience especially now in this new journey because it reminds me of Jesus’s peace and confidence. No, He never “floated,” but I believe He caused that feather (pictured here) to peacefully float toward me and land at my feet affirming He was always peaceful, confident, and obedient to His Father’s will.
His promise to me—and to you—is:The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.—Psalm 138:8 ESV
Again, if you would like to read more about my cancer journey, I’ve set up a separate page on my website. You can follow my journey CLICK HERE.
And if you like, you can also sign up/subscribe to receive my newest updates, prayer requests, and thoughts there.
November 26, 2021
Book Drawing for Advent Devotional: “Seeking Joy Through the Gospel of Luke” by Christine Trimpe
I’m very pleased to make a book drawing available for an Advent devotional by Christine Trimpe: “Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke: A Christmas to Calvary Advent Countdown.”
Prepare your heart for a worshipful Christmas season. And you could win a copy! Please make a comment on this blog post in order to enter the drawing. Here’s an excerpt from Christine’s book to let you know how wonderful it is.
Also discover a link below to receive FREE two BONUS devotions from Christine.
Have No Fear—Joy Is Here! by Christine Trimpe“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord’” (vv. 10–11, emphasis mine).
Consider these terrified shepherds. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if they had chosen to run for the hills. I mean, come on, admit it, if this happened to you today, what might be your first instinct? I’ll tell you my truth! In my past, I most definitely would run and hide. I did it for decades.
I have some terrifying truths in my past—fear of rejection, isolation, humiliation, judgment, comparison, and being the topic of gossip. I was never in a hurry to put myself in the middle of fear. Instead, I remained paralyzed and ineffective in sharing the good news.
Sure, I believed, but I was never obedient, nor did I have a willing heart to respond like the shepherds.
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (v. 16, emphasis mine).
They hurried off. They were excited. And they responded in obedience to their role in the story. The result? They returned to their calling while glorifying and praising the Lord (v. 20). Look at the amazing testimony they left behind. I can imagine the stories they told to their friends and family—and most likely, even complete strangers.
These lowly shepherds were the first to share this good news of great joy to the amazement of all who would listen. And what was Mary feeling as she witnessed these events? Let’s look into the heart of this momma.
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (v. 19, emphasis mine).
Oh, this verse fills my own heart with awe and wonder. Indeed, the premise of the questions at the end of each chapter in this book require you to spend time pondering and treasuring the gifts of joy you find in this journey. I can’t wrap my brain around the magnitude of being the mother of the Messiah. How about you? I wonder—was Mary frightened? Overwhelmed? Full of anxiety? Or was she full of peace and joy in her quiet reflection? Verse 19 speaks volumes of peace in the simple and beautiful description by Luke.
Be encouraged through the joy we find today in God’s Word. He sent an angel to tell these shepherds, “Have no fear, joy is here.” Surely, He is fulfilling this promise to you today.
PonderingsWhen the shepherds returned to their community, they were filled with the great joy the angels told them about. In response, they shared the good news with everyone. What does great joy look like to you?
Finding JoyThe shepherds’ fear turned to joy. Their joy emboldened them to spread the word about Jesus. Mary held this miraculous story close to her mother’s heart with great joy.
Christine Trimpe
Christine, thank you so much for blessing us with these insights for our Christmas joy.
Dear readers: to enter your name into the drawing, make a comment on this blog post . The drawing ends the evening of Thursday, December 2nd, 2021. Only USA addresses can win.Christine Trimpe is an author, speaker, joy seeker, and weight-loss warrior. After losing over a hundred pounds in her joy-filled journey of healing, God instilled a passion within her to inspire, motivate, and encourage women to pursue healthy, holy living—body, mind, and spirit. Rescued from living for decades as a “casual Christian,” Christine speaks and writes for women all over the world, sharing the freedom Christ offers when we choose the path of surrender and sacrifice. Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke is Christine’s debut book, a twenty-five-day Christmas advent encouraging readers to live in the joy of the Lord despite their circumstances. Her transformation story and Bible and Beans blog can be found at ChristineTrimpe.com. Email her at Christine@christinetrimpe.com for speaking inquiries.
Grab Christine’s Early Christmas gift for you––bonus chapters of Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke: https://christinetrimpe.com/seeking-joy-bonus-chapters/Details to order Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke: https://christinetrimpe.com/joy
November 18, 2021
Why Was Nathaniel Hidden in the Fig Tree?
Have you ever felt really known? Maybe someone who doesn’t know you said something to you affirming your personality or calling?
Every one of us longs to be fully known, loved and appreciated.Nathaniel must feel similarly when Jesus, a total stranger, identifies him as guileless which means lacking deceit. Jesus tells him he saw him hidden under the fig tree. Jesus knows Nathaniel’s nature, motives, and hidden physical location.
There are differing ideas of what Nathaniel is doing within the confines of the overhanging branches of the fig tree. Two in particular would seem to go along with Jesus’s motive to convince Nathaniel Jesus is the Messiah.First, Nathaniel was meditating on or studying the story of Jacob’s dream about angels going up and down the ladder in Genesis 28.
Secondly, Nathaniel was seeking information from God about the coming Messiah.
Both go along with the Jacob story because Jesus is saying he, himself, is the symbolic ladder predicted whereby people will have communication with heaven even though they are on earth. The gap between holy God and sinful man will be breached and the Messiah will destroy the power of sin separating man.
Nathaniel must think something like, Either this person is a stalker, saw me go under the tree, and I should reject what he says. Or I must conclude he’s the Messiah. I vote for Messiah. I’m in. Nathaniel immediately calls Jesus the Son of God and King of Israel.
Jesus replies, (in my own words), “Then that’s why you believe? Seeing and knowing you is nothing compared to what you’re going to see and know, including the heavens opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Nathaniel’s immediate response is thrilling to Jesus. Regardless of the various versions making Jesus’s words a question or a statement, we must not “hear” it as Jesus expressing doubt, frustration, or rejection. He encourages Nathaniel in his new-born faith with a vision of the future.Jesus also knows Nathaniel’s response when Andrew told Nathaniel Jesus is from Nazareth (1:45). Nathaniel replied, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (1:46). Why would Nathaniel be so prejudiced?
One conjuncture is because the small town (maybe 2,000 people) of Nazareth had a Roman garrison, the influence of the Romans may have encouraged loose morals in the Jewish people. Regardless, many Jews had a low opinion of the lowly town of Nazareth. Even though Nathaniel presumed Jesus couldn’t have anything of value to offer him, Andrew’s enthusiasm compelled him to want to meet Jesus.
What a wonderful example for us as we respond to the new faith of new believers. They don’t know a lot and we know how much more they have to learn. Jesus encouraged and affirmed Nathaniel. He also didn’t try to immediately address Nathaniel’s prejudice against Nazareth and Jesus. Jesus knew there was plenty of time for the Holy Spirit to make changes in his heart and behavior. And for unbelievers, we can have patient grace in spite of their self-deception.Jesus reveals his joyful nature in his response to Nathaniel’s newborn faith. He doesn’t overwhelm him with high expectations. We should do the same for others regardless of their knowledge. Jesus rejoiced over what Nathaniel did know, not what he didn’t yet know.
How does Jesus’s joy over a new believer speak to you?
How does Jesus’s joy affect your response to a Christian who is weak in their faith?
Amazing God, I praise you for your joy over me regardless of my lack of knowledge. Thank you for encouraging me even though my faith seems small at times.
(This devotional is an excerpt from Larry and my book “God’s Intriguing Questions: 60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’s Nature.”)
November 13, 2021
How to Clean for “Passover” of the Heart
Years ago I read a newspaper article that told about the Jewish women of Israel and their cleaning efforts in preparation for Passover. Jewish law required a month-long ritual cleaning of a house, purging it of all traces of hametz, or leavening, before Passover began. Women turned their houses upside down, beating rugs, emptying closets and white washing walls. They pulled clean dishes from cupboards to boil them, scrape the cracks between floor tiles and even dust spines of books, in case a family member had eaten a cookie while studying sometime during the year. One rabbi was known to lecture women saying that if there was a crumb in the kitchen hiding in the corner, she should do everything to remove it. If need be, she should take a hammer and chisel and destroy the wall until the crumb was removed. The article did mention those who regard the law with more balance, but I was fascinated by this spring-cleaning ritual.
If I were a part of that culture, I would be leading the charge to get rid of anything that might break the law. Then I could add it to my list of accomplishments.But, thank God, I don’t have to have a perfectly clean house or be perfect to consider myself significant in God’s eyes. I am significant and important regardless of whether or not I keep my house clean—because God declares me perfect in His eyes because Jesus died for my sins and He is my Savior.
In Philippians 3:4-5, the Apostle Paul writes,
“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.”
Paul is recounting a long list of things he was given through his human inheritance and through self-effort. Paul says that if anyone has the right to claim success and consider himself important to his society—it is him! He did it all correctly. His parents gave him the perfect pedigree and his own deeds were impeccable.
It might be like someone saying, “I was born into a family that can trace its ancestors back to the Pilgrims. My family has always been loyal to America, and I have ancestors who signed every major document in the United States. In addition, they were all senators and congressmen. And I myself have kept the United States’ laws from my youth. In fact, I’ve been a policeman and I am now a state prosecutor. I make sure other people keep the rules and I prosecute those who don’t. Everyone says I am the toughest attorney around. I pride myself on the fact I’ve never broken a law. I even stop fully at every stop sign. I have achieved great success and maintained integrity. I am perfect and deserve every blessing there is.”
I don’t know about you but I would be ready to hit such a person. What pride in his heritage and accomplishments!
Yet, those are the sentiments of Paul before he found Christ. Paul took great pride in his pedigree and achievements. He was the Jewish epitome of success, religiously speaking.In the same way, Paul had tried to keep his human house free from spiritual leaven. However, after repenting of his sin and trusting in Christ, he became willing to exchange his earthly values of:
respect from othersprivileges of righteous standingcomfort of wealthself-satisfaction of prideefforts of self.The Apostle Paul traded them for a true satisfaction, peace, contentment, and lasting joy. He continues writing in Philippians 3:7-10:
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
If we define our worth and value based on an earthly perspective of achievements—or a clean house—then we will ultimately be disappointed. The satisfaction from such accomplishments and achievements are fleeting and dependent upon succeeding perfectly and gaining more and more.
But a heavenly perspective brings satisfaction because it is based on something much more solid: our identity as a child of God. That is a gift from God that never changes or becomes devalued. TWEET THAT!!!!My previous posts tell you specifically what is involved in that identity. Check them out!
November 6, 2021
Book Drawing: “Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God” by Kristine Brown
I love all books on trusting God, especially because that challenge is such a central part of the Christian life. And most of my books are about trusting God more–one way or another. So I knew Kristine Brown’s book would be important. And the fact that the biblical story of Rahab is at its center is even more fascinating to me.
Read to the end and find out how to enter the book drawing. Here’s an excerpt from Cinched to whet your appetite. 
When my son grew into a young adult, my fears became all too real when I missed several middle-of-church phone calls from 1500 miles away.
I hadn’t stepped in when his mission team set out on a cross-country trip toward a potential snowstorm. They had already traveled halfway to their destination when my son informed me they’d set a new course several states away to help out at a ministry event.
Although every mom-instinct inside me screamed no, I had to trust that God would protect them. That meant continuing to trust, even when while serving at the event, my boy landed in the emergency room with stitches from a near-fatal mishap.
You’d better believe my first reaction sent me searching for any possible way to get there, but being in the midst of a cancer battle meant I had to stay put.
There’s nothing quite like the heartache distance creates when a loved one needs us.God in his grace and mercy surrounded our son with level-headed people to get him the help he needed and be there when I couldn’t. That left me confined at home with a choice to make. I could respond in a frantic attempt to ease my own guilt over my decision to let him go on the trip, or I could respond Rahab’s way. I could walk in instant obedience.
In this situation, my instant obedience meant praying for God’s provision and resting in His goodness. Trusting God to take care of our families can be hard. Boy, can we heap that guilt on ourselves when something bad happens! TWEET THAT!!!I could’ve very well blamed myself for not intervening and keeping my boy in a bubble of protection I’d built, even with the added unexpected surgery in the weeks following the accident. Instead, I chose to praise God for bringing him through the ordeal and teaching us both more about trust in the process.
There are times when all we can do is pray the words of Psalm 84:12, “Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (NIV). When I noticed call after call in my voicemail that Sunday after church, I knew it had to be bad news. There was no way I could’ve possibly helped from so far away, but I also knew this: I had prayed, so I decided to trust God over wallowing in the guilt of feeling responsible.
God did not create us to carry guilt for our actions, including past decisions made. He created us to carry them to Christ. TWEET THAT!!!!!We may not be able to remove decision guilt from our lives for good, but we can overcome it with God’s help. When we find ourselves in that familiar place, looking at the two, three, or four paths ahead, let’s remember Rahab and praise God that we’re becoming better deciders.
Did Rahab face the challenges of wanting to do what was best for her family? Had she overcome any decision guilt as she demonstrated complete trust?I love how Rahab asked for a guarantee for her family, acting on the truth of God’s promise for their rescue. But even more, I love that her trust in the One powerful enough to save them would not shift. With roads diverging before her in every direction, she chose the one that held the promise. And she would soon find out, that choice would mean everything.
Thank you, Kristine, for strengthening our trust in God. To my readers: Enter the book drawing by writing a comment on the blog post page. I will pick the winner on November Sunday, November 14, 2021. Only USA addresses can win.
Here’s more about Cinched:
In Cinched: Living with Unwavering Trust in an Unfailing God, Kristine Brown takes readers on a journey with Rahab and uncovers 10 lessons to help us trust God like we mean it. Complete with a Glossary of God’s Promises, Cinched is a unique call-to-hope for every woman ready to move to a life-changing level of trust. A companion workbook is available. Find out more at Cinchedbook.com.
Cinchedbook.comhttps://www.facebook.com/kristinebrownwriterhttps://www.instagram.com/kristinebrownwriter/ kristinebrown.net kristine@morethanyourself.com
Kristine Brown is a ministry wife, mom, stepmom, and Mimi. A former chronic worrier, Kristine loves connecting women today with women of the Bible and sharing lessons learned through her website, freelance writing, and speaking to women’s groups. Any given day you can find her texting her young adult kids, checking on neighbors, or searching for a new way to cook broccoli. To connect with Kristine, visit kristinebrown.net.
