Kathy Collard Miller's Blog, page 14
February 12, 2021
When Jesus Interpreted All the Scriptures Concerning Himself–His History Lesson!
Several years ago, my husband, Larry, first began to study and understand the importance of how Jesus interpreted all the scriptures concerning Himself. I’d never understood how significantly Jesus is revealed both in the New and the Old Testaments. As Larry shared with me, I also began to appreciate the joy of seeing Jesus throughout Scripture. In Luke 24, we find the wonderful story when Jesus gave a history lesson, walking with the two men on the road to Emmaus.
Jesus has been raised from the dead but these two men have not yet encountered the risen Lord, as far as we know. They are walking along and suddenly Jesus is among them but they don’t recognize Him.
Why Jesus Interpreted All the Scriptures Concerning HimselfIn this narration, we comprehend how important it is to Jesus that He enlighten these two men to understand references to Himself—both in the Old and New Testaments. Jesus hides His true identity from the two men during this walk to Emmaus, maybe to prevent them becoming so stunned and full of joy they won’t be able to listen fully to His history lesson. Verse 27 tells us, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
Many people believe the God of the Old Testament is different than Jesus in the New Testament. The Old Testament God is angry. Jesus is full of love and grace. But those are misconceptions. The Trinity is the same even as they have different functions. Our understanding may be skewed but their overwhelming presence as a whole throughout Scripture is not skewed. We just need to study with a lens recognizing God as a whole, even if the appearance we “see” seems different.
The Importance of Why Jesus Interpreted All the Scriptures Concerning HimselfFor Larry and I, why Jesus interpreted all the Scriptures concerning Himself—in effect, gave a history lesson—makes a huge difference in our lives. We are more convinced of the truth of who God is as the Trinity and their involvement in our lives. And as we’ve studied the different qualities comprising God’s nature, no characteristic is more or less working in the different persons of the Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
At times, God might be emphasizing a particular quality of His being to us but all his qualities are always fully operational. God is sensitive to the need you and I are facing. He knows what will encourage us and be the beacon for pointing us to the truth about himself. We will be able to share with others more about God in powerful and truthful ways.
Jesus first asks the two men, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” (24:17). Jesus is teaching them to practice telling the story they will share numerous times in the future. At this point, their testimony is powerful, but it is incomplete. Jesus broadens their understanding starting at the beginning of the Scriptures and telling them everything which points to him.
How We Can Benefit Because Jesus Interpreted All the Scriptures Concerning Himself –TWEET THAT!!!!!Because the Holy Spirit is dwelling within a Christian, he is doing the same thing within us as when Jesus gave His history lesson–teaching us the truth about God based on all the Scriptures. I hope you’ll be inspired to study both the Old and New Testaments and look for sightings of God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Your spiritual life will be fuller and richer. And you will understand God’s omnipresence in all of history.
What is meaningful to you about the importance of recognizing the presence of the Trinity throughout Scripture?How would you like to study the whole Bible with the goal of identifying each aspect of the Trinity?Glorious God, I praise you for your presence in all of Scripture without any discrepancies. Thank you for your desire to reveal yourself to me in truth.
Can you think of any other reasons and benefits Jesus interpreted all the Scriptures concerning Himself? How do you think the two men on the road to Emmaus felt?
This post is adapted from one of the devotionals from our book God’s Intriguing Questions: 60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’s Nature.
February 5, 2021
Book Drawing: “Enjoy Today, Own Tomorrow” by Laine Lawson Craft
Every month, I love hosting a book drawing. This month I’m excited to feature “Enjoy Today, Own Tomorrow: Discover the Power to Live the Live You Love” by Laine Lawson Craft. And you could win it! Read how below!
Enjoy this encouraging excerpt from Laine’s book!
Are you ready to invest in you? Don’t look any further; your rescue is here!
by Laine Lawson CraftTo the woman who feels worthless, hopeless, and may not even believe in the possibilities this book could bring, I know it is hard to take a risk toward healing or to even consider reading this book.
I get it; I understand. I was you—hopeless, lifeless, and powerless. I had lost hope in some of the people closest to me whom I loved most dearly. I had lost faith in the ones who represented God. My own shame kept me from walking into a church. Questions rolled through my mind. Will they judge me? Will they see me as a liability? Will anyone truly love me if they know what I’ve done? Am I too far gone for God? Life became completely unbearable, and that forced me totake a risk and a step toward investing in myself.
All of us have endured incredible hurts and faced great tragedies, tests, and trials. Many of us have never healed from these deep emotional wounds. Do yourself a favor, and don’t waste another second of your day! Take the risk. I guarantee you will find hope and discover the power needed in the pages of this book to Enjoy Today and Own Tomorrow beginning right now. That is the reason I wrote this book. Hope is available, healing is possible, and the power you need is waiting!
When you reconnect, realign, and reactivate your life, the power you will discover allows you to be loved and love others all over again . . . and to live the life you love!As we continue to think on who God is and redefine Him in our lives, He begins to mold our hearts and desires. Our situations may be incredibly difficult, but we can partner with God and face them. We can act on what we know about God in response to His great love for us. We nurture more hope. We find a greater level of trust and confidence in Him and who He is. We are equipped to better fight the evil and darkness that the day brings because we know God. We experience the love and power of God personally each day. We learn a new kind of joy while in the midst of storms, trials, sin, and suffering. We are not alone.
At the end of each chapter in my book is a call to action. These pages are for your personal journaling, your questions, and your reflections. Ask the Lord for the courage to walk out this God kind of life. Invite God into your world. Allow Him to reshape your thoughts and mend your heart. Ask Him to create new ways to know Him. When we know God and accept His great love for us, we individually activate His power. Living within a God-centered life that’s powered by Him will enable us to accomplish God’s best. Now dig in with me as we walk down the healing path to reconnect, realign, and reactivate our hearts and shift our lives into a new journey so we can enjoy today and own tomorrow
Thank you, Laine, for sharing with us.
For my readers: enter the drawing by making a comment on the blog post. USA addresses only can win. Drawing closes on Sunday, February 14, 2021.
Firecracker. Funny. Authentic. Encouraging. These words describe Laine Lawson Craft— Best-selling award winning author and speaker of Enjoy Today Own Tomorrow: Discover the power to Live the Life You Love. Laine has a weekly podcast, Enjoy Today Own Tomorrow Podcast sharing stories of hope with real life applications helping many find healing. She is LIVE on Facebook every Thursday night at 7 p.m. central. She was a publisher of a nationally circulated magazine and host of The WHOA Show television program. In Laine’s intimate, transparent, and approachable style, she shares from her personal testimony of how God has moved many mountains in her life which leaves women knowing that God can do it for them, too! Her passion is to share to all women globally that God loves them right where they are and He desperately desires an intimate relationship with them right now. Laine’s heart is to break down the barriers that keep us from going directly to God with our mask off and believing that HE can do the impossible!
Laine’s favorite thing to do when she is not working is to be with her family! She loves to cook and entertain. She enjoys singing and being out in nature—she loves the beach. Laine loves to laugh and make life a party wherever she goes. Laine has been married to Steve, her husband, for over thirty-three years and loves to spend time with her two sons and daughter and son-in-love.
You can connect with Laine at her website: www.LaineLawsonCraft.com twitter: @lainelawsoncrft Facebook: @LaineLawsonCraft and Instagram: @LaineLawsonCraft
January 23, 2021
The Big Plans of Simon Peter
Let’s use our imagination while we read Mark 1:35-37. I think we’ll see how God is a surprising God and He’s still surprising you and me often.
“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
As I read that last verse I was struck by the attitude of the newbie disciples. Remember this is very very early in this new “ministry.” The disciples had no clue what they’d gotten themselves into. Jesus had healed numerous people the day before and the “whole city was gathered together at the door” (1:33). What popularity and opportunity!
Now here’s the imagination part. After the city dispersed and it was late in the evening and after Jesus had gone to bed, I can just imagine the conversation of the disciples, which certainly had to be initiated by impulsive Simon Peter.
“Hey, guys, don’t you see what’s happening? This Jesus is doing some great things. It’s gonna be great for our town.”
Another disciple spoke up, “Simon, you always have big plans. What are you thinking?”
“Okay, let’s think here a moment. We’ve already got the whole city on our side. We know there’s a plot of land for sale down by the lake and if we start taking an offering, we can get people together on a regular basis.”
“Ah, I get it,” another disciple says. “If we don’t want to meet at the synagogue–because you know how those Pharisees are, they’ll squish any plans we have–let’s build…what shall we call it?”
The disciples look deep in thought. Another disciple speaks up. “That’s a good question. Let’s call it a…church!”
“Great idea. And if we get big enough we can call it a…mega church!”
Then one of them spoke up and said, “But what if Jesus doesn’t want to do this?”
“Come on, men, how could he not? Isn’t that why he came? He’s supposed to set up His kingdom. I have a feeling in my bones that this is the way we’re finally gonna be freed of those Romans,” Simon interjects, bringing the attention and control back to himself. “And by the way, we’ll give Jesus the corner office with the view of the lake and my office is right next to his. Okay?”
A few of the disciples looked at each other with a disgruntled look but no one could out-debate Simon, so they each nodded slowly.
“Okay, let’s go to bed and in the morning we’ll contact the city manager and the owner of that plot of land and see how big we can build.”
In the morning, they wake up and look into Jesus’ bedroom. It’s empty. What in the world? Where is he? There are already sick people at the door and the sun has barely risen. And more people are coming down the road toward the house. Where in the world is he?
So they search and search and finally find him. Simon states, “Everyone is looking for you.” Is his voice filled with frustration, irritation, or fear? Is his question a cover up for “We want you to be in the house so we can continue our grand scheme. You’re making us nervous doing something different.”
I find it fascinating that Simon doesn’t say, “We need you” but he refers to everyone else needing Jesus. Could it be like us? “I can’t risk telling you I’m needy and wanting, but maybe the needs of others are important enough to get your attention.”
He didn’t say that, but what Jesus says next has to be the bombshell they couldn’t imagine. “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out” (vs. 38).
What????? Was Peter thinking, “Go to other towns when what we have going here is fabulous? Everyone will come here to our ministry center and that certainly has to be God’s plan, how could it not? The word will spread and just think how our town’s economy will benefit from all the people. We can start building and owning hotels.”
OK, now I’m getting absolutely too far fetched, so let’s wrap it up. Please forgive me if I’ve used my imagination too much. We don’t know what the motives were of the disciples. And actually, the number of disciples I envision haven’t been chosen yet.
But what I am sure about is that Simon and the few others had to be surprised at Jesus’ words. It couldn’t have made sense to them to go elsewhere when they had something great going on. They had limited knowledge of Jesus’ purpose and yet they could have developed their expectations according to what would seem reasonable.
I can’t help but think we do the same thing. God opens a door and it seems to be very reasonable to make plans based upon that opportunity. And if God does something different, we’re shocked that He surprised us. (Tweet that!) We’re disappointed when it doesn’t work out or become what we anticipated.
Our God is a God of surprises and it would make an impressive study to find all the ways in the Gospel accounts that Jesus did something different than people expected. Remember the mud on the eyes of the blind man?
I certainly believe God wants us to make plans but shouldn’t we hold those plans lightly and without a demanding spirit? Let me know what you think. I’m interested.
January 12, 2021
The Unique Element of Christianity
At a conference years ago where experts from all over the world gathered to discuss comparative religions, they argued whether one religion had something the rest didn’t. They couldn’t think of a way Christianity was unique.
They listed different elements of different religions. Every religion included their own versions of incarnation and resurrection. The group thought they had confirmed Christianity wasn’t unique, only the same as other religions.
Then a theologian came into the room who had just arrived. When he was told the topic of the conversation, he replied, “But there is a unique element. It’s God’s gift of grace.” Everyone agreed.
Every religion had some sort of requirement to earn their god’s approval. Only God, the God of Christianity, provided for a person’s acceptance because of the death of Jesus Christ for sin.The world offers a way to earn approval, but only God offers his approval as a free gift through His Son. Grace is that undeserved love and favor God gives us, even though He knows we can never deserve it, earn it, or repay Him for it.
Titus 3:5 teaches us, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (ESV).
That kind of unconditional love was demonstrated for me many years ago when Larry and I attended the wedding of our good friends. After the reception when it was time for us to head home, Larry and I spoke with the couple, wishing them God’s blessings.
As we turned away, the bride spoke up. “Wait, Kathy, I have a gift for you. I’ll go get it.”
I stood there dumbfounded. Wait a minute, I brought her a gift, she’s not supposed to give me a gift. I’m not in her wedding so I didn’t earn a gift and I didn’t do anything to help her. Why would she give me a gift?
I was stunned. I turned to Larry, but he returned my gaze with a questioning look on his face.
Within a few moments, the bride returned. She handed me a white box with a delicate white ribbon wrapped around it. I wanted to say, “I can’t take this from you.” But to tell you the truth, I love gifts! I was so curious that I resisted refusing it and thanked her instead.
As Larry and I drove home, I untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful, sterling silver candy dish. I couldn’t believe it.I held it out for Larry to see and we both pondered the mystery of why we had received it.
Then I noticed that the initials of our friends were engraved in the center of the dish. I realized how meaningful the gift was.
“Larry, this dish reminds me of the gift of salvation God gives. Just as I didn’t do anything to deserve or earn this dish, so God offered the gift of His love and of being His child, even though I couldn’t do anything to deserve it. Isn’t that just like His grace?”We both smiled.
Over these many years, I still don’t know why our friends gave us that gift. But each time I see it, it reminds me of God’s wonderful gift. Even though it’s been so long, the couple’s engraved initials are still there. That represents the truths of Ephesians 1:13-14,
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (ESV).
The “seal” Paul refers to is like our modern-day notary stamp. It authenticates and makes the document valid. It’s like God saying, “I’m pledging myself to always consider you my child, no matter what. Here’s my mark of my Spirit within you to demonstrate my commitment.”
There is a significant difference between God’s mark on my soul and the engraving on the candy dish. Someone could somehow scrape the initials off my candy dish, but the seal God has placed in my spirit cannot be removed. If it could, God’s gift would be based on my performance and not his free gift of grace.I’m so glad I received that gift from the bride and the free gift of salvation from God.
That’s the surprising and unique element of Christianity.January 1, 2021
Book Drawing! “What About Me? How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce” by Kim Johnson
Divorce is devastating for every member of the family. Kim Johnson has written an important book to help the children who suffer from divorce. I’m so glad to make a copy available to the winner of this book drawing. Read below for the details.
Here’s an important excerpt from the book.
Now That Your Parents Are Divorcing
by Kim Johnson
Now that your parents are divorcing, are you in a place that never feels quite right? Maybe you are so mad you could hit something. At the same time, the hurt makes you want to disappear. Although you constantly push the divorce out of your mind, your feelings inside don’t change. They never go away even when you put on your I’m okay face. Everything is so messed up you feel paralyzed and helpless.
Under these circumstances, your emotions are normal. You may feel no one understands, but, in reality, you’re not alone. Your heart wishes the situation was different, but this is your story now.
Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced something they wish hadn’t happened. Maybe you forgot an assignment. Or, you missed a great basketball game. Whatever happened, you said to yourself, “I wish it hadn’t happened.” “I don’t like this.” These feelings can be exhausting and make you feel powerless. However, two things are within your control—your attitude and your response to the unfairness in your life. Start by working to change what you can control. This doesn’t mean giving up or putting up with inappropriate things. Rather, it’s taking charge and deciding what is within your power. That’s exactly what happens in a boxing match.
When a boxer gets in the ring and just stands still with his gloves covering his face, he’s not handling the blows from the other boxer. That’s giving up. However, the boxer who moves and tries to punch, even if he misses, is taking control by acting. Allowing yourself to be helpless is giving up. Then you become like the boxer standing in the ring getting pounded because he won’t try. Sure, there may be a swing and a miss, but that isn’t the point. It’s about moving, not standing still. By taking control and doing something—like reading this book, talking to a trusted friend, checking your attitude, or journaling—could be what wins the fight.
If you don’t know where to start, begin by thinking about the negatives impacting you. Next, consider the positives. What you discover might be surprising.
Look for the good in your current circumstances to balance out the not-so-great ones.
Another step in the right direction is to write your thoughts in a journal or on your computer. It doesn’t need to be long. It can be short—like a hashtag statement. #SadDay. #MissMyLife. #MadAtTheWorld. #WhyMyParents? You may not want to talk about the hurt with anyone right now, so keeping a journal, a diary, or making notes on your phone can make sorting and organizing your feelings easier.
Struggling in unfamiliar territory is normal. Everyone does in some way. Yet, how long you struggle is up to you. Rather than wrestle with circumstances beyond your control, put your energy into what you can change—your attitude, opinions, feelings, and how you respond. Just like the boxer, if you do nothing you will continue to get pounded. Courage and strength are the best way to handle your parents’ breakup.
Many people in God’s Word struggled with hardship. The apostle Paul was one of them. He says in Philippians 4:12–13: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything, I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Just like God empowered Apostle Paul, He will come through for you.
Thank you, Kim, for this important example from your book. My readers: to put your name into the drawing to win “What About Me? How to Survive Your Parents’ Divorce,” make a comment on the blog post of this post. I will draw the winner on Sunday evening, January 10th, 2021. Only USA addresses can win.
Kim Johnson is an author and speaker with extensive experience in church ministry and a career as assistant to the Chief Counsel for the Disneyland Resort. She was a pastor’s wife with two teenage daughters when she suffered a devastating divorce. Through this experience God equipped her to lead adult divorce recovery classes for many years. After constant requests for information to help teens cope with their parents’ breakup, Kim created What About Me? based upon her daughters’ journey. It has been used in conjunction with her adult classes. She and her husband reside in Southern California and serve as volunteer Ministry Partners at their local church. They enjoy camping, hiking and fishing, and have a blended family of four married adult children.
Reach Kim at:
Facebook: facebook.com/pg/TipsForTeensWhenParen...
Facebook.com/Author_Kim_Johnson
Instagram: kim_d_johnson
Twitter: @KimJohnson00111
Email: kim.diann.johnson@gmail.com
December 28, 2020
Trusting God’s Timetable for 2021
As we anticipate an unknown 2021, we will still be facing time pressures, even if we’re stuck at home. Here’s some encouragement and inspiration for knowing “God Can Do Whenever He Wants: He’s Expeditious” from my book Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries: Finding Peace in All Kinds of Weather (and situations!). The 99cent Kindle sale ends this Thursday/ December 31, 2020. Don’t miss out!
We’ve heard it a lot. Timing is everything. And everything to worry about! We hear and experience so much pressure about time: Don’t waste it; use every moment wisely; you’ll only go by this way once. And then we start worrying when God doesn’t keep His end of the bargain about time. He delays. He’s on His own time schedule.
Time! What a worrisome gift from God. We need to learn to trust God about our own management of time, and then we must also trust God for His timing in our lives.
When I think about managing my own time with God’s help, I can look back and remember the exact principle that helped me release and worry less about my time pressures.
Someone shared with me, “God will give me enough time to do what He wants me to do.” TWEET THAT!!!!
Psalm 127:1-2 says, “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep” (NASB).
I began to believe that God could determine what I should get done in a day. Normally I would think I had to check off every item on my to-do list in order to be a super Christian. But then I began saying, “Okay, Lord, what do you want me to put first on my list?” and “What do you want me to do next?” I began to relax. “If I don’t get everything done, then that’s OK. I will finish what God wants me to complete because He is directing me.”
Charles Swindoll encourages us by writing, “When you face an impossibility, leave it in the hands of the Specialist. Refuse to calculate. Refuse to doubt. Refuse to work it out by yourself. Refuse to worry or encourage others to worry.” (pg 70, Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1980)
My friend, Mary Beth, has learned the same thing. She told me, “I am mindful of a day last summer when I studied a list of eleven activities that I thought must be accomplished before the day ended. I suddenly became overwhelmed with frustration. I thought, It’s impossible for me to complete all of this today, and I should!
“But then I remembered that I’m not supposed to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6). I reconsidered my list. Surely some of the activities were not immediate. It might just be a matter of setting priorities. After revising the items, only four of the eleven proved necessary. The other seven remained on the list with less importance. Changing the impossibility to a comfortable possibility, I happily began my morning’s work, concentrating on number one, knowing that I could take more time
to do it well. After accomplishing it, I began the second.
“At the end of the day I smiled as I reviewed the items. I had completed the top six, two more than absolutely necessary. I felt relaxed. God is helping me realize that overloaded expectations result in disappointment, worry, and frustration. Taking a step at a time allows a more joyful attitude and actions that are pleasing to Him.”
God can act whenever He wants in the midst of our time pressures! He’s expeditious in directing our way if we will just turn it over to Him! At the beginning of each day, write out your list and ask God what He wants you to do item by item, project by project. And whatever you don’t get done, He didn’t intend for you to get done! He’s a wonderful time manager! He’s expeditious—speedy to get done what He wants done!
As we enter 2021, many of us may be making a resolution including better time management. Let us remind ourselves God has a better plan than we ever could think.
Remember my ebook/Kindle of Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries: Finding Peace in All Kinds of Weather (and situations!) is only 99cents Kindle. The sale ends this Thursday/ December 31, 2020. Don’t miss 
out! Check it out HERE.
December 22, 2020
The Hidden Christmas Gift
(I love to post this story every Christmas. Enjoy it again!)
I waited impatiently along with my sister Karen and brother Chuck at the closed door leading into the living room where we could imagine the sparkling Christmas tree awaiting us. Nine-year-old Karen murmured, “I can’t wait to get my new bicycle. I just know it’s under the tree.”
Then it was time. We sprinted into the living room and gasped with delight. The tree blazed with colored lights. Karen’s eyes scanned over the gifts, some wrapped, some not. But there wasn’t any bike standing by the tree. I heard her murmur Where is it? and knew her heart felt heavy with disappointment. But I could also see that she was trying to push her disappointment aside as she grabbed the unwrapped doll sitting on top of her pile. It was the doll she wanted—but it wasn’t the bike!
From my vantage point, I could see Karen’s bike over by the front door next to the hall closet. Even though I wondered why she didn’t see it, I was too engrossed in my own gifts to say anything.
“Karen,” I heard our mother call, “please go to the hall closet and get me one of the folding chairs.”
“But Mommy, I’m not done with my presents…” Our mother’s warning look stopped her whine. She got up slowly. “Oh, OK.” I knew she wanted to scream, “Where’s my bike?” as I saw tears pooling in her eyes. She had been talking for months about getting that bike for Christmas.
Karen walked across the small living room to the hall closet and jerked open the closet door.
Tugging at the chair inside, she pulled it out and carried it to where her mother sat. “Thanks, honey,” her mother grinned.
Moments later, Karen’s shoulders slumped as she reached for her last present which wasn’t her bike.
“Karen, if you’re done opening your presents, what do you say?” her mother asked.
“Thanks for my presents. They’re nice.” But they aren’t my bike, I knew she really wanted to say but knew better. We all did.
Then our mother spoke up again, “Karen…” but started laughing before she could say anything more. Before she could control herself, our father had burst into laughter too.
Mom’s giggling subsided and then she said, “Karen, would you please go to the closet again and stand there?”
She obediently trudged toward the closet and then jolted to a stop. There, right in front of her, leaning against the opposite wall, was her shiny, red bike decorated with a big red bow! As she stood transfixed with her mouth agape, we all roared with laughter.
“Honey, why didn’t you see it before?” mommy called out. “It’s been there the whole time. That’s why I interrupted you with that silly task.”
Karen jumped onto her new bike’s red plastic seat that sported bright yellow sunflowers. “I guess I was so disappointed when I didn’t see it under the tree that I just didn’t notice it over here.” She paused. “But it’s here! My bike! I love it!” She ran to mommy and daddy and hugged them.
I’ve always remembered that Christmas morning. Karen thought the bike would be under the tree and her ability to see it was blocked by her locked expectations.
When I get disappointed by life and other people, even God, I’m reminded how blessings are often all around me but I just don’t see them. I’m expecting them in a certain way—under the tree not sitting by the closest door.
I must be open to God’s unusual and creative ways to bless me and others. He knows what’s best.
How about you?
Have a blessed Christmas because of hidden gifts!
(PS Thanks to my sister Karen for always letting me tell this story!)
December 13, 2020
Worry’s Growl Is Worse Than Its Bite
I headed out on my jog, eyeing the storm clouds that threatened rain above me.
Oh, I so want to run, and I can’t run tomorrow. I’ve got to do it right now even if it rains. But by the time I’d run a mile, the drops started and got bigger and bigger.
Oh. I’m so disappointed, I mourned, as I turned and headed back. But then, a new resolve overwhelmed me. By golly, I’m going to run even if I get wet. It’s just too important for my health.
I continued running and the drops fell continually but were not drenching. As I ran, the rain slackened, yet clouds off in the distance were a dark, threatening color. Will it hold off? By the time I’d passed my three-mile mark, the sprinkles stopped, and when I looked up at the sky, the dark clouds were gone. Where did they go? I turned to look for them, but they had dissipated, though the sky was still overcast.
For the next two miles, no rain fell. As I reached the last half mile, the storm clouds opened up again and my clothes were reaching the wet category. But I didn’t care that my hair was wet; it had been an exhilarating run. Walking for my cool-down, a few rays of sun broke through the clouds, splashing the luscious, colorful hues of a rainbow across the sky. Wow. I would have missed it if I hadn’t risked getting wet.
My run could have been a really unpleasant experience but the warning of rain had turned out to be a worse threat than the actual rain. In the end, I was rewarded with a beautiful rainbow that I would have missed had I not run.
That day as I ran, I saw an analogy to worry. Worry’s growl is worse than its bite. TWEET THAT!!
Worry can easily cause us to focus on disaster while taking away our ability to trust God. Yet even if what we fear happens, it’s often not as bad as we thought it would be. We might even experience the “rainbow” of God’s blessings in some unexpected way.
Can you think of a time you worried something would happen, and when it did, it didn’t turn out to be as bad as you thought? Maybe your faith in God grew because of it?
Would you share it in a comment? I know we will all be encouraged.
(This is an excerpt from my book, Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries: Finding Peace in All Kinds of Weather. The Kindle version is currently 99cents for a limited time. Ends Dec. 31, 2020. Check out the book here 
December 9, 2020
“Take Heart. I Have Overcome the World”–Jesus
My Precious Princess and Daughter:
You can make a difference in your world for me. I know evil and wickedness press in on you from every side, at times stealing your courage. They are not new threats. Only recycled and repackaged efforts by my enemy, Satan, to destroy your world and to block you from representing me clearly.
But just as my Son Jesus conquered Satan at Calvary, you, my empowered one, can also conquer the evil one’s schemes and desires. You are victorious in my power and nothing can stand against you. Although it may seem Satan is succeeding, take courage for I have fought the battles and won the victory. The world’s evil will not progress beyond my predetermined boundaries.
Do not be afraid. In quietness and confidence hold your ground. Although the devil may roar like a lion, he is actually an exposed roach on the floor of my antechamber. His influence is limited. In time, his evil will be fully disclosed and erased from my world.
Look expectantly for that day, and continue to act by faith as a courageous senior officer in my army. I’ve won the battle. Victory is ours. Stand strong and take action against evil.
Lovingly,
Your Heavenly Father, the King
December 5, 2020
Book Drawing! “A Woman God Can Bless” by Sharon Norris Elliott
I’m excited to feature as a book giveaway A Woman God Can Bless by Sharon Norris Elliott.
Sharon has so much wisdom, I know you’ll be blessed by her book. Find out below how to enter the drawing! 
Here’s a delightful sample from her book.
When Theology and Reality Collide
by Sharon Norris Elliott
Sometimes the simplest things are the most difficult. Such seems to be the case with actually walking out the beliefs we espouse as Christian women. In many of our cases, I think it is safe to say with few strong contradictions that we believe more than we live…
For example, to enjoy the free gift of salvation to its highest, God says for us to have no other gods before Him. That’s a simple instruction, yet we enthrone, or fail to dethrone, our careers, our children, and even the other gifts He has given us, placing Him second, third, or even a distant fourth. God says for us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Again, a simple instruction, yet we point out their imperfections as an excuse for not extending to them the love God has commanded.
Indeed, we are masters at complicating what the Master intended to be the simplest things.
So, no wonder we can start to wonder whether or not we are women God can bless. Why should God bless us when we have so convoluted what it means to live as born again, kingdom women that our claim to be Christians is barely recognizable? Oh, we look great on Sunday morning from 8AM – noon; however, who are we when we get home? Do we allow the Word of God to penetrate our feelings and comments toward that race of people our parents taught us to mistrust? Do we surrender our thought life? Do we submit our reactions to God when our husband says that insensitive thing again?
Here’s the thing. We’re clear about the surety of our salvation. The disconnect comes when we come face-to-face with what we are having trouble doing. Each of us is personally charged to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” This is not a scripture about obtaining salvation. This is a scripture about the responsibility we have to now work that salvation out of us. We must work out the salvation that God has worked in. We must let grow what God has planted; let blossom what He has sown.
I can just imagine Jesus taking Martha’s tear-stained cheeks in His soon-to-be nail-scarred hands, looking deeply into her eyes and whispering, “I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?” TWEET THAT!!!
Her answer proved that she obviously was just hurting too much for the great news to register. Martha’s mind was spinning. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I believe all the stuff You ever said about Yourself, but what good is that to me NOW? I don’t need a doctrinal review; I needed Your touch on my dying brother four days ago…
We too miss the fact that a theology review is exactly what we always need, especially when we judge that Jesus has failed us.
Theology, what is true about God, will always be able to speak to our reality if we put what is true about God above the reality of the situation, rather than the other way around. Our lives are thrown into confusion because we start with our situation and try to force God to fit into it.
You see, it’s not enough to have God’s truth in our brains when it comes to living this Christian life. Unless the truth has infiltrated our hearts, it won’t make a hill of beans of a difference when life socks it to us.
Amen! Thank you, Sharon! I’m excited to give an opportunity for someone to win your book (see below).
Here’s a short description of Sharon’s wonderful book:
A Woman God Can Bless walks through the house of your life with you and Jesus. This book will help you ease open the doors of old patterns of behavior, ingrained habits, and accepted dispositions with which you’ve grown accustomed. Within these pages you will find gentle prompts that will help you let the Lord remodel those closed rooms by redesigning your thinking and behavior to line up with His will for how you should then live. The book will explore your identification with or participation in:
speaking edifying words vs. corrupt communication
Truth-telling vs. lying
Exercising restraint vs. anger
Forgiveness vs. bitterness
And more
Enter to win Sharon’s book by making a comment on this blog post. I will draw the winner Sunday evening, December 13, 2020. Only USA addresses can win.“Live significantly!” That’s the inspiring message of Sharon Norris Elliott: author, speaker, astute Bible teacher, editor, consultant, agent, and founder/CEO of Life That Matters Ministries. She writes challenging yet encouraging books in several genres including women’s non-fiction, parenting, devotional, and children’s literature. Her 12th and most recently published title is A Woman God Can Bless (2020, Harambee Press). Our faith grows deeper with every page we read of any of her book
God’s goodness has brought Sharon from Compton, CA, to standing before great audiences. She’s a cum laude graduate of Biola University, holder of an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree, member of ACE (Academy of Christian Editors), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), SCBWI (Society of Christian Book Writers and Illustrators), and a religious broadcaster on HSBN.tv. Under the Life That Matters Ministries umbrella, are her two companies: AuthorizeMe® Consulting/Coaching/Editing Firm and Literary Agency and Milk & Honey Life Retreats.
She and her husband James live in Southern California and enjoy their church, their children, and their grandchildren. Discover her books and her blog at www.LifeThatMatters.net.Join Sharon on Facebook “Live at 5 on Tuesdays (PST) = Let’s Talk Books
Watch Sharon in two shows on The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network:
Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott , and
A View from the Upper Room
from any internet-connected device at www.HSBN.tv and on HSBN’s You Tube channel. (Stream current show or view past episodes anytime!)
A Woman God Can Bless can be bought from major internet outlets and from the publisher:
BarnesAndNoble.com – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-woman-god-can-bless-sharon-norris-elliott/1137453927?ean=9781645262824
Target.com – https://www.target.com/p/a-woman-god-can-bless-by-sharon-norris-elliott-paperback/-/A-81775482#lnk=sametab
Walmart.com – https://www.walmart.com/ip/A-Woman-God-Can-Bless-Paperback-9781645262824/943228352
Amazon.com – https://www.amazon.com/Woman-God-Can-Bless/dp/1645262820/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=A+Woman+God+Can+Bless&qid=1606620071&sr=8-1
Lighthouse Publishing (LPC Books/Harambee Press): https://shoplpc.com/a-woman-god-can-bless/
