Just a little food for thought today. In the world, people generally judge others by their homes, their cars and their bank accounts. Jesus doesn’t look at our possessions; He cares about our hearts.
Category: Admonition
Forgiveness
Forgiving others is hard, mainly because it is not a once and done thing for us. We have to continually forgive every time the thought comes to our mind about an offense. Forgiveness is a choice that we make each time, not a “I will just think about it later” kind of thing. You know who I have a hard time forgiving? Anyone and everyone who has ever hurt me or one of my children in any way. That means that there are a lot of reminders in my spiritual life to forgive and keep on forgiving. Jesus made sure we were assured forgiveness from the Father, but it is up to each of us to forgive others daily, all day long.
The enemy of our soul wants us to hang on to the burden of hurts and the desire for revenge. That old self really wants payback. But God says He is the one who will avenge us if we will just step back and be still. Part of being still and trusting God is to let go of the heartache we feel from whatever pain the offense caused and to choose to forgive. We cannot forget because that isn’t part of our human nature. But we can choose to forgive each time the offense comes to our mind. I say things like, “This is hard, Lord, but I am choosing to forgive. Help me to let it go and to truly love this person the way you love them.” There is no magical formula for what to say when you forgive someone; you just have to say what is on your heart and really leave it at the foot of the cross.
Forgiveness doesn’t hurt the other person because they generally either don’t care or they are unaware of how you feel. Unforgiveness is a bitter root that starts growing in your heart, and if you water and nurture it with your anger and refusal to forgive, then it will destroy you from the inside out. It can destroy your mental health, your physical health and your spiritual well-being. God knows that we need to forgive for our own good.
There are lots of scriptures about forgiveness. If you are having difficulty with the very idea of letting go of the bitterness and anger resulting from how a person hurt you, I recommend that you memorize verses about forgiveness, meditate on them and ask God to help you to forgive. It is His will, so that’s a prayer that He will answer if you just ask.
Buried Treasure
Here is a photo that I found online of people and a popular hobby, especially on beaches and areas where there were Civil War battles.
They are using metal detectors to look for “treasure.” What do they do with what they find? Many are collectors and go to shows to display all that they have found. We had a speaker come to our church group last spring who is a collector of bullets, parts of weapons and even parts of swords from the Civil War. Fascinating, but not anything I am interested in doing.
I read a devotional this morning about buried treasure off the coast of Florida that was salvaged in the twentieth century after being in the ocean since the 1600’s. It is amazing to me the persistence people have in finding things that are so deeply buried in the ocean and under all that sand.
Their persistence is especially amazing since they have a treasure right next to them all the time, but they are not even looking for it.
God’s words to us are like a treasure that we can hide in our hearts and keep forever and it will never rust or corrode. We don’t take it out to display to others, but it is there for us to call on whenever we need it. Sometimes, we can use His words to comfort or guide others. Sometimes, it is just for us to ponder and wonder at the awesomeness of God.
If you are looking for God’s wisdom as hard as you would look for buried treasure, then you would be able to understand the Lord better and His resolve to love us in spite of us. The fact that He treasures us and keeps us close to His heart should give us a clue about how much we should treasure Him.
Look at the last part of this scripture…God made mankind so that they would seek Him and find Him. But He isn’t hiding. He is always as close as the next prayer or words you say to Him.
If we are always keeping our heads down looking for the treasure on the earth, then we won’t recognize all of the gifts that God has already given us. Whatever treasures the earth has will not last, but God’s love, mercy and grace are forever gifts.
Back to the whole looking for treasure concept. Buried treasure is elusive and illusory. It may or may not exist, but the treasure that God gives is ever present and never hides from us. We have to spend time with God to avail ourselves of His wonderful treasure house of gifts that He bestows on His children. Rather than spending time walking around in a field with a heavy metal detector, just pick up your Bible and you will find treasure on every page.
I do want to be a treasure finder, but the treasure I want to find is eternal and life-giving. Hobbies aren’t a bad thing, but whatever you do, keep your focus on God and His Word because that is the true gold in your life.
The Tools in our Toolbox
Our bodies are made to house the Holy Spirit and we need to treat them as His tool box to be used when He needs us. Our choices not only affect ourselves but others, as well.
We use our eyes to read and study God’s Word. But our eyes have to be opened by God in order to truly see the spiritual truth there. Sometimes, I am afraid that we just blindly and without really thinking about it read the Bible just to say that we did it. That isn’t what we are supposed to use our eyes for. We need to take the time to let the Holy Spirit allow us to see what treasures God has for us in His Word each day.
God is watching us and so are other people. But most people see and judge us by the eyes of the world. We want our eyes to reflect the love and grace of the Holy Spirit living inside us so that others will want to know what makes us different.
Our ears are meant to be the way we take in the words of knowledge, not just from the Holy Spirit, but also from other people. Remember that we need to be aware of what we are listening to because it is filtered through our minds and gets into our hearts.
God has a lot to say to us if we just listen. A lot of people say that they don’t study God’s Word because it doesn’t make sense to them. One has to listen with spiritual hears attuned to truth and with an open heart; then we can truly hear what God is sharing with us each day.
Our hands are very important tools because we use them to accomplish the work that God has given us to do. Whether it is ministering to a small child or an elderly person or just holding someone’s hand and letting them know we are there for them, our hands are tools that God can use if we let Him.
When God tells us what to do (I call that giving us marching orders), we are to do it with all of our strength, using the hands that God gave us. At work, at play, during family time and devotional, we need to apply ourselves to be pleasing to the Lord.
We cannot know the path our feet are to take unless we study and meditate on God’s Word regularly. This road we walk as Christians can be rocky and filled with pits that are ready to trip us. We have to keep on the correct path for our feet not to stumble because God will lead the way.
One of the most wonderful things that any Christian can do is to use their feet to go to places to spread the Gospel. You may not be called to go to foreign lands or distant places, but you are called to use your feet to go where God directs in order to let people know that God is on His throne in spite of the chaos surrounding us.
Our toolbox is God’s Word and our tools are the parts of our body that we use daily to bring glory to Him. Children are taught a song very early in their church attendance. We would do well to remind ourselves that this song applies to us as adults, too.
There are many more parts of the body that I did not cover in my post today. Please share any other parts about which God speaks to you and the relevant scripture verse(s). Thank you for reading my post today and for participating in adding to our tool boxes.
Tired of Doing Good?
It is very easy for me to get up and right away declare that I am tired. Sometimes, it’s because I didn’t sleep long enough, and other times it is because I didn’t sleep well enough. But that is not the tired I am talking about today. Today I want to address the walking away from those who have needs that we can do something about because we are just too self-centered to want to step out of our comfort zone and lend a hand. God’s word tells us not to get “weary in doing good.” For me, I find myself weary of helping others when I don’t feel appreciated. But that is not what the verse says. It doesn’t say to stop doing good if you don’t feel appreciated and no one thanks you. I remember the ten lepers whom Jesus healed and only one came back to thank Him. What if the Lord had said, “That’s it! I’m done. I did all of this and one…only one thanked me. It’s just not worth it!” But He didn’t. Jesus continued to reach out and touch and change lives all the way until the end of His ministry. In fact, even on the cross, He reached out to the thieves on either side of Him. Always selfless and ready to sacrifice. He is our model for doing good and how long we should keep doing it. We may never see people change or show gratitude towards us or to the Lord, but we have to keep doing because the harvest is coming one day, even if we don’t see it.
Seeing and Being Seen
Life today is a busy rush from one place or thing to another. We keep our eyes on the goal of finishing our errands or appointments and then getting back home again. But do we look around at other people? Do we even notice them, speak to them or acknowledge them?
God takes note of wherever we are and whatever we are doing. He truly sees us. Can we do any less for others?
Even in restaurants, people who are sitting at a table together are not engaging in conversation. Instead, you will generally see them on devices, checking emails, texting, going on social media or even playing a game. Meanwhile the family is distancing themselves from each other even while they are “spending time together.”
I, for one, am very glad that God doesn’t get on a device and leave me to tap my foot in dismay or harrumph loudly, hoping that I will be noticed. God always sees and always notices us, so that’s our cue to do likewise to others. The world would be a lot better off if we would put our phones down, especially in public places and just look around and notice those occupying the same space that we are. The lady who looks overwhelmed and sad, the child who is bored and perhaps crying, the elderly man who looks bewildered and perhaps somewhat lost. Do you see them? God does, and He wants us to see, too.
How can we minister to the needs of others if we are never cognizant that there is even a person near us, much less someone who could use a kind word or a prayer? I like to be seen when I go into a place. I want the person at the desk to acknowledge that they know that I have arrived. I want the others around me to smile pleasantly and perhaps ask how my day is going. If that is what I want, don’t others desire the same? Probably. We will never know if we don’t leave our comfort zone of a shield of protection behind a screen and step out to speak up. It’s okay to be uncomfortable talking to strangers. I didn’t say to whip out a Bible, a footstool to stand on and start expounding on the Roman road to salvation. What I am saying is to practice common, everyday courtesy and speak kindly to others, ask how their day is going. Give a genuine compliment to them. Show compassion and understanding in what you say and in your body language. You may be the only one who really sees this other person, in a world full of people who are totally unaware. Keep your eyes open and your heart and mouth ready. Who knows who God will put into your path who needs your kindness and compassion today, the ones who need to be seen?
Do You Hold the Door Open?
Holding the Door Open
In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter writes to encourage his friends…
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”
Peter is reminding them that the world in its present state won’t last forever. We look forward to the day when the new heavens and new earth will arrive and all evil, suffering, and death will pass away.
But our time holds a special characteristic: it’s a chance for people to repent and find salvation.
Jesus, in His kindness, is holding the door open—giving time for more people to turn away from destructive living and come to Him.
This is our golden opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Through His followers, He is actively extending His offer of new, eternal life to the world.
And those who respond to that invitation will find the peace of God’s presence. They’ll have access to joy that can’t be taken away by circumstances. They can develop a relationship with the living God, who loves them without reservation.
He wants EVERYONE—all of humanity—invited to the party. Invited to turn away from their old life of destruction. To come to Him and know Him, experiencing His life-changing love. To be with Him, and follow Him today and into eternal life.
What an amazing chance we have been given! And you get to participate! You can help spread the word, making God’s offer of life known:
Jesus came to offer redemption to all who would come. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News for ALL PEOPLE, and the time to share it is now. Will you do it?
My Thoughts
Since I am elderly, I cannot do a lot for other people when I am out and about. They may start walking behind me towards the store, but most people get there before I do. And holding the door takes no effort at all since most doors are electronic. But think about the imagery of going ahead of someone and then going into a regular door and just shutting it once you are inside. That’s what a lot of Christians are doing to non-Christians. We don’t give them a chance to come into the kingdom because we just shut the door. I think sometimes my opinion about their lifestyle weighs too heavily, so I just assume that they don’t want to listen before I have even tried to share. Seriously, is there anyone to whom Jesus did not even offer a chance for eternal life? He gave everyone the opportunity to listen and believe, even though He knew the Pharisees and Sadducees probably wouldn’t hear the truth, He still presented it to them.
It is not up to us to decide who gets to hear. We should be telling everyone. Jesus’s gift of eternal life isn’t a secret that we hold close behind closed doors. The door is open to all who want to listen and come in. I want to be a door holder, not a door closer.
Obedience or Disobedience?
Many years ago as I was busily raising small children, one of our pastors preached a message about obedience. He said that delayed obedience is disobedience and used the example of training children not to run into the street. If they decide to go ahead and run into traffic and then stop in the middle, the results could be catastrophic. The same is true when God tells us to do something and we are so busy doing our own thing that we put off doing His requirement.
How do we know what God is telling us to do? He speaks to us in His Word, if we just take time to listen and then to obey.
You know what else is disobedience? Partial obedience is the same as disobedience. I used to tell my children that they could have a snack and then they had to finish all of their homework BEFORE they could play. Well, they had their snack, but I found that frequently, the older ones would do part of the homework, tell me that they had finished (a lie) and head outside. After all, they told me later in their reasoning, the sun was only going to be up for so many hours but they could do their homework when it was dark. That sounded reasonable, but it was still disobedience as well as lying, and consequences followed. I always told them that if they had trouble obeying me who was right there with them, how would they learn to obey God whom they could not see? They understood well enough to change their habits and get all of the homework done before playtime. And I relented slightly after seeing their willingness to obey, so after a few weeks, I let them prioritize their homework into what would take the most time and do that after playtime. Compromise, but it worked for us after the lesson in obeying completely was learned.
We cannot say we are obeying God if we only do part of what He has told us to do. Remember the Bible lesson about the people Jesus said He never knew? They thought they were doing what He wanted them to do…but were they partially obeying or delaying in their obedience? God does not take disobedience lightly and neither should we. If we know what to do, then we need to do it. That is my Scripture verse today and my lesson for myself, too.
Is there something God has been prodding you to do and you have put it off? Just obey so you can move on with life and in right relationship with the Lord. I am not sure about this, but I don’t think that God will give you the next thing to do until you complete the first task that He has already given you. We grow with God, one step of obedience at a time, not standing at the crosswalk and debating with ourselves whether it’s a good idea to do what God says or not. If we are trying to talk God out of having us obey, that won’t work. Look at Balaam whose donkey spoke to him when he refused to obey the Lord as your example. God can use anything or anyone at any time to get your attention when you are in the process of disobeying. I think it’s a much better idea just to heed His call and obey in the first place so you can grow in the Lord the way you were meant to. Don’t be the one who runs into the traffic and then look up at God and ask how you got into that mess in the first place. Just listen, obey, repeat.
Our Battle
I hear a lot these days about the “culture wars” and I want to explore that idea today. According to Wikipedia (not a source I generally use, but it does have a better than adequate definition):
A culture war is a form of cultural conflict (metaphorical “war“) between different social groups who struggle to politically impose their own ideology (moral beliefs, humane virtues, and religious practices) upon mainstream society. Wikipedia
So, the social groups that are in conflict, in my opinion, are those who believe in Biblical moral values and those who do not. This is not a war that we can win with armchair politics and by always insisting that we are the ones on the right side. The right side, of course, is God’s side, but we win over others by being loving and kind, not by being vocally obnoxious.
Remember who our fight is against, and it’s not against other people or even what they believe. It is against Satan who has influenced them to remove God from their lives and be free of His restrictions. We end up pushing people away because what we usually expound on are the restrictions that they absolutely, positively must adhere to if they want to be a Christian. Pause and think about that. Did God meet you where you are or did He want you all cleaned up and totally presentable before He saved you?
We try to impose a standard on others that God did not impose on us. We want to see change first, but that comes gradually as one accepts the truth of salvation being a free gift. If change came immediately, we would all be perfect right after salvation and we know that’s not true! So, why do we expect others to change their social beliefs before they can become a Christian? Why do we strive to change the outward when God wants the heart and will work on the rest once He has it?
Dr. Denison had a great article in his forum today about the cancellation of Colbert’s show. Basically, he is spot on about the fact that we are each drawn to the media that supports the beliefs we already have. If I watch news shows (rarely), I tune to Newsmax or Jesse Watters on Fox. My husband prefers to watch BBC and CNN, both liberal channels because he wants to hear “what the other side is saying.” Dr. Denison has a point about the great divide between us all and I want everyone to think about who is causing that great divide. Hint: It’s NOT God!
Denison Forum-Colbert-July 22, 2025
I hope that I have given you food for thought and perhaps a desire to approach those who think differently than you in a whole new way. We are all sinners…some of us have been saved by grace while others still need to come to the Lord. But we are all sinners who should not be battling against each other but against the true enemy of our souls whose main purpose is destruction, not life.
The Power of the Gospel and the Need for Persuasion
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