Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  1 John 3:18

EVERY year during the holidays, many people visit homeless shelters to serve the poor. If these servers are like me, they leave with soaring spirits and a new perspective on their material blessings. For years I was blessed to serve monthly dinner at a shelter, smiling and pouring drinks for the guests. But I needed more; I hungered for relationships with people in crisis.

Back when I could, I began worshiping at the shelter several times a week; we sang and prayed together, hugged, and shared our pains. Through these encounters the Holy Spirit blessed me profoundly. These people are just like me, and they came to realize I was just like them. We are a family of believers and seekers with many of the same obstacles to faith and grace, though we look very different. We find great comfort in knowing we support one another through our daily trials.

During his short time in ministry, Christ called us to be humbled by our sins and weaknesses but also to put into action the gifts God has given us, for God’s purposes. We are to love our brothers and sisters as Jesus loved those in need — up close and in person.

Heavenly Father, may the situations and people that break your heart, break our hearts. Amen.

…because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!  James 2:13 

One of the statements or criticisms made by people who don’t follow Christ is that Christianity is a crutch for the weak. But this verse shows that the Christian life is not for the timid. It takes incredible strength to stand up for mercy and to treat others the way God has commanded.  When we clock out of this life, every one of us will stand before God. And it’s then that he is going to judge us; he’s going to make us give an account of every word, thought and action we ever said, thought or did while we were here on earth. And he is going to show us the same kind of mercy that we showed to others.  That is actually a difficult reality to face. When we get cut off in traffic or someone jams us or talks about us behind our back, our instinct is to lash out and get them back, to hold a grudge or wish them harm. But that’s exactly when we need to remember this verse. 

God is going to hold you to the same standard you use with others. So don’t judge, and don’t lash out or hold grudges. Instead, release that situation into God’s hands. Exhibit the strength of mercy, which triumphs over all.

Dear God, There are times in life that I want to judge others for their actions towards me. Help me to exhibit strength and reflect mercy rather than judgment during those difficult encounters. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:44-45

JONAH was furious that God forgave Israel’s enemies, the Ninevites, when they repented. His bitterness kept him in the blistering sun for 40 days as he watched the city, hoping God would exchange mercy for wrath. How could Jonah resent the Ninevites that much? Then I recalled a time when I worked with a seasoned officer I will call “Jack.” Jack constantly yelled at the rest of us, using foul language to insult our intelligence and skills. Not only that, the shift shared an assignment at times; and sometimes Jack would come in from a night of drinking and snack on the food we had bought for ourselves.  After reading Matthew 5:44-45, I decided to pray for God to save Jack, but my heart wasn’t in it. Years after I left that job, I met a man from Jack’s hometown and asked about Jack. The man informed me that Jack was a pastor in that town. I was shocked and, deep down, a little disappointed. Where’s the justice in that? I thought. Like Jonah, I knew that we serve a God of compassion, and I had feared that my half-hearted prayer would be answered. I’ve since thanked God for showing compassion to Jack because it’s the same compassion God has granted to me.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.  1 Corinthians 10:13 

One of the most common thoughts we have when we are tempted is, “There is no way I can handle this pressure. The temptation is just too strong!”  But thankfully, God always provides a way out. No matter what you are facing, opportunities will be presented for you to turn away from temptation, to control your actions, and to take your thoughts captive. God not only provides his strength and guidance to help you, but also works through the words of a friend or advice of a mentor.    When you face temptation and feel like you are being sucked down into the muck and mire of this world, remember that there will always be a way out. But to find it, you have to look up, and see that God has already provided you with the strength you need to stand.

Dear God, I know that during times of trial and temptation that you will provide a way out. Help me to turn to you so that I can discover the way out that you have provided. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

…but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.   James 1:14

Most of us don’t like to accept the blame for those moments in life when we miss the mark, when we hurt someone, and when we fall into temptation. Maybe we try to blame someone else for our shortcomings, or try to justify our actions with the mediocre standards of this world. But God doesn’t leave us the option of playing the blame game or making excuses. He holds us accountable for our actions.  Our sins and evil desires come right out of our own sin nature. It is Satan who is directly tethered to our temptation. He also customizes his schemes according to our strengths, vulnerabilities and weaknesses. And we are the ones who make the choice to give in to the enticements of this world. 

If you feel like you are facing temptation, don’t let yourself get dragged away by it. Instead of making excuses, cry out to God for his help and allow him to lead you to victory.

Dear God, I know there will be times when I am tempted. Please help me remember to cry out to you instead of facing temptation alone, so that with your strength, I can be victorious. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“And I say, ‘Oh that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.” Psalm 55:6-8

I’m not normally one to sense family secrets about people’s lives, but this time I did. The moment “Sarah” walked through my front door for a Bible study some years ago, God whispered to me, “She needs help.” A few weeks later she asked if I could come over and talk.  She welcomed me to an immaculate house and peppered me with questions about how I managed our home. At first I answered her questions directly, but as she kept asking, I realized she was really asking something else: Why can’t I be enough for my husband’s expectations? She seemed frightened, jumpy.  That day my new friend Sarah confessed that her husband abused her. Emotionally. Physically. Psychologically. I prayed for her, gave her my phone number, and felt her burden in my gut.  She called after a violent episode, her two children crying in the back of her car. “I’m afraid,” she told me.

I encouraged her to come over. Nearly at that moment, a friend of mine arrived and, through a series of God-moments, we worked together to get Sarah and her two children to a safe place.  In doing so, we feared for our safety. Her husband stalked us, called me in the middle of the night screaming. During one conversation, I  asked him, “Why are you in seminary?”  “Because I want to pastor people.” He said it as if the answer were obvious.  I cleared my throat in the quiet of my room. “If you can’t shepherd your own family, you can’t expect to shepherd others.”  The man erupted, spewing obscenities. “She just needs to learn to submit!” With that, he hung up.

Since this time, I’ve encountered several hurting women married to men who pursued this type of submission. These women felt trapped, worried, and afraid. And because their husbands held the position they did, these wives didn’t know how to find a safe place.

Do you know a “Sarah”? Whether she is a friend, acquaintance, or the person you look at each day in the mirror, there is something you can do. Pray fervently that God will give you the wisdom to find shelter. Pray for the courage to tell the truth, or to be a safe place for her to tell the truth. And believe that no one “deserves” punishment, violence, or verbal thrashings by a spouse. Remember that God’s heart for marriage is unity, mutual understanding, longsuffering, love that overlooks shortfalls, and camaraderie.  May we all seek God’s design for marriage and may those who need to find shelter hurry towards it.

Dear Lord, As a friend of a Sarah, give me wisdom. Make me aware if You desire for me to take a role in helping someone. I give You everything, including my fears, worries, and stress. Shine Your light on my family, I pray. And lead us all to Your safe place. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.  Psalm 91:15

“What could you do with $20?” asked asked a pastor during children’s time in the church service. The kids jumped with grasping hands as he waved the bill in front of them. Then, to their consternation, he crumpled it up and threatened to deface it or even tear it. Finally, he pointed out to them that no matter what he did to that bill, it would still be worth $20.  And so it is with human life. Terrorist attacks, global economic collapse, natural disasters, accidents, illness, and other losses can threaten to crush us, deface us, and tear us to shreds. But can the worst events that we encounter ever destroy our value? After all, whose are we? The Lord says, “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isa. 43:1). The apostle Paul stressed that nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39).  The Bible tells us that whatever happens, even when the worst has been done, the last word still belongs to God. Nothing that happens can diminish our worth to our God, who holds, sustains, and cherishes us.

Dear God, we praise you for giving us lives of meaning and purpose whose value can never be destroyed by tragic events. Amen.

Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place.  Exodus 13:3

A few years ago, I began to keep a journal. I had tried before, but finally succeeded once I realized that keeping a journal is not a task for completion but a wonderful opportunity for self-expression, reflection, and release.

Job knew the value of writing. He expresses sorrow and laments that his words have not been written down: “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!” (Job 19:23)

Keeping a journal has been a life-changing experience for me. I take time to record important events in my life and even the mundane occurrences of my day. I am able to express my deepest feelings and concerns and to link my life to verses of scripture about God’s grace and mercy, which offer deliverance.

As I read over my journals, I recall with great fondness many of the joys of my life. When my writing reflects the sorrows and pain I have experienced, my journal also serves as a reminder of the mighty works of our Lord and Savior and God’s divine love for me. Remembering God’s grace and acts of deliverance strengthens my faith.

Writing is a wonderful gift that we give ourselves.

Gracious God, thank you for grace that brings us through the joys as well as the trials of life. Continue to strengthen our faith each day. Amen.