Author: mustardseedlens

Bible Verse

A Christian Mantra

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We’ve been studying the book of 1 Peter on Sunday mornings. A small book full of so many wonderful truths and lessons. As our pastor read from chapter 2, I heard what I’ll call a mantra that each Christian should proclaim daily.

No it’s not – I’m kind, I’m smart, I’m important. As the words washed over me, I felt such peace and strength.

“But you are a CHOSEN race, a ROYAL priesthood, a HOLY nation, a people for his OWN possession, that you may PROCLAIM the excellencies of him who called YOU out of darkness into his marvelous light” – emphasis mine.

1 Peter 2:9

As a believer, I can claim and proclaim these truths about me and other believers. I can be confident as I go about my day that I was chosen, he called me, and he gave me mercy (v. 10). I imagine if I reminded myself this when I am in the valley’s of life I would rejoice in all things knowing he is with me and I am walking with him.

When others find out I’m a believer, the watch me closer. They are waiting for me to trip up. And while I am still a sinner, and I will indeed trip, I can proclaim his name, ask for his help, and he will bring me into the light.

I will suffer as a Christian. But I want to live a life that is “well lived” so I can have a profound example on non believers (who Peter calls Gentiles in v 12). As his chosen people I need to live in such a way that my God will be honored among all those I meet.

So I will repeat this mantra often to help remind me of who I am in him. This will help me to turn quickly from temptations and instead towards Christ in all things. It feels like a slow process to become more and more like him, but with each choice, studying the Bible, and spending time with him, I get a little closer and my light shines brighter.

Uncategorized

Grief

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You’ll have to bare with me as I write what is on my heart today.

My son called to tell me his good friend passed away. I didn’t know what to say. I listened in shock as he told me. Since he lives far from me, I had never met him in person, but we were friends on Facebook… a thing he was shocked I accepted my son told me.

The two of them were very close and both leaned on each other as they walked some difficult roads. I prayed often for this friend as I knew he was going through much. Once I even got to talk to him on the phone as he helped me get a present for my son delivered. I was able to thank him for being there for our son as he walked through the valleys.

So, my knowledge of this young man comes from stories my son shared, posts on Facebook, and messages we sent each other every now and then.

And yet, I am grieving. I am grieving for a young life lost. For my son walking in this “first” of loosing someone so close. For his family having to hear this news and the altered life they move forward with.

I listened to worship songs, I prayed, I cried, and I turned to the pages of God’s word.

In Isaiah 53:4 in says “Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” I’m comforted that Jesus has taken on my grief. That he knows what it feels like. He died on the cross carrying those sorrows – this sorrow today.

Many are broken right now as they learn about this young man. They are thinking of all the memories, the good and the bad, the words said and left unsaid. And God is right there with them, holding them up, ready to take on those burdens of sadness. I am called in Galatians 6:2 to also carry those burdens with them… and so I will pray frequently for them for a long time.

There are many verses that give comfort and hope in this time of grief. I’ll add them at the end as maybe they will help you – maybe there is one God is speaking to you in your season of grief. I’m going to close with my personal prayer.

Lord, I thank you for being present in my life and sending your son to die for me. I thank you that in times of sorrow I know that you are walking with me and understand what I’m feeling. I know you have filled many bottles with my tears. I thank you for the life of this young man. While his days seemed short here on earth, I know your plans are good and I have hope he is rejoicing your holy name in heaven now. I trust you will use his life to lead others to you and that in the coming days, months, and years, you will walk with those who were close with him in their sorrow. You will bring them comfort and great peace. Remind us that you will someday “…wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Give me strength to carry this burden of sorrow with his family and friends. Continue to draw me close to you, open my ears to hear your voice, and lead me in the ways I should go. In Jesus precious name…. Amen.

“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1-2).

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (1 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Missions

Missions

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Today my husband and our youngest daughter are traveling to Mexico with our church for a week of mission work with the people of Ensenada.

What a broad title… maybe I should come up with something a little more clever?

This time of year has been a busy one for our family since 2014. That was the year our second son went on his first mission trip at the young age of 14. He traveled with Teen Missions to Australia and was gone for 8 weeks that summer.

Since then three of our children have followed his footsteps and traveled to 8 different countries (Australia, Madagascar, Northern Ireland, Mexico, Honduras, South Africa, and Cambodia). Each year has been a blessing in what they learned about God, the world they live in, and the strength they have inside of themselves to serve in some less than ideal locations. They have come home changed, closer to God, and with a confidence they didn’t have when they left.

Teen Missions, though, isn’t an experience for everyone. It is intense starting with a boot camp that prepares you for life without phones, flushing toilets, heat, and minimal food choices.

Our youngest is one such person that is not the least bit interested. Oh, she has a heart for God, but much like me, she’ll take running water (that is always warm when you want it to be) and a decent bed. God knows this about her and can still use her to further the kingdom.

This month she is traveling with her youth group to Mexico to serve for a week with the people of Ensenada. They will be doing various things though the mission Agua Viva Ministries. It was the perfect trip for her.

Will it be easy? I know better than to say that. She will be away from the comforts of home. She will see, smell, and hear things that will hit her heart in a new way. She will be challenged to spread her wings and find her faith deep inside of her.

We are excited about her trip. We are praying for her heart will be ready, her ears to hear his call as she works with the people, and that she will serve the people with love and kindness and leave them with hope while strengthening her own walk with God.

Devotion

But Grace

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One of the books I’m reading right now is “Rediscovering Jonah” by Timothy Keller. I started this book some time ago and set it down. It wasn’t sinking in to my brain for some reason. I picked it back up and came upon this thought.

In chapter 7, he is at the part of Jonah’s tale where he is in the belly of the fish. He cries out to God in despair knowing only God could save him now. There was no human way to escape the fish. He is in the deepest valley and this is where God meets him.

Keller states we find grace in the valleys and depths. “No human heart will learn its sinfulness and impotence by being told it is sinful. It will have to be shown – often in brutal experience.” Such truth. We will spend much time in our lives denying our sinfulness. Rejecting the need for God and thinking we are “good enough” on our own. Or maybe willingly being sinful but flippant about living that life.

But then some event happens that pulls the covers off your eyes and you come to see the sinfulness. You realize there is no way out of this without some help – and not human help, but more. It’s then that your heart calls out to God to confess and ask Him to restore your broken relationship.

Just like Jonah crying out to God in what he thought was the lowest moment of his life, you cry out. God extends his Grace to you and delivers you from that circumstance. Like Jonah shout “Salvation comes only from the LORD” (verse 9).

I love what Keller says at the end of that section.

If someone is saved, it is wholly God’s doing. It is not a matter of God saving you partly and you saving yourself partly. No. God saves us. We do not and cannot save ourselves. That’s the gospel.

Chapter 7, Rediscovering Jonah

I know that grace. I seek to walk in His ways and yet still stumble. But Grace… it is there sanctifying me more and more. Just as Jonah’s life didn’t suddenly become perfect, nor does mine. But I can call on him in my valleys and he will be with me providing grace, guidance, and comfort as I walk to the mountaintop again.

Bible Verse

Walk Away

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I have to come back to the topic from the last post as I had one more thought as I went over it that day. It’s about this one verse.

9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

John 8:9

I noticed that as they went away, John notes that it started with the older ones. It wan’t something I noticed before and I was struck by it.

Of course the older ones would walk away first. They had wisdom from their lives to know quicker to let it go. What they had wanted to do was not worth them standing there any longer in debating or holding on to the anger they had. While they originally were swept up in the crowd, the moment, their righteousness, they realized quicker that in the in grand scheme of things, what this woman had done wasn’t worth the battle.

I’m sure part of it was also that they understood quicker Jesus’ words about let the first of you with no sin throw your stone. They had lived a life of trying to follow the laws. They knew how many times they had slipped off the path. They knew how many times they might have been the one dragged to this courtyard to be stoned.

If you’re older, like me, you get that. Maybe you’re opinionated and do have trouble giving up your stand (like me at times). But the closer I walk with God, the easier it is for me to walk away. To lay down that stone and go home to cook dinner. To thank God for his forgiveness of my past and for sending his son to die for us.

When I was younger though, I would have been standing there longer clutching my stone. I would not have been the first person to throw, but I would have held out for a bit. I probably wouldn’t have even dropped my stone because I am that person that could hold onto anger and hurt for some time. Heck, it’s still something I struggle with but not nearly as long.

How quickly would you walk away? Would have always been quick no matter young or old? Do you still struggle to walk away? For me there are certain situations that are harder, but I can hear that still quiet voice inside me telling me to walk away. I’m getting quicker. I keep praying that He keeps helping me be like those older ones and walk away.

Bible Verse · Devotion

Holding your Stone

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Now that’s a weird title, isn’t it?

Let me explain (obviously you knew I would)…

I’m reading a book right now that has some good stuff in it and the author talked about a Bible verse in John that I’ll drop next.

Here’s the thing – I LOVED his point, but when I went to the Bible, it doesn’t say what he said it says (is that even a proper English sentence?). I was a bit disappointed, but it also got me thinking. Bible verse and then I’ll explain.

 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

John 8:3-11

So the Pharisees bring a woman who had sinned to Jesus and asked if they can stone her as they have the right according to the law. Jesus being, you know the Son of God, gives that “mic drop” answer. “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” All the people that were ready to throw stones slowly walk away.

The author states this “all the Pharisees drop their stones” and I was struck by his statement. He is talking about anger and our right to hold on to it (he is making the point in the whole book that we don’t have the right to hold on). In this parable (story? I don’t like using “story” with the Bible… me issue), they feel they are carrying out God’s justice. They had anger for the right reason – she sinned, the law says to stone her, end of story.

But here’s the thing. The verses don’t say they dropped their stones. They did walk away. But we don’t know if they dropped them.

However, I’m still struck by this thought. If they walked away holding on to their stones (which, let’s get real, is more likely seeing as they hated Jesus and were trying to trick him), then they still had the anger. BUT if they dropped them, think of how much lighter their load was.

And that is what I was caught thinking about all day. What stone am I holding on to? How many stones am I holding on to? What a relief it would be to let go and let God. I want to hold on to my anger, my “Holy righteousness”, my vengeance. But when I let go of it, when I drop it to the ground and hear that thud… because you know it’s not a little stone, it’s a big heavy one filled with so much emotion… I can walk easier. I have more room for God to come in and help me move forward. I can put my trust in him that he will take care of it for I can not trust my own judgment.

So let go of your stone. Drop it to the ground. Place it at the throne. Ask God to help you loosen the grip you have of it. Do whatever it takes, and then ask God to give you wisdom and to direct your path. Trust he will fight your battles.

Bible Verse · Devotion

Trials

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Many times throughout the Bible God lets the believer know they will face trials. It’s hard to think that when we choose to follow Christ that our life will not just flow easily forward.

James 1:2-3 says this:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

We can say that trials are certain but we must know they present us with an opportunity to test our faith. As our faith is tested we then can become more steadfastness – or firm and unwavering. James goes on to say in verse four that as we become more unwavering we can be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

1 Peter 1:6 tells us to REJOICE in our various trials. It will only be for a “little while” but these trials are purposeful proving our faith and making all our impurities melt away. Peter refers to this process as being more precious than gold which only becomes the purist when put through the fire. Now that little while might be a few hours, a few days, or all our days, but even if it is a trial that will stay with us all our days, we can rest assured that God is using it to refine us.

As I reflect on the trials I’ve had in my life, it has been hard at times to keep my focus on Christ. I want to wallow in sorrow and ask him to remove the trouble from my life. I want to forget it happened, to stop crying about what is lost, or to just have same easy times come my way.

But… but… I know in my heart of hearts that those trials I’ve been through and those that will be with my all my days, they draw me to him. The last year has been the hardest trial I have yet to face, and hear I am. In his word as often as I can get. Calling on him as I cry once more. Turning to him quicker than I did before when I am slipping off the narrow path.

I am being refined. I am more quickly rejoicing as I face a trial. I am not perfect and complete yet, but compared to yesterday, last year, years ago, I am coming closer. So I lean into God’s word and I ponder this:

… let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

I pray I run this race with endurance, continue to look to Jesus, and know with great confidence that I can rejoice in my trials as it brings me closer to him.

Parenting

Everyday Moments

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When I was a little girl and you asked me what I wanted to be…

When I was a teen dreaming of the coming years…

When I was in college studying for the next exam…

In all those moments and many more, I was praying that someday I’d be a mom. I did not know how many children I wanted – I don’t even think I thought of that part of it. I just wanted to be a mother. To care for little ones. To love them daily. To see the joy in them as they learn new things, discover the world around them. To raise them to know the love of Jesus and help them walk the narrow path he has laid out for them.

Sunflowers in a white antique vase set on a black background with the light flooding the flowers

I saw joy, hope, laughter. I saw memories being made to last a lifetime. I didn’t see heartache, hurts that take time to heal, or the strain of children becoming adults and not staying on that narrow path.

But God… he saw it all. He saw me dreaming of my future. He saw my heart and drew me closer to him as I became a parent and had to lean more into him than I ever had in my life. He knew that as I followed my dream I would become discouraged – by how I reacted to my children, by choices my children would make, BUT he also knew I would find HOPE in him. That when the days were dark and lonely, I would know God was in this with me. That his plan was greater than mine and I needed to trust him… I needed to fully give my children into his care and know he would be with them.

My everyday moments… those seemingly unimportant moments – folding laundry, making dinner, driving the mom taxi – I had to choose to see those as opportunities to serve Him. In those moments I can reflect on each of my children. Pray for them as I fold laundry. Gather around a table to reconnect and share our lives with each other. Talk with them about God and show them how to make him a part of their everyday.

It may be an ordinary life to most that amounts to nothing. But I have lived my dream job for 23 years and counting. I know that by living in those everyday moments – the good ones and the ones that brought me to my knees in prayer, I was serving God. As I loved (and continue to love) them, I was loving God. May my children always know my love for them but that I may reflect the love God has for them more so.

Bible Verse · The book of Job

Blessed be the Lord

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Have you ever read a book and it has such a slow start you think of just stopping? The book of Job is not that. It jumps right into the “deep end” with exactly what happened.

We get a quick background on this man… he was blameless, upright, fears God and turns from evil. He was wealthy, had a wife, and many children. All is going well, extremely well, for Job. And then we get a little peek into a meeting with the “sons of God” (angels), God, and Satan.

Satan believes that he has the power to turn a faithful person away from God and wants to prove it. How does God respond? He gives him permission and tells him about his faithful servant! He first gives Satan permission to do anything but harm Job’s body {1:12} and then, when that doesn’t work, God gives him permission to do something to Job as long as he spares his life {2:6}

Shocking to our human hearts who only want to think of God as loving and protective. This suffering Job experiences is not a punishment for anything Job has done. There is no unforgiven sin in his life. And yet God gives his permission (because God is in control of even what Satan can do) and also defines what Satan’s perimeters are.

In verse 1:21 Job says “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” and then in 2:10, after being inflected with sores that make him unrecognizable to his friends, he still says “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”

Having been through some trials in my life, I did not always first say blessed be the Lord. I eventually turn there, but Job seems to be quickly at that point.

What Christopher Ash says in his book “Trusting God in the Darkness” for this section is worth noting and remembering as we read forward and, more importantly as we walk with God.

First we must know that Job is blameless.

Second we need to know that Satan has real influence in our lives. That brings me to my knees to ask God to help me reject that influence.

Third we need to remember that God is absolutely supreme. Satan only has power that God gives him and even when I’m in a trial, I must have confidence that God is right there and he will prevail.

Finally, God can give sobering permissions to Satan. I am left to wonder if I could stand this test that God allowed in Job’s life? While we walk through chapter after chapter of Job crying out to God, the story ends with Job acknowledging the greatness and power of God.

Bible Verse · Parenting · The book of Job

Job… the beginning

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Job has long been my favorite book of the Bible. I have read it many times and have taken notes through each reading. For Christmas, my daughter purchased a study by Christoper Ash called “Trusting God in the Darkness” for me to use to get someone else’s perspective on Job. So far it has been a great study.

Somewhat unrelated to the study, but found because I’m reading through the book carefully, I came across a verse that made me take note.

Job 1:5 says:

…. Job would send and consecrate them {his children}, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

As a parent I was struck by his actions. Daily he rose and made offerings for his children to cover any sin that they might do. Ouch is what I say to myself.

Do I pray for my children each day bringing them before God? Asking his protection over them… asking Him to guide them to the right choices… to remind them to put on the armor of God? For me, compared to Job, it would be so easy to do this daily act. I do not have to do burnt offerings anymore. I can just take some quiet time and lift each of our children before him.

It seems so easy, but I get so busy. Sure, there are days I do pray for each of them. There are times in our relationship that I pray HARD for them. But daily, to raise and first thing bring my children before him.

Today, I commit to bringing my children before the throne room. I may not know what their day brings, what their needs are, but neither did Job. He continued to do this for them just in case they needed to be forgiven. I can have confidence knowing that God already knows what the day will bring for them and doing my part to lift their names in prayer will keep me focused on knowing they are under his protection.