Confident in God’s Goodness

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What good is happening in your life right now? Is it hard to spot? Have you decided there is nothing good? That’s not a good place to be in, and yet, so many of us find ourselves there often. We get tired, rundown, discouraged and feel the weight of the world on our shoulders and fail to see the goodness of God in our lives on a daily basis.

Experiencing God’s Goodness Daily

God didn’t design us to live this way–a miserable life here on this earth. No, He wants us to experience His goodness every single day. David understood this.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
    while I am here in the land of the living.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13,14

David was confident that he would see God’s goodness in his lifetime. The land of the living is here, on earth. He wasn’t saying that he would see his reward in Heaven someday. He was confident he would see God’s goodness in this life.

A Rich and Satisfying Life

Sometimes we forget that God has good things for us in this life. We don’t have to trudge through this life sad, miserable, barely making it. We are not destined for suffering and simply surviving. God didn’t save us to make our lives miserable and full of despair. He does the exact opposite. Jesus had these words to say to his followers.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10 NLT

When a Christian is living a sad, depressing, empty life, that is not from God. That kind of life is from Satan. God gives us life, a rich and satisfying life. It’s a life we can enjoy right now, not just when we get to Heaven.

Jesus Has Overcome the World

Are there times when life is difficult? Yes. Jesus told us we would be tested and tried in this world and we would go through times of tribulation. But these were His words of comfort.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 NLT

We are more than conquerors through Jesus; we are over-comers. That means we don’t sit around dwelling on the bad things this life has to offer and how it’s just going to be so much better when we get to Heaven. We live our life now–the life God has gifted us with.

Living with God Now

Skye Jethani, in his book With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, has this to say about our life here on earth.

Eternal life, then, is unending union with God. Many people have accepted the idea that eternal life begins when their body dies, and that their present life is therefore of less importance–it is a temporary life, they believe. But if we see that union with God is promised to us today, in this present life, then our perspective changes. If we are with God, then our eternal life begins now and will continue forever. The life we are now living with Him will never cease.

We live today in our relationship with God; we aren’t waiting to live with Him one day. That day is today, so let’s live like it. Let’s look for His goodness all around us and live a life that reflects His goodnesss to others.

More Encouragement

For more on this topic, check out my post, You Get to Choose.

Faith Begins Where Control Ends

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The older I get, the more I realize what a control person I am. I like things done in a certain way–the best way–my way. I’ve learned that the more I control things, the better chance I have that things will go as I want them to. Sadly, though, that’s not how it works. Control is an allusion. We think that if we control things, bad things won’t happen. Yet, the irony is we don’t have control of our lives. We never did.

The Catcher

In With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, Skye Jethani gives an illustration about a trapeze artist. He talks about how we are in awe of the performer flying through the air, but the real hero is the catcher. He quotes Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest, author, and professor with these words after watching such a feat and how it relates to our theology.

If we are to takes risks, to be free, in the air, in life, we have to know there’s a catcher. We have to know that when we come down from it all, we’re going to be caught, we’re going to be safe. The great hero is the least visible. Trust the catcher.

Henri Nouwen

The catcher in our lives is God. When we step out in faith, He’s the One Who will catch us. He won’t let us fall.

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Psalm 121:3 NLT

Letting Go

It’s only when we relinquish our tight grip on our lives that we truly start living by faith. There’s freedom in surrender, surrendering to God. There’s freedom in letting go of our plans and trusting His plans for our life. It’s not until we let go that faith actually begins.

Feeding Your Fear

Either our faith will guide us or our fear will dominate us. We choose which one will take top place. Whichever one we feed will be the one that takes control.

If you feed your fears with constant worry, what-if’s, worst case scenarios…your fear will continue to grow. If at night, you let your mind wander and imagine your worst fears playing out, your fear will grow and eventually dominate your life. When that happens, we try to be in charge. How do we do that? By taking more control. And the circle starts over once again.

Feed Your Faith

The alternative is to feed our faith. If we continue to spend time with God every morning through a morning time routine, our faith will continue to grow. If we’re choosing to fill our mind and thoughts with preaching, good music, and good books, our faith will continue to grow. When fear comes at night, if we push it away and think about God’s Word and His goodness instead, our faith will continue to grow.

We choose what rules our lives–our fear or our faith. Which one are you letting lead in your life? For a lot of years, it was fear for me. Now, I’m working at taking back the ground that’s been given to fear and feed my faith.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Breaking Fear’s Stronghold on My Life.

Created to Create

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My friend Samantha creates the most beautiful products using seashells as her medium. I first discovered her work when she gave me a cross for Easter. I started following her on social media and get to see all her creations at samanthaseashells. She just made my father in law a gorgeous wind chime set. It’s absolutely beautiful. She has an eye for beauty and detail, and it shines through in her work.

Creating Like Our Creator

Whenever I see somebody doing something like this, it inspires me so much. I love it when men and women use the gifts and abilities God has given them to create something beautiful. The sky is the limit when we use what God has given us to create something beautiful or something that can help others.

I think we sometimes forget that God gave us abilities, talents, and gifts to create, in the same way our Creator creates. We forget that our God paints the sky every morning and evening in brilliant hues of color. We forget that He gave us so many different flowers, plants, trees, and views to enjoy. From the majestic Rocky Mountains, to the sands of the beach of the Jersey shore, to the cacti and red dirt of Arizona, our God has created so much beauty just for us to enjoy. Why wouldn’t He take joy in the things we create as well?

Made in His Image

God is the ultimate Creator, and He gives us the ability to follow in His footsteps and create something beautiful. He is our Creator, and He created us in His own image. That means He has given us the ability to create.

So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27 NLT

Sharing Beauty with Others

We get to partake in God’s beauty every time we create something. We get to show the goodness of our Creator when we create something and share that beauty with others. It may be a homemade meal that you labor over. You get to share it with your family and friends, and you feel so fulfilled. It may be something you create–a painting, a craft, a flower arrangement, a candle–that you share with others. Maybe it’s something you write– a book, a poem, a letter.

We all have different gifts and abilities and talents. I can barely crochet a single stitch chain without losing my mind, and yet my daughter can create and craft animals that are so adorable. MaddieKCrochet

One of my friends at church is a whiz at making flower arrangements and more importantly, keeping them alive. At our recent ladies’ event, she spent the entire time helping each lady make her flower arrangement look perfect. We all got to benefit from her skills.

Another friend of mine is an amazing baker. She makes all sorts of desserts and treats that are Pinterest worthy. She sells them out of her home and has made a business with her baked goods. And yet, almost every Sunday, she brings a treat to church. We get to partake in her talents and abilities.

Using Your Gifting to Bless Others

Sometimes, we forget that God gave us something to work with. Maybe it’s been a while since you used those abilities to create something beautiful. The talent could be buried; maybe you don’t even know you have the ability yet. For some of us, it takes a lot longer to develop a skill. It took me until I was in my thirties to realize I love writing. It’s taken me several years to hone that craft, and I’m still working at it. But now, I can see the fruit of my labors and of the gifting God has given me. I don’t know what gifting God has given you, but I know you have something. All of us have something God has gifted us with that we can use to bless others.

What’s really amazing is when the gifts God has given you can be used to make an income. That’s when it really comes together! What gifts has God given you that you can use to bless others?

More Encouragement

If you love this topic and love the idea of making an income from home, check out Crytal Paine’s book, Money Making Mom or Called to Create by Jordan Raynor. I love both of those books. You can also check out my post, Doing Something Great with God.

When They Can’t Pray, You Can

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Matt and I spent a few hours recently with a family that’s going through a difficult situation. As we listened and heard multiple family members share, we got a glimpse into the burdens they were carrying…and it was a lot. There were so many things at play, and most of it was out of their control. Some things and people had “happened” to them, and they were reeling from all of it. And we did as well. What they told us wasn’t right; it was wrong. They’d been dealt with wrongly, and yet, there was nothing they could do in this hopeless case.

Hopeless Situations

Have you ever had people “happen” to you? It’s not pretty. Maybe you’ve been racially profiled, you’ve been accused of something you didn’t do, somebody’s made a wrong judgement about you, somebody’s said something to you that was so hurtful and wrong. Or maybe, it’s an event or a happening. Something happened to you. It’s not your fault, and yet, you’re living with the consequences of that event.

Sometimes, in these situations, we are tempted to believe there is no hope. We get sucked into the mindset that this situation can never be turned around, that no good can come from it.

Job’s Hopelessness

Job felt the same hopelessness in his situation. Satan took everything away from him–his wealth, his children, his health, and his hope. When his friends come to comfort him, the Bible says they sat in silence for an entire week because Job’s suffering was so great.

The family we talked to may not have been facing what Job is facing, but Matt and I felt the burdens this family was carrying…the impossibility of the situation. There’s was a case, literally a court case, where everything was stacked against them, even the judge. I felt so overwhelmed that night when we went home. I had no idea what to do for them. I felt the injustice of it all. And then God reminded me that He is still in control and that He is actively working everything for our good.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8L28 NLT

Job’s Situation

I couldn’t help but think about that family this week when I was reading in the book of Job for my morning time. Job’s been through the worst that can happen. He has these words to say about his situation.

What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.

Job 3:25 NLT

His three friends come to comfort him, and they are absolutely no help. In fact, he calls them out on it, saying this about them.

Then Job answered:

I have heard many things like these.
You are all miserable comforters.

Job 16:1-2 CSB

Someone to Plead with God

As the chapter goes on, Job adds this thought. It’s more of a wish or a prayer.

I wish that someone might argue for a man with God
just as anyone would for a friend.

Job 16:21 CSB

Job speaks here of wanting someone that could go toe to toe with God and plead the case of a friend. We know that we have someone in Heaven that does that for us, and His name is Jesus. He pleads our case before the Father. But there are others who can plead our cases as well.

Someone to Pray on Your Behalf

Have you ever had someone pray for you, like really pray for you? Maybe it was a pastor or a spiritual leader, maybe it was an older woman of faith…whoever it was, you just knew that God was listening when they were praying. James reminds us that the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power with God.

…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

James 5:16

That night when we left the house of that family, I felt so burdened down by all we had heard. But I remembered the power that God has, and I know that a single touch of His hand on this family would make everything turn out for good. So, I prayed for them. I prayed for the decisions they needed to make; I prayed for the court case and for the judge. I prayed fervently on their behalf.

Somebody Needs You

There have been a few times personally in our lives that somebody has prayed over us and for us, times when we couldn’t pray or didn’t feel like we were getting through to God. I don’t pretend to know how it works, but I believe there are times in our lives where there is literally nothing we can do. In those times, we need someone to take up the mantle for us, someone else to have the faith that we don’t have in this moment–someone who is outside the situation who can cry out to God for us and plead with God on our behalf.

When was the last time you were this for someone else? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our own troubles, burdens, and heartbreaks. And yet, there may be someone near you right now that is barely standing. Their faith is failing as their world crumbles around them, and they need you to pray for them. They need to pray earnestly on their behalf and plead their case before God. That may be the greatest ministry you can ever have.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Never Give Up Praying. A great book to read is The Circle Maker by Mark Patterson.

Don’t Walk Away Yet

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Have you ever been at a point in your life where you think it’s time to walk away? You feel like God is done with the part of your life and it’s time to move on.

Many of us have times like this, and it’s hard to know if we’re supposed to stick it out or if it’s time to move on. We’ve been at both places during different times of our lives. We’ve had times where we needed to stick it out and times when it was right for us to walk away. There’s some encouragement found for us in the small book of Esther about not walking away quite yet.

Esther Study

I just finished reading the book of Esther. Esther is always a fascinating study. If you’re interested in the book of Esther, The Daily Grace Co. has a great Esther study that I’ve done and loved. There are so many great takeaways from the book of Esther. One that has stayed with me comes from chapter four.

Esther learns about the plot by evil Haman to destroy the Jews. Mordecai comes to her and tells her what she needs to do. She needs to go before the king and ask him to save their people. This is where her famous reply comes into play.

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”

Esther 4:15,16

God Will Find Someone to Work Through

But right before these infamous verses, Mordecai says something so interesting. I’ve read it before, but it caught and held my attention this time. He says this to Esther:

Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Esther 4:13,14

We know these verses well. There are movies and books based on the phrase, “for just a time as this.” But I want to draw our attention to the phrase before that. Mordecai says these words, “If you keep quiet, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise form some other place.”

Mordecai essentially was saying, “You can sit back and do nothing, and God will still find a way to work. He will work with or without you.” Now, there will be consequences. He tells her that she and her relatives will most likely die. But he says she doesn’t have to do this; if she chooses not to, God will find somebody else.

Don’t Let God Use Somebody Else

This is such a powerful thought that I think so many of us forget. We do have a free will. God will never force us to do anything. We don’t have to do what God has for us, but if we don’t, God will use somebody else. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God to use somebody else. I want Him to use me. I want to be a part of the great things He has in store for my family, my kids, my church family, my neighbors, and those people I haven’t even met yet.

I think about our church. I don’t have to stay faithful. I can give up and move on. But with that, I have to remember that God will still work. He will work in our church family with or without me. I can choose to be apart of it and let God use me, or I can walk away and let Him use somebody else. But I haven’t put in fifteen years to walk away now and let God use somebody else. So, we stay and we continue to allow God to work and use us.

Don’t Walk Away Just Yet

What do you have in your life that you’re considering walking away from? You can. You have the right to. But what will you miss out on if you walk away now? Who else will God use if He can no longer use you? I don’t want God to use someone else. I want Him to use me, and I want Him to use you. So, let’s choose today to stay faithful, to stick it out, to not give up on what God is doing. Who knows? Your breakthrough might be just around the corner, and you will miss out on all God has in store if you walk away now.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Don’t Give Up on the Dream God Has Given You. A great book to read is Breakthrough: Transforming the Death of a Dream to the Birth of a Breakthrough.

Hope Again

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“Peter, do you love me unconditionally, without pretension? Do you love me more than you love these?” Jesus asks, pointing to the fish they were feasting on (Jn 21:15). Peter responds, “Lord, you know I’m fond of you as a friend.”

No More Than a Friend

Wait, hold it. What?

Where’s the “Call me out of the boat,” “You are the Christ,” “I’m the Rock (not Dwayne Johnson),” “You won’t go to the cross,” “Wash me head to toe,” “I would never deny. I would die for you,” over-promising, under-delivering Peter we’vecome to know? Somewhere between the courtyard denial and the seaside breakfast, Peter changed. The pain of not being first to speak, first to fight, first to lead, first at anything, gave way to the pain of not being able to follow through. Peter could have easily had his own morning radio show: “The Big Talker, Simon Peter, on radio station WWJD.” That Peter was gone.

He knew better than to exaggerate, over-promise, and over-brag in any given situation. Peter saw himself for the fraud he was or tended to be at times. He could talk a good game, but he couldn’t follow through. Peter was well aware of his glaring weakness. Jesus knew this, too. Jesus also knew Peter needed to know everything was okay. Peter needed to know Jesus still loved him. Peter needed to know there was still room for him at the table.

Jesus and Peter

Jesus knew all that, and pushes into Peter’s plight ever so gently. All Jesus needs to know is “Peter, are you willing to trust? Are you willing to try this again?”

“Good, Peter. I want you to keep a watchful eye on these guys.”

Then Jesus leans in a little closer and asks a second time, “Peter, can I ask you another question? Do you love me unconditionally?” (Jn 21:16).

Peter responds, “Lord, I am fond of you as best a friend could be fond of his friend.”

“Then I want to you step up and lead and guide my followers at large,” Jesus said.

One final time, Jesus pushes as close as he could with Peter. “Peter, do you even like me? Are you truly fond of me as a friend?” (Jn 21:17).

Peter’s Pain

This final time, Peter realizes what Jesus is getting at. He feels the sting and pain of what unfolded over the last several weeks. This meeting with Jesus was the third time he’d appeared to the men. The first time was the day of the resurrection, the second was the following Sunday with Thomas. Now this day. It was at least more than a week since Peter denied his friend and leader, Jesus. Enough time had passed for Peter to work through all that had happened. As with any broken friendship, Peter wasn’t sure if Jesus would take him back.

The Restoration of a Friendship

Here they stood, eye to eye, making sense of how far they’d come. Peter had denied. Jesus had died. Peter hoped for a second chance, and Jesus was offering Peter a second chance. But Peter didn’t know if he could trust himself. He knew his weakness to look the part but not live out his commitment.

He says as much to Jesus. “Lord, you know me. You knew I would deny you because you know everything. You know I’m fond of you. I can’t commit to loving you unconditionally, because when the conditions got tough, I bailed on you. I denied you. But you do know that I’m fond of you because I wouldn’t have come this far. I didn’t dive out of the boat just to have breakfast. I dove out of the boat to come to see you, to follow you.”

Jesus’ Restoration of Peter

I don’t think the three questions of “Do you love me?” were lost on Peter. He denied Jesus three times. Then he verbally committed his love and loyalty to Jesus three times. I think Jesus purposely did this in front of the others, as well. Peter publicly denied Jesus. Jesus publicly restored Peter.

That’s exactly what Jesus wanted to hear. “Peter, teach and guide my followers from this point on.” Jesus was affirming the one he had nicknamed the “Rock.” He told Peter who he was—a mentor, a leader, a teacher. All those roles Jesus had filled for the last three-years—Jesus passed the torch to Peter. Even with Peter’s massive failure of denial, Jesus was willing to work with him. His denial of Jesus was his setback. It wasn’t until Peter saw his setback that he stopped trying to compensate for what he thought he lacked.

We overcompensate all the time. We masquerade through life, trying to prove our worth by our silence, exuberance, arrogance, achievement, or self-righteous idealism. All these labels are self-imposed. Jesus came to remove labels and show us love. You don’t need a label to hide behind when you know you are loved. Peter needed no more labels. He knew he was loved. Peter no longer tried to prove who he was; he now knew who he was—Jesus’ friend and follower. Jesus doesn’t invite us to positions and traditions. Jesus invites us into a relationship with Him.

A Relationship with Jesus

A relationship is more than information about Jesus; it’s a relationship is a connection with Jesus. What information do you know? You know you’ve messed up. Your hope was crushed; you quit too soon. You know you held on to hurt instead of hope. Put aside what you know about you. Step into who you know—the one who knows you, Jesus. You can be well known to a world that will give you ten minutes of fame, or you can be known well by the one who calls your name.

Who You Are

When you know that who you are is not found in what you do, you can step into who Jesus says you are. Attempting to find our value in what we do always leaves us empty and asking for more. The respect, acceptance, approval, and attention Peter longed for was going to be the very thing he gave to those he mentored, led, and fed. I am living out who God created me to be and following Jesus the best when I give to others what I long to receive in my own life. The switch must flip from seeking people to fix and fulfill us; our calling is to fill others with what Jesus has filled us with—his love.

Which Do You Choose?

Some people are released. Some people are restored. Jesus released Judas, but he restored Peter. Restoration is offered to you and me. All Jesus wants to know is if we are willing to dive in and follow him. No matter what’s happened in our past, no matter the hurt of our pain, and no matter what the future holds, Jesus can restore our hope.

*This post is an excerpt from Matt’s book, Six Days to Sunday: Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Believe Again: Easter Hope for Everyday Faith.

Waiting for Hope

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I just finished Waiting for Hope, a study on the book of Malachi. I love the title of this study so much. The people that Malachi wrote to during the time of this book didn’t know what was coming; they didn’t know that they were about to enter a period of four hundred years of silence from God. Once again, God was going to ask his people to wait. This is the last message they will receive for a long time. I think that makes us give this book special attention.

God’s Last Words

What did God have to say in His last words to His people before He would send His son into the world? The first words from God in Malachi are these, “I have loved you.” He reminds them of His love. In the days to come, they would feel that God was so very far away. Yet, He leaves them this powerful reminder that He loves them.

Sometimes God asks us to wait for hope during different seasons of our lives. It’s during these times that we feel God is so very far away. We feel like we are alone. Eugene Peterson calls these “wilderness times.” We all go through them, and so did so many of our favorite people from the Bible. David, Elijah, Moses, and even Jesus. Wilderness times are times of testing and discouragement, a contrast between hope and faith and doubt and fear. It’s during these times that our faith can be strengthened if we allow it to be.

David’s Wilderness Years

It’s during these wilderness times that we learn to see the beauty of the wilderness and of what God’s doing. Eugene Peterson writes about David’s wilderness times in his book, Leap Over a Wall.

The wilderness taught David to see beauty everywhere. The wilderness was David’s school in the preciousness of life; through wilderness testing David learned to see God in places and things he never would have thought to look previously.

In the wilderness years, as David was dealing with God, a sense of the sacred developed in him. While he was living in that austere country, his awareness of holiness, of God’s beauty and presence in everything, in everyone, increased exponentially.

Wilderness Times

God takes us all through wilderness times. They look different for all of us, and yet, it’s in these wilderness times that we can draw close to God. We can see the beauty of the wilderness times when we choose to walk through that time with peace and hope, hope of the good to come. We can find peace and beauty in the wilderness times instead of just wishing for an escape.

I don’t know what season of life you’re in today, but if it’s a wilderness season, I’m here to encourage you to hold on to hope. God’s not done with you. Your story’s not over. Look for the beauty right where you are. Choose to hold on to hope and find joy right where you are. Soon this season will be over and with it the opportunity to find the beauty in this season. Don’t miss what God’s trying to show you during this time.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Hope in the Midst of Suffering.

The Church is a Gift

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When I was growing up, there were very few extracurricular activities on Sunday. There were no soccer or basketball games, swim meets, robotics tournaments, dance recitals, and track events. Now, it’s a common occurrence. Just two weeks ago, one of our families at church had to be at a track event at seven am. After that, they came to church. As soon as church was done, they had to get going for a swim meet that afternoon.

Changing Times

Things have changed so much over the years. There are so many things vying for our attention on Sundays; it feels almost impossible to make church a priority. And yet, that’s what the writer of Hebrews encourages us to do.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:25

A Front Row Seat

Ministering in the greater Philadelphia area for the last fifteen years has given us a front row seat to watching families come and go. We’ve had the privilige of ministering to a lot of different people in different stages of life and from different walks of life. One of the things that hasn’t changed over the years is that we can really train wreck our lives when we’re not plugged into a local church and a small group of people we can do life with. Are people in church perfect? Absolutely not. Do we hurt each other sometimes? Yes. The people in our church are no different. Yet God told us that this was how He wanted us to do life–together. The best way to do life together is to be involved in a church that you can attend every week, encourage and be encouraged by other believers, hear Biblical preaching, join in worship, and find your place to serve. Joining a small group of people that meet together every week outside of the church service for fellowship and a Bible study is the icing on the cake.

Not Doing LIfe

None of us are perfect; that’s for sure. But when a group of people consistently meet together to encourage each other in our walk with God, really good things happen. Is it a guarantee for no hard times, an easy marriage, and no problems? No. But when those hard times come, there are people to walk through those waters with us. None of us can do life alone.

I’m currently working my way through my Hebrews study from Daily Grace Co. I was reading in Hebrews 10 this week and read this very passage. I read these words, and they were such a good reminder.

In light of this, the author of Hebrews tells us not to neglect gathering together. Skipping Sunday gatherings, a small group meeting, or a Bible study can seem like a small thing until it starts to become a habit. When we separate ourselves from the accountability of the church, we become prone to sin more easily. We need our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to spur us on in our walk with christ. The church is a gift, and it is one we should never neglect.

A Gift

Those words at the end stood out to me. The church is a gift, and it is one we should never neglect. I grew up in the church; my dad was a pastor. I served with my then boyfriend (now husband) in church during college, and then my husband and I started a church. I’ve been in church my entire life. Of course, everything over all those years has not been positive. Have I been hurt by people in the church? Of course. Have we hurt others? I’m not naive enough to think we haven’t. But I’ve also seen people do life without God, the church, and a small group. Here’s what I’ve seen: it doesn’t work.

We’ve gotten a lot of things wrong over the years, but I will never regret being raised in church and now raising my family in church. Do I feel that way every Sunday morning before we get to church? No. And do I always want to go to group on Tuesday nights? No. But I’ve seen God work in amazing ways in my heart and life and the hearts and lives of others simply by showing up week after week.

Examples of God Working Through the Church

Here’s a quick example of God working through the church. One of our neighbors comes to church every week and sits with her smiling adult daughter. Just over a year ago, that same daughter was high on drugs and living on the streets. Now, she’s been sober over a year and brings other women who are recovering with her to church every single week. They’ve even started their own women’s meeting at church for those with addictions on Thursday nights.

There is a something special about being a part of a group of believers that meet together every week. It helps us remember that we’re not alone in this world. There is more to this life than what the media or social media present to us. We can encourage each other, challenge each other, and hold each other up during our hardest moments.

God’s Love for the Church

As a pastor’s wife, I’m probably more passionate about church than most people; but that’s because I believe in the church. I believe when Paul told men that they were to love their wives as much as God loves the church, he was using the most powerful source of love he knew–God’s love for the church.

If you’re not involved in a church, I encourage you to find one. If you aren’t plugged into a small group, join one. Find a group of people that love God and are going in the same direction as you and join in.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, read the post, Faith Grows in Community.

The Power of Music in Our Homes

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Music has incredible power. It has the ability to change a person’s mood, to literally chase away an evil spirit of depression and discouragement. We see this firsthand from the example of Saul’s life from I Samuel.

We get glimpses into the troubled life of Saul throughout his reign. He started so well, but he had a rebellious spirit and didn’t do things the way God wanted them done. Because of that, God’s presence left him; and he was left to deal with depression, discouragement, and what the Bible calls a tormenting spirit. His mind was deeply troubled with paranoia, jealousy, rage, and more. Interestingly enough, those closest to him recognized it for what it was and recommended a solution: music. Music was the solution to his tormenting thoughts. Music was so strong, it could beat back the forces of evil that were at play in Saul’s mind.

The Power of Music

Thousands of years later, music still hast incredible power over us. Have you ever been discouraged, depressed, really struggling, and just the right worship song came on? We’ve all had that happen. There is power in music…the right kind of music. There is power in music that lifts the name of Jesus in our homes and in our cars.

I’ve seen this firsthand in my own life and family life. There are times when everybody is cranky, fighting with each other, and just plan ornery. We will turn on K-Love in the car, and suddenly, that bad mood starts to dissipate. What takes its place is humming, singing, and a spirit of calm.

There is incredible power in music–both good and bad. If you want to change the tone in your home, change bad attitudes, and add a spirit of peace, music is the way to do it. There are spiritual forces for both evil and good at play every day in our homes. There are days when heaviness, fear, and depression surround us and make us feel too much. When that happens, we have to first spend time with God through our morning time routine. That’s the most important thing we can do. Second to that is to put on good music. It has the power to beat back the darkness and bring peace.

Some of Our Family’s Favorite Worship Songs

We have so many favorite worship songs; it would be impossible to list them all. I asked each person what their favorite worship song right now is. Here’s a list of our favorites.

Mine- So So Good~ Phil Wickham

Matt- The Church I Grew Up In~ Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Madison- Giants Fall~ Colton Dixon

Malachi- What an Awesome God~ Phil Wickham

Maggie- Can’t Steal My Joy~ Josiah Queen

Macey- Praise~Elevation Worship

More Encouragement

For more encouragement on this topic, check out my post What’s Filling Your Home?

Faith Grows in Community

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What is your first memory of church? Who taught you your earliest Bible stories? When you think back, what picture forms in your mind when you hear the word faith?

My Earliest Memories of Faith

My first memory goes back to around age five. The church sat just beyond our backyard, across a cornfield on the edge of Phoenixville. It was a long building with a wide parking lot, a front sanctuary, and a lobby that smelled faintly of coffee and hymnals. Off to one side was a reception hall that doubled as the children’s choir room. Down the hallway were classrooms, restrooms, and a small chapel used by the Shepherd’s Ministry for people with disabilities.

Every Sunday morning, my dad and I crossed the field early and climbed into a forest-green twelve-passenger van. No booster seats. No back row. I rode shotgun, carrying a box of Dunkin’ Donuts and setting out the wooden step stool so our Shepherds could climb aboard. They would pat me on the head and call me Matt…or Matthew…or Michael (my older brother). Sometimes just, “Hey you.”

That was my introduction to faith.

More Complex Faith

Faith looked like a green van, powdered donuts, and the smiles of people who returned every small act of kindness with a hug and joy.

As I grew older, faith became more complex. There were verses to memorize, doctrines to learn, practices to follow, and temptations to resist. Somewhere along the way, I began to believe—quietly and incorrectly—that faith was a system. If I showed up, served faithfully, and did the right things, God would keep life from getting too hard.

But faith doesn’t come with immunity.

Hard Seasons

Hard seasons came. Doubts replaced confidence. Questions grew louder. And in those moments, I realized something essential: I wasn’t standing alone. I had a community.

Sunday School teachers. Youth pastors. Coaches. Professors. Mentors. Friends’ parents. Pastors. My family.

There were conversations—at diners, in classrooms, in parked cars, after funerals—that carried me more than I realized at the time. Faith, like a shared meal, was passed from one life to another.

Roman Shields

Paul didn’t need to explain this metaphor to the Ephesians. Roman shields were never meant to be used in isolation. Soldiers locked them together, forming a wall of protection. One shield could deflect an arrow. Many shields could stop an attack.

Faith works the same way.

“Christian faith is not a solo performance,” Eugene Peterson writes. “It is a long obedience in the same direction, lived out among others.”

Dallas Willard echoes this truth: “The greatest strength of the Christian life is not willpower, but companionship in the way of Jesus.”

And Mark Batterson reminds us, “Faith grows best in proximity—when stories are shared, prayers are spoken, and hope is borrowed when needed.”

Shared Faith

Revelation 12:11 tells us that God’s people overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. What Christ has done—and what we tell one another about His faithfulness—becomes our defense.

Faith in isolation has limits.
Faith in community has endurance.

Sometimes all it takes is someone else’s steady faith to help us raise our shield again. Shoulder to shoulder. Side by side.

Faith grows when it is shared.

*This is an excerpt from Matt’s newest devotional Unhurried strength: Understanding the Power and Purpose of the Armor of God. Be sure to check it out on Amazon.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Friends Wanted: How to Cultivate Friendships in a Lonely World.