My big plans to drive to a museum were crushed because of snow and ice on the road. I wasn’t going anywhere. Instead, I stayed on the couch at home on Valentine’s Day. I tried to make the best of it by watching several sermons online. If I couldn’t get away, at least I could fill my heart with truth from God’s Word.

It was a quiet day. After the sermons, I sat reading my Kindle. The snow had stopped, but it was still too cold to venture outdoors. Then I heard a knock on my door. I was startled and slightly suspicious. The Amazon guys usually don’t wait for me to get my package.

I peered out my peephole and saw my pastor and his wife holding flowers. Surprise! I opened the door and received a beautiful bouquet of daisies and pink roses. There are a number of single women in my church. My church leaders had braved the ice to ensure that we felt loved and appreciated. Their act of generosity turned a day that usually depresses me into one of joy and loveliness.

My pastor and his wife didn’t have to play flower delivery people. They could have stayed warm in their own house. Instead, they sought to care for others more than their own convenience. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” My focus that day had been on what I wanted to feel good. Not on how I could love others well.

After they left, I sent “Happy Galentine’s Day” texts to several friends. While this effort was small compared to what my pastor and his wife had done, it could still bring a smile to someone’s face. It always feels good to be seen and known. And you know what? I also felt really good to do something nice for someone. Kindness blesses both the giver and the recipient.

Indeed, Acts 20:35b reminds us that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Sharing God’s love with others delights our hearts. God gave the ultimate gift in sending His Son Jesus to take the penalty our sins deserved. Because it stirs the Father’s heart to give to us, we who are made in the image of God are likewise awakened to joy when we give.

May we seek to see those who may be overlooked. May we shed the Father’s lavish love on them as we would want to be loved ourselves. I pray we spread seeds of joy that grow into surprise flowers for those near and far.

• Who is God calling you to serve?
• Is there anyone you realize may have gone unnoticed that you could recognize? How can you bless them?
  

Our world is starving for love. People feel empty inside and search for someone to complete them. Online dating and apps provide modern options to hanging around bars to meet someone, but they can also lead to frustration. People want lasting relationships, but many are willing to settle for one-night stands. 

Valentine’s Day can hold a strong sting for singles because society pushes relationships as the norm. Yet some people in relationships aren’t feeling fulfilled. They put all their expectations for love, joy, and happiness in one person, which winds up in disaster.

What happens when he doesn’t bring flowers anymore? What about when she quits fussing with her hair and makeup to look her best? The infatuation stage only lasts so long before people take off their masks.

Even in committed relationships, no one can ever fulfill all the other person’s expectations. What if he misses his daughter’s piano recital because he is late at work—again? What if she refuses to cook dinner because she has other competing priorities? People are fallible and will let us down at some point, whether they want to or not. They can’t help it. They are human.

The only One who can truly fill all our hopes and dreams is God. First John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us” (NKJV). We have the capacity to love God and others only because our Creator us loved us first. He intimately knit us in our mother’s wombs so that we could grow to worship Him. We were made with God sized holes in our heart that only He can fill. When we try to fill our hearts with anything but God, it is like trying to shove a square peg in a round hole. It won’t fit.

God has a bigger heart for us than we could ever deserve. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NKJV). He knows the depths of our hearts and loves us the same.

When we realize how much God loves us despite all our sins, we can’t help but love Him back. We can never earn God’s love. All our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Even if we tried our best every day to be perfect, we’d fail. Reality shows that we are fallen beings, under the curse of sin and death. So, we confess our need for a Savior and experience a love like no other.

God’s love floods our every fiber when we surrender our hearts to Jesus. Then, we discover the love we have fruitlessly sought for elsewhere. Even though life won’t always be easy after receiving Christ’s forgiveness, He will never drop us on our heads. If we want true love, we need to put all our hopes and expectations in Christ. Only God can complete us.  

May we grow in love for God and others. Let’s make Him our first love because He first loved us.

• Have you ever put unrealistic expectations on another person? What happened?
• How does knowing God loves you change the way you relate to others?

Our world experienced a lot of upheaval over the last year. A global pandemic followed by race riots followed by a contested election did not leave much space for peace. Some of my friends are speculating that the end times have come and Jesus is coming back soon. I honestly have no idea when He is returning. Matthew 25:13 says, ““Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (NKJV). However, I do know is that Jesus is coming one day sooner today than He was yesterday. And I need to be ready.

Sharing Christ is one way I can prepare for the Lord’s return. With the new year, I realize the urgency in sharing the good news of Jesus with my family, friends, and everyone I meet. My life is to serve as an arrow to point people to Christ. Without Him there’s no purpose and no hope. I pray for the spread the gospel, not COVID.

Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NKJV). Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations. This goes beyond trying to save souls from hell to ensuring that they know what they believe and why. Discipleship teaches people how to study the God’s Word and apply it so they can know and grow in Christ.

Personally, I started to study the Bible with a few friends last year who were interested in knowing more about Jesus. I pray I remain open to whoever God puts in my path to share the gospel with this year, because we can’t share enough. We must always be “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) since the world will know we are Christians by our love.

Unfortunately, some Christians can come across as overzealous, and have tried to beat the truth into people’s heads by banging their Bibles. I've been guilty of this myself, but realize I can’t argue someone into salvation. Instead, Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (NKJV).  I like the idea of combining grace with salt. It’s the sweet and salty combo of a salted caramel hot chocolate. We need the love from grace, but the salt adds truth to enhance the flavor.

Where will you begin? Who has God put on your heart to share the gospel with in 2021? May the Lord make us ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us and share the best news ever with those around us. May His Spirit guide us each day so that as many people as possible can enter God’s kingdom when the Lord returns.

The year 2020 will never be forgotten. From COVID-19 to race riots to the election, 2020 held many painful and unexpected moments. Personally, I had a pretty tough 2019 and had asked God for a break in 2020. That didn’t happen. Instead, I had a breakup of my relationship and a near breakdown from stress at work.

Thankfully, God is bigger than all of my struggles. 1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Nothing this world can throw at me can stand up to the greatness of God. Nothing. God has shown Himself faithful despite all my difficulties. He gave me peace about the breakup and a fantastic new job.  

I’m sure that many of you had your own hardships last year. They certainly weren’t easy to miss. Yet, God has seen us all through to 2021. I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict all that this year will hold. Fortunately, I know who holds my future. Philippians 1:6 says, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The good things God started in my life long before 2020, He will see through until He calls me home to heaven. He will do the same for you.

Instead of focusing on the bad from last year, I wanted to list some good things that happened despite the storms. My church family encouraged my heart when I was depressed about work. I joined three separate prayer groups, thereby working my faith muscles as we watched God move through corporate prayer. I was lonely during the quarantine, and the Lord sent my sister to live with me and provided her with a great job. I also have many solid evangelism opportunities I wouldn’t have had without COVID-19. God is always working in our lives. It is just His timing and ways that befuddle us sometimes (Isaiah 55:8-9).

My challenge to us as we reflect on 2020, instead of listing what went wrong, let’s find the blessings in disguise. Find ways to see how God has used your brokenness to build your trust in His provision. If you can’t see any immediate blessings, ask God to show you what they are. You probably have more than you know. May the Lord’s graciousness continue to flow on the days before us as 2021 unfolds.

• What blessings did the Lord bestow on you in 2020? Please share the so we can rejoice with you.

 

This year has surfaced a problem that many struggle with but few wish to admit – loneliness. In a world of social media, we should feel more connected than ever. Yet, people put their best face forward online, hiding the bruises behind lighting filters on their cameras. Also, with COVID banishing the ability to meet in person for long stretches and only small gatherings remaining even now, it has been hard to not be lonely.

Sometimes, the enemy of our souls tries to whisper that God has abandoned us. Fortunately, that is a lie. I am never alone. God promised in Hebrews 13:5b “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (NKJV). Even when I can’t be with family and friends, the Lord is always with me. Especially during the earlier months of the year when I was stuck inside, I often felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. As I read the Bible, truth took on a nearly tangible form and comforted me.

I am so thankful that Jesus chose to come down to live among us here on dirty earth. The mediator that Job had begged God for (Job 9:33) was born in a humble stable some 2000 years ago. Mathew 1:23 says, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us’” (NKJV).

Jesus emptied Himself of the glories of heaven and took on human form so He could be God with us. He ate, drank, got tired, faced opposition, and even wept when His friend died. Jesus experienced all the ups and downs of human life and can sympathize with our weaknesses; now we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). That was the beauty of Jesus living on earth. His death and resurrection bridged the gap from the Father’s heart to humankind forever, paving the way for reconciliation.  
When Christ returned to heaven, He told us “lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:30 NKJV). Jesus didn’t leave us orphans, but sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us (John 14:16-18). We as Christians now become the temple of God. While Jesus may have never faced the current ills of society with social media and a pandemic, He still knows what we are experiencing. When we call out to Him, the same one whose cry pierced the night in a manger long ago, will hold the cries of our hearts. This Christmas season and throughout the year, I pray we will feel the presence of our Immanuel, God with us and know that He is near.  

• When was a time you felt God’s presence in your life?
  
• How do you hold onto the truth that God is with you when you feel lonely?
  

Teachers around the United States and the world are trying to cope with huge hurdles to educate young minds of the next generation. Some teachers lead in person, but are unable to touch or even approach the students in their classrooms. Other teachers struggle to teach online with children who ignore instructions or cannot grasp concepts over the Internet. My heart goes out to every teacher seeking to overcome in these trying times.

If we desire a country where the leaders of tomorrow are prepared to take on the world’s challenges, we need to pray for our teachers. They are under enormous stress and our prayers can help.

I want to focus on all teachers: kindergarten through high school levels in the public and private school level, including their spiritual instruction of these students. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (NKJV). Young minds need solid Christian education so they can become adults who have a foundation of truth at their core. The alarming amount of Biblical illiteracy among not just school-aged children, but even in the adults of this country saddens me. If we don’t know God’s Word, how can we expect to obey it?

That’s why I also pray for Sunday School teachers and Bible study teachers globally. James 3:1 says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (NKJV). We shouldn’t let that scare us off and claim ignorance. Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance allows sin to creep in unaware and leaves us vulnerable to Satan’s lies. We need the truth of God’s Word to permeate our hearts and minds so we can obey God and be a positive influence on this land. May God to raise us Bible teachers in churches that will rightly divide the Word of truth, even if it is not popular in secular society, so that Christians can know and obey God.

Dear God, I pray for teachers in public, private, charter schools, and home schools. I pray for them wisdom, discernment, and patience as they face new challenges this year. Please keep the teachers who meet with their students in person safe and healthy. Enable teachers working online to develop new methods to engage their students so everyone can understand and retain the lessons. God, I also pray for the spiritual education of the citizens of this nation. God, please call forth Christian teachers to train people to know and apply God’s Word correctly. May America be filled with people who are strong in all areas of education, especially spiritual education to know God better. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

• What’s the name of a school teacher you can pray for?
• Which Bible study teachers will you pray for too?

One evening while teaching children at my church, I walked by a little boy Jesse who looked sad. I asked him what was wrong. He just shook his head. Since he wouldn't share his problems, I switched tactics. I put my hand out and asked him to count my fingers. His eyebrows went up. I asked him again to count my fingers.

“One, two, three, four, five.” His eyes scanned across my fingertips as he counted.

I asked him to stick out his hand. I touched the tops of his fingers and said, “Jesus, family, friends, food, and books.” I explained that listing things you are thankful for helps you feel better when you are sad. No matter how bad things were, you can remember that there are good things too. Then I had him list five things that he was grateful to have.

“Mom, dad, candy, presents, and fun.” A small smile cracked the edge of his mouth.

“See, that wasn’t so hard.” I smiled back at him.

Honestly, I’d never counted my blessings on my hands before that night, but I’ve found it encouraging ever since. Whenever I saw Jesse after that, I stuck out my hand and had him count his blessings. The exercise brought both of us joy.

Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” When we realize that God’s mercy never ends, we rejoice to thank God for how good He is to us. Jesse didn’t always list the same five things every time, but he always found something to be thankful for.

My list of things I am thankful for has also changed over the years. Sometimes I just list the first things I think of, but other times I take a more sophisticated approach. I call it a handful of gratitude.

First, I wiggle my thumb. The thumb is the anchor finger to thank God for creating us and writing our stories. For this finger I express gratitude for the greatness of God in the beauty of creation. I look at trees, rivers, or a beautiful sunset to drink in His beauty. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” If God took so much effort to paint beauty across the skies, then He can write the story of my life with loveliness too.  

Next, I move my pointer finger. I think of something that points me to back to joy and truth. I thank God for His Word that brings truth into my life. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (NKJV). When I abide in the Word of God, His truth keeps me firmly grounded so I can overflow in joy for His character and His love.

My middle finger reminds me of the things that stand above me. Psalm 36:5 says, “Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds” (NKJV). God’s mercy stretches high above me and is vaster than I can conceive. When I rest in the assurance of a love that big, nothing that can out match God’s love.  

Then my ring finger stands for commitment. Thank God for the new covenant where my relationship with Him doesn’t depend on me providing animal sacrifices over and over again. Hebrews 9:15 says, “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (NKJV). Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to God once for all through His death on the cross. God’s love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8) and even when I am not faithful to Him, He will still be faithful to me (2 Timothy 2:13). God’s commitment to me once I surrender to Him ensures me a place in heaven and an abundant life on earth.

Last comes the pinky. This finger represents being thankful for small things I take for granted. Psalm 92:1, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High” (NKJV). During COVID, my church sent its worship sets over YouTube for us to sing at home. I realized all those times I had sung at church had been a big blessing. Even if it wasn’t the same, I would sing praise to God and glorify His name wherever I was.

In this season of gratitude with Thanksgiving around the corner, I realize that thankfulness is always a necessity. This year has held a lot of unexpected heartache and hurt for me, as I am sure it has for many others. Despite the hardships, God has blessed me so much. My hand is literally attached to my body so I can put it in front of my face for a reality check to thank God instead of focusing on what I lack. May we feel God’s hand on ours as we count our blessings every day.

• What five things are you thankful for today?
• Who will you tell the great things God has done for you this week?

God, I pray for our nation. My heart breaks at the deep lines of division that this election has highlighted. The spiritual war in the heavens rages to control the future of our country which is being pulled in two polar opposite directions. This battle is not against flesh and blood, but is against principalities and powers and the rulers of darkness in this age (Ephesians 6:12). The only way to fight a spiritual battle is with spiritual weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), and our primary weapon is prayer.

No matter how this election ends, we need to keep praying for the future of America. Personally, I had put prayers for my leaders and the country on the back burner and only brought them to the foreground in what seemed like dire times. Then, I saw an uptick in prayer in the days before the election. Now, I realize that through good and bad times I need to consistently pray for my country and for all of our leaders: political leaders, business leaders, and pastors, that they may guide America wisely.

We are told to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV). Sometimes, I can get selfish and focus my prayers on my personal well being. Yet, the decisions our leaders make impact my life every day. No longer do I want to neglect the privilege of praying for my country and the world. God doesn’t need me, but lets me be a part of the change He makes through my prayers. I don’t want to waste those opportunities or waste the freedoms of religion and assembly that I have as an American. Would you persevere in prayer with me in the days ahead? Let’s start now:

Dear God, I cry out to you for my country. I pray for Your healing on our land. I pray the pledge of allegiance that we would once again be “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Lord, I pray not only for our political leaders, but also for our business leaders and pastors and bosses. May they be humble people who seek Your wisdom for all they do. May we Your people serve You and seek You first. Thank You God for loving everyone and making a way for all to come to know You. May many lives come to know how great You are in the days ahead. God, please bless America. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

• Will you pray for our country going forward?
  

America needs prayer! The turmoil in our country may seem political, but actually a spiritual battle with monumental consequences is being waged in the heavens. From racism to face masks to abortion to marriage, our nation is divided. I have never felt the unseen war as palpably as I do now. The other night God woke me up to pray for America. I read Psalm 18 aloud and asked God to come to our nation’s defense. We need some archangels to war on our behalf.

God is sovereign. We know that in the end, God wins. We need to fight this battle with spiritual weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” When we cry out hate or blame, we add to the problem. Some of our mightiest weapons are prayer and fasting. The name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus cut down the enemy’s strongholds.  

I think sometimes in the western world we can be lulled into the lie that if we can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. Satan knows if Christians stop praying while witches and warlocks have been placing spells on the President of the United States every month, his purposes are filled instead of God’s. We don’t want to give the enemy an inch of ground. We will praise the Lord and trust in Him to overcome.  

I keep thinking about Habakkuk. He asked God how long he had cry out because of the violence in the land. God responded that He would send the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation to capture Judah. Habakkuk was stunned because the Chaldeans were more wicked than the people in Judah. He also pleaded with God “In wrath, remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2b NKJV). Our country has strayed from God so far that honestly, we deserve God’s wrath. Yet, I still pray for His mercy. I pray for revival and a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to fall on our land. 

This May I wrote a blog called “It’s Time to Pray in Revival.” Here’s the link for you to review if you want. I poured my heart into that blog with an examination of 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 that calls believers to repent so that the Lord heals our land. Right now, I just want to pray for America. Please pray with me.

Dear God, Please have mercy on our country. We don’t deserve it, but we need you. Please send the Holy Spirit to convict us and remind us to pray. God, we pray for more people to fast and pray on behalf of the future of our country and our families. We need you God. Please help Christians seek God’s wisdom for who to vote for on every square on their ballots. God, please protect these elections so they are free and fair from any outside influence or corruption. Lord, we pray for people who love You and seek Your face to pray now for Washington, DC so that angels may increase in strength to protect our liberties and freedoms as Americans. Get Christians out to the polling booths beyond their fear of the coronavirus, keep them healthy, and let them vote safely. Send Your winds to destroy the demonic hoards descending to cripple our country. Beat back the enemy in the heavens and let Your weapons hit the mark every time to cut down any plans of the devil to destroy America. Help us remain firm in our Christian heritage. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

• Are you praying for America? If not, what holds you back?
  

I believe one of the greatest ways we can make a positive change in our country is to pray for our politicians. Not groan about what they said at the debates. Not complain that we don’t like what they did in the past. Not gripe about how we don’t understand how they could make a certain decision. Pray. Because prayer changes things while venting frustration just builds more hate.

If we want to have peace in the land where we live, the Bible clearly instructs us to pray for our leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (NKJV). This passage breaks down the types of prayers for our leaders into four powerful categories.

1. Supplications: When we pray for our leaders, we start with praying for ourselves. We can pray to have the right attitudes towards our leaders. We can also pray that we take our proper role in society by voting and being good law-abiding citizens.
2. Prayers: I see this as praying for our leaders personally. We can pray for supernatural wisdom and guidance for our leaders. They are just people, but God is Sovereign over all. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes” (NASB). The king is not a puppet on marionette strings, but God remains in control. Think of Biblical examples like King Cyrus who the Lord stirred his spirit to send the Israelites back to Jerusalem after they had been in exile for 70 years as Jeremiah had prophesized (2 Chronicles 36:22-23). Cyrus was a pagan king, yet the Lord changed his heart to favor God’s children. The earthly king must bow to the heavenly king, so when we have concern about what happens here below, we call on a higher power through prayer.
3. Intercessions: We also are blessed to intercede for those around us. The verse says we are not only to pray for the President, but for all those in authority. We should pray for all our politicians to lead our country well, including sheriffs, school board members, legislators, and governors. Each level of government makes different decisions that impact our daily lives. When we intercede for the people of our town, states, and country, everyone is blessed as God moves on behalf of the prayers of His people.
4. Thanksgiving: The more Scripture I read, the more power I realize is connected to giving thanks. Here in the United States, we have a Constitutional right to the freedom of religion. While prayer has formally been removed from public schools, no one can take our right to pray silently. We also have the freedom of assembly to meet for church with other believers. These are privileges many of the persecuted church do not enjoy. We must thank God for all the ways He has blessed us here in America.

Recently, I joined a group of a few ladies where we meet together once a week in person to pray by name for the leaders of our country at the local, state, and national level. We are careful to social distance, but praying together in person is so powerful. We have several sheets of names where we pray for the leaders to be filled with God’s wisdom and that their advisors would point them to decisions that align with the truths in God’s Word.

Maybe the idea of praying for politicians is a new concept. Some people may wonder why we would pray for people who seem set in their ways. We return to the truth that God is in control and hears the prayers of His people. If you want to start now, you can pray with me:

Dear God, I pray for the politicians in the United States. Help me to be a good citizen and to seek your wisdom for how to vote and contribute to my community. I pray for Christian candidates to not be ashamed of the gospel, but shine forth truth. I pray for their spiritual protection, because Satan wants to attack our country. Please give our leaders discernment to make wise decisions in very difficult circumstances. God, send revival that flows from the peace of your people praying together for all the leaders of our country. Thank You God for controlling the world, even when it seems to not make sense. Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy in America to worship you in spirit and in truth. Please grant us grace and mercy as a nation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

• Do you know the names of your local politicians?
• Have you thought of praying for them before?
• Do you know a few friends whom you could gather with either by phone or in person to pray for your politicians? Our country needs all the prayer it can get.