Heartbeat

Nothing is too broken for God

A boy was told by his father not to play with his watch while he was away. However, not long after he left, the boy decided to just have a look. He put it on just like he always saw his dad and began playing around the house. Before long, he tripped, fell and landed on the watch. (glass break sounds)
            When his dad came home, his son was nowhere in sight, hiding in shame for what he had done.
            This isn’t a new story. Adam and Eve hid from God when they realized what they had done. Sin and guilt had drove a wedge between God and His children. So, He came as a man, to die in our place, so He could call His children home.
            Sin had broken something. A watch, a relationship. But nothing is ever too broken for God.

Are you relying on God daily?

Nehemiah chapter 8 verse 10 says: “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Are you choosing to rely on God daily or are you depending on someone or something else? Trust me, that cup of coffee you’re drinking is not all you need to tackle the day.
C.S. Lewis said, “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.”
Meaning, we need to connect with our heavenly Father every single day. After you pour that first cup of coffee, or before you even get out of bed, make it a priority. Whether that’s reading scripture on your bible app, or listening to your favorite worship song, let the joy of the Lord soak in and be your source of strength.

Are we really helping our neighbors?

Author C.S. Lewis said that if our charities don’t pinch or hamper us, then they are too small. People today are generally civic minded. They desire to help others and give back to their communities. But Lewis would have us ask ourselves whether or not our efforts are really enough. Are we contributing just enough to check a box for ourselves- or are we really helping our neighbors in need.
I find C.S. Lewis’ statement personally challenging. So I’m looking to do something this week that will really stretch and challenge me. Rather than just dropping off some canned goods or donating a few dollars, I might volunteer to serve at a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter.
What will you do? Hopefully, nothing too small!

The Mechanic

For the average car owner, what do you do when something goes wrong with it? If the engine starts making a terrible sound, do you look for a schematic diagram of your car, or do you take it someone who knows how to fix it?
The author and Bible scholar, N.T. Wright says that,
“The Bible isn’t like an accurate description of how a car is made. It’s more like the mechanic who helps you fix it.”
When we read our Bible, we shouldn’t be reading it for the purpose being able to spout out Biblical knowledge. We should be reading it to connect with God.
When your spiritual life is in need of some maintenance, don’t try to fix it on your own. Look within the Word of God to refuel, tune up and get you where you’re going.

Do you need a brand-new start?

I have always been fascinated by the process of metamorphosis. How there can be such a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism. Think, for example, of an ugly, ground-crawling caterpillar that ultimately becomes a beautiful butterfly with wings that enable it to fly.
The amazing thing is that spiritually, such a complete transformation can happen to us! The person I am today I know is vastly different than who I would have been without Christ.
2nd Corinthians 5:17 says that in Christ, we can become a new person. Do you need a real makeover or a complete overhaul? Do you need a brand new start? Let Christ transform you!
 

Trolling

A while back, I had posted a quote by a pastor I admire, hoping to instill some peace in someone who really needed to hear these words. But, without fail, an anonymous person commented something so hateful that it took me a while to share a message like that again. I allowed this person to make me doubt myself, made me feel inferior and unqualified to share about my own faith.
            But I found peace in 1st Corinthians, 1:28. Because the Apostle Paul reminds us that God uses what and who the world despises to do extraordinary things.
            No matter how little society thinks of you, God has chosen you to do incredible things for His Kingdom. So, don’t let some social media troll keep you down. He has chosen and will use people like you and me to change the world.

Where is God during the hard times?

Life doesn’t always work the way we think it should. High expectations slam against unwelcome surprises. At those times it’s hard to feel the presence of God.
If He is everywhere and loves us like he says he does, why does he allow the loss of a job      or home      or a loved one?
God has gone to great lengths to make himself known to us—
through the Bible, through his people, through nature, and through his only Son who died for us.
The author and speaker, Dr. Joel Muddamalle (Mood-am-AL-Lay) says that every time he asks, “Why”, God reminds him,
Who created and sustains all things? Who defeated death? Who comforts us in our pain and sorrow? To all of these questions- we answer, our Heavenly Father.
Joel goes on to say that every time someone asks the question “why do bad things happen to good people” he answers,
“God, I don’t know. But you do. And that will be good enough for me.”

Have you been questioning your faith?

Questioning your faith or having doubts doesn’t mean your faith isn’t real- or that you’re a fake Christian. Having questions is perfectly normal, and healthy.
People who don’t take the time to ask hard questions about their faith will eventually have a serious struggle when they experience a tragedy or come across the probing questions of an intelligent skeptic.
The pastor and author, Tim Keller writes,
“It is no longer sufficient to hold beliefs just because you inherited them.”
In other words, if you grew up in a Christian home, it’s time to make your parents’ faith your own. Take time to reflect on your doubts and bring them to God. He will patiently walk with you as you work out your faith.
 
 

Do you avoid the old testament?

A lot of us avoid reading the Old Testament because we find the God depicted there scary and remote. We look for ways to make Him more tolerant, less stern.
            But the truth is that God has always had relationship with people based on their covenant. God seeks intimacy with His people, but it must be on His terms.
            When Moses and his people reached Mount Sinai on the way to the Promised Land, God spoke to Moses. It was there that God made a covenant with Moses and the Jewish people that renewed the one he had made with Abraham. But there were a lot of terms to this relationship.
            In Christ, we too have a covenant with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Unlike anything found in the Old Testament. We now have the privilege of approaching God one on one. How is your relationship with your Heavenly Father?

Intuition or Discernment?

There are several research articles on the “Mystery of intuitive decision making”. In fact, some define intuition as “Knowing without knowing”.
As a believer, how many times have you been at a crossroads in your life and you just knew which way you should go? With prayer, you were probably even more confident with this choice, right?
In the Bible, James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
This ability we believers have is no mystery. As we continue to walk with God and learn His voice, more and more; your discernment, intuition, and decision making will come in line with His will for your life.