Y’all the other day I found myself straight up rattled.
I have no idea why I was so flustered, and I didn’t even realize it until I caught myself being salty and sassy to my kids and my husband.
I had to stop and ask myself what in the world was going on. Why would the devil want me in such a foul mood?
VBS.
That’s where I was headed. And wouldn’t the devil love for me to be all kinds of cranky up in the church. And wouldn’t he love for me to get my entire family all out of sorts before they headed there as well.
In the words of every teenager across America – Sheeeeesh.
I knew what I had to do.
I had to redirect my mind in order to redirect my heart. And I had to redirect my heart in order to redirect my mind.
How?
1. Prayer
2. Praise & Worship
Right then.
Right there.
Why? Cause it works.
We have the power through Jesus Christ to put our emotions and feelings to the side. We have the power through Jesus Christ to control our space and our face. We have the power.
Don’t let the devil sabotage your spirit.
Don’t let the devil meddle with your mood.
And don’t you dare let him use you to hinder someone else’s heart.
“But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!” Psalm 22:19
“ You must love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39
Guest Post by Miss Harley Perkins
Sometimes it’s hard sitting on the sideline. Sometimes it’s hard when you realize it isn’t your time to be in the spotlight.
When it’s not your time in the spotlight or time for a promotion at work, we can become discouraged and only focus on what we “don’t have” at that moment in our life.
But when it’s not our time to shine, maybe it’s time for our friend to shine and time for you to be their best supporter. Maybe it’s time for you to learn how to give the best hugs, speak encouraging words, and cheer them on to their greatest achievements.
Learning to be a friend can be the greatest gift in a time of waiting for our own opportunities to arise. We can learn how Jesus deeply loved his disciples and was the best friend to all people.
We can decide to focus on our bench warming season or be the biggest fan to our friend who is running towards the goals God has for them.
Cheering on your friends and being their greatest supporter takes nothing away from the victories and triumphs God has planned for you. Being a friend can give you a joy you’ve never known before.
So today, if you’re sitting on the sideline, don’t focus on your nonexistent playing time. Make a choice to love your friends who are climbing mountains and reaching goals that God has given them. Your time is coming, but trust me, when it’s your friend’s turn, your unconditional love and support is a sturdy foundation for their victories.
Picture this: It’s a beautiful Saturday morning, you’re out for a stroll in the town to the nearest coffee shop. (Or for my small-town folks with no sidewalks; you’re on vacation enjoying the city.)
Regardless of what you are doing, nothing can bring you down. You walk down the sidewalk with an extra pep in your step sharing your joy with everyone in passing.
You see the coffee shop across the street.
Walking to the crosswalk you press the button of the arrow that you desire to go. “Wait” the machine calls out, warning you that it is not your turn to cross. You wait for what seems like an eternity while the people to the side of you have already crossed twice!!
You walk once more to the crosswalk button and begin to press the arrow several times in hopes to speed the process up. “Wait, wait, wait,” the machine calls out. Frustrated, you wait a few more minutes until finally, the white walk sign gleams and you safely cross to your destination.
I don’t know about you, but I have been this person many times in my walk with Christ. I find myself being frustrated in my season of wait and comparing my walk with Christ to others around me. Looking at the opportunities that they have had and questioning God on why it’s not my turn to cross.
Thankfully, I can look to the Word for encouragement and find all of the examples of people that didn’t waste their season of wait, but instead, received what God was showing to them and grew from those moments.
Abraham waited for a son, and waited and waited some more. However, instead of losing faith and hope, the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. (Genesis 15:2-6)
Jesus even had a season of wait! He did not begin His ministry until He was an adult. He was around 30 years old when He began His ministry here on earth. Even now, He is in a season of wait to return back to earth.
I hope this serves as a reminder to you. Don’t waste your season of wait, grow in it, and allow your faith to be strengthened.
Rejoice for the purpose that God has placed on your life and don’t allow comparison to creep into your mind.
Just like you wouldn’t step out on a busy crosswalk when it’s not your turn to go, don’t miss the lessons that the Lord is trying to equip you for in your season of wait.
As a youth director, I hear a lot and see a lot. I perhaps see more than the parents do at times. They don’t know I’m watching or listening when I am. Many of our series and lessons are laid on my heart based off of what I know they’re facing. I know there are teachers and other ministers who can relate to this.
Many times when the Lord shares a lesson with me to teach them, it’s teaching myself as well. I say this because finding our identity in Christ has been a hot topic in our lessons here recently but also in our world. If I’m being honest, we care too much about what others think about us and not enough about what God says about us.
1 Peter 2:9 shares with us,
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a royal priest, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God. For he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
We do not have to feel or be chosen by this world. The Lord has already called upon us and chosen us. He wants us to take part in his Holy Nation. He looks at you as a great possession. You do not need acceptance from this world.
I say this all to remind you, do not allow this world or where you are to define your identity. Find your identity in Christ. Listen to what He says about you. With this, allow it to pass along to your children. Train them up knowing they matter, they are enough, and are already chosen. Then they will be a light in such a dark world.
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalms 9:9-10
Man this verse hit deep. Reading it I started tearing up. I always knew that God heard my prayers and that I’m never alone, but sometimes you just need the reminders. He hears your prayers and He always answers them. It might not be a yes or a no, but He gives you an answer. It might not be one you were hoping for either.
When we seek Him, He doesn’t forsake us. He doesn’t put us into situations we can’t handle. If you pray to God and ask Him to open doors that need to be opened and close doors that need to be closed, don’t be surprised when He does things you weren’t wanting or expecting.
But remember that we can handle anything with God by our side. Whether it’s mourning over the loss of a loved one, moving away from your family, or watching your family move away. He’s with us and He will never leave us.
Dear Lord, I pray that you will give us those reminders. The things you put us in and the things we have to go through are for a reason and I pray that we would remember that. I pray that you would use the feelings that we have to make us stronger Lord. And bless the people in those situations you have us go through, that they know that you will never forsake them. In your Heavenly name I pray, amen.
As some of you all know, I am a raider athlete. I play sports for the Lumberton Middle School and soon, Lumberton High School. But one problem I have always struggled with are my bad habits. Dribbling too high, side stepping when I run – guys, it’s a mess!
Plus, some bad habits outside of school I have are picking my fingers, messing with my brothers, and not doing chores. I can go on forever. I know there are so many worse things than what I just listed, but little things turn into big things, and those things become who you are. Even people you hang out with…in scripture, if you’ll turn to 1st Corinthians 15:33, it reads—
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Bad company corrupts good morals! You can’t let the people of this world, the flaws of society, or satan himself allow you to embrace bad habits. Habits turn into choices, and our choices make us who we are. Just as influential as bad habits are good habits… praying, studying, focusing on the Lord, and surrounding ourselves with people we hope to be like. Focusing on these things can become your habits, choices, and who you are.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”.
Praying to God about our habits and friends is the first step in the right direction. Because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
We have all been like Peter at some point in our lives with dreams and ambitions to walk on the water. We wanted to conquer the world, but here we sit some days barely able to conquer the laundry. And just like the snake he was in the garden, Satan whispers in our ear, “Did Jesus really call you out on the water?” We begin to reason within ourselves that humans were never meant to do that which science deems impossible, tuck away any hope of greatness ever being connected to our lives and resign ourselves to life on the boat.
It’s not that we don’t like the boat…It has kept us safe as we’ve weathered the storms of life, but we’re left wondering what might have been. And just like that, we relegate ourselves to the “curse” of normalcy.
What if I told you it was never about Peter wanting to walk on water? What if I told you it was about Peter’s desire to be where Jesus was and that he was overwhelmed only when his eyes and thoughts shifted to his surroundings, to where he was rather than The One he was with? Peter didn’t say, “If that’s really you, let me walk on water, too.” He said, “If that’s really you, tell me to come to you…on the water.” Peter was really saying, “Jesus! If that’s really you, I want to be where you are! I don’t care if it’s not where everyone else is, just let me be with you!” Peter was so passionate! His faith failed him only when he looked away from Jesus and thought, “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be…”
Here’s the crazy thing: The miracle didn’t stop, because Peter got back in the boat with the others. Jesus got in the boat, too, and THEN the wind died down. Jesus could have stopped the wind and calmed the waves the moment Peter began to sink, but he didn’t. The miracles didn’t happen because of where Peter was. His location didn’t matter. The miracles happened because of WHO he was with, who he followed, pursued, and loved.
Lay down the lie that your identity is found in anything other than being a lover. Your position in the Heavenlies is not determined by whether you are on the waves or in the boat. Your position is found in your proximity to the heartbeat of Heaven.
Today, may you find the mighty in the mundane, the miracle in the moment, and majesty with the Master. You are the beloved.
This past Sunday my pastor preached out of Romans. Two things he said have set heavy on my heart since then and have caused me to reflect heavily on how and what I need to do to remedy this in my own life.
1. We need less distractions.
2. Eliminate wasted time.
So there it is for the day. I hope you too will reflect on these two things and become more Kingdom focused through the process.
“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.” Romans 16:19
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
-Hebrews 12:3
I’ve been thinking a lot about discipline lately. That’s no surprise considering that I teach 6th grade and it’s the end of the school year. But seriously, the topic of discipline comes up all the time in popular culture from everything to raising children to self-help plans. The general consensus seems to be that more of it is a good thing, right?
Recently, I participated in a Bible study on the book of Hebrews. The next to last chapter of this great letter focuses on the topic of discipline, specifically about God’s discipline of His children. It really got me thinking about my attitude towards God when He disciplines me. Honestly, I don’t like it when God disciplines me, so I started to dig a little into my attitude through prayer, study, and discussion with my group. Hopefully some of my thoughts can help you when facing a moment of hardship that you view as discipline from God.
First of all, God thinks about discipline differently than we do. Proverbs 3:11-12 tells us to not take “lightly the discipline of the Lord” because “the Lord disciplines the one he loves.” Sometimes, I struggle with Christian “karma.” You know this idea-if I am obedient, then my life will be fine-no bumps, no hurts, no struggles. But that idea is just flat out wrong. It’s not biblical. The Bible is full of examples of people who followed the Lord but endured many hardships.We don’t necessarily have to sin to experience His discipline, either. Look at Paul’s example. He was preaching the Word but had to endure trial after trial. Prison. Shipwreck. Sickness. Isolation. During a trial have you ever stopped to think about why it was happening to you? What is God’s purpose for your suffering ? I encourage you to keep digging and talking to God during these times. We may want to run from Him during hard times, but that is the moment we should draw near and pour our hearts out! Pray out loud. Sing. Cry. He will speak to us in our most painful moments.
Secondly, God’s discipline grows us in ways we couldn’t imagine. The author of Hebrews goes on to say “He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.” This idea really got me going-Me sharing in Jesus’ holiness? Wow! Jesus is the picture of obedience and lived a sinless life, yet he suffered the discipline of the cross on our behalf to complete God’s plan for salvation. One of our main tasks as believers on earth is to become more Christ-like. God uses discipline to further us on that path. This thought of Christ going ahead of me in discipline changes my attitude because I want to be more like Him.
Lastly, God’s discipline is rewarding. Rewards from pain? Yes. Check out what the author of Hebrews tells his audience in 12:11, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” I don’t know about you but peaceful anything sounds wonderful right now. Our world is so chaotic. People are seeking peace. People are also seeking righteousness. As a result of God’s discipline, I am more patient, less judgy, more faithful. I still have a long, long, long way to go, but looking back at times where I know He was disciplining me helped me to see the “fruit” He is growing in my life. Think about your path. What fruit do you see God growing?
God knows us and loves us. Spend some time in thought and prayer about His discipline.
“It is for discipline that you must endure. God is treating you as sons.” Hebrews 12:7
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.–John 15:12
Let us love one another for love is of God. And everyone that loveth is born of God. And knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; For God is Love. –1 John 4: 7-8
The definition of unconditional reads, “absolute and not subject to any special terms or conditions; it’ll happen no matter what else happens.” This past year was difficult for everyone on the planet.
Period!
Being a teacher for over 16 years, I have learned that unconditional love requires an abundance of grace. It requires inclusion, patience and loving others as they are, not as you wish them to be. As a follower of the Christian faith I became increasingly disappointed this year with our response to the pandemic crisis which brought forth division in our country.
This division revealed a need for us to do better at loving one another. My purpose in writing this is to inspire you to do two things; (1) Take a deeper look at how you love others (2) Choose and commit to loving someone unconditionally.
Take a deeper look at how you love others
As we dive into the first commitment in looking at how we love others, let this quote sink in and resonate with your heart.
“You cannot accept God’s grace for your life until you let go of your own righteousness.”
The definition of righteousness is to act in accord with divine or moral law; to be free from guilt or sin. The later part of that definition is where we need to be honest with ourselves. None of us are free from sin. Is there righteousness, judgement or exclusion for those who look different from us or love, believe or think differently from us?
As Christians we don’t get to pick and choose who to love. One of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou reads, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Let us not forget that our job is actually quite simple…to love one another. Everyday we have an opportunity to decide to live with an open heart. To choose to offer a warm hug, a friendly pat on the back or an encouraging word. That is Christ-like love!
Choose and commit to loving someone unconditionally.
As a child I always thought about people who lived in underdeveloped countries. The burning questions in my mind were… “What if no one tells them about God? What if the messenger never arrives? How can they be saved if they don’t know about the savior?”
With age comes wisdom and I know now that the answer is this….God is within us. Not just in some of us but in all of us. God is in every part of the earth, in every living creature, in every soul. So what should we do if we meet someone who is searching for inner peace and looking to nurture their soul? Maybe they are looking for spirituality, a higher power or something to believe in. Couldn’t we become the messenger simply by showing them love?
Providing a long list of all the things they need to do in order to become a Christian is not where we start. It starts with a genuine message that they are loved as they are and from there to model acceptance, grace and tolerance. To be an example not just in our word but in our actions.
We can say we believe that light and love can drive out hate, but are we showing love in action when confronted with hate? Do we show love in everything we do? Or are we stopping to wonder whether or not they are worthy of love? Not just love but unconditional love? I challenge you to choose someone this year to love unconditionally. This person should be someone who is not easy to love. It could be a coworker who doesn’t share your political views, an acquaintance who has a negative attitude or maybe it’s a complete stranger who needs someone to show them unconditional love.
I realized this year that it’s easy to love others when everything is going great but what about when things aren’t so great. Choosing to love is not easy. It requires a disciplined heart that chooses love over hate, light over darkness and compassion over judgement. In times of struggle and division we must realize the importance of being good to people and contemplate what is best for all of us, not just some of us. May we not let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and fearful. But instead let them make us kinder, more open to what could be, to choose wisely how we respond and more importantly…. how to love unconditionally!
Rays of Sunshine inc 