Even If I Were The Only One

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I believe if I had been the only person left on earth, Jesus would have died for me.

As humans, we tend to be groupies. Everything seems more acceptable when we are part of a group. Conformity is part of the human condition. But something changes when we realize that we are personally loved by God and personally accountable to Him.

We worship together, but sometimes find it difficult to worship alone. We pray in groups, but may feel anxious when asked to be the voice leading others in prayer. We believe Jesus died for the sins of the world, but sometimes struggle to acknowledge our own personal sin.

Yet I believe that if I had been the only person on earth, Jesus would still have died for me.

When we read John 3:16-17, we see God’s love for the world. We are part of that world, aren’t we? But look at John 3:18. Suddenly, the message becomes personal. Whoever believes is not an anonymous member of a crowd. It is you. It is me. Each of us must respond to God’s invitation.

David, a man after God’s own heart, understood something about having a personal relationship with God. In Psalm 40:1-3, he writes:

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard mt cry.“

David knew the Lord personally. He had experienced God’s faithfulness and could testify to what God had done for him. God lifted him out of the pit, set his feet on solid ground, and gave him a new song to sing. But David’s experience wasn’t meant to end with David. His testimony would help others recognize the goodness of God and put their trust in Him, too.

The Message expresses this beautifully: “More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery abandoning themselves to God.” Abandoning ourselves to God. What does that mean?

Perhaps it means letting go of our need to blend into the crowd and choosing to trust Him personally. I means surrendering our plans, our fears, our failures, and even our need to understand everything. It means resting in the truth that the God who loves the whole world also knows and loves each one of us.

Heavenly Father, give us the desire and courage to abandon ourselves completely to You. Help us recognize and understand Your personal love for each of us. May our lives become testimonies of Your faithfulness, encouraging others to discover the same love and trust You with their lives. Send Your blessing upon us. I lift this prayer in the precious name of Jesus. Make it so!

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

It Only Takes A Moment

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Our world values impulse reactions and quick fixes. We’re encouraged to trust our first response.

The Bible warns us that without taking the time to examine our response, severe problems can arise.

Let’s take a look at the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.

I think we can all agree that the early church was gifted with radical generosity. Believers were selling their possessions and giving the proceeds to the church. Ananias and his wife decided to sell a piece of their property and keep a portion of the money for their own needs, which was totally within their right.

The problem didn’t happen because they chose to keep some of the money. The problem was the split-second decision they made to present a part of the money as if it were the total sum.

They wanted people to admire their generosity more than they wanted to honor God with their sacrifice. They put their “I” disease before their integrity.

Peter confronted them with this question, “Why did you let satan convince you to lie?” (Acts 5:3)

Their brief, unchecked decision to present part of the money as the whole truth brought a sobering consequence. Both Ananias and Sapphira died that day. Their story reminds us that what might seem to us a small decision in a brief moment can have consequences far beyond what we anticipate. 

A brief decision to hedge on the truth or make ourselves look more spiritually “together” than we really are can kill our inner peace. Faith is being replaced with performance.

So, before making your next quick decision, pause and ask yourself: “Am I trying to honor God, or is this all about me, my reputation?”

Real peace is found when what we’re trying to say matches what we truly believe.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

My BFF Never Lets Me Down

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Have you ever thought of God as your Best Friend Forever? I think that’s part of how He wants us to see Him.

Think about some characteristics of your earthly best friend. Do words like encouraging, honest, trustworthy, reliable, strong, available, caring, compassionate, kind, gentle, patient… top the list? God is already all of this and more.

God is always there, always available, always loving, always forgiving, exactly what He says He is. Not only that, He never changes (James 1:17). I always know where I stand with Him. Who wouldn’t want a friend like Him?

“Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share?” Joseph M. Scriven, What A Friend We Have In Jesus

These words, from a much-loved hymn, popped into my mind while writing this. We may have the most awesome friends on earth, but are they always faithful, always wanting the best for us? Do they share our sorrows, or even know what they are? My BFF knows my sorrows. He knows my every care. He knows what I need when I need it.

My Best Friend loves me so much that when He finds it necessary to discipline me, I still know and feel His love. (Proverbs 3:12)

Develop your earthly friendships. They really matter. But we can never forget that we are responsibile for continuing to mature in our relationship with the One and Only.

When everything else changes, He remains reliable!

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

I am Because HE IS!

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I often feel a rush of emotion when I read the words I AM. That the great I AM is aware of me, cares about what happens to me, and loves me more than life itself is almost incomprehensible. Yet, it is a reality!

God’s Word gives us several looks at the I AM concept. These reflect the truth about who we are because of who He is.

Take a look at these. Hide His Word in your heart and make it part of who you are!

I am a child of God. — Romans 8:16
I am forgiven. — Colossians 1:13–14
I am saved by grace through faith. — Ephesians 2:8
I am justified. — Romans 5:1
I am a new creation. — 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am led by the Spirit of God. — Romans 8:14
I am kept in safety. — Psalm 91:11
I am casting all my cares on Jesus. — 1 Peter 5:7
I am doing all things through Christ who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13
I am bringing every thought into captivity. — 2 Corinthians 10:5
I am being transformed by a renewed mind. — Romans 12:1–2
I am the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21
I am an imitator of Jesus. — Ephesians 5:1
I am filled with laughter and rejoicing. — Job 8:21

And then I found this little word tucked into Romans 12:2:

APPROVE.

As we allow God to transform us through the renewing of our minds, we learn to recognize and approve His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

What if you marked these verses in your Bible and spent the next 30 days reading them, praying over them, and speaking them aloud? Let the Holy Spirit do His work.

These truths can move from words on a page to words hidden in our hearts—to become a known and usable part of who we are.

Because I AM.

And I am because HE IS.

Father, You are my Protector, Perfecter, Creator, Redeemer, and One and Only God. You have adopted me and forgiven me. You lead me, love me, and fill me with joy and delight. I am because YOU ARE. I lift these words of praise before the Throne in Jesus’ precious name.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

Here, for Such a Time as This

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Who did God create you to be?

Do you know His plan for you?

Do you compare yourself to the world?

As I think about these questions, my mind goes to Esther 4:14: “…for such a time as this.”

I know God has a plan, a purpose, and a process for me. I know I am loved. I know I am chosen. I know I am forgiven. For me, all of this really matters. But then, I have to ask, “Am I immune to the world?” The answer is a resounding NO! I am tempted and distracted by the same things you are.

Let me tell you something that recently happened.

I am very active in the worship and music activities at my church. I never want any service to become the Marie Show. I want my part in worship to be all about God.

Last evening, I went to Facebook to see what my friends and family had been doing. The first thing that popped up was a collection of pictures from a past worship service. There I was, in four of the ten pictures. Not only was I prominently featured, but the outfit I was wearing looked horrible. Am I immune to the world? NO!

And here’s the thing; the evil one can use something as simple as a picture to get me thinking that I’m not what God says I am. Here’s another thing: I will not let him. I will become the woman God wants me to be. I will remember that I am God’s daughter. I will remember that I am welcome in God’s home and He is preparing a place for me for all eternity.

And most of all, I will remember that He loves me. The real me. Not the one in those pictures. Not the Marie the world thinks it sees. Not even the me I sometimes wish I were. The real me!

And guess what! He loves the real you!

So who did God create You to be? Be the real woman. Be the real man.

…for such a time as this!

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com