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The 1 Thing that Saved my Marriage

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

A Pass to a great marriage

I didn’t learn this early enough. Oh, I heard it said in premarital counseling, but it took me years to learn. Christian women don’t get a pass to great marriages just because they’re a God-fearing woman. Yet, there is the One thing that has saved my christian marriage (over and over).

Helping frustrated wives have better marriages

It’s time to knock the doors down on helping frustrated Christian wives make a move to better marriages. Today I am sharing the one thing that has probably challenged me as a wife more times than any other over these past thirty plus years, and the one thing that has saved my marriage time and time again. Want to hear what it is?

The One Thing that has challenged me and saved my marriage

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Colossians 3:18-19

It’s NOT that!

Nope, don’t quit listening or reading here. I’m KIDDING, it’s not that! But you know we wives hear especially verse 18, and the same out of Ephesians, nearly every time a pastor is speaking about marriage. ‘Tis true.

Not that it’s a bad thing, because it is scripture so it is good. It’s just not what I am talking bout today.

The Merry-go-round of Frustration

How long have you been married? If you’ve been MRS. for any length of time, you just may have found yourself going in circles on the merry-go-round of frustration. So, tell me, what are the things frustrate you on repeat?

I’m not talking about the big marriage deal breakers of abuse, adultery or abandonment. Those are a different topic altogether (mostly), and if you’re in any kind of danger, please seek godly wisdom and make a plan for your own safety right away.

Humor is necessary

My husband is a funny man, but the humorous side of him sometimes makes me want to pull my hair out, especially when he interjects it where a reasonable, attentive response is required. Humor is necessary, but it must be rightfully employed, please and thank you.

Patience is a virtue

It could go without saying, patience is a virtue. Furthermore, lack of patience is a detriment. Alas, you may have heard me talk about this before, but if I had a penny for every time I waited to “leave” for any thing at all, I’d be a millionaire…I think, how many pennies is that? One hundred million, right! So, yes, quite possibly I’ve waited that many times, if I exaggerate a bit. Sigh.

To beat or not to beat (around the bush)

I’m a straight shooter. Maybe you are too, or maybe you married one. If you ask me a question, or if I have something to share/say to you, it’s not coming camouflaged; there will be no bush to beat around.

You can imagine my frustration, then, when every single time, save one or two, I ask my husband a question, any question, his reply is–wait for it-another question! And not a clarifying one either; it’s just another question.

Me: Are you hungry?

Him: Are you making dinner?

Me: …

Like every day, this scenario played out again this morning, this time in our kitchen regarding a choice of two backsplash possibities. As he answered my question with his own, I said, “I just wrote about you answering questions with questions.”

He then gave me an answer to which I countered in jest, “Don’t tell me what to do.”

In our laughter he slid in, “Make sure you write that, too.”

And so I did.

The one thing that saved my marriage

1Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
7When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. 8But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
(Are you with me?Here it comes! The one thing that has challenged me as a woman of God and saved my marriage through more than 30 some years.)
12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3

Take your eyes off of your husband

How could this advice save your marriage? How could your marriage be better, how could you grow closer to God if you take your eyes off of your husband?

Sounds counter-productive, doesn’t it? It’s not. Friends, when you keep your eyes on your husband your focus is wrong. You will be frustrated on repeat because you’re looking at the wrong person.

Your husband isn’t perfect. Like you, he has certain areas the Lord needs to prune, hone in on and change through the Holy Spirit. (Spoiler: YOU are not your husband’s Holy Spirit; God doesn’t need your help in that way.)

Leave your husband’s imperfections to the only one who can change him. Pray for him. Write down the things you see that need to be more like Christ and ask the Lord to love him to it. Remember that virtue we just talked about? Be patient.

Adjust your focus

Here in Colossians, right from the start in verse two God tells you to set your mind not on the world but to adjust your focus to the things of heaven.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

If you’re looking at your husband’s shortcomings, instead of God’s fulness in things above, you will never have the marriage the Lord desires simply because you don’t have the mindset He tells Believers to captivate.

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

Is divorce in your future?

Once known as the “me generation,” baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. And it’s among this group—now ages 53 to 71—that the divorce rate is highest. While the rest of the nation has seen a decline in the divorce rate over that last two decades, the divorce rate has doubled for 55- to 64-year olds and tripled for the over-65 group.
Source

You may not be a baby boomer, but the data is clearly not changing for the generations following. If the divorce rate for the future of most (as we age) is tripling, divorce could be in your future, too, unless you change something now.

Now is when you need to refocus, look to heavenly and eternal things and live out these verses here in Colossians.

Quick Checklist of your heart

Take a look inside your marriage from a different perspective, and consider what your words, actions and attitude reveal about your heart.

Now when it comes to just you and your husband, think about the words you say or the way you say them, the things you do- or don’t do and what God’s Word implores us to in this passage.

What evidence does your heart reveal?

Have you put on, do you live out in word and action, a heart of :

compassion
kindess
humility
gentleness
patience

Are you patient?

Do you bear ( endure, have patience with, suffer, persist) WITH him? Or, have you given up on WITH him?

What have you done with your Complaints?

Have you forgiven ANY complaint you have against your husband? There are no stipulations for HIS motives or initiate toward you before you are told to forgive him. Can you imagine if God left gaps in the things we ask forgiveness for?

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
God doesn’t leave gaps in what He chooses to forgive of our sin. Have you forgiven your husband as the Lord has forgiven you?
I John 1:7

Have you forgiven…as Christ forgave you?

Have you forgiven your husband as the Lord has forgiven you?

Love, Peace, Gratitude

More than all the rest, do you embody love. Have you chosen love? When God says to put on something, we usually have to take off something else. Put the self-sighted ugliness away, and put on love.

Why is this, putting on love, so important to God? Choosing to walk covered in love is the place where you will find the bond of perfect unity. If your struggling in any way in your marriage, I suppose, then, you are missing that perfect bond of unity. God tells you how to have it. Love.

You have a calling as a woman of God. Some women lament over what God’s calling is for their lives; no need here. God’s Word is crystal clear. You were called to let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.

The anger, frustration, pettiness, impatience, intolerance, unforgiveness, pride, bullish responses or ultimatum, animosity, cool or forbidding expression of character you’re living out isn’t helping your marriage. It isn’t making you a stronger woman. And it isn’t answering the call the Lord has given you as HIS daughter. His beautiful daughter!

Plain and simple, those attributes are sinful and not of the Lord.

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15

How are you praying?

I can hear you.

“You don’t know what my husband…” finish the thought.

You’re right, I don’t know your story. But I’ve heard so many from women like you and me through the years-you’re not alone. I elaborate a bit more on this post: How to know God’s will when Marriage is Hard,

(And clearly I’ve said and will say again, if you’re in danger, find help. I’ll never speak otherwise.)

God’s Word steps on our toes. His ways are not like ours. His thoughts are much different than what we think. And He is always good.

Therefore, when God gives us instruction and admonition in His Word, we can trust Him.

Submit to God

The verse I teased with at the beginning of this post/podcast, comes soon after the ones we’ve looked at today. Submission is a large topic and one we won’t get deep into right now, but I will share something pertaining this conversation.

It isn’t until after we read about living life as a Christian and putting on the new person we are made IN Christ that we are instructed to submit to one another. First we submit to the Lord, and then we live life honoring Him in ever other relationship.

Submit out of love

My firstborn got married just a few months ago. That boy has my heart. I poured out my heartfelt petition to his bride in an emotional post: A Letter to my Daughter in Love.

The bottom line? My supplication to my sweet daughter in law is to love my son, to do what God desires of her, because I love him so much.

That’s why the Lord wants us to submit to His Son, too. He loves Him so much, and He loves YOU so much. We submit because we love.

Do it

What is it He is asking from you today?

Friends, do it-obey His Spirit and trust Him.

Help for Mom when life is too hard: 10 SOS tips!

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

PODCAST

Mom, Don’t Leave

Let me tell you!

I thought I’d grown out of telling others what to do. Trust me when I tell you, I was really good at this as a much younger me. Spoiler: Mom, don’t leave.

Today I am going back. I’m going to tell you what to do.

Today I am talking to the women who are struggling to hang in there with their children.

This isn’t a place of judgement. I come from a place of understanding beginning almost 27 years ago when I held my oldest in my arms for the first time. Here is a place void of ignorance and full of grace considering the struggles of parenting, mothering…life-ing.

The Hard places of life

Believe me, I’ve been in the hard places of life-sometimes more recent than I want to admit. Today, Mommas, shut the door and listen in.

Don’t leave.

I don’t mean don’t leave physically-well, I do if that’s where you find your feet heading. Don’t go there.

A few years ago I sat with a couple women– hours on end each week. We met in a coffee shop with three of our children busily working and playing along side. I’ll share another time how the Lord turned my heart toward teenagers years prior, but for now suffice to say, one of these two teen girls grabbed hold of my heart in a big way.

The Struggle is real

People change and time passes. The Lord took me a different direction and I no longer had contact with those two women or this precious young girl. Fast forward, a few weeks ago I found myself again pursuing social media wondering if I could find her, see if she was ok, and learn what she was up to…all the same thoughts which had never left me over the last 6 years.

It wasn’t the first time I’d looked for her, but it was the first time I found her. My heart was both thrilled and crushed at the same time. For each of us, the struggle may be different, but the struggle is real! She was struggling.

Still.

What I knew of her home life as a younger gal wasn’t great. Her family lived within an affluent area and she resided in a spotless home. Her adopted mom was a sweet woman with many struggles of her own. Certainly, if there was any abuse, it was dubious, even difficult for another adult to recognize and name. At the least, it wasn’t emotionally healthy.

Abandoned

First abandoned by her mother in a far away country, and now, the same end where hopes fell through the earth beneath her feet.

Although I watch very little TV, I was in the room when American Idol was premiering the newest season. Did you see it? Sweet and beautiful DJ Johnson, one of TEN children. Her dad, a worship leader, ah-go watch this.

Paying attention to the way my words sound

Above all, Moms, when we are PRESENT, our words matter so much. I’m the first one guilty of not paying attention to the way my words sound. I can be very direct, super honest and lack a kindness in my tone even to the ones I love the most.

This gorgeous young lady is crushed. The words to her original song on the tip of so many who, like her, feel disposed of by the one person who should be the quintessential model of safety and love; her mom.

Hear DJ Johnson’s heart

I’ll do my best with her lyrics, forgive me if they’re not exact and be sure to know these are her words, not mine. Grab a box of tissues and hear DJ Johnson’s heart.

Scars by DJ Johnson

You didn’t care when you walked out that door
looking back you never loved anyone but yourself
how could I have been so blind
we all see through you, and your lies
how could a mother be ok
leaving scars on her children
how could a woman be ok
leaving her husband heartbroken
I’ve heard that time heals all wounds
well I’m running out of patience and I’m so confused
American Idol Audition DJ Johnson

Genuine Compassion

Just watching it again leaves me undone. That night, the three AI judges showed genuine compassion to her and that cheered on my heart so much; I hope it did hers. But her dad. He’s been first seat through it all. He’s felt the pain from his daughter’s poetic verse, “How could a woman be ok leaving her husband heartbroken?”

A Parent’s Pain

What every good parent knows, is the pain our children feel lives somewhere inside us, too. This amazing man, standing there by his daughter’s side, encouraging her and edifying her, is harnessing a broken heart for each of his children. His love for his children is evident and palpable across the media waves.

The pain we watch our children go through and have no power to diminish is agonizing for a loving parent. My mom loved us all with all she was. And I know, while we all had our own tears to shed growing up, they were a little fraction of the ones she cried on our behalf.

Blessed Mom

We will probably agree that every child should have that kind of mom, a blessed mom:

Her children arise and call her blessed
Proverbs 31:28

… but in this fallen and broken world, they do not.

The Pain of the Cross

Can you imagine the pain of our Heavenly Father as He watched His Son, Jesus, endure the cross? The pain of the cross! The pain-that pain- He knew came out of a heart that loved YOU, and me, so much that He was willing to give His Son for our ransom.

Stop and think about that. He gave us His Son because of His love for US. Then, can you understand the pain He must feel to see any of His own hurting?

Life can get overwhelming

I think over the 30 some years of knowing, loving and helping young women. Absent moms, whatever the cause, leaves great pain. My heart throws my thoughts in every direction a spider spins her web right now, but I want to try and stay focussed here on moms.

Moms, life can get overwhelming. There ARE surely times when we are so affected in our own skin we can hardly catch our breath.

Take the time to catch your breath

Take the time you need to get though that well. No matter our circumstances, as adults we get the privilege of having maturity on our side and telling ourselves we can and will get through our trials. When they’re simply TOO much, we can get help. And if you’re in that space right not, do that. Get help. And get biblical, godly, wise help. Reach out to Focus on the Family for their call hotline for counseling help.

When life stinks and our hearts sink

For the rest of us who aren’t in need of professional counseling for an urgent crisis, how does a woman who wants to run away from her problems continue to be a loving mother?

When life stinks and our hearts sink, or when we want better, much better- or different, but are stuck “here,” at times like these, how do we love when we feel unloved and unloving?

How do we earnestly love our children when we don’t love ourselves?

When no-one is being good to us

How do we love?

When there are so many pressing responsibilities on our shoulders, How do we love, and show our love, to our children? Is it even possible to show up to be a good mother when it seems no-one is being good to us?

Those are good questions. And we are going to address them each week, so be sure you’re subscribed here to get updates.

Joy in the journey

Friends, your children are worth your sacrifice. I promise, there’s joy to be found in the journey!

Today, my message is: Don’t leave.

Don’t leave

Your cries are heard from my keyboard. I feel your desperation.

Over the years, I am sure I’ve heard the same from moms like you around the country and sitting over a cup of coffee. Please don’t feel like your very real struggles don’t matter, they do!

Yet, there simply are so many variables to consider in good mothering, and just no way one blog post or podcast could even attempt to cover them. But hang on, because we will do that. Be sure to email me-link in tabs- if you have specific questions, and I’ll do my best to address them.

In the meantime, though the struggle is real, don’t leave your children. Let me give you a ways you can hang on when the going is tough.

Because our children’s perception to us leaving looks different than a door closing silently behind us. This is how we can love our children through a season of personal hardship.

Ten things you can do today to make through the hard times.

More Jesus. Psalm 29:11
Think on these things. Philippians 4:3-9
Do what you know is right even when you don’t want to. Proverbs 16:11
Rest in safety with the Lord. Psalm 46:1
When surrounded by trouble, cry out to Jesus. Psalm 140:6
Be prayerful, Be grateful. Philippians 4:6
Quit trying to figure it out yourself; trust the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6
Get out of God’s way. Let the Lord fight for you. Psalm 35:1
Keep hope alive. God sees and will heal your broken heart. Psalm 147
God’s grace is everything you need to keep on going! 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

More Jesus

Sounds simple enough, right? But it’s true. When we’re struggling to find peace in our lives, we need more of the Lord. Keep your mind focussed, not on your circumstances but on the Lord.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

Think on these things

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever it TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE-if anything is EXCELLENT-if anything is PRAISEWORTHY-think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you
Philippians 4:3-9

Do what you know is right even when you don’t want to

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 16:11

Rest in safety with the Lord

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:9

Surrounded by trouble; Cry out to Jesus

Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
Psalm 28:2

I say to the LORD, “You are my God.” Hear, O LORD, my cry for help.
Psalm 140:6

Be prayerful, Be grateful

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6

Quit trying to figure it out yourself; trust the Lord

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Get out of God’s way. Let the Lord fight for you.

Contend with my opponents, O LORD; fight against those who battle me.
Psalm 35:1

Keep hope alive. God sees & will heal your broken heart.

Yes, Praise the Lord, He HEALS our broken hearts!

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

God’s grace is everything you need to keep on going! You are strong!

Remind yourself whose you are.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Daddy’s Hug

The three Idol judges were left helpless as their broken contestant tried to muster through the painful words of her song. Taken by emotion and succumbing to the truth of her battle, knowing they had no way to console her, Luke Bryan asked if she wanted her dad to come in.

Young DJ’s father came through the door and onto American Idol’s stage. The adults explained she just needed moral support and a hug, but he didn’t need their words to know his daughter needed him, and how he could comfort her.

Before the words were out of their mouths, he had his daughter wrapped tightly in his arms, whispering the truths she needed to hear. He was just the support she required.

Watching from six feet away as Dad consoles his little girl with a huge hug, Lionel Richie casually says, “Nothing like Daddy’s hug.”

Fall into Abba Father’s arms, Sisters.

Don’t Leave

Friends, Mommas, don’t leave your children. The pain and fallout from that decision lasts a lifetime. Maybe you know that firsthand and reconcile it somehow in your own heart, but you know it’s not the best, if you’ve lived it, you have to. Fixing the hurt, the pain, the trouble now, is.

The things you’re missing and desparetly longing for will never come by walking out on your children. It will only serve to duplicate that void with the most vulnerable ones in your life.

Give the gift of peace and love to your children from the only woman God made their mother. They need it, Friend. The Lord wants that from you. And, He wants it for you.

He is able to get you there.

Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
Jeremiah 32:17

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26

Fight or Flight

Oh, I know that flight response is a strong one!

Do these two things today

Today, I’m asking you to make two commitments:

1. You’ll work through (and not run from) life’s hard circumstances, and

2. You will not walk away from your family.

Talk to the Lord, and tell Him you’re ready for Him to help you do this. While we may not all struggle with the same things, we all struggle.

These ten ways to get through the hard times apply to every Christ follower. I’ll put myself at the front of this line.

I’m glad you’re with me.

Be sure to subscribe and I’ll send you a printable: 10 Ways to get through hard times.

What is love?

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Don’t miss it! 21 Names of God pdf coming soon!

Friday, February 12, 2021

21 Names of God, #21, Jesus

Friday, February 12, 2021

PODCAST

Jesus.

JESUS NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Philippians 2:9

The End

It’s how I read magazines, too; I begin at the end.

So, let’s do that. Let me introduce you to Jesus beginning with the end.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11

Every knee will bow at His name. Every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord! The end.

The Beginning

Now that you know the end, what about the beginning? Where was Jesus, who was Jesus, in the very beginning?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:14-16

Jesus Always Jesus

Jesus always was with God, always is God, and He became God in flesh and blood. Full of grace and truth!

Born

When were you born?

Every year on our birthdays, my 5 brothers and I had the joyous blessing of hearing our mother call us at the time we were born. I have no idea how she faithfully remembered the exact time each of us were born, but she sure did.

I thank the Lord for every one of those phone calls through the years.

Not long after my mom died, it was my birthday. Let me tell you, I sure wan’t looking forward to the first time my phone would remain silent at 1:20 PM that day. Goodness, I miss her voice.

I was, however, looking forward to a song I’d heard and to which I had watched the trailer at least a hundred times throughout Mom’s dying months. It was due out on my birthday.

Perfectly fitting for this most precious name of God: Jesus!

Jesus, Only Jesus

(Listen Here) (or here: https://youtu.be/ESmlWsbRqFU)

Lyrics Source:

Who has the power to raise the dead?
Who can save us from our sin?
He is our hope, our righteousness
Jesus, only Jesus

Who can make the blind to see?
Who holds the keys that set us free?
He paid it all to bring us peace
Jesus, only Jesus

Holy, King almighty Lord
Saints and angels all adore
I join with them and bow before
Jesus, only Jesus
Who can command the highest praise?
Who has the name above all names?
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus
You will command the highest praise!
Yours is the name above all names!
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus!
Jesus, only Jesus!

Born Again

We spend our lives doing many things, but only one thing is most important: knowing Jesus.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:5

We Must Be Born Again

This isn’t something we’re going to do in and of ourselves. We must be born again if we expect to reside in heaven eternally.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8

No Not One

As definite as “must” is concerning being born again, “not one” is just as concrete here in Romans chapter three. Not one of us has any chance at being good enough when measured against God’s righteousness. We all fall short. No, not one of us is righteous. We’re not ever going to be good enough.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:10

Higher Learning

We live in part of the world that totes great acclimates of higher learning. Contrary to popular belief, this is a secular, not biblical, worldview. (Sidenote: education does not equate to learning.) Having a degree, or multiple degrees, doesn’t give us an advantage when living for, or dying without, Jesus.

Wealth and Reputation

Working hard or falling into a rich heritage or legacy also does us no good moving us up toward God. There is no pecking order of socioeconomic sorts paving our way to heaven.

When it comes to salvation, there is no privileged or underprivileged.

Having great resources, an impeccable reputation of clout, or great wealth doesn’t change our status in God’s eyes.

Physical Strength

Though you may build your life building up your body like the ninja warriors and the world’s strongest men contestants do, the strongest of us flail in weakness and fail in comparison to the purity of Jesus.

Every time.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6

Strength of body or mind, might of wealth, education, or even a stellar reputation (as rare as it is) and any other power on earth simply doesn’t change a thing. Each of us need the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ; there is no special pathway, otherwise, from earth to heaven.

The Holy Spirit

He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:5-6

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is Christ.
Jesus in the Messiah.
Jesus… THE way, THE truth and THE life.
Jesus is our redemption.
Jesus is hope.
Jesus is forgiveness.
Jesus is our ransom.
Jesus is our salvation.
Jesus is pure.
Jesus is righteous.
Jesus is love.
Jesus is above all.
Jesus is our pathway to abundant life.
Jesus is our only way to eternal life.
Jesus is at the right hand of His Father.
Jesus is coming again!
Jesus is the answer for the world today.
Jesus is the answer for me and for you.

The Answer is Jesus

For every question to our life, the answer is Jesus.
Where is your hope running dry?
What makes you want to run and hide?
What is the worst thing you see coming?
How are you going to find joy in your life?
What is the best thing you can do to take care of yourself, your family?
Where are you going to turn when things go wrong?
How do you keep going, or find the desire to do what you need to?
What is the purpose for living your life?

The answer is Jesus.

Jesus, Forgiver of Sins, Giver of Life.

Stop right there if you don’t know Jesus. Now is the time to come to Him. Turn away from all you are and to all He is.

Jesus.

He is the answer for you-from spiritual death to eternal life. The beginning and the end.

Jesus: forgiver of sins, giver of life. Eternal life.

And Everything in the Middle

Knowing the hope and promise of living with Jesus forever is what makes this life worth living.

But we can’t forgo everything in the middle. Knowing Jesus, and being called home to heaven is the beginning and the end. Living life on earth is everything in the middle, and there’s much to be done with our short time here, for God’s glory.

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:15-23

Born for a purpose and with a purpose in life

I don’t think my husband ever misses a chance to encourage diehard friends and strangers alike with these words:

You were born on purpose and with a purpose in life.
Troy Henion

We have a job to do. If I could ever agree with the mantra that usually makes my skin crawl, it’s around this biblical truth. God has work for us to do: you do you.

And by that I mean, you do what GOD has for you to do!

The purpose of Jesus.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

Jesus, name above all names. Thank You, my Jesus.