He Who Boasts

I sat at a table at a conference last year and heard the speaker from the front say something like, "it's about how you are doing not what you are doing." But too often when someone asks, "how are you?" the response they'll receive is something along the lines of, "doing well -- keeping busy with [school, kids, marriage, work, etc]." What if we changed that? What if rather than sharing about what we're doing, we actually shared with people how we're doing? I think we are all more likely to share about the what because it's less personal than the how, especially if how we're doing isn't all rainbows and butterflies, but our works portray otherwise.

That being said, there is a "what" that is worth sharing about! But it's not our accomplishments. Your accomplishments and mine alike, will never amount to the accomplishments of Christ - no matter what. Jesus Christ came to live a sinless life in a sinful world just to take on the wrath we all deserve for our sin. What a Savior! My college degree, happy marriage, close friendships, or career in full-time ministry cannot compare to what Jesus Christ has done for the world. And please don't be offended, but neither can yours. Nobody's "what" will ever top the accomplishments of Jesus Christ's!

Boast about Him, not you. It is so easy to begin rambling about all that you are doing or have done. But what if we refocused on the utmost important achievement? Are you more proud of who you are or who He is? What if we were so captivated by Jesus and less proud of ourselves, that we boasted in Him rather than us? If we remember that, at the end of the day, what He's done is eternally more significant than any "what" in our lives, it shouldn't be too much of a challenge!


"Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am theLord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”" - Jeremiah 9:23-24

Fast Forward

On occasion, I find myself daydreaming about what my tomorrows will look like.... sometimes I fast forward my life and think about how my family will grow-- will Tyler and I have children? how many children will we have? will we be able to have children of our own? will we adopt? Other times I catch myself fantasizing about where I will live in the future-- will my house be a home? what flooring will we have? how many rooms will there be? what paint colors will we choose? And, quickly, I am brought back to the reality that it is today.

"This is the day is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24). Don't get me wrong, I don't think God wants me to think only about "today" -- after all, he created me and I am a planner! But, getting caught up in a future that is already planned out for me, as if I have some sort of control over it, is simply a waste of my thought time. Sure, I have desires, but daydreaming about them won't get me anywhere-- and after all, God knows the deepest desires of my heart! He knows that I'd love twins, a home with a front porch, and a luscious yard! But, the todays leading up to my tomorrows are purposeful. "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12). I'm trusting God that if I set my mind on things above and allow my todays to prepare my heart for my tomorrows, that not only will he bless me, but that I will find satisfaction in each day! After all, I wouldn't want to miss the treasure that God has for me in my today....

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, what is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -- Philippians 4:8

All Things New

The calendar flips to January and many get excited to start something new, "put the past behind" them, begin new year's resolutions...

For most, that's easier said than done.

While the new year brings a fresh calendar, many new items from Christmas gifts, and maybe changes for some, it more so brings an opportunity for a change of mindset. And as I thought about change and newness, I was reminded that I am new in Christ.

Tyler and I recently moved back to Pinellas County (where we both grew up). Being in the familiar territory brings back many memories-- some God-honoring and some from the days I was living in sin. Each day since we've been back here, I have had to make a choice: to dwell on who I was or believe who I am. I have chosen to recall the Truth hidden in my heart and rest in Christ....

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. -Ezekiel 36:26

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. -2 Corinthians 5:17

As Christians, we are called to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. -Ephesians 4:24. 

To me this means that each day we are faced with a choice. We are to believe what God says about us- that we are new! We are to live by His Spirit that now dwells within us, walk in righteous ways that honor Him, and keep our eyes fixed on the holiness of Christ. No matter how much we look at the past, it does not change. But through the power of God, our future can be bright... it can be eternal. To be new, forgiven, and have a future in heaven? I don't care what holiday or year it is.... that is reason enough to celebrate! To being NEW!

Light or Dark?

Light. What is light? Well, the Bible says that light is....

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12
"...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." - 1 John 1:5

Darkness? The opposite.

We all have a choice; to walk on in the light or in the dark. Seems like it makes more sense to walk in the light.... since you'd be able to see and all. But sadly, so many choose darkness. Maybe for the mystery and suspense it holds? But emptiness is all that awaits those who choose darkness. It's dark for a reason. Ugly, painful, unsatisfying sin would look too horrific in the light.... darkness covers it up.

Maybe you're thinking, "Well, I chose light once, but I'm giving darkness a try now. I may to return to light eventually, but darkness looked SO appealing....even just for a little bit!" And if you are, please read the rest of this very carefully. The Bible warns in 1 John 1:6-7... "If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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 cleanses us from all sin." And in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "...what fellowship has light with darkness?"
Still wondering if this is you, choosing darkness over light? Well, since there cannot be fellowship with light and darkness, a good indicator would be your relationships. Has your group of friends changed? Are the people you are spending your time with choosing light or are they also choosing darkness (and condoning your choice of darkness)? Do you find yourself trying to cover up your choice to those who you used to walk in the light with, convincing them you're still trying to choose light? And have you begun to see the consequences of walking in darkness; no clear direction, feelings of uneasiness and maybe regret, unexpected and unpleasant surprises? Yes? Then you're for sure deep in darkness.

But I have good news!

The light of the world NEVER gives up hope and He awaits your return. Choose light! Walking in the light brings true fellowship with others and is the way to the abundant life that Jesus came to give us all. It's worth it. You'll see...even if you find out the hard way.

"Choose this day who you will serve." -Joshua 24:15 and I pray you choose to serve the light of the world, Jesus.