When we left Cain last week (check it out here if you need to catch up!), he was angry, but his anger was displaced.  He was hurt, and probably embarrassed - his brother's offering was accepted and his was not.  Rather than taking a moment to be teachable or reflect personally, Cain directed his offense and rash judgement at God and at Abel.  Rather than living out of love, Cain had a scarcity mentality that led him to the comparison trap. 

This "scarcity mentality" led Cain to think that there wasn't enough. There wasn't enough love, there wasn't enough success, there wasn't enough favor, there wasn't enough fill-in-the-blank-here to go around.  He mistakenly thought that if his brother was accepted, then Cain would not be accepted.  He didn't know there was room in God's heart for them both.  In God's economy, there's always enough.

Let's keep going:

“Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8)

I wonder what that last conversation was, between the brothers. Cain felt unloved and unaccepted, and sadly he thought that the only way to make himself look better was to knock other people down.  He felt he had to get rid of the comparison. Rather than doing his own best and bringing his own gift (how do you compare a fruit and an animal? How could anyone?), he eliminated what he viewed as competition and killed his brother. How heartbreaking. Beyond heartbreaking.

God wasn’t comparing the brothers.  God wasn’t even comparing the gifts they brought. God was looking at their hearts, considering the level of sacrifice that those specific gifts represented.  Abel brought his best, and God accepted. Cain brought a leftover, and God rejected.

The scarcity mentality is a dangerous trap for anyone.  Friend, you need to be so rooted in the love of Christ that you realize there’s enough love for everyone. ALL of His children are precious - just because one is loved it does not follow that another is unloved.  Just because one has a talent, it does not follow that another does not have a talent.  Just because one receives a gift, it does not follow that another goes without.

Do you understand that another person’s gifts don’t take anything away from you? There ought to be no competition in the body of Christ. What cause did Cain have to be angry at Abel?  What did Abel do to Cain? Abel’s offering had nothing to do with Cain, it wasn’t a reflection of Cain, he didn’t make an offering for the purpose of showing anyone else up.  Abel was making an offering to the Lord, bringing his gift. Let's not create some dialogue that isn’t here.

Saul did the same thing with David - remember when the people cheered “Saul slayed his thousands, David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). Saul received these words as a personal attack. It wasn’t. David was on Saul’s team then - Saul could have looked at David’s victories as his own.  There was room for more than one person to be successful. Cain could have taken an example from his brother, made an acceptable offering to the Lord. Both of their gifts would have been accepted. Cain thought it was an either/or, when it could have easily been both.

In his scarcity mentality, Cain felt as if the only way to make himself look better/feel better was to knock down anyone around him, even his own brother.  You know, we behave differently when we think we are unloved.

I was watching a movie the other day, and these two academics were walking outside on a beautiful sunny day.  One had an umbrella, and the other asked why. He answered, “I’m going to a cricket match, and I think if I’m prepared for rain, God won’t allow rain.  Watch this” (as he shouts at the sky) " ‘God, I’m going to spend the afternoon in the library!’ See, that’s almost a guarantee that it won’t rain.  If I’m not prepared, that’s when God will send the rain and ruin my day. You see, I’m an atheist.”  His companion said, “You are not an atheist.  You believe in God, you just think that He doesn’t like you.”

If we could really get ahold of that, of how much the Father loves us and values us and treasures us, we would be at peace and confident and abundant and safe in a way that would completely change our us.  If we were changed that dramatically, the people within our sphere of influence would be changed as well.

Next week, let’s circle back to our original verse, 1 John 3:13-18 and tie this up.  This is the longest rabbit trail y’all have ever had to follow me on - thanks for staying with me!

Today’s treasure?  God’s love can transform us from the inside out. When we know He loves us and we know that He has our very best in His heart, we aren’t threatened when we see that He loves the people around us too. I’m praying that you don’t fall victim to some sort of scarcity mentality: in God’s economy, there is enough (enough love, success, peace, provision, enough fill-in-the-blank-here) for ALL of us.  God does bless us, every one. <3

Jennifer 🙂

I want to spend a couple of weeks on this verse.  It’s all about love - being able to give it, and being able to receive it. Operating in the love of God, resting in His love, sharing His love with the people in your sphere of influence…. Our faith works by love (Galatians 5:6), so let’s explore a little about love!

“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,  not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” (1 John 3:10-12 NKJV)

Let’s just take a quick look at Cain and Abel - y’all know I can’t resist a history lesson 🙂  We’ll circle back!

“Then Eve bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,  but He did not respect Cain and his offering.” (Genesis 4:3-5 NKJV)

A few things to notice:

• Cain made an offering of the fruit of the ground.  Abel made an offering of an animal. On the surface, that may not look like it was a lesser gift.  Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a herdsman - so one offered fruit and the other offered an animal - big deal?

• The big deal is that the offerings were not equal.  The Bible says Cain offered “fruit of the ground”. The Bible could have said, “Abel offered an animal” - if he had only offered an animal. However, Abel’s offering was described as “of his flock”, but Cain’s offering did not say it came “of his harvest”.  This may have been a wild fruit that he didn’t even grow.

• Moses specified that Abel’s offering was a firstborn.  Again, Cain’s offering isn’t specified as a firstfruit, and when you take a look at the rest of Moses’ writings, he does use a word in other places that is means firstfruit.  It’s a different word - when you translate it back, there’s a word for fruit and there’s a different word for firstfruit.  There was definite significance to the first in scripture.

• Abel’s offering was a firstborn and all their fat - fat here signifies the best, the richest, the choicest.

Cain’s wasn’t a firstfruit offering.  To be honest, this fruit might not have even come from his own harvest.  Cain’s was an offering which cost him nothing. Abel brought the best he had to the Lord, and apparently Cain picked a few wild fruits and called it a day.

Their offerings were not the same - but the Lord wasn’t looking for the same in value (never that, even today).  He was (and still is) looking for the same level of sacrifice. When you read the Old Testament, take every opportunity to apply the character of the God you know today to the God of the Old Testament - He’s exactly the same, yesterday, today and forever.  When it seems harsh, take a deeper look.  Let’s move on, because we’re about to see a little more character revealed - both God’s and Cain’s.

“And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (Genesis 4:5-7 NKJV)

When God called Cain out, Cain was angry, but his anger was displaced. Before he even spoke a word, the Lord read his heart: “Why are you angry?  If you do well, won’t you be accepted?”  I think God is saying to Cain, “Hey - you don’t have anything to be angry about, Abel’s offering didn’t have anything to do with you. I’m not comparing gifts - if you had done well, you would have been accepted too.”

Cain took Abel’s offering to a place it didn’t have to go.  I think that God is gracious enough here, and Cain could have said, “Lord, you’re right and I’m sorry.  Here’s a firstfruit from my harvest” and I think God would have accepted it.  He could have accepted God’s question in the way it was meant: as a correction and opportunity to get back on track. Cain didn’t go that way, though.

We can displace our emotions at times, too, can’t we?  Have you ever been angry at a person or a situation that really didn’t affect you?  We’ve all been there, but it isn’t necessary. Comparison is a trap, and everyone loses. Cain compared his gift to Abel’s gift (even though the gifts were not at all the same).  Cain also compared God’s response to him with God’s response to Abel (even though the response to the gifts were not at all the same). It was a moment for personal reflection, and Cain decided that there was only one way to bring himself higher, and that was to push his brother lower.

Have we had similar thoughts as well?  Lord, please help us. Let’s continue this next week, find out what Cain did do with his displaced emotion, and talk about how we can avoid the same trap.

What’s the treasure today?  It’s knowing that God loves you as you, and doesn’t compare you to anyone or expect you to be like anyone else.  Praying you can be confident in His incomparable love for you today! <3

Jennifer 🙂

You learned it in Sunday School: "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know" <3 Though many of us can quote the song lyrics and the John 3:16 ("for God so loved the world that He sent His Son....") and we can give mental assent to the idea that God is love and He loves everyone, it's difficult for some of us to really get this truth from our head to our hearts.  I really think it would change everything to know that we know that we know that God loves us just the way we are.

"Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen" (1 Corinthians 13:7-8 Phillips)

Lots of reasons why Jesus loves you without limits.  Some reasons we can understand, some reasons that are way beyond us.  Here's something I think is significant: one reason that God can love you in spite of you (mistakes, sins, habits, less-than-desirable qualities - because those are the reasons you think He can’t love you, right? It’s easy to love the lovable qualities in you) one reason He can love you in spite of you is this:

GOD IS NOT HURT BY YOU - HE IS HURT FOR YOU

Let that sink in for a minute.  Can you appreciate the distinction, the difference that changing those little letters makes?

He knows that in His love, there is the possibility for better.  He knows that in His love, you can be free. He knows that in His love, you can be completely satisfied.  Your mistakes don’t hurt Him - your mistakes makes Him hurt FOR you, because He knows you don’t have to live like that.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened, and I will give you rest! Put on my yoke and learn from Me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 Phillips)

He knows that if you could get to that place - where we understand His love and enjoy all the benefits of His love - then you could honestly receive the love of Jesus in its full measure.   You may think, "I've gone too far, I've been too wrong...." You may have even been told that you have broken the Father's heart. None of that is true, my friend.  His heart is not broken by you - His heart may be broken for you, but that is a different feeling. He has offered such a gift - He knows you don't have to live bound by your sin.

And it goes even further, really, if we let it: If we could take the example of Jesus and live without offense, we could recognize the hurts of people around us. We wouldn’t take everything as a personal attack, because it’s not all about us. We have to think of others, we have to prefer our brother, we shouldn’t think more highly of ourselves than we ought…. Maybe we could grow into recognizing that we don’t have to be hurt BY people, we could hurt FOR people, too.  

If we can get to that place - where we understand that the love of Jesus is without limit and we aren’t stuck in some kind of scarcity mentality and He has plenty for all of His children, than we can move into the place where His love can flow from us uninhibited, without reservation.  Flowing from His heart to our heart to their hearts (the people within our sphere of influence), until they start to experience for themselves firsthand the love of Jesus - and then guess what? Uninhibited, the love flows from His heart to their hearts to the hearts of the people within their sphere of influence, and like ripples in a pond, they keep going out and out and out and on and on and on…. 

"Above everything else be sure that you have real deep love for each other, remembering how ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’ " (1 Peter 4:8 Phillips)

Jesus always pointed people forward to the Father, motivated by love, because He knew that’s where their healing and help would spring from.  If we can get ahold of how much the Father loves us, how we could be healed in His love, wouldn't we want to pass it along?  Love people enough to lead them to God?

Maybe it’s about living in such a way that people who don’t know God might come to God because they know you.  

And then it’s His love -

Flowing from His heart to our heart to the hearts of the people within our sphere of influence, until they start to experience for themselves firsthand the love of Jesus - and then the love flows from His heart to their hearts to the hearts of the people within their sphere of influence, and the ripples keep going out and out and out and on and on and on….

To live like that - heart open like we talked about last week, and then moving on to passing along the blessing of living heart open to the people within our sphere of influence - that would be a treasure . I'm praying the Lord will help us get to that place <3

Jennifer 🙂

 

Many summers ago now, I visited a friend in my hometown.  We snapped beans with her grandmother, on the front porch, in the afternoon sun, sitting on the wooden rockers or in the swing.  Simple, we enjoyed and we chatted. A face-to-face about the green beans and the garden turned into a heart-to-heart about children and marriage and life and joy and sorrow - events that had made our year, growing us like the earth had grown these green beans.  In a little while, we'd start the process of jarring the green beans, sealing them up to enjoy again on another day, in another season.

When the summer season turned to winter season, we'd go to our pantries and pull out a mason jar.  All lines up in rows - and there weren't only green beans (they're just my favorite): there was chow-chow, scupperdine jelly, peppers, pickles.  In different cities, in different states, we'd pop the seals.  The scent and taste would carry us back to this common day together.  We'd remember the chat and the sunshine and be blessed again by the love shared on that day.  It wasn't so common after all, and we would be glad we saved it in our mason jars.  Maybe that's why I love a mason jar - it's a little southern treasure chest. 🙂

A treasure chest in its simplest definition is anything that holds treasures, wouldn't you say? If that is true, I have treasure chests all over my house, and I imagine you do too: frames holding baby pictures and senior pictures and family pictures - those are treasure chests.  Shoeboxes with old birthday cards and souvenirs from trips - those are treasure chests too.  The china cabinet in my dining room with my grandmother's china displayed inside - I never looked at it and thought "that is a treasure chest", but now that I look again, it surely is, holding treasures precious to me.

The Lord has treasure chests too - all different shapes and sizes.  Here's one that makes my heart smile and brings a comforting quiet to my spirit every time I come across it: "your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in His treasure pouch!" (1 Samuel 25:29).  His "treasure pouch", and you know what's inside?  We are! Your life, safe in the care of the Lord.  My life, safe in the care of the Lord.  Every detail that pertains to life and godliness, safe in the care of the Lord.  How about that?  My mason jar/treasure chest could only save one day: our Father God's pouch/treasure chest holds all of us, every day, every moment, big and small.

Let's consider our lives as the very treasure that the Lord holds a treasure pouch close to His chest.  We don't have to DO anything to be worthy of His attention, we don't have to BE anything to considered precious enough to be held in a treasure pouch close to His heart, but still - I'm humbled and quieted and get a warm feeling inside when I consider it.  He is so kind to us.  Even though I didn't deserve His grace, and even though I don't have to perform to experience His love, I have this feeling inside me....  It's a desire, really - a desire to live worthy of His calling.  It is a comfort that He considers me a treasure; yet at the same time, it is an invitation to live upward, to be better than I have to be.  SomeOne considers ME to be a TREASURE.  SomeOne considers YOU to be a TREASURE.  Maybe we can take a little "selah" right here, a moment to "pause and think of that"! 🙂

God is so kind and generous to us - He looks at us with great tenderness and love and says, "you are My treasure".  What a gift that is <3

Praying that you feel "secure in His treasure pouch" today,

Jennifer

I’m reading Nehemiah, and it’s about rebuilding the temple. Here’s a few things that stood out to me as I read:

In chapter 3, we see that all the people worked “except for their nobles, who wouldn’t work with their master and refused to get their hands dirty with such work” (Nehemiah‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭MSG).‬‬ It’s a blessing to have the strength to work, a blessing that God would allow people to cooperate with Him in restoration or whatever He needs accomplished.  I don’t ever want to be so self-important that I “refuse such work”. If God is involved, I want to be involved!  James 4:17 says, "to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (NKJV).  If you know what needs to be done, be thankful for the opportunity and get it done!

I'll admit it: I love my lil pup Bea.  If anyone follows me on facebook, you've seen her. Bea also has her own instagram, so you might see her there too (@bea.attitudes). It's completely out of control, for sure!

Just look at her - you have to admit, she's the sweetest in the world.  Bea follows me around everywhere. Unlike other small dogs I've been around, she's not yippy or snappy - she's pretty chill and very friendly.  And she only weighs 5 pounds, so she'll be a tiny thing forever - just the perfect size!

So, the other day I posted a picture of her on social media (of course!) - I'm pretty sure I was at my pool with Bea, a splashproof Bluetooth speaker, a diet coke and a stack of books: all the ingredients I need for a very nearly perfect sunny day!  One comment was, "Jennifer, you need friends."  LOL!

Well, Facebook and world, please let me explain 🙂 I know lots of people who love to post on social media, (I wrote an earlier blog about social media here) and there is nothing wrong with that! Post away, friends!  No judgment, no complaint from me - to be honest, I like to see your posts!  For me (probably like you), I love being out with friends.  I love going to lunch and I love hanging out and I love the beach and I love shopping and I love all kinds of things - however, I don't want to take a break from the fun to post on social media.  Occasionally, I'll post after the fact (kid graduated, I'll post a few pics later. Kid went to prom, I'll post a few pics later. My BFF of over 25 years came to spend a long weekend - we took one picture the entire visit, and I posted it later), but it's pretty unusual for me to post in the moment. If I'm out it's because I want to be out.

It's pretty "little old lady" of me, I'll admit, but here's how I feel about my phone and in the 24-hour-a-day-access-to-everything: it's there for my convenience, not so I can be reached at any second of any day.  If it dings and it's convenient, I'll respond.  If it rings and it's inconvenient, I'll let it go to voicemail and get to it later.  Most of the time if I'm out, the phone is either left in my car or put on silent if I carry it.  No one thinks it rude to take time out of a conversation to take a selfie and check in and post, not even me - I just don't want to do it.  I don't mind if my friend takes a picture to post - that's lots of fun! It's just not where my mind is at the moment. What I do like is a face-to-face time with you across the table sharing a coffee or a meal.   What I like is to disconnect from the world for a while.  When I'm hanging out with my kids or with you, I want to be fully in that moment - and if the facebook community isn't made aware that we enjoyed a meal at the Oxford Exchange or bought all kinds of treasures at SoHo, well, somehow life will go on!  Graduations and prom preparations and late night chats with my BFF  and Starbucks with the girls, those are mine.  I'll let facebook know about it, or I won't, either is fine.  Even though it's all not on facebook, life is pretty happy and blessed!

The other thing is: I'm completely unable to multi-task while I'm on social media.  Those minutes that I am posting a picture or updating my status? Completely LOST.  I didn't hear you, I didn't see you.  I'm able to multi-task on other things, and I know people who can multi-task on facebook, but I just can't do it!  Probably it's another little-old-lady-trait!

This was just a silly example, really, and I hope you aren't taking me too seriously: you do what is best for you. Bea Puppy doesn't mind if I post, and I don't mind losing that minute on FB when its just me and the pup 😉 However, there are moments that are intended for wholeheartedness.  There are moments in life that are only for you or only for those closest to you.  There are moments in life that the Lord gives to us and us alone.  Don't feel guilty about keeping those things in your heart.  Don't be afraid to disconnect, if only for that moment, and be singular in your purpose. How about these, a couple of treasures for you to hold on to for a little bit:

"Put me together, one heart and mind;
    then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;
    I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to" Psalm 86:12 MSG

or

"I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High" Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV

Let your time with the Lord be just that - and as you open His Word, let this noun/treasure become an alive verb/treasure. Keep those few moments to yourself and Jesus - I'm praying as you treasure His Words in your heart, you'll be blessed. <3

Jennifer 🙂

p.s. if the Lord does tell you something amazing and you can share, I hope you will  - I love amazing things!  I'll share too - I'll just do it later!

If you are going on a road trip, you need a good playlist.  Want to know who you need to set up your playlist?  A Spivey kid.  My three always have the BEST music and the BEST podcasts and the BEST whatever-you-think-you-need-to-hear for a pleasant time on the road!

When Jacob graduated from ministry school, we all went up to see his graduation.  Fun! We left our pup Bea with my parents for the weekend, so we rode back from Alabama separately - Michael and Tyler returned to Florida right away, while Jacob and I took the detour through Georgia to pick up Bea.  All those hours on the road might not sound like a great time, but guess what I was thinking: all those hours and I would have Jacob all to myself!  We traded some favorites -

Jacob goes first: "Mom, have you heard Yebba?" I haven't - how did I miss her?  Jacob plugs in first and I start singing along with Yebba and PJ Morton's cover of "How Deep Is Your Love" and oh my stars, it's gorgeous!  Jacob is surprised that I know the words, so I plug in next and play the original BeeGees from '77 (YES, that's 1977; and NO, I don't want to talk about how old I was then, LOL!).  Jacob sang along with the BeeGees, and we talked about how we loved both versions, what was best and what was favorite.  We both love 70s/80s, so the discussion brought on a few James Taylors, a few Dan Fogelbergs.....

My turn to introduce something: "Jacob, you know Jekalyn Carr's "Bigger", of course - but have you heard "Greater Is Coming" and "I'm on the Rise"?  Listen at this - and can you believe how young she is?" We listened to those, and we love gospel, so that brought on a few Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers (yeah, we went way back and it was awesome!), some Donnie, some Smokie, some Fred, and of course some Kirk.... Can't leave out the girls, so there was a little CeCe, a little Tasha, a little Babbie, too.

Let's listen to a podcast, want to? "Mom, do you listen to Graham Cooke?" Son, I didn't even know there was a Graham Cooke - introduce me, oh my goodness!  We listened to "The Language of Heaven" and I've listened to it over and over since then, brilliant and anointed.  Jacob knows Jentezen Franklin, of course (Pastor Franklin performed Michael's and my wedding, he performed the twins' baby dedications, we grew up at Free Chapel), but "buddy, have you heard "Love Like You've Never Been Hurt" yet?" He hadn't yet, so we listen to that and it was awesome (I had the book in my "summer stack" and hearing that podcast moved it to the top of my to-read list! Amazing!).

"What about Dante Bowe?"  Jake, this is another new one to me - plug him in!  We listened to "Potter and Friend", and I have to admit: we listened to it about 8 times in a row and bawled like babies every single time!  Hey, bud, get on my iTunes and download that for me, okay?  I need this in my life! When he picked up my phone and started downloading Dante for me, he found Anthony Brown on there - yep, "Worth" was familiar to both of us and we loved hearing it again together.

Of course, the conversations were the best part, the real treasure of the day, and those (sadly) can't be put on a playlist.  That part is in my heart <3 Jacob had just gotten his ministry license and we were heading toward his first ministry position, so there was lots to talk about.  I shared memories of when his dad and I first started in ministry.  Jacob shared memories and lessons from ministry school - he was super blessed with some amazing leaders and friends while at BMMC and I think Kingwood Church will always be our second church home. We shared what God is doing in our hearts right now, and what learning today.  I shared the vision that God has laid on my heart currently, and Jacob shared the vision that God has laid on his heart currently.  We shared some victories, and we shared some losses because there's lessons in both.  Jacob shared a tremendous amount of wisdom, and I was reminded of the myriad number of ways that the Lord uses my children to bless and strengthen me.

Do you get the Word from lots of sources?  It's smart to diversify 🙂 Podcasts, music, talk talk talk, read read read.... And wow - to learn that one of my most valuable sources is my own son? That was and continues to be one of my greatest treasures.  I'm praying that you have lots of sources and lots of opportunity to grow in the Lord as well - and if you think your list needs a little mixing up, borrow some of my favorites (all those blue words are links if you didn't figure that out already)!

Jennifer 🙂

p.s. as soon as my Jake has a podcast or a youtube channel or a book, I'll let you know - this kid has lots to share!  Until then, I'll sure love being "on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of " this son "of God coming into his own" (Romans 8:19 Phillips).

I'm not really a "verse of the day" type of person.  Don't misunderstand - I'm not against the "verse of the day", they're great. I'm definitely a "read the Bible every day" type of person, and I'm not judging anyone who loves a "verse of the day".  You can hear from God on a verse of the day, honestly.  It's just not my personality - I like a plan, I like a purpose, I like specifics.  Anyway, I'm also a YouVersion type of person, and that's new for me - I don't know why I resisted it for so long! I love having the Bible on my phone and in my pocket all the time (I'm not giving up my leather-bound NKJV and my Strong's Concordance, of course - but the YouVersion is pretty great!). I'm rambling, but y'all are used to that by now..... Let me get back to it -

I'm not really a "verse of the day" type person, but the YouVersion has a "verse of the day" that pops up on my phone every morning.  Usually by the time it pops up, I'm done with my daily reading but I still like to see it. (I'm an early bird - admittedly, my early mornings are a little ridiculous and obnoxious, but there they are).  I'm not expecting much though, from the "verse of the day". I've heard lots of stories about how people just opened their Bible to just the right place (I believe those stories, the Lord can work that way) or how the "verse of the day" spoke to their exact situation.  Even though it all seems amazing and coincidental, isn't the Word of God amazing all by itself?  It's not a coincidence when we read the Bible and receive knowledge, is it? (That's why I'm not a "verse of the day" person.  Maybe I'm looking at the "verse of the day" from a wrong perspective, like it's not purposeful - when it totally could be). Again with the rambling! Take three:

For the last two days, the "verse of the day" that popped up on my phone have been totally and easily applicable to my life and specific situation.  Here they are:

So yesterday's verse was "God will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14) and today's verse was "Count on it: everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold—real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed.... That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you' " (Isaiah 41:13 MSG). Okay, so the second picture is not the "verse of the day", but stay with me. It's a picture of a hymnal I have in my family room, and I keep it open to one of my favorite hymns, "In The Garden" - but look at the facing page: "The Savior Can Solve Every Problem". Coincidence? I think not! (Just kidding!)

Nah, I really think it is coincidence, but the truth is that I really am facing a problem right now. The problem is bigger than I am, and there is an adversary.  Honest, I don't know how I would face it or overcome it without the Lord on my side.  The "verse of the day" came in with a little needed reminder.  When I was doing housework (moving items around so I could dust), the hymnal gave a little reminder as well.  I'm going to credit Jesus with these little love notes <3

While I am going to credit Jesus for the reminders, I'm not going to start depending solely on the "verse of the day" to pop up on my phone and give me a word from the Lord.  I'm going to continue in faithfulness, using the Bible every day as a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105 NKJV).  I'm going to study every day, I'm going to pray every day, I'm going to read books and listen to podcasts and read the Bible every day.  That's how the Lord is going to speak to me - and I won't have to wait around for the coincidence of circumstance and "verse of the day" to collide.  We need more than a "verse of the day" to learn God's character.

I'm going to keep these two "verse of the day"s and be strengthened by them.  I haven't heard "The Savior Can Solve Every Problem", but I'm going to dust off that music degree and put it good use by learning this song. I'm also going to keep Philippians 4:6-7 as a verse of every day: "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."  I'm going to keep reminding myself that every problem comes with a provision and promise attached (this is a big problem - I'm looking for BIG provision and that could be exciting!).

Depending on the Lord rather than depending on the "verse of the day" is a treasure.  I'm praying that you will be purposeful in your study and application of God's Word.  Let the "verse of the day" get you there - let the goodness of the Lord keep you there.  The Bible is a treasure with lots of verses and knowledge for every day - and my goodness, I need all of them every day! Maybe you do too? <3

Jennifer 🙂

I never actually hear anyone saying these words: "well, that's 'cause you're the pastor's wife" - yet at the same time, I always hear everyone saying these words: "well, that's 'cause you're the pastor's wife".  I'll explain 🙂

Certain expectations are made of me because I'm the pastor's wife - and that's an observation, not a complaint! The design was not to be the pastor's wife - the design was to be Michael's wife, but the two came together and it's been a pretty neat package deal!  My life isn't without the usual (and sometimes unusual) set of struggles, but it's pretty happy overall!  I'm rambling - sorry!  Getting back to it -

Sometimes when I speak (whether from the pulpit or in conversation), I sense people thinking: "well, she has to say that - she's the pastor's wife" or "well, she has to read her Bible every day - she's the pastor's wife" or "well, she can't cuss because she's the pastor's wife" or "well, she is supposed to" or "she could never because" fill-in-the-blank-with-your-own-expectation-here.  That comes along with the territory.  Everyone has certain expectations made of them - the doctor, the lawyer, the teacher, the garbage collector, it doesn't matter what position one holds.  However, expectations can dangerous.

The truth is, I don't "cuss" - but it's not because I'm the pastor's wife.  I don't cuss because I'm a disciple of Christ, and the Bible says that "dirty stories, foul talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, remind each other of God’s goodness, and be thankful" (Ephesians 5:4 TLB). The truth is I do have to read my Bible everyday, but it's not because I'm the pastor's wife. I have to read my Bible every day because I actually have to - it's my lifeline, it's where I find instruction and my identity and my healing.  Jesus was right when He said, “the Scriptures tell us that bread won’t feed men’s souls: obedience to every word of God is what we need" (Matthew 4:4).  What came to your mind when I said fill-in-the-blank?  Yeah, I probably don't do that either - but want to know something else?  Maybe you shouldn't do these things either. (sorry - did I write that out loud?)

You see, it isn't people's expectations of me that keep me faithful to God.  It's God's expectations of me that keep me faithful to God.  The Bible didn't offer different sets of rules for different types of people - there isn't a rulebook for the pastor's wife and a separate rulebook for the lawyer and a separate rulebook for the garbage collector and a separate rulebook for the stay-at-home-mom or any other fill-in-the-blank-that-describes-you-here.  The rules are the same for all of us. The Bible says, "he who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." (1 John 2:6 NKJV).

Just as He walked. Just is an adverb here, a descriptive word describing the action word walk. You know what just means, but let's say it out loud anyway: exactly, precisely, absolutely, completely, totally, entirely, perfectly, utterly, wholly, thoroughly, in all respects the same. Anyone (the pastor's wife, the teacher, the doctor, the cashier) who says they follow Jesus ought to do life just as He did. That doesn't make it easy, but it does make it simple - much simpler to understand and to follow than a different set of rules for every individual.

Sometimes I miss it (lots of times, to be honest), but just like everyone else, I'm trying my best.  Not because I'm the pastor's wife, but because I am His child.

St. Augustine is quoted as saying, " let the root of love be within, of this root can nothing spring but what is good." Let the root of love be within you, no matter what your position is. Realizing that you don't have to live up to the expectations of people - that's a relief. Realizing that it's possible to live up to the expectations that God has of you - that's a treasure. All He wants is for you to be His and accept His love.  Praying you will live in this freedom today!

Jennifer 🙂

 

When the babies were little, we liked to play board games.  I remember when we first brought home a game called "Guess Who".  It was a sort of "20 questions" situation - each player had a person card that their opponent must identify, narrowing the field by only asking yes and no questions.

We played along with the twins for a little bit as they were learning - it was tough at first to understand that their 2 people were not the same.  It was also tough to understand that one was to ask questions that might apply to the opponent's person, not your own. So we ask questions: "Does your person have red hair?" If the answer is yes, you flip all the people who do NOT have red hair (flip, flip, flip, flip, flip).  "Does your person wear glasses?" If the answer is no, you flip all the people who DO wear glasses (flip, flip, flip, flip, flip). And the game continues until you have narrowed it down and can "guess who". Fun!  The first time the twins played without my help, it was fun to listen in:

Q: "Ty, does your person have a hat?" A: "No" and then flip, flip, flip, flip, flip

Q: "Jake, does your person have white hair?" A: "Yes!" and then flip, flip, flip, flip, flip

The kiss of death was having a girl - there weren't nearly as many women as men on the board.  And if your girl was wearing a hat?  Practically game over before you start!  My favorite exchange, and it still makes me smile:

Q: "Jakie, does your person have a beard?" A: "No" flip, flip, flip, flip, flip

Then Jacob added a little comment that changed the game: "That wasn't a good question, Ty - because my person is a girl!" flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip, flip 🙂 Round one to Tyler, LOL!

One question can still change the game.  Jesus asked the disciples a single question to end all other questions: "Who do you say I am?"  Let's take a quick look at the conversation:

 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17 NIV)

Even for us today, the question must be settled in our minds: who is Jesus?  Never mind who your friends say He is, never mind who your co-workers say He is, never mind who your family members say He is, it's a question we must answer for ourselves and be able to trust fully in the reply: Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God! Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (15:3-4).  "First of all" means "of first importance", the main idea. Paul is saying "if you don't get anything else from me, get this: Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead".

One question, one answer that changes everything else.  God sent His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for your sins, so that you could be reconciled to God.

Selah - pause, praise and think of that!

Accepting the truth of Jesus' identity (and not having to "guess who") is a treasure - praying that you have the opportunity to apply this truth to your heart and let Jesus give you peace <3

Jennifer 🙂