Catherine Marshall is one of my favorites - if you haven't read anything by her, go to a used bookstore or your favorite amazon seller and get something now!  Something More, The Healer, A Man Called Peter.... Sorry, I lost myself for a minute - this isn't a sales pitch or a book report (but if it were, I'd talk about Catherine Marshall!).

"I hit bottom.  And there I met God at the place where He had been waiting for me all along; where I knew that I wanted Christ's presence in my life more than I wanted health.  Never mind healing, I wanted to be certain that God wasn't dead, that Jesus Christ lived, that He was real, and that I had been received by Him." ~ Catherine Marshall

I love this quote. It's made even more meaningful in context: Catherine Marshall wrote it during a period of time when she was confined to her bed with tuberculosis (nearly 3 years if you can imagine!).  Imagine getting to point where your first thought is to be received by God, to be convinced that He lives - and desiring His presence more than life and health.  Fill in this blank with anything on earth: I want the presence of the Lord more than I want ______________."

The most important thing is the presence of the Lord.  Everything else will spring from it, but we have to want that most and we have to want that first.  When I think of things that are most important, I usually think about 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. It may not exactly follow our train of thought here, but we've been together long enough to give me a little leash, haven't we?  Paul writes,

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:  that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

When Paul says "of first importance", he must mean the most important thing. If he was only going to say one thing, it would be this one thing.  As soon as he received this word, he passed it along first to the people in his sphere of influence.  If you don't hear anything else, hear this one thing: Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day, exactly as He promised He would, exactly as Scriptures promised He would. That's the most important thing.

And in this one thing, the most important thing, all other needs are met.  "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).  Everything you need to live a godly life, a successful life, is in Christ..... and Christ is made accessible to us through the Cross and Resurrection - the most important thing.  It's a big thought - maybe we'll take a break here and think on it.  Receiving the power of the Cross, and giving it first place in your life - that's a treasure! <3

And what happened for Catherine Marshall? Her healing DID come, needs WERE met, compassion WAS given from a place of dependency on the Lord and gratitude for nothing more than His presence.  All met by honestly being thankful for the fact that God is alive and is willing to receive us.  The gateway, the opening, the beginning of blessing was and is thanksgiving to the Lord!

Praying you'll be able to think on these things and let the blessings you need spring from from your true Source!

Jennifer 🙂

My favorite tool is my Strong's Concordance - and I don't want the online one, I want the physical book one. I get lost in it - you know, how we can get lost in Facebook or Wikipedia?  I went to Wikipedia to find out what other movie that guy was in again, and then I click on that little blue link because I forgot about that person, and then there's another little blue link, so I click on that and.... 3 hours later, I know everything there is to know about the 1964 television special "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", wondering why I was on in the first place and where the time went.  Or Facebook - I just went scroll my top 10 in the newsfeed and check messenger, but 2 hours later, I'm still wishing people who I haven't seen since high school a happy birthday and taking a 65-question quiz to find out which Jane Austen character I am.  This is embarrassing to admit - but has that ever happened to you? Lost!

But my Strong's, well, that's different!  It's like this huge dictionary with every single word that occurs in the Bible, and it translates everything back to the original greek or hebrew. Every word is related to another word, so I have to look that one up, and then I have to look up the next one, and 3 hours later.... well, I find that I've learned something I didn't know, something valuable.  Found! 🙂

Want to follow one of my Strong's trails with me?  Let's try it out! I start with a verse:

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" Colossians 3:12

Then I look up key words (I just decide which words are key to me in the moment, no science to it) and get their Strong's number, which corresponds to the original language of the Bible:

tenderhearted: Strong's 4698 - strengthened from inward affliction I didn't ever consider tenderheartedness as strength, especially not strength coming from an inward affliction.  This makes me think that the Lord can even use my hard times, my hurts, to make me tender toward the needs of others, makes me think that maybe the seasons of my life that I don't consider a gift really were - because they were making me strong for the next person who may need my testimony

merciful: Strong's 3628 - exercise compassion, pity Exercise indicates to me that there is action required on my part, that being merciful is not an inherent trait, it is something that must be practiced, therefore requiring discipline

kind: Strong's 5544 - usefulness, excellence in character or demeanor, gentleness, goodness Being kind is also being useful - I like that! I also see a pattern developing, these words are in a specific order on purpose.... the result of strengthening and exercise would be usefulness, wouldn't it?  Excellence in character wasn't something that happened overnight, it needs to be developed over time

humble: Strong's 5012 - understanding, sympathy, modesty, lowliness of mind not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, makes me think of Phillippians 2:3, so I'll make a note of that and start with that verse in my Strong's next; I didn't think modesty when I thought of being humble, but that makes sense - a humble person wouldn't want to draw attention to themselves (or draw attention away from the main idea!)

gentle: Strong's 4236 - meek, humble I think having a mild nature requires attention to these qualities, study of the character of Christ would lead us to gentleness because He is so gentle - and with that must come a realization that all of our good qualities originate with the Lord. This is a great time to be careful about pride - I'll think make another note to spend some time with 1 Corinthians 10:12.

patience: Strong's 3115 - fortitude, longsuffering, long in place or long in time willingness to endure, patience toward yourself as you grow AND patience toward others as they grow

All of that from those 18 words? Looking into the Word of God, finding out more than you thought was there, receiving encouragement and a challenge to grow?  The Bible itself is a treasure, and I'm praying that you take the time to get lost and found in it! <3

Jennifer 🙂

p.s. oddly enough, I was Colonel Brandon 😉

 

"If, instead of a gem or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as angels give" ~ George McDonald

Wednesdays are my favorite! 🙂 At our church, we have a program called "Rainbows" for our 3s and 4s. It's discipleship, toddler-style!  My favorite part is when they tell me their memory verses, so precious!  Every week, I get lots of hugs, lots of giggles, and lots of sweet memories from when my three littles were "Rainbows" themselves!

Some weeks ago, I walked in the Rainbows room and one little guy looked at me and said, "Nana?  No - you aren't my Nana, but you look 'zactly like her!" I thought it was precious - but it has also turned into a friendly joke about my age (when others heard this story, it was a great opportunity to tease me about looking like someone's grandmother.  It was to be expected, I guess! This post will probably renew those jokes!).  I didn't receive it in any negative way though - my little friend wasn't making a commentary on my wrinkles (there are some!) or my gray hair (got a few of those too!). I think he was comparing me to the prettiest and sweetest lady he knows: his Nana.  And guess how I measured up to his favorite person?  I was 'zactly like her!  Not all comparison is bad 🙂

1 John 2:6 tells us that "he who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (NKJV).  If you call yourself a Christian, the comparison between you and Jesus ought to be obvious.  Just as He walked - my little friend would say 'zactly as He walked! Look at how the Message translates this verse:

 "the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived" MSG

We ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived: compassionate and kind (Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Matthew 18:27, Mark 1:41), loving (John 13:34, John 15:9, John 17:23), forgiving (Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 16:14-15, Matthew 18:21-22).... that list could go on and on. Jesus sets such a tremendous example for us.

Sometimes we make life and the pursuit of godliness more complicated than it actually is In Psalm 15, David reminds us that clean living (though not always easy) is always simple: 

It will take staying in prayer and staying in the Word. It will take spending time with Jesus so we can learn his character.  It will take a daily commitment, but the time spent will be a treasure <3

Thinking again about my little Rainbow friend: his Nana is a friend of mine, and you know what? She is one of the sweetest and prettiest ladies I know too!  My little friend's compliment was really a gift. Praying that we will find ways to be 'zactly like Jesus every day!

Jennifer 🙂

Last summer, I decided to try and get healthy. I surprised myself - I've stuck with it for the most part....

It's that "for the most part" that gets me every time!  You see what had happened was....

Tyler hadn't been feeling well, and he texted me - could I run by the store and get him some cough medicine, maybe a little something for a sore throat?  Sure I can, buddy.  I ran into Publix, and guess what?  Ben and Jerry's was on BOGO and so was brownie mix.  The opportunity presented itself, the door opened, and I just rushed right on through - and boy, did we have a "cheat night"!  I'm embarrassed to admit it: you are looking at a picture of my dinner right there - ice cream and double chunk chocolate brownies, fresh from the oven! (Prediction: I won't be feeling so well myself tomorrow!)

You know, just because a door opens, it doesn't necessarily follow that we are supposed to go through.  On one of Paul's missionary journeys, he describes an open door:

"Well, when I came to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ, although there was an obvious God-given opportunity, I must confess I was on edge the whole time" (2 Cor. 2:12 Phillips)

So, even though the door was clearly opened by the Lord, Paul did not feel a peace about walking through it.  He waited for the Holy Spirit to direct him.  Thankfully, he went on to another location where God blessed his efforts:

"Thanks be to God who leads us, wherever we are, on His own triumphant way and makes our knowledge of Him spread throughout the world" (2 Cor. 2:14 Phillips) 

Paul found victory in God's leading, not just in an open door.  As believers, we are not supposed to follow signs - signs are supposed to follow us.  Mark 16:17 tells us that "signs will follow them who believe". God always leads us to victory, to His best for our lives.  If we are spending time looking for signs or waiting for signs, we are wasting time. Every open door or opportunity is not a "sign" that we are supposed to move forward (or move at all).  Be aware, be vigilant - invite the Lord to lead every decision, and trust Him to lead you to victory.

Discernment is the ability to judge well - being able to discern the voice of God and receive direction for your life without needing another sign or confirmation is a gift.  Having the boldness to follow Him when He leads is a treasure.  I'm praying today that you will find the courage to step out without a sign! <3

Oh, and next time Publix has Ben and Jerry's on BOGO?  That won't be a sign, it's just a sale - but go ahead and enjoy a pint!  Speaking of, I better get up a few minutes earlier tomorrow, spend a little more time on that elliptical!

Jennifer 🙂

 

“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!
Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.
But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously,
because it has no idea who He is or what He’s up to.
But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God.
And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up!
What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see Him—
and in seeing Him, become like Him.
All of us who look forward to His Coming stay ready,
with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.”
1 John 3:1-3 Message

I wrote seven on love (this time!), but couldn't we stay on the topic of love forever?  it doesn't matter how long we have, we'll never even come close to "comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]" (Ephesians 3:18 Amplified).

What a nice way to begin: the above passage tells us that this is “only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up!” All the things the Lord is doing in your heart and spirit, all of His work and attention to you doesn't come to an end: we are meant to face each day anew, empowered by His love: ready to conquer, ready to share, ready to face the challenges ahead. Armed with God’s love, confident that He is for you and not against you (Romans 8:31), accepting what is your responsibility and not worrying about what is His responsibility, you can accomplish great things in the name of Jesus and on behalf of His kingdom!

What are great things? Loving your family well. Being generous to those in need. Speaking life to those within your sphere of influence. Cleaning your kitchen (it’s a win, people - take it!). Speaking to one or speaking to one thousand. Being kind to a stranger. Being kind to a difficult family member or co-worker.  Accepting love from others with grace.  Refusing condemnation from others with grace.

 Let's see Ephesians 3:19, let Paul finish that thought: "that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself". Amen and amen.  Couldn't have said it better myself - I don't even know how to build on that, it's already so good. 

Being filled up throughout your being, having the richest experience of God's presence in your life, completely filled and even flooded with God Himself - that's your treasure, if you'll accept it and walk it out.  If you do walk it out, you'll start to minister to and love others out of the God-overflow in your life, with no fear that you will experience lack if you give out to others - that's how you pass this treasure along. Praying you will find this treasure and share it <3

Jennifer 🙂

 

“But even though we were dead in our sins
God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us,
gave us life together with Christ—
it is, remember, by grace and not by achievement that you are saved—
and has lifted us right out of the old life to take our place with Him in Christ in the Heavens.
Thus He shows for all time the tremendous generosity of the grace and kindness
He has expressed towards us in Christ Jesus.
It was nothing you could or did achieve—it was God’s gift to you.
No one can pride himself upon earning the love of God.”
Ephesians 2:4-5 Phillips

God’s love is a gift - freely offered, freely given. Even though you know this in your heart, do you ever have a hard time convincing your head? Do you ever find yourself trying to be “good enough” or “worthy” of God’s attention? It’s exhausting, isn’t it? You don’t have to prove yourself to Him - you are already His. The Lord is not above us, waiting for reasons to reward or punish us - He is right here with us, loving us exactly where we are. Imagine giving a gift to your child, and having the response be, “I’ll just put this on the shelf until I’m good enough to open it.” That would hurt your heart, wouldn’t it? You might wonder why they don’t feel “good enough” already!

Your Heavenly Father has “lifted you right out of the old life”. Maybe there are things in your past that make you feel “less than”. God lifted you out of all that, set you up on His great love. Let the past be the past. Christ has already been given for you and to you. You are already enough. You are already valuable and adorable and lovable and cherished. No need to try and earn it: all we have to do is live in the fullness of His love!

We don't follow the Lord's direction and try our best so we can BECOME worthy of His love - we follow the Lord's direction and try our best because we already ARE worthy of His love.  Realizing that is a treasure.  I'm praying you will be able to accept the sacrifice Jesus made for you on the Cross - He has already deemed you worthy and valuable.  YOU are His treasure! <3

Jennifer 🙂

You know this verse like this: “perfect love casts out fear”, but it’s nice to read it in a different translation, so we can let it fall fresh on our spirits.

“God is love,
and the man whose life is lived in love does, in fact, live in God, and God does, in fact, live in Him.
So our love for Him grows more and more,
filling us with complete confidence for the day when he shall judge all men—
for we realize that our life in this world is actually His life lived in us.
Love contains no fear
indeed fully-developed love expels every particle of fear,
for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty.
This means that the man who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected.”
1 John 4:18 Phillips

I love this phrase: “we realize that our life in this world is actually His life lived in us”. Wow! What kind of pressure does that take off of you? Your responsibility is to be obedient in the call of God on your life. Your responsibility is to walk in love toward all people. Your responsibility is to demonstrate the love of God shed abroad in your heart. Your responsibility is to be a child of God. (Breathe in a big sigh of relief - you can do that!)

Is there anything you can’t conquer with God on your side? Do your best and leave the results up to Him - it’s His life anyway! Stay in your pajamas and leave the make-up off for a few more minutes this morning - get comfortable and tell the Lord your dreams. Even better - let Him tell you His!

Releasing yourself from responsibilities that don’t belong to you, that’s a treasure.  Let me put it another way: firing yourself from God’s job and just being His child (insert huge sigh of relief here!), that’s the best!  Praying you’ll be able to just be His today <3

Jennifer 🙂

Jenn

“My dear children,
let’s not just talk about love;
let’s practice real love.
This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.
It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism,
even when there is something to it.
For God is greater than our worried hearts
and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”
1 John 3:18-20 Message

Let’s not just talk about love - let’s LIVE LOVE! Love is more than an emotion, love is an action. It may be easy for you to show love to others, but hard for you to show love to yourself. However, try! Give yourself grace and you will also receive peace.

Love is “the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism”. Do you have debilitating self-criticism? We can talk ourselves into “not enough” in any area: maybe we aren’t not good enough parents or maybe we are not good enough writers or maybe we aren’t good enough prayer warriors or maybe we aren’t good enough singers or maybe we aren’t good enough fill-in-your-own-blank-here.

Once we convince ourselves that we aren’t enough, the next step in that downward spiral is shame or embarrassment. We create walls between us and the people around us. We hide because we are afraid someone else might realize our lack. From there, we step into comparison – and trust me, we can always find someone who IS enough and someone who CAN do successfully all the things we can’t do. Finally, we convince ourselves that we don’t have anything worthy to give, and we stop giving altogether.

Before you think to yourself, “Well, I was worse than that, you don’t know…..” Look at the end of John’s phrase: love is “the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it”. Okay, so maybe you deserve the criticism - we all fall short. Refuse to allow criticism to turn into condemnation - the Lord wants you to grow and He wants to help!

I have another thought: we cannot put up walls between ourselves and people without also putting up walls between ourselves and the Lord. If we are hiding and not loving others with the love that God lavishes upon us, isn’t it in some way disobedient? Let’s learn to accept love so we can give love!

Knowing that God loves you, even if you think you deserve harsh criticism - that's a treasure.  It will lead to freedom and I'm praying that you find it today! <3

Jennifer 🙂

“Since then it is by faith that we are justified,
let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of grace,
and here we take our stand,
in happy certainty of the glorious things He has for us in the future.
This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a hope of future joys—
we can be full of joy here and now even in our trials and troubles.
Taken in the right spirit these very things will give us patient endurance;
this in turn will develop a mature character,
and a character of this sort produces a steady hope,
a hope that will never disappoint us.
Already we have some experience of the love of God flooding through our hearts
by the Holy Spirit given to us.”
Romans 5:2-5 Phillips

Grasp the fact that you have peace with God! Our circumstances do not determine God’s character: God is good, no matter what we may be facing. Praise Him that we do not face this world alone. This passage assures us that we can have joy. Can indicates to us that there is a choice - so choose joy! If you want joy, it is available to you in the presence of God. In God’s presence, you’ll have love, joy, peace - and that’s just the beginning.

Of course, Paul tells us, we will have trials and troubles. However, never misunderstand and think that hard times are a reflection of God’s love. There are just hard times. God will use those times to build in your a mature character and strength…. But you know what? He can make us stronger every single day if we allow Him intimate access to our hearts. Some situation (or person, let’s be honest) drove you INTO your prayer closet - do not allow the relief of that hardship to drive you OUT of your prayer closet. Give it all to the Lord, both good and bad. You CAN be FULL of JOY!

Holding on to the steady hope He offers to us, being at home in His love, experiencing the love of God flooding into our hearts - is there anything better? (no, there isn’t!)

Steady love, not changing with the emotions or event of the day - that's a treasure.  Praying you bask in that kind of love today! <3

Jennifer 🙂

1 John 15:9-10 in the Message translation:

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me.
Make yourselves at home in my love.
If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love.
That’s what I’ve done—
kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in His love.
I’ve told you these things for a purpose:
that My joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.”

When we are at home, we behave differently than we do when we are out. Make-up is off, hair is up in a messy bun, the most comfortable pajamas or sweats are on. No pretense, no need to pretend, no need to be anything but comfortable. Safe and secure. Happy and content. That’s how Jesus means for us to feel in His presence: at home! Wherever you are right now,  take a quick break from responsibilities and worries of life, let Jesus be your home. Rest in His love. You are His greatest treasure, dear child of God.

Because Jesus is always with us, we can always have this feeling of contentment and security in His love.  Please understand that your circumstances do not have to alter your emotions.  There have been moments or days or even long seasons in my life where times were hard - but the presence of Christ, if I turned to Him, was able to bring peace and security.  Find time every day to be at home with the Lord, rest in His love.  The more time you spend with Him, the more peace and contentment you will experience.  The more time you spend with Him, the less you will be affected emotionally by your circumstances.

Come to Him, messy bun, no make up, favorite sweats and all. Realizing that you belong, and feeling at home in the presence of Christ - that's a treasure!  <3

praying you find contentment in His love, and make yourself at home with Jesus today!

Jennifer 🙂