LIFT

09/28/2019

"...I shall not want..."

"If contentment is learned by resting in what we cannot see, discontentment results from seeking rest in physical things." (Erik Raymond)

09/09/2019

Much of what God calls us to do in day-to-day life isn’t all flashy and post-worthy. Instead, it’s ordinary, intended to be done quietly, with no spotlight drawing attention to it.

It may be displaying kindness by packing a lunch for your husband or child on a morning when they’ve overslept and they’re trying to frantically get out of the house on time. It might be taking extra time in your day to straighten and clean a common workspace you share with a co-worker or to patiently play on the floor with a toddler. It could mean helping an elderly shopper load their groceries in their car when you see them struggling with a heavy bag.

Being compassionate might involve anonymously sending a gift card for a local restaurant to a family recovering from a death, or giving of your time, efforts or even money to help the marginalized and forgotten in your community or another part of the world.

As we grow and blossom in our walk with the Lord, let’s be on the lookout for ways to show kind and compassionate service to others, doing so only to glorify God rather than promote ourselves. You may not gather a large audience. But let’s keep serving Jesus by serving others, even when He’s the only one who notices.

Father, help me to love and serve others out of a pure heart, with my only motive being to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

-Karen Ehman

How can you serve someone you love today? We’re cheering you on!

07/26/2019

Exchange your overthinking for overwhelming peace that says, “I will be okay without knowing everything. I will be still be worthy of love if I can’t fix everything. I can still have a meaningful life if I’m not where I thought I would be. Grace will still find me. Love will still find me. I can still have hope for tomorrow despite my uncertainty.

So much has changed in my life recently. There are so many days where I feel like I’m living on the edge. And it’s hard to take deep breaths because it takes a miracle to even breathe at all. But I will keep trying, anyway. I will keep going, anyway. And not by trying to conquer the world but by taking it day by day. Hour by hour. Breath by breath, knowing that every exhale is a sign of strength. Progress. And no matter the chaos and uncertainty that finds me, I can still know overwhelming peace. I can be okay without knowing everything.” — No matter your unknowns, may this be the peace you find today. There are so many things that are yet to be figured out but you are still wrapped in this glorious unmerited favor called grace that allows you to take it day by day. Make every effort to breathe deep. It’s worth it. You are worthy of the exhale, even here. You are worthy of experiencing peace in the present moment no matter your doubts or fears. — MHN

07/13/2019

We are to be people of truth with grace-filled words. People who choose healing and helpful words. Because whether we realize it or not, believers and unbelievers alike are listening intently to the words we speak. They’re reading the words we type. And our words testify to the kind of relationship we have with Jesus and the kind of effect He has on our hearts.

So where is the hope in the midst of words that make our pulse race and our face flush? How do we keep our words full of grace?

We remember that Jesus doesn’t offer us partial grace. He doesn’t offer us halfway grace. Jesus gave, and continues to give, all-the-way grace. Grace that took Him all the way to the cross.

Oh, how we need to let this truth interrupt us and redirect us. The divine grace we receive from Christ should fuel our gracious natures and fill our conversations. Because we are people who desperately need grace, we should be people who lavishly give grace.

I don’t know who puts grace to the test in your life, sweet friend. But I do know the Holy Spirit is willing to help us choose grace-filled words, if only we will pause long enough for Him to replace the first ones that may pop into our brains.

We can also go ahead and pre-decide that today, because of the lavish grace of Jesus, we will choose the way of grace. With His help, we can speak with honor in the midst of being dishonored. We can speak with peace in the midst of being threatened. We can speak of good things in the midst of bad situations.

We can choose words that won’t leave the bitter taste of regret in our mouths. Words seasoned with the salt of wisdom and full of the grace of Jesus.

06/23/2019

Your progress doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. And a setback doesn't mean we should give up. Grab some grace, sweet friend, and keep going.

Have one better reaction to stress today.

Respond with gentleness and humility and refuse pride's pull to get angry.

Believe the best about someone instead of assuming the worst.

Make this a day you do more listening than talking.

Let someone else be celebrated without you being threatened.

Make some imperfect progress in that area of struggle today. In doing so, you'll look a little more like Jesus.

06/21/2019

Angry arguments or cutting comebacks won’t help us make headway in sharing the gospel or encouraging others in their faith. The Bible recommends “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15, NIV). It’s better to pause and carefully consider our words before typing a reply. Our words and our posts should build others up according to their needs.

I’m learning to be quick to hear, to listen with compassion to the other person’s point of view.

I’m learning to be slow to speak or post, to take time and weigh my words.

I’m learning to be slow to anger because my self-focused anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

Heavenly Father, help me listen with compassion before I speak or write. Help me relinquish my desire to win an argument. May I be sensitive to Your Spirit’s leading, so I’ll know when to speak or post … and when to remain silent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

-Margaret Kemp,

06/15/2019

It doesn’t feel like a very Christian thing to say. To admit we still have moments when we feel a bit suspicious of God while we’re clinging to the promises of God.

But can I be completely honest with you? I have wrestled with these feelings.

And I don’t think I’m the only one.

So many of us are standing in our churches on Sunday morning with our hands raised high as we proclaim our God is a “good, good Father,” but then we find ourselves lying in our beds on Sunday night with tear-stained pillows facing realities that don’t feel very good at all.

It’s hard not to feel suspicious of God when our circumstances don’t seem to line up with His promises. And it’s difficult not to doubt the light of His truth when everything around us looks dark.

That’s why, in the midst of circumstances that leave us feeling shaken, we must allow what we know to be true about God to steady us.

Let’s remind our souls today of who God is … Our God who fulfills His purposes (Psalm 57:2), our God who saves (Psalm 57:3), our God whose steadfast love and faithfulness know no end (Psalm 57:10).

And instead of being suspicious of Him, let’s lift up our praises to Him. Praise may not shift our circumstances, but it will definitely begin to change our hearts.

06/03/2019

In our culture of division, which is worsened by social media, disagreements are common--and kindness in those disagreements is uncommon. We are called to a higher standard as Christians. It's okay to disagree with others, but it is not okay to be unkind. Jesus demonstrated times when he disagreed with or rebuked people, it was always with love and kindness. Let's look to His example as we strive to understand what it looks like to disagree with love and kindess.

04/27/2019

"The primary goal of prayer is not to get something. The primary goal of prayer is to know Someone." –David Platt

04/11/2019

In the last five years or so, I've been hearing God whisper, "Go back, Amy. Relearn the things you think you know." God gently but firmly has sent me back to spiritual kindergarten.

When we return to the basics of faith, we aren't dumbing down. We're “leveling up.”

Each time I revisit the basic thought, "God loves me," I learn more about His love. And I believe it more deeply. What looks like regression to others — and may even feel like it to me — is actually progress.

Going back to “God’s kindergarten” has been challenging for me in some ways, but I’ve learned to say, “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you” (Psalm 25:5). God is our faithful teacher, whether He’s teaching deep mysteries or the basics that sustain us. Relearning His simple truths has brought deeper love, greater trust and bolder belief into my life.

Lord, when You call me back to simple truths, I won’t resist. I know You’re taking me on a journey to know You better and love You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

-Amy Carroll