 By Rebecca Vickery But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 One of the earliest Bible verses that I learned in college was 1 Peter 3:15. There were so many things to get out of the verse, and it has stuck with me since then (and college was a LONG time ago). It is helpful to read the previous verses to get some context about what Peter is talking about here. Immediately beforehand, he is talking about being a good witness. Be likeminded and sympathetic. Love one another, be compassionate. Humble. Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult. But instead, we are supposed to be and to give a blessing. Imagine a world wherein we all looked like Jesus, where we all looked like LOVE. In Philippians 2:14-16, they (and we) are encouraged to, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” To do this is to live in stark contrast to the world around us. I don’t know about you, but I have experienced living a life without hope in God. It’s pretty bleak. There are times when I just wanted to give up. As a believer, when I have taken my eyes off of God, it has felt very similar. BUT, Peter, Paul and Timothy are challenging us to live a better way. Submitting our rough edges to God and living more selflessly—less of me Lord, more of You—there is a perspective shift. What are we to do when people around us are not able to fathom the truths that we know in Christ Jesus? When they have no hope in God? When they have lost hope in the things of this world. I know that when I didn’t believe in God, it was much harder to attribute value, and goodness, and wonder to everyday life. Apart from God, I don’t know what gives us value, meaning, or hope. But the Bible doesn’t tell us we’re supposed to change someone else’s beliefs. Instead, we need to live out our own. If I tell you I believe, but my life is a constant upheaval and filled with strife, I don’t imagine that I will shine very well for Him. In fact, the more I try to control my own life, the more out of hand it becomes. If I focus on the areas wherein I most struggle… Loneliness, brokenness, hopelessness, etc. then I risk making those things the ultimate thing, and I will lose myself in pursuit of them. But if I lose myself in pursuit of God, I find that He’s able to minister to me in all those things. He bolsters my faith, and my attitude follows with it. My suffering has produced perseverance; perseverance has built character; and from that, hope. (Rom. 5:4) I have an answer for the hope that I have. But I know it’s still possible I won’t be asked to give a reason for it. Nevertheless, those closest to me already know what I believe. They know (of) the God in whom I place ALL my trust. When they are in despair, I can point them to the truth of the situation, even they don’t directly ask me to preach them a mini sermon when they come to me. My perspective is clear. I do not look at the world with muddy glasses and declare that it’s all mud. I look at it with clear eyes, knowing that my hope is in the LORD, and knowing that they can have hope in the LORD as well. My hope is that I will shine like the stars in the heaven in a world where not everyone shines. I will be set apart for God and live a life that makes it obvious that I am different, not because I say so, but because I am so. Let me be a voice of reason in the midst of unreasonable times and unreasonable thinking. Lord, make us to be like a shining city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Let our light shine before all men that they will see our good works and praise our Father in heaven. Let us set apart Christ in our hearts, and always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that we have. And let us do so with gentleness and respect. For your glory. And for your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  By Joyce Pelletier John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very Truly I tell you; no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Nicodemus came to Jesus one night with a deep determining question. He was a man of great wealth. He was a member of the Jewish Ruling council. He had to have thought of his question for some time. Finally one night he went to Jesus at night. One might wonder why he would choose to do so in such a hidden manner. Was there something he was trying to hide from? Was it pure curiosity or just a passing in the night question? On a quick side note. During our Tuesday Zoom group, the word hidden came up in a questioning moment. This word comes up frequently in God’s Word and now our conversation. ‘The word ‘Hidden’ seems like a devious or secretive description. Not necessarily so! In God’s word it comes up so we know there is something deeper in the meaning of what we share for digging deeper. Sometimes it means that something is hidden because it might be a pleasant surprise. Maybe it is hidden because it’s a painful experience and we don’t want to talk about it. Most of what I see in the Word is there is a deeper meaning of something important that God wants us to know. This puts many new twists in its meaning. It sure can bring up a deeper meaning as we share. It comes up mainly as something surprisingly special or good. Nicodemus was well off. He had all he needed in life. He had an open and hungry heart. He had a prominent position that certainly didn’t need an official announcement. He was deeply curious about a new term in their culture that needed clarity and stature. He also was hungry to know the deeper things of God. From what I read about him, he was educated and understood the law and had a tremendous force inside stretching him to the point of just needing to know. I relate to this. I’m an active, nosey, and curious kind of person. Sometimes ‘I need to know.’ At times God humors me and lets me know and then I find out that it’s just not what I thought it would be. Being curious isn’t always what you expect, and quite often when I let God do the planning to tell me, it’s a better situation. I really like surprises, so one would think it was better to wait on God. “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher, who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus simply and directly replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Could he have been saying “Things are hidden because some are not willing to accept those hidden things of God or we’re just not ready to hear something yet. God just might be preparing us for a new beginning of being born again. Sometimes when things just don’t work, we welcome a second chance with we miss the boat the first time. And maybe it’s just that we need to experience things that we just can’t predict. There’s that word again… Born again. This term wasn’t shared much in the time of this conversation. It was a new reference and this hidden term needed to make it’s appearance. Boldly, Nicodemus asked, ‘How can someone be born again, when they are old? Surely, they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb!’ He made some great points. I would have liked to meet Nicodemus. Jesus answers as only He could answer. “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus is somewhat beside himself. He had everything he needed and yet there was a new hunger inside him that boggled his mind. I often contemplate being born again. I’ve been so blessed to have Jesus as my Lord. I continue to see wonder in being born again, especially when new hidden things come to the surface to surprise me. The new life that Jesus gave me so many years ago is something reveals the hunger to know more about the amazing hidden things of God. I know it is that never ending joy he gives us as a free gift. Just because he loves us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. We are not condemned, but here is an offering that gives us a chance to understand it’s true meaning of being born again. Bible study that day taught us what the meaning of ‘what is hidden’ isn’t cheating, or lies, it’s a new joy of rebirth and a better way to learn the depth of God’s love. I love learning new and wonderful things. When I need correction and God reveals that to me in using ‘hidden’ ways, I can look at things with an open heart and accept the correction, not as condemnation, but as His forgiving promise. Pray with me… Jesus, continue to show those amazing ‘hidden things in my life. Help me to embrace them to make me more conscious of your amazing love. Help me to bring this awareness with me wherever I go. In your precious name, AMEN!  By Donna Churchill One of the first characteristics I think of when I think of the Lord is Provider. After my husband died over twenty years ago, the Lord promised me He would always be my Provider. Over the years His provision has taken many forms, not just financial. He has proven Himself faithful time and time again in providing. I have to admit, even after all this time, sometimes I am still amazed at how He does that. I’d like to share some recent provisions that left me in awe of Him all over again! I love snow; I truly do! It is so beautiful! I love the big, fat, fluffy flakes that fall slowly from the sky when the world seems to go completely silent. Growing up in Vermont, it was never much of a problem to see those kinds of flakes, but over the last few years, our winters have been very different. Even this winter where there has seemed to be snow aplenty, we have not seen many snowfalls with the big fluffy flakes. A few weeks ago, I expressed to the Lord how I would just love to see those big flakes at least once this winter. A few days later, my work day was unexpectedly canceled, so I was home for the day. I walked into my den, sat in my chair preparing to spend some time with the Lord. I happened to turn in my chair and as I looked out the window, I was speechless! Great big, fat, fluffy snowflakes were falling slowly from the sky! I was mesmerized and awed again with my Savior. I sat for at least ½ hour expressing my thanks and gratitude to Him, watching those big, fat, fluffy flakes fall. His faithfulness and provision given in such a small thing! This next provision - for a few reasons, I can’t share many details, but I can share that I was concerned about a financial need. I’m not usually one to worry about these things, but there was absolutely nothing I could do about this particular need and this concern had turned to worry. I confessed that worry to the Lord and expressed that He had never let me down and I knew He wouldn’t this time either. I had no idea how He would come through, but I knew I needed to trust Him in a way I hadn’t had to in a long time. He proved Himself faithful again. A check that I was expecting came and it was for almost 6x the amount I was expecting, covering the expense that I had!! His faithfulness and provision given in a big thing! This last provision, to me, is the greatest of these three. I have been walking with the Lord for a little over 50 years (yes, I’m that old!) In all that time, I have dealt with a besetting sin that I have prayed and prayed about. I had some revelation about it through the years and there were times of confession, but I never felt I could see the root of it. Over the last couple of years, things escalated and this sin affected a relationship I had with a dear friend; we’ve been friends for almost 40 years and her grace covered me time and time again. Over the last six months, she and I have had a few conversations regarding this and we have prayed together about it. I am so blessed that God provided such a friend to walk with me through this and that she did not abandon our friendship. She would have had every reason to. Just a few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit revealed the root of this sin! What a day of rejoicing that was for me! I was able to see what I couldn’t see before, because now I was ready to see it and repent, ask forgiveness and trust in the change God was doing in my heart. I am so thankful that God’s discipline is evidence of His love and His love never fails! His faithfulness and provision given in the greatest thing – a changed heart! I pray that these experiences of mine and testimonies of God’s provision and faithfulness have encouraged you. His love and heart toward us desires to provide all things for us – from the small things to the big things to the greatest thing! Don’t stop asking, don’t stop trusting and don’t stop believing! He is faithful and He will provide! He truly is Jehovah-Jireh, our provider, in all things!  By Kaydeen Edwards
The journey with God is a series of blessings and battles. Isn’t that the truth. It’s the reality of the life that we as children of God experience. Sometimes we will be blessed other times in a battle, then there is also times we are blessed in the battle. That happens more often than not. We are facing a battle while simultaneously being blessed. The strategy of the enemy is to keep our focus on the battle that we miss the blessings. The Psalmists say’s in psalm 103:2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Remembering his past faithfulness is what keeps us in and gets us through the battle. Remembering Gods faithfulness also gives us a new focus and perspective in the battle, it fixes our eyes on Jesus the one who endured the cross. When he says follow him it means that we have a cross of our own to carry. The lives, we live as Christians won’t be easy. It is a series of blessings and battles. However, the testing of our faith produces perseverance. James.1:2-4 says, consider pure joy when facing trials, a many kinds because we know the testing of our faith produces perseverance let perseverance finish its work in us that we may be mature and complete not lacking anything.  By Rebecca Vickery
Refuge-(noun)- a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. I don’t know about you, but for me, these days have been so overwrought with trials in every direction. There is not a physical refuge. I cannot get away from the onslaught. It is pervasive. From within, from without, I am hard pressed on all sides. When I am in spatial peace, my thoughts attack with a million different what-ifs. The present seems so volatile, so what does that say for the future? And then I hear the refrain, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough worries of its own.” And I repeat it for myself. Thank you, Lord, for the reminder. My heart is gently reminded back into the present. And so it goes. My heart and mind wander into anxiousness, and the Spirit brings me back. Still… it seems the safe spaces are shrinking, my peace with it, and the enemy seems to be making headway across the board. I lift my eyes up to the Lord, where does my help come from? And suddenly, the world entire halts for a moment. It’s just me in the presence of the Lord and His presence surrounds me. The voices of my enemies quiet for a moment. The stresses of my environment cease for this moment. My racing thoughts find themselves a stoplight. There was a song written by Lifehouse in the year 2000. “Find me here and speak to me. I want to feel you; I need to hear you. You are the light that’s leading me to the place where I find peace again.” I have to be led back to that place. Again, and again. But the more I am led there, the more I want to return there. He is my refuge. A very present help in times of trouble. HE IS. I don’t know of another time when I have most needed him to be there for me. And He is. I don’t have to leave my geographical location to meet with him. I simply have to do it. A few nights ago I was overwhelmed by my gratitude towards God for being there for me. And I was reminded of a time when my heart was so prone to wander. I wrote the following poem in response: Eternal Father Who was and is and ever more shall be You have been my shelter Lord You have been an ever present help for me My refuge in times of trouble Lord I’m done walking away I want to go where you go Lord I’m done having my way I want to stay with you You’ve been so gracious as I’ve sought my own agenda You’ve brought me back when I’ve wandered far But I have traveled that rocky cliff side And I don’t to go without you, Lord, no Precious Lord, please lead me on Whatever way it is we need to go And if it’s face first into the storm Make me mighty like your buffalo Through the ice, through the wind, the rain and snow I’m done running off the other way, if you lead me onward If you bid me stay I will walk with you, with faith like a child My hand in yours through the fierce and wild I do not want any other way In Matthew Jesus chastised Jerusalem, and laments “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!” I want to be gathered. I don’t want to be resistant when I could be finding shelter under his wings. The Lord is not waiting to jump out and say “gotcha,” he longs to gather his children to himself. How often have I allowed myself to spin out in anxiousness and sadness when I could have been seeking refuge with the most high God. My friends, God is not absent. Sometimes we forget how much of a privilege it is to simply BE in the presence of God. To be found by Him and be known as His. If this world pushes you to the end of yourself, meditate on Psalm 46 and remember that He is an ever present help in times of trouble. Peace be with you.  by Peggie Potter
John 14:12-15 So after He had washed their feet& put His robe back on& reclined again, He said to them, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher' & 'Master"-& rightly you say for I am. So if I your Master & Teacher, have washed your feet , you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example-you should do for each other what I have done for you . John 14:12-14 Amen, amen I tell you, he who puts his trust in Me, the works that I do he will do & greater than these he will do, because I am going to the Father. We praise & worship Jesus s our Savior & King for indeed he is ! But there is an equally important aspect of Jesus too often overlooked: He is our example ! Jesus was born human & walked in our shoes on this Earth, on & among His own creation & subjected to time which He also created. He knew hunger, fatigue, discomfort, & pain as well as heavy demands on His Person. He experienced poverty & need. He came into this world as a helpless infant 7 left as God's sacrificial Lamb for all our sakes. Knowing this as well as that there is no way any of us could possibly pay Him back for all He has done for us, His one big request of all of us is that we show the same selfless love, compassion, & concern-His servant's heart- He showed to each one of us . Remember that : He forgave us ! We are expected to forgive one another (Matthew 18:32). He gave of Himself to us ! We should do the same for our neighbors! He instructed us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31) He lived this example in that He provided healing & sustenance. He laid down His very Life for us all because He "would that none should perish, but that all should come to everlasting life in Him" (2 Peter 3:9)- we too should feel this burden for the lost as well as members of His Body who were once LOST AS WELL! He forgave & even served those considered His enemies-from the Roman centurion & Samaritan & Syro-Phoenician women who sought healing for loved ones as well as forgiveness to those who persecuted & executed Him. It is true that living as Christ requires the same servant's heart as He had while on this Earth. And as in his case, the eternal rewards make it all worth it, not only for ourselves, but for others who see Jesus' Love in us & as a result give their lives to him as well ! Hebrews 2:17-18 Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so he might become a merciful & faithful Kohen Gadol (High Priest) in matters relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. |
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