Speaking Truth in Love

A devotional blog of Encouragement, Faith & Truth.

3 Things to Stop and 3 Things to Start During the Coronavirus

 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

God has given us, the Church keys to use.

Something struck me as I was reading this morning in Matthew 16:18-19.  What struck me was that God has given us, the Church keys to use.

So what does this mean for us right now in the midst of this Coronavirus pandemic? What are the keys that God has given us that we can use today as a Church? The keys mentioned are symbolic of the authority that God has given His Church. The keys Jesus gave were to be used to bind (stop) those things that are already bound up in Heaven and to loose (start) those things which are already loosed in Heaven.

In this passage, Jesus tells His disciples that Peter’s confession of Him being the Anointed One, the Christ was revealed to Peter by our Father in Heaven. With that confession, Jesus says that He would build His Church. He would build His church on a solid foundation in which not even the gates of Hell, or death would be able to penetrate. Along with this solid foundation, Jesus gave us “keys” to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

There are 3 Things We Can Stop.

There are 3 Things We Can Stop and 3 Things we can Start. We can use our keys to STOP:

  1. Our fear. Fear has torment and God has not given us as believers a spirit of fear. 1 John 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7
  2. Our doubt. We cannot doubt that God is sovereign in all of this.  We cannot be double-minded about our faith because of what we see and hear on the news. That my friends would make us unstable. James 1:6-7
  3. Our anger. Right now statistics are showing that domestic violence has increased as a result of this pandemic. Anger doesn’t resolve anything and easily gives place to the enemy of our souls. James 1:20; Ephesians 4:26-27.

    We can use our keys to START:
  1. Our COURAGE.  God is with us in this battle so that we can be strong and courageous. God will never leave us nor forsake us. Joshua 1:5-7
  2. Our FAITH. This is an opportunity to trust God like never before.  This is an opportunity to increase our faith, by reading His Word. Romans 10:17
  3. Our LOVE. God is love and has given us the spirit of Love, power and a sound mind. We’re His people who are called by His name. We should be the first ones to show the Love of God to others, be it our neighbors or a stranger. 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Mark 12:31

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie

Taking Authority

Concluding our celebration of Women’s Month, our final quote comes from the most famous woman of all time…Mary the mother of Jesus.

This may sound bizarre, but this quote from Mary the mother of Jesus always reminded of a scene in The Godfather Part 3, where Connie, the sister of Michael Corleone, tells her nephew Vincent, “Do it”, referring to him taking out one of their rivals. 

It’s a scene where she takes authority over a situation to protect her brother and the family. Mary the mother of Jesus speaks with that kind of authority in the above verse.

The definition of authority is a): the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior; b): freedom granted by one in authority

So to give you some context of what’s happening in the passage of Scripture, Mary, Jesus, and His disciples were invited to a huge wedding in Cana, a town in Galilee. Unfortunately, the wine runs out and Mary takes it upon herself to inquire of the Lord and ask if there’s something He can do?  Jesus basically tells her this is not the time for me to do anything because His hour had not yet come. Now, when I think of Mary,  I usually think of her as this sweet, quiet woman who bore our Lord and Savior. But look at how she responds to the servants at the wedding in response to what Jesus replied:

Mary then went to the servers and told them, “Whatever Jesus tells you, make sure that you do it!”  –

John 2:5 The Passion Translation

Bam! Now that’s taking authority!

There are 3 things we can learn from this passage and specifically from Mary herself.

  1. Mary knew the authority and power of Jesus. She wasn’t afraid to tap into it either. She asked Him specifically what he could do about the wine? She had no doubt that He could do something to change the situation.
    As believers, we should have no doubts about what Jesus can do in our situations. 
    Think of “the woman with the issue of blood” (Luke 8:42-48).  It took 12 years, but she knew that her deliverance, her solution to her 12-year problem was through Jesus Christ.
  2. Mary used her authority.  Mary didn’t hesitate nor was she afraid to approach Jesus about the matter of the wine.  She also didn’t hesitate to tell the servants to do whatever it is that Jesus tells them to do. Mary was fully aware of Jesus’ power and authority and it gave her the freedom and confidence to address the servants.
     
  3. Our faith should rest on the authority of Jesus Christ. Mary’s faith in her Son rested on knowing that all authority was given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). By that, she could rest in knowing that the lack of wine at the wedding would be resolved.   The servants, in turn, did exactly what Jesus told them without question and a miracle took place. 

I don’t know about you, but I need to remind myself and practice by faith the authority that Jesus has given me over certain areas of my life and to realize that He is the final authority.

Be encouraged!
Stephanie

“What Are You Holding”?

In the wake of everything going on around us right now, this quote speaks volumes! How many of us are holding on to stuff that in the grand scheme of life, we can’t take with us, and won’t have any value? Closer to home and to our heart is WHO are we holding onto that we don’t want to let go of?

I know for myself it’s my children, my husband. For many of us, our families, maybe a best friend is core to who we hold onto in our hearts. It’s hard to let go of people we’re close to and love especially when we lose them suddenly without notice.

Jesus reminds us in Luke 14:26 AMP – “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]—he cannot be My disciple.

Tough words? Yes. But the time we’re living in is a stark reminder that only what we have in Christ can we hold onto and take with us into eternity. Be Encouraged!❤️
Stephanie

Prayer: Father, help me hold onto you only and not people or the things of this world. I thank you for your love for me that will follow me into eternity. In Jesus Name! Amen.

“Whatever You Do, Don’t Stumble!”

“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. - John 16:1

Whatever you do don’t stumble… To stumble means to trip or momentarily lose one’s balance; almost fall. In Greek, it means to trip up.  

The context in which Jesus was speaking to His disciples was essentially giving them a heads up on what they can expect as a result of following Him. He tells them in the Gospel Matthew 24 in great detail what to expect in the last days as His second coming approaches.

He let them know in John 15:18 that if the world hated Him, it would hate them too. 

Friends, nothing has changed.

What Jesus said to His disciples over 2000 years ago, applies to us in the Body of Christ, i.e. the Church today.  Jesus warned His disciples that as they represent Him, as they speak the Truth of God, there will be people who won’t receive it, who will hate them as a result!  But He tells them in John 16:1 don’t let any of that trip you up or cause you to stumble.  

Ok, so what does that mean for us today in 2020? How is it that we stumble?

We stumble not necessarily because of obstacles in our way, but because we are not paying attention.  Let’s say I’m walking down the street, and talking on my phone and all of sudden I trip on something in my path.  Yes, there’s something in my path, but had I been paying attention as I walk, I would have seen that obstacle and not tripped or stumbled over it.  

For us, the obstacle(s) can be the coronavirus, the economy, the political upheaval, etc. As a result, many Christ-followers are stumbling and getting tripped up and caught up.  Why? Because they’re not paying attention.

We’re paying more attention to what the news media and social media, are saying, instead of paying close attention to what God is saying in His Word. 
Jesus was speaking to His disciples then and He’s speaking to us NOW. 

He’s saying to His Bride: these things I’ve spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 

Look at how John 16:1 reads in The Passion Translation: 

“I have told you this so that you would not surrender to confusion or doubt.”

Many in the Church and in our society have surrendered to confusion and fear because of what’s happening right now.  They’re doubting the TRUTH of what God said and what He promised.  

Jesus Has Overcome the World

Jesus told us not to let our hearts be troubled or dismayed.  He let us know beforehand that in this WORLD, we would have tribulation, but that in Him we could have peace and be of good cheer because He’s OVERCOME the world! (John 14:1, 16:33) 

Friends, let’s not surrender to confusion and fear. Let’s not doubt and stumble at what we hear and see on the news.  Let us be diligent and careful not to lean to our own understanding, but to lean on God’s Truth in these evil days.  

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie

Prayer: Father, help me to trust You and not stumble on what I hear and see in this world.  I want to focus on what you have said in Your Word and not lean to my own understanding.  I receive Your Peace in this time of tribulation. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Knowing God

Philippians 3:8 – Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

I love the above quote from Christian author, speaker, and radio host, Joni Eareckson Tada. It forces us to look at ourselves inwardly and see the importance of knowing God in a real sense.

Joni Eareckson at the age of 17 was left as a quadriplegic, paralyzed from a terrible horseback riding accident.

Joni Eareckson’s words are a powerful reminder and example of the intimacy of knowing the Lord to the point that nothing else in this world matters.

The verse in Philippians and Joni’s quote reminds me that:

1. I can’t take for granted the most basic things of my life like getting out of bed or brushing my teeth.
2. No matter what I have by way of material things if I don’t know or have Christ I have NOTHING.  

Paul came to that place in his life where knowing God was the only thing that mattered. Joni Eareckson and Paul have the same thing in common:

The things of this world were rubbish to them.

I like how the King James Version renders the word rubbish as “dung”! Wow!

As we continue on this week, let’s thank God for the little things we’re able to do. Let’s strive to know God in a way that helps us realize everything else in this life is rubbish!

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie

Are You Resting In Peace?

This past week, I drove by a cemetery on my way to shop for groceries. The thought came to me as I passed why do we always say rest in peace when someone dies? It made me think of the message my Pastor did last Sunday on the subject of rest. He emphasized the importance of entering into God’s rest for every area of our lives and give those areas over to God. When we do, we receive God’s peace.

When we believe in Christ we enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:2-3) and into His peace (John 14:27) NOW while we’re alive. The sad reality is once we die unless we’ve accepted Jesus as Savior, there is no resting and certainly no peace.

However, we ALL have the opportunity to trust God. We can trust Him for every area of our life. We can give Him every worry, every concern, every frustration that troubles directly to Him. Is it always easy? No. But I know from personal experience that when I cast that care or burden onto the Lord, He gave me peace about that situation and His Word tells us that His peace is not of this world.

When we Rest in the Peace that Christ gives, He will keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). That’s the kind of “Rest in Peace” I want.

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie

Prayer: Father, thank you for Your Rest and Your Peace that the world cannot give to me. I receive and want to enter into that rest for my eternal soul and every area of my life. In Jesus name! Amen!

What I Want People To Remember

In honor of March being the month to celebrate “Women’s History”, Winsome Word of Wisdom Wednesday will feature inspirational quotes from women who’ve made a positive influence or impact on others.

Today, we’re featuring the poet Maya Angelou.

Her quote on the importance of how you make others feel resonates with me. I want people to remember how I made them laugh and that they mattered to me and that they felt encouraged when I spoke to them.
Jesus said in Luke 10:27 that we should love Him first, and love others as we love ourselves. Wanting to feel loved is something we all desire. So how do you want people to remember the way you made them feel? Let me know in the comments.

As always Be Encouraged!

Stephanie

Saying the Right Thing At The Right Time

Proverbs 15:23 – Everyone enjoys giving great advice. But how delightful it is to say the right thing at the right time!

“If I were you….”  How many of you have received advice that began with those words?  

Sometimes the advice given was welcoming and helpful.  Other times, it could be off the mark and cause more confusion than clarity for us.  

This is especially true if the person giving the advice really doesn’t understand your situation since they haven’t gone through what you’re going through.

A very good friend of mine that I work with in ministry has a saying, “people’s opinions are like elbows…everyone has one!”  It sounds funny, but advice from folks (myself included) can be just like that too!

The verse in Proverbs 15:23 made me think about how often have I received or been quick to give advice. How much of that advice was what I or the other person needed to hear in that moment?

Although it’s great for us to want to be helpful and offer advice to someone, it’s important that we not lean to our own understanding.

It will be more helpful and delightful to that person for us to be quick to listen to them first. Then ask the Lord to help you say the right thing, at the right time.

Be encouraged!
Stephanie

Prayer: Father, I ask that you help me today to say the right words at the right time to someone that needs it, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

For more wisdom on how we should speak, check out the Winsome Word of Wisdom post on "Gracious Speech".

A Fool’s Heart

The Bible speaks a lot about what makes a fool and foolish behavior. We are living in a time where expressing yourself and how you feel trumps (no pun intended) anything else.

Today’s Winsome Word of Wisdom Wednesday post is based on Proverbs 18:2.

The definition of a fool according to Webster’s Dictionary is a person lacking in judgment or prudence; a harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding.

Proverbs 18:2 speaks of a person who has no pleasure or interest in understanding. He or she is more concerned with speaking or expressing their feelings and thoughts. In essence, a fool is one who just speaks his mind with no regard for anyone else.

We are living in a time where expressing yourself and how you feel trumps (no pun intended) anything else.

We have become “fools” as a society in that we are not interested in understanding the other person’s side of things. We’ve become more focused on talking at each other instead of talking to each other.

So how can we express our hearts without being foolish? Well, the simple and wise answer can be found in James 1:19. True wisdom, which is from God, is more ready to listen than to speak.

Let’s remember that we don’t always have to agree with each other, but we should always listen to and respect each other.

Be encouraged!
Stephanie

A Prayer for Understanding Others: Father, help me to be quick to listen rather than quick to speak my mind. Give me wisdom to delight in understanding the differences of others, and be respectful in expressing myself. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Does Going to Church Make You A Christian?

Does going to church make you a Christian? What exactly does it mean to be a Christian? Our “Thought For Today” quote reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 about people coming to Him on the last day saying “Lord, Lord”, and thinking that they’re in good with Jesus.  When in fact nothing could be further from the truth. It takes more than just sitting in a pew each week to make us a Christian. God is not going to take attendance when we get to the other side. Yet, how many people every Sunday go to church as if it’s a call of duty, yet have no heart for God? 

Many people are deceived into thinking that just by going to church or even doing good deeds, they will be granted entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Listen to what Jesus said in John 3:16: 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.

Did you hear that? He said whoever believes in him. Who is him”? The Lord Jesus Christ. When we believe in Him, we won’t perish but will have eternal life with Him, the Lord Jesus in Heaven. This is what so many of us long for.

So you may be wondering, how do we become a Christian? How can we believe in Him? The way to do that is found in Romans 10:9 where Paul tells us …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That my friend is good news! Be encouraged!
Stephanie

Do It With Enthusiasm

Truer words were never spoken!

We can’t expect great things to come out of our being “blah”! This quote is a great reminder to us to show enthusiasm whether we’re at work or play. It’s hard sometimes to be enthusiastic when having deadlines at the job or dealing with an overbearing boss.

But, Paul told the church in Colossians 3:23 that:  …whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

So, as we go to work this week, let’s remember who our real Boss is and do our job as unto Him!

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie

Every Wednesday Speaking Truth In Love will feature an inspiring lighthearted quote, thought, or scripture to encourage you. Check out the post on how our speech should be gracious from last Wednesday’s “Winsome Word of Wisdom” click here.

Gracious Speech

Every Wednesday will feature an inspiring lighthearted quote, thought, or scripture to encourage you the rest of the week.

Today, we’re featuring a verse from the Apostle Paul found in Colossians 4:6. It can be a challenge to many of us, like myself to watch what we say. This is the most challenging and apparent when I’m at home. As a wife and mother, it’s easy for me to slip up and say the wrong thing or just say what’s on my mind in the heat of the moment.

I’m thankful that God’s Word reminds us of how we should talk. Although we may not hit the mark every time, we have God’s grace which is sufficient. We also have his forgiveness which is eternal!

Be encouraged!
Stephanie

The Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:10 states that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. So let’s be honest with ourselves and admit that we do love money. One of the evils of the love of money is greed. Greed is a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed.

I will say that it’s not wrong to have money, it’s just wrong when money has us.

Money is mentioned 140 times in the Bible. Clearly it’s a topic of importance to God. I certainly, won’t contradict God’s Word and say that the love of money is a good thing. I will say that it’s not wrong to have money, it’s just wrong when money has us.

When I think of some of my own financial burdens, it’s easy for me to focus on money I don’t have. I think it’s fair to say we all can identify with the importance the role money plays in our lives. However, the danger comes when our thoughts about money turns toward:

  1. Desiring what we see others have such as nice cars, homes, finances, etc…
  2. Desiring to acquire more money for things/stuff just to keep up with the latest and greatest.
  3. Trusting in financial/material posessions rather than trusting God.

In His parable of “The Rich Fool” in Luke 12:21, Jesus reminds us to be rich toward the things of God, not the things of this world. Paul gives us both a remedy and a reality check regarding this: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie

1 Timothy 6:6-7

Prayer: Father, help me to trust you more and not my finances. Let my love be for You, not the things of this world. I thank you for supplying all my needs according to your riches and glory in Christ Jesus! Amen!