Prayer Closets

Posted on by Betsy

How many of you have a quiet place in your house designated for being in God’s presence? Jesus suggests in our passage today that we have a special place in our homes where we can shut the door and shut out the world in order to pray. he was encouraging his followers to not be like the hypocrite Pharisees who make quite a show of public prayer. Instead, he invites us to the humble posture of private prayer in our place with God. How reassuring it is to hear that the Father is present in that secret place! 

Matthew 6:6 (Common English Bible)

5 “When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. 6 But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.” 

I love this concept. I have a favorite place in my house to read, write, and pray. My place is a chair that belonged to my mother that faces corner windows that look over the harbor in Colington. I easily lose the worries of the world as I sit there gazing at the geese, ducks, water, and boats. Almost everything I have written over the last twelve years has been written in that spot. God is there for me, and we talk continuously throughout the day. So while mine isn’t actually a closet, it certainly works for me. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t dare try to pray in any of my closets because they are way too messy! I would end up spending my time trying to organize the mess and trying on old clothes.

Thomas A Kempis, a medieval priest and the author of “The Imitation of Christ,” writes lovingly of his own prayer closet:

“You will find in your “closet of prayer” what you frequently lose when you are out in the world. The more you visit it, the more you will want to return. If you are faithful to your secret place, it will become your closest friend and bring you much comfort. The tears shed there bring cleansing.”

I hope this beautiful language encourages you to spend some time in a place where you can shut the door and shut out the world. Remember, God will meet you in that secret place.

My Secret Place

Once and for All

Posted on by Betsy

It is a marvelous feeling when you are able to complete a project and know that it is finished, once and for all. I feel this way on Sunday mornings after I have delivered (for better or for worse) a sermon that I won’t ever have to look at again. After hours and hours of research, study, writing, rehearsing, and refining, I am ready to be well and truly done with it. I also look forward to that moment when I am able to hit “send” and submit a manuscript to my United Methodist Publishing house editor, knowing that it is finally off my assignment desk once and for all. The relief that comes when you know a task has been completed satisfactorily and won’t have to be attempted again is one of the best feelings in the world. Do you feel this way when you reach the end of a work project? I think we all do, which explains why everyone hates doing the laundry. There absolutely is no “once and for all” when it comes to doing the laundry.

Our lectionary passage today teaches us about the best once and for all we will ever experience when we give our lives to Christ. He is the ultimate once and for all. With him, we need never go back to a wandering, wondering, sinful life, but instead are able to put ourselves under his authority and live according to his will.

The writer of Hebrews is anonymous. Scholars used to think that Paul wrote it but didn’t put his name on it, but other theories have arisen, including an interesting one that suggests that Pricilla (along with Aquila) wrote it and hid her identity because it would have been controversial to have a female writer at the time. (I’m glad we’re over that, once and for all!) In any case, the writer focuses on God and God’s imminently superior perfect sacrifice as it was embodied in Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 10 (Common English Bible)

4 because it’s impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

5 Therefore, when he comes into the world he says,

You didn’t want a sacrifice or an offering,
    but you prepared a body for me;
6 you weren’t pleased with entirely burned offerings or a sin offering.
7     So then I said,
    “Look, I’ve come to do your will, God.
    This has been written about me in the scroll.”

You may recognize these words from our recent devotional about Psalm 40. Jesus is quoting that psalm as proof of his messiahship, which had been written about by the prophets. In his action on the cross, the old covenant was forever replaced with the new covenant of Jesus’ once and for all sacrifice.

8 He says above, You didn’t want and you weren’t pleased with a sacrifice or an offering or with entirely burned offerings or a purification offering, which are offered because the Law requires them. 9 Then he said, Look, I’ve come to do your will. He puts an end to the first to establish the second. 10 We have been made holy by God’s will through the offering of Jesus Christ’s body once for all.

Two things to mention about verses 8-10, which also give us our call to action today. First, Jesus sole and primary mission was to do God’s will. Second, all are made holy by God’s will through Jesus.

What is God’s will for you today? May you be made holy by following his will through Jesus.

A Pure Offering by Michelle Robertson

Deep Within

Posted on by Betsy

Somewhere in his childhood, my husband memorized the classic poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. We were watching a movie last week when someone started to recite it incorrectly and out from the depths of my husband’s soul came the correct version of this nonsensical poem from Carroll’s novel Through the Looking Glass.

“Twas brillig, and the slimy doves/Did gyre and simple in the wabe …” It was impressive to see how something buried deep within his mind could immediately come forth when needed. I have often stood before a congregation or sat in a church meeting and wished I could recite long pieces of Scripture from memory, but alas, I do not have that gift. How about you? Have you worked to memorize Scripture? One of the commentators of the original Disciple Bible Study once said that the only Bible you actually own is the one you can access in a foxhole: In other words, the one in your mind and memory.

David’s beautiful psalm today is a reminder of the importance of keeping God’s Word and God’s will deep within our psyche. He lays out the argument that God really isn’t interested in our animal sacrifices or thoughtless offerings, but rather God desires our obedience and trust.

Psalm 40 (Common English Bible)
You, Lord my God!
    You’ve done so many things—
    your wonderful deeds and your plans for us—
        no one can compare with you!
    If I were to proclaim and talk about all of them,
        they would be too numerous to count!
6 You don’t relish sacrifices or offerings;
    you don’t require entirely burned offerings or compensation offerings—
    but you have given me ears!

I think that in order to be obedient to God and to do his will requires a certain amount of studying, meditating, and then acting on his instruction. For that to happen, God’s instruction must be deep within us.
7 So I said, “Here I come!
    I’m inscribed in the written scroll.
8     I want to do your will, my God.
    Your Instruction is deep within me.”
9 I’ve told the good news of your righteousness
    in the great assembly.
    I didn’t hold anything back—
        as you well know, Lord!

David reminds us that a wholly sold out response to God is what God desires. Holding nothing back, we are invited to not only do God’s will but tell others about his faithfulness and salvation.
10 I didn’t keep your righteousness only to myself.
    I declared your faithfulness and your salvation.
I didn’t hide your loyal love and trustworthiness
    from the great assembly.

I am glad that you are reading Scripture with me in these devotionals and pray that you internalize God’s messages here and through your regular Bible study and worship habits. You never know when you might be called upon to jabberwocky some Scripture in the assembly!

Peace Deep Within

Nothing is Impossible

Posted on by Betsy

Name a task or goal that you feel is completely impossible. For me, running a full Marathon, opening a pickle jar, and understanding how we got to where we are in our country today are things on my “impossible list.” Try as I might, I will never achieve these goals, but fortunately, my life does not depend on any of them coming to fruition.

Our lectionary passage today offers a beautiful word of hope about the impossible. It may seem strange to land at the beginning of the nativity narrative in Luke when we are smack in the middle of Lent but bear with me. This week we will celebrate the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel came to a young virgin named Mary to announce the good news that she would bear the messiah.

Luke 1 (Common English Bible)

26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”

We learn three things about Mary in what Gabriel said to her. First, she was highly favored by God. Second, the Lord was with her. Third, she was blessed. Do you know that Scripture assures the same of us? Ephesians 1:6 reminds us that we, too, are favored by God. Jesus’ last words as recorded in Matthew 28:20 tell us that God is with us always. And according to Ephesians 1:3, we too are blessed. I think this indicates that like Mary, we can experience the power of God when he calls us to do the hard and even impossible things.

34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. 36 Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. 37 Nothing is impossible for God.”

The word “overshadow” in verse 35 translates to “to cover with a cloud.” We are immediately taken back to our Old Testament history of the Shekinah, which was the visible sign of the manifestation of God’s glory and presence. (See Exodus 16:10.) And the message is clear: No word of God shall be powerless … no thing attempted or needing to be done is impossible for God.

38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Mary’s servant-response should be ours as well. Let it be with us just as you have said. We trust in you, Lord!

Bring it on.

Overshadowed in Glory

Second Chance

Posted on by Betsy

Being a pastor for several decades has allowed me to be present with people in the holy time of their death. I have been given the privilege of ministering to families during these moments, and I truly feel God’s spirit there. I was once interviewed by a troop of Girl Scouts who asked me about my favorite aspect of pastoring, and they were very surprised when I responded that “ministry with the dying” was where I felt closest to God. They asked me if it was easier after someone had been sick for a long time or when it happened all of a sudden, and there really is no answer for that. But when we experience the sudden death of a loved one, the shock and incomprehensible nature of what has occurred can leave us disoriented, in denial, and unable to move forward for a very long time. A factor in that disorientation can be the loved one’s lack of preparation for their death, making it a sticky tar pit of overwhelming red tape, paperwork, and details that are almost impossible to wade through. This bodes the question of us today: Are you prepared? What will happen to your loved ones if you were to die tomorrow?

Today’s lectionary reading begins with a startling description of two types of “sudden death.” One occurred by the evil hand of Pilate when he slaughtered Galilean jews who were on their way to bring their sacrifices to the temple in Jerusalem. The second involved the sudden death of innocent bystanders when the tower of Siloam fell on them. Jesus responded to his questioners by pointing out that both cases sound a warning blast about our need to change our hearts and lives immediately. He reasoned that anyone might die in the same state of unreadiness, so repentance is the only way to be prepared.

Luke 13 (Common English Bible)

13 Some who were present on that occasion told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices.2 He replied, “Do you think the suffering of these Galileans proves that they were more sinful than all the other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did. 4 What about those eighteen people who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more guilty of wrongdoing than everyone else who lives in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did.”

There was a pervasive thought at the time that suffering and death were a punishment for sinful behavior, while those who were good received only blessings and long life. Jesus assured them that this is not the case, and they must all turn away and choose real change in their lives by offering God true repentance.

Jesus uses two Greek words for repentance in this passage. In verse 3 he speaks of the need for “continuing” repentance and in verse 5 he refers to the need for a “once and for all” repentance. His point was that we may all die at sometime without warning, so repentance must be our first priority.

6 Jesus told this parable: “A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 He said to his gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ 8 The gardener responded, ‘Lord, give it one more year, and I will dig around it and give it fertilizer. 9 Maybe it will produce fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’”

The parable that he tells after this offers them an invitation to be truly ready to die. Like the fig tree, many of them (and us) have failed to bear God’s fruit. God always comes looking for fruit!

Galatians 5 (Common English Bible)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.

God-as-Gardner is patient and comes every year to help the tree grow. He waters it with his word and fertilizes it with his spirit. He offers a second chance. But God-as-Vineyard Owner has a limit: At some point, no more chances will come. Look at the list again. Are you bearing God’s fruit in your life? What needs to change?

The lesson here? Sudden death doesn’t get a second chance. Don’t delay your repentance. It is time to turn around and turn your life over to God.

Don’t Delay by Michelle Robertson

Listen, Look, and Seek

Posted on by Betsy

I get ridiculously excited when I spot my first osprey returning to the Outer Banks after the long winter away. Ospreys are coastal raptors who dive into water to catch fish. They are creatures of habit who return to the same large, stick-nest year after year. My community has erected several tall nest platforms along our waters, and each spring we enjoy watching them return to have their babies. As soon as I spot daffodils popping up in my neighbor’s yards, I begin to listen for their delightful chirps and whistles. I train my eyes upward on my walks to spot their arrival. It is a rite of passage for me to see my first osprey every year, and I tear up every time it happens. The picture below was taken last week at such a first-sighting, when this magnificent fellow swooped down over my head in observant circles before landing on his high perch at the marina. You can see the large stick he carried in his talons for building his nest. Welcome home, dear fellow! I have been waiting and watching for you.

Our beautiful lectionary passage from Isaiah today invites us to come to the water to drink and eat of God’s goodness. Watch for the repetition of the words listen, look, and seek.

Isaiah 55 (Common English Bible)

 All of you who are thirsty, come to the water!
Whoever has no money, come, buy food and eat!
Without money, at no cost, buy wine and milk!
2 Why spend money for what isn’t food,
    and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy?

Listen carefully to me and eat what is good;
    enjoy the richest of feasts.
3 Listen and come to me;
    listen, and you will live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful loyalty to David.

We are invited to come and receive God’s blessing of being richly spiritually fed. But if we aren’t thirsty for what God can give us, we will never come. What are you thirsty for? Is it poured out by the Holy Spirit or found in the marketplace of the world? God’s wine, milk, and food are offered at no cost. What price are you paying for the things you consume that are not of God? When we fill ourselves of the empty calories of gossip, anger, hatred, evil, and greed, we starve ourselves of the sustenance that matters.

4 Look, I made him a witness to the peoples,
    a prince and commander of peoples.
5 Look, you will call a nation you don’t know,
    a nation you don’t know will run to you
    because of the Lord your God,
    the holy one of Israel, who has glorified you.

Look up and see what God is doing. The covenant he made with the shepherd boy David is fulfilled in the Good Shepherd Jesus. Isaiah invites us to seek the Lord in an attitude of worship and repentance. God is generous with forgiveness: We can come to his waters and be cleansed.

6 Seek the Lord when he can still be found;
    call him while he is yet near.
7 Let the wicked abandon their ways
    and the sinful their schemes.
Let them return to the Lord so that he may have mercy on them,
    to our God, because he is generous with forgiveness.

This last part is a humbling reminder that God’s thoughts, plans, and ways are not the same as ours. We falter and fall when we assume than they are. Instead, we are reminded to bow down to our God who knows way better than we do about what is actually good for us.

8 My plans aren’t your plans,
nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways,
    and my plans than your plans.

We are invited this Lent to return to the Lord like the ospreys return to the safety and sure provision of their nests. May we listen, look, and seek God in everything we do.

Welcome Home

Party Hats

Posted on by Betsy

A year ago my husband and I scheduled a trip that fell on my dog’s birthday. Not that she knew, mind you, as she can’t read a calendar, but I felt a little sad when I realized that we wouldn’t be home to wish her a happy 15th birthday. Fifteen is a big number for a large purebred dog who tips the scales at 100 pounds, so it is certainly a milestone to celebrate. When she was a puppy, the vet told us that her life expectancy was eight to twelve years, so we know we are living on blessed time.

Her dog sitter Teresa is her best friend. She brings Georgia’s second best friend when she comes to take care of her. He is a little mixed breed named Teddy, and he weighs about five pounds. I am always worried that Georgia will inadvertently sit on him, but so far they have managed a wonderful Mutt and Jeff friendship. Teresa has known Georgia all her life and was happy to learn that she would be staying in the house over Georgia’s birthday.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I began to receive birthday party pictures on the night of her birthday. But it was not just any celebration: It was a full-blown party with all my neighborhood crowded around my dining room table wearing festive party hats and holding up birthday banners. The table itself was laden with birthday cake, snacks, colorful plates, matching napkins, cards, and presents. Georgia and Teddy were given special cupcake-shaped dog biscuits and a grand time was had by all. Teddy didn’t want his, so Georgia got two. I laughed myself silly as each picture revealed more and more of the celebration. I truly have the best neighbors, don’t I? And God has blessed me with the best friend and dog sitter that a girl could ask for. And no, you can’t have her phone number.

Today’s psalm is a celebration of joy. David was in Judah and reflected on the goodness and provision of God. You may be surprised to see that I am using The Message translation this morning, which I do not usually do for the Psalms. But my browser was open to The Message, and somehow the phrases “prime rib and gravy” and “free to run and play” made me think that if Georgia could write a psalm, this is what it would sound like.

Psalm 63 (The Message)

God—you’re my God!
    I can’t get enough of you!
I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
    traveling across dry and weary deserts.

2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
    drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
    My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
    My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
    I smack my lips. It’s time to shout praises!
If I’m sleepless at midnight,
    I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you’ve always stood up for me,
    I’m free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
    and you hold me steady as a post.

We’re mid-way through Lent and today is a good day to pause and count our blessings. I definitely count my dog sitter and neighbors as huge blessings in my life. What can you praise God for this morning? Can you bless him today? What praises would you offer, even in the midst of what you are going through?

Hold on to God for dear life and remember he holds you steady as a post. So take some time today to run and play!

Fit for a Queen by Teresa Holloway

God’s Mother-heart

Posted on by Betsy

I have always appreciated the (few) references in the Bible that depict the female qualities of God. I was made in God’s image, so when I see a passage that reflects my gender, I feel deeply connected with my Creator. Surely male images of God abound, so when an image of God’s mother-heart pop up, it delights me.

In today’s passage we see Jesus’ desire to be like a mother hen to her vulnerable children. Oh, how he longed to gather up his chicks and keep them safe under his wings! I love the feel of that. Surely we all would like to be part of his brood, huddling in the warmth and safety of his protection.

The brood at the time of this writing was in deep trouble. Luke records the events that happened toward the end of Jesus’ ministry when Herod was seeking to kill him. Jesus steadfastly kept to his father’s agenda of healing and demon-casting. He knew his time would come in Jerusalem, and not before then.

Luke 13 (The Message)

31 Just then some Pharisees came up and said, “Run for your life! Herod’s got your number. He’s out to kill you!”

32-35 Jesus said, “Tell that fox that I’ve no time for him right now. Today and tomorrow I’m busy clearing out the demons and healing the sick; the third day I’m wrapping things up. Besides, it’s not proper for a prophet to come to a bad end outside Jerusalem.

Then Jesus’ thoughts turned to his beloved city, the city of David built on a hill for all to see. He knew his ministry would end here, as it had for many of the prophets who preceded him in that great city. His crucifixion would result in great turmoil for the city and especially for his followers, and he desired to gather them up. But they refused to be gathered.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets,
    abuser of the messengers of God!
How often I’ve longed to gather your children,
    gather your children like a hen,
Her brood safe under her wings—
    but you refused and turned away!
And now it’s too late: You won’t see me again
    until the day you say,
        ‘Blessed is he
        who comes in
        the name of God.’”

Just as Jesus longed to gather up the Jews, he longs to gather us up as well. He offers the protection and shelter of his wings and promises the mother-love that we need to thrive. Will you turn away, or come?

Safe by Michelle Robertson

Sanctuary

Posted on by Betsy

Where do you go when you don’t feel safe? For some, that place is home. I chatted with a friend the other day and she talked about people coming to her door unannounced. This is something that truly bothers her: Her home is her safe place, a fortress of comfort and security, and intrusions like someone knocking on the door are problematic for her. I feel exactly the same way.

For others, the sanctity of family, a deep friendship, or a happy marriage provide refuge in times of trouble. When you find yourself picking up your phone in stressful times to call or text, that person on the other end of the phone truly can be a bright light of salvation for you.

Every church has a special place called the “sanctuary” where worship is held, and God is encountered. Many of us know to flee to church when we feel we are under assault. From the root word sanctify, or holy place, sanctuaries over time became places of refuge and protection for persecuted people. Pardon my word nerdiness, but take a look at this excerpt from Etymology Online:

Since the time of Constantine and by medieval Church law, fugitives or debtors enjoyed immunity from arrest and ordinary operations of the law in certain churches, hence its use by mid-14. of churches or other holy places with a view to their inviolability. The transferred sense of “immunity from punishment by virtue of having taken refuge in a church or similar building” is by early 15c., also of the right to such. (Exceptions were made in England in cases of treason and sacrilege.)

The general (non-ecclesiastical) sense of “place of refuge or protection” is attested from 1560s; as “land set aside for wild plants or animals to breed and live” it is recorded by 1879 in reference to the American bison.

Even the bison have a place of sanctuary! So, too, have we.

Psalm 27 (Common English Bible)
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
        Should I fear anyone?
    The Lord is a fortress protecting my life.
        Should I be frightened of anything?
2 When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up—
    it’s they, my foes and my enemies,
    who stumble and fall!

All of us have some type of foe or enemy. David had entire nations of enemies rising up against Israel in war. Ours our probably more local: the neighbor who disrespects boundaries, the Facebook poster who disrespects your opinion, the ex-spouse who disrespects you in front of the kids, etc. But David reminds us to not be afraid because we can trust in the Lord and look forward to that time when we abide with him in his house where we will all get along. Heaven is our ultimate sanctuary. And do you know what won’t be part of heaven? Facebook.

3 If an army camps against me,
        my heart won’t be afraid.
    If war comes up against me,
        I will continue to trust in this:
4     I have asked one thing from the Lord—
    it’s all I seek:
        to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
        seeing the Lord’s beauty
        and constantly adoring his temple.
5 Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling
    during troubling times;
    he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent;
        he will set me up high, safe on a rock.

Are you fleeing from trouble? Do you feel unsafe? Is there a danger knocking on your door making you feel uneasy? You know where to go.

11 Lord, teach me your way;
    because of my opponents, lead me on a good path.
12 Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies,
    because false witnesses and violent accusers
    have taken their stand against me.
13 But I have sure faith
    that I will experience the Lord’s goodness
    in the land of the living!

Lord, teach us your ways and lead us to a safe haven. Bring us to that place of your goodness in the land of the living! We shall not fear if you abide with us.

14 Hope in the Lord!
    Be strong! Let your heart take courage!
        Hope in the Lord!

Be strong.

Safe Place by Becca Ziegler

Observe Those

Posted on by Betsy

We continue our Lenten journey this week and we still have a long way to go. Easter falls on April 20th this year, so our time in this season is much more before us than behind us. But if we accept that Lent is a refuge from the world, we shouldn’t be eager for it to end too quickly.

I spoke at a prayer gathering last week and talked about a church matriarch named Betty Brown who influenced my discipleship walk immensely. She was a loving, giving, and warm example of a woman who was completely sold out to Christ. Her influence in the church ran deep, and her influence on me led me to become a pastor.

Our scripture today invites us to observe those who live according to the example of Paul’s discipleship team and people like Betty. Paul draws a large black line between true disciples and those who live as enemies of the cross:

Philippians 3 (New Revised Standard Version)

17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 

Are you surrounded by people who inspire your walk with God, or with people whose minds are set on earthly things? It can be a very, very difficult decision to create distance with those who are capable of leading you astray. Take a hard look at your circle of influence and see if there are some potentially dangerous relationships.

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation  that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Paul advises to stand firm. He reminds us that we really don’t belong here anyway, as we are citizens of heaven where Jesus is the one and only king. Does that give you hope?

We are invited to become the people of influence who not only walk the righteous path but woo others to walk it with us. You, too, can be a Betty Brown in someone’s life. And Lord knows, we need more Bettys in this world.

Walk This Way by Kathy Schumacher