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Process over Product in the Spiritual Realm
This writing is about the concept of Christ’s process over our productivity. God has been teaching me a valuable lesson this month about the importance of his process over our drive for producing products, which I’d like to share with you. For years, I’ve faithfully had daily, one-hour quiet times, and I’ve shared how Christ has used these early morning meetings with him to transform my intimacy with him. I’d then distill these mystical moments into writing and share them with you. Then, something equally profound happened–they morphed into a different form. I found that my one hour started decreasing in the morning, while the moments throughout the day when I had intimacy with Christ increased. I wondered what was happening and found it disconcerting that my productivity in my quiet times and subsequent journaling was decreasing. Yesterday, Bob, a good friend and faithful reader of this blog, texted me. “Dan, are you OK?” he wrote. “I’ve not seen a post from you in a while.” Well, I was wondering, too. His question caused me to reflect on God's methods to bring me closer to him. I’m learning that our maturity in Christ is a process. There is no end product. We don’t arrive at a destination of holiness in our earthly form. Rich, a mentor, calls this CANI–continuous and never-ending improvement. As Christ-followers, we are all engaged in CANI in various forms at different times. Just as we can’t judge each other’s process, we should not judge our own. Christ is in charge. He knows what we need. We can trust that he’s figured out our process of sanctification. We can’t fully understand his methods but can rest on knowing he is in control. All we have to do is surrender to him, fully and completely, and embrace his process. The concept of Christ’s process over our productivity is a profound truth that aligns with biblical principles of spiritual growth and maturity. God’s ways often challenge our understanding, especially regarding our desire for tangible results and visible progress. However, Scripture teaches us that God values our relationship with Him and the process of becoming more like Christ above the output of our efforts. Philippians 1:6 reassures us that the work God is doing in us is a process that He will faithfully complete in His timing, not ours. It’s not about how much we produce but how we grow closer to Him through the journey. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV Our transformation is gradual, “from glory to glory,” indicating a continuous process rather than an immediate change. The focus is on the ongoing transformation rather than the result. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV Even when we don’t see immediate results, our labor in the Lord is never in vain. God values our faithfulness and perseverance more than the visible outcomes. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV As we walk with Christ, embracing His process over our desire for productivity is crucial. Our maturity in Him is not marked by the number of things we accomplish but by the depth of our relationship with Him and the transformation within us. Trusting God’s process means surrendering our timelines, expectations, and understanding to Him, knowing He is at work in ways we cannot always see. As we learn to rest in His sovereignty, we experience the true peace and growth that comes from being in His presence, not just producing for Him. Let’s embrace this continuous journey, allowing Christ to shape us according to His perfect will. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. August 20, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. It is a Matter of Focus
SOLUTION OR PROBLEM? You’re either in the problem or the solution. Right? Not so fast. Some like to dwell on problems. There are plenty of them to dwell on, and you will never run out of issues to consider. The problem with dwelling on problems is that it does not produce solutions. The more you look at the problem, the bigger it seems to get. My wife leans more in this direction. Others like to dwell on the solutions. They spend little time determining the root cause of the problem and quickly launch into solutions without learning from past mistakes. I tend to be in this camp. The good news: Patty and I are a couple who lean on each other's strengths to navigate problems and develop Christ-centered solutions. She slows me down and helps us do root cause analysis. I speed us up and help brainstorm solutions. We both take it before God and ask for his wisdom and guidance. DON’T WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE Have you ever snow skied? If you have even watched it on TV, you’ll know that looking in the direction you are going is highly advisable. In fact, the surest way of getting hurt is dwelling on problems as they approach you. For example, the degree to which I focus on the tree while downhill skiing determines the likelihood of hitting it. Instead, I need to focus on the open space, the space between the trees. This space is the solution. If I concentrate on the solution, I’m more likely to reach it. Conversely, if I focus on the problem, I’ll likely stay entangled. However, if I don’t see the tree, that is an even bigger problem. And, if I’ve hit that tree in the past, it would be a good idea to think of ways to avoid it this time. When I started writing this article, my main message was: “Be in the solution; stay out of the problem.” Of course, it was. I tend to overindex solutions and underindex postmortems. In Patty’s case, if she were writing this piece, she would advise you to spend time in reflection and learning from past mistakes. There are two principles crucial to a productive, life-long partnership in problem analysis and solving. They are: Principle 1: Take time to look at the root cause of problems so that you can avoid them in the future. Principle 2: Avoid dwelling on the problem; stay focused on the solution. These principles are very simple yet incredibly profound, emphasizing the power of our focus in determining our outcomes. THE POWER OF OUR MIND Our minds are powerful tools, capable of directing our actions and shaping our realities. When we choose to focus on problems, our thoughts become clouded with negativity and fear, leading us to feel stuck and overwhelmed. It’s like fixating on the tree while skiing; our chances of collision increase because our focus is misdirected. When we shift our attention to the open space and the solutions, we create a path forward. This positive focus opens opportunities and allows us to navigate challenges with greater clarity and confidence. A SCRIPTURAL PERSPECTIVE The Bible emphasizes the importance of focus and perspective, encouraging believers to concentrate on positive outcomes and divine guidance rather than obstacles. Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus our minds on positive and virtuous things. Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (NIV) By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and maintain a mindset that seeks solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Thinking about what is true, noble, and correct helps us to stay grounded and optimistic, steering us toward constructive actions. THE POWER OF FOCUS Proverbs 4:25-27 emphasizes the importance of focusing straight ahead on the path God has set before us. “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV) By not getting distracted by the problems and temptations that lie to the right or left, we can walk steadfastly in His guidance, moving towards the solutions He provides. HEALTHY & POSITIVE FOCUS Matthew 6:22 illustrates the importance of having a healthy, positive focus. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” Matthew 6:22 (NIV) Just as a lamp lights up a room, our eyes, when focused on good and healthy things, fill our entire being with light. This light guides us towards solutions and helps us avoid the darkness of problems. TRUSTING GOD BRINGS PEACE Isaiah 26:3 exhorts us to trust God and keep our minds steadfast on Him, assuring us that doing so brings us perfect peace. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) This scripture highlights the connection between trust, focus, and peace. When we trust God and focus on His promises and solutions, we experience a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. CONCLUSION These scriptures emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive focus, aligning our thoughts with God’s will, and keeping our eyes fixed on the path He has set for us. Doing so makes us more likely to move towards the solutions He provides rather than getting stuck in the problems that distract us. Focusing on solutions and trusting in God’s guidance can transform our lives, leading us to peace and fulfillment. Conversely, we must take time to fully understand the problems we’re up against and uncover the root cause. Without this analysis, we will not learn from our mistakes and repeatedly run into trees. ACTION PLAN After considering this, the question remains: “How can I better focus on the solution and avoid dwelling on the problem, yet at the same time learn from my mistakes?“ Here are my top ten suggestions for actions you can take: 1. Journal: When you do so, it will become apparent when you are overly focused on the problem. Using journaling to vent is perfectly fine, but a better use would be to brainstorm with yourself some solutions to the situation that you’re dealing with. Always looking to scripture is undoubtedly part of this process. Capture those scriptures that God puts in your heart as you’re journaling. Dwell on those and not on your problem. 2. Practice Gratitude: Start each day by writing down three things you are grateful for. This shifts your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right in your life, setting a positive tone for the day. 3. Set Specific Goals: Break down your solution into small, manageable steps. By setting specific, actionable goals, you can create a clear path forward, which helps shift your focus from the problem to the steps needed to solve it. 4. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation to center your thoughts. These practices help you become aware of negative thought patterns and train your mind to focus on the present moment and potential solutions. 5. Positive Affirmations: These reinforce your focus on solutions. Repeating affirmations such as “I am capable of finding solutions” can help rewire your brain to focus on the positive. 6. Seek Wise Counsel: Talk to a mentor, pastor, or trusted friend about your problem. They can offer a fresh perspective and provide solutions you might not have considered. Sometimes, verbalizing the issue can also help clarify your thoughts. 7. Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can help clear your mind and reduce stress. A clear, stress-free mind is better equipped to focus on solutions rather than problems. 8. Read Inspirational Material: Fill your mind with positive and inspirational material, including books, articles, and podcasts encouraging solution-focused thinking. Scripture, biographies of overcomers, and motivational stories can be particularly helpful. 9. Limit Exposure to Negativity: Be mindful of the media you consume and the people you spend time with. Limit exposure to negative news and pessimistic individuals who focus on problems rather than solutions. 10. Pray and Meditate on Scripture: Spend time in prayer, asking God for wisdom and guidance. Meditate on scriptures that speak to God’s provision and problem-solving abilities, such as James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV) By incorporating these actions into your daily routine, you can train your mind to focus more on solutions and less on problems, aligning your thoughts with positive outcomes and Christ’s divine guidance. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. July 02, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. A Three-Step Dance that pleases Christ
If you have ever taken dance lessons, you’ll have heard your instructor call out the steps like “Quick, quick, slow.” This may be good for the Texas Two-Step, but it is not great spiritual advice as we dance before Christ our Lord. Here are three steps that will surely please our Master. Step 1 QUICK TO LISTEN Reading James 1:19 made me think of the theme for this article. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry ...” (James 1:19 NIV) Many times, I am Slow, Quick, Quick. Perfectly opposite the directive we find here, it does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry is a perfect description of me in my earlier days as a Christ-follower. Then, I became a bi-vocational ministry leader and took this Christian walk more seriously. I was admonished by Scripture, especially the Book of James. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22 NIV) While this idea is good for all Christ-followers, it is especially important for any Christian vocational or marketplace leader. Just like in a dance, there is a right order of operations to ensure a smooth, graceful flow of the Holy Spirit through us and unto others. It is so easy for intelligent leaders to finish other people’s sentences for them. Either out loud or silently, we all have done it. “I know where this is headed” is our corresponding thought as our mind wanders off to formulate a response to what we are hearing. “Not so fast,” Scripture instructs us. Listen and carefully hear what is being said. We need to hear the words and the meaning below them. This demands our full attention. Earlier this year, a friend told me he wanted a party at home. He described his vision for the gathering: “I’d like to have some friends over as a real casual thing.” I completely missed the words “some” and “casual,” and my brain went right to a solution. “I’ll send out an invite to my network,” I offered. Ted said “yes” without realizing exactly what that meant, for he did not understand, nor did I explain, the sizable network I was planning to access. My “instant idea” was to introduce my new friend to many other friends and acquaintances. After all, wouldn’t that be a good thing? My promotion of the party went well and produced a result that I thought was fantastic: 50 people confirmed for the party tomorrow at Ted’s house. However, yesterday, I asked him if he was pleased with the guest list. Then, he told me how unhappy his wife was with such a large crowd coming to his home to eat. His vision was a small, intimate gathering of friends, not a big party. Ouch! I was slow to listen and completely missed the mark. How often does that happen to you? Are you doing your own dance moves like I sometimes still do, or are you dancing in step with the Holy Spirit? If you need to be “quicker to listen” like me, what actions can you take to do so? If you already have the “quick to listen” part down, how can you help us “Ready, Fire, Aim” kind of leaders to slow down and better hear what you are saying? We all can improve in this area, can’t we? Being quick to listen is the mark of a mature Christ-follower. Especially for those in leadership, we need to model this behavior of “Quick, Slow, Slow” to others. For those who have already accomplished the “Quick to Listen” part, you can help others by speaking up when you are not being fully understood. The technique that works well in both cases is called “Active Listening.” Grossly over-simplified, here is what you can do to practice this. Repeat what you are hearing to the speaker, paraphrasing what is being said to ensure you are hearing correctly. When someone does that for you, be vocal about correcting the paraphrased statement if that is not what you are saying. Often, the differences are very nuanced, and we must listen carefully and pay full attention to picking up subtle cues that can mean big differences in outcomes. Step 2 SLOW to speak Here is the first of two admonitions to go “slow.” I’ve never been accused of being slow to speak. I only wish that would happen. I love jumping into the conversation, and it is only lately, over these past few years, that you could say I’m beginning to be more reserved when it comes to speaking what is on my mind. I’ve found what you probably already know about being slow to speak. If you are anything like most leaders, what to say comes naturally to you. It is easy to speak our minds, for God wired most of us with the gift of speaking our thoughts out loud. After all, that is the only way I know that we can lead others. We can’t expect them to read our minds, but can we? However, there are several skills that we must master to be the most effective leaders we can be, for Christ’s ultimate glory and honor. Some of them that come to mind for me to improve in are:
James 1:26 hits home. While I don’t consider myself religious, and nor do I want to be, this passage clearly speaks to me. For me, religion is a set of “dos” and “don’ts” that can cause me to become spiritually prideful. I can develop a long list of great things I am doing and tout those things for you to say: “Look at me. Do you see what a great Christ-follower I am?” Yet, God intends me to have a governor on my tongue and not do that or any variation on the theme of being loose-lipped about anything that may puff me up or put someone down. I feel complete freedom in encouraging Christ-followers and non-believers alike to deepen their relationship with God. I want those leaders in the Christian faith to continue growing into more obedient followers of the Way shown to us by Jesus Christ. I am free to encourage those who have not yet put their faith in Christ with the words of wisdom found in 1 Peter Chapter 3. “But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV) Gentleness and respect are excellent guardrails to keep me interfacing with others in a manner that honors Christ Jesus. If I am slow to speak, then Christ-followers will be edified, as will those who have not accepted Jesus Christ. My witness honors God when I keep tight control over the words that come out of my mouth. And, of course, that implies that I am also controlling my thoughts, for out of my heart and mind spring forth my words. May they be a blessing to all who hear them. Step 3 SLOW - To become angry I’ve never been accused of going slow. Yet, “slow” is often a Godly trait, as in the case of becoming angry. In the case of James 1:19, “slow to become angry” is a mark of spiritual maturity. However, some of us have a mistaken view of anger, which can manifest in many different forms. There are many types of anger. Here are ten, on a continuum, from slight anger of “annoyed” to all-out “livid” rage:
Do I speak out loud when I am angry? Do I keep quiet but sin in my heart against someone? Even if I am just annoyed, what I do with that annoyance has the biggest impact on my spiritual condition. Here are some shades of slight anger that I normally don’t think of as “anger.” For example, sometimes you feel annoyed. That is from the same emotional family as “Frustrated” or “Enraged.” This shade of anger includes “Ruffled, disturbed, disgruntled, discontented, agitated, upset, provoked, offended, chafed, bothered, peeved, vexed, exasperated, irked, perturbed, and displeased.” The good news is that anger is not necessarily a sin. It is what we do with our anger that matters. Ephesians 4:26 is a comforting scripture for those who get easily annoyed: “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ... “ (Ephesians 4:26 NIV) So, it is not necessarily a sin if you’re annoyed, irritated, or aggravated. “What are you doing with that anger?” is the question to answer. There is a solution for an angry feeling. The short answer for me is to “give it to God.” When I have feelings of anger, I can try to deal with them on my own in my flesh, or I can give them to God and trust Him with the outcome. I can safely express my feelings to God, who always understands how I feel and will always calm me down and comfort me if I let Him. My flesh does not handle anger well. However, the Holy Spirit inside of me does. I just need to yield to the pull of God and resist the pull of my sinful nature. When I do sin, I must confess it quickly to God and then make amends with the person who experienced my anger. Thank God for this wonderful solution that Christ has given to us who follow Him. Be “slow” to become angry by staying connected to Christ. And I’ll remind myself and you, “The more I pray, the better my day!” It’s a saying worth remembering and practicing daily. My daily quiet time is irreplaceable as a spiritual growth tool and means to connect with Christ. Every day, I spend an hour in a quiet time of prayer, meditation on His Word, and journaling. This helps me to start my day in the right way. This is not a panacea for anger issues, but it helps greatly. CONCLUSION This “quick, slow, slow” dance instruction from the Lord applies in every situation. “Quick, Slow, Slow; “Quick, Slow, Slow.” Christ Jesus is teaching me how to dance through life. He wants us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. May it be so. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. June 19, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Eliminiating Discord from Our Marriages
Our heavenly Father created the institution of marriage to provide for us in many different ways. We have this “companion for life” that helps us grow into the person Christ wants us to become. The end goal is for us to shine bright as an encouragement to each other and an attractive beacon of hope to those who do not know Christ. As Christ-followers, we are told to be grateful for everything and not complain or quarrel about anything. “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 ...” Philippians 2:14-15 For marriage to work as Christ intended, we must practice this with our spouse. GRUMBLING AND ARGUING There is a broad array of nuanced versions of “grumbling,” from slight whispers of murmurs and various degrees of whining to full-on blasts of a heated argument. "Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9 NIV The point is that Christ Jesus does not want us to create strife with each other, and grumbling is a warning sign that strife is on the doorstep, just waiting to come inside and create a mess. And, as James 5:9 states, Christ, the righteous judge of all, is also on the doorstep. Whenever there is strife, I must look at my part, for surely I have one. It always takes two to have strife. I’ll always have a part, no matter how small. And usually, it is not small at all! INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL GRUMBLING There are those who are expressers and will complain out loud to their spouse and those who are internal grumblers whose thoughts are filled with complaints. Either way, we are told not to do this. Similarly, some argue out loud, while others take a passive-aggressive approach to conflict. Either way leads to strife in the marriage, and we are instructed by God’s Word to avoid the slightest bit of grumbling, out loud, or in silence. For those of us who like to talk, we have Ephesians 4:29 to govern what we say. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs ..." Ephesians 4:29a NIV For those of us who silently grumble, we have Colossians 3:13 to keep us on track. "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 NIV Instead of complaining or arguing with our spouses, we need to have an outlet for our disappointments and dissatisfactions. The answer is not to stuff or repress our feelings. We have Christ Jesus, who is always willing to listen to us, hear what we have to say and give us guidance and direction. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR All too often, we try to handle the complaints or disagreements in our own strength, which is another way of saying that we are in our flesh. Failing to let the Holy Spirit lead us never results in the best outcome. We need to go to Christ first, with our complaint or grumbling, and work through it with the Holy Spirit before we go to our spouse. Failing to do this leads to less-than-ideal results (to say the least), which creates strife in the marriage. Far too often, I try to change my wife to “help” her grow and develop. After all, I’m a coach who helps people do this all day long. Well, this does not work well in my marriage. I must ask Christ to help Patty grow. The good news: Going to Christ grows my prayer life and intimacy with Him by doing so. When I fail to go to Christ first and solve things in my flesh, I often find myself having to confess this as a sin, seek Christ’s forgiveness, and then make amends to Patty. My emotional impulse is to try to solve the tension, and I often add to it. We have a great outlet in Christ if we just use it more. FREEDOM FROM STRIFE Many marriages have a continually low level of strife that saps the energy of the couple and serves to distract from the work set before Christ-followers: The Great Commission. Satan and his demons work overtime on the marriages of Christ-followers, and we need to recognize that the enemy is satan (lowercase “S” intentionally). Our spouse is not our enemy, but when we feel attacked by complaints or grumblings, we can easily get fooled into thinking that our spouse is attacking us. If we want freedom from all strife in our marriages, we have to realize who the real enemy is and not get hooked on complaining or grumbling about our spouse, either out loud or silently. CONCLUSION As conceived by Christ, marriage is a sacred bond, a union where two people come together to grow spiritually and support each other in life's journey. While challenges are inevitable in any relationship, we are reminded through scripture that constant complaining and arguing are not the tools that foster growth or unity. Rather, they serve as distractions that detract from our greater purpose and mission as Christ-followers. By redirecting our complaints, grumblings, and dissatisfactions to Christ and seeking guidance through the Holy Spirit, we can address our concerns in a more constructive manner. In doing so, we fortify our bond with our spouse and strengthen our connection with Christ, allowing us to shine brightly as beacons of love, understanding, and peace. Remember, the real battle isn't with our spouse but with external forces trying to weaken our unity. Embracing this perspective can transform our marriages, enabling them to thrive in the grace and wisdom of Christ. P.S. Here are scriptures I found on the subject, for those that want to delve deeper into this subject.
May God bless our marriages. Amen. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. June 06, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Discovering the Power of Asking God
One of the most powerful principles in God’s universe is the least understood and applied in our daily Christ-following. Scripture exhorts us to ask for what we lack. Yet we are reticent to do so for fear of abusing our relationship with Christ. However, once we consider scriptures, we are emboldened to approach our heavenly Father with our requests. So, let’s expand our ability and willingness to ask God for help by exploring one of the most powerful principles in the universe. I call it the ASK PRINCIPLE. It is simple yet profound and fully based on God’s Holy Word, the Bible. EMBRACE THIS PRINCIPLE ASK is the only acrostic in the Bible’s English translation. Matthew 7:7 spells it out for us: A = Ask; S = Seek; K = Knock. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 NIV ASK IN LOVE How we ask matters. If we ask in love, we know we are being obedient, faithful Christ-followers. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:9-12 NIV Our Father in Heaven wants to bless us and is completely willing to hear and consider all our requests. We should not hold back any petitions. Let’s lay them at our Father’s feet and trust that he will answer them in his own time, realizing it may be once we are with him in Heaven. CONFIDENTLY ASK We can be confident in asking God for anything. Many Scriptures make an overwhelming case that God wants us to ask him for everything we can imagine and more. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 2 John 5:14-15 NIV To bolster our confidence, let’s examine the wide array of scriptures that support this idea. Ask in Jesus' Name: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14 (NIV) Ask for Wisdom: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 (NIV) Ask with Right Motives: "You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:2-3 (NIV) Present Your Requests: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Believe and Receive: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 (NIV) Remain in Christ: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7 (NIV) Call on God: "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV) Delight in the Lord: "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Call on God in Trouble: "Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:15 (NIV) The Prayer of Jabez: "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request." 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV) CONCLUSION My final prayer for us is this powerful “ask” that the Apostle Paul made of God in Ephesians 1:17 for us to have greater wisdom and revelation, so we can deepen our relationship with Christ. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV Notice that it isn’t a one-time ask. Paul says, “I keep asking …” So, too, let us keep asking God for all the desires of our hearts. And let us watch carefully what we ask for because that reveals a lot about where we are spiritually. Let us ask God for everything. Let us not grow tired of asking, even when what we ask for does not materialize. The act of asking brings us in contact with God, and he never gets tired of us praying to him. Ask well, my friends, Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. May 24, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Overcome Circumstances by Discovering This Essential Key to More Contentment and Joy
Do you want more joy in life? We don’t often ask ourselves this, but it’s a worthwhile question. Ask: “Am I in the continual flow of Christ’s joy?” and “Am I satisfied with the amount I’m experiencing, or would I like more?” Most of us, myself included, would answer “no” to both questions. What about you? If you want more of Christ’s joy, let’s explore how to increase it together. As we examine ourselves, let’s look for discontentment with aspects of life. Following is my Top Ten Aspects of Life list. Consider this list and do an inventory.
As you review this list, pick out the areas of great contentment and joy. Then, smile, for these areas are ones to celebrate and for which to praise God. Now, pick out the one or two areas in which you have the most contentment and joy. Take these aspects of life into your prayer times with God and see what he says about them. Consider what actions to take in order to improve in areas of discontent. “What are you doing to increase your contentment and decrease your discontentment?” From what God has shown me, Christ-centered contentment is key to joyful living. The Apostle Paul explicitly discusses it in Philippians Chapter 4, which became an anchor verse for exploring this subject. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV Before we can fully experience joy, we have to ask ourselves what kind of joy we want. SEEK CHRIST’S JOY Do I want my version of joy? Or do I want God’s version? My version of joy leads me to serve my fleshly desires. After all, I want to be comfortable, feel good, and be happy. All three of these drivers can lead me to sinful behavior. A desire for comfort can transform into laziness. A desire to feel good can lead to over-eating, and focusing on personal happiness can lead to selfish, self-centered behavior. All three areas of sin rob me of Christ’s joy. How much greater and more lasting is God’s joy than ours? We are wise to opt for heavenly, eternal joy, which we can start experiencing now in some measure. BE CONTENT IN ALL THINGS The prerequisite for joy is contentment. If we are discontent, we block God’s joy from flowing in and through us. If our contentment is based on circumstances, we are bound to be discontent. The ups and downs of life create rollercoasters of emotion. If allowed, they will take us up and down like a yoyo. We can’t base contentment on momentary events. The Apostle Paul experienced tremendous extremes during earthly life yet found contentment “in any and every situation.” How? The reason lies between our ears. REMEMBER CHRIST’S JOY Think back to a time that you were in total, Holy Spirit-filled ecstasy. When I recall my last time experiencing an overflowing amount of Christ’s joy, I remember that experience, which was amazing. It was just last week singing in church, but I have not reflected on that overwhelming joy until now as I type these words. Why? My mind forgets things—small things and big things. It is far from perfect. What I read about is what I forget most. Word pictures are more memorable, but experiences often leave an indelible impression. A saying illustrates this: “I hear, and then forget; I see, and then remember; I do, and then understand.” Until we actually “do” the thing Paul did, we will likely not remember to employ this not-so-secret key to contented, joyful living. Even then, these experiences can be fleeting. What did Paul do that was so profound that he could find lasting contentment and great joy even in severely adverse circumstances? FULLY RELY ON CHRIST Paul's amazing ability to find contentment and joy stemmed from his unwavering reliance on Christ's strength. Despite facing numerous trials, vicious persecution, and constant uncertainty, Paul discovered the secret of contentment and joy through his deep relationship with Jesus Christ. The operative word here is “deep.” Paul's contentment didn’t depended on external circumstances but on his full trust in Christ's sufficiency and complete surrender to do God’s will. We, too, can surrender and rely entirely on Christ. By acknowledging our weaknesses and leaning on the Holy Spirit’s strength and power, we will resiliently endure inevitable hardships with a spirit of contentment. This will lead to us experiencing more and more of Christ’s joy. FOLLOW GODLY EXAMPLES Who do you know that is authentically full of Christ’s contentment and joy? Surrounding ourselves with those types of Christ-followers can have a very positive effect on us. Likewise, which Christ followers do you know that are most content in this earthly life? By following the example of the Apostle Paul and the example of others in our social circles, we can learn to experience greater contentment and joy. Let’s cultivate a deeper intimacy with Christ through prayer consistency, Scripture meditation, and Holy Spirit reliance. As we surrender our lives to Christ and trust in his unfailing strength, we can find contentment and joy that transcends our circumstances. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV The key to experiencing lasting joy and contentment lies in the depth of our relationship with Jesus Christ. By fully trusting in Christ’s strength and completely surrendering to God’s will, we will more frequently find contentment in every situation. This condition of our soul predisposes us to experience a fuller joy in knowing the most joyful being in all existence–God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May this be so in your life and mine. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. May 10, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Insights from Philippians 2:14
I find it easy to complain about things. Usually, we don’t think of this as a sin, but it is. God lays out a clear mandate regarding this in Philippians. Upon reading this imperative, I questioned God because it seemed extreme to me. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing …” Philippians 2:14 NIV Dear Lord, can you help me understand “everything?” Does that include everything? Is this a typo? Didn’t you mean “some things.” There is much in this world to grumble and complain about! Child, I want those with a relationship with me to mature and better understand my expectations. I want you to be devoid of grumbling and arguing. Wow, Lord, this is hard. AVOID COMPLAINING It's easy to grumble and argue about various aspects of life. However, Philippians 2:14 reminds us to do everything without grumbling or arguing. Let's explore this verse and other scriptures reinforcing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and spirit. This verse powerfully reminds us to approach every task, interaction, and circumstance with a spirit of gratitude and positivity. Rather than complaining or disputing, we're called to embrace a mindset of contentment and peace. Ephesians 4:29 encourages us to watch our words carefully. Instead of grumbling or arguing, our speech should be uplifting and edifying to others. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV We bless others by speaking words of encouragement and kindness and avoiding complaining about them, others, or our own circumstances. AVOID ARGUING As Colossians 3:17 points out, we should not argue unless it is in the name of the Lord Jesus. How often do we argue in Christ’s name? For me, the answer is never. Any argument I have ever had has been in my name, for my rights, to get my way. My, my, my. There is a pattern here. Perhaps this describes your arguments as well. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 NIV If we could remember to do everything in Jesus Christ's name and with a heart filled with thanksgiving, we would be much more joyful. Wouldn’t we? We don’t need to argue for our rights, which is what most arguments are about. God is already our advocate and has given us the right to heaven. "It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." Proverbs 20:3 NIV Avoiding conflict and arguments is of tremendous value. As Proverbs 20:3 explains, it is honorable to seek peace rather than engage in strife. If I could only remember that when I think my rights are being violated by someone! May we always gain and maintain the mind of Christ. GAIN AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Approaching life with an attitude of gratitude reduces our tendency to grumble or argue and encourages us to see every moment as an opportunity to honor God. Many spend hours in prayer, asking for God’s will to be manifested in our lives. Yet, Thessalonians 5:18 makes it clear what his will is for us. We're called to give thanks no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV Even in the midst of challenges and trials, there is always something to be grateful for. When we cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving, grumbling and arguing lose their grip on our hearts. CONCLUSION As we reflect on these scriptures, let's strive to live free from grumbling and arguing. Instead, let's choose gratitude, kindness, and positivity in all that we do. By doing so, we honor God and contribute to a more loving and harmonious world. Let's embrace the challenge of Philippians 2:14 and let our lives shine with the light of Christ. Complaint-free living will result in more of Christ’s joy, peace, and love. We can’t argue against that, right? Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. April 30, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Words Greatly Matter for Our Spiritual Condition
Words matter. God’s words, our words, and the words of others—what we say can have incredible positive or negative impact. Indeed, words greatly matter. PERFECT WORDS The greatest writer of all time wrote the single best masterpiece of literature. In it, he repeatedly tells us that his words matter most. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 NIV God always chooses His words with perfect precision. We won’t perfectly understand His Word until Heaven, but we study the Bible and try. Devoted Christ-followers strive with all their might to grasp Christ’s messages from his holy Word, the Bible. God’s word is rich and feeds our souls. It is a tremendous gift and it is ours to explore, study, and cherish. God’s words are always full of wisdom. On the other hand, we mortals are often guilty of gushing forth careless, meaningless, or innocuous words. Worse, we can spew hurtful, mean, or destructive ones. Our foolish words lead to foolish ways. As Isaiah 55:8-9 demonstrates, God’s ways are not even close to ours. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV We should aspire to be like Christ, and choose our words carefully. Often, though, that is not what happens. Out of our foolish thoughts come foolish words–those that should not have been said. Allow me a slightly divergent thought but a corollary to this idea. There are also words we do not say, that we should say. But I digress. FOOLISH WORDS I sometimes have the lips of a fool. Carelessly, sometimes recklessly, I’ll say the wrong thing, the right thing at the wrong time, or the right thing in the wrong way. Whatever the situation, it usually results in a negative outcome. I’ve heard it said: “Say what you mean, and mean what you say, but just don’t say it mean.” It is a saying worth remembering. Proverbs 18:6-7 reminds me that my foolish words will bring me pain, suffering, and even death! It is avoidable if I rely on God’s wisdom, not mine. “The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.” Proverbs 18:6-7 NIV God’s wisdom tells us to repent over our foolish utterances. And then, to immediately retract a foolish statement by admitting what we said was not the words of life Christ wants us to speak. But no, not me! When being a fool, I follow the motto: “When you’ve dug yourself into a hole, keep digging!” Unconsciously, I shut down the Holy Spirit, take back control of my life, and keep my lips moving as the hole gets deeper and deeper. The negative consequence of my ditch digging produces unwanted strife. STRIFE IS A DISTRACTION If we are not careful, our words can produce relational strife, which distracts us from focusing on the joy, peace, and love of Christ. I thank God for my wife, who has a very low tolerance for strife. Her negative reaction to my foolishness is such a blessing that it pulls me back to a calm, steady state for a while—until my next display of foolishness. Ugh. Poor Patty, who has to put up with such a broken vessel. Words reflect our thoughts and can create environments of conflict or peace. How often do we embroil ourselves in disputes because of hasty or harsh words? It's as though our tongues are small fires capable of igniting great forests. "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:5-6 NIV Scripture guides us in harnessing our words to bless others. It helps us avoid burning down the forest of relationships. Green is good. Red is bad. I need to stay in the green zone, and when I see yellow smoke, quickly put out the fire with the love of Christ and the power of God’s Holy Spirit. James 3:17-18 teaches that while no human can fully tame the tongue, we can and should aim to always align our speech with the divine, keeping our serenity, and that of others, in the lush green zone. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18 NIV Once I realize I’ve said foolish things and created strife, I repent to God and attempt to make amends with the person who had to bear my foolishness. Sometimes, this isn’t possible. For example, sometimes I am a fool with an unnamed person in a customer call center. My idea that they are there to serve me often gets me in trouble. We remember Mark 10:45 and realize we are here to serve, not be served. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 NIV Whenever I’ve been a fool, Christ always comes to the rescue. His Word gives me hope, discipline, and direction. His word promises me I have a future with him in heaven for eternity. His word disciplines me and provides corrective actions. And his word gives me greater intimacy with Christ. WARNINGS FROM SCRIPTURE Scriptures are replete with warnings to choose our words carefully. For example: "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3 NIV). This prayer of David is a beautiful plea for divine intervention to control one’s speech. It acknowledges the power of words and the necessity of wisdom in using them. As followers of Christ, we are called to speak in ways that reflect His love and truth. Ephesians 4:29 guides us to use words to build each other up. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29 NIV). This directive encourages us to use our words for edification rather than destruction, aiming to uplift rather than undermine. The grace of God is our ever-present help in moments of foolishness. When we fail, as described in Proverbs 28:13, we are assured mercy if we confess our folly. God is always faithful in forgiving and restoring us. "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13 NIV Even when our lips lead us into deep pits of strife, Jesus's redemptive love is steadfast. He extends his hand and pulls us out of the self-inflicted trenches we’ve dug. 1 John 1:9 assures us we’re purified from our sins if we confess and repent. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 NIV Then, we can move on to words of healing as Christ applies the balm of forgiveness. God forgives us, and we forgive others. But we can’t give this gift to others if we have not received it ourselves. Step One is to fully receive Christ’s pardon for our foolish words; Step Two is to pass on this gift we’ve received from Christ to our fellow sojourners. WORDS OF HEALING In a world where words often divide, we are called to speak life into each other's hearts. Our words should not be weapons but tools for healing and encouragement. The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 4:29 to use our speech to build up those around us, particularly within the community of believers. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV This passage reminds us that our words should be apt and uplifting, tailored to the listener's needs. When we follow this scriptural advice, our words become a source of comfort and strength to others. We can feel the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit blowing gently across our cheeks. Free from strife and discord, we can experience greater joy and peace, which is God’s desire for those who follow him. CONCLUSION Words truly matter. They have the power to create or destroy. Our words can serve to heal or harm. God’s wisdom dictates that we heed Biblical instruction to watch our words carefully. We must intentionally choose our words with precision, understanding their impact is often profound. Let’s always reflect God's heart in what we say. And when we are the inevitable fool, let us quickly repent to one another lest we shut off the sunlight of God’s Holy Spirit. May we avoid the dark clouds of strife and enjoy bright sunny days basking in the glow of God’s radiant peace and love. As we absorb and live out the wisdom of the Bible, may we use our words to glorify God and edify those around us. I pray we quickly turn away from foolish utterances that lead to strife and embrace and share words of life that feed our souls. Finally, let us continually seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to control our tongues. We’ll avoid pitfalls of foolishness and glorify God in word and deed. May our words be obedient instruments of His grace and truth, drawing others closer to the love of Christ. Amen. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. April 24, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. The Elusive Prize of the Maturing Christ-Follower
As we mature in Christ, More Christ-like thoughts, emotions, and actions become ingrained. My question for the Lord is this: “How can I see greater progress toward this end, where my old self is completely dead, and my Christ-led self is consistently surrendered to the Holy Spirit?” Is this a difficult mountain to climb? For you, maybe not. However, for me, it appears like Mount Everest. INGRAINED The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ingrained as “forming a part of the essence or inmost being: deep-seated.” Its second definition: “worked into the grain or fiber,” also resonates. I know deep within my heart and soul that Christ has transformed me. I am also acutely aware that my flesh does not want to die fully. It resurrects itself in opposition to the complete surrender I sincerely want. As I strive to be an obedient Christ-follower, the Apostle Paul’s phrase, “But what I hate I do,” often comes to mind. Does this thought resonate with you? “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:14-25 NIV Yes! “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law” is so true. Thank God the mountain is not mine to climb. Christ ascended. His feat inspires me and shows me there are hills and valleys, but the journey is possible with Christ as my expert guide. GOD’S PART: HIS SOLUTION I am given hope for this situation, without which I would surely become dejected and discouraged and give up on the quest for ever-improving Christ-like thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I’m very grateful that Romans 8 and onward solved my dilemma—this war within me between my “old man” and my “new creation.” “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 NIV Onward and upward! This scripture reminds me that I am no longer a slave to sin, but am a child of God. I wrote about this last month. You can read more about our freedom in Christ here: https://muellerd.substack.com/p/whom-the-son-sets-free. My dialogue with Christ is transcribed as follows: “Lord, what do you want me to know about this duality, and how can I instill more of your thoughts, behaviors, and actions in me?” Here’s the response I sensed from Christ: “Child, it is about progress, not perfection. Someday, you will be with me in heaven. Then, you will not have to deal with your sinful nature. Until then, it will humble you, and humility is of great worth as you go about your day, serving me.” As we seek deeper transformation in Christ, we must recognize that our continuous growth journey requires us to strive against our sinful nature. In Galatians, we’re given a further solution to this constant pull toward gratifying our carnal desires. Like climbing a hill, if we’re going to continue on this path that leads us upwards, we must keep going. Giving up is not an option for those who will make it over the summit. The Holy Spirit is my expert sherpa. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” Galatians 5:16-17 NIV This passage vividly illustrates the ongoing battle between Spirit and flesh. We are encouraged to live by the Spirit's guidance. To the degree that we do, is the degree we overcome sinful desires. God climbed the mountain we could not climb. The resurrection of Christ and the complete pardon for my sins past, present, and future do for me what I can’t do for myself. That was God’s part in this flesh versus spirit battle. But we have our part to play. We can not sit on the side of the path waiting, looking at the hill to climb, and wondering how to get over it. I must get up, and start walking. On my journey, I have a right leg and a left leg. These two legs, working together, will keep me on Christ’s path for me. They will do the same for you. Here they are:
RIGHT LEG: RESIST Our pushback on our sinful flesh will remain a worthy challenge. The Apostle Paul's struggles described in Romans 7 resonate with devout believers experiencing the natural internal conflict between their spiritual aspirations and human inclinations. “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:9-10 NIV This scripture calls us to abandon our old, sinful ways and highlights the continual renewal process that shapes us into the image of Christ. If obedience demands truthfulness with others, how much more so do we have to be truthful with ourselves? Tell the truth about your struggles. Practically speaking, that means sharing them with God in daily quiet times, sharing with one or more spiritual advisors, and sharing with our spouse or significant other. We need to be transparent to hold ourselves accountable. Many of the most outwardly-appearing Christ-followers and Christ-leaders “put themselves” under pseudo-accountability by failing to be transparent and share their deep struggles. It sounds good to the public, but in reality, there is no accountability at all. Here is a saying worth remembering: “We are only as sick as our secrets.” Share your flesh struggles with God and others. Don’t keep them to yourself. Confession is cathartic and cleansing. Using the hill-climbing metaphor, I must tell my sherpa guide if I run out of oxygen. If I wait too long, I will die. So too, if you harbor secret struggles, you’ll get worn out spiritually. Many well-known Christian pastors and leaders in history have had devastating, career-ending failures due to burn-out, which leads to moral failure. The news-worthy falls are just the tip of the iceberg of pastoral and ministry leader failures. It is an epidemic due to this very issue: Secrets. Push back by sharing what you are going through with God and others in the battle of flesh versus the Holy Spirit. Gain a mentor, advisor, or coach to talk to. We are a safe place to turn as you battle in the spiritual realm. LEFT LEG: SURRENDER In answering the call to become more like Christ, we must surrender everything to Him. One way that leads us to surrender is to immerse ourselves in scripture, for it is through God's Word that we find strength, guidance, and the promise of transformation. The Bible is replete with passages showing how to become more aligned with Christ's likeness. God’s Word offers great hope and practical guidance and refreshes us on our journey. One passage that comes to mind is Philippians, Chapter 2, where Paul exhorts us. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 NIV This scripture underscores the dynamic partnership between our efforts and God's work within, emphasizing transformation is a shared responsibility. CONCLUSION Christ has made the impossible climb for me, but I have hills to transverse, and I need to move my legs, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. Left. Right. Left. Right. If we don’t do our part, God may not intervene or act to bring about the change we long to see. Yes, the end result is entirely up to God and a testament to His power working through us. However, we must do our part and earnestly desire to be changed by Christ by walking in surrender, and strength. I must move my legs to go in the direction Christ desires. Becoming totally Christ-like is akin to ascending the Mount Everest of salvation. It is impossible for us mortals. The amazing fact is Christ ascended there and beyond. He now sits at the right hand of God our Father, on most high. Through His Holy Spirit, He equips us with a sherpa to guide us. We can make it over the little hills and valleys we are called to transverse if we take these two steps, one after another after another. Left. Right. Left. Push back. Surrender. Push back. Surrender. Our journey is filled with the promise of divine assistance and transformation. Let us hold fast to scriptures such as Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 5:16-17, and Colossians 3:9-10, for they offer the wisdom and encouragement we need to progress in our spiritual journey, despite the inevitable hills we encounter. Christ’s transformation of us will create ingrained change. The elusive prize of the maturing Christ-follower, Christ-likeness, will materialize if we intentionally push back against sin and surrender in every deepening way to Christ. Enjoy your walk with our Lord! May you travel well. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. April 14, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Biblical Success Strategies and Tactics for Gaining Greater Self-Control
I often try to practice self-discipline and self-control. At times, I succeed, and at times, I fail. As I’ve explored this topic, God has been teaching me the deeper meaning of this well-known prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” - The Serenity Prayer So much of my sanctification journey in Christ has been about surrender. “Letting go and letting God” had been a recurring theme. But now, I see I have a big part to play in this process. Not only do I have to let go of trying to control people, places, and things, but I also need to courageously change the one thing I can change more than any other: Me! We need greater self-control and self-discipline to control the “controller” inside of us. Therefore, let’s turn to the perfect source to gain wisdom on this subject, and see what God’s Holy Word says. To begin my study of this topic, I looked up over thirty New Testament scriptures that addressed the subject and selected the top eight for more in-depth reflection and inspiration. THE SOURCE OF SELF-DISCIPLINE The foundational truth is that God is the source of all self-discipline. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV This verse directly links the gift of the Holy Spirit to the capacity for self-discipline, indicating it as a divine attribute bestowed upon believers. It is a profound testament to the nature of the Holy Spirit's work within us. Self-discipline is not a mere human effort but a divine endowment. Because self-discipline wholly relies on the Holy Spirit's influence, our surrender to Christ is called for in ever-increasing measures. This dismantles my misconception that self-control and self-discipline are about my power and will. Biblical self-control is not reliant on human willpower. We must have the transformative power that comes from God Himself. Thus, self-discipline emerges as a manifestation of the Spirit's presence in our lives. It is a clear indicator of our spiritual condition. Conversely, a lack of self-discipline and self-control indicates spiritual and mental problems that need to be addressed. This may sound harsh, but it is true. Too often, I excuse my lack in these areas as “that is just how I am,” not realizing that they are, in fact, poor excuses I used to let myself off the hook of engaging with Christ in an ever greater level of trust and surrender. When we demonstrate self-control and self-discipline, we are displaying a characteristic imparted to us by God. This realization fosters a deeper understanding. Attaining this is not a result of personal or moral achievement but a sign of living in alignment with the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and guidance. The degree to which I see these traits in my life is the degree to which I can see myself as fully surrendered to Christ. If you are anything like me, we have a long road ahead in this sanctification process, which culminates as we enter Heaven. Ah, that glorious day! BE-DO-HAVE vs. HAVE-DO-BE The call to action is for us to “be” self-controlled. Unfortunately, I often operate on the cognitive distortion of “have-do-be” thinking. Once I “have” my life in better order, and I am less busy and stressed, then I will “do” those things that involve self-discipline and self-control, and then I will “be” where God wants me to be. Wrong! What scripture tells us is that it is “Be-Do-Have.” "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." - 1 Peter 1:13 NIV This passage calls for mental readiness and self-control now. I can’t delay this to some point in the future when I am “ready.” We must be willing to be uncomfortable in order to answer this mandate and endure the pain of self-denial. I like being comfortable and tend to avoid things that take me out of my comfort zone. However, “No pain, no gain” is my experience. NO PAIN, NO GAIN! Ask any sports athlete, and they will quote you this slogan when reflecting on what it takes to achieve peak performance. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 NIV This verse acknowledges the challenge of discipline and its fruitful outcome, aligning with the concept that God values and rewards self-discipline. And of course, the classic verse to inspire us to have the discipline of an athlete is the Apostle Paul’s famous race metaphor: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV Paul speaks of disciplining his body to maintain integrity and effectiveness in his ministry, illustrating personal self-control. Every time I read this, I get motivated to push myself harder, deny my earthly desires, and surrender to Christ. Allow this metaphor of an athlete's discipline to encourage your spiritual endeavors in pursuit of eternal rewards. THE GREAT TECHNIQUE: “JUST SAY NO!” Here is the best technique I know to achieve all we have discussed: “Just say no!” “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14 NIV There is a tremendous power in the word “no.” What we did not want to hear as children we must now tell ourselves as adults. This is where we transition from milk to meat, from adolescence into maturity as Christ-followers. We know what to do. We need to do it by saying “no,” denying ourselves, and being self-controlled. "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;" - 2 Peter 1:5-6 NIV Peter outlines a progression of virtues that begins with faith and includes self-control as essential for spiritual growth and godliness. Sanctification is a progressive process that leads us to every more godly behavior. THE FRUIT OF SELF-DISCIPLINE Allowing the Holy Spirit to control us through daily, moment-by-moment surrender bears great fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 NIV Self-control is a component of the Spirit's fruit, which places it at the heart of Christian character and moral living. CONCLUSION To achieve self-control and self-discipline, we must:
Above all, let’s take our “self” out of self-discipline and self-control. May we give all credit and glory to the Holy Spirit who empowers us to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus our Lord. May we use these biblical success strategies and tactics in our sanctification journey? Travel well. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. April 08, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Overcomming Temptations
TURNED AROUND Have you ever been turned around in a mall and lost track of where you entered? You want to leave and return to your car but don’t know the way out. Similarly, have you ever been lost in a repetitive sin and could not find the way out of that sin? God is never surprised by our struggles. Since Adam and Eve, people have struggled with sin. The good news is that God has given us a way out of the sin dilemma. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV BACK TRACING OUR STEPS “How did we get into this sin in the first place?” is a good first question to ask. For me, overeating is a recurring sin that I can trace back to childhood. I grew up in a poor family, where mom and dad struggled to put food on the table. There was not much of it, and we routinely finished everything on our plate. Me and my younger sister and brother tried clever ways of giving away the vegetables we did not like. We tried hiding them under an overturned potato skin, which often did not work. A surefire solution was to slip the food under the table to our black beagle, Gypsy, who was a willing culprit in our caper. We, kids, shed tears at the table as we were demanded to finish everything on our plates. To this day, this is my custom. Hungry or not, wanting the food or not, I finish everything. And then, sometimes going looking for more. Of course, dessert is also a factor, and I crave those empty calories more than I care to admit. Some of you have a sweet tooth. I have a whole set of “sweet teeth.” Once I start eating anything with sugar in it, I find it hard to stop until my belly is full. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, my belly is much bigger than it ought, with plenty of room for unneeded “sinful” sustenance. What is your recurring sin? Can you perhaps trace it back to something in your childhood? It does not matter how the apple got eaten. We can blame Eve. We can blame Adam. All that really counts is that it was, in fact, consumed against God’s will. They rebelled, just like we still do to this day. But God has given us a way out of this rebellion. When we are tempted, we do have a solution. FINDING THE WAY OUT The first step in getting out of the mall is to look for the exit signs. We can also ask for help, or stop and look at a map. So, too, there is a way out of our recurring sinful behavior. God has given us a solution. It is up to us to “want” to find the way out. If we still desire to stay and shop, even though we know we should be leaving, our half-hearted effort to find the exit will probably not be successful. And even if we locate the way we came in, plenty of stores nearby can call our name, tempting us to stay a little while longer. So, the first step in escaping my sinful behavior is to desire it truly. It is not easy for me to want to give up sweets. I know that is the right thing to do. I have learned this lesson dozens of times over the years. Once I start eating them, I don’t want to stop. The temptation of having them in front of me is very difficult to bear. But watch out. Once I take that first bite, I am off to the races and my “diet” is a distant memory. I must truly come to a place of genuine desire to resist the temptation. Then, I need to ask for help from the right source. ASKING FOR HELP I can tell you that the wrong source of help is my wife, who loves to shop, buys delicious sweets for the family, and fully expects me to be a grown adult and limit my intake. Patty wants me to demonstrate the same self-control she and the family have in abundance. For example, a gallon of ice cream can last in the freezer for a month, until I think to look inside. Making that discovery is a great joy, followed a few days later by remorse as the ice cream is gone, and my scale tells me I’ve gained a few pounds. Patty and I just came back from an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. It was heaven because sweets were everywhere, and it was “all you can eat” all the time. So of course, I did. No, I did not ask for help, because I did not want it. I would have gotten funny looks from the resort staff if I tried to garner their support. After all, why do you come to an “all you can eat” place to eat just some of what you can eat? When we returned home yesterday, and the scale delivered the bad news, I asked the right source for help. Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is the way out. His death and resurrection paved the way for His Holy Spirit to dwell inside each Christ-follower. We have a way out if we call on the Holy Spirit for help. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 NIV By earnestly turning to the Holy Spirit in prayer, we open ourselves to divine assistance that surpasses our human limitations. It's not merely about exerting more self-control or willpower but recognizing our dependency on the Spirit's power to transform and renew our minds and hearts. RELYING ON THE SPIRIT “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV The Holy Spirit produces qualities that are not attainable through human effort alone. Self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit, is critical in overcoming temptations and sinful habits. This supernatural self-control is a gift, cultivated as we live by the Spirit and yield to His leading. RENEWING OUR MIND The battle against sin is often fought in the mind. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 NIV By renewing our minds with God’s Word and truths, we align our thoughts and desires with His. This transformation is pivotal for recognizing the way out when faced with temptation. PUTTING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD Equipping ourselves with the armor of God is essential for spiritual warfare. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:11-12 NIV This includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer. Each piece of armor provides protection and strength to stand firm against temptation. MAKING NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH To avoid recurring sin, we must be proactive about not making provision for the flesh. “Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness." Romans 6:12-13 NIV This means avoiding situations, habits, or environments that tempt us to sin. Instead, we offer ourselves to God, seeking to live in righteousness. CONCLUSION Finding the way out of temptation is not a journey we undertake alone. It involves a sincere desire to change, reliance on the Holy Spirit, transformation through renewing our mind, spiritual readiness with the armor of God, and practical steps to avoid temptation. Self-discipline is a big part of the “way out” for me. Yes, I rely on the Holy Spirit, but Christ wants me to do my part. In the words of the Apostle Paul: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV In Christ Jesus, we have been given everything we need for life and godliness, including the way to resist sin. Through His grace and power, we can overcome and live in the freedom He has won for us. Your aspiring servant and fellow runner Daniel M. Let’s run to win! April 05, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Top Ten Freedoms We Have in Christ
There is tremendous freedom in Christ–much more so than we may believe. Human nature drives us to create a highly detailed list of “do’s and don’ts” that are well-meaning attempts to prevent sin in the life of a Christ-follower. We hear a lot of this in Sunday sermons. Less often taught from the pulpit, our freedom in Christ is a scary proposition for pastors and ministry leaders charged with our care. There is often fear as an underlying motive for glossing over the subject. Would church members behave in an orderly way if they knew how much freedom they had? This question led me to answer: “What is the absolute extent of our freedom in Christ?” Here is a “Top Ten” list of freedoms I believe we have in Christ. Please feel free to respond and tell me which others I have missed.
"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11 NIV We are free to engage daily with Scripture, embracing our God-given freedom to seek truth and challenge others’ interpretations of the Bible. We can not trust the interpretation of the Bible by those who may unknowingly be limiting our freedom. 2. FREE FROM HUMAN INTERPRETATIVE AUTHORITY While we respect the role of teachers and pastors, we hold that no human has ultimate authority over the interpretation of Scripture; Christ alone can do this. "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him." 1 John 2:27 NIV Our confidence rests in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, granting us discernment and understanding of the Bible. 3. FREE TO CONFIDENTLY APPROACH GOD We are free to come into the very presence of the blessed Triune Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 NIV and “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV As we enter intentionally into the presence of Christ, we receive tremendous blessings. This daily discipline requires time specifically set aside to sit in the presence of the Almighty God. 4. FREE TO SEEK GOD’S WISDOM We are free to seek God’s wisdom, directly from God, the final authority on all that is wise and unwise. "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 NIV God invites us to seek His wisdom shamelessly. God, the ultimate source of all wisdom and truth, willingly guides us in understanding His Word. We do not need a priestly or pastoral intermediary. 5. FREE TO LIVE UNBURDENED BY THE LAW God gave us a New Covenant. "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2 NIV Christ's sacrifice fulfilled the law, liberating us from its penalties and enabling us to live in the newness of the Spirit. 6. FREE FROM CONDEMNATION Christ-followers are freed from condemnation, which the law could not accomplish, giving us the boldness to live righteously for God. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 NIV This profound declaration reaffirms that our standing before God is not based on adherence to the Law but on our true identity in Christ Jesus. 7. FREE TO BEAR FRUIT We are free to produce fruit that reflects our transformation in Christ, fruit not grown from our human effort but springing forth from God’s Holy Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV This freedom reveals the true evidence of the Spirit's work within us, transcending the Law, and manifesting the richness of God's grace. 8. FREE TO SERVE IN LOVE Our freedom in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence but an invitation to serve one another in love. "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13 NIV We are free to think of others more highly than we think of ourselves, and free to love all without fear of that love not being returned. 9. FREE TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT As believers, we are given the Holy Spirit to teach us and reveal the truths of God’s Word, allowing us personal communion and understanding. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 NIV This promise implies that the interpretation of God’s Word is not confined to human authority but is made alive in us through the Spirit’s teaching. 10. FREE TO REST IN GOD'S GRACE We are free to rest in the assurance of God's grace, knowing that our salvation and standing before God are not based on our efforts but on Christ's complete and finished work on the cross. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV This freedom allows us to live in peace, knowing we are eternally secure in God's love and grace. It liberates us from the anxiety of trying to earn God's favor through our actions and invites us to trust the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice fully. In this rest, we find the strength to face life's challenges and the motivation to serve God out of gratitude, not obligation. Our identity and value are anchored in what Jesus has done for us, freeing us to live joyful, purposeful lives dedicated to His glory. CONCLUSION In exploring these scriptures, we begin to grasp the breadth and depth of our freedom in Christ. This vast freedom invites us to live unburdened by the law, serve in love, bear spiritual fruit, and live free from condemnation. It is a freedom that should be explored, celebrated, and lived out in the full expression of faith, joy, and love. Let us embrace the tremendous freedom we have in Christ! Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 29, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Does the Bible teach us to dialogue with God?
THE GREAT DISCOVERY Before I discovered conversational prayer, my “conversations” with God were boring monologues. I spoke into a void without hope of a response. Believing I had to earn God’s special favor for Him to speak, my expectations to “hear” from Him were non-existent. In 2015, all that changed. I went through a life crisis, the specifics of which are not important. And it was not the first time God’s Holy Spirit did for me what I could not do for myself. What was different this time was the tool I was given to successfully navigate the storm. Called “two-way” or “conversational” prayer, it transformed my daily quiet times into richer and more rewarding times of intimacy with Christ. What previously was a chore is now a time I most look forward to every morning. This daily two-way dialogue with God is very special and exciting, and you can have it, too! INTIMACY REQUIRES TWO-WAY DIALOGUE We know that two-way communication is how people form intimate human relationships. Can we have this type of back-and-forth communication with the almighty God? Here is a transcript of my two-way dialogue with God about this question. “Father God, can we have two-way communication with you? And, do you want all your Christ-followers to have this, or is it like a spiritual gift, and only for those to whom the gift has been given?” “Child, I always communicate to those who follow me and my teachings. I am the Lord of the living, and those who are alive in Christ have the ability to hear from me. I want all my children to have an intimate relationship with me, and conversing with me is one powerful way of building that intimacy.” Perhaps you can accept that Christ wants to dialogue with you but are wondering if He even wants to converse with you. You believe He speaks to you in His Holy Words of the Bible, but can He put additional words in your heart? Here is the question and answer transcript regarding this question. “Lord, what do my fellow Christ-followers have to do to have the same experience I have with you during our times of two-way prayer?” “Child, people must believe that I am constantly communicating with them. This requires faith. Next, they have to practice listening. This requires having ears to hear, talking less, and waiting on me more.” Therefore, engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue with Christ requires faith, practice, and a willingness to wait on Christ. If all this is true, and there is a Biblical basis for this communication style, why aren’t most pastors teaching us about it? Here again is a transcript that might help. “Lord, why don’t your pastors and Christian leaders teach about this communication method with you?” “Child, most don’t practice it themselves. If they did, they would have deeper relationships with me, and you would see a lot less moral failure by those who claim to lead my people.” THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN There are three main reasons for the lack of information on conversational prayer. They seem to all be based on fear.
OVERCOMING THE FALSE BELIEF OF A SILENT GOD As you consider the God who made the universe, who gave us Jesus Christ as our Savior, and who gifted us with eternal life, do we really believe He does not want to have a dialogue with us? Now that you are thinking about it, does it make sense that the Holy Spirit can’t move inside you to deliver a message? OVERCOMING FALSE HUMILITY One of the main marks of a mature Christ-follower is humility. I know few Christ-followers who confidently claim God communicates directly with them other than through the Bible. When pressed, they often admit they have a sense of God impressing things on them through the power of the Holy Spirit but are reticent to claim hearing God’s voice. Firstly, they don’t hear an audible sound, and secondly, it sounds arrogant to claim special messages from the Godhead. Worrying about what others may think is a false humility that can be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. OVERCOMING FALSE BOUNDARIES Beyond God’s Word, most of us have impressions of what God may be saying to us as we listen to a sermon, participate in a Bible study, or spend quiet times of prayer and meditating on Scripture. However, producing a transcript of a conversation with Christ is not something most could fathom possible. It is a bridge too far to cross, so to speak. Essentially, it is a false boundary we have set for ourselves that can also be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. All three of these false beliefs can be overcome by understanding the Biblical foundation for conversational prayer. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR CONVERSATIONAL PRAYER The following six reasons should help you rationalize trying two-way prayer for yourself. 1. The Nature of Prayer: Prayer is depicted as communication with God throughout the Bible. This includes not only speaking to God but also listening. The Psalms, for instance, are filled with prayers that involve questioning, listening, and responding to the perceived will of God (e.g., Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek."). 2. Examples of Dialogue: The Bible contains numerous examples of individuals who engaged in conversational prayer with God. For example, Moses frequently spoke with God and received direct responses, as seen in Exodus 33:11, "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." This suggests an intimate, conversational style of communication. 3. The Prophets: The prophets in the Old Testament often had conversations with God, where God would give them messages, and they would respond, sometimes with questions or petitions. Jeremiah is a prime example, where he often "argued" with God in prayer (Jeremiah 12:1, for example). 4. Jesus' Example: Jesus' prayer life, as depicted in the Gospels, shows moments of deep, intimate dialogue with the Father. The Gethsemane prayers (e.g., Matthew 26:39) reveal a heartfelt conversation in which Jesus expressed His desires but ultimately submitted to the Father's will. Furthermore, John 17 presents Jesus' high priestly prayer, a profound conversation with the Father concerning Himself, His disciples, and all believers. 5. The Holy Spirit's Role: The New Testament teaches that it helps believers in their prayer life, interceding and guiding them in what to pray for (Romans 8:26-27). This suggests a dynamic relationship between God and the believer in prayer, which includes listening for the Spirit's guidance. 6. Early Church Practice: Acts and the Epistles suggest that the early Christians engaged in prayer as an interactive relationship with God, expecting and experiencing guidance through the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3, where the Holy Spirit speaks to the church in Antioch during a time of worship and fasting). CONCLUSION Conversational prayer is scriptural because the Bible provides precedent and principles for engaging in dynamic, two-way communication with God. This form of prayer emphasizes a personal and intimate relationship with God, where believers are encouraged to speak openly while also making space to listen for His voice and guidance. It's a relational approach to prayer that mirrors the biblical examples of how God's people have communicated with Him throughout salvation history. “Lord, please whisper words you would have me hear, from you, in my heart.” “Child, I am continually bathing you with messages of my unconditional love for you. I have chosen you. Rejoice and be glad!” Two-way dialogue with Christ reflects a deep and intimate relationship with Him. Prayer is about presenting requests or engaging in monologues and listening for God's guidance, instruction, and responses. This approach to prayer is indeed supported by scriptural principles and examples, demonstrating that prayer can encompass rich dialogue and not just monologues. May you explore conversational prayer with Christ. For a great book explaining this process, I’ll point you to my mentor, Buddy Westbrook, and his seminal work: “Come talk with me” Enjoy your quiet times, and may conversational prayer enrich them as it has done mine. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 24, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Everywhere we look, we see examples of various seasons of life. Ecclesiastes perfectly describes this fact of our mortal existence. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ...” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV. I’ve been in a season of publishing this daily devotional for the past several years. After today, I will transition to a weekly post. This particular season started several years ago when the Lord led me to publish my daily quiet time journal, mostly consistently of conversational back-and-forth dialogues with Christ about things God was doing to make me into the man He wants me to be. Then, I started adding posts that were most instructive in nature, with a mixture of transcripts from my daily quiet times, mixed in with lessons God gave me, for my growth, that I shared with you, for your growth. Today, this changed. I had been praying for several months about going to a weekly cadence, as my posts become longer and more in-depth. They began taking several hours per day to produce. I don’t mind the time, but they started interfering with my quiet times. Today, I sat down to write, with an eye on the clock to get out today’s publication. That is not how to have quiet time. As you will see from the following prayer transcript from this morning, my attention needs to be returned to intimacy with Christ. From now on, I will publish once weekly, at the beginning of each week. Here is the dialogue I had with Christ this morning, culminating in this decision. It is offered to inspire you to have your daily conversations with Christ. It has transformed my walk with our Lord, and I believe it will also transform yours. TODAY Monday Early Morning, March 11, 2024 Me: Lord, thank you for Monday. I am grateful to start the week over, and have a new chance at doing an excellent job at work for your glory and your honor. Lord Jesus, the journaling may have gotten out of hand. I don’t know, and I put that at your feet. Christ: My child, I liked when we had this two-way dialogue all the time. Me: I did, too, and I would like to have more of that with you. Christ: Let’s do that and not worry about your blog. Me: I don’t want it to be “my blog.” I want it to be yours. And if you don’t want it, then I should leave it. Christ: You can do it daily if you want, but don’t let it interfere with our relationship. A few hours later, after struggling to write today’s Devotional: Me: Well, it just did. I tried to do one this morning, but it did not work. I am lost. Christ: You are fine. You are right here with me. Me: OK. Well, I need direction, please. Christ: Enjoy me. Sit with me, without having to perform. It’s too much pressure. Me: Yes, Lord. I am more interested in producing good work than giving you the time to shape and mold me. That is what this time is for. I’ll go to a weekly format. Is that OK? Christ: Child, whatever you do is fine; don’t allow your tendency to perform to get in the way of our intimacy. Me: Well, it did today, and I don’t like that. Christ: Then go to a weekly format. CONCLUSION Friends, I have difficulty sharing this dialogue with you because I know this is not a “traditional” form of prayer we are accustomed to hearing from our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I don’t claim some special skill at hearing Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit, in each of us, can impress messages upon us. I have a lot to say on this subject, which will be the topic of my next post. Thank you for bearing with me as I published these daily devotionals. I realize it has been a lot of reading, and very personal. Just know I am grateful for you, and your support as I seek to be obedient to Christ. None of us hears perfectly. The good news is that we have God’s Word, the Bible, as our main means of hearing from Him. And we have each other to help us filter out the noise of our own biases. I am grateful for this and more. Thank you again for being with me during this “Daily Devotional” season. I hope this weekly cadence will also bless you, as I take more time to make it more easily consumable, better researched, and less of a burden for both of us. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 11, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate conversations with Christ. Unfortunately, I’ve never been accused of being timid. If there is one thing that I will shy away from is an uninvited sharing of the Gospel with someone who is not a Christ-follower. Why is that? Do you struggle with this too? I think you must. I know how extroverted and bold I am, and if I am timid, I can imagine that many well-meaning Christ-followers are also reticent. What can we do to better overcome our reluctance to go into a place of uncomfortablity?
We know that God wants us to share of faith. And we know from Scriptures like 2 Timothy 1:7 that we are given a spirit of power to accomplish this. So what holds us back? For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV For me, there are two reasons I don’t share my faith in Christ more often. First, I don’t like to feel uncomfortable. You could say that I am “fat and happy.” Some of you who know me would chime in on that for sure. OK, physically, I’m a little fat. OK. Which is part of the reason why I don’t take more risks sharing the Gospel. I lack a certain amount of self-discipline. Second, I don’t like to make others feel uncomfortable. I want people to think well of me, to like me, and to have a good experience of who I am. To that end, I sacrifice their eternal salvation. That makes sense, right? Perhaps if I had greater love for those who are lost I would take more risk. This scripture is profound. So here is my conclusion and action plan. Perhaps you want to join me in the following three things. I’m going to:
But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV May we do this with the love of Christ in our hearts, and the utmost gentleness and respect for others. Just let’s not be so gentle that the Gospel message of Christ is not clear. For me, to fully implement 1 Peter 3:15, I need to know my Bible better and equip myself with a Gospel Track that would help me fully explain Christ’s message. What about you? What actions do you want to take in light of what God may be speaking as you read this devotional? Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 08, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Heroic rescues excite our senses as we cheer for noble rescuers saving those in peril. The graver the danger, the more our hearts race as we imagine what it must be like to be the victim. Power causes the problem, and greater power provides the solution. Headlines read: “The rescuers overpowered great obstacles and made the rescue.”
Christ Jesus rescued us from the power of Satan and turned us toward God, cleansing us of our sins, through faith, by God’s grace. We received this unmerited favor that allows us to be cleansed of our past and given an eternal future in heaven, safe for all time. The Apostle Paul’s retelling of his conversation with Christ in Acts 26 informs this heroic rescue available to all who turn to God for help. "I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." (Acts 26:17-18, NIV) Many of those rescued, myself included, become very comfortable in the safety in which we now live. We can slip into selfish, self-centered behavior and become complacent in our sanctification. Early in my life with Christ, I was mentored by a pastor who continually told me to “go to the cross” when I brought him my struggles. Many years later, I now understand what he was leading me to do. Instead of running to the world for rescuing, he was pointing me to the finished work of Christ Jesus. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18, NIV) All of us who follow Christ Jesus are sanctified, are being sanctified, and shall continue to be sanctified until our final rescue. We were rescued from Satan’s grip, given the power of the Holy Spirit to stay free, and led to reach out to all nations and peoples, wherever and however we can. Christ has removed our blindfold, rescued us from a fatal situation, and says: “I am sending you to carry my message of salvation and sanctification.” We have been delivered from the evil power of Satan to the pure, loving, safe power of Christ. Let’s not let that rescue mission Christ conducted end with us. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:18-21, NIV) There are still people trapped and in grave danger. Using Ephesians 1:18-21 as a rallying cry, let’s seize the power we have been given and join the rescue mission for those lost and in jeopardy of staying that way for eternity. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 07, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Truth has a peculiar way of making itself known. Sometimes, it strikes us forcefully, like a freight train, and other times, it's as gentle as a feather. Such is the truth of Christ. My initial encounter with it was akin to the touch of a feather, so delicate that I scarcely recognized it as Christ calling me to Himself.
“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” These words adorned the entrance of the Student Union building at the University of Texas at Austin, where I pursued my education. I read them repeatedly over the years without pausing to ponder their origin. I presumed them to be the creation of some insightful philosopher. Filled with what I perceived as truth, I felt no need for further enlightenment. I believed I possessed answers to life's most profound questions and was eager to share them without solicitation. Years later, reality intruded. As a single parent to a vulnerable two-year-old, abandoned by their mother, God intervened. No longer a gentle whisper, He unleashed the full force of the Holy Spirit, akin to a freight train hurtling towards me. His intervention came through Pastor Phil Landrum of Southwest Christian Church, bearing the Good News. It was in 1981, during the early hours of a Saturday morning, that Phil received a distraught call from me, a 24-year-old in desperate need of Jesus. In the months leading to this pivotal moment, I had been evangelized by Neal Johnson, my boss, and had come to acknowledge my need for Jesus. God sent Phil to guide me in accepting Jesus Christ, initiating a lifelong journey of relinquishing my own power, a force akin to a hurricane, in favor of a deeper surrender to the divine power of God. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 NIV) This surrender to God's power stands as one of the most profound truths I've embraced. What God, and many of you, have taught me is that this surrender is a daily practice. It's not achieved over months or years; rather, it's a continual process—a daily relinquishing of control. This goes beyond mere salvation; it's about being fully surrendered to Christ and His power, a journey all disciples of Christ must undertake. Each day, I awaken to surrender afresh to Christ's power, delving deeper into His love, joy, and peace. With each surrender, there's less of myself and more of Christ. This translates to a shift from the storm of my fleshly desires to the right kind of power flowing through me. Truth yields immense power, and absolute truth begets boundless power. Yet, the danger lies in merely hearing it without taking the requisite actions. Daily surrender is imperative to truly follow Christ. Yesterday's surrender is like yesterday's manna; it won't sustain us today. Every morning, my knees must bend anew, seeking fresh guidance from Christ for the day ahead. Superficial gestures and rote prayers won't suffice. To live a life empowered by Christ, we must die to ourselves daily, allowing Christ to live through us. This truth presents a paradox: the more we relinquish our fleshly power, the greater power we attain yet this power isn't of our making and doesn't require our effort to sustain it. The power of Christ's truth liberates us from earthly concerns, granting us progressive levels of freedom until we finally surrender our earthly vessel and embrace the unlimited power of God's love forever. Amen. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 06, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Man's Search and God's Answer
Since the very beginning of time, women and men have relentlessly pursued ever greater power. From Eve in the Garden of Eden, our motive has been clear: the more powerful we become, the more like God we can be. And maybe, just maybe, we can amass enough power to defeat the ultimate lack of power – that of our death. Genesis 3:4 lays out the case for the first example of this, and the entire human history is nothing but a repeat of our rebellious attitudes and actions. We want the power to decide what we do and don’t do and can be lured into inventing elaborate schemes to achieve such control. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4 NIV Knowledge is power. Absolute knowledge is absolute power, and Satan continually uses this temptation to this day. Many Christ-followers are led astray by the pursuit of the wrong kind of power. It comes in many forms of sin, but in the final analysis, the transgression was fueled by the desires of the flesh for the power to act like God and do anything that we want. Conversely, many are led in paths of righteousness by pursuing God’s power for God’s glory. Acts 1:8 shows us that power is given to us by the Holy Spirit to be an effective witness of the Gospel of Christ and all that it entails. We have countless examples of the godly use of power demonstrated by Jesus during His three-year ministry on Earth. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV I pray that we seek the right kind of power. In order to do so, we first need to ensure that the provider of that power is none other than the Holy Spirit. Any other source will lead us astray and damage our witness. It is surprising to realize that our thirst for greater and greater power can be a good thing. I’ve always thought of it as a source of evil. However, I now realize that if the power is from the Holy Spirit, and I use it for witnessing and attesting to the Gospel of Christ, then I am doing God’s will. To Him who has all power, God the Father, Christ Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit – blessed, Triune God, may He give us His power to do His will in His way and in His time. Amen. For our greatest power in Christ - your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 05, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. MY JOURNEY - A PERSONAL TESTIMONIAL
I grew up in a moderately religious Catholic family, the oldest of three. Mom and Dad made major sacrifices to send us to 12 years of Catholic school, where I was taught about God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit. As a youngster, I accepted what was taught with faith like a child and did my best to sincerely love God. However, I couldn't understand why my parents prayed on Sunday and yelled on Monday. Undeterred by a chaotic home life, I’d pray the Rosary nightly, striving to reduce the years in Purgatory before being allowed into Heaven, where I’d have peace. Even serving religiously as an altar boy at daily 6:00 am masses did not bring serenity. Hungry for God and the relief Heaven promised, I wanted to escape my abusive childhood. But freedom from this mostly unhappy childhood was elusive. In my early teens, I became a Lectern at church, standing up front and reading from this big book. Later in life, I’d learn it was the Bible. The words I recited invoked mixed emotions of great reverence and much fear, for God seemed so huge, powerful, and unapproachable. I felt insignificant to Him, my family, and my friends. To say that I had low self-esteem is to think of the Grand Canyon as a ditch in the ground. We all have this God-shaped hole, and no matter how hard we try to fill it, nothing satisfies. But that did not stop me from trying to plug the leak in my soul. At the age of 14, I discovered alcohol and drugs and quickly gave up trying to escape into God. My new escape eliminated the wait for heaven. I found it on Earth. No longer the child who couldn’t fit in, I discovered my identity and was accepted by a circle of kids who were also compelled to escape reality. Comfortable with my new persona as a wild child, I did everything that kept my parents up at night and on their knees. It finally got so bad that at age 18, my parents evicted me, and my life became a haze of inebriation and real-life fantasies. I rapidly climbed this ladder to the top and in less than one year became utterly miserable. I cried out for help, and my parents secured a doctor for their wayward son. Dr. Nick Marchese helped me get sober, visualize a different ladder to climb, and introduced me to my new god: Success. Now my addiction became accomplishments, first with school, and then with jobs. And when success failed to change the way I felt, alcohol and drugs were frequent companions that eased my emotional pain and suffering. There are many substances you should not put into your body because they change the delicate balance of chemicals inside our brains. My mind started playing tricks on me, diminished my mental and emotional capacity, and drove me to greater cycles of dysfunctional behavior and self-medication. Then, in 1981 at the age of twenty-four, I accepted Christ as my savior, got baptized, and stopped using alcohol and drugs. From 1987 to 1990, I dried out and went almost three years without self-medicating. But the stronghold of addiction came roaring back with a vengeance upon a romantic breakup. I went right back to all my self-destructive behaviors, and for the next six years, got progressively worse until one fateful day. The facade of a life I had propped up for the world to see came crashing down on top of me, and I was crushed by an unbearable weight that removed all denial and doubt. Hitting the lowest point of my life, this bottom proved to be a major turning point. On March 4, 1996, I surrendered myself to God in a much deeper way, admitted to the world I was an alcoholic and got sober. It was then I realized my utter powerlessness over my life and everything in it. Christ may have been my savior, but He was not my Master. The master of self that I was serving turned out to be a demon I could not beat. I needed to surrender into the arms of God, which I did with complete abandon. However, addiction still had a hold on me. It simply morphed from alcoholism to workaholism and hyper-spiritualism. I became addicted to work, my new god. It became my idol I served faithfully and was rewarded with significant success in every aspect of my life. I became a leader in Alcoholics Anonymous and worked intensely to help myself and others. As CEO of an executive coaching firm, I became a highly successful and very wealthy leadership coach. As founder of a Christian ministry, I served multitudes of church pastors to grow and develop. If you looked into any aspect of my life at that point, you would see an incredibly successful person. That is because I desperately needed you to think of me as somebody important. Everyone but me seemed to believe that lie. I knew I was still an imposter. I had what we call the “Imposter Syndrome.” This condition prevents one from experiencing the deeper things of being a Christ-follower, namely love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Holy Spirit whom I kept at arm’s length while I served the god of work. In 1996, after God permanently removed the stronghold of alcoholism and drug addiction from my life forever, I now became addicted to money and fame, both of which came in great abundance. As I grew and matured as a sober Christ-follower, my addiction to wealth and prestige multiplied, as did spiritual pride. In 2015, God did for me then what I could not do for myself. The stronghold that gripped me since my teenage years seemed like it was finally broken. But much damage was done during those many years of insanity. I’ll spare you the gory details. Suffice it to say that I was a very self-destructive person who was an expert at self-sabotage for anything good God would send my way. And, the stronghold that gripped me, that I thought was relieved the day I got sober, simply morphed as it often does with countless others. Gaining a significant reputation in the Christian community as a workplace minister, I became bi-vocational and began giving back my time, talents, and treasures by serving senior pastors of churches with the gifts God gave me as a leadership coach. In 2016, at the age of 59 and a multi-millionaire, I founded a Christian ministry as a way of repaying God and overcoming the guilt of being financially wealthy. As a result of my actions, even with these imperfect motives, God rewarded me richly by allowing me to become completely broken, removing the last vestiges of this addiction stronghold, and becoming free from what I call the “ism” of addiction. It takes many forms. It first manifested itself as alcoholism in my youth, and spiritual pride-ism in these later years. Along the way, workaholism was a constant enabler and perpetuator of the many lies that made up this complicated stronghold. I empathize with those who believe that self-driven solutions can break the stronghold of addiction. However, for me, the truth is that only the Holy Spirit can dismantle the intricate web of lies that Satan and his demons weave into someone afflicted with addiction. There exists a panacea and cure-all for this hopeless state of body, mind, and spirit: an intimate, personal relationship with God. Yet, half-measures are ineffective. I've found that I must be 100% surrendered to God, or the stronghold will persist. 99% will not suffice. Today, I am thrilled to celebrate my 28th year of sobriety, and I can confidently say that the stronghold of addiction has been permanently shattered. I understand that claiming "forever" is bold, and asserting that I am "completely recovered" may sound audacious. However, I know that God has accomplished for me what I could not achieve alone. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God has utterly broken this stronghold of addiction. I am no longer swayed by others' words or actions, and I can genuinely affirm that I am almost entirely comfortable in my own skin, although sharing this testimony still makes me a bit uneasy. I still find discomfort unsettling. Every day, I am granted a reprieve from my former stronghold. It is my responsibility to maintain a fit spiritual condition. If I allow Satan's demons to repossess me and reestablish this negative influence, it will be because I failed to adhere to the crucial daily routine that God has bestowed upon me. Then, I immerse myself in reading the Bible and other spiritual texts that remind me of my identity (a child of God) and my allegiance (to the Maker, Master, and Ruler of the Universe), our Father who art in Heaven. Holy is His Name. His kingdom is unseen but omnipresent, including within me. He completely governs me if I allow Him. To do so, I require this daily period of prayer, meditation, and journaling to recollect the Truths of God and evade the lies of Satan. This is my daily reprieve. As vital as it has been for me to acknowledge the presence of absolute good, God, it has been equally crucial to acknowledge the reality of absolute evil, which seeks to harm me, ensnare me in strongholds, and deceive me into believing that I am cured when, in reality, I only have a daily respite by remaining under the protection of Almighty God. Today, I swiftly recognize if I have given the enemy even the slightest foothold. I promptly turn away from pursuing my own desires and embrace the ways of God, which bring love, joy, and peace that transcend all human understanding. I will conclude with one of my favorite quotes from the spiritual literature I regularly read: "God is everything, or He is nothing. May you find Him now. Amen." Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 04, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Identifying strongholds in our own lives, those of others, and in our community is obviously very important in order to be effective Christ-followers.
In this section, I’ll try to equip us to better recognize strongholds so we can gain freedom from them for ourselves and others. In Part 1 - what they are, and Part 2 - how to overcome them, we found the Bible clear: Strongholds exist, and they can and will be overcome, in this life perhaps, and certainly in the next. But why wait for Heaven to be free from bondage? There is excellent teaching in God’s Word, and Christian authors, on this subject. In fact, I came across a great article that does a much better job than I can of addressing this subject of identifying strongholds. Go to Shegznstuff and you will find a two-part series on this subject by author Segun “Shegz” Aiyegbushi. CATEGORIES OF STRONGHOLDS Here are the five categories Segun identifies as categories of strongholds:
HOLY SPIRIT DISCERNMENT God has given us a savior, Jesus Christ. By accepting Him, we get many gifts, including the most profound, the Holy Spirit, who will be with us for eternity. The Holy Spirit is not a thing, but a person. Equal to God the Father, and Christ Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit is our constant companion and protector, and will reveal to us strongholds in ourselves, others, and our community if we are intimately well connected with the Holy Spirit. HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT Quick little prayers here and there are great throughout the day, but will not serve to build a deep, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Personally, for many years that was the extent of my prayer life. As God removed a major stronghold (alcoholism) from me in 1996, I started becoming better and better about two-way communication with God. Allow me to use marriage as an example. If all you do is say a quick hello and goodbye to your spouse, you will not develop an intimate relationship and that marriage has almost zero chance of succeeding. If your prayer life is only quick little prayers, you’re easing conscience at the expense of a relationship. There’s no substitute for time spent with Christ. If you’ve read my previous devotionals, you know I harp on a daily time of prayer (talking to God), meditation (listening to God), and capturing lessons learned from our time with Him (journaling). It is a daily discipline that produces the transformational results Christ-followers desire but seldom achieve due to a simple failure to invest the time. Just like with your spouse, the question about quality versus quantity time, and which one is better, is simply answered: “Both.” You need both to be in intimate relationships. One without the other is to shortchange your partner. Unfortunately, we can get away with shortchanging Christ a lot easier, and He does not make us sleep on the couch for being insensitive to His needs. Although sometimes, I wish He would! Let’s dedicate time to building a deep, effective, rich relationship with Christ. What have we got to lose? In the words of the famous slain missionary Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” ALL ARE CALLED TO ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE Just as we are all called to full-time ministry, so too are we all called to engage in spiritual warfare. It is the exception that some of us are called to full-time vocational ministry. However, no one is exempt from the call to actively engage in fulfilling the Great Commission. It is a command and supreme directive to every man, woman, and child who confesses Jesus Christ as savior. Many, like myself, answered this call but still had strongholds in our lives. We got involved in vocational or bi-vocational ministry despite the “thorns in our flesh.” It was suboptimal, but what was good enough for the Apostle Paul is good enough for me. And, if every pastor or bi-vocational minister who had a stronghold resigned from ministry today, there would hardly be anyone left to shepherd Christ-followers! Beware of casting judgment on those of us who struggle with strongholds. Maybe spiritual pride is one of yours. ALL ARE CALLED TO LORDSHIP The next step in the journey for a ministry leader, or Christ-follower at any level, is to actively pursue an intimate relationship with Christ. This is where God is allowed to fully and completely be Lord of our lives. Where through our full acceptance of Him, we fully submit to the Holy Spirit’s leadership. We call this “Submitted to the Lordship of Christ” or “Christ is truly Lord of my life.” It is highly advisable to be in this state of “full submission to the Lordship of Christ” for maximum effectiveness and victory in battle. We are all engaged in this war of good versus evil, whether we know it or not. We need help and cannot prevail on our own. We must rely on the Holy Spirit. And unconfessed sin, a rebellious nature, or strongholds of any sort can weaken us to the point of defeat. APPLICATION FOR PASTORS AND MINISTRY LEADERS If you are a pastor or ministry leader in any capacity, it is critical for you to role model behavior for those that Christ has put under your care. If you are not having a daily time of prayer, meditation, and journaling of lessons learned, how can you expect others that follow you to engage in this practice? Our primary weapon to break down strongholds is the Holy Spirit. And our primary way to recognize strongholds is also the Holy Spirit. We will know in our spirit what to do, where to go, how to pray, and who else to bring in on various assignments we are given. We just need to be very in tune with Christ in order to hear what Christ is saying to us. THE NEVER-ENDING VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT There is a continuous outward-bound communication from the Holy Spirit, akin to radio waves, which we cannot hear unless we possess a device capable of capturing and amplifying them. God has given us such a device: the daily quiet time, allowing us to hear His constant flow of words such as “I love you”, “I care for you”, “I am with you”, “I will never leave or forsake you”, “You will be with me for eternity”, and more. God is always speaking to us. For those who are hard of hearing, reading God’s Word (the Bible) is a reliable method of receiving His messages. The Holy Spirit leads and guides us to where we should read, imparting lessons we need to learn. Additionally, the Holy Spirit reveals strongholds in our lives and equips us with the tools necessary to break free from them. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Today, God revealed to me a list of strongholds. They include, but are not limited to: Addictions (such as alcohol, drugs, food, sex, rage, work, image, or compulsions), other recurring sins (like being controlling, angry, bitter, jealous, and more), certain mental and physical illnesses, demon possession, and so forth. Not all sins are considered strongholds; the distinguishing factor for me is the frequency of recurrence of the sin or possession. If you struggle with strongholds, actively increase the time you spend with God in daily prayer, meditation, and journaling. Share your struggles with others. Seek help from the community of Christ-followers. You are not alone. The same advice applies if you observe strongholds in others. And if you fail to recognize the strongholds in our world, I pray that your eyes may be opened, for there is a war raging. To underscore the importance of having “eyes wide open,” I’ll conclude with one of my favorite Old Testament stories: “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV) CONCLUSION We have more allies than adversaries. The Holy Spirit is on our side, as are all the angels in Heaven. Victory already belongs to the Blessed Trinity. Claim your rightful place in Christ’s kingdom, free from strongholds. Claim that place for others as well, and for communities, ranging from your small group, local church, city, state, country, to this little place we call Earth. For our greatest freedom in Christ - your aspiring servant, Daniel M. March 01, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. In yesterday’s devotional, I promised to address “how” to identify strongholds. However, God led me in a different direction this morning during my quiet time. Instead, here is how to “overcome strongholds.” Maybe there will be a Part 3: How to Identify Strongholds. Maybe not. I’ll see which way the Lord leads when I sit with Him again tomorrow.
THE “HOW” OF OVERCOMING STRONGHOLDS These deeply rooted issues can and will be overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the blood of Jesus Christ. Any entity or power that opposes God’s will in our lives must be brought down and defeated. As Christ-followers, spiritual warfare is part of our discipline and training on the unseen battlefield between God and evil. Overcoming strongholds requires a multifaceted approach that combines spiritual disciplines, scriptural truths, and practical steps. The battle against strongholds is both spiritual and practical, demanding a strategy that engages with our faith and daily actions. Here are some ideas on how to overcome three types of strongholds: • Personal strongholds • Other people’s strongholds • Community strongholds OVERCOME PERSONAL STRONGHOLDS As a recovered alcoholic, I can speak with authority on the stronghold of addiction. March 4, 1996, is my sobriety date, and I haven't had a sip of alcohol since. I accepted Christ as my Savior in 1982, but for 14 years as I grew as a sincere Christ-follower, my alcoholism grew as well. I kept it a secret until I could no longer, publicly admitted defeat, and surrendered this stronghold to Christ’s healing hand. Here are some steps you can take, in partnership with Christ, to break a stronghold in your life:
“Lord Jesus, food is a stronghold in my life, and I repent from the sin of gluttony. Please forgive me, break this stronghold in my life, and heal me of my malady. I pray for a covering of protection with the blood of Jesus, who can break this stronghold. I surrender to you and your Holy Spirit, and give my food consumption to you. Please take full control of my diet, Lord, break this stronghold, and glorify yourself through a transformation in my dietary habits. Amen.” HELP THOSE WE LOVE OVERCOME STRONGHOLDS God wants us to actively minister to others. Christ wants us to love everyone, not just those close to us, such as family and friends. However, those are the ones with whom we have the greatest insights, so it makes sense that when we consider helping others overcome strongholds, this is the first place we look. Here are some things we can do to help break strongholds in others:
Any group of people can constitute a community. From the micro-group of your small group or local church to the macro-group of your city or entire country, the various communities in which you operate all have strongholds. Here are some things you can do to engage in spiritual warfare on behalf of Christ in a given community:
Overcoming strongholds requires a concerted effort of prayer, engagement with Scripture, and practical steps towards healing and freedom. It's a journey that involves not just the individual but also the support and love of those around them, and a reliance on God's power to transform and renew. Whether personal, in those we love, or within our community, the path to overcoming strongholds is paved with grace, truth, and the relentless pursuit of God's will. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. February 29, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Strongholds are deeply entrenched patterns of thought, behavior, or spiritual influences standing in opposition to the knowledge and will of God.
As we discuss this subject, I’m aware of many great books on the subject that are worth reading. Equally, there is a bunch of nonsense written by perhaps well-meaning scholars who have gone to extremes. Suffice it to say that strongholds can be personal sins, collective cultural practices, or ideologies that lead individuals and communities away from a life aligned with Scripture and the character of Christ. Wherever we find a stronghold, we find Christ ready to provide a way out. “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him...” (Nahum 1:7 NIV) CHRIST-FOLLOWERS ARE AT WAR Strongholds are mostly ideological and spiritual. They are "arguments" and "pretensions" that oppose the knowledge of God. "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV) We are equipped by Christ with His spiritual weapons, endowed with divine power, to overcome strongholds. It is important to realize that our spiritual warfare is fought in the realm of beliefs, thoughts, and understandings, in the unseen but very real realm of the spiritual world. For me, I don’t think enough about this war, so I am grateful that Christ has led me today to dig into this subject. After I finish capturing what I believe the Lord wants me to say today, I am going to pray over my family, that we be protected from any and all attacks of Satan and his demons. We are at war. Let’s not forget that. SATAN IS CONSTANTLY SENDING DEMONIC ATTACKS AGAINST US I often forget that there is a war going on between Satan and Christ. Total, despicable, hateful, diabolical evil versus total, pure, absolute, perfect good. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV) We must overcome the influences and powers that can act as strongholds in our life or community, actively resisting and overcoming that which tries to deter individuals and communities from this path. I heard a sermon recently where the pastor said that Satan can’t be everywhere, and that is true. However, he does not have to be. He is the CEO of Satan, Inc. His organization is made up of demons. He can be in one place, but be sending out demons in every direction to attack Christ-followers. We can see the results of these attacks as we watch an epidemic of seemingly Godly pastors fall into sins that disqualify them from vocational ministry. It is a bloodbath and it’s getting worse by the day. Or we see Christian marriages blowing up everywhere, with a 50% divorce rate, equal to the non-Christ-following world. Marriages are under attack. Our pastors are being spiritually slaughtered. Don’t tell me that there is not a war going on. The proof is everywhere if we would just look. And the fall of a pastor, like the fall of a marriage, or that of any individual usually begins with a stronghold. IDENTIFYING STRONGHOLDS Tomorrow, I will address the “how” of identifying strongholds in Part 2. And in Part 3, I’ll give you methods to overcome them. Stay tuned. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. February 28, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Stressors are ubiquitous; they come in all shapes and sizes. They can arise from both positive and negative experiences, from moments of joy to those of sorrow. Every change, no matter how small, can act as a stressor, much like the relentless crashing of ocean waves. For some, even minor stressors can have a significant impact, knocking them off balance.
Change, in particular, serves as a major stressor. Personally, I find myself emotionally fragile, susceptible to being overwhelmed by the waves of change that sweep into my life. While others may navigate through these stressors with ease, I often find myself struggling to stay afloat. Currently, I find myself grappling with the weight of a significant change in my life. A trusted assistant who has been by my side for four years has recently decided to pursue vocational ministry, leading to her resignation. Despite her willingness to assist with the transition, I am feeling the full force of this stressor, causing considerable distress. What I wish to convey is that stressors are an inevitable part of life. They come in various forms, including moments of happiness such as weddings, the birth of a child, or starting a new job. How we handle these changes is what defines stress. Saying, "I feel stressed," essentially means, "There is a stressor that I am struggling to cope with, and it is manifesting as emotional and mental distress." THE BIBLE, STRESSORS, AND STRESS The Bible offers profound wisdom and guidance on navigating life's stressors. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) advises, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When faced with overwhelming stressors, we are not left alone. Instead, we are encouraged to bring our concerns before God in prayer, with a heart filled with gratitude. Through this, we invite God's peace to reign in our hearts and minds, providing stability amidst life's tumultuous changes. Further guidance is found in Matthew 6:34 (NIV), where Jesus acknowledges the presence of stressors but urges us not to be consumed by worry: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Instead of dwelling on future uncertainties, we are called to focus on the present moment, trusting in God's provision for each day. As believers, we are reminded of the importance of casting our burdens upon the Lord in 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV): "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." We can rest assured of God's care and concern for us, prompting us to entrust our worries and stresses into His loving hands. CONCLUSION While stressors are unavoidable in this imperfect world, we can find solace in the promises and teachings of Scripture. By seeking God in prayer, trusting in His provision, and surrendering our burdens to Him, we can find strength and peace to endure life's challenges, even amidst the most tumultuous storms. Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. February 27, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. We are saved by faith, and saving faith produces good works. Those who lack works prove that they lack saving faith. For Scripture is clear: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26 NIV)
The vast majority of Christ-followers today have it easy, myself included. Most of us rest in the generous grace Christ has bestowed on us and do not feel the need, let alone the pressure, to perform good works for Christ’s Kingdom. We are saved, and we are glad, and rest in that assurance of salvation. However, I do not see modern-day Christians necessarily motivated to become uncomfortable in order to actively work in fulfilling the Great Commission we have been given by Jesus Christ, our Teacher and Master. I pray that God will help us to become uncomfortable with being too comfortable, and that we become more willing to sacrifice our comfort for the greater good of the realization of Christ’s mission. His rallying cry for each of us is win-build-send. WIN-BUILD-SEND We are all called to actively help win people to Christ (WIN), help build them up in having deep and mature faith in Christ (BUILD), and fully equip and send them out to make disciples and do likewise (SEND). I am not saying that if you are not actively involved in Win-Build-Send then you are not a true believer. But I am saying that the Holy Spirit may not be totally free to do good works through you, and that you may not be fully alive in Christ. Or, I may be wrong, and you are in fact dead as you read this. I don’t know the condition of your soul. That is between you and your Maker, the author and perfecter of your faith. For sure, many who call themselves a Christian are fully dead and have only taken the name, but not the relationship. They are CINOs. Christians-in-name-only. I truly hope that is not you. FULLY ALIVE IN CHRIST What does it mean to be "fully alive in Christ?" Is it not a binary thing? Either you have Christ, or you don’t? Scripture tells us that there is a maturation process that occurs in Christ-followers, and that the more mature we become in Christ, the more we will be involved in partnering with Christ in His plan for us and the world. For me, to be fully alive in Christ is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment experience. It is not at all binary in the least. There are varying degrees of aliveness depending on the degree of me that is involved in the equation. "Less of me, more of Christ" is my rallying cry, and it works when I surrender to Christ and let Him have His way with me. Conversely, when I take control, my works do not honor Christ. Just the opposite, they are honoring me. Are we building idols, trying to be an idol, or worshiping the one true God who is the end all, be all for our existence? If we are honest with ourselves, too often we are giving lip service to our Christian walk, and not taking enough actions. Let us cast down every pretense that gets in the way of our good works for Christ’s greatest glory. CONSISTENT, DAILY ACTIONS I would submit to you that the more consistently we take daily actions to help expand Christ’s kingdom here on earth, the more fully alive we will be in Christ. Corresponding to this "being" will be our "doing." We will naturally do the things of the Spirit, and be less concerned about doing the things of the flesh. Our human desires will be less of a driver, and the Holy Spirit inside of us will be more in control to take us where Christ wants us to go. Where that is only God knows, but it is up to us to try to discern and follow God’s Plan, with a capital "P." We can’t very well do GOOD WORKS if we are not relatively dead to our selfish, self-centered desires and alive to Christ. We are all called to do good works to honor our heavenly Father. Jesus Christ demonstrated this during his three short years of ministry on earth. We constantly see Christ Jesus deferring to God the Father, and so should we. With the time we have left, let us dedicate this short stint on earth to invest in the treasures waiting for us with Christ in eternity. May our works glorify Christ our King! Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. February 26, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. Raised to believe God is a punishing, vengeful, and angry Supreme Being, I was afraid of Him. That fear manifested as great reverence, respect, and awe of this Deity who determined how long I would suffer in Purgatory before I could get to Heaven.
SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS As I came to know Jesus Christ as revealed in the Gospels, a different picture emerged. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). Finding progressively greater amounts of rest in the goodness of Christ, I now see God’s great goodness. With the tremendous suffering in our world today, it is easy to miss the totality of God’s goodness. We must remember, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:5 NIV). Our generation seems more depraved than any before it, but God remains the safe place we can go for comfort and nurturing as our soul aches from seeing man’s total depravity against others. "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him" (Psalm 34:8 NIV). Yes, this daily quiet time with Christ is my refuge. This is where I experience God’s great goodness the most. THANKING GOD FOR BEING GOOD TO US Having an attitude of gratitude is essential for me to fully understand just how good God is. "The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made" (Psalm 145:9 NIV). I am so grateful that our Father in Heaven is not the God of my youth. I now know that "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" (Psalm 145:8 NIV). Christ Jesus demonstrated His goodness and that of our Father countless times, so that we would not be able to miss the true goodness of God. "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Matthew 14:14 NIV). TRUSTING GOD As we reflect on God’s absolute, total, never-ending goodness and love for us, we can rely on Him for everything. In short, we can trust Him in the good times and bad. In our joy and sorrow. In our triumphs and defeats. For “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him" (Nahum 1:7 NIV). Your aspiring servant, Daniel M. February 23, 2024 POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ. |
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