A Distorted View

   Have you ever looked through a camera, window, telescope, glasses, or binoculars and the view wasn't what you were expecting? Maybe it was dirty, foggy, or maybe you couldn't see at all. You think it would be better if you just didn't use the thing that was supposed to help you see better or capture that memory. Well, unfortunately, some people's views of the world is distorted anyhow even without using that dirty enhancer.

PEACE

   The world's definition: calm, quiet, no war, no arguing, etc.

   God's definition: John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

   Peace isn't no war or problems. Peace is being in the middle of those problems, battles, storms, etc. And knowing you will be okay. You are okay because God is with you in those problems. He's already won the war so what can those problems do to you?

HAPPINESS

   The world's definition: anything that gives you pleasure. (Food, sex, drugs, movies, etc.)

   God's definition: James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

   Joy, or happiness, isn't found in the things of this world. We can try to fill the hole in our hearts with the things of this world, but they only bring temporary happiness. True joy is found in God. When we choose him and follow him, we will still have problems, but we will know that our joy doesn't need to change because God is with us.

SUCCESS

   The world's definition: having lots of money, cars, a big house, a high paying job, lots of material things, being famous/popular, knowing you are the GOAT, etc.

   God's definition: Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

   What is the point of being successful according to the world? The point is that you have a good job, a lot of money, you have things that are thought of as bringing happiness. It is thought to bring you comfort. That definition of success brings happiness for a time. But not eternal joy. The point of us being on earth is for us to know Christ, to show his love to others, and to lead others to him. All of which, is reflecting his glory. That's not saying that if we lead someone to Christ, we should have pride and think we are the best. No! Rather, we should rejoice that another soul was saved. Another person was brought into the kingdom.

LOVE

   The world's definition: something that gives you butterflies. When that feeling of butterflies leaves, you fall out of love. Something that can be used to make you have happiness, success, or peace. 

   God's definition: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

   Love isn't a tool to be used to get what you want. Love isn't just a feeling. Love is action. Love is respect. Love is sacrifice. It takes sacrifice to do all these things in 1 Corinthians 13. We sacrifice time when we are patient. We sacrifice our needs/desires when we don't envy, don't boast, and are not proud. We sacrifice our feelings/rights when we hold back anger and forgive when we are wronged. God is love. And we are to follow Jesus' example and love God and others.

   So, is your view distorted of any of these things? How can you remember the true definitions of these things and put them into action?

https://youtu.be/Xshp12GQegw

Study for Your Retest

   One day I was talking with my boyfriend about teaching and how much of it relates to our relationship with God. It was a bit of a rough week with the kids. They were having trouble listening and following the rules. My boyfriend asked me how I handle when that happens. I related it to something I talked about at Lancaster Bible College.

   A large area of discussion in education is whether teachers should give retests. If I was not Christian, I would probably say, "no, retests should not be given. You should have studied the first time." But God gives retests. When we fail and sin, God forgives us and lets us try again. Thank goodness in his grace, he does, or no one would be with him in heaven. 

   That's why I told my boyfriend that I give my students another chance. I forgive them and pray that they grow and learn their lesson. At that point, my boyfriend looked at me and said, "I'm glad God gives retests, I'm in one right now."

   See, my boyfriend had been in one other serious relationship before. That relationship did not work out because he wasn't focused on growing in God as much at that point in his life. After he said he was in a retest, I replied, "well at least you have studied for this retest." My boyfriend was seeking God at that point. He was growing in God and learning more about him. He was following Colossians 2:6-7 which says, "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

   As Christians, we aren't meant to stay stagnant in our walk with God. We are to be rooted in him. We should have deep roots going down searching for spiritual water to grow in God. Each day, we should be spending time with God, so we are growing in him. Then when tests or trials come, and they will, we will have the answers to that test. We will be able to refute Satan with scripture because we are rooted in God.

   So, are you studying for your tests and retests? How will you spend time with God each day?

https://youtu.be/vsPR6Tcq4Wg

A Battle

   I've talked about feeling suckerpunched before. I've found that it happens when things seem to be going well but suddenly you are attacked. That happened to me one time and it was a struggle.

   Things were going well; I was on a God high. Then I felt taken for granted, I was tired, and changes were happening all around me. I suddenly felt weak, alone, upset, and angry. I faced a battle within myself. Knowing that God was with me was on one side. The other side was it was unfair, I should just leave, and I wanted to punch something.

   I prayed. God, why? Why is this happening? You know how hard this was for me the last time. Why would you let this happen again?

   He wasn't afraid of my question, my tears, or my anger. He was glad I came to him. God answered me. My devotion reminded me to step away from the victim mentality because in him I'm more than a conqueror.

   The next morning, I was doing my other devos. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminded me to trust in God. In his plan because he has one for me. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 told me that I am to share my weaknesses. Also reminded me that God works through coincidences. He is with me.

   Then my heart began to sing "Confidence" by Sanctus Real. I can face my giants with God. He's on my side. I'm his daughter. He loves me and is with me.

   So what battle are you facing? How can you rely on God and remember he is with you?

https://youtu.be/OyhCMeYf6IA?si=5xrRvW_eEYcU_ta9

Let It Go, It Holds No Power Over You

    I enjoy reading books. Melanie Dickenson is an author who writes books based off fairy tales and adds Christian messages to them. One book is called The Merchants Daughter based off of Beauty and the Beast.

   In the book Beast is the way he is because his wife hated him after he was maimed. She no longer loved him because of the way he looked. Eventually the wife leaves but Beast cannot let go of the power she holds over him. He thinks no one can ever love him because of how he looks so he pushes everyone away.

   While reading this book, I said "Beast just needs to let go of the hold the past has on him." As I said it, I realized that I also hold on the past. Philippians 3:3-4 says, "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." This verse tells us that we need to forget about what's behind us. Yes, those experiences shaped us into who we are today, but they no longer have a hold on us because God changed us. 

   No matter what you have done in your past, God has wiped it clean. He loves you and walks with you. Nothing man has said or done to you matters in the long run. In eternity none of it will matter. That doesn't mean God doesn't care about what we are going through. It just means that in eternity it won't feel like a log has hit us like it may now. It won't even feel like a toothpick hitting us because there will be no sorrow or pain in heaven. Won't that be amazing?

   So, does the past have a hold on you? How can you trust God with your past and your future? 

 https://youtu.be/IE6mrzaZbP0?si=nsPh-8lsgW13CGyU

Leaving Comfort

   Mind blank. Darkness around. Breathe in, breathe out. BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP. Ugh, you groan as you roll over to stop your alarm. Maybe you continue to lay there for a bit. Then eventually you sit up. Grabbing your Bible and devotional book, you spend time with your Lord. After that's done you sit. 

   Your bed is warm and soft. The blankets provide comfort. It's hard to leave. It's especially hard because you know, once you leave that bed, the crazy kicks in. You need to make breakfast, prepare your bag for work, maybe wake your kids if you have them, etc. It seems like a better idea to just stay in the comfort of your bed.

   In Matthew 14:22-33 we see the event of Jesus walking on water. Though there was a storm, Peter chose to leave the boat, which was safe and more comfortable than the deep raging ocean and walk on water. Had Peter chosen to stay in comfort, we would not have an amazing example of faith and what happens when we take our eyes off God to focus on our problems. 

   Yes, it's nice to stay in comfort. But if we don't leave the bed, the boat, our house, etc. Then we are not going to live out our purpose. We will not be following Jesus' command to go into the world and make disciples. We will not be reflecting his glory.

   So, are you staying in comfort too much? How can you leave your comfort zone knowing God is with you?

https://youtu.be/TFLOQ62KQJM

Twitterpated

   One day I was outside on a very nice day with my students. A newer teacher was with me. I heard the tweet of a bird. Looking on my right, I saw a female cardinal. I pointed it out to my co-teacher. Then I saw a male one and pointed it out as well. The next thing I said elicited an interesting response from the new teacher I said, "they are twitterpated."

   Her mouth dropped and then she laughed. I said, "what? They (the kids) don't know what that means. I'm shocked you even know what that means!" The only reason I knew was because of Bambi.

   This got me thinking about how we don't know things unless they are explained to us. It is the same way as with the gospel. We don't know about it until someone tells us it.

   We are called to spread the good news with others. Matthew 28:19 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." We are to make sure that others know about Christ and understand who he is and what he did for us.

   So, do you know who Christ is? How can you spread the Gospel each day?

https://youtu.be/U10BeV4r1JE?si=pSXMcPol1QFAHYGv

The Most Powerful Force in the World

   Love: it is a simple word and yet it is so powerful. We use the word almost every day and yet, so many people don’t know what it means. I already discussed that in last year’s Valentine’s Day post so I won’t bore you with that again.

   But, I do want to point out that love is very powerful. There are many forces in the world: gravity, inertia, The Force (Star Wars), and so many more. But, though all of these are important forces, I think the most powerful is love. Merlin and King Arthur put it best in the Disney movie The Sword and the Stone: “Merlin: ‘ah, you know, lad, that love business is a powerful thing.’ Arthur: ‘greater than gravity?’ Merlin: ‘well, yes, boy. In its way, I’d, uh… Yes, I’d say it’s the greatest force on earth.’”

   Honestly, in my opinion, love makes the world go round, literally. Think about it: why did God create everything? He created us, water, food, earth, life because he loved us before we were even created. Without God, there would be no earth. Thus, love makes the world go round. And, it is still very powerful today. God sent his Son to save us because he loves us. God’s love is unconditional. It is him showing compassion and grace even when we don’t deserve it.

   God asks nothing in return; but he wants to have a relationship with us. Because he loves us, we should love him and his creation. We need to show others love no matter how difficult it may be. Remembering that, as stated in last year’s Valentine’s Day post, love is not just a powerful emotion. It is respecting others and caring for them even when they don’t love you back. God has enemies, I have enemies, you have enemies, everyone has enemies at some point in their life; but if God can love his enemies so can we. We must forgive and love our enemies.

   I encourage you on this Valentine’s Day to think about what love is to you. Have you been loving others, or do you hate them? Do you want God to forgive you when you mess up? If so, you need to take a long look in the mirror and figure out if you are forgiving those who wrong you.

   Happy Valentine’s Day

   1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 1 John 4:8, 1 Corinthians 16:14