“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”                                                       Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

Over the years my husband has owned several different vehicles. One of his favorites is a four-wheel drive Jeep Wrangler. A fun thing for us to do is to take a drive in the mountains and occasionally find an off road trail to explore.

We have one of those maps that show off road trails so we use it to seek out an adventure. Looking at all of those squiggly lines that highlight various paths, it is difficult to anticipate what to expect. We have no idea what type of terrain we will encounter. Will it be rough or smooth, steep or flat, rocky or muddy, narrow or wide? You get the picture.

So we blindly choose a path. Sometimes we choose wisely and sometimes we choose poorly. 

Over the years, we (O.K. – I) have become more cautious in choosing a path that is just right. Adventurous enough for my husband and smooth enough for me. 

On these journeys we find the time and rest we need to reconnect with nature and each other.

While in some remote locations, it is not unusual to find ourselves at a crossroad trying to decide which way to go. We look ahead just enough to see that someone else has forged a path clear enough to navigate before deciding which way to go. The assurance that someone else has traveled this way too gives us the confidence to move forward. 

It is when there is no clear path that we (OK – I, again) become anxious and worried. At that point for me, it is clearly time to turn back.

Our journey in life is a lot like being off road. In the best situations, the path may be rocky enough to be exciting yet clear enough to navigate. We also come to many different crossroads on the adventure. To find the right path you don’t have to look very far. Look to your road map – The Bible – and find the signs that lead you in the right direction toward rest and peace of mind in the Lord.  

Just like my off road map and those squiggly lines, the pathway before us may seem unclear. It may be smooth or rough, steep or flat, rocky or muddy, narrow or wide. You just never know until you start in that direction. When you get to the point that you find there is no clear path, you can always turn back to stay on course. 

So grab your map and be adventurous – Go off road with God. Take this interesting journey – called life – with the confidence and security that you always know the way back home. 

“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”          Matthew 6:27 (NASB)

Everyone is good at something. Some people are good at fixing things. Some people are good at singing. Some people are good at sports; and there are some people who seem to be good at just about everything!

I am good at something too: Worrying. I often tell people who are close to me that worrying is what I do best – and it is true.

I worry about the little things. When I have family and friends over to our home, I worry that the house isn’t clean enough, that there won’t be enough food, that people won’t like the food, that people will get bored – the list goes on and on. Almost daily, I worry that I say things wrong and that I might hurt someone’s feelings. I worry about making a wrong decision. You know, if I could lose weight sweating over the small stuff, I would be a size 2!

Then, I worry about the big stuff: or what I think is big stuff. Will my children make good choices? Will they be successful? I worry about things that will not happen for several months. Will everything turn out OK? I have come to realize two things. In reality, most of the big stuff I spend my time worrying about 1) may never happen and 2) I have no control over.

So, as I read the scriptures, I begin to wonder – Why worry?

In Matthew 6:25-26, we read, “For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they?”

Let’s face it. Worrying is a waste of time and energy. I pray about my worries yet I often refuse to really let them go – to just lay them at the foot of the cross and walk away. I know that is what I should do. Time and again, when I have successfully done that I have found a true sense of peace. Yet, I continue to worry.

The Bible says, “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

Easier said than done. As time goes on, I am getting better at laying my immediate worries aside and remaining calm; however, I still get stuck doing what I do best when it comes to those I love the most. It is so hard to sit back and watch those you love make decisions that you believe are bad – but that’s the point. We don’t really know. Do we? Our worry can be born out of our past experiences but we cannot assume that what happened to us will happen to someone else. So, why worry?

We are not in control – even when we think we are. But God is. He is in control and He longs to remove the worry, anxiety, and stress from our lives.

Be reminded: “… seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

I think it is time for me to find a new talent, something else to be good at. Not an easy task, but I am willing to try.

What do you do best? Is it a true talent or just an empty proclivity for an unproductive action – like worrying? If that is the case – I encourage you to continue to walk and talk with God until you are able to tap into your true talent. That’s what I am going to do.

“The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”    1 Samuel 16:7 (NRSV)

She laid broken and still on the pavement with tattered bags and her eclectic belongings scattered around her. The strangers who happened by stared coldly, walking at a distance so as not to get too close. Would anyone stop to help this nameless, faceless, homeless soul?

At another time and place, a similar scene unfolded with a very different outcome. She laid broken and still on the pavement with the contents of a large designer handbag and neatly packaged purchases of worth strewn nearby. Several strangers purposefully move closer to offer assistance and reach out to help. Who wouldn’t stop to help this soul?

Two very similar situations with very different reactions. The only real difference here was the outward appearance of the two. One less desirable to society than the other and one more privileged. 

I admit it. I’ve done it. I have walked away, averted my eyes, found a reason to be somewhere else when there was something or someone unpleasant that I did not want to face. Have you?

Why is it that so much value is placed on the surface when we know the real gold, that which is most valuable, is buried deep within? 

I think I know the answer. It’s easy.

It’s easy to make quick judgments and move on. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of past experiences. It’s easy to look the other way.

Let’s face it – The example Jesus gave us through his life was hard. 

To live like Jesus is hard. To get involved and truly see others is hard. It’s hard because it means becoming involved.

It’s easy to judge people at face value. It’s hard to look at their heart … But that is what God teaches and challenges us to do.

Considering today’s verse, challenge yourself. Look hard.

Look on the heart of each person you meet. Look past the hard exterior, the harsh demeanor, the ugliness that sometimes takes over and find the heart. 

It will change yours.

“For it is better if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”      I Peter 3:17 (NASB)

So once again, I did it. I said yes when I wanted to say no. Honestly, I thought I was doing the right thing. Granting permission to a person when at other times I would not. Sure – I was thinking – I’ll be the nice one this time giving a little more consideration in this instance. As it turns out, the person used that one little decision to try to get more from me and when that didn’t work to her advantage she tried to use my words and actions against me.

My reaction to this situation was exactly what you might guess. It sounded something like this: “Well, I don’t know why I try… I just can’t be nice… People just don’t understand nice… I won’t ever do that again!” With that being said, of course I will do it again and probably find myself saying the same things. 

But, why? Why try?

As the saying goes: No good deed goes unpunished. Time and time again I hear people use that statement in the wake of trying to do something good or nice only to get a negative reaction as a result. There are articles, documentaries, made for TV movies, and daily news stories that tell the tale of a person’s suffering after doing the right thing.

So I ask again: Why try?

It is simple – because it is the right thing to do. Doing what is right matters. And as I tell my husband… nice matters. This can be difficult to see when someone tells the truth about a bad situation or something that is self-incriminating only to continue to suffer the same consequence as the other person or maybe something worse. Situations like that can make us reconsider: Is it really worth it? 

I still say, “Yes.” Telling the truth and being honest are the right things to do even if it comes with some suffering. 

I believe it is far better to suffer for doing what is right than to suffer and endure the internal pain of our own dishonest words, actions, or thoughts. In making personal and professional decisions, it is easier to step up and do the right thing and accept the possible consequences or criticisms than to go through the internal struggle and external punishment of doing what you know to be wrong in the eyes of God. For what truly matters is what is viewed through the eyes of God – not the eyes of man. 

The verse for today is a reminder to do what is right – even if you suffer. In our life, we will suffer. There is no question of that. The question becomes: Will you suffer for right or for wrong?

You choose.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that it was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”             Genesis 1:3,4 (NIV)

Each year as the seasons change, I look forward to the bright, warmer days of Spring leaving the dreary winter months behind. I always feel like I am moving from the darkness into the light – out of hibernation and back into the sun.

This year as my spirits began to lift with our first real taste of Spring, I observed one of my four-legged fur children lounging in his favorite sunny spot. It’s a spot in our entryway where the sun streams in through the glass in the door during the early to mid-morning hours. It is there that my fur baby can soak in the warmth of the sun. Later, when the sun moves higher in the sky or is blocked by clouds, the welcoming ray of sunshine disappears leaving our little guy disappointed and in search of another place of comfort. 

While watching my furry friend, I realized it isn’t only during the Spring when this happens. It occurs throughout the year whenever the sun is shining. When the sun changes position or the clouds intervene, the light is diminished leaving an overcast, darkened aura and the sun-seeker in search of another sunny spot. Upon finding none, he is left searching for a comfortable spot to wait until the clouds lift restoring the light and warmth needed – paradise found!

Clouds come and go but the sun never disappears. Seasons change and the weather shifts but from dawn to dusk it is there – the light.

I believe we all feel better basking in our own little ray of sunshine but sometimes we are forced to wait until the clouds pass and the light is restored to experience that comfort again. 

When you are enjoying those clear, sunny seasons of your life what do you do when the clouds roll in? Do you keep your head down and wait for the circumstance to change or do you seek the ray of sunshine in a different place? 

In life, your ray of sunshine can take on many forms. Is it the warmth of true friendship? Is it the unconditional love of family? Is it easy to find the light or are there more dark days than you can count?

No matter your age, gender, race, social status, or geographic location, that ray of sunshine never fades. It is always there at dawn even if just beyond the clouds. 

All you need to do is open your Bible to turn on the light. The true light in the darkness. Then, bask in the warmth of God’s unconditional love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. 

Dear Lord,

On those days when I just can’t find my sunny spot, I will remember that you said let there be light and saw that it was good. You have separated the light from the darkness. As long as I am following you and have you living in me, there will always be a ray of sunshine to brighten even the darkest of days. Thank you.

Amen. 

 ^“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”                                                       Acts 12:5-7

Peter is another believer found to be bound and determined to follow God’s teachings and spread His word even though it could be fatal. The account of Peter’s miraculous prison release in Acts is evidence of God’s awesome power to rescue us from the most restrictive confinement. 

Peter was bound and placed between two guards for the night with more at the door. None of this could stop the Angel of the Lord who appeared and escorted Peter to safety. This escape is so hard to fathom that even Peter thought it was a vision. 

Acts 12:11-12 reveals, “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.’ When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”

What I appreciate about Peter’s release is the reminder that we are not meant to suffer alone. Just as the fervent prayers of other believers played a critical role in Peter’s situation, our fellowship with other Christians and their intercession on our behalf is part of our story of escape too. 

We are bound, trapped, and confined by different earthly situations or circumstances, and the determination of our faith community to pray earnestly for us breaks our chains. Chains of sorrow. Chains of wrongdoing. Chains of disappointment. Chains of sickness. Chains of grief.

Through the impassioned prayers of our brothers and sisters, we feel the release from bondage followed by the grip of God much to our own surprise. Like Peter, we may think it isn’t real. There must be some other explanation.

The explanation is simple. It is the work of our Lord and Savior delivering us from what binds us. The church was earnestly praying for Peter and our church is here to earnestly pray for you. Some things never change, and the power of prayer is one of those things. It was powerful then and it is powerful now. 

Do you feel like you are stuck between a rock and a hard place? Guards on both sides and more at the door? Chains weighing you down? 

Turn to your church or your own prayer partners. 

When you are bound, others are determined to see you through. 

If you are a church member, be determined to pray for those on the prayer list. They need you. Be devoted to lifting each person up by name even if the circumstance is not known. God knows what is needed. Be the kind of prayer warrior that is found praying even after the answer has come. How magnificent to find that others are praying for you not just when they hear of the initial need but even days, weeks, and months later until the answer comes and the chains fall. 

Let’s all be bound and determined to be faithful followers supporting each other along our way. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a miracle for others. I want to pray for others the way in which I want them to pray for me. I appreciate the reminder that when the miracle comes, big or small, it is You escorting me safely out of my confinement. 

Amen.

“The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:22-26

The Bible is filled with historical accounts of God’s saving grace. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are shackled and confined to prison after being stripped and flogged publicly. Understandably, it would be easy for them to give up and give in – to resign to the inevitable, death. Maybe they would send up one more silent prayer asking God, “Why me?” or begging, “Save me.” 

Who would expect the miracle that transpired? Paul and Silas began singing and offering praises to God. There was no selfish muttered prayer formed out of fear as I would anticipate. They raised their voices for all to hear out of true faith and love for a righteous God. Their act of faith and courage during a painful and dark time set an example for others. I think of the other prisoners who heard the prayers and praise receiving encouragement when circumstances were so grim. 

Paul and Silas were literally bound yet determined to continue following and praising their Lord sharing the good news with others. Paul and Silas were believers and followers, but they were not fortune tellers. They had no way of knowing their offering during the dimmest part of their lives would break their chains.

Acts 16:27-29 continues with more of their story:

“The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’”

At this point, the prisoners could have made a run for it, never to be seen again. But they didn’t. They stayed to show the skeptical guard the miracle in action. They were bound and determined to believe, no matter the circumstances, and share the love of God even up to death if required. 

Today, are you bound? In this life, you and I may never experience the treatment of Paul and Silas or know the feeling and fear of the stocks restricting movement. But we are all bound by something. Imprisoned by our own thoughts. Restricted or constricted by our circumstances. Handcuffed by the actions of others.

Bound … We are all bound by something to varying degrees and at various times.

Today, are you determined? In our human condition, we can be determined to fix everything for ourselves which rarely works. When I try to fix things on my own, I generally make situations worse instead of better. Only God knows what is ahead and what we need. Only God can release us from our chains. 

Determined … Be determined to raise your voice in praise and prayer. Call on God. Focus on His peace in all circumstances. The Earth may not shake or doors swing wide, but you will feel it when it happens … the chains falling and the bars removed.

Use your dimmest days like Paul and Silas. Share your experiences and the miracles of your life to positively impact others. 

Be bound and determined to praise your Savior all the days of your life.

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for releasing me from things that bind me and keep me imprisoned. I will lift my voice to you in prayer and praise so others may know what you have done for me.

Amen.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”    John 13:35

I love crime dramas. As the viewer, I am drawn in by the details of each case trying to figure out what really happened – whodunnit?

In court, the prosecutor always has the burden of proof, proving who is guilty. To do this, circumstantial evidence is collected that leads jurors to a compelling conclusion of guilt. An eyewitness who places the defendant at the scene of the crime, fingerprints, audio recordings of threats, harassing emails or texts are all examples of circumstantial evidence. When this type of evidence is used, one piece of evidence is not enough to convict someone. Remember, guilt beyond a reasonable doubt must be established. The more evidence the better, sealing the defendant’s fate. 

If I were to stand trial for being a Christian, I wonder if there would be enough evidence to find me guilty. How would this be measured? What kind of circumstantial evidence would there be to convince jurors that I am a Christian? 

In the 1960’s, a hymn was written titled They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. It is based on John 13:34-35. In those verses, Jesus gives the command to love one another. He goes on to say that people will know His disciples by their love for one another. 

They will know we are Christians by our love … 

We are commanded to love one another. Period. End of sentence.

Love unconditionally. The way we are loved by God. (Yes, He loves us even when we are unlovable and don’t deserve it.)

Not – Love one another unless you are …

            … cut off in traffic

            … cheated 

            … deceived 

            … put down

            … unappreciated or underappreciated 

            … mistreated

The list goes on and on – doesn’t it?

Thank goodness, I have never been on trial; however, when I get to Heaven, I know I am accountable for how I live. I want to live each day so that there is insurmountable evidence to convict me of being a Christian by my demonstration of love for others.

Who will be on the list of eyewitnesses? Those who have seen me express love.

Will there be a paper trail or eTrail? My words recorded in cards, emails, and texts that lift up others.

Can my fingerprints be found where I have shown love? My touch documented in service of love to the church and in acts of love in our community.

In those crime dramas, evidence is presented at court that takes the defendant by surprise and shocks the gallery. I imagine this is the same with examples of how people know we are Christians. In those little moments and the everyday, ordinary way we carry and conduct ourselves, people recognize and later recollect what we do, where we go, and how we act – much to our surprise.

In the days, weeks, and years to come put love first. Show you are a Christian by your love, and you will be blessed in return. Guilty as charged!

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for loving me even when I am unlovable. In the drama of my life I need your help to show others the same love you extend to me. I pray today for love overflowing. I promise to show others I am a Christian beyond a reasonable doubt through my actions and my words. 

Amen. 

“On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you! As the father sent me, I am sending you.’”                                     John 20:19, 20 (NIV)

Years ago, we never (or very rarely) locked the doors of our home. It wasn’t until well after I was married that I really began to habitually check the doors and make sure they were locked before going to bed. 

I really only started doing this after waking up one Saturday morning with a neighborhood child peering down at me and my husband as we were sleeping in our bed. We awoke startled and confused. He, however, was just looking for our kids to come out and play on a warm, spring morning.

Obviously this was not a dangerous situation; nonetheless, we thought it was time to make sure we secured our house each night. Not out of fear of the five year old rascal from down the street but from the fear that the next time someone watched us sleep it could be someone with not so innocent intentions.

That’s the world we live in. One with locked doors. We lock ourselves in trying to keep others out. Generally, we do this out of fear – fear of violence, theft, the unknown. You have to be careful because you never know what or who is out there, right?

That fear in our lives is very real and affects each of us in different ways.

Like the disciples, there are times when we lock ourselves behind closed doors physically. Physically trying to keep whatever it is we are afraid of away. More commonly, we lock ourselves up in other ways, emotionally and spiritually.  We do this by avoiding people, events, and situations. We do this when we lock our heart refusing to let anyone in because we have been hurt before.

We are all afraid of something. 

What are you afraid of? And I don’t mean spiders, snakes, or the dark. What is fear keeping you from?

Maybe you are afraid of rejection which keeps you from forming close relationships, or failure which keeps you from trying something new, or losing someone you love which causes you to smother those you hold dear, or being alone which makes you too controlling of those around you.

Whatever it is, God wants to release you from your fear.

Just like the disciples, He wants to bring peace to your life and free you from fear so He can send you out on His behalf.

He is calling us out from behind our locked doors. He longs to send us out.

Whatever it is you are afraid of that keeps you from reaching out or moving ahead, it is time to grab hold of the peace given by God and unlock the doors that lead to greater things in your life. 

Where is He sending you? Do not be afraid. God is there, right beside you offering strength and courage to face whatever it is on the other side of that locked door. 

He is the key to unlocking your fears. 

”So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will be clean.”                                                                                               Matthew 23:25, 26 (NIV)

I must admit – I am not a very good cook. I can cook, but I don’t enjoy it. I can follow a simple recipe; however, I always try to rush through the process. My husband, on the other hand, enjoys cooking and even creates his own recipes. He finds it therapeutic. Therefore, he cooks and I take care of the dirty dishes.

When I tackle a sink full of dirty dishes, I rinse out the inside of each item first and allow it to soak in soapy water if needed before I rinse off the outside (even if I am putting it in the dishwasher). I scrub the inside of each pot, pan, and plate. Then I rub my hand along the surface to make sure it is smooth and free of the pesky remnants of what it contained – which I refer to as gunk. I finish by wiping a rag across the outside surface and rinse the item one last time. Considerably less time is spent on the outside of each dish for obvious reasons. 

Jesus’ warning to the Pharisees about their dirty dishes clearly puts the focus on the importance of being clean on the inside. 

As Christians, we acknowledge this and make it a focus during the Lenten season. We give up something that is bad/ unhealthy or take on something that is good/ healthy to be cleaner on the inside. 

The problem comes when we only attend to this during Lent. When the 40 days are over, we all too often have a sense of relief that we can now return to our old ways – letting all that gunk (like greed and self-indulgence) build up again until next year. 

We all have dirty dishes. I would wager that you don’t go more than a couple of days before cleaning them. So why do we allow ourselves to remain a dirty dish?

This is one simple yet profound message for this Holy Week. 

I challenge myself and you to remember that after the Easter celebration of the resurrection the dishes still must be done. 

Clean the inside of your cup and dish and the outside will sparkle too!

Dear Lord, 

I thank you for this concrete, relatable example and reminder. Each time I face a sink full of dirty dishes may I remember your teaching to not allow things like self-indulgence and greed to build up inside of me. I want to be a clean vessel for your service.

Amen.