For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”  Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…

Galatians 3:10-13

I don’t know about you, but I’m generally a rule-follower. And I prefer that other people follow the rules as well. (In fact, I can get pretty frustrated by rule-breakers—and those simply not doing “what they should.” I recognize this is a problem, and I’m working on it.) But laws are there for a reason—am I right? 

Yes, they are! Laws are made to maintain civil order and to keep people functioning in society in a prudent, mutually respectful manner. You may have heard the oft-shouted phrase, “You can’t legislate morality.” But every law, from speed limits to murder statutes, is based on moral law. (This, however, is a long-winded discussion for another time.) My point here is to say that all law is made to reveal our offence. If there was no speed limit, then driving 110mph on the highway wouldn’t matter. However, the speed limit sign that says 70mph shows that driving 110mph is wrong.

Friend, the same is true of God’s laws. Let’s take the Big 10. The 10 Commandments allow us to recognize our transgression from them. For instance, when we turn green over jealousy of what our neighbor has, we can acknowledge this is an offence to God (“Thou shalt not covet…”). And this is a very good thing. The problem arises when we believe that abiding by all the laws is what saves us—that being a good rule-follower gets us to heaven. It does not, and it cannot. 

Firstly, no one can keep all of God’s law any more than we can keep every civil law on the books. Humanity, in our sin nature, is simply not capable of it. Secondly, as previously noted, the law is designed to make us conscious of our sin. “No one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law” (Romans 3:20). 

More than that, the law cannot change us. Whether you’re a rule-follower or rule-breaker by nature, laws may alter our outward behavior, but they won’t change us inside. Think back to the speed limit. Many of us may sustain 73 mph in a 70mph zone, knowing the law but breaking it just enough not to get in trouble. Some of us are driving 70, according to the speedometer, but our burning desire is to go 90—hence, we’re breaking the law in our heart, as Jesus would say (for instance, Matthew 5:27-28).

So, since no one is perfect (without sin), how do we meet the requirement of the law—that is, God’s standard of perfect righteousness? Well, we need to lay down the law. We need to stop trying to impeccably uphold the law (which is impossible) or do just enough to not get “in trouble” (which won’t cut it). We must turn to Jesus and accept the gift of His pure righteousness imputed to us on Calvary’s cross. Only through surrendering to Jesus can we be truly changed—transformed within by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). Not only are we made new, but the penalty for all our sin and lawlessness has been paid by Jesus, so we can stand before the ultimate Judge (God) with a completely clean record. 

Lord, thank You that I can lay down the law—of my efforts and “good enough”—and simply accept the work of Christ for my salvation.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

We received another one of “those” calls. No matter your age, you likely know what I’m talking about. It’s often “too early” or “too late” for the phone to be ringing—so you sense something is wrong. You answer, hoping beyond hope that you’re wrong. But then you hear it: A family member or friend on the other end of the line, usually in that empty, still-in-shock voice, informs you a loved one has died.

Like many of you, I’ve had a lot of loss in my life. I’ve been on the receiving end of those calls about my mother, father, and one of my two brothers…let alone the countless family members and friends of all ages. This latest one came from my husband’s best friend telling him that their 23-year-old son was gone. A young man, but still their child. And my heart tore in two at the unfathomable grief of our sweet friends. They are brokenhearted and crushed.

As I woke up to a new day, I was instantly reminded of their loss and pain—again, unable to imagine the new waves of grief crashing down on them again this morning.

But the Holy Spirit also brought to my mind another One—One who knows soul-crushing anguish. One who came from Heaven to earth, experiencing human pain, suffering, temptation, and grief to sympathize with us…and, ultimately, take it all away from us. Jesus. The Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. With that, as you and I face terrible news (or any pain and heartache)—and our own words fail—let’s turn to the comfort and truth of the God’s Word.

The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Certainly, goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

(Jesus said,) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep…And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:11, 16

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 

1 Peter 1:18-21

Father God, be near to the brokenhearted. And to those who are both hurt and lost, save them. Give them peace with You so they can experience peace through the pain of this world.

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

John 8:36

We all just celebrated the 4^th of July—the birthday of this great nation we are blessed to live in. You may have gotten together with friends or family for a cookout, or perhaps you attended a baseball game. Depending on what state you live in (and the current legality of certain fireworks), you may have been up later than usual comforting your terrified, shivering dogs as the celebratory “bombs bursting in air” lit up the night—oh, wait, that was me.

Regardless of how you commemorated this holiday, it is our country’s Independence Day. We were no longer beholden to King George or England’s laws, able to worship freely and not solely under the government’s “national religion.” The leaders of our young nation had a better way to govern—by the people and for the people. And for centuries people from all over the world (including my own mother) have been flocking to enjoy the freedom established on that day.

Independence. As individuals, it’s an innate, visceral desire. From the toddler’s cry of, “I do it myself!” to teenagers pushing against mom and dad’s house rules to prove themselves “all grown up,” we all stive for a sense of self-reliance. In our current culture, though, the concept of independence has been distorted, morphing self-reliance into a disgraceful me-myself-and-I self-indulgence.

All our cultural whackadoodleness aside, our human tendency toward independence also creates a barrier to embracing a dependence on God. The thing is, friend, there are plenty of things we can—and should—do on our own, whether we’re on the path to progression (like the toddler and teen), or we’re out to prove something (to ourselves or others). But when it comes to progressing toward heaven or proving ourselves worthy enough to stand before a Holy God in acceptance, we cannot do it ourselves. 

We are completely dependent upon Jesus Christ—His finished work on Calvary and His victorious resurrection. There is no action we can take on our own, no checklist to complete, no “good enough.” It is only through accepting the amazing grace of Jesus and surrendering to Him as Savior and Lord that we are made righteous, as white as snow. Through our dependence on Him, we gain our true freedom—from sin and death. Eternal life cannot be earned. It’s gained when we let go of self-reliance and cling to the Lord. 

If you have not yet gained your freedom in Christ, why not make today your Dependence Day?

Lord, thank you for setting me free. Help me stand firm on Your Truth and stay dependent on You always.

For He Himself is our peace…     

Ephesians 2:14a

Peace. Oh, how we all long for it. We look around at the divisiveness being fostered in our culture, and we cry out for peace. Family members fight and push each other away (sometimes establishing permanent chasms), and we are helpless to create peace. Inside our own souls, the battle rages between our fallen nature and our new nature in Christ, and we strive daily to keep the peace.

But peace does not have to be allusive! Friend, God is peace. And God makes peace with sinners through Christ. 

• For He Himself is our peace, who has made both [Jews and Gentiles] one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace… ~Ephesians 2: 14-15 (italics and brackets mine)

• For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6

Through Jesus and His death on the cross—and by His triumph over death—we have peace with God. The relationship we were meant to have in God’s design is restored when we accept this amazing gift of grace.

• But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. ~Isaiah 53:5

• Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~Romans 5:1

And once surrendered to Jesus, having restored our relationship with God (having peace with God), we can enjoy the peace of God as we walk through this world…because we’re promised that in this world we will have trouble—yes, even as believers!

• You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. ~Isaiah 26:3

• Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7

• Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~John 14:27

Friend, does the cultural tumult bring overwhelming anxiety? Are shattered family relationships causing disquiet in your soul? Is your own brokenness resulting in a quest for peace from the things of this world? Turn to the True Source of Peace—the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. And find rest for your soul.

Thank You, Father, for making a way for us to have peace with You…and experience peace in this troubled world.

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge.

Psalm 73:28

With so many of us struggling right now, it’s easy to look around at others with eyes and hearts of envy. Whether our battles are with health, family circumstances, or finances, we can slip into frustration, despite our faith. We glance left and watch the ungodly prospering in every way. Then our view shifts right to see the mockers of God “have it all.”

Gratefulness for our own blessings fades away, and envy sets in. Bitterness can take root. We begin perceiving our reality as “less than”—and we may find ourselves even crying out to God, “Why them and not me? Why is she being healed, and I’m not? Why is that person getting away with evil?” 

In Psalm 73, Asaph wrote of the abundance of the wicked he witnessed around him—and he admitted the jealousy he felt amid the suffering and lack in his own life. It’s only when this Psalm writer stopped looking around and turned his face back to the Lord that he remembered the Truth. This world is a drop in the eternity bucket. Asaph acknowledged that the evil will be judged by our perfect, Holy God, yet he (and all believers) will be welcomed into glory. He shifted his focus to an eternal perspective.

Moreover, Asaph relishes in the relationship he has with the Lord today—and so can we. The closer we are with Jesus in the moment, the more difficult it is for us to be bitter. I mean, what greater joy is there than eternal life through Jesus? And what other relationship is as steadfast and unshakable than that which we have with our Lord? He is our strength, and He will never leave us or forsake us—no matter what our current circumstances look like. 

So, let’s replace bitterness with something much better: thankfulness for our Savior and His grace, and for the confident hope of our glorious future. 

“Lord, thank you for your unfailing love, amazing grace, and relentless mercy. Help me to keep my eyes on You, and please sever any roots of bitterness clinging to my soul.”

In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following.

1 Timothy 4:6

So, as is my cyclical preoccupation, I’ve got eating on the brain again (well, not eating, actually). Even though my health/fitness isn’t the idol it used to be in my life, I still go through phases of self-berating for eating sweet treats and over-indulging. For instance, recently over the course of six weeks, I had no sugar and no processed foods. I felt great and, after the sugar cravings and seven-day post-caffeine headache went away, I was cruising along without thinking (read: obsessing) about food. I was solely nourishing my body and mind. It was great. (Sadly, despite that, I’m still struggling to lose my “COVID-10.”)

Then, my son and his wife came to visit. We ate out, got ice cream, did movie night (complete with piles of dollar-store candy). You get the picture. I enjoyed their visit immensely—and all the delicious food. But just like that, my food-for-fuel mentality switched back to wanting (and needing) that next sugar fix. And so the rollercoaster goes.

For many of us, this cycle is a familiar thing. If you’re with me on this, I know you know that the healthiest relationship with food is one of nourishment. We are meant to use food to power the body and mind. “Junk in” manifests itself in low energy, weight gain, headaches, and moodiness—not to mention the internal toll it takes on us.

Friends, did you know that what is true of the body is also true of the spirit? Just as the Apostle Paul wrote as an exhortation to Timothy, we are to be constantly nourished on God’s Word (1 Tim 4:6). And just as with our physical health, our spiritual health is impacted by “junk in.” What is “junk” in this context? It’s the things of this world—love of stuff, money, and self. The Bible is clear that to love (inhale, imbibe, consume) what the world loves will turn us away from loving God (1 John 2:15-17, Romans 12:2, James 4:4, Colossians 2:8).

We’ve got to nourish ourselves with God’s Word! Every bit of it is profitable—for teaching, training, correcting, and equipping us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It lights our way in this dark world and helps us to not wander into sinful snares (Psalm 119:105; 10-11). Just like eating nutritious food protects us from having unhealthy bodies, consuming the Truth of God keeps our soul unpolluted and our way pure (Psalm 119:9—yep, this particular Psalm is like a spiritual recipe book, so check it out!). 

What is your spiritual diet like these days? Are you getting a hearty daily intake of God’s Word to sustain you? Let’s commit to making Bible reading an everyday priority—not only is it soul-nourishing, it’s oh so satisfying.

Your Word is life, Lord. Thank You for providing this food for life—this love letter from your heart to mine.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  

Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s always a wonderful thing to discover what you truly want to be “when you grow up”—whether you’re six or 60. Tapping into your God-given gifts, your personality traits, and the God-ordained desires of your heart to find a fulfilling vocation is soul-satisfying. Sometimes it’s hardwired in early (like my son, the pilot, who’s wanted to fly airplanes since he was five years old). Other times, it takes a lifetime of meandering, self-discovery, and ultimate surrender to find that sweet spot the Lord has for you. (This is like my husband, who has blessedly found his purposeful professional—and service-driven—groove at 55.)

Not all career paths require a college education. But if one’s track is, say, engineering, science, teaching, or medicine, higher ed is a must. And for those of us walking through that process now ourselves or with our children, there are those frustrating moments in trying to register for a degree-related course you want when you see that footnoted list of “required prerequisites.” It’s a bit deflating to realize you need to take, for example, two semesters of accounting toward your degree in chemistry. But on the academic road to your ultimate destination, those prerequisites are unavoidable.

This is thankfully not the case when it comes to our ultimate eternal destination. When we decide—whether at age six or 60—that Heaven is our desired objective, it’s a one-step transaction. There are no hoops to jump through, no “101, 201, 301” progression, and certainly no grades to be earned. We cannot work our way into relationship with God. In this world, we are dead in our sin, separated from our Creator, walking in brokenness. But Jesus (fully God and fully man) lived a perfect life and gave Himself, through death on a cross, to pay the penalty we owe, trading our sin for His righteousness. It is simply by having faith in Jesus—believing you’re lost without Him and rescued by Him—that you are saved (restored to your intended relationship with God). 

What about you? Are you trying to fulfill some list of perceived prerequisites to earn your place in Heaven? Friend, you can rip up that list you’ve been carrying around. Look up and surrender to Jesus Christ. That’s it. Faith alone through grace alone (Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 5:24, Romans 11:6). There’s nothing else for you to do, or not do. No boxes to check. No price to pay. Jesus paid it all…so, for you and for me, there are no prerequisites required. 

Lord, thank You for making the way for me. Your grace is sufficient! Give me a joyful obsession to share this amazing news with others.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

*This is a repost, but I was reminded of it after having dinner with friends the other night. Enjoy!*

Has it happened to you? You’re enjoying a delicious dinner out with friends, talking and laughing the hours away. A few sweet teas into the evening, you hit the restroom and gaze at your reflected smile…only to see a big green hunk of spinach between your teeth. The mirror has shown you what your friends didn’t tell you—and you couldn’t see.

So, we take down the mirror off the wall and use it to clean our teeth, right? Of course not! The mirror only reveals the problem, it doesn’t fix it. 

This is a perfect analogy for God’s law. Throughout the Bible, the Jews were trying to use the law to achieve a level of holiness that would be acceptable to God. Even today, followers of nearly every world religion—and many Christians—believe the “rules” are steppingstones to salvation. 

But sisters and brothers, the law was never meant to be the way to God. Our Father in heaven is perfect, and He requires nothing less than perfection. So striving for rule-following, no matter how hard we try, will fail. Humans are not perfect, and we are incapable of following God’s law with perfect righteousness. 

Just like the bathroom mirror that reveals food caught in your teeth, the law is meant to show us we are not good enough for a perfect, Holy God. His law shows us how unrighteous we really are, so we’ll run to the only One Who is perfect. Jesus came to this earth, fully God and fully man, to fulfill the law perfectly. He lived the life we could not live and paid the price for our sinfulness. Because he died for us and rose again, we are able to accept His gift of grace and be made perfect in God’s eyes. 

The mirror cannot remove the spinach from our teeth. But it was necessary to recognize there was a problem—a big hunk of green. And trying to follow God’s rules will not remove the stain of sin from our lives. The law shows us there’s a problem (our sinfulness and unholiness)…but Jesus Christ is the only way we can be washed as white as snow. 

“Lord, there is only one way for us to perfectly reflect You—by accepting what Jesus did on my behalf. Thank you for revealing my sin and for paying the price.”

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.” 

Luke 17:20

A sweet sister and I were recently talking about our Christian walks, and the walks of our respective spouses and children. Now, as believers, having done our best to raise our children to love and serve the Lord, it’s heartbreaking to watch a child (or spouse) turn off the narrow path and begin meandering down the wide road with the masses. Maybe, though, it’s the person looking back at you in the mirror who, like the young man in the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-32), was engaged in “wild living,” squandering everything you have.

As my friend and I shared hard-learned lessons with each other, it dawned on me that every one of us can be compared with the guy in that familiar lost-and-found story Jesus told the crowd made up of His followers and haters. The only difference among us stems from exactly when in the process we actually come to our senses (v 17). 

When you read the parable, which has numerous profound teachings, you’ll see that the young man decided to do life his way, giving in to every fleshy whim and chasing momentary, hollow satisfaction. For him, it was only when he was literally and figuratively spent, starving, and working in a pigsty that he realized he needed to return to his father. He had, as we say today, hit rock bottom. This is the moment he came to his senses, knowing he needed to turn back (repent). But if you think about his path to the pit, from that first step taken off his dad’s property to standing with the pigs, the guy could have come to his senses at any time, curtailing his loss and pain the sooner he turned around.

If you’re already saved, whether it was at age 10, 20, 30, or 70, you were once walking in the ways of this world, pursuing self-pleasure and the idol of “me,” when at some point you realized you were lost. You turned back to the Father, and He ran to you with a compassionate embrace, welcoming you Home. (And when you did, there was a huge heavenly party in your honor.) The thing is, some of us took a few steps off the proverbial front porch and thought, “Nope, I know it’s better here, so I think I’ll stay under my Daddy’s roof.” Some of us started hanging out with other world-pursuing people, experienced the my-way life, and soon realized where that road would lead. Others of us, however, heartily pursued the “it’s-my-party” life, filling that God-shaped soul-hole with things, people, or substances that only made that hole wider and deeper. It was only when we found ourselves in the pit of despair and brokenness, that we had no other place to look for rescue than up. But, praise God, we came Home to the amazing grace and mercy of the Father.

If you’ve not yet made the decision to turn off the wide road and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, where are you now? Are you walking with the crowds thinking everything is fine, not knowing the end of that road is destruction? Maybe you’re in the midst of a “good time,” with a plastered smile on your face but a hollow heart. Perhaps you’re sitting in the pigsty at this very moment. Friend, the Father is waiting for you to turn back. Come to your senses now. Set your eyes on Him…and He will run to you with a loving embrace and welcome you Home.

Lord, what an amazing thing it is that You love us and are waiting with open arms. May we run into your embrace daily.

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:17-18

Despite the fact that I can’t play any instrument and I’m not the greatest singer, music has always been a passion of mine. In fact, for decades I was a hardcore concert goer. Beginning at age 12, I started seeing my favorite bands and solo artists perform, in venues from huge stadiums to intimate clubs. In all those years of hundreds of shows, one thing I have never been privileged to have is one of those “all-access” passes. You know, that special lanyard that grants you entrance backstage with all the roadies…and even affords you the opportunity to meet the object (or objects) of your fanaticism.

So, what makes one worthy of such prestigious access? Most of the time, it comes down to money—if you pay enough, you get access. Other times, it’s about who you know. Your uncle Joe knows the brother of the stage manager (who owes him a favor), so you end up with that priceless tag around your neck. Next thing you know, you’re face to face with some rock god you’ve obsessed about for years.

Friend, here is an amazing truth: As a believer, you have been granted access to God Himself. In fact, you have an all-access pass to go boldly to His throne at any time. And at the end of your earthly journey, you will literally be face to face with Him. But, unlike a stage pass for some musical show, you cannot pay any price for this access—nothing you can do can earn you that proverbial lanyard. The Christian’s all-access pass, however, is acquired by that “who-you-know” route. 

See, for every individual, there is just one way to gain this entrée to God’s presence—one Person to know. The moment you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are presented before the throne of God the Father (no interceding roadies, gatekeepers, or ticket-takers). Jesus paid the cost—a price we could never afford—so we can stand in perfect holy righteousness before the Creator. All we have to do is ask.

Why not reach out and accept your all-access pass today? Just acknowledge that your brokenness and sin separate you from God. Then, turn from your old ways and accept the free gift of grace from Jesus who has made a way for you. On the cross and through His resurrection victory over death, He has exchanged your sin for His righteousness, so you can have restored access (relationship) to God.

Jesus, thank You for living a life I could not live and paying a debt I could never afford, providing me with an all-access-for-eternity pass to God.