The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Light 

In early colonial-era Boston, signal fires saved lives. On a hill above the budding city, a platform was built where fires could be seen miles out to sea and from neighboring villages. That hill, which became known as Beacon Hill – served a crucial purpose: it guided ships safely into harbor, warned of danger, and helped people find their new home. It was a bold and visible signal – a light that could not be ignored.

Jesus used the same imagery when He said:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14,16 (NIV)

Almost a hundred years after the settling of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a new light source replaced the Beacon Hill signal fire. The first lighthouse was built, and its light still guides ships to safety today. 

As believers, we are to be like that lighthouse. We have a light burning in us – Jesus. It is not our own light we shine but His light shining in and through us. We do not generate that light, we reflect it. The light in a lighthouse uses lenses and mirrors to magnify the light and project it across vast distances. 

Christians are called to reflect the light of Christ within us—amplified by our words, our actions, and our faith. When we live with integrity, compassion, humility, and boldness, that light shines clearer and farther.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

This world can feel like a fierce and stormy sea. Fear, confusion, pain, and division often rule and seem to be the only things visible to a lost world. But God has placed His people like beacons along the shore to burn brightly – to guide the lost to a new home, warn of danger, and offer comfort. 

Our “good works” – how we care for others, our responses to difficult situations, how we use the gifts He’s given us – are how the world sees His light shining in us.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

So, keep the fire burning. Stay close to the Source. And let your life be a lighthouse—a reflection of the Savior who never stops shining.

Questions for Reflection:

Can you think of a person who walks into a room, and it feels like the darkness disappears? 

How can you be a light like that to someone today? 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Please let your light shine through me today. Help me to warm and comfort others with your Word and be a light that reveals Truth so people can know You and the power of Your salvation. Help me to accurately reflect Your image. In Your Precious Name, Amen.

Worship:

Here is a fun song that reminds us of the purpose of the Light, My Lighthouse by Rend Collective.

For Further Study:

If you want to read more on light, I recommend going to Bible Gateway and just type the word, “light.” Depending on the version, (I like the NLT for study purposes, but often look at many translations for better understanding.) you may see up to 300 verses with the word or theme of light. 

Previous Soul Water blogs on light:

Splendor and Majesty – Light

Splendor and Majesty – Absence of Light

The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Behold the Lamb

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Imagine Abraham and Isaac climbing the mountain to build an altar and offer a sacrifice. They had the wood, fire, and tools—but no lamb.

When Isaac questioned the absence of a lamb, Abraham answered with faith: “God will provide.” (Genesis 22)

God had asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. As a parent, I’ve never fully been able to wrap my heart around this part of the story. The journey up that mountain must have been excruciating, knowing what he believed was to come. Yet Abraham obeyed without question, trusting the promises God had already made. (Hebrews 11:17–19)

Just as Abraham raised the knife, he heard God call out, stopping him. A ram rustled in the bushes—God had indeed provided.

What relief Abraham must have felt! He untied his son, offered the ram instead, and named the mountain Yahweh Yireh—The Lord Will Provide. To this day, people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14)

Abraham was asked to sacrifice, but God only required surrender.

In the Old Testament, sacrifices were required to atone for sin and for worship. A pure, spotless lamb was offered as a substitute. Perhaps the most well-known instance is the first Passover, when the Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb’s blood to be spared as the angel of death passed over. That moment of obedience and deliverance is still celebrated today.

“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”
—Hebrews 9:22

“Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.”
—1 Corinthians 5:7

Forty-two generations after Abraham, God sent another Lamb—His own Son, Jesus.

Jehovah Jireh saw the state of the world and made a way for redemption and reconciliation. On another mountain, God provided the ultimate sacrifice, once and for all. Jesus—the perfect, sinless Lamb—paid the price for every sin: past, present, and future.

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood… Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”
—Hebrews 2:14–17

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
—John 3:17

During a Bible study with my middle-grade girls, I asked them to compare the ram Abraham sacrificed with Jesus, the Lamb of God. They quickly chimed in with insights:

  • Both were blood offerings.
  • Neither deserved to die.
  • The ram’s sacrifice covered one man’s sin.
  • Jesus’ sacrifice covered the sins of all mankind.
  • The ram died and stayed dead.
  • Jesus rose from the dead and lives forever!

“And when God counted him (Abraham) as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too… He (Jesus) was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.”
—Romans 4:23–25

As adults, we can get tangled in theology or weighed down by our unworthiness—or pride. We may think we’re too far gone… or good enough on our own. But the Gospel is simple and true:

  • We’ve all sinned. (Romans 3:23)
  • God loves us. (John 3:16)
  • Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to give us life—life more abundant. (John 10:10)

All we must do is trust in Him alone for salvation.

If you haven’t already, I invite you to receive this precious gift today. And if you already believe, I pray you live in the fullness of His peace, grace, and abundant life.

Dear Jesus, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for dying on the cross and rising again to give us new life, a life more abundant. In Your Precious Name, Amen

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday.

He is Risen!

Listen and meditate with Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God

The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Vigilant

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8

It was my first backpacking trip. The fresh air,  the stillness of nature, and the sheer beauty of Yosemite were healing to my soul. The panoramic views were breathtaking, but so were the altitude gains and using muscles I didn’t know existed in my body. We settled into a routine; find a camping spot, set up our sleeping area (no tents, just sleeping bags), start a campfire, and make dinner. 

After a dinner of reconstituted beans, pasta, dried meats and vegetables, we’d sit around the campfire and visit until, one by one, we couldn’t stay upright. The ground pad and my down sleeping bag felt glorious. Sleeping under the canopy of God’s nightlights lulled me into a most peaceful slumber. 

Except this night… 

While telling silly stories around the campfire, I got a niggling feeling – like I was being watched. I turned on my flashlight and did a sweep behind me. My first thought was “Oh, a bear.” I could have petted it on the nose (definitely not recommended). I was busy observing this beautiful creature without a thought in the world for what she would do if I indeed petted her on the nose. 

But our resident bear expert jumped up, waving his arms and shouting. “Bear! Bear!  Get out of here!” We all threw up our arms and joined in the wild dance. The bear looked at us like we were crazy, gave a shake of her head, and snorted before ambling away. 

We settled back in, a little closer to the fire – and each other. The stories resumed, albeit with more intensity. Then, that creepy feeling crept up back up my neck., Out came the flashlight again. 

This time, mama bear brought her cubs. She was teaching them how to pilfer food from unsuspecting campers. Fortunately, our food was hanging in a tree, safely out of reach. So, Mama and babies moved on to the next group of hikers, who reported they lost half of their supplies during the night. 

Reflection: Vigilance in the Christian Walk

That night in Yosemite reminded me of how the enemy operates. The devil, like a roaring lion, seeks to devour us. He wants to scare us, rob us of our precious resources, and teach his disciples how to do the same. We can never let down our guard. We must always be vigilant, guarding our hearts and minds, lest the predator make us his prey. 

As soon as we let down our guard, the predator sweeps in. He sneaks around and makes himself look all soft and fuzzy, disguising himself as harmless, even desirable. 

Scripture reminds us that God Himself is a shield around us, but He urges us to not put ourselves in situations where the safety of our hearts and minds is compromised. 

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 

“So, prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation…” I Peter 1:13a

We need to be vigilant in our faith so when the enemy approaches us, disguised as a cuddly teddy bear, we can stand strong and fight with the Lord of Heavens’ Armies by our side.

When to Stand and When to Run

The enemy wants us to believe that we are alone, but God is always with us, and He doesn’t expect us to fight our battles on our own. Sometimes, the best defense is retreat. While we must be vigilant, there are times when we must turn and run.

The enemy wants us to believe that we are alone, but God is always with us, and He doesn’t expect us to fight the battles on our own. Sometime the best defense is retreat. While we must be vigilant, there are times when we must turn and run. 

“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” 2 Timothy 2:22

Other times we need to stand firm in our strength and resist the temptation right where we are. We must make the enemy flee from us.

“So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Vigilance Beyond the Mountain

It’s easy to let our guard down after a time of rest. We can begin to grumble and sit idly, as if we’re entitled to a break after exerting so much energy. But it’s not when we’re on high alert that the enemy strikes. He waits for us to come down from the mountain, rested and content. That’s when he sneaks in, prowling like a predator, seeking to isolate us and make us an easy target.

Backpacking in Yosemite is truly a mountain top experience. However, when we return to the valley, we face the challenges we left behind. While I love my backyard, the views aren’t nearly as spectacular. 

It’s easy to let down our guard after a time of rest. We begin to grumble, sit around and watch TV, after all, we just burned a gazillion calories! But it’s not when we are on high alert that the enemy strikes. He waits for us to come down from the mountain, rested and content. That’s when he sneaks in, prowling like a predator, seeking to isolate us and make us an easy target. 

Be Vigilant

So be vigilant. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let Him be your fortress and protector. Put on the whole armor of God, so when the enemy comes, you are not caught off guard. With the Lord’s strength, you’ll be able to stand firm against the wiles of the devil.

Questions to ponder

Have you ever been caught off guard and struggled to resist the devil? 

Have you tried quoting Scripture in the face of temptation? 

Do you ‘pray without ceasing,’ to keep the lines of communication open with God, making it easier to stay vigilant against the enemy?

What are areas in your walk that need vigilance?

 Prayer 

Heavenly Father,

Please help me to always be on guard against the schemes of the devil. I pray that Your Word would be a lamp unto my feet and keep me from harm. Please guard my heart and be a shield about me and help me to be still and let you fight the battles for me. 

In Your Precious Name, Amen

Meditate on the words of this song and be encouraged in your walk of vigilance. Battle Belongs by Phil Wickham

The Be- Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Transformed 

A New Creation in Christ

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. I Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2  NKJV

The Beauty of Transformation

I love spring. The rains wash the world and cleanse the air. New life is all around me. The bright yellow and black oriole returns to my yard, and the worship songs of the sparrows chase away the darkness of winter storms. I witness brilliant butterflies floating and gliding from flower to foliage. The plants that have been dormant explode with glorious colors and fragrance. The fresh air and sunshine make me feel like I can breathe again. 

As believers in Jesus, we are in a constant state of transformation. When we receive Jesus as Savior, we become a new creation – beautiful and spectacular in the eyes of our Creator. He removes the dead leaves and ashes of winter rotting in our souls and replaces them with a beauty that reflects His image. 

Overcoming Life’s Storms

However, over time, through the dark seasons and storms of life, that image may become muddied. Our joy is dulled. The fruit we once bore is no longer plentiful. The storm clouds block the light, distorting our perspective. But, halleluiah, we do not have to stay that way! Jesus came to give us life – life more abundant. 

The Power of Renewing our Minds

Romans 12:2 tells us that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The renewal happens when we seek the beauty and treasure in God’s Word, meditating on the Truth within it (Psalm 119:9-16). Our souls are transformed from grumbling to gratitude as we worship (Psalm 40:1-3). Our thinking changes when we take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our hearts are changed when we communicate with God in prayer (Philippians 4:6).

God’s Promise of Restoration

Sometimes the beauty of our new life in Christ fades without us noticing. Other times there is a specific event, trauma, or sin that causes a dramatic change in our countenance coming from deep within our souls. But the wonderful reward of the Christian walk is that we don’t have to stay in the miry pit of despair or destruction.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  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 4:7-9, 16-18

Living a Life in Bloom

We live in a fallen world and anticipate the time when all things will be restored to the Kingdom of Heaven. But until then, we can count on the Holy Spirit’s continual work in our lives – transforming us, restoring us, and taking us from a state of decay into a life that blooms like wildflowers in spring.

“…You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 2 Peter 2:9

A Call to Transformation

As you go about your day, take time to notice the birds singing, the flowers blooming, and the new life all around you. Let it remind you that you are a new creation in Christ and that He has the power to continually transform you into His image, restoring and renewing your heart and mind.

Are you feeling the darkness of winter in your heart? Ask Him to transform you and bring you into the glorious light.

Do you need a little transforming of your mind? Seek that transformation by digging into God’s Word. If you don’t know where to start, I suggest beginning at Psalm 1 and listening through the entire book. 

Listen to this song and meditate on the beautiful words of transformation: Changed by Hannah Kerr

A Prayer for Renewal

Heavenly Father, 

Please renew my mind and heart. Show me signs of life and help them to be a reminder of You and Your grace, mercy, and power to heal. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. 

In Your Precious Name, Amen

For Further Reading:

Psalm 23

I Peter 5:6-11

Grace Based Transformation – By Jonathan Daugherty

The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Prayerful

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

I was sitting in my big comfy chair nursing a migraine. Heating pad on my neck, I had resigned myself to an unproductive and painful day. As I thought about what I had in my medicine cabinet, I realized I needed more tools for fighting this thorn in my flesh. At that moment, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that I already had the most powerful remedy available to humankind, prayer. 

So, I prayed. First, I asked Him to take away my headache. Second, I sought wisdom know what steps to take for relief. Third, I surrendered to the possibility that if I needed to endure this pain for a reason, that He would reveal His purpose to me. 

This wasn’t the first time that I had prayed to be healed from a migraine, but this time felt different, like a direct prompt to pray. 

God’s Purpose in Pain

The Lord does not always remove our thorns, but He always uses them to draw us closer to Him. Sometimes He allows us to experience pain, because He wants us to rest. Other times, He lets us endure suffering so that we can be a testimony of His grace to someone else. And sometimes, He reminds us to pray without ceasing, making our dependence on Him unmistakable. 

“Always be joyful.  Never stop praying. (or pray without ceasing)  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:17

Dependence on God in Every Season

As our Bible study group explored James 1, my friend asked us to unpack the verse that said those who are poor should take pride in their high position. Pondering her question, I reflected on times in our life when our family did not have plenty and our cupboards were not full to overflowing. I remembered how I prayed to have money to pay the bills, to buy groceries, and provide for the needs of our family. God, in His goodness, allowed us to be poor for a season to learn wisdom and dependence on Him. 

The experience of financial hardship drove me to approach life and faith through a more prayerful mindset. The discussion of James 1 was a good reminder, that even though we have plenty in the pantry, I still need to pray before making purchases, paying bills or making financial decisions. 

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.  Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!  Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.” James 5:13-18

Prayer is a Conversation, Not a Formula

God knows our needs before we voice them. But He still appreciates a gracious appeal for those needs and a heart of gratitude when we recognize He is the one providing.

I think the most important thing to remember about prayer is that it is just talking to God. It is not presenting a wish list; it is about a relationship. There are many wonderful methods of prayer – ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), praying the Lord’s Prayer,  and written or structured devotional prayers – but ultimately, prayer is simply talking to God.

Our prayers should not only be a verbalization of our shopping or wish lists. He wants us to talk to him about everything! He knows and understands our hearts, so nothing is off limits.

Think of it this way: Children don’t need to have a formula to talk to their parents and be understood. Neither do we need one for communication with our Heavenly Father.  

Have you ever reconnected with an old friend and talked for hours as if no time had passed? Or you might have a friend you talk with daily, someone who knows your heart intimately. Whether God is the first friend or the second, know He desires a relationship and conversation with you. And if you don’t think you have time for that good long conversation, simply whisper the prayer in your heart whenever it occurs to you. The line is always open. Live life with a prayerful be-attitude.

Questions for Reflection:

Do you feel like you have been praying but have not received answers? Don’t give up. Keep praying. 

Have you ever asked God to give you little glimpses of His faithfulness through answered prayer? When He does do you recognize it as an answer?

Are there areas of your life where you need to rely on prayer more intentionally?

God, the Creator of the Universe, knows you by name and cares about your joys, sorrows, hurts, and needs. I encourage you to start the morning with a prayer in your heart and keep the lines of communication with your Father open throughout the day. He is always listening, always ready and available.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, 

Help me remember you are always with me and desire a relationship with me. Help me to have an attitude of prayer that never ceases and trust that you hear me. Please strengthen my faith and draw me closer to You through the joys and trials I face. In Your Precious Name, Amen

For Further Reading:

Restore Your Soul with Seven Days of Prayer – By Keri Willis

The Power of Prayer by Charles Spurgeon 

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – Timothy Keller

Luke 18:1-8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow

 Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer

I Kings 3:5-13 Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

Psalm 51 David’s Prayer for Repentance

Listen to this song and be encouraged: Don’t Stop Praying ~ Matthew West

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Be-Attitudes series. Do you have a suggestion for a “Be” topic?

I would be honored to pray for you today. Shoot me an email at soulwater@kerilynnwillis.com or leave a comment here.

If this has been an encouragement to you, please share it so others will also be encouraged.

P.S. After I first wrote and published this article, it felt woefully inadequate. There is no limit to the power of prayer and few words to describe it. I hope you will do your own search in Scripture to more fully grasp the concepts I attempted to share.

The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Forgiving

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

The Cost of Holding On

Have you ever heard the story of the monkey who reached into a lion’s cage to grab a piece of fruit? His hand fit through the bars when empty, but once he grabbed the fruit, he couldn’t pull it back out. No matter how hard he twisted and turned, he couldn’t free himself. The lion, noticing the monkey’s foolishness, devoured both the fruit and the monkey’s hand.

This isn’t a story about a monkey needing to forgive a lion or vice versa. It’s a lesson about us—about how holding on to resentment can be devastating to our joy and peace.

How many times have you held onto an offense, unwilling to offer true forgiveness because you felt justified in your bitterness?

The Burden of Unforgiveness

An older gentleman was once asked why, as a forgiven child of God, he was still so angry. He responded by listing offenses from fifty or sixty years ago, seething with rage over injustices—both real and perceived. He carried these offenses like trophies, reminders of what he had endured. But instead of being empowered, he was imprisoned by unforgiveness, robbed of joy, peace, and the testimony of God’s goodness in his life.

I, too, can get caught up in past wrongs. The enemy loves to parade them before me, tempting me to dwell on them like an irresistible offer. But then I remember the ultimate injustice—what Jesus suffered on the cross. He forgave, and so must we.

The monkey lost something valuable that day—his hand—because he refused to let go. Likewise, our power doesn’t come from clinging to past offenses. True strength lies in releasing them. 

“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others”. Colossians 3:13

Instead of waiting for an opportunity to forgive, how about striving to not be easily offended in the first place? Scripture teaches that it is wise to overlook potential offenses and be patient with others.

Many times, I’ve called a friend to apologize for something I said, only for them to be completely puzzled. They hadn’t taken offense, so there was no need for forgiveness.

“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11

When Confrontation is Necessary

Sometimes, we have caused offense without realizing it, or we’ve been hurt without the other person knowing.

Scripture tells us how to deal with that as well. It is called the Matthew 18 principle. 

If someone sins against us, we are to go to them in private, (notice, we are not to go to everyone else first… that is gossip) make them aware of the problem, and work towards restoration. In this case, the instructions are to believers who need to confront another believer’s sin. 

Later in Matthew 18, Jesus shares the Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor, teaching us that we must forgive much because we have been immeasurably forgiven. God never asks us to do what He hasn’t already done for us.

Forgiving Repeated Offenses

What about people who continually hurt us? Peter had this same concern. After hearing Jesus preach about forgiveness, he asked:

“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” – Matthew 18:21-22

However, it’s important to note that Jesus didn’t say Peter had to continue doing business with someone who repeatedly wronged him—only that he had to forgive.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean tolerating abuse, staying in an unsafe environment, or remaining in an unethical situation. The Bible instructs us to flee from evil. Sometimes, walking away requires just as much faith as forgiving.

Living with a Forgiving Heart

As believers, our attitudes should be marked by forgiveness. When we approach each day with the awareness of how much we have been forgiven, it becomes easier to extend grace to others. But if we live ready to take offense at every little thing, we rob ourselves—and those around us—of the peace and joy God offers.

It all starts with the Be-Attitude of our hearts. We can choose to be forgiving or to be bitter. And bitterness is no way to live.

A Call to Action

What past offense do you need to let go of today? Ask God for the strength to forgive and walk in the peace He has promised.

Having a heart of forgiveness is not a one time action, it is an ongoing choice to release the hurt and surrender it to the one who can heal your heart.

Forgiveness isn’t just for others—it’s for you. Will you choose freedom today?

Meditate on how God would have you offer forgiveness while listening to this song, Forgiveness, by Matthew West

Heavenly Father, Thank you for who you are and what you have done for me. Thank you for your forgiveness that you have given me, so that I can forgive others. Please help me to know when I need to seek forgiveness and reconciliation and give me the grace to forgive. In Your Precious Name, Amen.

For further reading:

Matthew 18

Ephesians 4

Mark 11:25

Forgiving What You’ll Never Forget by Dr.David Stroop

The Be Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Forgiven

“My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear”. Psalm 38 Many of us carry the weight of our past sins, believing we must bear the burden alone. But God’s forgiveness is available to all who ask for it, offering freedom from guilt and a fresh start. Ephesians 1:7  reminds us that, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”  “And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”  Hebrews 10:18 This is the power of God’s grace and mercy, giving us the opportunity to be healed from guilt and live in the freedom Christ offers. 

In the classic tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian is weighed down by the burden of guilt. He can’t seem to find relief from the plaguing weight he is carrying. He goes on a journey to find freedom from the guilt but is constantly distracted and mislead. He is told where to go and what to do to unload his burden, but he takes the long road to get there. 

For a long time, Christian didn’t know the heavy burden he was dragging along was guilt. He may have  believed since the sins that created the guilt were his, he must bear the burden of guilt alone. His guilt made him unproductive, physically weak, and less than effective in life. 

Christian read a book that told him about his sins. But somehow, he missed the part about the forgiveness of sin and the sacrifice that had been made once and for all. He carried the weight of his guilt far longer than was necessary.

How often, even as believers who know our sins are forgiven, do we carry the weight of guilt on our backs. Like Christian, we think we need to pay the price for our folly or earn God’s forgiveness. 

It is like a classic plot line in Hallmark movies; We will not accept charity. We don’t deserve it. I can take care of my problem myself. I got myself into this trouble, I will get myself out of it. 

As the old hymn says, “Oh, what needless pain we bear…”

Christian finally is relieved of the weight when he reaches the Celestial City and places his knapsack at the foot of the cross. But why did he have to carry the burden for so long? Was he not willing to part with it? Was he wallowing in self-condemnation? Did he think carrying his burden around would somehow make him more righteous or serve as a reminder to not do that particular sin again?

I can’t pretend to get into the mind of Jon Bunyan and know exactly what his character’s, Christian, intentions or thought were. But I can tell you I probably could answer yes to many of the above questions for myself.

I imagine Jon Bunyan read Psalm 38 in preparation for writing the epic odyssey. He journeyed with David as he relived the guilt for his sin and sought forgiveness and redemption from the only one who could provide it.  

Friends, we do not have to carry a knapsack full of guilt around with us. We can lay our burden at the foot of the cross and NEVER pick it up again. We are told that our Father has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. And the east never meets the west! 

Scripture tells us that He forgives ALL our sins (Psalm 103) and to forget the past and fix our eyes on what lies ahead, and that is Heaven! 

“ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13

If you struggle with guilt, I encourage you to believe that the God who created the universe, the one who gave His only son to die for our sin, has the power to forgive. We must let Him pry our fingers loose from that proverbial knapsack we carry and let Him relieve us of our burdens. 

Let’s lay down our knapsacks of guilt at the foot of the cross. We don’t need to carry our mistakes any longer. God has forgiven all our sins, and we are set free by His grace and mercy. 

We do not need to strive to be forgiven, we only need to ask and receive His forgiveness.

Amazing Love – I am forgiven, because you were forsaken…because you died and rose again. (click the link for an encouraging reminder of His forgiveness)

Reflection Questions:

  1. Is there an incident or sin in your past that encroaches on your peace? 
  2. Are you ready to accept God’s forgiveness and walk in the freedom He offers? 
  3. Can you forgive yourself, knowing that God has already forgiven you? 
  4. How can you use this as a path to forgiving others? 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Please help me, once and for all, release the burden of guilt and receive the gift of forgiveness. Please show me the way and help me to walk in it the freedom You offer through Christ 

In Your Precious Name, Amen

For further reading:

Psalm 38

Ephesians 1

Hebrews 10

Next Week: The Be Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Forgiving

The Be Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Saved

This is the first installment of a series on the “Be Attitudes” of the Christian walk. So often we think we have to do, do, do, but God has called us to be. Be saved; be still; be forgiven; be kind, to mention a few. Of course, you cannot live a Christian life without first being a Christian, so that is where we will begin. 

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” Acts 16:31

I was a child bride. Shocking I know but read on. From my earliest memories, I know that I loved Jesus. He was very real in my life. I sensed His presence, care, and comfort. I don’t know how I grasped this, but I did. There came a time, however, when I realized it was not all about Jesus’ care for me, but my need to give my life to Him. 

I view the first part of my life as the engagement. I loved Jesus; He loved me. And when I was only five years old, I became the Bride of Christ. Mrs. Katie Tunnel walked me down the aisle to our Sunday School room and explained what it meant to become part of the Family of God. I gave my heart to Jesus and have never looked back. I can’t say there have not been struggles or doubts along the way, but there is a great comfort in knowing I am never alone. 

From the beginning of time and the creation of Adam, everything has pointed to one thing, salvation. God, in His infinite knowledge and wisdom, gave us a choice. He never forced us to love Him, because that would not be love. He never forced us to follow Him or be obedient, because that would not be obedience. 

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.

John 1:1-4(NLT)

Even though His original creation was without flaw, God knew we would choose to live for our own pleasure and make unfortunate choices along the way. He knew we would need to find our way back to Him. And Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man comes to the Father except through Me.”

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14 (NLT)

Jesus came to earth through the virgin birth, lived among us, fully human, yet fully God. He walked this earth for thirty-three years. He felt joy, pain, hunger, all our human emotions and never once sinned. He was despised and rejected. He was beaten and hung on a cross, taking every sin of every human being upon himself. He willingly laid down His life for us. And three days after His cruel death, He was risen from the grave, walked the earth for forty days and then ascended into Heaven where He is waiting to welcome us home. (John 14) 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16  (NIV)

He did this so we could have an eternal home with Him in Heaven and so we could experience a peace that passes all understanding while we are here on earth. 

Being saved is not just fire insurance. It is not just about getting to Heaven and eternal life. That is just the final result. He came to give us life, life more abundant. (John 10:10)

Being saved is just the beginning of an adventure of a lifetime. 

If you already know Jesus, I celebrate with you! I hope this encourages you to share your faith with others. 

If you are reading this and you do not, I believe you are reading this by divine providence. 

There is no magic prayer or special words to say. To help you understand what you must do to be saved, I will list some verses for you here. Salvation is quite simple. 

Acknowledge you are a sinner and only God can fix that:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24

The penalty for the sin without redemption would be eternal death and separation from God. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Understand God does not expect us to be fixed or perfect before He will save us. 

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

Believe and Receive

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 

Here is a guided prayer if you need it:

Dear Jesus, I recognize that I am a sinner and I need you in my life. Thank you for dying on the cross and rising again, so I can have an eternal and abundant life. Please forgive me for my sins and come into my life. And help me to live a life according to your way. In Your Name I pray, Amen. 

I would love to hear from you if you have just given your heart to Jesus or if you need further explanation of how to become a Christian. Feel free to email me at soulwater@kerilynnwillis.com.

This is just the beginning. Being a Christian will change your life and your heart. Over the next several months Soul Water’s focus will be on our “Be Attitudes” of the Christian life. So often we think of all we have to DO when most of the time He wants us to BE. I hope you will join me on this journey and be blessed. 

Next week; Be Forgiven – We often carry unnecessary guilt for our past mistakes. We don’t need to. We really can’t if we want to be effective in our walk. What does it mean to forgiven and how can we fully embrace the forgiveness offered to us in Christ? I will to address these questions next week and hope you will find encouragement in my words. Have a blessed week.

Our Be Attitudes

NOTE; Sorry I have been a little under the weather and have not been able to be here consistently. I am working on updating my website… a monumental task, and I have begun working on a novel that I am so excited to share with you soon.

God’s Word has a plethora of instructions for how Christians are “to be or not to be.” Too often we focus on the “Thou shalt nots” and get lost before we truly discover the beauty of the ‘bees.’

We cannot discount what Scripture tells us not to do, but if we are focused on the oughts instead of the nots we will probably be more successful in a joyful Christian walk. We tend to get wrapped up in always thinking we have to ‘do’ when God just wants us to ‘be.’

The bees of the Bible are not a list to check off or a to do list. They are a result of having a surrendered, Spirit filled life that reflects the Imago Dei, the image of God. 

Over the next several months, I am going to be writing on each of the ‘Bees’ listed below. Scripture mentions some directly in ‘be’ statements and others are implied in the context. All of them relate directly to the state of our heart, our state of being, so to speak. 

My working title is “Just Be,” but I would love to hear other ideas; “Our Be Attitudes” or  _______________? I would also love to hear if you have other ‘bees’ to add to the list.

You can email me at soulwater@kerilynnwillis.com or leave a comment on this blog.  

Be forgiven

Be forgiving

Be saved

Be imitators of Christ

Be still

Be Bold

Be strong

Be courageous

Be kind

Be gentle

Be humble

Be meek

Be Honest

Be comforted

Be comforting

Be edifying 

Be hospitable

Be generous

Be wise

Be ready

Be prepared

Be willing

Be confident

Be aware

Be on guard

Be sober-minded

Be watchful

Be blessed

Be filled

Be free

Be tender hearted

Be joyful

Be of Good Cheer

Be merciful

Be forgiving

Be Salt

Be light

Be a doer

Be grateful

Be content

Be Modest

Be reconciled

Be transformed

Be at peace

Be clothed in ________ 

Be Perfect

Be a witness

Be Holy

Worship Like You are at the Super Bowl

Once a year, people around the world stop what they are doing for a collective worship service. You may think I am talking about a Christmas Eve or Easter service at an iconic location such as St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican. This year, the seemingly sacred event is being held in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Worship implies an undistracted, passionate and unincumbered attention to a person, object, or event. 

There is an intensity and excitement that surrounds most sporting events, but the Super Bowl brings a whole new level of passion. People who don’t normally care about a team or football, take sides, dress in their team’s colors, and pay a ridiculous amount of money to sit in a crowded stadium and cheer from the top of their lungs when the right team scores or jeer when the opposing side has a call in their favor. 

David came back from a battle victorious. He sang, danced and paraded like a crazy person in the middle of Jerusalem. He was celebrating before the Lord all that He had done. But there was a price to pay. Michal, David’s wife, was embarrassed of his antics. She berated him and told him how foolish he looked. She was fearful people would not respect her husband any longer. 

“And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So, David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.

“I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! …””

2 Samuel 6:14-15, 21-22 (NLT)

David put on his team’s clothing. He cheered, danced, and unapologetically celebrated the win along with a multitude of fans of God’s powerful work. The victory over the enemies of Israel.

What if we, as believers, put on our team’s colors, a uniform of sorts and celebrated like we were at the Super Bowl?

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
  Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy. Psalm 100:1-2

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

There is nothing like hearing the roar of the crowd at a football game. I have never been to a Super Bowl, but I have been to a couple of NFL games, lots of college and high school games. The enthusiasm is contagious! We wave our hands, shout for our team, sing fight songs, cheers and chants that we would NEVER do if we were not in a crowd of others who were equally enthusiastic. 

How much more should we worship and celebrate together, ALL the Lord has done. Are we too much like Michal, worried about what people will think? Do we fear being undignified or not having good enough deodorant to not offend those in proximity? Are we critical of others like Michal was critical of her husband’s unbridled excitement?  

I could answer yes to these questions. 

But I want to worship like David. I want to focus on the work of the Lord the way we focus our energy and enthusiasm on a football game, that in an eternal perspective has no value.  I want to celebrate The Win like I was at the Super Bowl, and I don’t want to do it alone. 

I know it seems like we are suited up for a big game every time we face another challenge. Sometimes we feel like we are getting pummeled like a quarterback getting sacked before he throws the ball. But here is the difference. We already know who wins the big game. 

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Colossians 1:13

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

This is a reason to celebrate! This is a reason to raise our hands in triumph and sing songs that shout “Victory in Jesus.” This is a reason to put in to practice the coaching given to us in Psalm 150.

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Do you celebrate the wins in your life? Do they make you want to raise your hands in triumph? What is holding you back? If you don’t have a place to worship, I encourage you to search out a local church where you can put on your armor and sing the battle cry of hope and victory alongside those who are like minded.

Photo by Joshua Hanson on Unsplash

Starting 2025 with a Clean Slate: Embracing New Beginnings

As I laid my head on the pillow shortly after midnight New Year’s Eve (now the new year), I began reflecting on the past year. I would like to say my mind immediately went to the successes and blessings of the year, but the enemy wanted to discourage me. I, instead, thought of a whole year being gone and what I did with all that time. It was almost like panic was taking hold about what I ‘should have’ accomplished. That was not productive. 

Eventually sleep came and then morning. I didn’t jump out of bed and run for my coffee like usual. I stayed in my cozy bed and had a long conversation with the Lord. I asked Him to prepare me for whatever He has for me next. I prayed for wisdom in managing family matters. I surrendered (yes again!) my heart, children, parents, husband, website, writing plans and projects, ministry, health, and my home to Him.   

He also reminded me of what I did accomplish in 2024. He allowed me to expand my writing to include an online devotional, Daybreak Devotions, and Nighttime Prayers and used me in publishing three new books. We were able to move my parents to a location where they receive more help. I was able to speak a few times and lead our women’s retreat. I got to spend precious time with my children and my new granddaughter. He reminded me of the bigger picture and began to renew me. 

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103

I am not much of a “New Year’s Resolution” kind of girl. I set goals and make deadlines for myself, but resolutions, well they just seem like setting myself up for failure. Did you know that 50% of resolutions are broken by January 15th? And, honestly, making a resolution implies I am not doing something that I should be doing, and I don’t want to put more pressure on myself to “do” more. Maybe my resolution should be to do less… 

I do like the idea of having a fresh start though. One of the things I loved about teaching was that there was a beginning to the school year and an end. Every year I would begin with fresh clean desks, new books, new bulletin boards, and new students. 

As I begin this new year, 2025, I want to start with a clean slate. So, I will start with one of my favorite prayers from Psalms. 

“Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalm 51. 

I pray that I will not let the past be a stumbling block but a steppingstone. I believe everything in the past is preparing me for what is next. It’s my job to be ready for what He has in store for me. 

The way to accomplish this is summed up well in the words of an old hymn by Frances Ridley Havergal:

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

I have some big plans for this year. But the only plan that matters is that I seek to glorify God in my life with every breath and allow Him to be seen in me and through me. I want to be ready for the blessings God has in store for me. 

Do you set goals or make resolutions?

How do they intersect with God’s plan for your life?

My prayer for 2025 is this:

Precious Heavenly Father, 

Please guide every step I take. Infuse me with your love and power to do your will. Please help me make the most of every opportunity and always be prepared to give the answer for the hope that is in me. Please give me wisdom to do well the work you have prepared for me. I pray you light shines brightly in my life. Please open my eyes to see you even when the days seem dark. Help me remember that you are my strength. Please help me to know when to rest without having to get sick. Help me to be the woman you want me to be and reflect and glorify you in every task and every relationship. I commit this and every day to you so that my thoughts are made right and clear. In Your Precious Name, Amen.

Embracing Love: Lessons from Advent

Week four of Advent focuses on love and the “Angel’s Candle” is lit. Part of me wonders about why it is the Angel’s Candle when the week’s focus is love. But it was the angels who brought the “good tidings of great joy.” They were the ones who announced that Love had come down to earth in human form. 

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” I John 4:9-10

As we enter the week of Christmas, how many times do you hear (or say) “I love…?” It might be “I love chocolate.” “I love this song.” “I love cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.”  

All of the above might give me warm fuzzy feelings. I enjoy them immensely, but should I say I love them? My husband’s grandmother always corrected him when he said he loved anything other than God or a human being. Why? Because the very definition of love implies a self-sacrificial attitude towards another person.                     

God loved us so much He allowed His son to be sacrificed for our sin. As a parent, I can’t begin to get my head around that. 

When I ponder the idea of love, probably the first faces to flash in my mind are my children’s. They are grown now. They both live in other states and have established their families, careers, and communities in their respective parts of the country. 

I am not sure why, as parents, when we strive to raise competent and independent adults, we are surprised when they are competent and independent. But they are, and I miss my kids something terrible. I don’t get to talk to them or see them nearly as much as this mama’s heart desires. 

But here is a truth I have thought about a lot lately. It doesn’t matter how far they move from our hometown. They are still my children. I still love them. The decisions they may make I don’t agree with don’t matter. They are still my children. I still love them. Whether they choose to call me once a month or every other day, they are still my children. I still love them. It doesn’t matter if they don’t heed my advice (requested or otherwise). They are still my children. I still love them. 

Of course, I would love to hear from them every day. Of course, I would love it if they lived closer. Of course, I love it when they ask for and listen to my input about life. 

The love I have for them is fierce. And I can’t imagine giving them up to save even one person.

But our Heavenly Father sent His only son to this dirty, broken world to save us from our own independence and ignorance. When we receive His gift of salvation, we become His children forever. 

It doesn’t matter how far we go away from Him. He is still our father, and He still loves us. It doesn’t matter if we don’t listen to His instruction. He is still our father, and He still loves us. It doesn’t matter that we make foolish decisions without consulting Him. He is still our father, and He still loves us. 

Just like a human parent (only with perfect love and perfect patience), our Heavenly Father misses us when we move away from His protections. It grieves Him when we don’t listen to His Word, sin, or make foolish choices with our lives. He gently corrects us. And He still loves us. 

When Jesus came to earth the love of God took on a human form. He came to give us the opportunity to become children of God and joint heirs to the Kingdom. But it doesn’t stop there. He wants us to love our children as God loves His children. He wants us to love our spouses the way He loves the Church. And He wants the world to be able to identify His children by how they are suited up for service. 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

It is fitting that love is the theme for the fourth and final week of Advent. It was God’s motivation for sending His Son for us. It is how we should be identified as believers. It is the outerwear for our uniform. And it covers over a multitude of sins. As it says in I Corinthians 13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Without love we are just a noisy cymbal or clanging gong.

His love is eternal.

This message is simple, but there is so much more to God’s love. Don’t just take my word, I encourage you to dig in and study the Scripture to search for and fully grasp the infinite love of God.

How have you experienced God’s love in your life? 

How can you show love to someone during this Advent season and throughout the year?

My prayer for you today is this:

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

This is a beautiful Christmas song to remind us of God’s love: A Miracle of Love – Chris Tomlin

Merry Christmas Friends! My God be with you.

Embracing Eternal Joy: Faith and the Christmas Story

The third week of Advent brings the focus on joy. The pink candle represents joy the shepherds experienced when angels announced our Saviors birth.

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:10-11

I have always loved this passage. When I was a child, we would sit in front of my grandparents’ fireplace on Christmas Eve. Grandpa would read the story of Christ’s birth. The story wove its way around my heart and embedded the seed of joy in the deepest place within me. 

Oh, I waited with little girl anticipation of the presents for sure. I still do. I love all the Christmas cinnamon rolls, stockings hung by the fire with care, time with family. I love it all… well most of it anyway. It brings me so much joy, um… happiness. 

On that night so long ago, Jesus did not enter this earth to bring us temporary happiness as a Christmas present might. He came to give us eternal joy. That joy comes from accepting Him as Savior and recognizing Him as our sovereign Lord.

That seed of joy that was planted in my heart so long ago is still there. I knew from a very young age that my heart belonged to our Savior, Jesus. Along the way, though, circumstances threaten to still the joy. 

Along about fifth grade, the enemy used a series of tragic events to instill fear where joy lived. For nights I cried myself to sleep. When sleep finally came, it was filled with bad dreams. I was living in fear of eternity and in fear of the day to day. 

Finally, one night I called my dad in my room and told him what was going on in my little brain, and more importantly my fragile heart. We prayed. I don’t remember what we prayed, but the peace of God once again began to rule my heart. The thoughts that attempted to steal my joy were taken captive and locked away. 

So often, we base our joy on outward circumstances or maybe even inward turmoil. That is what the enemy wants us to do, especially this time of year. He wants us to focus our hearts and minds on the temporal. This is a sure way to veil the joy that is eternal. 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, 

consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

For you know that when your faith is tested, 

your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3

The troubling circumstances we face, tragedies, bad drivers on the road, no chocolate chips at Costco, all the stumbling blocks in life can be steppingstones on the path to growing our faith and in turn our joy. 

I still get that warm fuzzy feeling deep in my soul when I hear the Christmas story, because it is not just a story. It is the very foundation of my life. It is a reminder that I am a child of the Most High. 

So, as I go about preparing my home for Christmas, I am also preparing my heart to be a fertile ground for the seed of joy planted to continue its growth in me. I pray the joy grows like the morning glory vine in my yard; the shoots of new growth wind their way around all those who are near.

As I hang teddy bears on my Christmas tree to make my precious one-year-old granddaughter dance with unbridled exuberance, I pray that the seed of joy will be planted in her. As I set up the Nativities, I worship not the porcelain figurines, but the One they represent, the One who came to earth to give me joy. And I pray that my home can be a sanctuary for those who enter. 

Before I enter a crazy store with too many people and not enough of the items I am there to purchase, I whisper a prayer. Give me grace. Let Your joy overflow like the river of life. Let me be a light set on a hill, not an angry shopper battling in the valley of despair. 

When the enemy has worked overtime to steal my joy, the prayer from Psalm 51 that often comes to mind is this: 

“Restore unto me the JOY of thy salvation and renew a right spirit in me. Amen”

And He does. But the restoration does not come from focusing on my circumstances. It comes from focusing on the One who is greater, the One who loved me enough to come to earth, be born in a stable, die for my sins, and live again.

The joy rooted in the depths of my heart should be the motivation for everything I do all year long, but especially during the time we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Worshiping as I drive, decorate, shop, cook, sing, and write should be how I observe this amazing advent. 

Do you desire to have abiding joy in your life? 

I encourage you to ask the One who can instill that in your heart.

What are the layers of “stuff” hiding the joy planted in you?

I encourage you to name them and surrender them to the One who can reveal the joy He wants you to have.

Is loneliness this season threatening to steal your joy?

I encourage you to reach out and be the friend that someone needs you to be today. 

Is the noise of this world overshadowing the joy you should be experiencing?

I encourage you to turn down the volume on the chaos and listen to the words of Christmas music that speaks the truth.

Have you forgotten why we celebrate this season?

I encourage you to read Isaiah 7 and 9 and Luke 2.

Remember, God is the author of joy. He created laughter. He gave us a desire to experience everything that is beautiful; lights, trees, God honoring music. He wants His joy to fill us and overflow into the lives of everyone around us. 

My prayer for you today is this:

“I pray that God, the source of hope, 

will fill you completely with joy and peace 

because you trust in him. 

Then you will overflow with confident hope 

through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Here is a beautiful song to help instill joy in your heart. Sounding Joy – Ellie Holcomb

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Presents with a Lasting Impact

I love writing this blog on a regular basis. However, writing books that I can hand a person to read when she (or he) is not connected to the internet or phone, one that can be passed from friend to friend and encourage them in a deeper way is my passion.

My first book writing adventure began with “Teapots and Power Tools” many years ago. While I have learned a lot about writing and publishing since then, the message in this book is still relevant. Each one of my books since then has come from a deep well in my heart and published to share my journey in order to help others to benefit from them and be encouraged.

I am confident that there is something for everyone here. I am putting a link for each of the books I have written (or contributed to) here, but you can also just search my name on Amazon.

If you or one of your friends loves a good cuppa tea but loves the creativity and fun of using power tools, this devotional might be for you. This is a collection of whimsical writings from my life with deep personal and biblical truths. The link is in the comments or you can just go to Amazon and type my name in the search bar.

Power tools are useless unless they are connected to the power source. They may work as a doorstop or a hammer, but unless they are plugged in, they cannot be used for their intended purposes. We are like those tools. We may fill a need here or there; we may have a seemingly meaningful job or life, but unless we are connected to the ultimate power source, our potential is quite limited. While He has equipped us to be a power tool, He also knows when we need to rest. God cherishes the times when we just sit and have tea with Him. It may represent a time of the day, such as our quiet time, or it may be a season in our life, such as unemployment, retirement, or even illnesses. These are the times when He makes himself real to us because we can “Be still and know that He is God.”

If you are looking for a fun story to share with a 2-4th grader, this would be a great Christmas present. This is my testimony told as a fairy tale and is illustrated by one of my former students. The link to purchase it is in the comments below (or you can just go to Amazon and type in my name). If you order it and then message me, I will send you a pdf of coloring pictures to accompany the book.

If you or someone you know wants to grow in the area of a consistent prayer life, this would make a great Christmas present or New Year kick off. The link will be in the comments or you can type my name into the Amazon search bar. (if you purchase this book and message me, I will send you a pdf of printable prayer journal pages.

When you pray, do you find yourself distracted or just offering up a laundry list of requests? Because of time constraints, do you just list the people who you think need prayer without digging in and praying for specific needs? With all of the blessings and needs we are aware of, our prayer lives can be overwhelming. But they don’t have to be. This devotional is designed to help you organize your prayers into daily segments and bite size reminders of who and what to pray for on any given day. There are no magic words to get your prayers answered just an invitation to communicate with our Heavenly Father.

Back to School, Back to You offers the inspiration and guidance you need to embrace this new chapter with confidence and hope. This collection of thought-provoking and inspiring chapters will help you navigate this transition with grace and optimism.

Together, these stories feature…

  • Hope-Filled Insights: into the challenges and joys of motherhood during the back-to-school season, encouraging readers to embrace change and growth.
  • Diverse Journeys: of experienced mothers, teachers, and faith-driven writers who bring a wealth of wisdom and heartfelt stories that resonate deeply with readers.
  • Stories to Inspire: include reflections on the true purpose of education to fostering authentic confidence in children.
  • Practical Exercises: designed to help you apply the insights and advice in your daily life, making the journey towards a fulfilling back-to-school season even more impactful.

The remarkable authors behind this collection—Jamie Inman, Keri Lynn Willis, Anna Dabill, Kayren J. Cathcart, Énid Meyer Tchir, Nikki Tigg, Bonnie Shue McDonald, Takhia Gaither, Amy E. Dyster, and Chelsea Garofalo—penned words that are sure to inspire and uplift. Dive into these pages, embrace the insights shared, and allow them to resonate within you. Let’s embark on this journey together, celebrating this next season with renewed vigor and a heart full of hope.

Keri and Marie go on a bike riding adventure at the La Purisima Mission. They just wanted to play and snoop around the ancient grounds, but they discover friendship and life-long lessons from the history of the Chumash people and the years they spent living and working at the mission.You will have fun going on an adventure with the girls while learning about the La Purisima Mission.

Happy reading and Merry Christmas!

Embracing Peace in This Advent Season

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Week two of Advent brings the focus on peace. If you are lighting Advent candles, you will light the purple Bethlehem candle. It signifies peace, preparation, and the journey Mary and Joseph made into Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. 

Growing up in the 60s and 70s, I equated the greeting of “peace” with hippies who… well… were a little different form me. I didn’t really understand their culture. I saw many carry signs that said “peace” yet, in anger, hurl items and shout obscenities at returning veterans and POWs.  

As an adult, I understand the outrage at a seemingly senseless war and wasting the lives of so many of our young men and women. However, I also grasp reality that peace does not come from angry rioting, chanting obscenities, casting stones, or burning the proverbial town. 

Peace isn’t neccissarily a quiet snowy night or a perfect day at the beach (but that may put a smile on your face). Peace is something that dwells deep in our souls and is revealed in our words, attitudes, and actions. 

Peace comes from surrendering our anxious thought to the One who can give us a peace that passes all understanding. 

“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.” Philippians 4:6-7

Peace is not an absence of trouble. It is not a world without war, though that sure would be nice. We can have peace in the midst of trouble. There can be peace even when wars are raging.

I have heard it said, there are three kinds of peace: internal peace, peace with others, and peace with God. Usually our ‘inner peace’ is more abundant if we have peace with God and peace with others. 

We can have peace with God when we have an unencumbered relationship with Him. That means seeking His will through prayer and His Word. It means keeping short accounts and asking for forgiveness when we have intentionally or inadvertently sinned. We have peace with Him when we are surrendered to Him. 

Scripture tells us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 I love that Paul includes the first part of this verse, “if it is possible.” When we hear this verse, how many of us immediately think of that one person who, no matter what we do, refuses to be at peace? 

Sometimes it is a ‘me’ problem, and we need to give or ask for forgiveness and seek restoration. Other times that restoration and peace evades a relationship because of the unwillingness of the other party. That is a ‘you’ or a ‘them’ problem. We cannot change a person. We cannot force restoration or peace on anyone. We can, however, pray for that person to experience the Prince of Peace and all He has to offer. 

This time of year, we hear about peace, sing about peace, and desire peace on earth. But even driving to the corner market makes it evident that our world is lacking in the truth about peace on earth. It is easy to respond in frustration or anger rather than with grace to that speeding car that cuts us off or the hurting one who acts out of their hurt. But it is so much more rewarding to have victory over that angst.

If there is to be peace on earth, it must begin in my heart, and like the oxygen in crisp mountain air, seep into the hearts of those who so desperately need to know the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

When my children were little, we would drive around looking at Christmas lights and count all the Nativity scenes, each one reminding of the gift we were given when Jesus, so many years ago, came to earth, fully God, fully human. 

Throughout this season of Advent, we are given so many reminders that Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us. What can you ‘set’ as your reminder to invite His peace to reign in your heart and mind? 

I encourage you to ask God to fill you with the peace only He can give today.

Share the gift of peace with everyone you encounter. 

As you hear Christmas carols playing, listen for the message of peace and be reminded that He is the Prince of Peace and let Him be the ruler of your heart. 

My Grandmother’s favorite Christmas carol was “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

You can listen here to a newer arrangement of this classic by Casting Crowns.  

My Prayer for you today is this:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Embracing Hope This Advent Season

I will never forget when I was asked what I was doing in preparation for Advent. I did not have an answer. Embarrassed, I went home and looked up the word. It simply means arrival, event, or beginning. Advent in the world of Christendom is preparing for the arrival of the Messiah first in Bethlehem and His future return in the end times.

Our church did not make a practice of celebrating Advent, so I never really understood it. It is not connected to a doctrine or a specific theology.  However, the four tenants of Advent are directly related to a rich spiritual walk. It helps us focus on the hope salvation offers, the peace He brings, the joy that is complete in Him, and the love we share because of Jesus. 

Week One – If you are lighting an Advent candle, this week you will light what is considered the prophecy candle. This purple candle represents the prophecies of Jesus’ birth and His second coming, prayer and hope.

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,

I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”

Micah 7:7 

Hope, the first of the four tenants, propels us to wake up each morning. We have expectations for what is in store for us. We believe that there are better days ahead. 

We have hope not in just a wish list but a confident expectation that God’s promises will be fulfilled.

For nearly 700 years the Children of Israel waited, with hope, for the arrival of the Messiah. Even though the prophecies foretold of a peasant birth and violent death, many did not believe Jesus was the Messiah.

His birth was announced to shepherds, then to wise men from the east, not to the rabbis or priests, not to the emperor or his advisors. Jesus came to give hope to those who seek Him. 

He was not born in a lovely birthing suite or a warm hospital. He was born in a barn, probably a cave where animals took shelter and were fed. I think part of why His entry was so humble is so we humans would not put our hope in the fascination of wealth or royalty but in the finished work of Jesus.

That work was finished when He died on the cross and rose again. He took the place for us, so we did not have to suffer the eternal consequences of our sin, separation from God. He came so that we can have life, life more abundant. He left the Holy Spirit for us and in us so we can live a peaceful and quiet life, have hope, and look forward to the home in heaven He has gone to prepare for us. (John 14)

Sometimes we become weary and lose hope. Our focus is on all the things that are not right in this world or the failures of our past. We will crash every time if we look anywhere but up for our hope. When that happens to me, the Lord graciously reminds me of this verse: 

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary; 

they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

One of the beautiful things about hope is that there is always enough to share. The gift of hope should be something we carry with us at all times and be prepared to offer to anyone in need. I Peter 3:15 tells us to Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you.

That hope is Jesus. The gift is eternal life. And it is free.

My prayer for you as we begin this advent season is this:

“May the God of hope fill you with all 

joy and peace as you trust in him, 

so that you may overflow with 

hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

Here is a song to help you reflect on the hope we have because Jesus came over 2000 years ago to bring us new life.

The Hope of Christmas – Mathew West

Have you put your hope in the right place? 

What reminds you to look to Jesus for your hope?

How can you change your perspective to become more hopeful?

I would love to hear how you prepare for Advent.

For further reading on hope read: Isaiah 64:1-9, Mark 13:24-37  

My friend, Amber Thiessen, curated this great list of Advent reading. “Advent Reading Guide: Devotionals and Books to Prepare Your Heart for Christmas”

Turn Your Grumble Into Gratitude

This week can be tough for many. Some find themselves alone and hurting. Some are in a crowded living room of friends and family yet find themselves lonely. Friends, if this is you, know I am praying for you. One of the best ways to overcome those feelings is to practice gratitude with examples given to us in Scripture.

In Psalm 34, David sets the stage for having a heart of gratitude. 

I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord;
    let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
    let us exalt his name together.

In Psalm 100 he encourages us to do the same.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! 

Worship the Lord with gladness.
    Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
    He made us, and we are his. 
    We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
    go into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
    His unfailing love continues forever,
    and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

In Psalm 138 He prays a specific prayer of thanksgiving.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
    by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.

Hannah gave thanks after giving birth to Samuel.

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!
    The Lord has made me strong. 
Now I have an answer for my enemies;
    I rejoice because you rescued me.
No one is holy like the Lord!
    There is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.”

I Samuel 2:1-2

Job praised God even amid losing all his children and his incredible wealth.

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
    and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
    and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

Job 1:20-21

While Paul’s teachings are not expressly about thanksgiving, the theme of gratitude is prolific throughout his writings. There are more than twenty instances of him either giving thanks for God’s provision and other believers or encouraging the believers to give thanks. Even from prison, Paul’s writings show his heart of gratefulness.

He gives instruction.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

He sets an example. 

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:3-6

He explains the reward of praying with a grateful heart.

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.”Philippians 4:6-7

We might look at Paul or David and think they had beautiful lives, of course they were filled with gratitude. But remember, David was being pursued by people who wanted to kill him when he wrote many of the Psalms. Paul was in prison for preaching the Truth when he wrote many of his letters filled with gratitude.

This month I have tried to make a practice of waking up every morning and meditating on gratitude, not just for material things, but God’s creation and creativity, family and friends, attributes of God, music, sunrises and sunsets. The enemy has thrown in some harsh words and headaches, attempting to steal my joy. I saw his ploy, and it was hard to resist giving to the grumble.

I want my gratitude to be a state of being not just a good habit. The only way I can do this is to keep my eyes off the woes of life and on the One to whom I owe all my thanks.

Keep digging in Scripture and in your own life for moments of gratefulness. When we focus our eyes on the One to whom we should be most thankful, our grumble can turn into gratitude.

Heavenly Father,

I come to you with a grateful heart for who you are and what you have done for me. Help me to keep my eyes on You. Show me, every day, the blessings you have bestowed on me. Guide me in my prayer life to begin with gratitude. 

In Your Precious Name, Amen

Praise God with me – The Doxology – Anthem Lights

For further reading:

 Twenty Verses About Thanking God in the Hard Times – Cara Ray

Twenty Verses to Remind Us to be Grateful

How to be Thankful in All Things – Billy Graham

Jehovah Jireh ~ The God Who Provides

The eyes of all look to you in hope;
    you give them their food as they need it.
 When you open your hand,
    you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. 

Psalms 145:15-16

One of my favorite stories from childhood is that of George Muller, missionary to orphans in England. He is known for his prolific prayer life and faith. One day, the orphanage was down to almost no food. He didn’t know where the next meal would come from, and he was responsible to feed these precious children. So, he did what he knew how to do best, pray. 

I can imagine his conversation with God went something like this. “Lord, these children are hungry. You put them in my care, but I have nothing left to give. I know you are the God of miracles. You are Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides, so could you do that for these children?” Moments later, a knock sounded at the door. It was a driver of a bread truck that had overturned just down the street. 

George didn’t pray that the bread truck passing by would wreck or break down. He did pray that God would provide. And He did. The truck driver had to unload the contents of his truck.  George just happened to have the perfect place for it, the tummies of his hungry charges and their kitchen pantry. 

I felt like one of George Muller’s kids when, as a child.  Our cupboards were empty. A couple bags of groceries appeared on our doorstep.. There were even marshmallows in the bag! Someone wanted to bless us with the necessities but saw beyond the need and blessed us with an extra fun gift. I am not a fan of the marshmallows now, but I certainly was giving thanks for them as a wide-eyed child.

Throughout Scripture, we see example of God providing at just the right time. He provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice. He provided a meal for Elijah who was on the run and scared. He provided manna for the children of Israel. He provided a hiding place for David. He provided a way of salvation for the entire world of sinners.

As we approach Thanksgiving, it is good to reflect on how we have seen God’s provision in the Bible. But can we stop and think of His provision in our own daily lives? How many times have we sung “Great is Thy Faithfulness” without stopping to count our blessings? 

This month, I am trying something new. I am holding myself accountable to be more grateful by making a list and posting a short message about one item per day. From the air I breathe to the coffee I drink, every good and perfect gift is from my Father. 

I still find plenty to grumble about… that is the human spirit, isn’t it? But by God’s grace He points my heart to an attitude of gratitude. 

What do you have to be grateful for today? 

Will you take the challenge to find one thing every day between now and Thanksgiving to be grateful for? Either in your journal, social media, or just in your heart, make a note of it first thing in the morning. Then give thanks for it throughout the day.

Feel free to comment here or check out my gratitude posts on Instagram at @kerilynnwillis. 

Dear Jehovah Jireh,

Thank you for Your provision in my life. Help me to recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from You. Help me be aware of other’s needs and meet them when You prompt me to. Please extinguish the grumbles in my heart and help me to always be grateful. In Your Precious Name, Ament

Great is Thy Faithfulness Listen to Carrie and CeeCee sing and meditate on this beautiful hymn.

Finding Peace Amid Holiday Chaos

There was a time in our not so distant past when the world came to an abrupt slow down. It was for reasons I would not like to repeat, but the reduced activity and busyness was a welcome relief to the rat race. I know everyone did not experience this; my daughter was working one of the busiest ICUs in the country. For her, the rest came after the storm. 

However, a good lesson was learned. In the midst of the pandemic, many experienced the benefit of slowing down. It was kind of a forced lesson, but a good one. But how many of us retained that invaluable life lesson? (If you were to drive on the Southern California freeways, you would answer a resounding NO ONE!)

Next week, we enter one of the busiest seasons of the year, what we like to call the holiday season. In many countries, taking a holiday means slowing down, going away, having a quiet respite to a busy work life, not doing all the normal work-a-day ‘stuff.’

Not so in the US. Holidays mean crowded stores with crazy shoppers pushing their way in front of one another, grabbing the last Furbbie (or whatever toy is in vogue) out of the hand of a fellow treasure hunter. 

It does not have to be that way. But we are a headstrong people. Israel was like that too. 

This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15

Like us, the Children of Israel were given the opportunity to rest, but they refused. They thought they knew better. They thought going back to Egypt would solve their problems. They had a God who lovingly rescued them, protected them, and provided for them. Yet, they considered going back to Egypt where they were enslaved, beaten, and quite literally worked to death. They thought that is where their security existed. 

As a society, we had a chance to slow down, quiet our busy minds, and reflect on God’s goodness. It was like God looked down and whispered, “Be Still!” That stillness lasted for a while. But as we approach another holiday season, I feel like I am watching racehorses ready to conquer the Kentucky Derby.

We need to slow our over-active lives down. Appreciate God’s rescue of a fallen world. Recognize the protection He offers through faith. Be grateful that “All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided.” Then, stop… or at least slow down. 

Slow to a point where we can return to Him, and rest in Him.

Friends, I don’t want to go back to Egypt. I want to forget what is behind me and keep my eyes on the finish line, not just the end of the year, but the finish line where my Creator is waiting for me. 

Here are a few ways to help you keep from giving into the busyness of the season:

*Decide what you want out of this holiday time. Evaluate the tasks and events piling up, and intentionally say yes or no.

*Before running into a store, listen to a Christmas or worship song all the way through. Consider the words and meaning of the song. Let it wash over you and bring you peace.

*Delegate.

*Decide what is REALLY necessary.

*Return to Him and rest in Him.

*Before making a Christmas wish list or grocery shopping list, make a gratitude list.

*Always be prepared to give an answer for the Hope in you.

*Be prepared with grace when frustration and anger threaten to overtake your attitude.

What can you do to slow down this season?

How can you take time to be still in the chaos of this time of year?

So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt – Keith Green 1980

To The One to Whom I Should be Grateful, Please forgive me for being too busy to stop and acknowledge You. Please help me to recognize when I need to stop and rest, and help that rest to be in you, not in what the world offers. Please guide me through this time and keep my eyes on you, my creator and provider. In Your Precious Name, Amen

Praying for Leaders: A Call for Gratitude and Grace

November is traditionally the month we work hard to remind ourselves of all we have to be grateful for. Then the day after Thanksgiving the world goes into a frenzy to make out shopping and wish lists of things we may or may not need. Personally, every day I am trying to focus on one thing, tangible or intangible to thank God for providing. It is a painful truth that in all of our gratitude, we still find a reason to grumble. 

I am exceedingly aware that about 50% of this country will be disappointed in the election results (not to mention the World series). No matter the outcome, I must remind myself that God is still the King of Kings; He is still sovereign and ruler of my heart and my destiny. 

The fact remains that God has appointed the rulers, and He has given us a very specific reminder to pray for them. 

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth”

I Timothy 2:1-3

We are actually told to not just pray for them but to give thanks for them. Ouch! How can we do that? Well, we can give thanks for them because, having ‘them’ in leadership gives us an opportunity to pray more. It gives us the opportunity to show more grace than we can without divine intervention.  It gives us the opportunity to put our faith in God not in man. 

And why are we asked to pray for ‘kings and all who are in authority?  So we can live peaceful and quiet lives, marked by godliness and dignity. Sadly, godliness and dignity are two things sorely missing in our politicians who are running for office. Maybe we need to pick up the pace in our prayers a bit.  

I encourage you, every time you see a political add, billboard, or yard sign, send up a quick prayer for that person. They need wisdom and guidance. They need grace with accountability. They need the Way the Truth and the Life.

Lord Jesus, Please help us know how to pray for our leaders. Please give them wisdom and guidance in leading our cities, counties, states, and our country. Please remove any selfish ambition and replace it with humble responsibility to the people of our land and to You. Please help them to rule in a way that brings about a peaceful and quiet life.  In Your Precious Name, Amen

Soul Water

Living Water for a Thirsting Soul

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