According to the Example of the Lord Jesus

Photo courtesy of Eva Marie Everson

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. Romans 12:16b RSV

It just so happened that in two different conversations this week with two different Christians, the conversations came around to their telling me of incidents where they had been snubbed by a fellow Christian.  Not only had the hurtful incidents been caused by someone in the Church, but they had also occurred while in a church.

Sadly enough, that probably happens much more than we realize or would like to admit.  You may have experienced it yourself.  Or even worst, God forbid, you may have been the Christian who caused the hurt.  Both of the people I talked to decided to leave the church where the offense occurred.  It saddened me to hear of it. I caught myself thinking about it several times.

Here’s the thing.  Even if you have serviced the Lord for decades, never miss an opportunity to attend services, teach Sunday School, and read the Bible through cover to cover annually, you still must love others. 

By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.  John 13:35

That love is demonstrated by our actions and deeds on a person by person basis every day. After all, individuals make up the body of Christ, which forms His Church. 

We read Paul’s words in Romans 12 about the true attributes of a Christian.  Paul said let our “love be genuine”.

Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary that “the professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere.” He went on to write these provocative words:

“Nothing is below us, but sin.  We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves.”

The story of Jesus stooping down to write with his finger in the sand comes to mind. (John 8:3-11)  A woman who had been caught in the act of adultery was brought before him.  The scribes and Pharisees indeed found reason to lord over her their superiority and her own guilt and shame.  They would have stoned her to death had not the light of Jesus convicted them of their own sin.  Jesus treated her with love and kindness.  He, who was without sin, pardoned this sinful woman.

Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more. John 8:11b

Jesus Christ is the standard. He carried our sins on the cross.  Arrogance was nailed to the cross.  I hope I will remember that if ever I feel inclined to look down my nose at another brother or sister in Christ.

Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourself. Philippians 2:3 RSV

Courtesy of Google Images

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God. Please know I’m honored you took the time to visit.  I share with you here my personal reflections and meditations from my spiritual journey as a Christian. Your comments are always welcome. 

Do You BELIEVE God?

Sunrise on Seabrook Island ~ courtesy of Eileen DeCamp

… for I know whom I have believed… 2 Timothy 1:12b

During my 20 years as a teacher in the classroom, I figured out that I had no problems with my students who “believed” me.  Even the few who might not have liked me so much, if they believed me, we got along well.  When they believed me and respected me, we were guaranteed a great year.  There was just something about that instilled confidence that Mrs. Johnson meant what she said that lent itself to a peaceful assurance and rapport conducive to learning.

Do you BELIEVE God? I don’t mean believe in your beliefs about God. I mean really BELIEVE God.  Doesn’t that belief change everything?  

I know that He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

I know He loved me enough to provide a way for me through Jesus. (John 3:16)

The foundation of my faith is the person of Jesus Christ. I am absolutely confident that He is the Son of God, made flesh, who dwelt among us. My hope is in Him.

When I read Chapter 11 of Hebrews, the roll call of heroes of faith, I read about people who truly “believed” God.  They staked their very lives upon their faith in Him. These men and women (of whom the world was not worthy, v. 38a ) had absolute confidence in God and His promises.  You might like to read it (click on the highlighted words above)—it will give you encouragement to remain strong in your walk of faith.

Blessed are they who have not seen yet have believed.  John 20:29

…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12b

The Church of the Mediator ~ Washington, Georgia

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Our Father Knows What Things We Need BEFORE We Ask HIM

Photo courtesy of Virginia Sharp Franz

“… for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask him.” Matthew6:8b

One of the most amazing and wonderful things about God is that He knows us.  I don’t mean that He is simply superficially acquainted with us either.  I mean He knows everything there is to know about us.  We can have no secrets from God. He knows every need and desire of our hearts.

One of my favorite stories in Scripture is the story of the woman with the issue of blood.  (See Luke 8:43-48) This story illustrates that God knows our needs. This woman had suffered for twelve years with an illness that had basically ruined her life.  None of her efforts had led to healing. Her condition only worsened, and she had depleted all of her resources.  She had come to the end of herself. She was without hope.

Then, having heard about Jesus, she reasoned in her heart that she had to get to Him. She knew He was her only hope. She believed that she would be healed, if only she could touch the hem of His garment. So, she made her way through the crowd with the intention of touching Jesus.

(She) came behind him, and touched the border of his garment; and immediately her issue of blood stanched.  Luke 8:44

Jesus felt her touch. He felt virtue go out of Himself when she made contact.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort thy faith hath made thee whole… Luke 8:48a

According to the Scripture, Jesus didn’t even know who had touched Him.  However, the Holy Spirit of God in Him knew her and her need.  At the moment she made contact with Jesus in faith believing, she was healed.

+ She didn’t have to reason with God about why she needed healing.  God knew her situation and her need.

+ She didn’t have to agonize and strong arm God in prayer. She believed she would be healed if she touched Him, and God knew that.

When we truly TOUCH Jesus, when we make contact with HIM through faith believing, our needs are met. We are made whole.


I want to make it my intention to touch Jesus.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! Psalm 139:17

My azaleas in the front yard

Thank you all for visiting Write Moments with God. I hope you find some encouragement here.  As always, please free to leave a comment below.

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Now, to announce the winner of Hallee Bridgeman’s A Melody forJames.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Dent! You will be receiving a signed copy from Hallee.

Thank you again Hallee for being my guest. 

We had many visitors last week. So many of you left kind and encouraging comments and shared the post so others would learn about this site. My sincere thanks to all of you.  

Meet Author Hallee Bridgeman ~ Plus Monthly Book Give-away!

Hallee Bridgeman

I’m excited to introduce to you today Christian author, Hallee Bridgeman. I hope you enjoy this interview. She will be giving away a copy of one of her intriguing novels, so be sure to leave your comment below in order to be added to the drawing. 

Tell us a little about yourself, Hallee.

I live in central Kentucky with my husband and three children. I am an Army brat married to an Army brat turned National Guard soldier. In a nation that has been at war for 13 years, that has meant an interesting and sometimes exciting life. By our 10th anniversary, my husband and I had spent more time apart than together. During the absence and distance that we endured, we spent hours writing and reading long love letters to each other. In the end, I think we have a stronger and more intimate marriage because of it.

Tell us about your writing and your current release.

On May 13, I will release A Carol for Kent, the 3rd book in my Song of Suspense series.  It’s my 8^th fiction book. I have been publishing books since March 2012. I write Christian romance and Christian romantic suspense. I love “love and romance”, but I also love exciting, action-packed plots. I also have three cookbooks. (Click on the titles for a link to more information.)

Sapphire Ice, Emerald Fire, Topaz Heat, Greater Than Rubies, Christmas Diamond
A Melody for James, An Aria For Nick, A Carol for Kent

Fifty Shades of Gravy; a Christian Gets Saucy!The Walking Bread; The Bread will Rise!

What started you on your writing journey? Did you always want to write?

I didn’t grow up wanting to write.  I never sat down and penned short stories or poems. It was absolutely nothing on my radar. However, one night when I was 27 years old, I had a dream. It woke me at 2 AM. I could not get it out of my mind. I got out of bed, turned on my computer, and started writing. Six weeks later, my book A Melody for James, Book 1 in the Song of Suspense Series was finished. I thought that book might have been a fluke, but as soon as I typed, "The End," ideas poured through me. I can barely write fast enough to keep up with them.

Do you feel pressured to compromise your standards to reach a certain audience or sell more books?

One of the reasons that I self-publish is so that I don't feel constrained by a publisher's standards or market research. I am able to write what I feel led to write by the Holy Spirit.

My faith incorporates my entire lifestyle. I don't compromise my values or standards in my day-to-day living, and I would not compromise them in my writing. My characters are human and have been known to make mistakes. Mistakes come with consequences. But, thankfully, we all can learn of God's grace. I believe that God is using my books to speak to someone specific with every book I publish.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Write. Write well. Don't let someone tell you not to if you feel God is leading you to.

What is your favorite Scripture?

My favorite scripture is Romans 8:28.

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

I love that scripture because it assures me that even when I stupidly intervene in my clumsy human ways on God's behalf, He can still make it good and make it work for Him.

Thank you Hallee for being my guest today.  By the way, the titles of your novel and cookbooks are very appealing.

Thank you readers for visiting Write Moments with God. I am honored that you would spend your time with us. 

Please participate in the drawing for A Melody for James by leaving a comment below with your email address and please share this post on at least one of your social media sites.  We appreciate that so much.  Be blessed.

Find Hallee’s books:
Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo, Lulu

Connect with Hallee online:
Her Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter -- Google+ -- Goodreads -- Manic Readers

Blessed by Mercy ~ Guest post by Heather Hart

Heather Hart

I've invited my friend and fellow Christian author Heather Hart to write a meditation for us today. Heather is first and foremost a servant of Christ. She has the desire to share His love with other women and girls through writing, and is the co-author of the internationally best-selling series, "Teen Devotionals...for Girls!" You can learn more about Heather at www.PaulandHeatherHart.com.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

~ Matthew 5:7

Have you ever stopped to think about what mercy really means? Wikipedia says that mercy is “the religious term for extending kindness and forgiveness.” I think of mercy as showing compassion, holding back just anger and consequences, lightening or forgoing a requirement or punishment.

When we receive mercy we are spared.

The most beautiful example of mercy we will ever know is the mercy that God has shown to us through the sacrifice of His Son. We deserve to spend eternity in hell for our sins, but by His mercy He provided a way for us to spend it with Him instead. It was God’s mercy that allowed Him to pour out His grace, transfer His righteous and justifiable anger away from us, and spare us from the eternal consequences of our sin.

And now He wants us to show that same mercy to others.

I love the way this is written in the book of Jude:

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (1:20-23 NIV).

Being merciful is a combination of acting justly, loving compassion, and walking humbly (Micah 6:8). It can be an attitude or an action—and is usually a combination of the two. It can be as simple as doing the right thing (even when you don’t feel like it), or going out of your way to help or forgive someone.

Paul David Tripp and his co-author Timothy S. Lane wrote in their book, “Relationships—A Mess Worth Making,” that “Mercy does not compromise what is morally right and true.” And, “A commitment to mercy will reveal the treasures of your heart.” I love that last line, but it makes me wonder:

Do we treasure God’s will?

Do we treasure His opinions?

In Luke 6:36 Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” That’s what God wants from us. He has been merciful to us beyond reason, and He desires us to be merciful to the rest of His creation—not because we have to, but out of love for Him and thanksgiving for what He has done for us.

“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”

~ Jude 1:2

Today's meditation is an edited excerpt from Heather's book Blessings from Above: A Deeper Look at the Beatitudes.

This book takes readers verse by verse through the blessings in Matthew 5, providing real life examples as well as verses for a deeper look into the beatitudes.

 

Reviewers are calling it fantastic, nourishing, and a blessing. I'm reading it and love Heather's gentle teaching style.

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God. I'm honored that you have spent part of your day with us.  Feel free to leave your comments below.  We'd love to hear from you.

Because He Lives, We Shall Too

All week I watched a mockingbird fly in and out of a neighbor’s shrub.  It’s building a nest. I know this because it carries little bunches of twigs and grass in its beak.  To me this is just another reminder that spring has returned and life is eternal.  All nature cooperates to remind us that our Savior lives. And because He lives, we shall too.

Before He raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said to Martha…

I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live. John 11:25 Douay-Rheims Bible

And when Jesus said this, He knew that before the Resurrection lay the Cross on which He would make the ultimate sacrifice of love for us…on which He would abandon Himself to the Father’s Will declaring God’s love and mercy to the world.

For by a man (Adam) came death, and by a man (Jesus Christ) the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:21 (I added the names in parentheses.)

All our sins were nailed to the Cross with Jesus so that we who believe in Him could live in newness and abundance of life.

On our spiritual journey we too must go the way of the Cross.  We must abandon ourselves at His feet to receive His mercy and grace. The essence of being a Christian is to abandon Self at the foot of the Cross and take up the Cross of Christ. Only then do we know the Resurrection and the Life.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.

For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. Romans 6: 6-8 NKJV

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God. I'm honored you have taken the time to visit.  Please feel free to leave your thoughts below.  I enjoy hearing from you.  

We All Need a Simon -- We All Can Be One

In the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Augusta, GA

We really never know what God has in store for us each day.  We make our to-do lists, plot our best-laid plans.  I’ve been thrown off my game, time and again, because my plans were disrupted, only later to see how masterfully God wove people, places, times, and events together.  He has the master plan.  What I need to do is ask Him to lead the way; I will take up my cross, and follow Him. (See Matthew 16:20)

Today as we mediate on the LORD, I want us to also think about someone—Simon the Cyrenian—whose day was disrupted by a most defining moment of history.  He indeed followed Jesus all the way to Golgotha.

There isn’t much recorded about this man in the Scriptures, and I am not a theologian, but this is what I’ve found.  Simon, from Cyrene, a city in Libya, had come into Jerusalem from out of the country possibly  to celebrate the Passover.  Maybe he had his sons with him (I don’t know).  He had two sons, Alexander and Rufus.  Rufus is referred to by Paul in his letter to the Romans as one “chosen of the Lord”.  (See Romans 16:13)  Since the Apostles had spoken to people from his region telling of  the wonderful works of God  (See Acts 2:11), it’s possible Simon was a believer.  But I don’t know if he was or not.  This is what we know.

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the  country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.  Mark 15:21

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it for Jesus.  Luke 23:26

I can imagine the soldiers snatching Simon by the shoulders, pulling him out of that crowd which lined the streets, and making him bear the cross on which Jesus would be crucified.  I imagine he was terrified,  little knowing that he had been overtaken by a divine assignment. 

He carried THE CROSS all the way with Jesus to Golgotha.  And I believe he stayed with Jesus, witnessing his crucifixion, and the crucifixion of the two thieves, and the agony, and the darkness and our Lord’s death.  I believe Simon carried that cross all the way to Life Eternal, and his family too with him.

And today, knowing what we know, we all might say, “Let me, let me, let me bear the Savior’s cross!”  We would volunteer gladly to help carry that burden for our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We can still shout for joy because Jesus has told us how we can do just that. 

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  Matthew 25:40

Don’t be surprised if God gives you an unexpected opportunity to do an act of mercy and kindness and by so doing allows you to help bear the Lord’s cross.  We all need a Simon, and we all can be one.

Beautiful picture courtesy of Aaron Barton

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