We All Have a Purpose What is God's purpose for my life? I hear this question many times. I even ask this question myself sometimes. We have a purpose on this earth and it seems to me that we want to make the answer to this question much more difficult than it really is. What is Our Purpose? Good Works What does the Bible say that our purpose is on this Earth? In Ephesians 2:10, Paul states our purpose plainly. We are created for good works. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Walking in Love: A Call to Imitate God Paul goes into more detail about the good works that we should walk in. In Ephesians 5:1-7, Paul first tells us to walk in love. We are told to imitate God "as dear children." This is love in action. Are children perfect imitators? No, of course not, but they love to try to copy their parents and, more importantly, they learn by imitating them. This is what I must do as a Christian so I can learn to be more like Jesus. Christ showed love, so since we say we are His, we should also show love. Paul immediately explains what walking in love does not look like. Sexual sin was everywhere in Paul's time just as it is today. Christians are not to be like the world. We are told not to be fornicators, covetous, or to talk foolishly. Why are these particular sins pointed out? Because if we truly walk in love, we won't do them. They harm others as well as ourself. These sins reveal a completely different understanding of love than the one Christ demonstrated. These are examples of the way the world views love. There was a song years ago that said it this way, "If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right." This is how the world thinks. The world doesn't care if it's wrong. The world just wants to do what it wants to do, regardless of the harm it does. But God's love is sacrificial. God's love is faithful. One of those attitudes deserves special attention because Paul mentions it alongside sexual immorality. Covetousness means longing for other people's things or maybe even other people. It means never being satisfied with what you have. In Psalm 107:8-9 David tells us, "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness." Why should we covet when our God "satisfies the longing soul"? Our actions are not the only evidence of love. Paul also points to the way we speak. Social media seems to promote foolish talk and idle words. It's everywhere. Using words carelessly, especially things like joking about sex, can quickly lead to people being hurt and feeling unloved. Don't be "that guy" who goes along with other people's inappropriate jokes. Avoiding Darkness and Walking in the Light Paul then shifts from walking in love to telling us that we should walk in the light (Ephesians 5:8-14). If we walk with Christ, then we should walk in His light. The light of Christ exposes the darkness and evil that is in the world. These things need to be avoided. We should not participate in the evil works that are in the world. The light of Christ has "awakened us from the dead." As Paul says in Ephesians 2:5, Jesus "made us alive together with Christ." Are we awake or are we still sleeping? Are we indifferent to the needs of those around us? Are we carelessly waiting on Sunday service to end so we can simply eat lunch? Do we miss opportunities to share Christ's love with others? In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us why we should walk in the light. He says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Our good works don't glorify us! They are not done so people can say, "Look at that person, how holy and good they are." No, our good works are seen so that they may bring glory to God! Isaiah also emphasizes the importance of our actions in showing God's light to the world. In Isaiah 58:10, he says, "If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday." Walking in Wisdom and Redeeming the Time Finally, Paul tells us to walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-21). Paul says we should "redeem the time" because the "days are evil." Redeem the time means that we need to make the most of the time we have to serve God. Who knows when, or even if, we will ever get the opportunity again? But making the most of our opportunities requires wisdom. Paul tells us that to become wise we should understand what the will of the Lord is. We learn this from studying His Word. Knowing God's will is more than gaining knowledge. It changes the way we live. Paul goes on to say that instead of being drunk (filled with alcohol), like the unwise do, we should spend our time filled with the Holy Spirit of God, praising, singing, and thanking God for all He has blessed us with. The contrast could not be more fitting. Alcohol impairs our judgment, but the Holy Spirit produces wisdom, self-control, and thankful worship. It is God who should be in control of us, not alcohol or some other drug. A life controlled by the Holy Spirit also changes the way we treat other people. Finally, Paul tells us to be wise by submitting "to one another in the fear of God." If we respect Jesus, if we respect God, we will not be concerned only with our individual needs, but with the needs of the body of Christ. We will not demand our own way. Finding True Purpose in Imitating God When we walk in God's love, His light, and His wisdom, then and only then, we will find our true purpose. That purpose is to imitate God. And we can do this wherever we find ourselves. Walk in the light! so shalt thou know That fellowship of love His Spirit only can bestow, Who reigns in light above. Walk in the light! and thou shalt find Thy heart made truly His, Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined, In whom no darkness is. Walk in the light! and thou shalt own Thy darkness passed away, Because that light hath on thee shone, In which is perfect day. Walk in the light! and thine shall be A path, though thorny, bright: For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee, And God Himself is light. -- hymn by Bernard Barton Our Purpose is to Imitate God

Witnessing With Humble Boldness Recently, my Bible study group has talked quite a bit about boldness. We are to be humble when we approach people, no doubt, but that does not mean we should not be bold. Often, we weakly approach people, if we approach them at all, not wanting to offend we may say something to them about God loving them, or have a blessed day, and those things can be a blessing, but how often do we speak boldly? How are you to share your faith? How to Share Your Faith - Bold As A Lion In Proverbs 28:1, we find Solomon telling us that the righteous are as "bold as a lion." Our strength to speak boldly comes from the Lord. "according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." Ephesians 3:11-12 Eight times in the book of Acts the apostles are described as preaching boldly. They aren't described as timidly looking for the right opportunity to speak a few words to someone they know very well about Christ. No, they are described as preaching the word of God boldly to the masses that were in Jerusalem. They went from hiding in a room afraid they would be arrested, to boldly preaching with faith and power about Jesus. What made the difference? The gift of the Holy Spirit! What were they preaching in Acts? They were boldly proclaiming that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead and reasoning and persuading their listeners that Jesus was the promised Messiah. What do we proclaim when we speak of Jesus? Paul Needed Prayer In Ephesians 6, Paul says that he is an "ambassador in chains" who needs prayer, so that he can preach boldly the mystery of the gospel. If Paul needs prayer to be bold, how much more do we? We are all called to be ambassadors for Christ. A Spirit Of Power In 2 Timothy 1:7, we're told that God didn't give us a spirit of fear. No! He gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. My brothers and sisters, what have we lost, that today so few of us have a spirit of power and so many seem to be consumed by a spirit of fear? This spirit of fear does not come from God. We try to speak to others in our own power. That is the first mistake. We can do nothing. Only the Holy Spirit working in us can speak to people with power. In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Paul tells us be steadfast, brave and strong. I like how the King James Version translates "be brave". It says to "quit you like men". Be brave, be bold and do it all with love. Go Boldly In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul tells us that the brethren became confident to speak out boldly without fear. They became confident by Paul's chains. What the world used against the ones who followed Christ, Paul and others used to go boldly and preach. Paul's chains were used to further the gospel, not to inhibit it. In 1 Thessalonians 2:2, Paul says that he and others were "bold in our God to speak to you", even after they had suffered and were mistreated in Philippi. They did not allow persecution to intimidate them from speaking truth. We have forgotten perhaps that the gospel is the way of truth. It is not a self-help manual. It does not teach how to have our best life now. It does not promise prosperity or even health. What it does tell us, is that the gospel is the truth. We profess Christ because people need to know the truth. Today's world gives us lies. Today's world tells us there are many truths. No! There is one truth. The truth of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is Jesus, dying and rising again to save us from our sins, that provides a way for us to be one with God. This gospel we preach says that we can be Christ's brother and God can be our Father. The Bible reminds us that just like the disciples in the book of Acts we are to speak boldly. We have the love and grace of God. We have the Holy Spirit. We have the power of God with us. This allows us to be strong in the Lord, not our own power. Does that not give us boldness when we go before men? Do we fear so much, are we so timid, as to stay silent? Go Boldly To The Throne Of Grace We speak to others of Christ boldly, but we also go before our Lord boldly. We are told to go "boldly to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). When we pray according to God's will, our needs will be met. Is it God's will to heal you? If it is, then you can pray boldly and expect a healing. Our bold prayers can change our perspective and change our outlook. We can know that God can and will do more than we can imagine. In Ephesians 3:20, Paul says this, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," Paul tells us we have a "power that works in us." When we rely on that power, we can go to God boldly. Not in fear and intimidation. Praise be to God "who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think"! And that power is how we can share our faith boldly with others. Enjoy "Boldly I Approach" by Rend Collective. Be Bold to Speak the Word

Why We All Need Grace You often hear Christians talking about grace, but I know from experience teaching Sunday School many of us don't really know what that means. Grace is the gift of unmerited mercy and forgiveness. To receive this gift we need to understand that we need mercy and forgiveness. When someone has cancer they may not know it for a long time. Only when they realize how sick they really are do they reach out for a cure, for medicine. For many the cancer they have is in their soul. They are oblivious to the fact that they need grace. Grace Is Freely Given, Not Earned God's offer of grace is not something we purchase with our good works or our own efforts. God's grace is freely given out of love (Ephesians 2:8-10). Notice that salvation comes from unmerited grace, not of our own efforts, but we are also told that good works are literally why God created us, that he prepared us for these very works. Good works are a product of God's grace. They are the end result of His greatest gift. Humility Opens the Door to Grace When someone gives us a gift we don't deserve we don't brag about how great we were to deserve it, no, we accept it humbly, knowing it came to us purely out of love. In fact, humility allows us to receive even more of God's grace (James 4:6). Faith Enables Us to Receive Grace As Paul says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith", so to receive grace we must have faith. In Romans 10:17, Paul tells us our faith comes from "hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Hearing the word of God is more than just hearing sounds, but listening to the word of God. When we study the Bible God speaks to us, individually, if we listen and truly hear what He is saying to us. He speaks to us through our teachers and preachers. He speaks to us in song. He is telling us about this wonderous gift of grace He has for us. Through faith we can receive it. And what is faith? According to Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Faith is the evidence of the God we cannot see. Through faith we receive grace. We need God's grace continuously in our Christian life. God's grace saves us, sanctifies us, justifies us, and empowers us for His service. He enables us to have a steadfast faith. The Transforming Power of God’s Grace God’s grace doesn’t end at the moment of salvation. Grace continues every day as we walk with Him. Grace sustains us when we fail, strengthens us when we are weak, and reminds us that our worth is found in Christ, not in performance. The more we understand God’s grace, the less we are ruled by guilt or pride. Grace teaches us to rely on His Spirit rather than our own strength and to be patient with ourselves as God patiently shapes us into the likeness of His Son (Titus 2:11–12). If we have truly received grace, it will show in how we treat others. The grace that forgives us also calls us to forgive. When we refuse grace to others, we deny the very thing that saved us. Jesus taught that those who have been forgiven much, love much (Luke 7:47). Extending grace doesn’t mean excusing sin. It means showing mercy and compassion to the undeserving, just as Christ did for us. Grace flowing through us becomes a living testimony of the gospel at work in our hearts. The Enormity of God’s Grace and Forgiveness Let's look for a moment at the enormity of God's grace. In your own life, what is something that you can remember that someone has done to you that you find nearly impossible to forgive? Or better, what have you done that you can't forgive yourself for? Maybe you can't forgive, but God can and more. God's grace will give you the ability to forgive the unforgiveable. God offers us all grace beyond measure. Because of humanity's sin, and our individual sins, God sent His Son as a perfect sacrifice. Humanity rejected His Son and put Him to death on a cross. Jesus's resurrection made a way for each of us through the grace of God to return to Him and have a life with Him. We are anchored in grace to our Lord. God's grace is totally undeserved. Our greatest gift is His grace. Our sin, any sin, separates us from God, but His Son gave His life for us to be able to be in relationship with the Father through the gift of His grace and forgiveness. Understanding that we need His grace is the first step. Thanks Be to God for Our Greatest Gift Thanks be to God for the greatest gift of all—the gift of grace. God's grace is costly. It cost Him His Son. Our prayer today Father is that we understand our need for your grace and that we give grace to others as it was given to us. Amen. Be blessed with Chris Tomlin's song: Amazing Grace (my chains are gone). God's Unmerited Grace

Witnessing a Miracle I was privileged yesterday to witness a miracle. Probably a hundred people or more witnessed it as well. It was a miracle performed in full view of everyone. I witnessed a marriage ceremony. It reminded me of Jesus' words that "the two shall become one flesh," one of the Bible's most profound descriptions of marriage. Becoming "one flesh" is more than a physical union. It is a covenant relationship established by God that reflects the unity Christ desires with His people. In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus says this: "And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Jesus' words in Matthew 19 echo God's original design for marriage in Genesis 2:24, where husband and wife become one flesh. Two Shall Become One: Marriage as a Metaphor Marriage is the great metaphor that is used in Scripture to explain the relationship that we as Christians have with our Lord. Just as a husband and wife are "no longer two but one flesh," so also do we become one with our Lord. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:27-28 that we are all, male or female, slave or free, Jew or Greek, one in Christ. This union with Christ is beautifully pictured in Communion. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 that although we are many, we are all one bread and one body because of Christ. There is unity in the body of Christ. Christ Awaits His Bride As the bridegroom awaits his bride during their engagement, so Christ awaits His bride the Church, until the end of the age when the Church and Christ attend the marriage supper of the Lamb referred to in Revelation 19:6-9. Just as a bride prepares herself for the wedding day, the Church is called to remain faithful and ready for Christ’s return. Our waiting is not passive; it is marked by obedience, holiness, and hope. Our Marriage - Our Relationship With Jesus The Bible, the God-breathed scriptures that we declare, as Christians, to be the very word of God, tells us about the relationship between husband and wife and how that relationship should mirror our relationship with God. In Ephesians 5:22-33 Paul explains how this relationship should look. It should be a mirror image of our relationship with Jesus. Submit to Christ As Christians we are told to submit to Christ. We submit to Him because of His great love for us. We know He would never harm us or ask us to do evil. Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners," because His love was so great. In this chapter, Paul tells us wives are to submit to their husbands in the same way and for the same reasons. Our husbands are told by Paul to love us as Christ loved the Church. In other words, our husbands are to love us unconditionally and always seek our good. Our husbands should build us up in our faith. Paul tells us that we are one in our marriage as we are one in Christ. This miracle is a "great mystery," one that cannot be fully comprehended while we are in the flesh. Men - The Spiritual Head Of The Home Notice that Paul's instructions are for wives to submit to their husbands, not to all men. As the spiritual head of our home, husbands have a great responsibility to lead by example and ensure that Christ is the true head of our home. When husbands lead with Christlike character, they create a home where trust can grow and biblical submission can flourish. This kind of leadership prepares the way for the instruction that wives are to submit to their husbands, as Scripture teaches. Women Submit To Your Husbands In 1 Peter 3:1-6 Peter reiterates this by saying again that women should be submissive to their husbands, even those who are not Christians. He says that wives should be focused on inner beauty, by cultivating a gentle and quiet spirit that God loves. This spirit in turn can be a motivating factor in the conversion of their husbands. In verse 5, Peter tells us that these women in former times, like Sarah, were role models who "trusted in God". He doesn't say that they trusted in their husbands or in their own strength. By trusting in God they will not fear the future. Peter goes on to say in 1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." Husbands Honor Your Wives So husbands should understand their wives and honor them, because both husband and wife are heirs of the grace of God. Why should they do this? Peter says so God will hear their prayers. When Peter calls women the "weaker vessel," he is most likely referring to the fact that in most cases women are physically weaker than men. The misuse of these scriptures by people who took these verses to mean that men should control their wives in every aspect without honoring them or even truly loving them, is the main reason why these scriptures are so despised in modern culture. Being loved, honored, and understood by my husband sounds wonderful to me. Submitting to my husband is necessary according to the Bible. It does not mean that I should accept mistreatment. Submission is not abuse. Submitting to every man is not what the word says. Women played and do play a major role in the work of the church, as we read about the women of Acts we know this is true. Marriage Takes Work Marriage, much like our relationship with God, is a challenge. Marriage takes work. We should encourage each other. Marriage takes forgiveness. Marriage takes putting God first in all things. Although we may not always succeed 100%, we know that we trust God to make a way, because we go before Him now not as two individuals, but as two who have become one who seek the right path. I pray God's blessings on this beautiful young couple as they walk forward now as one in the Lord. Enjoy "Two Becoming One" by Jonathan and Emily Martin Two Shall Become One

Only God Answers Prayers Have you ever been at a place in your life where you were ready to give up? Have you ever prayed for something for so long and so hard only to seemingly never see it happen? Have you been so sad, so angry, so distraught that you have thought to yourself, "If You (Jesus) really loved me, if You were really there for me, You would have answered my prayer." David probably had similar feelings when he says in Psalm 39:12, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were." Sometimes we have to come to the end of our rope, the end of ourselves, to see that God alone answers prayer. Too Late? In John Chapter 11, we read the story of Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and Jesus. Lazarus was loved by Jesus and very sick. Mary and Martha knew that if Jesus would come to him, Lazarus would be healed. Jesus, however, waited. He arrived too late and Lazarus died. When Jesus finally arrived, mourners were around the tomb. Lazarus had already been dead four days. They were not just disappointed that Jesus delayed coming —they were grieving, confused, and perhaps felt a twinge of betrayal. Martha and Mary both tell Jesus, "Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died." Were they angry? Probably. They knew Jesus was a mighty healer. They had complete faith in His ability to heal. But now, it was too late, or so they thought. Do you feel, like Mary and Martha did, as if it is too late for your prayer to be answered? Do you feel like God has abandoned you? That He did not come to help you when He should have? God has appointed times for us. Sometimes His timing is hard for us to accept because we see only the moment, but He sees eternity. This may help explain why He allows us to wait. For the Glory of God: Lazarus and You - John 11:4 But what did Jesus say when he heard of Lazarus's illness? In John 11:4, He says thism "When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus knew what was going to happen. Yes, Lazarus would die, but Jesus knew fully that Lazarus would be raised to life again for the glory of God. And so will you if you know Him. For the glory of God, Lazarus was raised. He raises us up to new life in Him through this same Jesus! Thanks be to God! Jesus tells them to remove the stone that sealed the tomb. Without removing that stone Lazarus would have been trapped, unable to walk out. Are you trapped by something in your life? Is there a burden, a sin, a thought that is sealing you in, and that needs desperately to be removed? Sin, doubt, or lack of faith can keep us “sealed in.” Listen to the Voice When Jesus cried out, "Lazarus come forth." The dead man became alive again and walked among the living. Are we dead in sin and wrongdoing? Are we dead to the glory of God? Do we need to heed the voice that is calling us? We should make the most of the time that our Father has given us. Only God When we come to the end of our ability to fix things, when there is no hope left, there is God. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God alone can heal, can bring back the dead, can give us life everlasting. It is not ourselves that can do anything, only God. Mary and Martha had given up. Their brother's only hope, they thought, was in the resurrection. Jesus reminded them that His timing is perfect. Lazarus was raised from the dead, free of illness, and Jesus was glorified through this miracle. Wherever you are and in whatever circumstance, don't give up. Wait on the Lord. God's timing is perfect. In Psalm 38:15, David tells us, "For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God." When we pray the will of God, never give up believing and hoping that God will hear you and answer because "... God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." (1 John 3:20) Dearest Father, In all things we seek your will. You know our needs and desires. You know what is good for us better than we do. Let our will and yours be the same. Grant us the grace to wait patiently on You. Grant us the ability to not give up hope, knowing that You hear us. In your Son's Holy and glorious name we pray, Amen. Come Forth! Today's thoughts were inspired by a sermon from Carter Conlon entitled. "Is Jesus Groaning Over You" You can watch it here

Taking Inventory Have you ever taken inventory of your life? How are you different from those who do not know Christ? Can people see this difference or do they have to look long and hard to find it? Most of us don't like being different. Most of us want to fit in and be like those around us because life is just easier that way. No one likes to be made fun of. "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 The most important way we show our lack of conformity is by our love. We have a changed heart. We can act differently than society but if our heart is not different it won't matter. We show love to people who are mean to us, to people who can't return love, and to people who are outcast. We forgive as Jesus forgave. Are We Different: Conformer or Nonconformer? Conforming isn't a word we use a lot anymore but it simple means someone who behaves or acts like the majority of people around them. Take this little quiz and see if you are a "fitter inner, a conformist" or a "nonconformer". Do we watch the same movies and TV shows that others do? Do we think about the nudity, profanity and the Lord's name being taken in vain, or do we just go along with it? Do we use our money just for ourselves, just for our wants and needs, or do we think of others and give generously to those in need? Do we give without having to tell everyone we just gave? Do we dress like everyone else? As women are we modest? Do we go to the beach dressed modestly, or do we dress in the smallest, most fashionable bathing suit available? Do we find ourselves laughing along with the smutty jokes that may be being told, or do we excuse ourselves from those conversations? Do we defend our faith with love and humility when someone belittles God, Jesus or Christianity, or do we stand silently by? Do we do what it takes to get ahead at work no matter whose toes we step on, or do we give credit to others for their hard work and help others even if it doesn't benefit us? Do we praise God even in times of sorrow knowing that He is in control no matter what, or do we rail against God when things go wrong? Do we ridicule others for how they dress, how they talk, the kind of car they drive or how they look, or do uplift all people? Do we engage in idle talk? Are we friends only with those who can help us get ahead, or do we reach out to anyone regardless of their circumstances? Does our speech reflect Jesus, or do we throw in the occasional curse word or vain use of the Lord's name with no thought at all because "that's what everyone does"? Do we put sports above God? Do we practice or play games and miss church so we can participate in our given activity, or do we put God first? Do we always look for affirmation and need our egos boosted, or do we seek humility and meekness? Probably no one will get a perfect score on this little quiz. We are all a work in progress but that's the key - a work in Progress. Are we different? If we aren't making progress in these areas then something isn't right. Our goal is to become more like Christ. Sham Christianity The Devil would love to destroy our witness and make Christianity look like a sham by having us be people who are conformed to this world. The Bible says Christians will be persecuted for their beliefs. I personally don't see a lot of persecution, at least not in this country. Maybe it's because we, as a whole, are just not that different from the world we live in. Stand for Right One of my favorite quotes from Martin Luther King says this, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." When it's hard to stand for what's right, do we? Conformity is easy, but living a life different from the masses is difficult. We are a stranger in this earth. We simply have to love God more than the world. In 1 John 2:15-17, we read that if we love the world then we do not have the love of the Father in us. Am I just like everyone else, or am I different?

Counting the Cost Before You Begin Some people begin following Jesus with sincerity and even excitement, only to discover later that the journey touches far more of their lives than they expected. What begins as simple belief slowly becomes something deeper, requiring surrender, endurance, and real cost. Jesus never hid this truth from those who followed Him. Instead, He called them to stop and think carefully before they began, because discipleship is not something to enter into lightly. My other job is remodeling homes. I often find a home for sale that has been gutted, and some remodeling done, but not finished. Often tools and supplies will be left lying around the home, everything in disarray, as if someone just dropped everything and ran. The previous remodeler didn't count the cost very well. He thought he knew how much it would cost but since he didn't inspect the job thoroughly he was surprised. In order not to lose any more money on the job he just quit. Counting the cost of discipleship helps us be prepared for what we may be asked to do, so we won't quit before we're finished. A House Unfinished In Luke 14: 28-30 our Lord relates a sobering illustration, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?" Jesus is not speaking about construction alone. He is speaking about discipleship. The question is not whether we begin, but whether we are prepared to finish what we start when following Him requires everything. Jesus teaches us that obedience and the way of truth is the way to life. Hate my family? What costs are Jesus alluding to? Quite plainly, Jesus says in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." Several times in the Bible this talk of hating family, even hating your own life, is used as a way to show preference. It is seen in the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 21:15, Malachi 1: 2-3, and Romans 9:13. All are examples of showing preference, not as actual emotional hatred towards someone. Our preference should always be God, no matter the cost. Christ Above All Are we counting the cost? When we count the cost are we willing to forego our relationships with our mother or father, with our children, to put Christ first? Are we willing to give up our own lives, either literally or figuratively, for the calling of God? In the west we have been very spoiled. We rarely sacrifice very little to follow God, but that seems to be changing. Sometimes even our parents may think we are stupid for believing in God. Our children may make fun of us for our quaint, old fashioned beliefs. Society may view us as uneducated or unloving because we won't accept bad and call it good. A Hopeful Promise For those called to sacrifice their families or perhaps even their lives, Jesus promises this in Mark 10: 29-30, “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life” Jesus calls us to "strive to enter the narrow gate." His narrow way is the only way to life. Giving it All In Matthew 22:37 Jesus declares the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Jesus says counting the cost is necessary. The cost is high to serve God. Our Lord's expectations are high. We will love God with all of our heart, soul and mind. Are we prepared to do that? Have we counted the cost? Are we willing to finish after we have laid the foundation or will we run away. Our God of hope is with us to give us the strength to continue, no matter the cost. Thanks be to God.

-- Our guest post today comes from a friend and former student, Brooke Brazzell. She is married and mother of a son, Josiah. She has such wisdom in these words I wanted to share them with everyone. She is someone who knows our God of Hope! "Around 2:30 I realized I hadn’t eaten today. I’ve been trying to take better care of myself after some serious postpartum self-neglect. Nothing at home sounded good, so I decided to bite the bullet, load us up, and go to Zaxby’s. It’s just a 5 minute drive. Screams that nightmares are made of emerged from my back seat. My sweet, precious, innocent baby who nursed not long ago is suddenly hungry- a need that only I, his mama, can fill. So now, here we are, nursing in the Zaxby’s parking lot. He is eating, I am not. Don’t be confused, I’m not complaining. The journey he and I are on together is a beautiful one. But it’s also really hard and messy sometimes. My hunger didn’t suddenly leave because my son needed me. But it absolutely doesn’t matter to me right now because my child is hungry. The Lord sees me. He sees you too, mama. Right in the middle of your messy and your hard. He sees the sacrifices that you make everyday for your kids. He honors them. And He’s reminding me today just how much He loves me. My own needs and desires are totally eclipsed by the love I have for my child…and that’s exactly the way He loves me. I’m leaning into Him as my baby leans into me…and there’s nothing sweeter. You are loved. You are seen. You are known. You MATTER to God. I absolutely would not make it without Him. If you aren’t familiar with what I’m talking about or don’t know where to start…message me. All he wants is to love you." --- Two scriptures I would like to add to follow up on what Brooke had to say, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3 and II Corinthians 6:18, "And I will be a Father to you. And you shall be sons and daughters to me." Thanks be to God!

A Sense of Calling and Preparation I am constantly amazed at the way God works in my life. The Lord definitely sees the bigger picture. When I was 17, I felt like God was calling me to be a missionary to China. The big problem was that China did not allow missionaries at that time. God's plans are greater, especially when you trust His timing and watch them unfold over a lifetime. Fast forward to my college years. I just happened to be a history major with a deep interest in Asian history. I had an absolutely wonderful Chinese history teacher and took many classes in Chinese history. He encouraged me to go on to get a Master's in Chinese history but at the time it was impossible. There was no way I could move to a state that offered a master's program in it. He also encouraged me to learn Mandarin. I quite literally laughed at him thinking that I would most certainly never use the language. God’s Plans Are Greater Than We Realize Fast forward a few decades and now my husband and I, after having two children, were considering adopting a child. Through a lengthy process of decision making we finally settled on Chinese adoption. We found a 3 year old child who seemed to fit our family perfectly. We rejoiced in hope that this would be God's will for us. Our adoption advocate told us the competition was fierce to adopt this beautiful little girl. She thought our chances were slim. God, however, had other plans. My knowledge of Chinese history and of a mild medical condition that she had, tipped the scale and we were chosen to be her new parents. When my mother and I went to China to bring her home, it became clear to me that the knowledge of Mandarin that my old history professor had encouraged would have definitely been a plus. Communicating with her was mainly by pointing and play. I remember trying to say the word 'arm' in Mandarin. She giggled uncontrollably every time I tried to say it. (I still wonder what I was actually saying!) She soon realized we could not understand or speak her language and I never heard another word of Chinese from her. Fast forward to today and she is minoring in Business Chinese in college. One day in the hotel in Nanning our interpreter came very near me and whispered, "Are you Christian?" I whispered back, yes, definitely. In tears he told us he had prayed that she would have a Christian home. He told us he had been converted several years ago and how important his faith was to him. I was crying. We had to whisper because it was well known that the rooms were bugged by the government. Seeing God’s Hand Across a Lifetime Do you see where my story is going? My prayer to become a missionary to China in some ways became a reality. I would be a missionary to this child. I would be able to show her Jesus, something that would have most likely never happened if she had stayed in China. In this I learned that Following Jesus means learning to trust His plan for your life, even when it is not what you expected. When my plans changed, I learned to trust Him to be faithful. We never know the road that God has prepared for us. God's plans are greater! We can't imagine how wonderful the blessings may be. All of my children are great blessings. My two biological children were not supposed to be able to happen according to doctors, but God had other plans. That is another of God's greater plans. Who could have imagined that my love of Chinese history would one day help to enable us to adopt a child from there. Never limit God. Never give up hope. "But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 https://www.holtinternational.org/adoption/china/