LIVING SACRIFICE

 

LIVING SACRIFICE

In light of all I [Paul] have shared with you about God’s mercies, I urge you to offer your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, a sacred offering that brings Him pleasure; this is your reasonable, essential worship.  Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.

Romans 12:1-2a (The Voice)

Each year before Easter, Christians are encouraged to practice lent. It is meant to be a time of reflecting on Christ and His sacrifices in life and death. However, our season of self-denial can become only a ritual instead of ‘essential worship’. The book of Romans, Paul reveals what pleases God and accomplishes His will. This helps us see what sacrifice of  heart, soul, and conduct looks like.

I wonder how Paul might see lent as a ‘living and holy sacrifice’. Is it a true form of worship or has it become a behavior or custom only? 

Paul spends the previous chapters in Romans describing the gift God has given us through Jesus Christ because of His life, death, and resurrection. They are holy sacrifices. They were pleasing to God.

Whether we practice lent or not, consider a life of sacrifice that goes beyond the Easter season. Thank God for His sacrifice of His Son. 

Thank Jesus for this life of sacrifice in obedience to His father. And thank the Holy Spirit for His sanctifying work that helps us in a walk that reflects living sacrifices of worship. 

You might spend some time making a list of the many inconveniences and difficulties Jesus faced because of His surrender. 

Then make a list of the things you have surrendered in sacrifice to the Lord.  

by Joy Pedersen

LOVE SPEAKS LOVE

 LOVE SPEAKS LOVE

Throughout this past month, I have read Facebook responses to the change of administration in our country. Whether they were for or against Biden or Trump, there were unkind words, defensive comments, and slurs made about each person. Mercy and grace given to us was often set aside to declare political and personal positions about the two individuals. I admit my own thoughtless guilt in this matter – whether spoken aloud or to myself. Though I may disagree with either person, my call is to show love for them both by word and deed.

Reviewing others and my own attitudes, the Holy Spirit convicted me of careless words in opposition to my call to love others as myself or as I would want to be loved. There was even the question of trusting God as King of the universe believing He can cause ALL THINGS (or people) to work out for our good. These were humbling conversations between He and I.

Bottom line: followers of Christ are called to love as Christ loved His Father, God. He taught on love in the gospels beginning with Matthew in the beatitudes. Instructions were to love our neighbor and our enemies and pray for them. James 1 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in order to produce uprightness. We are to be doers of God’s Word and not just hearers so that we don’t show ourselves to be frauds. This means my words and actions defend or defy the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation in me.

Proverbs 3:3-6 (AMP) reminds me: “Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them[securely]around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ So find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man .⁵ Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. ⁶ In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

by Joy Pedersen

PRINCE OF PEACE

PRINCE OF PEACE

Over 2000 years ago Jesus was born into a world filled with chaos, abuse, wars, and conflict. This season in December is when we can walk in gratitude for the One who came humbly as an infant to rescue us teaching us how to survive in peace. Foretold by Isaiah, all that the world would ever need was promised with a description. Remarkably God came in human form offering hope, salvation, and true love for all who would receive Him.

To show His adoration and concern for mankind, His cruel death and miraculous resurrection is remembered on Good Friday and Easter. He ascended to Heaven but will return through clouds of splendor to take His followers to join Him eternally. We are all invited to take advantage of His(forever) life giving gift of a personal relationship and love.

Though the uncertainty of so much faces us daily exposing abuses, wars, and conflict, our hope is in the One whom we celebrate at Christmas. Will you allow Him to show His might and strengthen, comfort you when you require it, embrace His wisdom, praise Him as creator and Father? Leaning into, reflecting on, and praying to the Prince of Peace. May this Christmas season be sweet to you and His presence precious now and through the New Year ahead.

by Joy Pedersen

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving

This is the time of year to celebrate gifts received by showing it in thanks- giving. We have received life, freedom, food, clothing, homes, health, work, and much more. (Thank you, God!) And we can therefore give out of what we have received – love, food, clothing, encouragement, a listening ear, etc.

We may regret choices or mourn losses gone by making it difficult to express thanks. Looking at these there are still many things that deserve appreciation. However, being thankful – like all emotions - is a choice. The promise of Romans 8:28 assures those who love God that all things work together for good – fitting into God’s good purpose for us.

Perhaps you have seen Pollyana? It is an old movie with a young girl who becomes orphaned and then adopted by her aunt. She played the glad game to adjust her attitude toward the disappointments in life. For each situation she found something for herself and others to be glad. It took effort to change her attitude and outlook  into a grateful mindset.

Reflecting on the year gone by, challenge yourself in expressing thanks as a grateful giver to God and then others.

 

Psalm 106:1 ESV Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

by Joy Pedersen

Facing Challenges

 

Facing Challenges

Throughout life, we meet all kinds of difficulties and come face to face with our limitations. They may be physical, emotional, or spiritual – even a combination of all three. We may have tried to confront them by going to a doctor or adding exercise to our regiment. We may have sought counsel and gotten insight. Or we may have prayed and read the Bible, all hoping our situation would change for the better.

As Christians change can foster faith questions and trust issues with our Lord, but the Helper (Holy Spirit) can lead us through the dark valleys. For example, we might wonder:

·        Did God hear my requests?

·        Is it my failure to take care of myself that I face this problem?

·        Does God see me and care about my situation?

·        Am I doomed to be this way for all my life?

These are just a few things that might come to mind for you. I confess, at times they have caused me angst. Today as I write, I am faced with one more challenge. Several heart attacks have weakened my heart, and doctors tell me another heart procedure is needed. It is familiar, but because of the aging process and other issues, this is more difficult to handle physically and emotionally.

Because of the miraculous way God has brought me through past struggles, He will do it again but there are uncertainties. Thankfully His Word is speaking clearly these days offering comfort, hope in Him and my future, and a deeper love and appreciation for my heavenly Father.

Praise goes to my faithful and kind Father. Delight in Him is increasing while watching Him work in the lives of others and myself. Longing for more of Him to meet my every need grows along with confidence in His knowing what is best for me. Some of the verses that especially minister to my heart include:

·        When answers are not enough, I recall Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLV): Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding.  Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.

·        When it feels like there is more to do to change things, I remember Philippians 4:19 (ESV): And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

·        When my mind begins to focus on things I cannot control I am reminded of Jesus words in John 14:27 (NLT): I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

·        When heaviness overwhelms me Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28 & 29b draw me to my Savior and healer: Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest ^… and you will find rest for your souls.

·        When I lose sight of who is supremely sovereign of everything my mind goes to Isaiah 41:10 (AMP) – God’s words: Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’

           Do I fail along the way? Yes, I forget at times who is in charge with ability and attention given to aid as He did Paul, Job, Moses, and Jesus – but I know who I believe and He is keeping me safe in the hollow of His hand (even when I don’t feel it).  Like Paul in Philippians 1:6 (ESV), my confidence rests in Jesus:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you [and me] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

by Joy Pedersen

THE BRAVE AND THE FREE

 

THE BRAVE AND THE FREE

Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.  Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:7-8 NJKV

Once again, we celebrate a day of independence here in the USA. It is a time to recognize the brave who have fought for lives and freedom available inside our borders. We pause to celebrate the lives previously or currently defending our liberties. We too recognize the defensive and offensive forces for their sacrifices and are thankful for what they have done and are doing. Battles have been fought to overcome tyranny, preserve freedoms, and defend the weak and oppressed on and off our soil - for God’s justice. The cost has been great because evil continues in this world. Yet, we have benefited by experiencing freedom of ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ in the face of its chaos.  For men and women who stand in love with conviction defending family, friends, and strangers alike – thank you.

Long ago the great defender, God, fought for our freedom and continues to do so. The original intention of God for this world was to bring glory (praise, honor, and thanksgiving) to himself in our relationship with Him. Then with just one bite of a forbidden fruit things changed. Small skirmishes and large wars have been part of our world since that one rejection of God’s directive and His design to keep us from sin. In exchange for that freedom God’s requirement of us has not changed.

God instructs us to love Him first with heart, soul, mind, and strength and then others (Mark 12:29-30).  As followers of Christ, in some sense we are all soldiers armed with His love. Loving God we serve others defending, providing, and caring for and about those who are in need. This 4^th of July thank God for those who deserve honor for defending you. But also consider – in the year ahead - who you will defend in love. Make your home and heart one that resonates bravery and freedom in Christ. 

by Joy Pedersen

Love and Care

 

Love and Care

For me, Mother’s Day is always a difficult subject to address. Not because I had a flawless childhood (or was flawless) but because I had a good mother. Having listened to many others’ experiences of a difficult childhood, neglect, and poor role-modeling, I know this can be a difficult and delicate topic for some whose mother was not pleasant. How I pray these mother wounds will meet care that heals.

All of us are born needing nurturant love and care - mothers and children alike. These needs go well beyond food, shelter, and clothing. They are provided for or withheld from us by friends, teachers, siblings, media, church, etc. Even the evil in this world tugs at our peace.  Putting all these influences together, healing is beyond ourselves and those we encounter in life.

So, moms and ‘good or bad’ homes cannot take all the blame or credit for our development and outcome as adults. Ultimately, we can choose to react to our past believing what we lived is who we are stuck with. Or we can choose change within by transformation through Jesus Christ and become more than we hoped (Roman 12:2).

Followers of Jesus Christ find perfect love and care in a live relationship with the True God. In Matthew 6:30 Jesus challenges us to have faith in God’s care when he says:

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

Perhaps your answer has been because it is hard to believe anyone could love you fully?

Then in Philippians 4:19, we are reminded of His care when Paul wrote:

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Hope is stirred by believing in the Lord, Jesus Christ and promises are extended to followers of Christ. Every need (not every want) He will supply by His miraculous power. When we choose to believe God according to I John 4:16: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love'. This is an all-consuming love and care
that has no limits. Letting go of the past pain and embracing the newfound lover of the soul is so healing. This is where mother wounds are healed!

Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG) “Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”

The only perfect caretaker is found in Christ. His resume:  

Compassionate, Advocates, Excellency referrals, Understands needs even before being told, Effective communicator through the Word of God and provides an interpreter who is the Holy Spirit, Fulfills His promises and meets all needs.

by Joy Pedersen