I’ll Never Apologize for My Faith in God

These days, the world seems to have gone half mad. Sadly, the madness often surrounds the foundations of the Christian faith.

Christian values are ridiculed. Or, spiritual and biblical principles are questioned as valid and relevant or relatable. 

And people (and the enemy) try to convince us truth is relative and up for debate. Or, culture whispers in our ear, We each have our own version of truth—and that’s okay.

But it’s not okay.

If you follow this blog, you know I’ve experienced rude remarks on social media about my faith.

 Still, I’ll never apologize for the foundations of my faith.

Here are 3 key foundations to never apologize for.

1.) I’ll Never Apologize for The Bible and its Truth

Not only does God’s Word never return void, it also never goes out of style like the changing times.

5 Ways We Bring Moments of Heaven to Earth

Moments of heaven on earth? Really, Karen?

Is there even such a thing?

Why, yes. Yes, there is! And we have access to front-row-seats.

Yet, I’m not talking about things or situations we attribute to the phrase, “It was heaven on earth.” Such as food, trips, or any experience we feel was heaven-like.

We are so limited in what we imagine for heaven. It’s much bigger and carries more awe than we realize.

A New Heaven and Earth

But the new heaven and earth will one day replace this fallen world we live in.

Look at how it’s all described in Revelation 21:

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Verses 1-5, NIV).

10 Acts of Kindness to Brighten Someone’s Day

There are many things to love about kindness, especially random acts of kindness.

Like how kindness is contagious. Think about a time someone acted kind toward you. Did you want to be kind to that person or pay it forward? 

Also, contrary to what people may say or think, kindness never goes out of style.

Even when society’s pendulum swings toward a me-focused culture, kind acts will always make a difference.

And that’s why God’s people play an important role in dispensing kindness without discrimination or qualification. Our example in this is Jesus and His earthly ministry. 

Because from a spiritual standpoint, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Kindness grows in us as we sow it and practice it.

So what is the current state of my fruit of kindness? Have I cultivated it in my daily life and in my family, community, and relationships?

Kindness From God

You see, one of the epic reasons kindness makes a difference is because we never earn it. Consider God’s loving kindness toward us. 

It leads us to repentance. “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 ESV.

His lovingkindness saves us. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 ESV

We praise God for His kindness.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7 NIV

Acts of Kindness Make a Difference

My list here is not exhaustive, but gives us some ideas of random acts of kindness that brighten someone’s day. And perhaps sparks your own ideas. 

(1.)  Make extra dinner and drop it off to a neighbor.

Life is Short: Focus on God and Dream with Him

Life is short.

Life’s too short to delay living how we were always meant to live.

We were created to live a life focused on God and spiritual things.

And the Lord wants us to dream big with Him.

Because life is short, God calls us to live a life focused on His purpose for us, the true desires of our heart, walking in the Spirit, and the path to righteous living.

So let’s look at 20 of these areas that help us live this kind of life with our God in this present world.

Life is short: Focus on Brand-new

(1.) Beginnings. “The point in time or space at which something starts.”(Google) The world, life, time and space all started with God. So it makes perfect sense to see God as the God of new beginnings. Every new day, job, venture, relationship, season, and so on starts with God, the best beginning to everything.

(2.) Forge new paths. Whether careers, direction, vision, mission, or ministry, remember who makes new paths. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

(3.) Dreams. Dream big ole’ ginormous things only God can pull off. He’s the biggest dreamer of all. Dream with God, you and Him dream best together. 

(4.) Do-overs. Sometimes we get to do something over, other times it’s impossible. Like we cannot undo the past, what’s done is done. But every new day presents opportunities to change our actions, reactions, perspective, words, and outlook.

(5.) Second chances. Everyone hopes for a second chance after forgetting something, messing up, hurting someone, or sinning against God. And we may ask others for a second chance or give them a second chance.  But, without doubt, we serve a God of second chances and countless chances. 

10 Wonderful Attributes to Describe Jesus

What are your favorite ways to describe Jesus?

I remember the first time I heard the name, Jesus, as a child. There is something about that name…about Him.

Since Christ brings us compelling qualities of life when we know Him as Savior and Lord, these central attributes also describe Jesus.

(1.) We describe Jesus as love.

True Love defined means, Jesus. Our lack of love from people never makes the Love of Christ less true. 

Instead, we are loved the way He says we are loved: Love lays down His life for me (John 15:13); perfect Love drives out my fear (1 John 4:18-19), and He redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with Love (Psalm 103:4).

(2.) Jesus is mercy.

God sent Mercy from the throne room of heaven to take our place. Beaten, bruised, and pierced with nails, Mercy’s blood spilled on a cross. And Mercy bestowed forgiveness on us to cover our sins.

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 (ESV)

(3.) Peace describes Jesus.

Peace means the absence of war and conflict and a state of rest. Perhaps we hear Christ referred to as the Prince of Peace.

Applying Self-Control to Every Fruit of the Spirit

Although self-control begins with the word self, we ourselves can’t nurture it, much less muster up the power to practice it—applying it to our lives.

Because self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.

I’d heard about the “freshman fifteen.” But I set out with ample willpower to avoid gaining fifteen pounds as I entered my first year in college.

And you know what? I didn’t gain fifteen pounds. Instead, I gained a little more. Yikes! 

But here’s something we often fail to understand about self-control from a biblical perspective. 

We don’t possess the power to practice self-control, it comes only through the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5 encourages us to walk by the Spirit, not to gratify the desires of the flesh (verse 16).

And the chapter provides a list of fleshly desires such as drunkenness, sexual immorality, impurity, rivalry, strife, jealousy, anger, divisions, dissensions, envy, enmity, sensuality “and things like these” (verses 19-21).

But here’s the stark opposite to the works of the flesh. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

I’ve often wondered why self-control is listed last.

Perhaps self-control is partly gained from allowing the Holy Spirit to grow and cultivate in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. 

So let’s compare and contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit through reflective questions and thoughts.

Applying self-control: love over jealousy and envy.

In what areas do I see jealousy and envy in my life? Ask the Holy Spirit to give me self-control to really love others, even enemies, instead of harboring jealousy. This type of love only comes through a relationship with the Lover of my soul.

Self-control desires true joy instead of false joy. 

Fake joy numbs the pain through alcohol/drunkenness, emotional eating, drugs, including prescription drug abuse, shopping, and so on. How am I currently self-medicating? Ask the Spirit to give me true joy.

3 Ways We Follow Jesus With Complete Abandon

How do we follow Jesus with complete abandon and what does it look like in daily life? 

Because I’ve been following Jesus since sixteen, but I continue to desire to learn how to live it out.

And following Jesus with complete abandon means letting go of—abandoning—all other earthly treasures and idols for Jesus Himself. I follow Jesus and abandon me.

So let’s look at 3 major ways we follow Jesus with abandon and how it affects our life.

(1.) Following Jesus with Complete Abandon: Count the Cost

To come to Christ costs us nothing. But to be a true disciple of Christ costs us everything.

But nothing to everything commands a sizable leap, especially for a college freshman like me with only two years of following Jesus.

Yet, I wanted to jump into every aspect of the Christian life. Still, living on a university campus at eighteen became a whole new world. Since I desired to grow in my faith, I participated in several Christian student groups; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU).

But I knew the basics about God and eternal life. I understood the great cost to God by sending His Son to take my place on the cross. Jesus gave His life as payment for mine. 

To follow Christ with complete abandonment cost us something. 

Costs like:

• Giving up going our own way. 
• Laying down our personal agenda.
• Trading our kingdom come for God’s Kingdom come. Even when my way feels good or my agenda seems right, my kingdom often crumbles.

Counting the cost equals freedom. A place of completion. Giving it all for the sake of the call.

Hey Friend: Grace Changes Everything 

Hey friend, did you know that grace changes everything?

The Lord has me thinking about grace lately. How it’s the foundation our faith is built on. And how God gives us this gift—His love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ.

Because grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV) “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (ESV)

Since grace changes everything, it changes who we are. It changes our eternal destiny. Also, grace changes how the Lord sees us—under grace, no longer condemned by the enemy or sin.

I’m not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. This identity in Christ comes through grace, amazing grace.

Here are 5 ways G.R.A.C.E. changes our lives.

G – God paid the price: Grace Changes Everything

Pleading the Blood of Jesus Christ

Pleading the blood started thousands of years ago with God’s people.

But it has more to do with us today than you might think.

First, let’s rewind to the past. A powerful Bible story describes much blood being spilt.

In Exodus 12, the Israelites put blood from a lamb without blemish on two doorposts and the panel above the door of each house.

The Lord’s Passover.

The lamb’s blood provided protection from the final plague. God brought plagues on Pharaoh and the land of Egypt for refusing to release His people from slavery. This particular plague meant every firstborn male, people and animals, would die.

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13 (ESV)

After that fatal night, Pharaoh let the people go. And the Lord instructed His people to celebrate the Passover every year.

Blood of the Perfect Lamb of God

Years later, a perfect Lamb without spot or blemish once again provided passover blood. Jesus, God’s Son, willingly gave His life and blood for spiritual death to passover God’s children. Physical death may strike, but spiritual death cannot touch those in Christ.

Believing God Works All Things for Our Good

We believe God works all things for our good, until we don’t.

Because those “until we don’t” reasons include things like tragedy, sickness, loss, unimaginable grief, fizzled dreams, and so on. 

And let’s get really honest here. Life happens and life is full of ups and downs.

So it’s easy to listen to the enemy’s lies during the down-times. Satan’s lies claim God doesn’t have our good in mind. Or else He would not have let this thing happen to us.

But even when I’m at the end of my rope, I know God is good, does good, and works behind the scenes for my good. I may not understand the whys or what He is doing, but it doesn’t change who God is or His good nature. 

Our circumstances never change God’s goodness.

So let’s remind our hearts of the Bible verse containing this promise.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

Notice the promise is not that all things are good, but all the things work toward our good.

God Works All Things: The Promise of Good

God has promised good to us. 

The Lord has plans for our good, now and in our future. 

Since the beginning of time, God weaved His goodness throughout the chapters of His-story. It started with creation when He saw everything He made was good. 

We see God’s goodness when He rescued His people. Goodness revealed in Bethlehem’s stable and narrated in Jesus’ ministry. Goodness told at the foot of a bloody cross and reported as Victor in an empty tomb.

Also, we see His goodness in our lives. We are living testimonies to God’s goodness. God is good and does good. (Psalm 119:68)