Hope in a Season of Winter

by Cheryl Schuermann

I have never loved the color brown, though brown has its place. Give me a warm chocolate brownie fresh out of the oven, and I will embrace brown with gusto. Autumn can be lovely with falling leaves of orange, yellow, and red. Then…everything turns brown. Even with the pleasant sounds of crunching leaves under my feet, I often have to work hard to see beauty in this season. I know why.

I am my grandmother’s granddaughter. Sara loved color. I love color. She relished sunshine and warmth, flowers and lush green foliage. So do I. While I have experienced mostly brown during the Oklahoma winters, my grandmother saw only the color white in northern Alaska.

When she and my grandfather became teachers for the Territory of Alaska in 1928, they joined the life of the Eskimos and raised their family in a village north of the Arctic Circle. My mother grew up in this village, with a sea of white blanketing the tundra from September to May. The world was mostly dark with only half-light, twilight, for a couple hours each day. Their only connection to the outside world was an occasional traveler on a dog sled.

A woman of faith, Sara endured the darkness and cold of the winter months because she knew the God who would bring relief. In May, the first signs of life peeked through the snow. The sunless days and bitter temperatures eventually gave way to light and warmth. The thick ice on the river began to break up, and by June the water could run freely, which allowed boat travel. In a letter to her cousin in New Jersey, Sara wrote, “I look to the time when the water runs.”

Often the greatest encouragement for our life yet to come can be found in looking at our past. The prophet Samuel urged the house of Israel to return to the Lord with all their heart. He declared to them, “Till now the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12 ESV). He prayed the Lord might have mercy and save them from the hands of the Philistines. Samuel reminded them they could trust their God, who consistently provides, protects, and directs his people—the God who has shown himself to be trustworthy and faithful time after time.

Our hope is based on recalling how God has provided for us in the past. Our assurance is based on remembering the strength of the One whose promises we trust.

Because we live in this world, we all experience seasons of brown. Sometimes we face a long season of darkness ahead, void of color. Anxiety, grief, illness. All of these can cause us to lose hope.

When I find myself in such a season, I recall my grandmother’s words. The God who caused the sun to shine and the water to run again in northern Alaska can be trusted. He is the same God who knows my name and called me into his family.

No matter where we find ourselves, the sun will shine, and the water will run again if we believe God’s promises. Though we have roads yet to be traveled and trials to be faced, we can raise our banners with grateful confidence. The same Lord who has helped us till now will continue to show us mercy through our journey.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21 – 22 ESV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Cheryl Schuermann is an award-winning author whose books include When the Water Runs: Growing Up with Alaska, and Raising Kids for Tomorrow’s World: 12 Keys to Preserving the Faith. Cheryl and her author/illustrator husband, Stan, have four married sons and thirteen grandchildren. Their favorite place to write, play with family, and host ministry groups is their rural retreat, affectionately known as The Farm.

Cheryl’s first devotional, Farmhouse Devotions: God’s Glory in the Ordinary, releases April 2024 from Bold Vision Books. For updates and news, visit: https://cherylschuermann.com/

Join the conversation. Are you experiencing winter of the soul right now? How can we pray for you?

God’s Love

by Harriet Michael

Men cleaning an insane asylum some three hundred years ago found words scrawled across the walls of a room that a recently deceased patient had once inhabited. One of the men was so moved by the words, he jotted them down and the inscription became a Jewish poem. The words read:

“O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure the saints’ and angels’ song.”

Richard M. Lehman was a businessman living in California in the early 1900’s. He worked in a packing house all day packing oranges and lemons into wooden crates for shipment to various places. But he was also a musician who loved the Lord. One day after reflecting upon a sermon he’d heard the previous Sunday, he was moved to write a song about God’s love. He remembered the words to the old Jewish poem someone had written down for him and the story behind it. He looked around for the card where his friend had jotted it down.

Finding the card, he sat down at his piano and wrote two more stanzas to the song we now know as “The Love of God.” Richard’s daughter, Claudia L. Mays, arranged the tune. It was first published in 1919 in a songbook entitled, Songs that are Different.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry,

Nor could the scroll contain the whole tho’ stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure the saints’ and angels’ song.”

The name of the man in the insane asylum is not known, but his words have been immortalized as the third stanza of this now famous hymn. Both the story of the man in the insane asylum and the words of the song touch me deeply.

Mental issues were not understood well or treated effectively three hundred years ago. I am so thankful that today they are and people dealing with them can lead functioning lives instead of being locked away in insane asylums.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. (NIV) And many other places it tells us of His great love for us. He loves us for who we are, not the things the world values like health, intelligence, physical appearance, or earthly possessions. He loves the person who has received His gift of salvation regardless of their status in this world. And he loves them dearly. So dearly that if it were written down, scrolls could not contain the words, though stretched from sky to sky, as the song says.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Harriet E. Michael is an award-winning and widely published author and freelance writer. She has authored or co-authored ten books, with three more under contract for release in 2024 and ’25. She has penned hundreds of articles and devotions that have been published in various publications. Her winter devotional, Glimpses of God, focuses on winter—both calendar and spiritual. During our spiritual winters, we await the new thing that God will be doing. Sometimes, we might even feel that He is silent or far away, During this season, we must rest in the truth of God’s sovereign mercy, grace, love, and care for His children.

Join the conversation: Does it make a difference in your life to know you are loved dearly by God?

One Middle-Aged Woman: Priceless

by Julie Zine Coleman

I am no diva.

My daughter would roll her eyes at this statement and say, “No kidding!” Before every speaking event, Melanie insists on approving my outfit. She is afraid to let me leave the house without fashion supervision. “Put on some mascara,” she urges. “Lipstick will make you appear more professional.” I sigh and try to be obedient to her fashion sense, since I have none of my own.

One spring on a shopping trip with my cousins, we wandered into a chic makeup boutique. Right away I knew I didn’t belong there as I noted the glamorous women browsing the store. But as I tried to stay inconspicuous and peruse the aisles (so as not to embarrass my cousins), a makeup artist swept over. It was like I had a bull’s-eye painted on my forehead. She wanted to give me a makeover. I tried to explain that makeup wasn’t really a huge part of my daily routine. A face like mine would be a waste of her time. She insisted.

I felt sorry for her. She seemed so nice and sincere, so desperate to please. So I put myself into her hands. The woman worked wonders. My eyes looked brighter and my face younger. I wrote down every product she used to perform her magic. Then I went shopping.

Please note: previously, the most sophisticated cosmetic purchase I had ever made was at the drugstore. So as I shopped, I didn’t think to look at prices. How expensive could eye shadow be? If only I knew.

Eventually I found myself in line with my little basket of purchases, again noticing the beautiful, stylish women now in line all around me. Obviously if you cared about your appearance, you bought your makeup in this place. I tried to pretend I was a regular customer and nonchalantly stepped up to the counter.

The young beauty behind the counter rang up my purchases. “Good news,” she enthused. “You have spent over $150! That entitles you to a special gift!” One hundred fifty dollars?? For blush and powder? I almost passed out.

Excruciatingly aware of the Beautiful People surrounding me in line, I gulped and handed over my credit card, trying to look casual, as if this was a routine purchase for a diva like me. My hand shook as I signed the credit slip. I thought I might possibly throw up, right there in front of a bunch of super models. How would I explain this to my husband? How good can makeup really be?

My cousins and I left the store together. I was still shaken. “I j-just spent $150 on eye shadow,” I stammered. “Those people think a lot of their makeup.”

My sister patted my hand. “And you paid their price,” she reminded me. “Apparently, so do you.”

In the real estate market, a home’s value is pretty much determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. Similarly, the signature on my credit card slip indicated this makeup was indeed worth $150. At least to me. Apparently.

We can say the same for our own worth, according to Scripture. Our value has been determined by the price God was willing to pay. “You were redeemed…with precious blood…the blood of Christ” (2 Peter 1:18-19 NASB). Our value to God is unfathomable. He proved it by shelling out an exorbitant, unimaginable price: the life of His only Son.

This middle-aged woman, and you, dear friend, are absolutely priceless to God.

“The Lord takes pleasure in His people.” Psalm 149:4 NASB

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Julie Zine Coleman helps others to understand and know an unexpected God. A popular conference and retreat speaker, she holds an M.A. in biblical studies. Julie is the managing editor for Arise Daily. When she is not glaring at her computer, she spends time with her grandchildren, gardening, or crafting. More on Julie can be found at her website JulieZineColeman.com and Facebook.

Many Christian women are torn between the church’s traditional teachings on gender roles and the liberty they experience in secular society. But what if the church’s conventional interpretations aren’t really biblical at all? Julie’s new book, On Purpose, is a careful study of the passages in the Bible often interpreted to limit women in the church, at home, or in the workplace. Each chapter reveals timeless biblical principles that actually teach freedom, not limitation. On Purpose was recently named the Golden Scrolls 2022 Book of the Year as well as receiving the Director’s Choice Award at the Selah Awards. 

Join the conversation: Is it hard for you to believe God places great value in you?

A Door of Safety

by Shadia Hrichi

“Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household . . . Joshua saved alive. . . . And she has lived in Israel to this day.” Josh. 6:25 ESV

What person in the Bible (besides Jesus) are you looking forward to meeting in heaven? Whose story do you want to hear directly from their mouth? Moses? Ruth? Paul? I don’t know about you, but I have a list!  

At the time the Old Testament book of Joshua was written, the words in Joshua 6:25 (quoted above) likely reflected the fact that Rahab was still living among the Israelites at the time. The statement was included as a way of authenticating the story. It served to remind the people that Rahab was still alive and living with them when the book of Joshua was written. It was as if to say, If you do not believe me, you can go and speak with Rahab herself. Don’t you wish we could do just that? We’ll need to wait for heaven for that day, and we’ll probably have to stand in line!

However, before writing my Bible study on Rahab, the scarlet cord had always been at the forefront of the story in my mind. And I know I am not the only one. Although the scarlet cord did not save Rahab, it identified her (and her home) as being set apart for God’s special protection.

Very often, in discussing Rahab, the scarlet cord is thought to point to the blood of Christ. That may certainly be the case. However, in addition to that symbolism, there is something else in the text that is highly significant, and often overlooked: the oath of protection the spies made to Rahab also had much to do with the door of Rahab’s house (Josh. 2:17–21).

The spies warned Rahab, “Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head” (Josh. 2:19). The scarlet cord would identify the location of Rahab’s house, but the door guarded those who took refuge inside.

This brings to mind several other doors in Scripture, such as:

• the door of Noah’s ark, which protected the family from flood (Genesis 6:16, 7:16)
• the door of Lot’s house, which protected the family from the city’s wicked men (Genesis 19:10)
• the door of the Hebrew slaves at Passover, which, when marked with blood, protected families from the angel of death (Exod. 12:7, 12:13).

In every case, God appointed a door of safety on the day of judgment. This is evidence of God’s saving grace. All who were on the inside stayed safe; all who were outside the door perished. This is why Jesus declared in John’s Gospel,

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved . . .” (John 10:9 ESV).

This excerpt is taken from Shadia’s new Bible study, RAHAB: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Want some practical tips for connecting with God and planning a “Sabbath date with Jesus”? Join Shadia’s BRAVE THE DEEP email community and receive your free download, “7 Simple Ideas to Refresh Your Quiet Time” and “How to Plan a Sabbath Date with Jesus,” plus unlock all the premium resources.

About the author: Shadia Hrichi is a passionate Bible Teacher who loves seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. In addition to numerous articles, Shadia is the author of various Bible studies, including Rahab: Rediscovering the God Who Saves Me, as well as LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me, HAGAR: Rediscovering the God Who Sees Me, and Worthy of Love: A Journey of Hope and Healing After Abortion. Shadia holds an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as an MA in Criminal Justice. Currently residing in northern California, Shadia regularly speaks at churches and women’s events and loves to visit the ocean each week for ”a date with Jesus.” Visit www.shadiahrichi.com

Join the Conversation: Have you entered the door of salvation?

Posture of Forgiveness

by Melissa Heiland

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21, 22 NIV

Forgiveness is so hard. My selfish, self-righteous heart wants justice. I want to treat people the way they have treated me. I want them to suffer as they have made me suffer. This sounds harsh to me even as I write it, but I know it is true. I can overlook small slights and words and actions that don’t carry much weight, but when it comes to deep wounds inflicted on me and especially on those I love, I struggle with forgiveness.

I know that forgiveness is an important biblical command. I am forgiven, and I must live my life forgiving others. People will continue to hurt me and those I love. Some will do so unintentionally, and others will plot and scheme with malice in their hearts. There will always be opportunities to forgive offenses big and small. And I must choose to obey God’s Word.

There is no doubt regarding God’s will in this matter. In fact, the Lord says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14,15 NIV). These words serve as a warning. God requires us to forgive others. This is not conditional. No matter the offense, we must forgive because God has commanded us to do so.

So, I have decided to live my life in a posture of forgiveness. Regardless of the nature of the offense or the person who has hurt me, I strive to live my life poised to forgive. This means I live ready to forgive. I will not evaluate each situation and decide if I deem the offender worthy of forgiveness. I will forgive friends, family, and even enemies, because God has commanded me to forgive. I will trust God to mete out justice, which is his domain, not mine.

Recently, when someone came to me to ask for forgiveness, I responded by saying that I not only forgave them, but that I would always forgive them. Someone overheard me and was astounded, warning me not to say those words. However, I believe this is how our Lord wants us to live, not fearing what others may do or say to us, because we know that God is in control.

Living life from a posture of forgiveness brings tremendous peace. We can live in freedom, forgiving those who harm us, knowing that God is a forgiving God, but also a just God. He will deal with those who have hurt us.    

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Melissa Heiland is the Founder and President of Beautiful Feet International, a mission organization that plants pregnancy ministries around the world. She is an international speaker and author who is passionate about mommies, babies and sharing the Gospel. She and her husband Ken have 6 children and 10 grandchildren.

No Shame, Melissa’s newest release, was written for survivors of sexual abuse. It’s a gentle, 40-day devotional to comfort survivors along their journey to peace and healing. She has written two other devotionals for new and expectant mothers and a children’s book, all of which are available in Spanish. As a missionary, she has written Get Set, a short devotional that will help equip and prepare short-term missions teams for their upcoming trip.

Join the conversation: How ready are you to forgive?

A Thorn in My Rose Bowl

by Del Bates

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33 NIV

Everybody loves to watch a great football game, especially when your team is winning.

Well, most everybody, right? But what if you were given access to the final score before the game ends and discover that your team is about to lose? Would you still watch it?

On New Year’s Day, 2024, my team, Michigan, was about to play in the Rose Bowl. “Hey,” I asked my husband, “Isn’t the Rose Bowl on?”

“Yep,” he said, “But I’m taping it.” You see, my husband, Jon, has this thing where he tapes some of his sports events, and then he’ll watch the rerun on days when there is nothing to watch.

So, when I learned he was taping it, my cynical side rose up in me, and I went online to see who was ahead. Instead I found that Michigan lost the game, so I got busy with other things rather than watch their defeat.

 At about half-time, I decided to sit down and join my husband after all. “How far is this into the actual game?” I nonchalantly asked him.

“What?” he answered. “This is the actual time. I only taped it for a few minutes, so I don’t have to watch the commercials.”

Trying to keep my composure and not give away what I knew, I responded, “You mean the game is not over? Michigan is winning?” Oh, no! How foolish of me! I almost ruined the game for him.

Isn’t that how we are with God? With our lives? We want to know the end before the beginning. We want to try and figure everything out. The author of Hebrews tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Sometimes, we need to take today for today and trust God for our tomorrow. To trust Him for the outcomes we cannot see. We can only go one day at a time. We pray, seek Him, and then we must go forth and believe He has today and tomorrow in His hands.

He knows our needs, and He hears our prayers. When we try to figure everything out according to our plan, then assume things will go that way, we leave God out of the equation. It will help us to recall God’s words: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9 NKJV).

We watched the end of the game, which was great, and a close game at that. And, to tell you how close, the game went into overtime, with Michigan miraculously scoring a touchdown in an unbelievable play, to win.

I don’t know if my husband or I cheered louder, “Go, Michigan, Go! Go! Go!” Look at what I would have missed if I had believed my little sneak preview to find out who won before Michigan even played! I don’t know where I found that “final score,” but I’m so glad I got to see the real end of that remarkable game!

Next time I try to figure out the end of a situation in life before it happens, I will remember the possible thorn in that Rose Bowl game. I will look up and ask God to give me the faith to let go and just trust Him for what will happen. I’d so much rather leave it in His capable hands and stop clutching it in mine.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Del Bates is an author, speaker, and podcaster. She has been on leadership with Aglow International for numerous years. She is also an award-winning author of two books, including Walking In A Minefield, a nonfiction book on spiritual warfare.

Del and her husband are snowbirds between Florida and Michigan where she spends quality time with her three grown children and five precious grandkids. Her heart’s desire is to further the Kingdom of God through her Pen for the Lord and her gift of prophecy where she loves to equip others through words of wisdom from above.

You can reach her at Delbates.com and her podcast, Seeds of Hope with Del and Penny on Facebook.

Join the conversation: Has God shown His wisdom in bringing you a different than you had hoped?

Last Straw at Walmart

by Kathy Howard

 It had been a really bad day. Issues with my family, issues at work, even issues with my hair. I had complained to God and one of my close friends. But I was pretty determined to be in a bad mood. I only had one more errand before I could go home and wallow in self-pity for the rest of the evening. Since I only needed a handful things from Walmart – milk, toilet paper, and fabric dye – I expected to be in and out in just a few minutes.

Storming around the store with my “poor me” attitude, I found the fabric dye on the aisle with the laundry detergent. Dark brown was only available in the liquid version. I needed a lot so I started pulling bottles off the little shelf over my head. Each time I grabbed one the others were pushed forward by a spring-loaded mechanism on the shelf.

As I lifted the next to last bottle the one behind it shot out and up. There was no time to take cover, it all happened too fast. When the bottle hit the tile floor the cap popped off and dark liquid squirted across the aisle splattering everything in its path, including me. As I surveyed the damage, God spoke to me quietly. “Okay, you’ve been whining all day. How are you going to respond to this?”

While I sponged myself off with the paper towels hung on a nearby post, I considered my options. I could continue down the path I’d been on all day and let this dark mess be the last straw that pushed me over the edge to a full blown, self-absorbed tantrum. Or, I could remember that God is in control. He not only is aware of all the problems, issues, and worries in my life, He cares about each one. In that moment of decision, God brought a Scripture passage to mind.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).

Rest in Jesus or throw a fit on the detergent aisle in Walmart? This time I chose Jesus. And I pray I will next time too. God’s peace and rest is always available to His children in the midst of chaos, trouble, and even the generic “bad” day. I still sometimes react to difficulty in my own strength, but thankfully, I rest in God’s peace more now than I did even a year ago.

On my way home I called the sweet friend I had complained to earlier in the day. We both laughed as I recounted the flying dye story. Sometimes God uses unique ways to get our attention. On this day, He used a bottle of brown, liquid dye to remind me He was right there, waiting to carry my burden and give my weary soul some much needed rest.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Kathy Howard is a treasure hunter. She hunts for the creamiest chocolate, richest coffee, and cherished stories of faith. She also digs deep into Scripture, mining God’s eternal truths. Kathy has a Masters in Christian Education and has taught the Bible for more than 30 years in a wide variety of venues. She is the author of 12 books, including “Heirloom: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith” and the “meaty” devotional series “Deep Rooted.”

Kathy and her husband live in north Texas. They have three married children, six grandchildren, and one accidental dog. Find free discipleship resources at www.KathyHoward.org.

Have you lost the wonder of your salvation? Maybe you’ve forgotten the abundant riches of God’s grace. The Gospel isn’t just a statement of faith. It is more than hope for eternity. The Gospel of Jesus is the power of God for your life today. Recapture the awe of your life in Christ with this 40-day pilgrimage: Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Romans. This book was recently awarded The Christian Market Bible Study of the Year.

Join the conversation: Are you able to rest in God’s peace?

Between Some Math and a Hard Place

by Rhonda Rhea

When I was in junior high, anytime I felt like I needed a good cry, I’d just ask my dad to help me with my math.

I’d like to say something about the “sums of the fathers” right here, but any way you pun it, it was actually all me. Even in high school, I remember going up to my algebra teacher’s desk saying, “Mr. Showalter, I’m stuck on number 5.” At which point he would do the problem for me with a smile. Mind you, I was also stuck on numbers one through four, but I didn’t want to overwhelm the man.

From early on, I understood that there was a reason they were called math problems. The stages of grief over math ineptitude went something like this:  1) Denial. 2) Trying to bargain—but let’s face it, bargaining can require math, so… 4) Realizing there was probably a missing step. What number are we on again? and 7) I really want a sandwich.

There was always something I would rather do than math problems. And those somethings were big-time distractions. I wish I’d thought to call them “weapons of math disruption” but I was probably too distracted. Sometimes I had a choice between picking up that math book and finding myself stuck on number 5, or instead…sandwich.

Ever feel a little stuck? Sometimes it’s about studying a problem long enough to decipher what to do next. It seems like it’s even more often that we’re stuck because we know what we’re supposed to do next, but we’ve lost count and allowed someone or something to move us in the opposite direction. Stuck.

God’s chosen people have a recorded history of more than a few instances of that “stuck-ness.” Many of their rock-and-a-hard-place kinds of experiences were a result of not being obedient to what the Lord had commanded them to do. One little distraction, then one little compromise that turned into another, that turned into another, and—well, you get the math. One compromise after another turns into…stuck.

Compromise is trading God’s will for us for something that our flesh wants instead. Our sin nature often loves to adjust the equation, trying to force God’s plan to fit our own selfish desires. Talk about not adding up. It’s just plain sin.

Our call is to obey Him. When we choose to follow distractions of compromise, we’re denying His grace. Paul said, “For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.” Titus 2:11-14 (HCSB).

How can a list of instructions like this come from God’s grace? Grace is undeserved favor—there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love and salvation. So why all the directives in how we should walk with Him?

They are given to us to keep us on a healthy path, focused on the author of our salvation. The same grace that saved us? It’s that very grace that trains us to say no to compromise. No to sin. Yes to cleansing. Yes to good works. Choosing to live in light of God’s precious gift of grace.

Training in refusing to compromise is an integral part of living well (even though “integral” sounds a little “math-y!”)

Maybe this is all a good reminder that the infinite God who created numbers and who fits them together in all kinds of creative ways uses math to show us Himself. Even me.

And I can honestly say that I use math all the time as a writer. For material.

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:13b-14 NASB

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Rhonda Rhea is a TV personality for Christian Television Network and an award-winning humor columnist for great magazines such as HomeLife, Leading Hearts, The Pathway and many more. She is the author of 17 books, including the Fix-Her-Upper books, co-authored with Beth Duewel, and the hilarious novels, Turtles in the Road and Off-Script & Over-Caffeinated, both co-authored with her daughter, Kaley Rhea. Rhonda lives near St. Louis with her pastor/hubs and has five grown children. You can read more from Rhonda on her website or Facebook page.

Got baggage? Ever find yourself lugging around messy spiritual baggage like so much purse clutter? Rhonda’s book, Messy to Meaningful: My Purse Runneth Over, will help you stop holding on to what you don’t need and start fighting for what you do. Learn to walk out your faith life less weighed down, lighter, and freer that ever!

Join the Conversation. What Scriptural directives are most important to you?

When Helping Hurts Your Heart

by Sheri Schofield

Once when I was a young mother, in the days before cell phones, I was driving down a country road and came upon an accident. A car coming from a side road had T-boned another car on the main road. A crowd of people stood around two shaken teenage boys who stood about thirty feet away. Nobody was near the car that had been hit, but I saw someone slumped forward in the front seat.

I steered my car to the opposite shoulder, got out, and crossed the road, leaving my baby sleeping in his car seat. I hurried over to the other car, and opening the passenger door, saw a young woman with blood on her face, conscious but unable to move.

I remembered my own mother, who had died in a car accident. I knew I must help this woman as I would have wanted someone to help my mother.

“Are you okay?” I asked hesitantly, wondering what to do.

“I can’t breathe! Can you lift my head up?” she gasped, her lips blue.

Gently, I placed my hand on her forehead and lifted her head. I knew her neck must be broken, but she couldn’t live if she couldn’t breathe. I stayed with her until the police came; then I surrendered my place to the officer in charge, who called for an ambulance with one hand on his radio while holding the woman’s head up with his other one.

In all that time, nobody had come over to help. The crowd—growing by the minute—had just stood and watched. They knew the woman was hurt, but they didn’t want to get involved.

Jesus talked about that same attitude once. A man well-versed in the Hebrew law asked Jesus how to gain eternal life. Jesus asked the man what the Law said. The man answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus agreed. He told the man, “Do this and you will live” (Luke 10:27 – 28 NIV).

The man must not have felt he was measuring up, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (v. 29 NIV).  

Jesus answered with a parable about a man who, while traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, was attacked by robbers, badly beaten, and left naked on the road. A priest and a Levite both saw the man and walked around him on the other side of the road. But a Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews, saw the man, and took pity on him. He bound up his wounds, put the man on his donkey, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day, he left money for the innkeeper to look after the man while the Samaritan continued his journey, promising to pay more upon his return (vv. 30 – 35).

Jesus then asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The legal expert replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise” (vv. 36, 37 NIV).

I have not been able to forget the woman I helped that day. The grief I felt has not left me, for I genuinely cared for her. Sometimes when we love our neighbors, our help cannot solve their problems. But that’s not the point. We are called to love others in practical ways, regardless of our own feelings or discomfort—just as Jesus did for us.

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” Matthew 25:37 – 40 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield, award-winning author and Bible teacher, has added a new way to share faith in Jesus. Her ministry, Faithwind 4 Kids, can be followed on her blog at her website, http://www.sherischofield.com. Questions welcomed!

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM! Author/Children’s Bible teacher, Sheri Schofield, offers a free series of video lessons about Jesus and His salvation—for children ages 4 and up. It is available at her website www.sherischofield.com. In this video series, Walk-The-Talk Island, Sheri presents her award-winning book The Prince and the Plan, in 24 video lessons for your children, grandchildren and any others with whom you wish to share. In addition, Campfire provides devotions for children.

Join the conversation: What opportunities has God given you to serve the needs of your neighbor?

A Meaningful Life—Finding Our Calling

by Patti Richter

For everything comes from [God]; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. Romans 11:36 NLT

Singing competitions on television bring hopeful contestants from far and wide, bravely setting themselves up for either the world’s approval or something much less. Millions of viewers watch gifted singers rise to become shining stars while many other promising ones fade from view like falling stars.

Those wanna-be stars can mirror the desires of any of us who’ve ever craved fame, fortune, beauty, or simply the love and approval of others. The contests serve to confirm that such desires are not uncommon.

Our modern platforms of opportunity allow many people to achieve their dreams. But those who wish to make their mark in the world often fall victim to society’s motivational mantras: believe in yourself; you can do anything you put your mind to; just follow your dreams. Yet these half-truths fall short of wisdom.  

In his book The Call, author Os Guinness says, “Reality reminds us that all the will in the world may not make us what we want to become. When it comes to will power, will is common but power is rare.”

In the quest for a meaningful life, we may seek to discover our strengths and how to best use them. Our need for significance is not limited to the young; we can experience this desire in new seasons of life as circumstances alter our options.

Guinness says we all receive a general “calling” that relates to our identity and that it is a faith issue. He explains that, as God’s creation, we have a primary calling to belong to him as a child of God through Christ.

A prayerful entry recorded in St. Augustine’s book, Confessions, contains a poetic line: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.”

The quality of our faith affects those in our sphere of influence, especially our families. While we live, we spread the seeds of our faith all around, and some of them may take root even after we’ve departed this world.

A more specific type of calling, says Guinness, relates to work and vocations. However, the author warns that because the world today offers so many choices we may need to recognize “who we aren’t” before we can discover who we are. This calling becomes clearer as we respond to God’s guidance. When we desire to follow Jesus by seeking God’s will above our natural desires, our “yes” to him becomes, as Guinness says, “a ‘no’ to the chaos of modern demands.”

Each life is significant in itself, whether we live in obscurity or not, and despite our abilities or a lack of them. But if we think our talents are meager, we should consider Jesus’s parable that commended two servants who were faithful stewards over those things their master had given them. The master responded to each of them, “Now I will give you many more responsibilities” (Matthew 25:21 – 23 NLT).

Our journey toward self-discovery can avoid the pitfalls of seeking the world’s approval. The wisdom of God balances us by the reminder that we are only caretakers of whatever gifts we possess.   

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Patti is the co-author of the award-winning Signs of His Presence—Experiencing God’s Comfort in Times of Suffering. It is the story of Luann Mire, whose godly husband was blindsided by an indictment due to a former employer’s tax fraud. The resulting prison sentence and restitution took the once joyful couple into a long season of suffering as they fought judicial tyranny. Helpless to change her situation, Luann endured a painful examination of her life and found God faithful to His promises.

Join the conversation: Have you found your calling?