“To Be” List Before “To Do” List

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“To Be” List Before “To Do” List

If you’re anything like me, usually the first hour of my day involves getting the mental “to do” list out of my head and onto a physical checklist so I can track my progress.

I am a list maker by nature, and the morning brain dump routine helps me prioritize all the things.

But this morning, as I made my “to do” list, I couldn’t help but think of another checklist that really should be priority.

Instead of being controlled by our “to do” list, let’s allow the “to be” list to shape our day. Being breeds a better doing anyway, so if we live by this list, maybe we can more easily accomplish the “to do” list tasks.

☑️Humble

☑️Grateful

☑️Teachable

☑️Available

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All…

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All…

I don’t have

the capacity

or the tenacity

to say it all

or do it all

And that is why

I do what I do

and say what I say

for the One who is

my all in all

He is

my all sufficiency

When I am weak

He is strong

He is

all knowing

when I know nothing

and that is really all

I need to know

He is

my wherewithal

when I feel like

I may lose it all

He cares for me

and carries me

when the weight

of my cares

weighs heavily on me

He holds me fast

I am helped and I am held

by the One who holds it all

He gave it all

to be my all in all

I will give it all to Him

again and again

More of Him

Less of me

Until He has my all

always and only

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Launching Well Requires Letting Go

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Launching Well Requires Letting Go

Launching well requires letting go.

Launching number three of four this year, and one thing I’m learning in the launching is that in order to do it well you must let them go.

Just like an arrow is drawn back in a bow, that arrow will never hit the target unless the archer lets it go.

I know the tendency and the tension of motherhood because I have felt it for 22 years now. The grip is tight and the drawback is precise. We want to launch them well.

We want those arrows to go exactly where God intends, and yet when the moment comes to release the grip and let them go, we want to cling a little tighter and hold on a little longer, but if we do, they will never do all that He has planned.

You may be dropping them off at college today, but you will be lifting them up in prayer always.

Prayer is powerful. Words matter, so wield them well. Pray them. Say them. I promise they will stay with them, and they’ll remember them when they need them most.

More than your two cents, they need your encouragement. You’ve raised them well. You’ve taught them all the things. Now let them go so they can grow.

Loosen that grip of control, and allow God’s grace to take hold — of them, of you, and every new thing you each will pursue.

They love you. They need you. Just not as often or as much. And that’s the way God designed it to be.

We raise them to release them. It’s all a part of the process, and it’s beautiful (but sometimes we don’t see the beauty until after the ugly cry…and that’s ok, too).

I’m praying for you. I covet your prayers for me and my arrows, too.

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Misery loves company, but God’s Word offers victory over these three…

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Misery loves company, but God’s Word offers victory over these three…

Overwhelmed? Complacent? Indifferent?

These three have definitely been taunting me lately.

But recently I remembered three promises from God’s Word that are helping me battle these feelings and tendencies that stem from the lies of the enemy.

If you battle them, too, might I offer these promises to you, so you can replace the lies with what is true.

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Content Creator < being content with your Creator

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Content Creator &lt; being content with your Creator

Being a content creator is less important than being content with your Creator.

I’m not saying creating content or being a social media influencer is wrong, evil, or even unnecessary, but I am saying that there are many online creators and influencers that are more concerned with their following than with their followers. They play the game, put numbers before names, and seek internet fame.

I believe our deepest need is to belong to something, to someone — to have purpose beyond ourselves — to do life with others and for others — to make our lives matter more than merely living out and counting our days, but living them out well and making them count.

Which I know is the impetus behind creating content. I know this very post is proof of that!

So, how do we balance it all?

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God Meets Us on the Mountaintops, but He Keeps Us in the Valleys.

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God Meets Us on the Mountaintops, but He Keeps Us in the Valleys.

God meets us on the mountaintops, but He keeps us in the valleys.

I’ve been so intrigued lately by the word “keep” in scripture.

It’s a little word, but it speaks a loud message to those who feel unseen, hidden in the valley, those in desperate need of not only being kept, but being held, safe and secure in the arms of a Savior.

Before we can be kept by Him, we must be found in Him by surrendering our lives to Him, confessing sin, and being born again (John 3).

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Look Up to Him. He’ll Look Out for You.

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Look Up to Him. He’ll Look Out for You.

Look up to Him.

He’ll look out for you.

Raise your gaze.

Fix your focus.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ESV)

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬, NLT‬‬)

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews,‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We can ALWAYS look up to Him

because He is ALWAYS looking out for us.

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We Seek. He Keeps.

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We Seek. He Keeps.

We seek.

He keeps.

Behold His Glory.

Be held by His Grace.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.”

‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭8,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

I heard an amazing exposition of this passage of scripture recently. A dear sister in Christ simply read the passage verse by verse and then took me on a pilgrimage through other cross references Genesis to Revelation.

These eight verses are such an exhortation of truth. The psalmist spoke these words over the life of the Jewish pilgrims on ascent to Jerusalem during Bible times, and God uses the same words to encourage those who are in Christ on a pilgrimage throughout the ups and downs, twists and turns of life as we know it today.

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No Grand Plan for 2023 — Just Rising Above it ALL by way of Vulnerability

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No Grand Plan for 2023 — Just Rising Above it ALL by way of Vulnerability

I’m going to be honest with you. I’m not going into 2023 with some grand plan. Five days in, and I haven’t chosen my “one word,” nor do I feel confident right now with any of my words. As a writer and a wordy girl, it’s an uncomfortable place to be, but it’s where God has me now.

Wrestling. Wondering why. Why is life so hard? Why is pain so deep?

So, here’s to a little vulnerability in 2023.

I’m struggling.

Struggling to focus.

Struggling to fix my eyes on Jesus.

Struggling to find the right words.

Struggling to find any words.

Not just for this post,

but in response to people’s pain,

in response to lots of change,

and in response to a myriad of things.

2023 is a BIG year for our family. It’s a year I’ve been excited about — joyful and expectant in regards to ALL it holds, but now I’m ALL tied up in the tension of the expectation of it ALL coupled with the guilt of even having the expectation in the midst of ALL the pain and suffering and loss for so many so close to me.

This year, we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and we’ll celebrate two graduations — one from college, one from high school. The high school grad will be moving 200 miles away to attend college in the fall in another state, so we’ll have three in college at some point this year in three different states. The youngest turns 16 which means ALL will be on the road, and the oldest, who has already been “on his own” for quite some time, will be officially a full time mechanical engineer.

It’s ALL a bit much for the momma heart, and yet, I’m holding the excitement and expectation of it ALL with some sadness, grief, and pain knowing what some so dear to me are experiencing.

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Disappointment or Divine Appointment?

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Disappointment or Divine Appointment?

Disappointments can be divine appointments if you don’t let them define you, but rather let them remind you of what you’re made of.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬, ESV‬‬)

You are who you are because of whose you are.

God loves you. He is in control. Nothing happens outside of His sovereignty, so let disappointments direct you right back to Him. Again and again. Yield and surrender your will to His.

When (not if) disappointments come, because they will, learn to view them as divine detours and delays that provide the space and time to determine the dedication and commitment you have to reaching the destination.

You may be going a different way than you had planned. You may even have to slow the pace. But as long as God is leading the way, these divine detours and delays will have you arriving right on time, right where He wants you, with the character necessary to recognize every blessing that wore the disguise of disappointment.

So hang in there. Stay the course. Show up for every divine appointment on every detour and delay along the way. And pray. Ask God to help you. He will.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

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November. First Thing. Five Things.

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November. First Thing. Five Things.

Ah November. It’s hard to believe you’re already here, but here you are, and I long to welcome you with a heart of gratitude.


Christmas will be here before we know it, and yet my heart longs to stay in the moment — enjoying each November day, leading to Thanksgiving Day, a mere three days prior to the start of Advent.


Thanksgiving — the perfect precursor to Christmas and the season of Advent — a sacred observance that connects the two traditions.


Not that we should need a month dedicated to gratitude. Shouldn’t we be giving thanks all year long and live thankful every single day? And yet, there’s something about intentionality that sure helps the mentality.


Seasons change, and calendars flip. One countdown leads to another as one holiday gives way to the next. But there’s no better place and time than here and now to be grateful for where we are right here and what we have right now.


I know there are some days and seasons filled with anything but gratitude and thanks because they’re filled with things that cause great angst. These are the days that gratitude eludes us because life is just so tough.


It’s easier said than done to raise our gaze above the tough stuff, but raise we must, if praise is going to fill that empty, lonely space — if our hearts are ever going to be full of thanks.


ThankFULL. Not empty. Not lonely. Full of thanks, not angst. Releasing the tough stuff to receive the His great love for us.


Today, I’m grateful to be growing in grace. I have not arrived and there is much to learn, but an intentional daily attitude of gratitude is a great place to start, so that’s my aim — not perfection, but reflection — raising my gaze in order to find my praise.


That’s why I’m calling for some days of praise ahead of Advent. I’m calling the challenge “First Thing. Five Things.” Throughout the month of November, first thing in the morning, before your feet hit the floor, verbalize five things you’re thankful for. You could also jot them down in a journal as a daily log throughout this journey. That’s it. Nothing major. Nothing hard. Just an attitude of gratitude to start your day. I’m sure it will impact you in other ways. So, what do you say?

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“Follow God’s Will” Focuses on the Practical Pursuit of Biblical Truths

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“Follow God’s Will” Focuses on the Practical Pursuit of Biblical Truths

Happy Friday! Being that it’s the final Friday in October, which happens to be launch month for several of my author friends, I’m giving away a copy of another book! This one is not my own, but rather, my friend Brittany Ann’s newest book, “Follow God’s Will.” And this giveaway will give way to a little preview just for you since I was blessed to receive an advance reading copy to review!

“Follow God’s Will” is filled with Biblical truths readers can practically pursue. It sticks to scripture and is Gospel centered. While you will definitely receive practical “how tos,” you more importantly will receive “who throughs,” meaning the message of “Follow God’s Will” simply points you to His Word, where He reigns supreme. It is only in His sovereignty and by His Authority, we can ever achieve what He has called us to do by being who He has called us to be.

“If God can use a scared fugitive (Moses), a shepherd boy turned a adulterer (David), an unwed teenager (Mary), a religious fanatic fanatic and persecutor (Paul), and a ragtag group of men you’d never expect to be chosen (Jesus’ disciples), He can certainly use me. And he can certainly use you.”

This is the message of the Gospel. This is the message of this book. God loved us enough to save and redeem us. He set us free from sin so we could follow Him freely, walk with Him daily, and follow His will completely.

The thing I love most about this book is that it points readers to the most important Book. Brittany Ann’s words, coupled with others’ words in “story sections” throughout the book, culminate with “dive deeper” sections that literally allow readers to rely on the infallible Word of God for their ultimate source of finding and then following God’s will.

So, to celebrate Brittany Ann and her new book baby, I’m giving away a copy to one to you! To enter to win, simply comment below. I’ll be choosing a winner Sunday (10/30) at 10:30pm.

For more information about Brittany Ann and her ministry, Equipping Godly Women, click here.

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Seek Truth then Speak Truth

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Seek Truth then Speak Truth

Truth speakers must be truth seekers. Those who want to tell the truth well, must dwell in truth well.

How well do you dwell?

I know personally that’s a question I’m asking myself. We are inundated by new news from every source every second of every day, but that still, small voice of the source above every other source has been calling me back to Him.

His Truth.

His Word.

His Way.

His Will.

His Report.

Which is the ONLY trustworthy and reliable source, tried and true, given as a guide and a way of life for me and you.

The lies and deception are becoming more blatant and obvious. The idiocy of the arguments are revealing the hypocrisy of the every new stance. Each adjustment on the way to understand and know more is actually leading further away from truth...

God’s truth. The only truth. Nothing but the truth. Biblical. Justifiable. Undeniable.

And honestly, I’m seeing more and more see right through the lies and deception.

I’m seeing more and more stand up to it because more and more see right through it.

So, if things in this world seems a bit “off” to you, might I encourage you to spend some time in the source of ALL TRUTH — the Word of God.

He will not lead you astray. Though others may seem to lead the way. He’s in control. He is sovereign. He is trustworthy. He is God.

His truth will have the final say.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John‬ ‭15:5‬

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians‬ ‭4:15‬

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness...” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15-16‬

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬

What truth from God’s Word is speaking truth to your heart today?

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When We Step Out of the Boat, and Stay Close to Jesus, Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary, and Others Will Notice.

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When We Step Out of the Boat, and Stay Close to Jesus, Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary, and Others Will Notice.

When we step out of the boat, and stay close to Jesus, ordinary becomes extraordinary, and others will notice.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” ~ Acts‬ ‭4:13‬


Are you feeling a little ordinary today? Well, according to this Biblical truth, spending time with Jesus makes you extraordinary.

Don’t fall prey to the prerequisite of perfection. Accolades don’t persuade the heart of the Father. Obedience to His Word unlocks your potential in this world. Christ in you alone is astonishing. No need for add ons or extras. Nothing allows His light to shine brighter than a humble heart and a willing spirit.


Be courageous today — not because of your credentials but because He has called you to. Step out of the boat. Keep your eyes on Him. You’ll not only stay afloat, you’ll turn heads and hearts toward His.

He is all you need to accomplish everything He wants you to do.

Trust Him with your ordinary. He’ll turn it into something extraordinary.

When we step out of the boat, and stay close to Jesus, ordinary becomes extraordinary, and others will notice.

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A Few Thoughts from Observation of a Few Moments of Frustration...

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A Few Thoughts from Observation of a Few Moments of Frustration...

Yesterday ended well. It started quite nicely, too. But around midday, I was crying mayday, and honestly, I had created the melee so I take full responsibility.

Yep, I own every bit of my frustration, because it all was a result of my own limitation. I had a writing goal and a plan to accomplish said goal, but I also had much to do as a wife and mom, and when all those things were not playing out as I had planned, my fear of failure quickly sabotaged my good intentions.

My frustration got the best of me, and I took it out on my family.

It’s OK to have goals and plans as long as those goals and plans have some flexibility to keep your family first where they’re supposed to be.

So, these are a few takeaways from my observations of frustration yesterday.

— Flexibility is so much better than rigidity. Being able to bend will keep us from breaking.

— The “best laid plans” truly are “best” when you lay them down. I don’t mean give them up, but instead, let them go. Don’t hold onto them too tightly because when you do, their grip gets a hold on you.

— Frustrations are often more situational than relational. Our beef is usually with a circumstance or situation, not with the innocent bystanders who merely witness the frustration. It’s usually the unspoken or unmet expectations that frustrate the situation.

So, what do you say we all learn a few lessons from my day yesterday? Let’s be flexible, gracious with our people, and quick to pivot when the rigid road we’re on is leading to destination frustration. The scenery on the path of flexibility is much more peaceful and a lot less stressful.

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His Kingdom > This Platform. Care more about Hearts than Likes. Stop Playing Games. Start Loving People.

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His Kingdom &gt; This Platform. Care more about Hearts than Likes. Stop Playing Games. Start Loving People.

I am ashamed to say I’ve “played the game” — posting on this platform when “they“ said what I said would be read, researching the optimal times for maximum engagement. Likes, shares, saves. It all can be bit too much, like playing a game, a game you pay to play. It may not be a monetary investment, but at times, it has stolen my time and depleted my resources. It has sucked the life out of the life-giving reasons I started writing in the first place.


I get it. I know some of you navigate this space much better than me. Social media itself is not “evil.” It is a tool and resource that can be used in beneficial ways. I’ve seen it, and I admire those of you who steward it well.


But when it dictates when or how or why something is said instead of the when and how and why being born out of a passion for Christ, it’s a red flag for me. That’s when and how and why I need to step away and reevaluate.


Social media fasts are good. I recently did Wendy Speake’s “The 40-Day Social Media Fast.” It truly helped me put this online space in its proper place. Refraining from social media and retraining my heart and mind to crave God’s Word and time spent with Him and His people IRL is so life giving. Spending time in God’s Word never returns void. It produces a purpose and passion that takes you higher and farther than this platform ever will.


Producing “content” out of a place of rest in Him produces a content heart always ready for Kingdom work and Kingdom building.


If it’s all becoming a bit too much for you, let me encourage you to just take a break. Start your day in God’s word. End it there, too. Spend more time with people than on this app. Say no to needless scrolling. Don’t let the numbers become controlling. Bathe every post in prayer, and publish it when the Holy Spirit prompts. God is greater than the algorithms. Trust Him to guide it into the feeds at the time it needs to be seen.


Numbers mean nothing. Anyone can double click, but only God can make it stick. His Holy Spirit brings about life change. Our words and our ways will always fall short. His Word will never return void, and His ways are so much higher than ours.


He calls us to be faithful, to use our talents and gifts and abilities to glorify Him and build His kingdom, but the only rules we need to play by are the ones He established — speak the truth in love, glorify Him, edify others, be about His business, share the Gospel, love one another be kind and compassionate, forgive as He has forgiven us.


We need to check our hearts more than we check the numbers. Spend time with people more than we spend time on an app.


So, I’ll build His Kingdom, and let Him take care of my platform. I’ll follow Him (and encourage others to as well), and let Him take care of whoever “follows” me. I’ll love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I’ll read His Word. I’ll share His love and His truth with others, and let Him take care of who likes or reads or shares what I write or post or say.


Let’s care more about hearts than likes. Let’s stop playing games. Let’s start loving people.

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HOME

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HOME

Home is where the heart is, and your heart is where your treasure is. So treasure your home. Both here and now and now and forever.


I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “home” — not just our earthly dwelling place or physical residence, but also our heavenly resting place where we’ll forever dwell in His presence.

Our earthly home is here and now,

full of work to do and much to tend to.

Our heavenly home is now in forever,

full of work to do and much to tend to.

Since we live in the tension of the two, we must honor God by the way we tend the two.

We can’t be too heavenly minded to be any earthly good, but we also can’t be too earthly minded to be any heavenly good.

We have kingdom work to do here on earth. We have a God to praise and families to raise. Our homes are to be havens where we can live in light of Eternity until Eternity becomes reality and Heaven is our home.

Home is so much more than a mere dwelling place. It’s all the things that give that place and its people purpose and passion. Pondering it all has truly given me a whole new perspective.

Home truly is where the heart is; therefore “do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬)

So raise your gaze. Look up from the yuck so you don’t get stuck. Put down your phone. Pick up your Sword. Defend your home. Honor the Lord. Treasure home. View dirty floors as holy ground and messy rooms as sacred spaces. See home as humbling and hopeful. Find rest in the routine. Stay faithful in the familiar. Make home your primary mission field so it will produce an eternal yield.

Home is where the heart is, and your heart is where your treasure is. So treasure your home. Both here and now and now and forever.

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Stuck in Silence: What to do with Spiritual Paralysis & Spiritual Laryngitis

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Stuck in Silence: What to do with Spiritual Paralysis &amp; Spiritual Laryngitis

I have felt a bit confused lately about “my voice” in this really noisy and rather nauseating online world.


Chapter 2 of my Bible study, “CALLED,” was all about spiritual paralysis. Lately, however, I feel like I’ve had spiritual laryngitis. My heart is so full of things I’m learning and ways God is pouring into me, and yet I can’t seem to find words to communicate it all.


I guess in the writing world it’s called “writer’s block,” but this is more than a mental block — it’s an angst with what I’m holding, or rather what I’m beholding. What I’m seeing and experiencing in a world I hardly recognize is adding compounded weight to the burden I feel — It’s a burden so heavy, mere words can’t hold it. Only God can hold it. It was His Son, Jesus, His Living Word that told of it.


“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~ John‬ ‭16:33‬


So instead of sharing a lot of my empty words with you, I’ve been doing a whole lot of praying, crying out to him, allowing my heart to bleed freely before His throne of grace, trusting Him with these burdens as I seek His face, trusting His sovereignty in this confusing online space.


Spiritual paralysis can keep us stuck and spiritual laryngitis can keep us silent, but God has a way of moving in our hearts as he moves us closer to His heart. It’s in that experiential knowing God by experiencing His presence that we can be moved to action — free from spiritual paralysis and laryngitis to take steps and share words that will further His Kingdom.


“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE our BEING’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’” ~ Acts‬ ‭17:26-28‬


“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” ~ Romans‬ ‭8:26‬

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Why I Will Not Hold Back My Praise for the Lives that Could Be Saved

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Why I Will Not Hold Back My Praise for the Lives that Could Be Saved

Why I will not hold back my praise for the lives that could be saved.


There are so many voices weighing in on the recent SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.


Voices that vary in tone and temperament.

Loud and quiet voices.

Angry and joyful voices.

Voices singing praise.

Others that are enraged.


I will continue to lift my voice in praise for the lives that have been, are being, and will be saved.


There are so many prayers that have been prayed over the past five decades.


Prayers prayed in desperation.

Prayers prayed in expectation.

Prayers for pregnancies involving real lives— real people — those fully grown that carry those yet unknown.


I will continue to pray every day for lives of mothers and babies and for entire families to be saved.


There are so many pregnancies that tell so many stories.


Pregnancies unwanted or unplanned.

Pregnancies complicated by all we do not understand.

But babies, from the very moment of conception, are never unloved, even in gestation.

They are loved by God.

Wanted. Valued. Planned by Him.

No matter the circumstances or complications.

He doesn’t make mistakes.

Miracles and masterpieces are what he creates.


I will continue to pray for pregnancies, unwanted, unplanned, and complicated, and praise God for miracles in the making.


I sat on my porch last night and wept as I listened to a song by Emily Crawford. The lyrics lingered in my heart because they resonated so deeply in my spirit. I’m nearly forty-six years removed from my mother’s womb, but I am here because my mom chose life, even in the midst of hard circumstances.


As I listened to Emily’s song, “Give Me Life” last night, I felt deeply the heart’s cry of a baby longing to be loved. I was that baby. My mom was that mom. My dad was that dad. You may have been that mom or dad or baby, too. You may have chosen life or life was chosen for you.


Or maybe not. And maybe that’s why this resonates deeply with you. There is forgiveness, grace, redemption, and LIFE to be found in that space, too. God redeems and restores and brings beauty from ashes. There is ALWAYS hope when we surrender to Him. Life giving, life changing HOPE. Hope that leads to LIFE that has no end.


This. This is why I will not hold back my praise for the lives that could be saved.

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 30: To Him Be the Glory

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 30: To Him Be the Glory

June 30th. Day 30 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.


Today’s reason — To Him be the Glory.


Our final reason is another BOLD proclamation as to why we MUST keep the gospel at the center of all we do and say, think and feel.


And about this final reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...


“‘To the praise of the glory of His grace… To the praise of His glory… To the praise of His glory.’ {Ephesians 1:5-14} These refrains fly as banners over the gospel truths parading through the earthly verses of Ephesians. They herald the ultimate motive of God in all His gospel acts on behalf of those whom He has saved. They also announce the effect which the gospel will most certainly wield upon those who experience its fullness. It is no surprise, then, that the Apostle ends his gospel review in Ephesians 3 by bowing his knees in worship and ascribing all glory to God. {Ephesians 3:14-21} ‘Unto His be the glory,’ Paul exclaims at the end of Ephesians 3. ‘To…Him be the glory,’ he cries after his gospel meditations through Romans. {Romans 11:33-36} ‘To the King…be glory,’ he urges in 1 Timothy after speaking of God’s merciful saving of him. {1 Timothy 1:15-17} Clearly, the gospel generated in Paul an enormous passion for God’s glory; and the gospel does the same in me as I make it the meditation of my heart each day.”


He continues by saying...


“Understanding that I am not the ultimate end of the gospel, but rather that God‘s glory is, actually enables me to embrace my salvation more boldly than I would otherwise dare to do. For example, when my timid heart questions why God would want to love one so sinful as I, I read the answer, ‘to the praise of the glory of His grace.’ I figure, then, that my unworthiness must actually be useful to God, because it magnifies the degree to which His grace might be glorified as He lavishes His saving kindness upon me. This line of reasoning makes perfect sense to me and convinces me to embrace the gospel with greater passion so that God might glorify Himself through me, an unworthy sinner.”


Vincent concludes by saying this...


“Indeed, the more I embrace and experience the gospel, the more I delight in the worship of God, the more expressive my joy in Him becomes, and the more I yearn to glorify Him in all I say and do.” {1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 10:31}


Oh what a sweet 30 days this has been… Walking through these reasons to rehearse the gospel daily with each of you. Knowing the “why” behind our “walk” makes our daily walk with Him more consistent, more dependent upon Him, and more useful for His kingdom. I am convinced now more than ever that the gospel has everything to do with Him, and little to do with me — and that little it has to do with me is still ALL for His Glory! I am grateful for the gospel. I will not stop preaching it to myself and others each and every day — take hold of it and be bold with it!


Are you with me? Or a better question… Are you with Him? Have you given your life to Christ? If you are not sure how to answer that questions or you have other questions, I’d love to help. Just message me.

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