Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender hearted, be courteous.     (1 Peter 3:8) NKJV

A friend of mine told me this story. I’ll tell it in her words as she told it to me:

I dashed out of the house, having over scheduled as usual. My daughter, who wasn’t feeling well, texted me, asking what she could eat to settle her stomach. I suggested yogurt, but since she didn’t have any, I told her I’d run to the store and get some for her. Nothing I had to do was more important than helping my child.
Puzzling over yogurt flavors at the dairy counter, I heard a voice behind me say, “What can I get to help my baby gain weight?” Oh, Lord, I don’t have time for this! I thought. But I turned and faced the worried-looking woman and asked, “How old is your baby?” “22,” she replied. She told me her daughter had undergone surgery a few weeks before and now had no appetite and had lost 10 pounds. I could relate to the fear I saw on this mother’s face. But I really don’t have time for this, Jesus. But how could I not help?
“How about an ice cream shake?” I asked. “Mix in some protein powder.” I suggested a loaded baked potato, macaroni & cheese, pizza, and yogurt. “I’m getting yogurt for my daughter, who’s been sick,” I told her. “Thanks so much,” said the other mother, who looked a little less worried now that she had a plan. “I’m going to get the things you suggested, go home, and make my girl a shake. I’ll pray for your daughter.” “And I’ll pray for yours,” I promised.
Oh, Jesus, you knew all along I DID have time for this.

Faith Step:    Today, omit completing 2 items at the bottom of your to-do list. Use the extra time to extend kindness to someone Jesus places in your path.

He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
                        (Luke 19:4-5) NIV

I love the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector, whose very occupation was associated with sin. Yet, when he heard Jesus was coming to town, he ran to meet Him. Crowds blocked his view because he was short but he spotted a tree. There the story took a radical turn. Jesus sees everything, so I doubt He was surprised to find the tax man straddling a branch overhead. But in this story, it’s not Jesus or Zacchaeus that captures my attention — it’s the tree. Because God had planted it years earlier for that specific purpose: to grow until one day a short man in need of salvation would climb it to see His Son. God’s wisdom astounds me. That He cares so much about one small sinner leaves me in awe.
I need to recognize the “trees” in my life — the people and things Jesus planted in the path of my salvation.
Of course my mom & dad who had me in church from the time I was 2 weeks old and set for me an example of what a Christian looked like. My church family in the church I grew up in was such an influence on me including the 2 pastors who mentored me: Rev. J. Edward Hepburn and Rev. Ralph W. Hatch. I also need to mention 2 Sunday School teachers who were a wonderful influence: Marie Zimmerman & Helen Nicholson. They helped me understand what a Christian was and even helped me clarify God’s call on my life. As I look back, it seems Jesus planted an entire forest for my short, scrawny soul.
Now it’s my turn to be a “tree.” Who can I help pull up out of the world’s cares and help him or her see the Savior?

Faith Step:    Write down the “trees” God planted in your life to help you see Him better. Give thanks for each one. Think of people for whom you can be a “tree.”

I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
                (Philippians 1:10-11) NLT

Maturing in my relationship with Jesus has helped me identify inaccurate thoughts I’ve had regarding my faith. For instance, take the matter of living a pure and blameless life —I believed it mattered solely because God expected it. Failing to meet His expectations would either disappoint or anger Him. My attitude and behaviors would either receive His reward or result in consequences. End of story.
But now, I understand things differently. The apostle Paul’s prayer for the believers in Philippi helps me see that living a blameless life matters but for reasons other than avoiding punishment. It matters because I represent Jesus to a watching world. Representing Jesus places a responsibility on me to behave with integrity. Unbelievers expect that from me and rightfully so, but sometimes I fall short. My old nature wrestles with the new and wins sometimes. When that happens, it’s my responsibility to try to things right.
My behavior can either make Jesus attractive to those who don’t know Him, or it can turn them away. Thankfully, He’s all about helping me succeed. As I surrender my will to Him, He transforms me through the power of His Holy Spirit living in me. I become more like Him and my life creates a curiosity in others to know the One who changes me and gives me hope.

Faith Step:    Ask Jesus to make your life like salt, creating a thirst in others for the Living Water, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.   (Hebrews 13:8) ESV

I remember someone saying to me once, “When you are a parent, you never stop parenting.” Even as a parent myself, I’m tempted to manage my kids, but I know I need to let them figure out their own lives. Especially as they are adults now and they struggle with adult issues such as heartbreak, career choices, and financial needs, and now they are parents themselves.
As I let go of interfering, which can stunt their growth, I try to focus my energy on prayer. One morning, years ago, when my kids were teens, I discovered a new way to pray for them. I searched through the Psalms in hopes of finding something inspirational. That morning, praying the Psalms felt as if I was praying only for myself: I know God is my refuge, and He holds my right hand. I thought, “I don’t care about me right now. I care about my kids. Lord, show me how to pray for them.”
Then I thought, If I believe Jesus is who He says He is, then can’t He do for me what He did for others when He walked on earth? So, I searched for encounters in the Bible of parents who approached Jesus for help. I found several, including a ruler, 2 mothers, and a father. Their prayers expressed my own feelings. I immersed myself in these stories and imagined myself face to face with Jesus, making requests on behalf of my children. I experienced His healing words and comfort in a new way.
Today, I’m still praying this way for my kids as they struggle through their lives just like we all do. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so I know He’s able to handle all of my concerns. And thankfully, He hears my prayers.

Faith Step:     Imagine yourself face to face with Jesus. Talk with Him about specific concerns for your own children or grandchildren or someone else’s.

Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your Heavenly Father.     (Matthew 5:15-16) TLB

It’s easy to go to work or shop or do other activities and never let anyone know you are a Christian. Usually, folks will think you’re a nice person or a good employee, and you can just peacefully coexist through life that way. But that is not what Jesus Himself is calling us to in today’s Scripture passage. He depends on us to be salt & light (Matthew 5:13-14) in a dark world, showing people there is a better way and pointing them to Him. When we share our treasure with others, we truly shine as Christians.
A while back, I had developed a friendship with someone who wasn’t a Christian. We would talk and laugh spend time together for several months. One day he shared how he had lost a beloved grandparent to cancer a few years before and told me what a devout Christian this person had been. I could tell that the grandparent’s death had hurt him and challenged whatever faith he had that God existed. How could I stay silent? The compassion of the Holy Spirit welled up in me as I listened, and I shared about the love of Jesus with him at the appropriate moment. Since then, my friend has begun listening to the Bible on CD in his car on the way to work, and he tells me what he is learning and even asks questions! He hasn’t given in to the Lord yet, but I know that Jesus will continue the work He has begun in his heart. And I’m going to continue to let my little light shine. How about you?

Faith Step:    Is there someone in your life with whom you can share your light? Be prayerful and shine for Him.

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most high God, who are telling you the way to be saved.                        (Acts 16:16-17) NIV    
When Paul & Silas told the people of Philippi about Jesus, they had a strange encounter with a woman who followed them and shouted affirmations. At first, it sounds like a little fan club of 1. Yes, it may have been disruptive, but her intentions were good, right? But, when we look closer, we see a woman who was enslaved, not just by her human owners but by a demon spirit. She said the right words, but she was eaten up inside. Paul responded with compassion, and in Jesus’ name, he cast the demon from her. She was freed to live in truth.
A while back, a friend asked how I was doing. Instead of sharing my needs, I smiled. I deflected, and I spoke about the weather, and affirmed many blessings in my life. With too much pride to admit my need fo help and encouragement, I said what sounded like all the right things. Yet, deep inside I was hurting about a relationship and exhausted by a conflict.
Like Paul, with the woman, Jesus sees beyond our pretty words. He sees our bondage and looks at us with compassion. Jesus invites us to get real. Whether our bondage is fear, doubt, anger, or greed, at times we are all enslaved and eaten up inside. Only Jesus’ power can free us. Today, let’s focus not just on saying the right things, but on letting Him make everything truly right.

Faith Step:    Talk to Jesus and a trusted friend about your struggles so they can support you.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.     (Philippians 2:5-7) NIV

When our kids were teenagers, there was no greater battle than the war of who got to ride in the passenger seat of the car. We would even have to assign whose week it was just to avoid conflict. You see, whoever was riding shotgun, reigned supreme, because they were in charge of the music on the radio and even the temperature inside the car. Riding shotgun meant you were king (or queen) of the car. Everyone else was beneath you.
Thinking about it now, we are not so different in our lives. We all want to ride shotgun in life. We shape our days around selfish questions such as: What do I want? What is best for me? What can I get out of this? While we feel that being in charge of our lives will lead to happiness, selfishness often snowballs into impatience, jealousy, and discontentedness, giving us less of a life than we had hoped for. We can never get enough, be enough, or have enough on our own.
We weren’t made to serve ourselves. We were made in the image of Jesus, the ultimate Servant. When we give up “riding shotgun” and invite Jesus to order our thoughts, our desires, and our actions, we start to become like Him: selfless, empathetic, caring, loving, thoughtful, generous. That is just the kind of snowball effect that fills the heart with joy.

Faith Step:     Shape your day with a selfless attitude. Invite Jesus to order your day, going out of your way to care for those around you. Get ready for some joy!

He called, “Any fish, boys?” “No,” we replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of them!” So, we did, and couldn’t draw in the net because of the weight of the fish, there were so many!
                    (John 21:5-6) TLB

Ever notice Jesus’ habit of overdoing it when it came to meeting people’s needs? He was extravagant. From His first-ever miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding, He made way more than the guests could consume. Then He fed 4000 and 5000 folks and had baskets full of food left over. In the above passage, a weary apostle Peter returned to the comfort of his once-successful fishing business. When Jesus entered his dilemma, there was no condemnation, only love, acceptance, direction, and so much provision that the net — and Peter’s heart — were about to burst. Jesus provided more than enough, again.
36+ years ago, while planning our wedding, I had just the opposite attitude. I was focused on spending “just enough.” I haggled on the cost of everything for the wedding and even secretly hoped people wouldn’t eat too much at the rehearsal dinner & reception and by the time of the wedding, I showed up frazzled & anxious. Looking back, I realize that my “just enough” attitude may have been a deeply held value, but it was out of step with Jesus’ “more than enough” attitude. My Heavenly Father promised He would supply, and I needed to let go and trust Him to do it extravagantly — and He did!

Faith Step:    Stretch today when giving anything to others — push past your comfort zone — with money, a listening ear, or your time. Practice being extravagant.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order
to bring praise to God.    (Romans 15:7) NIV

I have a friend who loves cats. So, when a nearby farmer needed a home for a barn cat’s little kitten, she volunteered. The thought of that tiny kitten snuggling on her lap was almost more than she could stand. But this independent calico kitten soon let her know that there would be none of that nonsense. That kitty had a job to do and intended to do it. Even at 6 weeks, she hunted her prey — the unsuspecting earthworms. Daily, my friend would find them wiggling on the floor and and return them to the soil. As the kitty grew, her hunt continued. Mice, moles, and even the odd gopher met their match — and their Maker — at her acquaintance.

After a few years, the kitty has yet to cuddle with my friend and I doubt she ever will. The kitty just isn’t the purring companion my friend expected. Instead, the kitty has become a teacher and the lessons my friend are learning are heavier than the kitty. The kitty doesn’t live according to the whims of my friend but lives according to the way God made her. She knows who she is and lives her life to that purpose, whether my friend approves or not.
And then it becomes clear. In the same way that my friend accepted the kitty, God loves us — just as we are. We don’t have to be anything but true to Him and ourselves. As with that kitty, our purpose and worth aren’t dependent on pleasing others. If we find ourselves in Christ, that’s enough. We are enough. And just like that kitty, we are complete.

Faith Step:     Watch the behavior of your pet (or a friend’s pet) for a few days. What can you learn from their simple acceptance to life and self? How can that knowledge bring you closer to God?

Jesus said to all of them, “If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me.”
                        (Luke 9:23) NCV

The Gospel of Jesus is simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. As Luke records, Jesus said we must be willing to give up our lives daily to follow Him. There’s no other plan. No step-by-step directions to follow, no self-help book, no stairway to heaven. It’s just the dying, the grave, and the rising. Day after day after day.
Once when I was complaining about something that annoyed me, someone, whom I respect said to me, “It’s just another thing to die to.” We laughed but then talked seriously about how that’s really the attitude faith in Jesus requires. Once I started using that statement as a mantra, I found myself thinking that several times a day. It turns out there are plenty of opportunities. Everywhere we look there’s another thing to die to: another hurt or frustration, another door in the face, another bout of anger or pride, another pang of jealousy. All things must be put to death in me that Christ may live.
The beautiful irony is that it’s in those very deaths that life is found. It’s where true power lies — true joy. Because the same God who brought Jesus out of the grave reaches down into the tombs where I reside and delivers me from the clutches of my own darkness and fear, my own bad choices, my own laziness, prejudice, and pain. Each time I am buried with Christ, He raises me to walk in resurrected life. Old things have passed away; He is doing something new!

Faith Step:    When faced with moments in which you must surrender your will today, say it with me: “Just another thing to die to.” Then, wait for the rising.