Getting to know Jesus

Getting to know Jesus isn’t hard work, but it does take a bit of effort. Just as with any relationship a few things are required: spending time, listening, sharing, being in the moment, being aware of their presence.

Jesus is waiting for you to take a break from everything that is pulling you this way and that, and step into His presence, experience His peace, get to know Him more. Grab your Bible and pen, grab your devotional. Open them up, read His words, pour out your heart. Or just sit quietly setting your mind on Him and His presence. He invites you to come and spend time with Him today.

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Un-frazzled

It seems that many things come into our daily lives that try to distract us from the peace, joy, hope, and contentment that is meant to be ours. These “things” come in and make us lose focus of what truly matters—what is truly significant and lasting in the scheme of life. As petty as it is, the “thing” that began to frazzle me this week was my computer. I know technology is meant to make our lives easier, but for me it sometimes adds an extra level of frustration. I spent (wasted) an entire day trying to fix an old email address, then ended up having to switch to an entirely brand new email address, which continued to give me trouble as well. I do not like squandering a gorgeous summer day by being stuck indoors for no good reason; each day is a precious gift that I don’t want to pass by unused or fully appreciated. Enough of the day had already passed and I didn’t want to waste another minute. As evening approached I conceded that my attempt at straightening out my computer issues for the day was going to be a fruitless endeavor.  I chose to step away from my desk, remove myself from the situation, and head outdoors for a much needed fresh perspective. I laced up my walking shoes, opened the front door, and headed down the street. It’s amazing how quickly my perspective can change just by getting outside. As I put one foot in front of the other I felt the sun slowly melt my cares away, the light breeze whisk my cares far away, and the cheery song of the birds joyfully lift any thought of frustration from my mind. I thanked God for the beauty which surrounded me and showed me a bigger picture. I find time and time again that there is no better cure for the aggravations of life—no matter how petty or significant—than to spend time with God while taking in His grand creation. God is the Ultimate un-frazzler. He always puts “things” in their proper perspective.

 Psalm 21:6, “Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.”

Master Make-overs

Last week I had the privilege of sharing the message “You are Beautiful” with a room full of women at a Teen Challenge addiction recovery home. I have visited there many times before, and each time I visit I am overwhelmed by the beauty of these women. They are overcoming great obstacles with the discipline of the program, the encouragement of their leaders, and the love of Jesus to heal their hearts. From the time they enter the program till their day of graduation, Jesus is at work transforming these women from the inside-out. They were beautiful going into the program and they are becoming more and more beautiful as Jesus goes to work on their hearts.

As Jesus mends and softens our hearts, or countenance on the outside is softened too.

Here is an excerpt from my upcoming Bible study workbook, “A Daughter of the King”:  “Jesus is the One who softens the lines of our face, unfurrows our brow, removes our scowl; replacing them with a glimmer in our eyes, a rosiness to our cheeks, and an upward curve at the edges of our mouths. Jesus is the Master at complete make-overs….inside and out.”