An Authentic Gospel in an Artificial World

What’s the difference between authentic and artificial? Is it the same as religion versus Christianity? And how do we share an authentic gospel in an artificial world? 

The Lord has spoken to my heart many times about being authentic. Like this:

The young woman moved her chair closer to the table as her eyes widened. The crowded coffee shop had not deterred her from being open and honest. 

Now, it was my turn to share about life struggles and faith. She tried to conceal her surprised expression, “I thought you wouldn’t understand, Karen.” The Lord used our stories to spur one another on in the faith. Not only through me too, but also in this is how Jesus helped me overcome.

Authentic versus Artificial 

An authentic voice helps others and holds the power to heal us.

When we authentically share our story, our dreams, our soul-wounds, our heart-cries, and even our faith-struggles, something powerful happens.

When we authentically share our story, our dreams, our soul-wounds, our heart-cries, and even our faith-struggles, something powerful happens. Click To Tweet

You see, I not only want to have an authentic voice when I write, blog, and speak; but also possess authenticity in simply doing life. So, this would include my relationships, spiritual walk, how I interact on social media, and every detail about life itself. 

In short, I desire to be an authentic person.

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3 Major Ways to Know God is on the Move

Do you believe God is on the move?

Often, we find it difficult to believe something is happening, especially when we don’t see it.

Yet, believing without seeing is the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (ESV)

Years ago, I told the Lord I do not like it when I can’t see what He’s doing or how He’s moving.

But that wouldn’t be faith.

Instead, we rest assured that God is working and moving in the heavenly realm and in the world and our lives—no matter what we see or can’t see.

Let’s look at 3 major ways we know God’s on the move.

God is on the move even when we can't see Him moving. Our faith trusts that God moves in the heavenly realm, the world and our lives. Click To Tweet

(1.) God is on the Move Through Prayer

Many times we underestimate the power of prayer to change situations and people…to change us. 

Because we move the spiritual world when we praise the Lord, recognize who God is, petition the Almighty, intercede for others, and speak God’s Word in prayer.

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4 Familiar Scriptures and Truths We Often Miss

Familiar scriptures make the most quoted and popular list in many Christian circles.

But sometimes we miss important truths or gloss over the context of the passage. Or, we memorize a verse without considering the Bible verses before and after.

So let’s look at 4 Bible verses and discuss their neighboring scriptures.

Familiar Scriptures Often Quoted

(1.) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

To know God has plans for our welfare, future, and hope, taps into our longing to be affirmed and loved and cared for.

But Jeremiah pens a letter to God’s people in exile.

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my promise and bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10 (ESV)

The Lord planned to restore the exiles and bring them back to Jerusalem. And God has restoration plans for us. Because the Lord always keeps His promises.

I love how 1 Peter 5:10 expresses restoration after suffering, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (ESV)

Now, look at the verses that follow Jeremiah 29:11. “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 (ESV)

So when we call upon the Lord and seek Him with all our heart, we find welfare and hope for wholeness. (2002 edition of my ESV Bible uses “wholeness” in place of “welfare.”)

When we call upon the Lord and seek Him with all our heart, we find welfare and hope for wholeness. (Jeremiah 29:10-13) Click To Tweet

Truths We Miss

(2.) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (ESV)

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My Grown-Up New Year List

Have you ever made a grown-up Christmas list? One of those wish-lists since you started adulting of what you really need in life—what matters most.

A few weeks ago we discussed Christmas gifts we need most.

What if we made a grown-up list for the new year? A list where we reflect and make an intentional plan of action with the Lord.

Although I’ve never really been a resolutions kind of girl, it’s a good time for reflecting on the previous twelve months.

Because when we evaluate the last year, what happened, how we responded, and the lessons (takeaways) we learned from our circumstances, it’s helpful for our future. 

Obviously, there are things we cannot control in the world or our world. But we control our mindset, heart focus, life vision/mission, and spiritual journey.

And if we’d rather our start-overs, second chances, and U-turns for a new year not ride in on the coattails of our previous year, then we reflect and put measures in place.

So I decided to make a grown-up new year list, along with the Lord, of three main areas.

(1.) Mindset: What if our best grown-up mindset is to desire the mind of Christ? 

But how do we go about seeking the mind of Christ? The Bible tells us: set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2); do not transform to the world, but transform by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2); and to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

More biblical wisdom gives us further insight:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

What we think about, set our minds on, is of utmost importance. If affects every aspect of our life. Do we desire to have the mind of Christ?

What we think about, set our minds on, is of utmost importance. If affects every aspect of our life. Do we desire to have the mind of Christ? Click To Tweet Read More…