The Christian Working Woman

It is a bit of a paradox, I agree, to be both contented and not contented. Maybe it’s helpful to say we should accept who we are but never settle for where we are. Have you discovered that when you are not happy with who you are, you inflict great suffering on yourself? It causes you to be envious of others, to resent the success of others, to fight to get ahead of others, to be dependent on the approval of others. All kinds of problems arise when you cannot accept who you are. Have you come to that place yet, where you can truly say, “I like the way God has created me”? Oh, I hope so. It is not prideful to appreciate God’s handiwork in you. Rather it brings glory to God, just as when you appreciate a work of art you bring honor to the artist. Today I want to point out three other areas we need to learn to accept but not settle. Your Gifts and Talents Have you accepted the way God has gifted you? The Bible clearly teaches us each believer has been given definite and recognizable gifts or talents, which are resources to use in serving the Lord. First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are good chapters to study if you’re not familiar with these gifts. Once you know how God has gifted you, then accept the role you’ve been given with great joy. The things God has gifted you to do are the things that make you the happiest and bring the most satisfaction. You’ll find great joy when you’re functioning the way God created you to. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, your greatest joy will be to write notes, help someone out, listen to a heartache—lots of things like that which an encourager does so well. It won’t be a chore or a duty because it’s your gift; it will be a delight. If your gift is administration, you’ll love organizing and doing all the behind-the-scenes things that are so important. If your gift is mercy, you will naturally have a sympathetic heart toward hurting people and find yourself trying to help them. Using your God-given gifts and talents will bring you satisfaction, and you will do those things with enthusiasm and excellence. But here’s the other side of the coin: Never be satisfied with your gifts the way they are. Jesus told a parable about three people who were given talents to use. One had five talents, one two talents, and one had only one. When the master returned and demanded an accounting as to how each one used his talents, he gave strong approval to the first two because they multiplied their talents. But to the man with only one, he gave a grave condemnation because he hid his talent and did not multiply it. You’ll find that parable in Matthew 25. What Jesus taught us there is when we use the gifts and talents he has given us, he will give us more. I’ve been amazed to see this in my own life. I’m telling you, years ago I could never have imagined being able to do some of the ministries and new ideas God has allowed me to be involved with. But God is true to his Word, and when we start using the talent we have, God is faithful to give us more and increase our effectiveness. Accept the talents and gifts God has invested in you and then set out to grow them as much as possible. You do that by using them any way you can. Jump in the water and get wet. Often, I’m asked how I began my ministry, which is now heard on over 400 radio stations internationally and reaches out in many other ways. It began in my home in Chicago as a Bible study for five or six women. That Bible study lasted several years, and to this day is one of the sweetest, best memories I have. From that I started a small ministry at my church and became involved in other ministries there, serving in various ways. And much to my amazement, the doors opened. Now we have a much bigger outreach. But it all began where I was—in my home. And little by little God gave me opportunities to develop my gifts. God keeps his word, and he has promised when we are faithful with the gifts and talents we have, he will give us more. Start where you are, with whatever you have to offer, and see where God can take it. You will be amazed. Your Intelligence Another thing about ourselves we need to be content with is our intelligence. There’s no doubt God gave some people more brain power than others. Do you feel like you’ve been shortchanged in this department, and you don’t understand why God didn’t make you real smart? God needs some real smart brainy types, but he needs a lot of us ordinary types as well. Some of you had to fight for everything you learned in school and good grades did not come easily. Others could cram for a test at the last minute and ace it. It may not seem fair, but God has reasons for these differences in IQ. We need to accept who we are when it comes to intelligence. But don’t settle for where you are. Keep pushing the envelope to learn as much as possible. Scientists tell us we use only a minis

Do you have some giants in your life right now—some people or situations that are way bigger than you are? Some obstacles you don’t know how to overcome? We all have them at times, and I’ve noticed usually God leads us to fight the giants in our lives in the most unusual ways. It almost always goes against human logic. We must learn to walk by faith and trust the Holy Spirit within us to give us guidance, and then not doubt it when others say “That’s not the way to do it,” or “Nobody has ever done it that way before.” There are times when we should ignore what others tell us. If you remember when Jesus was going to heal Jairus’ daughter, his friends came to him and said, “Don’t bother, she’s dead already.” But Jesus ignored what they said and told Jairus, Don’t be afraid; just believe (Mark 5:36). If you’re facing a giant in your life right now, use your slingshot like David did when he faced Goliath; don’t try to wear someone else’s armor. And ignore those who would tell you otherwise. Maybe the battle is over, and you are victorious. Remember what David said before he fought Goliath: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands (1 Samuel 17:47). When your battle is over and God has given you victory, please remember it was the Lord’s battle, not yours, and he gave you the skill, talent, and wisdom to know how to fight and be victorious. Give him all the glory. I think we can all relate to David. Because he was who he was—the way God had created him—and used the skills he had learned, he killed the giant. I hope you’ll remember this illustration from David’s life to inspire you to use your slingshot—God’s gifts in you to do what he has called you to do. Go into the battle without fear, knowing it’s not your battle. It is the Lord’s, and you can face that giant equipped by God to win the victory.

Did you ever think about this: David had to be able to kill Goliath, because that was the deed which propelled him to eventually become the King. It made his reputation and paved the way for God’s plan for him. But it began in those lonely fields as a shepherd boy, slinging stones from a slingshot day in and day out and learning how to kill big enemies in unconventional ways. When facing Goliath, David was prepared for the job. He used his creative thinking and refused to try to do it Saul’s way, which would have meant defeat. He used his slingshot—a most unlikely weapon, but God gave him that skill to prepare him for this incredible challenge. He could kill a giant with a slingshot. Where are you now? In the fields, all alone, being prepared by God for what is coming? David didn’t know, when he was tending sheep, that God was preparing him to be King. He had no idea. But he did that job well, and while he was doing it, he learned to do other things—like play a harp, write poetry, aim a slingshot well, and tackle an enemy of overwhelming odds. Maybe you’re on the battleground and your Goliath is staring at you, taunting you. Are you tempted to fight in someone else’s armor? Remember, if God has brought you to that battlefield, he has a plan to make you victorious; but don’t get out of yourself. David knew how to stay within himself and not try to mimic others or be intimidated when others told him what he should do or how he should do it. David knew God had equipped him to slay this giant, and he wasn’t afraid to try. It wasn’t a matter of pride or conceit; he just knew he had a skill from God that now God wanted to use. You remember David’s brother was angry that David would try to kill Goliath and told him to just go back home. When others tell you can’t do it or to quit or they belittle you in some way, remember David. If he had allowed his brother’s remarks to get to him, he would have turned around and gone back to the sheep. He never would have defeated Goliath. But he was willing to step out even in the face of his brother’s protests and jealousy. If God has told you to use a slingshot, then use it. Don’t let the “Sauls” in your life dictate how you are to attack your giant if you know God has given you directions. Many times, well-meaning people will give us poor advice. Certainly, Saul thought it would be best for David to wear all that armor, but David knew better. A conventional one-on-one sword battle would have wiped David out in a few seconds. Learn from David to use your slingshot for the honor and glory of God.

Use your own slingshot! It comes from David’s life. When he volunteered to fight nine-foot Goliath, King Saul offered him his heavy armor and a sword. But David knew he couldn’t win wearing someone else’s armor. It didn’t fit him and he couldn’t move in it. Instead, he chose his slingshot—the tool he knew, the skill he had practiced—and he defeated the giant. I have to relearn that lesson often. God gifts each of us uniquely. It’s a mistake to try to do what God has called us to do in someone else’s armor. It’s so easy to look at someone successful and think, that’s what I should be doing. But God has given you certain gifts—and not others—on purpose. Don’t minimize what he has entrusted to you. Use what God has given you. Do what you do well. Don’t try to impress people or copy someone else’s style. Every time I’ve tried to do God’s work someone else’s way, I’ve fallen flat. I have to lean into the strengths God placed in me and I encourage you not to underestimate what God can do through you using your own slingshot. Remember, David’s skill was developed in obscurity—out in the fields, caring for sheep. In that quiet, unnoticed place, God was preparing him. He practiced with that slingshot until he was an expert. What looked small and unimportant became the very thing God used to bring victory. Looking back, I can see how God used even the hidden seasons of my life to prepare me for what I’m doing now. He wastes nothing. Polish your gifts. Develop your skills. Trust how God has wired you. And then step forward—using your own slingshot.

You remember the famous story of David and Goliath. I think there’s a lot we can learn from this story. David visited the battlefield, where the Israelites were fighting the Philistines—and frankly, they were doomed to lose because nobody would go up against Goliath the giant. David was appalled that they were intimidated by a giant, because after all, they were God’s people, and God would give them the victory. Finally, King Saul sent for him because David had volunteered to fight Goliath. Of course, Saul was reluctant to let him do this, knowing it was highly unlikely David could. But David insisted and told Saul how he had killed a lion and a bear. He said, The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine (1 Samuel 17:37). Saul relented; after all, nobody else was willing to even try, and then Saul tried to tell David how to do it. “Here,” he said, “put on my armor, take my sword.” David immediately realized he couldn’t use Saul’s armor. I cannot go in these, he said to Saul, because I am not used to them (1 Samuel 17:39). He took them off, found his five smooth stones, got his slingshot in his hand, and faced Goliath. You know the story: He takes aim at Goliath’s head, hits him in the right place, and knocks him out. Then he cuts off Goliath’s head with his own sword, and claims victory. How did David defeat Goliath? By using his slingshot. You don’t kill giants with slingshots—right? But that’s what David was good at; that’s how he had defeated the lion and the bear; that’s the gift God had given him. David was smart enough to realize trying to do what God wanted him to do in someone else’s armor would lead to disaster. Now, think about some lessons we can learn from this. When you try to do your work to please people; when you try to copy others and do what they’re doing, it’s like putting on Saul’s armor—you can’t do it. But when God has given you a gift, skill, or opportunity, don’t underestimate God’s power in you, doing it the way he’s gifted you. Use your slingshot. It may not be the conventional way to do things, but if that’s how God is leading you, don’t be intimidated by what others think. Go with what God has given you.

Are you happy with who you are? Do you often wish you were someone else or had a different personality? Are you envious of other people’s gifts or abilities or accomplishments? No doubt all of us struggle at times with accepting ourselves the way we are, and sadly some people spend their entire lives wishing they were someone else. Living a life of envy and disappointment in yourself is living in misery. I want to examine learning to accept and appreciate who you are—the way God has created you. I’m calling this “Use Your Own Slingshot,” and that comes from the story of David and Goliath. Off and on throughout my life, I’ve found myself trying to be what someone else wanted me to be. Do you have that problem too? At this stage in my life, it seems to hit me periodically and unexpectedly. Before I realize what’s happening, I’m comparing myself to others or wishing I were different or trying to be what someone else thinks I should be. Symptoms of this disease are uneasiness in your spirit, feeling guilty about something but you’re not quite sure what, knots in your stomach, and a general sense of gloom and despair. Can you recognize some of these things in yourself? Maybe, like me, it hits you only occasionally, or you may indeed find yourself continually consumed with this disease of not being satisfied with who you are. David found himself in a situation of being urged to be like someone else, but he knew he had to be himself. You remember how David volunteered to go up against the giant, Goliath. Nobody else in the entire Israeli army had been willing to face him, even the experienced fighters. After all, Goliath was over nine feet tall, so you can hardly blame them. David was on an errand to the fighting field, to bring food to his brothers, and he heard Goliath making his daily challenge, which he had been doing for forty days. He was goading them and taunting them. When David heard this, he essentially said, “Why are we allowing this bully to stand there and make threats against the Lord’s army? Why hasn’t someone stood up to him?” His brother, Eliab told him to go back where he came from and tend the sheep. He belittled David and insulted him. After all, he didn’t want to be shown up by his baby brother. But David didn’t let Eliab intimidate him. Even at this young age, you can see the strong faith of David in his God and his confidence that God could deliver them from Goliath.

Do you ever feel pulled in two directions? On one hand, we know from Scripture we’re to accept who we are in Christ. We’re told not to compare ourselves to others or envy who they are or what they have. We know we were uniquely designed by God, created on purpose, and that we should appreciate his handiwork in us. But on the other hand—if you’re like me—you also know there are things about yourself you shouldn’t just accept. There are flaws. Weaknesses. Immaturities. We see others who seem to have it more together, and we feel the gap between who we are and who we ought to be. Here’s the dilemma: How do we accept who we are when we know we’re not yet all we should be? How can we believe we’re special just as we are, while knowing we still have so far to grow? It almost seems like mission impossible. It appears to be a paradox with no solution. On the one hand we’re admonished to rejoice and celebrate who we are and on the other hand, we’re aware daily of our inadequacies and shortcomings. But here’s what I’m learning: I must be content with who God made me to be—while remaining lovingly dissatisfied with where I am in my growth. Contentment with my design. Holy discontentment with my development. Or to say it another way: accept who I am, but don’t settle for where I am. That understanding has brought me tremendous freedom. I can appreciate who I am in Christ and still pursue becoming more like him. Let’s look at a couple of areas where this tension shows up. Your Body Scripture tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God formed us in our mother’s womb. He doesn’t make mistakes. And yet—when we look in the mirror, do we see his craftsmanship or only the flaws? “Oh, if only my hair were different.” “If only my face were shaped another way.” “If only my body were thinner, taller, smaller, firmer.” Now, tell the truth: Don’t we often just focus on the negatives? Our culture has convinced us there’s only one acceptable shape for a beautiful body. And we’ve paid dearly for believing that lie. So many women have harmed themselves chasing an image that was never meant to define beauty. I mean—look at the evidence: God clearly loves variety. Just look around at all the different looks, types, and shapes! How dull this world would be if we all came in the same size, shape, or color. My dear friend, Fran, was barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one in the room. But that small stature became a beautiful tool in God’s hands. She was never intimidating. People instantly felt at ease with her. She could make you laugh in seconds. She never met a stranger, and as a result, she was able to authentically and easily talk with people about her faith. Many women came to saving faith because they became friends with Fran. God used her size and personality together in powerful ways. Her height was not a mistake. Your body is not a mistake either. Accept it. Thank God for it. See it as his design. But don’t settle. Care for it. Strengthen it. Discipline it. Keep it healthy so it can serve Jesus well. We don’t chase perfection, but we do pursue stewardship. Our physical well-being affects our effectiveness. We want to run our race well and finish strong. Very recently I was struck by this passage from Psalm 92: The righteous flourish like the palm tree… They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright (Psalm 92:12-14). As the years pile up, your body goes through changes. But I love the truth that we can still bear fruit even as we age and be full of sap and green. I don’t want to run out of gas. I don’t want to be prohibited from ministry because my body fails me. Now, there are some physical problems over which you and I have no control. But our behavior and discipline largely determine how good we’re going to feel, how long we’re going to last, how clearly we can think, how fast we can react, how much we can accomplish. You don’t want to settle for anything less than God’s best for you—right? Accept the body God gave you—but don’t settle for just getting by, for neglect. Your Personality The same is true of your personality. God does not make cookie-cutter Christians—aren’t you glad? Some of us are outgoing; some are reserved. Some lead naturally; others support faithfully. Some are talkers; some are listeners. Each personality carries strengths. The outgoing person makes friends easily. The quiet one listens deeply. The leader casts vision. The steady one brings peace. Now, tell the truth, are you content with the personality God has given you? Do you even know what it’s like? You should, and you should appreciate that personality. My friend, Afton, wrestled with her personality as an introvert. She thought it was a negative flaw she needed to correct. But God has shown her the exact opposite. Her personality as an introvert has incredibly wonderful attributes. She is such a good listener, and she cares so

I’ve been focusing on the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior. Can I ask you: Of what or who do you boast? Or in our vernacular, what do you brag about? Paul said to the Galatians: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14). Can you imagine what this sounded like to Jewish people of his day? Boasting in the cross? That was unthinkable—and yet it is because of the cross that Jesus was able to purchase our salvation. I have led many tours to Israel, and each time I go to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent those agonizing hours before he was arrested, I am reminded it’s not a fairy tale. It’s not just a story that has been passed down through the ages. No, the cross of Jesus Christ was real. He suffered a shameful death for me—and for you—so God could forgive our sins. Because of him, we can have the righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to us, qualifying us to spend eternity with God. There’s something about sitting in that garden, still filled with olive trees, and knowing we are on sacred ground, walking and meditating there where Jesus agonized until his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Where he prayed “Not my will but thine be done,” as he faced the reality of being separated from his Father and bearing in his own body the sins of the world. Each time I come away from that Garden more humbled and more aware of just what it meant for Jesus to give himself as a ransom for many—for me—and to be willing to die on a cross. As you and I celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Sunday, let us glory in the cross, because without it, we have no hope. Boast about the cross and what Jesus has done for you. Tell everybody you can and why this celebration is so vital and precious to you. And we will celebrate with great joy the fact that the grave could not hold Jesus; death had no victory over him. He arose from the grave. What kind of god dies? Only the true God, the only God, who died so we could live. Let it sink into your mind and heart as you stand in awe that Jesus died for you. Don’t ever take this story, this truth, for granted. Understanding the enormity of his death on a cross is sobering and amazing, and his resurrection is reason for great joy.

As we prepare for Easter Sunday, it’s important to rehearse again this incredible truth that God, the Son, came to earth to die to pay the debt you and I owed—one we could never pay—for the forgiveness of our sins. And because Jesus died and then rose again after three days, he has conquered eternal death for us. If you have been born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, then your debt has been paid, and that is the most amazing truth. Think about the disciples as they were witnessing Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. No doubt they could not comprehend how Jesus could come to this end. They believed he was their Messiah, and he would save them from Rome. Instead he came to save them from their sins. But after the resurrection when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they finally understood, and they were changed people. In a statement to the Sadducees, who had just put him in jail for preaching the Gospel, Peter said, The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree (Acts 5:30). Peter points to the tree—the curse of the cross—and says despite their intention to bring Jesus to disgrace, God raised him from the dead and reversed the stigma. Paul went even further to show how the cross became their message. He said, We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). The fact Jesus was crucified was a great stumbling block to Jews in that day. How could their Messiah die and on a cross of all things? And for the Gentiles—those who are not Jews—this idea of a god dying seemed foolish. There were lots of gods worshipped in those days. The Romans had false gods for every occasion. But none of their gods died by crucifixion! That was foolishness to them. The amazing truth is once the disciples understood the purpose of Jesus’ death on the cross, that very shameful act of being crucified transformed the disciples and their message, and the thing that once had been so repugnant to them became the thing in which they boasted. And that is what we boast in this Easter season. Don’t let this celebration pass you by this year without taking time to remember that Jesus set you free by dying for you and then rising from the tomb. And because of that, you are free indeed!

I hope you’re looking forward to Resurrection Sunday as much as I am. It truly is the best day of the year, when we sing the glorious truth that Christ the Lord is risen! But when the disciples expected Jesus to rescue them from Rome, they never imagined he would die—especially not on a cross, which was considered cursed by God. Yet his death was absolutely necessary if any of us were to be forgiven. Even if we could somehow pay for our own sins, we would simply die in them. The price would be paid—death—but there would be no redemption. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, had no sins of his own to pay for, so he alone was qualified to take ours upon himself. He paid the price we could never pay so we could be forgiven and have access to God through his sacrifice. Scripture tells us without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). The cross was God’s chosen way for his Son to die—his blood shed, the curse taken, the penalty paid. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). And here is the good news: though the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). As we approach Resurrection Sunday, it’s the perfect time to deepen our understanding of why Jesus died—and why it had to be on a cross. The disciples didn’t understand at first. But once they grasped why he came, saw him risen from the grave, and were filled with the Holy Spirit, everything changed. Their despair turned to unshakable faith in their crucified and risen Messiah, and because he lives, so can we.

Have you ever asked yourself this question: What kind of god dies? Jesus kept telling his disciples he came to die and deliver them from their sins, not from Rome. But they just couldn’t hear it. After all, what kind of god dies? If I had been in the disciples’ shoes at that time, I’m sure I would have struggled with understanding the Messiah—the one I had faithfully followed for over three years, the one I hoped was going to redeem Israel from Rome—was going to die on a cross under God’s curse. No doubt the disciples knew the passage from Deuteronomy 21:23 which says anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. When Pilot ordered Jesus to be crucified, the Jewish leaders were very pleased for they thought this would be the end of this troublemaker and his followers. Surely those pesky disciples would give up after Jesus was hung on a cross. This helps us understand why the disciples went into hiding after the crucifixion and were frightened they would be found out. They were bearing not only the grief of losing Jesus but also the shame and disgrace of the way he was killed—on a cross. A crucified Messiah was not their idea of a hero, a Savior, their hope. And up to the end they just couldn’t believe it—Jesus was going to be crucified on a cross? They must have wondered why God sent Jesus to die and why he had to die on a cross. What kind of god dies? With clear hindsight now and the New Testament to explain it to us, we can look back and see why God the Son had to die—and yes, even his method of death, a cross, was part of God’s plan. Remember, no one took Jesus’ life from him; he gave it. This was all part of God’s eternal plan, every detail of his death was predetermined by God. The reason Jesus had to die was because sin has consequences, and a Holy God cannot just overlook sin. The price had to be paid for sin; this is what God declared. He does not ignore our sins, but he makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven in Jesus Christ. Of course, God also never intended for death to have dominion over Jesus, and we will celebrate again his resurrection this Sunday. What a glorious truth!

It’s the week before Resurrection Sunday. I hope you have been preparing your heart to celebrate this Sunday, for it is truly the most important celebration for us as Christ-followers. And in preparation, I’d like us to focus on a very unusual question, which is: What kind of god dies? If you or I were given the assignment to determine how the sins of mankind could be forgiven, would we ever have come up with a plan that God becomes man and dies? The disciples certainly had difficulty hearing Jesus when he repeatedly said he had come to die. Even though there were many clues and prophecies from the Old Testament showing the coming Messiah would die, their belief at the time was Jesus was Messiah, and he had come to save them from Rome, not from their sins. I’ve been trying to put myself in the disciples’ shoes as they grappled with Jesus’ mission. Clearly Jesus told them, the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). He told them he was the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He even gave them an indication of the kind of death he would die when he said, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up (John 3:14). But they just couldn’t hear it because what kind of god dies? Only the true, eternal God would have put this plan in place. To send his only Son who was equal with God the Father for the purpose of dying could only come from the mind and heart of God himself. Then think of this—the way Jesus died was not only the most painful and horrendous way to die, the Jews believed any crucified person was condemned by God. Don’t you imagine in those early days following the crucifixion, the disciples must have struggled to understand why Jesus had to die and why he died on a cross. He died this ignominious death, and all along they thought he was from God—which of course he was. But how could he be from God and die on a cross?

Have you ever prepared a really good meal for your kids—something balanced and nourishing—and when you call them to the table, they say, “I’m not hungry”? And then you discover that just before dinner they had potato chips or a bowl of ice cream. Of course they’re not hungry. They filled up on something that tasted good in the moment but didn’t really nourish them. They spoiled their appetite. I think we understand this so clearly when it comes to food. But sometimes we don’t recognize it in our spiritual lives. Jesus said, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry (John 6:35). And in John 4:14, he told the woman at the well the water he gives would become a spring of water welling up to eternal life. In other words, he offers real nourishment. Real satisfaction. The kind that actually fills the deepest places in us. And yet how often do we find ourselves spiritually dull, distracted, or just not very hungry for him? It may not be because we don’t love God. It may simply be we’ve been snacking all day on other things. We live in a world of constant input. Television, social media, streaming shows, podcasts, news, endless scrolling. None of those things are automatically evil. But they can quietly crowd out our appetite for what truly feeds our souls. Have you ever noticed when you spend a long evening watching something that isn’t uplifting, it’s harder to turn around and open your Bible? Or when your mind has been saturated with the world’s values and drama, prayer doesn’t come as naturally? It’s not that God has moved away. It’s that we’re full. The Psalmist says, O taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). That verse implies something important—you have to taste. You have to come to the table. You have to make room. I’ve heard from women who realized a daily habit—maybe a show they watched every night, or certain novels they devoured—wasn’t helping their hearts. At first it seemed harmless. But over time they noticed their thoughts drifting, their peace shrinking, their desire for God weakening. One woman told me she began praying Romans 12:1–2 each day, asking God to renew her mind and help her not be conformed to the world. Slowly, the Holy Spirit made her aware what she was feeding on was shaping her thinking. It wasn’t dramatic. It was gradual. And by God’s grace, she made a change. As she removed some of that “junk food,” her appetite for Scripture grew stronger again. That’s how it works. Paul wrote in Romans 6 we will be slaves to something—either to impurity or to righteousness. That may sound strong, but it’s simply true. Whatever we consistently feed becomes what we crave. And cravings grow. Addictions don’t usually begin in dramatic ways. They begin with small, repeated choices. One episode. One book. One click. But over time, what once felt like a small indulgence can start to control our thoughts and steal our hunger for better things. On the other hand, the same principle works beautifully in reverse. When we consistently choose righteousness—when we open God’s Word even when we don’t feel like it, when we pray honestly, when we listen to music or teaching that lifts our hearts—our appetite changes. We begin to crave what nourishes us. Holiness stops feeling restrictive and starts feeling freeing. Jesus described his living water as something that becomes a spring inside of us. That means satisfaction doesn’t just come from outside circumstances—it flows from within. But that spring is clearer and stronger when we’re not constantly dumping pollutants into it. This isn’t about legalism. It’s not about making a list of forbidden things. It’s about asking a gentle question: What is shaping my appetite? If I’m not hungry for God, what might be filling me up instead? Maybe it’s hours of television. Maybe it’s social media comparison. Maybe it’s reading material that stirs up thoughts you know aren’t helpful. Maybe it’s just constant busyness that leaves no quiet space for him. The goal isn’t guilt. The goal is awareness. When you remove even a little of the junk, something beautiful happens. Hunger returns. The Word becomes sweeter. Prayer becomes more natural. Worship feels more genuine. And the wonderful thing is this: God is not standing at the table tapping his foot in frustration. He invites us. He waits for us. He prepares good things for us. It can even be relationships that spoil your appetite for God. The people closest to you shape you more than you realize. They influence how you think, what you value, what you talk about, and even how you spend your time. It’s worth asking: do my closest relationships stir my hunger for God, or do they quietly dull it? I’ve seen the power of good friendships. When my daughter was growing up, I was so grateful she chose friends who were steady and wise. Those friendships mattered more than I can say. And the same is true for us. We never outgrow the influence of the people around us. If you’re single, this becomes even m

Money problems are crisis points for most of us, aren’t they? Fran is learning how money problems affect every part of her life. Jesus has just reminded her that she has a choice, either to trust him or to panic. Fran mulls this over in her mind. “It’s my choice, you say? Either I can continue to act and react like I’ve done today, or I can refuse to get upset and pray more about it and trust you. But when I feel that panic set in, I just can’t avoid it,” Fran tells Jesus. “Feeling the panic doesn’t mean you’re not trusting me,” Jesus says. “But at that point of panic, you must make a choice either to continue in panic mode or to trust me. Remember, if you go by your feelings, you’ll often be in trouble.” “It brings to mind the verse I learned when I was a kid in Sunday School: ‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee,’” Fran says. “Guess that’s what you mean when you say I have to make a choice, huh?” “Yes, Fran,” Jesus says, “Regardless of your feelings, if you will set your will to trust in me, you’ll discover the fears subside. And when the fears subside, then you can think correctly, hear my voice, and know what to do. But when fear takes over, trust goes out the window and you’re going to find yourself doing and saying all kinds of things you wish you hadn’t.” “That sure happened to me today,” Fran says, as she re-thinks her day. “I blew up at everybody.” Fran spends a little more time reading her Bible and talking with Jesus and then goes to bed with a quiet spirit. The next day her talk with Uncle George encourages her. He explained she had some options she’d never thought about. She could refinance her home at a lower interest rate and cut her payments by almost $150 a month. He pointed out she could claim another deduction and have an extra $40 to $50 in her paycheck. He also gave her the name of a real estate agent who could give her some good advice on selling her house. As Fran drove home, she said to Jesus, “I do have some options, don’t I, Lord? Thanks for putting Uncle George in my life to help me. Now I just need to know what is the best thing to do.” “Well, Fran, keep praying for wisdom and seeking good advice,” Jesus reminds her. “And keep cutting back on costs, right,” Fran smiles. God deals with all of us through money. If that’s where you are now, learn to trust God, not money. Seek good advice, if needed, and be a good steward. But do not live in fear of the lack of money. God has promised to supply all your needs, and he never fails.

When we’re having money problems, it can cause all kinds of other problems, can’t it? Fran is struggling with too little money and too many bills. She’s thinking of selling her home and has just told her son, Drew, they might have to move, but she said it in anger and haste. “Move to another house? Mom, we can’t leave this house. Mom…” Drew looks at Fran with fear in his eyes, and tears start to roll down his cheeks. She is ashamed of how she has upset him unnecessarily. She releases her grip on his shoulders, takes his hand, and leads him to the sofa. “Oh, Drew, I’m sorry I yelled at you,” she says as she takes him in her arms. He cries freely. “Mom, I don’t want to move. This is our home.” Drew’s fears and anxiety pour out. Hugging him close, Fran says, “Drew, I don’t make as much money as your Dad did, and I can’t afford this house.” “Please Mom, please, don’t sell the house, please,” Drew begs as Fran holds him, unable to answer because of the tears in her own eyes. Later in the evening she calls her mom and talks about selling the house. Her mom suggests she talk to her Uncle George who is an officer at a local bank. Fran dials George’s number and explains her predicament to him. He says he’ll be glad to talk with her, and they plan to meet at his office tomorrow. Fran feels relieved as she hangs up. Somehow it helps just to have someone to talk to who knows about finances and stuff. “I’m glad you called George,” Jesus says to her quietly. “Oh, Jesus,” Fran says rather sheepishly, “It was my mom’s suggestion,” She pauses. “Actually, it was your suggestion, wasn’t it? Yesterday you told me to seek advice. Did you see what I did to poor Drew tonight? I really dumped all my frustration on him,” Fran confesses. “Money has power. And it is one of the most difficult areas for my children to learn to trust me,” Jesus says. “Remember, Fran: Money problems are either going to cause you to be worried and frantic, or they are going to cause you to learn to trust me more. It’s your choice.” And all of us have that choice to make, don’t we?

We continue our fictional story of Fran and Jesus, as Fran struggles with not enough money to pay all the bills. Yesterday she said to Jesus, “If I just had more money, all my problems would be solved.” But Jesus replies, “Do you remember, Fran, what I taught the disciples in my Sermon on the Mount? You cannot serve both God and money. Money is a powerful thing, and it can cause you to be its slave.” “Yes,” Fran replies, “but I still have to have money to pay these bills.” Wearily she goes to bed, taking those financial worries with her. At work the next day, her phone rings. “Mrs. Langley,” the voice says. “I’m calling for Dr. Carrow. I wanted to inquire about the bill for Alice’s dental work. It’s past due, and we were wondering when you might be able to pay it?” Fran is stunned as she realizes this is a collection call. “Uh,” she mutters, very embarrassed, “well, I know it’s a little late. I’m sorry. It’s just so many bills have come due this month. I’m sorry.” “Well, when can we expect your check, Mrs. Langley?” the cold voice asks. Fran tries to think, “I’ll try to get a check off this week.” “Then we can expect full payment this week, is that right Mrs. Langley?” he continues. Fran is embarrassed and angry at this whole conversation. She slams the phone down. The rest of the day is pretty much a wipe-out, because Fran can’t think of anything else. Several times during the day, Jesus tries to get her attention, but she’s so wrapped up in her self-pity she is not even aware of his presence. As she’s driving home Fran notices her check engine light comes on in her car. “Oh no! That’s all I need—car troubles!” Then, as she arrives home, Drew rushes up to her. “Mom, what happened? We can’t get the cartoon channel anymore?” “Oh, Drew, I cancelled the cable service today,” Fran replies. “We can’t afford it anymore.” “What do you mean we can’t afford it? We’ve always afforded it before,” Drew says. “Now, listen to me, son,” Fran grabs him by the shoulders, “I have to cut costs, and we can do without cable television. What’s more, we’re probably going to have to sell the house and move to a cheaper place.” As soon as she says it, she knows she said the wrong thing.

Fran is facing some serious financial difficulties. She is trying to cut expenses and is facing the possibility of having to find a cheaper place to live. “Guess I need to sell the house,” she says, but the thought depresses her. She feels anger start to rise in her just thinking about it. “It’s just not fair,” she thinks, as tears start down her cheeks. Why did Jim die? Why did God take him from me? It’s just not fair!” The sobs start to shake Fran’s body, as the pain and loneliness flood her memory. “I understand,” Jesus replies, quietly. “Really? You understand what it’s like to raise two kids by yourself?” Fran asks. “I understand loneliness; I was rejected by my closest friends,” Jesus reminds her. “Even my Father turned his back on me as I hung on the cross. I understand because I’ve experienced every kind of pain you have, Fran.” The room gets very quiet, as Fran’s sobs subside. “Lord, I’m so sorry…” she begins, but Jesus interrupts her. “No need to apologize, Fran. You’re complaining to the right person,” Jesus says, as he reassures her of his love. “Remember David in Psalm 142. Why don’t you read that Psalm right now?” Fran opens to Psalm 142, and begins reading: I cry aloud to the Lord; …I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. …Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need…set me free from my prison… Fran’s spirit is calmer as she finishes the Psalm. “Fran,” Jesus says, “since I know what you think anyway, it’s good to be honest with me and tell me how you feel. Then we can deal with it.” Fran tries to smile. “David says set me free from my prison; I feel like I’m in a money prison. I’ve got to sell my house, uproot my kids—if I just had more money…” “Fran,” Jesus interrupts, “money is not the answer to your problems.”

Do you ever struggle with finances? Our friend Fran has some important lessons to learn about managing her money. I tell this on-going story as though Fran is having a conversation with Jesus throughout her day, because the fact is, as Christians, we do have his presence all the time. We need to practice it more, and hopefully Fran’s story will inspire us to do that. After Fran gets the kids in bed this evening, she says to herself, “It’s the first of the month. I’ve got to pay bills tonight.” One of the toughest aspects of being single for Fran is the total responsibility of the finances, and it’s particularly difficult because there’s hardly ever enough money to pay all the bills. She and Jim had moved into their home just before he died, and the mortgage payment is pretty steep. “Well, what bills will I pull out of the hat this month? Good grief that phone bill is ridiculous. And this dental bill for Alice. All she had was one small cavity,” Fran fumes. “Oh great,” she exclaims, “I’m $200 short this month.” “But don’t forget,” Jesus says to her, catching her by surprise, “I’ve promised to take care of you. You will not be brought to shame, or go hungry, or miss anything you need.” Fran wasn’t aware of his presence until he spoke to her, and then she felt a little defensive. “Yeah, but I still have to pay these bills and that takes money.” “Well, Fran, see which bills could be eliminated or reduced,” Jesus suggests. “Well, this cable TV bill—I guess that could go. But the kids enjoy the cartoons,” Fran rationalizes. “Yes, but they have a lot of good movies, and your mom has bought them several Bible videos,” Jesus reminds her. “Don’t you think that’s enough?” “Yeah, you’re right. It’s just easy for me to plop them down in front of the television when I’m tired or busy,” Fran candidly admits. “But I’ll cancel the cable tomorrow.” Looking through the rest of the bills, she says, “I know I could sell the house and live somewhere cheaper, but…” That’s the one thing Fran doesn’t want to consider. “I love my home, Lord,” Fran says. “Fran, it’s time for you to seek counsel,” Jesus says to her. “Remember Proverbs 20:18: Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. So, seek some counsel.”

I’m going to talk about money today and specifically how we can be victorious over money—how we can refuse to be enslaved to it. And if you don’t know this already, let me tell you if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, he’s going to mess with your money. You remember at one point Jesus positioned himself in the temple where the offerings were deposited and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury (Mark 12:41). Imagine! He intentionally watched people bringing their money into the temple. It was not a private matter with him; he knows where your treasure is, there your heart is also (Matthew 6:21), and he took notice of who was giving money, how much they gave, and how sacrificially they gave. He’s watching us, too, and our money and what we do with it is not a private matter with Jesus. We are accountable to him for what we take in and how we spend it. The Seductive Power of Money Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Money is a rival god that seeks to control us by claiming to have the power of deity. It tries to convince us it can do for us what only God can do. It claims to give us security, to give us freedom, to give us power, and to meet all our needs. It clamors for the place in our heart only God can fill. Jesus made this clear in his dealing with the rich young ruler, who wanted to know what he must do to get eternal life. Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). Notice when this young man went away sad, Jesus didn’t run after him and say, “Wait, you don’t really have to sell everything, just change your attitude toward money.” No, Jesus meant what he said to that young man; he had to be converted from loving and serving money to loving and serving Jesus, and he wasn’t willing to do that. It’s very easy to be in bondage to money—for it to become an idol in our lives. It has far more power over us than simply its purchasing power. We think: It’s mine; I earned it; I depend on it; I need it; I like it! Don’t mess with my money! The Dangers of Money How can you tell if money has become your master? Here are some checkpoints: Are you continually worried about money, either not having enough or losing what you have? Is that one of your greatest fears? Do you tend to hoard your money and keep it for yourself? Are you stingy with your money? Do you think of your money as your security blanket? Are you dependent upon money to solve your problems? Do you evaluate yourself and others by their financial status? Are people more important to you if they have more money? Do you make decisions solely based on money? These are some telltale signs money has become our master, and believe me, it can happen to any of us. The spiritual power of money is very strong; that’s why Jesus said you cannot serve God and money. We need to be set free from the demonic control money would have over us. It’s not unusual to hear someone give a testimony of how God has set that person free from sexual sin or some addiction. Perhaps we need to make it comfortable and acceptable for Christians to confess that they have been seduced by money, and they want to be set free. So, here’s the question for you today: Do you serve God or money? That’s a heavy question, and a disciple of Jesus Christ needs to face it head on—because Jesus is going to mess with your money, one way or the other. Our challenge is to use the money and possessions God gives to us for good but never let them have power over us. Richard Foster writes: “Rather than run from money, we are to take it—evil bent and all—and use it for kingdom purposes…Money is to be captured, subdued, and used for greater goals. We are called to use money to advance the kingdom of God” (Foster, 1989).[1] We must intentionally learn a new attitude toward money. And the first part of that new attitude is to understand that we are possession-less. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1). Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me (Job 41:11). As a disciple of Jesus Christ, everything you have is simply on loan to you. You are given the stewardship of those assets, but you own nothing, because you yourself are owned by God. You know how your company has labels on everything: Property of such and such company. You’re using the property—the desk, the computer, the chair, etc.—but you’re using it for the benefit of the company you work for. We need to put that kind of label on “our stuff” to constantly remind us we don’t own

I so often need a second chance, how about you? But you know, sometimes we are very reluctant to give others a second chance, even though we’ve received them from God. Jesus told the parable of the unmerciful servant who asked the king to forgive him for the ten thousand talents he owed. He could never pay that huge debt, so in marvelous grace, the king agreed to forgive the debt and gave him a second chance. But what did the servant do? He turned around and demanded a small debt owed to him be paid immediately, and when his fellow servant couldn’t come up with the money right away, he threw him into prison. Jesus was well aware of our tendency to accept his grace and take all the second chances we can get for ourselves but to be very stingy in the way we deal with others. Twila Paris used to sing a song that says “He’ll never give up on you, and neither will I, neither will I.” She reaffirms even though her friend had failed again, she was not going to stop believing and hoping she will accept God’s second chance for her. Who have you given up on? Is there someone you’ve been tough on, when God wants you to give them a second chance and simply return some of the grace he has extended to you? In this parable of the unmerciful servant found in Matthew 18, Jesus teaches us if we aren’t willing to give others a second chance and be merciful to them as he has been to us, then he will withdraw from us the grace and second chance we so desire and need. Being merciful means you forgive someone a debt they truly owe. They deserve to pay the debt, but you let them off the hook. Have you done that lately, or have you been sticking it to someone, judging them for their failures and refusing to let them up off the floor? If you and I want to know God’s blessing in our lives, we must give others a second chance. I hope you’ll live in the glory of the truth that we have a God of Second Chances, because if you don’t need a second chance right now, you will soon. And I trust you’ll be willing to give others that same second chance. Remember, love suffers long; it keeps no records of the wrong done to it; love always hopes and always gives second chances.