Celestial Wonders of God’s Creation

Posted on April 11, 2024 by Heart of the Matter

 

 

 

My husband and I and our oldest grands recently took a trip to Kennedy Space Center in Florida where we watched a presentation on the amazing James Webb Space Telescope launched in 2021. The incredible photos it has taken of distant galaxies and never-before-seen planets, moons, and other astronomical phenomena have been shown around the world. They remind us all of the awesome creative power and singularity of God. Along with the recent total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, these images show us that God is, in fact, in control of an orderly, majestic, and expansive universe beyond our own solar system. Scientists have long studied heavenly processes such as solar and lunar eclipses, the elliptical orbits of the planets, and the explosive power involved in star birth and death. Many scientists attribute all of this to an incidental “Big Bang” that happened billions of years ago, but people of faith know— it is clear evidence of an intelligent and intentional, divine creator. 

 
 

God’s Word says that as we investigate the heavens—the work of His hands—we have no plausible reason to not believe in God. We are without excuse. In other words, the existence of an omnipotent, masterful creator is evident.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

The most amazing part of it all is that this awe-inspiring creator cares about you and me. He loves us and wants a relationship with us. After sin entered the world through Adam in the Garden of Eden, our fellowship with God was broken. God was grieved and we were lost, dead in our sin and separated from Him. But because of His great love for us, God provided a way, at great sacrifice, for us to have new life and renewed fellowship with Him. That provision was Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who died an agonizing death on the cross to pay for our sin and to reconcile us to God.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“But He was pierced for our offenses, He was crushed for our wrongdoings; The punishment for our well-being was laid upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, acknowledge him as the Son of God, and repent of our sin, our life is forever changed. We have peace, forgiveness and grace for this life and the joy and privilege of spending eternity in His presence.

One day soon Jesus is coming again in power and glory. The Bible says He will appear in the sky and all will see Him. He will make all things new, and we will be changed in the blink of an eye to be perfectly suited for our life with Him in heaven and ultimately, on the new earth.

“Behold He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” Revelation 1:7

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” 1 John 3:2

 I wonder if then, we’ll be able to fly and float among the stars traveling to other galaxies and planets—exploring this incredible universe God created with our own eyes. We don’t know what our eternal body will be like, but I think we are in for a glorious, heart racing, otherworldly surprise!

 

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Because He is Risen!

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Heart of the Matter

 

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While the were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen…'” Luke 24:1-6 (ESV)

Because he is risen, my sins are washed away.

Because He is risen, the Holy Spirit now lives in me.

Because he is risen, I have an advocate at the right hand of the Father.

Because he is risen, I have all that I need.

Because He is risen, my life now has no end.

Because He is risen, I have a heavenly home with God.

Because he is risen, I will see my cherished loved ones again.

Because he is risen, I have hope, peace, purpose and joy.

Because he is risen, the Bible is true.

I pray that you and your family  have a glorious and meaningful Easter as you celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Springtime: A picture of new life in Christ

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Heart of the Matter

Spring has sprung and I’m enjoying planting a few flowers and filling the (too numerous) birdfeeders in my yard—hoping to entice my feathered friends to come down for a seedy feast. New shoots and leaves are bursting forth in my garden—some that haven’t bloomed in a couple years; it’s always fun when that happens. I’ve recently seen bluebirds checking out a wooden birdhouse in the yard, trying to find a home for their next brood. Butterflies are once again flitting about in my butterfly garden. Baby bunnies can be seen emerging from the bushes. There is new life everywhere.

The gift of new life.

Speaking of new life, did you know that when we come to faith in Christ, we receive new life? In fact, everything changes—our source of power, our hope in trying times, and our eternal destiny. Nothing stays the same. Our sins are forgiven and our slate is wiped clean.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)

Put off the old, put on the new.

Are you living in the light of the new life you have in Christ? The gift of new life is free and can never be taken away, but we have a responsibility to shed those parts of our life that do not coincide with the goodness of God. We’re called to cooperate with Him as He shapes us into a vessel that glorifies Him.

“That in reference to your former life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  Ephesians 4:22-24 (NASB)

Embrace joy, peace and hope.

Consider this week whether you are walking fully in the freedom and peace you have in Christ. Meditate on this new life you have in Him—a life of joy, peace, purpose and hope. Let go of whatever clings to you of your old life, the life you had before you met Jesus. The Holy Spirit, as your new source of power, will give you the strength to do it.

“Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4 (NASB)

And, Happy Easter, He is risen!

 

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Releasing the Anchor of Guilt and Regret

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Heart of the Matter

Do you struggle with feelings of guilt and regret over past sin? First, know that you are not alone. There are many believers out there who’ve made mistakes, including myself. I struggled with guilt over my part in the demise of my own first marriage years ago. Believers can fall into sin in many areas of life such as, addiction, violence, sexual promiscuity, jail time, abortion, adultery, and divorce. We sometimes make a single bad decision that changes the trajectory of our life, leaving a trail of burnt bridges and ruined relationships in our wake. We wish we could take it back and find a remedy for our crippling guilt and regret.

 Why do we fall into sin in the first place? Well, the pull of the enemy is strong and we are simply not prepared for battle. We’ve neglected time in the Word, praying, listening to biblically sound teaching and being around other believers. We’ve let down our guard, allowing room for Satan to exploit our weaknesses. We crave immediate gratification and forget the power we have, through the Holy Spirit, to resist temptation. Our pride and selfishness rule, as they drag us away from what is good and pleasing to God. 

None of us are perfect. Jesus Himself, was the only human who lived a sinless life, and He was God. Here are some things you should know about sin:

  • Your sin is no worse than anyone else’s. In God’s eyes, sin is sin. 
  • No sin is unforgiveable, other than rejecting Christ completely. 
  • God’s mercy and forgiveness is available to us all and in him there is hope and healing.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

When we stray, God doesn’t abandon us. He loves us too much to leave us in the darkness of our sin and disobedience. Instead, God mercifully draws us back to himself through the Holy Spirit. We sense a gnawing, relentless tug and begin to question our choices and feel convicted. In our desperation, we call out to God and seek His face again. As we turn back to Him in genuine repentance, God is there, offering mercy, forgiveness, and the opportunity for a fresh start.

However, that cunning serpent, Satan, the accuser of men, wants to keep us in bondage to guilt and regret. He whispers in our ear, making us question whether God has truly forgiven us, telling us we’re damaged goods. Satan wants us ineffective, insecure, joyless, defeated. But Satan is a liar. As Jesus said,

“… Whenever he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 (ESV)

When God forgives, it is total, complete and forever. He died on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sin—past, present, and future. When we forget that, allowing ourselves to wallow in guilt and regret, it’s as if his sacrifice means nothing.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)

Although God wipes our slate clean and gives us a fresh start, sin does have consequences—they’re a fact of life. It’s cause and effect. We touch a stove; we get burned. We steal a purse; we go to jail. We become addicted to drugs; we lose our job. God never promised to deliver us from the consequences of our sin. But we have help in enduring them. We have God’s Word, prayer, a local pastor, Christian friends, and Christian counseling to help us move forward. But most importantly, we have the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit within us. The same power that brought Jesus out of the grave. 

If you’re struggling with guilt over how you’ve treated someone in your past, it may help to go to them and ask their forgiveness, or perhaps write a letter or send an email. If you have regret over an event, sinful decision, or rebellious period of your life, you can’t “put the leaves back on the tree.” But there are things you can do: 

  • Seek forgiveness and reconciliation where possible. 
  • Share your story with someone who’s struggling with a similar thing. Tell them how God brought you back to Himself. 
  • Become a lay counselor at your church. 
  • Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center, a homeless shelter, or a jail ministry. You can’t change your past but maybe you can help change someone’s future.

God knows you. In fact, He created you! He knows everything you’ve done and everything you will do. He loves you anyway, more than you can fathom. God desires that you and I live a life of joy, freedom and purpose. He doesn’t want us trudging through life carrying a sack full of guilt and regret. 

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV)

Shut out the whispered lies of the enemy and replace them with God’s truth. Move forward in freedom and peace. Break the bonds of your past and live your life in the light of God’s forgiveness and grace.

I’m so glad I discovered that the mercy and forgiveness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has no limits and that through repentance I could again experience a life of joy, peace, and purpose. You can, too!                                                   

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When Coffee Isn’t Just Coffee: Transparency and Encouragement in Women’s Ministry

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Heart of the Matter

 

I always enjoy having coffee with a friend, don’t you? Whether it’s sitting outside at my favorite coffee place, relaxing at my kitchen table, or picking up a steaming cup and enjoying it on a sunny park bench, just the two of us. It’s fun to get to know someone in a deeper way than can be accomplished, just in passing, at church. 

Being an introvert, I especially enjoy the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with people. It’s in that more intimate setting that I open-up, allowing them to get to know my story and my heart. Most introverts don’t feel they are really known until they have this opportunity. Sometimes introverts are misjudged as being aloof or arrogant when they are just quietly waiting for the opportunity to reveal themselves in a smaller, safer, setting. (It’s hard to be known when extroverts are in the room!) But this post isn’t about introverts, it’s about a key component of women’s ministry and that is: the importance of encouragement and transparency when ministering to women.

As I sit outside with a friend, enjoying my “cinnamon dolce latte, grande, hot”, or my favorite Keurig coffee flavor at my kitchen table, it’s never just about the coffee. Instead, it’s about:

  • Getting to know each other’s personal story. 
  • Sharing our trials, tragedies, fears, and struggles.
  • Sharing prayer requests or praying for each other right then and there.
  • Encouraging one another to persevere in difficult situations.
  • Sharing spiritual wisdom and advice.
  • Gently admonishing one another, steering each other back onto the right path, when necessary.
  • Sharing an appropriate scripture verse for a particular situation.

Perhaps the most important thing that happens over a cup of coffee (or a lunch date) is that women begin to feel loved, seen and known. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, shining the light of Jesus to the women in our churches and neighborhoods—being transparent with our lives and taking the time to get to know them—women are drawn closer to God. 

Is there someone you could encourage today? Invite them for a coffee or lunch date. Share your story and patiently listen to their story—without judgement. Ask them how you can pray for them. After all, coffee is never just coffee, you know!

“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)

“Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NASB)

“But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called ‘today’, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13 (NASB)

 

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