Subscribe
Saturday, January 31, 2026
25 F
Atlanta
type here...
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 26

Whatever You Do, Do It As Unto the Lord

By
Liz Guya
-
as unto the lord

Do it or Say it as Unto the Lord

as unto the lordHaving the right perception of God is key to everything as we spend time with Him and even as we serve Him. We are called to shine a light on the world, to serve as unto the Lord whether we’re called to the five-fold ministry, or if we’re called to be a lawyer, doctor, or even a housewife.

Service is part of being a Christian. When you are serving as unto the Lord, it becomes a ministry. You don’t have to be ordained to minister to your family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues.

Of course, there is a place for leadership and accountability, however, we are by nature called to serve. God expects us to serve, shining our light and being the salt of the earth as we serve the world and the church (Matthew 5:13).

Ministry is for Everyone

No one should say, “I am not called to minister or teach.”  Every believer should be able to share the truth of the gospel whether through your testimony or by doing good to others.

Colossians 3:23-24 says that we should do everything as unto the Lord and not unto men.

The Amplified Bible goes on further to say, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.”

Your manner of service is very important – especially if you are serving in a place where there are no believers. This includes your workplace, for family, or people in authority such as your teachers or the police.

Serve More When the Work is Difficult

gifts and callingsIt’s easy to do things unto the Lord when things are easy and it’s what you love to do. However, when you are going to work and your boss is on your case and doesn’t appreciate your work, in difficult environments like these. it is good to focus on Jesus and do your work as if you are doing it for Him. Work and serve as if Jesus is your boss.

This is not to say that God always allows believers to go through suffering so that they learn to serve Him. No, that’s not the case. Sometimes difficult service shows us that no matter what situation we are in, He is there to protect us and will use us in that place to shine His light to that person. It is all by faith. 

God will also ensure that even though you are being mistreated as you focus on serving Him, it is God that gives you the reward. That means you focus totally on God being your source – no matter what.

Think of it this way, “Serving the Lord gives dignity to the job no matter what it is.” 

So, what’s the play call?

Even if your work is to cut grass, imagine cutting grass for the Creator of the universe. Of course, God doesn’t need grass to be cut, but just because you are doing it for Him, it brings enthusiasm to a job that some may see as a menial task.

God wants to use us to shine our light, so that by faith no matter what you do you do it for God.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV

PhD-Level Forgiveness: How to Advocate For Those Who Have Offended You

By
Kim Brightness
-
forgiveness

brokennessI think we can all agree that forgiveness is a learned behavior. Think about when you were in pre-school or kindergarten and someone broke, or worse, took your favorite crayon.

We all had to be talked down from the meltdown. We screamed, folded our arms, kicked our legs in the best tantrum we could muster. We rolled our eyes at the person to the point of burning a hole into their coloring book lol. Our parents or the pre-school teacher had to gently guide us to understand that a) it wasn’t the end of the world, b) maybe little Sue didn’t know you were using the crayon, or c) it became a lesson in learning how to share.

Share? And let someone else use my Razzmatazz and Carnation Pink crayons?

Yep. We had to be taught these nuggets; forgiveness is not a natural, involuntary response to offense, heartache, or raw anger. True forgiveness takes repeated, committed practice. Now, I say “true” forgiveness, because some of us still believe that we have forgiven when we haven’t. We’re still in forgiveness class, and that’s ok. It’s only with practice, like anything else, that we get better at forgiveness – and faster at it, too.

What Does PhD-Forgiveness Look Like?

forgivenessWe are all at different levels in our ability and practice of forgiveness. Some of us still have grade-school meltdowns at slight offense where there’s no physical, mental, or emotional harm. Some of us have undergraduate level forgiveness where we’ve learned the basics and have a firm understanding of the call to forgive (Colossians 3:13). Others have “mastered” forgiveness after repeat experience of letting things and people go, choosing peace over the offense, or mastering how to appropriately process offense, disappointment, and pain.

Today, I want to introduce you to what I call PhD-level forgiveness. This level is not for the faint of heart. Like a doctor who skips her last year of medical school and goes right into the operating room – someone could get seriously hurt.

If you try this mastery of forgiveness in your own might or power without the undergirding of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6), it will not be done in the Spirit of Truth and God will not be glorified.

Becoming a Forgiveness Advocate

In PhD-level forgiveness, you become an advocate. An advocate, like Christ, is one who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause. In 1 John 2:1, we find that if we sin or offend God by breaking His law, Jesus Christ is our righteous advocate. He died publicly for the sins of the world and now serves as our High Priest who we can boldly call on in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).

So right off, we see that PhD-level forgiveness, or advocacy, is not a strategy one can use in private. For instance, in a court of law, your attorney cannot advocate for you from his or her living room. He or she must enter the courtroom and publicly defend your rights before others.

Where am I going with this?

In PhD-level forgiveness, plainly put, you openly champion or advocate for the forgiveness of others – but not just anyone or everyone – the one who specifically and directly offended you.

Wait! So, I have to advocate for the forgiveness of the one who hurt me – in front of them?

Yep. You’re their advocate. Here’s what that looks like.

PhD-level Forgiveness in Action

Nope, it’s not going to be easy to your “flesh” to advocate for the one who hurt you. It will feel strangely similar to an attorney representing the person who killed their loved one. Doesn’t get any stranger than that, right?!

But, it is possible – with PhD:

Profession

In order to advocate for your offender’s forgiveness, you must enter the arena with the profession in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that what He’s called us to do is right and just. This profession will go against every painful memory in your mind – but this is where you LET the mind of Christ reign in you. Give Jesus’ thoughts and His mindset permission to rule over and above what you think or feel.

humility

See that little “h”? That’s to signify how much you’ll have to decrease to allow God to increase in your advocacy. As you champion the right of your offender, your will to retaliate, punish, or hold in guilt becomes unimportantly small. Where once all that used to matter was what they did to you and how it made you feel, those feelings are now smothered as you clothe yourself in humility:

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

As God gives us grace, we are able to gift grace to the recipient of our advocacy.

Defense

Here’s the thing – this level of forgiveness is not about defending the actions of the person. Neither are you letting the person off the hook for all subsequent consequences to said actions or behavior.

What you are doing is defending your offender’s right and access to the promises of God!

Does your offender have a soul that Jesus Christ died to save? Yes. Is your offender part of the “world” that God so loved (John 3:16)? Yes.

As you advocate for the person who offended you, you’re actually disrupting and uprooting the lies of the enemy – that they can never be forgiven, that they will remain in the bondage of their sin, that they’re unworthy or too filthy for God’s love.

You see, at the PhD-level of forgiveness, you’re given the opportunity to surgically contend for the faith – to directly wrestle with principalities and rulers of darkness. Pluck your offender out of the grips of depression. Fight for their freedom and all charges to be dropped and buried in the Sea of Forgetfulness! Should your offender’s rights to the promises of God be snatched away from them – on your watch?

God forbid.

In defense of their rights, openly and audibly advocate – tell them:

“In spite of what you’ve done to me, God still loves you. He’s a faithful God who sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins and mine. You have access to grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. I will not participate with the enemy to strip you of your rightful access to forgiveness. Nor will I actively participate in keeping you in bondage to guilt and shame – not when Christ paid the price to make us free.”

You have no idea the crushing blow this deals to the enemy – and you may save a life in the process as you glorify God.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to this level of forgiveness, where you operate in divine love, truth, and compassion on a level that transcends your feelings and emotions.

Have I experienced PhD-forgiveness before? Yep, only once. Another teammate was being crushed before my eyes by how they hurt me; the enemy was pounding them into broken, depressed pieces. Only by the grace of God was I able to set my feelings aside and fight for them to hold on to God’s promises for their life. God’s love hadn’t changed about them – only my love had been severely bruised. But, what did my ought have to do with their soul? Nothing.

I pray that you will experience PhD-level forgiveness, too – on the giving or receiving end. It’s all about snatching a soul from the grips of the enemy – and you never know if or when you might need someone to do the same thing for you.

When Women Hurt: The War Against Gender-Based Violence

By
Tamsyn Cornelius
-
Gender-Based Violence

Poverty, hunger, crime, and joblessness are just some of the blatant concerns that have affected many impoverished nations for generations. In 2020, we can add the chaos that is COVID-19, together with economic lockdowns that have brought many countries to a standstill. The result is that many hidden evils have begun to surface – and women and children often pay the price through heartache, violence, and domestic abuse.

For many of us, being forced into a COVID-19 lockdown situation with our families has equated to more time spent bonding, baking, crafting, and connecting with our loved ones. However, for far too many vulnerable women and children, social isolation and lockdowns have escalated tangible realities of fear, pain, and abuse as women from around the world become trapped at home with their perpetrators.

Sadly, the statistics reveal that an average of one in three women worldwide has experienced some form of physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime and that globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by a male intimate partner. These shocking facts signify that, for a third of women around the world, domestic abuse and gender-based violence are common occurrences with devastating outcomes.

Shining a Spotlight on Gender-based Violence in Africa

gender-based violence
Photo: @Equalizer_69 / Twitter / TheSouthAfrican.com

As a South African woman of color living in Cape Town, there are certain social ills that vie for my attention every single day. In my own nation, safety, crime, and violence are always a major concern, and more so for the most vulnerable communities in our country. Over the past 12 months, we have seen a surge of crime with terrifying reports of women and children senselessly raped and murdered at the hands of men.

A young Theology student is brutally raped and murdered alongside her grandfather in their family home; an 8-month pregnant mom is stabbed to death and found hanging in a tree; a single woman is attacked in her apartment and dismembered by her neighbor; a university student is lured into a post office and sexually assaulted, killed and dumped by a male postal worker. These are just a few of the horrific, real-life occurrences that have shaken our nation to the core over the past year. Sadly, many of these stories never reach international media. Even more unfortunate is that there are countless other testimonies of young girls victimized, children killed, and women assaulted by their own partners.

In fact, research suggests that South Africa currently has the highest rates of reported rape cases in the world (approximately 50,000 cases per year). As a nation, we are also currently number 13 of the 20 global hotspots for gender-based violence which accounts for 77% of homicides globally.

The statistics are petrifying, and as a part of the global body of Christ, we need to act.

We can no longer stay oblivious to the harsh reality faced by countless vulnerable people groups around the world. It is our mandate to stand up for those who cannot fight for themselves and this often means stepping out of our own cushy environments and recognizing that there is a dire need for change in the world today – and that we can be a part of this change, if only we were willing to take note and take action.

So, What’s the Play Call?

  • Learn as much as you can. If you do not know where to start, begin by educating yourself and your family about the reality of gender-based violence and domestic abuse – in your community, and in the world at large. With hundreds of thousands of women affected globally, we can no longer ignore this devastating issue. It cannot be swept under the rug. We need to speak openly about the dangers, the signs, and the freedom we can have in Jesus to break the cycle of abuse.
  • Speak up. We need to be addressing the issue of gender-based violence and speaking openly about it in our homes, in our schools, in our local media, and in our churches. We need to share our own stories of abuse and how to overcome through Jesus Christ. What we bring into the light will no longer keep us captive in the dark. Ephesians 5:8: “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
  • Keep others accountable. We need to keep the men and fathers in our lives accountable to protect and love their families. We need to teach our children from a young age what is appropriate behavior and how to adequately honor women for their roles in society. We need to call out ungodly behavior that places women and children in compromised or dangerous situations.
  • Guard the tongue. We need to leave no room in our lives and hearts for demoralizing talk of women. We need to call out those who normalize negative speech and actions toward women. We should stand up for the rights of women and children, especially in situations – and communities – where their voices are not being heard.
  • War on your knees. There is an evident war on our women and children happening today. We need to fight on our knees and contend with the Lord for protection, comfort, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3:12: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Let us ask God what it is we can do as a global body to be a part of the solution and to bring peace and healing to homes.
  • Help where we can. There are several organizations doing their part to protect and care for vulnerable women and children. Find out about initiatives in your community and get involved. Find out about programs in your region at The National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
  • Be alert and know the signs. If one-third of women globally are affected by sexual or domestic abuse, then the chances are extremely high that, in our lifetime, we have had personal experience with this issue, or that we know someone stuck in this cycle right now. Be aware of the women in your circles. Look out for the danger signs of abuse around you. Care for the women in your life – the daughters, aunts, neighbors, friends, and family where you have an influence. There are several physical and emotional signs you can look out for in the women and children in your sphere of influence. The following are a few of the evident signs that a woman or child may be in trouble:
    • Physical signs: unexplained injuries or bruising such as scars, sprains, cuts, etc.
    • Emotional signs: the person is increasingly anxious, agitated, or unusually quiet and melancholic. She may present with low self-esteem, depression, or seem suicidal.
    • Psychological signs: Fear and anxiety are evident. She may have a real fear of going home or fear related to a specific individual or place i.e. a husband, brother, uncle etc.
    • Behavioral signs: She may begin to isolate herself and stop seeing friends or family. She may also drop out of activities that she once enjoyed. She may speak about a jealous partner or his ‘bad temper’ or ‘possessiveness’.

How can you help?

It may be an extremely sensitive issue to try and assist a friend or acquaintance who is experiencing abuse at home. Be a good friend and be present to offer help, support, and prayer as needed. Follow your God-given instinct when something does not feel right, and report abuse to the right channels.

Isaiah 56:1: “This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.”

If you suspect that someone you know is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, you can find other great resources online at the US Department of Health’s Office on Women’s Health, or call the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to get advice.

 

Does Your Church Have a Plan for Dealing with Sex Offenders?

By
Christianity Today
-
sex offenders

Churches that suspended in-person gatherings during the pandemic have pledged not to welcome their congregations back until they’re sure they can be safe. While the risk of coronavirus spread is a major concern right now, LifeWay Christian Resources is urging leaders to use their reopening plans as a chance to also revisit their policies to prevent sexual abuse.

Most pastors see their churches as safe places that protect against abuse and offer healing to victims, but protocols vary by congregation.

At the Family Empowerment Center, a church in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, pastors, and staff are trained to pay attention to new faces. During one Sunday gathering before the pandemic, they noticed a visitor intently watching children in the congregation. They met him, learned his name, and later found him listed on a sex offender registry. His Facebook page also turned up unsettling posts about children.

What can sex offenders expect at your church?

abusive churchThe church had a plan in place for cases like his, developed based on conversations with the local alderman, police officials, and other church leaders. Tony Silker, an associate pastor at the Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation, had a conversation with the man on his next visit, explaining what they found. Silker said he could not return; if he did, the staff would call the police.

Silker gave the man information about another church in the neighborhood that ministers to people struggling with sexual addiction and urged him to get the support he needed.

The staff at Family Empowerment Center are trained to interact with registered sex offenders because they expect sex offenders to enter their church. The church works with the homeless and other vulnerable populations in the high-crime crevices of …

Continue reading…

Fear of the Unknown: God’s Blessings May Surprise You

By
Jeannette Tyson
-
fear of the unknown

Fear of the Unknown That God Knows

prepare for what we pray forI wrote an article about preparing for what you asked God to do in your life. It highlighted the dangers of being unprepared when looking to receive what God has for you. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately because I believe we’re in a restoration season! We’re taught a lot about perseverance and patience and not as much about how to live in abundance.

Even when you prepare for something you’ve asked for – you can read books, watch videos, listen to teachings – but there’s nothing like the real thing. I talked about how we should always be ready to receive, but now I’m realizing that you can be so overly studied and prepared for something that you get shell-shocked when it actually happens. Balance is something I think we will always have to practice in life.

The Most Prepared Teammate Still Needs God

God is now showing me that even the most prepared person must trust in Him.

christianFor me, that is the hard part. Not that I don’t trust God, I’m learning to walk by faith in new situations, actually doing it. We have to be careful not to become complacent in our preparation season because at some point it will be “showtime” – then we’ll find out how ready we really are. For example, first-time parents may know the stages of development or infant CPR, but nothing can prepare you for the actual work of caring for such a tiny, helpless being. It can be surreal.

Part of preparation should be wrapping your mind around the fact that there will be some stuff you just have to learn on the fly. When you get to this point, open your heart to God and say, “I’m ready for You to walk me through the unknown.” This is the spiritual preparation.

We don’t even realize how much we don’t know until we wish we knew. Emotions are especially tricky to navigate in these situations. When stepping into the unknown, your flesh may feel fear and doubt and it can be devastating to know that these feelings are coming from something you prayed and prepared for. These thoughts can make you unravel and you’ll get to see what’s really in you. Getting everything you want and need will reveal your heart, and pressure will always show you what you’re made of.

Subject Your Thoughts to Christ

remove the plank from own your eyeThe most difficult part is trying to determine which of the conflicting thoughts are of God. We question ourselves and our decisions trying to figure out if it’s just a normal part of warfare that comes with the success, or if we’ve wasted time pursuing the wrong things in life.

It can be extremely stressful, but God said if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our path (Proverbs 3:6). The point is, we wouldn’t have ever known how to distinguish God’s voice had it not been for the inner struggle. When you make your choice, the peace or restless feelings that follow will confirm whether you’ve made the right decision. We just need to keep in mind that it takes faith and action – even when we’ve studied and prepared for the possibilities.

I didn’t know I had a fear of success until I started being blessed! Even though I worked daily to achieve – once the achievement was realized, it was scary. There’s a higher mantle that we can’t specifically prepare for simply because it’s unknown.

The good news is that the Word of God can keep us in any situation. No matter where we find ourselves, we can look to the Word for encouragement and peace. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you with my right hand.”  Being able to speak life over yourself is vital for overcoming the fear of the unknown. Find a scripture for whatever the situation is and speak it over your life.

Make Room for God’s Surprises

During this time of restoration, let’s be mindful that the Bible also says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those that love Him.” Team, we just need to get ready to be amazed at what God is doing. We need to change our perspective on preparation to balance the natural with the spiritual so that fear won’t manifest in self-sabotage.

Stepping into the unknown and walking by faith is the best way to grow in your relationship with God. It forces you to depend on Him and consistently seek His presence. There’s a desperation that rises in you that makes you pursue Him like never before, and in that place is fullness of joy. Whatever happens in the natural no longer seems relevant. The bond you form with the Father during this time will sustain you through anything to come!

So, What’s the Play Call?

  • In order to spiritually prepare for restoration, think outside the box and get used to the idea of the unknown.
  • When fear or insecurity comes, meditate on the Word. One scripture that will help is Philippians 4:6-7 on being overly anxious.
  • Remember that stepping out on faith will strengthen your relationship with God – it’s an opportunity for the ultimate bond with the Father.

Be Blessed!

 

Team Jesus: The Joy and Pain That Comes With the Game

By
Keiston France
-
team jesus

As Team Jesus, what do we consider to be the “trials” of our sport? What parts of our character are tied to those trials? Do they test our wills, our bodies, our attitudes, our emotions, or all the above? How deeply are we affected by those trials?

In 1 Peter 1:6, we read, “You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials.”

In the world of athletes, we all can find great enjoyment and fulfillment in playing the game for which we have skill and talent. In fact, many of us seemingly live for competition. But, the trying parts of the process often wear us down. The disappointment and frustration that comes with sore muscles, painful joints, disappointing losses, and strained relationships can deplete our strength.

The Mind to Win on Team Jesus

4th quarter comebackWe greatly rejoice in the best parts of our game, but we also, for a little while, may have to undergo plenty of grief. It may feel like a lifetime, but I want to encourage you with two words from our focus verse: short time. The afflictions we face while playing on Team Jesus can’t compare with the glory that will be revealed in and through us (Romans 18:8).

So today, let’s focus our minds on our favorite parts of the game (Philippians 4:8). Those plays where our opponent, the enemy, thought he had us – but God designed a “FLOOD GATE RIGHT BREAK” play call that shook him off of our trail. Put yourself in remembrance of when the game broke your spirit, but God sent another teammate to encourage you and lift your head (Psalm 3:3). Remind yourself that when the time on the clock is running out, and it seems like you’re out of answers, The Way, The Truth, and The Life – Jesus Christ – has a master plan you’ve never dreamed about that will cause you to triumph (John 14:6).

So, What’s The Play Call?

Team Jesus! Let’s put the grief and the trials behind us, keep a clear view of our team’s goals, and press on toward a great finish!

  1. What part of competition/practice do you dread the most? Why?
  2. How can you look at that activity in a positive light?
  3. What attitude would Jesus want you to have?

Father, I admit that there are things about the game that I do not enjoy. Help me to see those tasks through Your eyes and bring You glory in everything I do. Amen.

Post-Workout Stretch

“This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.” – Psalm 119:50

“Consider it a great joy, my * brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2–4

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.” – 1 Peter 4:12–13

 

5 Ways to Nurture Your God-Given Gifts and Talents

By
Alecia M. White
-
god given gifts

My eleven-year-old nephew gave me a plant for Mother’s Day because, well, he’s my kid and kids get people plants and such. You aunts out there know how that goes. Anyhoo, I’m not a plant person. I appreciate the benefits and their contributions to the air and all that, but I have never been good at taking care of them. I do follow all the directions, it just never seems to work out between us.

This time, though, I have been determined to take care of this plant. I’ve made it a point to talk to her (that’s what plant people do), water her (but not too much), and keep her out of direct sunlight (per the tag’s instructions). I even gave my plant a name, Reba, because that’s what all of my plant-parent friends have done.

You know what? It has worked! I mean the determination part, not necessarily the naming part. Reba is “since Mother’s Day” old and she is yet flourishing. It’s even time to re-pot her and I am pretty stoked about it. 

How Are We Caring for Our God-Given Gifts?

god given giftsSo, what was the difference this time? Well, for one, I was determined not to kill my plant, my gift. She was a gift and I had to learn how to take care of her.

This was very key; I took the time to learn how to take care of my plant. I did some reading and paid extra attention to how the sunlight enters my bedroom window so I would know where to place her. And, I even check the soil regularly to be sure she doesn’t need watering. I also had to stop saying “I’m not a plant person”. That helped because words are powerful. Yep, our Playbook says so in Proverbs 18:21. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

God’s Gifts Deserve Our Attention

How many times has God entrusted you with a gift that you, initially, knew nothing about? How did you handle it? Sure, He equips us to care for and cultivate what He gives us, but we must be determined not to “kill” our gifts.

So often, it is easy to mishandle God’s gifts by just writing ourselves off as incapable because of our pasts, or even because we realize we don’t actually have a knack for what is in front of us.

The thing about gifts is that, in many cases, we do not ask for them. Yes, we put requests out there, but sometimes people give you what they want you to have. And, the thing about gifts from God is that He does not check our “wishlist”; His gifts don’t come with a gift receipt. This can be tough because chances are you won’t get what you want and you probably won’t know how to care for it at first.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Here are a few things to remember to help you keep your gift alive:

  1. Learn where your gift grows best. Reba will not grow in direct sunlight; it’s too much for her. Some of us want to grow our gifts in an atmosphere that is not conducive to their livelihood. Don’t do that, you’ll only kill it. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
  2. Be determined. That is the difference between my growing Reba now and trying to care for plants in the past. This time, I am determined to keep her alive. You, too, must put in the work and let your determination take over. “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
  3. Be patient. Be patient with yourself and that growing gift. It took weeks before I noticed any new leaves and opening flower buds. Just as with my spiritual gifts, I learned that it takes time for them to develop. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4
  4. Remember, it is a gift. Sometimes we forget that our gifts are, well, gifts. We did not earn the right to them, we aren’t that good. Nope, God just thought enough of us to share. “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:9
  5. Let the Gift Giver show you how. I mean, what more effective way to learn about our gifts than to ask the One who gave them to us to begin with? Just as I had to consult the instruction card to learn about Reba, we must consult God about how to properly care for our gifts. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given.” James 1:5

Be determined to keep your gift alive. That is what it’s going to take. And never let your past failures keep you from growing in grace. 

Life Lessons I Learned from a Landscaper

By
Charlene Evans
-
life lessons

I know this guy who is a landscaper. Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land or gardening; the art and craft of growing plants with a goal of creating a beauty within the landscape.

To hear him talk about his profession, it made me think about the Time, Experience, and Patience he has to have in order to see a plant grow. It’s amazing how these characteristics are synonymous with the unique components each individual needs in order to grow in life.

Life Lessons in Strong Roots

bloom where you're plantedHe explained to me how there are three major things that a plant needs in order to produce: Soil, Fertilizer, and Water.

But, with those three components necessary for your plant to grow, you want the roots to be strong and resilient.

So, he told me that he starts planting seeds in the fall and not the spring. Really? I thought to myself, isn’t that a little early? He laughed saying, “No, it’s a great time.” Why? He begins to explain to me that while the seeds are lying dormant in the ground, they’re not affected by the colder weather, and by the time spring comes, the roots would have been trained to sustain fluctuations in the weather.

The process used to make the roots strong involves watering a plant and waiting until the leaves wilt or get weak. Then, you water it again. When it revives itself, repeat the process. Wait 3-4 days if the temperature is cooler outside, but if the temperature is warmer, do it every 1-2 days.

The reason for doing this is to build and strengthen the root system. So when a plant goes through extreme circumstances it will be able to withstand the harsh conditions getting ahead of the change in weather and expanding between two seasons.

How Strong are Your Roots?

I thought about how the unpredictable trials of life would come and go, causing me to feel weak at times. In those seasons, I would make a decision to change the way I looked at the trial. The life lesson would be so refreshing to me, just like that sprinkle of water to the leaves of a frail plant.

While I could never predict the “Time” when these moments in life will show up, through past “Experience” I’ve learned the value of “Patience” knowing that my being upset was not going to change what I had to learn from the situation.

I want to thank that Landscaper for teaching me the life lesson of the Time, Experience, and Patience it takes to do his job.

It motivated and inspired me to want to be that BLOOM of beauty in the landscape of my life, holding steadfast and rooted no matter what obstacle comes my way.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Here are 3 helpful scriptures to encourage and motivate us with Time, Experience, and Patience:

  • Time: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
  • Experiences: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.” Psalm 34:8
  • Patience: “I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1

 

Words on Bathroom Walls: A Window Into Teen Mental Illness

By
Editorial Staff
-

words on bathroom wallsIn WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS, this coming-of-age film tells the story of a seemingly typical young boy navigating through his final year of high school and excited to pursue his dreams of becoming a professional chef – but by the middle of the year, he is diagnosed with a mental disorder that puts his plans to a halt. After enrolling in a Catholic school, he finds himself shifting from his fear of being exposed to accepting the love and support of his family, blossoming romance, and the head priest.

Starring Charlie Plummer (All the Money in the World), Taylor Russell (Waves), Andy Garcia (Godfather Part III, The Untouchables), and AnnaSophia Robb (Because of Winn-Dixie, Bridge to Terabithia)

Find Tickets

To see where Word on Bathroom Walls is playing and to find tickets, please visit https://www.wordsonbathroomwallsmovie.com/

Clip: “I’ll Crack You”

TJM focus

  • How can the body of Christ prepare, show empathy, and reach those who need healing from mental illness?
  • Are we guided by the healing grace of Jesus Christ when it comes to mental illness as compared to other illnesses people face?

Why I Increased my Prayers for Pastors

By
Kristina Bolton
-
prayers for pastors

Prayers for Pastors are Desperately Needed

Teammate Down

evangelicalsAs you have read, heard, and maybe talked about, a pastor of a megachurch recently took his own life. While many people have their thoughts on mental illness and its place in Body of Christ, one thing is certain – a man was a victim of an untimely death. This was an irrevocable blow to his family and this team.

While I didn’t know this pastor, I stumbled across another pastor who did. After reading his article and post, I was moved with great compassion. I began to lament in my room, petitioning God for help for His leaders.

The article was beautifully written and gave helpful insight into the struggles of a pastor. Being an assistant to my pastor, I can wholeheartedly testify to what he has shared.

Pastors have a tough job that many people do not understand. I am only a witness to the heavy burden they carry and even that is filtered. We can’t imagine, first hand, how difficult that office may be.

I hope this article encourages you to increase your prayers for pastors as they fight on the front lines of this team.

A Brief Look Into the Life of a Pastor

prayers for pastorsA pastor is someone that God has elected to care for His flock. Your leader may not go by the title “Pastor,” but when I say pastor, I am referring to any leader that oversees the congregation of God.

Hebrews 13:17 says that church leaders watch for our souls and are accountable to God concerning those they lead. Their role in the Body Christ is vital because it has an effect on our eternal destiny. This is a position that not all people can effectively occupy unless truly chosen by God to do so.

You may ask, “Well, what about Jesus?”

Indeed, our Lord is the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20), who cannot be moved. But He chooses those like Peter, for example, to care for and feed his flock until He returns again. Undershepherds are people, with feelings, weaknesses, and struggles just like every other person.

Pastors are like parents, but their job is much harder. As the oldest in my family, I saw firsthand the struggles of my parents. Pastors pour out so much with very little in return. They are often under the scrutiny of those they care for and outsiders, yet they continue in their God-given assignment no matter their conditions.

It is here that I felt the pull of God to increase my prayers. I can identify with people who are always assumed to be strong. I have learned over the years that there is a time when the strong get weak and are in need of help for themselves. Therefore, praying for your leaders no matter how strong they appear is imperative.

The Enemy is a War Strategist

As a person who has the call to be a pastor, I am in no rush to do so. I will wait until the appointed and ordained time because the Lord has revealed, in part, to me what lies ahead – War.

Ezekiel 34:5 says that when there is no shepherd, the flock scatters. The enemy is privy to this knowledge, so he will unleash forces against the leader in an effort to take out the entire congregation.

I’m reminded of the movie The Patriot with Mel Gibson. There is a scene where he briefly teaches his children war strategy during battle; he instructs them to identify and take out the leaders (officers) first. Through this, the children were able to make way for their father to kill the other soldiers. Hence you had one adult and two children take out an entire group of soldiers. As I watched this years ago, the Lord gave me a revelation concerning war and how this pertains to us who are spiritual.

The enemy targets our leaders in an attempt to take out our entire team! This is one reason why some of them are falling and fainting. Let us not unrighteously judge their circumstances, but band together in prayer for those that lead us.

SO, WHAT’S THE PLAY CALL?

Hebrews 13:18 reveals one of the many times that the Apostle Paul invited the prayers of the saints through his epistles. He simply writes, “Pray for us.”

As we are in the last days, his request is the cry of many of today’s leaders alike. They are attacked mentally, physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. While we have lost one pastor, many others are hanging on by a thread.

Let us take an edifying route. Pray for all pastors and stand against the war that the enemy has waged. Outside of their title, they are still our brethren, teammate, and co-heir.

I pray that this prompts you, too, to increase your prayers for God’s leaders.

 

1...252627...98Page 26 of 98

STAY CONNECTED

6,517FansLike
2,584FollowersFollow
2,238FollowersFollow

POPULAR ARTICLES

Team Jesus Magazine is a digital Christian playbook created to honor God, and uplift and inform the body of Christ.

Popular

Don’t Pick the Scabs: 5 Ways We Block Our Own Healing

2
When life wounds us, God protects our healing process with scabs we can't see. Here's how we get in the way and block our own healing - and how we can stop.

4 Fabulous Ways to Know When You Have Forgiven Someone

14
How do we know when we've truly forgiven the other person? It may not be a hug, but these 4 signs are good indicators.

The 5 Dangers of Second Guessing Yourself

5
The decision has been made. Perhaps you’ve brewed over the...

5 Ways to Discern God’s Gifts vs. the Enemy’s Counterfeits

2
Like the counterfeiter he is, the devil is in the blessing business, too. Well, sorta. Here's how to discern your blessings.

Headlines

Relationship Goals on Prime Video, February 4th

0
Can One Book Change Your Relationship? About When brilliant TV producer...

Sarah’s Oil Producer Derrick Williams on Faith, Community & Overcoming Odds

0
The powerful story of Sarah Rector is one that...

Sarah’s Oil: What Would Sarah Rector Do in 2025?

0
In a world saturated with 24-hour news cycles of...

Sarah’s Oil, November 7th

0
Know Her name. Share Her Story. About Sarah’s Oil is the...

Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

© 2025 Team Jesus Magazine. All rights reserved.