Friday, July 15, 2016

Who gets the effort?



I have prayed with and talked with too many women who feel that they are expected to make the "big effort" and invest in people who consistently choose others over them. These women feel like they are expected to put first people who have consistently put them second.
Honestly, I don't know what to tell them outside of "Jesus puts you first. HE is always worthy of being first in your life. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He will ALWAYS be there for you." I believe this completely and find so much comfort in these promises, but feel that, for someone who doesn't follow hard after Christ, more "tangible" suggestions, thoughts, etc. are needed.

So, I'm curious, who gets the effort in your life? How do you determine who gets the effort? Why do you invest in the people you invest in? These are the questions that come to mind:


 "WHO do you invest in?"
  • Who gets the effort?
  • Who do you drop everything for?
  • Who do you adjust your schedule to accommodate?
  • When making plans with multiple people, who's availability determines the date and time?
  • If time is synonymous with value, who do you value most?

"WHY do you invest in them?"
  • Because they need you most?
  • Because you have a deep meaningful history with (and love for) them?
  • Because they are family?
  • Because they share your life daily?
  • Because they invested in you?
  • Because they make your life difficult if you don't put them first?
 Finally, what would YOU tell someone in this situation?

I'd really like to know various thoughts on this. Feel free to comment or, if you don't want to publicly comment, contact me via email.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Who Needs Jesus?



Looking back over my life, I am sad to say that there really were not that many people who openly and boldly intentionally shared Christ with me. We went to church when I was young, but moved and dropped out when I was a teen. I went to church off and on with my Nan my first years of college (mostly just to make her happy.) To be honest I wasn’t particularly interested in the rules I associated with Church. It was easy to apply sermons and Bible lessons to everyone but myself. It was easy to dismiss and justify my own sin because people spoke about sin in generalities. I didn't have anyone who was willing to consistently tell me personally that I (me, Kris, not "everyone", but ME) needed the forgiveness, grace, love, and mercy Christ offers. It wasn’t until my early-mid-twenties that I met someone who explained Jesus and my need for His presence in my life. He showed me the love of Christ in every way he knew how. He applied Scripture to most every situation. He helped me see my need for a Savior and my life changed forever.
I am so thankful for the one who saw my need for Christ above everything else. I am so thankful for his intentional prayers during small groups. I am so thankful that he showed me Jesus in many different ways. I am so thankful that he took the time and made the effort to show me my need for a Savior. Of all the gifts I’ve been given and all the friendships I’ve had, this is the most precious because he gave me life.
 
I have to wonder what my history would look like if someone had boldly shared Christ with me earlier.
More than that, I wonder who in my life needs that same gentle, patient push to know Christ. I wonder who in my life needs more than an invitation to church. I wonder who in my life is waiting for me to tell them that they need a Savior.
I know that Jesus changed the very fiber of who I am and, because of that, I do believe that our greatest need is Jesus. Nothing this world offers has any value if we spend eternity in hell. I do want the people in my life to know Christ. No, that’s not right. I want the people in my life to have a deep, passionate, and meaningful relationship with Christ. I want them to have a living, growing, active relationship with our Savior that colors every moment of every day of their lives. I want them to bask in the beauty of His perfect love. I want them to find absolute peace and comfort in His embrace. I want them to find courage in His strength.
But enough about me…
Who in your life needs to know Christ?
Who needs YOU to show them, tell them, and tell them again that they need a Savior?
Better yet,
Do you know the Savior I spend so much time talking about? We're not talking about your neighbor, teacher, student, best friend, spouse, sibling, or coworker. Do you personally have a growing, active, meaningful, passionate relationship with Christ Jesus that colors every moment of every day of your life? Do you rest in the assurance of the promise of heaven and the forgiveness of sin?  Do you find comfort and peace in knowing Him? Do you draw our courage from His strength? If not, may I offer this to you? There is no one too good or too bad for Jesus. He loves you and wants a relationship with you. He can restore you and soothe all the broken places in your heart. He offers forgiveness for all things and promises eternity in heaven for those who believe in Him and turn from their own way of doing things and follow Him and His ways.
 
 

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Sinners in Need of a Savior

Sinners in Need of a Savior

         
black-and-white-person-woman-girl-large copy copy
 
 
I was out of town last week and didn't share my devo from The Internet Café.
You can read it here.
 
 
Still sorting thru my thoughts on the youth trip we chaperoned last week. Will share later this week!
 
Much love,
K