We’ve all learned (hopefully long ago!) that there are plenty of things money can’t buy. I mean, I think we’d rather have money than not! But no amount of cash can purchase real love, more time, good health, lasting peace, or a host of other things.

The older I get, the more I value wisdom. Parenting teenagers has shown me more than anything else how valuable wisdom is! It’s something that’s so important to have, yet it can’t be bought.

As Christian moms, we desire Godly wisdom. But how do we know if the wisdom we have is actually Godly wisdom? I think James 3:17 defines it well.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

I thought it might be helpful if we examined each of these characteristics a little further. If our wisdom is Godly, it will have these eight traits.

1. Pure

True wisdom lines up with what the Bible says. It doesn’t have any sinful thinking mixed in. It’s faithful to the truth found in God’s Word.

2. Peaceable

True wisdom isn’t contentious or angry. We know from James 3:14, 15 that those are characteristics of earthly wisdom. Instead, Godly wisdom is willing to sacrifice – not the truth – but our own preferences and strong opinions.

3. Gentle

Does the wisdom we believe we have manifest itself in kindness? Godly wisdom is calm and rational. I would say that it always has the best interest of others at its core.

4. Approachable

The phrase originally used here is “easy to be intreated.” In other words, true wisdom isn’t stubborn or unyielding. Rather it’s characterized by meekness and patience.

5. Merciful

It should go without saying that wisdom that comes from God will be full of mercy. How blessed we are to have a merciful God! And just as He has pity and compassion on us, Godly wisdom will lead us to have the same for others. No grudges are held; instead, forgiveness is offered in abundance.

6. Fruitful

It makes sense that Godly wisdom would produce good fruit. Wisdom is generous, not selfish. Just like fruit, real wisdom is constructive, helpful, and worthwhile.

7. Impartial

True wisdom doesn’t discriminate. James already dealt with this in chapter 2, verse 9. He says that if we have respect of persons, we’re in sin. God’s wisdom applies to everyone equally, regardless of their wealth, race, gender, etc.

8. Sincere

This seems like a simple one to grasp. There’s no place in wisdom for hypocrisy. Rather, it should be transparent, without a hidden motive or agenda, not deceitful.

We need wisdom in every area of our lives. Thankfully God promises to give it to those who recognize they need it and ask for it in faith. [James 1:5]

Since I referenced parenting earlier in this post, let’s see how these eight tests could apply in a specific situation. Maybe my teenager asks to do something, and I’m not sure whether to allow it or not.

First, I look for a principle in God’s Word to give me guidance. I believe as we pray and ask for the Holy Spirit’s help, He can direct us.

Then I talk through my decision with that child calmly, whether it’s a yes or a no, allowing them to ask questions and express an opinion as long as it’s done respectfully.

And if the answer isn’t what they wanted, I can empathize, without changing what I’ve decided. I let her know that I want good things for her life. And if I’m expecting her to live up to a certain standard, I’d better be doing the same myself!

God is the author of all wisdom. If we want that wisdom, we need to fear Him [Proverbs 9:10], ask Him for wisdom [James 1:5], and believe that He will give it to us.

Related posts:

• A Prayer for Wisdom in Parenting My Children
• Don’t Be a Fool: 5 Things to Avoid if You Want to Be Wise
• 10 Traits of a Wise Woman

I was in Starbucks recently, and after taking my order, the cashier asked for my name. I told her it was Tracey, and she asked, “Is that with an ‘-ey?”

Surprised that she guessed correctly, I told her yes, and mentioned that most people just spell it “Tracy.” Having it misspelled, especially by people who don’t know me, is not a big deal. However, it’s nice when someone does take the time to find out how to spell it right.

When it comes to the names of Bible characters, there are many we know well. Even non-church-attenders recognize names like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jonah.

While reading the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter one, I found an interesting person mentioned in verse five.  It says, “And Salmon begat Booz [Boaz] of Rachab [Rahab]; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;”

Rahab, Boaz, Ruth, and Jesse are all names with which I’m familiar. But never before had I noticed Salmon.  The more I considered this man, the more I realized what an interesting person he must have been.

Salmon married Rahab, a known harlot from the city of Jericho. She wasn’t one of his people, the children of Israel, but a foreigner.  We have no details about the circumstances surrounding their marriage. It makes me wonder what emotions, if any, were involved. Was it love, sympathy, kindness, or some sense of duty that prompted him to take this unlikely woman as his wife?

Secondly, he was the father of Boaz.  We know nothing about Salmon’s character, but we’re told a good bit about Boaz in the book of Ruth. Boaz was a “mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1), one who knew the Lord and showed compassion for those in need.  He was willing to take his rightful place as kinsman-redeemer and have Ruth for his wife.  Surely he learned some of these admirable traits from his father.   Like his father, Boaz married a woman who was an outsider.

While some Christians, today and in the past, have highly recognizable names, how many countless others have stories that are not recorded in history, yet have had a great impact for the cause of Christ? 

We know about David Livingstone and Amy Carmichael, but how many missionaries are faithfully serving in foreign countries in relative anonymity? Men like Billy Graham have been well-known, yet there are plenty of wonderful preachers who have never spoken to a large crowd.

Whether it’s an elderly widow who prays unceasingly for others, a young mother who spends her days pouring into the lives of her children, or a Christian businessman who has a vibrant testimony at work, God knows all about each one of them.

I’m thankful for the reminder Salmon is to us. We know so little about him, yet he’s listed in the genealogy of Jesus. In the same way, you and I don’t need to be well-known or full of talent to fulfill our place in God’s plan.  We don’t have to score hundreds of likes on Instagram or maintain a large platform to share the message of the gospel.

There’s nothing wrong with those things if that’s where God has put us. But our task is to surrender to His will, trusting that He knows how to work in our lives what is best for His kingdom. We just need to be faithful to do what He has called us to do.

So if you think that what you’re accomplishing today is small or unimportant, be encouraged by Salmon. None of us go unnoticed by God.

Related posts:

• 3 Questions to Ask Ourselves When We Wonder if What We’re Doing Really Matters
• 10 Things We Can Give Away Today
• 5 Bible Promises to Pray Over Your Life Today

Our daughters are at a teen retreat with their church youth group this week. On Sunday afternoon, they were busy doing laundry and packing for the trip.

I’ve noticed that one of them shares my list-making gene; whenever she travels, she makes a list of all that she needs to pack ahead of time. (I actually don’t ever make a packing list, but I do make lists for almost everything else! The one I’m currently working on is what this particular daughter needs for a first-aid/medical kit for college. Exciting stuff…)

It’s so satisfying for me to check the box or cross off items on a list. And unfortunately, sometimes that’s how I feel about spiritual disciplines…things like Bible reading, prayer time, Scripture memory, etc.

It’s like, “Okay, I have to get this done, then I can move on with my day.” Perhaps subconsciously I even think, “God will like me better and bless my day more if I’ve done these certain things.”

Do you ever feel that way? Maybe it’s because my personality tends to be performance-based. I feel that I’m loved when I’m “good,” when I perform in the way that’s expected of me.

Regardless, the following paragraph really resonated with me. I read it in the book The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman.

“Practicing a spiritual discipline is not about trying to earn something, prove something, or win. Practicing a spiritual discipline is more about receiving power to live in the kingdom. It’s about being aware of the presence of God and putting myself there on purpose so that my character might be transformed. It’s about training my mind and my will to practice what my heart deeply believes…It’s about becoming the person I already am in Christ.”

Our purpose in spending time with Jesus each day is not to check a box or make us feel better about ourselves. It’s to know God better and to grow to be more like Jesus. I don’t want to look at it as a “have-to in order to get God’s favor” but a “get-to because fellowship with my Savior is sweet.”

I like that she uses the phrase “training my mind and my will.” We won’t always jump out of bed and be ready to dive right into God’s Word. But as we establish a habit of spending time with Him, it can become an integral part of our day.

But just because I have that daily habit doesn’t mean I’m a spiritual giant for the rest of the day. Sometimes I can get up from reading my Bible and praying and five minutes later I’m frustrated with my husband and annoyed with my kids and I think, “Well, what good did that do me? I’m still the same person that I was before.”

That’s when we have to remember that spiritual growth is a process. It’s just like when we bury a seed in the ground and wait and wait and wait for just a small sliver of green to poke through. Sometimes we grow very, very slowly. But if we’re allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate our hearts, we can rest in knowing that “…He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.“

Since I read Emily’s quote last week, I’ve been trying to approach my time with the Lord a little differently. Instead of making it about me and getting it done, I want to make it about Him. It’s not a task to be accomplished, but a quieting of my heart and a seeking of what He would have me to learn about Him today.

Related posts:

• 5 Ways That Daily Quiet Time with God Changes Me
• Are You Communing or Consuming?
• 10 Things God Might Use to Change Us This Year

Photographs.

Having just finished our oldest daughter’s senior year of high school, we’ve taken lots of them over the past year. From the last first day of school in August to the reception after graduation in May, the past year is well documented on my cell phone!

We typically take pictures because we want to remember something about that moment in time. It could be the people that were there, the place where we were, what we were doing right then, or a combination of all three.

Pictures are a brief glance at that particular moment in life. And by the way, few people know what’s going on behind the smiles. Maybe it was a wonderful, memory-filled vacation…or maybe it was the one minute of the whole trip when the kids weren’t bickering back and forth!

Hopefully, we all have some spiritual memories as well, times in our lives we can look back on and say, “Thank God for how He worked in that situation.” Or “I wasn’t sure how that need was going to be met, but God was faithful.”

How often in the Old Testament we see God commanding His people to remember what He has done for them in the past. Not only was He to receive glory for His mighty acts, but it was also to encourage them for the future.

The Israelites getting ready to fight against the Canaanites and take over the Promised Land needed to remember how God had mightily redeemed them out of Egypt. That reminder of God’s power and faithfulness was to encourage them in their current struggle.

In Psalm 105, King David reminds His readers of God’s covenant with the Israelites. He takes us all the way back to Abraham, through Jacob and Joseph, and describes His deliverance of His people from Egypt.

In verse 105, we read, “Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth…”

Whatever trial you or I are in today, recalling God’s hand at work in our past will give us the faith to go on. How helpful and encouraging it can be to mindfully pause in our day with the purpose of recalling God’s faithfulness. Psalm 77:12 says, “I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”

These thoughts were actually inspired by the song Turn Around and See written by Heather Sorenson. Here are the words to the first verse and chorus.

You followed God’s hand, but you’re not where you had planned.
You stumbled in the place you were sure that you could stand.
So you press toward the goal, giving God control,
but the path is all uphill, and it seems you’re standing still.

But turn around and see!
Look what God has done:
Redeeming ev’ry scar to the image of His Son.
The battles you have fought are the vict’ries He has bought.
Though there’re many miles to go, and the journey seems so slow,
don’t lose faith down here below.
Just turn around and see.

You can listen to the song here.

We don’t want to dwell in the past. But looking back and recalling God’s faithfulness can give us the courage we need to live today.

Related posts:

• How’s Your Memory? 4 Benefits of Recalling God’s Work in Your Life
• When You’re in the Pit, Look Forward to Your New Song
• Beware! Potential Danger Ahead if You Forget

Sometimes when I’m reading my Bible, a particular word will stand out. A verse I recently studied made me want to dig in and get a better understanding of the word “strange.”

As I looked at the definition, one synonym that came up was “foreign.” Last week on our Western Caribbean cruise, my family and I were in the foreign countries of Honduras and Mexico.

Almost everyone we encountered spoke English, but I was reminded of how intimidating it must be to enter a country where you can’t easily communicate with people. That would have to be frustrating and even scary!

Psalm 81:9 is the verse where the word “strange” caught my attention. God is talking to Israel, and He says,

“There shall no strange god be in thee: neither shalt thou worship any strange god.”

Sounds like a repeat of one of the ten commandments, doesn’t it?

In this case, strange means alien or false. God is referring to those gods who were worshiped by foreign nations.

God is telling the Israelites to display absolute fidelity to Jehovah. And while we may not directly be part of that group, I believe God still calls us to worship and serve Himself only.

While we likely don’t bow before a carved statue, I think we’d all agree that there are other gods that can take precedence in our lives. The typical ones we think of might be money, material possessions, fame, and power.

And while I’m certainly prone to worshiping those, I came up with a list of other gods that I think I’m more tempted by on a regular basis. See if any of these might be present in your life.

1. The god of what other people think

I started off with one that can be so easily become part of my thought process! How we or our families are perceived by others can sometimes move us in a direction we shouldn’t go.

On the other hand, we can even choose to do “good” things with a wrong motive. Maybe we serve in a particular ministry at church so that people will see us and think we’re a good Christian.

God knows our hearts, and our calling is to do what He leads us to do in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. We can fall into worshiping another “god” when we look to people for our approval and fulfillment rather than to God.

“The greatest prison people live in is the fear of what other people think.” ~David Icke

2. The god of trusting in myself

This can happen in good times or in difficult ones. We can think that we’re capable of handling whatever comes. And when we’re successful, we decide to just rely on ourselves to keep getting the job done.

But looking to God and seeking His strength and wisdom is the only way to accomplish anything.

“I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” ~John 15:5

3. The god of my own desires

If you read a few verses further in Psalm 89, you’ll see that verse 12 says, “So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”

God goes on to detail the blessings He would have given the Israelites if they had just listened to Him and followed His commands. When we seek to align our desires with His, rather than plunge ahead on our own, we will be open to receiving those blessings He has in store for us.

This is also a good reminder to always seek God’s desires rather than insist on our own way. Psalm 106:15, also referring to the Israelites, says that God “…gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” We don’t want to pay that cost to get our own way.

4. The god of apathy

When I’m not interested in growing in my spiritual walk or unconcerned about the needs of others, this god might be present in my life.

You probably know the passage in Revelation 3 where God tells the church of Laodicea that because they are lukewarm in their works for Him, He will spit them out of His mouth. I know none of us want to be classified that way!

I love Paul’s encouragement in 1 Corinthians 9:24. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Stay connected to God through His Word and prayer, and be enthusiastic about serving Him.

5. The god of self-righteousness

I suppose this could be called good ol’ fashioned pride. I find myself worshiping this god way too often. The Bible has plenty of verses condemning pride, but James 4:6 is one I try to remember.

“…Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.“

I don’t want God to resist me, so I have to continually remove the god of self-righteousness from my life, and see myself as one who’s been saved by grace and needs more of His grace every single day.

Do you worship any of these gods? I’m sure there are other gods in our lives that can draw us away from a full-focused worship of our Savior. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and insight to help us keep strange gods out of our lives.

Related posts:

• Why We Can’t Take the Credit for Any of It
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Are you someone who enjoys a routine and mostly does the same things every day? Or are you a go-with-the-flow, spontaneous type?

I am the first, which is probably not surprising. Breakfast is yogurt with granola every morning. I like a plan to follow with no surprises. This is why summer always sends me into a bit of a panic mode since our regular schedule goes out the window!

It’s good for us to build healthy, daily habits into our lives. Recently I was thinking about spiritual habits that are good to practice daily.

As I was looking at Bible passages that include the words “day” and “daily,” I came upon the Israelites. When they were wandering in the wilderness, how often did they have to collect manna? According to Exodus 16:5, daily (with the exception of gathering one day ahead for the Sabbath).

Why daily? Why did they have to get up every morning, go outside, and pick up off the ground what their family needed to eat for the day?

Because every time they bent over, they could be reminded to be thankful. They had to recognize that God was the one who met their need every. single. day. They couldn’t make that manna appear the next morning, but God could.

He knows how forgetful we are. I, as they, need to reminded each day that I am me and He is God.

So I continued in my research, and found several Bible verses that used the word “daily.” I put together five ways that we can apply them in our own lives.

1. Give praise to God.

“…and daily shall he be praised.” ~Psalm 72:15

In what appears to be a description of the future kingdom of the Messiah, this verse tells us that Jesus will be praised daily. If this is a practice we will be partaking in then, wouldn’t it be great to start it now?

Psalm 68:19 reminds us, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Every day we are given so many blessings. God is truly worthy of our praise.

2. Pray.

“Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.” ~Psalm 86:3

I’ve mentioned before that prayer truly is a discipline. It’s hard work! Yet talking to God every day is vital to our Christian life.

If we’re going to follow the example Jesus gave in the Lord’s prayer and ask for our daily bread, we’ll have to be communicating with Him on a regular basis.

3. Surrender to God’s will.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” ~Luke 9:23

Die to self. That doesn’t sound very fun. But being a disciple of Christ often means sacrifice.

It seems counter-intuitive, yet God knows that this is how we will find joy. We only have room for one master in our lives. Will it be us or Him?

4. Study God’s Word.

“…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” ~Acts 17:11

These new Christians were looking through what they had of the Bible – likely just the Old Testament at that time – and searching for truth. As I was thinking about this, I realized that they put me to shame. How often do I search the Scriptures? Yes, I read it, but am I actively looking for God’s truth and how I can apply it to my life today?

5. Encourage one another.

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” ~Hebrews 3:13

This encouraging of our fellow believers can be to warn them against sin or to lift one another up when we’re down. As often as possible, let’s pray for one another and not miss opportunities to be an encouragement. Send that text or handwritten note, make that phone call or visit, and support those around you in their faith.

Related posts:

• Living Grateful: Making a Daily Choice to Give Thanks
• 5 Ways that Daily Quiet Time with God Changes Me
• Are You Communing or Consuming?

I’m not sure if it’s because Easter is in late April this year or if it’s just my general frame of mind, but I don’t feel like my heart is properly prepared for this season.

In case you’re in the same boat, I came up with a plan. I’m challenging myself to think about all that Jesus’ death accomplished. There’s not enough room to cover every aspect of that here, so I’m focusing specifically on what Jesus’ blood did for us.

None of these truths are likely new to us, but hopefully as we meditate on them, we’ll realize anew the redemptive work that was finished at the cross.

1. No matter how wicked we’ve been or how many times we’ve sinned, Jesus’ blood cleanses us.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ~Isaiah 1:18

2. The blood of Jesus is the only thing that could redeem us. It is pure and precious.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” ~1 Peter 1:18-19

3. Jesus loved us so much that He willingly shed His own blood for us.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” ~Revelation 1:5

4. It’s the richness of God’s grace that allows us to be redeemed and forgiven.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” ~Ephesians 1:7

5. Our redemption is eternal. His blood bought us a life with Him that will never end.

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” ~Hebrews 9:12

6. Because of Jesus’ blood, we can have fellowship with God.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” ~Ephesians 2:13

7. Because of Jesus’ blood, we can have fellowship with other believers.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” ~1 John 1:7

And just for a bonus truth, I thought I’d throw in an appropriate hymn to remind us that Jesus paid for ALL of our sins. Don’t let Satan throw guilt your way! Jesus’ blood covers every sin. And because He paid it all, how much we should want to love and serve Him.

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Chorus:

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus Paid It All by Elvina Hall

May you be blessed and encouraged as you think about Christ’s death and resurrection over these next few days!

Related posts:

• Who Was at the Tomb That First Easter Morning?
• Easter Scripture Readings for the Family
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Have you ever been in an argument with someone who said, “You always __________” or “You never __________” [fill in the blank]? Immediately you start running that scenario through your mind, searching your memory for that one time you actually did [stay under budget, get ready to leave on time, etc.] or didn’t [forget to put gas in the car, save important tax receipts, etc.]

I’ve heard the advice that you shouldn’t use “absolute” words like “always” and “never” in an argument because let’s face it – those are usually exaggerations. Maybe it’s rare that you’re ready to leave the house on time, but it’s likely happened at least once or twice in the past!

But thankfully there are absolutes when it comes to God. And Psalm 145:17 is a wonderful reminder of this.

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.”

Do you see that word “all”? It’s not “some” of His ways or “most” of His works. It’s all. Every. single. one.

So let’s break this down.

All of the Lord’s ways are righteous. We think of righteous as morally right, and it is. It also means just. Whatever God does is right and just.

We know that in a big-picture sense. But when it comes down to what happens to you and I on a daily basis, do we ever accuse God of being unjust or unfair?

Maybe we’re in the middle of a situation that just doesn’t fit with what we think should be happening to us. In our humanity, we can begin to doubt that God is working what’s right for us. But that’s because we can only see it from our point of view, with human limitations and lack of eternal perspective.

Nothing can come from God but good. We have to cling to this truth. Because of His character, He can only do what is right. Just because we don’t understand His ways doesn’t mean they aren’t good and just.

So what are we to do when God’s ways seem unjust to us? It’s that word that easy to say and hard to live.

Trust.

Trust the nature, the character of God. Not how we feel or what we see, but trust in the truth from His Word that all His ways are righteous.

The second part of the verse tells us that He’s holy in all His works.

Several commentaries say that the Hebrew word for “holy” here is usually translated “merciful.” How thankful we are for both of those traits – His holiness and His mercy!

When God works, He isn’t like we are. There are no hidden motives. He works from a heart that is always pure and plans everything for our good. And in the hard and difficult moments, we have to also trust in His mercy.

Remember Lamentations 3:22-23? “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.“

All of God’s works are wrapped in His mercy. Without it, there’d be no hope for us.

In God, truth and mercy meet together in perfect harmony. Anything He brings into our lives is for our good and His glory. And His mercy is available as we boldly ask for it in prayer. [Hebrews 4:16]

Today let’s take comfort in the always righteous ways and holy works of God.

Related posts:

• Trusting His Grace When I Can’t See His Face
• On Trusting God’s Purpose When I Just Want an Easier Life
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