Tag: Jacqui Stoner

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GOD SEES YOU COMING

I can always spot my youngest son from a distance. I know my boy! His light, springy step and the gentle tilt of his shoulders warm my heart. As he nears, I anticipate his warm, cheerful greeting, “Hi Mom! What’s up?” I have memorized my son’s gait, his unique stride.  

GOD SAW YOU LONG BEFORE YOU WERE BORN

God knows your gait. He saw you coming long before you were born. The Creator of the Universe thoughtfully laid out your path and set your pace. He uniquely created you to convey a facet of His love to the world. God knows who you will meet on the journey and has made provision for each encounter.  

DESIGNED TO WALK WITH HIM

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above – spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. (Ephesians 2:10)

TRUSTING HIS PATH

God designed your gait for His glory. He sets you apart to walk with Him and plans good things to accomplish both with you and by you. Your path may wind unexpectedly or take a course you did not choose. Trust God’s timing through the twists and turns, and you will arrive on time for every divine appointment.  

HOW TO LET HIM LEAD

During your time with God this week, pray for understanding and prepare your heart to follow His lead. He knows the way. “Your hands have made me and established me; give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:73) Remember His promise: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.” (Isaiah 48:17)

As you listen for His direction, be on the lookout for those who cross your path. I promise you that today someone needs to experience God’s love through your unique gait, your walk with Jesus. God knows who you will meet on the journey and promises to make provision for each encounter.  

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BAGGAGE OF MY PAST

I had an interesting dream that began with a suitcase.  I was standing alone, roadside, with a suitcase in hand. My bag was well-worn and battered without stickers of exotic trips or barcoded airline tags indicating a great vacation.  It was a beat-up, heavy, bulging suitcase. Yet when I tried to set it down, I couldn’t. The ugly suitcase was fused to my hand! Without realizing it, I carried that piece of luggage around for so long that it became part of me!

FREEDOM FROM DEADWEIGHT

I poked, pried, and even banged the bag against the ground, desperately trying to free my hand. It would not budge. Finally, I cried out in desperation for help.  Suddenly, Jesus appeared.  He touched my hand. The old suitcase suddenly dropped to the ground.  Then, He took my hand and began to massage it, gently and lovingly rubbing out the soreness and stiffness from carrying the case around for so many years. His compassion overwhelmed me. I realized that deadweight was to be left at the foot of the cross on the day of my salvation. But for some reason, I kept picking it up and lugging it around.

NEVER NEEDING TO PICK UP THE WEIGHT AGAIN

As Jesus massaged my hand, two angels appeared. They picked up the suitcase and carried it away. As they flew over the ocean, the suitcase popped open, and all my filthy laundry tumbled into the deepest part of the sea.  Then, they flung the empty suitcase into the depths as well. And that’s when I realized I was truly free.   My burdens, my sins, the messes I’ve created over the years were all gone. I never need to pick them up again.  Hallelujah!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death”  (Romans 8:1-2).

A TRANSFORMED LIFE

Romans 12:2 charges us to live a transformed life.  I realized that to live my best, transformed life, I cannot carry around the burdens of my past and expect to live freely.  What about you?  Are you unnecessarily carrying around burdens that have long been forgiven?  A life focusing on Jesus, unhindered by former sins and sorrows, awaits all of us once we are willing to live truly free.

Daily, choose to focus on these verses: “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). “He has removed our sins as far from us  as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12)

Don’t continue to carry around that deadweight of a suitcase. Live forgiven and transformed by Christ!

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LIVING AS GOD’S ROYALTY

Read: Mark 1:9-20

King Charles III recently visited America. A military flyover and cannon salute greeted the royal couple. The guest list for the banquet in Charles’ honor included a roster of tech industry giants, business moguls, and government leaders. King Charles’s net worth is estimated at $860 million. Wouldn’t you like to be royalty?

ROYALTY PERKS

Entering Galilee, Jesus proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near.” What perks belong to royalty? Under Roman rule, most Jews looked to the promises of the Book of Daniel.“Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Daniel 7:27).

FOLLOWING JESUS

Jesus called His disciples. “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!” They chose to follow the Messiah. Little did they understand the ramifications of being “fishers of people”. They knew the Most High would turn the world upside down. However, the King they followed daily did not receive the same treatment as King Charles III. The disciples didn’t experience royal accommodations, vast monetary net worth, or any luxuries. Following Jesus and suffering come hand in hand.

GOD’S TREATMENT OF HIS ROYAL FAMILY

Jesus’ version of Kingdom life often puts people on edge. For the past five months, my husband has endured four hospital stays, two trips by ambulance, and endless medical testing. Several times, we thought Bill’s demise was near. A few Christian friends told me they wondered if God heard their prayers regarding Bill’s health. Is this how God treats His royal family? Why do bad things happen to God’s children?

Horrific events happened to the Apostle Paul while he traveled in Asia. He wrote, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die.” But Paul continues, “As a result (of these sufferings), we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead…We have placed our confidence in him.”  (II Corinthians 1:8-11)

THE COST

The disciples gradually learned the cost of being in Jesus’ royal family. It is expensive to obey and totally rely on Jesus Christ, not only to save us but also to sustain us every moment from the darkness of this world. Can Jesus carry us through the seasons that crush us beyond our ability to endure?

COMFORT FROM THE KING

Daily, Bill and I are learning that the answer is “yes”. We join the Apostle Paul’s worship:  “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you”(II Cor. 1:3-5).

Those who continue to follow Jesus come to know (along with Bill and I) that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). No matter what troubles overflow, we declare, “Step over King Charles, we belong to Christ’s royal family. It trounces yours!”

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CALLED OUTSIDE THE BOX

Read: Mark 1:1-8

Did you hear about that Sunday morning when a man stood in our parking lot loudly shouting that we needed to repent? His words were neither polite nor deferential. We could tell he had no seminary training. To top it off, the man looked like a homeless person. The pungent aroma from his lunch bag was a blend of locusts and wild honey. What would we do? The man was certainly odd and walked way outside of the box.

WILD MAN JOHN

John the Baptist was so far outside the box that the box broke. He was dedicated with a Nazarite vow before birth, thus forbidden to cut his hair. John would not fit into most conservative Christian circles. John was a wild man – he grew up in the wilderness. He is called “Baptist” not due to church denomination, but because he baptized people.

JOHN’S BAPTISM

You may be wondering, “What’s the big deal with John baptizing?” John’s baptism was not the ritual Jewish washings but similar to the one-time washing of Gentile proselytes, showing they rejected paganism and accepted the Jewish faith. No upstanding Jewish person would be baptized this way. It required them to see themselves as outsiders (like the Gentiles) and acknowledge they were no more fit for the Messiah’s kingdom than the Gentiles.

The crowds that ran to hear John the Baptist were desperate for spiritual light. Trapped by the Pharisees’ religious practices, they existed in a dark world. A joyless list of endless rules and traditions consumed their days. There was no hope. John gave them hope. A person baptized by John made an outward declaration of inward repentance. Crowds of Jewish people were being baptized. They wanted change.

THE GOD REVEALER

After 400 years of silence from God, John was the opening act signaling this change. An opening act warms up the audience, builds energy, and sets the tone for the headliner. In this case, the headliner was Christ, the Messiah. John was the “God-Revealer” (John 1:29-31) for Jesus Christ. Christ, in Greek, means “anointed”, referring to a person chosen, such as a king. First-century Romans understood the term to refer to the arrival, ascendancy, and triumph of an emperor. The great news in Mark’s Gospel, calling Jesus the Christ, is that the most glorious king arriving for the world is not Caesar, but Jesus.

GOD CHOOSES THE FOOLISH TO SHAME THE WISE

God chose His own man as the opening act for Jesus. “But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong” (I Corinthians 1:27). God thinks outside the box and calls people to obediently follow Him regardless of whether the path is conventional, regular, or typical. He looks for John’s mindset. Referring to Christ, John said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).

Are you willing to walk out of the box with God? John ran with God.  His path was never easy. God called him to be outspoken, to live away from convenience, and to be willing to obey, even unto death. God gave John the job of preaching to a group of people who had not heard good news in 400 years.

A prayer which God will always answer is: “Regardless of the cost, Lord, what are you calling me to do today?”

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WORDS CARRY WEIGHT

My daughter lives a thousand miles away, so our conversations are precious We cherish FaceTime. My heart feels like a child stepping into a candy shop as we ride to the airport to visit her. I overflow with excitement, filled with eager expectation and the simple joy of knowing something wonderful is about to happen.

Because our time together is so valuable, I choose to bite my tongue when needed. I let small things and rarely speak words of correction or criticism. When choosing connection over confrontation, I tell myself, “This isn’t the moment.” And often, that restraint is wise.

KNOWING WHEN TO SPEAK AND NOT TO SPEAK

Scripture reminds us, “…everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a mother’s heart can know when to hold back and also when not to. People we love the most are the ones we feel led to guide, correct, and encourage. Loving my daughter often means wanting to guide her when it matters. It takes courage, endurance, wisdom, and obedience to God in order to love wisely.

Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” A mother’s love does not ignore what matters—it simply longs for the right time and way to speak. But sometimes the balance tips, and everything I have held in comes rushing out at once. What I meant to say with care comes out heavy and unkind, carrying more hurt than I ever intended. My daughter carries that hurt one thousand miles home.

This tension is a reminder that I cannot keep everything inside. Even with good intentions, unspoken thoughts and emotions do not evaporate; they can continue to grow. This is where my relationship with Jesus is different than my relationship with my daughter.

CONVERSATIONS WITH JESUS

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence…” With Him, I do not have to bite my tongue. My words do not have to be carefully filtered or perfectly timed. I can come honestly, before the pressure explodes.

Just as I feel compelled to correct my daughter, He does the same for me, but His correction is perfect. His training and teaching are never careless or overwhelming. It is always rooted in love, shaped by grace, and perfectly timed. Where my words spill all at once, His words come with patience and understanding.

So, before the balance tips, before the words rush out, I am learning to take my thoughts somewhere safe, bringing them to Jesus first.

Are you holding things in with the ones you love most? Words, frustrations, or emotions that have not been resolved?  What might change if you brought them to Jesus before the situation implodes? When Jesus hears us first, something in us begins to shift. Harsh words soften, and the ones we love can hear something gentler. Maybe then, they will not carry the weight of our words a thousand miles home, but instead will carry the grace, love, and power of Jesus Christ.

Click to read more on seasoning your conversation with grace.

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WHAT IS CHURCH?

Read: Acts 2:42-47

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about that word “church”. It is both a broad and personal term. What does it mean when people talk about “my church”? Are their lives tied to a location? And then some people talk about church as a place that messed up their early childhood and scarred them forever. So, many associations can be made with the church. Which is it? Is it a good place where memories are plentiful, and families continue to grow? Or is it the place where nightmares are born and continue to thrive? “Church” is wrapped with all kinds of nuances.

WHEN A CHURCH IS JUST A CLUB

First, let’s begin by understanding which church we are talking about. Many groups call themselves a church when they actually are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). Thousands of churches do not preach the gospel. Without the Gospel, a church is not the church laid out by Jesus Christ. It is a club.

DISTINCTIONS OF THE FIRST CHURCH

What was distinctive in the early churches? According to Acts 2:42-47, they loved being taught, they existed in community, prayer was foundational, and they shared in celebrating communion. Also, they took care of one another, praised God, and prioritized sharing the Gospel. Churches today may call themselves evangelical, but they don’t preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This makes them a community, but not the church laid out by Jesus Christ.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CHURCH?

When asked, “How do you feel about the church?”, I simply mean the church you grew up in or were taken to as a child. Again, many things caused you to form an opinion about those early years, but I would like to offer some things that should have happened.

MORE THAN A STAINED GLASS WINDOW

Was Jesus the major focus of your time in church? Did you learn all about Him? I know that sounds rather trite, but He must be the central Person in our churches, in decision making, in building relationships, and in our worship. Sometimes, we assume Christ is the center of a church, yet we relegate Him to window dressing. He makes a nice stained glass window, but does not reside in the community of believers.

THE ONE WHO ISN’T HERE

A genuine church loves every child as if he/she were its own. As a Pastor of Christian Education, I hung a sign in my office. It read: “The child who most needs today’s lesson may be the one who isn’t here.”  Jesus wanted all the little children to come to Him. The disciples rebuked the parents who were trying to see Jesus, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:13-14).  I know how easy it is to overlook that one child, but each needs our love. This is Jesus’ plan for the church.

Maybe you had a bad experience in a local church. Let me ask you a question. Did your church present Jesus as the Savior? The only Someone who loves you and will never leave you? Did you know a believer who reached out to you even when no one else would? I know we can’t change the past, but we can introduce these two items: Jesus’ love and our genuine love for the next person. That’s when one enters the wonderful place laid out by Jesus, called “The Church.”

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WHAT I REALLY NEED

Read John 20:1-16  

Have you ever taken time to linger in the Easter story? Rather than limit Easter, the most important event in Christianity, to a day or a week, do you see what God has for you today? What if you had a first-row seat? What might the resurrection have been from Mary Magdalene’s perspective? Did the following thoughts pass through her mind?

DEEP SEARING PAIN

I’ve experienced many pitch-black nights in my lifetime, but none as dark, long, and cold as this one.  I am bone tired, but sleep eludes me.  I cannot believe Jesus is gone.  He is the One who saw me and rescued me. He is the One who knew everything about me and still loved me.  He is the One who spoke more wisdom than anyone I have ever known.  And He is gone.  With Him there was hope and peace.  Those have vanished as well.  Tears will not stop.  The searing pain is so deep.  I might as well get up and go to where Jesus is. Even in death, it will feel good to be near Him, loving Him in the ritual of oils and spices.  His body will be cold.  I don’t know if I can handle that, but I must go.  I am drawn to Him.

PANIC GRIPS MY MIND

Wrapped tightly in my cloak, I carry the precious bottles carefully.  Slowly, I put one foot in front of the other and arrive at the grave before I really want to. His body is gone! Panic grips my mind.  Why can’t they let Him rest in peace? Fury grips my heart as I run to find the disciples.  Someone stole the one shred of comfort I had left in properly caring for Jesus’ body.

A VOICE CALLS MY NAME

When others arrive, John is fearful, like me. As usual, Peter’s boldness leads him straight into the grave and to the cloth left behind. They do not have the answers I desperately need.  We are all lost, confused, and tormented.  My heart feels dead, as heavy as a millstone. When they leave, I remain here, where Jesus was laid.  Some of Jesus’ presence lingers with me. I hear a strange voice ask me, “Why are you crying?  Who are you looking for?” My Lord.  My center.  My purpose for life. Everything is blurry from grief.  I hear a familiar voice call my name. 

NOTHING WAS WHAT I EXPECTED

“Jesus? Is that really you?!”  My heart feels His heart instantly, and it beats wildly with joy.  He is not cold and dead but very much alive! How??? Nothing in the last three days was what I expected. But He is here.  I can breathe again.  He is here!  His presence is what I longed for.  That is all I really need.

Put yourself in Mary Magdalene’s shoes. Have a conversation with Jesus as He asks you:

  • “What are you looking for?”
  • “Why are you crying?”

Tell Jesus what is on your heart. Slow down. Listen for His response. That is all you really need.

Click to listen to I Need You Now

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JESUS DOES NOT TAKE APPLICATIONS

Did you see that high school yearbook featuring the disciples (before they came to know Jesus)? Below each graduation portrait is a class nickname. James, the Son of Zebedee, and John (brother of James) share the title “Sons of Thunder.” The brothers were never quiet and tended to cause chaos. I can imagine their school years, weekly ending up in the principal’s office for getting into fights on the school grounds. But wait, none of the Disciples (except for Matthew) ever had any higher education. No credentials, no hope of a greater future except for carrying on the family business. None of the Disciples would have made it past a leadership nominating committee. They might apply, but their applications would end up in the trash.

JESUS RECRUITS AND SAYS, “FOLLOW”

That is the wonderful, unique thing about Jesus. He recruits. He doesn’t take applications. Jesus says, “Follow”. (Matt. 4:18-22 AMP);

MEANING OF “FOLLOW”

What does “follow” mean? When my sons were little, they loved collecting Transformers, the alien/robot toy that transforms from a vehicle to a powerful, monstrous robot. Transformation means to change from one thing into a different thing. Did the disciples have any idea that following Jesus would involve transformation into the likeness of Christ?

TRANSFORMATION

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul calls this transformation, this act of sacrificial living, true worship. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.”

For the Jews in Jesus’ day, “sacrifice” was only associated with death. That sacrificial lamb on the altar died. As Jesus followers, we are to present ourselves on God’s altar for His exclusive use. It involves death to what comes naturally for our sin nature. This is both the will of God and the sacrifice for true believers.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?

Rays Stedman asks, “How do you feel about this? Do you regard it as an intrusion, an interruption of your plans and your program? Or do you regard it as an infinite honor that mere creatures may be the full expression of the holy and magnificent life of God? This is what Paul calls an intelligent fulfillment of purpose.

“You can never find the will of God until you start here. Have you ever made an intelligent presentation of yourself, your body, your soul (your emotional and mental life), and your spirit unto God? Have you ever presented yourself as what you are, nothing, so that you may have what He is, everything, and step out into every new day in complete expectation that His life will be manifest in you? That is Christianity. That is the will of God.”

MARK OF A TRUE JESUS FOLLOWER

The mark of a Jesus follower is a transformed life. Christ recruits us to follow Him and to allow Him to change our lives permanently. Jesus does not take applications. He does not search for those who get by without God on their own strength, who are considered the best of the best by this world. Have you ever presented yourself as what you are, nothing, so that you may have what he is, everything, and step out into every new day in complete expectation that his life will be manifest in you? Jesus calls you to follow.

Click to read more about the “Sons of Thunder.”

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STILL IN THE STORM

A “furious squall” overcomes the small vessel. Experienced fishermen scream in terror. The storm came out of nowhere with its sudden, violent, and intense burst of wind, accompanied by rain. The winds rapidly increase, visibility is zero, and the waves break over their craft. Will their boat soon be matchsticks? This is not a night to be caught out in the pitch-black water. No wonder they woke Jesus up and yelled, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:35-40)

FIRST AMBULANCE RIDE

The week my husband took his first ambulance ride. He was experiencing grave difficulty breathing. Didn’t God hear Bill gasping for air? Doesn’t He care? “Jesus, don’t you care if we drown?” The waves threaten to bury us. Bill feels like his lungs are drowning.

WHY AM I SO AFRAID?

More than just speaking to my waves of fear, Jesus says to me, “Quiet! Be still!” Why am I so afraid? Does God plan to abandon us in the storm?

NECESSARY CHOICES

What are my choices? Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

THIRD HOSPITAL STAY IN FIVE MONTHS

As I write this, this is our third hospital stay within five months. I am tired. Bill is exhausted. Yet, God still asks us to choose. I can either roll up in a ball and give up, or I can begin declaring His Word, even if I do not feel it. My emotions often do not line up, but with the Psalmist, I firmly declare: “I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help. He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud. He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing. He gave me reason to sing a new song, praising our God. May many see what God has done, so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:1-3).

Jesus knows the waters we pass through. God knows the waves that threaten to drown us. He cares. “He gave me reason to sing a new song, praising our God. May many see what God has done, so that they might swear allegiance to Him and trust in the Lord.” Oh Lord, please keep me singing!!!!

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WORDS, WORDS, WORDS!

Last week, my wife got very upset with me. After she was done ‘instructing” me about what I did wrong, I gave up and didn’t say a word in response. Of course, she came back with her usual response: “Words, use your words, what are you saving them for?” I really didn’t have any words to share (at least none that were a reasonable excuse), and so once again I was guilty of not communicating.

Once again, my lack of words didn’t accomplish anything, unlike somebody else’s words. Yeah, you know Who I’m talking about: God. He is the great Communicator. God uses words. God said, “Let there be light.” Thus, light was created. And when He used the words “Let there be an expanse between the waters”, guess what, there was an expanse between the waters. God created everything in the world by speaking; His words are incredibly powerful. (Genesis 1:3-8)

SURPRISE! GOD USES WORDS!

Words are used to both create and to destroy, as when God said to Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge. “For when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 3:1-19). Adam ate, and death descended upon creation.`

POWER OF WORDS

What flows out of our mouths can create wonderful relationships, as when a person piles on praise to a friend. Words can also destroy, as when someone shares criticism and shame with a young person who is simply trying to please. We are all responsible for the words we use and exactly what words we choose. Are our words building people up, or are we tearing people down?

WORDS ABOUT WORDS

Several proverbs are rich in ways that will help us to communicate with others. Solomon writes, “When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, but he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19). Let’s face it, some people talk too much. Others don’t say enough (yes, I’m guilty).

Words can help to heal a broken heart. They can encourage someone who is depressed and lonely.  Words can be used to unify or decimate a relationship. “The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know (speak) what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows (speaks) what is perverted (twisted). (Proverbs 10:31-32).

POWER OF YOUR WORDS

When speaking to others, think about what you are saying. Are you building others up or are you tearing them down? Are you encouraging someone with your words, or are you just causing doubt to keep them from doing what God wants them to do?  You may not be able to create the sun, the wind, or the earth with your words, but you can help people to see Jesus through the kind and loving words of forgiveness and hope. So, the next time your spouse says, “Use your words”, go ahead (hopefully with wisdom). Make someone’s day!