Soul care Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Faith Assembly Grand Detour

There Is Hope

Posted on 07/31/2018 in Devotions, Real Life, Soul Care | Tags: faith, fear, hope, Jesus, Real Life, Soul care

What do you hope for you in your life? What keeps you pressing forward when life become tough?

For me, there are several things that keep me moving forward.

I grasp onto the things that matter.
I hang on to those most dear to me- my wife, my kids, my close friends.
I hold firmly to these concepts:
There has to be something greater than me.
There has to be something greater than this life.

Some people call it a higher power, while others refer to a superior being. I call Him Jesus.

I believe that deep down, everyone hopes to have a good life- a life filled with the basic needs we all have- love, family, shelter, food, peace and happiness. A life without fear, knowing that things will somehow work out for the best.

Sometimes they don’t always work out for what seems the best, but we can still grasp onto those things in life that give us hope. I want to encourage you with this one thought: THERE IS A HOPE.

A hope deep in your soul that confirms there is something bigger than this life.
A hope there is someone greater than the troubles of this world.

A hope that someone that will give you the strength to face your trials, worries, fears and temptations.

There is that someone. His name is Jesus Christ. He is our hope.

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. If He is for us then who can be against us? Isaiah 41:10

In the face of life’s difficult and heart-breaking trials- death, addiction, lies, betrayal, infidelity, depression, and more-
you can find hope.

We all hope for something. Why not take a chance on God and put your hope in Him?

What do you have to lose by putting your hope and trust in a God who loves and cares for you more than anyone else…

more than you can ever possibly know?

Be encouraged friend. Put your hope in Jesus today.

Listen to this song by Tenth Avenue North titled “I Have This Hope” and let it sink deep into your soul.

Author:

Ryan Bivins

Jul '18

Lessons We Learn From Our Children

Posted on 07/19/2018 in Devotions, Real Life, Soul Care | Tags: faith, Kids, Parenting, Real Life, Soul care, trust

Jul '18

As parents we often think about all the responsibility and important life lessons we are called on by God to teach our children. While here on this earth, He has given us these wonderful blessings to teach, nurture and care for.

All too often we get caught up in what we can teach them throughout the day, when sometimes we need to sit back and observe the things they are teaching us daily. Here are a few things I’ve observed lately, and maybe you have too:

Childlike Faith

When you look at the life of a child, you see the unwavering faith they have in their parents. They know their parents will pick them up from school without even thinking twice. They know they are going to be caught at the end of the slide while playing at the playground. If we could only have this type of faith in our relationship with our heavenly Father…how much better would we live life unafraid!

Matthew 18:2-3

Jesus called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Worry Less

We tend to worry about something on a daily basis…

What will we have for dinner?
How am I going to pay that bill?
What if the load of laundry with our kid’s baseball jersey won’t be done in time for their game tonight?
What will that other mom think of my child’s lunch I packed while walking out the door?

All of us have stuff stress out about. While our children are young, they may not have those types of stresses in their lives, but they do remind us to stop worrying so much about the small things in life. They live life day to day without thinking about things that don’t matter.

While kids can rest in the care of their parents, so can we rest in the care of our heavenly Father. That issue that’s restlessly plaguing your mind? He already knows all about it, and desires for you to let Him handle it in His way and His time.

Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.

Enjoying the Simple Things

When very young kids open presents, often times they end up playing more with the box than the actual toy itself. They enjoy the simple things in life: playing peek-a-boo, picking flowers outside, walking to the park, throwing a baseball. It does not take trips to Disney or shopping sprees to please them. All it takes is spending time with them to enjoy life to its fullest. If we could only realize that life does not exist around things and more around relationships… the simple things in life, how much more would we enjoy life and not always be needing (or wanting) the next best thing.

Focus on what matters and practice gratefulness in the simple things every day. We are God’s children and He has given us so many simple things- and relationships- to delight in.

Proverbs 15:16

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.

Author:

Jordan Bivins

Children’s Ministry Lead at Faith Assembly

Jun '18

Stand for the Truth

Posted on 06/05/2018 in Devotions, Real Life, Soul Care, Spiritual Growth | Tags: honesty, Humility, Identity, Real Life, Soul care, Spiritual Growth, Truth

Jun '18

Pastor Jon’s sermon last week on honesty really convicted me, as well as the many people kneeling before the Lord at the altar.

Every day, it seems we have opportunities to make big and not-so-big choices. But are there really “not so big” choices?

Sure, in our way of thinking a choice to not be truthful (more appropriately called a lie) is much worse and more condemning when compared to exaggerating how many or how big the fish really were… or embellishing a real achievement to make ourselves look just a little bit better.

But according to God’s way of thinking, a lie is a lie- pretty cut and dried.

As we learned, every time we exaggerate or embellish the facts, it gets a little easier to do it the next time. We stretch it just a little further each time we embellish. Eventually, this is who we become and reflects our way of interacting on everything- from what we say and how we act to what we get in the habit of doing.

Some of my friends and I- way back from high school- still talk about a person we knew who always “climbed a little higher” or “ran a little faster” than we all knew to be true. It is sad to see how these seemingly insignificant embellishments (over several decades) now have affected his employment, marriage(s), reputation and walk with the Lord.

As for me, I can easily be tempted to wear the Admiral’s star or the sheriff’s badge. Meaning this: when I use inappropriate leverage to get more help, drum up additional resources or win additional funding for a new project. This can often include an embellishment (a.k.a. an outright lie) regardless of whether or not it’s a “not so big” exaggeration.

Consider this example. Do you recall growing up and saying to your siblings, “mom said you are supposed to go do this” when really she told you to do it. This is where it starts, little by little. Before you know it, it turns into exaggerating a project requirement at work to be competitive since you know others are doing it. Yikes! It’s an all-too-easy, slippery slope that so often we don’t even realize is happening.

The Bible has a lot to say about truth-tellers (those that don’t exaggerate, embellish, pretend, tell outright lies), as well as how God feels about those that practice deceit.

One of my favorites though, is what Jesus says in the gospel of John verses 31-32: “To the Jews that believed Him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’.”

Bottom line? Run from falsehood whenever temptation strikes.

Run towards Jesus and His revelation of Truth in every part of your life.

Be a truth-teller and be set free.

Author:

Randy Ortgeisen, Elder at Faith Assembly

May '18

When Was Your Last Spiritual Check-up?

Posted on 05/17/2018 in Devotions, Real Life, Soul Care, Spiritual Growth | Tags: honesty, Soul care, Spiritual Growth, spiritual health

May '18

My wife Cindy and I just recently had our doctor appointments. We both had good reports- hers better than mine. This caused me to think of other check-ups we might experience, either because they are required or we choose to have them. We may have a performance review at work, do a yearly financial review, go to the dentist (don’t like that one) and many others.

So, what about a spiritual check-up? Have you thought about your spiritual health lately?

Between research and some of my own thoughts, I came up with questions I asked myself as a part of my own spiritual checkup.

Why the checkup? To make sure I’m growing as a Christ-follower. The key word here is growing.

Honestly, some of these questions convicted me because they forced me to be honest with myself. But if we want to grow more in His love and grace, I think we must ask ourselves these questions. I’d encourage you to think about these as well, plus a few that are unique to you.

• Do I love God with all my heart, soul, and mind?
• How is my alone time with Him: bible reading, prayer life?
• How am I serving God: volunteering at church, welcoming visitors at church, providing assistants to those in need?
• Is it my desire to give sacrificially to the church family?
• Do I live humbly before ALL men?
• Is grace growing in my life?
• Do I love my neighbor?
• How do I measure-up according to scripture, when expressing love to my family?
• Am I forgiving others that have wronged me?
• Do I fellowship with other believers?
• Is my life a witness of God’s hand working in it?
• Am I helping the poor and needy?

Matthew 22:37-40 says
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it; love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.

These are the questions I asked myself. I’d encourage you to do the same and be honest about it… the Lord knows anyway… do you? So often it’s easier to fool ourselves into thinking we’re growing when we’re really just barely maintaining or standing still.

In the end, the important thing is to take time to do a spiritual check-up on a regular basis. I believe this is what God is looking for from us.

Take an honest look- how is your spiritual health these days?

May '18

4 Things to Remember When You’re On the Edge

Posted on 05/08/2018 in Devotions, Perspectives, Real Life, Soul Care | Tags: anxiety, fear, fruit of the spirit, Grace, Patience, Peace, Real Life, Soul care, Spiritual Growth, Time

May '18

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you feel like one more major event, circumstance or let-down and you could completely fall apart?

You are on the edge: you hold it together and keep calm or you are about to have a melt down?

Doesn’t it feel like the expectations we have to live up to are just too exhausting?

I can honestly tell you this: you are not alone. Over the past two years, I have had some major events in my life that have not only tested my emotions and thoughts, but also tested everything I believe in and the will to keep pushing through those events. By the grace of God and a great support system, I have come out of all of those circumstances a much stronger person… or so I thought.

Every now and then, a little something from each of those events creeps back into my life and thoughts. I feel the weight of things that happened in the past all over again. I feel the wounds they have left behind- in my mind and the inner most parts of my being.

It is usually then that I find myself right on the edge of keeping it all together…

I feel like I’m about to have a good old fashion freak-out moment.

Sometimes those freak-out moments may feel like anger, other times it is simply crying out… from the pain of what I have seen and those close to me who are hurting. But, I’m here to tell you, even though these cycle of emotions come and go, there is hope!

What has helped me “get off” the edge when I’m feeling overwhelmed with emotions from the past? Here’s the short list:

1. Normal – The definition of “normal” is up for interpretation. What I have learned is that my feelings and my reactions are absolutely normal. I am not weird for feeling upset or wanting to cry about past traumatic events. Neither are you.

2. Time – they say time heals all wounds. Not really. It may be a nice cliché, but in real life it takes intentional work to heal through the pain. This is what heals the wounds and grows us. If the pain isn’t dealt with and merely buried in “time” (denial), it will one day rip that scab off with the same intensity as it did 30 years ago. Scars will always be there, but I know with the Lord working in me as I do the work of healing and the buffer of time- this allows us to become stronger. One step at a time. One day at a time. It must be a conscious choice we make every day.

3. A Support System – they say that you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. If you’re not close with your family, you must still have a support system in place. Usually our parents have gone through something in the course of their lives. They can offer advice or just be there to listen. Be wise about this- choose people who are safe, honest and have your best interest at heart.

4. God – they say to just lean on God in the hard times. It’s so easy to say, harder to do. What I have learned is this: God deeply cares for me and feels the overwhelming emotions with me. When I question God on why bad things happen to good people, He doesn’t get mad at me. He tells me that evil things are not His plan- His plan is for our good. His plan is for all of us to live in eternity with him. But there is a darkness in this world and that darkness (our enemy- Satan) is the cause of those bad things happening to good people.

The bottom line?
When I am sometimes on the edge, God can work in my life if I allow him to. God wants what is best for us, and sometimes being on the edge is just where he wants us. No pain is wasted in the hands of our Savior. He desires to grow us through it. He wants us to reach out and grab his hand, so he can pull us into his loving arms.

Check out this song by Elevation Worship called “O Come to the Altar”.

When you feel like you’re on the edge, stop and listen. Jesus is calling and his arms are open wide.

Author: Ryan Bivins

Apr '18

Lessons in the Rearview Mirror

Posted on 04/09/2018 in Devotions, Real Life, Soul Care, Spiritual Growth | Tags: fruit of the spirit, Grace, Patience, Real Life, Soul care, Spiritual Growth

Apr '18

I was driving home the other day, heading East just about the time the sun was going down behind me.

Rolling hills, music playing, little traffic. Nice and relaxing.

Until the setting sun just about blinded me in the rearview mirror.

Blinking from seeing spots, I flipped the mirror up and tried to get back to my relaxing drive home.

Not so fast. God had something to say.

As I glanced back up to the rearview mirror, I noticed the strange pattern of shadows it was creating from the reflection of the sun. I had to squint to see any kind of detail. All the rolling hills behind me were now cast in various shades of shadow. I couldn’t clearly make out much of anything, and the beauty I was beholding a few minutes before had now turned to ominous shifting patterns of grey.

In true form, I took notice and began to ponder how with one flip of a switch everything took on such a drastically different appearance. I use this function at night all the time, but rarely during the day.

In true form, God proceeded to do what He regularly does with me… speaking through life, creation and observation.

What I heard was this: Now you see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.

Hold up. I recognized this from my younger years memorizing the King James Version of I Cor. 13:12:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Ok Lord, but what are you really trying to tell me.

His response:

Your heart may be troubled about many things, but be patient, you can’t see everything clearly yet.

I had questions. Of course I had questions.

But Lord, it’s hard to be patient when I still don’t have the answers I need. I need clarity!

Now you see through a glass darkly. You are my daughter. Trust me, I’ve got you.

But Lord, I’d rather understand right now. How do I find peace in this situation without understanding?

Right now you can only see a small part of the picture. I am bigger than that. Find peace in ME, not in the understanding.

Okay. (sigh) It’s just hard to see beauty through the distortion, purpose in the pain, solid ground in shifting shadows.

Your story is not yet complete. I am doing a good work in you. Work with me.

Do not be afraid, I am with you. I AM your solid ground.

He had more to say, but you get the idea.

When I got home, I looked up that verse in my chosen translation these days. This is how the NLT puts I Cor. 13:12:

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Sometimes we don’t see beauty looking in the rearview mirror- in the car or in our lives.

We often look back and still desire clarity. Sometime hindsight is clearer and sometimes it isn’t. But we serve a God that knows us completely.

As we trust and obey Him, one day we will see- with perfect clarity- the why, the how, the purpose.

This month we focus on the Godly virtue and Fruit of the Spirit: Patience. So often it is in the process of “seeing through a glass darkly” where God does His good work. We practice patience, baby-stepping through circumstances and trusting Him to bear fruit in and through us.

Our lives can shift and change in an instant. We often stumble around trying to gain focus and grasp for stability.

Do not be afraid. Your story is not yet complete. The God of Angel Armies is behind you, goes before you and is by your side.

As Yoda tells an impatient Luke at the start of his training in Star Wars… “Patience you must have, my young Padawan.”

Author:

Michelle Marx

You can read more of Michelle’s writing here.