Book Review: Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey Nine Steps of Forgiving through Jesus’ Beatitudes

Book Review: Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey Nine Steps of Forgiving through Jesus’ Beatitudes
Book Review: Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey Nine Steps of Forgiving through Jesus’ Beatitudes

Book Review: Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey Nine Steps of Forgiving through Jesus’ Beatitudes by Flora Slosson Wuellner

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”  (John 15:11 NIV).

I think most Christians understand that that through the blood of Jesus we have forgiveness for our sins and life everlasting with the Father.  However, many of us still struggle with the concept of forgiveness.  This book uses the Beatitudes, eight blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, to point the reader toward Jesus as they travel the path of forgiveness. 

This book is helpful for those seeking spiritual growth and insight for healthy, empowered forgiveness of others and forgiveness of ourselves.  Each chapter focuses on a Beatitude and concludes with a healing meditation.  The meditations help the reader to process their emotions by acknowledging that “hurt, hostility, and healing that is hot and Holy ground.”

I underlined a section in the Introduction that speaks to the Biblical definition of “blessed.”  “To be blessed means two things in Scripture:  It means to be happy, to be fulfilled.  It also means to be empowered by God’s love to undertake a task.  The living Jesus Christ not only empowers us for healthy forgiveness but walks the path with us, enfolding us with God’s compassion, praying through the pain “that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11)

The book explains that the central focus of the Beatitudes is “what is happening in our heart’s core.”  In His sermon, Jesus is addressing release from that which imprisons and corrupts our heart.  This is important because our words and actions are a manifestation of our heart.  Forgiveness is a release from the prison and burden of the past.  Forgiveness is not a release from responsibility.  As we study and pray and grow closer to Christ we are able to do the things that we cannot do on our own.  Through Him we can forgive others and ourselves. 

Those that hurt us are often wounded people themselves.  We will encounter some people in life that knowingly choose to do evil things to other people.  The author states that they are “caught in a prison of self-destruction that almost defies description.”  I had not realized that often when people deliberately hurt us they are acting out of a deep inner hurt in themselves.  Instead of giving emotional control to our attacker by feeling angry, we are asked to consider feeling pity and wonder what has happened to this person that has caused them to act in such an evil manner?  This is not done to minimize the hurt, but to facilitate our healing.

The discussion on self-forgiveness will also be helpful for many.  As we learn to listen to our inner selves we also learn to be released from rigid self judgement.  The door is opened for healing and transformation that can only be accomplished by God. 

The author does not advocate using this book in lieu of professional therapy.  The author clearly states in the Introduction that she believes in “prayer plus therapy, especially if the wound, abuse, anger, or fear is deep and longstanding.”  The book is available from the Upper Room Bookstore.

Prayer:  Thank you for the Sermon on the Mount.  Help us to find forgiveness and peace in the Beatitudes of Jesus.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Book Review: God Knows Your Story (and He’s Not Mad!)

Book Review: God Knows Your Story (And He’s Not Mad!) by Carter Featherston
Book Review: God Knows Your Story (And He’s Not Mad!) by Carter Featherston

Book Review: God Knows Your Story (And He’s Not Mad!) by Carter Featherston

For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6 TPT).

If you have never done anything wrong and do not have any regrets or shame, then this book is not for you.  However, I strongly suspect that all of us have regrets and feel some sense of shame for poor choices.  This is a Biblically based book that points the reader to the only true source of victory of sin and shame, Jesus. 

This book is valuable because it addresses a topic that all struggle with but is seldom discussed.  I have known Carter for several years through his talks at various Iron Sharpens Iron conferences, which are always well attended and well received.  Carter is the perfect messenger because of his deep knowledge of Scripture from his years in seminary and as a pastor.  The book is also beneficial because it is authentic.  At the end of Chapter one, Carter writes, “My qualifications to write this book are twofold:  I have  outrageously failed in life as my story finally defeated me; but I cried out to God, Who answered me and showed me great and hidden things I did not know (Jeremiah 33:3).  This book is about what I learned on that journey.” 

The first six chapters are categorized as Dialogue:  God’s Plan For Transformation.  The first chapter is entitled, Our Stories Begin With Hiding. Just as Adam and Eve covered their shame with fig leaves we and often cover ourselves with a “false self “to cover our shame.  The book proceeds with authentic examples from Carter’s life and Scripture to help the reader find freedom.

Carter unpacks Ephesians Chapter 1 to explain six comforting and encourage elements about our relationship with God.  We (1) were chosen, (2) are holy and blameless, (3) have been adopted, (4) have redemption, (5) were granted forgiveness, and (6) were sealed with the Holy Spirit.

The final seven chapters are categorized as Strategies:  Changing at the Level of Identity.  Carter takes the reader on a deep dive to change how we perceive ourselves by understanding who we are and Whose we are.  Carter shepherds the reader along the path of God’s grace, God’s Word, and prayer to facilitate a change at the level of identity. 

I underlined several sentences and paragraphs in the book.  One that particularly resonated with me was, “Every passage in the New Testament about our identity is taught to us personally and privately by the Holy Spirit.  If He does not teach us, it will remain as mere words on the page.  Now that will preach! 

Carter (and all of us) are not defined by our past mistakes.  Carter beautifully reveals how He has obtained true and lasting forgiveness for his sins from Jesus and we can too.  By yoking up to Jesus, Carter’s past failings are now being used as a powerful, authentic witness to help others.  As I read the book my mind would often drift to Luke 4:18 where Jesus reads from the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah and announces, “He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”  I now realize how some people have imprisoned themselves due to shame, have vision but are blind to the promises of love from the Father in Scripture, and are oppressed by a self-created monster of shame due to an inability for self-forgiveness.   The book is available at Amazon and will be a blessing to yourself or as a gift to a friend. 


Prayer:  Dear God, We all have sinned and fall short of Your glory.   Open our ears to hear Your voice.  Open our eyes to see ourselves as You see us.  Help us to claim our new identity in Christ.  Amen. 

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Be Specific In Prayer

Be Specific In Prayer

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NIV).

If you have a specific need, you need to make a specific request.  We all have specific needs (health, financial, family, etc.), but many of us approach prayer with general requests.  However, Jesus taught us to be specific in our prayers.  As He taught his followers to pray, He could have told them to say, “bless us” or “help us.” However, He taught, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). He was urging His followers to be specific in prayer.  The bread was essential to life then, and Jesus is “the Bread of Life” for us today (John 6:35).

Why is it important to be specific in prayer?  Praying for specific needs helps with the following.

1)  Clarifies our minds.  A specific prayer allows us to clearly define the need.  As we clearly articulate our petition, we may begin to formulate a solution.  We realize that God’s solution may not be the same as our solution.  Once we speak our prayer, we now have one of life’s most precious commodities – hope.

2)  Identify the root problem.  As we develop specific prayers, we have the opportunity to pause and reflect on what is causing this need?  For example, perhaps we don’t need a salary increase but rather we need to be more careful with our spending.

3)  It reminds us of our dependence on God.  We are dependent on God, and all that we have is due to His blessing.  We would be wise to remember that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).  In some churches, the congregation sings the short hymn, “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” as the offering is brought forward to be received.  This doxology reminds us that as children of God, we are dependent on the blessings of the Father for provision and protection.

4) Increases our awareness of His answer.  As we offer up a specific prayer, we await an answer.  General prayers are more difficult to discern when, if, or how they have been answered.  For example, if you have a meeting with a difficult co-worker or supervisor tomorrow, then today you could pray that God would bless you with a spirit of peace so you can sleep well tonight.  Pray for wisdom so you are prepared for the meeting.  Pray that God grants you both with a spirit of gentleness.  And pray that the meeting is productive, and God is honored.

5) Strengthens our faith.  A prayer is an essential form of worship for a Christian.  If we do not have faith in God, then there is no need for prayer.  Prayer allows us to connect to God and draws us closer to Him. As we see God respond to our specific prayers, our relationship with God deepens, and our faith increases.

6) Lightens our burden.  Our prayers are a reminder of our covenant with God.  As you “Come to Him” in prayer, you “yoke up” with supernatural power and find “rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28).  Our burden is lightened because we are working in tandem with Him.

There are numerous examples in Scripture where people offer up specific prayers to God.  In Genesis 24 we learn that Abraham’s servant has been sent to find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac.  The servantly wisely began the assignment with prayer. “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this, I will know that you have shown kindness to my master: (Genesis 24:12-14).  Scripture says, “Before he had finished praying, Rebekah appeared” (Genesis 24:15).  The servant offered a specific prayer and had an answered prayer.  He saw God at work.

1 Chronicles 4:10 details the prayer of Jabez.  He was a relatively obscure person that prayed a specific prayer to God.  “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”  May we also formulate specific prayers to address our needs that bring honor and glory to the Father.

Prayer:  Dear God, As we offer up specific prayers to you, may we do so boldly with confidence and thanksgiving.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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What Is Your Reflection?

What Is Your Reflection?

What Is Your Reflection?

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:3 NIV).

What Is Your Reflection?

I think most people probably use a mirror at least once a day, maybe even multiple times.  We look at ourselves to see our reflection.  We want to know what image we are reflecting out to others.  Then, we take action to improve our appearance.

Scripture tells us that God’s Word is like a mirror:  “Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24).  A mirror reflects our outside physical appearance, and God’s Word reflects our inner spiritual appearance.  Which one of these do you think is more important to you, to society, and to God?

Have you ever seen yourself as one of the characters in the Bible?  For example, if you read the parable of the lost son in Luke 15, you will likely see yourself as behaving as one of the characters at some point in your life.  Sometimes we focus on the sins of others rather than our own sins as happened to the woman caught in adultery in John 8.  I saw a great meme on Facebook recently that read – the only one qualified to throw a stone did not.

Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word discerns our heart’s thoughts and desires.  As we search Scripture, it searches us as well.  I suspect that some do not read the Bible because they are afraid to look into the mirror of God’s Word and see their spiritual reflection.  Our spiritual reflection to the world is evidenced by our ability, or inability, to show the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5 22-23). 

What is our spiritual reflection of our self?  Our sins can soil our image to our own eyes.  Our spiritual reflection to ourselves lies in our ability to claim our new identity in Christ.  The Fruits of The Spirit are not only to be shown to others but also to ourselves.  How can we give these to others when we have failed to give them to ourselves? 

God is known by many names and descriptions in Scripture.  One of my favorite images is that of a silversmith.  In Malachi 3:3 we learn, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver

When silver is mined from the earth, it does not look like the silver we find in a jewelry store. In fact, it is not always recognizable due to the impurities that mar its appearance. An experienced silver miner knows that the ugliest lump of silver is of great value, and the potential for beauty is great.  God does not see us full of impurity but full of worth.

I was in a Bible study years ago when I first read this verse.  An older gentleman asked me how does God know when the silver is refined and finished?  He answered his own question and said when He can see His own reflection in who is being refined.  Amen?

Prayer:  Dear God:  Thank you for your love and patience as the impurities are removed from our spirits.  We know that through your grace and the blood of Jesus you can look at us and see Your reflection as we are presented perfect, blameless, and without fault.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Read Scripture And Then Use It

Read Scripture And Then Use It
Read Scripture And Then Use It

Read Scripture And Then Use It

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24 NIV).

I enjoy reading the Bible, and I if you are reading this you probably do as well.  I also enjoy group Bible studies, Sunday School, small groups and any other means of studying and learning Scripture.  I study Scripture because I want to learn more about God.  I know “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).   I want to learn, and the more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know.  The Word is essential to our training (and continual retraining) in righteousness. 

The Word is more powerful that we can even begin to realize.  The Apostle Paul conveyed this in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

How many times do we read and study Scripture and then stop?  Yes, the Bible is to be read and studied, but it is also to be lived and shared.  Our salvation is not in our knowledge of Scripture, but rather our salvation is in the Blood of Christ.

In the time of Jesus, there were teachers of the Law that had a deep and profound knowledge of Scripture.  Jesus warned us about their hypocrisy in Matthew 23:2-3.  “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”  One of the many names used to refer to Jesus was “teacher” (John 13:13).  As a teacher, Jesus wants us to use His teaching and “go and do likewise.”  The evangelist D.L. Moody once said, “The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”

In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells the story of two builders – a wise one and a foolish one.

The foolish man builds his house on sand. When a storm comes, the house falls with a great crash. Jesus says people who hear His teachings but don’t put them into practice are like that foolish builder.  The wise builder, though, builds his house on the rock. When rain and winds come, his house stands firm. Jesus says: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).

The Book of James speaks at length about putting into action what the Bible teaches. The first chapter of the book of James includes three characteristics that we will have if we are putting God’s Word into practice.  We will have:

1.

A controlled mouth: “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

2.

A caring heart:  “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).

3.

A clean mind: “keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27 NIV).

The disciples learned the Word from the Word (Jesus).  Jesus knew that knowing and doing are different so He told, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”  Biblical knowledge is a blessing, but a greater blessing can be found when we put its teachings into practice.

I love the familiar Scripture in Psalm 118:24. “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Think about the words “rejoice and glad.”  I think we can show these attributes by showing Christ.  We show Christ when we put our faith into Christ-like words, thoughts, and action.  Read your Bible and be a doer of the Word.

Prayer:  Dear God:  Thank you for revealing yourself to us through your Word.  Help us to not only study your Word but to put it into action in our daily lives.  Amen. 

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered Prayers
Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered Prayers

“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV).

In 1990 Garth Brooks wrote a popular country song entitled, “Unanswered Prayers.”  The song described a time when he ran into a high-school girlfriend while he was with his wife.   In a recent interview Brooks admits that during the first two years of his marriage he still had strong feelings for this other woman and felt that she was the one that he should had married.  However, as he ran into his old flame, he realized that this girl was not the “angel he remembered in his dreams.” Time had changed him and her. The song expresses his awareness that he needed to thank God for the “gifts in his life.” He became aware of the fact that he needs to be thankful to God for the gift of unanswered prayers to reunite with his old girlfriend and the blessing of a good wife, which Proverbs 31:10 teaches us is, “far more precious than jewels.” 

We can all remember praying to God for something we thought was so critical.  We know that God hears our prayers and we approach prayer with confidence and thanksgiving.  The first time I read John 14:14 I thought I had found a genie bottle.  I could maybe rub the bottle and offer up a prayer and out pops my request, just like a vending machine.

Jesus used the Lord’s prayer to teach us how to pray.   The purpose of this prayer, and our lives, is to advance God’s kingdom.  A key part of the prayer is, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10, emphasis added).  Our will was done in the Garden of Eden, and the result is a fallen earth.  Sin allowed pain and death to enter the Garden and our lives today.

One reason we know God hears our prayers is because He has promised to hear them. Even if He doesn’t always answer the way we think He should, He still hears us. The Psalmist declared, “As for me, I call to God … and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17).

Why then, does God sometimes seem deaf to our prayers? One reason may be because we’ve allowed sin to take root in our hearts—and sin always separates us from God. It may be anger, or hatred, or prejudice, or an unclean habit, or anything else that we’ve allowed to pollute our souls. As we wait on God to act, He may be waiting on us to remove whatever separates us from Him.

God often doesn’t answer our prayers the way we think He should because He loves us, and He knows what is best for us. It’s often been said that God answers prayer in one of three ways: “Yes”, “No”, and “Wait.” We see only part of the picture—but God sees the whole thing. It is essential that we seek God’s will first when we pray and not just our own.

Sometimes we pray and the answer is “no” because God has something better and we need to wait.  Our faith is tested through prayer.  Why does God seemingly ignore prayers to heal babies that are born with cancer?  How can “something better” occur due to the death of babies.  To me, the best explanation is found in Isaiah 66:9, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Persistent prayer may not yield the answer that we feel is justified. The response may not be clear or fair.  However, by faith we proceed to forge ahead when the path is not clear.  Don’t be discouraged. Instead, thank God for His unconditional love and grace, and learn to commit everything to Him in prayer.

Prayer:  Dear God:  Great is thy faithfulness.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Run, Don’t Walk!

Run, Don’t Walk!

Run, Don’t Walk!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV).

Run, Don’t Walk!

As a child, I reminder being told to walk and not to run.  Today, many of us use the expression, “I am going to run to the store.”  In fact, we are going to get in our car and drive to the store and then walk in to shop.  I see many more walkers than runners in my neighborhood.   I prefer to walk than to run but sometimes in life we need to run.  Running is great for exercise, but we should also “run” or move quickly for other reasons. Below are a few examples.

If God is asking you to do something, then move quickly to do it.  The dishonest manager in Luke 16 is not a hero because of his dishonesty but because he looked ahead, made a wise plan, and acted

quickly.  Rahab is not a hero because she is a prostitute but because she quickly hid the men sent by Joshua into Jericho after the king’s messengers knocked on her door and inquired about the spies (Joshua 2:3-4).  Both of these people were flawed but were of great service to advancing God’s kingdom because they acted in faith and acted quickly.

Third, always be quick to keep your promises to God.  If you make a promise to God, keep your promise. Don’t be slow to do what you promised. God is not happy with fools. Give God what you promised to give him. It is better to promise nothing than to promise something and not be able to do it” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).  Many of us are procrastinators, or we wait for the perfect time to do something.  The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 11:4, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” 

When you are faced with temptation, run.  2 Timothy 22 teaches, “Run from temptations that capture young people.”  Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce a young, handsome Joseph, but he resisted.  Genesis 39:12 tells us, “… he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”

You should move quickly to accept God’s salvation. God has offered you salvation, and today is the day to accept it. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Right now God is ready to welcome you. Today he is ready to save you.”  How do you accept salvation? You turn away from yourself and toward God. You trust Christ to come into your life, forgive your sins, and make you who He wants you to be.

If you see an opportunity to do something good for someone else, do it immediately. God will put people in your life with needs. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.” John Wesley said, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

Prayer:  Dear God, Thank you for always welcoming us as we run to you.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Are You Patiently or Impatiently Waiting on God?

Are You Patiently or Impatiently Waiting on God?
Are You Patiently or Impatiently Waiting on God?

Are You Patiently or Impatiently Waiting on God?

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14 NKJV).

According to the website Brainboost.com, the average person will spend 10 years standing in line over their lifetime.  I wonder how much time will be added on if they factored in waiting on the phone, waiting for a movie to start, or one of my favorite past times – waiting on God.

The Bible is full of stories of those who waited on God to move.  Joseph waited over 13 years before his prophetic promise was fulfilled.  Moses waited 40 years before he had his divine encounter with the flaming voice of God.  David waited in a cave as an exile until he eventually became King. Jesus waited 30 years before He was commissioned for public ministry.  Jesus made Mary and Martha wait for four days on His return to heal Lazarus.

Waiting can seem like such a waste of time.  I now try to take advantage of time waiting to spend on time reading.  Ironically, I like to read books on waiting and patience as I am waiting, not so patiently, for the doctor, dentist, etc.

Waiting can be good if the time is used wisely.  Parents use the months of pregnancy to prepare for the new baby.  As Christians, we can embrace waiting with the knowledge that God is preparing us for glory.  The Hebrew word for “wait” is literally “to entwine” — like strands of a rope twisted into one.  If God acted immediately every time we cried to Him, we would be in control and not Him.   I am glad that God is God and I am not.

Having to wait causes us to either grow anxious or learn to trust Him, to trust His timing.  Waiting on God is not easy. Often it seems that He isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation. Often God uses times of waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. Make good use of your waiting times by discovering through prayer, Scripture, and talking with your pastor what God may be trying to teach you.

I love the peace that comes from Isaiah 40:30-31.“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  This is a promise from God of the blessing that comes from waiting – renewed strength.  My strength is limited, but “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Prayer:  Dear God:  As we wait on your Hand to move, please continue to draw us closer to you.  Help us to seek first your righteousness and always embrace your love, peace, and joy.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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I Can’t Get No Satisfaction

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction

He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what He does”  (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV).

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was a song by the English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in 1965. The lyrics refer to secular frustration and commercialism, not Christianity.  However, there is a message in the song that has been true since the book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon around 935 BC.  In many instances, we cannot get satisfaction, at least not on earth.  We may pray for understanding, but I think God is waiting for us to surrender and trust.  Proverbs 9:10 teaches, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

From the time we are children, we constantly ask questions that range from mundane to existential.  Are we there yet?  What’s for dinner?  Why is the sky blue?  Why did my friend die at

such a young age?  Why does evil exist?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 teaches us, “He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what He does.”   This Scripture is telling us that God made us to be curious because “He has given us a desire to know the future.”  As Christian we know that God is in control, but we are hesitant to walk by faith and not by sight.  We tend to want to lean on our own understanding.  This is particularly true for those with a predisposition toward left-brain logic. 

Jesus understood our desire for understanding.  He said in John 13:7, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”  Jesus’s speaking style did not give “satisfaction” to the crowds.  In Matthew 13 Jesus had finished the Parable of the Sower and the disciples asked Him a question that any of us would have likely asked.  “Why do you speak to the people in parables? (Matthew 13:10). 

His answer is revealing in many ways.  “He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Matthew 13:11-16). 

Jesus spoke in parables – earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. He did so that His disciples would comprehend His teachings and that unbelievers would be without comprehension. Those interested in understanding the truth of His message would understand while those not interested would remain without understanding.  I circle back to King Solomon.  He wrote in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  This provides me the satisfaction that I desire, and I am confident that when I meet my maker I will rest in complete peace, love and satisfaction.

Prayer: Dear God:  Thank you for steadfast love which endures forever.  Grant us ears to hear your Word proclaimed and the resolve to proclaim it to others.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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Seek Unity Not Uniformity

Seek Unity Not Uniformity

Seek Unity Not Uniformity

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.   For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.   Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:21-31 NIV).

Seek Unity Not Uniformity

All members of most sports teams wear a uniform.  This designates they are a part of the same team.  However, each member is not uniform in terms of their role or skill on the team.  Different roles and skills are needed for any team to be successful.  Similarly, we are a part of God’s team.  We are according to 1 Peter 2:9, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood.”  We do not wear the same outward uniform, but inwardly the Holy Spirit resides in each of us.  We each were called into ministry through our baptism and profession of faith in Jesus and have been equipped and blessed with different skills and roles.  You are a unique member on God’s team because nobody has your perspective, experience, and skills.  Nobody else has your testimony.  Your authentic spoken testimony and witness is a powerful tool for evangelism.

We can speak words of truth and love or lies and hate. Scripture teaches, “the tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21).  Words can cause division and hurt.  If a word slipped out of your mouth in anger or strife, take it back.  Apologize for it and tell your friend, partner, or family member that you said the wrong thing.  It should be noted that some people are toxic and prefer strife over unity.

Jesus spoke words of unity. The enemy spoke words of strife in Genesis 3 and Matthew 4.  Unity is not the absence of strife but the courage to refuse it.  Scripture teaches about strife.  “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14).

One of the greatest causes of strife today is a lack of humility. Our ego is easily bruised when somebody uses words to attack our character or our family.  We would be wise to heed the advice of James 1:19; “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”  Humility helps us to be slow to anger.  Micah 6:8 reads “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (emphasis added).”

So, what does humility look like in our daily life?   The answer can be found in Philippians 2:3-4.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Nobody has modelled humility for us better than Jesus.  He willingly left the paradise of heaven and came to a fallen earth to knowingly be hated, tortured, and crucified on a cross.

Pray for unity in the Body of Christ.  It’s important.

Prayer:  Thank you for the blessing of children.  Be with us as we try to raise our children to love and honor you.  Amen.

Meet the Author

Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and is in training to be a Certified Lay Minister through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and is a Board Member for Gulf South Men and serves on the Action Team for The Kingdom Group. He is a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, Grace Camp, and Iron Sharpens Iron. Todd resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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