When He Returns

Posted on September 24, 2024 by shatwin2003

One night as I was putting my children to bed, my 5-year-old asked me, “When will we get Disney+ again? When Jesus comes back?” I had spoken with her a few weeks ago about Jesus coming back, and I guess she equated having Disney+ with the excitement of Jesus’s return. I smiled and held back laughter at how cute her question was. Then, I explained to her that we will have even better things than Disney+ when Jesus comes back.

As I further reflected on our conversation, I thought of how sometimes I don’t value and get excited about eternity and Jesus’s second coming to the world. I’m so satisfied with the things of this world like Disney+, that I don’t long for being with Jesus. I don’t long for how he will fix what is wrong with the world make all things new. Revelation 21 describes the beauty and glory of dwelling with God in the new heaven and the new earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.

Revelation 21:1-7 (CSB)

I am amazed at the thought of God himself wiping away every tear from my eyes. Death, crying and pain will be no more because sin and all of the destruction it causes will pass away. God will dwell with us. We get to be in the presence of the Alpha and the Omega! God is not stingy. He freely gives to the thirsty the water of life. If we want Him, He gives us Himself.

God, you are holy. I am unworthy of being in your presence, but you desire to dwell with me. Thank you for sending Jesus to pay the punishment that I deserved for my sin, so that I can be made worthy to be with you. I look forward to seeing you face to face!

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Let It Shine

Posted on February 26, 2024 by shatwin2003

One day, I was in the grocery store shopping while the kids were eating bananas from the free fruit for kids stand. My two-year-old was sitting in the shopping cart and when he finished his banana, he wiped his hand on my shirt like it was a napkin. Needless to say, I was upset. I was wearing a t-shirt that had a definition of the gospel based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 written on it that some friends in college ministry gave me. Although the message written on the shirt was still clear to read, it was smeared with banana. I wanted to zip up my jacket so no one would see the mess.

Sometimes I feel this way about sharing gospel, the good news of Jesus, with others. I’m hesitant to share, or I want to hide it because, I think they will see the mess. My mess can be defined in two different ways. Either I think that I am too sinful to be worthy of sharing the gospel, or I think I am inadequate in my delivery of the message of the gospel. I think I have to have it all together for someone to believe Jesus. But the truth is, the power of the gospel is neither in my strength to resist sin, nor in my ability to deliver the message eloquently. The power of the gospel rests on who the message is about: Jesus.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 (ESV)

It may feel like my sinfulness or poor delivery can taint the message of the gospel like the banana smeared on the message on my t-shirt. However, I actually think the banana smear may have caused people to look at the shirt to read the message even more. My sinfulness points to my need for the Savior. And, God can use me because of my weaknesses. Paul, a follower of Jesus, spoke about how his weaknesses made him strong in Christ.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)

Although my life will be messy, and God gives grace for the mess, God is not calling me to wallow in the mess. Instead he is calling me to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel

Philippians 1:28 (ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)

A life worthy of the gospel is a life of love for God and love for others, which can only come by faith in Jesus. The message of salvation in Jesus is too good to hide. God knows that we are tempted to hide it like I was tempted to zip up my jacket to cover my shirt. So, Jesus gave these instructions to those who follow him.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

Forgive me for hiding my light. The power of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is greater than my sin or my weaknesses. Thank you for your sufficient grace. Help me to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel and to unashamedly tell others about Jesus.

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Is It In You?

Posted on February 16, 2024 by shatwin2003

One day, I was using my phone to follow a recipe to make biscuits. At some point while I was engaged, my children took my phone. I told them to bring my phone back, but they either didn’t hear me or ignored me. I decided to proceed with making the biscuits without the recipe, because I had made them quite a few times. To my surprise, I was able to complete the rest of the recipe from memory.

Engaging with the Bible can be like my experience with the biscuit recipe. The more we hear it, read it, study it, meditate on it, and memorize it, the easier God’s word will come to us when we need it. Before Jesus died, he told his disciples that Holy Spirit would teach them and remind them of His words.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:25-26 (ESV)

Why do we need to expose ourselves to God’s word and be reminded of God’s word?

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)

There are many benefits to engaging with God’s word, but the ultimate one is to love and obey God. John made clear the purpose of the book that he wrote.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:30-31 (ESV)

The whole point of the Bible is to point us to Jesus, who is the way to knowing, loving, and obeying God.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit uses the Bible to remind us of what is true about God. His word is to be treasured above gold, and it’s sweeter than honey. So why not take the time to put more of God’s word in us?

God, forgive me for not treasuring the Bible as I should and ultimately not treasuring You as I should. Help me to truly desire Your word. Thank you for sending Holy Spirit to teach me and remind me of Your word.

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Can You Pray?

Posted on January 23, 2024 by shatwin2003

Yesterday, I was experiencing some back pain. It felt like every time I moved a certain way my back muscles would tighten like when you have a crick in your neck. My kids saw me grimace and groan throughout the day in response to the pain. That night after the kids were in bed, my 4 year old asked me, “Mommy, can you pray for your back?” I told her that was a great idea, and I asked her if she wanted to pray for me. Before she could answer, my 2 year old said, “Yes!” I had him repeat the words of a prayer after me. Then, I thanked my 4 year old for suggesting we pray, and thanked my 2 year old for praying.

Part of me thought, “why didn’t I think of that.” It took my young children to remind me to pray. But, I shouldn’t be surprised. God often uses our children to turn us toward Himself. When the religious leaders angrily complained to Jesus that the children were in the temple crying out his praises, Jesus responded:

Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise?”

Matthew 21:16 (ESV)

It made my heart feel full of joy to see my youngest children’s hearts moved to pray. I can only imagine that God’s heart is also moved when His children come to Him in prayer. He is ready and willing to give us good gifts. Jesus explains to us how we should approach prayer and how God responds.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:7-11 (ESV)

Simply put, just ask. God is a good Father, who gives good things. My back is still a little sore, but it’s definitely better. But, what if nothing changed, or my pain got worse after praying? Does that mean God is not good? Does that mean he does not give good gifts? No. God knows what we need to lead us to the best gift of all: Jesus. Sometimes it is through suffering that we come to know the depth of the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus, and come to the know the height of the love of our Father, God. Jesus is what we really want, and He is the good gift we receive when we ask.

Father, I thank you for using my children to remind me to come to you in prayer. Help me to come to you as a child in need, knowing that you are the perfect Father. Most of all, thank you for giving me Jesus.

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Free

Posted on November 10, 2023 by shatwin2003

A few months ago, I decided to take my one-year-old into DSW without a stroller. I had taken him there before with a stroller, but I didn’t realize until this trip how necessary having a stroller would be. As soon as he had the opportunity, he started running around the store as fast as his little legs would carry him. It got so hard to keep up, I started sending my 4 year old to run after him. I’m sure in his one-year-old mind, he was having fun, and he felt free. However, his daring fun and freedom turned dangerous when he got close to the escalator.

Sometimes we can treat life like my son did. Running around and having a good time doing things our way. We ignore the voice that tells us to stop running and to stay where it is safe. Unbeknown to us there is danger in our path. The stroller acted a a protective barrier to keep my son safe, but when we didn’t use it, there was trouble. In the same way, listening to God’s word and following His Spirit keeps us safe.

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.

Proverbs 1:32-33 (ESV)

Thankfully, I was able to catch my son before he tried to get on the escalator. In the same way, God is merciful and often keeps us from disaster even when we don’t heed warnings. However, the ultimate disaster awaits us if we do not put our hope in the salvation that God provides.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23 (ESV)

Doing things our own way can feel like freedom, but it is really slavery to sin. We face eternal death and separation from God if we choose to do things our way. Following Jesus gives us true freedom. If we surrender our lives to make Jesus our Lord, and have faith that he died to forgive our sins and rose from the dead to give us a new life, we have God’s gift of eternal life with Him.

because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)

Lord, forgive me for chasing after the false freedom of sin. In your mercy and grace you have given me the gift of true freedom in Jesus. I surrender to you.

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The Cover Up

Posted on August 3, 2023 by shatwin2003

One day, I discovered that one of the children spilled bottled water on my bed. I didn’t have time to clean it up at the moment. Later that evening, as I climbed exhaustedly into bed, I felt something wet and realized that I forgot about the spill. I got a towel to try to cover up the wet part of the bed, but that didn’t suffice. A large spot was soaked from the comforter down to the mattress cover. I reluctantly had to get up, remove the wet sheets, and put on clean, dry sheets.

It felt like too much to have to change the whole bed, so I tried to just get by. Sometimes I can have this same mindset when it comes to sin. It can feel like too much to have to deal with sin, so I try to cover it up with the appearance of righteousness. This never works. Even if people can’t see it, God is not fooled by our attempts to cover our sin. Jesus had sharp words for the scribes and Pharisees who attempted to outwardly appear righteous.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV)

God sees right through to our hearts. If we are unable to cover up our sin with the appearance of righteousness, then what can we do when we discover sin? Sin, like that big, wet spot on my bed, doesn’t allow us to rest in peace. It has to be addressed. The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippian church that addressed his former dependence on his ability to be outwardly righteous.

If anyone thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

Philippians 3:4-9 (ESV)

He zealously followed the law and was a part of God’s chosen people, but Paul realized that this self-righteousness was useless. Following the law cannot remove our sin and make us right with God.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 3:23-28

God opened Paul’s eyes (literally; see Acts 9) to see that what he truly needed was not self-righteousness, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. Our attempts to cover up our sin will never succeed. We need faith to believe that Christ removed our sin by paying the penalty of death that we deserved for our sin, and he rose from the dead to make us right with God. Jesus removes the soiled sheets of sin, and puts on the clean, dry sheets of righteousness.

Forgive me for attempting to outwardly cover my sin. My self-righteousness is worthless. You alone can remove my sin. You alone can make me clean. I trust you Jesus.

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Sleep

Posted on July 20, 2023 by shatwin2003

I have a tendency to be a night owl. I like being able to either get things done or relax after the kids are in bed. But staying up too late causes me to have a hard time waking up in the morning and to drag throughout the day. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of wanting to stay up and clean or tackle a pile of laundry. The desire to accomplish things and be productive is good, but it shouldn’t always happen at the expense of getting the rest that my body needs. Much worse, however, is when fear of missing out causes me to lay awake in bed scrolling through my phone even though I’m sleepy. The book of Psalms speaks to the vanity of anxiously staying awake.

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Psalm 127:1-2 (ESV)

I have found that the times that I do choose to go to bed early, I actually have more energy during the day to accomplish things. Sleep is an amazing gift that God created for our bodies to rest and recharge. It is foolish for me deprive myself of this blessing.

Thank you granting me the blessing of sleep, God. Forgive me for anxiously doing things in my own strength. Help me to trust You and to embrace the rest that I need.

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Ask for Help

Posted on March 11, 2023 by shatwin2003

One morning, while I was still in bed, my 8-year-old son walked in my room and started crying. Afraid he was in some type of distress, I asked him in a groggy voice what was wrong. He told me that he spilled the grits. I realized that he attempted to start making breakfast on his own. I told him that I appreciated him taking the initiative to try to cook breakfast, but that he can’t use the stove without adult supervision because it’s not safe. Then, we finished cooking breakfast together.

My son’s attempt at making breakfast on his own mirrors what we often do as children of God. We like to be independent and do things on our own because we think we can handle it. Why bother God when we don’t have to? Then, we make a mess of things and come running to God when we realize that we actually do need help. Thankfully, God hears our cries for help. He doesn’t hold it against us that we didn’t come to him initially.

I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 18:6 (CSB)

For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abounding in faithful love to all who call on you. LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my plea for mercy. I call on you in the day of my distress, for you will answer me.

Psalm 86:5-7 (CSB)

God you are the One who is always able to help me. Forgive me for trying to be self-reliant. I need you. Thank you for being forgiving, loving, and merciful and hearing my calls for help.

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O, Be Careful Little Tongue What You Say

Posted on February 21, 2023 by shatwin2003

Why don’t you ever listen? How many times do I have to tell you? Why can’t you just do what I asked you to do? These are all things that I’ve said out of frustration to my kids. They aren’t healthy ways to communicate, especially considering the tone I used to deliver the message. If I put myself in their shoes, I would feel belittled, despised, and like I’m a problem. That’s definitely not how I want my children to feel. I want them to feel cared for, valued, and loved. So why would I say such things?

The book of James illustrates how uncontrolled the tongue is:

Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

James 3:3-10 (CSB)

We can tame animals, but we can’t tame our own tongues. The things we say can be destructive like a wildfire. We may not have even intended harm, but it happens nonetheless. As the verse says, these things should not be this way. So, how should things be? The book of Proverbs has a few things to say:

There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 (CSB)

The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech. Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:23-24 (CSB)

Kind words can actually heal, but it takes wisdom to speak this way. This wisdom comes from God.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

James 3:17-18 (CSB)

When we mess up and say the wrong thing, which it’s guaranteed that we will, we can seek wisdom from God to cultivate peace and use our words to heal.

I confess that I have used my tongue to speak destructive words. God, please give me the wisdom to instruct my mouth to speak words that bring healing.

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Flirt

Posted on February 15, 2023 by shatwin2003

My son caught me off guard when he asked me, “What does flirt mean?” For whatever reason, flirt was one of his weekly spelling words, and he was supposed to use it in a sentence for homework. As I struggled to come up with an age appropriate definition, I remembered that I bought a children’s dictionary from the thrift store. I told my son we can look it up in the dictionary, and I was relieved to find that the word flirt was included. After we read the definition, he then asked me, “What does romantically mean?” And I thought I was off the hook. I told him, “When someone likes another person, like a boyfriend and girlfriend.” I had heard him talk about having girlfriends at school before, so I hoped he would be able to figure it out from there.

Later on as I reflected on our interaction, I wondered why I chose to define romance with boyfriend and girlfriend rather than husband and wife. I believe it’s that I subconsciously think that often romantic pursuits like flirting tend to die after marriage and even more so after kids. A husband and wife can easily take each other for granted when the newness of marriage passes and they get caught up in the busyness of life. One place where the romance between a couple is definitely not dead is in the book of Song of Solomon (sometimes called Song of Songs). This book records a poetically romantic exchange between a man and a woman:

You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride. You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

Song of Songs 4:9 (CSB)

This man is smitten. He is blown away by the beauty in her eyes. There is something special about locking eyes with someone you love. To put a cherry on top, he complements the jewelry she is wearing. The flirting is definitely not one sided here, because the woman has her share of things to say too:

Come, my love, let’s go to the field; let’s spend the night among the henna blossoms. Let’s go early to the vineyards; Let’s see if the vine has budded, if the blossom has opened, if the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my caresses. The mandrakes give off a fragrance, and at our doors is every delicacy, both new and old. I have treasured them up for you my love.

Song of Songs 7:11-13 (CSB)

She is asking her husband to get away with her, so they can share their love. Sometimes getting away from it all to focus on one another is just what a relationship needs. She knows what she wants and she communicates it. A healthy dose of romantic love like that found in Song of Solomon can help keep a marriage strong.

God, I thank you for the gift of my husband. You knew just what I needed and what I wanted. Forgive me for taking him and his love for granted. Help me to prioritize expressing my love to him.

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