So teach us to number our days that we may get
a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
What if each new day brought a new nugget of wisdom? In just the past year, 365 treasures would be ours. And counting the accumulation over 5, 10, 20 years … we would be wealthy in wisdom!
As women of God, wisdom is available to us if we are looking for it and asking for it, but we must be looking and asking at the right source. Scripture makes it clear: God is the source of wisdom!
More thoughts on this can be found in this week’s YouTube teaching here:
If we could grab hold – and hold on – to the wisdom God reveals to us in His Word, how rich we would be in wisdom!
My husband and I recently attended the wedding of a dear friend’s daughter. We were seated at a large round table with three other couples (and spread out from others to respect social distancing). My friend, the mother of the bride, referred to our group as the “fun table,” while the bride called ours the “table of wisdom.” One of the men quipped, “It just means it’s the table with the old people!”
And indeed, that statement carried some truth! If we have a teachable spirit – a willingness to listen and learn – God can use all events and circumstances of our lives to allow us to see and apply the wisdom He offers.
Are you ready to connect the dots from God’s Word to YOUR life?
Our Write the Word bookmark this month features verses containing the word wisdom. Come join us, as we read and write – and also pray, memorize, and live out – the truth we uncover in each verse. Download your free scripture bookmark and S.O.A.P. study pages here:
Praying we are all 31 nuggets wealthier come November!
Editor’s Note: You can also download our October ‘Do It’ List here – and don’t miss Laura’s Martha Monday video featuring tips for closet organization:
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11
While all of us are fully aware that we are not dead to sin, we can celebrate the joyous news that in Christ, God declares us as dead to sin. If our identity is in Jesus, our name is on the page titled, “dead to sin.” We are counted sinless – deemed, treated, labeled, seen as alive! No longer dead spiritually, we are alive to God.
Does that sound too good to be true? Sometimes good news is like that!
Perhaps there’s a part of all of us that will always suffer from the “imposter syndrome” … simultaneously aware of our sin but believing in God’s grace. We are incredulous that we could truly be forgiven—that Jesus would take the rap we deserve. But He did!
Our alive-to-God status, of course, has nothing to do with us at all. We did not earn it by our behavior. We do not deserve it. In fact, the only way we could get it is as a gift—our good could never be good enough to be transformed from death to life on our own.
Maybe you feel like the younger brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. You come to God ready to grovel because the light bulb finally went on—you finally see your own spiritual depravity, the depth of your sin. But instead of lecturing, admonishing, chastising, or doling out punishment, He runs to greet you! He celebrates your coming to Him … and throws a party that has the angels in heaven dancing with delight.
If we are counted dead to sin, then let’s be determined to live like the alive-to-God women that we are!
Editor’s note: We invite you to watch Laura’s teaching this week from Romans 1:18-32, where she examines the heavy topic of sin:
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“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
All of creation bears witness to God’s character and creativity. His invisible qualities are made visible in creation, when we behold:
A majestic, snow-capped mountain
A vast ocean with the tide rolling in
A newborn babe
A seed burst forth from soil
A honeybee in its hive
A human eye
A hummingbird
A rose, a daisy, a lily
An ear of corn, an apple, an orange
We look up, look down, and look all around — and it prompts wonder and worship. Even those who do not know His name are compelled to acknowledge His existence. We can declare with the Psalmist, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
We intuitively know there is intelligent design. Order and beauty do not flow from chaos. (If so, why does my desk need perpetual attention?!) All this: the beauty and bounty, the variety, the taste and texture. God’s glory is on display, if we will but pause to look.
Take some time —make some time — to take a Sunday walk. Worship. Wonder. Acknowledge Him. Thank Him. It’s there. He’s there. Clearly seen. You just have to look!
He is the genius who thought it all up and then had the power to speak it into existence!
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1
Thank you for continuing to Write the Word with us in Romans this month!
I’d also like to invite you to study along with my weekly teaching through Romans, by subscribing to the Cross My Heart YouTube channel.
Here is the most recent lesson in our Romans Bible study series:
If you have not seen the Intro video, you can find the entire Romans study playlist HERE.
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For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17
Editor’s note: This week marks the launch of the new study through Romans! You can view Laura’s Introductory teaching lecture here:
The theme for the book of Romans is righteousness. It is a topic with sobering significance. Our destiny for eternity hinges on being declared right before God. Does that stir up a little (or a lot) of fear? Does the thought of standing before Almighty God bring on concern, trepidation, confidence, anxiety, or peace?
Many of us seldom think about the end of our life – we are too busy pedaling hard to stay ahead for today! But we are concerned with the future: we buy insurance, lock our doors, invest in a 401(k), and keep a flashlight in the nightstand.
If we have a plan for future contingencies here on earth, shouldn’t we also plan for eternity?
Are you counting on checking enough “good girl boxes” to get in? Are you determined to earn the proverbial Boy Scout merit badges (volunteer hours, paying it forward, supporting worthy causes, donating your time and money) to impress God?
Here’s the reality: your good will never be good enough. (And neither will mine.) Even Billy Graham and Mother Theresa would be left out, if humanity’s good deeds could satisfy divine righteous requirements.
Our righteousness can ONLY come from God. We receive it as a gift. It is not a reward for good deeds, a “salary” for services rendered. It comes by faith.
That truth – righteousness by faith alone in Christ alone – is one we will unpack, explore, and expound upon as we work, study, meditate, and pray our way through Romans over the next several months.
Will you join us for the journey? I hope you will!
Here are the ways you can get involved – presented in order from the least to the most time consuming:
Read the passage covered for the week on your own.
Purchase the study guide from Joy of Living (print or download versions available) here: https://bit.ly/3bOQN89
Ask a friend to study along with you and then meet up (in person or virtually) to discuss the daily questions.
Reach out to me at cross.my.heart@cox.net about joining one of our Zoom groups for small group discussion.
Romans has often been referred to as “Christianity 101” because in it, we find foundational truths of Christianity. In a very clear and systematic way, Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) illuminates what we are to believe … and then challenges us to the “obedience that comes from faith.” (Romans 1:5).
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“I long to see you so that I may impart to you
some spiritual gift to make you strong
– that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged
by each other’s faith.” Romans 1:11-12
Paul’s heart desire was to visit the church in Rome. Even as he penned his letter to them from Corinth (where he was wrapping up his third missionary journey), his travel plans included a circuitous route back to Jerusalem first. Perhaps the delay prompted the letter—and thousands of years later, we are all grateful!
In the opening verses, Paul shares his longing for the visit with them: mutual encouragement.
A special friend or family member may come to mind when you and I ask ourselves, “Who encourages me?” or “Who do I encourage?” Someone with whom we have a relationship, a history. Someone who knows us.
Paul did not know the people in Rome; most (if not all) he had never met. But in Christ, they were his brothers and sisters. The bond in Christ was the basis for encouragement. He longed to see them in person to not only pour into them, but to receive from them. This means for us, then, that every brother and sister in Christ can also encourage us.
Do you and I look for the good in every person in our spiritual family? Do we see each person with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as one who has a spiritual gift, life experience, wisdom, knowledge from Scripture, or something else that can spur us on?
We need one another.
Living in these pandemic times has required physical distancing (or, at a minimum, physical limitations) for many of us to be safe. But we need not succumb to social distancing. We can be at home, but still connected to the body of Christ socially and certainly spiritually.
We need one another.
Mutual encouragement means we both release and receive encouragement. There is a sweet, beautiful rhythm that comes from members of the body of Christ investing in one another. God created us to need, depend upon, and encourage each other.
The writer of Ecclesiastes taught us that “two are better than one” and Paul confirms this truth in the passage above. The love we show one another may manifest itself as affirmation, a gentle rebuke, wisdom, or just spurring each other to “keep on keeping on.”
The deeper and stronger the relationship, the greater the potential for mutual encouragement. While connections are made church-wide, more personal and intimate relationships challenge, convict, and propel us forward.
Mutual encouragement is cultivated in the soil of trust and security. But it takes time to grow these kinds of relationships. Growth comes when the relationship is well-watered with honor, respect, and a teachable spirit. The fruit of those carefully-tended relationships is mutual encouragement—leading to spiritual maturity.
It takes time.
We don’t plant a seed today, expecting to harvest a pumpkin tomorrow. Likewise, the blessing of faith-based mutual encouragement also takes time to mature.
This mutual-encouragement/faith-nurturing relationship is optimized when both parties are committed to the end goals of maturing in Christ, bringing glory to God, and living a Spirit-filled life.
Time spent with an encouragement partner fills us up. We leave these encounters renewed, invigorated, equipped, and committed to God and His Word. We leave those conversations ever more determined to live an active faith.
When we choose to invest in the life of a fellow believer, we find that the blessings roll back to us … we leave our coffee meeting or lunch date—or, in these challenging times, the Zoom meeting, phone call, or Facetime connection—filled up and ready to pour out. God is faithful to speak to us through fellow believers who share our love for Him and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Do you have a mutual encourager in your life? Is there an accountability partner that you meet with regularly to discuss your journey of faith? Taking just one hour each week (or every other week) can be a life-changing investment of time. In this one hour, you can share what God is teaching you (which holds you accountable to abide in the Word of God), share your successes and challenges in living out your faith, and wrap up by sharing your personal and even confidential prayer requests.
This can be formal or informal. Just call a friend regularly to check in. Ask what God is teaching her. Ask how you can pray for her. Allow the relationship to unfold and grow to a new and deeper level.
Or make it more formal. Ask her to set up a time to meet; right now, that may mean virtual or physically-distanced time together. Commit to share a passage you have been studying, how God is convicting/teaching you, and how you can pray for one another. Two ideas for resources:
The monthly Write the WORD bookmark. You can each download your own copy, get a journal, and begin the daily practice of writing the Word and journaling some thoughts. This video gives ideas on how this can work:
Study Romans with us this year! Read the passage, listen to the Friday teaching lecture on Cross My Heart Ministry’s YouTube channel, and then discuss what you learned. (If you want to go deeper, get the study guide from JoyofLiving.org, work through the daily questions on your own, and then discuss the answers when you meet.)
Whether it is formal or informal, daily or weekly, I invite (and encourage!) you to pray that the desire of your heart would be the same as Paul’s: mutual encouragement in the body of Christ.
Have you subscribed to the Cross My Heart newsletter? Sign up HERE to be notified by email each time something new is available to read on the website!
For a video introduction to the September Write The Word bookmark,
check out last Friday’s YouTube video here: https://bit.ly/3lzXujd
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—
a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,
just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17
This verse is often referred to as the “key verse” for the book of Romans. In Vince Lombardi vernacular, “This is the gospel.” It’s the simple, but costly, precious truth: righteousness by faith.
When Martin Luther read it, the proverbial light bulb went on … and the Protestant Reformation was launched.
2000 years later, the good news is still true: our salvation is by faith alone. Faith plus nothing. Faith is what saves us. And being saved means we carry forward living by faith.
The book of Romans unpacks the gospel like no other book in the Bible. The theme of righteousness is presented with great precision, confirming what we are to believe and the changes — to our thoughts, feelings, and behavior — that will naturally result from that belief.
This month, we will journey through the book of Romans, as we read and write 30 verses from this powerful book. Please join us! You can get your free copy of the September Write The Word bookmarks and S.O.A.P. Bible study pages by visiting the Downloads page.
In choosing Romans as the theme, I have broken a bit from the tradition of choosing a specific word as the focus for each month’s verses. My reason for doing this is to highlight the launch of the new 2020-2021 Bible study in Romans. Details on this study and how you participate can be found in this YouTube video:
Here’s my prayer for us all, as we launch forth on the Romans Road:
O Jesus, may those around us know — and may we model — that righteousness is only found by faith. Forgive us for venturing off the path to counterfeit, manufactured righteousness that really isn’t righteousness at all. Allow us to reject both legalism (the “have-to” list) and liberalism (the “don’t have to” stiff-arming of the list). May we be women who choose, by faith, to live in that sweet spot of abiding in You. Call us to live righteous lives … not to earn Your favor, but because “by faith we have been saved by grace.” Thank you for revealing this truth. May we embrace it and walk in it! Remind us to believe – and to live – what we say we believe.
Visit the DOWNLOADS page to get your FREE September Write The Word bookmarks and S.O.A.P. Bible study pages. While you’re there, be sure you grab this month’s free ‘Do It’ List download, as well!
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new blog posts and freebies are available!
Today is the final Sunday Soaking on this month’s topic, believe. Next week I’ll be introducing the new ‘Write The Word’ theme for September — be sure you’ve subscribed to the newsletter so you don’t miss it! Also, I hope you’ll check out this week’s video devotional on YouTube.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” Mark 1:15
The word believe in this passage is preceded by the word repent. John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, preached repentance and the message was confirmed by Jesus Himself.
Our sin blocks our access to God. Because He is holy, we cannot enter His presence carrying our sin. But God will take care of our sin problem—if we will allow Him.
Our sin hinders our ability to believe God (or to even want to believe God).
We want to hold onto our old ways … even if those ways are not good for us. They are familiar. And familiarity is comfortable.
That old pair of shoes may have holes, they may offer little protection from the elements, but they are familiar and that makes them comfortable.
The same if often true for our sin.
When conviction comes, we often hold on firmly with a two-year-old’s attitude that screams, “Mine!” But are we holding on when we should be/could be/need to be letting go?
What are you and I holding on to that God is asking us to let go? It could be the books and shows we call “entertainment.” It may be eating beyond full. Could it be unforgiveness? Greed? Laziness? Gossip? Something else? Do you have the courage to ask the Holy Spirit, “Show me … convict me … help me!” when it comes to that comfortable sin?
Could it be that what we grasp so tightly—the behavior or attitude or lifestyle that we think will keep us happy—is actually robbing us of true joy?
It’s time.
Let it go. Lay it down. Give it to God.
Allow Him to take it away and give you something better: Himself.
Are you ready to put your faith in Him?
Are you ready to repent from your sin—and believe Jesus?
Are you ready to release the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary?
Are you willing to repent from the flesh and believe in the divine?
Are you ready to turn from the natural and toward Jesus, the supernatural?
Lay it down, my friend. Let it go. Let God take it from you.
Walk away from whatever that is and walk to Him.
The time has come! Repent. Believe.
Both the September Write The Word and ‘Do It’ List features will be released in the next week! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you’ll be notified when the new, free downloads are available. Don’t forget to check out YouTube for this week’s devotional, plus regular features including Martha Monday videos with household hacks, favorite recipes, and more!
The Ninevites believed God.
They declared a fast, and all off them from the greatest to the least,
put on sackcloth. Jonah 3:5
Editor’s note: For Laura’s complete teaching on this passage, please watch Friday’s video devotional from Cross My Heart (see bottom of post).
Wouldn’t we all love to see this response when we deliver a message from God?
Clearly, the warning from God was not only heard, but also acted upon by the recipients. While we might expect the one who delivered the message to be thrilled by that outcome, Jonah was anything but happy when the Ninevites repented and God relented.
When God directed Jonah to deliver a message of coming judgment to the Ninevites, Jonah set off immediately – in the exact opposite direction!
What we often overlook in the story is why he ran. It wasn’t so much the message itself, but rather who he was to deliver it to. Nineveh was the capitol of Assyria. And if you were a Jew in Jonah’s time, Assyria was the arch enemy. Jonah did not want to deliver the message because he was afraid the Ninevites would repent … and knowing God’s character, he knew God would show compassion and mercy!
Do you and I hold out on sharing the gospel because in our heart of hearts we really don’t want certain people to receive compassion and mercy? Do we hesitate, somehow convincing ourselves that others are especially deserving of God’s judgment?
When we truly grasp how much we have been forgiven (and how little we deserve God’s mercy), our response to the gospel will be the same as that of the Ninevites: mourning and humility. They received the message, and their response proves they took it to heart.
The gospel is a simple message, but it changes everything.
Awareness of the true depth and depravity of our sin will prompt a self-awareness that leads to profound mourning. That mourning brings us to a place of repentance and readiness to believe.
The message is consistent: repent and believe. It was true for the Ninevites then, and it is true for us now.
In our faith journey, repentance and belief will bring on a desire to share this good news with others so they, too, can repent and believe. We worship – and invite others to worship – our great God of compassion and mercy, who has forgiven our sins even though we deserve condemnation.
Jonah’s reluctant obedience marks him as an immature believer. A selfish believer. And later, a whiny believer. But as we point a finger at him, we must simultaneously examine our own hearts and our own behavior.
Perhaps Jonah’s story can prompt some self-examination:
Have I acknowledged the depth of my sin?
Have I mourned my sin?
Is my faith in God self-centered and shallow?
Do I see myself as a starving person who has found the bread of life?
If so, do I delight in pointing others to find that same bread?
Am I harboring resentment towards any specific person or group?
Do I intentionally share the gospel?
Do I celebrate when others repent and come to Him?
How am I choosing this day to believe God?
Today’s verse is found on the Write the Word bookmark for August, as this month we are examining verses that include the word, believe. You can download your own copy here on the Downloads page, and begin reading and writing the Word with us!
And don’t miss my full teaching on today’s verse from Jonah:
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6
The word, credited, carries the meaning of assigning value or putting something into someone else’s account.
Where NIV uses credited (as noted above), other versions translate this Hebrew word:
Counted (KJV)
Reckoned (NASB)
My husband, the college professor, has often been asked by his students, “Will you give me credit for this answer?” or “Can I get partial credit?”
In the old days, country doctors (and probably city doctors, too!) accepted milk or eggs in credit for services rendered.
We use the phrase, “I’ll give you credit for trying…”
It all carries the meaning of imputing something—assigning value—in place or for something else.
In this case, Abram’s belief is deemed equal to righteousness. Abram is not righteous (because he is a sinner like every other human being) but instead is declared righteous because of his belief in God.
He gets credit for his belief.
Believing—we might also call it faith—leading to righteousness may look, sound, and feel like a New Testament idea … but here we find it all the way back in the first book of the Bible!
Note that Abram was credited with righteousness by belief:
Before he was circumcised
Before the law was given (that would come 400 years later with Moses)
Before Christ came to earth
God’s beautiful plan to redeem us has always been the same: BELIEVE HIM.
Have you placed your faith in God? Like Abram, have you received credit to your account because of your belief?
When we place our faith in Jesus—believe Him and accept Him—our account gets credited with His righteousness. It was true for Abram then and it’s true for us now. What are you waiting for?
To hear my complete teaching on this passage, check out Friday’s YouTube video devotional:
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36
Everyone human being falls into one of two camps:
Believer
Non-believer
Some might say, “I haven’t rejected Jesus – I just don’t believe in Him.” But by default, refusing to accept is equivalent to rejecting Him. There is no middle ground.
Choosing not to choose is a choice in itself. And, like everything in life, choices bring consequences.
Age has a way of humbling us and providing wisdom that can only come from experience. I remember hearing a story once about a young manager in an organization seeking counsel from an older, successful manager. “What is the secret to success?” he asked. The wise older man responded, “Good decisions.” The young man nodded agreement. Then, furrowing his brow, he asked, “How do I learn to make good decisions?” The older man then answered, “Poor decisions.”
If you’ve lived more than a pair of minutes on this planet, you’ve learned that poor decisions indeed bring consequences. And, if you have a teachable spirit, those consequences prompt better decisions in the future.
But of all the decisions we make (education, career, housing, spouse, and a myriad of others), none carries a greater impact than our decision to believe Jesus. This decision alone impacts us for eternity.
Do you believe Jesus? Are you sure you believe Jesus? If there is any doubt, make that decision NOW. Do not wait!
The choice is simple, but profound. It takes but a moment, but changes eternity. Use your own words or use this prayer as a guide:
God Almighty, if you are there, if you are listening, if you are care, I am finally ready to cry “uncle.” I am ready to yield my life to You. I am a mess. I have made a mess. All my striving has come to nothing. My motivations are rooted in pride. I have rebelled against You. But today is my line in the sand. Enough. I’m tired of trying and weary of running. I believe you exist. I believe You are the Son of God! I believethe unbelievable – that you love me and actually died for me. You paid my bill, the debt I owe for my sin and rebellion. Because you died for me, I want to begin now to live for you. Help me live for you. I’m sliding over to the passenger seat now and letting you take the wheel of my life. Please drive. It’s simultaneously frightening and freeing to take this step of faith and let you be in charge. I love you, Jesus. Today is the day. Thank you for keeping me alive to reach this day. Thank you for every hard thing that you have allowed into my life. Looking back, I see now that nothing was wasted. You used every bit of it to bring me down so I could look up to You. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me hope and a future. Amen.
For this next month, all of my Sunday devotionals will focus on the word, BELIEVE.
I invite each of you to write God’s Word along with me, using the free August Write the Word bookmark which provides 31 verses that all include “believe.” You can download your own copy here (along with free S.O.A.P. Bible study pages to help organize your thoughts and observations each day).
For a final recap of last month’s focus, LIFE, I hope you’ll take a moment to watch Friday’s YouTube video:
