Cross My Heart Ministry

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:

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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:

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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:

1. Believer
2. 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 believe the 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:

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“Therefore, there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1

Condemnation. We’ve all experienced it.

Sometimes it surprises us … catches us off guard. But where does it come from? Friend and family? Neighbors and co-workers? Sometimes we find it online and other times on social media. But the worst is perhaps when it bubbles up in our own head and heart.

Have you ever found yourself condemning yourself?

Paul reminds us in Romans 8 what our enemy wants us to forget: we are no longer condemned! Our identity in Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death!

Are you living like the free woman you are? If not, perhaps it’s possible you are confusing conviction — or even consequences — with condemnation.

Check out our teaching video this week where I unpack this in more depth:

I’m praying for you, dear reader – that you would truly believed you can live FREE because you live IN HIM.

Jesus has set you free … now, go live like the free woman you are!

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Jesus answered,
“I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

This verse may be familiar to many of us. The phrase, “…the way and the truth and the life” may easily roll off our tongues, because we have heard it quoted many times. We may have committed it to memory if we grew up in Sunday School or Awana.

But as we write it out (are you Writing the WORD with us this month? It’s not too late to download the LIFE bookmark here), we may be struck by the combination of these three descriptors: way, truth, life.

These are an interesting combination. As we focus on the words individually, it prompts us to ask, “What do they have in common?”

What do way and truth have to do with life?

Jesus could have said, “I am the hope and the peace and the joy.” Or – “I am the purpose and the reason and the end.” Many combinations might seem to be more logical than, “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Without going deep in the Greek or consulting theological writing, it seems way denotes the path or the journey.

If we have a destination in mind, our Map app may offer lots of routes for getting there. If our stomach growls, there are lots of ways to satisfy it. We are accustomed to options for the choices we make.

You may have heard some suggest there are many ways to get to heaven. Having a plethora of options on Earth could make many resent the suggestion that eternal salvation has only “one way.” Those naysayers might even call this suggestion intolerant.

And that’s where the next word becomes important: truth. By its very definition, truth is exclusive. While many suggestions and options can be presented, what matters is what is the truth. Anyone can say with confidence, “I think you can get to heaven if your good deeds outweigh your bad…if you’ve done your best…if you’ve tried to be a good person…”

At the end of the day, all the “I thinks” and “I believes” mean nothing. Have you ever tried to get out of a speeding ticket by telling the officer, “I believed the speed limit here was 55” when he informed you it was a 25 mile-per-hour zone?

Believing — passionately — that the moon is inhabited by purple people does not make it so.

Believing — with all your heart — that you have a fairy godmother who, upon your death bed, will appear and escort you to heaven will not make it happen.

Believing — quite confidently — that I-40 will take you to Florida will leave you disappointed.

Our passion, devotion, and confidence will make zero difference in achieving our destination goal. What matters is the truth.

Truth was not only used to describe Jesus. Truth also was featured prominently in the Armor of God:

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…”
Ephesians 6:14a

When we don our spiritual armor, the belt of truth goes on first. Perhaps that is to remind us that truth is the foundation of everything else. Jesus not only described Himself as, “the truth,” He also declared in John 17:17, “… your word is truth.”

As followers of Christ, we put on the armor of God daily so that we can take our stand against the enemy. Ours is a spiritual battle. We know we stand against the enemy. We also stand behind the truth.

If we want to know the way, we must have truth to show us the right way. And that’s the means to reach life … eternal life. Real life. Life that matters.

Is God’s Word your source for finding the way, the truth, and the life?  Is it your go-to for answers to life’s questions?

When the world argues there’s some gray in the decision, His Word may reveal clearly what is black and white.

When the world tries to push, pull, and tug us off course, the Word of God is our compass pointing due north.

The Psalmist describes it as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We need that illumination to live well and stand firm in today’s world — and we need to understand the importance of modeling that truth for our children.

Seeking the way, the truth, and the life is a daily choice:

• Get up.
• Will yourself to HIS way.
• Put on your belt of truth.
• Immerse yourself in the Word of God.
• Rejoice in the life you have in Him.

Yesterday is gone. If you sought truth from scripture yesterday and walked in the light of that truth, you chose well. But today, the battle begins all over again. Find the way, put on your belt of truth, and celebrate your eternal life in Jesus … TODAY.

Each day is a fresh start — for good or otherwise. Protect yourself from the lies of the enemy today, by choosing to believe Jesus. He alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

This past Friday, I shared a BIG announcement concerning the monthly Write the WORD Bible study and journaling series! Hope you’re as excited as I am!

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Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
Psalm 63:3

Life is good. You’ve probably said that a few times – perhaps in response to a passing “How are you?” from a friend. The response has become almost a cliché, on par with:

• Can’t complain!
• Awesome!
• Fine!
• Great!

One organization has successfully transformed “life is good” into a thriving business. (Maybe you own a Life Is Good tee shirt.) Their mission is to spread the power of optimism and their tag line reads:  LIFE IS NOT PERFECT. LIFE IS NOT EASY. LIFE IS GOOD.

As a follower of Christ, I can’t argue with that statement. In fact, I agree with it. My life is good. I am grateful for the life I have, and am well aware that I am blessed far beyond what I deserve.

Even though life is never perfect and is often not easy, life is still good.

Life … is … good.

But God’s love is better. Because of God’s love we need not settle for good … we get better. We get eternal life. We get freedom in Christ. We get hope for eternity.

And all that is made possible because of God’s love. Love that is better than a life that is good.

The nerdy part of me wants to make it work in an equation:

Life = Good

God’s Love > Life

If we pause to count our many blessings – to make a list of all the things that make this life good – that list might include:

• A devoted, godly husband
• Children that bring delight
• Grandchildren that bright delight multiplied!
• A safe home
• Plenty to eat
• Friends I can count on and confide in
• A pastor who preaches the Word
• Coffee
• My Bible
• The ability to read
• Air conditioning
• A library card
• A KitchenAid mixer
• Photo albums
• Chocolate
• Laughter
• Tylenol when I have a headache
• Sweet tea on a hot day

The list is endless. Some seem trivial and others more substantial, but all are blessings of a good life.

As good as this life may be, God’s love is better. God’s love trumps every other blessing. God’s love brings peace and joy that transcends this life and reaches to eternity. Because of God’s love, my destiny for eternity is secure. I have confident hope.

Life here is good. I love the blessings this life brings. Anticipating that life for eternity is even better brings wonder … amazement … peace … joy.

As I ponder and embrace the truth that God’s love is better than life, the only possible response is praise. I can’t help but glorify Him. As natural as breathing is the song on my lips to the God
who loves me.

The one whose love is better than life must be praised. He must be glorified. The
deep sense of belonging – of abiding in Him – brings a delightful desire to glorify Him.

Surely, there is no better way to observe the Sabbath than to allow our lips to glorify our great God! Let’s declare with the Psalmist:

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you!

Editor’s note: If you enjoy Laura’s devotionals here,
please check out her YouTube channel where
you will find Bible studies, devotionals, and Martha Monday household tips:

www.YouTube.com/CrossMyHeartMinistry

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight…” Philippians 1:9-11

Editor’s Note: You can view Laura’s complete teaching on this passage here:

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians in the first century is a great one for us to pray over our prodigals in the 21st century. The topic of his prayer is love.

Ahhh ……. love. The theme of the songs we love to sing, the rudder that steers our ship, and the glue that keeps us connected to others.

But what is love exactly? A feeling? A commitment? A choice?

When a teenager falls in love, we deem it “puppy love,” implying it will fade with time. We talk about being lovesick – suggesting an inability to function or behave normally. Love has been deemed mysterious, unpredictable, and disconcerting. The Greeks needed more than one word to describe what English speakers sum up simply as “love”: phileo, eros, agape.

As we struggle to understand, define, and live out love, perhaps Paul can help. His prayer for the Philippians in chapter one of the book that bears their name is a powerful prompt for us to pray over our prodigals (and ourselves), as it simultaneously teaches us much about prayer as it sheds light on the topic of love.

Read this passage slowly and thoughtfully:

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ— to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s prayer offers great insight into the subject of love then and now. Clearly, it is more than a feeling and has purpose beyond ourselves.

Love is not static – it is growing, expanding, and prompts action and change.

When love leads out, we know what is right (“discern what is best”) and we do what is right (“pure and blameless”). Knowing what is right and then following through by doing what is right is what I call “smart love.” The resulting choices lead to purity and righteousness. As we continue to make those decisions, a lifestyle develops. Love “abounds more and more.” And the epitome of it all: God is glorified.

Join with me in praying for your prodigal:

God Almighty, please draw my prodigal back to the path of smart love. He/she has wandered away pursuing a perception of love that really isn’t love at all. Let this precious one – created in Your image and cherished by You – come to his/her senses today. Stir up his/her heart with a holy discontent. I pray life would feel boring, meaningless, and lacking as he/she looks around. And in that moment, may he/she look up and look to You. Rekindle that spark of faith. Draw this one to You! I pray the one I love would run back to You and that You would fill his/her heart with a hunger for love that is discerning. May that love grow and flourish to prompt him/her to know what is right and follow through in doing what is right. May love for you grow daily, abound more and more, produce righteousness, and bring You glory and praise!

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“…take hold of the life that is truly life.”
I Timothy 6:19

Paul wrote these words to Timothy — the young man he called “my true son in the faith” (I Timothy 1:2). Timothy received not one, but two letters from Paul, perhaps demonstrating not only the depth of the relationship, but awareness of the weight of the baton Paul was passing.

Though written specifically to Timothy, you and I — together with Bible readers for twenty centuries — are privileged to glean from the wisdom passed from a spiritual father to a spiritual son.

Father’s Day seems a good day to embrace these wise words.

What I tend to believe about wisdom is this: life will bring it. Living brings learning. That’s the natural, long-route way to arrive at wisdom. But those who are teachable get to take a shortcut. The ones willing to heed the sage advice of those who have traveled the road ahead of them, can benefit tremendously. They have joy in the journey, they take the best route, and they avoid many of the detours and pitfalls that life often brings.

The phrase, “the life that is truly life,” resonates perhaps even better to a 21^st-century audience than a first-century one. Our society has become consumed with stuff — we accumulate toys, we buy clothes we seldom wear, we are driven to replace what we have with the latest version, model, or color. After a while, the stuff we own seems to own us!

Are we individually and collectively chasing the counterfeit instead of the real?

Are we permitting the temporary to trump the eternal?

In this verse, Paul is wrapping up a teaching about riches and wealth where he encouraged a choice to “be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” This type of investment reaps dividends for eternity.

Even the minimalists and the most frugal among us can get caught up in the consumer mentality. When we say “no” to ourselves, we loosen the consumer grip. Releasing our grip on stuff frees us our hands (and hearts) to “take hold of the life that is truly life.”

What are we holding on to? What is most valuable to us? The prodigals we love may be chasing the next raise, the bigger house, or the newer car. They may be seeking acceptance and approval from friends (or strangers), or investing in nothing more than the fleeting pleasures of the moment. As we pray for an eternal mindset for them, we can pray also for ourselves — that we would model richness in good needs, a spirit of generosity, and a willingness to share the abundant blessings that God has given us.

Are you and I holding on tight to that which will last? Are we releasing the manufactured / counterfeit / temporary life for the eternal “life that is truly life”? Would you make some time on this Father’s Day to consider Paul’s wise counsel to his “son” Timothy … and to ask your own Heavenly Father, “What do I need to release, so that I can grab hold of real life?”

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