Cross My Heart Ministry

“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.”
II Samuel 23:2

Chapter 23 of II Samuel is titled, “The Last Words of David” in my Bible. As King David writes his memoirs and reflects on his life, this man-after-God’s-heart declares the presence and power of the Spirit of God in his life.

Perhaps David’s words are not only declared but shared with wonder and amazement.

God plucked up a kid from a shepherd’s field and chose this runt of Jesse’s litter to be the king of His people. Clearly, God will use anybody. In fact, He seems to take particular delight in using nobodies from nowhere to fulfill His purposes.

The key to being used by God is to acknowledge it’s all done through, by, with, in, and for Him. We become useless to God when we begin to usurp even one smidgen of the glory for ourselves.

If God’s Spirit is in us, we must give Him full access to our hearts, minds, and tongues. This access simultaneously equips us for what He calls and protects us from seeking glory for ourselves. If His Spirit speaks through us, it is HIS word on our tongue.

If I desire to be used by God – to be a woman after God’s heart – then I yield it all to Him. Is His Word on my tongue? Is His Spirit speaking through me?

Women of God are women who may be called upon to praise, teach, encourage, mentor, discipline, coach, and advise. They are women who praise, thank, re-direct, and counsel. The words coming from the tongue of a woman of God should be prompted by the Spirit of God. That only happens as we deliberately, consciously, intentionally, and continuously yield our tongues, as well as our hearts and minds to His Spirit. For me, that means more of Him and less of Laura.

My tongue is often the best litmus test for how much and to what extent I have yielded. What about you? Is His Word on your tongue? Is His Spirit speaking through you? Would you like Him to? Would you ask Him to?

What joy will be ours to, like David, come to the end of our lives and look back in wonder and amazement to declare, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.” And then to add, “Hallelujah! To Him be all the glory!”

This week’s Friday devotional video, Laura is joined by her friend Franni O’Neal, as they unpack Proverbs 10:19. We invite you to listen as they discuss “tongue-holding” strategies.

Visit our Downloads page for your copy of this month’s Write the WORD: Tongue bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. study pages, and more free resources.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh;
rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13

What is your spiritual status?

If you have confessed your sin, repented of it, called on Jesus for salvation, and accepted the gift of eternal life He made possible by His death, then your identity has been changed for all eternity.

You are free — spiritually free. Redeemed. Secure for eternity. Your status need not be renewed, you don’t have to re-apply, and it never expires. Eternal means eternal. Forever. Done. Complete.

All that mess … all those poor choices … all that shame and regret? Every bit of it is nailed to the cross of Christ. Your debt has been marked, “PAID IN FULL” by the One who knows all and loves you anyway. Loved you enough to die for you.

Through Jesus, we have freedom. Freedom from the eternal consequences of sin — but also freedom from the insidious addiction to self.

As Americans, we toss around the word freedom very easily. We’ve all declared, “It’s a free country!” when rationalizing behaviors and choices that are often contrary to God’s truth.

Our Constitution ensures each citizen “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But our identity in Christ brings us eternal life, liberty in our personal choices, and the freedom to pursue something much greater than happiness: holiness.

Our salvation happens in a moment, a dot on the timeline of life when we surrender to Him. But going forward from that point until the final dot on the line, when we step out of time and into eternity — the time between those two dots represents the life we live in Him. What does that line segment represent?

Is it a life of self-indulgence or self-sacrifice?

Is it devoted to happiness or to holiness?

Is it a life filled with the dutiful “have to,” or the joyful “want to”?

Is our time spent pursuing earthly pleasures, or promoting God’s kingdom?

Is the focus on self, or on service?

Re-read the verse above again. What does Paul make clear is the opposite of indulging the flesh? A life of service. Giving ourselves to others. Sacrificial living — not to make much of me, but to make much of the One who set me free.

Before we begin ticking off the “I’ve-done-this” list (worked in the nursery, taught VBS, made a casserole for a sick friend, visited the nursing home, wrote a check for the offering plate), please note that Paul also addresses the attitude behind the action. Does humility characterize the motivation for my actions? Are my acts of service done in a manner or for the purpose of drawing attention to me? Are you and I releasing freely what we have been freely given? Do we serve humbly?

We are called to serve in humility.

We are called to serve in love.

When the love of Christ consumes us, we can release acts of service in love. An awareness of how deeply we are cherished (undeserving, sinful, and selfish though we are) prompts us to serve others in humility and love.

When we genuinely embrace the truth that Jesus loved us so deeply and profoundly that He would die in our place, our cup is so full it runs over — it must run over — to also drench those around us with His love.

How is God calling you, allowing you, blessing you, to pour out His love to those in your world?

To serve others and to release love in humility … this is the place of real joy and ultimate freedom. Of true life and liberty. As each day takes us closer to that next dot on the timeline of life, let’s lean in to serving others with love and humility, with whatever time we have left.

The Bible has a great deal to say about how we use our words … whether it’s for good and for evil. Our August bookmark highlights 31 verses featuring the word, “TONGUE.” We invite you to listen as Laura introduces the coming month’s topic, and pray this new study will convict, encourage, challenge, and spur you on to use your words to honor God!

Visit our Downloads page today for your copy of our August Write the WORD bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, and more free resources to help you balance your HEART for Christ with the demands of a busy HOME.

“You have been set free from sin and
have become slaves to righteousness.”
Romans 6:18

We all worship something.

It is inherent in our nature to worship. Oh, we may not literally prostrate ourselves before idols carved from stone, but 21^st-century westerners are no less idolaters than those who worshiped Baal in the Old Testament, or Artemis in the first century, or Buddha in the Far East.

An idol is that which captures your affections. It is what your mind drifts to, and what your heart is focused upon. If you want to identify your own idols, ask yourself these two questions:

1. What makes me happy?
2. What makes me angry?

More specifically, what makes me happy when I have, and angry when I don’t have?

Whatever we worship is the priority of our calendar and our debit card. It’s where we spend both our time and our money.

What would an audit of your time and treasure reveal, dear friend? What is your priority? What do you and I relentlessly pursue and prioritize, come what may?

• If my vehicle must be washed and waxed weekly … if there are strict rules about eating and drinking in my car … if a ding or scratch prompts a cry of rage … then my idol may be 5000 pounds of metal on four wheels.
• If it is vitally important that my home be uncluttered, a place of order and beauty … if I’m most pleased when all the kids’ toys are in the proper containers, rather than spread out on the floor and used … if I’m unsettled by junk mail on the counter or shoes kicked off by the front door … if my watchful eye attacks every scuff on the wall or drip on the counter with diligence fueled by irritation … I may very well live in my idol.
• If my day is planned around hours at the gym … if my thought life is intentionally and strategically eyeing the clock to calculate how and when I can don my running shoes … if I am consumed by counting calories, carbs, or fat grams … if the movement of the scale by two notches brings alternating joyful delight or self-condemnation … then perhaps I’m walking around in my idol.

The most insidiously dangerous idols are the ones that can be good things (an organized home, an advanced degree, a healthy body, ministry to others), but garner our time and affection to the exclusion of all else. They become the main thing. The before-all-else thing.

Does your thought life indict you?

Are you convicted when asked the question, What brings you greatest joy?

Are you nailed when asked, What makes you angry?

Are we most happy when entertained by our favorite TV show? Does shopping, gossiping with friends, or eating a fancy meal bring pleasure? Do we indulge in entertainment that depicts violence, lewd behavior, or profanity? Do we blindly ignore our Lord’s name taken in vain?

What have we compromised, tolerated, or ignored, in order to pay homage to our idols?

In II Peter 2:19, we are warned that we are slaves to whatever has mastered us:

They promise them freedom,
while they themselves are slaves of depravity—
for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

Peter’s words echo those of Paul to the Romans:

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves
to someone to obey him as slaves,
you are slaves to the one whom you obey –
whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death,
or to obedience which leads to righteousness?
Romans 6:16

What is it that you and I just can’t not do – or refuse to try to not do? Do we scoff at fellow believers who sound the alarm of warning? Do we rationalize our license as liberty, proclaiming grace has set us free from legalism? Do we take our sin – our idol worship – seriously? Do we consider that our choices grieve the heart of the One who died to set us free?

Oh, God, what has mastered me? What owns me? What shackles have I willingly – eagerly – allowed to be put on my heart and mind? You set me free from sin … please help me to LIVE free from sin. Fill my heart with a desire to live a life of genuine joy, a life on earth with an eye set on heaven. I worship You alone. Help me to worship You alone!

In our devotional video this week, Laura is joined by her friend, Stacey Broyles, for a discussion of Galatians 5:1 : It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. We can enjoy the fullness of life in Christ because of His atoning work on the Cross! We invite you to watch Laura and Stacey as they share thoughts on the meaning of true freedom in Christ:

Visit our Downloads page for your copy of this month’s Write the WORD bookmark, focusing on FREEDOM.

I run in the paths of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.
Psalm 119:32

God’s good law establishes healthy boundaries for us.  

Just as we don’t resent the owner’s manual for our vehicle telling us that we need to add five quarts of oil to achieve optimal efficiency, we should not resent it when God, through His Word, provides advice for us to run well.  

He is our creator; His Word is our manual.  

His commands are not rules to rob of us our joy, but precepts to keep us healthy and safe. The Psalmist figured that out and is cluing us in. Read the verse above again. Does it sound like a person living under a yoke of legalism and oppression? Indeed, it does not. The Psalmist is delighting in the joy that comes with freedom.  

As followers of Christ, we have been set free from the consequences of sin and death for eternity. But also set free in this life here and now – free from the shackles of living to please others, free from the oppression of rules laid out to gain the approval of others, free from the self-imposed standard of perfection we often place on ourselves.  

Living under the authority and lordship of Christ brings peace, joy, and contentment that can be found in no one and nothing else.  

The picture that comes to mind as I read Psalm 119:32 is school children at recess … sprinting from the building, ready to embrace the freedom to play and run. Their squealing and laughter testify to the joy of a welcome break from school work, sitting quietly, and studying diligently.  

Several years ago, I heard of a study completed of school children at a playground. When fences were in place around the perimeter, the children spread out. They played and enjoyed every square inch of the vast playground. But when the fences were removed, they huddled in the center, fearful to get close to the edges of the property. Their need to be safe robbed them of freedom. 

When we respect the healthy “fences” our Heavenly Father provides for us, we are blessed with joy and laughter, as well. When we climb over (or tear down) those fences, we forfeit our freedom in Christ. We bring on ourselves the pain that comes with sin.  

Is your heart free? Have you found freedom in Christ? Are you running in the playground of His commands – enjoying every square inch He has provided for you?  

If your “heart has been set free” as the Psalmist’s was, then why not grab every blessing He has for you by choosing to “run in the paths” of our Lord’s commands?

Would you stop now and praise Him for the blessing of His Word, and for the freedom that comes with obedience to it?  

In this week’s devotional video, Laura and her friend, Sheila Bennage, discuss Luke 13:12. In this passage, Jesus heals a woman who has been crippled – bent over – for 18 years! We invite you to listen as Laura and Sheila discuss this account of physical healing (that can point us to the greater spiritual healing available in Christ) and hope you will be challenged to consider areas where the enemy has you living less – living bent over – when you can live FREE because of your identity in Him!

Therefore, say to the Israelites:
‘I am the LORD, and
I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
I will free you from being slaves to them, and
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm
and with mighty acts of judgment.’
Exodus 6:6

God had a message for the Israelites in Exodus 6 and it was to be delivered by Moses. Before giving the message, however, He reminded Moses: I am the LORD. 

This foundational truth had to be established and received before the Israelites could move ahead to receive any revelation, promise, or blessing … and the same holds true for us today. We must first acknowledge His authority and His Lordship over our lives.  

The name “Exodus” is literally translated exit or departure. The book of Exodus chronicles the story of the Israelites being led out of bondage in Egypt, and taken back to the Promised Land. We can view this book as a spiritual parable for our own personal journey. 

The Israelites were captives, slaves to the King of Egypt. We are — or were — slaves to sin. 

God’s message of blessing for the people includes three “I will” promises:  

• I will bring you out.
  
• I will free you. 
  
• I will redeem you.
  

Moses led them out of physical bondage and to a place of physical freedom; Jesus came to deliver us from the bondage of sin and to lead us to spiritual freedom. The Israelites could not free themselves from Pharaoh then; we cannot free ourselves from sin now.

It is a work of God from beginning to end.  

God provides freedom for us when we call on Him for salvation. That moment in time begins a new life in Christ — a life of freedom from the consequences of sin for eternity. That freedom is completely a work of God. There is nothing we ourselves can do or contribute to making it happen.  

Most of the readers of this blog have found freedom from sin: salvation through faith in Christ. But are you and I appropriating that freedom to live like the free women we are?  

Are there areas that — though you are redeemed — you are living in bondage? Have you run back to Egypt? Is there an old habit you can’t break? An old addiction you can’t shake? Are you trying to do it on your own?  

It it time to stop. Breath deep. Refocus. Look up.

Begin — again — at the beginning: by acknowledging His authority. It was the LORD who freed you, and it is the LORD who keeps you free. 

Will you bring that “besetting sin” before Him? (He knows about it, anyway.) Will you acknowledge your dependence upon Him? Will you acknowledge your own inability to find freedom from it on your own? And will you then cooperate with Him, by following where He leads?  

Can you hear Him speaking to you, as He did to the Israelites? 

• I will bring you out.
  
• I will free you. 
  
• I will redeem you.
  

Stop running back to Egypt, my friend. There is freedom in Christ! It’s time to live like the free woman you are in Him!

In this week’s devotional video, Laura is joined by her friend Amanda Barnett. We invite you to listen as they unpack Genesis 2:16-17 and discuss the freedom to CHOOSE to obey God — and the implications of our disobedience.

Visit our Downloads page for your copy of our Write the WORD: Freedom bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, monthly Do It! List and other free resources, to help you balance your heart for God and others with the demands of a busy life.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation
and leaves no regret,
but worldly sorrow brings death.
II Corinthians 7:10

Sadness, regret, anguish, despair, depression … all of these come to mind when we try to describe sorrow. But while each descriptor may be used to identify the degree of sorrow, we may have never considered there are two different types.  

In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul distinguishes godly sorrow from that which is worldly. He explains the former brings life and the latter, death. Sounds like these two types are polar opposites! 

Since godly sorrow brings repentance, it means it is a response to conviction and confession. It leads to turning from sin.

Worldly sorrow, in contrast, might only grieve the consequences of the sin, but not the sin itself.  

Godly sorrow focuses on God, while the worldly version fixates on self.  

Initially, Godly sorrow brings new life in Christ. We cannot know Jesus as our Savior until we acknowledge we are sinners in need of being saved; godly sorrow is the first step that ushers in that new life in Him. It also begins a new life of growing in Him and abiding in Him, as we continually confess, repent, and renew – all part of a healthy, growing life that exercises godly sorrow.   

As life pushes and pulls us out of alignment with God, godly sorrow brings us back onto the path of fellowship with Him. In short, repentance straightens us out.  

Life with Christ means every day can be a “New Year’s Day” or “first day of school” … a new beginning with fresh resolve, ripe with possibilities.  

Sin keeps us immobilized, marginalized, and incarcerated. Repentance is our ticket out. We can’t break or buy our way out, but through Christ the cell door is thrown wide. Repentance brings freedom in God’s economy.  

Our new identity in Christ is permanent. We are His. Nothing and no one can change whose we are and who we are in Him. Life in this mortal body brings challenges, hard things, difficult circumstances. When we mess up, we may move out fellowship … but we never lose our place in His family. 

It’s as if our lives are defined by two circles: 

1.  The Salvation Circle:  this is permanent, unchanging. We are sealed as His for eternity; the ups and downs of daily life don’t affect our adoption into the family of God.  
2. The Fellowship Circle:  we can hop in and out of this one a zillion times a day! Sin drives us out. Godly sorrow, which leads to repentance, pulls us back in.  

Inside the Fellowship circle is peace, joy, and worship. Outside? Misery, tears, and loneliness.  

As we grow and mature in Christ, perhaps we will find we run out of the fellowship circle less frequently, and are prompted to repent more quickly so we jump back in. Worship will help keep us in.  

Godly and worldly sorrow are weighty topics, but can make for substantive dialogue with your loved ones. The next time you’re seated around the table with your children or grandchildren, try throwing this question out: What’s the difference between sorrow that is godly, and the type that is worldly?  You might be surprised at the perspective and insights you hear in response. 

In this week’s devotional video, Laura introduces July’s Write the WORD topic: FREEDOM. We Americans love to talk about our freedom – declaring it, proclaiming it, and (particularly during the month of July) celebrating the freedoms afforded to us by our nation. But for the follower of Christ, freedom is so much more! We invite you to listen as Laura unpacks some thoughts on freedom. Then, visit our Downloads page for your own Write the WORD verse list, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, and other free resources.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7

Where, and to whom, do our feet carry us? What kind of message is delivered when we arrive? 

Our feet may be manicured, exfoliated, moisturized, and flawlessly painted, but still far from beautiful in God’s sight if they carry us to gossip, condemnation, criticism, and self-indulgence.  

According to Isaiah, truly beautiful feet carry us to: 

• Deliver good news 
• Proclaim peace 
• Bring good tidings 
• Proclaim salvation 
• Declare, “God reigns!” 

Have your feet taken you a journey to deliver a salvation message? Instead of a guilt-ridden duty, do you see delivering the gospel as a delightful privilege? 

Delivering good news can be fun! 

My Aunt Judy (my Mom’s sister) and my Aunt Linda (my Dad’s sister) were best friends in high school. They also shared the same favorite teacher. They raced each other to school to tell their favorite teacher that their sister and brother were going to have a baby. As high school best friends, they were very excited about being aunts to the same baby. While one won the race tell their teacher the baby was coming, the other won the honor of sharing, “It’s a girl and her name is Laura Ann!” (I’m sure you guessed by now – that baby was me! They both still call me Laura Ann. We southern girls often have two names!)  

Neither forced herself to drag in to deliver the message. They wanted to share, they were excited to share, and it was a joy to be the first to share.  

Truly good news is like that: 

• I’m getting married! 
• I got the job! 
• The biopsy was negative! 
• My son got the scholarship! 
• I’m going to be a grandmother!  

Aunt Linda and Aunt Judy had good news about a baby … but the baby who brought the best of all news was named Jesus. The messenger who announced His arrival proclaimed, “Good news…great joy…for all people!” 

The Prince of Peace was born for a mission: to die so others could live. He purchased salvation for others, at the great price of His own death.

There was no other way.  

A college professor once explained it this way: “Man should, but cannot. God can, but should not.” 

Jesus, the God/man, was uniquely qualified and satisfied the righteous requirement of the law.  

Mankind sinned, so man must pay. A perfect sacrifice was required, and only God was perfect.  

Jesus died the death we deserve. He took the death penalty for us. He became death for us. At the death of Jesus, the sky turned black, despair settled over His followers, the earth shook, and rocks split. (Matthew 27:51). Even the Roman guards declared, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 

Those who believed were devastated. Those who didn’t previously believe suddenly did. But (they thought) it was too late, that they had missed their opportunity. Someone good and great had lived and walked among them, and they missed their chance – they thought they blew it!  

As despair, defeat, and depression settled over the earth like a dense fog, the world was without hope. Only Satan and his minions rejoiced. But theirs was a short celebration. It lasted only three days. Because then the unbelievable happened: the One who was dead came back to life! He conquered sin and death with His resurrection power! Jesus who was dead is now alive! 

Mary Magdalene was awarded the holy privilege of having the first beautiful feet to deliver the good-news message. Jesus told Mary, “…go…and tell…” in John 20:17.  

She obeyed. Mary’s beautiful feet carried her to the disciples where she declared, “I have seen the LORD!”  

The Greek word here for seen means to “look away from one thing and to see another.” A change in focus. And that’s precisely what good news does: it changes our focus, and our attitude. Transforms our sadness to joy, our pain to praise, our rejection to acceptance.  

Good news brings hope where there was none.

Good news is often a delightful surprise.  

Good news is a privilege to share.

Just ask Aunt Judy, Aunt Linda, or Mary Magdalene. They all had fun sharing what they knew with someone who didn’t know.  

Where, and to whom, will your beautiful feet take you to have that kind of fun today? 

In this week’s video devotional video, Laura and her friend, Stacey, discuss John 8:32: Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We invite you to listen as Stacy shares her personal testimony of God’s patience through her own salvation and learning-to-trust story. We hope you will be blessed and and challenged to keep on praying!