Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Self-Control. In just a couple of minutes, I was able to open my mouth and crush every single one of the attributes of the fruit of the Holy Spirit we Christians so often talk about. I immediately felt a pang of conviction and shame.

Don’t judge me. I bet you can relate. It only takes being alive to be a hypocrite some days. We all have done it. We read Scriptures and attend our religious services. We serve in religious organizations and bring our tithes and offerings into our houses of worship. We often counsel and teach our congregations. And then, one busy, stressful day, our children, spouses or parents push the wrong button at the wrong time and, in a matter of seconds, we manage to silence every song of praise from our lips, and deny, with our ugly actions or words, what we preach.

Years worth of work for the kingdom can be destroyed. A word can be engraved in our child’s mind and heart forever. We can drive a wedge that breaks our spouse’s trust. Although many times these actions are forgiven and the consequences aren’t irreparable, we are perceived as a fraud, even if for a moment.

I was recently reading through the Gospels and came across one of Jesus’ most chilling admonitions to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. In a speech that instantly made him the most hated man among the Jewish leaders of the day, he admonishes them for their hypocritical lifestyle. For leading others away from God with their actions. For loving religious rituals more than God, and for caring more about the appearance of goodness than about the condition of their hearts.

Although his rebuke was aimed at religious leaders, it gave me great pause. Because the last thing I want is to think that my family would see me as a hypocrite, even if for one moment. It makes me realize that it doesn’t matter how many books I write, or how many times I speak and teach God’s truths to a crowd. My religion is worth nothing if it doesn’t lead my household closer to God.

My religion must start with those I love the most first, as I make time to listen to the same not-so-interesting story, or stop typing to look at their eyes when they speak. It starts when I bite my tongue when I am too tired, too stressed out, or too hormonal, and choose to pray instead of impulsively speak.

My religion must start with those I love the most first
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Indeed, I am convinced that my best days are not the ones when my website has the largest number of hits, my Facebook page has the most likes, or my tweets get re-tweeted more often.

My best day is any day I realize that my religion is perceived as skin deep, ask for forgiveness, and vow to change. It’s any day I am a living testimony of the grace that follows me when I need it, and forgives me when I stumble. It’s any day my life shows that I love God and people more than anything I could ever accomplish. More than the appearance of good. My best day may seem small and unfulfilling in the eyes of the world, but it’s any day my mouth and my hands are in sync, and their message is one and the same: Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Gentleness. Faithfulness. Self-Control.

Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author and national conference speaker. Her book, “Twelve Inches: Bridging
the Gap Between What You Know About God and How You Feel,” is available on Kindle, at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon and other retailers. 

The post Living Out What We Preach {Atlanta Journal Constitution Column} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Mary was a poor lady who worked as a maid for a wealthy family. She was a joyful Christian who regulary performed her hard labor while singing songs of praise. She always had a word of encouragement and a smile on her face, regardless of her circumstances.

Her boss was a sullen woman who was bothered by Mary’s apparent lack of concern for her future. One day, when Mary carried a happy tune while scrubbing the mansion’s floor, her boss couldn’t take it any longer. She blurted out all of her concerns for Mary: “I understand your happiness today, but I imagine your future should concern you. Suppose you become ill and can’t work anymore? What will you do when you are too old to work and have no retirement funds to live off?” As the lady carried on with her calamity-filled hypothetical scenarios, Mary abruptly interrupted her: “Stop! I never suppose anything,” she cried. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want! It is all the supposing that makes people miserable. I choose to work joyfully and hard today, trusting that God will provide tomorrow as he does today.”

A similar story illustrated my devotional time one morning last week. As it usually happens, it was exactly what I needed to read in preparation for my day. Later that afternoon, I received some unexpected news regarding an important event in my life, something that would usually bring me great anxiety and stress. As I heard the bad news, I could feel my heart start beating faster, as anxious thoughts tried to steal my peace: “Suppose the worst happens?”As the first darkness tried to creep in, however, I stopped it at the door of my heart: “No!” I said to myself. “God has got this covered. I refuse to allow anything to steal my joy.”

As I deliberately started recalling the amazing doors God has opened for me in the last few years, my heart started to settle, in agreement with all I know about my God. Suddenly, an amazing peace fell over my soul. I knew it – God is still on the throne and he promised to never leave me, nor forsake me. That promise has been tested and proven in my darkest valleys. It won’t be different this time. It shall never change.

We live in a worry-filled world. More than ever before, our lives are permeated with uncertainties. If we focus on the dreadful news around the globe or the bleak reality of some of our portfolios, we are liable to start hyperventilating at any given moment.

Learning how to bridge the twelve-Inch gap between brain and heart has transformed me from a fearful and anxious person to one who has been able to live in victory through life’s darkest valleys. Emotions are a wonderful thing, and God has certainly created us with the capability to love and trust, but also to hate and fear. I have seen many people give in to their negative emotions and settle for living in misery. I was certainly a candidate to be one of them. But some time ago, I chose to fill my mind with God’s truth and started telling my heart what to believe. It has been a journey of self-awareness and surrender to a God who can change even the hardest of hearts. Today, instead of panicking with bad news, I choose to tell my heart how to feel, knowing that I serve a God who has not failed me yet and believing he never will.

Patricia Holbrook is a Christian author and national conference speaker. You can now pre-buy her first book, “12 Inches: Bridging the Gap Between What You Know about God and How You Feel” at Barnes & Nobles online and Amazon.com. Visit her blog to read her devotionals at www.soaringwithhim.com or email her at pholbrook@soaringwithhim.com.

The post God’s Joy Can Shine Amidst Crisis (Atlanta Journal Constitution Column) appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Passage: Luke 15:10-24

Key Verses: “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Vs. 22-24

The Atlanta airport is a place of mixed feelings to me. It’s there that I hug my family when they land from Brazil, as my heart pounds uncontrollably with excitement and joy. It’s there that I cry when hugging them good bye, knowing that I won’t see them for a year or two. It’s there that my nerves scream during take offs, every time I have to hop on a plane to go out of town.

Indeed, I know the busiest airport in the world as the back of my hand. This past weekend, however, as I returned from a speaking event out of state, something called my attention for the first time.

Since the terrorist attacks of 2001, before getting to the baggage claim terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson, one must take the one-way escalator up to the area where families greet each other and car service drivers wait for their passengers. As Terri and I got on that last escalator this past Sunday, I noticed the huge sign hanging above everyone’s heads:

“Exit Only – No re-entry.”

I’ve seen the sign many times before. But this time it called my attention in a different way.

The weekend was a wonderful time of sharing God’s Word and making new friends as I spoke at a women’s conference in Central New York. I watched as women’s hearts were touched by the messages God gave me. Many came to the altar and surrendered burdens, strongholds and fears.

I was thinking about the weekend and God’s infinite grace and mercy when I spotted that sign above the escalator.

Yahweh is a God of second, even one thousandth chances. And yet, so many people hold on to their sin and brokenness all the way to the “point of no return”… their deathbeds.

We all take the wrong turn in life at some point in time. Whether deliberately making wrong decisions or taking the wrong turn out of ignorance, we have all “been there and done that”. The beauty of salvation starts with the fact that our loving God is very aware of our limitations as weak and sinful creatures: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Even as Christians, our frailties will never catch Him by surprise.

But as I think of the hearts that have been changed this past weekend, I can’t help but think of other people I know who deliberately choose to hold on to their sin or brokenness, defying God’s grace as if it would never run out for them.

“Wait a minute,” you may say. “But God’s grace is indeed infinite.”

Yes, it is. His grace is infinite, matchless and eternal.

But our days on this earth are not.

If you are not a believer, you may have heard about salvation through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ one hundred times. You may be sick of these “believers” who claim that He is the Truth, the only Way and the Life. You may cringe at “Jesus freaks” like me who pound the internet and airwaves with the gospel of salvation.

Or you may believe in Jesus but not believe Jesus. I say that because it wasn’t a Jesus follower who said He is the only way. Those words are in red in my Bible. These are His words.

Unfortunately for those who don’t believe, running from the Truth doesn’t change the truth. They will one day find themselves riding that escalator, as they cross the point of “Exit only – No re-entry”.

Our loved ones’ chance of salvation dies with them.

I wish it was different, I do. I have already lost loved ones who died without Christ. I wish I could “pray them into Heaven”.

But I can’t.

They took the one-way escalator to judgment.

And it breaks my heart.

But something else makes me grieve…

It’s those people who know Jesus… who have lived for Him and served Him at some point in life. And then something happened and they chose the wrong turn.

I’ve seen God give them chance after chance to repent. And yet, they stubbornly hold on to their pride… their ways… their sin.

They cling to the temporal, forfeiting the eternal.

I’ll see them in Heaven, I’m sure.

But the treasure of heavenly prize… that commendation from our Lord and Savior as He says “well done, good and faithful servant”… they choose to forfeit.

Their lives are as empty as the lives of those who reject grace altogether…

It’s Not Over… You’re Still  Breathing.

Thankfully, God’s grace is offered at every turn of the road. God can fix any wrong, mend any broken life. Unlike the airport sign, as long as there’s life, there’s a way back to the Father’s house.

But the choice will always be ours. As the Father of the prodigal son, God patiently waits on His rebellious children to return home. And He will rejoice when they do.

And if you think you have missed God’s best, remember the end of the parable: God has a new best for you.

All you need to do is open your feeble, even dirty hands… and let His grace wash them clean.

Lay your burden at His feet… and watch it as He picks it up and replaces it with one more chance. Once more… He offers to lavish you with grace.

While there’s life, there’s hope… don’t wait until you spot the “Exit only – No re-entry” sign.

Today is the day… Choose grace. Choose Truth.

Choose Life.

Verses to Ponder:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

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