Month: October 2018

October 30, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Faith and Family

Faith and Family

Why do we have the hardest time sharing our faith with family members? We want them to come to know Jesus, but we don’t know quite what to say. Or when a golden opportunity arises, we say the wrong thing. Sometimes, we even create conflict and arguments.

Can I make a suggestion? It’s not what you say. It’s what you do. Show them Jesus.

This blog centers on our life with God. Our faith walk is a result of our relationship with Christ.

If you have a strong, vibrant, fresh relationship with Christ, you’ll show Jesus to the ones you love most. There’s no way around it. They’ll notice the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

It almost always takes a long time for a loved one to come to Christ. You must be willing to endure years as you show them Jesus. Instead of being frustrated with their way of life, be the light of Christ to them. Consistency over a long period of time is the genuine faith they will recognize.

You might not think you’re having an impact at the time, but hang in there. They’ll notice.

Sure, it’s a lot easier to talk about Jesus than it is to show Jesus consistently. Our family members know us best, so they quickly see the sin in our life. They notice hypocrisy.

It comes down to how we’re nurturing ourselves in our relationship with the Lord. Be careful here, because I’m not talking about doing all the right things to be a good Christian. I’m saying that you must feed your faith if you expect to be the light of Christ to your family.

How are you doing with internalizing the Word of God? How’s it going connecting with the Lord in extended times of prayer? Are you being taught the Word in church and/or small group? Are you being mentored in your faith?

This isn’t a list of to do’s. This is a survival list when it comes to your faith.

If the salvation of your unsaved family members is a desire of your heart, begin with your walk with God. Then you’ll show them Jesus.

And at God’s appointed time, they’ll come to you. It may be in a crisis. It could be when they’re searching. Or it may simply be a random discussion on faith.

Prepare yourself by nurturing your relationship with God.

(From my upcoming devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Faith. Releasing January 1).

October 23, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Faith and Fear

Faith and Fear

“Fear not, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)

My wife and I were at a crossroads two years ago that defined our faith.

She was diagnosed with cancer. The word itself can send chills up and down your spine. It stops you in your tracks. It puts life on hold.

Fear tried to show up, as it often does when cancer strikes. If you’ve been there, you know what I mean.

Miraculously, God spared us from fear. I can’t explain it. I can’t say our faith was so well grounded it couldn’t be shaken by the news of cancer. However, I do know that was part of the reason.

So you don’t assume we are some super-faith couple, I will tell you we experienced many other hard emotions. Like trauma, discouragement, heartache and sorrow. Thankfully not all at once!

We had a choice. Would we let God into our experience, or would we bear cancer on our own?

We invited God to walk with us. We experienced his presence through his Holy Spirit, the Bible, each other and hundreds of other friends. We were not alone.

Cancer isn’t the only thing that can bring fear into our lives. I could list a dozen other things and so could you.

Fear paralyzes our faith. Other than unforgiveness, I can’t think of anything that puts an instant deep-freeze on our faith.

Why is that?

Fear is most often tied to the unknown. My wife and I had never done cancer before, so as we walked through it, we rarely knew what was next.

Your teenager is out with the car at night. You fear what could happen out on the road. When he pulls into the driveway, there’s immediate relief.

Things are unstable at work and many co-workers have been laid off. Could you be next? How will you provide for your family? Where will the next job come from? An unknown future can cause fear.

The doctor ran tests and you won’t get the results for three days. Those three days can be agonizing if you let fear take over. It’s hard not to!

The key to chasing out fear is to invite Jesus into your experience. Then your faith can thrive. It’s the only way.

Jesus himself said, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 ESV)

He comes into our situation with his perfect love. Then we experience this truth: “Perfect love casts out fear.” (I John 4:18 ESV) God is The Perfect Love that expels fear from our life.

When you live in God’s perfect love, there’s no room for fear.

The darkest, most fearful experiences don’t have to be absent the love of Christ. He will banish your fear.

Invite Jesus into your fears. Please don’t go down this road without him.

(From my upcoming devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Faith. Releasing January 1.)

October 9, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Praise and Joy

Praise and Joy

As you read my posts I hope you’re learning that joy isn’t something that you can produce yourself. You can’t talk yourself into being joyful. That lasts about a day.

Joy is something that God forms inside you through his Holy Spirit. We can know it, but experiencing it is another thing.

Today, let’s consider how praise is connected to our joy.

In fact, praise leads to joy and joy leads to praise.

They are siblings. Like two brothers who play well together for hours.

When I say praise, I’m referring to praising God for who He is. When you think through the character of God, and praise him for his character traits, your spirit will be lifted. Joy will emerge. Joy centered on the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

When you give God praise for who He is, there’s no room for anything but Him.

God’s faithfulness chases away doubt.

The Lord’s power overcomes fear.

His Spirit’s holiness pushes out sin.

Christ’s love melts indifference.

The Father’s goodness destroys our evil thoughts.

Here’s an example of how your prayers centering on one attribute of God, his faithfulness, can completely transform your thoughts, spirit, emotions and soul:

Lord God, I praise you for your faithfulness. I can always count on you. You never leave me or forsake me. In my hardest times, you are there. In my happiest times, you laugh with me. When I sin and let you down, you stay with me. No matter what, you are faithful. I lift up my heart to you and honor you for your faithfulness. When people disappoint me, you don’t. 

Father, I look around me and see a world that seems out of control. But you are a faithful God who is ever-present and in control. You are true to your Word. Praise you for your faithfulness. I will never doubt you. Oh Lord, may I keep my eyes on you, the faithful Father that I know. What a blessing to know that I am a child of the faithful God. Amen and amen!

As you praise God for trait after trait, your heart will be filled with joy. Take your time and let the reality of each character quality sink in. Enjoy your time of praise, whether it be silent or aloud. God’s Holy Spirit will give you a heart of joy.

That joy will lead to more praise. It’s a wonderful cycle.

Set your alarm to pause at times during the day. Choose one attribute of God and get lost in praise.

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

October 2, 2018 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Practicing Joy

Practicing Joy

A surgeon practices his profession. It doesn’t mean he is rehearsing, experimenting with a few things here or there. That would be scary. A surgeon who is practicing is one who has completed his training and is now doing the real thing.

Contrast that with an athlete. He must practice over and over again so he will be fully prepared for competition.

We need to practice joy like an athlete or musician, not like a surgeon. Again and again, doing what it takes to get better.

“Practicing joy?” you ask. “How hard can it be?”

It’s a challenge to be joyful. Just observe your world as you go through the day today. At work, in the store, even at church. Count how many times you spot “joy.” Not Joy the cashier, but “joy” the fruit of the Spirit.

How about joy in your own life? How much of your day yesterday was characterized by joy?  Was it 20%, 50%, 70%?  Off the top of your head, pick a number. Your first thought is probably the right number.

I believe we need to practice joy in order to experience it as a way of life. Not as a counterfeit, self-made joy, but one which is Christ-centered and Holy Spirit fed.

Today, let me suggest the first step to practicing joy. Tomorrow, we’ll explore the second.

Hebrews 12:1 is our starting point, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” (NIV)

Your life might be weighed down by heavy things. The stuff of life. What comes to mind when you think of the weights that hinder you? Write them down. Throw them off your mind and on to that piece of paper, phone, or tablet.

Then send an email to God with this short list of things that are weighing you down, hindering you. Yes, I know you’ll get the email back. Just delete it. This exercise of releasing these things to God is the act of “throw(ing) off everything that hinders.”

Next, throw off the sin that is entangling you. It’s killing your joy. Confess it to God, claim the forgiveness of our Savior. Cast it to Jesus. You don’t need to email this list to God – I don’t recommend memorializing it.

These two simple acts will take just a few minutes. They will cleanse your heart, mind and soul.  You’ll be released from the things that hinder and entangle you.

The freedom and relief you’ll feel will open the door to joy.

Let’s talk about the next step tomorrow and what it really means to practice joy.

Enjoy your day of freedom today!

(Experience more joy when you read my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy).

Your Life With God - 30 Days of Joy

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