Author: Jeannie Waters

How Can We Embrace God’s Love and Share It with Others?

Jeannie Waters33 Comments on How Can We Embrace God’s Love and Share It with Others?

A Valentine’s Day memory reminds me to embrace and share God’s gift of love.

A Special Memory

My favorite Valentine’s Day gift is the one my daughter gave to me when she was seven. While we were shopping, I spied a black sweater vest with embroidered hearts of various colors. I noticed it because we elementary teachers enjoyed wearing cheery shirts and sweaters on special days.

After I tried on the vest, I checked the price tag and returned the garment to the rack. My daughter responded, “Mommy, why did you put it back? It looks beautiful on you.”

“Honey, it costs too much,” I responded, “and I could only wear it one day each year. It’s just not practical.”

On February fourteenth I unwrapped a gift and pulled aside pink tissue paper. Tyler Marie’s smile was wider than mine.

After our shopping trip, she’d sequestered her dad and pleaded, “Please, Daddy, help me buy the heart vest for Mommy. I don’t have enough money, but it’s really pretty, and it will look beautiful on her.”

Within minutes, they’d driven to the store and returned with a secret package which she wrapped and hid under her bed. She then presented it to me on Valentine’s Day. I knew she loved me prior to receiving her gift, but she demonstrated her love by putting it into action.

Tyler Marie had observed what delighted me and enlisted her dad’s help to make a purchase that exceeded her piggy bank’s balance. Her love was abundant, and her resources paltry, however, she knew—compared to her supply—her dad had plenty.  

How We Feel and What Jesus Says

Our feelings of love are sometimes paltry—especially when other people disappoint us or act in unbecoming ways. We’re sometimes reluctant to demonstrate love, and we’re tempted to withhold expressions of love when they’re unappreciated or not reciprocated.  

If we focus on our feelings of love (or lack thereof), we may be reluctant to obey a commandment of Jesus.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:12 ESV (All Bible verses in this post are from the ESV.)

I stopped to ponder this part of His words: “…as I have loved you.”

He also said,

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:15

One of the ways we demonstrate our love for God is by obedience, and one way to obey Him is to embrace His love and love others as He loves us. We can comply only by trusting the Holy Spirit to grow the fruit of love in our hearts (Galatians 5:22). Mustering love on our own cannot measure up to the standard of Jesus, “as I have loved you.”

God’s love is undeserved. It’s based on His lovingkindness, not our behavior. As Christ-followers, our expressions of love to others are based on His lovingkindness and unconditional love.

Although we lack unconditional love, our Father holds a storehouse, and He fills our hearts with His love—not to store, but to share. 

Although we lack unconditional love, our Father holds a storehouse, and He fills our hearts with His love—not to store, but to share. Share on X

As our daughter did, we can turn to our Father when our love supply is inadequate. The One who turned water into wine and fed multitudes with two fish and five loaves of bread can supply all we need to obey His commandments—even the charge to love as He loves.

Put on Love and Put Love into Action

His Word doesn’t teach us to love based on our feelings or our ability. Instead, the Bible teaches us to “put on love” among other virtues.  

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:14

Once we surrender our lives to Christ, His love resides in our hearts, but we choose our behavior on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. We choose to “put on love,” to align our behavior with the love of Jesus that resides in our hearts.

On Valentine’s Day this year, I’ll put on my heart-covered vest and remember my daughter’s love. Each day, let’s embrace God’s love by putting on the love of Christ and translating His love into action by sharing it with others.

Let’s embrace God’s love by putting on the love of Christ and translating His love into action by sharing it with others. Share on X

Love in action may lead to a gift or a card with a verse of Scripture or perhaps to an account of how God’s love has changed our lives. Maybe we’ll wrap God’s love with encouraging words and acts of kindness as He points us toward the needs of others.   

As we notice the plethora of hearts this season, let’s remember what Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).  

Please share your thoughts about how embracing God’s love and choosing to put on love each day can help us share His love with others. How has someone shared God’s love with you?

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends. Enjoy God’s love today.

More reading about sharing God’s love with others:

1. For a Valentine’s Day post with a list of “one another” verses, click the link to Marilyn Nutter’s post on marilynnutter.com.

Valentine’s Day & Love One Another Verses by Marilyn Nutter

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is MarilynPic3-fence-scaled.jpg

2. For a post about using our gifts to meet the needs of others, click the link to Linda Lyle’s post on lindalyle.com.

Gifts by Linda Lyle on The End of My Yarn

Plan Your Weeks with God

Jeannie Waters36 Comments on Plan Your Weeks with God

Are you a planner or a wisher? Eleanor Roosevelt said, “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” 1   

I’m of the planner variety. I make lists beside my lists and, as my raised-on-the- farm husband says, “I grin like a mule eating briers” when I check off completed tasks. I enjoy the results for two reasons:   

  1. There’s one less item on the to-do list.
  2. I see progress toward a goal.

Some people prefer detailed planning systems. Others jot an informal to-do list for the next day or refer to a mental list as time and energy allow.

When December 31st arrives, we may have unmet goals, but if we plan instead of only wishing for improvement or progress, we’ll be more successful in meeting the goals we believe God wants us to accomplish. (In the last post, we considered Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals .)

This time let’s consider planning our week’s agenda. Whether the to-do list is on paper or in our heads, planning propels us toward milestones and helps prevent the discouragement of missed targets.

In case you think I have this all figured out, I’ll confess. I don’t. Allow me to share three lessons God is teaching me.

white book page beside green potted plant

Three Lessons on Planning Our Weeks with God

1. I’m learning to pray and read the Bible before I make plans.

Prayer is a two-way communication blessing of speaking and listening. God promises to guide us. When we seek His wisdom first, He teaches us His ways.

Proverbs 16:9 reads, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Although using our minds to make plans is good practice, God knows the future and the plans He has for us. What seems right to us is limited by human understanding. In His sovereignty, God guides us toward His perfect plan.

2. I’m learning to hold my plans loosely and say,

 If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.

James 4:15 ESV (All Scripture in the post is from the ESV.)

James instructs us to make this statement after he warns believers to avoid a prideful view of planning. After all—as he reminds us—we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. God does. His plans never fail.

3. I’m learning to trust God and avoid frustration when plans go awry.

When I’m busy, hours seem to melt away like a snowman on a warm day. When my to-do list lingers at day’s end, disappointment sometimes leads to frustration and anxiety, but God is teaching me to trust Him even then.

Although He expects us to use our gifts and opportunities, He’s more interested in our love for Him than our accomplishments.

Consider the acrostic I composed as a reminder to plan my weeks with God and thank Him at the end of each day—for accomplished tasks and those I transfer to the next day.      

grey and black pen on calendar book

P.   L.   A.  N. the Week with God

P     Pray throughout the day and enjoy an ongoing conversation with God.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, emphasis mine

The prayer life of Jesus wasn’t limited to morning quiet times or red lights. When we pray without ceasing and pause from activity to listen, the Holy Spirit directs us through the day.

When we include God in our activities and seek His guidance, we can experience His peace whether we’ve made progress on our list or not.

When we include God in our activities and seek His guidance, we can experience His peace whether we’ve made progress on our list or not. Share on X

L     Learn the Word and listen to the Author.

When we memorize Scripture, we can use it to fight spiritual battles as the Holy Spirit brings a passage to mind. God’s Word equips us to stand against the enemy who attempts to thwart our plans to serve God.

 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

A     Acknowledge your need for God and ask for His help.

The following verses remind us of our need:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 9:10

N     Notice the needs of others.

Although we strive to meet goals and stay on schedule, God sometimes puts someone in our path who needs our help, our time, or encouragement. We don’t want the busyness of our agenda to blind us to “divine interruptions.”

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

1 Peter 4:10
green plant on white printer paper

Planning our weeks with God strengthens our relationship with Him, and the results far outweigh wishing for success or improvement.

Please share how you’re planning with God this year or tell us about a time a “divine interruption” changed your day. Your comments help all of us.

Checklist, Check, Marketing, Project

For thought-provoking words on priorities and to-do lists, read Katherine Pasour’s post, What’s on Your List? .

1 https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/eleanor_roosevelt_379411

Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals

Jeannie Waters26 Comments on Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals

The first time I heard the following quote by Zig Ziglar, it caused deep thought, although the concept is simple. “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” We don’t take a trip—even to the grocery store—without considering our destination and the purpose for going.  

If we drove around in circles without a specific destination and purpose for our errand, we’d waste valuable time and fuel. (And we’d be hungry later.)  

During the first month of a new year, we often set new goals as we aim for success. Perhaps recently you’ve considered the process and devised plans to exercise more, save money, memorize Scripture, or otherwise improve your life.

During New Year’s celebrations in the past, I’d seek God’s guidance for my life and set out to meet goals I believed He wanted me to accomplish. But somehow, along the way, I’d lose focus and forget some of them. I stayed busy and often finished projects, learned new skills, and met new people–all worthy pursuits. But some of the most important God-given goals were not met.

When I sought God’s help, He began to teach me about seeking and fulfilling the plans He has for my life. Allow me to share what I’m learning.

Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals

  1. Follow the example of Jesus.

While reading John 17, I paused at verse four. Shortly before His death, Jesus spoke to the Father. He said,

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:4 ESV

Like the earlier quote, this verse is comprehensible, but it provoked deep thought. Jesus accomplished the work God gave Him to do. Will I?

Jesus understood God’s plan, accepted His assignment, kept His aim on the goal, and fulfilled His purpose. God’s plan of redemption included Jesus dying on the cross for the sins of mankind. Mission accomplished.

Jesus only walked the dusty roads of this earth for about thirty-three years, yet He met the goal God had established by accomplishing all the Father designated for Him to do.

When I pondered this truth, I remembered God also assigned work for believers to do.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

What a staggering thought—before I surrendered my life to Christ, even before I was born, God planned good works for me to do—works that would honor Him and bless the people He’d place in my path.

When I meet Jesus face-to-face, will I be able to say I’ve accomplished all He’s given me to do?  How will I set goals and reach them in a way that pleases Him and reverberates into eternity for His sake?

How will I set goals and reach them in a way that pleases God and reverberates into eternity for His sake? Share on X

As always, the Word of God holds the answers to our questions and includes the life of Jesus which provides a pattern for us. Here’s an example.

A sunset-to-sunrise story from the life of Jesus illustrates the reason He accomplished the goals assigned to Him. One afternoon as the sun nestled into the horizon, many people brought the sick to Jesus. He laid His hands on each one and healed them.  At daybreak, He went to an isolated place, but the people found Him and tried to persuade Him to stay.

When they attempted to hinder His departure, He said,

I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.

Luke 4:43 ESV

Jesus continued His travels, not because He had no mercy for those who begged Him to stay, but because His eyes were riveted on the ultimate goal. Distractions and the pleas of others failed to divert His attention from God’s plan.

I imagined the tasks He could have chosen throughout His earthly ministry and how He could have spent His time. He could have physically righted more wrongs as He did when the money changers set up tables in the temple. He could have extended His lessons on the Scriptures, healed all the sick, or turned water into wine at every wedding.

But He didn’t. Jesus knew God’s truths, understood His mission and kept His eyes on the goal. Then He could say with confidence He’d accomplished the work the Father planned for Him.

Unlike Jesus, my eyes often drift away from God-designed goals toward tasks I want to do or feel I need to do. Jesus didn’t allow “good things” to hinder the “best thing.” His eyes remained focused on God-given goals. If I follow the example of Jesus, He will help me follow His plan.

2. Seek and follow God’s guidance through prayer and Bible study.

Through prayer and Bible study, we can discern God’s will for our lives, and with His power working in us, we can live in a way that pleases Him. His Spirit enables us to complete the work He gives us to do when we yield our weaknesses to His strength. He forgives us when we repent of sin and return to His plan. When our focus drifts or we’re tempted to go our own way, our wise Shepherd guides us toward the right path. What an exciting daily adventure to partner with Jesus as we do the work God assigned to us and meet His expectations.

3. Keep a journal about what God is teaching you.

Rather than praying and creating a finite list of goals in the early days of January, I recorded them in a journal along with questions, one goal per page. As God answers my questions and continues to teach and transform me, I’m adding notes and verses to each page. Recording truths He shows me secures my focus and helps me meet God-given goals for my life. I’m still learning, and I’m thankful God continues to teach me.

The year is still new. Eleven months stretch before us if the Lord wills. Let’s follow the example of Jesus by setting our aim on God’s plan for our lives, continuing to seek His guidance through prayer and Bible study, and taking notes as He teaches us. My prayer is that you and I will lean in close to our heavenly Father and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 ESV).

How do you determine God’s will for your life? Please share the ways you choose goals and plan to reach them.

365 New Year’s Gifts for You

Jeannie Waters22 Comments on 365 New Year’s Gifts for You

When we exchange the sweaters that don’t fit and donate duplicate items we received for Christmas, we still have more gifts to open. Yes, after the fireworks fizzle, we will awaken to God’s gift of a new year, a set of 365 days (Lord willing).  

Like a holiday jigsaw puzzle, the days will fit together nicely with the last piece inserted next New Year’s Eve. How shall we begin our conversation about the new year? (If you don’t mind, let’s postpone a discussion of New Year’s resolutions like losing weight and exercising, although they’re worthy goals.)

Let’s begin with thoughts of new beginnings.

  • If you’re a planner, new goals and a refreshed schedule will energize you.
  • If you love cooking, a new winter soup recipe will excite you.
  • If you enjoy Bible study, the first few pages of a new book will encourage you.  

Although the new year arrives wrapped with shiny anticipation of these and other opportunities and joys, our challenges won’t disappear when we purchase a new paper calendar or download a digital one. Some of the old dilemmas linger, and additional ones emerge.

Concerns about our family, health, jobs, finances, relationships, and a world teeming with problems can urge us to pull the cover over our heads instead of greeting each day with a smile.

Let’s unwrap a verse that encourages us to put on our slippers and dance into each new day—at least in our hearts.

The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, for His compassions do not fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  

Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB

These verses and others assure us that the lovingkindness of God is unhindered, unfailing, and unending. We face trials and suffer for sinful choices requiring repentance, but His mercies continue to beam from heaven with each sunrise.   

God’s mercies are new on January first, July fourth, and next New Year’s Eve. Every year His blessings are new for each of 365 days.

God's mercies are new on January first, July fourth, and next New Year’s Eve. Every year His blessings are new for each of 365 days. Share on X

The Bible doesn’t promise easy days filled with our favorite things. In fact, every day that ends in “y” holds challenges and temptations. But if we meditate on the verses above, our hearts can sing out in praise to our heavenly Father, “Great is Your faithfulness.”

As we replace last year’s calendar with a new one—despite the challenges—we can embrace the new year with joy. For in it reside 365 gifts—days filled with the adventure of walking with Jesus, learning more about Him, and sharing His love with others.

Coffee, Book, Caffeine, Cup, Espresso

Among His new morning mercies are the gifts of joy, hope, love, and wisdom, as well as conviction, correction, and lessons we need to learn. God is a good Father who knows what we need and leads us to obey Scripture’s commands for His glory and our good.

 Are you asking God to give you specific gifts this year? Perhaps we’ll request a deeper knowledge of Him, more commitment to pray for others, and new opportunities to serve others and share the good news of salvation in Christ.

If you haven’t accepted God’s greatest gift, salvation in Christ, surrender to His Lordship today and begin the new year marveling at His mercies.

I’m praying you’ll enjoy this new year of adventure with God as we open His gifts and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity” (2 Peter 3:18 NASB).

Please share with all of us: What verse or truth about God makes you eager to open the next gift of a new day? Which of His gifts are you most thankful for?

If you have friends who would enjoy my posts, please share the link. New subscribers will automatically receive a welcome gift–“10 Easy Appetizer Ideas & Recipes.” Perfect for New Year’s Eve and other times.

Happy New Year, New Year'S Day

Let His Light Shine This Christmas

Jeannie Waters28 Comments on Let His Light Shine This Christmas

God used a decades-old decoration to shine His light into my heart and into our Christmas celebration.

After my husband affixed our lighted three-feet-tall Christmas star to the front of the house, he said, “Instead of adding white lights all the way across the shrubbery this year, I think I’ll only put them on the corner bushes. The star shines brighter when it’s the only light at the center of the house.”

His observation led my thoughts to the star over the manger and a question. Am I allowing the light of Christ Jesus to shine brightly as I celebrate Christmas, or are the competing “lights” of activity in my life interfering with His glow?

I turned to Matthew, chapter two, and read the familiar account of the original Christmas star. The magi journeyed to Jerusalem, then to Bethlehem by following a divine GPS—the light of a brilliant star. Unhindered, the heavenly light moved ahead of them through the night sky, then stopped above the house where Mary and Joseph lodged.

The Magi, Comet, Christmas, Epiphany

When the visitors saw the Christ Child, they “fell down and worshiped Him,” then presented kingly gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11 NASB).

Like the magi, we can rejoice at the birth of the Savior, worship Him, and give gifts to honor Him. But first, let’s fix our gaze on the Lord as firmly as the ancient travelers did, and ensure that no other “lights” or distractions divert our attention and overshadow His light.

Let’s ask ourselves the following questions to help us keep our gaze on the Lord so that His light shines forth from our celebration.

  • Am I enjoying His presence while I purchase and wrap presents?
  • Am I feasting on His Word before I plan dinner for family and baked goods for neighbors?
  • Am I listening for His voice while I enjoy the sounds of the season?
  • Am I spending more time talking with God than I spend chatting about my to-do list?
  • Am I allowing the love of Jesus to shine to others instead of letting my expectations hinder relationships?
  • Who will see the light of Christ shining from my life this Christmas season?

Now that I’ve pondered these questions, my heart is refocused, and my to-do list is shorter. (Confession: If filling the calendar were an Olympic sport, I’d win a gold medal. Activity can quickly consume my thoughts and divert my attention.) Although this month will be busy still, we’ll enjoy God’s presence and His peace more as we focus on Him.

Like the Christmas star led the magi to the manger, the Light of the World draws us to accept God’s eternal gift of salvation in Christ. Once we surrender our lives to Jesus, He produces joy and peace that shine from our hearts as the Christmas star shone from the heavens. We can tell others about the light of hope that led us to Him and the difference He makes in our daily lives. 

Like the Christmas star led the magi to the manger, the Light of the World draws us to accept God’s eternal gift of salvation in Christ. Share on Xgreen Christmas tree
Christmas Baubles, Christmas Tree

Like the magi, believers have much to celebrate—the presence of our living Lord. In addition to prayer, Bible study, and worship, we can also honor Him when we sing, bake, shop, give gifts, laugh, and enjoy family and friends.

The translucent Christmas star on the front of our house takes center stage and shines brightly without the competition of other lights. May the light of Christ take center stage in our hearts and shine brightly as we celebrate His birth.  

May the light of Christ take center stage in our hearts and shine brightly as we celebrate His birth. Share on X

Please share your thoughts on ways to honor Jesus as we celebrate His birth and look forward to His sure return. And as you share them, think about our participation in all things Christmas. The following verses will help us keep our gaze on the Lord:

Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17 NASB

Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NASB

Here’s an excellent post by my friend, Sylvia Schroeder. Her descriptions of the magi presenting gifts led me to worship. https://sylviaschroeder.com/my-christmas-gift-bought-with-a-childs-heart/

Candle, Light, Eve, Advent, Christ Feast