When you think of the women of Easter, whose faces come to mind? 

Certainly Mary, the mother of Jesus, who faced a horror no mother should face as she watched her beloved Son die an agonizing death on a cross.

You may also think of the three women who rushed to the tomb at first light to finish anointing Jesus’s body for burial. God granted Mary Magdalene the honor of being the first to see the risen Christ as she wept at His tomb.

But Easter wouldn’t have been Easter without four other significant women. We seldom think of them in connection with that world-changing Sunday so long ago, but each played a crucial role in the resurrection drama.

To read about these four unexpected women, CLICK HERE to visit “The (Unexpected) Women of Easter on Our Daily Bread’s God Hears Her blog.

Have you read Lori’s latest book?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE .

The post Don’t Forget These (Unexpected) Women of Easter appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

       

A “friend’s” adolescent betrayal, probably having something to do with a boy, incited me to spew these venomous words. She had wronged me, and I was livid. I determined never to forget what she had done. 

And forgive her? No way. I vowed to keep my anger alive, rehearsing the wrong over and over in my mind until it simmered like soup in a crock pot. Occasionally I’d crack the lid, and burning steam would leak out, injuring me and everyone nearby. To forgive would be to deny the offense had happened and negate my right to be offended. 

In the Years Since . . .

Many years have passed since that turbulent time, and I’ve learned much about anger and forgiveness. I’ve been the one who was wronged, and I’ve wronged others. 

One night recently I had the pleasure of tucking my granddaughters into bed and telling them a Bible story. I chose the most dramatic one I could think of – the story of Jonah. When my telling was complete, probably as a tactic to delay bedtime just a little longer, five year old Lauren offered to tell me a Bible story. 

“Once upon a time . . .” she said. ”No, I can’t say ‘once upon a time,’ because this is a real story . . . .” She looked to me for help. 

“How about ‘One day . . . ‘?” I suggested. 

“Yes,” she nodded. “One day, some bad men arrested Jesus. They took a crown made of HUGE thorns and smashed it on his head until he bleeded. And then they beat him . . . even though he never did anything wrong.” 

“Yeah,” her three year old sister chimed in, “Jesus never did anything wrong.” 

“And he died,” Lauren continued. “They put him in a cave . . .” she paused, searching for the unfamiliar word “. . . a tomb. But THEN, on Eachter Sunday, he came alive again!” 

I thanked her for her story, kissed them goodnight, and turned out the light. They were asleep in an instant, but I stayed awake for hours pondering their words. 

Pondering Her Words

“Jesus never did anything wrong.” 

The knowledge that I’d often sinned against others was what finally led me to forgive my friend those many years ago. I’d let them down. Betrayed their trust. Broken my promises. An awareness of my own sinfulness allowed me to extend grace and forgiveness to her. I certainly couldn’t hold her to a standard I hadn’t kept myself. 

But Jesus. 

Jesus, who never did anything wrong, whose only crime was loving a messed up, sinful world, has every right to hold our sins against us. 

Yet he forgives.

And forgives.

And forgives. 

God’s Response

“’Return,’” he pleads in Jeremiah 3:12-13. “’I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful. I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity. That you have transgressed against the Lord your God.” 

“Only acknowledge your iniquity . . .” 

All God requires to extend forgiveness to his children is a simple, repentant confession. He’s justified in holding our sins against us, yet he doesn’t. If we’ve come to him once for salvation, Jesus’ death on the cross has already paid the penalty for our wrongs – once and for all. Now when we sin, all he requires to restore our fellowship with him is simple confession and repentance. 

“Just say you’re sorry,” he says. “I can’t wait to forgive you.” 

Unlike my adolescent self who vowed never to forgive, Jesus wipes our slates clean immediately.  

What a gift. 

If you’ve ever lived under the tyranny of unforgiveness, either in your own heart or in someone else’s, revel in this truth for a moment. God, who has every right to hold our sins against us, doesn’t. 

“I’m sorry, Lord.” 

“I forgive you.” 

It’s that simple. 

Think on this today.

Now it’s your turn. Is there something you need to ask God to forgive you for? Don’t wait another minute. Talk to him right now and experience the glorious freedom that comes from being forgiven.

.

Have you read Lori’s latest book?

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

If you’d like to receive Lori’s weekly 5-minute devotions to help you rediscover your passion for God and His Word subscribe HERE .

The post Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

      

Related Stories

• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God
• The Best Sermons Have No Words

 

Greetings, Refresh readers! Unless you’ve been hiding in a bunker, you’ve at least heard the term “deconstruction.” Many, especially young people, are “deconstructing” their faith. Some come back stronger and some leave their faith forever. If you know someone who is deconstructing, this thoughtful article by my friend Meredith Mills will help you understand and walk beside your loved one as they examine (and hopefully re-embrace) their faith. Thank you, Meredith, for allowing me to share your words today.

6 Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing

Does faith deconstruction have a place in the church?

A quick Google search reveals a variety of opinions on the subject, with articles ranging from harsh criticism to strong praise.

What is faith deconstruction? Where did the concept come from and how can we be sure we’re talking about the same thing?

What Is Faith Deconstruction?

Defining deconstruction is tricky because there’s no agreed upon definition. The term first appeared in the fields of secular literature and philosophy. Britannica describes deconstruction as the process in which modern readers dissect older works to examine the language and logic, often leading to a reinterpretation of the pieces in question. In this context, truth is considered relative, merely an expression of the writer’s experience and understanding.

When viewing faith deconstruction through this lens, many Christians are concerned. If we deconstruct the Bible based on the assumption that it was written by fallible humans and not through divine inspiration, we lose the foundation of our faith. The Creeds of Christianity are rooted in the belief that Scripture is divine truth. For two millennia, Christians have looked to the Bible as our authority for faith and practice. Based on this understanding of deconstruction, many believers equate it with deconversion. 

Another line of thought, however, views the process in architectural terms. Grace Ruiter explains it this way, “If you think of Christian faith as a home, pursuing tough questions about your faith is a bit like tearing away the carpeting and knocking out the drywall to see the bones that lie beneath. It pulls apart your beliefs to reveal what they’re made of and what holds them together.” In this context, other Christians see faith deconstruction as a positive endeavor.

For some, this type of deconstruction may look like remodeling a single room. For others, it may resemble the complete renovation of an entire structure. In both cases, though, deconstruction can honor the value of faith as people invest time and energy to see it restored.

Because the term can be used in many different contexts, it’s wise to begin our discussion of faith deconstruction by agreeing on how we will use the term.

My Experience with Faith Deconstruction

I first heard the term faith deconstruction in the architectural context. At the time, I was several years into my own spiritual renovation. I didn’t have a word for my experience. I just knew my faith needed a complete overhaul. A series of life-changing events caused me to question everything I’d believed and practiced for decades. I didn’t want to abandon faith, but I knew I couldn’t live in the faith structure I’d built without full reconstruction.

Barnabus Piper’s definition put words to my experience: “The word ‘deconstruction’ implies intentional process, a disassembling of something in order to examine its parts. It is different than ‘destruction’ or ‘dissolving’ … Actual deconstruction allows for something to be examined and reassembled or remodeled (hopefully better and stronger.)” 

When my faith crumbled, this is exactly what God led me to do — to systematically evaluate my beliefs using Scripture as my guide. I slowly worked my way through the Bible, primarily looking for who God is and who he says we are as his children. Along the way, I studied other theological and practical faith topics. I learned about Biblical culture using study tools. I compared various Bible passages with each other. I considered commentaries and articles written by Bible scholars across denominations. 

For me, deconstruction was a time of deep healing and spiritual renewal. Ultimately, it made space for God to rebuild a stronger faith structure.

When Is Faith Deconstruction a Good Thing?

1. When It Leads Us Toward Christ

Deconstructing can be very painful. Most who set out to deconstruct don’t decide to do it on a whim. Contrary to a popular line of thought, many Christians who chose this process are not looking for license to sin or an excuse to abandon faith.

Most begin deconstruction from a place of deep pain. Some of have been hurt, abused, or manipulated by people in the church or by harmful church systems. Others have experienced life situations which simply don’t fit within their theological framework. Still others wrestle with questions or doubts they feel unable to voice within their faith circles.

Faith deconstruction is a good thing when it helps people encounter Christ. Jesus welcomes those who are hurting. He’s not afraid of doubts or “unspiritual” questions. He loves to reveal his heart and he longs to heal the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

2. When It Strips Away What’s Rotten and Unimportant

In my city, our downtown district recently gained a beautiful new theater. Actually, it’s a historic theater that lay in disrepair until it was meticulously restored. Restorationists combed through the building, removing what was rotten and salvaging, cleaning, and polishing all that was worth saving. The result is a stunning performing arts theater that speaks of the glories of Art Deco design.

Faith deconstruction is a good thing when it leads to a similar renewal. God desires to restore as he strips away what’s rotten, tears down the extra trappings that don’t express his heart, and rebuilds faith as he intended — life-giving and soul-mending through his Spirit (Luke 10:41-42).

3. When It Corrects Misunderstandings about God’s Heart

As I began my deconstruction, I was surprised to sense God’s favor and acceptance. My faith was in pieces. My spiritual disciplines were mere shadows of what they’d once been. I was embarrassed to admit I didn’t know what I believed.

Yet throughout that season, I never felt condemnation from God, only grace-filled welcome. I sensed his patience as I wrestled with doubts, his compassion as I worked through my pain, and his hope as he began to reconstruct my faith.

He dazzled my weary soul, and I realized I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did. Though I’d been a Christian for decades, my view of God needed renovation. He beckoned me into Scripture to discover his heart and he healed mine along the way.

Faith deconstruction is a good thing when it causes us to search for God and understand who he says he is (Jeremiah 9:24).

4. When It Moves Us into the Middle Spaces of Faith

The longer I walk with God, the more I realize how small the black and white spaces of faith really are. To be sure, God defines right and wrong in his Word. Truth is not relative. But there are far more gray areas than I used to believe.

In needing decisive answers for every theological question, we can forget that other Spirit-indwelt, Bible-loving Christians hold different perspectives. Deconstruction gives space to step into the middle. Into the freedom of not having an answer for everything. Into the tension of holding paradox gently.

Jewish rabbis speak of a concept called thinking with both hands. Writing about apparent contradictions in the Bible, Lois Tverberg points out that “The rabbis simply embrace the two ideas in tension with each other rather than needing to seek resolution. By doing so, they are actually being true to the text by not ignoring passages that don’t fit their theology. They see that God alone can understand some things.”

Deconstruction is a good thing when it leads us to walk with humility and curiosity in the middle spaces of faith (Colossians 3:12, Romans 14).

5. When It Cultivates Empathy and Compassion

Until my faith fell apart, I didn’t understand the pain of a shattered life. I was quick to offer platitudes and call Christians to just be stronger. Just try harder. Just be more disciplined.

Deconstruction was God’s gift to me. Through it, and through the people who walked it with me, he began changing my self-righteous heart. He cultivated empathy and compassion in my soul. He taught me the value of listening with humility, of just being present, of loving people right where they’re at. He showed me the power of a caring community in helping people walk toward wholeness.

Deconstruction is a good thing when it softens our hearts with the compassion of Christ (Matthew 14:14).

6. When It Fosters Harmony among Christians

Differences in belief can drive deep rifts between brothers and sisters in the family of God. It’s easy to think our way of viewing nonessential issues is the only right way. We forget kindness and humility as we discuss issues of faith.

God wants us to know what we believe — to study his Word, to learn from his Spirit, to be “fully convinced in our own minds” (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 2:13-16, Romans 14:5). But what distinguishes us as his followers, he says, is our love for one another, not our theology (John 13:35).

Deconstruction is a good thing when it leads to unity without uniformity. Faith deepens as we celebrate what we hold in common with other believers. Harmony grows as we seek to understand why others believe as they do. Humility takes root as we learn to embrace the limitations of our own understanding.

4 Practical Tips for Walking Through Deconstruction

1. Drop Anchor

Deconstruction can be very disorienting. To use a second analogy, it can feel like drifting aimlessly in a boat with no land in sight. It’s helpful to anchor yourself during this time.

Because holding onto historical Christianity was important to me, the Bible and the Creeds were my main anchors through deconstruction. I learned to apply responsible Bible study methods so I could understand Scripture in context — with itself and with the culture in which it was written. I also evaluated my beliefs in light of what the Church has taught since its inception, considering the teachings of various denominations as I studied.

2. Look for God

God invites us to walk through deconstruction with him. Far more than a mental exercise, this process can be a time of healing and renewal as we learn from his heart and grow in relationship with him.

The main practice which guided my deconstruction was a search for God through his Word. I chose a read-through-the-Bible plan that let me study at my own pace, and then I simply looked for God, jotting down everything the Bible declared or described about his heart. The journey took me seven years and five journals, and oh, how my heart changed along the way!

3. Be Gentle with Yourself

There’s no timetable for deconstruction. God doesn’t demand that we hurry up and fix our faith so we can get back to work. On the contrary, our gentle and humble Savior desires to rebuild our faith as we engage with him — bringing him our questions, entrusting him with our pain, and learning to live relationally with his Spirit.

4. Find Healthy Community

For those who’ve been hurt in Christian circles, trusting other believers can feel like an impossible goal. Yet God intends faith to be lived out relationally. He knows the importance of being loved and received by fellow humans and he often uses other Christians as his ministers of healing.

Ask God to lead you to a safe community of believers and to teach you what indications of trustworthiness look like. This process will be different for different people. It may not always be within the walls of a church building. It may take more time than you think it should. It may even require talking with a therapist who understands spiritual trauma or joining a cohort with others who are seeking to rebuild their faith.

Be patient with yourself in this process. Don’t rush into new commitments or force yourself to engage in ways that trigger you. Simply allow your heart to be open to God as he leads you into spaces where you can heal.

Faith deconstruction has an important place in the Church. Whether you are deconstructing or walking through it with a loved one, may God work deeply within you to build a strong and flourishing faith.

Meredith N Mills writes about letting go of the try-harder life and discovering God as our safe place. Through honest devotions and reflections on faith, family, and flourishing, she helps readers taste God’s goodness and rest in his grace. Subscribe for email devotions, Multifaceted: Reflections on the Heart of God, at MeredithNMills. She’d love to connect with you on Substack, Instagram, , and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Bible Study Tools, 03/28/2024:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/6-times-deconstruction-really-is-a-good-thing.html#google_vignette

Do You Know Someone Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find: 

• A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances  
• Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what  
• Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always  
• A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises  
• Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher 

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you. 

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

Click the image below to subscribe.

The post Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

      

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God
• When Mistakes Become Divine Appointments — Thoughts on God’s Sweet Sovereignty

 

Most Christian women want our husbands to be the spiritual leaders in our home—to read the Bible with us, pray with us and for us, and guide our children in the ways of the Lord. 

Sadly, few Christian men do this. Even fewer do it well. In many Christian homes the woman is more spiritually mature than the man. She reads and studies her Bible, initiates family devotions, and leads in prayer. 

If this describes your situation, take heart. God is at work in your family. He can and will use you to influence them for Christ. You are not alone.

I wish I could give you three steps to transform your husband into a dynamic spiritual leader who will shepherd his family well, love you as Christ loves the church, and impact God’s kingdom. 

I can’t.

But I can give you five suggestions to help you come alongside God as He works in and through your husband.

Five Suggestions to Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God

1. Pray.

Prayer is one of the most neglected tools in a Christian woman’s arsenal. We fret over our husband’s lack of spiritual initiative or nag him about his lack of spiritual leadership. We compare, criticize, and complain. But we seldom pray.

When you bring the deepest desires of your heart to God and surrender them to Him, you transfer the burden of change from your shoulders to God’s. God alone has the power to transform your husband, and He’s quite capable of doing so—in His timing. Instead of criticizing, pray God’s blessings on your husband. Ask God to draw him closer, reveal Himself, and make him hungry for spiritual things. Pray Scripture over him. One of my favorite prayer guides to help me intercede on my husband’s behalf is the Revive Our Hearts 30-Day Praying for Your Husband Challenge. Print it out, place it in your Bible, and use it every day.

2. Cultivate your own relationship with God.

When we experience a lack of spiritual interest in our husbands, we sometimes grow discouraged or slack in our own spiritual disciplines. If he doesn’t care about Bible reading and prayer, why should I? Don’t fall into this trap. Much more is caught than taught, as the old adage says.

When you spend time in prayer and Bible reading every day, you declare, without saying a word, that spending time with God is both important and delightful.

When you spend time in prayer and Bible reading every day, you declare, without saying a word, that spending time with God is both important and delightful. Biblical wisdom will permeate your heart and naturally flow out of you. Don’t hesitate to share what you’re learning with your husband, but don’t do it in a preachy way. Use winsome words that will make spending time in the Bible enticing. 

3. Look for creative ways to connect with God together.

For years I longed for my husband and me to have a devotional time together. Deep down I think he did too. We knew Christian couples were supposed to connect spiritually, we just couldn’t figure out how to make it happen. I bought every couples’ devotional book on the market.

One morning as I was praying, God gave me an idea. I shared it with David the next day. “This new devotional book looks fantastic. I’d love for us to read it together. If I get up with you in the mornings and fix a little breakfast, would it be okay if I read it aloud while you ate? That way it wouldn’t take any extra time.”

To my delight he said yes. (I don’t know if it was the offer of breakfast or the desire to connect spiritually that made my offer appealing, but I didn’t care.) After years of trying we finally arrived at something that worked. Your “something” may look different from ours. Ask God for creative ideas for how to connect.

4. Ask your husband how you can pray for him, and ask him to pray for you.

One day, several weeks into our devotional time, I asked, “How may I pray for you today?”

David thought a moment, then told me about a challenging situation with a coworker. I prayed a brief prayer, then said, “I’d love for you to pray for me as I teach the girls. This math curriculum just isn’t working for us.” 

From there on, after we read the day’s devotion we asked each other, “How may I pray for you today?” David was reluctant to pray aloud, so sometimes we’d just swap prayer requests. Other times we’d pray a simple sentence prayer.

You don’t have to wait until you have a consistent devotional time to ask him how you can pray for him. Do it as he’s preparing to leave for work in the morning or as you lie next to each other at bedtime. Then pray a simple (short) prayer aloud. Praying for one another knits your hearts together and grows your love.

5. Trust God’s timing.

It took us ten or fifteen years to arrive at a routine that worked for us. Some couples don’t experience the joy of a shared devotional time until their empty nest or retirement years. Others never reach this point. 

Regardless of where you are, don’t despair. God knows the desires of your heart. He knows your husband’s heart too. Jesus said His Father is always at work (John 5:17), so you can trust Him to accomplish His good purposes in and through your family.

If we truly trust God, we’ll pray instead of fretting or nagging. We’ll cultivate our own relationship with God and look for creative ways to connect with Him together. And we’ll show love to our husband by praying for him. As we lay our requests before God, we’ll wait in hope and trust, knowing that He who began a good work in us (and our husbands) will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6).

Twenty Years Later

A few years ago, in a serendipitous wink from God, Our Daily Bread Publishing asked David and me if we’d be willing to write a couples’ devotional. 

“No way,” I said. “Our marriage is still too imperfect. We’re not qualified.” 

David had a different opinion. “We’ve been so blessed by the devotionals others have written. We don’t have to be perfect to have something useful to share. If God can use our experiences to help other couples grow closer to God and to each other, how can we say no?”

How, indeed?

A year later, David and I sat across the breakfast table and turned to the first devotion in our little book, Moments with God for Couples: 100 Devotions for Drawing Closer to God and Each Other. When we finished the short reading we held hands, bowed our heads, and thanked God for the good work He began in us so many years ago. Then we prayed for other couples just like us who want to connect with God but aren’t sure how. We thanked Him in advance for the good work He has planned for them.

Now it’s your turn. How have you encouraged your husband to draw closer to God? Have you ever read a couples devotional together? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

*This post first appeared on Revive Our Hearts and is shared with permission.

About Moments with God for Couples

Invite God into your marriage with this 100-day devotional specifically created to draw you closer to your spouse and to God.

Whether you’ve been married for a month or 50 years, reclaim the joy in your relationship that sometimes gets lost amid personality differences, moments of pride, and life circumstances. From the Moments with God series, this volume will help you and your spouse make space to reflect Christ in your marriage every day through relatable stories, relevant Bible verses, and practical applications.

It’s time to strengthen your relationship with God and each other by replacing day-to-day disappointments and offenses with the love and grace that can only come from Him.

Moments with God for Couples is available on Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Our Daily Bread.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

Click the image above to receive weekly encouraging blog posts!

The post 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

        

Comments

• Don’t Forget These (Unexpected) Women of Easter by LoriAHatcher
• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free by LoriAHatcher
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing by LoriAHatcher
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God by LoriAHatcher
• Are You Reading Leviticus? Here are Four Glorious Reasons Not to Skip It by LoriAHatcher
• Plus 5 more...

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• The Best Sermons Have No Words
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing

 

“Many a resolution to read through the Bible was wrecked on the rocks of Leviticus.”

People all over the sanctuary nodded as my pastor said these words. I did too. I was a Leviticus shipwreck. 

Each year, I’d respond to the call to read through the Bible. I’d charge through Genesis, awed by the wonder of creation, the spellbinding faith of Abraham, and the soap-opera drama of the twelve sons of Jacob. Then I’d march into Exodus, propelled forward by the cinematic excitement of the Israelites’ emancipation from Egypt.

Then I’d hit Leviticus, a book full of fatty lobes of liver, leprosy, and blood. 

So. Much. Blood. 

But one year, I read a Bible that paired Old Testament readings with New Testament ones, and I actually made it through Leviticus. The next year, I did it again and something unexpected happened . . . I began to appreciate the book of Leviticus. 

I discovered that Leviticus is foundational to our Christian faith and a key to fully understanding the gospel—the good news of Jesus.

Imagine that.

Maybe you’re still skeptical. Believe me, I understand. But here are four glorious reasons not to skip the book of Leviticus as you read through the Bible.

1. Leviticus helps equip us for the good works God created us to do.

God, through the apostle Paul, said, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

Since God inspired all Scripture (including Leviticus), and He promises to use it to complete and equip us for the good works He’s created us to do, then we should not want to miss what He teaches us in Leviticus.

2. Leviticus helps us understand ourselves—and humanity.

Prior to the Leviticus narrative, God had manifested Himself to the Israelites in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He appeared as fire on the top of Mount Sinai, complete with thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. Because of their sin, the people were forbidden to draw near.

The Book of Exodus ended as Moses, the leader of the Israelites, set up a tent in the wilderness for God to dwell in. God’s glory so filled the tabernacle that Moses was unable to enter it (Ex. 40:25). Sinful humanity couldn’t stand in the presence of a holy God.

But in Leviticus, God prepared a way to dwell—to tabernacle—with His people.

God was making a way.

Leviticus begins with these words: “Then the LORD summoned Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting: ‘Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD from the livestock, you may bring your offering from the herd or the flock. . . . He will bring it to the entrance to the tent of meeting so that he may be accepted by the LORD’” (Lev. 1:1–3).

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the garden, He temporarily covered their sin with the skin of an animal. In Leviticus, God revealed how He would provide a way for Israel’s sin to be covered so they could live in peace and fellowship with Him (a holy God)—until the final Redeemer would come to take away sin forever.

Leviticus helps us better understand the seriousness of our sin and the astonishing mercy of God who came down from heaven to make a way so mankind would no longer be barred from His presence because of their sin. 

3. Leviticus helps us understand Jesus.

When God instituted the Levitical sacrificial system, it involved lambs, goats, and doves as a type (an example) of the final sacrifice yet to come. As the writer of Hebrews said, 

In the sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year after year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . . Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man [Jesus], after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:3–4, 11–12).

Jesus fulfilled God’s promise to send a Redeemer to save His people from their sins. God revealed this to John the Baptist by the river Jordan. Remember what John said? “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). 

At last, God had sent the Lamb, the final sacrifice who would shed His blood and lay down His life so humanity could have fellowship with God forever.

We can’t fully understand the glorious truth about this unless we read Leviticus. Its pages and pages of instructions about how and when and where to sacrifice capture the impossibility of making atonement for our own sins. It points to Jesus, the once-and-for-all sacrifice that ended forever our futile attempts to earn our salvation.

4. Jesus told us to read Leviticus.

Jesus never specifically said, “Read Leviticus,” but He did say, “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). That includes the book of Leviticus. 

If Jesus—the Creator of our bodies and the Lover of our souls—calls us to live on every word God has spoken, we can trust Him. He knows what we need to grow, flourish, and walk in joyful obedience.

Leviticus will never be my favorite book of the Bible. But because it equips me for the work God calls me to do, helps me better understand my sinful condition, points me to Jesus in all His sacrificial glory, and is part of God’s good Word for my life, I no longer dread it.

I thank God for Leviticus. And as you read through the Bible this year, I hope you will too.

Now it’s your turn. What are your thoughts about the book of Leviticus? What have you gained by reading it?

This post first appeared on Revive Our Hearts and is shared with permission.

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

Click the image above to receive weekly encouraging blog posts!

The post Are You Reading Leviticus? Here are Four Glorious Reasons Not to Skip It appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

        

Comments

• Don’t Forget These (Unexpected) Women of Easter by LoriAHatcher
• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free by LoriAHatcher
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing by LoriAHatcher
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God by LoriAHatcher
• Are You Reading Leviticus? Here are Four Glorious Reasons Not to Skip It by LoriAHatcher
• Plus 5 more...

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God

 

What happens when a routine grocery store mistake turns into a divine appointment? We are reminded that God can use everyday inconveniences for meaningful purposes. Thanks for reading today! ~Lori

Never check your grocery store receipt.

Unless, of course, you want to find a mistake. Which will then require you to stand in line at the Customer Service desk behind people sending Western Union money grams, buying lottery tickets, and complaining about over-ripe avocados.

Unfortunately, I didn’t follow my own advice. On the way out the store one evening, I couldn’t resist skimming the receipt. It didn’t take me long to spot two (not one, which I might have overlooked) price errors.  

Sigh.

Do I chalk up the loss or ask them to refund my money?

In this day of sky-high food prices, I couldn’t let it go.

The Dreaded CSD

I slapped my cart in reverse and headed back into the store. I found the shelf displays for my over-priced items, took pictures of the price tags (this isn’t my first rodeo), and headed to the CSD. For ten minutes, I stood in line behind people sending Western Union money grams, buying lottery tickets, and complaining about over-ripe avocados.

All the while, my internal dialogue played. Why do I shop here? There’s always at least one mistake. I don’t have time to wait in line. Now the traffic’s going to be even worse going home. I hate Western Union. And lottery tickets. And over-ripe avocados.

Finally, my turn came.

“Unfortunately, two of my items rang up with wrong prices,” I said. I showed her the pictures and she compared the prices to the receipt.

“Oh, yeah,” she said, squinting at the screen, “those sales are expired. They just didn’t remove the tags.”

Silence stretched between us before she said the words I was waiting to hear.

“But I’ll make it right.” She counted out bills and coins with painstaking slowness. I tucked the money in my wallet, and joyfully pointed my cart toward the door. I had one goal—to get out.

The Little Boy

That’s when I saw the little boy. 

Standing just inside the door, he anxiously scanned the parking lot, the entry way, and the face of every person who walked by. Maybe six years old, he had scared brown eyes and a furrowed brow. 

Alarm bells sounded in my heart.

I stopped so quickly the man behind me had to swerve to avoid crashing into me.

“Hey buddy,” I said, kneeling beside him to avoid triggering his Stranger Danger training. 

He inched away, his wide eyes shifting between me and the doorway.

“Do you need help?”

“I’m looking for my mama,” he said, so softly I could barely hear him.

“Oh! I can help with that,” I said, smiling my best Please don’t be afraid of me smile. I touched his shoulder and steered him inside. “Come with me, and we’ll find someone who can help you find your mama.”

Thankfully, he went, relief smoothing some of the wrinkles in his forehead.

Back to the CSD

Back to the Customer Service desk we went. I scanned the faces, looking for the kindest grandma type I could find.

I glanced at her name tag. “Mrs. Helen, this little guy has lost his mama. Could you help him find her?”

“C’mere baby,” she said, reaching for him. “I’ll help you.”

I turned, confident that my little friend was safe, and once again headed for the door.

I loaded my groceries in the trunk, put the car in drive, and merged into the steady stream of cars making their way home. In the churning of my thoughts, the Spirit whispered.

The Spirit’s Whisper

“If there hadn’t been a mistake on your receipt that made you wait in line at the Customer Service desk to get it corrected, you’d have been gone long before that little boy lost his mama.

“You thought you were delayed,” the Spirit continued, “but you were right where I wanted you to be.”

A picture of the little boy—wide-eyed and trembling—flashed across my mind. He  easily could have been my grandson, separated from his mother and scared that he might never see her again. Eventually someone would have noticed him—but what if that person had evil intent? Or he could have wandered out into the busy parking lot. At best, he could have remained standing there, scared and alone, for who knows how long before his mother found him.

“Thank you, Lord,” I whispered, “for grocery errors, for little boys, and for your sweet sovereignty. Thank you for placing me exactly where I needed to be to help that little guy. Forgive me when I whine and complain about circumstances beyond my control. Grow my faith. Amen.” 

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)

May I ask a favor?

If you’ve read my most recent book, Lord, I Believe, would you take a few minutes (less than 5, I promise) and leave a review on Amazon? Book reviews help other thoughtful readers find good books. I’d be SO SO SO grateful. My goal is to reach 50 reviews, and we’re only 6 away. (Thank you RA, Donna, Maryann, and Kari for writing reviews last week!) Your review would bring me one step closer to my goal. Bless you! You’re the BEST!

CLICK HERE to leave a review.

Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find: 

• A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances  
• Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what  
• Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always  
• A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises  
• Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher 

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you. 

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

Click the image above to subscribe.

The post When Mistakes Become Divine Appointments — Thoughts on God’s Sweet Sovereignty appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

        

Comments

• Don’t Forget These (Unexpected) Women of Easter by LoriAHatcher
• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free by LoriAHatcher
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing by LoriAHatcher
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God by LoriAHatcher
• Are You Reading Leviticus? Here are Four Glorious Reasons Not to Skip It by LoriAHatcher
• Plus 5 more...

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God
• The Best Sermons Have No Words

 

It seems like an oxymoron, but sometimes being broken before God can lead to true healing. Today on Refresh, we’ll consider Proverbs 3:5–6, surrender, and how God makes our paths straight. Thanks for reading!

Going down the slide standing up wasn’t my most brilliant moment.

The girl before me had done it—like a surfer riding a wave. But not me. After a promising start, the toe of my shoe caught on something and down I went, landing at the bottom of the slide in a heap. 

Gasping for air, I lifted my arm. It was bent at a strange angle and already beginning to swell. I cradled it to my chest and stumbled to the playground monitor. An x-ray later confirmed the doctor’s suspicions—two broken bones. 

“I’m going to have to set it,” he said, “and it’s going to hurt. But only for a moment.” He lowered himself until he was eye-level with my frightened face. “If I don’t set it, the bones will grow back crooked, and you’ll never be able to use your arm. Do you understand?” 

I nodded a tearful yes. 

Taking my skinny arm gently in his hands and glancing long at the x-ray plastered onto the light box, he paused. Maybe he said a prayer. I don’t know. Then, swiftly and smoothly, he pulled the two parts of my broken arm in place. 

I screamed and crumpled into a sobbing ball on the table. 

What God Says About Wholeness

I thought about this experience recently when I read Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.” 

The Latin word for straight is orthos. From this root we get the English word “orthopedic,” which means to make children’s (ped) bones straight. This is what the doctor did for me when I was seven years old. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 describes what God wants to do for me every day—to make the path of my life straight. 

Before he intervened, I was broken and crippled by sin. Paralyzed by fear. Empty and dissatisfied. At 18 years old, I surrendered my will to his. Through the miracle of grace through faith—a precious gift of God—I believed. I flung my whole self on him with no holding back. 

“I’ve been living my life my way,” I prayed, “and I’ve been doing a terrible job. I don’t want to be in charge any more. I want you to direct my paths.” My will was broken—in a painfully wonderful way. 

God Heard My Prayer

Wonder of wonder, God heard the prayer of my heart that day and began to transform me. I wish, like the orthopedist, he had given one pull and straightened out everything in my life, but spiritual breaks don’t heal like that. 

Instead, as I read God’s Word and learned to recognize and obey the Holy Spirit’s voice, my twisted path grew less convoluted. The Bible provided direction and helped me make good choices. Wise counselors shared insight and experience. Mentors guided me. I began to fulfill God’s purpose for me—to bring him glory. 

Sanctification—becoming more like Jesus—has continued to be painful at times. 

Doing the right thing can be unpopular. Sometimes it’s embarrassing. Other times it’s expensive. It’s cost me relationships, jobs, and opportunities. 

But oh, the joy of following Jesus. Of trusting his perfect way instead of my flawed and frail one. Of walking in confidence, knowing that as I commit my way to him, he will make my path straight. 

I’m thankful for physicians who know how to set broken arms and help them heal. I’m even more thankful for God, the Great Physician, who knows how to straighten our sin-twisted souls and make them whole. 

What a miracle. 

What a gift. 

Upcoming Speaking Event!

I’ll be sharing Hope that Lasts with the women of Crosspointe Church, 1368 Old Cherokee Rd., Lexington, SC, on February 21 at 10 am. The Crosspointe event is free and open to the public. To register your attendance, please call or text Danielle at 803) 920-5808. (See below for more details.) I hope to see you there!

Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find: 

• A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances  
• Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what  
• Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always  
• A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises  
• Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher 

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you. 

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

Click the image above to receive weekly encouraging blog posts!

The post How Being Broken Is the First Step to Becoming Whole appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

        

Comments

• Don’t Forget These (Unexpected) Women of Easter by LoriAHatcher
• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free by LoriAHatcher
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing by LoriAHatcher
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God by LoriAHatcher
• Are You Reading Leviticus? Here are Four Glorious Reasons Not to Skip It by LoriAHatcher
• Plus 5 more...

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God
• The Best Sermons Have No Words

 

We sometimes hear high-profile news stories of Christians and Christian companies refusing to compromise on matters of faith or conscience. Some win victories, while others suffer loss.

History brims with examples of people and groups who challenged government, culture, or tradition. Some protested in defiance and anger. They demanded their rights and used violence to champion them. Others stood vocally but respectfully in the face of oppression, prejudice, or injustice.

We’ll probably never take on a king or the Supreme Court, but we will face circumstances that will require us to stand for what we believe. Thankfully, Scripture shows us how to do it.

I’m tackling this subject on the Revive Our Hearts blog. CLICK HERE to read the post, “When It’s Time to Take a Stand.”

May I ask a favor?

If you’ve read my most recent book, Lord, I Believe, would you take a few minutes (less than 5, I promise) and leave a review on Amazon? Book reviews help other thoughtful readers find good books. I’d be SO SO SO grateful. My goal is to reach 50 reviews, and we’re only 11 away. (Thank you Phyllis, Elaine, Kay, Eileen, and Ruth for writing reviews last week!) Your review would bring me one step closer to my goal. Bless you! You’re the BEST1

CLICK HERE to leave a review.

Upcoming Speaking Events

I’m so excited to be speaking to the women of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia, SC on Valentine’s Day! (How LOVEly is that?).

I’ll also be sharing Hope that Lasts with the women of Crosspointe Church, 1368 Old Cherokee Rd., Lexington, SC, on February 21 at 10 am. The Crosspointe event is free and open to the public. To register your attendance, please call or text Danielle at 803) 920-5808. (See below for more details.) I hope to see you there!

Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find: 

• A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances  
• Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what  
• Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always  
• A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises  
• Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher 

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you. 

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

Click the image above to receive weekly words of encouragement!

The post 6 Biblical Steps When You Have to Take a Stand appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

      

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God
• How Being Broken Is the First Step to Becoming Whole

 

Although her brother usually beat her to my door on Fun Fridays at Gigi’s House, she was fast on his heels. The tiny girl, “no bigger than a squirrel,” as my husband says, greeted me with smiling eyes that sparkled with mischief.

“Gigi,” she’d say, clasping her hands together and bouncing with excitement, “I have a present for you!”

“Yes!” I always exclaimed with the proper enthusiasm, “I LOVE presents.” 

She’d do a little happy dance, then bestow her treasure into my open palms with a flourish.

Sometimes she’d give me a sparkling jewel from her collection. (Don’t all princesses have jewel collections?) Other times her treasure was a painted rock. One time it was a worm, but I’ve forgiven her for that.

Her generous spirit and giving heart consistently looked for ways to share what was most precious to her. She’s a grown up girl of 10 now, but her generous heart still bestows blessings on me when I least expect it.

Caroline reminds me a lot of God. 

Every time my heavenly Father and I spend time together, He gives me a gift. Sometimes it’s a sparkling jewel from His collection. (Don’t all kings have jewel collections?) A gold nugget from His Word, a gemstone of promise, or a sparkling insight into life. 

Other times He gives me something He’s created—a sunrise that takes my breath away or a cool breeze on a sunny day. 

A few times He’s given me something that didn’t look like a gift, but turned out to be one after all. Pain that pressed me further into His loving arms, a loss that reminded me of heaven’s hope, or suffering that refined my faith.

James 1:17 sums it up: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.” 

Caroline and her generous heart (not her presents) is one of God’s good gifts to me. She loves me unconditionally, wants to spend time in my presence, and delights to bless me.

She and the Father God who created her fill my life with good things. This guards my heart from disappointment and reminds me to focus on the gifts and the giver, not the things I wish were different.

Now it’s your turn. How has God shown you His generous heart this week? How does this help you battle disappointment? Leave a comment and share your blessings. 

May I ask a favor?

If you’ve read my most recent book, Lord, I Believe, would you take a few minutes (less than 5, I promise) and leave a review on Amazon? Book reviews help other thoughtful readers find good books. I’d be SO SO SO grateful. My goal is to reach 50 reviews, and we’re only 15 away. Your review would bring me one step closer to my goal. Bless you! You’re the BEST1

CLICK HERE to leave a review.

Upcoming Speaking Events

I’m so excited to be speaking to the women of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia, SC on Valentine’s Day! (How LOVEly is that?) and to the women of Crosspointe Church in Lexington, SC, on February 21. The Crosspointe event is open to the public. Mark it on your calendar if you live in the area and stay tuned for more details!

Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find: 

• A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances  
• Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what  
• Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always  
• A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises  
• Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher 

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you. 

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

The post A Simple Way to Battle Disappointment appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

      

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing
• 6 Biblical Steps When You Have to Take a Stand

 

Today I’d like us to consider whether modern believers have lost a sense of holy awe toward God and how familiarity, comfort, and culture may dull our reverence. Today’s post calls us back to a biblical understanding of the fear of the Lord and offers practical ways to reclaim wonder, humility, and worshipful obedience before a holy God.

Thanks for reading!

I remember the first time I saw Judge Frierson’s* name on my appointment schedule. 

“JUDGE Frierson?” I asked. “What kind of judge is he?” 

“He’s a federal appellate court justice based in Richmond,” my boss replied. “A Reagan appointee. He’s one step below the Supreme Court.” 

That’s when my hands started trembling, and my heart beat like a woodpecker on an apple tree. The thought of seating a federal appellate court justice in my treatment room and interacting with him for 45 minutes was intimidating, to say the least. After decades of practicing dental hygiene, I was fairly confidant of my ability to meet his dental needs, but the prospect of making small talk with someone who renders judgments on matters of constitutional law and helps chart the judicial course of our country was way out of my league. 

In the 20 years since that day, however, I’ve found Judge Frierson to be kind, funny, and easy to talk to. During one of his appointments, I discovered he likes ice cream as much as I do. As I’ve gotten to know him (and reminded him to floss daily), I’ve realized that he’s just an ordinary person. While the thought of what he does for a living still intimidates me, I’m no longer awed by him. 

Another Type of Awe

I thought of my experience with the judge recently when I read about God’s name, Yahweh. Translated by many as Jehovah, Yahweh (or, more correctly YHWH) is the primary and most glorious name of God. The best definition of YHWH is God the Self-Existing One. 

God identified himself as YHWH when Moses asked him, “What shall I say to my brothers when they ask who sent me?” 

“I AM WHO I AM,” God said, “Thus you shall say to children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you” (Ex. 3:14). 

Did you know that Jewish scribes held the name of Yahweh in such high honor that as they copied Scripture, they’d select a fresh quill before they penned the name? 

And after they wrote YHWH, they would break the quill. They felt this particular name of God was so holy that the quill they had used to write it should never be used to pen ordinary, everyday words. 

This reverence for God’s name, YHWH, I AM THAT I AM, is also why the Jews tried to stone Jesus in John 8:58-59. “’I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ 

At this, they picked up stones to stone him.” 

The thought that anyone would even speak the name of Yahweh, let alone claim to be him was worthy of stoning in these devout Jews’ minds. 

Something Has Changed

Between then and now, however, something has drastically changed. 

And I’m not talking about people who use God’s name as a curse word or blaspheme God by their unbelief. I’m talking about Christians. About me and about you. 

Do we hold God’s name in holy awe? Do we pause before we approach his Word or his house? Do we pray flippantly and casually or reverently and respectfully? Do we ponder, even for a second, that the God who’s given us unlimited access to his presence is also the God who spoke the world into existence and holds our lives in his hands? 

Maybe, like me with my patient, Judge Frierson, we’ve become so comfortable in our relationship with God that we’ve lost the holy awe we once had for him. 

We must remember – God isn’t our pal. He’s not “the man upstairs.” 

He’s our Savior and our Lord. The Great I AM. The Self-Existing One who needs nothing from us, yet gives us everything. 

What a privilege to come before him without fear. To sit at his feet and learn from him. To read his Words. To hear the still, small voice of his Spirit and feel the comfort of his presence. 

I don’t think we need to throw away our pens every time we write God’s name, but we can borrow a page from the ancient scribes. 

The Pause

What if, the next time we speak his name, or come before him in prayer, or open his Word, we pause? Think about who we’re approaching? Give him the honor due to his name? Then we’d be better prepared to snuggle up close and have a talk. 

Now it’s your turn. Do you think our Christian culture lacks reverence for God? How important is it? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

 *The name is fictitious and the details have been altered, but the story is true.

May I ask a favor?

If you’ve read my most recent book, Lord, I Believe, would you take a few minutes (less than 5, I promise) and leave a review on Amazon? Book reviews help other thoughtful readers find good books. I’d be SO SO SO grateful. My goal is to reach 50 reviews, and we’re only 15 away. Your review would bring me one step closer to my goal. Bless you! You’re the BEST1

CLICK HERE to leave a review.

Upcoming Speaking Events

I’m so excited to be speaking to the women of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia, SC on Valentine’s Day! (How LOVEly is that?) and to the women of Crosspointe Church in Lexington, SC, on February 21. The Crosspointe event is open to the public. Mark it on your calendar if you live in the area and stay tuned for more details!

Do You Know Someone with a Strong Faith Who’s Facing a Tough Situation?

Lord, I Believe

What do you believe about God? Do you believe that He can restore? Or that He answers prayers? Do you believe that He delights in you?  

As you spend 60 days in these devotions, Lori Hatcher will reassure you of who God is and who He says you are. In each meditation, you’ll find: 

• A biblical truth you can claim to rebuild your faith in the toughest circumstances  
• Comforting assurances from Scripture that God is with you and for you, no matter what  
• Encouragement of God’s delight and joy in you always  
• A prayer and biblical affirmation to remind you of God’s steadfast presence and unwavering promises  
• Heartwarming, story-centered readings from popular devotional writer Lori Hatcher 

Spend just a few minutes each day with these devotions, and let your heart find strength in the reassurance of God’s unending love for you. 

Have you subscribed to Refresh?

The post Have We Lost Our Holy Awe of God? How to Reclaim it appeared first on Lori Hatcher.

      

Related Stories

• Struggling Under the Pain of Unforgiveness? How to Break Free
• Six Reasons Faith Deconstruction Can Be a Good Thing
• 5 Powerful Ways You Can Help Your Husband Draw Closer to God