thoughts by Kristi Huseby Archives - Daily Thoughts about God

Published July 11, 2024

Roller Coaster Journey

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit” Jeremiah 17.7-8

I’m right smack dab in the middle of fundraising so I can travel the world and share the love of Jesus with women from all different walks of life and empower them with the gospel.

It has been one of the hardest and most rewarding seasons of my life!

I have never felt more like I’m on a roller coaster ride than now (and that’s saying something since we had four teenagers!). One day I’m UP because I have had a friend I haven’t seen in a long time commit to partnering with me and the next I’m DOWN in the dumps because another friend who I’ve poured my life into has opted out. One minute, I’ve experienced God throwing open wide the doors and the next minute it seems like they’re all closed.

Sometimes, I feel like I’m just going AROUND and AROUND– trying to set up appointments and rescheduling cancellations.

UP and DOWN, AROUND and AROUND, never knowing what might happen next. I’ve seen huge answers to prayer and then experienced the silence of God. I have wrestled with disappointment and been amazed by His works! It’s exciting and yet completely terrifying!

But in the middle of it all, I can feel God deepening my faith like never before. I can feel my roots growing deep into the water, finding life and love and joy! I’m discovering He is ALL I need. I find my heart rejoicing in the middle of my struggle. Words like fortitude, tenaciousness and strength have become my prayer as I ask God to do His work in me. I feel Him preparing me for what is to come. Chiseling me into His masterpiece. I’m realizing I need Him like I need air to breathe. I’m learning what it means to place my complete trust in God and I want Him to be my hope and confidence! He is who I look to, He is who I depend on and He is where I put my hope – a hope that, Paul says in Romans, DOESN’T DISAPPOINT! (Romans 5.5 NLT)

I want to be this tree, Jeremiah speaks of . . . to be planted by the river of LIFE, so my roots will grow down deep into the water. I long to be healthy and fruit producing regardless of my roller coaster journey.

This is what I want!

So when someone sees my life, they don’t say, “Wow, look at Kristi.” They say, “Wow, look at her God and what He can do with a life!”

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

Outbreak!

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:23-24 (NLT)

In the movie, Jakob the Liar, Jakob is a prisoner in a Jewish Ghetto in Poland during World War II. Everyone living there has lost all hope of ever being rescued and many have resorted to suicide. Jakob hears a radio broadcast and shares what he has heard with his friends. The news travels like wild fire through the ghetto. Jakob is moved by the renewed sense of hope he sees and so embarks on a plan to keep hope alive in the ghetto.

While watching this movie, I was astonished by the power of hope. Many of us have only a sketchy idea of what it is like to live without hope and we so easily take for granted the hope we have in Christ. “And this hope will not lead to disappointment…” (Romans 5:5 NLT)

We forget that we are living in as dark a place as Jakob was. People all around us are living and dying with no hope!

We have the hope. The hope that will not only give them purpose in life but will rescue them eternally!

What if we were to use the gifts God has given us to overwhelm others with the love of Jesus? What would happen if we had an outbreak in our churches of love and good deeds? Would people see the hope we have in Christ? Would they be “infected” with our love for God and others? What if we couldn’t contain this pandemic? Remember, it just takes one!

Thought: What gifts has God given you? Take some time to evaluate what gifts you have and ask God how He wants you to use those gifts to bring His light into the dark places where you live.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

~ ~ ~ ~

If you have lost hope and would like to renew your relationship with Christ you can do so today. We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith alone. However, true prayer is one way of expressing your faith. The following is a suggested prayer:

“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If so, bow in prayer and trust God to fill you with the Holy Spirit right now.

If you prayed this prayer, we at Thoughts about God would love to hear about it! We would love to send you information to help you discover more about the Spirit led life.

How Bright is Your Light?

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5.14-15 (NLT)

This past week I was having a discussion with a friend of mine and she told me about a satellite image that she had seen of our world. The picture was taken at night. Places in Europe were lit up like a Christmas tree but other places like China and North Korea were completely dark.

As my friend explained the picture she saw, I couldn’t help but wonder: if we were to take a spiritual satellite image of our world, where would the light and darkness be? Would the light be switched? Would North Korea be ablaze and America pitch dark?

How bright is my own light?

Is it glowing brightly enough for others to see? Or is it a dull radiance that is barely perceived?

I believe many of us know ABOUT God. We know about God like we know about our favorite actor, singer, or band member. We’ve prided ourselves on all the facts and statistics we know about God, we’ve loaded up on knowledge about Him through Bible studies, sermons and spiritual books but have neglected to develop an intimate, personal, knowing relationship with Him. We may spout verses, tell other people how they should live but neglect to live in obedience ourselves. We live self-centered, self-serving lives. And our light? It isn’t light at all – it’s really darkness.

Is our life just meaningless words or are we truly living what we say we believe? How bright is your light?

Lord, we need You. You have placed Your light in us at great personal cost to You. Don’t let me cheapen this great treasure. I want to get out of the way and let Your light shine so that others can see the truth. Amen.

Think of a part of your life that you have kept dim; maybe it’s the side of you that comes out at your child’s sporting events or when you take a night off with your friends, or even your workplace. Intentionally bring a little light into those places this week by using positive speech, unconditional love, and the name of Jesus!

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

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God Turns Nobodies into Somebodies

“We call Abraham “father” not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody.” Romans 4:17 (MSG)

Abraham was an ordinary guy. There was nothing spectacular about him. He had no hidden talents, no supernatural faith, no outstanding ideas, and no blazing personality. He was a nobody.

But God took that ordinary man and turned him into a somebody.

I’m an ordinary girl. But I believe in a God who raises the dead to life and who makes something out of nothing. He did that for me.

When I met Jesus and turned my life over to Him, I saw my sin for what it was — a vile ugly mess. I opened my heart to His forgiveness, and this undeserved privilege, this grace, made me one of His own children!

God took this nobody of a girl and turned her into a somebody. And He can do the same for you!

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” Romans 3:23-25 (NLT)

If you have never invited Christ into your life, this gift is waiting for you. Or maybe you’ve accepted it, but have put it on the shelf to collect dust. God is waiting for you to receive His grace, and let Him transform your life. All you have to do is say yes.

Lord, I’m a sinner and I know there’s nothing I can do to rescue me from my sins. I believe You did it all for me when You paid the price for my sins. I surrender my life to You. Amen.

Thought: If you prayed this prayer today, tell someone, such as a family member, friend or pastor

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

Living Stones

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5

In music, harmony adds dimension and fullness to the melody. Its different parts work together to enhance the song, adding flavor and depth.

The same is true of the family of God. Individuals don’t do and say the same thing, but all of them work together, each using their unique gifts and abilities to bring depth and dimension to the ONE purpose.

And there’s the rub. Working together brings friction, conflict, and tension.

We all are familiar with this chafing, but often we fail to see the beauty that comes from the abrasiveness. It is in the friction where beauty is born.

Working together with other people who are broken and imperfect like us is God’s beautiful design.

We are like rocks in a stream: bouncing, rubbing, and polishing off each others rough edges.

So, let’s welcome the tension, open the door to conflict, and allow it to refine and perfect us.

If you find yourself in conflict with another follower of Jesus, don’t be surprised. Remember, we’re all still in the process of being perfected. Peter tells us, “And you are living stones that God is building into His spiritual temple.…” 1 Peter 2:5 (NLT)

Know this: God wants to use this friction in your life to polish you into a beautiful living stone for all the world to see!

Heavenly Father, I know You designed family. It’s part of Your plan, but I confess there are times when I don’t like the pain that comes with it! I want to run and hide. I want to escape the hurt, throw it to the winds and be done with it. But teach me to STAY, to embrace the pain and see the beauty. Amen.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

Servant Living

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.” John 13:3-5

Jesus knew who He was. He knew where He had come from and where He was going. This was God, the Creator of the universe, King Eternal, Yahweh, washing the feet of the ones He had created.

For the disciples, this was a “shock and awe” moment! No rabbi or any person of significant status had ever washed another’s feet. It just wasn’t done. The job of foot washing was always relegated to the lowest of the low, the refuse of society.

But Jesus never let society dictate His behavior, He never let it deviate Him from His mission. He had come to serve. Just hours from this moment, Jesus would demonstrate His greatest act of service, His coup d’état: the cross! He overthrew the norms, the status quo, and turned this self-driven, people pleasing society on its head.

After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He told them,

“Since, I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each others feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” (John 13.12-14).

Do what I do. Serve each other.

Having the heart of a servant was a way of living for Jesus and it should be for those of us who are His followers. It wasn’t one act of service, followed by a myriad of self-driven deeds. It was a lifestyle of service. Unconditional service. No expectations. Service born from a heart that loves.

Jesus’ greatest act of service, the cross, came from a heart propelled by love. And so should our service derive from a heart of love for those He created.

Unconditional service is never easy. Unconditional service always has a cost, but it is a way of life for those who choose to follow. It marks us as true followers of the One who first demonstrated His love for us!

Lord, we confess in this every-man-for himself world, we have lost sight of this servant way of living. We have allowed the world and its ways to color our perspective and justify our self-centered choices. Teach us to have the heart of a servant and to live each day, following the example you set for us. Amen.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

The Last Place First

The church I go to and work at has chosen to encourage everyone who attends, from age 12 on up, to read through the entire New Testament in eight weeks.

When I first heard that we were going to do this, I confess I was a bit overwhelmed at the idea. How was I ever going to do that during the busiest season of my life? That’s a HUGE amount of reading in a very SHORT amount of time, I’m just saying! BUT it is turning into one of the BIGGEST blessings that I have ever experienced!!

We all started reading this past Monday. What makes this reading unique (other than the fact that we’re reading it in eight very short weeks) is that the Bible we are reading from has been altered a bit. Before you start gasping for air and wondering what heretical thing we’re doing, let me explain . . .

It is the New International Version but they have taken out the chapter and verse marks and it reads like a story instead of an intellectual book. They have also arranged the books by authors, i.e. Luke and Acts are the first books we read since they were written by Luke, and then we move into the writings of Paul which are arranged in chronological order. Nothing has been taken from the Scripture and nothing has been added. However, reading in this new format has caused me to see the Word of God in a new and fresh way. I tell you all of this because I’m guessing that for the next eight weeks you will be reading in this blog the things I’m learning from my perusal of the New Testament Scriptures.

This week we are reading the book of Luke. Last year I took on a project to copy down the whole book of Luke (I finally finished just a few weeks ago). So I was secretly wondering if I would see anything new. But as God has proved over and over His Word was a two-edged sword piercing my heart again with a very familiar passage.

The story takes place in Luke 2.41-49. Jesus is twelve years old and has traveled with his parents to Jerusalem. They are on their way home when Mary and Joseph realize that Jesus isn’t with them. If you’re wondering how this could happen – let me tell you it’s easy when you have numerous kids, bunches of relatives and multiple caravans. It’s easy to think they are with someone else, only to find they’re not. (I speak from experience.)

When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Luke 2.45-46 (NIV)

When his parents saw, him they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Luke 2:48-50 (NIV)

I’ve always struggled with this passage of Scripture because it sounds like Jesus is scolding his parents. At first glance it seems that he might just possibly be a bit disrespectful. But after reading this again this week, I saw something in there that I’d never noticed before.

It says that his parents returned to Jerusalem and then it took them three more days before they found him! I always thought that it took them three days to get back to Jerusalem.
Think about it. They had searched in Jerusalem for three interminable days before it dawned on them to look in the temple!

Mary and Joseph had seen the angels, the shepherds and the wise men. They’d experienced the virgin birth of their son but in the ten to twelve years since all of that had happened they had forgotten who their Son really was and they went last to the place they should’ve gone first! No wonder Jesus said what he did.

I couldn’t help but wonder as I read this if I have done the same thing?

I have a problem . . . What’s the first thing I do? I get on the phone and talk to a friend. I try to fix it on my own and only after that doesn’t work do I finally bring it to the ONE I should have gone to FIRST. Why is prayer always my last resort instead of my first inclination? Could it be that I’ve lost sight of who He is and what He has done in my life in the past? Could it be that I don’t really KNOW who He is?

by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

The Road Less Traveled

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. . . Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Matthew 16.24-26 (MSG)

Long ago, when I gave my heart to Christ, I jumped into the driver’s seat and expected that He would ride shotgun.

I gratefully invited God to sit beside me, to be my copilot on this journey called life. I wanted God in my life to help me do what I could not do myself, expecting that He would navigate around the difficulties and smooth out the road.

But Jesus said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let ME lead. . . “

For much of my life, I have had this propensity to want to be in control. It’s easier this way — at least that’s what I like to tell myself. It’s just plain scary letting someone else drive my car, even if it is the God of the Universe, who knows me better than I know myself.

For a long time, fear kept me from turning over the keys to my Savior. Fear of what He might do. Fear of where He might take me. Fear of what He might ask me to do. I was so focused on ME that I couldn’t embrace HIM.

God calls each one of us to pry our hands from the wheel, hand over the keys and leave the driving to Him. Surrender is never easy and the fear can seem overwhelming.

But relinquishing control, leads us to a place where there is freedom in following, joy in trusting, and peace in surrender. It is the road less traveled.

Heavenly Father, I know this journey of letting go, is the hard road to travel and will be a course that won’t be completed until I step into Your presence. Pry my hands from the wheel and teach me how to walk this pathway of Trust, this journey of Surrender, and this road of Submission. Amen.

Thought: Ask God to reveal the part of your life you’re hanging onto control of – maybe you already know what it is. Take a step of courage and hand it over to Him. (You can do it!)

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

The Companionship of Joy and Pain

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” Romans 5:3-4 (NLT)

Recently, I watched a friend bury his beloved wife. His heart is cracking apart with grief. The loss and loneliness are a crushing burden he carries every day.

It seems almost sacrilegious to read this verse about rejoicing when we face trials in respect to my friend’s circumstance. Does God really expect him to rejoice in this devastating sorrow?

Ephesians 1:5 says, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”

Do you see the joy and pain in this verse? God’s adoption plan was sending His only Son to die in our place. What pain! What sorrow!

Look what it says next, “He wanted to do it and it gave him great pleasure!”

Pain and Joy. They seem so diametrically opposed to one another and yet, their mutual presence is at the core of God’s rescue plan for us!

Why should this journey of following our Savior be any different?

Joy comes from knowing God and trusting His way. Joy comes from the deep springs of the soul. It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s developed over time as we grab hold of His hand and put one foot in front of the other. As we walk His way.

Jesus said in John 16.33 (NIV), “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Thought:

– Will you choose joy in the pain of your circumstances? What blessings are there in your pain? Take some time today to focus on the good, instead of the bad and make a list of signs of God’s goodness in your life.

– Are you embracing the joy and the pain in your life?

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

A Gift to Enjoy Daily

“… And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

Have you ever given a gift to someone, one that you poured your heart and soul into, only to discover it was never really used? How disappointing it feels to have someone treat so carelessly something that we put so much effort and love into making or searching to buy for them.

God has given those who follow Him a gift He poured His heart and soul into – the Holy Spirit! But do we use this gift or let it sit on a shelf collecting dust?

I read somewhere this thought: “When I get to heaven, I can’t wait to ask Moses what it was like to part the Red Sea. But what if he asks me, ‘What was it like for you to have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of you ALL the time? I just experienced moments with Him, but you had Him ALL the time! What was that like?’ And I reply, ‘Well, it was all right, I guess.’” Can you imagine saying that?

So many of us are “trying” to live the Christian life in our own strength and then we wonder why we’re struggling, why it’s so hard. It’s as if we never realize that God has already given us everything we need to live this life in the gift of His Holy Spirit! We just need to enjoy and rely on this gift, every day.

Surrendering frees us from the bondage of “trying harder” and opens the door to the Holy Spirit’s incredible work in our lives. A gift freely given, but at such a great price — do we take that lightly? It’s time to take Him off the shelf, time to embrace this incredible gift, time to surrender our hearts completely over to Him.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit! I don’t want Your Spirit on a shelf in my life. Your Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in me, is the most intimate part of my life, making me fit for you. I don’t want to take your gift for granted. Amen.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

The Great Divide

“Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? Matthew 9:5

Jesus asked this question of the religious leaders who were outraged that He would say to the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven.

These “spiritual” gurus had watched Jesus grow from a little boy into a man. To them he was a snot-nosed, skinned-up-knees boy, born from a mother who had cheated on her husband and now was as an adult claiming to be God! How dare this kid from Nazareth say, “Your sins are forgiven!” In the words of Vizzini from Princess Bride, “Inconceivable!

It was a simple question, with a simple answer but one they refused to acknowledge. The religious leaders rejection of Jesus’ authority, created a chasm in their hearts between who Jesus was and who they wanted Him to be.

And we are not much different than they, if we’re willing to admit it. Often, the divide is long and wide between who Jesus really is and who we want Him to be.

We want the love of Jesus, not His justice. We want a comfortable Jesus, not one who pushes us into the unknown. We want to trust God with our eternal destination, but refuse to allow His “interference” in our everyday living.

The simple fact remains, Jesus is God; able to heal the sick and forgive sins. True followers of Jesus refuse to let their own desires define Him and allow Him to be the Jesus He is!

Lord, I confess my propensity to create You in my own image, rather than allowing You to be the God You are. Open my eyes to Your truth, teach me Your ways and help me to follow You with a pure heart. Amen.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

Academics or Intimacy?

“My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people; (pour your hearts out to Him), for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62.7-9 (emphasis mine)

Growing up I was taught that God desired to have a relationship with me. But my pursuit of that relationship looked more like a rote exercise than anything else. It was less like a relationship and more like a student in a classroom.

Prayer became a list of what I needed and an expectation of God to answer. Because after all, I reasoned, God says He will give us what we need if we ask, right? It’s in the Bible somewhere?

I think many of us approach prayer as if God is our great Santa Claus in the sky and we’re disillusioned when He doesn’t come through for us. We have pursued prayer not to hear from God or to form a bond with Him but to get what we need.

God wants so much more for our relationship with Him! He sacrificed His only Son so that we could have a union with Him that is beyond all others! God is here! He has come near.

Will you pull up a chair and sit in His presence today? Why not discover who He is and pour your heart to Him? He is waiting.

Lord, I confess that I have followed after You more to get what I want than to know You. Change me. Open my eyes. I want to follow hard after You. Show me how to live in relationship with You. Amen.

Action Step: If you tend to rely on spiritual reading or a lot of talking in your prayer, try sitting in silence and listening for God’s words of love today.

by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7 (NLT)

In first Samuel chapter one we are introduced to Hannah, a woman unable to bear children. While she is at her yearly visit to the temple she makes a vow to Jehovah Sabaoth that if He will give her a child, she will give him back to God for all of his days. (1 Samuel 1:11)

It’s interesting that she doesn’t use the name Jehovah Jireh (The LORD provides) or Jehovah Rapha (The LORD heals). Instead she chooses to use a name that proclaims the might and power of God: Jehovah Sabaoth, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

Hannah called on the Lord of Heaven’s Armies in her time of great need because she understood through His might and power, nothing was impossible with God. By calling on Jehovah Sabaoth she was reminding God of His superiority over all things and declaring her faith in His almighty power to open her womb.

Do we really believe in the Lord of Heaven’s Armies like Hannah did? Do we believe He is the God of the Impossible? The supreme ruler over EVERYTHING?

Do we dare pray like Hannah, asking God for the seemingly impossible?

This past year a group of ladies from our church decided to take God at His Word and pray the impossible. At the end of the eighth month period we had twenty-eight “impossible” prayers answered!

What insurmountable burden are you carrying? Will you choose to believe like Hannah and pray the impossible?

Oh LORD of Heaven’s Armies, teach me to trust; not just say that I believe but readily and wholeheartedly take You at Your Word and pray the impossible. Give me eyes to see how you will answer. Amen.

Begin today to pray for the “impossible” request in your life that you have doubted would ever get answered. Pray daily and look expectantly. Don’t limit God. You just might be amazed at how He answers your prayer.

By Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

Scripture Smorgasbord

As a young girl, I looked forward to potluck dinners in the basement of our small church.

I would stand at the top of the stairs and inhale the smell that was wafting its way up from the kitchen, causing my mouth to water and then I’d race down as fast as I could.

The various and sundry dishes seemed to stretch on forever.

My favorite thing to do, before it all began, was to walk up one side of the tables and down the other, trying to see all that was there. If I stretched my neck and stood on my tip toes I could just get a glimpse of what was in the those wonderful smelling dishes.

The good old standbys always brought a smile to my face; fried chicken, orange jello and deviled eggs. But other dishes like vegetables or weird salads would make me wrinkle my nose and rejoice that at this dinner I didn’t have to have a “no thank you” helping. And then there were the desserts, as usual the ladies of our church had out done themselves with warm brownies fresh out of the oven, enormous cakes, and pies galore.

My joy of potluck dinners was born out of a love for food and fellowship. My favorite thing about potlucks was that my parents weren’t as attentive to my eating habits which enabled me to eat whatever I wanted. This meant that I could forego the vegetable dishes and fill up on desserts to my heart’s delight.

I also enjoyed the freedom to be able to pick and choose what I wanted to eat. At home there weren’t a lot of choices. I had to eat a little of everything, even if I didn’t like it. I learned early in life not to complain because that would only get me more!

My love for potluck dinners was raised to new heights, when I realized for the first time that if I put something on my plate and didn’t like it, I didn’t have to eat it! That was never the case at home. The mantra, “Clean Your Plate” had been adopted by my parents, and there was no hope of changing it. Believe me, I tried.

Recently when I sat down to spend some time in the Scriptures; I was struck with the fact that I have a tendency to love God’s Word, like I love potluck dinners! Let me explain . . .

I choose to feast on verses like Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

But turn my nose up at verses like Matthew 5:44 (NLT) “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

My desire for things that are easy and tasteful hinders me from developing strength and depth as His disciple. And I can’t help but wonder if this is what Paul was alluding to in 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NLT) “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready. . .”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there are verses in the Bible that don’t have any value but the point I’m trying to make is that we hamper God’s work in our life when we pick and choose what we like and don’t take it ALL into account.

God’s Word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. I readily confess that I don’t like to be cut open, to have my sin held up to the light of His Word. It’s so much easier to steer clear of God’s cleansing work in my life and focus on His unending love and faithfulness. But God desires so much more for me and for you!

My question to you is this: Are you approaching God’s Word like you approach a potluck dinner? Do you find yourself choosing the verses in God’s Word that are tasty and appetizing and avoiding those that seem distasteful or hard?

Lord, I confess in my heart of hearts I have approached your Word like I do a potluck dinner. I have feasted on Your grace and avoided Your commands. Thank you for extending Your mercy to me and open my eyes and my heart to ALL that you want to teach me. Amen.

by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

What’s that Smell?

I walked in from our garage into the kitchen and immediately smelled something awful! It was permeating the whole house. I figured it was either coming from the garbage or the refrigerator. I checked the trash and didn’t find anything too smelly in there. So my next exploration led me to the fridge, it was full at the time and it took some sorting out to find the culprit!

I found it!

We had a nice science experiment going on in our refrigerator with a few spoonful’s of re-fried beans! I couldn’t believe that such a little amount of food could cause such a great stink in our house!

Smell is a powerful thing.

A small whiff of an odor or fragrance can you take you back to a memory from long ago – your Grandmother’s perfume, laundry hung on the line to dry, bread baking in the oven.

The Bible talks about the aroma that a believer, who is a captive of Jesus Christ gives off. Look at 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.”

Have you ever stopped to consider what kind of a smell you are giving off? Is it a sweet fragrance of surrender to Jesus Christ or an acrid repugnant odor of sin hidden in your heart?

Holding onto our sin is like carrying around a big smelly bag of trash. We get used to carrying that bag and it actually feels good at times, we feel justified in our attitudes and our behaviors. We don’t even realize that that big bag of trash is causing us to stumble and fall and to miss out on so much more that God wants to give us.

A big bag of smelly sin

How easy and comfortable it is to wallow in our sin, to justify it and excuse it while never realizing that it is weighing us down, tripping us up and holding us captive.

I have found that in my own life, when I allow sin to take root that it quickly takes over and I need to surrender to Jesus Christ and allow Him to dig it out and expel that odorous sin from my life.

Just as a refrigerator cannot rid itself of its own smelly contents, we cannot clean up our life on our own. We need a Savior to rescue us from our depravity, our foolishness and show us where we need to go – that Savior is Jesus Christ.

Have you given over your bag of trash to your Savior? Have you surrendered those areas in your life that are holding you back from wholeheartedly following Him? What’s stopping you?

Exchange that smelly bag of trash for the fragrant aroma of following Jesus – I guarantee you won’t miss it!

by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

A Lingering Aroma – A Devotional by Marilyn Ehle

Roller Coaster Journey

Sometimes, I feel like I’m just going AROUND and AROUND– trying to set up appointments and rescheduling cancellations.

FURTHER READING

Outbreak!

FURTHER READING

How Bright is Your Light?

How bright is my own light?

Further Reading

God Turns Nobodies into Somebodies

FURTHER READING

Living Stones

Working together with other people who are broken and imperfect like us is God’s beautiful design.

FURTHER READING

Servant Living

Do what I do. Serve each other.

FURTHER READING

The Last Place First

The church I go to and work at has chosen to encourage everyone who attends, from age 12 on up, to read through the entire New Testament in eight weeks.

FURTHER READING

The Road Less Traveled

Further Reading

The Companionship of Joy and Pain

Further Reading

A Gift to Enjoy Daily

“… And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

Further Reading

The Great Divide

“Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? Matthew 9:5

Further Reading

Academics or Intimacy?

Further Reading

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7 (NLT)

Do we dare pray like Hannah, asking God for the seemingly impossible?

Further Reading

Scripture Smorgasbord

As a young girl, I looked forward to potluck dinners in the basement of our small church.

Further Reading

What’s that Smell?

Further Reading

Category: <span>thoughts by Kristi Huseby</span>

Sometimes, I feel like I’m just going AROUND and AROUND– trying to set up appointments and rescheduling cancellations.

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

How bright is my own light?

Further Reading

FURTHER READING

Working together with other people who are broken and imperfect like us is God’s beautiful design.

FURTHER READING

Do what I do. Serve each other.

FURTHER READING

The church I go to and work at has chosen to encourage everyone who attends, from age 12 on up, to read through the entire New Testament in eight weeks.

FURTHER READING

Further Reading

Further Reading

“… And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

Further Reading

“Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? Matthew 9:5

Further Reading

Further Reading

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7 (NLT)

Do we dare pray like Hannah, asking God for the seemingly impossible?

Further Reading

As a young girl, I looked forward to potluck dinners in the basement of our small church.

Further Reading

Further Reading