Jesus

May 8, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 8 Comments

How to Trust God

She didn’t expect life to turn out like this. For the last few years she’d grown in her trust in and relationship with God. She’d been a strong support for her family. She’d thought she’d done everything right . . . but had God even noticed? Standing at her brother’s funeral she didn’t think so. Surely God could have stopped this tragedy. Didn’t Jesus care?

The “she” I’m talking about is Martha in the Bible. She’d seen Jesus heal, yet when her family needed his touch, Jesus was a no-show. Most of us know the biblical story about how Jesus finally showed up a few days later and called Lazarus from the grave. It was a healing they hadn’t expected, and I can guess that Martha went to sleep that night with a new sense of trust. Maybe Jesus knew what He was doing. Maybe she could truly trust Him after all.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 1:25-26

Jesus has asked me the same things many times—not with an audible voice, but in my spirit.

Do you believe? Do you trust me?

Do you trust I gave your child a strong will for a reason?

Do you trust this cross-country move is best for your family?

Do you trust I can do the work through you when you can’t imagine doing it yourself?

Do you trust this personal struggle of yours will be for your benefit—to cause you to turn to me, to need me, to surrender to me?

Do you trust?

In our lives, trust comes when we can’t see how God is going to bring any good out of the mess we’re in . . . and He does. Trust comes when our heart is breaking and Jesus shows up.

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Song of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” John 11:27

Martha believed in her mind. But after she embraced her warm, fleshly, laughing brother, trust moved to her heart.

In my life there was a moment when I was seventeen and pregnant, when Jesus showed up in my depressed state and gave me a glimmer of hope. Deep inside I knew that He would be there for me.

Many, many times over the years He’s shown up again in dark moments. As I watch Him transform rejection, pain, hopelessness, and worry into avenues to extend His love and grace to me and to others, my trust grows.

Learning to trust reminds me of the broken, hurting children we’ve invited into our home over the years. John and I are a constant presence guiding them, loving them, embracing them, discipling them, and sharing our lives with them – but trust didn’t happen in one day, one week, or even six months.

Trust has grown when our children discover layers of love, grace, and help in everyday challenges. When they mess up, feel stuck, or find themselves overwhelmed, they’ve discovered we’re still there. And we’ll continue to show them how to do life in a loving, healthy way.

The only way to learn to trust God is to face each dark situation knowing that Jesus WILL show up. It may not be when we expect, or how we expect, but we can expect Him.

And when Jesus shows up, He’s going to behave in a way that’s different that we believe He will. He’s not going to give us what we think we need, but what we really need. Mostly, He’s going to give us Himself.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message)

How have you learned to trust God in your life?

Additional Resources:

Want to learn more about soul care and having a Happy Heart? Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love through Chaotic Circumstances will inspire you to stay tethered to the Lover of your soul. By taking time to make your heart happy in the Lord, you’ll grow closer to the Heavenly Father, fostering true transformation from the inside out. Peace and joy can be yours—no matter what life dishes up.

Building up Your Faith When Your World is Falling Apart — Tricia chats with author Michele Cushatt about making sure your faith is strong when times are hard.

July 28, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Why Your Older Kids Fight Your Teaching… and How To Fix That

I’m a mom of six children. I’ve been homeschooling eighteen years, and now that I have three preschoolers, I have another eighteen years of homeschooling to go!

Three of my children are adults. Cory is 24 years old. He’s a working man and a caring husband and father. Leslie is 21 and graduated from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, last year. She’s a stellar student who’s living in Europe as a missionary right out of college. Nathan is 20 years old and after one semester of college he was asked to work as a writing coach in the university’s writing center. Even more important than how well they’re doing in life, my three older kids love God and have a deep, growing relationship with him.

We also have three more kids ages 5, 3, and 2 who’ve been added to our family through adoption. As a 41-year-old mom, sometimes I’m overwhelmed with thinking of doing it ALL again, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s to focus on one day at a time. And focus on one heart at a time.

I started off by telling you of my older kids’ successes in education and life because I want you to know it is possible.

If you would have told me three years, five years, or seven years ago where my kids would end up, I would have been relieved—but confused. I often fought with my kids on getting their work done. They seemed unmotivated at times. Some (most?!) of their work was done half-heartedly, and there was one child who just could not “get” the read-the-book and answer-the-questions model.

There were many homeschooling days I found myself in tears. I prayed for God to give me the answer, and when it came it wasn’t what I expected. “Throw out the lesson plans and stop trying to force learning. Look at each child individually. Focus on that child’s heart, and teach to that child.”

He said, “Throw out the lesson plans and stop trying to force learning.” @TriciaGoyer

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“But what about geography and geometry and all those other critical subjects?” I prayed (and fretted.) Still, God kept the answer that He spoke to my heart the same…

(This article is continued on AmericanHomeEducators.org)

Prayer

God, thank you for speaking when we need to hear your voice. Thank you for teaching us according to our personal learning styles. Teach us how to interact with those around us in ways that honor their brilliance and uniqueness in your kingdom.

Let’s play a game!

My book The Kissing Bridge is a featured item in Barnes & Noble through August 18th! Next time you’re at Barnes & Noble, snap a photo of the book and post it on social media with the hashtag #iSpyTriciaG – You’ll be entered to win a $25 Starbucks gift-card and 5-book prize pack!

Only those in the US are eligible to win. Keep your eyes peeled for the winner announcement on August 19th!

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July 26, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Hope For Bible Study Newbies (Who Want to Train their Kids Well)

I’m not sure I should admit this, but as much as I loved Women Living Well, I felt a twinge of jealousy as I read chapter two. Unexpected emotions rolled around in my gut as I read about how Courtney’s mother sat down with her in fourth grade and taught her how to have a quiet time. I almost couldn’t relate to the picture of a young Courtney, with blonde pigtails no less.

Spending time with God and receiving notes of encouragement from my mother wasn’t my story. My mother was great and we went to church, but I honestly can’t remember one time during my 4th-grade-year (or 5th, 6th, 7th…) sitting down with my Bible or even connecting with God beyond church or vacation Bible school.

I loved Jesus, I did. I grew up going to church, well mostly. My mother and grandmother both became Christians when I was in second grade. I remember the happy day when they were baptized, but I also remember the challenges that came as they tried to live out their faith.

God showed up! He met me. He taught me. He teaches me still… @TriciaGoyer

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When I was in fourth grade, my mother and grandmother had only been Christians a few years and everyone else in the family was still on a journey. (Some of those family members are journeying still.) We didn’t have Christian books around the house and Bible study wasn’t something I witnessed. Our lives centered around my parents’ friends and new movies on HBO–movies I’d sneak and watch through the crack in my bedroom door.

Why am I confessing this? Because even though my childhood didn’t look like Courtney’s, so much more of chapter two looks like my life. Like Courtney, I draw peace, hope, and nourishment from my time with God. As a mom of six children (three of them six-years-old and younger), I sneak out of bed early and PRAY–pray that no one wakes up too soon. I need God, and my day is so much better when I make time for Him.

Unlike Courtney, no one taught me how to have a quiet time. Instead, I figured it out myself as a pregnant teenager who’d just given her life to God. And you know what? God showed up! He met me. He taught me. He teaches me still…

(Read the rest of this article on Time-Warp Wife)

Prayer

Jesus, thank for guiding us and teaching us. On the days when it all seems so unfamiliar and overwhelming, you are there. Teach me to listen to your voice and absorb your teachings.

Let’s play a game!

Only those in the US are eligible to win. Keep your eyes peeled for the winner announcement on August 19th!

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April 5, 2014 by Tricia Goyer 8 Comments

Is Heaven For Real?

Is heaven for real? As a follower of God I believe the answer is yes … but during my grandfather’s passing I discovered that I was right.

I’m eager to see the movie Is Heaven for Real, releasing April 16th. If you haven’t seen it here is the official trailer.

Yet I’m going to the movie knowing I already believe in heaven. I don’t have to be convinced. Here is my story …

How I know heaven is for real …

Years ago I met a hospice nurse named Penny. Her job was making the last days of terminally ill patients as comfortable as possible.

“That must be so hard,” I told her once. “So sad.”

“Actually, I’ve seen some very amazing things. I think of myself as a delivery nurse, helping people transition into eternity.”

I didn’t really understand what Penny meant until my Grandpa Fred came to live with our family during the last months of his life. I enjoyed the time with him, but something happen during his last conscience day that I’ll never forget.

Here’s an excerpt from my mommy memoir Blue Like Play Dough talking about that experience:

Four months after coming to live with us, my grandfather was bedridden. My grandmother and I would spend time in his room reading Scripture verses and praying with him. Then one day as the kids and I were getting ready to start the school day, my grandma called, “Tricia, I need you!”

Terrified, I raced down the stairs and into my grandparents’ bedroom. A typically quiet man, my grandpa’s hands were lifted. He was weeping like a baby.“Oh dear Jesus. Oh dear Jesus. I love you, dear Lord Jesus!” The words spilled from his lips.

At first I thought he was in pain or that he was breaking down because of his lack of strength. My grandma’s hands were on his legs. She was praying with him. I joined her. Tears streamed down my grandfather’s face. I handed him a tissue.

He held it over his eyes, but the tears didn’t stop. “I love you, dear Jesus. Thank you, dear Jesus.”Five minutes, ten minutes passed. The prayers were the same.

Finally, he lifted the tissue away. “See those trees out the window?” He pointed outside. “They turned into a cross, and I saw Jesus reaching his hands out to me.”

The tears returned. Tears of joy. Goose bumps prickled my skin, and I was sure heaven was touching down in the room. I was almost afraid to look up, so sure was I that I would see heaven’s gates.

“I haven’t seen anything like that ever,” my grandpa said. “It’s a miracle.”

I agreed. “A miracle and a gift,” I whispered.

A little while later as my grandpa slept, I asked my grandma exactly what happened.

“Grandpa was just sitting there, looking out the window. Then he started pointing. ‘Look at that, Grandma,’ he said. ‘If I were an artist, I would love to paint that. Look at those white doves. Look at that lion. Oh, I’d love to paint that lion.’”

Tears ran down my grandma’s cheeks as she related the story to me. “And then he just started praising God, crying, and lifting his hands. That must be when he saw Jesus.” She smiled. “And that’s when I called for you.”

My heart was bursting with love for God and with thanksgiving for heaven. I didn’t want to leave the bedroom, so certain was I that it had become holy ground.

The next day my grandfather went into a coma, and while I should have been terribly sad, my heart filled with peace. Every time I walked into the room, it seemed brighter and filled with the brush of angel wings, as if heaven had touched it.

Grandpa lasted five more days. During his last conscious moment he blew me a kiss. I knew what he was saying, “See you later, sweetheart.”

And I trust I will. I know I’ll meet him on the other side.

Blue Like Play Dough

Have you heard of a similar experience? What are your questions about heaven?

I have a few books on sale right now! The Swiss Courier and Chasing Mona Lisa are only $1.99! The Promise Box is only $3.99! And Generation NeXt Marriage is $2.99. You can also get my four World War II novels in the Liberators Series for $13.99.

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January 25, 2014 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Jesus Likes Messy

As a mom of six children who has homeschooled for almost twenty years, I’ve had to deal with a few messes in my day. There are paper messes, toy messes, and lunch messes. There are craft messes, book messes, and play-dough messes. Today my kids’ shoes carried in dirt and mud and leaves from outside. Their cracker crumbs littered the floor, and I found crayon scribbles on my breakfast nook table.

Life is Messy

Through the years there are been emotional and spiritual messes too. There were times my pre-teens seemed to believe in God because they knew I wanted them, too. They were still trying to figure out their messy thoughts about what God was all about.

Jesus loves being a part of every mess in your life. @TriciaGoyer #homeschool

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There were seasons when my daughter felt she didn’t have any close friends. There was one basketball season where my son was getting bullied (from kids on a Christian, homeschool basketball team), and we tried to clean up that mess but instead chose to walk away to protect my son’s heart. When you mix minds, hearts, emotions, and wills together, you will get messes.

I used to get overwhelmed with the messes. I’d get anxious and worried, but I’ve learned to relax. Life will always be messy; homeschooling will too. One thing I’m thankful for is how much Jesus loves being a part of the mess.

Read the rest of this post at Home Educating Family!

Did you hear the good news? My new book Balanced is available now via Amazon and Barnes & Noble for only $2.99 (digital only)!

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December 25, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 7 Comments

Merry Christmas (Plus Winners from 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Announced)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Merry Christmas, my wonderful readers! I hope you have a bright Christmas day, filled with family, friends, and the joy of our savior, Jesus, who came to us as a little baby to give us the ultimate gift of love.

Find out if you won one of @TriciaGoyer’s 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways!

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The winners of my 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways are listed below. Winners, please email your mailing addresses to my assistant, Caitlin (caitlin {at} litfusegroup {dot} com), to claim your prizes (only those in the contiguous U.S. are eligible to win due to shipping costs). She’s on Christmas vacation at the moment, but she’ll get back to you as soon as possible so we can get your book packs sent out to you! Merry Christmas!

Linda Lemons
Megan Karcilar
Jenn Short
Stacy Whitaker
Paula Jeffers
Heather Wood-Duncan
Laura McGinnis
Mallori Norris
Amy Bateman
Christy Maurer
Katie Edgar
Barbara Corbitt

Did you hear the good news? A Christmas Gift for Rose is only $2.99 (digital), now through January 6! Get the ebook HERE! AND The Memory Jar is only $1.99 (digital), now through January 5! Get the ebook HERE!

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December 22, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 22 Comments

What Gift is Jesus Giving Your Friends and Family? | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 10

Today the plan is to wrap and write. No, it’s not some new writing technique. I literally have to start wrapping Christmas presents . . . and write at least 2,000 words in my work-in-progress.

I have to admit that wrapping is not my favorite thing. I LOVE the buying. I LOVE thinking of someone and coming up with the perfect gift. If I had my way, I’d rush from the store and immediately give the gift to the person I bought it for. Wrapping is just a necessary chore that I do to conform to the standards set by society.

The truth is, that I’m gonna pay my kids to do most of my wrapping for me. Yes, a few years I had my kids wrap their own gifts. Gulp. Partly because I don’t like wrapping, and partly because I was so excited to show her what I got her. Sigh. I can’t do that this year though. They want to be surprised on Christmas morning. No fun!

Of course, the gift-giving that we get all crazy and excited about is supposed to represent the gift of Jesus being sent down to earth. Too often, I forget this when I’m pushing my shopping cart through WalMart and trying to find that “one thing” for that “hard to buy for person” and find “something that won’t cost and arm and a leg.”

This morning though, as I was reading in John chapter 17, I discovered something REALLY cool. I discovered what Jesus is giving YOUR family and friends this Christmas. It was right there in black and white . . . or in this case since I have a red-letter Bible, red and white. Check it out:

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you, and you have given them back to me, so they are my glory!” John 17:9-10

There is a lot of giving going on. God gave us to Jesus. Jesus knows we belong to God. And we are Jesus’ glory. (So where does the gift that Jesus is given to our friends and family fit in?)

God gave us to Jesus. Jesus knows we belong to God. And we are Jesus’ glory. @TriciaGoyer

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So I have to ask: Does your life today reveal Jesus’ character and presence? If so, Jesus is present in the world through you. And that presence is a present to your friends and family!

Is Jesus’ presence in your life a present to your friends and family? @TriciaGoyer

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Today, I have a long list of things I need to do that deal with presents. But my prayer is that in the midst of it, Jesus’ presence (through me) will be a gift that I can share. The cool thing is it’s one I don’t have to wrap and I don’t have to wait to give … perfect!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 10

I’m celebrating Christmas with my favorite blog readers by giving away a different book pack each day! Today’s book pack is the Amish Pack, which includes: The Promise Box, Christmas Gift for Rose, and Along Wooded Paths. Winners will be announced on my blog on Christmas day!

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December 22, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 22 Comments

What Gift is Jesus Giving Your Friends and Family? | 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 10

Today the plan is to wrap and write. No, it’s not some new writing technique. I literally have to start wrapping Christmas presents . . . and write at least 2,000 words in my work-in-progress.
I have to admit that wrapping is not my favorite thing. I LOVE the buying. I LOVE thinking of someone and coming up with the perfect gift. If I had my way, I’d rush from the store and immediately give the gift to the person I bought it for. Wrapping is just a necessary chore that I do to conform to the standards set by society.
The truth is, that I’m gonna pay my kids to do most of my wrapping for me. Yes, a few years I had my kids wrap their own gifts. Gulp. Partly because I don’t like wrapping, and partly because I was so excited to show her what I got her. Sigh. I can’t do that this year though. They want to be surprised on Christmas morning. No fun!
Of course, the gift-giving that we get all crazy and excited about is supposed to represent the gift of Jesus being sent down to earth. Too often, I forget this when I’m pushing my shopping cart through WalMart and trying to find that “one thing” for that “hard to buy for person” and find “something that won’t cost and arm and a leg.”
This morning though, as I was reading in John chapter 17, I discovered something REALLY cool. I discovered what Jesus is giving YOUR family and friends this Christmas. It was right there in black and white . . . or in this case since I have a red-letter Bible, red and white. Check it out:

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you, and you have given them back to me, so they are my glory!” John 17:9-10

There is a lot of giving going on. God gave us to Jesus. Jesus knows we belong to God. And we are Jesus’ glory. (So where does the gift that Jesus is given to our friends and family fit in?)

God gave us to Jesus. Jesus knows we belong to God. And we are Jesus’ glory. @TriciaGoyer

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Check out that part, “So they are my glory.” My study note in the NLT Life Application Study Bible says, “What did Jesus mean when he said ‘they are my glory’? God’s glory is the revelation of his character and presence. The lives of Jesus’ disciples reveal his character, and he is present to the world through them.”
So I have to ask: Does your life today reveal Jesus’ character and presence? If so, Jesus is present in the world through you. And that presence is a present to your friends and family!

Is Jesus’ presence in your life a present to your friends and family? @TriciaGoyer

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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Day 10

September 26, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 3 Comments

When to Share Your Faith

When to Share Your Faith . . . And When To Seal Your Lips

I remember the first time a college professor made fun of my faith. I was taking a history class at a small community college, but the professor spent more time talking about his atheistic beliefs than world civilizations. He would work jabs against Christianity into every lecture. I’d sit there and squirm. I wanted to say something, anything, to make him see the error in his ways.

Finally, halfway through the semester I got up the nerve to say something to the professor. I raised my hand and made a comment about evidence of God’s hand in history. The professor listened for ten seconds, laughed, and then he continued on with his comments. I was embarrassed, and I never spoke up again. Looking back, that incident impacted me. It made me fearful of sharing my faith. I didn’t want to be embarrassed, and I got used to keeping my thoughts to myself.

It was only years later that I realized Jesus understood and dealt with the same thing.

In Luke chapter 20, we see incident after incident of those who were trying to trap Jesus, to discredit him, and to make Jesus look bad in the eyes of the people. Jesus didn’t spout off volumes of truth, proving them wrong. Verse 8 says, “And Jesus responded, ‘Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things’” (NLT).

Scared of reaching out to others and sharing Jesus with them? Try out these tips @TriciaGoyer:

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Jesus knew what I learned—there are some people whose minds will not be changed no matter what we say. They have hard hearts. They listen only to come up with a rebuttal.

As Proverbs 26:4 says, “Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are” (NLT).

Jesus talks about this again in Matthew 7:6: “”Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you” (NLT).

If you come up against someone like my professor, you may want to share your faith, but if that doesn’t work out, don’t let it stop you from reaching out to others who have softer hearts.

When to Share

As a mom of 10 children, one of my greatest desires has been to raise kids who can share their faith. John and I have taken our kids on mission trips. We’ve encouraged them to be shining beacons wherever they are. We’ve taught them how to share their faith by knowing what to look for.

How can they do that? By going through these steps when reaching out to others:

Get them to trust you as a Christian.
Get them curious about Jesus.
Get them to ask questions.
Get them to consider making changes in their own lives.
Invite them to have a personal relationship with Jesus.*

Jesus knew that there were some people who wanted to hurt him, to kill him. Yet He was always on the lookout for those with seeking hearts.

In your own life, know that there will be times when sharing your faith will not be easy or fruitful. There will be times when your words will bounce off hard hearts.

Instead of being discouraged, like Jesus, look for those who trust you, are curious and ask questions. Those are the people worth spending time with. The time you spend with soft-hearted people will hopefully reap eternal rewards!

*These principles are taken from the book I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus by Don Everts and Doug Schnapps

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

August 22, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 13 Comments

How to Study the Bible- Plus a Free Printable

Today Tricia Goyer shares some tips on how to study your bible. May these tips encourage you in your time with the Lord, along with the free printable!

I love studying the Bible. I’m perfectly happy to have a stack of study books by my side. I could spend hours a day reading God’s Word and allowing it to carry me through its passages.

Of course, I’m a mom of six, including three little ones who usually never “sleep in” after 6:00 a.m. I don’t have time to spend hours a day in God’s Word. Instead, I’ve discovered a few tricks of “going deep” into a topical Bible study . . . quickly!

Pick a topic that resonates with your heart.

Right now I’m under yet another book deadline. It’s a gift (love writing), and a struggle (dislike babysitters, quick dinners, and inner tension that comes with deadlines). It’s days like this when doubts swirl around my heart. “Maybe this book isn’t going to come together” or “You’re hiring a baby sitter . . . again? Some mom you are.” I know these voices of doubt aren’t from God. I need HIS TRUTH to speak to my heart.

BibleHub it.

One of my favorite online tools is BibleHub.com. One of the search features is “topical” (second search field). I type in the word Doubt in press enter.

Read the first Scripture.

The first Scripture first that came up was Matthew 14:31:

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Right away this speaks to my heart. A prayer escapes my lips, “Lord, give me faith and not doubt.”

Read the context.

Bible Hub provides the context for the Scripture verse. (The “context” means verses before and after the key Scripture.) Reading the verse in context reminds me that the verses we cling to didn’t just come from thin air, but God was doing something for someone.

The verses we cling to didn’t just come from thin air, but God was doing something for someone.

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In this case, Peter had a few doubts when he found himself walking on water!

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. (Matthew 14:30-32).

These verses remind me that in frightening situations, Jesus is there. And even when I feel myself sinking, Jesus stretches out His hand. It’s my job to stretch out mine and take a hold of them. Jesus wants me to have faith, not doubt. And Jesus is perfectly capable of calming the storm! But . . . it’s the storm that causes me to reach out to Jesus. (<—— Great takeaway for today!)

Apply the Scripture.

As I think through these verses, I realize I am in a “storm” but Jesus is there. I also consider what I’m paying attention to: is it the worries that are pounding me or Jesus’ outstretched hand? I picture myself stretching out my hand to Him.

Read cross-references.

BibleHub.com provides a list of cross-references that go with my chosen Scripture verse. Here are a few:

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you–you of little faith? Matthew 6:30

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Matthew 8:26

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Matthew 16:8

Read additional Scripture on the same theme.

In addition to cross-references, BibleHub.com also provides the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, which connects Bible verses with “keywords” in my chosen Scripture verse. Here are a few that stand out to me:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand, you save me. Psalm 138:7

So he went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. Mark 1:31

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

Are you encouraged by those Scripture verses and God’s messages of truth? I am!

As I study God’s Word, my heart is transformed.

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I start praising God, asking for more faith to blow away my doubts!

If time allows, here are three more things that I do:

1. Read through additional Bible translations.

I love how God’s Word is captured in various ways. Young’s Literal Translation puts it this way:

And immediately Jesus, having stretched forth the hand, laid hold of him, and saith to him, ‘Little faith! for what didst thou waver?’

Take away: Doubt causes us to waver from the truths that we know.

2. Read a commentary.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary is one of my favorites. (It’s also on BibleHub!) I love this nugget:

Christ bade Peter come, not only that he might walk upon the water, and so know his Lord’s power, but that he might know his own weakness. And the Lord often lets his servants have their choice, to humble and prove them, and to show the greatness of his power and grace. (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Matthew 14:31)

Take away: The “storms of life” come (including deadlines) so that I will be reminded of my weaknesses and I will turn to Jesus.

3. Share the truth.

When I read God’s Word and it impacts my heart, I share it with others. I share it through a blog. I share it in conversations. And sometimes these messages manage to make it into the books I write.

I’m so thankful for resources like BibleHub that makes Bible study easy . . . and yes, the kids are now awake. Time to go!

Enjoy this printable to help your time with the Lord:

Download the Printable

Heart Happy: Staying Centered in God’s Love Through Chaotic Circumstances takes readers on a journey to discover where their true strength, peace, and joy come from—the Lord—no matter what life offers up. Tricia Goyer—author, podcast host, volunteer, homeschooling mom of ten children, and caregiver to her grandma—understands what it’s like to be pulled in different directions with the longing and intention to do all things well. In the midst of chaotic circumstances (which all of us face), she’s found uncomplicated but effective practices for nourishing the soul—because everything stems from the heart.

Preorder Heart Happy by Tricia Goyer.

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August 8, 2013 by Tricia Goyer 12 Comments

Social Media Success: What’s All the Attention About?

Recently Chipotle had a hack on their Twitter account. Someone got onto their stream and posted nonsense tweets. It turns out, they did it themselves, for a publicity stunt. After all it worked for Burger King who did the same think and gained 30,000 followers. Read more about the stunt.

Thirty thousand is a lot of people. In the eyes of business, that’s a ton of new customers. Yet is that the point of social media—to get attention? To build “the numbers”?

It’s understandable why that seems important. A larger number “followers” impress our bosses and our friends. A larger number of followers attracts more people, too. (People like to be connected with important people.)

I understand. I have great connections on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, and I continually have to tell myself that each one of those numbers is a person with joys, desires, and needs. I know this to be true. There are people whom I’ve connected with on Twitter whom I now consider good friends. We’ve met in person. We’ve celebrated birthdays together. We are even friendlier in person than online! (I know, can you believe it?)

I’ve also met some of my online friends on vacation and at booksignings. I love giving a hug to those who’ve encouraged me through tweets and posts!

I love social media, but an important question to ask is, “What’s all the attention about?” @TriciaGoyer

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I love social media, but an important question to ask is, “What’s all the attention about?” Is it about making ourselves look good or about finding new customers for our products—whether it is books or hair clips?

For me, I’m awed to have this reach to share the good news of Jesus. I’m amazed to read my stats and see that every day thousands of people visit my website/blog from all around the world. (Jesus took it seriously when I prayed, “Send me!”)

Yet there’s danger that comes with that too. It’s tempting to seek attention. It’s tempting come up with nonsense that will draw and entertain the crowds. Thankfully, I have a case study on how Jesus handled it.

During the first year of His ministry, before the official opposition began, Jesus was immensely popular and great crowds followed Him. However, the crowds did not impress Jesus, nor did He cater to them, because He knows what is in the human heart (John 2:25). Anybody can join a crowd and go with the flow, but it takes courage to stand alone for the truth and obey it.

It looked as though that crowd was seeking spiritual enrichment from Jesus, but the Lord knew better. Most of them wanted to see something sensational, like a miracle, while others were concerned about something to eat (John 6:26). A generation later, the Roman satirist Juvenal wrote that the Romans “longed eagerly for just two things—bread and circuses,” but this Jewish crowd was just as bad, and so are many crowds today. The apostle John would have called them “worldly” because they focused on “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16 NASB). Warren Wiersbe, Jesus in the Present Tense

Friends, the truth is that many people visit blogs for the same thing: “bread and circuses.” They want free stuff, and they want to be entertained. If you’re not going to give it to them, they have millions of more sites to visit. I’m not saying that free stuff and entertainment are wrong. Personally, I love both. I just need to make sure I’m spreading the messages Jesus has asked me to, without being worried about the number of views my posts get. I’ll leave that in Jesus’ hands.

As tempting as it is to try social media stunts, I want to point people to Jesus Christ. @TriciaGoyer

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I’ll never have all the answers, but I just might have a few I’ve learned (from experience) that will guide men and women to the Truth.

What about you? What do you think of social media attention?

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Wondering what’s up next for me? My book The One Year of Amish Peace releases soon. You can pre-order it here!

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