All Things Possible Through Him

I Am the Church

I am the one with a cheerful face, smiling and shaking the hands of those who pass by me on the second row, the one whose heart is breaking with sorrow as I sit in church and pray for my estranged son’s repentance. I am the one who briefly smiles at others while I wonder if the world would be better without me, the one with no hope, the one with never ending tears.

Matthew 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I am the one in church who wears my recently deceased mother’s small gold cross, who listens for hope and healing in every word of every song and sermon, the one who knows my mother is in Heaven, yet I pray for my own pain to stop. I am the widowed, the abandoned, the regretful for the unmentionable sins, the one whose marriage died.

Matthew 5: 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

I am the one who longs to have human touch, a hug, a conversation, the one who was hurt badly by people in my past, the one afraid to approach another as I seek fellowship and friendship. I am the one who longs for love but never speaks, who cries inside but cannot cry aloud for help.

Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

I am the one lurking behind who waits for the music to start before I slide into the back of the sanctuary, the one whose clothes are frayed and shoes are worn, the unbathed one who sits alone and prays with a grateful heart to have coffee and a bite to eat in the church lobby as I wait to hear God’s Word, the one who feels church is a warm place to praise God for my many blessings, the one who steadfastly seeks God’s glory in a world where there is so little for me. I am the one with abundant worldly wealth and a vastly empty heart.

Matthew 5: 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

I am the one deeply hurt by a friend, a neighbor, a loved one, a relative, yet I am the one who forgives. I am the one who prays for the one who hurt me; I am the one who prays for the happiness and health of others even as they despise my very being. I am the one who prays the spiteful will see God’s love.

Matthew 5: 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

I am the child sitting with my parents, one of the little wiggly sheep who watches and copies my parents as they fold their hands and bow in prayer. I am the one who tries to sing along with each song without knowing the words, the one who knows God is good and yet can’t read a Bible verse. I am the one who knows no other but my God.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

I am the one praying for my family to heal, the one who speaks to people on all sides of an argument, the one who mediates between a teen and a parent, the one who talks softly and peacefully among those who yell, the one who stands between the angry mob and the victim, the one who visits the jails of the brokenhearted, misunderstood, and angry. I am the one walking in a war-torn foreign land offering food and help.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

I am the one shunned at work or school for speaking of Christ, the one who is met with discouraging looks when I ask acquaintances to join in worship, the one who toils daily to serve a congregation in an old building constantly vandalized with writings of hate, the one laughed at in a crowd because I encourage others to come to God or pray before each meal.

Matthew 5: 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I am the one who believes in The Ten Commandments, believes that God has a plan, believes that God has a purpose for the universe and the specific order of mankind He created. I am the one who believes that life is a gift and that the Bible is the Living Word that still lives today. I am the one who belongs to a group diminishing in numbers, the one who refuses to give up on missions in countries where Christians are persecuted, the one who believes the current culture is one of evil and I stand against the storm and with my God.

Matthew 5: 11-12 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I. AM. THE. CHURCH.

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Revival of My Spirit

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6

Perhaps you have heard the recent news from Asbury University about the spontaneous ten day revival in the chapel. It is such an inspiring story to hear. One student came forward to the alter at the end of what was to be a two-hour chapel service. He approached the alter, confessed and prayed. His friends soon joined him. The praise and prayer continued. Days spread into weeks. Thousands made the pilgrimage to the small town of Wilmore in Kentucky. We listened and watched in amazement. Although we have prayed for revival in our country, this was unexpected. Led by teens, young college adults, and then people of all ages, the revival continued until, for safety reasons due to the size of the crowd, the university and the town requested to end the two-week long revival.

Something else happened. As the worshippers returned to their own towns and schools, additional revivals continued to spring up across the country. How long will this movement last? No one can say. Is this the revival we Christians have been praying for?

It seems clear in past years our country has been undergoing the apostasy predicted in the Bible, or the great falling away of faith. One only needs to turn on the news to see evidence of this. Not only does Christianity seem to be fading, but in many places and circumstances, the expression of Christianity is prohibited. And what we have read about happening in other countries, people being jailed or persecuted for their faith, also appears to be going on in some areas of the United States.

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Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

There is a more important revival needed to fuel the revival of our country: the revival of our own hearts. It has been easy to sit back and be complacent. Thoughts such as, “One person can’t make a difference,” or, “That won’t work here,” clog our minds. So we must turn to the Spirit and ask for help with our own hearts. We can no longer remain tired in our own faith. Speaking first with the Father, then examining our own hearts, will help the revival continue. While we may not all have a revival happening in a chapel, a church, or an auditorium, we can most certainly promote a revival or our own heart.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

Reading Scripture, worship, and prayer, will provide us with the needed strength to revive our own hearts. And when our hearts are full, we can turn to others and, one person at a time, continue the revival. Speaking to one person at a time, having fellowship with other Christians, and teaching our own children and grandchildren about our faith, will keep the momentum going and spur the revival.

All books and devotionals by Terry Overton can be found on Amazon.

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Gifts from Our Father

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

This time of year, when we hear the words gift or present, our minds go directly to Christmas presents under the tree. The images are everywhere. We are surrounded by themes of Christmas in every store we enter. At home, we experience television and other forms of media that provide us with shows about Christmas and interject commercials of the perfect gifts to purchase for friends and family. As Christians we know the most precious gift we have been given is the reason we celebrate: the gift of our Savior, the Son of God.

But we may take for granted the personal gifts our loving Father has given each of us. Daily we may take care of our families without thinking of the miracle of life. We may volunteer in church or community functions without realizing that the individual gifts of service, interpersonal communication, and organizational skills are not gifts to all people. We may cook for a neighbor or friends without thinking of the gifts of knowing how to cook and having plentiful food to eat and share.

Within each of us who are followers of Christ, we have been given such individual miraculous gifts of wonder.

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12: 6-8

These individual gifts were differentially given to us. Our Creator, who wonderfully made us, provided us with the uniqueness to serve each other, to love each other, and provide for each other in specific ways. Some preach, others teach, and yet others serve. But why? For what purpose are we to use these gifts?

I learned the true answer this week during church The real reason for personal gifts given to us was tucked within the message given by my pastor. I always figured the reason for my own unique gift of writing was to carry out my small piece of the Great Commission; to bring others to Christ or strengthen their existing faith. I attempt to use the gift of writing for the very purpose of sharing faith through my Christian books and blog posts and pray that God leads a reader to those pages. But this is not the only reason. When I heard the other reason God gives us gifts, it gave me pause.

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“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” Ephesians 4:11-13

As Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, we are equipped with gifts to build up Christ’s church. Additionally, these gifts are provided to increase our own faith. A finished product of a book may bring a message to a reader, but the act of creating the message serves to increase my own faith. God planned it that way. He selected this gift for me because He knew I needed to increase my own faith and going through the process of writing helps me to do so. In fact, God gave each of us a gift to use that will help others increase their love of Christ, their hope in Christ, their faith, and to help us strengthen our own faith. These are equally important. Understanding the purpose of my writing is to work on my own faith provides a new perspective. Every message to a reader is crafted to help me attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Will our faith ever be perfected? Will serving and using our individual gifts ever bring us to the full understanding of Christ? Will any person ever truly know and understand all there is to know and understand about God? All I am sure of is that I am called to continue working, striving, moving, closer to that aspiration. My own faith will be increased by using my gift and staying close to His Word while I work.

Today, use your own gift. Help your neighbor. Serve in your church or community. Tend to your family. Teach a child. Mentor a friend in their faith. Let every action cause you to feel closer to God and strengthen your faith in Him.

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Being Bold for the Troubled

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1

The year of 2022 has been a tough one. The year brought the death of both parents in March due to Covid, Mom on a Wednesday and Dad the next day, followed by the loss my younger sister in August. I know where they are now, rejoicing in Heaven, and I am joyful they are together.

Not long after my sister passed, my husband and I took a much needed trip. The trip was partially for researching a new series I am writing, but also to visit family and rejuvenate my own soul. I traveled with a slowly mending heavy heart, taking in the many glorious displays of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I researched caverns, countryside towns, and visited with family.

It was on the return trip that it happened. We stopped to eat and take a break from our long hours of driving. Traveling with our miniature schnauzer required us to find an outdoor eating venue. Fortunately we located one on our route.

That is where I saw her. A woman sat at an outdoor table with her young daughter. The woman was clearly troubled and did not interact much with her young daughter but was intensely focused looking down, troubled, and frantically shaking her crossed leg. The young daughter ate her meal in silence. The mother ate nothing and only had a cup of coffee before her on the table.

My heart cried for her. She was troubled by something very heavy on her heart. My own mourning heart wanted to reach out to her and tell her she was loved and that God had her back. I wanted to pray with her. I was momentarily interrupted by our waiter, and quickly studied the menu. After placing my order, I looked back to see another waiter collecting the money left on the table where the woman had been sitting with her daughter.

Maybe it was because my own heart was too wounded, I was not able to go to the troubled woman immediately. Yet seeing her reminded me how much God loves us all. It reminded me that by seeking God myself, my own heart would be strengthened. It was also the first time in many months I was able to look outside my mourning and know God needs me to move on and finish my work for Him. We are all needed to bring comfort to others who are suffering, lonely, anxious, or worried. That is part of what Christians do: comfort those in need. We can let others know they can take refuge in Him.

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:7

With time, my heart has become stronger. And with this strength, I now pray for boldness and courage. I pray to move more quickly when I see someone in need. I know God will provide strength and boldness when I ask Him to do so.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

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Hard Season

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

There can be no mistake about it. This is one of the toughest seasons of my life. It has been hard for me and all of my family. As many of you already know, within twenty-four hours this past March, Covid took its toll and both of my parents went to Heaven. Last month, in August, my younger sister joined them due to health issues. It has been a hard season.

Many days, I am in a blur, somewhere between “things are going to be okay” and “it feels impossible to move one foot in front of another.”

There have been places and times of comfort. Comfort in the confines of my own home, surrounded by reminders of family members who still remain and those who have gone on, the comfort of spending time with my husband, family, and friends, and of course, the time spent reading Scripture. The Bible is always there, waiting to offer comfort, kindness, and even when needed, correction.

Scripture also tells us about the gifts we have been given. One of the gifts given to us by God is the gift of knowing we are to continue to work for Him. He made us with a purpose. The purpose is to do good works and, as it says in Scripture, we are to always be about the business of working for Him.

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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:20

For me, the tough season will only improve by getting busy once again, full force, doing what I am called to do. Writing, purposefully sharing His Word in Christian books, is how I am going about my work for Him. By committing myself back to His call, I am dealing with the hard season. He has given me the will, and the skill, to work for Him. This is how He is taking care of me, how He is supplying for my needs during this hard season.

He has provided each of us with gifts and work to do for Him. Your gift might be working actively behind the scenes of your church, helping your family and friends, being a caregiver for a family member, or helping others in need. When you find yourself in tough and challenging situations, you know your Friend and Savior has suffered through every human emotion. He knows what we need because He felt the same emotions when He walked the earth. Through Scripture, He provided strategies for us to deal with emotions of sorrow, grief, and loneliness. It may take time, but comfort will come. We only need to study the Word, seek, ask, and He will provide.

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