Developing Spiritual Taste Buds

Kathy Collard Miller wants women to understand how the truth of scripture can transform their lives. In this Spiritual Growth UPGRADE, she suggests ways we can learn to crave God's Word.

"If we had been told a year ago we would have unlimited time in seclusion at home," Kathy says, "I wonder how many of us would have thought, 'Then I’ll be able to to spend more time reading my Bible and praying'?"

I (Dawn) know I didn't think that way at first. But God spoke to my heart, and He created hunger for His Word and ways. I later wondered, "Why didn't I immediately think of opportunities for spiritual growth during the lockdown?"

Kathy continues . . .  

I would have been one of those, but my time with God hasn’t increased.

As much as we think choosing a spiritual devotional time is dependent upon available time, it’s primarily not. It’s that our spiritual taste buds are being dulled and satisfied by other kinds of “food.”

And for whatever reasons, they seem more satisfying and/or easier.

How can we enliven our taste buds?

Here are three empty spiritual practices PREVENTING our spiritual hunger.

1. Technology.

We won’t be surprised about this one. It’s just so easy, and it’s called “vegging” for a reason. But we aren’t receiving the nutrients of spiritual vegetables. Sometimes going cold turkey can be helpful—we’ll find out we won’t die.

My husband, Larry, tells how God challenged him to drive without listening to the radio for a month. That seemed like an easy assignment until he missed it. He realized he had been drowning out God's voice.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with listening to the radio, but for Larry, the radio had become a kind of empty source replacing a time of communicating with the Lord.

During his “fast” from radio, he found a rich time of seeking God as Psalm 119:37 says:

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (ESV)

2. Relationships.

Do people dull our spiritual taste buds?

• Instead of seeking the Lord directly for guidance and direction, do we rush around asking for everyone else's opinions?
• Instead of seeking the Lord to define who we are, do the opinions of others define us?
  

Years ago, while caring for my mother-in-law in our home, the Lord began revealing how my mother-in-law’s opinions of me replaced God’s unconditional love for me. Because of the kind of dementia she had, her paranoia caused her to accuse me of trying to kill her with the “rocks” I put in her oatmeal.

I felt angry and misunderstood.

Thankfully, over the two-and-a-half years she lived with us, I understood more about God’s knowledge of my service. Also, my sinful demand she see me in a good light.

My spiritual taste buds became enlivened to depend upon His view of me as His Beloved. I saw the truth of Psalm 119:39:

Turn away the reproach that I dread,  for your rules are good.

3. Self-protection.

When Hannah's marriage was difficult, her escape plan nourished her soul, not God.

She explained, “I envisioned an open door labeled 'divorce.' I told myself, 'I'll stay in the marriage until the children are gone and then I'll divorce him. I can hold on until then, but I won't give him my heart.'

“Then one day the Lord told me, 'You're sinning. Close the door and lock it.' I couldn't do it. It was my way to survive.

"He gently continued to convict me and finally I surrendered. I mentally closed and locked the door. I began to offer my heart to my husband.

"The kids are long grown and my husband and I still struggle, but I know God has purified me as I've turned to His spiritual nourishment—not self-protection.”

Hannah turned from her own reasoning as Psalm 119:24 tells us,

Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

Here are three ideas for TANTALIZING your spiritual taste buds to hunger for God.

1. Think small growth.

An “all or nothing” attitude only discourages.

What ONE thing in ONE area does God want you to work on?

2. Notice the tiniest differences of those little choices.

Are you even a little more loving? Kind? Self-controlled? Patient?

Paying attention to God’s work will activate the spiritual taste buds.

3. Claim God’s promises.

He wants communion with you.

You’ll notice I used verses from Psalm 119, because that powerful Psalm describes numerous rewards of seeing how God promises to meet our needs with nourishing spiritual food, not empty calories.

It really is possible to be wake up your spiritual taste buds!

What small change will you make to invest in your spiritual hunger?

Kathy Collard Miller loves to help women trust God more through her 58 books and speaking in 35 states and 9 foreign countries. Her website/blog is www.KathyCollardMiller.com. Kathy’s newest book, co-written with her husband, Larry, is God’s Intriguing Questions: 60 New Testament Devotions Revealing Jesus’s Nature. Check out Kathy’s Amazon author page.

Graphic courtesy of Engin Akyurt at Pixabay.

Hold On! Help Is on the Way!

Sally Ferguson is a practical encourager. She writes to help people deal with everyday struggles from an eternal perspective. In this Perseverance UPGRADE, she writes about the importance of faith energizing us to help us deal with the tough times—and not give up.

"The urge to quit hits every cycle of life," Sally says. "Parents experience it. Employees go through it. And entrepreneurs struggle with it.

"What gives a person staying power?"

I (Dawn) know a little about "staying power." I never liked the circumstances that built the character trait of perseverance into my life, but now I can thank God for those tough times.

Sally continues . . .

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for a different plan. If Jesus wanted an out, then who am I to think I’m any different?

My Glossary says perseverance is to “persist in exercising faith in Christ.”

When I look in the Hebrews Hall of Fame — often called the "Hall of Faith"— I find Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and others who persisted.

• They overcame torture, jeers, and flogging. (I’m a wimp when it comes to pain.)
• Stones were thrown at them. (Ouch!)
• They felt the teeth of saws. (Razor sharp!)
• And they wandered without homes. (I like my security!)

But Hebrews 11:34 says, their “weakness was turned to strength.”

At first, I’m prone to say, "What? How can weakness be strength?” Then, I consider an outing we had last weekend.

We made arrangements for family to stay with Dad, while hubby and I went away for two nights to Erie, Pennsylvania. A short jaunt away from our home, it was the perfect getaway. We packed our swimsuits and bicycles and headed for Presque Isle State Park.

I don’t get on my bicycle very often, so you can imagine the muscles groaning against the new motion. I felt wobbly-weak. But, muscle memory returned and three days of bike riding turned into new confidence and pleasure. My weakness turned to strength.

This strength also happens when our faith-muscle is exercised. We push against atrophy and receive renewed determination to persevere.

James refers to this in his letter, chapter 1, verse 3: “the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” I’m all about persevering, but not so keen about the testing.

Let’s look at another example.

Hebrews 12:1 says to run with perseverance, and that takes me back to my days in high school track.

I ran the mile. Actually, I dragged myself through a mile of torture. (Why does anyone sign up for track, anyway?) I was always in last place, but a fellow runner told me he was inspired, because I never gave up.  That one piece of encouragement has carried me through miles of disappointments, discouragement and defeat over the years.

Never give up!

What kept me going in track?

• Teamwork
• Cheering from the sidelines
• Accountability

What keeps me going in life?

• Teamwork — When you partner with others, it lightens the load. (Philippians 4:2-3)
• Cheering from the sidelines — Everyone needs a cheerleader! (Acts 15:32)
• Accountability — Others are watching. (Galatians 6:1-5)

How about another example of perseverance?

Have you ever spent the day in the kitchen and felt like wilting? Maybe canning beans, zucchini or peaches on a hot summer day, making multiple pies for a holiday feast, or kneading dough to rise?

Every time I make turkey frame soup, I mentally declare it will be my last.

The bones boil in water to release meat and flavor. Then, using forks to separate meat from bones, I go through each piece on a cookie tray. It’s a tedious process that leaves my bones groaning!

But what keeps a cook going when the feet want relief? The tasty reward of success!

I remember I am feeding my hungry family with pleasing flavors and hardy meals. I anticipate the oohs and aahs of contentment, and feel the satisfaction of a job well done.

That’s what we can look forward to, when our Father calls us home. (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Let’s go back to our friends in the Hebrews Hall of Fame. What kept them strong?

We can find their secret in 11:1-2. They exercised their faith muscles and then trusted God to supply the rest.

God’s power enables us to follow Him (2 Peter 1:3-11), and that is what I count on when I’m out of breath and ready to quit. He equips me with His power.

Wow—I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that one, but I cling to it anyway. And that is where my weakness becomes strength. I acknowledge my inability to measure up, press on, or comprehend, and God replies, “My strength is perfected in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

How about you? Do feel like giving up? Have you had enough of interrupted plans and rearranged schedules?

Bring your cares to the Lord and let Him carry you. He will give you strength when you focus your eyes on Him and the eternal glory yet to be seen!

How will you stay focused on Jesus?

Sally Ferguson is a caregiver for her dad and her grands. She lives in western New York with her hubby of 33 years. She is the author of What Will I Be When I Grow Up? and How to Plan a Women's Retreat. Look for her words at EzineArticles, AlmostAnAuthor, Upgrade with Dawn, Amazon and sallyferguson.net.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigital.com.

Who Can Straighten What God Has Made Crooked?

Debbie W. Wilson doesn't flinch from encouraging women to see their life circumstances from God's perspective, and indeed, as a Bible teacher and counselor, she points them to scriptures that reveal who God is and what He does. In this Biblical Thinking UPGRADE, she shares the life of Joseph as an example of God's always wise but sometimes painful plan.

"Have you ever wondered why God allowed the COVID-19 virus to stop the world?" Debbie says, "Or why He allowed your particular setback?

"Have you ever wondered what good can come from these?"

Yes, I (Dawn) have wondered about that! But the Lord revealed many unexpected gifts in the middle of the pandemic. He has a plan for us even in tough circumstances!

Debbie continues . . .

As one who values efficiency, I like McDonald’s jingle, “You deserve a break today.” But biblical and secular history show life doesn’t flow in a straight line.

Like a good novel, real life packs its share of twists and turns.

A better question might be, how should we respond when life interrupts our plans?

Ecclesiastes answers:

“Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13 NLT)

If God is behind something, that’s one thing.

But does this include the pain of sin and sickness?

1. Curves in the Road of Life

By divine design, we learn through living. Instead of bemoaning life’s learning curves, we do better to glean all we can from the delays. This includes our stumbles.

God uses even our worst flops for His glory when we surrender to Him (Romans 8:28; Luke 22:32; 1 John 1:9).

What about other people’s sins? Are those under God’s control?

Old Testament Joseph addresses that question.

After two dreams forecasting an amazing future, I imagine Joseph expected a wonderful life. From pampered son to reigning leader, who wouldn’t like that plan.

But God’s path to glory included some painful twists.

2. Joseph’s Tortuous Road to Greatness

• Joseph’s brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery.
• He rebounded to become head slave.
• His mistress relentlessly tried to seduce him.
• When he refused, she falsely accused him of attacking her.
• Instead of being crowned for his integrity, Joseph goes straight to prison in an iron collar.

While languishing in chains, Joseph probably experienced times when it felt like God had forgotten him.

As his bright future seemed to have been snatched in one jealous act, it was fulfilled in another action. Pharaoh raised Joseph out of prison and put him second in command over Egypt. Joseph eventually reunites with his family.

What I described in sentences took DECADES to achieve.

God’s plan was greater than Joseph imagined. But it hurt more than he could have fathomed.

3. Who Is in Charge?

Was this crooked path God’s way?

Genesis tells Joseph’s account from the human viewpoint. Psalms tells it from God’s perspective.

“He [God] brought famine to the land.
He took away their food supply.
He sent a man ahead of them.
He sent Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
They hurt his feet with shackles, and cut into his neck with an iron collar.
The Lord’s promise tested him through fiery trials until his prediction came true. The king … made Joseph the master of his palace and the ruler of all his possessions” (Psalm 105:16-22 GW).

God’s route for Joseph included betrayal, separation, famine, chains and prison.

No one could have straightened his path.

Not Joseph, not his father Jacob.

God used Joseph’s years as a slave and prisoner to build a strong leader.

If Joseph—and Jesus—learned obedience from what they suffered (Hebrews 5:8), why do I think I should get a shortcut?

4. Accept the Way

If Joseph wondered what he could have done to skip these hardships, he learned he couldn’t have smoothed God’s path. Every bend fell under his heavenly Father’s watchful eye.

Suffering is necessary for greatness (Romans 8:17).

Has some setback caused you to question your calling or God’s love? Have you tried to smooth the sharp turns out of life?

Take heart from Joseph and accept God’s way.

His plan for you is better than you can imagine. And He’s at work in the crooked part of your journey too.

What good might God be developing from your “crooked” circumstances today?

Debbie W. Wilson—drawing from her walk with Christ and decades as a Christian counselor, life coach, and Bible teacher—helps women give themselves a break so they can enjoy grace-filled lives. Her most recent book, Little Faith, Big God, explores the lessons and lives of those found in Hebrews 11. She is also the author of Give Yourself a Break and Little Women, Big God. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit biblical counseling, coaching, and Bible study ministry. Debbie enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery and the antics of her two standard poodles. Find free resources to refresh your faith and connect with Debbie at debbieWwilson.com.

Graphic adapted, "Joseph," from https://bible.wikia.org/wiki/Joseph_(Old_Testament).

Life in the Age of Listening and Learning

Julie Sanders is globally-minded, but she shares her wisdom with individuals, always pointing them to the Word of God. In this Communication UPGRADE, Julie encourages us to listen well, and be careful where we're listening.

"The need for understanding runs like a common thread through the noise of 2020," Julie says.

"Have you heard commitments to listening and learning? Have you expressed this intent?"

When I (Dawn) hear people shouting at one another during these chaotic times, I wonder, "Is anyone even listening? Or is everyone simply pushing their own agenda?

What would happen if we would learn to listen and learn?

Julie continues . . .

LEANING IN with openness to listen and learn can be wise. In loud days, it can also be complicated.

With intense events demanding global attention, no one escapes hearing something or someone.

Made in God’s image, the first Listener, we learn in His Word how to discern who and what we give a hearing.

1. Our Maker Listens

All people reflect God’s image, so His example as a listener matters. He doesn’t have to listen to the lowly, but He does.

He promised, “I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:12).

God assures us He listens.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry,” (Psalm 34:15). He gives attention to our words, even our cries. It’s a behavior we give thanks for.

2. We’re Made for Listening

Out of gratitude for God’s heart to hear us, we can learn to grow our listening skills. 

Instead, we’re often inclined to answer before leaning in.

God calls us out for what we are in those moments: disgraced.

“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13).

Join a group in spewing words without humble listening, and we become part of a disgraceful group.

No one is exempt from the need to hear attentively with a heart to understand. 

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19b).

When we listen, we learn. If we only hear without godly attentiveness, we miss out on learning.

If we shut out godly instruction, Proverbs warns that we stray (Proverbs 19:20, 27).

3. We Benefit from Hearing

When we hear and act on messages aligning with God’s truth, we’re blessed.

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).

We are blessed when we remember what God says and do it (James 1:25). We’re like a wise man who builds his life on a rock (Matthew 7:24)—so if life feels shaky, it may be due to the voices we’re listening to.

4. Deception Speaks

Fallen voices speak fallen messages.

This is the challenge in a fallen world, discerning WHERE to lean in and listen. We can’t afford to be lazy listeners learning from peddlers of their own passions apart from God’s truth.

Jeremiah 23:16-17 warns listeners about hearing messages that don’t align with God’s truth. If listeners heed those voices, the imaginations of people “delude” them with “false hopes.”

Believing deceivers leads to losing God’s promised blessings.  

We can’t listen to every voice in the noisy now.

We can’t afford to let deceitful voices be those we listen to.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). To know how to navigate these days, we must protect time and space to lean in to voices of truth.

The noisy now grows louder each day. Let’s lean in as listeners learning to see these days in God’s ways.

Where are you listening in these loud times? Who are you listening to and learning from? Is there a voice you need to silence or one to amplify? Plan for some quiet time so you can hear.

Julie Sanders loves uplifting leaders globally. She finds joy in helping women listen and learn cross-culturally from one another and, most of all, from God’s truth for life in every land. She’s the author of The ABCs of Praying for Students. Julie calls the Northwest home and writes from her online base at juliesanders.org.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Jon Wisbey at FreeImages.com.

Quarantine, Cameras and Accountability

Kolleen Lucariello—winsome and wise—speaks truth into women's lives while challenging them to live a joy-filled life. In this Accountability UPGRADE, she encourages us to accept responsibility and move closer to our identity in the Lord.Kolleen says, “I realized the COVID-19 crisis was beginning to cause a Kolleen crisis when I detected fear and frustration were expanding through loneliness, boredom and inactivity.”

I (Dawn) have had a few "Dawn crises" over my lifetime, and they usually came when I tried to face tough things alone or make excuses for my failures. Not a good idea, as Kolleen explains.

Kolleen continues . . .

When the quarantine took over daily life, I was invited to join a ZOOM exercise class led by my friend Chrissy’s daughter. Having never experienced a class like this one, and craving interaction with others, I decided to give it a try.

The first class was …well… it wasn’t exactly an attractive display of technique, as I became painfully aware of my lack of ability. 

Truth-be-told, I was a bit intimidated by those in her class who were far more advanced than I. When Chrissy told me she participates with her camera “off,” a great sense of relief washed over me.

When I signed in to the next class, before one stretch began, I turned the camera to “off” and felt the freedom to do my thing.

After a few weeks of participation, I began to recognize a poor pattern had developed in my effort within the class.

While I could see Rachel, the instructor, she could not see me.

I was hidden behind my photo on her screen rather than a live-video feed. There were moments when, while she was encouraging her class to “hold it for just four more counts,” I was allowing excuses to fill my mind for why I was unable to do what she was asking.

I can tell you, every excuse was valid:

• My hands and wrists hurt immensely.
• I am not as fit as I used to be, nor am I as strong as I once was.
• My legs shake.
• My core is weak.
• When she asks me to pull my belly button in, it’s nearly impossible for me to convince my rebellious belly button to surrender itself to my effort.
• The hour I spend in class is difficult.
• It is uncomfortable.
• It also requires effort and a willingness to push through all discomfort. Some days I don’t.

During one particularly arduous class, I laid on the floor for a good portion of the leg workout listening to my body expound on the reasons for its protests. The excuses for its inability to commit to the workout seemed reasonable.

Finally, the discomfort within my body held a greater sway over any disappointment I would feel by quitting.

With my camera off, no one could see what I was—or was not—doing.

As I lay on the floor, listening rather than doing, I became aware of how susceptible we become to old habits and mindsets when accountability is lacking.

Without the accountability of Rachel being able to see me, it became quite easy for me to give a less-than-my-best-effort. She encourages the class to “get lower” or “push through the discomfort,” confirming to us that she understands our legs are shaking and the work is hard, but she’s pushing us to not give up because she recognizes growth, strength and change come through persistent effort.  

With accountability defined by Merriam-Webster as “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions,” it seems impossible to deny accountability, when used correctly, is a gift to us—prompting change and growth. After all, don’t we have an obligation to accept responsibility for our own actions?

Accountability brings upgrade when we find ourselves willing to allow a trusted friend or mentor to help us see areas in our life where we’ve permitted excuses and blame to keep us from accepting responsibility.

How Does Accountability Help Us?

1. Our faith takes on a new form of growth when we become accountable to one another.

This means we allow someone to see what is behind the camera.

While it is tempting to share only the highlight reel of our lives rather than expose our difficulties, this creates an illusion that “all is well” when in reality, it might not be.

2. Our faith is strengthened when we acknowledge our need to pull from the wisdom God has put within others.

Solomon wrote,

“Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5 NLT).

When you perceive the wisdom of God in someone—draw it out!

Listen when they say, “I understand your world is shaking right now” or “I know this hard, but you can do it!”

3. Accountability stands guard against the bad habits that continue to haunt us and then shame us, but it requires courage.

Accepting responsibility truly is a gift that moves us closer to our true identity in Christ.

Proverbs 19:20 says,

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life” (NLT).

It’s time for me to turn the camera on! This will allow Rachel to see where I am weak and struggling—right now—but will also allow her to point out where she sees strength and growth.

What about you? Is your camera set to off? Perhaps you’d find more freedom if it was on.

Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of the devotional book, The ABC's of Who God Says I Am; and as a speaker, she speaks into women's lives "one letter at a time." Kolleen and her high school sweetheart, Pat, reside in Central New York. She's a mother of three married children and Mimi to six incredible grandkids. For more information about Kolleen, visit her website.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of StockSnap at Pixabay.