What kind of good works?

June 23, 2025

Maria Good works, John 6, Spiritual Growth, Titus 2 , , , 2 Comments

[Jesus] gave himself for us . . . to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:14 ESV

My colleague who volunteers with me on Tuesday mornings overflows with love, desiring “to do good works.” Her large and soft heart embraces those unacquainted with Jesus’ good news. But her husband doesn’t yet share this passionate zeal. She mourns this reality. Seeing other couples aligned and serving God together pains her.

Paul wrote to Titus about  these “good works” prepared by God for us to do. But just what did he have in mind? Looking to the Gospel of John, we read:

What must we do, to be doing the works of God? . . . This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. John 6:28–29 ESV

My friend who is drawn to helping others would likely respond, “I already DO believe in Him!” True, but the Greek word for believe means to trust, to “en-trust all things to Jesus as Lord.” What Jesus is calling for is a handing over of all that concerns us. For my friend, this includes her husband’s spiritual journey. 

It could be, and this is just a conjecture, that until she actually believes that Jesus has got this, the situation might not change. Jesus might just think it best FIRST to grow HER unequivocal confidence in Him. And then grow her husband.

How God helps us in our marriages

June 16, 2025

Maria Colossians, Holy Spirit, Malachi 2, Marriage , , Leave a comment

Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.

 Malachi 2:15 ESV

I never noticed this before until our Sunday School teacher read from the Malachi the other week.  The prophet records God’s reminder to the Hebrews that when He instituted marriage for all of creation, each married couple received some of His Spirit as a gift. 

If couples throughout all time have been endowed with divine presence in the form of some of His spirit, think how much more help we have, as Christians!

For example, when Mike and I were married, we were faithful church attenders, but not yet Christians.  Although we thought we were,. Afterall, we believed in God, we acknowledged that Jesus was the Savior and we had been baptized. Those around us in our denomination at the time would have said that was enough ‘to qualify’.   But once we saw our sin and turned from it for the first time, understanding its seriousness, we gratefully grasped Jesus’ offer of salvation. With awe.

Now, with the Holy Spirit permanently abiding in us, we have His permanent help for our marriage. As Paul writes to the Colossians, Christ in me, the assurance of Glory.   Jesus through His Spirit is never going to depart from Mike nor from me. That makes a significant difference in marriage. 

Yes, Satan and his foul spirits are set on destroying all marriage, but we needn’t worry. We just need to recall God’s good gift to help us strengthen our union with each other. 

I’m going to start praying for married Christian family and friends specifically for them to remember that they have the greatest resource to help them in their conflicts and suffering. They and we are not alone in this life. 

And for couples for whom God’s plan includes children, Malachi affirms God’s commitment to help them raise godly sons and daughters.  If God is FOR us in our marriages and families, then we have nothing to fear. 

As close as your next breath

June 2, 2025

Maria Eternal Life, Holy Spirit, John 20, Life, Luke 11 , , Leave a comment

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20: 21-22 ESV

I’m always thinking of and searching for a way to open a discussion about Jesus.  Each Tuesday, I have the opportunity to talk about Him with the clients I serve at our local Christian pregnancy center here in Huntsville. A lot of the gals I meet think that being a Christian is only about going to church. So, I try to find an approach that bypasses the church question. 

Reading in John what Jesus gave the disciples after His resurrection, I thought of a more pointed entry into a conversation about the Gospel. Maybe I could ask, “Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you permanently?” Of course, I’d have to explain what that meant.  But maybe they would be more curious than otherwise. 

God’s breath is something I think about every morning when I sit down with my Bible. I tell Him out loud that I know He as God is sovereign over every single thing that exists. Likewise, I acknowledge that He provides each of my breaths. He has my life in His hands. 

At night when I climb into bed, I think about each of those  breaths as I follow a series of three or four deep inhales, hold and slow exhales. As near as they are to me, being in my mouth, also think of God’s Spirit. I press my arms next to my body and say, “Thank You, Jesus, that Your Spirit is in me.  I have all that I need.  You will never leave me. You move with me continuously wherever I go. I am never alone or without resources.  Truly, I lack nothing.”

This morning, I saw some good news in Luke 11 that I might be able to share with one of my Tuesday clients.  Jesus, talking to His followers concludes an exhortation to keep praying and never give up: “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13 NLT

God’s granting of each breath and His Spirit are interconnected.  Receiving these good gifts is just a matter of asking and believing, for declares that He will honor that request.