Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. Matthew 8:34

This account of Christ meeting a crowd is in stark contrast to what I typically picture when I think of Jesus interacting with people. What usually comes to mind are scenes like Jesus feeding the 5000, or the Sermon on the Mount. They just wanted to hear him, be near him, be healed by him. Not this town. Even after Christ performed an amazing miracle (driving the demons out of two possessed men) the people pleaded with him to leave. PLEADED! Wow……

My first reaction to this account was “How could they?”. I mean, they had Christ visit their town and perform a miracle! The demons even cried out in recognition of who he was, for crying out loud! How could they ask him, plead with him, to leave? I would want him to stay. Maybe spend some time in my home, visit and teach for a while. Right? Or would I?

Jesus has a way of challenging us to change. Especially when we say we want to follow him. This brings to mind the story of the rich young ruler. He said he wanted to follow Christ. “What must I do”, he asked? Jesus lists commandments, and the young man says I have done all these, what else? Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” Matthew 19:21

Sad to say, but this young ruler walked away. Jesus wanted access to ALL of him, not just some rule following from him. Jesus had the audacity to ask this man to confront an area of his life that had a hold on him. Uh oh….. does that strike a cord with anyone else besides me? Might we have areas of our lives we willingly give over to Christ and welcome him in but others where the door is under lock and key? Do we give him an all access pass to us, or do we (knowingly or unknowingly) PLEAD with him to leave that area alone.

These people saw a miracle, but also saw 2,000 pigs run into the water and die. Maybe they feared for the economy of the town. Maybe the power of Christ scared them. Maybe they feared change. Anyway you look at it they did not want to explore the situation. They wanted him long gone.

The path to freedom in Christ is not always an easy one. He wants to fully change us but we need to allow him access to those dark, dusty areas in our lives. Areas that may confront and challenge who we are. Then he can use us in ways we cannot even imagine! We can truly “shine” for his glory, living a life fully submitted to him.

I know there is still a long way to go for me. Just like my house, I am not always motivated to go into those dusty, dirty areas, roll up my sleeves and go to work. When I do though, beautiful things happen, both in my home and with Christ. Each time it gets a little easier knowing something beautiful waits on the other side of that hard work.

Instead of pleading with Jesus to leave, let’s plead with him to stay. To change us. To use us. To make us beautiful for His glory!

~ Christina Tennyson

Jesus, help me to see what it means to truly follow you. Come into my life, ALL of my life and change me. I give you access to all of me, for your glory! Help me deal with the hidden places, the dusty rooms, that keep me from your will for my life. Lead me and guide me as I commit to following you daily. Amen.

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Ten years ago this month, I received one of those dreaded “your world’s about to crumble around you” phone calls that can only be dialed in during the wee hours of the night.  I sat quietly as my dad explained how my mom had fallen ill earlier that evening and felt it in her best interest to be taken to the ER.  Her condition worsened by the hour, and by the time I arrived to the hospital, she was already unconscious. The next 12 hours were surreal as we watched my mom’s life slip through our fingers as her organs shut down one by one.  Stunned and speechless, we left the hospital that afternoon broken and empty handed.

My mom’s death caught my family and I completely by surprise, however her journal later revealed to us that she had been “dressed and ready for service.”  Let me allow her own words to illuminate her heart with both the first and final entries from her last recorded journal.

July 17th, 2002 (her birthday, first entry) – In the book of Luke, the Lord says, “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning.”  I like that passage.  It not only applies to my salvation, but also to whatever the Lord has for me.  I sense that I’m on the edge of something wonderful.  I wonder if it’s this life or the next one.  I am so thankful for my Lord, my family and my friends.  I am blessed.”

December 5th, 2002 (final entry) – Luke 12:40 “You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”  I just spent the most wonderful time with my Lord.  He came and put His arms around me and I felt His presence.  Such wonderful peace—words cannot describe the blessing He has given me.  My burdens have been lifted.  He has given me peace and contentment.  I am dressed and ready for service.  My Lord will keep my lamp burning.  Praise God.

I am overwhelmed with unending joy and gratitude that not only did God draw my mom into a peaceful embrace before calling her home, but that He would impress on her heart to pen those intimate embraces into a journal.  She always loved the idea of starting journals; however completing them was an entirely different story. What an amazing gift, that out of the many dozens of journals she began, this was the one she chose to complete.

I am also thankful for the legacy she passed down to be a woman who longed for God’s heart.  During the last few years of her life, I can’t recall a time she was ever far from her Bible.  It always lay open in the kitchen enabling her to forage on a steady diet of God’s Word.  She not only steeped herself in His Word daily, but fellowshipped with Him in fervent prayer.  I am most thankful for those prayers as I believe wholeheartedly that God softened my own heart in response to her cries out to Him on my behalf.

Indeed, the Lord will keep her lamp burning as her written testimony is shared to encourage us to spend quality time with God each day and to give us immeasurable hope until we ourselves are on the edge of something wonderful.  Until then, let us be dressed and ready for service with our lamps burning bright.

~ Jenn Rugh

A prayer based on Isaiah 41:10, my mom’s favorite verse…

Father God, I do not fear, for You are with me; I do not look anxiously about me, for You are my God.  You will strengthen me, surely you will help me.  Surely You will uphold me with Your righteous right hand.  You are worthy.  You are Sovereign.  In Jesus’ name, Father, Amen.

Additional Scripture:

Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 25:1-4

Luke 12:35-48

Philippians 4:7

Hebrews 11:1

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 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Psalm 143:10

 Our family was truly blessed this Thanksgiving as we gathered around the table together to feast on an abundance of succulent turkey smoked to perfection.   Our bellies were so amply plump that there was no need to repeat the occasion later that evening for dinner.  It was a satisfying meal, indeed, but one that came from much preparation and sacrifice.

 There were many of us dancing around each other throughout the kitchen that morning as we trimmed beans, mashed potatoes, prepared dressing, and well, you know the drill.  Not to mention all the time and preparation that took place prior to Thanksgiving and the financial investment involved to acquire the bounty that would soon be before us.

 And, oooooh, the breathtaking aroma that permeated the house as everything was coming together for this very moment in our lives.  It’s a rhetorical question really, but one we ask every year just before we gather everyone together to pray… Who’s Hungry?  Well, there are no slackers in our household when it comes to eating, so without delay we gave God all glory, honor and praise and dug in!

 I imagine this is how many of us celebrate Thanksgiving together, amongst family and friends feasting on our favorite turkey day foods, but I wonder how many of us are feasting just as heartily on spiritual food.  Jesus explains to his disciples in John 4:34 that His nourishment comes from a different source:

 “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work’.”

 Did you catch that?  Jesus’ food is to “do” the will of the Father, so that His work may be accomplished.  That’s a spiritual feast that we are all invited to take part in, but just like Thanksgiving, much preparation and sacrifice will be involved to consume such a beautiful bounty.  Are we willing to sacrifice and prepare our hearts to enable us to “do” the will of the Father?  And, if so, how do we begin those preparations?

 Psalm 143.10a tells us that our preparations should begin in prayer:

 “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.”

 Just as our Thanksgiving preparations begin with a plan, so, too, do our lives.  God has a bountiful plan for each and every one of us, but we need to be on our knees and seek out what that plan entails.  We must ask God to first show us what His will is before we can be obedient.

 Psalm 1:1-2 tells us that, next, we need to be diligent to meditate on God’s word:

“Blessed is the man… whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and in His law he meditates day and night.”

 I have never known a Thanksgiving feast to magically appear before me without the sacrifice of someone’s precious time and energy being whole heartedly thrown into it.  Nor are we able to be obedient to God’s will in our lives without committing that same precious time and energy into studying God’s Word.  This doesn’t mean that our quiet time with God should consist of our every waking hour, but it does mean that we should impress His words on our hearts by teaching them to our children, discussing them with our friends and acquaintances, and writing them on the walls and gates of our homes to allow the scriptures to simmer in our hearts.

And lastly, Psalm 40:8 tells us that we need to find delight in being obedient to God’s will:

 “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Isn’t this the best part of Thanksgiving?  Sitting down to the grand feast that many hands have worked so hard to prepare?  You relish every mouth-watering bite, already discussing and planning what you will add to your bare plates when you go back for seconds.  Fulfilling God’s will in our lives is no different.  Once you’ve had that first bite, your heart is overwhelmed at the anticipation of a second helping.

 Ladies, I would be honored if you would join me in the proverbial kitchen to prepare for a bountiful feast of God’s will by humbling ourselves before Him in prayer, meditating on His Word day and night, and by finding joy in consuming a feast of His good, perfect and pleasing will.  And, oooooh, do you smell the sweet aroma of triumph in Christ coming together?  It just beckons one last question… Who’s Hungry?

 ~ Jenn Rugh

 Father God, we love you and praise you as Creator of all things.  Thank you for Your son, Jesus, who perfectly modeled for us a life of submission and obedience to Your will.  Teach us to do Your will, Father.  Give us a heart that delights in Your perfect law of love.  And let our lives be a sweet aroma to You as we discern Your good, perfect and pleasing will.   You are worthy.  You are Sovereign.  In Jesus’ name, Father, Amen.

Additional Scripture:

Deuteronomy 11:18-20

Jeremiah 15:16

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 12:50

Romans 12:2

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Why should we give thanks to God? Because he’s good.

Why is God good? His love endures forever. He is faithful.

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. Psalm 107:43

 What “things” does David, the author of this Psalm, tell us to pay attention to? In the other 42 verses you read about how God took special care of his people when they needed Him. They were hungry,  thirsty, broken, depressed, imprisoned, helpless, poor, and bitter. Maybe you can relate.

God sees the people in this condition and because of his great love …

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Psalm 107:20

 And if His love endures forever that means he is still sending forth the Word, healing his people, and rescuing them from death.

His Word and His Love never fail us!

Today, let’s be thankful .. for God’s Goodness and Faithfulness.

~ Erin Ramsey

Thank you Father for your unending love to us. You see our condition and heal us with your Word. We are nothing without you. You are our everything. amen!

YOUR TURN: Tell us how God has shown His goodness and faithfulness in your life!

Additional Scriptures:

Psalm 28:7

Psalm 95:1-6

1 Chronicles 16:34

Psalm 34:1

1 Timothy 4:4-5

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Romans 12:2b “Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 

Do you strive for excellence or perfection? Before you answer, let’s characterize what each of these words represents. What is excellence? What is perfection? How are they manifested in our lives? Read through the following prose from an unknown author and carefully discern if you are inclined to excellence or perfection.​

Perfection is being right.
​Excellence is being willing to be wrong.

​Perfection is fear.
​Excellence is taking a risk.

​Perfection is anger and frustration.
​Excellence is powerful.

​Perfection is control.
​Excellence is spontaneous.

Perfection is judgment.
​Excellence is giving.

​Perfection is doubt.
​Excellence is confidence.

​Perfection is pressure.
​Excellence is natural.

​Perfection is the distinction.
​Excellence is the journey.

​​​–Author Unknown

I know, OUCH! I’m a perfectionist, too. Can we all agree that when it comes to some aspect of our lives (or in my case, all aspects) perfection is in the driver’s seat a little more than it should be? Ok, a LOT more. In order to combat this idea of perfection, we first need a paradigm shift from a secular world view to a biblical God view. Listen, as Paul tells us how to begin this shift…

​Romans 12:2 (NLT)​Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Why thank you, Paul, but what does this new thinking actually entail? Indeed, he’s so glad we asked…

​Philippians 4:8 (NLT)​And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

And furthermore, what does it look like in our daily lives?

​Colossians 3:23 (NLT)​Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Ladies, join me in striving for excellence in the Lord. Dismiss perfectionistic ideals that the world places on you, that you place on yourselves, and replace them with the Word of God. We are not called to perfection, but made perfect by the blood of the lamb.

​Hebrews 10:12-14 (NLT)​But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering He forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

~ Jenn Rugh

A prayer…

Father God, we love you and praise you as creator of all things. Thank you most of all for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus, that perfects us in your Holy eyes. Help us to understand that excellence is the goal. Give us a heart of diligence in pursuit of your excellence. Fill our minds with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Transform us, Father, by changing our way of thinking. You are worthy. You are Sovereign. In Jesus’ name, Father, Amen.

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Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24

A couple of weeks ago, I got the opportunity to sit in a room with 9 girls from 6 different high schools to talk about God, esteem and friendships. As each shared their struggles at developing strong friendships with other girls, I looked around the circle and made a casual observation.

“Girls aren’t always nice to other girls, are they?” The question was met with a burst of head nodding. I sighed because the underlying problems and solutions are so simple, but regardless of age, our gender doesn’t seem to let them soak in very long when it comes to interacting with each other. This verse in Proverbs doesn’t chastise us for our bad behavior, but it does show us the incredible benefits that kindness has to offer.

I love that Proverbs compares kind words to honey. I have a terrible sweet tooth, so I can completely relate to the delectable joy that comes from kind words. Because of my sweet tooth, I also try to run to balance out the effects on my body. Being in good health also brings joy. In a world where consuming as much chocolate as I want while still effortlessly remaining in good health are not a reality, I find it exciting that kind words bring the joy found in both. And much like cake at a birthday party or running at the crack of dawn, kind words are better when shared with others.

Encouraged people encourage other people. It’s a simple concept, but it has the power to be life-changing. When I remember that God is crazy about me or when a sweet friend builds me up in the Lord, I’m filled with confidence and joy. As a result, all of a sudden I find myself wanting to share that with others. Whether it’s a random compliment toward another woman in the grocery store checkout or a note of appreciation for my husband or a quick text to a friend I haven’t connected with in a while, I love spreading kind words around so that they can impact others who may also be inspired to pay the encouragement forward.

Embrace the gift of encouragement this week. As you read through Proverbs, look for ways that God is using the wisdom in the book to encourage you, and commit yourself to sprinkling kind words into your coversations throughout the day so that you can encourage others. Not only is it effective, it’s also really fun!

~ Whitney Sewell

Prayer:

God, thank you for the ways you build me up! Thank you for the gift of your Word where I can learn how much you love me. Thank you for the people you’ve placed in my life who also edify me and help me to draw near to You. This week, help me to identify where I can offer kind words and encouragement to others in my life. Show me the joy of sharing your love with others. I love you. Amen.

Other Scriptures to study:

• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Hebrews 10:24-25
• Romans 15:13
• Ephesians 4:29-32

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“My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
– Proverbs 7:1-3

I just love the book of Proverbs! So many wonderful little nuggets of wisdom that are straightforward and easy for me to understand! I’ll read a verse in Proverbs and say to myself, “Well that’s just common sense, I can do that!” Then I finish reading, get up, and too often completely forget what I just read. My day begins and life intrudes. Work demands my attention; my husband needs me to help with something; the children need my attention; the house needs cleaning (always!); dinner needs cooking; dishes and clothes need washing…the nugget of wisdom and common sense I read that morning has long since fled my mind. My life goes on…unchanged. Unfortunately, there are other days that begin before I even read my bible; God’s word doesn’t even have a chance in my life on those days!

Does this sound like your life? Does it feel like some days you are just surviving, just going through the motions, but not really living? I don’t know about you, but I want to really LIVE my life! I want to be present and purposeful in each moment of each day. But how can do that? The answer is in Proverbs 7:1-3.

“My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live.”

The only way I can store up God’s commands is to first know what those commands are. I can learn from other people; from reading this devotional, from listening to sermons and lessons and while this is good, it is secondhand information. The best way to learn is one-on-one with God through His word. Reading my bible each day. Not reading because that is what I am “supposed” to do, but really looking at the word and allowing the Holy Spirit to provide understanding and conviction in my life. Even if I read only one verse, if that one verse challenges and convicts me to make changes in my life, then my reading is successful. The important thing is that I take what I read and apply it to my life.

“Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.”

This tells me to guard God’s teachings. From what? I don’t know about you, but my children are the apple of my eye and I will guard them with my life to prevent someone from harming them. In the same way, there are people out there who harm God’s word through false doctrine and false teachings. I want to keep the word of God pure in my life; that is why it is important to verify all teaching by making sure it is truly what the Bible says. We are each responsible to protect ourselves from false teachings and guard God’s word in our own lives.

“Bind them on your fingers;”

How do I bind God’s commands on my fingers? Do I need to attach sticky notes to my fingers? Maybe tie a string around them? There is a better way…I memorize scripture. I know this can be scary, but scripture memorization is the best way to keep God’s commands first and forefront throughout your entire day. Once I started memorizing scripture, I found that I could easily refer to it in many different situations in my life as well as in conversations with others. Start small. Memorize a single verse that speaks to you and then keep adding to it little by little. Before long, you will have an entire arsenal of wisdom at your fingertips to use every moment of every day!

“Write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Finally, I found that it is important to meditate on God’s word. This doesn’t mean that you have sit cross-legged on the floor in some “new age” position and start chanting. Meditation means that we intentionally focus on something for an extended period of time. So as I read something in God’s word that convicts me, instead of getting up and immediately going about my day, I will spend an extended period of time just thinking about what God is saying to me. I will talk to God through prayer and allow Him to answer through His Holy Spirit. Some days this may be 30 minutes, other days, just 5 or 10 minutes. Whatever time is needed to allow God to “write on the tablet of my heart”.

By putting these few verses in Proverbs into practice in my life, I have found it so much easier to remember God’s commands and apply them to my every day life. Because of this, I can now really “live” my life. God’s promise is true:

“Keep my commands and you will live.”

Why don’t you start right now?  Close your computer, open up your Bible, and read what God wants to say to you today!

~ Michele Barnes

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, I want to know you more. I want our relationship to be one of intimacy; a relationship that allows me to be aware of your presence and guidance each moment of my day. I want to stop going through the motions of my life and start really LIVING the life you have planned for me…a life of passion and purpose! You have promised that your “yoke is easy and your burden is light”. Too many times, I forget to ask you what your priorities for my day are. Instead, I start my day running from one activity to the next without pausing to question if I am even doing the BEST thing. I know many times the things I do are good, but are they really the BEST? Help me to make my time with you a priority so that I will learn your commands. Write your words on the tablet of my heart. Remind me of them throughout the day so I may truly LIVE. I love you Lord and I want to know you more and more. Amen

Additional Scriptures to study:

• Psalm 119: 9-16
• Deuteronomy 11:18-21
• Matthew 11:28-30
• 1 John 5:1-4

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The game “hide-and-seek” should be familiar to most of you. One person counts to 10 while the rest of the players spread out and hide. The player who does not get found, wins! The person seeking out those who are hiding loses. It’s a fun twisted game, isn’t it?

“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.”  Acts 17:27

While I’m thrilled that God does not play by the same rules as hide & seek, I know there is an element of seek & find in our relationship with Him. So if He’s not really hiding from us, then why does it feel at times that He is far? In my experience and opportunities I’ve had to counsel women, I find three main reasons why someone might struggle to find and know God.

• Unbelief  The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. John 16:9
• Sin  It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:2
• Suffering & Trials Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook, like a spring that has gone dry.” Jeremiah 15:18

 So, I think we can say the fastest way to God is through belief, repentance, and trust no matter the circumstance. Surely, there are more aspects to consider when we’re building a relationship with our Heavenly Father, but believing and repenting is where we need to start. {Sometimes we might need to Re-start. That’s okay! There is plenty of room for more prodigals in God’s family}

Today, if you find yourself lost, hurt, guilty, shamed, or broken, and far from God - have Hope. Consider and be encouraged by the following verses.

 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Job 2:3

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 ~ Erin Ramsey

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They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.  - Acts 14:22

In other words, when we hear the voice of God we will have trouble. It’s a normal thing.  But that’s how it goes in this unseen city, where everything is turned upside down. The bible gives many examples of this:

•  the last will be first, and the first will be last
• love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
•  Blessed are the poor in spirit
• Forgive 70×7
• Turn the other cheek
• In order to live, you must die

I love what my Pastor said yesterday in his message on John 17 & how it relates to Acts 14:22,

“Sometimes this life has to get a little more uncomfortable, so we can get excited about the next.”

Jesus knows the crazy stuff we face “down here”. He lived through it. I think the phrase in verse 22 “ we must go through” is a huge piece of the puzzle & something big to consider. Jesus went “through it” by way of the Cross, and so must we. This isn’t our “best life now”, that’s for sure.

I can’t help but think of that catchy British hit by Chumbawamba, they sang, “ I get knocked down, but I get up again.” Not the most spiritual song by any means, but we’ve got to have this mindset in the context of entering God’s Kingdom.

We’re just following in Christ’s footsteps, aren’t we? Our scars & difficulties are greater evidences of our testimony.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable, don’t fret my friend … it’s “normal”. Let your hardships motivate you to go further in your walk with Christ and closer to entering the Kingdom, our true home.

~ Erin Ramsey

Father, Thank you for going through it down here so that we can be with you forever. You know what we face in this world to follow You and we need Your help everyday. Help us through our hardships and lead us closer to you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you facing hardships right now? Are you praying  for God to lead you through it?  Are you praying for those around you going through hard times?  Are you excited about the future?

Additional Scriptures to study:

• Matthew 20:16
• Matthew 5:44
• Matthew 5:3
• Matthew 18
• Matthew 5:39
• John 11:25

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I’ve always had a soft spot for the Biblical couple Priscilla and Aquila, two early (and by all accounts, eager) Christian converts. For one thing, their names rhyme. Which let’s face it, is kind of cool.

For another, they lived, worked and traveled with Paul during a crucial time in his life. Some scripture even indicates that they invited Paul over one night to clear some things up after they listened to him speak in a synagogue.

He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. – Acts 18:26:

My husband and I once did a study of Priscilla and Aquila.It sprang out of jealousy. It seems like there are so many cool Christian couples out there. We always admire the artsy hipster ones. The ones who sing in a band together or started a design company or make potpourri for Jesus and sell it at a booth at some art fair. (Okay, I’ve never known anyone like the last couple…but you get the idea.)

We, by contrast, are the nerdiest of nerds. We like Star Trek and our idea of fun is camping out at a bookstorewhen we invite people over, we have the luxury of explaining why we have three cats and to please ignore our retainers that sit on the bathroom counter. Gross.

So we started a list of all the things that it seems like they were as a couple, thinking that if we could be more like Priscilla and Aquila, we’d move closer to cool.

So Priscilla and Aquila were unique, they were hospitable, they were knowledgeable, and they were a true team. Now for all I know, I’m glamorizing things. They were tentmakers, maybe they argued every time they were hired to tent a wedding. For all I know they bickered day and night. But somehow, I don’t think so.

If they were wise enough and unified enough to be able to invite Paul over for dinner to teach him about something he missed, I feel like they probably had a pretty decent handle on their marriage. They only appear in the Bible seven times, but each and every time, they are mentioned together and always in a tone of love or appreciation.

But if they had tried to be anyone but themselves, who knows if God would’ve used them in the wonderful ways that he did? Maybe he needed recently converted tent-making nomads who were nerdy enough to study their new faith with fervor.

~ Audrey Brown-Williams

For Prayer:

If you are single, the more you discover about who God wants you to be, the more likely you will be to find the mate that he created you for. Ask God to reveal more ofhimself to you and it will lead to more understanding of who He wants you to be. If you are married and you are experiencing feelings of jealousy over the “cool” couples around you, do what Pastor Justin at Real Life suggests and “lean into God” by seeking Him for answers. Pray together that God would show you more about your destiny together and He will show up in big ways!

To study more about Priscilla and Aquila, read:

• Acts 18: 2-3
• Acts 18:18
• Acts 18:19
• Romans 16: 3-4

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