Finding Common Ground With Others

1 Corinthians 9:22 NLT

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

This verse is one that will quickly bring us back to the purpose the Lord has given us to bring Him glory and help expand His kingdom. It also reminds us of the selflessness that is required to walk in the love of Christ. Our faith is not just about us individually gaining eternal salvation and reaping the benefits that it brings, but it is also about having the opportunity to share the gift of salvation that we have received with others. 

You may have noticed that establishing common ground does not always come easy. Especially since there seems to be so much division in the world today. But in actuality, we as people generally have more in common than we realize. But focus is often shifted from what we have in common to what we don’t have in common. And that keeps us from establishing common ground.

This verse also gives us some insight into what can cause problems, when it comes to establishing common ground. It indicates that an inability to become weak in order to help those who are weak, can hinder our progress in winning souls to Christ. 

Sharing in someone’s weakness can be something as simple as having a listening ear or lending a helping hand in times of need. The word humility also comes to my mind. Because in order to meet people where they are and share in their weakness, we must humble ourselves. Humility is given to us through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

I think this day in age, humility can be a challenge for even the kindest people. But nevertheless, it is part of establishing common ground with others. Being mindful of the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudgings to share  the love of Jesus Christ, can truly make a difference as we partner with the Lord in helping “to save some” as the verse says. The seeds we plant can take root and help to lead someone to Jesus Christ.

We live in a world that encourages us to focus mainly on ourselves and how we can store up earthly treasures. We are made to feel like our greatest accomplishments will be the ones we achieve here on Earth and our worth is often tied to what we acquire in this life. But in the kingdom of God, that is not the case. He tells us to store up treasures in heaven. The work we do here on Earth for God’s kingdom will have an eternal impact that goes beyond our natural lives and stretches into eternity, and what impacts eternity, is what matters most.

Matthew 6:19-20 NLT

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

We are living in a time now more than ever where people are hurting and looking for answers. As followers of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the odds by making sure we are spending adequate time in His Word so that we are growing in our relationship with Him and receiving the daily strength and instruction we need. Doing so will enable us to share Jesus with those around us in the ways He leads us to. If our cups are empty, we can not pour into others so we must replenish ourselves daily with God’s Word and presence. 

In our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9)! So let’s allow Him to be our strength in our times of weakness so that we may go out and tell others who are weak and in need of God’s strength about the blessings we have through the blood of Jesus Christ!

Father,

Thank you for the gift we have through Jesus and the eternal blessings we have inherited through His sacrifice. Teach us how to walk in humility and establish common ground, even when it seems there is no way. Give us the discernment and wisdom we need to represent you well and share you love with others. Thank you for faithfully loving us, even when we struggle to do and say what is right. May your love and truth be our guide. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Small Bites

In my Bible reading, the Lord has been impressing upon me the importance of taking my time and choosing quality over quantity. I have found this to be very beneficial as it allows me the golden opportunity to take in the small details that I would otherwise overlook.

If I feel pressure to race through my daily reading, in an effort to complete a chapter or two, I will miss many of the simple truths that God wanted to speak to me that day through His Word. God’s Word is so full of the refreshment and nourishment that we so desperately need and I have found that consuming it in small bites has really helped me not to miss what matters most.

I am sure you have experienced those moments in your Bible reading where you have been reading and all of a sudden the words you read, jumped right off the page and captured your heart. And the crazy thing is that it is often something that we have read many times before. I have been finding that to happen more often, as I have been taking my time to hear what the Lord is saying to me by taking small bites of His Word, journaling, repenting and praying about what I have read. 

I have been going through the book of Genesis, and about a week ago, my reading for the day was Genesis 4:13-16. Chapter 4 in Genesis shares the story of Cain and Abel. In the previous verses of that chapter, we learn that Cain killed His brother Abel and the Lord told Cain that when he worked the ground, it would no longer produce crops and that he would be a wanderer. Cain’s response/plea is below in verses 13-14. But God’s astounding response is in verse 15.

Genesis 4:13-16 NIV

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

When I got to verse 15, GOD’S MERCY struck me, it jumped off the page and captured my heart! It was massive and hard to comprehend, but real. There was no way I could miss it and it caused me to examine my own heart, repent of my pride and realize how I, like Cain, have received God’s mercy, not once, not twice but time and time again. Here was a man who committed murder, yet the loving God we serve was willing to spare his life. God marked Cain so that no one would kill him, even though he had killed his brother, Abel. 

Through Christ, we too have been marked by God’s mercy. He often withholds the punishment we deserve and the punishment we think others deserve. Realizing this, gives us the ability to trust Him with justice, after all, He has said that vengeance belongs to Him. 

Romans 12:19 NIV

12 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

When we see others do wrong and it seems that they are getting away with it, justice belongs to the Lord. He has promised to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Vengeance can take on many forms. And in the times we live in, that vengeance often can come through the things that are being posted on social media. Many people often use their social media platforms to speak harsh words, post divisive things, hurt others, or insist upon their own way.

So, it’s even more important to make sure that what we post is coming from a place of love and God’s truth instead of vengeance, since we have a responsibility as Christians to bring glory to God and help expand His kingdom, not divide it. We know that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).

I am thankful God used these verses in Genesis to remind me of the greatness of His mercy. I love how the Word of God brings humility, conviction, and instruction to all who are willing to receive it. 

James 2:13 NIV

13 “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Consistency in the Christian Life

I know firsthand that staying consistent in your commitment to the Lord can seem tough at times. But remember you are not alone. 1 Peter 5:9 says that the family of believers throughout the world are going through the same types of suffering as you are.

Ephesians 5:15-21 CSB, gives us some excellent instructions about how to remain consistent in our walk with the Lord:

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk-not as unwise people but as wise-

16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart,

20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

As we meditate on these verses, may we ask God for understanding and guidance to help us apply these instructions to our lives and strive to remain consistent in our commitment to Jesus. Even when our faith is tested by life’s trials, may we be steadfast and trust God for strength each day. Pray continually about everything (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and spend adequate time in God’s Word as you listen for His voice.

Too Busy?!!


I recently remembered a visit I had to a nursing home as a child. There was a lady in a wheelchair sitting in the hallway. I remember a nurse saying that it was the lady’s birthday and she told the lady to tell the little girl (me) how old she was. The lady in the wheelchair immediately became agitated, put a frown on her face and quickly said, “I’m busy, I don’t have time!”

Photo by: Patrick De Boeck

 As an adult reflecting back on that visit to the nursing home, it seems quite comical. To think, here’s a person who is now confined to a nursing home, possibly to live out her final days, sitting in her wheelchair in the hallway, yet she thought she was too busy to share how old she was. I’m guessing this lady, probably had many hectic days in her life, prior to arriving at the nursing home. Days when she felt so busy she couldn’t even catch her breath or find adequate time to rest. Over the years, she probably got really good at saying, “I’m busy!”

 This memory caused me to consider my own life. It made me ask the question, “What is it that I think I am too busy to do?” And if I am too busy, “why?” Am I really too busy or are my priorities just out of order? Am I really too busy or are there just things I need to eliminate from my schedule?

 Remembering my encounter with this lady many years ago, taught me a couple of lessons about life that I can understand now as an adult.

1.) Don’t allow myself to become so busy (or think I’m so busy) that I no longer have time for the simple things in life that mean so much.

2.) Make sure the things I am doing, are fruitful things that God really does intend for me to do, especially if I plan to tell someone, “I’m busy!”

 Many of us can probably relate to the overwhelming feeling of being busy, especially with the world we live in today. Although we can’t change the world, we can certainly ask God to show us areas of our own lives where we have become too busy. And we can ask Him to help us prioritize according to His will, and He will guide us.

There are many things we can fill our days with to keep busy. But what is most important? And how can we best serve God and bring Him glory as we go about our daily tasks?

 May God grant us wisdom and discernment as we surrender our work/tasks, goals and schedules to Him. When we surrender, He will be faithful to give us the perspective we need.

 Romans 12:2 ESV, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

 1 John 2:17 ESV, “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

 Colossians 3:23-24 ESV, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Staying in the Fight & Celebrating 8 Years!

Last month, I celebrated 8 years of blogging on Drawing Closer to Christ. It is a blessing to be part of this blogging community. I appreciate all of your support! Thank you very much! 

I heard a pastor say recently that living a life of faith in God doesn’t mean everything will always go smoothly, be easy, and work out according to our plans. Instead, it means we have to keep fighting! And his admonishment reminds me of 2 Timothy 4:7 NIV, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

I have days where I feel like I am struggling to stay in the fight, keep trusting in Christ, and walking by faith. Especially when things don’t go as I thought they would. But praying about everything, holding on to God’s promises, and taking time out to be still in His presence and listen for His voice has helped me to keep going. He is with us every step of the way, we just have to surrender to Him daily and keep fighting the good fight. He will give us the strength, courage, wisdom and protection we need.

Staying in the fight is a daily choice, and we often have to make that choice multiple times throughout our day when faced with unexpected challenges. However, God is with us and has promised to never leave us. He is our faithful Lord, who loves us more than we can even understand at times. And His love never fails.

I pray His love would be revealed to you today as you persevere in your faith. Stay in the fight, God is by your side!

Glory to Glory

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJB “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

I like what Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers says regarding this verse, “We see God mirrored in Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), and as we gaze, with our face unveiled, on that mirror, a change comes over us.”

It’s so beautiful to know that as Christians, when we keep our gaze on Christ Jesus, we have the privilege of becoming more like Him and reflecting Him to others. Of course doing this takes intentionality. Everything we do should be done with the purpose of reflecting Christ. 

Photo by: Brett Sayles of USA 🇺🇸

God is always calling us higher, desiring for us to go from glory to glory and grow in our relationship with Him. This will require us to not lead a life of control and comfort, but instead a life of faith and obedience to His will. Living life with our gaze fixed on Christ, will lead us to the adventures that He has for us.

We see Him best when we choose to walk in His will, even if we must leave behind control and comfort. Although there are many things in the world that we can enjoy, surrendering to Christ each day, will give us the true fulfillment we long for. And that goes beyond even the best things this world has to offer. 

Psalm 145:16 ESV, “You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

As you sense God calling you higher, I encourage you to pray about everything and trust Him with each detail of your journey. Don’t let fear, anxiety, or comfort hold you back from the blessings God has for you on the next level. 

Jesus Directs Our Steps

Proverbs 20:24 NLT, “The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”

When we pray and ask God for wisdom, He will guide us and tell us what He knows we need to know. However, humility and trust help us to surrender to God and find rest knowing that we don’t have to understand every detail of every situation. And since He is directing our steps, we can trust Him with what we do not know. We do know that His plans are flawless and He will work everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Photo by: H&Co of Taiwan 🇹🇼

It can be difficult at times to choose to trust God with the unknowns we face. But as we choose to trust Him, we will see His love at work in our hearts and lives. There is no detail that slips past Him. He faithfully cares for us and will provide our every need.