L. Kathleen Cline

  When my prayer group gets discouraged, we begin to list God's names and His abilities. As I look at today’s verse, I realize that we often forget that we, as God’s children, have responsibilities also. Just to name a few; willing spirit, diligence, a keen ear, open eyes, to know our position in Christ and praise. As a humble bond slave, daughter or son, friend, and heir, we need to remember that each position holds different tasks, authority, and accountability. There are obligations associated with being in God’s family. If that thought does not sit well, then I ask, what relationship do you know of that has no dedication or commitment? “But as for me, I would seek God, and I would place my cause before God; Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number,” Job 5:8-9. We talked about setting up a 2021 prayer journal complete with core verses and explicit personal growth requests. By doing this journal, you are seeking God and entrusting your year to Him. It takes ...

My middle sister reminds me often of how she bought her home in Colorado. There was this one particular home that, through prayer, she just knew God was directing her husband and her to purchase. Suddenly, another couple got the house. For weeks she questioned herself on how she misunderstood God. A month later, the realtor called them to see if they were still interested because the loan fell through for the other couple. They offer the home to my sister and her husband at a significant price reduction. I never at first, no why God gives me particular verses for the New Year. I often try and guess, but most of the time, I am flat wrong. God always surprises me. One of my 2021 verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:24; “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” Out of curiosity, I looked up the Greek definition for the word “calls,” thinking it was for ministry or salvation, but instead, it means to call or invite to anything. Personally I think this verse should be for ev...

  My mom was from a British Island, so she was an incredible swimmer. I remember following my mom out in the water till my toes could no longer touch the bottom. The moment I could not rely on my own footing was when I was ready to learn how to swim, especially if I wanted to continue to follow my mom. Following God can be the same. There are many things we do in our life that come naturally. At some point, though, that natural security is no longer an option if you want to continue in God’s will. For me, with my mom, I remember the initial panic when I realized my toes did not touch. There becomes this debate to continue and swim or to turn-around for that safe ground. I even remember turning my nose up to walk a little farther out in the water, so I did not have to swim. How many times do we spiritually do this with God? Oh, we want to be out in the deep end, but we are not willing to advance or grow. Reliance on God comes from allowing ourselves to go beyond what we are capable ...

  I have never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions. So, what I have been practicing for the last decade is preparing a prayer journal for the upcoming year. To do this, I ask God for key verses, so I know what to write in my journal. The most important words I write down are descriptions of what I desire from God. If you don't know what you are asking from God, how do you know if you got it? Blessed looks differently to all of us. For example, a few years ago, as a teacher, I asked God that I am productive, effective, always true to God's word, creative, compassionate, assertive, bold, fierce, faithful, pure intentions, organized, and open to the Holy Spirit. In each area of my life, I write out action words that need to be implemented. Whether as a writer, speaker, wife, sister, friend, mentor, or encourager, just to name a few, I spend time with God seeking the exact words for me to proclaim throughout the coming year. Then during my quiet time, I would speak these w...

  Luke 1:46 Mary declares that she exalts the Lord or dances with joy, knowing her God. As she goes on with her song to God, she also mentions that God has mercy on those that fear God. I often ask people what does fear of God mean to them. Since God is love and has saved us in grace, many dodge around with words that describe God in this manner. When I ask them if God is lenient or a righteous Judge, many will either say both or lenient due to grace, God is not, nor will He ever be lenient. The full wrath of God was levied on Jesus at the cross so the world might choose salvation through Him. God’s abilities should be feared by all. God’s love does not supersede any of His other qualities. He will love you all the way to Hell; that is your choice. God chose Mary because she understood and knew God for Who He is, and she loved Him. In fact, it says in Luke 1:47, “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” When is the last time you had great joy or delight? Mary was a young, insignif...

One of the most challenging classes I teach is on love. It is not the information that makes the study difficult. What is tough is watching my students' faces fall as they learn what godly love is, as detailed in 1 Corinthians 13. Although I teach the five love languages, love goes much deeper than meeting your family and friends' needs. God's love is supposed to mentor and disciple. As Christ-followers, we are called to invest in other people's lives, which I guarantee will be inconvenient and tasking. In verse four, love is kind, which means beneficial. For example, the dry Arizona weather is kind to my asthma. Arizona is not doing anything for me, but instead, Arizona's being is beneficial to me. As Christians, are very being should benefit all those that move around us. When Romans teaches let love be without hypocrisy, it is saying there should not be an on and off switch to our behavior. Kind to this person because we approve of them and vicious to others with...

  My dream day is walking on the white sands at the Gulf of Mexico either during sunrise or sunset. So when I read verse 32 of 1 Chronicles, “Let the sea roar, and all it contains; Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord; for He is coming to judge the earth,” I just smile inside. All of nature rejoices at the beauty and character of God. One of the most endearing habits my mom gave her girls is teaching us to talk to God about the nature around us. My middle sister and I do it often. We begin a phone conversation by describing the weather to each other and praising God for the day. Joy often comes in appreciating the simple things around you. With that said, stop and admire the smile of a loved one today. As you walk to your car, consider the birds in flight or their songs that blend with the wind. Walk to a window and look out at the life around you, even if it is a crowded, busy street. Understand that God firmly ...

  The other day, I started watching a video on social media that immediately stirred up anger inside me. Suddenly I felt God ask me what I was doing. I had to laugh and say, “I have no clue.” Why do we watch or listen to things that steal our joy? We teach little ones the song that says, “Be careful little ears what you hear.” Mark 4:24a teaches us, “Take care what you listen to.” So, this advent, I like to challenge us to refrain from news, whether social or cable and spend that time with God. Listen to a sermon or praise music. My husband and I are spending the morning listening to a national prayer group and discussing what was said. Most of the time, joy is vacuumed away from us by people speaking discord into our life. When it comes to gossip, all you can do with it is sin. Well, I think most social media and cable news have turned into some weird gossip rag under the guise of information leading listeners to sins of indignation. If you are having a hard time finding joy this ...

 F or years I searched for joy in my life. I wanted to learn how to be content in the moment, no matter what was going on around me. I hated that I was moving from event to event, anticipating that this would be the moment that made my life complete. Finally, I discovered my joy was in obedience to God. It was not a circumstance but a heart's desire. Today as I was reading Exodus 17, verse one kind of struck me funny. "Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink." If you don't remember, this is the rock of Horeb's story. What I noticed is that they were moving in obedience to God but still had no joy. So I had to question my own conclusion and ask why it was different. Obedience without love is drudgery. You can be in technical obedience with God's word but absolutely hate what you are doing because yo...

God does not expect perfection. He desires our reliance on Him. Enjoy peace of mind by knowing that the God of the universe is available to those that seek Him. "Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; According to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings." Psalm 51:1

  “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it,” 1 Peter 3:11. How many times have we destroyed our own peace? Have you ever casually mentioned an issue in your life only to have that person speak discord or hate towards you? The sad thing is you actually invited the conversation. Now, I know you did not ask for hate, but you did open the door for someone to speak or give an opinion about your life. Pursuing peace may include you halting that open-door policy for people to spew negative viewpoints or animosity. I know this is sad to say, but some people do not want others to be happy or advance in life. Then there are the negative Nancys of the world that are just a big-ball of bitter hate. If God designed you for a purpose, then God should be the only One that speaks to you about that purpose. I had to learn this lesson the hard way and over and over again. Before I talk, I now ask God if that person is safe and if I can trust their counsel. In God’s ...

  “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You,” Isaiah 26:3. We must be unwavering in our belief in God. I have asked God repeatedly, “How can you teach or instill resolve in someone else?” Seriously, I can say all day long that you must determine in your heart to stand on the promises of God, but until you actually understand how, it means nothing. This morning I heard about a wrestler that was being honored for his life-long distinguish career. I am going to paraphrase the important part of the story. When he lost for the first time, he promised himself he never wanted to feel that way again, so he set out to become the expert in wrestling. He not only achieved it; He taught the techniques to others. So, with that thought process, I will ask you, “How much of your life will you allow evil to consume till you decide I am done?” A determined Christ-follower is always watching to see how God will answer. They are on the alert to see how God is work...

  Happy Tuesday, advent week of peace. I want to talk about helping others reconcile with God. Whether you are planting a seed of salvation or reminding a sibling-in-Christ what God has said, it is essential that we are always encouraging right standing with God. We live in a world where people believe you can interpret or define the terms of salvation. Pretty much the Jews did the same thing. They wanted a warrior Savior to rule and crush their enemies. They rejected the Jesus that showed up; Who was humble and riding on a donkey. Many reject the God of the Bible and attempt to make up their own rules and call themselves righteous. It did not work for the Jews, and it will not work now. Since “Playing by the rules” is a free-for-all at this time in society, it is hard for me to find a common point to stand or argue. So, here it simply is. You have to play by the rules of Salvation appointed by God. Period! You have to fully accept the God of the Bible or reject Him. You cannot pie...

  Sunday, we lit the candle of peace. Romans 14:17-19 says, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." Many try and push off peace as being detached or indifferent to the things around us. In God's world, peace embraces every moment with God, especially those moments when hate is trying to rule. When Jesus tells us He gives us peace, not as the world gives, He means that while the turmoil of life happens, our emotions will not rule our spirit. It is imperative that you do not get confused and think "peace" at any cost. Evil and righteousness have nothing in common. A Christ-follower cannot have unity with sin because joining with sin is called conformity. Our focus today is seeking God for our emotional peace-of-mind. Representing God ...

Happy Friday morning. Today's post on hope is to encourage all of us that God sees. Do not be tempted or look at ill-gotten gains. As Christ-followers, our job is to encourage each other to do what is right and to fear the Lord. I love that the book of Malachi documents that God listened attentively to the faithful and remembered. God requires us to live a life of integrity because the journey is the means in God's world. It can be so discouraging these days when we see many defraud, scam, steal, and lie to get ahead, and nothing is done about it. Our hope is in God Who's throne is established on justice and righteousness. Ask God to intervene and reveal the evil. At no point can any of us throw our hands in the air and, out of frustration, become the evil we proclaim to hate. I would recommend going and reading Malachi 3:8-18, so you can get a full picture. Our God sees, and He is keeping a record. Let that reminder put a little fear in you to keep your eyes focused on God...

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 This verse is quoted by many to remind us to have faith in God. For some, faith falls into the category of wishful thinking or perhaps superstition. Like the little girl in the movie Miracle on 34th Street, "I believe, I believe, it is silly, but I believe." How can one be certain of God's abilities? "The certainty of things hoped for" is knowing God. You must have that personal relationship with God, not a religion. If you are complaining about cruelty or unloving people in the church, take a look at their ideology. The church should represent the God they worship. Christ-followers should be involved in serving others as Jesus did. Sunday worship should be about glorifying God and learning about Him. The pastor's teachings should convict your actions and motivate you to daily ministry. If your church is just about entertainment, social-events, or food, you might need to...

I picked two verses today to encourage us in the Hope of Christ. This year has stirred up so much fear and anxiety that I find myself just shaking my head more than usual. I am seeing people police and rudely monitoring others in public. My little town has been defiled by those that feel shaming others is acceptable. Instead of stating that the government recommends, you see signs in houses of worship that are associating love by distancing yourself from others. I always wondered how people’s love would grow cold towards each other, as foretold, and now I can see it. It saddens me. God’s word has a great deal to talk about when it comes to love, and it involves investing yourself in other people’s lives. It is okay if you do not want to go out in public or hug someone, but are you sending cards, texts, or messages to encourage others? Are you attempting to think outside of the box to show love? There are many ways we can encourage each other. One sure way is to stop participating in an...

  For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Romans 8:24-25 For years, I have prayed for the salvation of those in my care. Since only God can change the heart of man, prayer has developed in me the practice of waiting. If I become impatient with God, I could push too hard and cause someone to run from God. If I become lazy, I could miss an opportunity to plant a seed. When it comes to waiting on God, one is required to be in a constant listening mode, or one might miss God's directions. Obedience has to do with being able to follow God's guidance and not winging it. Everything I just wrote all depends on me expecting or hoping in God's ability to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. I have had a question that has been sitting at the back of my mind for a few months now. If you knew the date and time of Jesus's return, wh...