Chris Tomlin

The One Thing You Probably Need Most Today

It is often at the end of the day, where I feel most attacked in motherhood. Satan whispers lies: You’re not doing this right. You’re going to screw up your kids. You’re unqualified. You’ll never overcome the anger, control, pride, and more. You don’t have what it takes.

Lately, I’ve been realizing that this is all a very works-based mentality. That if I could just “do” more and be “better” as a wife and mom, then the path will be straight and God will love me.

Oh, but this is far from the truth because it leaves out one word out that I desperately need daily:

G R A C E

Grace comes to us as God’s undeserving gift and kindness. It is not something we earn or have to work hard for. It is not something that if we just get our act together, the odds will be in our favor. It is not conditional as to whether we meet a certain standard of righteousness. It is not how we often treat our children: If you do this, then I will love you. If not, then you have fallen short of my standard and I will like you less.

Another word for grace is also mercies. His mercies are new each and every day. The slate is wiped clean. I don’t know about you, but that is good news.

In Lamentations 3, the prophet Jeremiah was under intense affliction, wandering, and pain. He says, “My soul is downcast within me” (vs. 20). Yet in the next verse he reveals, “Yes this I call to mind and therefore I have hope” (vs. 21) – the steadfast love of the Lord is what spurs him on in the midst of trouble.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lam 3:22-23)

Because of God’s unwavering, unconditional, steadfast love, we won’t drown in despair. When we end the day feeling battle-worn, wondering if the morning will be any different, we have great hope because his grace and mercy toward us are always moving in strength, like a raging waterfall – regardless of how well we have done. We can trust him to carry us in the deepest of valley’s, brokenness, and suffering. Because that is what our Father does for his children.

Because his great love for you never ceases, his grace doesn’t either. Grab hold of it today – knowing He has covered your guilt, shame, dissatisfaction, self-sufficiency, self-loathing, and more. He has covered the lies that tempt you. He will give you what you need just for this very moment.

Most of all, let his grace and love captivate your heart unlike anything else in your life.

Questions for Reflection: Is there anything in your life you feel God could never forgive? How can you better cling tight to his grace, instead of a works-based acceptance mindset?

I was lost
I was in chains
The world had a hold of me

My heart was a stone
I was covered in shame
When He came for me

I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His presence
I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His arms

Jesus, He loves me, He loves me, He is for me
Jesus, how can it be, He loves me, He is for me

(“Jesus Loves Me” by Chris Tomlin)

 

Samantha Krieger is a wife, mother, and writer in rural Colorado. She is the author of the new devotional for moms: Quiet Time: A 30-day Devotional Retreat for Moms in the Trenches.

 

 

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What’s Inspiring Me of Late

cannons1Several things have been inspiring me of late:

1.) Jesus- of course. all the time. without him, who in the world would I be? enough said.

2.) My husband Jeremiah– his constant encouragement, accountability, and unconditional love for me.

3.) My son John– watching his brown eyes stare into mine. his laughter and joy. He makes me want to be a better mom and woman.

4.) My job– I love working with a team of highly creative producers, writers, and graphic designers. We have a great time together. My boss is solid and loves the Lord. Bluefish is impacting so many lives and I love just being a small part of it.

5.) My church Watermark. Spurring me on to authentic community and loving this city. Gary Haugen with International Justice Mission will be speaking thus Sunday (can’t wait).

6.) Matt Chandler (his podcasts). I appreciate his constant focus on Christ and boasting in Him alone. My coworker Lonnie said he’s going to connect me and Jeremiah to Matt for coffee one day (yay!)

7.) John Piper. I’m almost through his book Don’t Waste Your Life. It has challenged me like no other book. And is causing me to do some deep soul searching (or perhaps sin searching).

8.) Musicians: Phil Wickham, Brandon Heath, Chris Tomlin, Fernando Ortega, Meredith Andrews, Laura Story. Some old. Some new. These are just a few but their artistry stands out among the rest. Their focus is obvious. God has used them to inspire my writing. Meredith lived next to me on dorm 19-1 at LU. I’m extremely proud of her and how God is using her.

Who or what’s inspiring You?

Bible Study for Youth Groups with David Nasser and Bluefish TV is filmed in Rome

 A few weeks back, David Nasser and some of our crew returned from an unforgettable journey retracing the steps of the Apostle Paul to help teach youth groups across the country.

Our last project with David Nasser, the I AM youth group series with David Crowder and Chris Tomlin led our Director of Production, Phil Warner to ask about potential project ideas brewing in David’s mind. David said, “I’ve always wanted to teach in Rome.”

David’s response was taken seriously and our production crew and David packed their bags for a 7 day shoot in Rome, Italy. Rome would be the teaching location for the new Bluefish TV 2009 Youth Ministry Kit.

Standing on the streets of Rome, David taught about the cost of discipleship at the Tre Fontana (the three fountains) which is now a monastery and the supposed spot where Paul was beheaded. He taught about the “Roman Road” on the actual Roman Road (the Appian Way). He spoke on grace at the Scala Santa (The Church of the Holy Steps); the steps in front of Pontius Pilate’s house in Jerusalem where legend believes Jesus stood when was condemned to the cross.

David’s favorite segment was at the Roman Forum. He walked among the ruins and deteriorated remains of what at one time was the “center of the world.” David taught that no matter how powerful a nation may be it is never indestructible. “Ancient Rome can serve as a real warning for modern day America. Rome was the fashion, entertainment, military, and social capital of the world at one point (much like the U.S. today). But the one thing that brought Rome to its knees was its own arrogance,” says David.

 David’s teaching is scripturally focused. He motivates youth groups to venture deeper into God’s word and further investigate Roman culture. The 2009 Youth Ministry Kit for youth group leaders with David Nasser is Bluefish TV’s first teaching series in Europe. It is scheduled to release August 1. You can watch for release details at bluefishtv.com.

If you’d like to explore and purchase other Bluefish TV Youth Ministry Bible studies, visit the following youth studies: Teens Vs. Parents with Mark Matlock, Sex. Dating with Michael and Hayley DiMarco, and Revolution with Doug Fields.

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