The Invisible Friend

 

By Andrea Merrell

I have called you friends.

John 15:5 NKJV

 

Everyone made fun of the little boy. Called him crazy. Unstable. A loser. Why? All because of his invisible friend.

Sadly, the boy was born into a seriously dysfunctional family full of alcoholism and abuse. He became so lonely and distraught that he created an imaginary friend—an invisible source of strength and comfort, for he had no one else on whom he could depend.

Unfortunately, many skeptics view our relationship with the Lord in the same way. They call us crazy. Delusional. Losers who need a crutch, a made-up source of strength. What they don’t realize is that while our “friend” might be invisible, He is definitely not imaginary.

The Bible calls Jesus a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). His love for us is so great that He laid down His life for us (John 15:13). Jesus Himself said, “I have called you friends” (John 15:5). And the best part of all is that He promised never to leave us. He is our constant and forever companion.

So take heart, my friend. When you say yes to Jesus, He takes up residence in your heart. Not only does He become your Savior and Lord, but your best, life-long friend. He might not be visible to the human eye, but He is more real than anything or anyone we can see, hear, feel, or touch.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Check Your Foundation

 

By Andrea Merrell

For no one can lay any foundation other than

the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT

 

“The foundation is full of cracks,” the contractor told the man, “so the structure is unstable. I’m afraid we’ll have to tear it down and start over.”

The man was devastated, thinking of the time, money, and effort that had gone into the project. This would set him back, but he knew it would be worth it in the end.

Having a solid foundation is crucial to whatever we’re building, especially a marriage, family, friendships, business, or ministry. But how do we do that? Here’s what the Word says in Luke 6:46-49 (NLT) about building on a solid foundation:

So why do you keep calling me “Lord, Lord!” when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.

Who is that solid rock? Jesus. The Bible refers to Him in numerous places as the chief and precious cornerstone, firm and tested. He is the One who can hold all things together in spite of whatever comes our way.

If the winds of adversity are blowing your way and threatening to take you down, be sure to check your foundation. Maybe it’s time to rebuild on the Rock.

Photo by Becca Lavin on Unsplash

                            

Finding Your Way

 By Andrea Merrell

 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6 NKJV

 

The woman was lost in a sea of self-doubt and hopelessness. Desperate for help, she turned to all the wrong things and found herself drowning in addictions, behaviors, and relationships that threatened to take her under.

I’ve seen it so many times. People trying to find peace and happiness. Struggling to find their way in this broken, perverted world we live in. They might seek therapy, self-medicate, or even try mind over matter. But when nothing helps, they feel completely lost.

Jesus said, “Come unto me.” But according to The Word for You Today, “He didn’t merely say, ‘Come to Me and I’ll show you the way,’ He said, ‘I am the way.’” He is the way to forgiveness. He is the way to peace and joy. He is the way to fulfillment in life. He is the way to everything we need or could ever desire ... for all eternity. And He is as close to us as a simple prayer.

Proverbs tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (14:12 NKJV). There is no other way but Jesus.

 

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tuelekza.

The Assurance of God’s Love

 

By Andrea Merrell

For here is the way God loved the world—He gave His only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life.

 John 3:15 TPT

For anyone who has ever struggled believing God’s amazing love for themselves, I’d like to share something I read recently. It’s the story of author Brennan Manning and how he got his name.

It seems Brennen grew up with his best friend, Ray. They were buddies and did absolutely everything together, including joining the Army and fighting on the front lines. This is the rest of the story, according to The Word for You Today:

One night, sitting in a foxhole, Brennan was reminiscing about the old days in Brooklyn while his friend Ray listened and ate a chocolate bar. Suddenly, a grenade landed in the foxhole. Ray smiled at Brennan, dropped his chocolate, and threw himself on the grenade. It exploded, killing Ray, but Brennan’s life was spared. Later, Brennan was ordained as a priest, and at that time it was customary to take the name of a saint. He thought of his friend, Ray Brennan, and chose the name Brennan. Years later, he visited his friend’s mother in Brooklyn. They were sitting up late one night drinking tea when Brennan asked her, “Do you think Ray loved me?” Mrs. Brennan got up off the couch, shook her finger in his face, and shouted, “What more could he have done for you?” Brennan says that right there he experienced an epiphany. He imagined himself standing before the cross of Jesus wondering, “Does God really love me?” and Jesus’ mother pointing to her Son, saying, “What more could He have done for you?”

Jesus paid the ultimate price and offered Himself as the greatest sacrifice to show His love for all mankind and to pay a debt we could never pay. My pastor says that God didn’t send Jesus so He could love us; He sent Jesus because He already loved us.

There’s nothing we could do to make Him love us more and nothing we could do to make Him love us less.

Don’t ever doubt God’s love for you, my friend. It's more real and lasting than anything you could ever imagine.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com and Kelly Sikkema.

He Gets Me

 

By Andrea Merrell

“Eight years of marriage, and he just doesn’t get me,” the young woman complained. “You’d think he could understand me by now.”

Isn’t that what we all want? For others to understand us? To embrace our strengths, ignore our weaknesses, and laugh at our quirks? And most importantly, to love us anyway—in spite of our differences?

Some spend a lifetime searching for that kind of approval and acceptance, but it can only be found in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus knows us even better than we know ourselves. He understands us fully and loves us unconditionally. He looks past our weaknesses—and quirks—and sees us as the person we were created to be. Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT) describes it this way:

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.

If you're struggling and feel that no one understands you, turn to Jesus.

He gets you!

Photo by Sebastian Bill on Unsplash

Don't Forget the Cross

By Andrea Merrell

He canceled the record of the charges against us

and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:14 NLT

My friend could not get beyond her sins from the past. “I’ve made too many bad decisions,” she said. “Told too many lies and hurt too many people. How could God possibly forgive someone like me?”

She went on to name all the charges that could be brought against her. What she failed to remember was the cross. The place where Jesus paid the ultimate price for every sin we would ever commit. The Bible says, He canceled the record of the charges against us, took it away by nailing it to the cross. 

A done deal. Price paid.

The Word for You Today says:

The cross is like a trading post. There at the point of believing faith, God takes all your sins and puts then on Christ’s account, while at the same time taking all Christ’s righteousness and putting it on your account.

The Great Exchange.

Someone once said all roads lead back to the cross. A popular song tells us how that same cross has the final say—in everything. It’s there we find no limit to God’s love or His forgiveness. It’s there we receive new life, freedom, healing, peace, and hope.

The cross. That’s where it started, and that’s where it ends. It’s the landmark that points the way to heaven where all may enter through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If you’re struggling today, don’t forget the cross. 

Photo by Alicia Quan on Unsplash

What Do You Need Most?

 

By Andrea Merrell

You, Lord, are all I have,
    and you give me all I need;
    my future is in your hands.

Psalm 16:5 GNT

 

“Do you want to get well?” Jesus asked the man lying beside the Pool of Bethesda. The man had spent thirty-eight years in the same spot, waiting for someone to help him into the water when it was troubled by an angel.

In one of the episodes of The Chosen, we see Jesus waiting for the man’s answer. After looking around at all the other sick, diseased, and lame people waiting for the same thing to happen, Jesus looked the crippled man in the eyes and said, “You don’t need all this. All you need is Me.”

How often do we get caught in the proverbial rut, spending days, months, and even years trying to find a way out of a situation? Sometimes we keep trying the same old thing over and over with no results.

That’s when Jesus say to us, “All you need is Me.”

David said, “You, Lord are all I have, and you give me all I need.” He knew the Lord was the answer to every question and the solution to every problem

So, the question for you is, “What do you need most?”

 

Whatever it is ... the answer is Jesus.

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Sometimes a Girl Just Needs Chocolate

By Andrea Merrell

Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

John 14:14 NLT

It had been one of those days, the kind that drains the very life out of you. My back ached, and my head throbbed. I had an important edit to finish, but I couldn’t concentrate. I tried a cup of coffee and a brisk walk. No change. I sat down at my computer and tried my best to pull my thoughts together so I could focus on the task at hand. But all I wanted to do was take a nap.

That’s when I spotted it. The dark chocolate bar lying innocently on the edge of my desk.

My eyes widened and every nerve in my body perked up. I had forgotten it was there. But it definitely called my name.

It did the trick. Ahhhh … now to get to work.

That’s when I realized that sometimes a girl just needs chocolate.

That’s also when the Lord reminded me He is always with me, ready to help with whatever I need. He says all we have to do is ask. Rather than depending on the chocolate to bring me back into balance, I should have been talking to Him.

The Bible tells us that Jesus understands our needs, our desires, and our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way but without sin. He is ready, willing, and more than able to come to our rescue whenever we call out to Him in faith.

Remember … sometimes a girl just needs chocolate, but she always needs Jesus.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Pansa.)

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No Goody Two Shoes

By Andrea Merrell

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 10:38 NLT

 

The man was a saint. He lived a life of devotion and consecration to the Lord. He didn’t “cuss, smoke, or chew—or run with gals that do,” as my grandparents used to say. Some called him a religious fanatic. A wimp. A doormat.

But this man was no goody two shoes. He took the word holy seriously … set apart for sacred use. He was a perfect example of someone securely connected to the Vine and producing the Fruit of the Spirit.

Just like Jesus, this man “went around doing good.” The Passion translation says Jesus “did wonderful things for others.” But Jesus was also not a goody two shoes. He spoke when necessary and remained silent at the appropriate time. He confronted when the situation called for it and backed off when it didn’t. He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, and drove the money-changers out of the temple. He was meek and mild yet strong and mighty.

All God, Jesus left His glory in heaven to walk this earth. All man, He was tempted in every way but never succumbed to sin.

He was, is, and always will be our perfect example.

 

 Photo by Radek Skrzypczak on Unsplash

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As both God and man, Jesus was, is, and always will be our perfect example. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

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What Do You Value Most?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this:             

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

There is no other commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:30-31 NKJV

 

The question stunned the people in the room. “If catastrophe struck and you had to leave your home immediately, other than a family member or pet, what one item would you take with you?" In other words, the speaker was asking what we considered our most valuable possession.

After a long silence, a lively discussion ensued. “My purse,” one lady said. "It has my driver's license and all my credit cards." 

“My computer,” a man chimed in. "And my box of Cuban cigars," he added. Everyone chuckled. 

The answers continued. My cell phone. The family photo album. My Bible. My grandmother’s antique vase. My dad’s coin collection.

Answers kept coming, some serious, others funny. It was a sobering thought to determine where we place value. The sad part was knowing that every item named was just a thing. A material possession that could be damaged, misplaced, lost, or even stolen. And as the saying goes, “You can’t take it with you.”

Now it’s your turn. Think about it for a moment. What do you value most?

No matter where you place value, here's a sobering thought. Jesus said He would never leave us. He is with us every single moment in every single situation. We are instructed to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our relationship with Him should be our most valuable possession. That relationship and our love for others should never be compromised or taken for granted. Neither one can ever be damaged, misplaced, lost, or even stolen.

They are ours for all eternity.

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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Your Package Has Been Delivered

 By Andrea Merrell

 

His divine power has given to us all things 

that pertain to life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

Recently, I was expecting a package that never came. The company finally sent me an email stating there was a problem with my shipment, and it had been returned. They would issue a refund. No other explanation.

In these crazy days of masks and social distancing, more and more people are ordering merchandise online—everything from cosmetics to groceries. And now Christmas gifts. Many companies promise next-day delivery with no shipping fee. One company even provides a photo of the delivered package showing where it was placed.

It's proof of purchase—and delivery.

Jesus is also in the delivery business. He delivered hope to the world when He was born in humble surroundings. Then He purchased our salvation at Calvary and promises to deliver to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” The Passion translation puts it this way: “Everything we could ever need for life and complete devotion to God has already been deposited in us by His divine power.” We don’t have to track our delivery or wonder if it will be damaged or returned. Delivery is certain. There are no taxes or shipping fees, and satisfaction is guaranteed.

Your package is not on the way. It has already been delivered.

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

 

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To Be Like Jesus

By Andrea Merrell

For those God foreknew he also predestined 

to be conformed to the image of his Son.

Romans 8:29 NIV

 

We hear it all the time in church: We need to be more like Jesus. We sang about it as we grew up: Oh, to be like Jesus. We are called to be His followers.

To follow is to imitate, but what exactly does it mean to imitate our Lord and Savior. After all, He’s deity. God’s one and only Son. The Word made flesh. Our soon-coming King. We’re born with a sinful, carnal nature. How can we possibly put that aside and become what God wants us to become?

The Word says God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. That means He determined in advance by divine will that we could possess the attributes of Jesus. I believe, just as in all things spiritual, we make it much harder than it really is. When God gave us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV), He didn’t make the process so complicated we could never achieve it.

Simply put, Jesus has eyes of grace, a heart of compassion, hands of healing, a tongue of wisdom, ears of understanding, and the breath of peace. That’s why we’re instructed to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Every part of us is designed to bless others.

Are you ready to be like Jesus?

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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You Can't Ignore Jesus

By Andrea Merrell

 

The authority of the name of Jesus 

causes every knee to bow in reverence!

Everything and everyone will one day submit 

to this name—in the heavenly realm,

in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm.

Philippians 2:10 TPT 

“What do you think about Jesus?” the man asked.

The girl frowned in confusion, then shrugged her shoulders. “Actually, I don’t think about Him at all.”

It was one of those street interviews with random passersby. Other answers ranged from “nice guy” to “fairy tale dude.” But my thoughts kept going back to the girl’s answer. How could anyone not think about Him at all?

Some people might misunderstand Him or even hate what He stands for, but the truth is Jesus cannot be ignored. The Bible tells us that one day every single knee will submit and bow to that name.

Jesus. What a beautiful, wonderful, glorious, powerful name. The name above all names. The name that loves, saves, heals, delivers, guides, forgives, strengthens, and comforts. The name that never fails.

Jesus. King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

The name that cannot be ignored.

(Photo courtesy of Blogpiks.com and Stuart Miles.)

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The Red Letters

By Andrea Merrell

 

For the word of God is alive and powerful.

It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,

cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.

It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

One day while I was driving, the radio announcer said, “there’s life in the red letters.” Tears filled my eyes as I thought about his statement. How true. And, sadly, how taken for granted.

The Word of God is described as alive and powerful. Sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. It even exposes our deepest thoughts and the secret motives and desires of our heart. This is especially true when it comes to the letters in red. The words of Jesus himself—the Word made flesh who dwelt among us (John 1:14).

Jesus referred to Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. When we lose our way, He will help us find it and keep us on the right path.  If too many voices are clamoring for our attention and we don’t know who to believe, He will lead us to the truth. And when we’re struggling to make sense of our very existence, He fills us with love, strength, and purpose. He is our life, not only on this earth, but the door to eternal life in heaven with our Father.

Whenever you’re downcast and need comfort, open your Bible and turn to the red letters. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

In those red letters, you will find everything you need.

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