Cross My Heart Ministry

In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith
with which you can extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 

Measuring approximately 4.5’ tall by 2’ wide, the Roman shield would completely cover a soldier as he advanced forward. It was designed and built to link together with the shields of his brothers-in-arms, enabling them to advance together, side by side, and be protected from deadly enemy arrows flying at them. 

When the first-century soldier picked up his shield, he had a powerful defensive weapon in a flesh and blood battle. If the enemy could fire a flaming arrow and hit the intended target, some serious damage could result. The shield was created from wood, overlaid with leather, and dipped in water or some other substance to extinguish the flames when those arrows inevitably landed.

The tall, powerful shield — especially when linked with those of comrades — allowed the soldier to move forward, to gain ground, to fight with confidence instead of fear. He trusted that shield to protect him. 

Just as the military soldier held his shield high and in place for protection, so does the believer. Advancing confidently, even when you look up and see the enemy preparing to launch a flame-tipped arrow in your direction, means you have faith that the shield will protect you.

Your confidence is in that shield. 

Faith is simply believing God. Saving faith is placing our trust Him for eternity — it’s what seals our destiny. The Armor of God passage in Ephesians is written to believers … those who have already claimed salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. But Paul is teaching us here about living faith: walking it out, remaining faithful, choosing to live and behave like we believe. 

When we lift up our shields, it is a declaration of what we believe about God. And when we lower them, it is a declaration of what we choose not to believe about Him. 

A woman of faith goes forward in battle with confidence — not knowing what exactly will happen, but trusting and believing the One who is with her. 

As we near the end of our weekly Bible study in II Corinthians, we come to chapter 12. Here, Paul breaks his silence to share his experience of being “taking up to heaven” and then follows up by acknowledging the “thorn in the flesh” that was given by God to keep him humble. In this week’s teaching lecture, Laura explores the topic of suffering and pain, includes some question for reflecting on pain, and challenges us to embrace the truth that “His grace is sufficient” in the midst of it.

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Whatever you do,
work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord,
not for men.
Colossians 3:23

It’s hard to overstate the value of a strong work ethic. No matter the arena—workplace, athletic field, ministry, or home front—a strong work ethic distinguishes the industrious from the lazy, the committed from the complacent, and the motivated from the disengaged.

For those of us who are stay-at-home wives and mothers, the days we work diligently leave us feeling satisfied when our heads hit the pillow: the family is fed, the kitchen tidied, and the laundry all caught up. The same is true for those who have a career outside the home.

Instilling a strong work ethic in our children and grandchildren sets them up for success in life. Those who work hard normally have greater job security, higher wages, and more promotions in the workplace.

Diligence can even compensate for a lack of natural ability. My husband spent decades as a college professor. More than once, he has commented he would much prefer a student of average intelligence who works hard, over a gifted, but lazy, student.

We may not all have the same natural abilities, but we all can choose to buckle down and work hard.

As parents, it was our responsibility to begin early on, training our children to develop responsible work habits. Those of us with grandchildren can also help them learn to be diligent when the opportunity arises. I often told my children that completing a task without being reminded to do so is a mark of maturity. My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me, and my husband and I intentionally cultivated that in our own children and try to model it for our grandchildren.

A stellar GPA, stable income, a promotion in the workplace, a well-managed home … these are all worthy goals, and fitting rewards for hard work. But as followers of Christ, those should be the by-product—not the end goal—of demonstrating a strong work ethic.

Look at the last paragraph’s list again. Each of those is not bad in and of itself, but any one of them can certainly result in pride, shifting the spotlight onto SELF. Our why for working hard must be bigger than ourselves or any rewards that flow back to us.

Our work should be for the glory of God. Let’s unpack Paul’s challenge in Colossians 3:23 phrase by phrase:

• Whatever you do (“Whatever” encompasses cleaning the kitchen, mowing the grass, or selling insurance.)
• work at it (Don’t play at it or just apply minimal effort.)
• with all your heart (all in, nothing held back)
• as working for the Lord (God is our Master. Our lives no longer belong to us, we are His.)
• not for men. (Our calling is higher than mere human service or recognition.)

As we seek to serve Jesus in all we do, our daily tasks are transformed into acts of service and living sacrifice. Our diligence can even become evangelistic, as others take note of both our hard work and our attitude.

Our work ethic should reflect the reason for our existence: to glorify God. Paul complements the truth of Colossians 3:23 in I Corinthians 10:31: ” So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

It’s good to work. It’s better to know our why for the work we do. May we commit to make every task not just work, but actually worship, as we do it all for the glory of our great God!

Easter falls during the month of March this year, so this is the perfect time to immerse your heart and mind in FAITH—our Write the WORD topic for next month! We invite you to listen as Laura introduces our March bookmark in this week’s devotional video and then join us as we read, write, and contemplate verses about FAITH as we prepare our hearts to celebrate our Savior’s resurrection!

Visit our Download page for your free March Write the WORD bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, and more resources to help you use your time, talents, and treasure to honor the Lord.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Colossians 3:16

Dictionary.com offers this definition for the word dwell:  to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside. Therefore, when we are challenged to let the word of Christ dwell in us, it suggests an element of permanence.

Do you and I make weekend visitation with God’s Word, do we camp out in the Word occasionally, or do we allow it to dwell in us?

I love Colossians 3:16. In fact, I would call it my life verse, because God’s Word is my passion; I love to study it, to share it, and to teach it.

I credit Andrew Pudewa with making me an adverb enthusiast. Back during our days of homeschooling, his IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) courses prompted my children to add those “dress-ups” to their writing—and as is so often the case, I learned along with them, and intentionally started to add those -ly words to my own writing, too!

Adverbs add shades of meaning that help us communicate our thoughts with specificity. We can write, “The girl sang,” but that doesn’t provide the details needed to be specific. Add an -ly word and suddenly we are communicating:

The girl sang loudly.
The girl sang poorly.
The girl sang joyfully.
The girl sang woefully.

What a difference an adverb makes!

The adverb richly adds depth to Paul’s admonition in Colossians. We are not just to allow God’s Word to dwell, but to dwell richly. It should have full access, be present in full measure. As we deliberately allow God’s Word to dwell richly in us, it begins to shape our responses. It colors our thoughts, words, attitudes, actions, and behaviors.

Will you decide today to “let the word of Christ dwell in you” this year and beyond?

In this week’s devotional video, Angela Kincade (from Cross Church) served as our guest lecturer, jumping into scripture in 2 Corinthians 11. In this passage, Paul identifies the truth in the midst of false apostles. He also helps us to understand suffering and drifting at sea, and discusses his surprising way of boasting. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen as Angela  talks about truth, deception, runaway thoughts, and hope in suffering.

“…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience…
and over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14

Our identity in Christ means we should look, sound, think, and behave differently.  It’s all about what we choose to wear — and that has nothing to do with designer labels or fabric blends.

Paul instructs the Colossians — and by extension, us — to put on:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Patience

Take a moment to look over and pray over that list. Does it describe you? Does it describe you in your role as wife … mother … grandmother … friend … daughter … neighbor? A few probing questions for self-assessment:

• Am I compassionate when those around me are suffering through hard things?
• Does kindness permeate my relationships with my neighbors?
• Am I humble as I work through challenges in my marriage?
• Do I exhibit patience and understanding in my dealings with others at work, church, or organizations where I give my time?
• Am I a patient, loving grandparent who invests in the lives of my grandchildren?

I love the imagery of clothing ourselves with these traits. I may not naturally be or feel compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, or patient, but I can choose to put on those traits. As women of God, there are areas we know what is right and must choose to do (or put on) what is right and, hopefully, it will eventually feel right. We make conscious,  deliberate choices, prompted by Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

After we are all dressed with these beautiful traits — and did you notice that three of the five are listed as Fruits of the Spirit? (see Galatians 5:22-23) — we add the final accessory. It’s the perfect one because it ties the whole outfit together beautifully: Love.

Love is listed first in the Fruit of the Spirit cluster. Love is why Jesus left heaven, took on our death sentence, and opened the door for our salvation. Love makes it possible to keep wearing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. If love leads out, the rest will naturally follow.

The challenging, overarching self-assessment question is: Do I really love my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my coworkers, my neighbors? And, if I do, does what I’m wearing reflect that?

Sister Friend, is it time for some wardrobe adjustment? What are you wearing?

II Corinthians has been viewed as perhaps the most personal of all Paul’s letters — and that is never more apparent than in the last few chapters of the book, where we find a distinct shift in tone beginning with Chapter 10. In this week’s devotional video, Laura addresses this change and the possible reasons for it. We invite you to watch and listen to Laura’s thoughts on this passage, where Paul speaks in defense of his ministry (and makes it clear that he boasts only in the Lord) in response to trouble-makers undermining his authority.

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“…set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated
at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2

Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?

A thermometer reflects the temperature in the environment, but a thermostat has the power to change the environment.

I like to call Colossians 3:1-2 the “thermostat verses.” When we choose to set our hearts and minds on things above, we are aligned with Christ; the challenges that try to heat us up or cool us off lose their power over us.

Having a heavenly heart-set and mind-set comes by choosing to abide in the Word. Making this a priority is a day-changer. And as each day is changed, over time you’ve changed your life—actually, you’ve allowed God to change your life.

If you want God to change your life, you begin by giving Him your heart, giving Him your mind. This submission is a daily choice. Giving Him my heart and mind yesterday is not a once-and-done. Today is a new day, and another day to choose—again—to set my heart and mind on Him.

This abiding in Him is a discipline to be cultivated. But as it becomes a way of life, it no longer looks or feels like a task to be checked off. Instead, it is more like a joy to be claimed. It becomes natural, as natural as breathing. Abiding in Him becomes not something we do, but who we are.

Three times in Revelation (1:8, 21:6, and 22:13), we read, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” God is both the first and the last. He is the beginning and the end. He created us and this world. He will have the final say and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11, and Philippians 2:10-11).

We know the beginning.

We know the end.

We are living in the middle part. This is our opportunity to live out the truth we know and believe. He is Lord of all.  And He is Lord of me. He is able to change my circumstances or change me as I walk through my circumstances.

Living in the middle part is time to set our hearts and set our minds on Him.

A heaven-focused heart and mind will transform our earthly walk. Are you choosing to set your heart and set your mind on Him?

In this week’s devotional video, Laura introduces our Write the WORD bookmark for February. Our topic this month is Colossians 3 and, in a departure from many of our topical bookmarks, we will be writing our way through the entire chapter, in order, during February. We hope you’ll listen as Laura introduces one of her favorite “power chapters”— a passage filled with so much truth that it merits extra focus and examination.

Don’t forget to visit our Downloads page for your copy of the Write the WORD: Colossians 3 bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, and other free resources to help you focus your heart and mind on our heavenly Father and His Word.

And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father,
and serve him with wholehearted devotion
and with a willing mind,
for the Lord searches every heart and
understands every desire and every thought.
If you seek him, he will be found by you;
but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
I Chronicles 28:9

David’s wise words to his son Solomon are part pleading, part warning.  Like parents of every generation, David hopes his own life experiences can be conveyed in a way that his son will grasp them – perhaps learning the “easy way” what David learned the “hard way.”

David’s words convey a longing for his son to to listen and heed the advice he gives. David challenges Solomon to:

• Acknowledge God
• Serve God
• Seek God

He reminds Solomon: this is the “God of your father.” That reminder is almost prophetic as we learn later of Solomon’s falling away because of his idolatrous wives. David explains what it means to serve God.  Rather than mindless outward acts, his call is to be all in – heart and mind.

His final words take on a warning tone: you have a choice, son … you can either seek God and find Him, or you can forsake Him and he will reject you.

David, the man after God’s heart, lived all this, so he was well equipped to share it. Every word of his wise counsel to Solomon was learned and lived in his own life.

What about you and me? Do you and I desire to be described as, “a woman after God’s heart?”

If so, we can “eavesdrop” on David’s conversation the Solomon and heed the advice. How is God calling you and calling me to acknowledge Him, serve Him – with our whole heart and mind – and seek Him?

In this week’s devotional video, Laura unpacks II Corinthians, chapter 9, as Paul continues his teaching on the topic of giving. In chapter 8, we explored the grace of giving. This week, we are called to generosity. We invite you to watch as Laura outlines the blessings of generosity, then offers 10 self-awareness questions. We hope you will consider these questions prayerfully and carefully as you ponder what it means to be generous.

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Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
I Chronicles 16:10-11

King David, who has given us so many beautiful Psalms to praise God, also wrote these words of praise to celebrate the return of the Ark to Jerusalem.

In the verses just prior to these, David urges the people to:

• Give thanks
• Call on the Lord
• Make His deeds known among the nations
• Sing to Him
• Tell of His wonderful acts

And then in verses 10-11, there is a call to SEEK:

• Seek the Lord
• Seek His strength
• Seek His presence continually

If we seek the Lord, it will lead to rejoicing. What else can you do in His presence? The disciples in Matthew 28:16 (a passage we often refer to as the Great Commission) worshiped the Lord when they saw Him. The wise men at his birth sought him, bowed down, and worshiped when they beheld him. We don’t have to travel far and uncomfortably to find the Lord Jesus. He is very near – living in our hearts if we know Him.

When troubles come, we may seek many things: self-help books, “therapy” in the form of shopping or chocolate, entertainment, or just a vacation to get away from it all. But, as women of God, He should be the One we seek first. In all circumstances, we should seek his face.

David admonishes us to look and to seek. The Lord is our North Star, our compass in the storm, our pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

To seek is to go after, to hunt for, to search. There is intent, focus and determination. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself on seeking God? Do you look to Him for help and guidance in all things, large and small? How well are you and I doing at looking for him when we have a decision to make, when we need to respond to a challenging situation, or when we just don’t know what to do?

If I am seeking Him continually, then every decision will be filtered through His presence and provision. We can be reassured by David’s words to his son Solomon, ”If you seek Him, He will be found by you” (I Chronicles 28:9, II Chronicles 15:2).

Are you seeking and finding the Lord today? And when you find Him, are you praising and rejoicing in His name?

Our II Corinthians Bible study brought us to Chapter 8 this week. In this chapter, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to “excel in the grace of giving” and presents the Macedonians as an example of what that should look like. We invite you to hear Laura’s insight into this passage in this week’s teaching video!