About Rod Lindemann

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Rod Lindemann has created 455 blog entries.

August 2022

Stop Passing Judgment

By |2022-08-06T06:19:49-05:00August 9th, 2022|GodConnect|

Stop Passing Judgment

As followers of Jesus, we live with constant tension.

On one hand, we want to honor God and do what he wants. On the other hand, everything in our world is directly opposed to God.

Life in the Kingdom of God is at odds with the ways of the world. You are going to notice many things that disagree with your values and, more importantly, with God’s values.

How do you respond?

Unfortunately, too many Christians respond by passing judgment on others.

James tells us that if we judge others without showing mercy, then God will not show mercy to us. God desires mercy over judgment.

You can avoid being judgmental by telling the truth with gentleness. You can tell someone that disobeying God will lead to negative consequences in a way that doesn’t pass judgment on them.

You become judgmental when you take the truth and hold it over people’s heads, in order to make yourself feel superior. We are called to tell the truth to help people, not to harm them or put them down.

You can disagree with someone without being disagreeable. Even if you are right about something, being rude about it puts you in the wrong.

Being judgmental—expecting an unbeliever to act like a believer—doesn’t make sense. The Bible says people can’t act the way God wants them to act until they invite Jesus into their lives and accept his power to change their ways.

Jesus says, “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you” (Luke 6:37 GNT).

You will be able to stop passing judgment on others when you remember that everyone is accountable to God. That means they aren’t accountable to you, but remember, you are accountable to stop passing judgment on others.

Talk It Over

    • Have you found yourself expecting an unbeliever to act like a believer? What was the relational outcome?
    • What does telling the truth with gentleness look like?
    • How does the following verse relate to today’s devotional? “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another” (Romans 14:12-13 NIV).
    • What are some ways you can disagree with someone without being disagreeable?

James 2:12-13 | Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on Stop Passing Judgment

You Can Forgive Others

By |2022-08-06T06:17:08-05:00August 8th, 2022|GodConnect|

You Can Forgive Others

God calls us to forgive others, but how do we do that? Here are four ways to help you let go of your pain, hurt, and bitterness:

Recognize that no one is perfect. When we’ve been hurt, we tend to lose our perspective about the person who offended us. But we need to remember that we are all imperfect people. Colossians 3:13 says, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (NLT).

Relinquish your right to get even. Trust God to confront the person who hurt you and trust him to work things out for you. Choose compassion over your desire to retaliate. The Bible says, “Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. ‘I’ll do the judging,’ says God. ‘I’ll take care of it’” (Romans 12:19 The Message).

Respond to evil with good. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (NIV). Getting even only brings you down to the other person’s level. Take the high road instead. The Bible says to treat your enemies with kindness. It’s nearly impossible to do this on your own. That’s why you need the love of Jesus to fill you up.

Refocus on God’s plan for your life. When you are focused on the people who hurt you, you’re actually letting them control your life. When you forgive them, you find the freedom to refocus on God’s purpose for your life. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (NLT).

Don’t go another day with resentment, bitterness, or unforgiveness in your heart. Start practicing these four choices and move on to live the life God created you to live.

Talk It Over

    • Relinquishing your right to get even requires an act of faith. Why?
    • When someone hurts you, why is it important to remember that we are all imperfect people?
    • If you hurt someone, how would you want them to approach you? Would you expect them to forgive you?
    • Why is focusing on God’s plan for your life more important than focusing on how you’ve been wronged?

Ephesians 4:32 | Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on You Can Forgive Others

Timothy Connects Friday, August 5, 2022

By |2023-04-27T10:55:50-05:00August 6th, 2022|Timothy Connects|

View this email in your browser

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

Sunday 8 & 9:15 am, RD Mize Campus
Sunday 10am, Wyatt Campus

Worship info on Timothy’s website
(www.timothylutheran.com/worship/ )
Live Stream worship on Facebook – Sundays 10am
(www.facebook.com/timothylutheran)
Recorded Worship Services
(www.YouTube.com/TimothyLutheranMinistries)

Change Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Good Enough:  A Devotion

I’m curled up in my chair, laptop in front of me, thoughts swirling in my mind. Just because something changes doesn’t mean what we did prior wasn’t good enough.

That might seem obvious, but to me, it feels revolutionary. In my life at Timothy, things keep changing and sometimes that feel uncomfortable. I find myself in a place I am uncertain what to do or how to serve.

Isaiah 43:1-9: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

eNotes came into existence during the early months of the pandemic, when we felt uncomfortable, unsure of what to do or how to worship. We felt disconnected. We needed a way to get the word out, to share information with our estranged Timothy family. eNotes was good to reach inside our family. But Timothy is back, and we need more connection, more opportunities to share the love of Jesus as a team that reaches out to the community God has placed us in.

Timothy Connects is our new platform. We want this to be a place to not only share what is going on inside our Church but also a place to motivate us to connect with other members and bring the people in our lives into a life filled with grace.

As a Church, we need to continue getting better at what we do, growing into the people God created us to be. This means change and trying new things. Timothy Connects is just a first step to get You and others involved in sharing God’s message of grace. That can transform the world, one life at a time.

Don’t Worry, Have No Fear

As We Gather for Worship This Weekend:  There’s a natural inclination in human beings to worry. We get ourselves all twisted up in knots because of things we’re experiencing and even hypothetical situations that might not come to pass. But worry is really a form of control. We try to control what is happening around us and we expend a lot of energy in ways that don’t help and actually make us sick. But faith points us to one who can help us to let go of our worry and turn it over to Him.

Retirement Luncheon Update

Have you replied yet to attend the retirement luncheon for Care Minister Nancy Nowiszewski on Sun., Aug. 21, at noon in the Family Life Center at RD Mize? In addition to doing so on the church website, you can click on the link and/or QR code below. Meat, drinks, and table service will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert to enjoy.

Click to Attend:   https://timothylutheran.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/0072b6cf-b96f-4169-928f-9dce2a00473b

Click to leave a Congratulations message:
https://timothylutheran.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/5dfa7813-3e66-4604-95cf-f6d3beab752d

or Scan the QR code

Please note that memories and/or best wishes for Nancy may also be left on the website or here as well.

VBS Reunion/Pastor Splash
Friday, Aug. 12th, 5-7pm  RD Mize Campus

Reconnect with friends, sing VBS songs, create crafts, enjoy the Las Munekitas food truck, AND come prepared to get wet in our epic Pastor Splash! Bring your own water blaster because no one will loan you theirs! (An extra set of clothes may be wise!) We look forward to the memorable water battle between the students and pastors!

The entire congregation is invited to participate and/or watch the fun, so mark your calendars for this special fun! Contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) with questions.

                           

Senior High 2023 Mission Trip

The National Youth Gathering is an amazing trip, but now it is time for our senior high kids to pursue God’s calling for them to “GO” and love the least, lost, and lonely. That’s right—we will take our youth on a national mission trip next summer!

Senior high youth (8th grade through seniors) and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on Sun., Aug. 28, following the Wyatt worship service in the Music Room to discuss first steps in planning this trip. If you cannot attend but are interested, please contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) before Aug. 28th. Let’s see how God will stretch us! Thank you!

News from LCMS Missionary Carol Halter Serving in Hong Kong

Timothy received an emailed letter from Carol this week. Below are excerpts from her letter:
“Dear Members of Timothy Lutheran Church,
How very much I do appreciate all your regular, generous support! Thank you for always remembering me and supporting me. This means so much since, as missionaries, we need to find all our own support. Your caring means a lot.

Today I’d like to share about the incredible witness of a Chinese lady who lived in Hong Kong before going home to the Lord. In the days of Chairman Mae Tse-tung, she regularly tore a page from her Bible and sent it to him in China. Even though he may not have received these pages from the Bible, someone who had to read his mail did. God’s Word will not return to Him void, but it will accomplish that for which it was sent.

To witness to her relatives in Taiwan, this Chinese lady hand-copied parts of Luther’s Small Catechism and sent countless copies to them over time. When she was older and hospitalized, she was glad for the opportunity to witness to so many people. She considered the entire hospital ward her “congregation.” What a beautiful example of how she shared the Lord Jesus with others! May we be like her in her enthusiasm for the Lord.

With love in Christ,
Carol”

Consider Support Through Go Fund Me Opportunity

As some of you know, former Timothy pastor Rich Steensma’s daughter Emily and her husband Chris Freeman welcomed a sweet baby girl, Ellie, into the world on July 15. through an unplanned, but overall successful C-section procedure, due to Emily’s unexplained pain and discomfort.

Ellie spent a week in NICU but is home now, happy and healthy. Emily continued to experience extreme pain and discomfort while recovering in the postpartum unit. As symptoms worsened, she was rushed into emergency surgery on July 18, discovering a necrotic and strangulated bowel. Emily then endured three additional surgeries in the following days, spending 12 days in ICU until stable enough to transition to a regular floor on Sat., July 30. She will remain hospitalized for another week or two to monitor her wound management and regain strength to return home.

The Freemans have a lengthy recovery road ahead, including home health, home therapy, and TPN maintenance. All this to say that they could truly use our help. Countless people have reached out to ask what they can do. In addition to prayers, the Freemans would greatly appreciate financial support to help with medical expenses and caring for a newborn as Emily recovers from this life-altering event. Below is a link to an established Go Fund Me account for this purpose. Thank you so much in advance! What a mighty God we serve!
Link:  https://gofun.me/ce16830e

Please Help Fund the Freeman Family, organized by Sarah Dickhut
Hi everyone! As most of you know, Emily and Chris welcomed their sweet baby girl, El… Sarah Dickhut needs your support for Please Help Fund the Freeman Family
gofund.me

Tomorrow’s Teachers & Preachers

Again this year, the Missouri District continues the Tomorrow’s Teachers and Preachers campaign to promote church- work vocations and bolster scholarship endowment. The goal of this campaign is to take steps to slow and perhaps reverse the trend of a shortage of professional church workers within the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

The District has selected Sunday, August 28th to highlight the opportunity to support this program. Timothy will support this effort by sending $1,000 from its Church Worker tithe account. If individual members/families in the congregation wish to participate on their own, please send directly to: Missouri District, LCMS, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., Suite 100, St. Louis, MO 63141-8557.

May God use these gifts to His glory! Please keep current and future church workers in your prayers and thank God for the many ways He is and will use these leaders to care for His flock.

2022 First Fruits contributions total $92,605.59, as of Aug. 31. Thank you!
Raise the Roof contributions total $24,350.00, as of Aug. 31. Thank you!
Financial Update Last Sunday’s bulletin contained a financial update. A Step-Up in Giving comparison for Jan.-June 2021 and Jan.-June 2022 was a second handout at the Information Centers. Extra copies of both documents can be found at the Information Center at each campus. Thank you!

August Food Donations will be delivered to Jesu el Buen Pastor in Kansas City for their food pantry.  All groceries are appreciated, especially pasta, rice, and dried beans. Thank you, generous Timothy family, for continuing to donate for the needy during the rising cost of all groceries. For our newer Timothy members, food can be placed in the grocery carts in the lobby at each campus. Thank you!

Family Skate Party TOMORROW, Sat., Aug. 6, 11am-1pm, Rink Ratz, BS. Contact Pastor Ryan (ryanh@timothylutheran.com) with questions. See you there! Bring friends!

Community Services League Back-to-School Supplies may be dropped off in the tubs at either campus through THIS SUNDAY, August 7th.  Thank you very much for your support!

Ladies, Save the Date! Sat. AM, Aug. 27, rescheduled LWML event. Karen Averitt, author of I Don’t Want to Have the Prayer: A Messy Pastor’s Kid Does Her Memory Work. More details soon.

Discovery Class Next class starts Wed., Sept. 7, 6:30-7:30pm, Room 302 (Fireplace Room), RD Mize. Go to www.timothylutheran.com/Discovery-Class to register. Contact Pastor Rod (rodl@timothylutheran.com with questions.

Backpack Blessing Sun., Aug. 14, all services. School is almost here, so bring your backpack to receive a special blessing for the upcoming school year. This is for all students of any age.

TLS Book Buddies Literacy Program Contact Mary Beth Self (marybeths@timothylutheran.com) if interested in being a part of this new, exciting program. You can also contact the church office (815.228.5300) to get connected.

Wyatt Worship Team Sign-Ups Attention all vocalists, musicians, and sound techs who love worshiping Jesus through music! Come to an informational meeting on Sun., Aug. 28, 11:30am, after the 10am service at the Wyatt Campus. Apps available at www.timothylutheran.com/worshipteam  or contact Pastor Rod at rodl@timothylutheran.com.

Prayer Chain If you would like to receive prayers through Timothy’s Prayer Chain and are not already in our group or have not been receiving prayers, please contact Prayer Chain Leader Pat Wenger (pat.wenger@yahoo.com) and ask to be included. Thank you!

Prayer Chain Leader Timothy is seeking a new leader for this ministry and thanks Pat Wenger for her dedicated service. Basic typing skills & ability to use email are required. If interested in finding out more, contact Nancy Nowiszewski (nancyn@timothylutheran.com). Thank you!

Annual Hillcrest Gala & Auction Wed., Aug. 31, 6pm, Arrowhead Stadium North Club. Reserve your spot NOW for just $75 per ticket, if purchased through Timothy. Contact Nancy Nowiszewski (nancyn@timothylutheran.com).

Job Opportunity Nursery Coordinator, part-time, 3-4 hrs. weekly, position description on church website (under Church tab); contact Diane Mayfield (dianem@timothylutheran.com) with questions and/or to apply.

GriefShare starts again on Sept. 15th.

DivorceCare starts again on Sept. 12th.

Timmy Burger Time Again! Mark your calendars! Sept. 16-18, Downtown BS. Sign up for your favorite shift(s) soon. Sign-ups start next weekend! More info soon.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study “The Lord’s Prayer”; 10:15-11:15am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by Fritz Barlag & Dale Russell

Monday Evening Adult Bible Study (1st & 3rd Mondays) 6:30pm fellowship; 7pm study; Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Roxanne Kerwood

Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study “Faith & Fire Elijah”; 6:30-8pm, Room 111, RD Mize; led by various ladies

Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study “The Book of John”; 6:30-7:30am, Fireplace Room (302), RD Mize; led by various men

Tuesday Morning Adult Bible Study “Confirmation Review”; 10-11am, Fellowship Hall, RD Mize; led by Pastor John

Thursday Evening Women’s Bible Study (Women of Thursday) Book study; meets offsite during summer; 6:30-8pm, led by Miriam Lindemann & Becky Blatt; contact Becky (ebblatt99@yahoo.com) for current book and class location

Saturday Morning Moms Bible Study (1st & 3rd Saturdays) 9-10am, 4 G’s, Wyatt; led by Kaye Gray

Do You Have A Story To Share?
If you have an article or celebration you would like to share with the members of Timothy, please submit it to
Diane Mayfield at dianelmayfield@comcast.net,
DougF@TimothyLutheran.com or
Please keep your submission between 200-250 words.
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Comments Off on Timothy Connects Friday, August 5, 2022

Living Guilt-Free

By |2022-08-04T06:26:38-05:00August 5th, 2022|GodConnect|

Living Guilt-Free

God gives us what we need, not what we deserve.

We deserve judgment for our sins because we are guilty of going our way instead of God’s way But Jesus took the punishment we deserve. He has removed them “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12 NLT).

Earth has a north pole and a south pole, but there is no end from east to west. When you place your trust in Jesus, God takes your sin and wipes it out!

King David committed adultery, and then, to cover it up, he had the woman’s husband murdered. Can you imagine the guilt he carried?

The far-reaching effects of adultery and murder are devastating. David didn’t deserve forgiveness or mercy from God. David knew he was wrong, but he also knew that God is a merciful God.

David prayed: “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2 NLT).

God desires mercy over judgment. He is in the business of forgiveness; he can purify, cleanse, and restore you.

Follow David’s example. Admit your guilt to God and ask for his mercy. He will forgive you because he is good, not because you are good enough to earn it.

God has forgiven you, so accept his forgiveness and forgive yourself, too.

Talk It Over

    • Since God has forgiven you, do you easily forgive yourself? Talk to God about it and ask him to help you forgive yourself.
    • If you are struggling with sin right now, read slowly through Psalm 51. And then meditate on each section.
    • Personalize Psalm 51 into a prayer to use when you need to seek forgiveness from God.

Psalm 103:10 | He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on Living Guilt-Free

What Does Your Heart Reveal

By |2022-08-04T06:21:27-05:00August 4th, 2022|GodConnect|

What Does Your Heart Reveal?

How does God help us manage our mouths? By going directly to the source: the heart.

Have you ever said, “I don’t know what got into me—I’m not that kind of person”? Well, the truth is, it wouldn’t be coming out of your mouth if it wasn’t in your heart first.

In other words, it’s not your mouth that gets you in trouble; it’s your heart! The stuff that’s inside of you is what comes out. The Bible says, “Whatever is in your heart determines what you say” (Matthew 12:34 NLT).

Your words demonstrate your heart’s condition. That means someone with a harsh tongue is demonstrating an angry heart. Someone who brags a lot is revealing an insecure heart.

A person who is overly talkative has an unsettled heart. Critical words reveal a bitter heart.

On the other hand, when you share encouraging words with others, it reveals a joyful heart. When you offer gentle words to people when they’re down, it shows you’ve got a loving heart.

If you say kind and comforting words to people, it shows you’ve got a heart of peace. What you say shows what you’re like on the inside.

Contamination can only be eliminated at the source. When God helps you control your mouth, he changes you from the inside out.

God specializes in heart transplants and is ready to transform anyone who comes to him, no matter what has happened in their life.

Talk It Over

    • What do your words reflect about the condition of your heart?
    • How have you been encouraged by kind, comforting words someone has spoken to you?
    • What habits can you practice that reflect God’s heart-changing efforts?

Psalm 141:3|Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on What Does Your Heart Reveal

Be Wise with Your Words

By |2022-08-03T04:32:57-05:00August 3rd, 2022|GodConnect|

Be Wise with Your Words

When we lack self-control, we’re more vulnerable to all kinds of problems.

Anything out of control in your life can harm other people and damage your close relationships. Uncontrolled anger, lust, addiction, overspending, drinking, or ambition can create enormous problems.

But one of the greatest destroyers of relationships is an uncontrolled tongue.

I read once that the average person has about 30 conversations a day. That would mean we spend around one-fifth of our lives talking!

At some point, your mouth will probably get you into trouble. The odds are against you.

James compares the tongue to a tiny spark because that’s all that is needed to create a great forest fire. A careless word can ignite your relationships and make them all go up in smoke.

Have you ever met a verbal arsonist?

Their words are dangerous. They use words of discouragement, disappointment, accusation, criticism, sarcasm, condemnation, or attack—the list is endless.

Gossip is especially destructive because it spreads like an airborne virus. Careless words have destroyed careers, friendships, and families.

Instead of heading in a destructive direction, you can choose to use your words to build others up. Catch people doing something right and tell them about it. Affirm their character when they make difficult decisions. Lift them up with words of encouragement.

Building others up with encouraging words isn’t difficult, but it’s uncommon.

You reflect God’s glory in a dark world when you control your mouth and build others up.

Talk It Over

    • What are some words you can use to build others up?
    • What is one way you can remind yourself to be encouraging when you’re tempted to be critical?
    • Why is gossip so destructive? Make an “exit” plan for how you can avoid participating in gossip.

James 3:5-6| Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on Be Wise with Your Words

Preparation Follows Expectation

By |2022-08-01T06:31:54-05:00August 1st, 2022|GodConnect|

Preparation Follows Expectation

It’s important to remember that God is always working behind the scenes, even through the pandemic—and any other problems you may be facing right now. Trust him and be patient.

But how do you do that? What do you do while you’re waiting? How do you build a faith that trusts God during the delays?

“Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. See how farmers wait for their precious crops to grow. They wait patiently for fall and spring rains. You, too, must be patient. Don’t give up hope. The Lord will soon be here” (James 5:7-8 GW).

Like farmers, we need to wait expectantly. While a farmer waits, he prepares for the harvest. He gets ready. He doesn’t sit around thinking, “I wonder if this is going to grow or not.” He expects it to grow. He prepares for the harvest so that when it comes, he can reap the benefits.

You need to wait expectantly as you trust God to act and provide. Psalm 130:5 says, “I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised” (TLB). That promise is all over the Bible, in verses like Isaiah 49:23: “No one who waits for my help will be disappointed” (GNT).

What have you been waiting for God to do? Maybe you’ve been waiting for him to transform your marriage, solve a financial problem, heal a hurt, or reach someone in your family who isn’t a believer. Whatever you’ve been waiting on God to do, are you really expecting him to do it? If you’re not preparing yourself while you’re waiting, you’re not really expecting anything to happen.

A lot of times we think we’re waiting on God, but God is just waiting on us. He’s saying, “You’re not ready to handle the blessing I want to give you. I want you to grow up first. You’re not waiting on me. I’m waiting on you.”

If you’re tired and worn out because of this crisis, you need to remember to wait on God. You need to get still, meditate on God’s Word, and learn how to be more like him. Then get busy doing the work that will prepare you for the harvest.

Talk It Over

    • What have you been waiting on God to do in your life? What do you think he might be waiting on you to do in the meantime?
    • In what ways can you prepare yourself while you wait for God to work?

James 5:7-8| Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on Preparation Follows Expectation

July 2022

It Pays to Be Patient

By |2022-07-29T05:59:25-05:00July 29th, 2022|GodConnect|

It Pays to Be Patient

When you are patient, it builds your character, prevents mistakes, and helps you reach your goals. You’re also more likely to be honored by others and have happier relationships. Patience comes with all kinds of blessings and benefits.

In other words, God rewards patience.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be patient when you’re tired? Many of us are weary from the pandemic. But the Bible says, “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 TLB).

There are blessings to be had through difficult seasons—blessings in your character, your circumstances, your family, and God’s church. And they’re not just rewards to enjoy right now. The Bible says there will be rewards in heaven, too.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (NIV).

When someone hurts you, your strongest response may be to retaliate. The different ways people have chosen to respond to the pandemic have caused a lot of hurt feelings. And with that comes the temptation to fight back and lash out.

Whenever you’re criticized and tempted to strike back, think first: Is this fight worth giving up the reward promised to me in heaven? It’s not.

As a leader, I get criticized a lot. People misjudge, question, doubt, and second-guess me all the time. I’ve learned to not defend myself. I remain quiet because I’ve discovered that people are most like Jesus when they don’t retaliate.

Even when he was accused and mistreated, Jesus chose to do what was right and not retaliate in the middle of a crisis. If you choose to let God handle it when someone hurts you, he sees it—and he will bless you.

Talk It Over

    • In what relationships have you found it most difficult to practice patience during the pandemic?
    • How do you treasure eternal rewards more than earthly rewards? How is your answer revealed in the choices you make when you’re hurt or criticized?
  • How does patience help create healthy relationships?

James 5:11 |As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on It Pays to Be Patient

What’s Your Part in the Conflict

By |2022-07-27T06:16:56-05:00July 27th, 2022|GodConnect|

What’s Your Part in the Conflict?

One of the best strategies for de-escalating conflict is also one of the scariest things you can do: Ask God to give you a clear picture of yourself.

When you’re in conflict, you bring all kinds of emotions and misconceptions to the table. Your responsibility is to ask God to point out your own shortcomings—not the shortcomings of your spouse, child, colleague, friend, or neighbor. Ask him to make clear anything in you that is wrong, and then lead you on the path that is always right.

When you genuinely pray those verses from Psalm 139, God will show you the right way. He’s not going to play games with you, and he always forgives—even when he points out that part of the problem is you.

As God reveals the sin in your life, you must take responsibility for it. Sometimes that means you bring it up in conversation with the other person, but it always means you get right with God. Your job is to admit any part of the conflict that was caused by your bias, insensitivity, immaturity, or negligence—or any other reason.

Jesus made this point by using hyperbole in the Sermon on the Mount. He says in Matthew 7:3-5: “And why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, ‘Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye,’ when you can’t even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First, get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother” (TLB).

Pointing the finger will never resolve conflict. You must first look at yourself and ask God for wisdom to recognize your sin, and then take responsibility for it. It will never be easy, but it will always be the right choice.

Talk It Over

    • In what personal conflict do you need God to give you a clear picture of your responsibility? Have you asked God for that yet?
    • Psalm 139:24 refers to “the way everlasting”—what do you think that is?
    • Why is it so important to pray Psalm 139:23-24, especially before you have a difficult conversation?

This devotional © 2021 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved.

Psalm 139:23-24 | Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on What’s Your Part in the Conflict

Seek to Understand Before Being Understood

By |2022-07-24T06:14:08-05:00July 26th, 2022|GodConnect|

Seek to Understand Before Being Understood

When you’re in conflict, the loving and Christlike way to defuse tension is to seek to understand before being understood. Try to figure out what the other person is thinking and saying before you try to convince them of your perspective. You cannot hope to be understood until you are willing to do the same for others.

The Bible says, “A person who answers without listening is foolish and disgraceful” (Proverbs 18:13 ICB).

We are often so busy trying to get people to see things our way that we don’t stop to listen to what they are saying.

That’s why it’s helpful to say, “You go first.” And then, after they’ve shared, say, “Now, let me see if I understand. You’re saying (repeat to them what you understood they were communicating to you). Did I get this right?” That gives them a chance to correct you and not only be understood by you but also feel understood.

Seeking to understand first also allows you to see the other person’s perspective. Philippians 2:4-5 says, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (NLT).

Too often there are heated discussions around the best way to move forward after a conflict. Everyone has their own perspective, but it seems like no one is willing to see anyone else’s perspective. All we can see is our own side of things.

If you’re not willing to seek to understand and acknowledge other perspectives, you won’t be able to see the hurt in other people. You won’t see their fear, their pain, or the injustice they’ve faced.

That is not the way of Jesus Christ. He always looked beyond himself to the needs of others. Even on the cross, he was thinking of you.

It’s not easy to think of others before yourself. It certainly isn’t natural. You are, by nature, a self-centered person. So am I! Left to my own devices, I will always choose to look out for myself before I look out for others.

Only Jesus can change my perspective—and yours. Only Jesus can make you more interested in someone else’s interests than in your own. When you take on the character of Christ, the desire to understand before being understood becomes more natural. Only then can you begin to work through conflict in a Christ-like way.

Talk It Over

    • How do you want someone to respond when you are trying to get them to understand what you’re saying? Do you do the same for others?
    • Do you find yourself thinking about what you’re going to say next instead of truly listening to someone? Why can this be such a strong temptation?
    • If you truly care more about the person you’re talking to than getting your point across, how might you change the way you have conversations?

This devotional © 2021 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Philippians 2:4-5
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
Comments Off on Seek to Understand Before Being Understood
Go to Top