Dusty Shoes

Day 12

Changing your focus will soon result in a change in you.

In today’s devotion, Dr Jeremiah said (and I’m going to quote a large passage today): “Too many Christians are like batteries that never get used. They stay fully charged all the time; they’re in church and bible studies several times a week; they listen to Christian music; they read the latest Christian bestsellers. The problem is, their batteries never get drained in service to others. They never dispense any of that power they’re storing up.” He said this after relating how a battery in a cordless phone can fail after time if it’s not drained periodically and then fully recharged, like the manufacturer suggests.

I really liked this analogy. And it made me think about how we can be so fully charged and ready to go, but waste all that energy and power that was meant to be used in service to others.

And isn’t that what Jesus wants of us? To serve others?

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Matt. 20.28

I think, by nature, we humans are very self-centered. We look out for ourselves first. It’s a matter of survival sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think everyone is self-centered in a negative way and there are many people out there that are very “others” centered.

But as Christians, should we be more “others” centered? If Jesus is our example, the One we strive to be like, then I think the answer is yes.

I have been working on changing my focus lately. I have been choosing to seek out the positive in everything and everyone around me. I have made the decision that people can think what they want of me, but I don’t have to own their opinions. All that matters is what God thinks of me. My focus has become God centered. And lately, because of what God is teaching me in our private time and through this book, I’m looking at others differently. As Dr. Jeremiah said in today’s devotion, when our focus changes, we change.

As I am typing this up, I am listening to my itunes music. As I was typing that last paragraph, Jim Croce came over my speakers singing:

Which way are you going?
Which side will you be on?
Will you stand and watch
While all the seeds of hate are sewn?

I do have to ask myself, which way am I going? Whose side am I on? My own or God’s?

Life sign: The needs of others are as important as my own.

Verse: do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Phil 2.4

Action: What steps can I take to change my focus from self to others? Who around me needs a blessing from my hands?

Dusty Shoes

Day 11

"The Lord can use a stammering tongue better than a silent one."

Today's devotional tied in nicely with yesterday's.  The question of the day is:  "Why are we silent when it comes to sharing the Gospel?"

Good question.

Why is it that we are silent?

Perhaps it's for the reason I mentioned yesterday, the need to be politically correct.  Or perhaps it's because we are afraid to trip over our tongue.  Maybe we aren't very confident in speaking; maybe we are so new to Christ that we are afraid to misrepresent the Gospel.

That is a legitimate fear, but it's one that can easily be overcome.  Dr. Jeremiah shared some ways to overcome this particular fear and obstacle in today's devotional.

First, ask God to specifically fill you with His Holy Spirit.   (See Ephesians 5.18-19)

I think this is a good thing to ask for every day.  The Spirit will give us the words to say and the strength to share them.

Second, develop a burden.  (See 2Cor. 5.14)

The good Dr. suggested that we see the words "For Whom Christ died" on the forehead of everyone we see...every single day.  This morning, I asked God to help me see His creation through His eyes, to help me love them the way He loves them.  (I'm thinking again of that Brandon Heath song, "Give me your eyes.")  When we see people the way God does, we begin to shed the pre-conceived notions we have of others.  Negative labels disappear in light of this.

Finally, to gain confidence in sharing God's word, we should memorize verses.  (See Psalm 119.42)

One of the first verses I memorized is:  Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. Psalm 119.165.  I'm not suggesting that you should memorize that particular one, but it stood out to me for reasons at the time and has stuck with me.  I have used this verse in the past when talking with others.  Since I don't have the best memory in the world, I will write up verses I want to memorize and post them around my computer to read and re-read.

For those who might be new in the faith, Dr. Jeremiah suggested the following verses to memorize:  John 3.16; Romans 3.23, 6.23, 5.8, and 10.9-10, 13; Ephesians 2.8-9; and Acts. 16.31.  (You will have to go read them for yourselves!)

Hiding God's word in your heart this way will help you to be bold in sharing God's word; and don't fear, the Holy Spirit will bring it to your remembrance just when you need it!

Life Sign:  The most important thing I can say is "Jesus loves you."

Verse:  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1.9

Action:  What keeps me from witnessing to others?  What practical steps can I take to overcome these obstacles.

Dusty Shoes

Even though I haven’t been here to post, I have been continuing my study. I hope you are all sticking with me! It’s getting a bit deeper and into some uncomfortable areas for me. Uncomfortable is good; it’s there that God can use us the most, don’t you think? Because it’s there that we rely on Him the most.

Day 10 

“The world is a banquet and you have been invited to be the keynote speaker.”

This day’s devotional is all about finding our voice as a Christian.

When I think about the apostles and how they preached, especially Peter when he spoke his great sermons in Acts, I am in awe. Also, how about Paul? He was actually imprisoned for his preaching. All the great saints faced persecution when preaching the Gospel. But they did it anyways, without fear, and they were very bold about it.

Here in America, we have nothing to fear when it comes to preaching the Gospel. We will not be persecuted for it; we certainly don’t have to worry about being thrown to the lions for our faith! Thank God, huh?

But why, then, do some of us worry so much when it comes to sharing God’s word? We worry more about offending others, than we do about the eternal destination of another’s soul. Have we Christians become “politically correct?”

Today’s devotion really gave me pause to think. As anyone who truly knows me, I am not shy and certainly have no problem speaking up when I see an injustice. But I have been guilty of not wanting to be too offensive. Also, being a worker in the public sector, I had to watch what I said or who I supported publically…I had to be “politically correct.” It has been ingrained in me.

Dr. Jeremiah wrote: “…find your voice as a Christian; be so comfortable with who you are in Christ that you are prepared to speak, verbally and non-verbally, in a way that encourages others to consider how knowing Christ could change their life.”

I liked how he worded this. It’s not about going out and thumping our bible on everyone’s head. It’s about being comfortable with who we are and what we believe. When we are comfortable, we will live out our walk in a way that looks different from the rest of the world; and that will encourage people to want to know what’s going on! I don’t often have people say to me, “I want what you have.” I’m praying that will change and soon.

Part of today’s devotional was also about the opportunities that God will provide for us to share. I’ve already had that happen to me (well, I was finally aware and saw the opportunity). I mentioned it in my last post. Dr. Jeremiah wrote: “Where ever you go, God will arrange an opportunity for your voice to be heard.” We just need to keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to those opportunities.

Life sign: Opportunities to share Christ are divine appointments

Verse: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1Peter 3.15

Action: How can I be more proactive about seizing opportunities to share the Gospel with others?

Dusty Shoes

Well, I got to put what I'm learning into action recently.

I was at my doctor's office yesterday to meet my new doctor; sort of a meet and greet. When I was called in, I commented to the nurse that "that was quick, I didn't even have time to read much of my book." She laughed and said perhaps I could read it while I waited for the doctor. While she was doing the normal blood pressure check, temperature, pulse thingy, she asked what book I was reading. Normally, I would pause and wonder if I should share with this person about my "Christian book." Wouldn't want to offend anyone. Yesterday was not a normal day. Without hesitation, I pulled the book out of my purse and explained what the book was all about (it was this book). She asked questions about it! She wasn't offended and actually thought it was a great concept.

Then the doctor came in. I had an opportunity to share my faith with her as well.  How cool is that!!! God is educating me and then giving me opportunities to put my education to work. Given some of my history, the doctor said she was amazed at how peaceful I was and how strong I seemed to be. I got to tell her that it wasn't me, not one ounce of my doing. WooHoo! God is working and using me as a witness.

This really excites me and encourages me to keep it up.

Okay, onto Days 8 & 9. We start our journey into Dusty Shoes.....

Day 8

"Be willing to get your shoes dusty on the streets of this world."

I didn't know the full history of the Salvation Army, but Dr. Jeremiah gave me a bit of a history lesson. He wanted to use William Booth and his wife as an example of what he was teaching in this day's lesson. The Salvation Army was an outreach ministry to the "downtrodden & marginal members of society." Seems he and his family got their shoes very dusty on the streets of this world. Mr. Booth often said, "Go for souls and for the worse."  They are the ones that really need our help, right?

Jesus tells us in Luke 14.23:

..., 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.'

Doesn't sound much like staying in our cozy homes or church halls, does it? Jesus is our best example of having dusty shoes and of ministering to those who need it most.

So what exactly does this kind of ministering look like in today's world? When I think about going out into the streets today, it scares me. It would be very risky for a woman to head downtown where the homeless people gather; many of them have mental disabilities.The homeless youth hang out there also. Quite a bit of risk.

That didn't seem to bother William Booth or his wife. From what I read, they faced a lot of danger. In fact, Mr. Booth had people who protected him.

I don't God feel calling me to put my life at risk, but I know there is something He wants me to do.  He hasn't made it clear to me yet; I'm guessing there is more for me to learn first.

Life sign:  I am willing to get my feet dusty in the streets of my community.

Verse:  Luke 14.23

Action:  What opportunities can I actively pursue to be salt & light in my neighborhood?  Which one will I pursue this week?

Day 9

"The Christian walk should be filled with wonder & the fear of the Lord."

Dr. Jeremiah talked about our walk today and how we "As Christians ... are called to walk worthy of our calling, 24/7, morning, noon & night." 

Our walk always gives us away.

Yep, we can talk all we want, but do we do what we say?  I think about all the evangelical pastors who have fallen over the years and I cringe a bit.  When we fall, the world locks right onto it.  We are called hypocrites.  People mock us and turn away from us, because sometimes they are right.

I think we Christian's sometimes hold ourselves to a higher standard than others.  We preach at others and tell them that they are living wrong, they will go to hell, follow Jesus and life will be grand.  And then we live wrong; we cheat on our taxes, and we have affairs.  We really are no different than the rest of the world.  We can't expect to tell others about what they are doing wrong, then not live up to our own expectations.

I think we sometimes have bigger expectations that we really should.

Dr. Jeremiah outlined four ways to walk, as follows:

Walk with the wise

Walk in the fear of the Lord

Walk in newness of life.

Walk in obedience.


Walk it; preach it with your mouth only when your feet can't.  (See my quote from St. Francis up above.)

Life sign:  My walk supp0orts my Christian talk.

Verse:  Jeremiah 6.16  Thus says the LORD, 'Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Action:  What can I do to stay focused on my walk with God around the clock?