Author name: The Christian Kitchen Table

August 26th – James 4:8

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James 4:8

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” What an incredible invitation, and an incredible privilege. Think about it. The One who spoke the heavens into existence, invites us to come near to Him. We don’t have to try earn His attention or somehow become worthy enough to approach Him. Through Jesus, we can have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and come into His presence with open hearts.

But what does it mean to draw near to God? It means intentionally making room for Him in our lives. We draw near when we open His Word and allow His truth to shape our hearts. We draw near through talking with Him, listening, and sharing the deepest places of our hearts. And we draw near when we worship Him, surrender our worries, confess our sins, and choose obedience even when it’s difficult. Because drawing near to God isn’t about checking off a religious list. It’s about wanting to know Him more deeply.

And here’s the beautiful part. When we take even one step toward God, He meets us there. The Ruler and Creator of all things draws near to us. So slow down today. Put away the distractions. Open your Bible. Whisper a prayer. Sit quietly in His presence. Seek Him with your whole heart. Because there is nowhere else we can go where we will find a love so faithful, and a Father so eager to draw near to His children.

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August 25th – 1 Corinthians 9:22

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1 Corinthians 9:22

Everyone is somewhere different on their faith journey. Some have a strong, mature faith. Others are barely holding onto what little faith they have. Some are searching for answers, and some don’t believe in God at all. Paul understood this. That’s why he didn’t expect everyone to meet him where he was. Instead, He was willing to meet them where they were.

That doesn’t mean Paul changed the Gospel or compromised God’s truth. It meant he humbled himself enough to understand the people he was trying to reach. He listened, related, and showed compassion. He found common ground so he could point people toward Jesus.

And isn’t that what Jesus calls us to do? We aren’t called to look down on those who don’t yet believe. Or shame people into faith. We’re called to love them, meet them where they are, and introduce them to the One who can change their lives.

Jesus commanded His followers to go into the world and make disciples. That means stepping outside our comfort zone and being willing to reach people who may think differently, live differently, or even reject what we believe. Some may reject our message. Some may not be ready. But that doesn’t mean we stop reaching.

We don’t have to have all the answers. We simply need to be willing to share what Jesus has done for us. To plant the seed, love faithfully, and leave the saving work to God. All because we were once lost too, and someone was willing to reach us.

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August 24th – Ephesians 4:1

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Ephesians 4:1

The pull of this world is strong. Every day, we’re surrounded by voices telling us how to think, what to value, and how to live. It’s easy to get caught up in the ways of the world without even realizing how far we’ve drifted from God.

But Paul gives us an example worth following. He could have continued living for himself, and persecuting the very people who followed Jesus. Instead, he encountered Christ. And everything changed. Paul chose Jesus, no matter the cost.

And the cost was great. He was beaten, imprisoned, rejected, persecuted, and ultimately gave his life for the Gospel. Yet Paul didn’t see following Jesus as a burden. He considered it a privilege to live a life worthy of the calling he had received. Why? Because he knew this life was temporary, but eternity with Christ was forever.

We need that same perspective today. The world may pull us in a thousand different directions, but our calling is higher. We were not saved to simply blend into the culture around us. We were saved to belong to Jesus and reflect Him in the way we live.

Living worthy of our calling doesn’t mean living perfectly. It means living intentionally. Choosing Christ when the world says choose yourself, choosing truth when the world embraces lies, and choosing holiness when the world celebrates compromise.

So let Paul’s life challenge us. What are we willing to surrender to follow Jesus? May we count it a privilege to live for Him no matter the cost. Because we know that whatever we give up here will never compare to what awaits us in His presence.

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August 23rd – Matthew 5:11

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Matthew 5:11

It’s a great feeling to be loved, respected, appreciated, and admired by others. We all want to feel valued, especially by the people closest to us. But Jesus gives us a completely different picture of what it means to be truly blessed. In Matthew 5:11, He tells us that we are blessed when people insult persecute and falsely say all kinds of evil against us because of Him.

That’s a hard truth to embrace, especially when the rejection comes from people we love. It hurts when someone we care about mocks what we believe, or distances themselves because we choose to follow the Lord. But Jesus reminds us that our worth isn’t determined by how the world receives us.

There’s something incredibly powerful about being able to rejoice when the world rejects us for standing with Christ. Because it means we value our relationship with Jesus more than we value being liked.

So when persecution comes, we can praise Him. When we’re mocked and rejected, we can refuse to become bitter. And people lie about us, we can remember that Jesus knows the truth.

No one rejoices because persecution feels good. We rejoice because it

reminds us whose side we’re on. Jesus endured rejection, hatred, mockery, and suffering for us. If following Him brings some of that same rejection into our lives, we can count it a privilege rather than a defeat.

The world may reject us, but heaven knows our name. And one day the approval of our Savior will matter infinitely more than the applause of this world.

August 23rd – Matthew 5:11 Read More »

August 22nd – Psalm 88:14

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Psalm 88:14

There is a particular kind of pain that comes from praying and waiting…and waiting…and still not getting an answer. It hurts even more when you’ve been trusting God, believing He hears you, and yet the silence continues. Psalm 88:14 gives words to that ache. “Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?” It’s a verse that reminds us that even faithful people can experience seasons when God feels distant.

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the struggle itself. It’s watching someone else receive the very answer you’ve been praying for. You see their joy, their answered prayer, and their testimony. While you’re genuinely happy for them, a quiet question can rise in your heart. “Lord, when will it be my turn?”

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not a bad Christian. You’re human. Waiting can test our faith in ways we never expected. It can make us wonder if God has forgotten us, if He’s listening, or if somehow our prayers aren’t important enough. But God’s silence is not the same as God’s absence.

Just because you can’t see Him working doesn’t mean He isn’t. Just because the answer hasn’t come doesn’t mean He hasn’t heard every word you’ve prayed. God sees the tears you wipe away before anyone notices. He knows the prayers you can barely put into words. He knows how long you’ve been waiting.

So keep praying. Keep trusting. Your story isn’t over because your prayer hasn’t been answered yet. God is still writing it. And when the waiting feels unbearable, remember that you don’t have to understand His timing to trust His heart.

August 22nd – Psalm 88:14 Read More »

August 21st – Joshua 1:9

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Joshua 1:9

This world gives us plenty of reasons to be afraid. We have troubles in our families, sickness, financial worries, violence, wickedness, and a future we can’t predict. No wonder fear can creep into our hearts before we even realize it.

But I love that God doesn’t tell Joshua that there would be nothing to fear. He tells him, “Do not be afraid.” There is a difference. God knows we’ll face scary things. He knows there’ll be moments when our hearts tremble and we don’t know what lies ahead. But He also reminds us that fear doesn’t have to control us.

Why? Because God goes with us. Wherever He calls us, He’s already there. Whatever we face, we don’t face it alone. When the Enemy tries to discourage us, when circumstances seem impossible, and when fear tells us we’re not strong enough, we can remember whose strength we are standing in.

God doesn’t promise that the road will always be easy. But He does promise that He will be with us on that road. So be strong and courageous. Not because you know exactly what tomorrow holds, but because you know the One who holds tomorrow. Don’t allow fear to keep you from stepping into what God has called you to do. Stand firm, keep moving forward, and trust Him with every step.

The world may give us reasons to fear, but God gives us something far greater, His presence. And when God is with us, there is no battle too great, no obstacle too difficult, and no situation beyond His power. With God, nothing is impossible.

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August 20th – Psalm 47:1

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Psalm 47:1

It’s easy to remember God when we need something. To come to Him with our requests, our worries, and our problems. And when He answers to thank Him. But God is worthy of our praise long before the answer comes.

We should praise Him simply because He is God. He is good, faithful, holy, merciful, and worthy of every breath we take. Even on the difficult days, we still have countless reasons to praise Him. We have been forgiven and redeemed. We have been called His own. And we have the incredible privilege of knowing the King of kings and Lord of lords. Not from a distance, but as our loving Father who invites us into relationship with Him.

Think about that for a moment. The God who created the heavens and the earth chose you. He knows your name, sees your life, hears your prayers, and loves you more deeply than you can comprehend. What an extraordinary reason to rejoice!

So let our praise become more than a response to answered prayers. Let it become a way of life. Praise Him when you’re celebrating and praise Him when you’re struggling. Praise Him when you understand and praise Him when you don’t. And praise Him with your words, actions, attitude, and with every breath He gives you. We don’t praise God because life is always good. We praise Him because He is always good.

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August 19th – 1 Peter 5:8

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1 Peter 5:8

We live in a world where the Enemy is constantly looking for opportunities to discourage us, divide us, and damage our relationship both with God and with one another. He knows our weaknesses, and he will use whatever he can to stir up fear, temptation, doubt, and bitterness.

But we don’t have to live in fear of his schemes. We have been warned to stay alert, remain sober-minded, and stand firm in our faith. The Enemy may be persistent, but he isn’t victorious.

Jesus has already overcome this world. Satan may try to shake us, but he can’t take us out of the hands of our Savior. When temptation comes, we can run to Jesus. When discouragement comes, we can cling to His promises. And when the Enemy whispers lies, we can answer with the truth of God’s Word.

Sometimes the Enemy doesn’t attack us through obvious temptation. Sometimes he uses hurt feelings, misunderstandings, broken relationships, and offenses to create division between God’s children. He would love nothing more than to see us turn against one another. To hold onto bitterness, and lose sight of the love we are called to show. So let us be careful about what we allow to take root in our hearts and quick to surrender those hurts to Jesus.

Stay close to Jesus. Guard your heart. Stay rooted in Scripture and prayer, and don’t allow the Enemy to convince you that you’re fighting alone. The battle may be real, but so is our victory in Christ.

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August 17th – Micah 7:8

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Micah 7:8

We live in a world of keyboard warriors. Where people can hide behind a screen and say things they’d  probably never have the courage to say face-to-face. It seems like people are quicker than ever to tear one another down, expose failures, mock weaknesses, and sometimes even delight when someone else is hurting. And the nastier, the more attention they seem to receive.

But as followers of Jesus, we are called to live differently. Micah 7:8 says, “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” What a beautiful reminder for anyone who has ever stumbled, failed, or found themselves in a dark season. Because we all fall.

Sometimes we fall because of our own mistakes. Sometimes we fall because someone hurt us. Or sometimes we simply find ourselves walking through circumstances we never expected. And when we fall, there will always be people who are eager to point it out. Those who love to remind us of our past, celebrate our failures, and assume that our worst moment is the whole story. But they don’t get to decide how our story ends. Jesus does.

When we fall, Jesus doesn’t stand over us in condemnation. He reaches down His hand and calls us to get back up. He doesn’t waste our failures. He can redeem our broken places, use our pain for His purpose, and turn the very things others tried to use against us into a testimony of His grace.

So if you’re sitting in a place of darkness today, take heart. Your darkness doesn’t  mean God has abandoned you. Your failure doesn’t mean you’re finished. And your past doesn’t have the final word. The Lord is still your light.

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August 16th – Philippians 3:20

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Philippians 3:20

There are no two ways about it. Life this side of heaven is hard. We live in a broken world where suffering, violence, wickedness, and lawlessness are growing around us. And Scripture tells us that these things will increase as we draw closer to the return of Jesus.

But as believers, we don’t have to live in despair or fear. Why? Because this world isn’t our home. We’re only passing through, and our citizenship is in heaven.

Our true home is with Jesus, where there will be no more sorrow, suffering, sin, or death. One glorious day, our Savior will return and take us home to be with Him forever. So while the world may grow darker, our hope should grow brighter. We can lift our eyes toward heaven and live with expectant hearts, knowing that our redemption is drawing near.

With every passing day, may our hearts cry out, “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!” And until that glorious moment, remain faithful, keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, and shining His light in this dark world. And may we listen with joyful anticipation for the sound of the trumpet calling us home.

August 16th – Philippians 3:20 Read More »