Casandra Martin

“Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” – Hosea 6:3

Let us acknowledge the Lord. Let this day be filled with His praises. Let this be the day that His words are on your lips and His voice shapes your voice. Let this be the day when your eyes search for His presence and your ears long to hear His voice. Let this be the day that your hands reach out in service. Let this be the day when your feet walk only in the footsteps of Jesus.

Hosea’s encouragement to press on is good advice to carry into our day. Pressing on implies deliberate intent. It carries with it the determination to work through obstacles, look behind closed doors, and keep our eyes open. The world presses us to conform to its image. It wants our hearts focused on self, our souls satisfied with lesser joys, and our bodies enslaved in seeking after comfort. Hosea reminds us that the very rhythm of the earth testifies to the faithfulness of God. In observing its beauty, we can be encouraged to press on to know the Lord.

My Jesus Resolution today is to press on. Whether the sun shines or the rain pours, I must press on as I look for the appearing of God. The sun’s faithful rising and setting is but a shadow of the faithfulness of our Lord. The rain that falls refreshes the earth in the same way that the love of Christ refreshes our hearts. Whether the triumphant shout of the second coming or the gentle whisper of His quiet presence, God will appear today. Press on.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

These are big words. We tend to read verses like this and focus on the grand, sweeping language. There is a universal invitation contained in these words that resonates across all cultures, languages, social stratums, and backgrounds. This one sentence reveals the heart of God in a picture so profound and beautiful that it has the power to provide the one thing Satan can’t defeat – hope.

These words are personal. Too often we read words like “world” and “whoever” and hold them at arm’s length. We examine them from a distance, admiring them but not admitting them into our hearts. God means for you to hear these words in the most personal way possible. For God so loved Casandra… Those aren’t the words of a distant God to six billion faceless people. They are the tender words of a Father to His child. Come home. Believe. Choose life.

God aches to hold you close. His deepest desire is to reveal His heart to you. He wants to relieve your fears, pour peace over your worries, erase your shame, and empower you to soar. These are just a few of the assurances embedded in the promise of eternal life. He doesn’t just change our futures. He changes right now. He doesn’t just want you to live with Him in heaven. He wants you to live, really live, abundantly live, confidently live, with Him today.

The cross is the bridge. The movement of Jesus into this world, through this life, to the cross, and out of the empty tomb is a move toward you. Can you see His hand? Feel His gaze? Hear His voice?

My Jesus Resolution today is to remember that the cross is as personal as it gets. It speaks to my most desperate need. It answers the deepest ache of my heart. It swallows up the death that is rotting my soul. It opens the door for me to enter God’s presence. It shouts my victory, proclaims my place, and declares my worth. Say it with me. Make it personal. For God so loved…..

I am surrounded. God knows that I am a visual learner. I need to see it in order for it to sink into my heart. In His quest to make me look more like Jesus, He filled my vision this week with people who do exactly that.

Elementary students standing on stools explaining how I can better follow Jesus. A woman in her eighties explaining how she can’t wait to see what God will teach her as she opens her Bible again. Teenagers invested in developing the character of Christ. Adults giving their time and talents to help kids catch a glimpse of the Savior. Friends willing to pray with me and for me. A young woman taking a deep breath and leaving it all in God’s hands. A college student describing the fire God is lighting in his soul. A young parent and an elderly heart both making a resolution to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Simple kindnesses. Profound sacrifices. Courage in the face of fear. Surrendered hearts. Gentle hugs. Whispered prayers. Dirty hands. Calloused knees. Wide-eyed wonder. Examples of Jesus right in front of my eyes.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1

My Jesus Resolution today is to open my eyes and open my heart. God continually finds ways to point me to Jesus. It may be through circumstances, the words of a song, a verse that pricks my heart, or the example of another. I want to see Him. I want to notice the witnesses that testify to His goodness, proclaim His love, envelop me in grace, and offer me a fresh look at my Savior. But I don’t just want to see. I want to be someone who surrounds others with the presence of Jesus.

“April showers bring May flowers.” It is an old rhyme that reminds us of the value of all kinds of weather. The storms we are experiencing today have the powerful to bring beauty into our lives that may not have otherwise bloomed.

God makes a remarkable April showers/May flowers promise in Romans 8:28. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” The promise God makes here to the hearts of those who love Him is staggering.

And we know… We don’t have to wonder, question, doubt, or worry about the movement of God in our lives. Whatever is happening, no matter what clouds hang in the skies, regardless of the rain falling in our lives, we can know that God is present and moving on our behalf.

All things… I love the little word all. God doesn’t just work in the big moments, the tragic moments, or the mountaintop moments. God is moving in every moment. Whether it is laundry, dishes, deadlines, traffic, brushing our teeth, or paying bills, God is in the middle of it all. Every moment of every day is filled with His presence and His power.

For good…Storms scare us. They knock us off balance, disturb our sense of direction, soak us and chill us. But even when the clouds are their darkest, God is investing His goodness into the situation. He promises to use the situation for our good, to bring us closer to His heart.

Called according to His purpose… Here is the most exciting part of this promise. God will use every moment, every storm, every raindrop, every thunder clap, every lightning strike to bring about His purpose in our lives. His purpose for you is for you to look like Jesus. He wants to conform us into the image of His Son and He will use every situation to work that transformation in our hearts.

My Jesus Resolution today is to look at the rain differently. We all wish that every day was sunny, bright, warm, and wonderful. The reality is that there are going to be rainy days (sometimes weeks or months). God promises to use every drop of rain to sow the beauty of Jesus into our lives.

My youngest son is nothing if not persistent. He doesn’t forget a thing. He will remind you, ask you a thousand questions, check to see if you are making plans, and even leave little notes if he thinks it will help.  Today I am reminding myself that persistence is a characteristic that I want embedded in his heart and mine.

The dictionary defines persistence as the ability to continue steadfastly or firmly. The Bible holds up persistence as an enduring quality of faith. We are repeatedly told to stand firm, continue on, persevere, and to not give up. As I learn from my son, here are ten things in which I want to be deeply persistent.

1. Persistent in investing myself in prayer.

2. Persistent in immersing myself and those around me in His love.

3. Persistent in offering the sacrifice of praise.

4. Persistent in encouraging others.

5. Persistent in meeting God in His Word.

6. Persistent in counting my blessings.

7. Persistent in seeing God’s hand in my day.

8. Persistent in cultivating a grateful heart.

9. Persistent in enjoying joy.

10. Persistent in looking like Jesus.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be persistent. Persistence has the ability to shape my heart, open my eyes, reform my thoughts, and give birth to deeper faith. Persistence encourages me to keep trying, keep trusting, keep believing, and keep growing. We serve a persistent God. He never gives up on us, continually pursues us, is faithful beyond imagination, and is steadfast in His deep desire to draw us close to His heart. Where do you most need to persist in being persistent?

Chip is coming over today. He is our termite guy. Termites are a reality of living in south Texas. One of the downsides of our warm, humid weather is that it is the perfect breeding ground for these destructive insects. If you have a house here, you can be sure that termite inspections will be a part of your routine.

Termites are small, ant-like insects that burrow their way into the wood of a house. Then they begin to eat. It doesn’t seem like such a small creature could have that big of an impact on something as big and solid as a house, but the truth is that termites can do significant damage before you even realize they have moved in. Left unchecked and untreated, termites can literally make your house crumble.

This is where Chip comes in. Chip’s job is to routinely come around and inspect our house for termites. Trained and experienced, he knows how to look for the evidence that we would overlook until it is too late. He also makes suggestions about how to take preventative steps that will protect our house from the termites’ destructiveness.

The truth is that I have termites. Not in my house. In my soul. Selfish habits, negative attitudes, and unsurrendered corners of my heart all become little monsters that eat away at what God is building in my life. One moment of worry, stubbornness, or self-focus may not seem to have much destructive force, but let it burrow in and it can have a devastating impact.

My Jesus Resolution today is to open the door and let Jesus inspect my heart. I don’t want anything to eat away at the joy, peace, abundance, and grace that He is creating in me. His Word provides the lamp that shines into the dark recesses of my soul. His character teaches me how to live in His protection and the shelter of His embrace. His blood is the remedy for the infiltrations that seep in and take up residence.

I don’t have anything to say today. There are moments when the best thing to do is just to be quiet. Awe is best expressed in a hush. Worship sometimes speaks loudest when we are silent. Wonder should open our eyes, and close our lips.

What sends you to your knees? What compels you to cover your face in humility? How do you respond when you are awestruck?

Solomon shares some of his wisdom with us in Ecclesiastes 5:1-2. “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth.”

Our society doesn’t value silence. It doesn’t see any worth in awe, and seems unable to listen to the deep truths discovered when we close our mouths. We tend to see quietness as a void that must be filled, rather than a reality to be explored. Sometimes we are afraid of what we will hear in the silence. Sometimes we fear not hearing anything at all.

My Jesus Resolution today is to put my hand over my mouth. Solomon reminds us not to let our hearts rush into the presence of God. Walk slowly toward His throne. Listen before you speak. Let the majesty of the Lord speak first. Let His glory overwhelm you, His holiness challenge you, His love consume you, and His grace envelop you. Pick a time today to put your hand over your mouth and be quiet before God. It may just be that your silence is the very best praise of all.

Little things are a big deal. My grandmother taught me that it is often the smallest kindnesses that go the farthest in bringing hearts together. Our world tends to delight in big, showy displays, but quiet touches, gentle whispers, and thoughtful actions often bring the most healing, the deepest joy, and the strongest connection. Here are ten little things you can do today that will make a big difference for someone.

1. Say a prayer.

2. Send a card.

3. Say I love you.

4. Give a hug.

5. Open a door.

6. Let someone else go first.

7. Say thank you.

8. Smile.

9. Make eye contact.

10. Offer a blessing.

My Jesus Resolution today is to pay attention to the little things. God often reveals Himself most profoundly in the simplest places and quietest moments. Rain drops, rose petals, and lady bugs announce His presence. The everyday blessings of food, water, and clothes speak to His loving care. A Bible invites us to move closer to His heart. Daily grace draws our eyes to His face. Look for God in the little things today. See if noticing them doesn’t make a big difference for your heart.

It’s spring time! Flowers are blooming, trees are budding, the sun is shining, and everybody seems to be smiling. Every day I can walk outside and see something fresh and new. Yards are starting to take shape after a long, cold winter. Lawn mowers are humming, birds are singing, and the bright colors of spring are replacing the blahs of winter.

Spring is a season that celebrates growth. Trees inch upward. Bushes go from bare branches to full bloom in just a few days. The grass turns green and gets taller. Even my kids seem to be bigger. And we rejoice in the growth. After a season of cold, wet, dark days, the warmth of the sun renews us and the new life bursting everywhere we look inspires us.

Growth, however, is not just measured by blossoms, lawn mowers, and rulers. God intends for us to check growth in the mirror. It is important to pause and check how my heart is growing in Him. Do I look more like Jesus today than I did a year ago? How are the fruits of the spirit developing in my life? Can I see evidence of God’s transforming power taking shape in me? Am I more loving, more aware of His presence, more sensitive to His will, and more servant-hearted than ever before?

Growth is a sign of health. In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter tells us to “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

My Jesus Resolution today is to look in the mirror of God’s heart and check what is growing in my heart. Holding up the standard of Jesus, I want to see if I have grown in Him. Can I see Him more clearly in my words and actions? The good news, whether I have grown a little or a lot, is that today is a new day. The beginning of spring, if you will. A time for fresh starts, new beginnings, and vibrant growth in Him.

It was a bad hair day. You know exactly what I mean, don’t you? No matter what I tried, my hair poofed where it was supposed to be flat, flipped where it was supposed to curl, and hung straight where it was supposed to fall gracefully. And we are not even going to talk about the streaks of silver that sparkled in the reflection. I could blame the humidity, the shampoo, the hair dryer, or a lack of chocolate, but it was just a bad hair day.

Bad hair days make us feel bad about ourselves. It is amazing how a stray curl can redefine how we see ourselves in the mirror. Somehow, we feel a little less confident, a little more self-conscious, and have a lot more doubt about our ability to face the day. On good hair days, we stand a little straighter, look more people in the eye, and feel ready to take on the world.

God wants us to know that there is good news, even on bad hair days. Our value in His eyes is never based on our reflection in the mirror. Our worth is not grounded in our ability to look good, be good, or do good. Our significance isn’t tied to the externals the world holds as worthwhile. Our importance to God’s heart is defined by the cross and His own determination to love you.

My Jesus Resolution today is to look in the mirror and see what God sees. When He sees me, He sees someone worth redeeming. Someone who is loved beyond measure. Someone who is a vessel of grace. Looking at my hair should remind me that He numbers each strand, and knows the inner movements of my heart. Today when I look in the mirror, I can stand a little taller knowing that He sees someone whom He is transforming to look a little more like Jesus.