Tag: prayer

Music fills my days. All week long in the gym the athletes have their phones plugged into the stereo. From the youngest member of the team to the oldest, the girls all seem to know the hits. On a regular basis I hear Charlie Puth’s “Let’s Marvin Gaye and Get it On”; One Direction’s “Drag Me Down”; Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” and even Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “Downtown.” At home I get a mix of country, oldies and rap. Just about every genre of music passes through my ears at some point during the week. And Sunday is no exception, as each worship service is filled with praise songs, hymns and responses.

For many people music is an outlet and an escape. We all seem to identify with the themes, emotions and rhythms of a song. We have often heard music referred to as the universal language because it can sometimes express for us what we cannot express for ourselves. Songs stay with us.

God appreciates music, holy songs lifted to Him in prayer. He listens as the angels sing to Him, surrounding His throne and singing songs of praise and laud and honor. And as the angels surround God with songs, so God surrounds His people with songs of salvation. The psalmist wrote about these songs, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

Each day, unplug from the songs of the world, and listen to the voice of God sing His love songs to you through the Psalms.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Somedays I set a deadline for the evening reflection simply because I have responsibilities later in the day. Unfortunately, my preset deadlines don’t often work out. The more I try to make the deadline the less likely that comes to pass. Instead, I become frustrated and annoyed that I cannot get the writing finished.

I treat God this way. Sometimes I pray for something specific, and then I give Him a deadline for answering my prayer, and as my deadline draws near, I become more and more irritated with God when it doesn’t look as though it will be met. My prayer time with God becomes a shouting match. Of course, I am the only one shouting. My annoyance increases, and my frustration escalates. Soon, I am not thinking about God at all.

For me to give God a deadline is about the most arrogant attitude I can have toward God. who do I think I am that I can give the living God, the Creator of the universe and the Father of my Savior a deadline? This behavior is my ego run amuck. If I insist that God deliver on my timeline, I have elevated myself above God. My sinful corrupt nature insists that I have the right to dictate to God. I have no right to dictate anything to God.

God in Christ is not my servant; I am His, and, as His servant, I am to “humble [myself], therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift [me] up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

Not too long ago I talked to a friend who had hit a couple of rough patches in her life. The difficulties have affected several areas of her life at once. The people she thought she could rely on for support have not been helpful. Her description of what she is going through made me very sad. She simply stated she was empty inside. My heart ached for my friend as I listened to her express her emptiness. I had few words of comfort to offer her.

Later, sitting at home, I thought about Christ’s prayer for His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. He knew they would endure hours of emptiness in the next few days after He died. He knew because of His death His disciples would be faced with uncertainty, grief, loneliness and fear. So He prayed for them saying to His heavenly Father, “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them” (John 17:13).

Even now as my friend endures emptiness, Christ prays that she will receive the full measure of His joy through the Holy Spirit. Christ will fill empty hearts with the divine joy that comes from His Father. I need to join Christ in His prayers and ask the Father to fill her empty heart with His divine joy through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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For the last ten days I went without sugar. I drastically reduced my sugar intake but could not eliminate it altogether from my diet because sugar is in practically everything. I was surprised by the types and numbers of food items that contain sugar.

Sugar and sin are similar in this regard; sin is in everything in my life as well. My corrupt nature has been crucified with Christ. Still the residue of sin shows up in my speech, my thoughts and my actions. Sin lurks within me and rears its ugly head at times when I least expect it to surface. I make the mistake of thinking I have sin under control, but then I fail to read the Scriptures faithfully. And then I skip church occasionally. Meanwhile I will go for a period of time without listening to the guidance and direction of the Spirit. And, pretty soon, I am stunned to discover that sin is rampaging through my heart.

How did I think I could manage sin without my Savior? At what point did I slip into arrogance and put on audacity and tell the Lord that His work was no longer needed in my life?

The meritorious work of Jesus Christ on the cross has brought me salvation through faith. But the work of faith must be fleshed out daily through the reading of the Word so that through the power of the Holy Spirit I can live a life pleasing to God.

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God . . . you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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After days of repeated mistakes, a gymnast finally managed to make a correction that led to significant improvement in a skill. She needed to make the mistakes, because each one made her stronger. Finally, she had the strength to make the change. Then I told her to repeat the skill again, keeping her effort and technique the same. She couldn’t, even though she was convinced that her attempts were the same.

For the last few nights, the Holy Spirit and I have been having the same discussion. I am having a hard time hearing Him. I am struggling to distinguish His voice. I keep thinking that everything is the same, but something has changed because I don’t hear Him the same way.

I was frustrated until I read this verse. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear” (John 16:12). God is working in me to prepare me for what’s next in my life. Right now, things are unclear. I am not hearing clearly because the Spirit must bring me to the new place. He is making me stronger and teaching me to trust Him even when His words are unclear. He is working in me and preparing me for the things He is going to say. He is getting my heart and mind ready for the lessons that are about to come.

Until then, I must accept what is unclear, because everything will be made plain in God’s timing.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

Jesus heals a man born blind (John 9). Living in total darkness this man was unable to perceive even the brightest light shone in his eyes. Fear and hopelessness were probably his traveling companions until Jesus applied a healing mud to his eyes. Through Jesus the work of God was displayed in his life.

Since Adam’s revolt, every fallen creature is born blind. All souls have been plunged into the darkness of sin and death, filling each sinner with fear and hopelessness. Unable to perceive God, the spiritually blind grope, stumble and fall in the darkness of the world. Because of spiritual darkness, sinners cannot recognize God in Christ. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:10-11).

The darkness of sin in the soul is so deep that only Jesus, the Light of the world, can dispel this kind of darkness. Just as Jesus applied a healing mud to the blind man’s eyes, so He applies the heavenly salve of grace and truth to a sinner’s blind eyes. Once the salve is applied, He tells the sinner to go to the cross, to be washed in His blood, to believe in His perfect sacrifice for sin, to be reconciled to God and to be renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross the work of God’s redemptive plan is displayed in the world. All those tired of the darkness can come to the cross and have their souls illuminated by the Light of the world.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Years ago, there was a popular board game called Trivial Pursuit. This was a game of questions and answers. The questions were, as the title suggests, trivial. The information given in the questions were of very little value or significance.

Today as I sat reading the paper, I realized most of the articles were stories that would generate little interest in the next few days. What I read today will be of little value to me tomorrow. The content will be forgotten unless it ends up in a future edition of Trivial Pursuit. The value of these stories lay in the moment, and the moment has passed.

I was reminded that while the importance of these stories is fleeting, there are stories in Scripture that will always be relevant. The Word is not dependent on a moment in history. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word, O Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). Scripture is rooted in eternal God, and, as such, these sacred pages are always relevant to humanity’s condition of sin, need for salvation and desire for forgiveness.

The words of Scripture transcend this world, and we will know them and understand them fully in the age to come through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. In other words, everything written about this world is trivial. Everything about the Scriptures leads to eternal life.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Unless you are a Chicago Cubs fan, you don’t understand all the excitement, hope and celebration surrounding the team’s 2015 National League Division Series win. Cubs fans have lived through decades of losses, seasons of drought when there have been no championship celebrations, and years of humiliation at being eliminated from the post season before the All-Star break. The Cubs fans’ mantra for more than 100 years has been Wait ‘til next year. This season, next year is now, and joy is flowing through the hearts of fans.

I was thinking that unless you are a Christian, you just don’t understand the hope and joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death and reigns victoriously for all eternity. Only Christians understand Jesus died on a cross so they could be saved from sin and death through His loving sacrifice. Christians know that God can’t tolerate sin in His presence. Sinners can dwell with God only when their sin has been covered, so that is why Christ endured God’s punishment intended for our sin. His blood covers sin.

Through Christ all are reconciled to God, and those who have faith in Christ will share the jubilation and everlasting life that come from knowing Christ is risen by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This matter is too important to wait until next year. So, Christian, pray God’s Spirit will teach all people the truth of Christ’s life, death and resurrection through the Holy Spirit.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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My Bible study group is slowly working through Revelation. I have read through this book several times and find the themes to be hopeful and triumphant. But through the ages Revelation has been a difficult and sometimes troubling book for Christians.

Since I was a teenager I have heard people predict the end of the world based on their reading of Revelation. Since the world is still here, we might want to reconsider how we study this particular book. Or, maybe we should consider studying this book the way we study all other Scripture: by asking questions and praying the Spirit will illuminate our hearts and minds to the wonderful truths the book contains, and look at it in the full context of Scripture. Revelation is Scripture, and like all the books of Scripture its mysteries must be unlocked for us by the Holy Spirit, and like all other books in the Bible it reveals God in Christ.

This book is a challenge because of all the strange creatures, celestial beings and imagery it contains. Still that should not stop us from seeking the truth of God in Christ written in these pages. We might not understand all of the content. But, we don’t understand all there is to know about any book of the Bible. We can understand only what the Spirit teaches us.

This is what John the Baptist meant when he said, “A man can receive only what is given Him from heaven” (John 3:27). Anything we know about Scripture comes to us from God through the Holy Spirit.

Venture into all the books of Scripture with the Spirit, and hear what God has to teach you.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Today was my first introduction to Patti Smith—singer, songwriter and poet—whose career began in 1975 when her album Horses debuted. I would have just skimmed over the article in Rolling Stone Magazine, except this lyric from her song Gloria caught my eye. Smith wrote, “Jesus died for somebody’s sin, but not mine.”

To me this was a sad and desperate line, so I continued reading the lyrics. She wrote, “My sins, my own they belong to me, me.” She actually wants to keep her sins. Her thinking is very worldly. The world will tell us we can manage sin. The world will boast of its sinful and hateful ways towards God. The world is proud of sin. The world honors sin because the world is corrupt. So the world will convince us to keep our sin.

Jesus addressed this very thing when He said, “If I had not come and spoken to them [sinners] then they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22). And He said elsewhere, “If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin” (John 15:24).

Our sin does not have to belong to us. God sent His Son into the world to make it clear sin has been punished and atoned for in the body of Jesus. And we have been redeemed through the blood of Christ poured out for us on the cross. Bottom line: Sin doesn’t belong to us; our sin belongs to Christ our Savior. Through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, our sin becomes the property of the Savior, and our sinful nature is justified, redeemed and sanctified through the Holy Spirit.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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I was having a nice day. Then somebody insulted me, and I became irritated. I thought I had dismissed the remark, but I found myself later in the day angry about the comment. I wanted to retaliate. But I thought about Christ instead, and I became aware of how petty and childish my thoughts were.

So what if I was insulted? Christ was insulted, wrongly accused and lied about by the religious leaders during His trial before the Sanhedrin, which would bring Him closer to His crucifixion. When I want to lash out in anger, I remember that Jesus took forty lashes at the hand of a Roman soldier on the way to the cross. When I am ready to act according to my sinful and corrupt nature, the Spirit reminds me that Jesus Christ carried my sin in His body to the cross and then died.

Sure, at the time, the insult seemed big. But the Spirit showed me what a little thing it was. Insults are little things; God is big. See what God in Christ has done. The perfect, innocent Son of God died on a cross for a world of sinners who were insulting Him, screaming at Him, angry with Him and hating Him. He willingly suffered shame and death so all sinners, including me, could be saved. Christ has suffered so I could be saved. What have I to be mad about?

“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Jesus Christ died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (Romans 8:34 NLT).

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

The Facebook newsfeed is rich with sayings, such as this one: “I survived another meeting that should have been an e- mail.” Another was, “Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” Still another one read, “No matter how good or bad your life is, wake up each morning and be thankful you still have one.” Of course, I could list many more, but here’s the point: We like sayings. Some inspire us or make us laugh or even cry.

In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” This is a saying among sayings. It delivers in one line the Gospel message and expresses the eternal truth that Jesus came into the world to bring salvation to all people.

We will probably not see this one on the Facebook newsfeed, but it should be placed on every church sign, painted on church walls and proclaimed by pastors everywhere until all the world has heard that “God our Savior . . . wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). This is no ordinary saying. This saying is Scripture, and as such, it will be applied in the hearts of men by the Holy Spirit, so they will believe and come to accept Jesus Christ as God’s Son, Savior and Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit this

Scripture will transform lives and reconcile sinners to God. This is a saying worth repeating.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

Psalm 62:11-12 says, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”

In these two verses I notice the intimacy David shared with God and the depth to which David was being taught by the Holy Spirit. David and God were so close that through this prayer the Holy Spirit revealed the promise of the Christ’s coming, two of the attributes of God Christ would make visible and the meritorious work Christ would accomplish on the cross for our salvation.

Listen closely and hear the Holy Spirit whisper the wonders of Christ to you as He did David. To us, God has spoken is His Word, Jesus Christ. What the Spirit inspired David to pray, God the Spirit brought into view in the world. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

God in Christ is strong. He was strong enough to endure the cross, demonstrate His love for us by dying on that cross for our sins, offer forgiveness to all who believe in Him and then conquer death through the power of the Holy Spirit. All who have faith in Jesus are not judged according to what we deserve because of our sin, but rewarded according to the righteousness of Christ and all He has done for us.

The Holy Spirit will continue to teach us in Scripture the mysteries of God in Christ through the words He spoke to David.

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

A friend sent me this quote from St. Jerome, who was both a theologian and Bible translator: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

Jerome’s statement needs to be painted on every church wall in America. For some reason many people sitting in church to- day are under the impression they can have an intimate relationship with God in Christ apart from the Scriptures. This simply is not true. Through the Scriptures, God in Christ is revealed by the Holy Spirit. In other words, knowledge of Scripture is knowledge of Christ.

We spend many hours frustrated with God and Christ because we try to know Him through a thousand worldly sources but not through the one source given to us by the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures.

If your faith life is frustrating you because you feel that God seems distant and Christ seems to be a stranger, then perhaps you should spend more time in Scripture.

Paul wrote, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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This morning I was awake earlier than usual. So I did some thinking. And what I thought was this: Worry is putting our thoughts on the things of this world; prayer is putting our thoughts on the Person of Jesus Christ.
Then I thought about churches. And one conclusion I arrived at is this: Churches worry. Many churches today are worrying about finances, bills, attendance and the future. And, sadly, this anxiety is reflected in worship services. Instead of sermons proclaiming the greatness of God in Christ, the church receives weekly a message about giving and serving. These are not bad messages, but they cannot be the only message. Eventually, these messages tire out the congregation, because parishioners enter the sanctuary looking for solace from their personal worries and the hope of the Gospel; instead, pastors thrust the worries of the church and the cares of the world upon them.

The worry of the church belongs to Almighty Christ, but He is not worried. Christ is the faithful Bridegroom of the Church. He died for Her. He prays for Her. He is her head. He is Her faithful partner in this world and the world to come. Consider Ephesians 5:23, “Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.”

But here’s the problem: the church is worrying about worldly things instead of submitting to Her Savior in prayer, worship, the sacraments and Scripture reading and study. When the church kneels in prayer before Her Lord, she rises above Her worries through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The church can worry and be powerless or pray and be empowered by God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
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Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

At the gym today on beam, some gymnasts were caught cheating on their assignments. One didn’t do the right number of assigned routines. Another left out a tumbling element and another fell but counted the routine anyway. What puzzles me is how these girls think they can get away with the dishonesty when the beam practice is recorded on TIVO. All the coach has to do is rewind the feed and watch the large-screen TV to see if the athlete has spoken the truth.

The situation reminds me that so often I treat God the same way. Too often I behave as though God isn’t present. My carnal nature ignores the truth of God taught in the Scriptures, and, instead. I romp through the fields of temptations picking bouquets of carnal desire and worldly lust. When I think God isn’t looking I let my heart chase ungodly ambitions, allow pride to blossom and greed to grow in the soil of my corruption. I listen when people tell me to follow my heart, and I don’t hear the words God spoke to Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. who understands it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

But One Person understands our hearts—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit searches our hearts and roots out sin and corruption by applying the Word of God. The Spirit dwells in my heart exposing sin, cleansing me from unrighteousness and sanctifying me through the truth that Christ has died for my sins.

God is always present and abiding on earth in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Live accordingly.

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

Subscribe to Ordinary Days on iTunes!

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

The world has convinced us that creating division is better than striving for reconciliation. From politicians to children angry talk and destructive words are filling the news media, social media, school hallways and family homes. Divisions abound and are weakening our democracy, churches and families. Jesus said in Luke 11:17, “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.” Jesus makes it clear: Division destroys.
Christians have been given the ministry of reconciliation through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our life in the world must honor our Lord and Savior, who died on the cross, made atonement for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross and then reconciled sinners to God. Almighty Christ is at work in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit reconciling men to God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must turn our thoughts and actions away from division. We can no longer participate in the madness of division but must do the work of reuniting man with God through the proclamation of the Gospel and the power of the Spirit.

Disciples are in the world as ambassadors of reconciliation and are called by Christ to live lives of unity, harmony, peace and integrity, so the world will know God “reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Divisions end in the reconciling work of Jesus Christ.

Photo By Dingzeyu Li

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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The daylight hours are getting shorter. When I start walking in the morning it is dark because the sun is still nestled under the horizon. I have to use a flashlight to illuminate my path, so I don’t trip and stumble over uneven sidewalks. Likewise, as I am returning home after work, the sun is already hanging close to the horizon, and not long after I pull the car into the garage the darkness settles on the city, making it seem much later in the evening than it actually is.

This time of year when the darkness gradually chews away at the daylight hours, I am reminded of how easily the darkness of sin can creep into my heart. I get used to the darkness. I get used to my sin. Finally, God allows me to stumble over my sin and remember that I don’t have to live in the dark, because “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Living in the darkness of my sin is ridiculous when God has offered me His light in Jesus Christ. Christ died on the cross for my sin. Through His death, the light of God’s love and life shines in the world. Those who “put [their] trust in the light” (John 12:36) will come out of the darkness caused by sin and walk in the light of Christ’s righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The darkness of sin has been overcome by the Light of the world. “Walk while you have the light” (John 12:35).

Photo By Mikael Kristenson

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

The other afternoon my daughter and I were watching Cher’s Living Proof: The Farewell Tour on TV. I had seen Cher’s concert live. As we watched the performance on television I was reminded of the energy and excitement of that July evening in 2003. As show time approached, the emotion in the crowd intensified until at last Cher appeared on stage. Upon seeing her, the crowd erupted with thunderous applause. People shouted, whooped, hollered and even whistled to show Cher how much they appreciated her presence. There was a moment of pure exhilaration just before Cher stepped on stage, and I was overcome with joy as she started to sing.

If Cher could create that much joy for me, I can only imagine what my response will be when the triumphant Lord Jesus Christ makes His next appearance on earth. There are days when I imagine His return and am overcome with joy at the thought of His coming. I am anticipating that moment when He comes to earth riding on the clouds. “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7).

Some days my heart swells with gladness and thanksgiving as I think about His returning to gather His people and ushering them into the glorious kingdom of God.

Each Sunday, when I attend worship, I remember Christ’s death on the cross for me, and I anticipate the marvelous day when He will return.

Photo By Austin Schmid

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

Today a church I am familiar with held a neighborhood out- reach event. The congregation bought supplies for the event and advertised it and opened the church doors, hoping to draw in the neighbors. A few neighbors attended. Some church members were slightly discouraged by the lack of participation and wanted to give up sponsoring these events. I can understand the disappointment. However, to this congregation I would say, Don’t give up; prayer up.

Surround your neighborhood with prayer. Walk down the block praying for the people you have not yet met. Pray the Holy Spirit will draw them, not just to church, but to God in Christ.

The church should proclaim the Gospel to its neighbors, but it must also remember that the Gospel might not be quickly embraced by people still shackled to the world. In fact, the church’s proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ will be despised by the world. Jesus said to His disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first” (John 15:18).

The Gospel isn’t popular in the world; however, the Gospel is necessary in the world, so the world will come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. The message of the Gospel exposes the sin of the world and brings salvation to sinners who come to the cross of Christ and believe in His name.

So, to the small church struggling to give the time, energy and resources to reach its neighbors, don’t give up. Instead, pray, proclaim and stay in Christ. Through Him and by the power of the Holy Spirit you will bear fruit. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Photo By Naassom Azevedo

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

My daughter is going to a special event this weekend, so she and I have been out this evening buying a new dress, shoes and accessories for the occasion. While it is not a black-tie event, it is still an occasion that demands fine clothing. Appropriate dress shows respect to the host of the event.

Jesus tells a parable about a man invited to a wedding who came to the ceremony without proper attire. Because his clothing did not honor the celebration or give respect to the host, he was thrown out of the party (Matthew 22).

When we try to come before God without the righteousness of Christ in our lives, we are like this guest who belittled the sanctity of the wedding by wearing inappropriate clothes. To insist that our sinful nature can enter the banquet room of God and participate in the wedding of the Lamb is foolishness and will be met with God’s righteous anger. God, the host of the heavenly banquet, has determined the dress code for His guests. Unless the guest is wearing Christ’s righteousness, he will be banished from the feast.

When by faith we come to Christ’s cross and receive His righteousness, forgiveness and justification, we are properly clothed to enter the kingdom of God and share in the heavenly banquet. When we believe in His name, He imparts His righteousness to us through the Holy Spirit, so we will be appropriately clothed for life in the presence of God.

Photo By Andre Hunter

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Thomas Paine wrote this famous line: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” His words resonate with us today. These days test our souls. And like our forebears, we must choose either to face our current difficulties with courage or shrink away from the challenges that confront us. Our souls will either languish in hopelessness or be strengthened through adversity.

We have come to the point it seems that our leaders have abandoned us for their own selfish gains. We cannot turn to them, for they are at the heart of our struggles. We feel like sheep without a shepherd. Our leaders pose as wolves in sheep’s clothing, attacking the flock. Yet, we are not alone, for Jesus Christ has made it clear that He is the Good Shepherd who has lain down His life for the sheep.

Though our leaders have abandon us, God has not abandoned us in these days of testing. God who delivered the Israelites, sent His Son to redeem the world and made visible His strength through Christ’s resurrection will empower us with His Spirit to face our difficulties. The words God spoke to Joshua He still speaks to us today: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Though the times will try our souls, God in Christ will strengthen our souls through the power of the Holy Spirit. Be strong and courageous and hope in the Lord.

Photo By Vicky Sim

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

Last week I insisted that one of the gymnasts move a new beam skill from a low beam to a high beam using mats stacked under it for safety. She didn’t appreciate my assignment, and a glaring look communicated her annoyance with me at that moment. Today, however, she raced across the gym to tell me she had executed her new skill on the high beam. Her displeasure over the assignment had vanished, because she had gained new understanding and she was proud of her achievement.

God calls me to a life of obedience to Christ through the Holy Spirit. Yet, there are times when His command to obey Him seems particularly difficult, and I resist compliance. Instead, I mutter under my breath at God and tell Him the flaws I see in His request. Then I do many things to avoid Him. These avoidance tactics are my way of expressing my displeasure toward God.

Fortunately, God in Christ does not hold my recalcitrant behavior against me. Through the Spirit He shows me my sin so I can repent, receive forgiveness and gain a greater understanding of Christ’s love.

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:10-11).

A life of obedience to Christ is a joyful life in God.

Photo By Ben White

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

I was reading in Exodus the story of God’s bringing water forth from the rock for the Israelites. God told Moses to take his staff and go to the rock. Then God said, “I will be standing there before you on the rock” (Exodus 17:6).

According to the Jewish Midrash “This implies ‘In every place where a man leaves his footprint, there I too will stand’” (The Torah: A Modern Commentary, 513). Wow, everyplace I leave a footprint, God is standing with me. This is closer than “me and my shadow.” In other words, His Eternal Presence is inseparable from my life.

God is closer to me than my own thoughts. When I inhale, the Spirit fills me with His life. David said it this way, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7) In God’s desire to be close to us, He sent His Son from heaven to pave a path of redemption in the world. Christ left divine footprints in the dust of the sinful world. He left bloody footsteps in the dirty ground on the road to Calvary. His nail- pierced feet trod over Satan, leaving the footprints of love’s victory over death and sin in the darkness of hell. And, finally, His risen body returns to the heavenly realm.

Christ walked among us and died for us so God could be close to us through the Spirit.

Photo By Brian Garcia

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

A few of my gymnasts were floundering in practice. After watching them wander through assignments and fail to complete tasks, I decided they needed more individual attention. So, I sat with each one and wrote out a specific assignment for each event. So far, so good. My gymnasts then began to complete the assignments.

There are many days I flounder in my faith. Don’t misunderstand, I am not talking about doubt. I am talking about days when my relationship with God seems to stagnate. My prayer and study time lack focus. Scripture readings barely seem applicable to my situations. I nearly exhaust myself trying to be a “good Christian.” The more human effort I apply to the situation, the more my soul grows empty.

I’ve come to realize that an empty soul is not necessarily a bad thing. An empty soul means the Lord has spent me in His service. Once the service is completed, the Lord calls me in from the world to take refuge in the eternal presence of God. The Lord will hide me with Him to rejuvenate, regenerate and refresh my weary soul.

In other words, God gives me some individual attention, allows me to rest from my labors and instructs me through the power of the Holy Spirit. He tucks me away for a while in the shelter of His presence before sending me back into the world to proclaim the Good News of Christ.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).

Photo By Afonso Coutinho

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

In the past few weeks, my heart has been burdened to pray for others who are going through difficulties in their lives. And today, as another difficult situation was brought to me, I realized that there are not enough hours in my day for prayer.

Paul said we are to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and while I would like to be in prayer constantly, I simply can’t. My human frailty prevents me from praying all day every day. I have to meet my physical needs of rest and nourishment. I have to meet my job responsibilities, and I have family obligations as well. When all those needs are met, I am tired and need sleep. Fortunately, when I am too weak to continue in prayer, God in Christ continues in prayer on behalf of those I have put before Him. Jesus Christ lives eternally to pray continually for the world and its needs. The Lord never forgets those friends I lift before Him. He prays until the Father answers. And He prays for us all the time, every day both now and in eternity.
“Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus Christ lives in the eternal kingdom praying before God on our behalf. What we cannot finish in prayer, Christ completes. Therefore, every prayer we utter to Christ, Christ brings before the Father for us.

When we are weak in prayer, Christ remains strong in prayer. When we tire in prayer, Christ remains strong in prayer. When we forget to pray, Christ always remembers to pray. Christ “prays continually” for us before the Father through the Spirit.

Photo By Ben White

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

Subscribe to Ordinary Days on iTunes!

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

When the competitive gymnastic season is over, we design workouts to build our gymnasts’ strength. Conditioning increases, and coaches focus on cardio workouts, endurance exercises and strength development, so the gymnasts are fit and strong for the next season. Good coaches spend many hours developing strong athletes. Still the athletes must do the work if they are to improve.

We Christians must also build strength and endurance in our lives of faith. But sin has weakened our resolve to put time and energy into strengthening them. We let distractions trample the time we could set aside for spiritual matters. Some days we pray, some not. Some Sundays are set aside for church, most not. Occasionally we read passages of Scripture, but usually not.

Paul knew the struggles of growing a strong faith. He wrote to the church in Rome, “For I long to see you, in order that I may impart to you some spiritual gift for your strengthening” (Brendan Byrne, Sacra Pagina, Romans 1:11).

Paul knew spiritual weakness makes the church vulnerable to heresies and false teachings. Also, preaching the message of the Gospel, which the world so desperately needs to hear, is neglected when the church is not strong.

However, God strengthens His Church, so it can fulfill His purpose and will in the world. The gift that God imparts to His church and disciples is His Spirit. By the Spirit working in the church, disciples grow strong in the knowledge of God in Christ in the Scriptures, and they are brought to repentance, are made righteous by the blood of Christ and are sanctified and are empowered to live lives obedient to God. Strengthened by the Spirit, the church carries the Gospel into all the world, thereby reaping a harvest for Christ.

Photo By Alora Griffiths

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

Peter wrote, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:5-8).

According to Peter self-control is an essential part of growing deeper in faith and knowledge in Jesus Christ. Yet, sinful humans do not possess self-control naturally. As sinful creatures we have no desire to exercise self-control or to discipline our thoughts and actions. To us, the idea of control brings to mind of God’s Law, which we rebel against because it makes demands that conflict with our self-centered desires. According to the Law, our arrogant thoughts and prideful actions must be destroyed. Self-control means putting to death those sinful desires so our lives honor Christ and serve our neighbors. However, we do not have the power to put the Law’s commands into effect.

So how can we possibly exert self-control? Controlling our sinful actions and desires becomes possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact, self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23) given to us so we can know the truth of Scripture: Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sin. The Spirit brings us to Christ’s cross, and when our sin is exposed the Spirit applies the gift of self-control to our hearts and minds.

The Spirit convicts us of our sin, so we can repent of it, mortify it and be sanctified by the truth. Through Christ we are redeemed from sin, reconciled to God and regenerated by the Spirit. In this process, we continue to grow deeper in faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Photo By Robert Baker

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

Subscribe to Ordinary Days on iTunes!

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2

I have a wall hanging in my office that says FAITH. I had fixed it to a wall with an adhesive. But tonight when I came up to my office, I noticed the two strips of adhesive were still on the wall, but FAITH had fallen off the wall and lay behind my desk. In other words, my FAITH had fallen. I chuckled before it occurred to me that for many people their faith may fall.

Many things in this world can cause our faith to waver: personal tragedy, unsettling news reports or, maybe, a prayer that we think has gone unanswered. Whatever dislodges faith from our hearts must be rooted out by God in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Faith means we have confidence in Jesus Christ’s saving work on the cross and His ongoing work in the world through the Holy Spirit. When our faith fails, we have lost confidence in Christ. Getting faith back requires time in Scripture and a study of the cross, so we can remember the almighty power of God, who raised Jesus from death to everlasting life.

Our faith can rest assured in Christ’s victory over sin and death and in the knowledge that Jesus prays for our faith to remain strong. In Luke 22:32 Jesus said to Simon Peter, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” Christ is praying that we will not lose confidence in Him.

Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.

Subscribe to Ordinary Days on iTunes!

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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD

Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2