Tag Archives: Jesus

September 18, 2026 · 6:28 pm

Waiting On God

Dr Bob Odom, Ph.D., GC-C

I am one of those people who does not like to wait. I have gotten better as I have grown older, but I still struggle with it. Not long ago, I went into our local Kroger supermarket. I only had a couple of items to pick up. I noticed that the self-checkout area was busy, but one of the staffed checkout lanes had only one person in line, and she seemed to be almost finished. Or so I thought.

All went well until the lady in front of me pulled out a fistful of coupons that had to be processed. Some she could use, and others she could not. Then it came time to pay. She pulled out her money and counted out the amount, but then began searching her purse for the exact change. As I looked over at the self-checkout area, I saw the man I would have been behind leaving the store. Meanwhile, there I was, waiting to buy a half gallon of milk, cheese, and a pack of hamburgers.

While we may not like waiting, the Bible is filled with Scriptures and stories of people who had to wait. A few of my favorite passages are:

  • Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
  • Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”
  • Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait (hope) in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
  • Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
  • Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”
  • Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
  • Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Spiritually, as I read these verses, one of the things I see connected to waiting is the idea of hope. We are not waiting passively or aimlessly; we wait with anticipation and expectation. Biblical waiting is active trust in God’s wisdom, timing, and faithfulness. While that may not remove the difficulty of waiting, it does help us focus on the promise. God is working, and He will work on our behalf. Our hope is rooted in the character of God.

We see this theme of waiting throughout several stories in the Bible. Abraham waited for a son. Joseph waited for the fulfillment of the promise God had given him. David waited for the kingship, even though he had already been chosen and anointed as king. The children of Israel waited 400 years to be delivered.

In every case, God was working behind the scenes. He was setting things in motion. I am sure the people in these stories could not have imagined exactly how God would bring about the end result. Biblical waiting is active trust. It means continuing to hope, pray, obey, and depend on God while His timing and purposes unfold. We do not always know or see the future, but we know the One who does, and we trust Him.

Those who were noted above were waiting while trusting God. They were waiting while they believed that God was on their side. They were waiting while they continued to follow God in the moment.  Waiting on God means, “I don’t yet see what God is doing, but I trust Him enough to keep looking to Him.”

I would suggest that waiting involves the following. Waiting involves hope. Waiting requires patience (another word I do not like). I read this recently about waiting.

  • Pray when we don’t know what God is doing.
  • Obey what God has already shown us.
  • Trust when circumstances don’t make sense.
  • Serve where God has placed us.
  • Hope because God’s promises haven’t changed.

In the end, waiting is often a matter of preparation. Waiting is not wasted time. God often does some of His deepest work in us while we are waiting for Him to change what is around us—or to change us. We do not sit wringing our hands; rather, we lift our hands in praise and thanksgiving. A friend once said that the process is just as important as the end result. It is in the process that we learn more about God and much more about ourselves.

One last illustration: the farmer plants, waters, fertilizes, and waits for the harvest. But in the waiting, he is not simply standing in the field staring at the soil. He is not hovering over the planted seed. He is busy preparing for the harvest and doing the other work needed around the farm to be ready for the future.

So let me ask you:

·      What are you waiting for right now?

·      What emotions are you experiencing in the waiting?

·      Where do you see God preparing you?

·      In the waiting, how are you serving God now?

·      Where is your hope? Is it in God or the circumstances and issues you face?

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September 28, 2025 · 11:52 am

Peace In the Storm

Dr. Bob Odom

September 28, 2025

If we listen to the news, it doesn’t take much to become discouraged, anxious, and fearful. With the shooting of Charlie Kirk, three officers in Pennsylvania being shot and killed, and a host of other adverse news events, it is hard to have peace. We add to this life-changing medical diagnoses such as liver disease, cancer, and respiratory disease.

It is challenging to find peace when our world seems to be in turmoil. What we held to as a security has changed, and we do not know what the future holds.

To understand peace, we must have a clear and accurate view of what peace entails. Too often, we believe that peace is the absence of problems and difficulties. The truth is that true peace comes amid the issues and challenges. It is not the absence of difficulty.

Just this past week, I met people facing challenging situations. Their world is in chaos because of family issues and complex health issues, but many of them stated that, amid the problems, they are at peace.

When I asked why they felt at peace, they said they knew God had them. They trust God to help them through the situation. One of the families stated that this has been a season for them to reorder their lives and focus on what is essential.   

The Bible is replete with Scripture that speaks to the theme of peace. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah stated that we will experience perfect peace when our minds are focused on God. In other words, we must reorder and refocus our lives toward trust and believing that God has us. He is for us, and He will not let us go.

In His message to the disciples, Jesus reminded them that in this world, they would face trials and various challenges. At the same time, He stated that He had come to bring peace in a chaotic world. The peace we are talking about is a peace that comes from a heart that is resolute about hope and the future.

When I read the story of Joseph, the one thing that stands out to me is that the Bible reminds us that no matter what happened to Joseph, “the Lord was with Joseph.” To fully understand this, we must review what Joseph had been through. He had been rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery. He had been falsely accused. He had broken promises. He was forgotten while being locked up in prison. But God was there.

In time, things changed, and he was remembered by those who had made promises, and he was restored to the right place. The point here, however, is that while his world was turned upside down, he was at peace because he knew that God was with him. He was living his life in turmoil, yet he found peace on his journey.

So, what are you going through? Are you in a difficult situation? Does your world seem upside down? Amid this, how is your peace? Where is your trust? What practical steps can one take to refocus their mind on God during difficult times? How can individuals maintain peace when faced with overwhelming circumstances? In what ways can one’s faith directly influence one’s experience of peace despite life’s challenges?

Isaiah reminds us that our peace is contingent on where we focus. If we focus on the problem or the difficulty, we will be discouraged and lose hope. But if we are focused on God, then we will walk in peace and have a hope that lasts.

Let me be the first to say this is easier said than done. Life issues can control everything else. But things change when we rest in God and His way of life. I love what our pastor said in a message a couple of weeks ago. He stated that with grief (or other life issues), there is a tension between grief and hope. That is so true.

There is tension between dealing with life’s issues and living in hope that comes from focusing on God. This does not minimize the problems we face, nor does it deny them. It reframes and refocuses on the discussion and how we approach these difficulties. Our hope and faith support us. Remember, just as God was with Joseph, He will be with you, and that is what matters most.  

So, let me ask you.

·      What are the problems and issues you face in your life?

·      Where do you feel the tension between hope and grief?

·      Where do you need to reframe or refocus your life to align with God’s purpose for life?

·      My challenge to you is to list your problems and then consider how you can reframe this discussion to focus on hope and peace.

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August 22, 2025 · 4:33 pm

How Did We Get Here?

Dr. Robert W. Odom

Over the last few weeks, I have been mulling over a news article I read. The article detailed the confession of a popular contemporary Christian singer who had been using drugs and taking advantage of young men. What bothered me most was that those around him knew this, and it appears they did little to help him.

As I pondered this, I began to think about how easy it is for us to make decisions that lead to bad choices and consequences that harm many. Most of the time, small choices and compromises develop a pattern. Left unchecked, these small decisions lead to patterns and ways of living that cause damage to our psyche and those around us. I do want to note that small positive choices can also lead to positive outcomes.

Too many who have been in the spotlight have fallen because of sinful practices that have been covered up or ignored. My guess is that these failures usually began with small decisions and compromises.

My goal is not judgment but a desire to give great grace. I give grace because any one of us can be in a position to make small compromises that lead to unhealthy patterns in our lives.  We all live with the vulnerability to want to hide and cover over those things that we do not wish to be in the open. The pressure to perform and present a confident persona can cloud our decisions. It is also based on what we believe we can hide and get away with.

This is nothing new. We see this story played out over and over again. From the beginning, humanity has had selfish issues that lead to poor decisions (Genesis 1-3). These decisions lead to a lifestyle not aligned with God’s plan and purpose. What began in the Garden of Eden continues today. In the Garden, we see the failure of humanity to obey God’s one command. When they disobeyed this command, they immediately tried to hide and cover up the sin. Notice the pattern. They saw. They wanted. They took. They hid. A read of Genesis 3 reveals this pattern. It is a pattern that continues into the present day.

One Biblical story that stands out to me is the story of David. He was the King that God appointed. Samuel had anointed David to lead the nation of Israel. In this calling and position of power, David let his guard down and failed to live the kind of life God wanted. He made a series of decisions that positioned him to make bad choices.

Many of you may know the story but let me share it briefly for those who do not (2 Samuel 11). The Israelites were in battle, and David, the army’s Commander-in-Chief, should have been on the field with his troops. Instead, he was at home. This was his first step of compromise. He went to the rooftop of his palace, where he saw a woman bathing across the lane. He lusted for her. This was his second step of compromise. He sent for her. As the king, he could summon anyone, and they had to approach him. If not, they could face the penalty of death. This was his third step of compromise.

She came to him, and eventually they were intimate, and she became pregnant. But instead of stepping up and making the right decisions, he continued to slide into deception and lies. Bathsheba, the woman he had impregnated, had a husband named Uriah, who was on the front line. David ordered him to come home and spend some time with Bathsheba. David’s plan was that Uriah would make love to Bathsheba, and everyone would believe that Uriah was the father.

Being a man of integrity and committed to the troops Uriah led, he did not want this. His focus was on winning the battle. His priorities were in order. Uriah requested to be returned to the front lines. David then schemed another plan and slid deeper into transgression. Uriah was sent back to the frontline, where David sent a letter to Joab, the army commander. His order was to have Uriah on the front lines of the fiercest battle. His goal was to have Uriah killed. And he was. This was David’s fourth step of compromise.

David now takes Bathsheba as his wife. For those around David, he seemed to be such a good guy. But this was just another ploy to hide his sin. The child was born but died shortly thereafter.

One thing is common to every story of compromise. When someone falls it is often associated with taking small steps and making small decisions away from the purposes of God. In each case, they see something or desire something. Then they move to wanting what they cannot or should not have. Sometimes, these are even good things, but not the best things for them. Then they step into the sin and take what they cannot have. Finally, they try to hide their sin.

Every significant compromise in our lives starts with small decisions that lead to greater problems. We compromise our standards and make decisions that begin a slide backward. Eventually, we get blinded by the safety we feel that no one will find out and that we have it under control. But do we?

These actions tend to come to light and, in the process, cause significant distress and pain to those who took these steps and those impacted by these actions. You can read Genesis 3 to see the results of the compromises made by Adam and Eve. David lost the kingdom he loved. He faced great rebellion from his sons. And he lost the son he had by Bathsheba.

But that is not the end of the story. God’s amazing grace is available to all. God still loved David. He was still in the ancestral line for Jesus. God did not disown him. Neither does God do that for us. He does not disown us. He desires to restore our hearts and spirits. We may face the consequences, but He does not stop loving us.

God still loves the singer who confessed. They still have remarkable grace and a place in the kingdom of God. They can repent, change, and make good decisions that will direct them to a positive space of emotional, mental, and spiritual health. But they have to make good decisions.

So, let me ask you?

·      What steps and decisions have you made that might lead you to compromise?

·      What do you need to change in your life that would redirect you toward a healthy space?

·      Where do you need to confront someone who is living in a way that is not unhealthy? How would you do this?

·      Are the actions you are taking honoring God or dishonoring His will? Think about this about write down your thoughts.

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June 21, 2025 · 8:50 am

Being Seen and Heard

Dr. Bob Odom

One of my life lessons is that people want to be seen and heard. Since the dawn of humanity, humans have desired to be seen and heard. They want to be valued. From the time one is born, there is an innate longing and desire for acceptance. Babies cry for attention, food, and diaper changes. They want to be seen and heard. And in their immaturity, crying is the only tool at their disposal.

Beyond infancy, this primal yearning explains why society often erupts into movements and voices raised in unison. Whether it is a plea for justice, equality, or simply a better way of life, these collective actions are fueled by the desire to ensure no voice is lost in the crowd, no face fades into obscurity. When people feel unseen or unheard, they become restless, sometimes desperate, and often resilient in demanding the world to take notice.

As I was thinking about this, I thought about many of the protests around the country. There are protests for and against Trump. There are protests for and against Israel/Palestine. There are protests for and against abortion and women’s rights. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is that people want to be heard and seen.

As I was reading Matthew 6 this week, I was surprised by what I saw. I was drawn specifically to the verses (6:5-8) that came just before the Lord’s Prayer. For some reason, I felt sympathy for the characters represented in these verses. Let me share what I mean with you. Normally, when I read this passage, I feel judgment and a bit of pride that I am not like them. But then I suddenly realized that they wanted to be heard and seen.  

When Jesus presents this story, he says, “Do not pray like the hypocrites or the Gentiles.” The hypocrites do so for a show. They want to be seen. The Gentiles do so to be heard. In times past, I have read this and, like many of us, cast off the hypocrites and Gentiles, but as I read this passage this time, I was moved that in reality, the hypocrites wanted to be seen while the Gentiles wanted to be heard. Their way of achieving this was not right, but their need was real. 

I know in the depths of my heart that is what I want. I want to be seen, heard, and understood. When this does not happen, I isolate myself or become hyper vigilant about getting people to see and listen to me. I become very self-focused and less focused on hearing and seeing others.

It is at this moment in the passage that Jesus makes a transition. He wants us to know that He sees and hears us. He knows us, and in prayer, he already knows what we need. He suggests that we go into our closet of prayer (bedroom, dining room table, couch, or other place we commit to prayer) and pray in secret, and God will hear and bless us in the open.

What a relief to know that I am seen and heard. God sees me. He hears me. And when I draw near to him in the solace of devotion and prayer, I witness the outward expressions of that in my life. I do not have to work it up and pray it through my wordiness or a display before others.

I found these beautiful words and will close with them. “The beauty of being both seen and heard lies not in grand gestures or public displays, but in quiet moments of connection. It can be found in a kind word that acknowledges someone’s effort, in eyes meeting across a room to share a mutual understanding, or in the simple act of holding space for someone to share their story. These are the sacred exchanges that remind us that we are not invisible, not forgotten.”

So, let me ask you?

·      Where do you strive to be seen or heard? Is it at home? Is it at work? Is it with your friends? Explain why?

·      What emotions do you exhibit when you don’t feel seen or heard?

·      How do you respond when you are not being seen or heard?

·      What biases or prejudices keep you from seeing and hearing others?

·      How can you improve your ability to see and hear others?

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April 4, 2025 · 12:49 pm

Jesus Has Not Come Yet!

Dr. Robert W. Odom

In the writings of Matthew, Mark, and John, there is an account of Jesus walking on water. In particular, John’s account has a statement that caught my attention. While facing darkness and a coming storm, the disciples said, “Jesus has not come yet.” The question that came to me was, “How many times has it felt like Jesus was not showing up when we needed Him?”

There have been numerous instances in my life when I felt the absence of Jesus. Not too long ago, I found myself in a season that seemed almost unbearable. Promises felt unfulfilled, and the weight of expectations was relentless. I felt overlooked, and my worth was not recognized. All this unfolded while I lacked the necessary physical and emotional support to accomplish the mandate I had been given.

I must admit that, even though I was a follower of Christ, I felt like Jesus was not yet present. I felt I needed answers. I needed support, but it was not happening. There was a storm in my life, and fear arose from the crashing waves of change. We knew we would make it to the other side, but it was still scary and fearful. At times, it felt as though Jesus was not present.

If you have lived for a long time, I am sure you have experienced those moments when you questioned where Jesus is. He has not shown up yet. He seems to be a long way away. Often, our prayers feel ineffective, and we become confused.

But what I’ve come to understand is that Jesus was always there, even when I couldn’t see Him. He revealed Himself at the perfect moment. It’s significant that this story is recounted in three of the Gospels. In Matthew’s version, Peter dares to walk on water to meet Jesus. Jesus invites Him, and Peter steps out of the boat, moving towards Jesus.

Well, that is, until he looked down and saw and felt the waves lapping at His feet. In an instant, he fell into the water. One moment, he is walking on water, and the next, he is bobbing up and down in the water. The amazing thing is that Jesus does not ignore this, but He reaches down and lifts Peter out of the water. I believe that Jesus and Peter walked back to the boat.   

So, what does this teach us? Even when we can’t see God, He is working within us and for us. The writer of Hebrews beautifully articulates this, ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ We may not always perceive God amid our struggles, but we can be sure of His presence. He is working in us, paving the way. It’s worth noting that the Sea of Galilee, the setting for this event, was about eight miles wide. This means that Jesus had walked over 4 miles on the water, showing up long before the disciples saw Him in the storm.

Whatever storm you may face, remember that Jesus is with you. He will show up. Keep your focus on Him, not on the storm. The storm is real, and the waves are powerful, but Jesus has the power to calm the storm. In the process, we can learn some incredible lessons that can change our lives. So, how can we maintain our faith during the storm? We do so by keeping our eyes on Jesus, by remembering His promises, and by trusting that He is in control.

I love the quote by Martin Luther. It says, If I did not see that the Lord kept watch over the ship, I should long since have abandoned the helm. But I see Him! Through the storm, strengthening the tackle, handling the yards, spreading the sails – yes, more, commanding the very winds! Should I not be a coward if I abandoned my post? Let Him govern, let Him carry us forward, let Him hasten or delay; we will fear nothing!

So let me ask you:

  1. What storms are you currently facing?
  2. Where does it feel that Jesus needs to show up and has not yet? Be specific.
  3. Where have you seen Jesus show up before?
  4. What emotions do you experience during a storm?
  5. How many times have you stepped out in faith and focused on the storm more than Jesus?

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March 23, 2025 · 2:30 pm

How’s Your Vision?

Dr. Robert W. Odom

Several years ago, I finally broke down and went to the eye doctor to check my eyes. I had been struggling a bit with my vision. For example, as I approached a road sign, the signs needed to be right in front of me before I could read them. After a few weeks, I received the glasses and put them on. I could not believe the difference. Things looked crisp and clear; amazingly, I could read the signs down the road, before they were almost on top of me.

When we try to follow Christ and be obedient to His will and His ways, we, too, need to have the proper lens. Last week, a pastor friend said that Jesus should not be on our list of things to do or on the priority list of our lives. You know how it goes: Jesus first, then family, work, etc. He went on to say that Jesus should not be on a list. He should be the transformative lens through which we see everything. Replacing Him with other things is too easy if He is on a list. But if we see all things through the lens of Christ, we will be different and see things in much crisper and undiluted ways. This does not mean life will always be easy, but we will focus on the right things while feeling hopeful and inspired.

When we view everything through the lens of Christ, our actions and decisions in every aspect of life undergo a profound change. Our interactions with others become infused with more compassion and respect. Our work ethic and integrity are elevated. Our relationships with our family members become more loving and understanding. Even our financial dealings become more honest and fair. This transformation occurs because Jesus is not just a priority; He is everything. He is the only one who brings clarity to our lives.

This week, I learned that several organizations had to fire people because of integrity issues. What is more impressive is that those who were fired claimed to know Christ. We have heard of pastors and business leaders who have been fired for mishandling finances or the people they serve. On one side of the coin, they are great people, but in another way, they are not. Too often, it is because they do not view everything through the lens of Christ and Scripture.

Think of the person who abused another person. If they had looked through the lens of Jesus, they would have treated that person with love, respect, honor, and trust. But that does not happen when we fail to look through the lens of Christ. The lines become blurry, and compromise is easily realized.

So, what lens do you look through? Is it the lens of power, control, success, mistrust, or compromise? Is it the lens of pleasing others, fear, anxiety, or disappointment? Or do you look through the lens of Jesus, who guides and leads us in healthy ways? Remember, the choice of lens is yours. Choosing the right lens empowers you to see things clearer and from a godly perspective.

I will close with a passage that illustrates this best. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind! This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

So let me ask you,

  • What is the lens that you are looking through?
  • Do you prioritize Jesus, or is He the only lens you look through?
  • What corrections do you need to make?
  • How different would your life be if everything was viewed through the lens of Christ?  

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December 21, 2024 · 12:57 pm

Promises Given, Promises Broken

Robert Odom PhD

I love this season of celebration and the focus on the gift of Christ. In this Advent season, a little child reminds us of the love, hope, peace, and joy that is ours. These are not just empty promises but can be a present reality when we open our hearts and minds to receive them.

For some, when we talk about promises, we feel awkward sadness, or maybe there is distrust in any promise given. This comes because we are living with broken promises, rejection, and feelings of betrayal. For so many, this is a reality that must be lived out on a daily basis.

We can struggle in our lives when promises made become promises broken. People promise us that they will be there for us, but as soon as we need them, they are nowhere to be found. Your employer promises you a promotion, but it is never realized. You are promised that you will get a raise, and that never happens. A loved one says they will love you forever, but they leave you when things get rough. We can become frustrated when we do not see promises fulfilled.

While this is a truth we live with, there is also another reality that is true. While people let us down and make promises they will never keep, God, in His unwavering faithfulness, will fulfill His promises. The problem is that it is hard to believe someone we cannot see when those in our lives have let us down.

I recognize this dissonance and struggle to believe, so I ask that you try something. For one month would you ask God to bring life from the ashes of your life? Would you ask Him to fill you with the joy, peace, love, and hope promised in this season of miracles? Do this every day.

I share this not as some formula for success but as a way to focus our minds and hearts on what could be. As you pray, consider what joy would look like for you. What will peace look like for you? What will true love look like for you? What will hope look like for you? Invite God to reveal these to you. They are gifts, and as with any gift, we need to receive them.

As you do this, look more at what can be rather than what is. Again, this is not a formula but an opportunity to refocus on what can be. When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Philippi, he argued for a life filled with joy and peace.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

So let me ask you:

  • Where is your focus today? Is it on the broken promises, or the potential for what could be? Let’s shift our focus to the promises of God, the hope of a better future, and the joy that can be found in His love.
  • Which do you need the most? Is it joy, peace, love, or hope? Which one did you choose and why?
  • Are you willing for 30 days to focus on the gifts that God has given? What changes do you need to make to see this happen?
  • I encourage you to begin a gratitude journal. This will help you track your journey in these 30 days. In the journal, you can be honest and raw about your emotions and what you are feeling as you navigate this experience. It’s a tool to help you stay focused on the positive and the promises of God.

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December 14, 2024 · 12:22 pm

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Robert W. Odom PhD

In 1984, Tina Turner released a song titled “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” The song title proposes a great question. I want to look at the subject of love today. By the way, I think love has everything to do with it. That is God’s love.

Love is one of the most misunderstood words in our language today. We use the word love for so many things. I love my wife, good food, Alabama football, driving through the country, and enjoying the scenery. I love many things, but my love for these things is not equal.

As we delve into scripture, we discover that God is love personified. The Bible unequivocally proclaims that God is love. He is the very embodiment of love. The Bible reveals that He loved us before we even knew Him. Even more astounding is that He loved us before the world was created. This revelation is nothing short of mind-blowing. How could He love me, with all my imperfections and shortcomings? And how could He love me before I even existed? I cannot fathom the depth of His love, but I am humbled by it.

In life, we love to have representations of love. For example, rings are exchanged at weddings to show one’s love and commitment to one’s partner. God showed His love by sending His son to represent God’s love here on earth. He showed us how to love our neighbors and those who did not deserve love by society’s standards.

He healed the demonic, the broken, and the blind. All of these had been rejected, isolated, and condemned by the religious leaders and by the community they lived. He forgave the woman caught in adultery, and yet he spoke into the hearts of her accusers so that they did not have any grounds to follow through with their plan of death (John 7:53-8:11).

The greatest of all gifts is that He chose to give His life for us so we could live fully and completely. John wrote in 1 John 3:16 (it is no coincidence that this parallels John 3:16) that we know true love by the gift of God on the cross. Jesus did not talk a big game; He lived out and put into action His love. That is why John challenges us to love not just in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

I recently had a conversation with a Catholic priest who has become a friend to me. One of the thoughts that surfaced from our discussion was that we often say we are believers in Christ but treat people in awful ways. This is most often exhibited through hate, bitterness, and anger.  We can live in a space of division and pride rather than a place of humility and love. We can divide people according to our preconceived list of sins and who we believe deserves to be in.

But that is not how God sees love. The truth is that we are to love others. Jesus was once asked which of the commandments was the most important. Jesus, as only Jesus could, answered wisely. He stated that the prophets and the law can be summed up in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

This scripture is profound in its simplicity. It instructs us to love God with all our hearts and souls. If we can love God wholeheartedly, we can extend that love to our neighbors. But to truly love our neighbors, we must first love ourselves. Often, we attempt to love God and ourselves while carrying the burden of brokenness, hurt, and pain. Only when we seek healing from our pain and properly understand ourselves as God’s creation can we love fully.

The question that was posed in Jesus’ time remains relevant today: Who is my neighbor? The answer is beautifully simple. Every person we encounter is our neighbor. It’s the grumpy neighbor next door, the challenging coworker, the seemingly inattentive grocery store clerk, and even the distracted driver next to us. Love transcends all boundaries and includes everyone.   

So let me ask you?

  • Who is your neighbor? Be specific.
  • When we say God is love and that Jesus represents that love, how do you react to that understanding?
  • Where do you struggle to show love? Who are the people in your life that you find hard to love?
  • What steps can you take to love them and others?
  • Do you love yourself? That is, do you see yourself being loved by God? If not, name specific areas in your life that might be a struggle. Commit that to prayer and ask God to help you.
  • Mediate on 1 John and prayerfully consider the power of love exhibited in this text.

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Robert W. Odom PhD

In 1984, Tina Turner released a song titled “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” The song title proposes a great question. I want to look at the subject of love today. By the way, I think love has everything to do with it. That is God’s love.

Love is one of the most misunderstood words in our language today. We use the word love for so many things. I love my wife, good food, Alabama football, driving through the country, and enjoying the scenery. I love many things, but my love for these things is not equal.

As we delve into scripture, we discover that God is love personified. The Bible unequivocally proclaims that God is love. He is the very embodiment of love. The Bible reveals that He loved us before we even knew Him. Even more astounding is that He loved us before the world was created. This revelation is nothing short of mind-blowing. How could He love me, with all my imperfections and shortcomings? And how could He love me before I even existed? I cannot fathom the depth of His love, but I am humbled by it.

In life, we love to have representations of love. For example, rings are exchanged at weddings to show one’s love and commitment to one’s partner. God showed His love by sending His son to represent God’s love here on earth. He showed us how to love our neighbors and those who did not deserve love by society’s standards.

He healed the demonic, the broken, and the blind. All of these had been rejected, isolated, and condemned by the religious leaders and by the community they lived. He forgave the woman caught in adultery, and yet he spoke into the hearts of her accusers so that they did not have any grounds to follow through with their plan of death (John 7:53-8:11).

The greatest of all gifts is that He chose to give His life for us so we could live fully and completely. John wrote in 1 John 3:16 (it is no coincidence that this parallels John 3:16) that we know true love by the gift of God on the cross. Jesus did not talk a big game; He lived out and put into action His love. That is why John challenges us to love not just in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

I recently had a conversation with a Catholic priest who has become a friend to me. One of the thoughts that surfaced from our discussion was that we often say we are believers in Christ but treat people in awful ways. This is most often exhibited through hate, bitterness, and anger.  We can live in a space of division and pride rather than a place of humility and love. We can divide people according to our preconceived list of sins and who we believe deserves to be in.

But that is not how God sees love. The truth is that we are to love others. Jesus was once asked which of the commandments was the most important. Jesus, as only Jesus could, answered wisely. He stated that the prophets and the law can be summed up in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

This scripture is profound in its simplicity. It instructs us to love God with all our hearts and souls. If we can love God wholeheartedly, we can extend that love to our neighbors. But to truly love our neighbors, we must first love ourselves. Often, we attempt to love God and ourselves while carrying the burden of brokenness, hurt, and pain. Only when we seek healing from our pain and properly understand ourselves as God’s creation can we love fully.

The question that was posed in Jesus’ time remains relevant today: Who is my neighbor? The answer is beautifully simple. Every person we encounter is our neighbor. It’s the grumpy neighbor next door, the challenging coworker, the seemingly inattentive grocery store clerk, and even the distracted driver next to us. Love transcends all boundaries and includes everyone.   

So let me ask you?

  • Who is your neighbor? Be specific.
  • When we say God is love and that Jesus represents that love, how do you react to that understanding?
  • Where do you struggle to show love? Who are the people in your life that you find hard to love?
  • What steps can you take to love them and others?
  • Do you love yourself? That is, do you see yourself being loved by God? If not, name specific areas in your life that might be a struggle. Commit that to prayer and ask God to help you.
  • Mediate on 1 John and prayerfully consider the power of love exhibited in this text.

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November 23, 2024 · 11:49 am

Waiting Patiently

Dr. Robert W. Odom

Two words in Scripture make me cringe. They are hard to deal with. These words trigger something I want to resist. My blood pressure goes up, leaving sweat across my brow. What are these two words? They are “waiting patiently.”

Impatience is a feeling we all experience at some point. It’s a common thread that binds us, a shared human experience. Like many of us, I usually consider myself a patient person. I can usually endure heavy traffic and long lines. But there are many times when I wouldn’t say I like to wait. I want things immediately.

For example, recently, I was in the grocery store. As I scanned my items at the self-checkout, something went wrong. The employee at the self-checkout came over to help but could not figure out what was happening. I got impatient and felt hurried because I had to wait for them to figure out the problem. By the way, I only had four items. He took almost 15 minutes to try and resolve the issue. The final resolution was to move to another register and ring my items again.

When I think of this subject, I think of Abraham, who had been promised to be the father of many nations. This promise was made when he was old and his wife Sarah was barren. He had this promise but no children to make it happen. He had a promise from God, but his circumstances did not match up. He had no children, and He and Sarah were too old by the standards of that day to have any children. I can relate to this waiting period when I was waiting for a breakthrough in my career. I had a promise from God, but the circumstances were not aligning. It was a challenging time, but I held on to the promise.

Unfortunately, Abraham became impatient and slept with Sarah’s handmaiden. She conceived and had a son named Ismael. This impatience led to complications and a deviation from God’s plan, teaching us the profound consequences of impatience and the crucial importance of waiting for God’s timing. His decisions then impacted this generation and were a powerful lesson for us all.

It is difficult to wait, but the benefits are worth the wait. In the end, God fulfilled His promise, and Isaac was born. Even though Abraham failed to wait on God, God used this moment to fulfill His promise.

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14)! In waiting for the Lord, we will experience God’s blessing. I have learned (and am still learning) that if we patiently wait on God, He will bring about some amazing things. While waiting patiently, staying connected with God through prayer and scripture is essential. It’s also helpful to surround yourself with a supportive community to encourage you during the waiting period.

Sometimes, it seems that God is silent or not concerned. But I have found that in His silence, He is working. Behind the scenes, He is at work, putting together exactly what we need.

I am reminded of when the Children of Israel were in captivity to the Egyptians. For 400 years, they prayed and waited. Sometimes, they experienced things getting worse. And they waited. They prayed. They suffered. They waited. They prayed. But God was working on a leader named Moses who would come to rescue and deliver the people of Israel. There was a promise, and that promise was to be fulfilled.

Where are you waiting today? What are you waiting for? Where are the promises you have been given that need to be fulfilled? The problem with waiting is that we can lose hope. I understand how challenging it can be to hold on to hope when the waiting seems endless. Lost hope causes us to become despondent and try things on our own. But I encourage you to hold on, for God’s timing is perfect.  

It is hard to wait, but the benefits are excellent. The rewards of patience, of trusting in God’s timing, are immeasurable. So, even while waiting, knowing what is to come is worth the wait.

So, let me ask you?

  • What are you waiting for? Is it healing, finances, a significant other in your life, etc? Be specific.
  • Where are you rushing the process?
  • What are you doing while you wait?
  • What might God be doing in you while you are waiting?
  • How are you preparing for the promise?

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August 9, 2024 · 3:24 pm

A Challenge for our Day

Robert W. Odom, Ph.D.

We are at an exciting time in our country and the world. Of course, we are in a political season and inundated with political ads. Too often, these ads are more about what the other person has yet to do rather than what they have accomplished and will do if elected. And many times, their promises are vague. And, of course, we hear a stretching of truths and outright lies during this season.

While this is true, one thing that interests me during an election year is how quickly we judge the people around us who support a particular candidate, especially if it is not our candidate. I even know families that struggle during this time as they are on opposite ends of the spectrum regarding their candidates.

While we might support a particular candidate, political party, or issue this season, we must treat others respectfully and gracefully. One of the things that amazes me is how quickly we can reject others for their political views. I often wonder what Jesus would have done if he had been placed in this setting today. Based on what I know about Scripture, he would have acknowledged the differences but still respected the person he encountered.

The list is long. I think about the woman caught in adultery. She deserved death because that was the law of the time. But instead of condemning her, he loved her and comforted her in her time of transgression. Some believe that this was Mary Magdelene. While everyone else rejected Christ, she was at his side at the crucifixion.

I think of the Samaritan woman who was at the well. For Jesus to speak with her was political, religious, and cultural suicide. But he was more concerned about the person than about toeing the line of political, cultural, and religious correctness.

Look at the disciples, who were not high-ranking in the social culture of the day. They were fishermen, lawyers, and tax collectors. They were rough and tough. They were not the elite or a part of the in crowd, but He called them. In terms of cultural, social, or political standing, they were not qualified to be the head of the church, but they were. Despite their background, they served God and were promoted to lead the church.

I have friends who are Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, and liberals. Many of them do not see things the same politically as I do. But they are all believers with a dynamic faith that moves mountains for God. When we get to heaven, we will be surprised at who is in and who is not. I think God sees the bigger picture. We tend to be myopic and develop tunnel vision for our chosen candidate. But in the end, we are all part of a larger community united in our faith.

Let me share a couple of thoughts. I recognize that these thoughts may cause some unsettling, but we need to consider these things. My first thought is that I am concerned we equate a particular party with Christianity. This means that if I were to support someone not in that party, then I would be antichristian. How awkward that is.

I do not serve a political party; I serve Christ, who came to save the world, not just a particular party. Yes, I believe that America was founded on some sound Christian principles, but I also know that we often did not exhibit Christlike characteristics.  We stole the Native American’s property because we did little to understand their culture. If we did, we would have understood that Indians do not own their property; it is communal property. Later, we continued to take their land and make promises we never intended to keep. For the black culture, we treated them inhumanely and treated them as property rather than respect them as humans created by God. We have similar treatment of Asians, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and other cultures. We have seen women abused and treated as objects rather than humans. Sexual abuse has been swept under the rug. Sadly, prominent Christian organizations have done this, not just corporations.

How different would our world be if we supported Christ and modeled his way of dealing with people? In the final analysis, every person deserves respect as a creation of God. I have had several conversations with someone who is living a different lifestyle. One day, their words shocked and challenged me. They stated that their view of God had changed because of the way Michelle and I have accepted them as human beings. They knew we disagreed, but we still respected them. Our conversations taught us much about what drives them and why they have certain beliefs.

Too often, we make people a project rather than a person. May we have a heart after God rather than a project. May we be moved with compassion and not a political preference? May we treat everyone as a creation of God, whom God loves! Let’s strive to understand and empathize with others, regardless of their political beliefs.

Too often, we develop an us-and-them mentality. We build our clubs, and you are either in or out. This happens on all sides of this discussion. Once again, I am reminded that Christ came to save the world, not just those who join my political party or see things my way.

We still need to pick and support our candidates as much as possible. Remember to engage in respectful discourse along the way—as Jesus would. Every voice is important, and every person deserves to be heard and respected.

Thank you for listening. I ask that you do nothing but consider these thoughts. Process how you react to others who disagree and see things from the same perspective. In the end, you might be surprised and find you have some friends who might challenge you and cause you to understand what you believe even more.

© Robert W. Odom 2024

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