I was asked a very interesting question by a woman who had come to hear me speak. She said to me, "Are you a liberated woman?” That question caused me to stop and ask: "What is a liberated woman?” Women's liberation became a much-used term during the last two or three decades, and on this day as we celebrate the freedom we have in our country, it’s a good idea to ask that question again: What is a liberated woman?

For some women, to be liberated means they are free from the control of men, or from the traditional roles that women have been confined to in the past. There are some women who would say a liberated woman is one who is free from the sexual restraints of the past and has sexual freedom. Often liberated women are defined by their status: how far up the ladder they have climbed; how much money they make; how much power they have, assuming the higher you climb, the more you make and the more power you have, the freer you are.

What does that term mean to you: a liberated woman? Are you one? Do you know any? How do you recognize one when you see her?

Let me begin by saying I consider myself a very liberated woman! Indeed I do! I'm liberated, set free, because I've been set free by Jesus Christ. Feminism does not offer me that freedom, no organization can offer me that. No job can offer me that. No amount of money or power can give me freedom. No other person can liberate me. But Jesus has set me free.

I can certainly understand the desire and passion for freedom and liberation that women feel. Everybody wants to be free. And throughout world history we've seen incredible struggles for freedom from slavery, freedom from aggression, freedom from abuse, freedom from discrimination. All of those struggles are understandable and legitimate.

I appreciate the freedom women now have to pursue any career for which they are qualified. It wasn't long ago that many of those opportunities were either denied to women or made extremely difficult.

But my friends, as one who has pioneered some new paths for women, let me tell you that you won't find true, lasting liberation in a career, no matter how good it may be, nor in new role definitions or worldly success or status or money or power. Freedom is found only in Jesus. That is not a trite cliché'; it is truth.

That’s the freedom to celebrate—the freedom that comes in knowing your sins are forgiven and eternity with Christ is sure. I’m a liberated woman! I hope you know the same freedom only Christ can give.

Often what we need to do is re-learn something we’ve already learned! As I start to prepare the programs, I think, "I don't have anything new to say.” And I start to panic because I haven't got a new idea or a new topic to present. But God reminds me repetition is the way we learn. Do you, like me, have to learn and re-learn and re-learn the lessons God wants to teach you? I'm amazed at the patience of our Lord, as I see how slow I am to truly learn and obey all I know.

God will work on one area of my life, and I'll think I've made some progress. Then I look back a few weeks or months later and realize I need to learn again what God has already taught me. How easily I forget; how easily I go back into old habits and wrong ways of thinking.

What I'm learning from all this is I must be prepared to re-learn many times the things I've already learned. I must go back and repeat because repetition is absolutely essential for me. I think of the verse to the old hymn which says, "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the Lord I love.” Truly "prone to wander" is a good description of me. How about you?

Let me encourage you, if you find yourself in this same dilemma, learn to re-learn. Go back and listen again to what God has already taught you. Do a lot of review. If there were books which spoke to your heart, read them again. If you've heard messages that made an impact on you, listen again and again. Repeat and repeat what you already know.

That's another good reason to keep a journal of the things God is saying to you and what you've been learning from the Bible, so you can go back and re-read those things which you'll otherwise forget. It's a good way to re-learn.

Plan to be a re-learner, so that you're not so prone to wander from the good and basic lessons God has already taught you.

There is a story in Joshua 9, which is very relevant to us today. Joshua and his people were doing very well, and all the neighboring countries were frightened of them because of their victories and the power they had from the Lord.

One of their neighbors, the Gibeonites, decided to trick Joshua into a peace treaty. They made themselves look tired and dirty, like they had traveled a long way, and came to Joshua asking for a treaty. Verses 14 and 15 tell us:

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath (Joshua 9:14-15).

Here was a business transaction facing the Israelites. A group of people made them an offer. The men of Israel looked at the outward evidence, decided it looked like a good deal to them, and signed the bottom line.

They found out later they had been deceived. The facts were not as they appeared to be, and they had made a strategic mistake. Why? Because they trusted in their eyes and their minds, and did not inquire of the Lord.

There are times we don't think we need to consult the Lord; it's just a cut and dried situation in our view. We make decisions in our own strength, based on our human reasoning. And that gets us in trouble.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Do you remember when Jesus told Peter to go fishing? Peter's own understanding of fishing told him there were no fish there, since he had fished all night and caught nothing. Besides, it was the wrong time and place to fish. But because Jesus told him to, Peter went fishing and caught more fish than ever before. Peter had to learn, as do we, you can't just depend on your own understanding.

Leaning on our own understanding is the norm especially in the business world. But, as Christians, we should take all our decisions to the Lord and ask for his wisdom. Sometimes our own understanding is very shortsighted and incomplete. We need the eternal wisdom of our Savior; we need to inquire of the Lord.

Remember to inquire of the Lord in any decision you face. Don't lean solely on your own understanding. That can get you in trouble.

You know, everybody needs encouragement and help at times. As I read 2 Corinthians 7, I realized even the great Apostle Paul had difficult times when he needed other people. He said in verse 5:

For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within (2 Corinthians 7:5).

Doesn't that describe the way you feel at times? Conflicts without, fears within? But this is the spiritual giant, Paul, and it surprises us to realize he would have these same feelings. We really need to remember that positions of prominence do not isolate anyone from being human. Paul was tired and fearful. He needed help.

Where did his help come from? He goes on to say, but God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6). He needed a friend at his side to comfort him, and so Titus came along. We could say to Paul, "But wasn't it enough to have the Lord there?” And Paul would respond, "The Lord was there in the person of Titus. He comforted me by sending Titus."

That's how the Body of Christ should function. God wants to use us in each other's lives as messengers of comfort and encouragement, to pick up each other at those weary and frightened moments of our lives. God has given us each other for that purpose.

Paul goes on to say he was comforted by the good report Titus brought to him of the concern for his welfare by his friends in Corinth. Paul needed to know they cared, they hadn't forgotten him, they still loved him.

How often do we miss these opportunities to be God's comfort in the lives of others? How often do we need to be by a friend's side when they're experiencing dark days? Or send a message to them—by email or snail mail or on the phone—just to say, I care.

Hallmark Cards has coined the phrase, "When you care enough to send the very best.” When we as Christians care enough about each other, we can send our very best, which is the comfort of God pouring through us to those who need it.

Is there someone in your life today who needs a Titus? Ask God to show you and allow him to use you as his agent of comfort and encouragement.

Have you read the verse which says, "Be kind to everyone who is kind to you. Be kind to the people you like. Be kind when you want to impress someone, or when there's something in it for you"? No, you haven't seen that verse in Scripture, but Paul wrote to Timothy the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2:24).

I once witnessed a situation in which a Christian sister was obviously unkind to a person simply because she didn't like that kind of person. Based on her prejudices and some bad experiences she had, she had classified a group of people as undesirable. So, she was obviously unkind to this person, and it was hurtful and harmful. Another person with whom she is sympathetic came in, and she was very kind and caring to her.

I watched that interaction and my heart hurt to see a Christian treat someone unkindly. Then I realized I probably do similar things all too often. I mean, it's easy to be kind to people who seem to deserve our kindness. But the Bible says we are to be kind to everyone. That includes strangers, people who irritate us, people who are not kind to us—everyone includes everyone!

Once I was unkind to a clerk at a hotel who was not very efficient at her job. Her lack of efficiency inconvenienced me just a bit, and though I didn't say anything, I'm sure the look on my face and my body language was most unkind.

How easy it would have been for me to say something kind to her, to make her feel a little more comfortable, to forget my minor inconvenience and try to help her a bit. The Holy Spirit convicted my heart as I walked away, reminding me the Lord's servant must be kind to everyone—even people who don't do their jobs as well as they should.

Praise the Lord we don't have to do this in ourselves, because we'd never make it. The Holy Spirit within us is there to give us the power to be kind to everyone. I'm praying specifically now that God will help me be kind to strangers, for that seems to be an area where I often fail.

Where do you often fail to be kind? Shore that area up with prayer, and ask God to help you be kind, as the servant of the Lord should be, to everyone.

I have to admit, I am not a graceful person. In my first Christmas break of college, my mother lined up private lessons with a woman who coached me on how to be graceful. Now, for my mother to spend money on such lessons was an indication of how much help I needed! I was not then—and still am not to this day—graceful.

But I’m happy to report that though I may never be graceful, I can be grace-full—full of grace. That is not contingent on my agility or nimbleness or any physical attributes. It is, instead, contingent on my openness to the grace of God and my willingness to let it fill my life.

In writing of our Savior, John says, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus was and still is full of grace. As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I are in the process of being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. We are to be filled with his Spirit, and therefore, we have the incredible opportunity to be filled with grace. Like Jesus, we can be full of grace.

When asked what the one thing that sets apart Christianity from all other religions, C. S. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”  No other religion offers God’s love and redemption coming to us free of charge, as a gift, no strings attached, no performance required, no standards to meet. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional. That’s because Christianity has the only qualified Savior, Jesus Christ.

I want to encourage you to become very intentional about being a woman—or a man—who is grace-full; full of God’s grace. It must become more than a cliché, more than words we say or songs we sing. God’s grace needs to permeate every corner of our being so we are living examples of his grace. And then, when we are full of God’s grace, we can become grace dispensers.

The song, “Amazing Grace,” is sung all over the world by people who have no understanding of its message of salvation through Jesus. But the idea of grace appeals to everyone.

But what does it mean for you and me in our world today to live grace-full lives? What does that look like? I’d like to give you the ABCs of grace-full living. Here is “A”:

A- Abundant

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b).  Jesus wasn’t talking about being full of money, earthly success, or freedom from problems. He was talking about a life that is grace-full!

In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we read: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. When the grace of God fills us, then it must flow out to others in the form of good works. What good works? The good works you were created to do. Ephesians 2:10 says, We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Here are a few examples of how we dispense grace to others:

Someone is sick; you minister to their needs.

Someone is rejoicing over good news; you rejoice with them.

Someone has a broken heart. You cry with them, listen to them, sit with them, and console them.

Someone is wandering away from God. You confront them in love, admonish them, and help them to come back into fellowship.

Someone is lost in sin, without Christ. You share the gospel in every way you can, lovingly planting seeds of truth in her life.

Someone needs financial help. You give out of love and concern.

You teach the Word of God in a small group; you organize prayer for your company; you begin a Bible study at work or at home; you invite others to hear the Word of God.

These are just a few ways we become grace dispensers to others, abounding in good works.

I can testify to you from personal experience that the abundant life Jesus promised us comes in knowing God is using you in the lives of...

Presented by Julie Busteed

We’ve explored what it means to practice hospitality in everyday life, but how does that translate to our jobs? Today, there’s an entire hospitality industry—hotels, restaurants, travel, and event services. You can even earn a degree in hospitality management! For those working in that field, hospitality is built into the job: welcoming strangers, serving with kindness, offering guidance, and meeting the practical needs of guests.

But even if you don’t work in that industry, the call to hospitality still applies. In the workplace, it might look like showing patience and grace to coworkers and clients, offering help when someone is overwhelmed, or simply pausing your own agenda to listen. It’s that same outward focus—seeing others and responding with care.

The greatest example of hospitality is Jesus himself. He consistently met people’s practical needs with compassion and love.

In Mark 8, he responds to a hungry crowd.

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance” (Mark 8:2-3).

Jesus saw their need—and he acted. He miraculously provided food when none was available.

In Mark 1, a man with leprosy begs Jesus for healing.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed (Mark 1:41-42 NLT).

Jesus saw the unseen people. He touched the untouchable, welcomed the outcasts, and made space for the overlooked—women, children, lepers, Gentiles, and sinners.

Then of course when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet at the last supper he beautifully demonstrated how to practice hospitality—to show God’s love in practical ways and serve them—all for his glory.

Hospitality isn’t all about entertaining. It’s about seeing others and serving them with love. Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, or a listening ear, it’s all for God’s glory.

I hope you’re encouraged to practice hospitality wherever you are—including your workplace. Because when we serve others, we reflect the heart of Christ.

Presented by Julie Busteed

Have you ever caught yourself grumbling about serving others? The Apostle Peter addresses this issue in 1 Peter 4:9-11.

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:9-11).

Did you catch that? You and I are called to offer hospitality without grumbling! That means showing God’s love by serving others with the gifts he’s given us—and doing so without complaining.

Peter gives examples of how to serve others using our God-given gifts. Whether it’s through speaking truthfully from God’s Word or helping one another with all our strength. Everything you and I have is from him, and we are called to use it for his purposes.

Hospitality can take many forms:

Listening with care

Sending an encouraging message

Reaching out to someone who’s struggling

Praying with or for someone

Helping with a task or technology

Running errands or grocery shopping

Visiting someone who is homebound

Peter emphasizes we’re not to complain about this kind of service. Why? So that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. When we serve others with a willing heart, we reflect Christ and bring glory to God.

Offering hospitality can be inconvenient, expensive, even aggravating at times. But you and I are called to pursue this with a good attitude. It pleases God and is a witness to how Christians are meant to love and care for one another.

Presented by Julie Busteed

Have you ever been described as a “Martha?” When I say “Martha,” I’m referring to the account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 which says:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

Can you relate to Martha? I certainly can. I often find myself caught up in the preparations—focused on the details, planning, organizing—because I genuinely enjoy it. But sometimes like Martha, I get so consumed by all the things that serving becomes a burden rather than a joy.

Jesus gently reminded Martha—and me—that “few things are needed and indeed only one!” I need that reminder: to keep my focus on my guests, to be present, listen, and offer encouragement.

Hospitality should be outward-focused. It’s not that preparation is wrong. It’s good and necessary—but it shouldn’t take center stage. The priority is the guest, not the checklist.

It seems to me that Martha truly wanted to give her best. She opened her home and gave of herself and time, but she became frustrated when her sister Mary had a different priority.

Interestingly in John’s gospel we see a later moment in Mary’s life. After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, she and her siblings hosted Jesus and his disciples again:

Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served (John 12:2a).

Martha is still serving, still practicing hospitality, but it seems to me she’s not distracted. Her priorities have changed.

That’s my prayer for me and you. That we would continue to practice hospitality—showing God’s love through our service, without letting the details overshadow the purpose.

Presented by Julie Busteed

We are looking at what it means to practice hospitality as the Apostle Paul encourages us to do in Romans 12.

Certainly, part of this is entertaining guests—and usually that’s a planned event. But what about the unexpected guests?

In Genesis we read about the patriarch Abraham and the three “visitors.” You can read the entire story in Genesis 18, but let me give you the highlights:

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant (Genesis 18:1-5).

The story goes on to describe how he and Sarah quickly prepare meat and bread—the finest things they had on hand—and serve their three unexpected guests. They used what they had on hand. This is a great reminder that according to the Bible, being hospitable isn’t about being perfect and having everything in place. It’s more about being open and welcoming and offering to share what I have and focus on the relationship more than the presentation.

Abraham saw his visitors’ needs and met them. Their feet needed washing from the journey. They needed to escape the heat of the day in a shady place. He was eager to show hospitality and acted on it. My guess is they were not planning to host any visitors that day. But Abraham saw these visitors and was quick to greet them and invite them to stay and be refreshed. It may not have been convenient for him. There was a sacrifice of time and resources. Yet, he was welcoming and generous.

What an example this is to you and me. Hospitality is not about having the perfectly clean house or a meal that’s been planned and prepared in advance. It’s opening our homes to welcome those in need. It’s setting aside our agendas, seeing others, and reaching out.