Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life .  Does God still speak today? This week, we begin a new series on hearing God’s voice. A woman reached out to Jesus for healing… and he reached back. God Speaks Series | Who Touched Me? | Mark 5:24-34 Normally Jesus reached out, touched the sick, and healed them. This time, someone reached out and touched Jesus.  He wanted to know who it was. “Who touched me?”   Jesus asked.  It was a woman. For twelve years she had suffered from continuous bleeding.  Desperate to be well, she pushed through the crowd behind Jesus and touched him.  She felt it immediately.  She had been healed. Jesus felt it as well. But, he had not seen her.  Now, the Son of God was asking her to reveal herself. Why? What did he want? Would he reprimand her? Would he undo the healing? Trembling with fear, she fell at his feet and confessed. Jesus had only tender words for her.  “ Daughter, your faith has healed you. G...

Welcome to Real Life . Last week, we talked about Abraham’s amazing faith in sacrificing Isaac. This week, we see that his faith wasn't always amazing. Abraham Series | Part 4 | Genesis 11-22 Abraham is an iconic figure.  He is a rock star of the faith to both Jews and Christians. [1]  His faith was so strong that he was even willing to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, to obey God.  In the last few weeks, we've highlighted Abraham’s faith victories. But, sometimes, his faith was weak: Abraham’s wife Sarah is gorgeous.  In Egypt , he’s afraid the Pharaoh will kill him to take Sarah.  Instead of protecting her, Abraham protects himself.  He asks Sarah to lie and say she’s his sister.  Fail.   Pharaoh takes Sarah.  God steps in and protects her. (Gen. 12:14-20) Above all, Abraham wants a child.  Tired of waiting on God, they use Sarah’s maid Hagar as a surrogate. Abrah...

Welcome to Real Life .  Last week, Abram feared he’d never have a child.  This week, he faces the possibility of losing that child. Abraham Series | Part 3 | Genesis 22:1-18 After 25 years of waiting, Abraham’s son is born.  More years pass.  One day, out of the blue, God tests Abraham: “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains…” What?  It seems random, even cruel and out of character for God to make this request.  He never requires a human sacrifice.  In fact, later God calls it detestable when parents sacrifice their children as burnt offerings to Molek. [1]   Why would he ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? The one thing Abraham desired was a child.  A “heart’s desire” can easily become an idol.  Was Isaac becoming more important to Abraham than God?   Abraham’s response to this test amazes me. ...

Welcome to Real Life .  Last week, Abraham left home to follow God.  Along his journey, God has richly blessed him.  He only lacks one thing. Abraham Series | Part 2 |Genesis 15:1-6 Abram [1] and his men had just won a great battle.  At the victory celebration, Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of God Most High, brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram.  Then, Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all the battle spoils.  After the festivities, God appears to him in a vision. “Don’t be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?” What did Abram fear?  God had given him a quick and easy victory in battle.  He was wealthy, powerful, and esteemed.  Yet the one thing he wanted, God withheld.  Abram longed for a child.  He was more than 75 years old.  If he had died in that battle, his estate would have gone t...

Welcome to Real Life . I was teaching on the topic of surrender and needed a strong example. Abraham came to mind. Abraham Series | Part 1 | Genesis 11:26-12:5 God asked Abraham to surrender something huge—his only son Isaac—and offer him as a living sacrifice. Amazingly, he did it. But, before we talk about Abraham, let’s talk about surrender. My spiritual journey began with an act of surrender: I gave my life to Christ. However, it doesn't stop there. Surrender is a continual discipline for a believer. Full devotion (to God) is a state of our hearts when our understanding of truth is equal to our level of surrender. –Mindy Caliguire [1] God won’t force me to surrender. I decide. I live with the consequences. Though, when God does ask me to give up something, he has a reason. While preparing to teach, I kept asking the Lord if there was anything I needed to surrender. I sensed him saying, “Peggi, you have the wrong focus. You fear what I might ask you to give up. W...

Welcome to Real Life .  Last week, we began a conversation on love.  This week, we'll look at another aspect of love. Mom and I “The way you smiled just now, you looked like your mother,” Nora said.  My mom’s Hungarian friend Nora was teaching me how to make strudel.  Her comment took me by surprise.  No one ever says I look like my mother.  (My features resemble my father’s side of the family.) My mom is known for her joyful countenance.  I love her smile.  So, I was pleased to hear that my smile imitated hers. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”   Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV (1984) Last week, I mentioned that for a long time it was hard for me to experience God’s love.    During those years, I would read this verse and focus on   “Be imitators of God”   while ove...

Welcome to Real Life . Come join me on my journey to take hold of the life that is truly life through knowing the God who is truly God. George MacDonald described it well: But the (woman) to whom God is all in all, who feels her life roots hid with Christ in God, who knows herself the inheritor of all wealth and worlds and ages, yes, of power essential and in itself, that woman has begun to be alive indeed. That's the Real Life I'm talking about. Are you with me? Let's begin this journey by talking about love. Because to know God, we must know his love... Do You Really Love Me? The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV At one time, I couldn't own this verse. I knew intellectually it was true. God loves me. He loves everyone, right? It was easy for me to believe that God loves you. But, I struggled to experience it ...