Neighborly Daily Devotional: Recent Episodes
The Church at RB
Start your morning off with a daily devotional written by pastors and leaders from The Church at Rancho Bernardo. Aligning your heart with God's each and every day makes every moment count as you begin to see the world with His perspective.
Our heart, and what it holds, can change the world depending on how we use it. But letting our flesh override the design God has created can lead to heartache, loneliness, and shame.
Is there an area in your work that feels like a wasteland? Do you need a stream of living water to flow through your vocation to experience purpose? Make one change to your routine today. Purpose doesn’t just happen, it’s chosen. Choose to live your vocation by design, not by default today.
How can you find purpose in every moment of your day? It’s time to start going first, instead of craving freedom.
Let me ask you a question: Do you smell like Jesus? In 2 Corinthians 2:14-15, the Apostle Paul says that Jesus had a fragrance about Him that made people want to be close to Him – it was called "Love!" They knew He loved them and valued them because when they encountered Him they experienced… Eye Contact… Heart Contact!
Our work is an opportunity to show Jesus to the world. If you don’t feel you’re able to do that, then maybe you’re in the wrong vocation. Life is too short to wake up every day miserable! Whether you're 25 or 50, if you’re miserable in your job, maybe God is nudging you to shift to a vocation where you’ll find that you have a purpose. Even if it means giving up the corner office to drive the garbage truck, if you find joy and feel like you’re doing what God designed you to do, DO IT!
God knew before the foundations of the earth, long before the Bible was written, how sex would be something beautiful and intimate within the context of marriage, and how it would destroy people and relationships outside the context of marriage.
Pastor Ken and Pastor Pam have a special Sunday message to share with our church family.
Our heart, and what it holds, can change the world depending on how we use it. But letting our flesh override the design God has created can lead to heartache, loneliness, and shame.
I believe there is great importance in talking about sex through a biblical framework. Why? Because sex was God’s idea. But one thing I wished I had learned early in life is that sex is not a tool to escape problems; it is not casual in nature; nor is it natural to cycle through partners. Sex is sacred.
Your body is meant for more than the world’s cheap versions of meaning. Your body is meant to house the Spirit of God. That means God is inviting us to a more meaningful perspective in regards to our bodies in every area of life.
I don't know that there is anything that appears more harmless… that is indeed… more harmful to what matters most in your life, and mine, than "The Lust of the Eye"!
I have always been an extrovert. I’d love to have a houseful of people every weekend talking about life and making new memories. So, why don’t I? Well, to be very clear, Ken is NOT. He is the epitome of an introvert. By the time we come home, he’s ready to sit in the recliner and shut out the outside world.
We are not meant to do life alone, and the value of friends who love us, support us, encourage us, and hold us accountable – those who simply do life with us – cannot be overstated.
Over and over again God makes His love for us known through our friends, but are your eyes open to this method of His communication?
Instead of working harder to maximize your relationships around you, what would it look like if you worked on minimizing some systems of efficiency in your life to make room for what the Holy Spirit wants to do with the little time you afford Him? To show you the pace and relationships He has in store for you?
How is God inviting you to forgive your brothers and sisters in Christ? Maybe the first step in relational connection is deciding to stop standing in our own way.
When our lives are finally over and we stand before God, He's not going to ask about the trophies won, the promotions received, the properties owned, the money made or the big things we did for Him. He's simply going to look at us… smile… and ask: "Do you love Me? Right now? Right here? In this moment?” Because that's God's Will for your life and mine!
When we talk about spiritual depth, what do you think of? Pastor Jared said in the Go First book, “The measuring stick of faith is not just a well-marked Bible; it is the well-marked hearts of those around us.” Friends, it is not about how much we know, but how well we love. Knowing what love looks like comes from knowing God. And it’s through time spent in silent prayer and the slow reading of Scripture that we get to know Him.
Spiritual depth is not how someone moves you, or even how someone teaches you, but is, in fact, the work we do on our own to dig deep into the solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ.
Hannah prioritized prayer, worship, and obedience to the Lord; she deeply cared about her spiritual depth. And my prayer for us, family, is that we will, too! That even in the biggest struggles in our lives we, too, will give it to the Lord.
Sometimes new depths require uncomfortable rhythms. Where is God inviting you to go deeper in your journey?
Here's the deal. We all have areas of our life that we need to improve… But… we cannot become so focused on our faults that we cease to enjoy who God made us to be. You've got to be happy with who God made you to be!
Great news, right?! Except Elijah was discouraged, weary and afraid. Do you ever feel that way? There have been some great successes, but you’ve fought hard to get your child back on track in school, finally landed a new job, or found a home that meets your needs. But something is “off” and God seems distant.
A life verse, by definition, is a verse in the Bible that touches you personally, and awakens your belief in God’s love and plan for you.
Feeling like your emotions are a little out of whack today? Try the bathing dogs response – get up right now and literally shake your emotions back into a sense of order, remembering that how you feel is up to you. And, that attempting to infuse health into your emotional well being is exactly the way God invites you – all of us – into a life of maturity with Him.
In our walk with Jesus, there is no “goal” to be met, no “finish line” we’re sprinting towards. It’s long obedience in the same direction. We’ll never reach perfection – only He can have that title – but we can work on getting closer to loving with a heart like His each and every day.
Pizza or health food? Jesus or the world? Choose the thing that will truly sustain you.
If, lately, you've been asking yourself, "Why am I so tired? How come I don't have the energy I used to? Why do I feel like… If I don't get away I'm gonna go nuts?" If that's you...Take a lesson from Jesus who listened to something deeper than the demands around Him.
The Christian life is not easy. Jesus tells us to “take up our cross and follow Him” and sometimes we will hit a wall. But God still gave us a purpose for our lives in the midst of suffering with physical, emotional, relational, or vocational challenges. As we continue to run with perseverance through this life, with our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can grow in wisdom and strength, while knowing Jesus more intimately! When the challenges come and you grow discouraged, focus on Him!
Friends, we need one another. We were not created to operate on an island. We were created for fellowship and bonding with one another.
Friends, sometimes we exert more “effort” in avoiding God’s will due to stubbornness, pride, or even fear, but my hope for you and me is that we could recognize God’s nudging, and more importantly, be willing to surrender to His will.
If you had to take a self-inventory today, what would it read? Are you anxious? Frustrated? Overwhelmed? Whatever it is, I urge you to take it captive and then lay it at the feet of Jesus.
When we have experienced the life changing gentleness, humility, and meekness of Jesus, that’s the kind of life we go out and live.
Today… I offer this devotional to anyone who has ever found themselves living through The Worst Day of Their Life.
I've been studying Job the last six months. Wow! Talk about a long depressing book. Today, I finished chapter 39 when God speaks to Job and I’m beginning to see there is hope for Job. As I’ve been reading my daily chapters, I’ve been reminded that Job didn’t grumble or complain against God. James says in chapter 5 that Job persevered and God’s compassion and mercy was fully realized!
I don’t know what you are up against, but I do know that every one of us is up against something. And while you may feel, at times, like cursing God and dying, know that He is faithful, He is walking the journey with you, and He will lead you to the other side.
In addition to the benefits of serving others and the fact that we were created to do so, make no mistake friends – serving others is absolutely the call on your life if you claim to be a follower of Jesus.
In our walk with Jesus, there is no “goal” to be met, no “finish line” we’re sprinting towards. It’s long obedience in the same direction. We’ll never reach perfection – only He can have that title – but we can work on getting closer to loving with a heart like His each and every day.
Are you ready to embrace the grief of life to grow closer to the Great Comforter? Jesus describes the blessed life as including grief and mourning.
Forgiveness is extending to other people the one thing we want most for ourselves… grace!
There seems to be a lot of talk these days about a scarcity mindset versus growth mindset. How will you operate in your job? Are you fearful of doing anything outside of your job description? Do you jump in and help others? We can’t move forward in an organization without coming up with new creative ideas.
We don’t realize that the only solution for being broken is…brokenness. We must be willing to recognize and embrace that we are broken people.
Our VBS kids found out this summer that you don't have to go any further than scripture to see amazing examples of people who lived a transformed and “go first” way of life. Daniel, Ruth, Esther… Jesus… all making choices that change the world. And we can, too!
Living this Christian life isn’t about maintaining our routines; it's about having enough trust in the One who brings it all together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). So don’t let the “newness” scare you. Grab ahold of it while trusting in the leading of Holy Spirit.
At the end of yourself is where the greatest connection with God can truly begin. Are you ready to run to Him?
When we own all the bits and pieces of our earlier selves and can say: “I forgive… ME!” … That’s how we heal and grow and evolve and make peace with ourselves.
The theme of the entire fourth chapter is about selfishness and arrogance. It’s a good reminder for us that we own nothing - everything we have belongs to God! If you’re an Instagram or Facebook power user, it’s also a reminder to be sensitive about what we post. A good screening question to ask yourself: Why am I posting this? Because I want everyone to see all of my travels or new toys? Am I seeking to make myself look better to others?
God delivers and forgives us of our sin for HIS Name’s sake. He helps us for the glory of HIS name.
We all need time to stop, rest, delight, and worship on a regular basis. These four descriptions are actually the definition of the word Sabbath, or the root Hebrew word, shabbat. Stop. Rest. Delight. Worship. Doesn’t reading those words already make you feel a little lighter?!
Are you looking for relief from the anxiety of all your “Why?” questions you’re bringing to God? Simply understanding why something does or doesn’t happen isn’t that helpful, it’s just information. I believe if we shift from wanting to know answers and information, and begin to seek God’s presence, we can discover a peace beyond understanding.
Even when we’re not sure if what we do through our Impact efforts at the church matters, God is working it alllllllllllll together for something good.
What if I told you that we could have both peace today AND a win tomorrow? What if I told you that you could feel today as if you already won tomorrow… even though the finish line is still a long way off. Would you be interested? DUH!
In John 9, on the Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples encounter a man born blind. If you remember the story, the disciples ask if he or his parents had sinned that this happened to him. Jesus responds by saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
If we are not mature in our faith, we are still a functioning Christ-follower, but we are not operating at our full potential. We are something less than pure, which is inhibiting our ability to be all that God made us to be.
God knows the world you live in AND the demands it and YOU can place on yourself. What if we pause and realize that true success begins with how, when, and why we praise God, and once acknowledged, how that awareness will change you and the world you impact?
I love that righteousness is not something we have to strive for; instead, it is a gift given to us by God. Righteousness removes fear and instills trust in our God. Today, I pray that God helps you to walk in the righteousness that He’s given you.
Whenever we think of the word “fear,” our minds may go to something or someone we are afraid of. But what does it mean to “fear the Lord”? Psalm 111 tells us we walk in fear of the Lord when we rest in the redemption we have in Jesus.
If it's been a while since you've been able to smile even in your troubles, take a cue from Jesus who taught us that we should be in awe of God, not in awe of our problems.
In the midst of his hurt and pain, David chose to turn his praise to God and let Him deal with his enemies. I wonder, is that always my response? Or yours? Wouldn't it be easier to gossip and get even? Yes, it would be easier, but as Go First Leaders, does that show God’s love and forgiveness to our enemies?
We, as the people of God, who are called by His name, have the privilege, and yes, the responsibility to exalt God’s name in every opportunity.
Our desperate need for God is like our need for water – without water we’ll eventually die after a few short days. Friends, God wants you to experience life to the fullest here on earth. God doesn’t want you to spend another day parched, so the psalmist reminds us to be wise and thank God!
It may not be for the image of an ox, but how often have you found yourself exchanging the glory of God for an idol in your life? But, friends, don’t worry, I have some good news for you. In the midst of us following our fickle hearts, God is faithful toward us.
What the writer of Psalm 104 is saying to us today is this: The blessing is ready! The blessing God has prepared for you is ready! God doesn't have to get the blessing ready for you… He's got to get you ready for the blessing!
Friends, some days it is easy to be like David, sing songs of praise and worship to God. Other days may be a struggle. Today, take a few minutes to read through Psalm 103. And then I have an action step for you: Put a rubber band around your wrist. Every time you start to worry or complain, switch it to the other wrist. (You might want to ask your family to help because sometimes we aren’t very self-aware. Just sayin’!)
While we may not understand why we have to suffer and not get what we want, we can be assured that regardless of His answer to our prayers, our God is a good God who has a good plan for us.
When we begin to comprehend WHO it is we worship, our Maker and Creator of all, that knowledge will alter our posture of worship. Friends, a true worship experience has an expectation of each of us to enter the space with a sense of joyfulness and submission to God – meaning: surrender the world so you can praise with your whole heart.
If not careful, overthinking can take over your life, increasing your anxiety and leaving you in a state of “stuck.” That alone tells us that overthinking is not from God. So how do we break free? The Bible tells us….
If not careful, overthinking can take over your life, increasing your anxiety and leaving you in a state of “stuck.” That alone tells us that overthinking is not from God. So how do we break free? The Bible tells us….
Oftentimes the difference between being "Over the Moon" or "Under the Weather" is simply a matter of seeing… seeing what the ancient Hebrew saw… that beneath the overwhelming circumstance is a divine, creative, sustaining source called Yahweh, who will empower, energize, and sustain you through it all!
The Psalmist calls God “Most High” and “Almighty.” A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” What comes into your mind when you think about Him? Our view of God will determine our relationship with Him. I’ll say that again: Our view of God will determine our relationship with Him.
Only when we embrace our mortality, not in some morbid way, but as an opportunity to use each day to bring glory and honor to God, will our life truly count for something.
What does the soundtrack of your life say about you – more importantly, what story does it tell people about the God you serve?
There’s a long list of things that we probably wish we had control over, and I’m sure many of them are valid. However, one thing is in our control… how we respond.
Are you discouraged by the brokenness of the world? Remind yourself that the God of justice is making all wrongs right.
Everything's gonna be alright… because you and I have a Great God in Heaven who is looking for us right now… even if we're not looking for Him… to find us... to help us… to heal us… Because He loves us!
God is hidden in the mystery of clouds and thick darkness, unquenchable fire proceeds Him, lightning and thunder manifest Him… the magnificent sovereignty of God. BUT, His sovereignty is not based on destruction. His sovereignty is found in righteousness and justice. God’s character is shown in His mercy and truth!
Sometimes I read one of the Psalms and it gives me chills, and I can’t help but read it again.
When we begin to comprehend WHO it is we worship, our Maker and Creator of all, that knowledge will alter our posture of worship. Friends, a true worship experience has an expectation of each of us to enter the space with a sense of joyfulness and submission to God – meaning: surrender the world so you can praise with your whole heart.
If not careful, overthinking can take over your life, increasing your anxiety and leaving you in a state of “stuck.” That alone tells us that overthinking is not from God. So how do we break free? The Bible tells us….
Oftentimes the difference between being "Over the Moon" or "Under the Weather" is simply a matter of seeing… seeing what the ancient Hebrew saw… that beneath the overwhelming circumstance is a divine, creative, sustaining source called Yahweh, who will empower, energize, and sustain you through it all!
The Psalmist calls God “Most High” and “Almighty.” A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” What comes into your mind when you think about Him? Our view of God will determine our relationship with Him. I’ll say that again: Our view of God will determine our relationship with Him.
Only when we embrace our mortality, not in some morbid way, but as an opportunity to use each day to bring glory and honor to God, will our life truly count for something.
Regardless of how we may feel during any of life’s shifting circumstances, may you recognize today that God is the same as He’s always been – reliable, trustworthy, and unchanging.
In a full, true relationship with Jesus, we need to be able to bring our fears and doubts and pain to him, completely unfiltered. Earthquakes happen when we keep our vulnerabilities buried beneath the surface, where they can build tension until they shake our lives to pieces.
Where do you truly belong? We’re citizens of Heaven, not this world. Let’s believe and live into that.
If you've been running from a hard word that God's Spirit has been whispering to you… Stop! Agree with God. You are the problem! Feel the conviction… sincerely. And then receive the grace and forgiveness from Jesus to live forward… with gratitude...as a better person!
Sometimes it can be overwhelming hearing about yet another person receiving a cancer diagnosis, a mental health challenge or any other of the myriad of life’s challenges. I don’t know about you, but all I can think about is how I can help relieve the burden of each person’s pain. The truth is, I can’t. God can!
God’s glory and His presence is in, and with, each and every one of us who have put our faith and trust in Jesus. God’s glory dwells in us, and we have the privilege of seeing His beauty manifested in us, and through us.
Living in a world that is filled with anger and pain, when we feel threatened, our “fight or flight” sensation can override the ability to pause and seek God’s peace in how we respond. I know that when I give the pain, mistreatment, or disappointment in relationships to God and seek His mercy – not revenge – that choice will lead hurt people to see the power and majesty of God.
Today, may your hunger and desperation for God increase. You have been set apart, equipped with the armor to prevail. Stay hungry so that when the ‘wilderness’ comes, you are strong in the Lord and able to take a stand against all that’s thrown at you.
If we make space for God, He will meet us right where we’re at. Where is God inviting you to make room for Him?
Let me give you a true and timeless Truth for keeping you close to Jesus when your sin is keeping you distant from Jesus. Here it is: God is generous with His grace and thorough with His discipline. Not to pay you back. But to bring you back… to Himself.
Have you ever had someone tell you that you look like one of your parents? There’s a family resemblance - the sound of your voice or the way you smile. I remember when people used to tell my mom and I that it was evident we were mother and daughter. Our facial features gave it away!
We have the riches of the Word of God and the testimonies of those who have gone before us, who tell of the praiseworthy deeds of our God, of His power, and all the wonders He has done.
As the saying goes, we’re better together. So, stop and evaluate today. Who are you doing life alongside just like Daniel and his squad? And are you, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, doing the best you can to support, uplift, and reflect God’s image as you navigate life’s fiery furnaces one day at a time?
We all have friends we look to in moments of need because we know they are the best suited to fulfill them. But when was the last time you took a moment to realize the consistent moments you run to different sources for a lesser version of the security, safety, joy, and longevity that Jesus offers you today?
How do you respond when you have sinned? Let’s learn from David and take radical ownership of our mess.
Have you noticed? Sometimes the easiest thing to do can be the hardest thing to do? In fact, the very idea that it's the easiest thing can oftentimes be the very thing that makes it hard. Like going to sleep… like returning to God. Both of them… so easy… and yet so hard! The point is, don't let the idea that something should be easy keep you from asking for help!
As we follow Jesus, humility is an important character trait to develop. It is essentially putting the needs of others before yourselves. Love is not self-seeking. When we do not seek our own honor, we receive it. When we avoid bragging about our accomplishments or dominating a conversation, we are sought out because people know we care.
The act of obedience is hearing the Word of God and acting on it. Whether a reminder in scripture, during your prayer time, or hearing an ask to help, if there is a need, we need to surrender our own agenda, Go First, and be obedient to God - everything and exactly as God has commanded.
We don’t have all the answers but we have something better. God gave us Himself. He gave us the ability to overcome, to sustain, and to endure the hardships of life.
There are days when we can bring before God… laughter, joy, gratitude…. There will be other days when we can only muster a bitter, angry, hard-hearted complaint. Be confident that God will accept whatever we lift up before Him, and He will make it serve His purpose and our good!
It can be easy to look at a person who seems to never get caught and find your blood pressure rising. Why? It’s not fair! And then something bad happens to them and the table turns! You can’t help but do the “happy dance”! It could be someone at work, a person who is no longer a friend, or a family member. Let’s look at what the Bible says about being happy because of someone else's misfortune.
On this Memorial Day, may we indeed stop to remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms we experience in this great country of ours. But more importantly, may we also remember the ONE who gave His life to free us from the penalty of sin.
What do you do when life throws you an unavoidable re-route? And how do we use the inevitable changes in life to create an even stronger spiritual foundation? When we choose to position ourselves in an open-minded and curious posture, He can (and will!) remind you, daily, how to handle each and every re-route He already knows is coming your way.
So many of us live life in the rear view mirror. We give our attention to what has passed, wishing we had shown up differently, only to find that by the time we come back to reality, we’ve already missed another opportunity to show up well. What if instead we spent each waking moment asking how we will live like Jesus, and not just wishing we had been more like Him?
God chose David from humble beginnings to lead his kingdom. Don’t doubt what God has in store for you!
Here's the rub: When we drift away from Jesus, we drift into trouble -- anxiety, selfishness, jealousy, lust, materialism, insecurity. If you've looked around and realized, "Wow! I've drifted away from Jesus… I mean, I see and feel the evidence of slippage…. " Stop the drift! Step back into the joy of your salvation!
Jesus could – and sometimes does – answer our questions. But what He truly desires is just a conversation. Because in conversation, He leads us and guides us, doing the transforming work in us. All He desires is intimacy and trust.
Your life and mine will also be forever changed when we stop looking to solve problems on our own, and cease trying to create our own purpose, and, instead, focus on the ONE who IS the problem-solver and IS the purpose-giver.
This broken, painful world will toss you in waves, winds, and storms that may seem unsurvivable and it may feel like you have tumbled completely down the mountain. But my dear friends, Jesus is right there with His hand extended ready to carry you through anything.
Be on fire because you prioritize the inner workings of God in your life. Be on fire because the Holy Spirit is alive and well, waiting for a willing vessel to use on the earth. So, stand firm in the faith that brought you to the foot of the cross. My prayer is that we will bring back that first love fire for Jesus.
Today, if you're wondering why you have not moved beyond some heartbreak, or some loss, or some tragedy in your life… let me offer you some helpful guidance from one who learned how to live with grief in a way that it did not paralyze his life… but it deepened his life.
A few weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a young woman. She said “I don’t know why God keeps giving me all of these trials.” To which I replied, “Are they trials, or are they temptations?”
When we put our faith and trust in a generous God, we know we are valuable, and our worth is no longer determined by our performance, or by what others think, for as James writes, God does not find fault in us.
When’s the last time you said you’d pray for someone and ACTUALLY did?! Here’s your reminder - pray when you say you will. Pray when you think about something. Just pray!
At times, I can lose sight of the background of Acts, with all the action and miraculous moments. But when I take a moment to look deeper, I’m struck by a community that consistently gathered to pray, especially due to the fact that they kept coming back to that practice after they saw darkness win, at least from where they were sitting. They prayed ceaselessly, even in the face of unanswered prayers.
When I read Psalm 147, my heart is so comforted by our Great Healer. When we look around and see pain, we can remind ourselves that God is the opposite. He is the source of peace when all seems lost.
Your entire life can change… for the better… when you dare to accept and embrace your calling that, “I, too, am an Agent of Transformation.
Jesus taught using many illustrations around vineyards and wine. In John 15:5, He says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If we don’t remain close to the vine, Jesus, we can’t bear fruit.
Here we are, 3000 years later, still pursuing the same earthly pleasures (bigger houses, newer cars, fatter bank accounts, greater status, and worldly fame), believing that somehow they are the answer we seek, only to confirm what Solomon learned so long ago, that this world does not, and cannot, fulfill the longings of our soul.
Going first doesn’t mean you have to fix every situation but it does mean you have to reach out, lend a hand and show you care.
Baptism is a picture of how anyone and everyone can come to have a relationship with Jesus. It doesn’t matter what your gender, age, color, background, skill level, or size… you are welcome. It is a free gift of God.
One day there seems to be no sign of life. And then, almost overnight, bright new blooms, luminous green blades of grass, the new song of a baby bird -- it is the glad announcement that the life Jesus gives us cannot be conquered by death. Death is inevitable. But so is resurrection! And for all of us -- for all who believe -- that ought to spell… RELIEF!
It’s been just over three weeks since we celebrated Resurrection Sunday! It frustrates me how quickly after Easter, the intensity of the nails, the blood and water gushing from Jesus’ body, fades to black and white. The health diagnosis, piercing pain of loss of a marriage, a job, or a relationship leaves us once again feeling hopeless. We go back to living as if it is “Silent Saturday” and forget that “Resurrection Sunday” really happened. Sometimes I wonder if we’re more like Thomas than we realize saying “unless I see and touch” Him, it didn’t really happen.
One does not need to be the best or most powerful person in God’s church to make a difference. Not all of us are designed to preach sermons or lead a ministry, but we are all given a unique spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit, and that gift is intended to be used in God’s church for the betterment of the team.
When’s the last time you sat in wonder? When I searched the word “wonder” on the website Bible Gateway, it told me that it appears nearly 300 times throughout the scriptures. Now that’s gotta tell us something.
If faced with the opportunity to be transformed by Jesus, are we willing to pay the price? Would someone describe you as a deeply formed Christ follower? The only way that happens is by being in the presence of Jesus - so don’t give up. Keep pressing in!
God came down from Heaven, into our neighborhood, in the person of Jesus to make everything right for us at the core of our being… even when everything at the fringes of our life… might be wrong!
I can’t seem to get those words out of my mind. “Lord, save me! Don’t let me go!” There have certainly been times in my life when I’ve desperately clung to Jesus and begged, “Don’t let me go!” When my sister was killed, when Ken was diagnosed with cancer, when our children have faced challenges, when I’ve felt like giving up on life. It was just too hard on my own - I begged Jesus to not let go!
If my faith is truly in God and not in myself or my circumstances, then I will have a confident assurance that what I hope for will one day come to fruition, but in God’s timing, not mine.
Maybe after Easter we are like the two people on the road to Emmaus discussing the events that just happened in Jerusalem - returning home, moving on. Has a resurrection moved you though from just reporting the events of Jesus to an excitement in a relationship with Him? May you be changed by Easter and your eyes wide open to a Risen Christ who desires to be right by your side everyday.
This new identity brings a sense of purpose and direction that was not there before. We are no longer aimlessly wandering through life, trying to find meaning and fulfillment in all the wrong places. Instead, we have a clear sense of our calling and mission as Christ followers.
You ever lose the approval of someone you thought you needed in order to feel good about yourself? That's a mini-hell of your own making! Only God's approval can give your soul the confidence that you are right even when everything around you is wrong!
Let’s dig deeper! The idea of “iron sharpening iron” implies there are at least two pieces of iron. Because iron is sharpened through heat and friction, it would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the presence of the other. As it rubs against another, the piece of iron is reshaped into something beautiful and better than before. So first of all, this Proverb illustrates how important it is to be in a community of believers. We need one another to be sharpened.
When we focus on our past, we can become stuck, unable to move forward, or maybe even worse, compound the poor decisions of the past with more poor decisions. But, when we accept the negative choices and situations for what they are, and put them behind us, we can, with God’s help, create a better and more positive future.
Personally, incorporating surprise and delight into our way of being can have a hugely positive effect on all of us. Not only can it help you choose where, when, and how to serve those around you, it can actually affect your physical and mental health - for the good!
God did not create you and then say, “Go figure it out.” He created you fully knowing that you would need Him. If the Lord isn’t your Shepherd, you don’t have everything you need. Psalm 23 is only true for you and me when we embrace the full message of that simple first verse.
When we can’t do something to fix a problem, we can always pray. True power is found through prayer.
The Resurrection of Jesus is not about somewhere else. It's about the here and now! When the angel declared, to the women at the Tomb, "He is Not Here!"... Where was He? Risen from the dead, Jesus was walking and talking and telling stories – in the flesh – and inviting His friends to have breakfast with Him. Not in heaven… but right here, right now!
Think about it. It was when He broke the bread, representing His broken body they witnessed on the cross just days before, that their eyes were opened and they could see who this stranger really was, Jesus the Messiah. I have to ask myself, “Are there times Jesus is right beside me and I fail to see Him?”
Everyday, not just Easter Monday, is one more opportunity for us to proclaim this Good News and share the love of Jesus with all who cross our paths.
What if silence is not a bad thing? We like it when it is silent as we watch a movie in the theatre or at night in our neighborhood.
But isn’t it odd that there are some situations where silence is not what you want?
A life of true joy, resilient hope, lasting peace, and authentic love - the Life Jesus promised us - isn't a life you just drift into; it’s the consequence of following Jesus. Not from a distance, but up close and personal, no matter where He goes, no matter what He does!
God is amazingly generous. But, as Pastor Jared often says, “We are blessed to be a blessing.” If we are not sacrificially giving from the blessing we have received, we not only fall short of the duty God has set before us, we are missing out on the fullness of God’s blessing for us.
This Easter season is a powerful season. It’s a reminder that we can continue to die to ourselves, fall on the cornerstone in order to be broken from the parts of us that need refining, and experience new life.
Yesterday, Palm Sunday, Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey as a hero, King of the Jews, here to bring the Royal kingdom into power. Crowds along the route He traveled shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” The religious leaders and perhaps some of those along the way still had confusion and questioned silently if He really was the promised Messiah. Wasn’t He supposed to come in power on a war horse to take over Jerusalem? Instead, he came on a donkey, meek and unassuming. Who is this Jesus, claiming to be King of the Jews?
We want to ensure the youth of our community are fully seen. So, just like Jesus sees people in need of His attention on the way to the cross, how can you stop to see those around you today?
Friends, when was the last time you felt this helpless? This vulnerable? Where your only faith was that Jesus alone could save you?
Many of us wait until we are in crisis to reach the point of desperation. But what would it look like to have a daily rhythm of being desperate for Christ?
Our hearts need to be changed by Jesus so we celebrate the person that he is, not just the product that he gets us.
How many times do you and I find ourselves being taken advantage of in this world? We are short-changed, over-taxed, and outplayed; we are unfairly treated way more than we are fairly treated. Jesus says, "Don't take this lying down, be resourceful!"
Sometimes I think we lose sight of how passionate Jesus is about the lost. And, it is not difficult to figure out that if Jesus is passionate about the lost, then we, too, as His followers, should share His passion.
Maybe you’re tired of living a life that is always catching up to your commitments and seems to always be falling short when it comes to your relationship with Jesus. Today, you can stop striving and guessing if you have what it takes to follow Jesus and start praying and asking him to amplify your ability to have faith in him.
I have been asked more than once, why are we going through the Gospel of Luke during Lent? Why not Matthew, Mark or John? Luke is the most thematic of the Gospels and was written by a Gentile physician and missionary. Luke gives us a picture of Jesus as the Messiah whose life, death and resurrection is available to bring all of us into eternal life! And there is one more thing, according to one theologian, Luke’s gospel has more meal-time scenes than any others. That says a lot about me! HA!
Many of us have probably wondered, “How many (and who?) people are getting into Heaven?” What does Jesus say about that? “None of your beeswax.” Um, what?! Read on for what Jesus actually wants us to focus our energy on today, and every day.
Jesus Christ allowed us to see idol worshippers as human beings and souls who needed a savior. Jesus Christ, for a moment, loaned us his spiritual glasses to peak into eternity. Jesus Christ gave us a heart transplant to beat with his love.
Where is God inviting you to have the kind of passion He did? Where is He inviting you, in love, to challenge the lukewarm nature of our world? Where is He inviting you to be different, maybe even to divide, for the sake of His gospel?
Listen...the situation you're complaining about today, you could be praising God for tomorrow! It's not until you’re sick...that you discover Jesus can heal. It's not until you're broke...that you discover Jesus can provide. It's not until you fail...that you discover Jesus can forgive. And it's not until you die...that you discover Jesus can raise the dead!
When I look at what God’s Word says about each one of us, I can truly imagine God looking at you, and at me, and saying, “If I could give you one gift, I would give you the ability to see yourself as I see you, so you could see how truly special you are. Remember, you’re worth dying for.”
We can’t lie to ourselves about what we consume. There’s nothing the enemy wants more for you than a life unaware of the darkness you’re living in, let alone how that darkness even got there in the first place.
Jesus continues in this passage in Luke telling us our prayers should be like The Parable of the Persistent Traveler. When we pray boldly, pounding on Heaven’s door, refusing to give up, the powers of darkness cannot win! God will either give us peace, our relationships will be reconciled, we’ll gain wisdom, or all of the above.
Sometimes we think we have to go to an extreme length to be a Good Samaritan or a Good Neighbor but maybe it’s a little simpler than that. Maybe Jesus is calling us to all shapes and sizes of Good Neighboring. So, how will you Go First in being a Good Samaritan, or Neighbor, today?
I don’t know about you, but I stopped trying to know everything about God and what He is doing or not doing. And instead, I find so much peace in the mystery of His sovereignty. I love just saying: “I don’t know.” And that is completely okay. Let me tell you, it is so freeing! Say it with me: I don’t know!
When you feel like you just can’t get it right, maybe Jesus is reminding you that he righted the wrongs for you.
One of the things I love most about Jesus is that He understands you and I so perfectly, so completely, so deeply. He knows you, inside and out, better than you know you, inside and out. Time and time again, in the Bible, Jesus introduces Heaven's eternal promises smack dab into the very center of our earthly temporal insecurities.
You have a purpose regardless of the situation in which you find yourself, and you have a story to share.
Isn’t it interesting that Jesus can reveal a reality unlocked by faith that far surpasses the predictions we can make in our minds? Today, don’t speculate about what Jesus might do, look to the Scriptures to see what He’s done. Because what He’s done shows the character of who He is, and what He will do for me and for you.
Now I have to take a pause. In both of the situations I mentioned as I started today, my first response was to panic, take control, and try to navigate the news I’d received my way. But, like Jesus with the disciples out on the lake, I imagine Jesus has at times asked me the same question: “Pam, where is your faith?”
If God gave you 1 mouth and 2 ears it’s because He wants you to listen twice as much as you speak, right?! And maybe how we listen is even more important. So, how are you listening to God today friends?
Isn’t Easter all about the unconditional forgiveness Jesus has shown you and me over and over again? A man who understood to his core who he was and what he came to do – a life, death and resurrection that allowed each of us to hear “you are forgiven.” Friends, these three little words can change someone's life today – maybe it’s yours.
The truth of Jesus’ gospel offended people. But he stayed faithful to the message God had for him. Where is God inviting you to turn the Kingdom upside down?
Jesus' miracle of Resurrection in the town of Nain was not just for the benefit of those present, but it was also a powerful reminder to all of us that "whoever believes in Jesus will never perish but have eternal life."
Faith is putting your trust in a God who loves you so much He sent His Only Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin in order to have a relationship with you. It means we may not know the outcome, but we trust the One who does, that His love for us far outweighs anything and everything we may face in this world.
What exactly are we keeping in our hearts, today? Take a moment to look inside, Jesus tells us, as it will come out of our mouths and spill into our lives.
Today, we’re looking into the life of Jesus and His message in Luke 6:17-26. To give a little context, Jesus has just finished driving out demons, healing lepers and forgiving sinners. News is spreading about this symbol of good fortune and crowds are gathering just to touch Him, hoping for some kind of lucky charm.
In a culture that’s ready to quickly blame, accuse, and find fault, maybe we’re called instead to ignore that behavior and simply love people around us the best way we can one moment to the next.
Ever find yourself stuck adding up past mistakes which can lead to a sense of unworthiness? Jesus reminds us that he is here to remove all that and our past does not define us.
Today may you not conform to the world rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind. May God give you the strength and courage to live unapologetically as who He made you to be and to share your faith with the world! May you be an influencer to the influenced.
If I am a child of God, then why in the world am I going through this health crisis… this relational heartbreak… this financial reversal… this personal struggle? Remember who God says you are! If you believe in the dark, what God revealed to you in the light, you will not only endure the temptation, but you will stand in the power of Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday!
While we enjoy the things God has given to us in this world, may we keep things in perspective, never allowing earthly pleasures to get in the way of our Kingdom purpose.
Today is Ash Wednesday – it marks the first day of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter that we as Christ-followers celebrate. Lent is a season where Christians choose to not be passive, but to be passionate about seeking God, remembering His sacrifice, celebrating and worshiping Him for His grace, and looking below the surface level to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus, our Savior.
As I’ve been meditating on that truth this week, I keep thinking back to when Ken and I were raising our children. We weren’t seeking perfection from them, even though they at times would tell me it felt like I was. (Ughh, parenting fail!) It was our responsibility, though, to raise them to be honest and do the right thing when faced with a challenge. There were lots of bumps raising our children along the way, but Ken and I always helped them learn and grow and always offered grace! That is what being a parent is all about.
God is transcendent, and our great source of eternal stability. Where are you placing your hope? It’s time to build your house on the true rock.
We live in a culture where we can find and demand any information or answer within seconds. And so I automatically assume I can figure out God. Ain’t that crazy? But the sovereignty of God is a mystery in such a way that I cannot solve Him; rather, I need to surrender to Him.
Our God is merciful. The punishment we might owe is paid by the blood of His son. Are you ready to receive His mercy?
Family, God is patient with us because He loves us. He is the God of yet - not operating on our timing but always working behind the scenes. Today, may you remember that the God of the Promise is making all things beautiful in His timing.
Admitting failure, faults, flaws… admitting the bad news about ourselves is never easy. Unless there's a better good news that offers a grace, a mercy, a forgiveness that not only removes that nagging sense of guilt, but also creates a deep, genuine sense of "loving who I am!"
The idea of God’s foreknowledge is almost incomprehensible. The thought that God lives outside of space and time, already knowing everything before it ever takes place, is mind-blowing. Candidly, I struggle with wrapping my head around it.
I remember the first time I heard that God was a jealous God. It kind of reminded me of Mr. Scrooge from a Christmas Carol. But Jesus steps into the scene as the Good Shepherd and shows us that God is in a passionate (zealous) pursuit of me and you. His jealousy is a comfort to us because it’s a reminder that He will stop at nothing to make sure you’re in the safest place possible: His presence.
I am struck by the response, “See how He loved him!” The love of Jesus looks like wet, salty tears staining His face. It looks like Him welcoming and laughing with children when everyone else pushed them away. It looks like outstretched arms on an old wooden cross as He exchanged His life for yours and mine. And it looks like a stone rolled away revealing an empty grave - resurrection life. For you and me.
Just like there are more than 7,000 languages in the world that we may not be able to understand, a part of God’s beautiful character is that His ways are wonderfully higher than ours and incomprehensible in nature. But! Just because we can’t fully understand doesn’t mean He’s not working on our behalf at all times!
When Jesus sees us, He is perfectly impartial, and He is perfectly fair and just. It is to the point that here on this earth, we may disagree with how God does things, but every single one of us, when we are in Heaven, we will all confess and proclaim… "Wow! God IS impartial, and He was perfectly fair!" What would it look like, friends, to believe this today?
Are you tired of all of the change? Put your trust in a God who never changes, never fails, and eternally loves you.
Holiness is a gift from God to us but something that we must seek on a daily basis. Our holy grail in Christianity is quite literally “holiness”, the thing that should be the most sought after in our lives. When God sent His son Jesus to save us, it wasn’t so that we would be sinless - not tempted, or even close to perfect.
Do you need to experience the goodness of God in your life today? There's more than enough bad, sad, and mad, in your world and mine. Psalm 145:9 says, "The LORD is good to everyone..." Who is included in "everyone"? You are!
Just as Paul endured the sufferings of prison, Corrie Ten Boom endured the incomprehensible sufferings of a concentration camp in Germany. Yet, like Paul, her faith never wavered; she never doubted God and His plan for her.
The difference between being an optimist and having faith is that an optimist hopes for something that is not promised or guaranteed; however, having faith is believing that something promised will come to fruition. God promises that you and I will have trouble, but, He leads by saying we are going to have access to peace and ultimately have victory.
The very first verse of the Bible reads, “In the beginning, God….”
Think about it. He was already in existence at the beginning of recorded time. So, God is “eternal”. Eternal means “having no beginning or no end.” I don’t know about you, but that is hard to wrap my mind around! But it’s true.
You wouldn’t enter into a marriage expecting it to be successful without prior communication and knowledge of your spouse. In the same way, knowing the unique and special qualities of God allows us to grow in knowledge and relationship with Him so… let’s explore together over the coming weeks who God truly is!
How are you evangelizing these days? I want to encourage you that you do not have to be a street preacher to evangelize for the Kingdom of God! God will use your work ethic in your job. God will use your patience toward others. God will use you as you strive to be a good parent. God will even use your messiness and failures. God will use it all to evangelize who Jesus is.
Are we a hospital for the sick or a holy huddle? God invites us to seek out the most broken, instead of focusing on gaining societal approval. Where might God be inviting you to Go First in your city?
We serve a great God who is full of power. That means we can approach our circumstance trusting that no weapon against us will prosper. And His greatness gives us the assurance that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that lives in you and me. There is nothing too big for our God. Nothing in your life that God cannot handle! He is King.
There are Sunday mornings when I walk into church and hear Jesus whisper... "Relax...I got this." And sometimes my inner voice will protest..."But what about this? What about that?" But as I begin to worship the One who died and rose again... Who He is begins to remind me of who I am... and I can feel my shoulders relax and my anxiety melt away.
While God’s standard is perfection, He recognizes that I am a work in progress; and, while I will surely fail, I am to move forward seeking, out of reverence for God, to perfect the holiness He has freely offered to me.
Friends, let’s not be like Dory from Finding Nemo with short-term memory loss; instead be intentional with our daily actions and live a fruitful life! By the way, think about choosing YOUR word for 2023 and look at how God molds and changes you! If you don’t mind sharing it with me, I’d love to know!
Did you know studies show that people who smile more often can experience increased health benefits AND even get paid more? And, better yet, that smiling is God’s design? Let’s remember today that you’re truly “never fully dressed without a smile!”
The truth of the matter is God's grace is for all. It is ONLY by God's grace we are saved. There are no good works or merits anyone needs to achieve to receive the grace of God. But get this: The grace of God saves us but also sanctifies us. Meaning we equally need God's grace to be saved and to be trained!
Is there space for God in your life? His timing isn’t our timing. God invites us to learn to linger with Him, and find patience in the waiting.
I have found that our journeys can ebb and flow. There may be seasons when we are on fire for the Lord and others when it feels like we’re in a drought. Either way, community is the bridge that keeps you connected to your faith. Community is that reminder to not give up on God. Community is what we need when we’re facing storms. God will use our community to meet us in the high and low places. So who are your people?
I'm convinced that in comparison to God, we cannot make our problems small enough. When we consider the magnitude and majesty of our all-powerful, all-knowing God, when we realize Jesus is here with us no matter what turns or twists our lives take, we find peace.
I have learned that focusing on what I cannot do does not create anything positive in my life, but only serves to bring me down. Instead, focusing on what I can do brings me joy and allows me a greater opportunity to give thanks regardless of my circumstances.
Jesus was full of both truth AND grace. If there are only rules without a relationship, people will rebel. If there are only relationships without rules, people will believe what they want, adapting to many other kinds of religion, or no religion at all. We need to have both!
On January 2, 2023, a very standard football game, meant to entertain and unite fans, had an extraordinary and extremely unexpected result: Terror. Fear. Pain. The response: People began to pray. When we choose to pray, what appears as a tragedy in our lives becomes an unexpected opportunity to see, feel, and witness God’s presence.
It is for sure helpful to receive encouragement and affirmation from others. We are to love others by providing that. However, what is more deeply important is receiving what God offers us: His presence, His promise, and His power.
God’s call on our life isn’t a linear, timely plan. Abraham’s story invites us to remember that calling often looks like wandering and waiting.
In a healthy fear of the Lord, God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and a sound mind. We fear God by taking refuge in Him. We fear God by choosing to run to Him in the midst of our problems instead of the world. Family, we must draw near to Him to establish a healthy fear of Him.
There's a gift in today - find it! Not only does our Heavenly Father know all things, but He can do all things! Jesus knows the situation you're stressing about right now. And He can do something about it!
While the blessings of being Jesus’ disciple, a child of the Most High God, are too numerous to count, I wonder how many of us have actually considered what it costs to be a disciple of Jesus? The reality is that Jesus does not want a blind, naïve commitment that expects only blessings.
Our grandson, Emery, loves our Fisher Price Nativity set and, as an almost three year old, spent a lot of time moving the pieces around. We’d talk about “baby Jesus” and all of the nativity scene characters and animals. I so badly wanted to be able to know all that was going on in that little mind. I wonder… Should we leave the nativity set up year round?
As we embark on a brand new year (yay!!!), how are you beginning to shape your schedule? Being stuck is not where you’d like to direct your 2023 energies - amIright?! Listen, the more you choose to create margin, space, or holes for holiness in all of your doings, the less anxious and pressured to over commit you’ll begin to feel. A fresh rhythm will begin to emerge between you and God, and naturally, the more you will begin to grow. Let’s do it!
Jesus is saying: Yes, work matters, and doing things for your neighbor, community, and church matters. But don’t get distracted by others when your focus must be on Jesus. As you go to work today, remember that you are there for Jesus, not your supervisor. You are there to represent Jesus, not get a paycheck. When you go home to your spouse, remember that Jesus is present in your marriage. That marriage is to picture Christ, not to get what you want.
What are your New Year's Resolutions? Maybe God is inviting you to surrender to His will, instead of adding your hopes.
I want to continue being someone who is convicted by the things that don’t please God. I want to lay down my own wants for what God has for me. I want God to continue to search my heart and remove any unpleasant thing (Psalm 139:23-24). Family, this is the heart posture that produces growth and healing. Today, may you break up the monotony to grab ahold of the newness God wants to do in you.
Every year, it seems we knock ourselves out trying to make it the "perfect" Christmas. But, year after year, we end up feeling like maybe Christmas wasn't as personally fulfilling as we hoped it would be. My expectations are rarely met at Christmas… but… God's promises are! The promise is not "Joy to the World" I got everything I wanted… but… "Joy to the World" the LORD has come! And that's the key to a Happy New Year!
On our own, we easily fall back into harmful old habits. Fortunately, however, we have the Spirit of God available to us to make positive changes in our life a reality. What this means is that while we once thought and acted in the ways of the world, when we surrender to Jesus Christ, we are changed and made new.
As you think about turning the calendar to January 1, I’d like to invite you to skip making resolutions that are unrealistic to keep, but to set a goal to get to know Jesus, one day at a time. As we grow deeper spiritually, He gives us power to break through challenges in our emotional health, helps us stay committed to sexual wholeness, and connects in relationships. He gives purpose and meaning to our daily work and personal lives.
God here is saying He is the true gardener. This true gardener loves us unconditionally and accepts us as we are. This true gardener cares deeply about our present and our future. Therefore, this true gardener wants to eliminate anything affecting our relationship with Him and others. He is so wise and careful that He can perfectly cut away - or prune - anything hindering us.
In your “in-between” moments, God is with you. Where do you need Him to show up in 2023?
God wants you to build your life on Him. You see, it’s not just about hearing God’s words, it’s about putting them into practice. And what a great time to reset before the new year. Let’s strive to be followers of Jesus who want to build a house that is sturdy and unshaken. Let’s not paint over the issues of our lives, but rather be willing to tear down what’s not good and rebuild. We serve a God who is the Master Builder, ready and willing to walk us through it.
What I want for you to know in 2023, more than anything else, is this: It is not your love for Jesus or your good behavior for Jesus or your compassionate acts for Jesus that moves Jesus to bless you.… It is His Love for YOU alone that moves the heart of Jesus to help you and heal you and bless you!
When the Angels appeared to the lowly shepherds on Christmas Day, it set the example for the type of ministry Jesus would have, and the type of ministry we are to have. Like Jesus, we are to minister to the lowly and downtrodden, the shunned and forgotten.
It’s Christmas Eve, the night of Jesus’ birth. Final meal prep is taking place for family celebrations, “Santa” is busy wrapping presents, and children everywhere are wondering if they’ll get the latest PS5. Soon there will be Christmas Eve services where families will end singing ’Silent Night’, candles lit, hearts filled with memories of Christ’s birth.
We are to celebrate Christmas with gifts, family, friends, and even lights… but do take a moment to remember God the Father’s heart for you and me. He sacrificed and gave His only Son so that we can have life to the full. So that we can have eternal life forevermore.
The Son of Man came to serve, rather than be served. That’s the love of Christmas. Is that the kind of love that you’ve experienced?
God is with you. And as you carry out your day, acknowledge His presence, talk with Him, walk with Him. Like any earthy relationship in our lives, communication helps it grow. Well, the same is with God. Be intentional by spending time with Him today - because He is already there.
Sometimes in the midst of life's seriousness we need to listen to the laughter coming from a manger - from a car seat - and remember that the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us rules over Heaven and Earth!
As Christ-followers, we are called to love God and to share His love (Agape love) with all those around us. We are to love selflessly, unconditionally, putting the needs of others before ourselves.
This Christmas, Jesus is offering the same to us. He is offering all of Himself to heal not only our physical needs, but our spiritual, mental and emotional needs as well. If you don’t believe He would heal you because you are too broken, He will! He ate with tax collectors and sinners. I love the beautiful picture of the Last Supper, when Jesus used bread to represent His body, broken for all of us, no matter how sinful, to secure our place in heaven.
This world will not be peaceful. Our friendships and family member relationships will not be perfectly peaceful. Our hearts will never be deeply peaceful. However, the Good News of Jesus Christ is that HE gives us peace through our relationship with God.
Jesus is the gift that never stops giving. This Christmas, find satisfaction in Christ, not the things of this world.
Demonstrate to others that you’re choosing joy in the midst of your trials. Joy isn’t something that can be altered by people, circumstances, or obstacles because it comes from the Father. So, whether or not this is a celebratory time for you, your problems are temporary but the Good News is that Jesus is eternal. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end.
This Christmas, you may not be able to replace a tired old microwave with a perfect new one… But you can celebrate something way better… the confidence that when you draw near to the Living God, through Jesus as your perfect High Priest, a Holy God draws near to you with grace to help you in your time of need!
Think back to when you first put your faith and trust in Jesus, and the pure joy of what you experienced as you realized what He had done for you. How does that compare with what you experience today?
So what does it mean when we say that Jesus is Lord today? Honestly, I feel like we hear the word Lord so often that it sometimes loses its power. If we’re going to call Jesus “Lord”, we have to give Him the supreme authority of our daily life. Let’s ponder this together today!
Where in your life are you cutting a corner and “building your house on the sandy land?” Or, where are you already having to rebuild and start over because you forgot to find the “solid spot?” Here’s the good news - you can choose to confidently recommit yourself at any point to Jesus, the Holy One of God. He is waiting.
This advent we prepare for the truth that Jesus is returning. The Lion of Judah has triumphed, and our greatest fears are no more. Are you preparing for the redemption of the world?
Trust is not something that comes easy for many of us. But God’s nature is different than anything we’ve ever experienced or encountered. His trustworthiness is other-worldly. And, through God’s power and our surrender, we get to experience the fullness of His love and care for us.
God specializes in bringing order out of chaos. He did it at the beginning of time. He did it on Christmas Day. He did it in my life… and He can do it in your life - this Christmas!
Jesus brings the most important peace man can ever know, peace between us and God, a peace that comes from being reconciled unto God because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.
I AM HE! The Messiah! I wonder, would I have believed Him? Would I have been a skeptic? How about you? Regardless of how we think we would respond, He knows. He knows everything about you. He knows everything about me, my faults and my failures included. We all are broken in some way, just like the woman Jesus met that day at the well. We need our Messiah. As you think about Jesus as your Messiah today, remember that the brokenness inside of you, He came to redeem. Jesus, our Messiah, the Anointed One!
When you and I have hope in human beings, how many possessions we have, or how much money we have saved up for retirement, the reality is it's shifting sand. So at one point, we can have all that we hope for, but in another season, we can lose it all. So the unique offer of Christianity is that we have a foundational hope that will never change. Jesus becomes our rock, our stability, and security.
The Wise Men came looking for a very unexpected King of Kings. Jesus humbled himself so we could have eternity with him. Are you ready to humble yourself for the sake of God’s people?
Maybe you’re like Martha right now, in need of reminding just how great your God is. As you read through this devotional may you be reminded of God’s character. That He is good, and His mercy is forever. That He is not a man that He should lie. That His plans are to prosper you and not harm you. Or maybe, you’re like Lazarus, in need of a miracle. Today, put yourself in the story, bring your circumstances to God, and reactivate your faith.
The truth is, in my better moments, I do not think winning the Lottery is going to make me a better person. Neither did God! That's why He sent Jesus… not to make me a billionaire… but to save me from sin. Because that's what I need most not to shipwreck my life, but to live life to the fullest!
Hope is a light shining in the darkness. The Advent Candle of Hope is also known as the Prophecy candle, assuring us that God will both fulfill the promises declared in the Old Testament about Jesus, and the Hope of His Second Coming, when all things will be reconciled unto God.
I was in a store three weeks ago today, and couldn’t believe it. They were already playing Christmas music. What happened to Thanksgiving? Is pausing to gather with family and friends and acknowledging all we are grateful for a tradition that has suddenly come to an end? As you might be able to tell, it’s really bugging me that “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas” is playing already. As I’ve been obsessively thinking about that, recognizing that this devotional will be published two days after Thanksgiving, I’d like to ask you to think about some things with me.
The word “meditate” is literally to ponder and give serious thought and consideration. When you and I get serious about being a disciple of Christ, we will pursue and meditate on the Bible day and night. We will give it serious thought. In other words, serious meditation leads to careful obedience.
No matter what your Thanksgiving feels like, His love endures forever. Psalm 118 reminds us of the victory we can find through God, and the thankfulness that should permeate our hearts.
The world may be pulling you in many different directions but, if you continue to fix your eyes on Jesus, He will mold you more into His likeness. Let God deeply transform you; allow Him to add a lot more of Him and a little less of you.
You know any Christians who look like they've been baptized in pickle juice - grumpy? Chances are they have not discovered the greatest secret of the Christian life: It's not about being good… It's about being in relationship with Jesus!
Spiritual Maturity is measured by our actions, not by our words. And spiritual maturity is not only a goal, but is actually what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Have you spent the last few months thinking about your 401k and other retirement accounts? Are you weekly (or daily) reviewing your investment portfolio, trying to discern whether to go more conservatively for a while?
And when God says, “I am with you always”, it is more than just words of comfort: It is words of change. Whoever we attempt to disciple and teach, Jesus is the one who changes them. Jesus is the one who convicts them. Our part is to try. Our part is to be faithful.
Are you facing spiritual dryness? Perhaps your community could be your greatest source of connection and discipleship. Let your soul be poured into by those around you.
To be a fruit-bearer and a disciple of Jesus is to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led in all you do. It’s waking up every day and choosing God over and over again. Today, I want you to take a moment to be the fruit inspector of your own life. Determine if there’s an area you’d like to grow in, then step into spaces that challenge you spiritually.
You ever taken something perfectly good… and ripped it up?... torn it down?... broke it into pieces?... in order to make something more beautiful? God did! On Easter, God took something perfectly good - and broke it - to make something beautiful in you and in me.
Regardless of what we are up against and the trials we face, if we remain humble and alert, resisting the devil and standing firm in our faith, we will experience victory.
Jesus says “follow me.” Follow me, because I want to walk with you. When the burden is heavy, take my yoke because my burden is light. Life is hard, and if you stop trying to manage it on your own, I’m here ready to lead you and guide you! Isn’t that freeing?
Talking to God can sometimes feel daunting to figure out what to say, or even where to start. But rather than trying to be someone else, try just being you. That’s where God meets you - and the relationship comes alive!
Are you trying to work your way back to God? Real discipleship looks like a relationship. From our freedom found in union with him, we live a life of obedience.
So, today, whether you buy a homeless man a meal or fast for the next three days, may you dwell in the secret place, with a pure heart and without the expectation of being seen by the world. The most important thing is that God sees you and His Word tells us that He will reward us openly. So in whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
How can faith in Jesus grow when the onslaught of storms just keep knocking you off your feet? You need to get yourself back on solid ground. Stand on the Rock - embrace your trials with Jesus - and that is where victory will begin!
Living for God, being a Disciple of Jesus Christ, means that we do not live our lives according to our earthly desires, but that we live our lives seeking to fulfill God’s Will for us.
Pointing people to Jesus is the mirror our lives are to others. Yes, you and I are modern day disciples. People are watching every move we make. Sometimes they even “mirror” us! As Pastor Jared shares with us the blueprint for living a life as a disciple, what area(s) is God challenging you to do the work to be His physical body on earth, being a reflection of His love? We can do this friends! The good news is none of us are alone! We’re here to help one another grow together!
Job’s emotional honesty made space in his heart and soul for him to realize his need for God. Emotions are good, but they aren’t God.
Sometimes our sin distracts us from God, so He shows up through the people around us. Make sure you have a community that can keep you on track when you’re wandering from God.
God does indeed want, and invites, us into an intimate relationship with Him, yet it can be difficult to understand how to do that here on earth. God shows us His character through a father’s heart, that helps us grow into where He is calling us.
Does anyone, besides myself, have a difficult time asking for help? Self-sufficiency can be a strength for sure. But when it's taken to an extreme, it becomes a weakness. You start to sink. Take a lesson from the Apostle Peter and ask Jesus for help!
Out of a heart of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us… out of joy for the inheritance promised to us… we are to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble. We are not to repay evil with evil, or insult with insult. Rather, we are to repay evil with blessing.
Imagine the crazy scene of “singing” (sort of) and shouting for a Chicago Bears game victory, all the while also trying to see friends we love from 2000 miles away, who by coincidence, ended up in the same place! I wonder if that is what heaven will be like? People from throughout the world, together as one (not opposing teams or political parties), all perfectly whole in the image of God worshiping Him together!
Our prayers are meant to exchange our overwhelmed lives for transcendent peace. We aren’t meant to shrink God down and drag him into our cramped cell, but to raise the expectation of who He is and the power that can be found in prayer.
Daniel’s regular connection with the Lord allowed him to have courage in the face of fear. Prepare for the “lion’s dens” in your life by starting each day in prayer.
Ultimately, we live more freely, fully, and fruitfully when we check our pride at the door and take on the gracious heart of God.
We can get so conditioned to tune out important information because sometimes the medium of delivery is deemed unimportant.
The role of the pastor is not to do the ministry, but to equip us, the Royal Priesthood, for works of service. He or she is to teach us what it means to be a priest and how to function in that role.
The devastation from the most recent hurricane breaks my heart for the residents of Florida. There are some that say Ian exhibits several of the trends of major hurricanes in recent years. Storms seem to be getting stronger and more common in recent years, which some believe to be a result of global warming. Others attribute the change in fierceness of storms to “times of the signs” of Jesus’ return getting closer.
What is God worth to you? This simple question can help navigate so many tricky areas of life and can reveal if you value yourself above God. What we truly value in some way defines us and we must be mindful of how that is lived out.
Esther was bold in the face of fear because she knew her Heavenly Father would protect her. Where is God inviting you to trust Him instead of letting fear stop you?
The Sabbath has a beautiful life-giving ability to procreate - to put more life into the world. It doesn’t matter how much you love the work you do, or fine tune the balance of your office/your life. When you reach the end of your week (more often than not), you’re spent. You’re tired. But (and here’s the wonderful thing), rest has the power to refill us - to gift us with new energy, vision, strength, joy, clarity, creativity, and most importantly, hope.
One of the best ways we can increase our capacity for God to speak to us is to give Him praise.
As a result of what Jesus did for us, and when we surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we become non-conformists, no longer sucked in by the things of this world.
Have you ever wondered what the voice of God sounds like? Is it loud and thundering or quiet and gentle? Let’s look at a couple of the many different ways God spoke in the Bible.
Feeling the pressure of “should” is everywhere. But! It only results in exasperation and guilt, nothing like the life Jesus wants for us. How do we shake the “shoulds” and lean into Jesus' alternative instead?
Fighting giants and taking leaps of faith require us to be confident in God’s faithfulness. Are you battling with fear of failing? Maybe it’s time to reflect on God’s past examples of faithfulness, so you can move forward with courage.
What we do and how we show up should all be for God’s glory. And it’s so easy at times to take our eyes off the journey and focus solely on the destination that we live waiting for the next big thing to happen in our lives. I’m here to remind you that, even in the small things, God is pleased!
Isn’t it weird how we can go from not caring at all about a topic or activity, and then, the second we develop a relational attachment to it, it becomes the most important thing to us? I believe this truth applies to our faith and spiritual depth.
God’s refining fire does not necessarily feel good, but like Job of the Old Testament, we can rejoice in our sufferings, our grief, and our trials, knowing that the proven genuineness of our faith will result in the salvation of our souls.
If we aren’t willing to take the step out of fear and anxiety into faith, we miss beautiful lessons. You see, the news may show us the worst parts of the world and how bad things are, but when we don’t take the risk to dig deeper, we miss the fascinating story of God’s people.
When we hear and read God’s Word, that is when our faith in Him grows and deepens. Sometimes, you may not “feel” the devotional externally or emotionally, but God says our faith grows. Our faith gets fed.
October is the month of the fun kind of fear. But how do we deal with the kind of fear that pervades our lives? Moses shows us that our circumstances might scare us, BUT WITH GOD, we can have victory over our struggles.
God wants to replace your pain with peace. He wants to replace your hurts with healing.
The solution to our hurt and pain must be a surrendered heart and the willingness to heal. To surrender our hearts to Jesus is to acknowledge Our Healer, Our Advocate.
No matter how old you are, no matter how long you have or have not been following the ways of Jesus, we have to daily choose to allow Jesus to renew and override our ways in order for us to continue to learn his. Worship isn’t just something we do. It’s something that transforms us.
As followers of Jesus Christ, our future, our eternity, is guaranteed with Him. He is our Living Hope and promises an eternal inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade. It awaits us until such a time that God calls us home.
2000 years ago, Paul wrote a letter to the church at Philippi… from a Roman prison. At a time when most people would be in despair, Paul tells us to rejoice! Each of these words written are to encourage the church, and you and me: our circumstances do not have to control our inner thoughts and attitudes. Focus on God! He promises to never leave us. He is with us in ALL things!!
Moses was in the desert for 40 years. He was being pruned, refined, and humbled. So he really doesn't trust himself… at all. However, that's the best place for him and us, isn't it? The ideal posture of our hearts should always be: I do not trust myself, but I only trust in God. Yes, God can use me, but my faith is only in Jesus!
Titus 3 urges believers to use their freedom in Christ to do good, instead of getting lost in divisive arguments. 2022 Christians aren’t too different from Crete. God is inviting us to say no to “cancel culture” and choose to share truth in love.
Are you guilty of running out of patience for the impatient person in your life? Truly, we all struggle with patience in one form or another. Impatience produces irritability, but patience produces character. God doesn’t want us having patience for patience’s sake, He is actually developing us in the midst of our patience.
I’m sure today you’re looking for someone to notice how hard you’re working, how fast you're running, how long you’ve been pushing. And maybe you’ve told yourself you can’t rest until you feel satisfied? What if I told you the only satisfaction you’ll find today is in the rest that Jesus has for you?
God desires a relationship with us, which necessitates communication with us. It involves us both talking to and listening to Him. The more we do so, the stronger the connection and the deeper the relationship.
Paul talks about running a marathon - not a sprint. When we run a sprint and we slip and fall, we often have to wait for the next one to start over. But when I think about a marathon, I think about endurance. We want to know Christ more intimately. We have to stop dwelling on our failures, confess the sins of our past, pick ourselves up and strain ahead toward the goal!
How is the condition of your heart today? I’m sure most of us that are listening to this are trying to be a God-glorifying Christian. You are trying to be a good person, a Good Neighbor. You are trying to be a loving wife or husband. You are trying. And I want to affirm you that God sees your heart.
Are you a disciple of grace? Titus 2 teaches our “Why” for being obedient to the Lord: it’s because the grace of God has appeared! As believers we are called to deny the world, live for Jesus, and look forward to his second coming.
Why is it so hard to believe what God says about us? We are image-bearers of the one true God. So, why can it be so challenging to walk in that truth? Here’s what you need to know: the enemy doesn’t want to see you flourish, so he attacks your self-worth. But we have to be intentional in our choosing.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s to stop looking at the different versions of myself in the past, thinking that they were failed attempts. I need to spend more time looking at the vine I’m connected to and seeing how those experiences are making me look more like the source.
I don’t know what you are up against: loss of a loved one, out of work, a broken relationship, a terminal illness, mental health issues, chronic pain, a broken marriage or family, or whatever it may be, but I do know this: In multiple places in the Bible (just to be sure we don’t miss it), God promises that He will never leave nor forsake us. He is always with us, even when we don’t feel His presence.
What exactly does living in unity look like? I have to ask, “Do I have the same mindset as Jesus?” “Mindset” means the way I think, the way I act. Am I humble? Do I serve people? Let’s work together in unity to stop grumbling and complaining and instead take steps to change our mindset. Let’s see one another through Jesus’ eyes!
Friends, I want to encourage us today by reminding us that the grass is never greener on the other side because God has called you and me to faithfulness. To faithfully grow the grass and root ourselves where we are today. It may not be the most highlight-worthy situation, but it will produce a deeper experience with Jesus and your community.
Paul’s words in Titus are a sobering reminder to reflect on our own behavior and beliefs. They are an urgent prompting to call out those we have relationships with that claim to know Christ but are living in rebellion against God. Take some time to repent. Invite the Spirit to pour His grace over you. And maybe spend some time praying for fellow believers that are wandering.
God created us to serve. In fact, when we help others, our brains release oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. These hormones have the effect of boosting our mood and counteracting the effect of cortisol, which is our stress hormone. That means our bodies can relieve stress by lending a hand to someone else. Today, I want you to find small opportunities to put someone first or lend a helping hand.
Jesus knows that we cannot love others unless we love ourselves. Jesus knows that the care we take of ourselves… the compassion we show to ourselves… will be the compassion we show to others. Let the face you turn to yourself be the face you turn to those in your world!
When we enter into friendships and business relations with those whose values differ from ours, we run the risk of being led astray by them. The idols of this world: wealth, fame, power, status, etc. are inviting, and they can quickly draw us away from who we are in Christ Jesus. Friends, the battle before us is not an easy one, but we can take solace in knowing God has already won the war.
Do you ever feel like you have had too much of a history of failure for God to accept you? You never can quite seem to get it right, whether at work, with your family, or friends. This verse says that God will continue the work He began until it is finished. It’s not a “one and done”; sanctification, or to be holy, is a lifelong process until Jesus returns.
Serving our neighbors is exactly how we live our lives for Christ. When we show up, open to what God can make happen through our willingness, it not only blesses others, it also helps us experience “full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way” and it continues to produce in us “abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.”
What finite, human characteristics are you applying to our Heavenly, eternal Father? He is not the scary man in the sky that frightened you in Sunday school. He’s not even the inner critic voice inside of you, the face looking back in the mirror judging everything you do. His heart is constantly flooded with love and mercy for you. Don’t miss the point. Don’t turn God into the people that have hurt you. His arms are open to His children.
Our emotional health and our spiritual health are inseparable! We can’t be spiritually healthy without being emotionally healthy. To tend to, to give yourself permission to feel your emotions is divine work.
When's the last time you faced a situation that caused you to question your adequacy? You ever feel unequal to a task God has called you to? Listen, your strength is enough… when God makes up the difference! When your obedience starts small, God will step in big!
This Labor Day, I encourage us to celebrate the accomplishments of laborers throughout the history of our great nation who have helped make our country what it is today. But I also encourage and challenge us to be purposeful and intentional as to how our good works can be done with humility and wisdom, full of mercy and good fruit, not pointing to ourselves but seeking to honor and glorify our Father in Heaven.
It’s often said, we’re living between two gardens - Genesis 1 and Revelation 22, when Eden will be restored. Life is messy in the inbetween. When Ken and I officiate weddings, I often talk about the way we begin to emotionally, and often physically, “cover ourselves” when we feel ashamed, angry, or disappointed in one another. I long for Eden to be restored.
God's fire never burns out. God can light up your life. He can set your heart ablaze for him. Therefore, when your fire is low or burning out, you must make it a mandate to say, "I MUST GO OVER AND LOOK." And when you do, Jesus will light you up. Jesus will rekindle your heart. So that you can always go to him and say, I want more of you God! I want more! I want more!
If you want to see the fruit of the Spirit in your life, rather than the destruction of the flesh, you must trust God enough to let Him guide your steps, even when it might not be how you want things to go.
We’re all given those opportunities daily but it’s up to us on whether we choose to press into them or not. When we hold a grudge, refuse to let go of an offense, or even when we’ve negatively made up our mind about someone else, that reflects poorly on us and the body of Christ. Now, this doesn’t mean it’s okay to be a doormat. Just don’t let “it,” whatever “it” is to you, hold you hostage.
So let me ask you a question: If, right now, with what you're up against… If Jesus suddenly turned, looked at you, and said, "Do you believe I can fix this?" what would you say? And, if He touched your shoulder and said, "Let it be done to you according to your faith," what would happen?
James warns us that, while we have been given dominion over all the creatures that roam the earth and sea, we are unable to control this one small part of our own body – our tongue. Not only are we unable to control it, it controls us. So, what is the solution? JESUS!
A football team needs to have unity, and to win the championship, perfect unity, to execute the plays for the touchdown and the win. As believers, we are to be united - working towards one specific goal, much like that football team does every game. We are all created uniquely different. We are people from every race, ethnicity, gender and walk of life, but we have one common purpose - to love God and love people!
Friends, whatever job or role you have right now in your life, whether it is staying at home or going out to work, it matters! It is not just a job. You are not just getting a paycheck. God is preparing you for a burning bush moment. God is setting you up for a greater purpose. In other words, Your present faithfulness will lead you to your future purpose.
Self-love doesn’t require self-worship. Together, we look to the example of Jesus. He didn’t get lost in the grieving. He didn’t get obsessed with the glory. Instead, over and over, He looked to the Father with gratitude.
I want to encourage you to be intentionally praying for your family and worshiping with them. Let’s model to our kiddos that we serve a God who deserves all the praise and all the glory. I want us all to model a posture of thankfulness to those around us. Today, may you know that “He is good, and His love endures forever.”
You have any doubts today that are keeping you from God's purpose for your life? Are you letting some sense of failure keep you from doing what God wants you to do?I didn't let doubt keep me from doing what God wanted me to do - Neither should you!
James is making a point. If our faith is not manifested in good works, then it is essentially an intellectual assent, something our mind understands, but has not changed our heart or our behavior. In essence, we would become just like one of Satan’s demons, who know in their mind who Jesus is, but choose to defy Him anyway.
Worship isn’t just songs or words. WORSHIP is how we LIVE and LOVE in everything we do! Is there something in your life that needs God’s loving chisel to chip away at in order to fully worship? Is there addiction, unforgiveness or anger? Is there a conversation you need to have with someone?
Whatever is happening to you is happening for you, God is not surprised. But there is a purpose. And it may simply be for me to learn again that I need to keep talking to God. I need to keep trusting in Him by relying on Him.
God has so much more for you, friend. You’re drinking earthly water. You’re looking at some pretty trees. Maybe He’s inviting you to trust anyways, to step out in faith and be amazed at what’s in store. Step out in faith, leave the trees, and take a look at the view.
Be a Christ influencer to those around you. Chances are you’re listening to this devotional because God has impacted your life in some way. He has inspired and influenced you to become more like Him, to truly be a follower of Jesus. So tell the world about Him. Make life less about Instagram follows and more about gaining followers for Christ.
When's the last time you were really hungry to know God? The truth is, today, everybody is seeking ultimate satisfaction through other things than God. We have allowed the things of this world to satisfy our lives and satiate our hunger. But, haven't we learned in spades that nothing that impresses us seems to last? God created us to be wowed by something bigger and better than anything this world has to offer.
We can trust God to get us through whatever troubles the world throws at us and whatever temptations come from within us. And when we come to that realization, we can proclaim, as James commands us, “Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds.”
If you don’t know where to start today, maybe let’s start with one “So Will I” statement today. I hope, when you’re faced with the decision to live out what you want, or to live out who Jesus is, the new self, I pray you’ll choose to say, “So Will I.”
Not only do we have a God who remains alongside us each step of our journey, but He is a consistently faithful protector of His people. And when we shift our gaze from the difficulty of our circumstance to the sovereign character of our God, our weariness begins to fade away and be replaced with confidence that can only be placed in the Lord above all.
It’s my prayer and my absolute hope that the words and the prayers within this song do a similar work within and upon you and your heart today. I pray that you feel the love of your Father. It’s real. It’s not an obligatory kind of love - it’s a REAL love. One that won’t abandon you, one that won’t threaten you, but one that you can count on right now and forevermore.
If you’re walking through life feeling low grade anxiety and over-exhaustion, can I just tell you right now that Jesus never intended that for you or me. He intended that you learn The Way, the way of Jesus, the way that adopts a gentle, humble heart.
It can be so easy to think and feel as though the trials and tribulations that we face are battles too big for God to face or that God will only be by our side when it is most convenient for Him, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We serve a God that has seen our darkest nights. He hears our deepest thoughts and knows the turmoil in our own hearts. We will never have to walk through the fire alone.
For some reason, you and I are sitting on the couch, in our cars, laying in bed awake, wondering how in the world this is going to work out and if God is even paying attention anymore.
We all say to ourselves, “God, I know I screwed up, and I know that you know what’s best for me to be made well. But the truth is, I’m afraid of the process that might take place to get there so I’m going to make up some excuse and sulk in the corner and try to put the pieces together myself.” So my encouragement for you today is to let your faith arise, and let the Healer do what He does best in your life today.
Maybe, we have not truly dealt with the mistakes and regrets of our sins. Perhaps the weight of those sins are not only hurting us, but others in our life. This song is such a great reminder, that, in those times when we have so much tension within, that Christ is never too far away to receive us with open arms and we can face the challenges of life.
When you take the time to walk down memory lane with God, the ways He’s shown His heart for you become unmistakably clear. There’s an unmatched power to remembering the sacrifice that was made for us so many years ago. When we reflect on the heart of the Father who has always desired to spend eternity with us, it strikes a chord of gratitude in our souls.
Psalm 19 is a blueprint to how God wants to be worshiped, by creation doing what it was created to do. The silence is actually the sound of something being what it was created to be. Creation living out the unspoken truth. The truth that a great God created you, and that Creator is deserving of our lives living out, and singing out the phrase, Great Are You Lord.
Today, as you take a moment to reflect upon the lyrics of this song, let that verse resonate within you. Your Father WANTS your heart. He wants your mind. He wants your devotion, and He wants to see you delighted in what He does with you when you hand it all over.
What work could we offer that would hold any value to the Creator of the universe? Our Father actually wants us to not own our mistakes, but instead GIVE Him our failures. He owned them already, so it’s about time we start to let some of them go to their rightful owner.
We are people with a short memory! As believers, we need to remember God’s mercy and faithfulness. The temptation is to forget, which leads to doubt, which turns to unbelief, and many times, rebellion against God. God never promises this life will be easy, but I honestly cannot remember any time that He hasn’t been faithful and surprised us in amazing ways.
In my Christian journey, I, too, have tried to earn more of God’s love by doing church things. But let me tell you, we come on Sundays not to earn but to yearn for Christ. We come to Jesus daily to be reminded of His amazing grace that is given freely to those who confess and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We come to be thankful. We come to be worshipful.
Friends, we’re in a battle every day. Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” That is why it is so important to daily put on the full armor of God! When you face a battle, no matter how miniscule or mountainous, remember to keep singing hymns of praise.
If we're seeking advancement because we want to please God, our heart posture is aligned with Heaven. But, if we are seeking advancement out of selfish ambition and pride, our hearts are turned inward instead of to the Father.
Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the negative circumstances and forget how God has been faithful throughout the years. In the moment, I can lose sight of all that God has done for me. But when I pause to remember His goodness, His mercy, and His grace, I find peace, strength, and hope for whatever I am up against - knowing that He has been, is, and will be faithful to see me through it.
Just as often as we read the laments in the Psalms, we read and sing the songs of praise to our God, for He is good - all the time. And even when it seems like He has gone on holiday, He is always with us, for to leave or forsake us would be in violation of His character, for He is a faithful God.
Do you pray for our leaders? Not just the leaders of our country, but state, county, and city. What about the leaders of our church? We’re looking at Psalm 72 today and in it, a king, whom most scholars believe to be David, prays for God to help his son rule the nation justly and wisely.
Would you pray with me that God will send and call Psalm 71 adults to minister to the next generation right in our church? As I got an opportunity to preach to the youth recently, let me tell you, they are ripe for harvest, they are hungry, and the future is bright for them. I really believe they will become the next generation of spiritual leaders to proclaim Jesus to this generation in ways we have never seen.
There are still requests that, in my finite understanding and opinion, SHOULD be answered NOW. And yet I look back on my past answered prayers and the stories of others, and I can trust that God’s timing is better. God’s plan is better. And even if I don’t see it in my lifetime, He is working all things out for the good of those that love Him.
Maybe you’re going through a tough time right now, maybe you are like David, the water is up to your neck. I wanna remind you that, just as real as your problems are right now, so is God. He is real and He is present in your circumstances. Listen, I know the struggle is real right now, but I wanna encourage you today that you serve a God who is present.
The truth is, when you understand the limitless grace that Jesus dispensed from Calvary's cross, you know there's a really really good chance you're going to find yourself standing next to someone in Heaven that you could not stand here on Earth.
Today, I offer a blessing and challenge to all of you: May God bless you and keep you; may He make His face to shine upon you, and may you praise Him today with all of your thoughts, your words, your actions, and your attitudes, for He is worthy of our praise.
If you watch a silversmith, he holds a piece of silver over the middle of the fire and lets it heat up where the flames are the hottest in order to burn away all of the impurities. The silversmith sits in front of the fire the whole time the silver is being refined. If the silver is left a moment too long in the flames, it is destroyed. He knows when the silver is refined because he can see his image in it!
The implication for you and me is this: Yes, we ought to be thankful when God shows up when we have nothing. But more than that, you can always be grateful that Jesus is your salvation and savior. I can wake up today, and five years from now, and shout and sing for joy because of Jesus.
I want more joy in my life. I’m sure you do too. We must be steadfast in our seeking of the Lord, spending our early morning hours connecting with Him, listening to His spirit throughout our days, lifting up our prayers, just like our grandmothers did years before us.
Have you ever noticed your days seem to fly by and you simply crash into bed at the end of the day, hardly noticing that you haven’t taken time to read scripture or chat with God, let alone praise or worship Him in some way? The best way I’ve found to get out of my own head and back into my much-needed spiritual rhythms with God is to look for someone else to love, to help, or to encourage.
This deeper understanding of Psalm 62 hits the problem of sin head on. It is so easy for our “prone to wander” hearts to constantly seek other things. When life gets stressful or hard, we find rest in success, money, relationships, or distractions. We turn good things into idols and dabble in destruction when we don’t teach our hearts to ONLY seek God above all.
Friends, when life is hard and the world is beating you up and pushing you down, pressing in on every side, there is no earthly help that can bring a true sense of safety and security. Only God can lift us out of the mud and mire and bring us peace, hope and joy, regardless of our circumstances. Only He can lead us to Himself, the Rock that is Higher than I.
In the midst of David’s battle loss, he focuses on God alone for comfort, relief, and guidance. We need to do the same. We may be tempted to go into battle with someone, but responding with love is God’s way.
In our culture, there are many things we watch intensely for—whatever will give me the greatest happiness. There are things in your life you watch and lean into. The Bible says we watch for certain things because it feeds our hearts. It gives us what we want. The question is, do you keep watch for God?
It’s so easy to become numb to our hurting world, inundated with stories of pain, jaded by political chaos, and quick to hide in the safety of our North County bubble. But God is calling us to speak righteousness and fight for His will. When it’s easier to stay silent, God’s inviting us to raise our hand, speak up, and be Good Neighbors.
So, no matter what you’re facing - be it disappointment, rejection, heartbreak, or any trying circumstance - know that our God is faithful. Know that His ways are above our own and that you can run to Him in times of trouble. Trust that, when God is plucking you out of a situation, it isn’t to withhold anything great from you. God is for you, and He is faithful.
Jesus is with you and He is for you and He is on your side right now as we speak! Listen… you just need to take a lesson from David and believe it! Believe that Jesus is on your side right now and working to do what you cannot do.
We, too, must stay the course and fight the battles around us, not with violence, but with love. We have an amazing opportunity to seek out meaningful ways to positively impact our neighborhoods, our nation, and our world. We can pray for those who are hurting, we can provide financial resources to assist broken families and communities, and we can step up to personally lend a hand where needed.
I’ve learned that, in the midst of the trial, we’ve got to call on God to intervene. We need to remember what He’s done in the past and anticipate what He will do in the future. And finally, we have to thank him that He’s there in the fire with us! Run to Jesus! Remember what He’s done in the past and cry for help. I can assure you, He will answer your prayer!
One thing is for sure: they will not realize their need for THE Savior if they don’t know that they are sinners. This requires prayer, it requires love, it requires time, and it requires perseverance. However, is there any other work you would rather do? In Heaven, only two things will remain, God’s Word and God’s people.
Friend, we have even more reason to be confident. Jesus Christ already conquered death. The battle is over, and as deep as the anger and pain can persist in our broken world, we can be continually confident and at peace knowing that this brokenness isn’t the end of the story. We already know the ending, and “Spoiler Alert” - Jesus comes out triumphant every time.
My salvation is wholly and completely in the person of Jesus Christ, and His Word tells me that I am an image-bearer - meaning I have the ability to behave like Christ, have a mind like Christ, and be more like Christ each and every day.
On more than one occasion, David was thrown into a crisis of identity by the accusations and indictments of people and powers stronger than him. With his confidence on shaky ground, David would slip into the Temple unannounced and ask Asaph to sing. And so, picking up the harp, Asaph would sing Psalm 50.
Friends, it is not about how much money we have, but about what we are doing with that which God has given us. It is a matter of perspective. And even more importantly, it is a matter of the heart. May we use what God has given us to be Good Neighbors and further His Kingdom on earth.
We don’t need to run to idols to fulfill and cope when we need a fortress to protect us. Rather than focusing on the challenges around us, let’s focus on the One who carries us through our days! Whatever you’re facing today, remember God is your fortress! Run to Him!
To clap your hands biblically is to express exaltation. No matter how your life is going today, this psalm reminds us to clap our hands to Jesus. It requires faith that Jesus is your great king who is sovereign over your personal life. If you are in Christ, you have a spiritual heritage that no sin or situation will ever take away! This is the gospel, my friends. This is what we are to clap for!
In Psalm 46, God isn’t advising for more hours in quiet prayer, as beneficial as that is. God is grabbing the hearts of a broken and ignorant world. Like an authoritative father to a mischievous toddler, God grabs our hand and firmly reminds us, “Be still. Stop. Knock it off. Remember who I am. Don’t fall for the traps of this world. Surrender to me.”
It is possible to be both heartbroken and hopeful. God is near, He sees sadness, but He also sees the future of hope He has for you. His nearness reminds us that the pain is temporary, but His love is everlasting.
If, today, an unforeseen crisis has slammed into your life and knocked you sideways… What should you do? Defuse or confront? Praise God for who He is for you or insist that God show up and help you… now… when His timing is different from yours? Jesus and David would say, both responses are needed.
We make our choices, good and bad, each of which set the course for our lives. It may include some wonderful times of fun and frolic, but how we manage that also has ramifications and repercussions for us.
If you feel like you’re in a spiritual wasteland, God is still with you! He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. When I’m feeling distant from God, I repeat over and over to myself His promises, I read back through my journals of answered prayers, and I continue to put my hope in God!
In Psalm 41, David is tempted to go against his integrity because of physical suffering and social pressures. It is straightforward to obey God when we are healthy and surrounded by people who support us. But what do we do when your body is giving out and you have no one on your team? It is very easy to throw in the towel and compromise.
God wants us to know Him like the dance moves we’ve been doing for years or the song we can’t get out of our head. He wants us to know Him with muscle memory, so when the world gets dark, and the storms rage, the first thing our hearts will do is turn to Him. Our automatic response will be trust.
I’d like to redeem the phrase YOLO. “You Only Live Once,” so let’s live our lives in a way that pushes us closer to Jesus. Let’s take notes from David and run to Jesus with our frustration and anguish. Let’s seek the Lord for wisdom. While our time on Earth may be like a vapor, may you know that the God you serve is eternal. We are limited, but He is limitless!
I think, if you asked him, David would tell you that, today, he's not feeling like a very good Christian. Ever feel like that? Ever feel like your failures have disqualified you from God's love? Or that your faults have trumped His forgiveness? Or that your chronic errors have driven Him from you?
When we are aligned with God, delighting in Him, asking in the name of Jesus for what He would want and praying according to the will of God, then we have the assurance of God’s promise, “He will give us the desires of our heart.”
What does it mean to put your trust under the shadow of God’s wings? We are adopted children of God, the creator of Heaven and Earth! There is nothing too big for Him to handle. There is nothing too tragic for Him to not provide comfort for us. It’s when we come, weak and broken, like David in the Psalm, that we can find refuge and comfort in Him!
There have been many other circumstances where I’m sure you and I have been falsely accused, from smaller things to bigger things. The Bible suggests seeking God for safety, support, and saving. Seek conversations to reconcile the situation, to take action to make the wrong right. However, with some false accusations, God may not avenge it in the way we may think.
God the Father shows up for you and me every single day. The saving blood of Christ rescues us from the grips of sin and death. In a broken world, even though we don’t deserve it, our Father rescues us every time. Just like David in Psalm 34, we must rejoice and praise, reminding ourselves of what God has done for us on a daily basis.
David’s response to God’s goodness was worship. What an example he has set for us to follow. So, when you’re tempted to grab your phone first thing in the morning, check social media, or get caught up in the busyness of your day, will you pause for a moment to give God what He so deserves?
Unconfessed sins block the human heart from feeling God's forgiveness! One of the healthiest heart choices you can make is to confess your failures to God and accept His forgiveness for them.
When we feel abandoned by those we love and trust, and we feel utterly alone in this world, we, too, like David, and like Jesus, have a God to whom we can turn who will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is a faithful God.
Like David, we feel like we’ll never be shaken! It’s easy to become overconfident. Only to find that everything we idolize can crumble in an instant! It’s in the pit that lament becomes our cry! But when we seek the kingdom of God above anything else, no matter what we face, we’ll be able to dance.
If you’re in need of hearing God’s thunderous voice in your life today in the form of clarity on what to do next, relief from a sickness, or simply being reminded of your immeasurable worth, try reading Psalm 29 slowly and in a different translation than you usually do.
Our God is bringing redemption to all things. So we praise Him because He is good. We praise Him to remind our hearts that no earthly matter will change eternal truth. We praise Him to nudge our hurting hearts to look up, to look at Him.
Lord, help us to not live in fear, but to rest in knowing that our hope is in You. And in a world that seems to keep letting us down, may we know in our hearts that You never will. Our strength is in You. Our Peace is in You. Our confidence is in You, Lord. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
What do you do when your reputation has been unfairly damaged by false accusation… when people are saying things about you that just aren't true? In Psalm 26, David teaches us five principles for peace in persecution.
Too often, we find ourselves asking God for things we want, whether it be a better job, a healthier marriage, more obedient children, or for life simply to be a little easier. But, I wonder, how often do we stop and ask God to show us His ways for us, His path for our life, and to guide us into His truth.
That is what I’m asking all of us to do today. STOP. You see, when we pause, God gives us a revelation that transforms our perspective, bringing us closer to Him. Selah positions us to hear His voice and be in His presence. We need to feel Jesus’ arms surrounding us in our collective grief.
Friend, are you walking through the dark valley these days? Are enemies surrounding you as you try to live for Jesus? I want to remind you today that Jesus is your shepherd. Life is an opportunity to get even deeper with God and for God to go deeper into your life.
Oftentimes, we look back and chuckle because we can see now that the problems regarding boyfriends or grades or drama seem trivial. But students have yet to fall into the trap of constantly downplaying their emotions and struggles. Instead, they let people into their lives. What if adults did more of that?
At the top of the mountain, we can rejoice in how far God has brought us, yet know that the journey doesn’t end there. At the top of the mountain, we are reminded that we have the victory and that God has adopted us into His royal priesthood and placed a crown of gold on our heads. At the top of the mountain, we can delight in knowing that the glory of the Lord will be revealed throughout our lives.
Who do you know today is going through the trial of a lifetime? You don't have to look very far these days to find someone who’s up against a battle that they did not choose or a battle they do not want. Feeling overwhelmed, out-numbered, and under-resourced, they do, however, have one very powerful weapon… You! A praying friend.
The ultimate goal, whether through General or Special Revelation, is that our lives will be transformed, and we will live in such a way that is pleasing to our God and a blessing to those around us.
I’ve lived long enough to learn that I absolutely have no control over anything. I can make my plans, but the Lord directs my paths. So the question is no longer if I’m in control, but under whose direction and control am I building my life?
No one likes being in someone else’s shadow. I don’t like it, and I could imagine you don’t like it either. I want to be independent, self-sufficient, and be able to show others I can do it. However, Psalm 17 actually encourages us to hide in God’s shadow.
The author of all things is intentional and specific, even to the point of placing arrows towards Jesus in the prayers of his predecessor 1000 years prior to Christ’s birth. In one of David’s deepest struggles, his prayer pointed to Jesus. Surely God can do the same for us in the good and bad of our lives.
Seek righteousness, speak truth, love your neighbor, stand up against evil, be a person of your word, and give to the poor without expecting anything in return. Do these things and you will never be shaken! Let’s be a people who stand firm on the Word of God. Whatever comes up against us, we will not be shaken because our foundation is in the One.
Hypothetical disasters are loud. Exaggerated fears bark at us and bully us into sleepless nights. Thankfully, the very thing our fears shout to drown out… the voice of the LORD… is infinitely more powerful than all the threats to silence it.
Like David, we, too, can experience those times where we wonder where God is, whether He has completely forgotten us in our times of trouble. But, also like David, when we cry out to God, it does not take long for us to realize He was there the entire time, just waiting for us to call on Him.
Even though David wrote this Psalm thousands of years ago, it could’ve been written today! Faithfulness and commitment is waning. I don’t know who or what to believe. Who might deceive me?
Friends, words are important. The words we give to others are important. It can either move them toward Jesus or move them away from Jesus. It can induce fear or faith. What kind of advice do you give?
Just like the yearnings expressed in Psalm 10, when we come to God with our pain, when we open our hearts and share about our struggles, He is there, He is listening, and He is ready to encourage us.
Excuse me if I’m a little giddy, y’all, but I woke up today with a full heart, with a heart of thanksgiving! You see, back in the day, I used to need a major life event or holiday to give thanks and praise to the Lord, but now I just need a song in my heart! Why? Because we serve a good God, amen?
Psalm 8 is the portrait of a God who has more power in His little finger than all that Mother Nature has in Heaven and on Earth. It's the description of a God who is not surprised by anything… who is not threatened by anyone… who is not unsettled by anything because He is in consummate control of everyone and everything in creation.
God is my rescuer, and regardless of that incident, or any other situations and circumstances I face in life, I “take refuge in Him” and know that my value and my worth are wrapped up, not in my circumstances, not in who may or may not like me, but in who I am in Him. It is my Lord and my God who saves and delivers me daily and reminds me of WHOSE I am.
These last few years have been extremely difficult on all of us, as well as our families. Statistically, mental health challenges in children and teens are at an all time high! Jesus knows your pain. Run TO Him, not the other way! It’s only when we acknowledge our pain, sit at the feet of Jesus, and seek the support of one another that we can begin the long road to healing.
There is something about praying in the morning. I always like to think perhaps this Psalmist discovered one of the secrets to spiritual life. A life hack! This spiritual work of praying in the morning has many benefits.
In a world that is loud and chaotic and full of heart-wrenching emotion, how will we ever find peace? There’s a laundry list of reasons to worry and issues to grieve and things to be done. How do we NOT walk around with a high blood pressure and deep cynicism about life? All we have to do is come to God, let Him wrap us in His arms, and then we will find peace.
Maybe, today, you need the Lord to place His hand under your chin and lift your head. Can I submit to you that He already knows what you need? He hears you when you speak to Him and He sees you when you just can’t quite find the words. So today, may He be your shield and the “lifter of your head.”
God may be in His Heaven… but all is NOT right with the world! I mean, what are we supposed to do? Sink into depression and despair? Or white-knuckle a naive optimism? The world has not changed since the time of David, and neither has God! Jesus is LORD over everyone and everything. Trust Him as your safe place in a dangerous world!
God is my rescuer, and regardless of that incident, or any other situations and circumstances I face in life, I “take refuge in Him” and know that my value and my worth are wrapped up, not in my circumstances, not in who may or may not like me, but in who I am in Him. It is my Lord and my God who saves and delivers me daily and reminds me of WHOSE I am.
There is a reason Jesus loved to spend time with children. Thinking back over our Disneyland day, through the eyes of Emery, I was reminded to live in the moment, trust Jesus with everything else and just live the adventure of loving everyone around me! Oh, and don’t forget to talk to Jesus throughout my day!
In our daily callings to our family, work, and church, are you expecting great things and attempting great things for the glory of God? This could mean a prayerful hello to that neighbor or a spirit-filled small talk with your coworker. The point is, it is about believing our small acts of faithfulness of reaching out to others will have eternal kingdom growing potential.
As followers of Jesus, our sin doesn’t change our standing with God, but it does change our fellowship with Him. When we walk away from Him, towards the idols of this world, naturally our connection with Him changes. But when we are aware of our temptations, when we name our struggles, and when we seek accountability and change, the Holy Spirit gives us victory over our “kryptonite.”
I have sat with this question for some time: how could the God of both love me so much? The answer could be as simple as: because He is good OR because He is love. Both of those things are true, by the way, but I long to understand more deeply how God loves because I want to give that love to others.
The enemy's greatest fear is that you'll discover who you really are in Christ, what you're really worth, and the amazing plan that God has for your life. Remember… God has given you the ability to choose the internal dialogue you believe and respond to.
We need to WAIT on the power of the Holy Spirit, who is always available to us as followers of Jesus. Then, we need to GO in that power to accomplish what God has set before us. When we do that, we will experience success to the glory of God.
Do you ever feel like giving up? You’re nervous because someone is watching you. You’ve tried and you seem to never succeed. It’s much easier to just quit, claim failure and beat yourself up. The promotion, job search, parenting a teen - it all seems so futile! STOP! Don’t give up!
Friends, I believe we, as a church, had a blessing and powerful Easter weekend. But for transformation to happen, we need holy frustration. We need the conviction of sin daily, confession of his need, and the justification of God, which leads to the transformation of our lives.
But on another mundane Thursday morning, after all of the fun is over, nahhh not much excitement to be found. It is on days like today, when praising God is more important than ever. It is up to us (and the Holy Spirit) to train our hearts to naturally resort back to worshiping God - on the mountaintop moments, in the monotony, and throughout the valleys.
I can share from personal experience that what sustained me in my difficult season was trust. I trusted that God is who He says He is. I trusted that God loved me and would never leave me. I trusted that God was not a man that He should lie, but that He was a Man of His Word and His promises would come to fruition.
Easter is the Good News that God can resurrect dead things and make them live again! Easter isn't once a year, it's every day! Because the Risen Christ is Alive, and He is with you, and He is with me, and He expects you and I to trust Him in the hard decisions of life, that He can do what we cannot do or foresee for those who know Him and love Him!
I have to wonder how often that happens in our lives. We are walking along on the journey of life and Jesus shows up, but we don’t recognize Him. We keep walking and doing the same things we have always done, wondering why things don’t turn out differently.
Silent Saturdays. The days between the problem and the solution, the question and the answer. It’s in the silence that we wonder if God cares. Is He mad? Why doesn’t He do something? Jesus is in the tomb. Do something! My marriage is upside down, my child is addicted to drugs, I just got diagnosed with cancer. Do something! At least tell me what to do.
Good Friday reminds us to worship Jesus, who accomplished the greatest work in all of redemptive history when He said, “It is finished.” His work on the Cross satisfied the wrath of sin and provided what we need the most.
Friend, I know there are parts of your story you don’t post on Facebook. I know there are secrets you don’t advertise to your friends. I know there are regrets and insecurities and deep hurts that stay locked away. Do you know that Jesus saw those very things, and He’s still offering you the bread and the cup?
Throughout the rest of the week, you will hear about Jesus’ death and resurrection. While Jesus was sent to walk the Earth and, ultimately, live to die for us, He was also sent to model sacrifice and obedience. So, when Mary gave away her most-prized position to show honor and respect to Jesus, it modeled that there is no earthly possession above Him.
Jesus loves those in rebellion against Him as much as He loves those in relationship with Him! Tuesday is a day for questions. So let me give you one: "How do you explain a love that is beyond explanation? Answer: You don't… You just receive it!
As we enter Holy Week, may our faith in Jesus be real, evidenced by the fruit produced in our lives, and may our faith be strong, believing God can do so much more than what we have attributed to Him.
The question I’m challenging us all to wrestle with today is: “Do I celebrate Easter as a shiny new gift with Peeps and chocolate and move on? Or do I celebrate Easter, and every day, with enormous gratitude for Jesus rescuing me when I was flooded and drowning in sin, guilt and shame?”
I love the Easter season because, as people are getting baptized, you get to hear their testimonies. However, I noticed that some people get shy about sharing their testimony because it is not dramatic or crazy, where you had to be a drug dealer or be in jail. Those testimonies are good, and we need to hear them, but we cannot dismiss the testimony that God has given to each of us!
Your present sufferings don’t disqualify you from celebrating the goodness of resurrection. Instead, they make the goodness of Easter all the more real, because when you’ve experienced the pain of death then you can truly cherish the beauty of life.
As parents, it is our position to model Christ for our kiddos. By instilling these spiritual rhythms, my prayer is that when Omri is older and in need, he will turn to the things of God and not the things of this world.
I’m not sure what you looked at the cross and thought previously, but I pray that you look at it now with just a little more thoughtfulness. And no matter how heavy your cross may feel today, may you carry it with the exact confidence Jesus created for you, one day at a time.
Memories are good, and it is the memory of what Jesus did for us on the cross and His Resurrection from the grave that make these specific memories some of the best we could ever have.
Think about the night Jesus was betrayed. He taught His disciples, in a beautiful way, what it meant to be His follower. The roads were dusty in Jesus’ time and when arriving as guests for a dinner, the lowest of the servants' jobs was to wash the feet of the guests. And yet, who was it that took over and served this particular evening? It was Jesus.
Jesus wants to have a life with you. He wants to know how you feel, think, and live. He wants to understand you so that He can uniquely send you out on a mission only you can fulfill. Discipleship is not only about what you can do, but more about who you are becoming. Jesus wants you to spend time with Him to become more like Him.
Jesus models a life of community and discipleship that picks people for the long haul. It doesn’t mean that we’re everything for everyone all the time. But a life of community and discipleship that is modeled after Christ is one that picks deep, committed relationships, with the few that he guides us to. It’s a life that makes space for mistakes with accountability, forgiveness with loads of grace, and empowerment into something greater, away from our sin.
Don’t keep Jesus to yourself. Family, let nothing be wasted. Utilize your gifts, time, and resources to give to those around you. Don’t count yourself out or minimize the idea that God can use you to impact others. Like Jesus, minister and serve others and let nothing be wasted. Be Heaven on Earth.
What do you say to the God who gave you the ultimate gift of His Son, who came from Heaven to Earth just to show us the way from Earth to Heaven? When you find yourself enjoying gift after gift after gift that you have not earned, that you do not deserve, that you can not pay back… what do you say to the God who provided it? You say, “Thank You, Jesus… so much!" And you will be SAVED!
Anytime we put anything, or anyone, ahead of our relationship with Jesus, we have violated the first commandment. It is that simple. And Jesus makes it very clear that He does not accept that. If we don’t figuratively HATE all these other things, then we cannot be His disciple.
I’m often asked what formula or setting should be created when we pray. Many of you learned formulas at some point in your life, such as ACTS or SOAP. While there is not a specific “formula” or time of day that we see modeled by Jesus, we can learn from His prayer life.
As the crowds grew, as the demands increased, as the needs were urgent, Jesus' greatest need was to withdraw and to pray. The busyness of life and ministry did not stop Jesus from going to the Father. He had an unceasing desire to rest and receive from God. How much more do we also need to get away and pray? How often are you withdrawing and praying?
Even if everything is going great, now is the time when we get to prepare for those fight or flight moments. Let’s pursue our God so deeply, let’s get to know Him so intimately, that when our worst day comes, our only response will be to trust Him. Keep praying, friend, keep trusting. Let’s seek Him above all.
We see what’s in front of us, but God, in all His preeminence, has an aerial view. He’s not our genie in a bottle. He’s an all-knowing, holy God. The Alpha & Omega. The Beginning and the End. So, our response to our circumstances should always be prayer. Trust that His ways are good and His timing is perfect.
Prayer - Talking to God the Father personally… honestly… sincerely… regularly - creates intimacy with God, strength from God, humility before God, and confidence in God! In short, if Jesus discovered capacities from God to overcome what overcame Him through prayer… so will we!
Our prayers require tenacity, persistence, and faithfulness. We are to never give up praying, because our prayers are based on an absolute trust and faith in our God. We can fully count on the Lord to answer our prayers when, where and how He chooses.
The point of this Parable is not to get fixed on a specific number, checklist, or scorecard as Peter was doing. Jesus wanted His followers, both then and now, to get into the habit of forgiving. It should be second nature.
I wake up every day with this faith that what I do, who I meet, and who I serve - God is always working and growing His Kingdom. My job is not to worry about the impact or the result. But to daily be faithful and to daily trust the mustard seeds that are being planted will grow to glorify God.
Friend, would you let God be your safe space today? He isn’t looking at a list and checking it twice. His arms are open to you. Just like my earthly father, just like Jesus’ parable, God the Father wants to pick you up, keep you safe, and whisper in your ear, “Welcome home, my child, I love you.”
Imagine if God had withheld His forgiveness from us? We don’t forgive because the other person deserves it. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We forgive because God has called us to. Some of you may be holding onto unforgiveness. I encourage you, in this moment, to forgive them.
Anyone feeling passed over… invisible… unappreciated… today? I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need to know that people "see me." If you lived in the first century with all of your wierdities and Jesus walked by, He would SEE you! Why? Because He likes you! It's not just that "God so loved the world,” but that Jesus likes you, and He chooses to hang out with You!
As Lent continues and we approach Holy Week, we, too, have a choice to make - to reject the Heir (Jesus) and seek to run our own kingdom where we have power, control, and influence or accept and believe in the One who is the Heir of God, who came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and bring a new Kingdom to earth where He rules… with love and grace and mercy.
I’ve talked with many of you who are going through your own pain due to broken relationships from the fallout of all that has happened in our world over the past few years. It’s easy to pick up our swords and figuratively cut off someone’s ear on social media or send our children to picket in front of their schools, but I don’t believe that is what Jesus would have us do!
It requires an act of God, a miracle of God, for me to see anyone and everyone and have compassion 100% of the time. This is why I believe Jesus is the only amazing and awesome One because He is an All and Every Savior. He is the only one who can see the crowd and have compassion 100% of the time, every time, all the time. Only Jesus can do this.
Oh dear friend, how often are we like Jairus and his loved ones, desperately afraid of the challenges in our life, demanding Jesus to show up NOW, to fix the problem, and to fit into our finite expectations? And yet, Jesus meets our chaos, fear, and demands with unbothered patience and gentleness. He reminds us to believe.
Sometimes, life throws us curve balls. We wind up like Peter, beginning to sink into all our doubts, problems, and circumstances. Are you allowing your emotions or circumstances to make you sink when you should be sinking into the arms of Jesus? Let me remind you that God is still the God of miracles.
If you're like me, you've got way more than enough challenges, issues, problems in your life right now to bring you to your knees in prayer every morning before Jesus. Where is God in your tragedy? Right smack dab in the middle of it! God is present in the darkness to bring help and healing and hope to His people.
Pam and I instruct every couple for whom we officiate their wedding ceremony, that if they will continually invite Jesus into their marriage, not only will it survive… it will thrive. As one person put it best, it takes three to make two become one.
When Jesus was on the earth, He was tempted. Would He submit to the devil (god) or God? You can read about His temptation in Matthew 4:1-11. He was tempted with food, after 40 days of fasting, and powerful wealth if He would only submit to the devil. Even in His humanity, Jesus kept His focus on God, who was at the center of His heart.
To call people to repentance and to follow Jesus requires spiritual power. And spiritual power is gained through obedience. Jesus obeyed His Heavenly Father's preparation, so when it came time to preach repentance, people repented. And when it came time to say, “Come, follow me,” people followed.
Jesus as the new symbol of peace has tangible, real meaning in your life today. Your sin and brokenness created chaos and division between you and God. But because of Jesus’ perfect life, painful death, and triumphant resurrection, your symbol of peace is here. You can be close to your perfect Creator because the blood of that final peace offering covers all. THAT is good news.
Why do we get baptized? Is it because our families want us to? Our spouse wants us to? Because our pastor wants us to? Listen, the only acceptable reason for getting baptized is because Jesus commands us to.
The bad news is: We're worse than we thought! The good news is: God loves us way more than we ever dreamed! So, put a magnifying glass on the intentions of your heart today and let your faults, your failings, your bad attitudes lead you to the cleansing soap of God's forgiveness and grace that flows down from Jesus on Calvary's cross. Just whisper, "Jesus, wash me clean!"
What a beautiful example for us. We, too, are called to prepare the way for those around us to come to know Jesus Christ. And it is never to be about us, but about elevating Jesus as the One worthy of glory, praise, and honor. We, too, must become less so that He can become greater.
Friends, whether we are parents, grandparents, or adopted aunts and uncles, we have a role to play. To continue to help the next generation believe, “It’s not about you,” we must teach them what it means to be a good neighbor, both right here in our city and throughout the world!
My Kingdom dream is that we will have Good Neighbor followers of Christ all over the world. My Kingdom dream is to visit Kenya or Europe or Japan and see one of you serving Jesus there, and we will pick up where we left off. Just as we served here, we will serve there. All for Jesus!
I think service is so powerful in shaping our hearts to look more like Christ because it’s how we start to truly understand His love. When we lay mulch, or pack meals, or hold crying babies, or pray over teenagers, or sit with seniors, or lend a hand to survivors - our love for our neighbors grows. And as that love grows we better understand the love God has for them, and the love He has for us.
This is what we do anytime we want to explore and nurture any earthly relationship - we communicate. Without communication, the relationship doesn’t flourish, right? The same goes with our relationship with Jesus. When we don’t talk to God, we don’t grow our relationship with Him.
Knowing the stuff that truly matters is the difference between a foolish man and a wise woman. Knowing what matters is often the difference, over the long haul, between a life that works and a life that's wrecked. So build your life on what doesn't move… Jesus!
Sometimes it is easier, and far more comfortable, to isolate from the communities in which we live – to keep the outside world out… side. But, regardless of where you are reading this, whether here in San Diego, somewhere across this great country of ours, or as far as the Netherlands and Johannesburg, South Africa, we are God’s agents to bring His light to the darkness. His hope to the hopeless and His peace to the restless.
In all of our striving, I wonder if we’ve lost sight of something critical: Seeing the people right in front of us. I don’t just mean looking at, but really seeing them, taking the time to learn to know and understand them. Let’s be a community of people that aren't so busy striving and doing work to make life better, that we lose sight of the one or two right in front of us!
We often think about the challenges of serving our neighbors first. I don't have much to give. Others are better at serving than me. If I were more "blank," then I'd serve more. I'll serve only if there is a huge need. But as we serve others, God opens up our eyes and heart to feel what He feels, to see what He sees.
We have the ultimate example of servant-hearted love in the life and death of Jesus Christ. He lost it all so He could make sure He gained a forever with you. That’s the kind of heart that chooses us. So then we can go out and show that love to others who desperately need to feel chosen.
Family, God is doing a new thing! And so, let’s ask God how we can be a part of it! First, make room for Him. Make room for the new thing He will do. Make room for how He wants to use you in your families, community, and in His church.
Every human being matters equally, not because they're equally smart or equally attractive or equally gifted or equally whatever, but because we are all equally and immeasurably loved and cherished by God the Father! Pay attention when a crisis or a celebration or a situation happens in their life that you can respond to. ‘Cause… That's Jesus!
May we be a people of God who are intentional, consistent, and deliberate about praising our Lord each day, for He is worthy of our praise. He is the God who heals, the God who saves, and the God who always makes a way. He hung on the cross and He rose up from that grave. Our God is still rolling stones away.
How do you approach prayer? Do you go to God with your shopping list of needs? Maybe I should say “wants”? It’s easy to do, isn’t it. We’re busy and we really don’t have a lot of time to spend in worship, confession or adoration. Sound familiar? Today, put that aside and just worship the One who gave us life and breath.
Why would you wait on a seemingly invisible God? Why wouldn’t you pick the quick-fix idols of the world? Why would you choose the counter-cultural way of Christ? Because you’ve tasted His goodness. Because you’ve encountered a God so good, so consistent, so loving, so real, so tangible, so personal - that how could you NOT trust in His promises?
God is your refuge! There is no other name like the name of Jesus. No other name that holds the same amount of power. He is the only One who has edifice qualities. We can literally run to Him. We can look up at Him and know that there is nothing we can’t overcome.
God is giving you His whole-hearted, undivided attention. It is not the casual listening of a preoccupied mind. No! It's an engaged, concentrated, attention that says, "There's no place I'd rather be! There's no one I'd rather be with!"
Rather than take on the world, we must recognize our need for God, cry out to Him, then watch as He delivers us. May we claim that victory today, not from our efforts, but in the strength and power of our God, for the battle belongs to Him.
Friends, I don’t know what idols are in your life today, but I do know that when we begin to set our hearts on things above, transformation occurs. God has a purpose, promise and plan for your life. Set your mind and your heart on Jesus. That’s when He turns graves into gardens.
God desires my participation in any battle and to trust in His promises. Our participation is: I'll fight on my knees in prayer through the battle. The promise is trusting the battle belongs to the Lord.
God is working things out with an eternal perspective, and we aren’t in a place to question or fully understand. Instead, we remember who He is, we trust in the midst of suffering, and we seek Him.
God doesn’t just care if we wait on Him, He also cares how we wait. Are you patiently waiting with an expectant heart that God will deliver on His promises? Or are you waiting, frustrated that God hasn’t answered your prayer yet?
God never said that our lives would be without pain. Pain will be a scarlet thread that runs through every chapter of our book. And oftentimes, when we're in it, it will seem like the longest chapter of our lives… like it'll never end. Cry out to God. Trust in His Word. And take heart because God answers prayer.
We must remind ourselves that joy does not mean happiness, for it is difficult, if not impossible, to imagine being happy about our trials. However, when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, knowing He will walk with us, even carry us when necessary, through those difficult times, and bring us out the other side, there is an abiding joy in us.
Because God is all powerful, everywhere and knows everything, take a few minutes to sit in the “bigness” of Him. Invite Him to (v. 23-24) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
For me, though it took some time, I try my best to recognize that this communion time is as rich and comforting as the Korean-style chicken soup. I, Sean, was and still am a sinner, yet Jesus sacrificed His life and died for me. He gave me a second chance. He gave me a clean slate.
Jesus didn’t pick us on our best day, in our brightest moment, when we had it all together. While we were still sinners, in our deepest moment of rebellion, Christ was so moved with compassion and love that He sacrificed His life so we might be able to be in relationship with Him. There is nothing we can do to earn it, no accomplishment we can achieve to be deserving of it, it is a free gift.
Find the thing that seems to be getting in between you and God and give it up for a period of time. Replace that time with devotion, worship and prayer. And watch how God transforms your life!
Where is your point of desperation today? How persistent are you for the blessing? How bold are you for the miracle? How relentless are you for the breakthrough? How long will you keep knocking on that door of opportunity in prayer and petition before Jesus?
Our God is a patient God, which is great news for all of us who are still praying for a loved one to come to know Him. God knows the exact day and hour when Jesus will return. Let’s not hurry it, but instead, let’s use the time He has given us to continue to share the Good News with those around us.
Today I’m asking you to take a risk. I believe God has more for us in 2022! We’re not called to just live, but to an abundant, joy filled life. Let’s not just swim into this year, but jump into the deep end of obedience and see what God does! I can’t wait!
Christians experience koinonia. Sure, sports teams, frats, mom’s clubs, and best friends come close to having that bond. But Christians are glued with something more profound and spiritual. This koinonia is the fellowship the Trinity has with one another, and we too get a glimpse of this as the body of Christ.
I wonder how incredibly different our outlook on life would be, how much more encouraged our spirit would feel, and how different our problems might look as we approach them with confidence rather than fear. Of course it’s not a bad thing to ask God for what we need - but what if we didn’t always hop straight to the to-do list? What if we reserved time to just thank Him?
Maybe you’re like me and you have made a lot of mistakes throughout your life… ones that you’re not super proud of. You see, God factored in all of the mistakes that we would make, and He still chose us. Let that sink in for a moment. You are not your mistakes. You are a child of God.
No difficulty will be too great for us to overcome in Christ! What's required? Faith! And not watermelon-sized faith, but mustard seed-sized faith. In other words, it's not the quantity of faith, but the quality of faith that turns mountains into molehills! That is, do you really believe God WANTS TO in your life?
As followers of Jesus Christ, God has given us everything we need (great input) to experience quality output (a godly life). When we fill our minds with the things of God, we are liberated, we are set free from the bondage of sin and darkness.
We’re already halfway through the month of January! Have you started any new spiritual rhythms? What? You haven’t had a chance yet? I know it’s not easy. But if you want 2022 to be a year of growing closer to God and others, I encourage you to begin! It’s just like learning to walk… take the first step!
The question for us this January of 2022 is, are you devoted to the Bible? The Word of God gives us direction, and prayer provides us with the power to live it out. But the first baby step is to slow down and meditate on the Bible. Friends, what a great opportunity we have as we start the new year to re-dedicate ourselves to the Bible.
Let’s not walk through this year alone. Let’s bear the weight of life together. Let’s find people to hold us accountable as we accomplish our goals. Two are better than one. God wants us to band together, as we navigate the chaos and beauty of our broken world.
The story of Bartimaeus is a testament to the healing power of Jesus, but also an encouragement to activate your faith. To see things through the eyes of the Father and to allow Him to guide you. Just as the people attempted to silence Bartimaeus as he was crying out to the Lord, the world may be doing the same to you.
If you're trudging through the wilderness of some pressing choice… run to God the Father! God wants an intimate relationship with you so His wisdom can influence your thoughts… so His holiness can influence your behavior… so His heart can influence your choices!
Whatever goals I set, whether for me or for our church family, my desire and commitment is that they are those that create consistency and sustainability, actions and behaviors that can be performed regularly and don’t fade away with the passing of time.
Have you ever met someone that just had something different about them? It’s a kind of glow! What you see, you may not even be able to express in words. I can guarantee it is the light of Christ radiating throughout every inch of their being! That is the kind of light I want to exude!
Friends, we have much to look forward to as followers of Christ in 2022. We can look forward to the future salvation of many in San Diego. We can look forward to the future sanctification of his people. We can look forward to the future glory of Christ.
In a world that feels endlessly divided, constantly terrorized by disagreements over masks, opinions, and Facebook fights - we see Ephiphany, the manifestation of Christ. The King of kings. The One to whom all must submit, the One who brings us all together.
Seemingly impossible tasks tend to create frustration, anxiety and hopelessness. Sounds a lot like the world we live in today. So, what does Peter tell us to do? “Give all our cares to Jesus.” Let’s claim that promise together in 2022. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you.
Today, at the start of a brand new 2022, I have some good old-fashioned Chicken Soup for the Soul from the hearts of two moms. Do what Jesus tells you to do, and It's what inside… not outside… It's what's inside that counts! Especially when the “what” inside is a Who named "Jesus!"
Website Excerpt: As we move into 2022, may each of us recognize how important we are to God’s church, and to each other, and may we use the gift(s) He has given us to benefit one another. We need each other!
I’ve seen first hand transformation in lives occur as God does that new thing! Do you desire something new? Are you tired of making resolutions each year only to fail once more? Let’s begin 2022 with the past in the rearview mirror. God has greater things in store for you!
The point isn’t how many days you can fast or how long you can pray, but are you relying and depending on God and His strength to wait. As we go into the New Year and wait with God’s grace of His Word, prayer, and fasting, we can give thanks to God and speak of Him to all who are waiting!
And I know He will give you courage and strength. I know He will keep His promises as you enter the new land. All you have to do is surrender, obey, and trust that He’s with you. And then watch as He triumphs in your life.
Friends, if the world is going to change, it begins with us. Someone has to set the example of how to love one another, even those who don’t seem deserving of our love.We must love one another as God first loved us, for He loved us when WE were not worthy of His love.
The angel told Mary that this is the season you don't have to convince anybody about your dream - if they don't believe it, just tell them, "Wait a little while… ‘Cause it's God's dream for me, so it will come to pass!" The only one you need to believe in your dream, besides you, is God! And He's the one who gave it to you!
So, what if rather than making sharing the Good News about Jesus a task to be accomplished, it simply becomes an authentic expression of who we are, and a recognition of what Jesus has done for us?
Calm your heart. Clear your mind. Ponder the wonder of the Nativity. The reality is that we never outgrow our thirst to understand the mystery and wonder of knowing Jesus more. As we experience His love in a deeper way, we have to ask ourselves the question: Do I carry the joy of the Gospel into all areas of my life? What do I have to offer at the manger that Jesus is asking me to bring?
The point is, for Simeon, comfort and peace was when everything went according to God's word, and so the application for us is that we are to daily be comforted with His promises as we wait.
Christmas isn’t just for the kids. It isn’t just for those who went to church the other 51 weekends of the year. It’s for everyone. That’s the love of Christ, that’s Christmas. It’s for you, at your worst. It’s for me, at my most broken.
Like the Greek language, the Hebrew language (the original language of the Old Testament) has several words for love. One of my favorites, however, is “Ahava,” which literally means “I give.” God loves us so much that “He gave” His Only Son. In return, He asks that we share that love with others, that we “give.” What does that look like in real life?
He doesn't want our best… He wants our worst! That's why He came. The angel said that Jesus came to rescue us from our sins. Wow! This could just be the single greatest White Elephant gift exchange in the history of the world!
As Christ-followers, we are called to love God and to share His love (Agape love) with all those around us. We are to love selflessly, unconditionally, putting the needs of others before ourselves. This is the love God showed us when He sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
How can we be happy when we’re having surgery for cancer the week before Christmas? Or we’ve lost a loved one and everyone we encounter is laughing and holding hands? How can we smile when we just received the notice that our company is closing its doors? Why does it feel like this season accentuates our pain, disappointments and losses?
Imagine what a joy it will be, thousands of years later, when we are in Heaven and we get to hear many beloved brothers and sisters in Christ share how it was the Christmas of 2021 where they gave their lives to Christ.
Joy is an outpouring of the Spirit in us. If you are looking for joy this December, look no further than Jesus. Relationship with Him shapes us, molds us, and allows us to choose joy even when our circumstances don’t make sense. We can have eternal joy, even when we aren’t experiencing worldly happiness.
A branch connected to the vine, especially a strong, healthy vine, will bear fruit. Disconnected, it will wither and die. It is how nature works. Jesus is the true vine. It is humbling yet exhilarating to realize how desperately we need Jesus. He is our lifeblood, He is the source of all hope, peace and love.
This Christmas, if you're feeling like you're in the dark and you don't know what to do, why not invite Jesus to step into your confusion, and He will not only show you what to do, but He will also give you the strength, the grace, the wisdom, the power to do it. Then, you will know the Joy of hearing God the Father declare all over again in your darkness… "Let there be Light!"
Jesus is not just a baby born in a manger. He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords! He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. He is the Messiah, the Sent One from God to take away our sins. Does that not fill you with joy?
If we are to be peacemakers, we need to encourage one another. Look for the best in people and situations. Build up our family members, friends and co-workers. If we’re not building others up, we’re usually tearing them down! That means no gossip, but speaking truth in love!
Friends, today, if you feel your spirit is in a hurry, I invite you to rest in the peace that only Jesus can provide. Sit and meditate on them. God tells us that His words are living and active, so allow His words to saturate your soul.
When I look around, it’s rare that I would describe almost anything as “peaceful.” And yet, this advent season, that is exactly what we celebrate: the peace of Jesus. So in a world that has so little peace, how do we possibly embrace it amidst the chaos?
When I am selfish, self-centered, needing to be right, pushing my will upon others, peace is definitely elusive; but when I surrender to the Lord and seek to walk in His ways, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my steps, then God’s Word brings me comfort, hope and peace.
I believe that even though you and I are separated this Christmas from so many faces from the past… Yet we are together… we are Connected… especially at Christmas. And here's why: Because Jesus lives in our hearts and our homes!
As Christ-followers this Christmas season, it is critical that we not look for our peace in this world, for we will only find pain and suffering, but that we find our peace in Jesus Christ alone, for the promise from the angels is that He will bring “peace for whom His favor rests.”
Today completes our first week of advent focused on the ‘hope’ of Christmas. I’ve been acutely aware this week of how often I hear the word ‘hope’. Hope implies waiting, hope requires patience. Hope demands action - the action of looking forward with hope, holding on to hope, clinging to hope.
One person said that David’s heart was more out of tune than his harp, yet as he laments, God changed him. Though he started with a sigh, he ended with a song. Though he began in tears, he ended with trust. This is why the definition of biblical lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust.
Where is your hope this December? The world is full of idols that are constantly vying for attention, hoping that they’ll be the basket we throw all of our metaphorical eggs into. Friend, it will all disappoint. In the eyes of eternity, any hopes of this world don't hold a candle to the hope of sweet baby Jesus.
This advent season, may we hold on to the hope of knowing that Jesus is the Messiah, that He was sent into the world to save the world, and will one day come back again to make all things new. What a glorious day that will be!
If there's a nagging sense of "lostness" that lives just below all the "stuff" of Christmas for you this year, I want to remind you of the Good News that the God of Heaven has seen your lostness, and He made the great Leap to come down into your neighborhood just to say to you, "You look lost, how can I help?"
Advent is a season that invites us to step away from what can be a frenzied time of parties and shopping to consider how we commemorate the birth of Jesus, one of the holiest times in the Christian faith.
Friends, it’s easy to look at the day-to-day frustrations of life and focus on what we don’t have, rather than all of the gifts we’ve been given. Will you join me in an attitude of gratitude? Not just this week, but every week.
Whether someone is in abundance or in need, Jesus knows how to love them and minister to them. In other words, He is big enough to embrace any and all circumstances. This truth caused me to be in awe of Him. It humbled me to worship Him. And it empowered me to share this secret with others.
It is so beautiful to spend one holiday being thankful, but what would life look like if a sense of gratitude permeated our lives 365 days a year? What if, in all of our circumstances, we first focused on what we have, rather than what we don’t?
This Thanksgiving, and beyond, may our focus go beyond being thankful for what we have, but with grateful hearts, open our eyes to the needs around us, and put our gratitude in action.
Imputed Righteousness is a theological concept put forward by the Apostle Paul and named by Martin Luther that says when you and I put our faith in the forgiving work Jesus did on that cross for us, God puts the righteousness of Jesus on us!
Even Jesus, the very Son of God, who had legions of angels at his disposal, recognized the value of relationships and called twelve men to go on the journey with Him. He knew the value of having others around Him… of doing life together.
As you reflect this weekend on what you’re grateful for, take some time to sit with your Bible. Has the Word of God gotten IN you? Have you been radically changed? Thank God for the gift you’ve been given of knowing Him through His Word!
Who can we encourage today with a hello, a text, or a phone call? Who can we remind this week that God sees you and so do I? God loves you and so do I.
Believers wrestle with wondering where God is, why He isn’t answering, why they aren’t getting what they want. The hard truth that we tend to avoid is that God does answer prayers. Oftentimes the answer is no. God, we praise you for your mercy and kindness. Show us the next step. Give us eternal perspective.
We can only accomplish greater things when we are in a true, genuine relationship with God through belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. When we have a relationship with Jesus, we become vessels available to God to accomplish His work in us and in the lives of those around us.
Could it be that until you and I are "dipped into"... totally immersed… to the core of our being, with the good news that we are "the beloved son,” that we are "the beloved daughter" of God the Father… until then, we cannot possibly know who we are, what we were born to do, or how infinitely valuable we are?
We, as Christ-followers in the 21st century, face challenges unlike any we have faced before. But, we have the privilege, and yes, even the responsibility, to represent Jesus in such a way that we are not offensive, but exhibit love of another kind.
In ancient times, when a disciple followed a teacher as they walked from one place to the next, they would say, “May I be clothed with the dust of the rabbi’s feet.” They wanted the teacher's way of life to become their own. Jesus invites us to leave behind the weariness and burden’s of the ‘yoke’ of slavery and live a life with rest and peace, closer to Him.
Friends, I invite you to not let your fears distract you from being faithful to God and what God wants you to do today. Don’t let fear paralyze you from pursuing God’s calling for you. Fearlessly praise God. Sing like never before, and by God’s grace, your fears will slowly but surely turn to faith.
While our excuses sound valid, I think if we’re honest with ourselves, there is always space if we truly value the thing we’re making space for. If we worship Jesus above all, then we need to take a look at how our calendars reflect that.
Baptism does not make us new, but it does symbolize that we are new in Christ Jesus. Baptism does not save us, but it does outwardly profess the inward transformation that took place in us when we gave our life to Jesus Christ.
With an honest awareness of your own failings and mistakes, why not stand against the crowd's quick judgement and pray for the one who has fallen and remind the crowd that Jesus is present with Grace for every mistake, for every sin.
It is when life gets tough that our true character is revealed. It is not only doing the right thing when no one else does, but doing the right thing in every circumstance. It is our consistency that causes others to respect and trust us.
As we make plans, we should do so with an absolute dependence on Jesus. The focus of our plans should include loving God and others well.
If today, you're working a job you do not like… or working for an employer you like even less… try Paul's approach. Make the decision to do the best job that you can do… not for your boss, but for Jesus. Chances are, the people who work around you will start wondering what in the world is up with you… and they will get a healthy glimpse of the Jesus you follow.
God looks at the dirtiest parts of David, and of you and me, and picks us to be part of His plan for mankind. So often, our shame and insecurity lie to us. We doubt that God could use us, we scoff at the thought that there is anything left for us. We assume that our past, our sin, our struggle disqualify us from making an eternal impact. But God doesn’t make mistakes.
We have such a great opportunity to positively influence the lives of others, encouraging them and building them up, helping them to embrace how valued and loved they are. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to encourage one another and build each other up, but how are we to do that when we don’t really know one another?
In the beginning, God created… relationships! Yes, God created the heavens, the earth, and all the creatures who walk and swim and fly across the planet. But why? God created this amazing, life-sustaining environment for one reason - that is, so you and I could live in relationship with God the Father and with one another!
Living for Jesus does not always match up with the values and goals of this world. It is far easier to live like the rest of the world, where selfishness and self-centeredness are the focus – what’s in it for me?
Do you wonder if God will really provide for your situation? Friends, if you are waiting to see God’s provision, don’t give up hope! He WILL provide, as you trust, surrender “your” desire for everything to go the way you have planned, and put Him first in your life.
When did we lose our sense of wonder? Where did it go? Regain your sense of wonder, now, as you live the gift you have been given… knowing that the best is yet to come!
Friend, you are going to face a lot of fear. Our world is broken and scary. The fear is guaranteed. You can let it ruin you, or you can choose to see it as an opportunity to learn. Some say that curiosity killed the cat, but when it comes to fear, I think curiosity saves it.
Ever had an encounter with an issue for long and you ended up being identified through that issue? But I want to remind you today that you're more than that. You're a child of the Most High God. You're loved. You're adored. You're the apple of God's eye.
So, when there's a gap between what God has promised you in His Word and what you are going through today… what do you do? Simple: You fill the gap with hope!
It is a huge privilege to be a living stone, but it is also a tremendous responsibility. We are living representatives of Jesus, and how we choose to live our lives, whether good or bad, will speak volumes to those around us as to who Jesus is and whether they want to be in relationship with Him.
Character is not just built in marriage. It is built in every relationship we have. We all can learn from the example of Naomi and Ruth, and ultimately, our kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ!
Worship the God who came from heaven down into your neighborhood and humbled Himself on a cross to forgive all your sins, and then who rose from the dead to give you an eternal relationship with the true God who rules and reigns over everything and everyone!
If we really knew the heart of our Father, if we really knew His vast, immense, intentional love for us, there would be no question who would be on the first place platform. His jealousy doesn’t come from insecurity, it comes from deep love, care, and protection of us. He wants our affection because He has our best in mind. True love is always rightfully jealous.
I invite you to join me as we work on being “In the Spirit and in the Moment,” embracing right where we are and being content with whatever we are doing.
When you come to know, in the marrow of your bones, that you are loved and valued by God… on the worst day of your life… you find yourself gripped by a hope that's stronger than the pain. The good news is that God has made us in a way that taking one single step of action can be extremely powerful in robbing disaster of its paralyzing power.
May we grow up, continuing to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us to will and act according to His good purpose.
Are you proud of the life you’re choosing to live?If you’re reading this and feeling like you’ve made a mess of your life, it’s never too late to start again. Your identity is not in the mistakes you’ve made. If you have a relationship with Jesus, it’s in being His son or daughter. In our weakness He is strong!
The point is: Life is short! Life is hard… but your marriage should be a source of mutual joy that strengthens you for life's challenges. The word for "meaningless" is "Hebel" -- it means "fleeting". You wake up on a December morning, step outside, you take a breath, you exhale, you see your breath… then it's gone… fleeting.
God doesn’t need to highlight the strong characters we expect. Instead, He picks the underdogs, so there won’t be any confusion - He is the source of power and strength. He is the recipient of glory. He is the true main character.
I want to encourage you, in all that you do, to “trust the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, but acknowledge Him, turn everything over to Him, for His promises are true. He will direct your paths.”
The lesson is this: When you are in relationship with God the Father… through your belief in the price Jesus paid on that cross to forgive all your sin, and by your faith that Jesus rose from the dead as your Lord… Well, God is proud of you!
Yet, Holiness is not an option, but a command. I am to be Holy as God is Holy. By dictionary definition, it means that I am to be consecrated and set apart for God. I am to be sacred. We are to Be Holy, as He is Holy.
Life with Christ is a life of strength and endurance. It requires training. Slow reading of scripture, time spent contemplating what has been read, and prayer. Does your spiritual life feel like a race? It’s time to slow down and go into training, building strength and endurance for our lives.
What you and I need is a mindful revolution! There's a reason why we forget where we put our car keys… where we misplaced our car in that Nordstrom's parking lot… why we find ourselves wondering if we left the coffee pot on… Mindlessness. And it robs us of the gift before us!
If we navigate life ruminating on our hurts instead of seeking genuine healing, we will live a life of bitterness instead of beauty. We can choose beauty over bitterness, forgiveness over anger, and trusting Jesus over holding the pain alone.
No matter what you are up against, lean on Jesus. He is the Way Maker, Promise Keeper, and Light in your Darkness. He is working in your life to bring you peace in the midst of the storm, joy when you are overcome by sorrow, and hope when all seems lost.
It's way better to go through life as "WE” than as just "ME!” The Apostle Paul states that Christian community is the best environment for continuing our work of personal transformation -- so that, individually and together, we can grow in maturity and knowledge in understanding the will of God for our lives.
May we rise up with the courage that comes from Christ alone to live with confidence that the darkness will not prevail and, despite how things may seem in the moment, the battle has already been won. By the power of Jesus, we will overcome and live victoriously.