A vibrant spiritual life stems from listening to God—not just with our ears but with our whole being—mind, body, spirit, and soul—without presumptions or expectations and being open to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
The more we abide in His presence, the more we realize our gifts. Then, our posture resembles Mary’s when she anointed Jesus’s feet (John 12:3, ESV), and our attitude is full of gratitude. All of this plays a vital role in our intimate relationship with God.
Do you grasp that God fully knows and loves you? To do so, we must take intentional steps toward God and fully engage in His presence, listening with our whole being and dedicating precious time to Him.
God leads us like a father caressing his child’s hand. He is always with us, whether through a meadow of vivid wildflowers or a treacherous valley. As a father lifts a child onto his shoulders to see over the crowds, our Father gently lifts us above our troubles, for an eternal view, to rise above them as He carries us on wings like eagles (Is. 40:31) and shelters us under His mighty wing (Ps. 91:4) when storms rise. From this perspective, we can persevere.
Watch for Him in every flower, storm, and face of others. We can change that bad habit, attitude, and how we interact with others by recognizing our shortcomings and asking God for help as we approach Him in childlike wonder with open hearts and hands. God showers us with grace – as we take intentional steps toward Him, seeking to be more like Jesus.
When we genuinely seek and follow Christ, God rejoices over us with gladness and personally delights in us, bursting forth in joyful celebration, He exults over us with loud singing (Zeph. 3:17). Take a moment to think about this. What song do you think God sings over you? I think of Aaron’s prayer and song, The Blessing.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26, emphasis added)—a long-time favorite of mine.
May we all look at God in awe daily, with childlike wonder, humility, and trust.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3-4, emphasis added).
“Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place – the Most High, who is my refuge – no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (of obedience and service)” (Ps. 91:9-11, emphasis added).
Basic obedience to God’s Word provides access to the armor of God, which protects us from spiritual warfare. Paul metaphorically describes believers as soldiers in battle, wearing armor. The Lord does not leave us defenseless. In Christ, God gives us the spiritual resources to stand firm; precisely, truth, righteousness, gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Eph. 6:14-17, ESV) are all represented with each piece. Another vital part of the armor is prayer (Eph. 6:19).
The term obedient may seem harsh or turn some people off. However, according to The Holman Bible Dictionary, ‘obey’ is translated as ‘to hear’ in the Old Testament. The NT translation has several words to describe it: to hear or listen in a state of submission and to trust are among them. “A person’s obedient response to God’s Word is a response of trust or faith” (Brand, 1176).
Jesus taught that our love for God motivates us to obey Him (John 14:21, 23-24; 15:10). Our obedience springs from gratitude for grace (Rom. 12:2, Brand 1176). Obedience comes from a heart that trusts God and produces blessings that God yearns to give us (Brand, 1177). We obey when we listen to God’s Word and respond appropriately. This is why Jesus says anyone with ears should listen (Matt. 11:15).
The Holy Spirit gives our prayers power (Rom. 8:26-27; Gal. 4:6). Praying in Jesus’ name shows we seek God’s will (Brand, 1292). The indwelling Spirit enables a believer to call God Abba – prompting the believer to address God with a child’s confidence (Rom 8:14). This indicates an intimate relationship with God, our Father. It is a natural response when we ardently pursue communion with God through His Word, conversation (prayer), and listening (obedience).
Through the Holy Spirit, believers can access powerful weapons, protection, discernment, and a greater understanding of God’s will. The Holy Spirit within us is greater than the one who is in the world (I John 4:14). This refers to Satan (Brand, 1502).
Satan would like to keep unbelievers in the dark by veiling their eyes and ears from hearing the gospel. Through faith in God, the veil is removed, and believers enjoy free access to God, who transforms their lives (Brand, 1627; 2 Cor. 3:15-18). This is a stunning process that saves us from the bondage of sin.
One of my favorite verses tells us that there is freedom where the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Cor. 3:17). When the Holy Spirit enters our hearts, we are free from our chains and our blindness to the gospel. Our minds, hearts, and ears are open to God. Our gratitude for His grace and forgiveness produces a deep love that we want to listen to and respond appropriately to God’s Word (obey), which leads to many blessings.
I am grateful for my freedom in Christ and God’s many blessings. My love for God makes me want to be a better human, more like Jesus, with kindness and humility. Sometimes, that means I must use my weapons as protection against the enemy who wants the opposite. The power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ mighty name make the devil run every time, especially when you proclaim it out loud. Amen.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17, Emphasis added).
“God said, ‘Let there be light”’” (Gen. 1:3, ESV, emphasis added). Notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say, Angela said. It doesn’t say, _______________ fill in the blank with anyone’s name. The emphasis here is on God. He is in control and is all-powerful, speaking light and life into existence.
God gets the glory.
No amount of darkness can penetrate God’s light. When we are in a dark season, it only takes a whisper to redirect our thoughts—saying Jesus’ name—and staying in communion with God helps shine the light of His love into our hearts. It has been said, and I have experienced it — that praise and anxiety cannot coexist. It changes my outlook when I remember to be thankful for all the gifts God has given me and focus on the positives instead of the negatives in any situation.
The great I AM is with us (Exodus 3:14). No amount of worry will change anything. I pray not to waste any more time and energy on worry and instead to give all my energy to trust the One who spoke the light into existence and conquered the dark. Although this takes intentionality and focus, it is worth it.
Isaiah provides an excellent image for us to cling to when we are afraid or anxious. It is a promise that comes straight from God and has helped me many times.
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you’” (Isa. 41:13, emphasis added).
Sometimes, I must grip my hand tight, close my eyes, and remember that God is with me.
In 2 Cor. 4:6, Paul uses the provision of light from Gen. 1:3 to depict conversion as the dawning of the new creation amid this fallen world. To know Christ’s glory is to encounter God’s life-transforming glory (ESV Study Bible).
We are all broken. Life gets messy and challenging; those trials sometimes come with doubt, fear, and anxiety, and the enemy loves to keep us in those places.
But God…
Our pastor reminded us last Sunday that God brings beauty out of brokenness. The Jesus Calling devotional on Tuesday reminded me that God doesn’t look at a person’s outside; He looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). Nothing we do or don’t do can separate us from His presence (Rom. 8:38-39).
We must take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5) and whisper thank you, Jesus, when they creep up on us. God does not separate Himself from us—ever. We tend to drift away from Him and then wonder why we feel distant.
Let’s show ourselves and others grace—we are all a work in progress in a broken world, and the devil is a liar. Write that on your mirror.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8, emphasis added).
In our prayer team devotion time recently, our leader read about the prophetess, Anna, whom Luke recorded as a widow who “did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37, ESV, emphasis added). He reflected that she saw many of Jesus’ miracles performed there. She was devoted to being with God and worshiping God –day in and day out – continually seeking His presence.
As our leader admitted, I realized that I, too, had not remembered much about Anna in my reading. Although not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture, her life is a powerful testimony to her devotion to God. Her legacy is summed up in only two verses—Luke 2:36–38— yet we learn much about her life and legacy of faithfulness in these compacted passages.
She was from the tribe of Asher and the daughter of Phanuel. She was a prophetess who was a widow much longer than she was married. Up to age eighty-four, she devoted herself to worshiping God in the temple for most of her life, and don’t miss this critical part—day and night—she never left the temple. She thanked God and told others what she saw and knew about the Messiah while awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption. She was a powerful witness to Jesus’ life.
At the time of Anna, the Temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship for the Jewish people. It was a significant religious and social hub where people gathered for sacrifices, prayers, and festivals. The Temple described in the Gospel of Luke was likely Herod’s Temple, a magnificent structure built during the first century BC.
After Jesus’ ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the temple of God is within each believer of Christ. Our body is the temple where God, the Holy Spirit, resides.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul states: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
In connecting the dots, John 15:10-11 emphasizes the vital correlation between abiding in Christ and bearing fruit. *Abiding in God means to remain in the Temple of God.
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” In her blog, Enough About Me – Find Lasting Joy in the Age of Self, Stacy Reaoch writes, “Thisverse highlights the importance of obedience to God’s Word as the foundation for a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.”
Furthermore, Jesus relates abiding in Him to experiencing complete joy. Coming full circle, as 2024 ends, you may remember that my word of focus was JOY; this seems to wrap it up nicely.
“I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full”(John 15:11, ESV, Emphasis added). This verse emphasizes that true joy and fulfillment come from a deep and abiding relationship with Christ, not from worldly pursuits.
In summary, here are a few core principles for abiding in God (continually worshiping day and night in the temple of God as Anna demonstrates):
Remembering God’s Word: Regular Bible study and meditation help us understand God’s character, His will for our lives, and His promises.
Loving God and Others: Our love for God and others flows from our relationship with Christ and manifests in acts of service, compassion, and forgiveness.
Obeying God: This involves actively following God’s will in all our lives.
By consistently striving to live out these principles, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from abiding in Christ and bearing fruit for His kingdom.
While the physical Temple in Jerusalem held immense significance in the Old Testament, the focus in the New Testament shifts towards the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within individual believers. This idea significantly relates to how Christ-followers understand their relationship with God and their role in the world.
By allowing Jesus in our hearts, the Holy Spirit dwells inside us as a gift from God to help us experience joy in this life – no matter what else is going on in our lives. This requires intentionally focusing on Jesus when life throws its worst at us and the enemy tries to keep us down with doubts and fears. Let’s not allow our emotions to dictate our joy.
To recap:
True joy is an inner wellspring: It’s not dependent on external circumstances. While external factors influence our moods, true joy comes from a deep and abiding relationship with Christ.
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Guide: As promised in John 14:26, the Holy Spirit empowers us to navigate life’s challenges. He provides us with strength, peace, and guidance, enabling us to overcome obstacles and maintain our joy even in difficult times.
Focusing on Jesus is crucial: When faced with trials, it’s easy to get caught up in our emotions – fear, anxiety, anger. However, by intentionally focusing on Jesus, we can shift our perspective. We can remember His promises, draw strength from His love, and find solace in His presence.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”(John 14:1, emphasis added)
This verse reminds us that true peace and joy come from trusting in Jesus, even when life throws curveballs our way. It’s a daily practice to intentionally focus on Jesus, to seek His guidance, and to allow His love to fill our hearts. This intentional effort is essential for experiencing lasting joy, regardless of external circumstances.
My hope and goal are to become more like Jesus and be intentional about my focus on Him. Anna is a good example for us to follow as we focus our daily lives on Jesus—the Messiah—and, in gratitude, tell others about His marvelous works while we await our eternal home.
*Abide: to continue a daily personal relationship with Jesus, characterized by trust, prayer, obedience, and joy (ESV Study Bible notes). Jesus is the secret ingredient, and abiding in Him is the key to true joy. Happy New Year!
According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the first act of obedience for a new believer in Christ is a public confession of faith through baptism. It is also symbolic of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. We profess to leave the old life behind and embrace the new life with Christ (Romans 6:4, HCSB). It is a key element of our new faith.
Still, the act of baptism itself does not give salvation. Paul explains to the Romans that to be saved, one must confess with their mouth and believe with their heart (Romans 10:9-13). Baptism can never cleanse a person from sin and secure God’s forgiveness (Brand, 172). Salvation is solely implemented by faith based on the grace of God (Rom. 4:3).
In the first century, there was a ritual self-cleansing, so when John the Baptist began baptizing with water, the act was not wholly lost on the Jews. He did, however, announce the need for repentance and belief in Jesus to make the way for Christ. When Jesus asked John to baptize Him, it surprised John since Jesus never sinned and didn’t need to repent. Nevertheless, it was a prophetic fulfillment of God’s Word.
With this came the gift of the Holy Spirit and baptism by fire. The use of one Greek article governs the two nouns, Spirit and Fire. This denotes that only one baptism is in view, and the addition of fire further defines the character of the Messiah’s baptism. Water temporarily cleanses the outside, but fire permanently purifies the whole person (Brand, 173).
In Acts, we read how Jesus’ promise to the disciples was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples at Pentecost; after that, thousands received the gift of the Spirit when they believed (Acts 2:4-12). The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains, “The blessing of the Pentecostal gift is applied to all disciples at the moment of conversion. “…Jesus is the one who baptizes believers, the Spirit is the element into or with which they are baptized, and incorporation into the body of Christ is the result” (Brand, 174). God orchestrated a public miracle to demonstrate the gift of the Spirit had been given by enabling the 120 disciples to speak the various foreign languages of the pilgrims in Jerusalem that day (Acts 2:4-12; Brand 173).
In short, when we confess and believe in Christ with all our heart and receive the gift of the Spirit, we follow it up with water baptism to publicly and symbolically announce our decision to follow Christ, leave our old life behind, be buried in the waters of baptism, and live for Christ with their new life by the grace of God. We are now forgiven for our past, present, and future sins. Condemnation no longer exists for those in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1).
This is Good News! But don’t stop there. Paul reiterates that it does not give anyone an excuse to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-11).
A relationship with God is vital. God gives us the strength to overcome temptation and always provides a way out (I Cor. 10:13). The Holy Spirit refines our sanctification through conviction. Finding our identity in Christ – who God says we are – is essential to our self-worth. Learning God’s character comes from personal experience, intentionality, reading the Word, communicating in prayer, and listening to the Holy Spirit.
The most important question I ever asked God was what He wanted for me. It took me a long time and a lot of heartache to get to this point, but when I finally did, I immediately felt the weight lifted from my shoulders. What are you waiting for? God’s arms are open wide.
“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation” (Rom. 10:9-11, emphasis added).
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28, emphasis added). “For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:30, emphasis added).
Early yesterday morning, I had a painful catch on my side. I couldn’t take a deep breath or move without a sharp pain. My husband, Daniel, laid his hand on my head and prayed for me. In a matter of seconds, I felt the pain leave my body. Answers to prayers only sometimes happen instantly or noticeably. Still, we can rest assured that God hears every prayer and is always working. At times, our answered prayers don’t look like what we expect, but God knows best. If you’re like me, you probably get impatient and want to act without waiting, but that doesn’t usually end well and mostly distracts us from listening to and depending on God.
Having someone to pray with and for me is another answered prayer, but it did not happen overnight. Trust is a big part of our faith in God, and it keeps us from forging ahead on our own. Waiting for His perfect timing is challenging, but it’s worth the wait and always has better outcomes. His way is immeasurably more vibrant and stunning than my tiny brain imagines. God always knows best. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. We can only see partly because seeing the whole picture simultaneously would be overwhelming.
Consequently, it’s vital to our well-being to allow the One who sees the bigger picture to lead us. If we allow others to lead, it’s like the blind leading the blind. A few years ago, I heard a story about a blind man who wanted to ski. He entrusted a guide to take him down the slopes. Likewise, God is our guide, and our adventures await. Can we trust God enough to enjoy the journey, even if we can’t see where we’re going?
Ultimately, our hope is secure and anchored in Christ’s promise that we will have a more abundant, splendid paradise at the end of our journey. The troubles in this life are only temporary. But our lives – good and bad alike – will fade away. That’s not bad news. It’s good news that we have something and Someone to look forward to and that this isn’t all there is. But it’s also important to slow down while we’re here, enjoy the sunrise, pursue a magnificent sunset, and take the time to appreciate all the things that fall in between. We’ll be closer to our Creator in these natural wonders.
The peak season of your life is now. No matter what age you are. God has a purpose and a plan for your life. I speak from experience when I say a relationship with Christ is a lifesaver. As a late bloomer, I can attest that, with God’s help, we’re never too old to change old life-sucking habits and adopt new life-sustaining ones that make this life more enduring, meaningful, and peaceful. But we cannot do it without God’s help.
May the God of peace fill your hearts and minds with life-sustaining truths and help you believe in the power of prayer, even when we can’t see the immediate answers.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, HCSB, Emphasis added).
Just as a teabag releases its flavor into the water, God’s grace permeates our lives when we spend time with Him. The more we immerse ourselves in His Word and prayer, the more we experience the fullness of His grace. However, it’s essential to balance our time with God. Overemphasis on one aspect of spiritual life, such as prayer or Bible study, can lead to spiritual burnout or a distorted understanding of God’s grace.
Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with God, allowing His grace to transform us into the people He intends us to be.
Because God desires an intimate relationship with us, He extends His mercy daily and provides a way for us to be close to Him through Christ.
God’s mercy refreshes every morning and never ceases all day (Lamentations 3:22, ESV).
According to the Firm Learning Center, the Hebrew word for mercy, hesed, means unconditional love and demonstrates God’s faithful, unfailing love toward us. It is a multifaceted, precious word that goes beyond a simple definition to the core and lovingkindess of God’s character.
Mercy is not just an emotion of showing compassion but an act of undeserved kindness and withholding warranted punishment. In comparison, grace grants unmerited favor – a gift from God (Rom. 3:24, ESV).
Mercy is part of God’s Holy character – a defining quality – of His passionate and undeserved loyalty to a disobedient people (New Living Translation Study Bible).
We see an example of God’s magnificent mercy on display as He patiently extends His hands to all people. In Romans, Paul quotes Isaiah to show that the Gospel message is for everyone. Even though Israel rebelled against God, He still extended His hands to them, inviting them to be saved. The prophecy in Isaiah has been fulfilled, to say that Gentiles who did not seek after God have experienced His saving promises (Rom. 10:20-21; Is. 65-1-2, ESV).
The people of Israel, who had lost their spiritual and moral bearings, sought answers for ways to please God. They were given a concrete answer through Micah. As God had already made known to so many before them, humility, faith, and obedience are the things that please Him.
In addition, God wants His children to walk humbly in faith before Him. Walking with God demonstrates an intimate relationship that transforms how we relate to others. This was exemplified by Moses (Numbers 12:3; Habakkuk (Hab. 3:17-19), Daniel (Dan.9:1-19), and Ezra (9:5-15 NLT). The NLT Study Bible explains that genuine spirituality and devotion to God involve doing good, seeking justice, relieving oppression, defending orphans, and aiding widows—the marks of God’s character that we are called to imitate.
This leads me to the well-known verse that answers the Israelites’ question of what the Lord requires: “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, ESV, Emphasis added).
The NLT Translation:
“To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NLT, Emphasis added).
In other words, God does not require ritualistic worship but a genuine regard for Him and others, demonstrated by doing good (what is right), being kind, and walking with Him. When we walk with God, our relationships with others improve organically (NLT Study Bible).
“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thes. 3:5, ESV, Emphasis added).
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4, ESV, Emphasis added).
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor. 13:14, ESV, Emphasis added).
In keeping with the theme of finding and claiming rest and peace from last week’s blog, Jesus Says, I would like to point us in the direction of what sustains us through the daily challenges that sometimes keep us from experiencing the peace and rest God offers – faith and trust.
One morning this week, I woke up thinking about my word for the year—joy. At times, my joy has been overcome by anxiety that I didn’t know I had, out of which comes excellent growth and a deeper dependency on God. I realized my previous words presented challenges that were in line with the word choice I always feel God gives me.
For example, one year, my word was trust. You can only imagine what I was presented with that year, which ultimately led to a deeper reliance on God. Hence, in my opinion, God gave me the word because He knew what I would face that year that warranted a deeper level of faith that I didn’t recognize I required, which, in turn, led to spiritual growth.
Isn’t that one of the goals as a Christ-follower—to continue to grow into a richer level of spiritual maturity? All growth comes with challenges, but knowing God more intimately and allowing our faith to soar as we surpass our perceived limits is worth it. I can escape the so-called nest and learn to fly only with God’s help and the Holy Spirit’s nudging. Without it, I would stay in my comfort zone, content with the cozy bubble I built for myself. As soon as I become contented, God shakes things up. There have been many good changes this year, but still challenging.
Likewise, Paul writes that suffering produces endurance, which produces character, that leads to hope through God’s love that He poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:3-5). We know he spoke from experience. Although not all growth comes from suffering, per se, I can attest to how my past pain and distress led to perseverance. A closer relationship with Christ is paramount to my healing. In turn, I experienced multifaceted spurts that sometimes felt like I was on the fast track toward spiritual growth, catching up for lost time.
I felt like a sleepwalker through most of my life, so when God rescued me, I imagined Him as the Good Father who couldn’t wait to share more with His daughter now that I was paying attention. I was once like the rebellious teenager who knew more than her parents and suddenly realized that she didn’t know anything.
There are also adventures and life experiences we may never experience, and we may miss the beauty of the journey without realizing it until it’s too late. Being a Christ-follower is a risky business. Jesus’ life shows us that firsthand. Still, God is in control, and He promises to always be with us (Matt 28:20, ESV). Saying yes to God is life-changing—in an amazing way!
My challenge lately has been not allowing the stressful, anxiety-filled moments to rule the day.
In the Bible plan, Stop, Drop, and Worship, by Roxanne Parks, she says that when we allow our emotions to take over, we participate with the enemy. It takes an intentional effort to tether our peace to God’s faithfulness and character instead of the circumstances that cause anxiety. Our focus on God instead of the issue is critical to not participating with the enemy who only wants to steal our joy (John 10:10). In the next verse, Jesus reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd, which also relates to last week’s message (John 10:11).
Parks says that when we can step out of our emotional self into the greater purposes and truths, whether in the moment, day, or season of life, we participate with God rather than the enemy. She explains, and I agree, that we need to have the energy to waste precious time on thoughts and feelings that do not add value to our day. We can choose ahead of time, when we first wake up each morning, to forgive anyone who offends us and ask God to help us release feelings that disempower us and instead choose options that empower by choosing to walk in life-giving truths (Parks, Stop, Drop, and Worship).
Paul offers excellent advice to the Philippians that we can benefit from as well: to think about things that are honorable, just, pure, commendable, lovely, and the One that is worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). This is the life-giving thoughts that empower (Stop, Drop, and Worship). I know first-hand that it is not always easy to do – but the more I set my intentions each morning to release the bad and receive the good, the more my growth in this season becomes apparent. I can’t do it alone, and my dependence on God is paramount to my success – which is the point.
If we remember to focus on God, Jesus says everything else will be added to us, and there is no reason to worry (Matt. 6:33).
“Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34, ESV, Emphasis added).
Psalm 23 brings comfort to many, including me. Still, I realized recently that I had never really taken the time to process it on a deeper level. David wrote Psalm 23 out of his own experience as a shepherd (I Samual 16:10:11, Holman Christian Standard Bible). It is a Psalm of confidence and trust portraying God as a caring shepherd and dependable guide (NLT Chronological Bible). We are the sheep, wise enough to follow the One who knows the way.
As it turns out, sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. In the NT Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:11, HSBC) and the great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20).
When I began researching more about this scenario, I decided to compare different translations to see how the wording varied. Mostly because when I read “I shall not want” in the English Standard Version) I had a little trouble understanding how ‘want’ is being used, because it seemed to me, that someone could misinterpret it to mean David did not want the Lord as his shepherd, even though I knew that wasn’t true.
As I read other versions, the one that stuck with me the most was the Holman Christian Standard Bible, which translated it as, “There is nothing I lack” (v1, emphasis added). I can understand that better, so I wanted to go deeper to see what other words stood out to me. The next one was, “He lets me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters (v2, emphasis added).
I know when I am searching for peace, these words comfort me. I proclaim them as promises. Learning to do this helps defeat the enemies’ tactics of disturbing our peace and dispels his lies. Have you ever sat beside a quiet stream and allowed yourself to relax and enjoy the therapeutic peace that bubbles up inside you? God wants us to have peace, like sheep, He leads our thirsty souls to still waters.
This reminded me of another favorite verse, talking about a person who follows God and meditates on His word, delighting in His instruction: “He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither” (Ps. 1:3, emphasis added). The HSBC explains that we can learn to follow God by meditating on His word. Jeremiah also mentions this by saying the man who trusts in the Lord and has confidence in Him is like a tree planted by water, it doesn’t fear the heat or worry when a drought comes, but it continues to bear fruit (Jere. 17:7-8).
So, we see that our trust in God to guide us as a good shepherd does, leads to peace and rest. When we have peace and rest, we produce fruit in our lives more abundantly.
Last week, I started a Bible plan by Kyle Winkler entitled, Permission to be Imperfect. One reason is that I realized that I am very hard on myself when I make a mistake. I am in a season where I needed to be reminded about God’s grace in this way. One of the biggest things that stood out to me is that the Hebrew word for Eden is delight. Winkler explains that God established a rest for us and wants us to remain in it. He went on to say that our Eden means “God’s delight” and that there is a perpetual state of rest in God’s delight.
He references Hebrews 4:9-11 to illustrate that just as God rested, there remains a Sabbath rest for God’s people. Paul establishes a connection of obedience and rest emphasizing the need for perseverance. Anything we can do to please God comes from His working in us, not anything we did to earn it on our own (ESV Study Bible). The New Living Translation points out two types of rest, a spiritual rest that benefits us now, in knowing the Good News of our Salvation through Christ, and that we can trust in His finished work. We can also enjoy the blessings of peace with God later – an eternal rest where we will enjoy God’s presence (Is. 26:19; Rev. 14:13, NLT).
Winkler does a spectacular job of explaining how God loves us even in our imperfection. The definition of sin is to miss the mark or fall short of God’s best. The law revealed our need for a Savior. The moment Jesus died, God stopped the clock on counting sins against us, past, present and future. Sinning less is a natural byproduct of loving God and realizing His love for us (Winkler, Permission to be Imperfect).
Jesus says, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, HSBC, emphasis added). The NLT Study Bible describes this as a complete and perfect rest in Jesus Christ.
What a remarkable realization – we don’t have to carry the weight of our burdens – God does that for us. We can experience peace.
I noticed that when I have less peace, is when I need more rest. Resting on God’s promises and proclaiming them aloud helps me get through my day. Not only does God offer peace and rest, but He also delights in giving us these good gifts. God lets us rest on these promises.
In replacing lies with the truth, Winkler points out that God’s unconditional love means that our weaknesses are meaningless and instills godly confidence (Permission to be Imperfect).
We need godly confidence to persevere. When the enemy tries to snatch our peace, we can use God’s Word and promises to speak life. Try speaking Jesus’ words and promises next time you feel anxious, fearful or stressed. Take it from me, it works.
Here are a few “Jesus says” statements we can proclaim:
Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27, HSBC, emphasis added).
Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV, emphasis added).
Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (John 11:28, ESV, emphasis added).
Not surprising, as I was working on the research for this message, I heard a song for the first time, entitled, “Still Waters” by Leanna Crawford. Take a few minutes to listen to the words.
Last weekend, I saw a sunglass commercial. It proclaimed to have “lost and broken” protection. I immediately thought that is what Jesus is to us: lost and broken protection.
Are the struggles and challenges of this life getting you down? Don’t let the devil have his way and rob you of your joy. We can change our perspective and experience joy in our hearts – no matter our circumstances. For believers, joy comes from the Holy Spirit through praise and thankfulness, as a fruit of the spirit, when we are in proper relations with God (The Holman Bible Dictionary).
We can find joy and peace with God’s help and a little intentional gratitude—a daily choice. Some days, it’s not easy when challenges come our way. But God designed us to depend on Him. He will provide everything we need, even during stressful, anxiety-filled days. We just need to focus on Him, be thankful in all circumstances, and not allow our perspective to get clouded by fleshly emotions.
I am speaking to myself here as much as anyone. I am a planner and organizer. The business I am in challenges me. After I have worked the puzzle with the schedule, sometimes the weather, cancellations, or other unforeseen circumstances tip over the proverbial table, and all those pieces I worked so hard to put together are now on the floor, requiring me to put them back together in a much shorter timeframe.
This naturally causes me anxiety. So, I have been taking it to God every morning before I start work and praying for help. I am also going through a three-part Bible plan by Roxanne Parks, The Voices and the Choices. Roxanne observes Paul’s instructions to the Thessalonians and concludes that he says to “give thanks in all circumstances”—not “for all circumstances” (I Thess. 5:18, ESV). We have much to be thankful for in all circumstances. Parks says gratitude opens our eyes to see blessings (The Voices and the Choices). It’s all about perspective and what we focus our attention on.
Eleven years ago, I was in a car accident, which changed my perspective on everything. I was grateful God spared my life. Still, it was more than that. It opened my eyes to a new life that I never knew existed. It was beyond me or anything I had ever known. I was spared, rescued, and given another chance at life – the life of God’s plan and purpose – with goals and dreams I never saw for myself.
When I was flying home from the accident in a wheelchair, cast, and back brace on a red-eye flight, I realized I wasn’t worried about anything. As I watched the anxiety of others at the airport build, my new perspective allowed me to experience peace beyond understanding. God provided every step of the way, placing kind and caring people in my path on both flights who helped me with off-boarding and grabbing my overhead bag to get me to my next wheelchair waiting at the gate.
I had to rely on strangers, thousands of miles away from home, in a situation that would cause anyone to panic and be anxious – yet my eyes were opened for the first time, allowing God to provide – something that eluded me previously. My new perspective led to gratitude and peace – even in my brokenness. At that time, I was broken in every sense of the word.
The NLT Study Bible notes explain that our relationship with God defines Christian joy. God is sovereign and can redeem any situation (Rom. 8:28). Jesus’ mission was to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10, emphasis added). God uses my painful past to help others. I hit a wall, literally and figuratively, when the car slammed into that rock wall. It was a wake-up call of epic proportions. God redeems all my broken pieces and covers my scars with Christ’s.
A grateful heart knows many blessings.
So, how do we adopt this philosophy of having an attitude of gratitude every day, “even if” our puzzle is flipped over? This is my sincere prayer each day. A grateful journal may help. We can also be mindful of praise and thankfulness each morning and throughout our day. We can intentionally claim God’s promises to provide everything we need, including rest and peace. Take deep breaths. Pray a lot.
All these things are good, but deepening our relationship with God is crucial to a new perspective and finding gratitude in all circumstances. Don’t give up. If you haven’t yet, take out a “lost and broken” protection plan in the name of Jesus Christ. Your perspective is sure to change. For those of us who have – we still need a reminder, at times, that God is still in control and promises to always be with us (Matt. 28:20).
The enemy wants us to think otherwise and hopes our fleshly emotions, stress, and anxiety will take over our spiritual truths. This is where intentionality comes in – to keep Christ in our focus – and the devil in our rearview. A battle is only won by placing God first over everything.
Nobody is perfect. Don’t let your mishaps keep you down. Do the best you can with what you have today. As my wonderful husband reminds me almost daily, I should go at the pace of grace and stop being so hard on myself. I am still learning this. Thanks be to God, I am happy to report fewer stressful workdays, even when they present challenges. Being battle-ready doesn’t hurt.
“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:29, emphasis added).
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 