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Is Something Missing In Your Life?

This journal is written to serve as a resource for those that may not have found Jesus or individuals that do not feel confident as to how to learn more about Jesus.

Perhaps this journal is a resource to help you learn more about Christ.  Or, perhaps you may want to forward this journal to a friend or family to help “jump start” them with ideas to start their spiritual journey.

I have come to learn that spiritual health is an essential element to my well being.  When I stop reading, discovering and exploring the gospel, I can feel my hope and attitude slowly fade away.  Devotion to consistent Bible study is akin to my physical health.  When I am focused on what I eat, coupled with regular exercise, I feel more physically and mentally sharp.  The same goes for my spiritual health.  I need spiritual exercise.

Here are three areas that have bolstered my spiritual health.

  1. Daily Bible Study

Devoting time each morning to read the gospel or listen to a podcast starts my day off right.  Some great resources I have found are the Bible app, where there are “reading plans” that provide a daily lesson to study countless topics and challenges.

I enjoy listening to podcasts while I exercise or walk.  My favorite podcast is Your Move, by Pastor Andy Stanley.  I also enjoy listening to the services of my home church, Cornerstone Chapel.

I have also found great Bible study books on Amazon or you can visit http://www.freebiblestudyguides.org/ where you can view free guides on any topic and where to find them in the Bible.

  1. Find a Great Church Community

Finding the right church community can be challenging.  The positive thing about the pandemic is nearly every church offers online services and you can attend great churches all over the country.

Some of my favorites churches are Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA, Eastview Community Church in Bloomington, IL  and North Point Church in Atlanta.

I find it essential to take time each week to set aside time in my schedule to “be fed” the Word of God.

  1. Small Group Fellowship

I am a believer in small group Bible studies to provide a deeper application of the Word.  There is a powerful impact when sitting with groups of people that have the same questions, doubts, and uncertainty that we do and hear their perspective and learnings.  Small groups are also a great way to get to know more people in your church and develop closer more meaningful relationships. Some of the kindest, sweetest people I have ever met were in my Bible study groups.  Join a church community and take a chance to join a small group.

I am sure there the readers of this post have more ideas and suggestions, and I would love to hear them in the comments! What do you do to build your “spiritual muscles” and learn more about Jesus? I love listening and learning from others as to how they stay diligent to “exercise” their faith on their spiritual journey.

I pray that each of you finds your way to your own spiritual journey. Please take the time to explore and pursue God.  Your life will be changed.

Heavenly Father, You are good.  A life with you is so much better than a life without you. Thank you for peace that passes all understanding when we know we are saved by you.  Please help us to reach every person who reads this and has a desire to find out more about you.  Amen.

Who, Me?

Who, Me?

It’s equally fascinating and encouraging who God uses to complete his will and further his kingdom. Scriptures are filled with countless examples of sinners turned saints, the least of these becoming great in service for the Lord.

The enemy is actively trying to discourage us. He wants us to focus on our past failings or current things we view as limitations. He tries to highlight our shortcomings so we shudder from our calling.

I have to think that so many had their own  Who, Me?  moments.

Esther becoming queen… Who, Me? A jewish woman? Esther 2

Peter after the resurrection… Who, Me?…that denied Jesus three times. John 21

Paul on the road to Damascus… Who, Me?…that persecuted Christians. Acts 9

Where God calls, he equips. Where God guides, he provides. Whatever doubts, fears, or failings may hold us back, we can trust in the Lord to equip us!

God not only calls the imperfect or unlikely… he also calls and uses those he knows will have future struggles. And not to sugarcoat it – by struggles, I mean SIN! What an encouragement! God not only knows our past – but he knows our future! Jesus saved us while we were yet sinners… God calls and equips us to serve in his kingdom, knowing we will continue to mess up! Take heart, friends, perfection isn’t a requirement for God to use you!

Most of us know the story of Noah, one who faithfully walked with the Lord, and he is remembered in the Hebrews lineup of faith heroes.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7

Noah was obedient – even when it didn’t make sense to everyone around him. I wonder if he had his own thoughts of Who, Me? or Do What?  But he continued to answer God’s call. And not just for a day… he worked on the “pointless project” as some likely called it – for DECADES! Because of his obedient service, humanity and animals were saved from extinction from the flood.

What you may not know, is after the Flood, after the rainbow, and after God’s covenant with Noah, Noah messed up. Genesis 9 doesn’t outline all the details – did he get too comfortable and it was a slow fade into sin, or was it an impulsive, out of character moment of sin?  Either way, this wasn’t a surprise to God, all knowing and all powerful, he knew all along that Noah was going to fall into sin. When Noah was measuring wood and counting cubits, gathering two of each animal, God knew that years later, Noah would fall into drunkenness and nakedness.

What an encouragement that God calls us, has plans for us, despite our past, and despite what he knows about our future! Noah’s sin impacted generations to come, and bible scholars conclude that Noah repented of his sins, as God later identified Noah as one of three of the most righteous men (Ezekiel 14). I’m so grateful for a forgiving God that provided salvation through Jesus.

As I was preparing to put thoughts on paper this week, I also had swirling thoughts of what Noah thought of himself after he fell into sin. Did he doubt the Lord’s calling in his life? And how Noah was judged after his sin? Did his family and community discredit all of his years of obedience and faithfulness because of his current sin? Did they think God made a mistake in choosing Noah to build the ark? I can’t imagine that…but I also find our current culture (myself included) painting with a broad brush, or casting judgement on Christians that fall into sin – even after repentance. These thoughts are still swirling in my mind and I don’t have it all figured out, but I am so glad that this true story of Noah is included in scriptures – all of it.

Where does this land on you today? Are you being called in a direction that you are unsure you’re able to fulfill? Concerned with how other may perceive you? Have you been asking Who, Me? Are you letting the voice of the enemy distract you with your past? We have the power to remind Satan of his future! And if you have sought forgiveness for your sin, you can trust in God’s promises of cleansing and forgiveness. He knows our hearts.

Let’s boldly move forward, with a focus on what God knows about us, and let go of what others think they know about us. 

 

 

Breaking Bad (reports)

In 2016 our son Peyton had a two-night outdoor education trip scheduled with his entire fifth grade class at a camp in Illinois. In preparation for the retreat, the school asked dads to volunteer to stay in the cabins with the boys overnight. My first instinct was, I’m all in; I love being a dad, and I want to be there for my son.

Leading up to the event, negative comments were shared about this volunteer mission and people told me not to go. It would probably be cold, rainy, and muddy. The kids would likely be all wound up or over-tired, misbehave, and would stay up too late. The accommodations would be miserable, dirty, and uncomfortable. I’d actually heard this from more than one person.

Fortunately, I trusted my instincts and decided that no matter how bad the report was, the right thing to do was to volunteer – and it was amazing! Peyton looked me in the eyes and thanked me for being there. This made it all worthwhile and nearly brought me to tears. I got to observe my son and his peers having so much fun; there was a beautiful campfire, a night hike through the woods, s’mores, and giggling kids having a wonderful time. Priceless moments that can never be replicated in this lifetime with that little boy. What if I missed out because of a bad report? Now I am actually in tears.

Numbers 13 tells the story where Moses sent several men to spy out the land of Canaan. The spies went as instructed, but depending on their point of view, their reports and responses differed.

First the favorable view and response that reflected faith in God. Caleb saw the goodness that God had been promising all along and was eager to continue toward that goodness in obedience.

27 And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:27, 30)

Then the bad report. God had been promising he would take them to this land, and that he would be with them; they just needed to trust him. They shared an observation of adversity and ignored all that God had done thus far and chose to shrink in fear as a lack of trust in God’s plan.

Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:31)

The same group of people witnessed the same events, but yet their individual responses varied greatly.

When the congregation heard the bad report, they decided that it would have been better to go back to Egypt to become slaves, or better to have died in Egypt rather than be there in the desert. On the opposite side, those who put their trust in God responded in in a faithful manner.

If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:8-9)

Numbers 14 reflects how serious God is with regard to how he wants us to trust him in all things. Those who chose not to trust him were severely punished, and those who did trust him were greatly rewarded.

But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it. (Numbers 14:24)

After considering Numbers 13-14, this pattern shows for us as humans as we are tested in our faith:

  1. We’re on a certain path, unsure as to what is ahead.
  2. There are hardships and unknowns, and even some bad reports.
  3. There is evidence of God’s faithfulness and goodness; a call to trust him.

We have free will and can choose to either listen to the bad reports, live in fear and give up, or we can trust and obey and live our lives! No matter what circumstances arise: Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have eternal hope.

Lessons learned and questions to consider:

  1. We need to be careful with how we share our observations. If we see something potentially negative, how much should we share this information?
  2. Consider the source of the bad report. Did this person witness/experience the negative thing firsthand?
  3. Even with a substantiated bad report, what are the opportunities that may be hidden within?

Today’s reading: Numbers 14; Psalm 50; Isaiah 3–4; Hebrews 11

Does everything happen for a reason?

As I’ve continued to study God’s word as I’ve grown older, I can remember a few times when I’ve realized my theology was a little off.  Has that ever happened to you?  I had one of those times this past weekend.

Sundays are usually my “rest day” from a workout perspective.  For the last few months, I’ve gotten into a pretty good routine on Sundays of walking a mile, running a mile, then walking another mile with a friend of mine.  This routine keeps our bodies moving, isn’t overly taxing, and gives us an hour to catch up on what’s happened in our lives.  I look forward to this every week!

This past Sunday, my friend and I were running/walking and talking about her son who is deciding what he is going to do after college and has started interviewing for jobs.  We talked about a few good things that have happened, and a few things he wished had gone differently, and concluded that it will work out in the end…EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, right?

A couple hours later I was listening to the Eastside Christian Church Sunday service.  They were just starting a new sermon series called “You Know What They Say”.  Their guest speaker, Rusty George, kicked off the message time by going through a list of phrases that sound like they are in the Bible, but they aren’t actually Biblical.  Guess what?  The phrase “everything happens for a reason” isn’t actually in the Bible.  Oops, I guess my theology was a little off.  How timely this message was!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Using Romans 8:28 as a foundation, Rusty shared a few messages that helped clean up my theology on this:

  • If everything happened for a reason, that would mean God causes everything to happen.  Could that be true?  Does God cause everything, both good and bad, to happen?  No –  God is without sin and he doesn’t cause sinful things to happen.  Sometimes our circumstances are a result of living in a world that is broken by sin, sometimes they are just an outcome of our poor choices.
  • Things aren’t always good, but God is.  He can work through good circumstances and through bad circumstances to accomplish his good purposes, but he is always working on behalf of his people.
  • What are God’s good purposes?  There is nothing more important to God than your soul.  More than your happiness, health or prosperity, God wants you to spend eternity with him.  Good is whatever brings God’s people closer to him.
  • God is working for those that love him and are called according to his purpose.  If you haven’t chosen to put your faith in Jesus Christ, God isn’t necessarily working on your behalf.
  • Fortunately the gospel message, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, is available to everyone, everywhere.

If you haven’t already chosen to put your faith in Jesus Christ so he can work all things together for your good, will you reconsider today?

https://www.eastside.com/youknowwhattheysay#content-jm93x

 

Thoughts

I love listening to Podcasts. Motivational speakers are my podcast of choice, especially when I’m struggling to get off the couch and get busy. After listening to them I am energetic and motivated to get moving and conquer my day…….at least for 10 minutes or so. And then what do I do? I listen to another podcast until I have binged an entire day of motivational speakers only to realize I have been a listener and not a doer!! Even though I feel like I was an active participant I am no different than before I listened.  There is no permanent life change. That can only come through Jesus. He is the only way I have been able to combat my thoughts. I struggle with worry and feeling “not good enough”. It is only when I go to Jesus that I am able to take my thoughts captive to Him.  The enemy wants me stuck in my house listening to other people share their “recipe for life” instead of me being in the world using my God given gifts and talents.

The battle for our thoughts is real. When my thoughts are left “unattended” I find myself anxious, nervous, fretting, and cowering. Motivational speakers talk a lot about changing your thoughts and your actions to make you a happier and more productive person but to what end? For more income? For more power? None of that will last and it is never fully achieved. There is always more money to be had, a better house to live in, a newer this or that. But when I change my thoughts to reflect how God sees me,  an amazing thing that happens………peace. The absence of worry and fretting. No more chasing or keep up because we know and trust the one who holds our future. This is great news! We don’t have to keep thinking the things that keep us stuck. We can choose different. And the result is peace in the midst of trial and difficulty. It truly is a peace that surpasses all understanding. The difficulty and struggles of life will not go away, but I choose to trust Jesus in all of it. He will never leave me or forsake me.

My choice to follow Jesus always results in peace. And that is my testimony to the world. Jesus has made the difference in my life…. He is the best motivational speaker I know and he loves you and me. The following verses are ones I go to when my mind is starting to believe the lies the world is telling me and I find myself anxious and out of step with who I am in Christ. Today, choose to allow God to change your thoughts to reflect your true identity in Him.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Philippians 4:6-9 “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of GOD which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE – if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – DWELL ON THESE THINGS. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of PEACE will be with you.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2Timothy 2:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self- discipline”.

Praying peace for you today. And please say a prayer for our teachers as they bring students back for in person learning. My prayer is that they would feel the peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of trying times. God is giving us some amazing stories to tell! Miracles in the midst of madness!!

Pivotal Prayer

In the last few months, we have heard the word pivot in many arenas. This past week I was able to have a Zoom meeting with a small group of professionals around our prayer life.  Yes, this is definitely something that I know I always need to focus on.  The speaker was Tim Elmore who wrote the book Pivotal Praying: Connecting with God in Times of Great Need.  I look forward to reading this book.  As I reflect on this Zoom meeting and my current prayer life I was captured by our conversation about the types of prayers people often pray.

The three types described were:

  • Logistic prayers-  The everyday prayers around what is going on in the moment.  Routine prayers like the ones I can often have at mealtime, bedtime, or mundane prayers I have currently for the technology to work properly for myself, teachers, and students daily.
  • Tactical prayers – Prayers I have that ask for His presence in the moments of fear, worry, or need.  Receiving strength to get through a difficult time.
  • Strategic prayers- Prayers that come in the midst of even a pandemic where I’m focusing on building His Kingdom. Praying for all of these worldly events to draw me and others closer to God.

Tim mentioned to me that sometimes close to 80% of our prayer life can be on the logistics of day to day routines.  At that moment I felt maybe he was hearing some of my prayers somehow? This conversation helped me to reflect.  Where would you describe your prayer life?  As we walked through a few hidden passages tucked away in 2 Kings 3.  As the focus of the people was on their momentary need of water God reminds them that His focus is much bigger.

17 For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands.

In what ways can I transform more of my prayers from the logistics level to a strategic level?  As challenges come do I question God or His plan for me? To be honest, I can be guilty.  I pray to remember the Kings of Elisha and their lack of trust in the Lord. Knowing that God is in the business of meeting my goals and dreams far beyond any of my expectations.  In moments of uncertainty, I need to step back and pray for trust in His ultimate plan and not my immediate needs.   I need to pray for the war, not just the water.  Paul reminds us of the magnitude of God’s love and plans for us in Ephesians.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Dear Heavenly Father,

In the midst of a pandemic, I can pray through many logistics.  I know you hear every single one.  But Lord, help me to be more strategic, to know and trust your plan for this day, and that it is not just about simply bread and water to live but plans to build an eternal Kingdom for us all.  So as we have all had to pivot, help me to pivot closer to you Lord in my prayers being faithful in whatever Your will has planned for me as I tell of Your Greatness to others.

Amen

The Age of Wisdom

Knowledge is where you receive information gathered from different sources.  Wisdom is the synthesis of the knowledge and experience to create a meaningful understanding. 

I have been fortunate and blessed to have many mentors in my life, and one of the most influential mentors I have currently is my aunt. On the 31st of October she will reach a new chapter in her life, she will be 80 years young. She has had a life full of experiences. She is my mother’s older sibling. She was born right at the beginning of World War II. She experienced segregation and integration on a very intimate level. As she grew up to adult she worked in the school system. Her career in the school system spans over approximately six decades. 

She is a person who has shown me how to work hard and diligently for the future. She started her school career as a cafeteria worker.  She pursued her dreams and aspirations by attending night school to complete her Bachelor and Masters degree.  She became a teacher, then a counselor, and then an administrator. For the last 20 years post-retirement she has still been in the classroom teaching technology to kindergarten through second graders. She has so much life experiences that I hope to attain half of that information in a knowledge in my lifetime.

When searching for a subject for my “Writer’s choice” my first thought was to call my aunt and ask her what are her words of wisdom that she would give to me to share in this blog. As we spoke she tells me about life; about marriage; about children; and about health.  As we speak I ask her, “ What are some of your favorite verses or scriptures?”  Her first response is John 14:1-3

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 

As we speak the Holy Spirit starts to speak to her and she gives me some very amazing nuggets of wisdom starting with Luke and also Genesis. She mentions Luke 6:27-36  where Jesus is telling the crowd to love your enemies as yourself

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Genesis 45: 1- 3 (The Full chapter relays the fullness of the story) 

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

In Genesis 45, this is the ultimate reveal of Joseph to his brothers. In this particular situation Joseph meets his brothers after several years been estranged from them because they sold him into slavery to never be seen again.  In this particular scene Joseph could have done one of two things: he could have completely banish them and set them off in isolation or he could show love to his enemies, which are his brothers, he chooses the latter. 

In this particular section we can see how Love is through the Holy Spirit in both Luke and Genesis. It’s amazing how my aunt was able to bring these two sections together in such manner with flawless effort. 

It is easy for us to love our friends our neighbors our family. But it is almost impossible to love individuals that want to do harm to us in the flesh. But we have been given this amazing gift to be able to lookout outside of our flesh and allow the Spirit to love unconditionally through Christ.  This same love can be seen between David and Saul.  (Refer to Samuel I & II) 

In this conversation that we had my aunt also gave us some additional nuggets of wisdom:  Even though you are asked to love others, you can choose the proximity in which you can love them. You can love without making yourself completely vulnerable to the other person. She referenced my grandmother: “Some people you have to feed with a long handle spoon”.  This is translated to mean: “In order to love some people, you have to love some individuals at a distance at the same time protecting yourselves”. You can not be dissuaded from giving your love to them because of fear.  God is Love and Love conquers fear.  May you be be blessed this week. 

What are you seeking?

Oh boy…I don’t even need to mention all that we are going through these days.  I am sick of hearing and reading about it all as I am sure you are.  So today, lets take a step back and refocus on what we are seeking.

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”  The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.  Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”  And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”  He said to them, “Come and you will see.”  So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.  

John 1:35-39“What are you seeking?” are the first words of Jesus that John records and the big question that he asks of these two men who are interested in becoming disciples.  This question also could be understood as, “what purpose do you have?”  The same question applies to us right now.  What is our purpose in seeking to follow Jesus?  Especially through these trying days, weeks, and months.  

What we learn from the two men in this passage is that they simply wanted to go where Jesus was staying, to spend time with Him.  They wanted to gain insight into who Jesus was and what he was about.  Spending quality time with Him to learn and listen was their goal.  We can learn form these men what it means to seek Jesus today.  Seeking is more than just saying a prayer or one day a week in church.  

My encouragement to you and to myself over these next few weeks is ESCAPE!  Escape to Jesus.  Seek Him.  Open your Bible and sit with him for 5 or more minutes every day.  I hate to admit how easy it is to get caught up in all that is going on and skip my time seeking Jesus.  His Word is living and a guide for us to follow daily.  I remember growing up hearing our pastor saying, “Keep it simple stupid” (KISS).  I need to remember this today!  KISS…just sit, with my Bible and let the Holy Spirit speak to me through His Word and He will light my path.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

For God to be a lamp and a light in my life, I actually have to open my Bible and read it.  This means seeking Him!

Keeping Me in Perfect Peace

I don’t need to tell you how peace has been tough to come by these days. Even before the COVID era, but especially throughout this time, it’s seemed as though every day, people find something new to be unnecessarily concerned about. It’s no wonder 40 million American adults suffer some kind of anxiety disorder (a number I’d be interested to see the increase of in these times!). I deal with anxiety a lot myself, as do a lot of my close family members and friends. That’s why I felt compelled to write this week about Isaiah 26:3: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

I’ve been keeping that verse close to my heart this year, and it has helped remind me constantly of what is important. As Isaiah was prophesying here about the Assyrians’ and Egyptians’ comeuppance for antagonizing the Israelites, he knew that more important than his own concern was that God was in control over all the heavens and earth, and that He would provide salvation and security no matter what. When I am gripped by worry and anxiety of the future and of the world around me, this verse points me to the Lord, who provides peace instead. And I know in those moments, God can take my troubles and replace them with songs of praise. “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. So what exactly does this verse tell me?

a) Peace, truly harmonious peace, comes only from Christ – not a momentary ease, but as Christ says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” In all things, the Lord satisfies more than our immediate physical need, not “as the world gives”, but serenity brought only by a trust greater than earthly sources could guarantee.

b) Perfect – as is all things from Him, God’s peace is infallible, incomparable. Psalm 18:30 “His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true.” When I’m troubled by the reflection of a broken world, to know God’s promise of peace is not like the world’s temporary peace, offers assurance beyond what my words could describe.

c) To focus on God – it seems often like my anxieties come from focusing on myself, and my own selfishness. This reminder to shift perspective beyond myself helps me analyze my priorities – how can God use this situation? What good would this worry do for in my work for God? How is God moving me to action through this right now? I thank Paul for his reminder to Colossae in Colossians 3:1: “Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

d) Trust – to trust, not that I’ll be without worry, but that I can come to God and He will be there for me. It seems so many of my anxieties can be traced to a lack of trust. How useful it is to remind myself with this verse: trust that God’s got this! That we would have a friend, a confidant, a source of comfort in God, Who we could pour our hearts out to and know He is listening and He guides us through it: that is peace!

In these reasons and more this verse helps point me to God in times of anxiety and stress, to know I can take my worry to Him and He’s got it taken care of. I thank the Lord that He turns these many worries into songs of praise. I thank Him that he would give me opportunities to share with others where my peace comes from, that I could tell of a perfect, soul-filling tranquility from heaven to those who need to know. And I pray that you too could focus on God over all else, and when inner harmony would seem nowhere to be found, that in Christ you would find peace.

The Word

Whether you realize it or not, you probably have a lot of questions going through your mind right now. You are not alone. Every single human being on this Earth has questions. One big one is…”Am I going to make it through this?” It could be a medical issue, financial hardship, challenges with your business or career during Covid, or family/relational challenges to name few. During these times many of us in the U.S. are asking when the racial tensions and other political turmoil will end. When we will get past this as a country? Again, most questions come back to am I going to be ok, or will we be ok?

There is great news in that every one of these questions can be answered in the Word of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were mad through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5

The Word is Jesus. He has always existed. The book of Genesis gives us the first indication of the triune God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son (the Word).

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..

Genesis 1:26

Note the words “our likeness.” From the beginning of creation, Jesus was there. God knew man would sin before He made us and due to sin would have all the problems and questions we have today, so He had a plan and answer. His plan and answer was and still is Jesus.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him.

John 1:10

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Jesus came down from His throne in Heaven willingly and without sin to die for you and me the cross. Because of this and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday, the answer to every question is that all who believe in Him will be ok and get through whatever challenge we are facing. However painful our life on this Earth is, it is brief and we will spend eternity with Him without any of the burdens we face while here.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4

As I was writing this I was thinking, and you may be thinking the same while you are reading this, “Wow..there is a lot of Scripture here and not much other writing/dialogue.” Well..that’s really the point. Every answer we are looking for is found in the Word. The Bible is called the Word because it all points to Him, the Word. It is not just God’s story and love letter to us, but it is our story because we are all part of God’s plan through Jesus.

When you get down to it, I believe every human being is looking for truth whether they know it or not. John 1:14 above says Jesus came in grace and truth. Note that grace comes before truth here and every time it’s mentioned in the Bible. I’m thankful that grace and forgiveness came before truth, and we should follow Jesus example in our lives. When we, and others, dig into the Word we find the truth and answers we are looking for and we fall in love with Him. We find that truth and love in His grace. Then, we can’t get enough of it.

I’ll wrap up with these 2 questions…

  1. How can you be in the Word more to fall deeper in love with Him?
  2. How can you introduce someone else to the Word who is struggling and needs the grace and truth only He can give right now?

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7