1 Thessalonians 3: 1-4 NIV – So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
Click here and join me for See You Staurday as we talk about Tribulations.
Let’s pray through 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 NIV. Dear God, May You make our love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as Your love does for us. May You strengthen our hearts so that we will be blameless and holy in Your presence until the day of Your return. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Mark 6:31 NIV – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Have you noticed every day this week there has been an action? Sunday we stepped into the Potter’s Hands. Monday we asked God to lift us out of our pit. Tuesday we turned North. Wednesday we asked God to awaken us. Thursday we had new thoughts. Today we rest with God.
We never have to worry about receiving an invitation when it comes to our relationship with God. We don’t have to wonder, will we make the list? Will we get an invite? Our social status is nonexistent. There is always a place we can retreat with God. Are we accepting the invite to retreat with God? Are we choosing to follow God? Are we choosing rest?
I encourage you to look over your calendar today and see if you can be honest with yourself. Over the past few weeks have you taken time to rest with God? Sometimes we are forced to rest because of sickness or a change in plans. I am talking about true and intentional rest. One of my favorite quotes by Mark Batterson is:
“Change of PACE + change of PLACE = Change of PERSPECTIVE”.
Notice today’s photo collage. Each photo represents a time when either Deborah, Ray, or I changed our pace and place. The opportunity to sit and rest with God just may be the rest our perspective needs. I hope we can all lean into God today and accept His invitation. Now I encourage you to look at next week’s schedule and carve out some time to rest with God.
Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your invitation to rest. As I look through my calendar, help me to find opportunities to change my place and pace to sit with You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
It has been a while since I’ve asked this question. What scripture verse or verses are you thankful for? For me, the answer varies throughout different seasons in my life. Maybe it is one that has gotten you through a hard season. Maybe it is one that reminds you of a loved one or a place. Maybe it’s one that was read to you by a parent or taught at VBS.
I am thankful for today’s key verses because they keep me surprised by God. Just when I think I’ve seen or experienced God’s best-laid plans, God has something better. So many times what I thought I wanted, God had something or someone better. Notice Ray’s photo of the clouds. Now imagine God’s ways being higher and bigger. Take a moment today to thank God for both answered and what you thought were unanswered prayers.
Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for answered prayers. Thank You for the yes, the no, and the not yet. Thank You for Your thoughts that are higher and bigger than mine. I want to stay curious and surprised by Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 57:8 NIV — Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
Today’s key verse is from when David was hiding out in the cave from Saul. God had rescued David and he was ready to sing to the heavens of God’s glory. We may not need to be rescued from the mouths of lions but maybe we feel we need to be rescued from our present circumstances. Ocean waves are caused by wind moving the surface of the water. The friction between the water and air molecules causes energy to be moved from the wind to the water. Are you staying above the waves, awakened by God? Or are you allowing the weariness that life can bring to pull you under? If we could just keep ourselves on the surface and not let weariness or waves of emotions like comparison, defeat, ungratefulness, or fear wash over us.
We are Water Walkers. Our Heavenly Father desires to hold us on the surface. In Isaiah 43:2 NIV we read: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze”. I love this image of God carrying us through life. God will find us and hold us both on the water and in the fire. Let’s pray.
Dear God, May my soul be awakened and I sing Your praises! I want to be a Water Walker and be held above the waves and through the fire. I ask that You carry me physically and mentally throughout my day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Deuteronomy 2: 1-2 NIV – Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time, we made our way round the hill country for Seir. Then the Lord said to me, “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north”.
We as God’s children have a renewed life under His blessings. For generations to come, we continue to see His provisions. Today, this week, this month, or even this year you may feel like you cannot hear or see those blessings and provisions. Think of how the Israelites felt after wandering for 40 years.
Do you ever feel like you are wandering around in fear and worry? When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, it was the Holy Spirit that guided my eyes to a Run for God book that had been perfectly placed on my parent’s shelf. It was like God was telling me to turn north after wandering in that fear and worry while we waited for the next step. Thanks to God and running, I was able to channel my fears and worries through prayer and worship.
We are all waiting on something. Waiting for a diagnosis. Waiting on a house to sell. Waiting on a marriage to mend. Waiting on a child to return home. Waiting for direction from God. While we are waiting, we can be listening and looking to God. He always uses our seasons of waiting for His glory and our good. He may just be telling you to turn north, wherever your north may be. Let’s pray through Proverbs 3:5-6.
Dear God, I trust in You Lord with all my heart. Help me not to lean on my own understanding. Help me in all my ways to submit to Your plans. I ask that You make my paths straight. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 40:2 NIV – He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
It is so easy to get stuck in a routine that we can fall into a pit. My routine might look like this: have my morning devotion, eat breakfast, pack lunch, and go to work. I might use my lunch break to run errands or come home to clean. After work, I return home to go for a run, cook dinner, and maybe have a meeting at church or assist a family member. Finishing off the day with a cup of coffee while watching TV or reading before going to bed. It is the same process all over again tomorrow. Does this sound familiar? Before I know it, I find myself in the pit of routine.
Thankfully, not only can God lift us from our pit of routine but He can also refresh us by putting a new song in our mouths. In Psalm 40:3 NIV: “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the lord and put their trust in him”. In Ray’s photo today you will notice an old, long dock with birds perched. Sometimes the road to our pit is longer and takes more time. I imagine those birds to be singing a beautiful song along the way. Just like those birds, God will allow His word, people, places, and things for us to find a joyful song. Will you allow God to lift you out of your pit and put a new song in your mouth?
Let’s pray: Dear God, Thank You for pulling me out of my pit. Thank You for the new song that only you can put in my mouth. I praise You for both the monotonous routines and the adventurous ones. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Psalm 77:19 NIV – Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
Ever had a piece of clay, such as a mug, mean so much to you? When you see the mug’s image or words they are comforting or bring back a flood of memories. Often those memories, partnered with what is in that mug, like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, can bring us joy. One day I came across a mug with the Footprints In the Sand poem which derives from our key verse in Psalms. This poem had become words my Dad clung to during his battle with Pancreatic Cancer. These words still mean so much to me today.
God had led Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites to safety through the Red Sea. The sea then closed up before the Egyptians could reach them. Meanwhile, God’s footprints were not seen. Just like a clay pot can be molded and remolded, trials or grief strikes and I am like a piece of clay cracked with sorrow, watered with tears, and remolded with God’s grace. Each day we have the choice to step into the Potter’s hands and let Him continually mold us. We read in Isaiah 64:8 NIV: “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”.
During my See You Saturday video on May 13th, I talked about how we can grieve many different people, things, or situations. We may be grieving the loss of an animal, a broken marriage, the death of a loved one, canceled plans, a wayward child, or the guilt we often impose upon ourselves. Whatever grief you find yourself in today, intentionally start each day by stepping into the Potter’s hands. He is waiting to hold you in the palm of His hand. I encourage you to listen to the poem with the song: “Footprints In The Sand” by Edgel Groves.
Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for walking with me, even when I can’t see or feel You. Thank You for molding and making me through all of life’s joys and trials that have made me who I am today. Help me to step into Your hands as You continually mold me and carry me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
