Honest Reflections

One-minute read.

Rest for the Weary

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29

After teaching four hours of tennis lessons, my entire body hurts. Coming home, taking off my tennis shoes, and putting my feet up brings relief. My weary bones welcome the soft cushions of the recliner as I rest. God wants us to live in His rest, not carrying our burdens alone. Putting on His yoke, we can relax and let our souls rest in the Lord.

To put on God’s yoke, we must develop a daily discipline of seeking Him. We can’t find His rest if we don’t spend time with Jesus. Establishing a routine helps us wear the Lord’s yoke. Each morning, spending time in the scriptures, allowing God to search our hearts, and laying our burdens at His feet will enable us to put on His yoke, receiving rest for our weary souls.

Like putting up our feet after a hard day’s work, we can let go of the day’s stresses, trusting God will take care of them. Tired souls need the Lord’s rest to persevere on the journey. Renewing our strength by trusting in God’s promises will spur us onward to victory. But our weary souls won’t find rest if we don’t seek the Lord, choosing to put on His yoke.

Make the choice today to put on God’s yoke, trust His promises, and find rest for your weary soul.

Application:

God will give you rest if you put on His yoke.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us rest for our weary souls. Help us put on Your yoke as we seek You, laying our burdens at Your feet. Renew our spirits, give rest to our souls, and help us move forward on the journey, refreshed and energized. Let us learn the lessons You have for us and apply them to our lives, continuing to grow into a new creation. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Established Steps

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;  though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

Nothing touches my heart when sitting on the beach, watching families play around me, like seeing a dad holding his toddler’s hand, introducing him to the ocean. With wobbly steps, the child teeters towards the massive waves, not concerned as he clings to his father’s hand.

We can confidently walk toward the oncoming waves of life, knowing the Lord guides our steps, holds our hand, and walks with us. Nothing we encounter in life will surprise God. Bad things will happen, the Lord allows them into our lives, but we don’t face them alone.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

When you feel knocked down by one of life’s waves, think of God holding your hand, helping you find your footing again. Shifting sands may make your path wobbly, but our Father’s hand will help you walk confidently forward, finding joy in the journey as you trust Him.  God establishes your steps. Though the waves continue to batter the shore, the Lord will help you to stand firm when you cling to Him.

Application:

God establishes our steps and holds our hand.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for establishing our footsteps and holding our hands as we face the waves of life. Please help us remember Your presence when life presses in on us, facing the storms with confidence, knowing You walk with us. Help us overcome life challenges, relying on Your presence to guide us to victory. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

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

Overcome the World

Jesus proclaimed victory over the world, wanting His disciples to experience peace. Knowing the events to come, His followers would scatter as Jesus endured the agony of the cross; Christ wanted the disciples to understand that despite the momentary appearance, He would ultimately gain victory on the third day. 

 ^“His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” John 16:29-30

Our peace comes from Jesus, just as it did for the disciples.  Accepting Christ into our hearts means the Holy Spirit lives within us, never leaving us alone, guiding and directing our path, helping us become the people God intended.  As God’s Son, Jesus knows all, one with His Father.  Joining with Him on the journey draws us into an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, allowing us to share Christ’s victory.

When life presses in on you, as it will, remember Jesus’s words, take heart, knowing that He overcame the world and shared His victory with us.  Look at the mountain before you and introduce it to Jesus, who will help you move it.

Application:

We have peace because of Jesus, who overcame the world.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Jesus and the victory He gives us.  Let peace transcend our lives as we trust in You. When tribulations come our way, help us remember Christ’s words, take heart in them, and trust His promise.  Allow us to live peacefully despite our outer circumstances.  IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

Not Leave

In speaking to Joshua, Moses repeats what he told the Israelites: God goes before them, never leaving or forsaking them. The Lord’s promise stands true for us as well. Everywhere we go, God goes first. Even though we may feel alone, the Almighty never leaves us. God’s presence accompanies us at the bottom of the pit, on top of the mountain, and in the routine activities of our daily lives.

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Jesus reiterated Moses’ message to Joshua and the people when He gave the disciples the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all the nations. Wherever God guides, He provides. The Lord calls us into uncomfortable situations and gives us the tools to deal with them. Because the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, we can access divine power 24/7.

Often, we forget to ask. Caught up in the moment’s emotions, we forget God’s presence with us and do not tap into the resources He offers: strength, peace, wisdom, and discernment. Instead, we look at the mountain from our limited perspective and feel overwhelmed. But like with the Israelites, the Lord prepares the way before us. Then He walks with us on the journey, never leaving nor forsaking us. 

God journeys with you always until the end of the age. You can trust in Him.

Application:

The Lord never leaves you. Where you go, He goes, too.

Prayer:

God, thank You for Your presence, which never leaves us. When we feel alone, let the Holy Spirit prompt us from within our hearts, reminding us of Your constant presence in our lives. Help us remember Your promise to stay with us until the end of the age. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:3

 Promise: Perfect Peace

Centered minds find perfect peace. As an avid golfer, the Masters tournament held every April captures the golfing world as elite athletes gather to compete at the top level of the game in the prestigious event. 2024’s winner, Scottie Scheffler, keeps his mind and priorities on God. Expecting his first child with his wife, Meredith, he made it clear throughout the tournament that if she went into labor, he would leave, no matter the standings. After winning, Scottie glorified God with his title:

“I’ve been given a gift of this talent, and I use it for God’s glory. That’s pretty much it…I compete to the best of my ability. I really want to win. I feel like that’s how I was designed…And I get to come out here and compete, enjoy it. At the end of the day, win or lose, my identity is secure.”

Scottie Scheffler, Masters 2024 Champion[1]

Staying in perfect peace requires focus on God. No matter what challenge you face or where God calls you, keeping your priorities straight and your mind focused on the Lord will help you maintain calm. Secure in his identity, Scottie trusts God’s sovereignty in the outcome of the tournament and his life.

Knowing your Maker and trusting His promises will help you keep your mind centered on Him, giving you the Lord’s perfect peace that surpasses all understanding.

Application:

Knowing your identity helps you stay centered on God and live in His peace.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for giving us Your perfect peace. As our minds wander and the enemy attacks, help us stay centered on you. Remind us of our place in Your heart and our identity in Christ. Let nothing steer us away from You.  IJNIP. Amen

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[1] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ugbElRexbxg

One-minute read.

Promise: Fear Not

God holds us in His hand, strengthening and helping us through our trials. We need not fear because the Lord never leaves us. Taking steps of faith can seem daunting, but the Creator doesn’t act until we take a step. Overcoming our anxieties only happens when we move forward despite our fears.

Don’t let anxiety make your decisions for you.  If we feed our fears, they will grow.  But if we feed our faith, our fears will diminish as our confidence in God blossoms.  Doing things scared defines bravery.  Facing our giants requires a decision to move forward despite the possible outcomes.  Trusting the Lord for victory means we do what we know to do and count on God to do the rest.

After suffering two blood clots, I have a fear of developing another one.  On blood thinners, I must maintain a therapeutic level.  On a recent trip, I dropped below the recommended level, and when my leg swelled, I panicked.  Doing what I knew to do meant calling the doctor, going for a bike ride to increase circulation, and then elevating my leg.  The rest I trusted to the Lord, knowing He knew the inner workings of my body. 

Faith overcame my fear.

Application:

Overcome fear with steps of faith, trusting God’s promise to strengthen and help you as He holds you in His hand.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for strengthening and helping us face our giants. As we take steps of faith, diminish our fear, moving forward boldly, knowing You have our backs. Show us what we can do, then do what only You can do.  In all things, honor and glory go to You.   Remove our fear and replace it with unwavering faith.  IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Pleasing God.

Renewed community, seeking security in the Lord’s favor together, pleases Him. Right sacrifices mean committing our hearts to God and fellowshipping with Him and other believers. Joy radiates from heaven when we gather together as one body, seeking and glorifying God with our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. 

Transformation begins with the heart. Cleansing and purifying it comes with repentance, drawing us into a personal relationship with Christ that flows outwardly to others. The more intimate we become with Jesus, the more we want to share what we have found, and the bigger God smiles. Feeling the Lord’s pleasure lights our souls brighter than the sun on its brightest day, drawing people to us and giving us the chance to share Christ with them.

Join a community and chase God together. Find a gospel-preaching church and surround yourself with a cloud of witnesses to help spur you on the journey. Please God with a heart set on Him and a network of Christ’s followers on the same path. Living righteously together brings joy not only to the Lord but also to the entire body.

Jesus, the path to living righteously with Him and others, commissioned us to share the good news with the world. By obeying the Great Commandment to love God and others, we do that one person at a time. Live abundantly in Jesus’s love, share it with others, and find joy and peace in the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for creating us with a shared mission. Draw us closer to each other as we seek You, striving to obey Your commands. Bring joy and peace into our lives as we please You.  Let us shine brightly for the world to see, building Your kingdom and living life abundantly. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Freedom in Christ.

Possibly referring to Jerusalem’s period of exile, the people prayed for God to do something in His great love and mercy. David identified with the people’s sin, need for grace, and anticipation of the Lord’s mercy, leading to great joy. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem, an answer to prayer that fortified the city and brought the people out of exile, filling them with joy.

We can fortify the walls of our hearts by memorizing and placing our faith in God’s promises, protecting us from enemy attacks. The closer we follow Jesus, the more the devil attacks. Trying to deter us from our mission, the enemy uses anything that will gain a foothold in our lives to keep us in bondage. Thankfully, Christ set us free.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

The freedom we receive from Jesus happens when we confess our sins, repent of our ways, and turn and follow Him.  When the Lord started His ministry, He did so with two words, “Follow Me.”  As the disciples left their old lives behind one by one, following Jesus, they found the freedom only He can give.

Live in Christ’s freedom. Submit your life to Him, receive His Spirit, and follow Him to a life of abundance.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for a new life in Christ. Thank You for the freedom we find when we lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and follow Jesus. Help us each day to once again choose Your Son. Let us live abundantly, following You, honoring and glorifying You with every step we take. IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Contrite heart.

Spiritual renewal requires humility. Thinking too highly of ourselves means we don’t think high enough of God. We tend to forget our need for the Lord when things go well. Taking life for granted happens to everyone. Ron and  I will celebrate twelve years of marriage together in August, God willing. Where the past 4,380 days went, I don’t know. Even living intentionally, trying to cherish every moment, the days still flew by, and I took them for granted to some extent.

Accepting our lack of control in life will humble us. We think we know what tomorrow will bring, but none of us do. Life changes in moments, things happen we didn’t see coming, and pride vanishes when faced with its fragility. Staying centered on God keeps us focused on the One in control.

The Lord loves a heart centered on Him. God will plant seeds that bring forth much fruit in the ground of a soft heart. A humble attitude and a contrite heart make us usable to the Creator. We can do everything through Christ only if we submit to Him.

Spend time surrendering your heart to the Lord today. Usher His presence into a heart filled with humility. Experience the renewal that the Lord can give.

Prayer:

God, thank You for renewing our hearts and helping us persevere through life’s storms. Keep us humble and hungry for more of You.  As we face the challenges in our lives, let us do so with confidence, knowing You walk with us. In all things, we honor and glorify You.  IJNIP. Amen

One-minute read.

Deeper commitment.

Gratitude brings commitment. The more grateful we feel towards the Lord, the more blessings we count, the deeper we will commit our lives to God. A living miracle; every breath I take gives me a reason to praise my Creator.

“Those that are healthy wish for many things; those that aren’t wish for only one.” Ron Morrison.

My husband’s wisdom always amazes me. Since my last blood clot, I’ve developed anxiety I didn’t have before. His words run through my mind often. My gratitude for life, given by the Lord, keeps me praising Him. Having a renewed sense of purpose and realizing life’s fragility changes my perspective. In some ways, I feel driven to work hard for the Lord, and in other ways, I just feel thankful.

Anyone can develop an attitude of gratitude. Write down five things you can thank God for right now: your family and friends, a place to live and work, health to do what you want, and breath in your lungs; these things deserve a hallelujah. God doesn’t ask us to sacrifice on the burnt altar; He wants us to appreciate the gifts He gives us and thank Him for them.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for life. Thank You for Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Help us grow closer to You as we develop an attitude of gratitude. As our commitment deepens, let us live in Your peace, with Your joy filling our hearts. Let everything we do Honor and serve You.  IJNIP. Amen