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Today our scripture reading is from Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Having a spirit of gratitude is one of the most powerful tools that God has given us. The act of giving thanks, of feeling gratitude can actually change our brain chemistry.
No matter what situation you find yourself in, there’s always something around you worth giving thanks for. It may be a small thing, it may be a significant thing. Every day we wake up with a choice. That choice is what we focus on. We can focus on a sense of lack, or what we’re missing, or we can choose to find and focus on those things we are grateful for. And allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts.
Can you think of one thing that you are grateful for ?Maybe its a person, something that has happened, or something that is a blessing - like health, or provision.
Focus on that one thing and everything about that one thing that you are grateful for. Feel it in your body, feel the gratitude and worship Your father in the spirit of gratitude.
Pray with me: “Father I have so much to be grateful for. Help me to work into the discipline of choosing to be grateful, of choosing to find things to give thanks for. Let your peace rule in my heart. As above So Below. ”
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2 Corinthians 12:5-10
….I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
When we look at our lives, they are full of victories and full of setbacks. In these verses, Paul clarifies the true source of strength. God's strength. He also speaks of ‘a thorn in the flesh’, placed there to keep him from being conceited. It’s interesting to reframe the challenges in our life, failures in our life, and seeing even those play a divine purpose in our lives.
What area of your life feels weak right now?
What is the difficulty in your life right now?
"When I am weak, then I am strong."
This message is countercultural to our society which preaches self-reliance.
Can you admit your weakness to God right now?
Ask for him to give you not only the strength to make it through but also the awareness that in your weakness, He is strong, Turning all things for your good and His glory
Let’s pray: “Holy Father, thank you for your power that shines in my weakness. I confess my failings, I confess my weakness, and I acknowledge those areas of struggle and hardship in the very areas where are you are shining brightest through me.”
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Wholeness was our state in the Garden but then the enemy of God came along and, through disobedience, robbed us all of that God-given state. The spiritual battle for us every day is choosing God over that same enemy, just as everyone in the Bible had to deal with as well.
Listen to 1 Peter 5:6-11 …
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. (NLT) Listen for two things: the commands and the promises.
Did you catch them? Let’s review, all under the concept of wholeness and holiness.
The command? Humble yourself. … The promise? God will lift you up in His time.
The command: Give your worries to God. … The promise: God will care for you.
The command: Stand firm against the enemy. … The promise: God’s calling will bring you into His eternal glory.
The command: Endure suffering. … The promise: God will restore, support, and strengthen you.
Wholeness is found on the firm foundation only God can provide.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for offering wholeness through holiness. Thank You for Your commands for my obedience and Your promises giving me hope. As above, so below.”
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Colossians 2:6-10 …
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. (NLT) Paul encouraged us in our maturity, then he warned us against those things in the world that lead us away from that growth. saying - Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Lastly, he told us the truth about who we are and what we have through Christ.
What words, phrases, or verses stood out to you?
Is there a truth here you didn’t know or didn’t yet fully understand?
The final two sentences use the words “fullness” and “complete,” meaning filled up with nothing lacking. That, my friend, is the offer of true wholeness.
Would you take a moment and speak that declaration of truth with me: “I am complete through my union with Christ.” Focus on the words: “I am complete through my union with Christ.” “I am complete through my union with Christ.” “I am complete through my union with Christ.”
Let’s pray together: “Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the fullness of God, shown to us in a human body like mine. I believe I am complete through my union with You. Help me to receive that truth deeper today than ever before. As above, so below.”
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Today’s passage is Romans 6:21-23 in The Message Bible … As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn’t have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you’re proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end. But now that you’ve found you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you, what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.
The path to spiritual wholeness—holiness—is what Paul described here as “finding you don’t have to listen to sin tell you what to do.” Christ gives us a new life, a new path, a new way to live. Christ gives us a choice to not choose sin.
Wholeness is a great word, one we chose to focus on this week, but let’s turn the corner now to understanding that holiness is the complete wholeness that God offers us in Christ.
Have you ever really grasped that Christ has given you the constant choice to not sin?
Is there a sin in your life that you feel is not a choice, one that you keep repeating, even though you don’t want to? Identify that, confess it and ask God to give you the strength choose not to sin.
God’s on-going gift is real life here and eternal life to come delivered by Jesus, our Master.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that You offer me a free life. Thank You that I don’t have to listen to sin anymore but can choose You. Thank You for Your gift of wholeness and holiness. As above, so below.”
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So much of our Christian lives is spent trying to get rid of things, things we hold onto and struggle with, all while knowing we need to let them go. From attitudes to toxic behaviors to unhealthy relationships. Today, we read a crucial concept for this process. It’s called the Principle of Replacement. Listen to Ephesians 4:31-32 … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV) If you decide to get rid of bitterness today, that’s going to be tough, right? But what if instead, you placed your focus and energy on being kind? What if day by day, you started to make the intentional choice to replace bitterness with kindness? If something triggers bitterness to come up into your throat and the feelings are overwhelming, then you do something kind. Text a friend a thank you. Find a way to encourage the very next person you encounter.
Paul’s teaching was always practical. Bitterness can be replaced with kindness. Rage and anger can be replaced with choosing compassion. Slander and malice can be replaced with forgiveness. If we only focus on getting rid of things, we can easily set ourselves up for failure. But when we instead find a positive and healthy replacement for what we must get rid of, we have a far better shot at success, as well as just creating a better experience.
What is one ‘replacement principle’ I will commit to practicing this week? Kindness? Compassion? Forgiveness?
We all have things we need to rid ourselves of… let’s remember The Principle of Replacement … whatever you’re trying to get rid of to be whole again, ask God to give you something good to replace it with.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, help me to take the toxic things I have held onto and replace them with the good gifts You offer me, gifts like kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. As above, so below.”
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To get serious about wholeness and total health, we have to take a hard look at ourselves. Today is a tough Scripture passage from Jesus, but also a reminder that there is freedom on the other side of our battles. Listen closely … Jesus is not angry here, just being honest … “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT) As humans, a fact we have to deal with throughout life is the less whole we are in any given season, the more we tend to find fault in others. Whether wanting to justify our own behavior or just being negative about people, we can look around and see the “speck in other’s eyes,” to use Jesus’ words. But notice the important counsel here: “First, get rid of the log in your own eye …”
Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … Buckle up, this version hits even more closer to home ….
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
The goal of Jesus’ teaching here is not to produce guilt, shame, or self-hatred, but rather getting honest about personal evaluation. Facing our own stuff.
Is there an area of your life that is a ‘speck or log in my own eye’? Can you think of one area to surrender and repent of right now?
Getting real about what we need to surrender to God before we can truly begin the journey toward wholeness.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I always love the mercy and grace verses in Your Word, but I know I have to embrace ones like this too. Today, I need to hand over the logs and the specks to You. I want to be whole, so I know some surgery on my heart and work on my attitude are what I need to allow You to do right now. As above, so below.”
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On our final day of focusing on stability in a season of instability, we will once again take a look at our available place within a solid and supportive community.
The original Body of Christ should always be our model for our current Body of Christ. God always has one way and what we find in Acts 2 is His way for and to community.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (v. 42-47) What do we see and hear the Body of Christ was all about?
They met together devoted to worship, teaching, fellowship, eating together, and praying. Just brothers and sisters gathering with the common bond of growing in Christ and encouraging one another. Sounds really simple, doesn’t it? Sounds pretty cool too, right?
If you desire to get rid of as much instability in your life as possible and secure yourself more and more in your relationship with Christ, the template in today’s passage is the key to true community. Merging your life with other believers who have your same heart, mind, and goals is crucial to finding health and maturity in every way, but most especially spiritually.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, life among the believers in the early church was pretty straightforward. Not much frills. Help me to find that. Help me to find my place in Your Body. I know my security and my kids’ security can be found in You and those who love You. As above, so below.”
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This week in our look at finding stability in a season of instability, today and tomorrow, we will focus on the support we all need within a solid and supportive community.
When we come to Christ, we are grafted into His family tree. We become a part of His body. That’s what the Bible teaches. We enter into an eternal community where we have a definite and intentional place in which we fit right now.
Listen to Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 … The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. … But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? … But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. … The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you are included in that passage. You belong to this body that Paul is talking about. You count. You fit. You are in that community with a unique place.
Is there a community you need to separate yourself from?
Are there some toxic relationships you keep allowing to hurt you?
Are you needing a place to fit and do life to secure you inside a healthy community?
You are in the Body of Christ, but are you in a physical community of believers?
If not, what steps do you need to take today to find your place and your space?
But always remember—God has not only prepared a place for you in Heaven, but a place here in His Body, His community, until You join Him. He’s made all the arrangements for eternity but we have a responsibility for what we do while we are here.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You for the Body of Christ. Thank You for Your community and Your kingdom here. Help me to always take my place in You and with those I need to be connected to. As above, so below.”
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This week as we look at finding stability in a season of instability, this is never going to truly come when we keep trying to avoid loneliness by just filling the void with a person. Jumping into relationships when God is not involved or we are not ready just become major distractions that keep us from growing deep roots and getting our lives built on what we talked about yesterday, the Rock that survives the storms.
So often we have to work on creating a good defense before we can have a solid offense. Or here’s another metaphor—we have to pull some weeds before we can plant some flowers.
Today, I’m going to read a longer passage. I want you to listen to the spirit of what Paul is teaching as much as the actual words he says.
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (NLT) As I have asked you before here, as I read, did any phrase or sentence jump out at you? Did God run his highlighter over any of this?
Listen to part of today’s passage once again … But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” If you keep yourself pure, … Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone… (NLT) Is there anything in your life today that is creating instability and you know it’s time to pull it out by the roots? Maybe you need some help? Maybe you need some professional help? If today God showed you something, don’t wait, don’t put it off, do what He told you. Reach up, reach out, reach in, whatever you need to do to make things right for your life.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I give You what You placed on my heart right now. I need Your help. Help me to also get the help I need from others to steady my life. Show me what to do. I need Your answers. As above, so below.”
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This week our focus is finding stability in a season of instability. Yesterday, we went outside ourselves to God. Today, let’s look into our own hearts.
In Matthew 7, Jesus’ teaching covers quite a few topics, but He offers us a clear metaphor of stability vs. instability and the action we can take to enact His help. Listen to verses 24-27 … “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (NLT) In life, the storms are going to come and keep coming. The rain will fall, the waters will rise, and the winds will beat against our house. Everything that comes at us makes us feel so unsteady and unstable. Jesus said the difference in the house that stands vs. the ones that crash is those who listen to His teaching and follow what He says. The question is not will He save, but will we allow His salvation?
Listen to these verses in The Message Bible. This time I’m going to leave out what happens to the house that doesn’t listen, only the one that does. That should be our focus: what we can do to help ourselves in unstable times.
For a moment, take your mind off of anything that is shaking your world right now. Focus on Jesus. How can you listen to His words and do what He is asking you?
How can you work Christ’s words into your life today?
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I certainly know what the rains, the floodwaters, and the wind feels like. Help me to work Your words into my life to build my house on You, the Rock. As above, so below.”
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This week is a huge topic for anyone these days—finding stability in a time of instability. For Solo parents, there are several factors in play … the first is working on surrender to God to allow His stability to enter our hearts and minds. The second is working on ourselves to be stable in our own feelings and emotions. The third is finding stability, not in trying to fill the void with another relationship, but rather to find support within a solid and supportive community.
The shepherd turned king David certainly understood chaos in life—from his enemies, those around him, and even by his own hand. Let’s begin our look at stability by going to our Source. Listen to David’s words:
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:5-8 NLT) As believers in and followers of Christ, just because the world around us shakes does not mean we have to. If we are in Him, then He holds us in His hands. He is our Hope. Our Rock. Our Fortress. Our Refuge.
Listen once again to this passage in The Message Bible … What is making you feel unstable right now? Can you pinpoint the source of your instability?
Whether your answer is one thing or everything, whether your feelings or your thoughts or your actions feel completely shaky, take the focus off the unstable things in and around you and focus on the One who is always stable. Imagine Him holding you now, like a Dad with a child in a storm. Just for this moment, take your eyes off what is shaking and place them on what is solid … Your Hope. Your Rock. Your Fortress. Your Refuge.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I receive Your hope, I want to live with You as my Rock, My Fortress, my Refuge. My anxious thoughts, feelings, and emotions I give to You now. As above, so below.”
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On our final day we will focus on a very well-known but always powerful chapter in Scripture - this is from Psalm 139. Listen carefully to the words of verses 1 thru 6
“… O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”
If God really does examine your heart and knows everything about you, then don’t you think it’s okay for you to get real with Him about how you feel and what you are feeling about your life and anyone in it? Isn’t it safe to say He can handle whatever you need to get honest about? Have you ever considered venting your emotions with God? I think the Psalms shows us that’s exactly what we are supposed to do.
Here’s the next six verses of Psalm 139 “… I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.”
So, once again, if you can’t go anywhere to get away from God, even in the dark, and He promises to guide and support you, then let this week be a game changer in your relationship with Him. Talk to Him like a best friend. Need to vent? Get loud? Let out some anger and some steam? Go for it. Tell Him what you think and how you feel. Take care of yourself, your hurts and your healing by opening up completely before God. That really is what prayer is about.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, it’s time I got honest with You, like really honest. Actually, it’s kind of funny for us to think You can’t handle how I feel or what I might say. Like verse 4 said, You know what I’m going to say before I say it, so just help me to get honest and tell You my heart. As above, so below.” -
When the Pharisees asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, He basically answered by boiling them all down to what appears to be two, but is actually three.
Listen to Matthew 22:37-39 …
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
So who are we to love? God. Yes. Then our neighbor, which actually just means our fellow human beings. But we so often miss the last part He said. You have to love people “as yourself.”
Sometimes we tend to love ourselves as in we will fight to get what we want or practice self-preservation at all costs. Jesus said if that’s how you love yourself, love others just like that, with that same fervor. But here’s another side to that coin … Another way we can interpret this statement is “You cannot love others any more than you are able to love yourself.” Are you really bad at loving yourself? Guess what? That’s going to be your level of loving others too.
Do you see it? I hope so, because this is a game changer.
Now that you’ve heard these new thoughts, listen once again … Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Have you been hurt so much that you are focused on taking care of you over anyone else? Well, what if you were to love people like that? Then you’d be super-loyal, giving, and protective of everyone.
Or do you struggle to love yourself and you know that makes your level of loving others really low, so it’s time for something to give?
The great news is the key to change for either side of this issue is found in the first part of the verse: ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, Teach me to love You, then teach me how to love me, then let all that start to create love for everyone around me. As above, so below.”
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One of the most powerful chapters in the New Testament is Colossians 3. Paul reminded us to try and remember Heaven when all Hell is breaking loose in our lives and to not allow the stuff of earth to rule our emotions, thoughts, and actions. We have to have a ground zero for our own hearts and minds, to take care of what we need to do and not do in our own lives.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
What phrase or words stood out to you?
In which of these areas can you say you’re doing really well right now?
What did you hear that you know you’re struggling in that area?
Now listen again to select parts of this passage … Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, … not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. … So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. … You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. … for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Are there any “old nature things” that you know it’s time to let go of?
I want to encourage you again with Paul’s words … put on your new nature, be renewed, and become like Jesus.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, help me to live out the values of Heaven here on earth as You keep renewing and revealing Your nature in me. As above, so below.” -
One of the greatest disruptors in this day in which we live in our relational stability and our personal peace is anger. Especially on-going and unresolved anger.
Listen to Ephesians 4:26-27 …
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (NLT) 99% of anger in our lives is at a person that we are in a relationship with. Yes, we get angry at strangers and even ourselves but mostly at people we know well. Yet anger is a valid emotion. There are plenty of places in Scripture where God got angry. Jesus got angry. But the motive for anger is crucial as well as what we do with our anger. That makes the difference. Paul offered great advice by saying that holding onto anger can poison us. To not take anger into a second day or the devil can use it against us.
Listen to these verses in The Message Bible … Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Is anger robbing your relational stability in any way these days?
Is it actually harming you more than the person or people you are upset with?
Consider how you can get rid of your anger by the end of each day.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I hand my anger over to You. I don’t want it to rob me, or hurt me, or become bitterness in my life. Remind me when it comes back up that You know what to do with it as I give it to You. As above, so below.” -
One of the aspects of Jesus’ life we can easily miss because we know how often he was in large crowds was how He went away to be alone and to pray. He not only got away from people in general, but also even His small circle of friends and disciples.
Listen to Mark 1:35 …
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
This is one of those verses where you don’t need to study the original language to be able to interpret the real meaning. Because it’s literal. … He got up early before everyone else. He went away from everyone else. To pray. He sought solitude, sanctuary, and solace.
Let’s look at another verse that gets even more interesting … After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.
I know of a mom who would need a moment to re-group herself when her kids were little. She would say, Mommy is going in the closet and shutting the door. I need you to be really quiet and I’ll be right back in just a few minutes. Every time, after about three minutes of quiet and prayer, she would open the door and there will be every child, sitting right outside the door, waiting quietly for her.
Whether Jesus was literally hidden as in invisible or He just had to take a moment like that mom, the principle is the same. Jesus had to get away and be alone so we do too. Self-care in silence and solitude in moment of sanctuary is critical to our well-being.
When was the last time you actually sought after solitude - not with your phone or book… but in complete solitude? Just you and silence. What might we be missing if we don’t follow Christ's example in this?
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, help me to make a practice of finding that alone time, just like You did. Help me to find silence, solace, and sanctuary in You. As above, so below.”
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While Revelation can certainly be a challenging book for us to understand, there are some very powerful passages of what we are promised as Christ-followers.
Listen to Revelation 21:3-5 …
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
The next time you feel like you are never going to have enough and you may never get to the place you want to be, I want to encourage you to look past this life and remind yourself of your home in Heaven. One day, this life will be a blip on the radar of eternity.
Listen to today’s passage in the Message Bible …
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new.
I want to close this week by allowing a few moments to reflect on Heaven. The peace, the provision, the protection. Close your eyes and envision the place that today’s passage described to you. …. The next time life is crashing down, close your eyes and recall this moment. And remember—no matter how things look now, God is making everything new.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I look forward to the day when I get to experience no tears and no pain and everything being made new. Thank You for providing me with that hope, now and for eternity. As above, so below.”
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Jesus taught some fascinating principles about the persistence we should have in prayer in Luke 11 …
Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
There is so much in this passage. But what did you hear? How do these words challenge you to pray? And how should you change your prayers to match these principles? More persistence? More honesty? More expectation? A healthier perspective that God wants to bless you?
Listen to this passage again in The Message Bible …
Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’ “The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’ “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need. “Here’s what I’m saying: Ask and you’ll get; Seek and you’ll find; Knock and the door will open. “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”
So, how much do you ask? Seek? Knock? Do you pray one or two times and then assume you have already prayed for it? Or do you pray for fish but in your heart expect snakes? Jesus made a lot of promises to us here. Maybe we should start to take Him up on them?
As you ruminate on this, let’s take some slow deep breaths once again.
Breathe deep then slowly exhale and let go of your strife and stress. Move into the balance God offers you in this new day by trusting Him.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, forgive me when I expect but don’t ask. Forgive me when I ask for fish but think you’re going to hand me a snake. Help me change my mind so You can change my heart. Let my prayers be like a child expecting good gifts from a Father. As above, so below.”
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I want to encourage you that no matter how many times you have read or heard this passage, try to hear this today with new ears and a fresh heart.
Listen to Matthew 15 …
Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.” So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. There were 4,000 men who were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children. Then Jesus sent the people home. (32-39 NLT)
Today, in this moment, where are you lacking? Where is there not enough? The difference made in this story was Jesus being given what the people had. He will always be a Gentleman, so He will never take what is not handed over to Him. Wherever you are lacking, hand that over to Jesus right now in this moment.
Listen to today’s passage in the Message Bible …
But Jesus wasn’t finished with them. He called his disciples and said, “I hurt for these people. For three days now they’ve been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can’t send them away without a meal—they’d probably collapse on the road.” His disciples said, “But where in this deserted place are you going to dig up enough food for a meal?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they said, “plus a few fish.” At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted. It took seven large baskets to collect the leftovers. Over four thousand people ate their fill at that meal.
Even though we live in this world, God also has His Kingdom here. He has His own economy. He has His own people. He has His own way of working. Ask Him to let you see your own version of this miracle and then believe Him for the rest.
Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, this is such a crazy story, yet I know You can do anything You want. Please take the things in my life that I feel are subtracted and divided and add to them and multiply them in Your will. As above, so below.”
- Visa fler
