TGIF
I believe many people today are suffering from anxiety and concern, including folks firm in their belief, faith, and hope in God, His Son Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. I believe this is due to the transformation that our country (and world) seem to be experiencing in a pretty short period of time, where the increased cost of living is making it difficult for many families to make ends meet and where lawlessness seems to have replaced the law in many places. It makes us worry about the future for our children and grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren.
Many of us choose to start our day with prayer and a written devotional that can set our hearts straight before we face the world. Many daily devotionals cover an entire year, and many people only read them one time and then change to a different devotional. I prefer to read the same devotional multiple years because I feel I am in a different place each year and will be impacted differently if I read the same passage a year later.
So I am now more than halfway through my latest devotional Jesus Always written by Sarah Young for the third consecutive year. What has really surprised me is the impact that most of the daily devotionals I have read in the last week have had on me. This is the third time I am reading these messages and it is the first year they are hitting me right between the eyes. I think the reason for this is that life has been pretty easy and comfortable for me most of my life, and now I am finding life more uncomfortable.
Here are three of my latest daily devotionals shared by Sarah Young, all in the last week. I hope you find them helpful.
August 15, 2022 – You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. This is a delightful assignment, but it is also quite challenging. Spending time enjoying My Presence is a privilege reserved for those who know Me as Savior and Lord. To maximize the benefits of this precious experience, you need to seek Me wholeheartedly. However, your mind is often a tangled, unfocused mess. Enlist My Spirit to protect your mind and heart from distractions, distortions, deception, anxiety, and other entanglements. This will help you unscramble your thoughts and calm your heart – freeing you to search for me unhindered…. The simple prayer “Jesus, keep me aware of your Presence” can be like soft background music in your mind – playing continuously underneath your other mental activities. When your mind is stayed on Me, I keep you in perfect Peace.
Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
August 16, 2022 – I will bless My people with Peace. This biblical promise is for everyone who trusts Me as Savior. So when you are feeling anxious, try praying: “Jesus, bless me with Your Peace.” This short, simple prayer connects you with Me and opens you up to My help…. The more you lean on Me in confident dependence, the less fearful you will be. If your heart is steadfastly trusting in Me, you need not be afraid of bad news. Because I am both sovereign and good, you can be confident that this world isn’t spinning out of control…. I am continually at work – even in the most devastating situations – bringing good out of evil…. Live as a child of the Light. Together we will draw others out of darkness into the Light of My transforming Presence.
Psalm 29:11 – The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 112:7 – He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
August 19, 2022 – Rejoice in your dependence on Me. This is a place of wonderful security. People who depend on themselves, others, or circumstances are building their lives on a foundation of sand. When storms come, they will realize how flimsy their foundation is; it will not be adequate to support them. You, on the other hand, are building your life on the rock. Your foundation will be more than sufficient to support you during life’s storms…. Relying on Me involves staying in communication with Me: an extraordinary privilege. This rich blessing provides you with strength, encouragement, and guidance. When you stay in touch with Me, you know you are not alone. As you walk in the light of My presence, I help you rejoice in Me all day long. Depending on Me is a most joyful way to live.
Psalm 89:15-16 – Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your Presence, O Lord. They rejoice in Your Name all day long; they exult in Your righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 – Be joyful always; pray continually.
These messages have been so helpful to bring my mind back to where it should be, focused on Him. There are more messages I want to share but this is enough for one week. My plan is to provide some additional messages next week like this, as I find them so uplifting right now. I know I need them, and I also enjoy writing their words and sharing with you as well, so I hope you will indulge me. I wish you all a most blessed, prayerful, and peaceful week!