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Psalm 139:13-16 MESSAGE

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;   you formed me in my mother’s womb.I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!   Body and soul, I am marvelously made!   I worship in adoration—what a creation!You know me inside and out,   you know every bone in my body;You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,   how I was sculpted from nothing into something.Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;   all the stages of my life were spread out before you,The days of my life all prepared   before I’d even lived one day.

One thing that is, for sure, being communicated in this passage is the intentionality of a creator creating. Nothing in this passage speaks to accidents. Nothing in this passage speaks to randomness. Everything in this passage speaks of grandeur, beauty and care.

In another translation of the first two verses of this passage it reads

“You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mothers womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex your workmanship is marvelous.

It’s interesting to think of God as a master craftsman, molding something from the inside out to be so wonderfully complex. Often we look at ourselves and we give ‘complex’ a negative connotation. But in this passage there is honor being attached to complexity.

What about you sometimes seems too complex?

A lot of us walk around feeling like, at the very best, we are a random addition to the human race, and we discount what makes us different or complex. Not often do we celebrate ourselves as a unique, complex and marvelous workmanships of a master creator.

Can you look at yourself and accept that the way you are created, in all your wonderful complexity, points to the intentional, deliberate care of a master creator who believed that this world was better with you in it? Nothing about you or your life is random.

Let’s pray together: “Father, while I may struggle to use words about myself like “complex, marvelous, and precious,” thank You that You have expressed those feelings toward me. I want to believe my worth in and through You and I want to receive my identity from You. As above, so below.”

The story is told of Sir Isaac Newton, the famous mathematician and scientist, who had a strong belief in God. One day, Sir Isaac went to a carpentry shop and asked the owner to make a model of our solar system. This model was to be to scale, intricately painted, and designed to resemble, as closely as possible, the actual solar system.

Several weeks later, Newton picked up the model, paid for it, and placed it in the center of a table in his house. One day, a friend who was an atheist came to visit. When the man arrived, the model of the solar system caught his eye, and he asked Sir Isaac if he could inspect it more closely. As the friend looked it over, he was awed by the fine craftsmanship and beauty. The friend then asked Newton who had created this wonderful model of the solar system. Sir Isaac promptly replied that no one had made the model but that it had just appeared on his table one day, evidently by accident.

Confused, the friend asked the question again, and Newton repeated his answer that the model had come out of thin air. As the friend became frustrated, Sir Isaac then explained the purpose of his answer: If he could not convince his friend that this crude replica of the solar system had “just happened by accident,” how could the friend believe that the real solar system, with all its complex design, could have appeared only by chance? The moral to the story: Design always demands a Designer.

(Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us a new in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

When was the last time you watched your children sleeping? Why do you suppose as parents we do that? Stare lovingly at a perfectly still and peaceful child? It’s because we marvel at how they are created and are a part of us. … Design does indeed demand a Designer.

Listen again to this passage as I personalize it for us. Repeat these truths over yourself today.

For I am God’s masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things he planned for me long ago.

God has already stated clearly that you are His masterpiece … just like those beautiful kids you love so much. He has declared your worth and identity. He created each of you and placed you together as a family.

Pray with me: “Father, I want to accept and receive that I am Your masterpiece, created anew in You to accomplish the things You planned for my life long ago. I claim that same identity and destiny for my incredible kids. Thank You for my life. Thank You for their lives. As above, so below.”

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Yesterday we focused on embracing the feelings that freedom brings and living from that sense of security. In today’s passage, Paul directs us towards actions not feelings. He suggests 3 choices for us to make.

Be joyful in hope. Another word for hope is expectant. Will you choose to show joy because your are expectant that God will come through?

Be patient in affliction. Another word for patience is acceptance. Will you choose to accept - to not fight - affliction or trouble?

Be faithful in prayer. Faithful can be defined as loyal and committed. Will you be loyal and committed to praying?

Listen again to this passage, this time from the Message Bible

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

What personal hope do you have for yourself can you choose to be joyful and excited about right now?

What affliction or trouble that you’re facing can you decide to be patient with?

What is something that you need to commit tp praying more earnestly about?

God’s best for you is a combination of feeling, really knowing He has gone before you and is with you, like we explored yesterday, and choosing to follow His path by living in hope, patience and prayer.

Father, I can get so weighed down by all the troubles and concerns around me. Help me to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and trouble, and committed to continually praying. I know you want what’s best for me, help me to choose what’s best for me too. As above so below.

Psalm 34:4-7 (NIV)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

   he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

   their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

   he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

   and he delivers them.

What does it mean to be radiant? The Psalmist says “those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame. As we get older, some would call wiser, we also get our views blurred by man’s measurement of self. Often we can become so consumed with appearances, responsibilities and expectations that we forget that we have actually been freed from all of that.

What would our response be if someone paid off all of our debt, took away all of our stress, took away any reason for us to ever worry again. I suspect we would look radiant. We might even look a little crazy… Wouldn’t living with that realization do something to those closest to us, wouldn’t that kind of freedom be contagious. Listen again to this passage and view yourself from the writers perspective.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

   he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant;

   their faces are never covered with shame.

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

   he saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,

   and he delivers them.

How does it feel to carry no shame.

How does it feel to know that God saves you from all your troubles.

How does it feel to know that the angel of the Lord encamps around you.

How does it feel to know that God will delivers you.

Let’s make those feelings the reality that we live from today, and everyday.

Father, thank you that you promise to deliver me from all my fears. Thank you that you say my face should never be covered with shame. Thank you that you deliver me from all my troubles and that your angels camp around me. Help me to be radiant, shining the grace that you give me to others. As above, so below.

Proverbs 3:1-12 NLT

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

In this passage, and throughout the Bible, the writer refers to the reader as ‘my child’. Returning to a position where we don’t have everything figured out on our own seems to be a common theme throughout scripture.

Listen to this passage again from the mindset and the position of your heart of returning to the perspective of a child, with much to learn, not having everything figured out.

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:1-12 NLT)

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding’ pretty much sums up what this is saying.

Is there an area in your life that you have been leaning primarily on your own understanding? Can you do what this passage suggests, ‘seek him in all that you do and he will show you which path to take’? Letting go of the preconceived idea that you are required to have this all figured out on your own is foundational in living with the abandon of childlike innocence, living with a healthy sense of dependency and trust in your Father who goes before you.

Let’s pray: Father, help me to surrender my natural way of looking at things, that I have to have everything figured out. Help me to lean on You, help me to seek You in all that I do as I trust you to show me which path to take. As above, so below.”

Proverbs 2:1-8 NLT

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.  Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

As we look around in our culture today, it’s getting harder and harder to find those who truly treasure God’s commands, those who seek them like hidden treasures.

Let me ask you … do you want to gain the knowledge of God? Would you like a treasure of common sense and to have your integrity be like a shield to protect your life? For your path to be guarded and your life protected?

Let’s personalize Solomon’s words for us today, as our declaration:

I WILL listen to what You say, and WILL treasure Your commands. I WILL tune my ears to wisdom, and WILL concentrate on understanding. I WILL cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. I WILL search for them as I would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.  Then I will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and I will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants me wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to me as I am honest. He is a shield to me as I walk with integrity. He guards my path to be just and protects me as I am faithful to him. (Proverbs 2:1-8 NLT)

Gods wisdom is the only treasure worth seeking. Treasure available to us freely, upon asking. Relying on our understanding is futile when living a committed life in Christ. What is one area of your life that you can bring before the Lord today and ask for His wisdom to guide you?

Let’s pray together: “Father, guide me to align my life priorities with You and Your ways and Your will. Take my life, all I have and don’t have, all I want and all I need and help me to seek You as my Treasure to find contentment and satisfaction in my life. As above, so below.”

LUKE 18:15-17 NLT

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

I remember someone saying to me once when I was in school… Grow up… Since that time I’ve spent most of my time doing that. Growing up. Getting mature. Being responsible. Today, in this passage Jesus confronts that idea, and instead offers us an opportunity to return to how we were made.

All of us started out as infants, then children. Somehow along the way we’ve lost the beauty of that innocence, the wonder of the world around us, the joy of discovery and the faith that is simple.

What would it look like to confound your daily routine and structure and instead take on a mindset of a child? Content. Curious. No fear. It seems in this passage that God is calling us to live with the simple abandon of a child, listen again as I read part of this passage and notice that not only is Jesus suggesting that the kingdom of God is about a child like mindset, but also, He is refuting what the adults are saying the kingdom is like.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Can you let go? Even if it’s just for 10 minutes and allow yourself to experience the beauty and wonder of knowing that all that you need is freely given to you, and is not reliant on your efforts.

Trusting in your Good father who asks you to just come to him with the innocence of a child.

Father, help me put aside my belief that I need to grow up, clean up, have it all together to come to you. Thanks you for encouraging me to live with the fearless abandon of a child, with You as my Father. As above, so below.

For our final day this week, we are going to read a tough passage, but we’ll also turn it around and end on a bright spot. Paul shared these words with Timothy in his second letter, chapter 3, verses 1-5:

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

When you heard these words, did it sound like something from today’s news feed? Love only themselves and their money? Boastful? Proud? Scoffing at God? Disobedient? Ungrateful? Nothing is sacred? This is exactly why God’s Word is timeless and always current.

Again we see how the love self, pride, pleasure and the pursuit of wealth is associated with a lack of godly character. The last verse even says the religious people will reject God’s power.

Now, let’s take Paul’s words, and as what would be in line with many of his other passages such as 1 Corinthians 13, for example, turn the phrases around to encourage ourselves to follow God and pursue Him, not the things of this world, to see our money merely as a means, not an end.

For people must love God and not their money. They must not boast and be proud, or scoff at God, be disobedient to their parents, yet be grateful. Consider everything sacred. Be loving and forgiving; never slander others and always have self-control. Never be cruel. Love what is good. Never betray friends, be reckless, puffed up with pride, or love pleasure rather than God. Don’t act religious, and reject the power that can make us godly. Hold strong to people like that!

Pray with me: “Lord Jesus, thank You that You provide us with all that is good in this world and allow us the ability to stay away from what is harmful to us. There is always that choice. Thank You that You died to give us that choice. Help me to follow You and make my money a means, not an end. As above, so below.”

1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. … so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith.

A consistent theme throughout Scripture is placing focus on God, His goodness, and His grace while staying away from the attraction of the world and sin. Simply reading the news every day gives us plenty of evidence that money and power do not make people happy and content. Suicide, depression, anxiety, and the like have little to do with the state of income but rather the state of mind.

Let’s do an honest inventory. Knowing that ‘money’ represents security, prestige, pleasure. What is an area of your life that your focus has been the ‘craving’ of money, and what it represents, as the scripture calls it?

Listen once again, this time focusing only on the “do” verses, not the “dont's”: 

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. … Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. (1 Timothy 6:6-12 NLT)

As we often talk about here, focusing only on the dont's is not sustainable. We need to replace the dont's with the do's. Can you focus today on pursuing these things, not just staying away from the temptations of wealth? Pursue righteousness, love, perseverance, gentleness?

Let’s pray: “Father, teach me to be content. Help me to pursue righteousness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness as I fight the good fight for my faith in You. As above, so below.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Now, first things first … there is a strong likelihood that you, like me, read a passage like this and think, “Well, this doesn’t apply to me because I’m not rich.” But the reality is this: When you take the history of the world into consideration and the great affluence of the western culture, in light of the rest of the world, we are rich. The people in third world nations would love to have even what the worst neighborhoods in our cities have. Just being able to access clean water would feel like a luxury to so many in our world. So, in light of when we live and where we live, being “rich” is relative. Perspective and worldview are vital to interpreting Scripture.

With those thoughts in mind, listen again to today’s passage from the Message Bible:

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT)

Verse 17 shows us the principle of stewardship once again. Our trust should be in God who richly gives and money should be used for good works and generosity to share with those in need.

Can you recognize the riches you have? Imagine what it would be like to turn on the water in your house and nothing come out…and live with that being the norm every day. Is God prompting you about being rich in good works and generous to those in need? What would that look like?

Let’s pray: “Father, help me to not be proud and not to trust in money. Teach me to trust in You. Lead me to use money for good and to be generous to those in need and share with others. I want to store up Your treasure to experience true life. As above, so below.”

Proverbs 23:4-7 NLT

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.

The Bible never says that wealth is a sin, but rather the results of focusing on wealth through greed and being a miser is. While the last two sentences in today’s passage may feel disconnected from the first three, the correlation is the character of a person shows when it comes to money.

Think about this…could you tell a great deal about the habits, focus, and lifestyle of a person by looking at their bank and credit card statements? Absolutely. Our money and its management does not make our character, but rather reflects our character.

Is there something we would be proud for people to find out about you if they saw our accounts or looked at our spending? Something we might want to hide?

Listen again to Proverbs 23:4-7, but this time in The Message Bible: Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich; restrain yourself! Riches disappear in the blink of an eye; wealth sprouts wings and flies off into the wild blue yonder. Don’t accept a meal from a tightwad; don’t expect anything special. He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself.

He’ll be as stingy with you as he is with himself. … Wow. None of us want these words to ever describe us. Generosity of heart and resources are foundational to a life following Jesus.

What area of your life could you be more generous with? Is there someone, or a mission in need, that your contribution might serve right now? Or a person that needs you to give more of yourself to?

Let’s pray together: “Father, What I have is yours. Money, time, focus. No matter what You ever allow me to have, help me to keep You as the Center and Catalyst of my character. Help me to live as though You are always in control of everything, my finances, what I receive, what I spend, and what I give. As above, so below.”

David stated in Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. (NLT)

People tend to either believe God created the world or He didn’t. And then if someone believes He did, the next step of faith is believing whether or not He is actively involved in the lives of the people walking on His planet.

King David was clear. The earth belongs to God. Everything in and on the earth belongs to God. The entire world and even all the people belong to Him. If we believe this to be true, then we are never actually owners of anything while we are here.

How do you view what you have, as you being the owner or the steward? How might being a steward change your mindset?

Listen once again to Psalm 24:1: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. (NLT)

Let’s offer a personalized version: What I have on the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in my life. My world and all the people I know belong to him.

We know the old saying, “You can’t take it with you when you go.” Just more evidence that we are merely borrowing everything we have while we are here. To trust God with our lives and to ask Him for help, we must first see everything as His and come to accept we are stewards of His blessings, responsible and accountable to Him.

Let’s pray: “Father, I confess my world is yours and everything in it. Remind me every day that the world and all the people are yours. Help me to be a good steward of all I have and all You allow me to hold while I am here. As above, so below.”

These are the words of Jesus:

Mark 12:30-31

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.

We are told by Jesus to love God with all of us - heart, soul, mind and strength. That is not possible if we are living a fragmented and splintered life. If we not take care to integrate all those facets of our lives - our mind, our heart, our soul and strength we are not bringing our all to Him.

To integrate our whole self requires a discipline of self-care - to know all those parts of us. That is why we check in with ourselves every day in our time together to know ourselves so that our Father can know us.

Jesus goes a step further in this passage, in two words that we very often overlook.

Listen carefully as I read Jesus words to us again.

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Loving yourself is foundational to loving others. Not loving yourself in a superficial way, but in a holy way.

Psalm 139

You shaped me first inside, then out;

   you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

   Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

Do you see yourself the way Gods sees you? Can you recognize the beauty He sees in you? Because He does - and He wants you to see it too.

Let's use this Psalm to pray:

Father, You shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! And with all that I am, I love and worship you. As above, so below.

Today, we will be looking at the words of Jesus and what He had to say about money. Regardless of our financial circumstances, we can find some peace and hope in this often volatile area of life.

The wording of Matthew 6:19-24 in the New Life Bible is intriguing. Listen to the words of Jesus … “Do not gather together for yourself riches of this earth. They will be eaten by bugs and become rusted. Men can break in and steal them. Gather together riches in heaven where they will not be eaten by bugs or become rusted. Men cannot break in and steal them. For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also. The eye is the light of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. If your eye is bad, your whole body will be dark. If the light in you is dark, how dark it will be! No one can have two bosses. He will hate the one and love the other. Or he will listen to the one and work against the other. You cannot have both God and riches as your boss at the same time.

Now, Jesus is not saying that it’s wrong to have a savings account. That’s not the point. The concept here is not about our bank account, but our motives and focus. It’s interesting to think of money as a boss. In fact, we will often put up with a lot in our lives in work with actual bosses because money is our ultimate boss. But Jesus is saying that mindset easily competes with God’s place in our lives.

If you are honest with yourself right now, what tends to be the boss in your life right now? What drives your actions and attitudes? Security? Money?

Verse 21 is a great litmus test to constantly evaluate our lives:

For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also.

The converse is also true: Whatever has your heart, that’s also where your riches will be found.

What has your heart right now? What or who is your mind set on?

We put our efforts into what we love most. Money, security, self reliance all can be rusted or eaten away by things beyond our control. Only God’s riches and security are reliable. So, let’s let that love be our driving force—where our riches, our treasure, our hearts, are.

Let’s pray: “Heavenly Father, please help me to keep money and security in perspective—a heavenly perspective. I want you to be my security. I give my self reliance and confess that you are my security, my treasure and where my heart is. As above, so below.”

Luke 10:38

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

So many of us like Martha can be so consumed with all the details of life that we neglect the source of all things, including a Sound Mind Set.

In this passage it is also admirable that Martha speaks up out of her authentic feeling and points out the stress and comparison she is experiencing by essentially saying, Jesus, shouldn’t someone be helping with all these details.

Notice Jesus’ response was compassion with correction “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed, only one.”

What are you worried about today, what details are causing a bit of stress?

What might it look like for you to let go of worries and just be present? Making a choice to pause for self-care can be surprisingly difficult when we're used to chasing all the details. We may feel guilty or anxious about not getting everything done.

Pausing actually takes a lot of courage in the face of all that needs to be done throughout our days.

Let’s personalize Jesus’s from His response to Martha from this passage.

(Say your name then repeat Jesus’s words, to you), you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed or indeed only one.

Let’s pray: “Jesus, help me to let go of the things that I worry about and be present in your care. Thank you that you just call me to sit at your feet and soak up your love and strength. Help me to prioritize letting go of thinking I have to get everything right all the time. Help me relax and know that your presence is all I need. As above, so below.”

One of the most fascinating conversations recorded in Jesus’s life was with the “rich, young ruler,” evidently a young man that “had it all.”

Matthew 19:16-22 NLT

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

This young man’s life was all about what he had, what he had done, and what he hadn’t done. His focus was on behavior, not his heart. How things looked to others, not how things actually were. Jesus knew his treasure was not in pleasing God, so He challenged the man to find a greater, more valuable life than the one he had.

For many of us, we treasure how things look, how we are perceived and how we measure up to others. Imagine this conversation is with you and Jesus asks you to let go of all worldly possessions and perceptions...

How do you respond?

What comes to mind as the hardest thing to let go of?

You are not alone... in our current culture, how we look, what we have, and what we want can be more important than a relationship with Jesus.

For our purposes in this time together, let’s close with a focus on Jesus’s words: “You will have treasure in Heaven when You follow Me.” Can we be satisfied with that? Will you allow His treasure be enough today?

Let’s pray: “Dear Father, I am grateful that when I first encountered You, I said ‘yes’ and didn’t walk away. But help me every day to keep saying ‘yes’ to You, to put You before money, stuff, and the things of this world that distract and attract. Help me to keep selling out for You and following You. As above, so below.”

Luke 5:15

"Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

This passage is in the middle of describing many things that were happening in Jesus's ministry. Healing leprosy, a paralyzed man, teaching crowds, and ministering to tax collector over dinner.

Then right in the middle of all the activity it says “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed”.

No doubt you have many things going on in your life right now. When was the last time you removed yourself from the daily grind and prayed? Maybe that is what you are doing now?

If this idea of sequestering oneself to an isolate place, a lonely place was important enough for Jesus to do, paying attention to our capacity, our 'tank', so to speak, and making room to refill it, is vitally important to self care.

Listen again to the this passage about Jesus paying attention to self care, for the sake of pouring Himself out.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Let’s pray. Father show me how to withdraw myself when I need to. I admit, I don’t do this enough. I need you to refill what gets depleted. You are the only source that can refill me with what I need. As above, so below.

Today, we close out our meditative walk in worship through the Psalms. Psalm 91 is popular for its incredible promises of God’s protection. Satan even quoted a verse from this passage in his temptation to try and get Jesus to jump off the top of the Temple to prove God would save Him. Whether we consider some of these phrases as literal or metaphor, the reality is that the greatest power we have in our lives to protect us is God Almighty. I want to encourage you to take in every word. Don’t just hear them, but listen to the love in them. Right now, sit before Your Savior and trust these words to be true of you, and for you.

Psalm 91 NLT

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

… The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Did you notice the certainty in the words, in the phrases like “will find” and “will cover” and “will shelter”? Words of trust and faith that God does and will answer, rescue, reward, and honor the obedient heart of His followers.

What is one way God has rescued or protected you recently? Will you thank Him for that right now?

Pray with me: “Heavenly Father, thank You for Your refuge, Your shelter, Your safety, Your covering. You don’t promise us that trouble won’t come, but thank You that You do promise to be with me when anything threatens. I worship You as my Lord and My God. As above, so below.”

Today, we will experience Psalm 40, another transparent and poetic text from King David. Let’s experience God and His Word together in worship.

Psalm 40 NLT

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.

He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.

Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal.

If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.

Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.

… I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.

… Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.

Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

For troubles surround me—too many to count!

My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out.

They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.

Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

… may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.

May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.

You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

These words reflect a grateful heart that recognizes the reality of being rescued. The confession of being poor and needy is met with help from a Savior.

Where are you today? Waiting? In need of rescue? Or grateful that God’s help did arrive? No matter where you are, He is near. God is ever-present. You are in His thoughts.

Listen again to David’s words from the opening of this passage. Let’s personalize them say them out loud as a reminder of our God being close to us right now.

You lift me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.

You set my feet on solid ground and steady me as I walked along.

You have given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to my God.

Let’s pray together: “Father, thank You that You will hear our cries and lift us out of our self-laid traps. Thank You that You will then give us a new song and a new life to have the freedom to tell others about what You have done for us. Thank You for Your tender mercies, unfailing love, and faithfulness. As above, so below.”

Continuing our week solely focused on worship, today we will experience Psalm 34.

Be present. Be all in on this moment. No distractions. Listen with your ears and your heart. Let’s experience His Word and our worship together.

Psalm 34‚ NLT

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.

I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.

For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?

Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!

Turn away from evil and do good.  Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.

He rescues them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

… the Lord will redeem those who serve him.

Just as David did here, when was the last time you bragged on God?

When was the last time you shared with someone what He has done for you?

Listen again to the final words of this passage as I personalize David’s words for us.

The Lord hears me when I call to him for help.

He rescues me from all my troubles.

The Lord is close to me when my heart is broken; he rescues me when my spirit is crushed.

I may face many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Let’s pray just as we have worshipped: “Father God, thank You for being our guard who surrounds and defends. Thank You that You watch over us and hear us. Thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted and though we face troubles, You will rescue like the good Father You are. As above, so below.”

Today, again, we will spend time in worship. Simply focusing on God and His character. So, invite His Holy Spirit to pour over You with His presence. Listen intently as we experience His Word together.

From Psalm 33 The Message

Good people, cheer God! Right-living people sound best when praising.

Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs! Play his praise on a grand piano!

Invent your own new song to him; give him a trumpet fanfare.

For God’s Word is solid to the core; everything he makes is sound inside and out.

He loves it when everything fits, when his world is in plumb-line true.

Earth is drenched in God’s affectionate satisfaction.

… bow before God; … down on your knees!

Here’s why: he spoke and there it was, in place the moment he said so.

God takes the wind out of Babel pretense, he shoots down the world’s power-schemes.

God’s plan for the world stands up, all his designs are made to last.

Blessed is the country with God for God; blessed are the people he’s put in his will.

He has shaped each person in turn; now he watches everything we do.

No king succeeds with a big army alone, no warrior wins by brute strength.

Horsepower is not the answer; no one gets by on muscle alone.

Watch this: God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love.

He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together.

We’re depending on God; he’s everything we need.

What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name.

Love us, God, with all you’ve got—that’s what we’re depending on.

Can you add your personal thoughts of worship to these words from david?

What about God are you in awe of?

How has God rescued you?

Will you praise and worship him for the personal way He has shown up recently?

Let’s personalize the last lines of Psalm 33:

I’m depending on You, God; You are everything I need.

What’s more, my heart brims with joy since I’ve taken for my own Your holy name.

Love me, God, with all you’ve got—that’s what I’m depending on.

Pray with me: “Heavenly Father, Thank You that I don’t have to worship, but I get to worship. You are a Gentleman who never forces His way, yet loves in such a powerful way that invites a response of gratitude. Thank You for loving me with all You’ve got. As above, so below.”

This week we will spend time in simple, quiet worship. Let’s simply focus on God and His goodness. Breathe deep and allow your spirit to connect to His Holy Spirit.

Psalm 29 from The Message — A Psalm of David Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, “Encore!”

In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power.

Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor him!

God thunders across the waters,

Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—God, across the flood waters.

God’s thunder tympanic, God’s thunder symphonic.

God’s thunder smashes cedars, God topples the northern cedars.

The mountain ranges skip like spring colts, The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

God’s thunder spits fire.

God thunders, the wilderness quakes; He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

God’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.

We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”

Above the floodwaters is God’s throne from which his power flows, from which he rules the world. God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.

What words, what phrases stood out to you?

What games of God moved your spirit to worship?

Listen once again to the final verses:

We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!”

Above the floodwaters is God’s throne from which his power flows, from which he rules the world. God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.

As you walk through hardships and the challenges of your life, remember that Your God is the God of the thunder, of the rain, and of glory and power. He has you. He holds you. To make you strong. To give you peace.

Let’s pray: “Father, I realize Your power. I recognize Your glory. Today, in this quiet moment, I worship You. Thank You for Your strong arm that protects my life. Thank You for Your gentle Spirit to give me peace. As above, so below.”

Today, we close out our week, focusing on hope.

Romans15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hope is something that often eludes us. Day-to-day, we can get so lost in the stress and anxiety of our culture that our sense of hope feels diminished. That’s why this passage cuts through. It starts by saying that we are sons and daughters of the ‘God of hope’. 

What is an area in your life right now that feels hopeless?

It says we will be filled with hope, joy and peace as we trust in Him. 

Right now, can you reaffirm your trust in our God of hope?

It also says the power of the Holy Spirit will cause us to overflow with hope.

Can you invite the Holy Spirit to release the power of Hope in your life so that it ‘overflows to those around us?

Pray with me: “God of hope, please fill me with joy and peace, and help me trust you in all areas of my life. I ask that your Holy Spirit would fill me with the hope that overflows into those around me. As above, so below. ”

Psalm 77:11-15

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy.

    What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

    you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

There is a Hebrew word that shows up often in the Bible; the word is  ZAKAR, meaning remember. Often when God had provided a way through or a victory, people who witnessed it would stop what they were doing, and build an altar to celebrate the faithfulness of God. Jesus, on his last night with his disciples before his crucifixion, told us all to do this very thing. To take the bread and the cup in remembrance of him. There’s more to this practice than just calling back to mind something that has happened. It is ruminating on the faithfulness of God that anchors us. 

Can you think of a situation where you didn’t see a way through, where you had come to the end of yourself, but God came through? 

Take a moment and put yourself back in that situation of desperation, feel the doubt, feel the fear, and now remember what it felt like when you realized things were going to be OK... when you saw God come through. 

Ruminate on what it felt like for God to deliver, and know that that same power is available to you right now, whatever you are facing

Let’s pray together: “Father, help me to commit myself to the act of remembrance. To remember Your faithful power that I have seen at work in my life. Help me to hold on to that awareness when I come into situations where I don’t know what to do. As above, so below”

Psalm 107:1-9

Oh, thank God—he’s so good!

    His love never runs out.

 All of you set free by God, tell the world!

    Tell how he freed you from oppression,

 Then rounded you up from all over the place,

    from the four winds, from the seven seas.

Some of you wandered for years in the desert,

    looking but not finding a good place to live,

 Half-starved and parched with thirst,

    staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.

 Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.

    He got you out in the nick of time;

 He put your feet on a wonderful road

    that took you straight to a good place to live.

 So thank God for his marvelous love,

    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

 He poured great drafts of water down parched throats;

    the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.

This is a beautiful Psalm about the goodness of God. So many times in life, we can feel knocked around by circumstances. Feeling overwhelmed by the demands, the responsibilities and the challenges that we all face, can sometimes take our focus off the goodness of God . 

This Psalm has 34 more verses just like the ones we’ve read. Over and over, describing God coming to our aid in difficult circumstances and challenges. The common thread of all these verses explains the only thing that we are responsible for is calling out to him… and he comes through. 

Take a moment to realize the goodness of God in your life is just a request away. Crying out to him doesn’t always result in us getting our way, but it does lead us to an abundant life, even amid the circumstances that we find ourselves in. That abundant life is God's goodness, and we can be expectant that he delivers His abundance, peace, and reassurance if we just cry out for him. 

Be aware that his goodness and presence are all around you regardless of your circumstance.

PRAY

Father thank you for your goodness which always comes through. Please help me to be patient. Help me to be aware and expectant that amid whatever challenge I find myself in, your abundance… your goodness is always available. As above, so below.

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. ”

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.”

Romans 12:17-21 NLT

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”  Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

There is some great relationship advice in this passage: Don’t pay back evil with evil. Live honorably. Never take revenge. Serving even your enemies in times of need proves character comes first. Good will always overcome evil—in His time, in the end.

But one of the best pieces of counsel here is found in verse 18: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” God only expects us to do what we can. We are not responsible for anyone else’s actions. We do our part whether they do theirs or not. And who does this apply to? Everyone. Saints and sinners. The guilty and the innocent.

In your life right now, is peace your agenda or is revenge on the table? Is it time to let God handle something for you so good can conquer evil?

Listen to this priceless passage one more time but this time from The Message Bible:

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”  Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. (Romans 12:17-21 MSG)

Pray with me:

“Heavenly Father, teach me to live honorably. Show me how to live at peace with everyone. Help me to stay away from revenge and leave that with You. When I encounter evil or am tempted by evil, help me to choose Your way. May I learn how to surprise others with Your goodness. As above, so below.”

Matthew 5:21-25 MSG

“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill. “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him.

Jesus was crystal clear that His followers must live by a higher standard … His standard. His teaching always pointed to the importance of the intent of our hearts. Anger, verbal insults, careless words, and grudges all come from a troubled heart. But the real point isn’t even about holding a standard, but rather what is right for us to live in peace and righteousness, the best thing for us and everyone in our circles.

As you heard Jesus’s words, did anyone’s face pop into your mind? Did these verses trigger an instance in your memory?

Listen again to some of the key phrases in this passage:

“The simple moral fact is that words kill.” … “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. (Matthew 5:21-25 MSG)

When God brings someone to mind or a circumstance, remember His words: “Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right.”

Let’s pray: “Father, thank You that You hold us to a standard, yet You have made provision by Your grace and mercy when we fail. Please forgive my words that have killed, do kill, and can kill. Teach me to make the first move to make things right. To let go and give both my hurts and my sin to You. As above, so below.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

The phrase, “get rid of,” means to leave no trace of what was once there. The idea here is to not just cut the weed off at the ground so it is no longer visible, but to pull it up by the roots as if it had never existed at all. Interesting that we often use the word “root” in connection to bitterness. But as the apostle Paul often did, he told us what to eliminate, but then next, he also told us what to do in its place. He offered us the qualities of God to replace those things that only harm us.

Paul told us to get rid of anger and be compassionate. To get rid of rage and be kind. To get rid of bitterness and forgive. These opposite, contrasting qualities cannot co-exist. They can only be exchanged. Let go of the old and embrace the new.

Think about these truth as you listen again to today’s passage:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)

Notice that the reaction to a feeling, like anger, is not a feeling. Paul is not asking us to feel differently - he is asking us to do something. In doing something, in extending grace, we are not condoning any offence, rather we are showing strength, the strength that only a God can supply.

Is there any anger that you need to exchange with showing compassion? Any rage that you need to exchange with showing kindness? Any bitterness that you need to exchange with offering forgiveness?

Let’s pray: “Father, guide me, lead me, help me to get rid of the things that hurt me and displease You. I want to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, to the depths that You have forgiven me. As above, so below.”

Romans 6:12-14 NLT

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language.

When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can’t give grace, we can’t embrace grace.

If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on.

Listen once again to Paul’s commands:

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT)

Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin’s control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Pray with me, using Paul’s words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7 MSG

A right time for birth and another for death,

A right time to plant and another to reap,

A right time to destroy and another to construct,

A right time to cry and another to laugh,

A right time to lament and another to cheer,

A right time to embrace and another to part,

A right time to search and another to count your losses,

A right time to hold on and another to let go,

A right time to rip out and another to mend,

A right time to shut up and another to speak up.

The old saying goes: “Timing is everything.” That is especially true when we consider being obedient to God and His timing. Realizing and accepting when we should let go of holding onto something from our past can be so difficult for us on so many levels. But yet letting go is such a right and natural part of life. Navigating seasons in life, we cannot grab hold of the future until we let go of the past.

We cannot die until we are born. We cannot harvest with planting. We cannot tear down that which we never built. We cannot turn away from something we never embraced.

Sometimes letting go can make us feel less-than or create the false assumption that we are giving away a part of our heart we may never get back. But think of it this way: we cannot harvest, heal, mend, or dance while holding onto unhealthy things in our lives.

Is God calling you to heal but you can’t because you’re still allowing bitterness to hurt your spirit? Is it time for you to experience a final letting go and forgive someone?

Listen again to a personalized version of Ecclesiastes 3:1-7:

A right time [for me] for birth and another for death,

A right time [for me] to plant and another to reap,

A right time [for me] to destroy and another to construct,

A right time [for me] to cry and another to laugh,

A right time [for me] to lament and another to cheer,

A right time [for me] to embrace and another to part,

A right time [for me] to search and another to count your losses,

A right time [for me] to hold on and another to let go,

A right time [for me] to rip out and another to mend,

A right time [for me] to shut up and another to speak up,

Let today be your day to let go, to forgive, to be born, harvest, heal, build up, laugh, dance, gather, embrace, mend, and speak new life.

Let’s pray: “Father, thank You for Your timing. That You give us seasons of change. That You allow us to experience freedom from the past, hurts, and harm that we have done and experienced from others. Please grant me the freedom today to forgive and let go. As above, so below.”

Psalm 130:1-7 

O Lord, I have cried to You out of the deep places. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears hear the voice of my prayers. If you, Lord, should write down our sins, O Lord, who could stand? But You are the One Who forgives, so You are honored with fear. I wait for the Lord. My soul waits and I hope in His Word. My soul waits for the Lord more than one who watches for the morning; yes, more than one who watches for the morning. … hope in the Lord! For there is loving-kindness with the Lord. With Him we are saved for sure.

David has worked through a great deal in his life. He has literally worked out his relationship with God to live in a state of security and blessing once again. He does not claim to be without sin now, but rather, he knows where to go when he does and to go quickly! Being aquatinted with our shortcomings produces humility and a correct posture of dependency on God for His grace and Power.

David confesses that God is the only One who forgives, He is loving and kind, and the path to certain salvation. Can you confess with same assurance that the same God that David is talking about here from thousands of years ago is active and available today to you in real time.

How would it change the way you approach your day, your relationships to live in the full acceptance of God’s loving and kind forgiveness?

Also, If God has forgiven you, isn’t it time to let the weight of toxic shame go - and be empowered by the grace forgiveness and acceptance that the God of the universe extends to you.

A free life is fully available every day, all the time, with God.

Let’s turn Psalm 130 into our prayer today:

O Lord, I have cried to You out of the deep places. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears hear the voice of my prayers. You are the One Who forgives. I wait for You, Lord. My soul waits and I hope in Your Word. My soul waits for You, Lord, more than one who watches for the morning; yes, more than one who watches for the morning. I put my hope in You, Lord! For there is loving-kindness with You, Lord. With You, I am saved for sure. … As above, so below.

Psalm 86:1-7 NLT

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.

As we learn to go to God with our sin, our guilt, our past, and all our stuff, we can then begin to sense His constant presence, because while He has been right with us all along and never moved, we finally choose to stop running away and attempting to hide. We see that progression in today’s passage as David’s 'Psalm 51 moment' is now in his rearview mirror.

Our brokenness can produce a humble boldness.

Our surrender can provide a sense of security.

Our submission can protect us from falling again.

Do you recognize, can you feel, God’s presence with You as You begin to live in a constant state of forgiveness?

Like King David, you can call to God whenever You are in trouble and He will answer You.

Let’s make Psalm 86 our personal prayer.

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. … As above, so below.

Psalm 51:1-4, 7-12 NLT

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.  For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. … Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

David longs to not feel stained or dirty or guilty or broken or disloyal or isolated any longer. We all know these feelings much too well.

Reflect on David’s understanding of how absolute the removal of any trace of sin God can bring. Like it never happened. David talks about how his rebellion haunts him day and night.

Is there sin in your past, or even currently, that haunts you day and night?

Listen again to what David asks of God in this passage from the Message bible:

God, give grace! Scrub away my guilt,

I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down.

You’ve seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil.

Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.

Set these once-broken bones to dancing.

Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health.

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.

Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!

It is likely that whatever the sin that haunts you day or night is not as drastic as the affair and murder that David carries. In confessing and asking forgiveness we are talking to the same God that David did in this passage. We know that God’s forgiveness is as absolute then as it is now. God’s grace never runs out. His mercy never ends. His love never quits. Can you offer the same grace to yourself that God gives? He promises a clean heart, a loyal spirit, joy of the salvation given to us.

Pray with me: “O God, thank You for Your mercy, Your unfailing love, Your removal of guilt and Your cleansing of stains. Thank You for Your restoration, but most of all, thank You for Your presence in my life. As above, so below.”

Psalm 32:1-5 NLT

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

David’s detailed and intense description of his battle with sin and confession offers us such a great encouragement to go straight to the Lord and be honest with all our confessions. We see the journey of David trying to ignore his guilt and pain, his loss of even physical health, and then his ultimate surrender of all rebellion. Healthy acceptance of shame through confession brings us in line with authentic humility and our dependency on God.

Is there an area of life that you are trying to rectify on your own? A sin… that you are reluctant to call a sin… or rationalize away? Maybe an attitude or something that we feel entitled to hold onto that we really should confess. something that we know, to use David’s words, “are causing our body to waste away”?

Listen to verses 1, 2 and 5 once again—the result of full confession and acceptance of forgiveness:

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! … You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalm 32:1-2, 5 NLT)

Can you see the power in confession and surrender?

Today, if you relate to any part of David’s words, take his advice and make things right. Confess and then accept the joy and freedom of total and absolute forgiveness.

Pray with me using David’s words: “Heavenly Father, forgive my disobedience. Put my sin out of sight. Clear my record. Thank You for forgiving me. Now, may I let go of my guilt and accept Your grace. As above, so below.”

King David’s very vocal wrestling to accept God’s forgiveness is a huge help to us as we navigate forgiving ourselves for our mistakes too—past and present.

Psalm 25:4-12 NLT

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.

In David’s personal processing and prayer, He reminds himself of God’s goodness and confesses the truth that that goodness is greater than any sin he could ever commit. Finally, David declares that God is the only one who will lead us out of our sin and into safety and security.

Think of an area of your life that you need help in forgiving yourself?

As I read parts of the passage again, notice how David prays, then in verse 8, he changes to a declaration of what God does, but then in verses 11 and 12 he goes back to personal prayer:

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow….teach me, for you are the God who saves me… I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love…

Here’s the turn: The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

And now back: For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins… He will show them the path they should choose.

David was bold in his brokenness. God is inviting you to the same as you share your heart with Him.

What is an area of your life that you can be bold in your brokenness before God?

Let’s pray using David’s own words: “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me. I put my hope in You. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. For the honor of Your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. … As above, so below.”

Colossians 1:11-14 NLT

We … pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Focus on these key words from this passage. Strength … power … endurance … patience … joy … inheritance … belonging … light … rescue … deliverance … freedom … and forgiveness.

On this final day of the week, consider this question …

Where does the path to forgiveness lead?

Where does it end and where are we when we arrive?

The answer is a life filled with the words I just read. But all of those amazing gifts, promises, and qualities are found daily in, and through, and from, a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Listen again and meditate on these words — these promises that are yours: Strength … power … endurance … patience … joy … inheritance … belonging … light … rescue … deliverance … freedom … and forgiveness.

Let’s turn today’s passage into our prayer today:

Father, I pray that You will strengthen me with all Your glorious power so that I will have all the endurance and patience I need. May I be filled with joy, always thanking You, Father. You have enabled me to share in the inheritance that belongs to Your people, who live in the light. For You have rescued me from the kingdom of darkness and transferred me into the Kingdom of Your dear Son, who purchased my freedom and forgave my sins. … As above, so below.

Romans 5:15-18 NLT

There is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.

Through Adam’s choice to disobey God, he brought death. Through Christ’s obedience to God, He brought grace and forgiveness. Through Adam’s choice to disobey God, he brought condemnation. Through Christ’s obedience to God, He brought righteousness, along with the opportunity for a right relationship with God and new life for … who? Everyone who believes.

Whose image do you feel like you live in day in and day out? Adam’s or Jesus’s? Through Jesus we are offered ‘new life’ - how does it feel for you to experience that all condemnation is lifted from you right now?

Listen again, but this time, we will focus only on what Christ provides for you: There is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. … But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different … God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. … But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, … Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. (Romans 5:15-18 NLT)

The word “gift” is used five times in this passage. God’s wonderful free gift of forgiveness and His righteousness. Today, His gift is yours. Receive it. Open it. Live it. Share it.

Let’s pray: “Father, thank You for Your gift. Thank You that You offer this gift to me every day. Help me to receive what You give and be grateful that I can walk in true, real freedom and forgiveness. As above, so below.”

Ephesians 1:7 NLT

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Our confession of sin—one time—triggers God’s faithfulness, forgiveness, cleansing, removal of sin, kindness, grace, and freedom. What an amazing deal for us once we simply get honest with God about what we have done.

If you struggle with forgiving yourself for any past mistakes and sins, maybe it’s time to visualize a funeral for them.

Confess, place them under the blood of Christ, and ask for forgiveness one final time.

Commit to this being the last time you will bring it up. Just like when a funeral is over, you need to walk away once you’ve said your goodbyes. But now instead of mourning and grief, you say hello to freedom and forgiveness.

What is a specific sin you are willing to confess and bury today?

Listen once again to God’s promises and the finality of what happens once we confess:

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. —Psalm 103:12 NLT

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. (Ephesians 1:7 NLT)

It is time to say a final goodbye to something God wants to see you let go of… that you know you need to let go of.

As you can see, He has made your forgiveness and freedom available to you right now.

How does it feel to know that God not only forgives your sins, but He forgets they even happened. What does it look like to accept you are living with a new reality, a clean slate.

Let’s commit this to Him: “Father, I want today to say a final goodbye to the things that have held me back from receiving all You have for me. Today, I hand these things over You. Thank You now for Your faithfulness, forgiveness, cleansing, removal of sin, kindness, grace, and freedom. As above, so below.”

Matthew 18:21–22

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

Jesus was not teaching the disciples that on the four-hundred-and-ninety-first time someone offends you that you can then take action against them. Peter obviously thought adding up to seven was a huge display of grace, but Jesus corrected his math using multiplication.

The idea here is that we forgive so much that you stop counting. We don’t add up offenses. We multiply grace and forgiveness.

Another way of interpreting this passage is: Don’t keep score, just like God doesn’t with us. When you apply Jesus’ answer to the context of all New Testament teaching, the bottom line is we must forgive others as often as God forgives us.

Is there someone in your life that you feel has or is pushing you far past seven times? In fact, you are thinking right now that they might be nearing the “seventy times seven” range? Picture that person in your mind now.

Listen to The Message Bible’s version of this passage:

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21–22 MSG)

I don’t know about you, but I am so glad that God doesn’t keep score or have a “sin quota” that once we go over, we run out of His grace. Doesn’t it make sense that as His followers He would expect us to do the same?

Wounded people, like us, tend to want to apply justice to the wrongs that have been done, especially to us. Extending grace does not equal diminishing the offense, or the effect of it. Rather, Grace, in this case, is allowing God to be the judge and jury. Not us. He is our defender. In fact, letting go of offense is actually OUR pursuit of freedom and has nothing to do with the offender. Perhaps, this is why Jesus is so emphatic about it.

As we said yesterday - in our strength alone it can feel impossible to let go of offenses.

Ask your Father for the strength to surrender the offenses against you.

Let’s pray: “Father, thank you that You don’t keep score with my sin. Please help me to stop keeping score with others. Help me to let things go, I confess I have a hard time on my own strength. Teach me to live in Your grace and share Your grace with others. As above, so below.”

While Jesus certainly taught us all about God’s love, mercy, and grace, some of the toughest words He spoke were about forgiveness … and the lack of forgiveness.

Matthew 6:12-15 NIV

“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

Jesus included forgiveness in a very short example of how to talk to God, in what came to be known as The Lord’s Prayer. But then immediately following the prayer, He continued His teaching on forgiveness. It is important that we notice in verse 12 that Jesus says “Forgive us as we forgive.” Connecting that phrase to verses 14 and 15 communicates that God expects us to keep our slate clean and our list empty of what we hold against others. So He can then do the same for us. This does not mean that God is unable to forgive, but because He is God, He has a divine order for everything that He knows is always the best thing for us.

Staying free of bitterness and unforgiveness, along with being forgiven for our offenses, is the healthiest path for us all.

Do you have an “I will never forgive that person” list? An “I can never forgive that person” list? Sometimes it is only through God’s strength that we are able to forgive.

Think of that person as I personalize Jesus’ words from this passage again:

“And forgive me of my sins, as I have forgiven those who sin against me. And don’t let me yield to temptation, but rescue me from the evil one. “If I forgive those who sin against me, my heavenly Father will forgive me. But if I refuse to forgive others, my Father will not forgive my sins.” (Matthew 6:12-15 NIV)

We need to avoid the temptation to view Jesus’s words as harsh, but rather as what it takes for us to be our best and healthiest in the sight of God. Again, often on our strength alone it can feel impossible to take this very important step.

Ask your Father for the strength to forgive as you have been forgiven.

Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, I want to lay my list of people I can’t, or struggle to, forgive before You right now. I confess I battle with forgiving them. Father, I don’t want anything to come between my relationship with You, so please give me the strength and obedience to follow Your words—to release them and forgive them for good—just as You have forgiven me for my offenses and sins against You and others. As above, so below.”

For our final day this week, we are going to meditate completely on Scripture that expresses gratitude. Take these passages into your mind, heart, and spirit.

(Psalm 100 NLT) Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

(Psalm 105:1-4 NLT) Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.

(Psalm 106:1-2 NLT)Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?

(Psalm 107:1-2 NLT) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

(Psalm 108:1-5 NLT) My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart! … I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.

(Revelation 5:11-13 NLT) I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

Pray “Lord Jesus, thank You for forgiveness and freedom. As I accept Your forgiveness and freedom, help me always to grant forgiveness and freedom to others. You are worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. As above, so below.”

In John 11, we find the story of Jesus coming to Lazarus’s tomb after he had died. When He arrived, Jesus said:

“Go ahead, take away the stone.” They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.” Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” (Luke 11:41-44 MSG) It’s fascinating that the first thing Jesus did was to have the stone removed that was blocking the tomb. Then to raise a man from the dead, He began by expressing gratitude to God, His Father. After thanking God for listening and responding, He commanded the man’s resurrection and ultimate freedom.

Think about a situation in your life where you are struggling. Is there a situation that seems hopeless - that feels dead and you desire new life.

Listen once again to Jesus’s main commands: “Go ahead, take away the stone.”… Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful … Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, … Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.” (Luke 11:41-44 MSG) Our stone can be rolled away to free us. Can you trust God to resurrect hope that seems dead?

You can come out of your struggle with a renewed and transformed life from witnessing God’s miraculous power.

Let’s pray together: “Father, thank You for resurrection and new life. Thank You that You have power over sin and death. Thank You that You forgive and offer real freedom. I believe You today for all these in my life. As above, so below.”

Matthew 8:2-4 MSG

Then a leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, “Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.” Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be clean.” Then and there, all signs of the leprosy were gone. Jesus said, “Don’t talk about this all over town. Just quietly present your healed body to the priest, along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.”

The famous saying by St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel everywhere and if necessary, use words”. Francis’s wisdom reflects Jesus’s teaching in that a radically healed and changed life will always speak louder and be respected more than any sermon from a life that just looks like everyone else’s.

When God forgives any sinner and sets that person free, the reality of a changed life will result in a constant reflection of gratitude to Him that flows out of a transformed heart.

How has your heart been changed or transformed through Jesus? What is noticeable about your life that points towards God and His Grace ?

Listen once again to Jesus’s final instructions to the healed leper: Just quietly present your healed body … along with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life, not your words, will bear witness to what I have done.” (Matthew 8:2-4 MSG) St. Francis was certainly right in his day, and most especially today in our current culture. People are longing to witness a forgiven, grateful, and transformed life. That message never gets old and always makes a difference. Today, choose to let your cleansed and grateful life bear witness to what Jesus has done in your attitudes, words, and actions.

Let’s pray to that end: “Father, may all I am be a reflection of all You are. May my life speak loud about You and all You have done for me. Today, I am forgiven. Today, I am grateful. As above, so below.”

Psalm 138:1-3 MSG

Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength.

In this passage, King David’s gratitude is all encompassing. Everything in him says “Thank you.” Nothing is held back. All of his heart, soul and mind kneel and worship God.

David’s gratitude is expressed specifically about God’s love, His faithfulness, His name, and His Word.

David’s gratitude has an origin and a reason for being: the moment I called out, You stepped in and brought strength.

Gratitude cannot be fully expressed until the reason for gratitude has been fully recognized. Our busy, often distracted lives can cause us to miss God’s goodness. Our self-focused perspective can keep our eyes on our perceived lack, not our realized gain.

Listen again to David’s appeal to God: Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. (Psalm 138:1-3 MSG) If you know Christ today, if you have a relationship with God, then He has indeed stepped in; He has most certainly made your life large with strength, even in Your darkest moments. There is power for daily living in gratitude.

What are areas of you life, or people in your life that you should express your gratefulness right now?

Can you thank him for the challenges too, knowing He will use them for you good?

Let’s pray using David’s words: “Thank you! Everything in me says ‘Thank you!’ Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship facing your holy temple and say it again: “Thank you!” Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness; Most holy is your name, most holy is your Word. The moment I called out, you stepped in; you made my life large with strength. As above, so below.”

In Luke 7, Jesus was teaching about forgiveness and gratitude Luke 7:41-47 MSG Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.” “That’s right,” said Jesus. … but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

Oftentimes, we view sin as if God has levels of disobedience. We can get into debates on whose sin was the greater. While God in His perfection sees things as black and white, He knows the sin we struggle with causes us to view things in such a skewed way. Here, Jesus was allowing for that mindset by acknowledging that the more we are forgiven of, the more grateful we will be. Why? Because the more shame we feel, the greater relief we experience when forgiven. The farther we have fallen, the higher we can rise up.

In your life, how have you experienced this dynamic—what is something that you have felt the most shame for?

Knowing that, if you have asked for it, that sin is completely forgiven… like it never happened, how does that make your heart feel?

Focus on feeling that great gratitude, let it uplift you spirit.

Listen once again to Jesus’s main points: Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” … speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman?... She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” (Luke 7:41-47 MSG) The path to avoiding arrogance and staying humble is to maximize our gratitude. The road to staying forgiven before God is to continually acknowledge sin and practice being grateful each day.

Let’s pray: “Father, I never want to take Your forgiveness for granted. I also don’t want to view sin as what I do being less than anyone else’s offense. Help me to stay clean before You. Help me to keep my list short and my gratitude constant. As above, so below.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NLT

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

What does loving others on God’s terms have to do with setting and attaining our personal goals? … Everything. … People, quote-unquote, win and succeed every day and reach amazing goals, but they harm and hurt people along the way. Is a win actually a win if we have made someone else lose? What good can come of a goal met if someone has been pushed aside in the race?

The one who loves like Christ, as Paul defines in this passage, will win. That person will attain their goals because others have been placed first, people have seen Christ, and God has been loved more than self.

Listen to verses 4-7 again from the Message Bible:

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

Let love set your goals. Let love drive your goals. Let love be your goal. After all, that is the true goal Christ came, died, and rose again to allow us to gain and attain.

Let’s agree in prayer: “Lord Jesus, help me to be patient and kind, to not be jealous or boastful or proud or rude, to not demand my own way, to not be irritable, and to keep no record of wrongs, to not rejoice about injustice, but rejoice whenever the truth wins out. May my love for You, in You, and from You, never give up, never lose faith, always stay hopeful, and endure through every circumstance. As above, so below.”

Joshua 1:6-8 NLT

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

For those who love God, for those who follow Christ, the way to reach the life goals that God created us to attain is only through Him—His way, His will, and His Word. To become everything He planned for us when He formed us in our mother’s wombs.

When God spoke to Joshua on behalf of the people of Israel about moving to the Promised Land, He twice said to “be strong and courageous,” and then to be very careful to follow His Word. Then they would prosper and succeed. The same is true for us today. Follow God’s way, His will, and His Word, which in today’s culture, will take being strong and courageous.

Listen once again to this rephrasing of today’s passage, this time for the Message Bible:

Strength! Courage! Give it everything you have, heart and soul… Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.” (from Joshua 1:6-8) It is clear in this passage how important it is to Study and Meditate on God’s word to be successful. The path to success and achieving goals for the believer only comes through an uncompromising path through His Word.

Let’s pray: “Father God, please give me a hunger for Your Word, a desire to study Your Book, to meditate on it, and be careful to obey what You tell me. As above, so below.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

This passage from the prophet Isaiah, offering God’s words to the people of Israel, is both beautiful and poetic. As followers of Christ, we can apply these promises to our own lives because God has opened every door and provided every gift He holds in His storehouse for us through Jesus.

God has created for us a way out of the past and into the realm of the new He has made. He wants us to see, understand, and embrace all He has for us. In what was once a wilderness, He makes a way and what once was a wasteland, He creates a stream. That, my friends, opens up the doors for us to not only set new and exciting goals for our lives, but actually see them come true.

Listen to The Message Bible’s version of this passage: “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.

Declare this with me: I will forget the former things; I will not dwell on the past. I will see the new thing that God is doing! He is making a way in my wilderness and a stream in my wasteland. (from Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV) Let’s commit this to prayer: “Father, thank You for the new thing You are doing in my life. I receive it and want to see it happen. Bring Your way, create Your stream, through my life to live as You desire and designed me to live. As above, so below.”