Blog Archives

Daily Devotion

10/29/2015

Coffee for Your Heart
Holley Gerth

“We Have a Purpose and God Has a Plan”
“Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14

We are not where we are today by accident. The people we cross paths with are not by chance. The opportunities that open, the doors that close--all of those are guided by an unseen hand.

We don’t have to worry about making things happen. We only need to say “yes” to God when He asks us to take the next step forward. He can see the big picture, the grand plan, the full story.

He knows our part. He knows our place. In ways that are beyond our understanding, in timing that is often different than we expected, He will complete His plans in our lives.

Who knows but that we are here for such a time as this? Our ever-present, all-knowing, completely-loving God does. He’s the One who got us this far and He will give us what we need in this moment--and always.

XOXO
Holley Gerth

Daily Devotion

10/23/2015

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Dr. John Townsend

"The Entitlement Cure"

"But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.’"
2 Kings 5:11 (NIV)

Entitlement is an issue that we read about in the news all the time, and yet it’s one we may feel a bit confused about. Fortunately, God’s Word gives us an example of a man who suffered from entitlement. His name is Naaman.

Naaman was a respected commander of a powerful army, a strong soldier, well regarded by his superiors and yet, had leprosy. At this time, there was no known cure for this disease.

One of his servants told him where he could go to be healed. So Naaman went to Elisha with his horses and chariots. Elisha told him that if he washed in the Jordan River seven times, he would be cleansed.

Here’s where we see Naaman’s entitlement: "But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy’" (2 Kings 5:11).

Entitlement encompasses two attitudes: (1) I am exempt from responsibility, and (2) I am owed special treatment. In other words, I don’t have to carry my own burdens, and I should be treated differently.

Naaman presents both of these characteristics in his response. First, in Naaman’s mind, he was owed special treatment or at least a proper acknowledgment. Second, Naaman felt that he should be exempt from responsibility. He didn’t want the responsibility to follow orders by washing in the river.

We all have a Naaman in our lives. Perhaps it’s a co-worker, family member or friend who wants you to wave a hand over their situation and fix their problems. Maybe you have a son or daughter that, despite your best parental efforts, has chosen a path of laziness. They feel they deserve special treatment with no responsibility.

Here’s what you need to remember: Change happens in the presence of compassion. Before you look at that Naaman in your life and pretentiously point out all their failings, remember that you have been a Naaman. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NIV).

Here are a few skills that will help the entitled people in your life:

1. Be truly "for" them. Naaman’s servants wanted him to be healed and didn’t settle for less. Entitled people need support! Even when they drive you crazy, frustrate you and make you feel helpless, they still require the elements of grace. We have all failed, and we will all need second and third chances: "Out of his fullness we have all received grace" (John 1:16). This will help you to have mercy and identify with the person, keeping you away from being judgmental or giving up too soon.

2. Be clear about your expectations. Entitlement often causes people to not listen well to requirements and to others’ needs and expectations. Because those things don’t support their view of themselves as special and above the rules, they tend to dismiss them. Do all you can to defeat this dismissive attitude by being unmistakable in what you want from them. Whether it is specifically defining a payment plan or writing out a goal for their future career path, err on the side of being over-clear. Clarity requires that you don’t assume anything in your relationship with your entitled person.

3. Find health. Look for friends, churches, counselors and coaches who are full of grace and truth and who could be a resource for your entitled person. Find where the best relational heath resources are in your area and get them plugged in. In my opinion, offering your entitled friend or coworker this kind of help isn’t being codependent or enabling. It’s supporting them. It’s doing something for them that they can’t do well for themselves.

At the conclusion of the story, Naaman was healed. With some encouragement, patience and wisdom from his servants, Naaman ultimately followed Elisha’s orders.

Entitlement can be cured too. We won’t be able to wave our hands over the problems of our loved ones. We also can’t expect that they will get it right the first time. Most likely, we will have to walk with them down a Hard Way path of healing.

Through compassionately executing these principles along with several more, we can help our loved ones to be made well. I have seen it happen in so many of my individual and organizational clients. God’s paths work for your good and for His glory.

Lord, thank You for a chance to make a difference. Give me compassion for the Naamans in my life. Help me to be "for" them, give them clear expectations and find the proper care. Even if the path toward healing grows uncomfortable, allow me to take the necessary steps to see them through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." (NIV)

Luke 9:23, "Then He said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’" (NIV)

Daily Devotion

10/22/2015

Coffee for Your Heart
Holley Gerth

“What Our Hearts Need When Life Gets Loud”

I sit on the porch of my room at the Keeter Center and stare at the hills in the distance. I’ve come here to find quiet because I’ve been in a season of noise. So many voices. So much to do. Can you relate?

My natural tendency when life gets loud is to try harder. I act like my efforts are a megaphone that can get me the affirmation and attention I think I need. But here in this place God reminds me what He wants most is for me to simply listen.

So I pull out my journal and surrender to the stillness . . .

God whispers that I’m loved. He reassures me I’m not alone. He tells me He has a plan for my life. He promises I’m going to be okay. He says I don’t have to make anything happen because obedience is success. Slowly the lies I’ve been hearing are replaced by the truth I desperately need.

You might think I journal regularly since I’m a writer. And I used to in my childhood. But these days it seems all my words are for public reading. As I head home from my trip, I know that has to change. So now each morning I begin my day by taking time to listen. And it has made a huge difference.
Because when I don’t listen I think I need to have all the answers. When I don’t listen I think the world rests on my shoulders. When I don’t listen anxiety and fear chase me until I’m weary. When I don’t listen I don’t have anything worthwhile to say to others.

I am not called to be a writer first. I’m called to be a listener. Then my role is simply to pass on what I hear. And whatever you do, you are called to be a listener too. It’s only as we hear God’s heart that we can encourage each other. It’s only as we hear God’s heart that we can remember what’s true. It’s only as we hear God’s heart that we find the courage we need for what He’s calling us to do.

I’m sharing a gentle challenge today: Wherever you are, pause for just a few moments and ask, “God what do You want to speak to my heart today?” Write down what He whispers to you in His still, small voice (it will probably be through His Word). Then share that truth with someone else in some way today.

We don’t need any more noise in our lives; we just all need to know the God who speaks to us with love every single day. “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).

XOXO

Holley Gerth

Daily Devotion

10/20/2015

Coffee for Your Heart
Holley Gerth

"Big or Small, God Cares About It All"

"Do you want me to kiss it and make it better?"

I've heard those words from the lips of countless moms. They're always followed by a nod and the presentation of a bumped head, sore finger or bruised knee. The kiss is bestowed and more often than not the tears magically disappear, the smile returns and the little one is off to another adventure.

The moms in my life have taught me this: No hurt is too small for attention or affection. And I believe that reflects the heart of our God. He is the "God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles" (2 Corinthians 1:3). There's no disclaimer. No exceptions. No fine print at the end of the sentence.

That's hard for me to grasp sometimes. I don't have trouble bringing God the huge tragedies. But the bumps, scrapes and bruises of everyday life are trickier. I tend to think, "This isn't important enough for God's attention. He has bigger things to worry about than my little pain."

But in those moments, I'm forgetting God has limitless resources. Unlike us, He doesn't have to manage His time or energy. He never grows tired and He has all of eternity. Our needs can't diminish Him in any way.

I'm also forgetting how much I'm loved. Those moms aren't kissing boo-boos because someone is forcing them to do so. They're comforting their children because they care. And God loves us even more than the best mama.

"Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!" -- God, Isaiah 49:15

We don't have to deal with life's troubles on our own. With childlike faith we can come to God and simply ask, "Will You love on me and make it better?" No matter the size, situation or circumstances the answer is always a compassionate, affectionate "yes."

XOXO

Holley Gerth

Daily Devotion

10/19/2015

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Amy Carroll

"Discovering Something Better Than 'Perfect'"

"As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."
Psalm 18:30 (NIV)

In the beginning of my marriage, I believed my husband Barry was the luckiest man alive. After all, he had married me, a woman who was going to introduce him to one of the principle joys of life, a live Christmas tree.

In my mind, nothing could be more perfect than a live Christmas tree — certainly not the artificial ones he had experienced as a child!

Each year we went to the Christmas tree lot to search for a perfectly-shaped, fragrant live tree. We’d haul it home, put it in the Christmas tree holder filled with water and decorate our lovely evergreen, singing "O Tannenbaum" all the while. Okay, so maybe I’m embellishing a little, but suffice it to say having a live Christmas tree thrilled the HGTV corner of my heart.

There was one thing that made me very unhappy, however. Every Christmas, and I mean every Christmas, my darling husband was sick. The first Christmas, I attended to him with newlywed sweetness. The second Christmas, I tolerated him and brought him soup.

By the third Christmas of holiday sickness, I was just plain annoyed. What was wrong with the man? He was big and strapping and healthy. How could he become so weak and sickly and pitiful every year at Christmas? I began to make snide remarks under my breath like, "Maybe you’re allergic to time with my family."

Sometime in that fourth year, Barry went to the doctor after another round of illness. A specialist had Barry lay on his stomach while he poked lots and lots of tiny needles in his back. As you may have guessed by now, the results revealed that my poor husband is allergic to almost every green living thing … including Christmas trees.

Because I believed live Christmas trees to be far superior to artificial trees, every year we dragged a beautiful, green, bushy deathtrap into our living room.

Because I came to believe Barry just didn’t like the holidays much, I got snappy with him when he was sick.

Basically, because I believed the wrong things, I acted in wrong ways.
My belief about what’s perfect, like my idea of the "perfect" Christmas tree, is often off-base. Over the years, when I’ve acted on those false beliefs, I’ve damaged relationships.

When I’ve believed I have to hide my flaws to be liked, I’ve kept friends at arm’s length.

When I’ve believed my kids have to behave perfectly to make me the perfect mom, I’ve left all of us feeling as if we don’t measure up.

When I’ve believed I can create a perfect facade with my stuff, my service and my competence, I’ve pursued goals that left me empty and lonely.

After years of struggling with my own perfection, I’m learning a new way.

Here’s the freeing truth I’m beginning to live: Only when I give up my own view of perfection can God begin His perfecting work in me. When I embrace God’s true perfection, leaving the exhausting, destructive weight of my own perfection, I can take refuge in Him.

Amazingly, giving up my own view of perfectionism has improved not only my relationship with God, but also with others.

I’m more authentic with my friends, leading to greater closeness.

I’m more grace-filled with my kids, leading to more trust and better communication.

I’m not a live-Christmas-tree-fanatic anymore, so now Hubby and I curl up at Christmas in the glow of a plastic, pre-lit tree. It’s just perfect. We’re sniffle-free and happy.

I’m committed to choosing people over perfection. If you’ll commit to the same thing, I promise you’ll find something better than your view of "perfect."

Lord, please forgive me for pursuing my own perfection instead of finding refuge in Yours. As You faithfully forgive me, please draw me close to You. Restore my other relationships and help me to choose people over perfection. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Psalm 119:96, "To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless." (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:9, "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." (NIV)

Daily Devotion

10/16/2015

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lynn Cowell

"How to Take Your Faith to a New Level"

"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD."
Isaiah 11:2 (NIV)

When my youngest daughter was 13 years old, she started preparing me, "Mom, for my 18th birthday, we’re going skydiving." Yeah, right! Not wanting to break her brave-girl bubble, I went along with it for a few years.

Then the day came; my girl turned 18.

So yes, long story short … I jumped out of a plane.

The week after Madi and I went skydiving, I noticed something new about me. Suddenly I felt brave! I found myself climbing a tree with my niece and nephew and even rescued a fawn in my backyard. It was as if I were a new woman!

Have you ever done something requiring bravery? Joined a new group? Spoken in front of people? Gone back to college? If you have, maybe you’ve made the same discovery: adventure breaks monotony.

Adventure breaks monotony not only in the roles I play, but it also breaks the boredom in my relationship with God.

I know, I’m probably not supposed to admit this. I’m not proud to admit it, but sometimes … my consistency, my predictability, my every-day-is-the-same when it comes to the way I interact with God can get down right boring.

And boring is a terrible place to be.

God didn’t create us for boredom! In John 10:10, Jesus said He came to give us a rich and satisfying life. Are we taking Him up on His offer?

Skydiving in our relationship with the Holy Spirit can break boredom! In today’s key verse, Isaiah 11:2, it says: "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD."

This verse caused me to compare the Holy Spirit to my skydiving instructor:

1) The Holy Spirit prepares us.

Nehemiah 9:20a tells us: "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them …" (NIV). He prepares us with instructions on how to fully experience this life God has for us, just as my instructor whispered directions to me as we soared through the air.

2) The Holy Spirit pushes us.

He challenges us to grow. Jesus said, "… whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12b, NIV).

When Jesus left earth, He gave us the Holy Spirit to live inside of those who invite Him to be their Savior. He did this so we could do great things, even greater than He did.

So what did Jesus do?

Luke 4:18 tells us: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free" (NIV).

What an adventure! Getting down on your knees and then into the lives of people who need to know and discover His truth!

3) The Holy Spirit empowers us.

The day I skydived, I made a choice to attach myself to my instructor. Then, he could use his experience and power to do what I couldn’t do on my own.

This is what happens when we connect with the Holy Spirit. He empowers us to do the work Jesus calls us to accomplish which we cannot do alone.

Is your relationship with God a bit predictable? If we’re only doing the things we are capable of, there is no need for divine power or the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to intentionally invite the Holy Spirit into our lives every day and experience God’s adventure!

Holy Spirit, today I’m going to attach myself to You. Give me Your wisdom and guidance and take me on a great adventure. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (NIV)

John 14:26, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (NIV)

John 16:13, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come." (NIV)

Daily Devotion

10/15/2015

Coffee for Your Heart
Holley Gerth

"The Real Secret of Success"

I'm doing a final review of a project when an unexpected wave of fear sweeps over me. I suddenly remember (as all artists do at some point) that the work I have completed in the quiet will soon be seen by a crowd.

I'm not alone in that feeling. The accountant who must present her spreadsheets in a meeting knows it. The mom whose child is launched into the world understands it. The runner who trains on the back roads and takes her place at the starting line battles it.

And in those moments we all want assurance of success.

I began to ask, "How can I make sure this goes well?" And a verse from Proverbs popped into my mind: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" (Proverbs 16:3). I paused and considered the words. Was this a guarantee from God that everything would go the way I'd like? Life experience and the rest of His Word would seem to tell me otherwise.
Slowly I began to see the true meaning: Success isn't about outcome; it's about obedience.

The "success" this verse talks about is set in motion not when the results are in but as soon as we say, "God, I give this to you." He thinks differently than we do. To Him, every obedient "yes" is already a success.

I'll confess a part of me wishes that verse meant what I want will always happen too. But when I look back over my life I realize there have been many times when what I thought would be best would actually have been a mess.

And the real relief is that when I commit something to God, I no longer have to carry it. I don't bear the weight of the expectations, fears and pressure. I can faithfully do what He's asked and know He will take care of the rest. Whew.

I return to my project and the familiar fades with this realization: Who I'm turning this over to matters more than how it all turns out. God's got this. He's got me too. And whatever happens next, in His eye it will be a success.

XOXO

Holley Gerth

Daily Devotion

10/14/2015

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Chrystal Evans Hurst

"When You Are Tempted Not to Pray"

"Pray without ceasing."
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NASB)

BOYS!!! GO TO BED!" I yelled.

Exhausted. That word describes how I felt in that moment and honestly … many other moments just like it for days. The boys were in their beds, giggling up a storm, and I knew if they didn’t go to sleep soon, we’d all pay for it in the morning.

Quiet reigned for just a few minutes, until I heard the giggling and silliness start again.

"BOYS!!!!!"

The quiet that came after was quickly broken by a pair of 6-year-old feet padding down the hallway.

"Mommy?"

"Yeeeeeeeeesssss?"

"Are you coming to pray with us before we go to sleep?"

I have to be honest. I was hoping the boys wouldn’t notice. I knew I had skipped prayer that night, but I was just so tired. I deliberately pushed the thought to the back of my brain because I figured the boys wouldn’t care anyway.

"Baby, I think we can skip prayer tonight. We’ve prayed a few times together already today anyway."

"No we can’t, Mom! Those were prayers for the daytime! We need a prayer for the nighttime, too. We have to thank God for the day and you have to ask Him to help me have good dreams! Come on, Mom! We just have to talk to God!"

There I sat, feet up on the couch, hand over my forehead, realizing I was actually trying to talk my child out of praying.

But my son, even at a tender young age, understood something with his childlike faith.

He understood how prayer offers an ongoing opportunity to talk to God and an open invitation for Him to talk with us. My son was not satisfied that previous prayers earlier in the day had been completed or checked off the list. Rather, he wanted to have yet another conversation with God where he could express thanks and ask God to intervene in his circumstances.

He understood God is not something to do, He’s someone to know, and prayer is how we engage fully in our relationship with Him.

And here I was, trying to talk my son out of doing just that.

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to "pray without ceasing." For many of us this verse brings a bit of trepidation as we contemplate exactly what is required of us to pray and to "do it right."

We look at our busy schedules and think we don’t have time to do that much praying.

We rehearse our failures and decide God probably wouldn’t have much to say to us, or have much interest in listening to what we want to say to Him.

We let disappointment from one unanswered prayer keep us from asking again.

We let the seemingly well-done prayers of others push our spiritual confidence into a corner. There, the little desire we did have to pray sits, shrivels and grows smaller with each passing day as we hesitate to say something, anything, to the God who does not grade us on our rhetoric.

Neither our schedules nor our pasts should prevent us from talking to God about whatever concerns us. A previous disappointment or our current level of spiritual maturity shouldn’t get in the way of our willingness to speak freely and honestly about how we need Him or what we’re thankful for.

Prayer is simply open and honest communication with God. It involves our thanksgiving, repentance, requests and willingness to surrender to what He reveals to us in His Word and in our hearts.

It can be tempting to skip, forget about or even talk ourselves out of praying, but prayer is a key part of how we fully engage in our relationship with God Almighty.

Just like my son wanted to include conversations with God as a normal, ongoing part of his day, Scripture encourages us to pray and keep an open line of communication with God, talking to Him at anytime about anything.

Dear God, Thank You for the ongoing opportunity I have to talk with You. Forgive me for times when I have not made my conversations with You a priority. Please help me remember I can always communicate with You openly and honestly, as You already know what I think, how I feel and what I’ve done — and You love me anyway. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (NASB)

Daily Devotion

10/13/2015

Coffee for Your Heart

Holley Gerth
"God Loves Us Anyway"

I stand at the kitchen stove and push my breakfast around a pan. My thoughts feel scrambled too. Lies have been nipping at my heels again. I close my eyes and whisper the prayer I'm learning to cling to in these moments, "God, what do You want to say to my heart today?"

Usually a Scripture comes to mind. Or maybe I remember encouraging words from a wise friend. But this time a new phrase comes instantly: I love you anyway.

Tears fill my eyes because it's exactly what I need to hear. My struggles made it seem like God must be upset and far away. But He was still right there with me. And He was still for me.

When we battle depression, God loves us anyway.

When we fight anxiety, God loves us anyway.

When we mess up, God loves us anyway.

When we face doubts, God loves us anyway.

When we forget who we really are, God loves us anyway.

When we're weary, God loves us anyway.

Whatever we're struggling with today, God loves us anyway.

"I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord"
(Romans 8:38-39)

I carry my plate to the table and whisper, "God, help me to truly believe I'm loved by You right now just as I am." My prayer is the same for you. May we be confident we're loved anyway. May we be certain we're loved always. Especially on the hard days.

XOXO
Holley Gerth

Daily Devotion

10/12/2015

Proverbs 31 Ministries
Leah DiPascal

"How to Find Peace Under Pressure"

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Frantically pushing my grocery cart through the parking lot, I glanced back and forth, trying to remember where I had parked the car.

The sun was blazing hot and as a bead of sweat dripped down my back, I couldn’t help but think of my hungry kids, waiting at home to consume the food I’d just bought.

It was way past lunchtime and knowing my family and some visiting relatives were waiting at home created anxiety in my heart. But I figured I would make things right by serving up a delicious pizza, freshly baked in the deli department.

As I continued to hunt for my car, the swirling aroma of mozzarella cheese, sweet basil, grilled garlic and fresh tomatoes was calling my name. I was tempted to snatch a slice, but decided to wait until I got home.

Besides, I could almost hear the cheers of approval as I imagined the moment I would place this scrumptious meal before my clan. Sure, it wasn’t homemade, but at this point anything edible would have been welcomed with open arms.

However, my thoughts came to an abrupt halt when my cart bobbled and suddenly stopped.

I glanced down, and there it was. My deliciously fresh stone-baked pizza — on the ground with a tire mark across the top of the box. Sure enough, I had rolled over it with my grocery cart.

You’ve got to be kidding! Honestly, who does that?

In my haste, I hadn’t noticed that the cashier placed my pizza carton on the lower rack of my cart due to the overflowing groceries.

With no time to have another one made, I rushed home with a car full of groceries, a smashed pizza and a very heavy heart.

I tried to fake a calm smile when I got home, but the house erupted in laughter when everyone saw my fumbled fiasco. As my younger son tried to scrape off the gooey cheese from the broken pizza lid, everyone else opted for sandwiches.

In situations like this, I need to be reminded of today’s key verse: "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"

The whole pizza mess could have easily been avoided if I weren’t in such a rush and worried about my peeps back home. Sure, it’s important to take care of family, but when meeting their needs creates anxiety and stress, it’s an indication that something is out of balance.

Oftentimes, it’s not what my family asks of me — it’s what I demand of myself: I want everything to be perfect. I want to meet all my family’s needs. I want to please everyone.

But that’s not possible, and God doesn’t require it of me. Instead, based on Isaiah 26:3, He promises to keep me in perfect peace, despite any situation, if I willingly commit to doing these two things:

1. Trust God, instead of trying to master things on my own.

2. Keep my thoughts fixed on God, instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks.

Are you feeling rushed or anxious today? Would you like a slice of peace to calm your nerves and settle down the stress you’re experiencing? Jesus wants to offer you a holy deposit of His perfect peace that will last a lifetime and not just satisfy you for a few hours.

Dear Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. Help me to trust and focus on You every day, so I can be calm and stress-free in any situation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

2 Peter 1:2, "May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." (NLT)

Philippians 4:7, "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)