Today I leave you with some amazing scriptures that remind me and you, that sleep and calmness comes when you run to God.
The illusion we are in control of anything is just that an illusion. There’s a God in heaven that loves you so much. That he would leave the 99 sheep and search for the one who may be lost, weary, regretful, or stuck in world culture.
Jesus spoke in parables, to bring understanding of His wisdom. One of my favorites is found in Matthew 18.
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.18.12-14.NLT
Meditate on these scripture examples:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” Psalms 4:8 NLT
“When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.” Proverbs 6:22 NLT
“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.” Psalms 91:4-5 NLT
“He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalms 121:3-8 NLT
Phil Wickham’s new song, “Running to a Runaway”, shares the amazing grace of our God. Play it on repeat as its beautiful lyrics prompt you to run to the Father. Let Him bring blissful sleep as you rest in His arms and be restored as His precious lamb.
For some reason I am unable to post it here. However look it up on Youtube. Be blessed by Your Great Shepherd, the King of Kings, Jesus!!
I’m not sure about you, but I feel like distractions abound lately. It’s almost like a tornado of information and data. Whether it’s social media, current news, events, strife, opposing opinions, politics, etc.. but God wants us to pause. Take a step back from the distractions and fix our eyes on what’s really true.
He is the way the truth in life. He is the way to peace. He’s the way to wisdom. We need His direction. The battle with distraction starts in the mind.
“Send out your light and your truth; let them be my guide; let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the places where you live. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and delight; I will praise you on the lyre, God, my God. My soul, why are you so downcast? Why are you groaning inside me? Hope in God, since I will praise him again for being my Savior and God.” Tehillim (Psa) 43:3-5 CJB
Visualize yourself sitting at the feet, Jesus. His smile lights up His eyes as He extends His hand to you. He wants to be in relationship with you. It’s your choice. He brings joy, peace and hope.
What is your happy place? Your favorite places could be next to a rolling river, listening to the sounds of the wind blowing through the pine trees. Could it be taking a hike in the mountains, the gravel crunching beneath your feet. Or is it sitting on the beach, listening to the waves crash at the shore. Wherever you find peace and can observe His creation is a happy place. For me it can be sitting in the middle of a horse pasture, listening to the neighs and whinny of a happy horse calling to its herd. Those beautiful, happy places reflect the gifts of the only One who can give you rest. God wants you to fix your mind, your soul and your body on Him alone.
He is lovely, He is excellent, He is the King of Kings, He is wisdom, He is waiting for you.
If you already know Jesus as Savior, and have declared Him aloud as Lord of your life. Let Him direct your steps to a great destiny. Filter your day with your eyes, mind and heart on the message of Philippines 4:7.
If you have stepped away from God, it’s time to reconnect, call on Jesus. He knows all the details of your life.
“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and talks from an earthly point of view; he who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies about what he has actually seen and heard, yet no one accepts what he says! Whoever does accept what he says puts his seal on the fact that God is true, because the one whom God sent speaks God’s words. For God does not give him the Spirit in limited degree — the Father loves the Son and has put everything in his hands.” Yochanan (Jhn) 3:31-35 CJB
If you have not called on Jesus and humbled yourself before Him as Savior and Lord. I must say there is no better place to rest in this world than to feel His Presence.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” Romans 10:9-13 NLT
So get caught up in the whirlwind of the breath of God. Breathe Deeply, and receive rest for your soul, and remember where there is peace when we rest in Him.
Photo credit by M. Mesikapp and scripture photo by Youversion.
As I was driving in town today, I saw on the bumper of a raised Ford F250 pickup truck, “you are never alone”. I found it a powerful message of hope in the midst of challenging times.
I was reminded of the powerful Word of God that cuts through every possible human condition. No matter our circumstances God has a Word for it. In our joyful times, we can remember God is with us celebrating our lives.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Jesus described in John 16, why He had to die for our sins, He willingly took on our sins so the Holy Spirit ( Spirit of truth) could come and dwell within us as our helper. It took me a long time to understand the 3 parts of God, Father,Son and Holy Spirit. Each character has purpose for our relationship with Him.
John 16:7-8,13-15,33 NLT But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. [8] And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. [13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. [14] He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ [33] I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
When life gets tough, the devil wants us to become isolated and feel the depth of despair, however, our God gave us His Holy Spirit to live inside as His advocate and gift.
Our Father God knows our life from conception, He is our guide when we let Him direct our lives moment to moment. Did you know you are created in His image? Let me remind you, you are wonderfully made!!! Read Psalm 139 aloud place your name where it applies!!
Psalm 139:13-18 NLT You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. [14] Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. [15] You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. [16] You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. [17] How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! [18] I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Whether the day brings beautiful sunrises, cloudy days, or the coolness of fall, we get to see the hand of God in His creation and remember He created each of us with beautiful potential.
We must actively participate in our relationship with Jesus. We must awaken to His unconditional love. We must break through the dark thoughts with His promises and crush the dark attempts of the enemy and declare a loud the power of God overcomes all things.
Picture yourself holding the hand of your Creator God, He knows all about your challenges, joys, life choices. He awaits your action steps. Reach out your hand, close your eyes and feel His Presence.
Psalm 37:23-24 NLT The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. [24] Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
Nothing in this world will ever satisfy the Jesus shaped hole in each of us. Fill that hole with time spent in stillness with God. Put down social media or any other distractions, open the Bible, let His Word illuminate His truth. Consider writing any of the scriptures in this post that resonate with you on a post it note and stick it on your mirror, car visor, wherever it can encourage your day.
Psalm 37:34,39-40 NLT Put your hope in the LORD. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. [39] The LORD rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. [40] The LORD helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.
Praise God especially if you are feeling alone, it will lighten your load and bring His Presence to the atmosphere. You are never alone!!!
Psalm 67:1-7 AMP God be gracious and kind-hearted to us and bless us, And make His face shine [with favor] on us— Selah. [2] That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation and deliverance among all nations. [3] Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. [4] Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, For You will judge the people fairly And guide the nations on earth. Selah. [5] Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. [6] The earth has yielded its harvest [as evidence of His approval]; God, our God, blesses us. [7] God blesses us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].
The One who created all things is on the throne. See the steps on the left of this photo, picture yourself sitting on those steps and rest in His Presence and creation.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1 NLT
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 NLT
Just rest with the One who created all things.
Father God, we thank you, Lord, that You created all things from the beginning of time and you know all things. Help us to rest and sit at your feet. No matter what events occur in the world You are faithful. You are the truth, the way, and the life. Help us to feel the peace that surpasses all understanding, even when our eyes and minds feel differently. We trust You. In Jesus name, amen!
Inspiring Light Through the Cracks 