Tag: rest

Job: Faith in the Storm

Job’s story is one of unimaginable loss and unwavering faith. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health, all in a matter of moments. Yet through it all, Job never turned his back on God.

I’ve had moments in my life when I felt like everything was falling apart. During my divorce, I wrestled with feelings of failure, rejection, and grief. It was a storm I didn’t see coming, and I often found myself asking, “Why, God?”

Job’s story reminds me that it’s okay to question God. It’s okay to grieve and wrestle with the pain. But what stands out most about Job is that even in his lowest moments, he never lost hope. His faith wasn’t dependent on his circumstances; it was rooted in who God is.

Job teaches us that faith isn’t the absence of struggle, it’s trusting God in the midst of it. When life feels overwhelming, we can choose to say, like Job, “Yet will I hope in Him.”

If you’re in a storm right now, hold on to this truth: God sees your pain, He hears your cries, and He’s working behind the scenes. Your storm doesn’t define you, your faith does.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my anchor in life’s storms. Teach me to trust You even when I don’t understand, and to hold onto the hope that You are working for my good. Strengthen my faith and help me to rest in Your promises. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

When What You Want Doesn’t Happen

I prayed for reconciliation. I prayed for healing. I believed that God could restore my marriage, and I held onto that hope with everything I had. But it didn’t happen. Instead, we ended up divorced. A reality I never thought I’d face.

For a long time, I wrestled with the question: Why, God? I couldn’t understand why He allowed this to happen when I was praying for the exact opposite. It felt like He wasn’t listening or didn’t care.

But as I’ve walked through this journey, God has reminded me that His ways are higher than mine. He sees the bigger picture, even when I can’t. While the outcome wasn’t what I wanted, He has been faithful in teaching me to trust Him with the pieces of my broken dreams.

Watching my children navigate this season has been painful, especially when I’ve seen them experience moments of disappointment and heartache. But it’s also reminded me of the importance of showing them what it means to trust God, even when life doesn’t go the way we planned.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you trust God when His plans don’t align with your desires?
  2. What lessons has He taught you through unmet expectations?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for reminding me that Your ways are higher than mine. Teach me to trust You when life doesn’t go the way I hoped. Help me to find peace in Your plan and to reflect Your faithfulness to my children and those around me. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

True Love

When I got married, I believed I understood love. I thought it was found in the vows we made and the life we promised to build together. But after my marriage ended, I wrestled with the painful realization that human love is flawed. It can fail, break, and leave scars.

In my season of heartbreak, God began to teach me about His love… a love that isn’t dependent on circumstances or feelings. True love, as God defines it, is sacrificial, selfless, and enduring. It doesn’t demand perfection but chooses to love despite imperfections.

I’ll never forget one night, shortly after the divorce, when our daughter climbed into my lap and hugged me tightly. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered. It struck me then that her love for me wasn’t based on what I could give her; it was simply because I was her dad. That’s how God loves us, unconditionally and without limits.

True love begins with God. It’s only when we experience His perfect love that we can truly love others. Whether you’re married, single, or somewhere in between, know that God’s love is the foundation of all relationships. It’s patient when others test your limits. It’s kind when you feel like lashing out. And it’s humble enough to forgive when you’ve been wronged.

As I continue to navigate life as a single dad and pastor, I’m learning to reflect God’s love in my relationships. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Because when we love like Jesus, we’re showing the world what true love really is.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what true love looks like. Teach me to love like You. With patience, kindness, and humility. Help me to reflect Your love in all my relationships. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

El Deah: The God of Knowledge

El Deah, “The God of Knowledge,” reminds us that God’s understanding is perfect and complete. While our knowledge is limited and sometimes flawed, God’s wisdom encompasses all things, past, present, and future.

I often wrestle with uncertainty, especially when I don’t know the next step to take. During one of these moments, I was reminded of El Deah. God’s knowledge is not just vast, it’s personal. He knows every detail of my situation, every outcome, and every need.

God’s Knowledge Is Complete: El Deah sees the whole picture, even when we can’t.

God’s Knowledge Is Personal: He knows the number of hairs on our heads and every detail of our lives (Matthew 10:30).

God’s Knowledge Is Wise: Trusting El Deah means relying on His wisdom to guide us, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Calling on El Deah invites us to rest in the assurance that God’s perfect knowledge is working for our good and His glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does trusting El Deah bring peace in moments of uncertainty?
  2. In what areas of your life do you need to rely on God’s wisdom rather than your own understanding?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being El Deah, the God of knowledge. Teach me to trust in Your perfect wisdom and to surrender my uncertainties to You. Help Kneel Ministries encourage others to rely on Your guidance. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Power of Rest: God’s Design for Renewal

In a world that glorifies busyness, rest often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. Yet, from the beginning, God modeled the importance of rest. After six days of creation, He rested on the seventh, setting a pattern for us to follow (Genesis 2:2-3). Jesus also emphasized rest, inviting the weary to come to Him for renewal.

True rest isn’t just about physical restoration; it’s about spiritual renewal. When we rest, we acknowledge our dependence on God and allow Him to refresh our souls. This might mean setting aside time for prayer, worship, or simply being still in His presence.

In my own life, I’ve seen how neglecting rest leads to burnout and diminished effectiveness in serving God and others. Embracing rest as a gift from God has taught me to trust Him with my time and to prioritize His presence above all else.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you incorporate rest into your weekly routine as a spiritual practice?
  2. What steps can you take to trust God with your time and let go of the need to always be busy?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of rest and the reminder that You are in control. Teach me to embrace rest as a way to draw closer to You and to trust You with my time and responsibilities. Help me to prioritize Your presence and to find renewal in You. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Jehovah Shammah: The Lord Is There

Jehovah Shammah, “The Lord Is There,” is a name revealed in Ezekiel’s vision of the restored city of Jerusalem. It reminds us that God’s presence is with us, both now and in eternity.

God’s Presence in the Present: Jehovah Shammah assures us that God is with us in every moment, offering comfort, guidance, and peace.

God’s Presence in Worship: The Lord dwells among His people, making every act of worship a sacred encounter.

God’s Presence in Eternity: This name points to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s presence with His people in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3).

Calling on Jehovah Shammah reminds us of the constant presence of God, a source of strength and hope in every season of life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you become more aware of God’s presence in your daily life?
  2. How does Jehovah Shammah bring you hope for the future?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being my Jehovah Shammah, the God who is always there. Teach me to rest in Your presence and to trust in Your eternal promise to dwell with Your people. Help Kneel Ministries guide others to experience Your nearness. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Seeking Healing Over Numbing Pain (Part 3)

One of the most appealing aspects of THC is its ability to numb pain. For someone dealing with chronic physical or emotional struggles, this can feel like a lifeline. But numbing the pain often delays true healing. God doesn’t want us to simply cope… He wants to restore us fully.

Scripture reveals that God is close to the brokenhearted and desires to heal us (Psalm 147:3). His healing often comes through a combination of prayer, community, medical treatment, and addressing the root causes of our struggles. THC, on the other hand, offers a temporary escape without addressing the deeper issues.

By leaning into God’s promises and seeking His wisdom, we can find real solutions. Pain is never wasted in God’s hands, it becomes a tool for growth, reliance on Him, and even ministry to others. Numbing the pain with substances like THC denies us the opportunity to experience His transformative power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you trust God to bring healing instead of relying on substances that numb pain?
  2. What steps can you take to address emotional or physical pain in a healthy, God-honoring way?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being a healer and restorer. Teach me to trust in Your process and to resist the temptation to numb my pain with temporary fixes. Help me to seek lasting healing in You and to point others to Your power and love. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Transforming, Not Conforming

Living as a Christian in today’s world means constantly swimming against the current. The world’s patterns often encourage self-indulgence, instant gratification, and compromise. But Romans 12:2 challenges us to reject these patterns and allow God to transform us through the renewal of our minds.

There was a time when I struggled with fitting in. From the music I listened to, to the conversations I engaged in, I found myself blending in with the culture around me rather than standing out for Christ. But the more I leaned into God’s Word, the more my heart began to change. Transformation isn’t about behavior modification. It’s about letting God reshape our desires, thoughts, and actions to reflect His holiness.

Choosing transformation means daily surrender. It’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, guiding our decisions and aligning our lives with God’s will. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. When we’re transformed, we not only grow closer to God but also become a light to the world.

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of your life are influenced by the patterns of this world?
  2. How can you invite God to transform your heart and mind in those areas?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for calling me to a life of transformation. Teach me to surrender daily to Your will and to resist the pull of the world. Renew my heart and mind so that I may reflect Your love and truth in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Social Media Meltdown

Date: September 1, 2024

Bible Verse:

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Message (Longer with a Fun Twist):

I remember the day my phone buzzed nonstop with social media notifications. One friend posted about her amazing vacation in Hawaii, another announced a dream job promotion, and then someone else (who hasn’t aged a day since high school) posted pictures of a full-blown triathlon.

Before I knew it, I was caught in the comparison trap. My life suddenly felt dull. No palm trees, no fancy job title, and definitely no six-pack abs. Trying to keep up, I posted a photo of my dinner (homemade spaghetti that looked more like a red-sauce tragedy) with a witty caption that, unfortunately, nobody liked. Cue the self-pity meltdown.

That’s when our daughter popped into the room, took one look at my grumpy face, and said, “Dad, social media shouldn’t make you sad. It’s just pictures.” Her words instantly snapped me

back to reality. She was right, it was just pictures. Behind every perfect post is a real person with struggles, just like me. Social media often shows the highlight reel, not the behind-the-scenes reality.

I started thinking about Philippians 2:4: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” My focus had been all wrong. Instead of celebrating others’ joys, I let comparison steal my joy. I realized that God wasn’t calling me to “compete” with anyone’s life. He was calling me to love and support them.

I took a break from social media that week, and it was one of the most freeing things I’ve done. I spent more time with our daughter, enjoyed the little blessings in my day, and remembered that my worth isn’t found in likes or comments… it’s found in Christ.

Now, when I scroll, I try to practice gratitude and pray for the people I see, instead of comparing myself. And when our daughter teases me about my spaghetti pictures, I just laugh… because life isn’t about impressing people, it’s about honoring God.

Bible Promise:

God values your heart, not your status.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that my identity is found in You, not in comparisons or social media. Help me to celebrate others’ joys and focus on the blessings You’ve given me. Teach me to use my time wisely and honor You in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that my identity is found in You, not in comparisons or social media. Help me to celebrate others’ joys and focus on the blessings You’ve given me. Teach me to use my time wisely and honor You in all I do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Overcoming the Fear of Failure

Fear of failure can be paralyzing, keeping us from stepping into the plans God has for us. Whether it’s fear of letting others down, not measuring up, or facing criticism, this fear often holds us back from walking in obedience and faith.

I’ve wrestled with the fear of failure in my own life, hesitating to take risks because I was afraid of what others might think or of falling short. But God reminds us that He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He equips us with power, love, and a sound mind to face challenges with confidence.

Failure isn’t the end… it’s a stepping stone. When we trust God with our fears, He uses even our missteps for His glory. He calls us to step out in faith, not in our own strength but in His. Remember, God isn’t looking for perfection; He’s looking for a willing heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. What fears are holding you back from stepping into God’s plans for your life?
  2. How can you replace fear with faith, trusting in God’s power and love?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for equipping me with power, love, and a sound mind. Teach me to overcome the fear of failure and to trust You fully in every step I take. Help me to walk in faith, knowing that You are with me and that Your plans are good. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.