SIMPLIFIED LIVING

 

JULY 26, 2023

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

 

I will Give You Life to the Full

Any of you who know me, know that I love this verse and the promise of life to the full. The reality of abundant life is ours through Jesus. In fact, this verse says that Jesus came for this very reason.

It seems to me that for most of us each day our hearts and minds are occupied with what to think, what to feel, and what will give us the most satisfaction. Advertisers, media personalities, social influencers seem to tell us what we need or need to do to experience full life. What I love about this verse is that by comparison Jesus promises to simplify our choices and calm our restless hearts. Jesus came to Earth with a single-minded purpose: to give us life to the full. To show us that this kind of life was not only possible but in truth what God wants all of us to experience.

In other words, maximum fulfillment comes in relationship with God, and Jesus is the way to find abundant and full life.

REFLECT

Have you experienced harm from seeking satisfaction outside of God?

What does it mean to you to have life to the full? Ask God if your definition of fulfillment is the same as His.

 

A WAY OUT

 

JULY 25, 2023

 1 Corinthians 10:13

 ¹³ No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

 

I will guide you … 

through difficult circumstances

Ever heard the saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle”? If you’ve been in a situation where someone told you this, you know it’s far from the truth. I want to remind you today that God never makes the promise to us  not to put more on us than we can handle; rather, and thankfully God promises to guide us through adversity and those realities of life in which we are tested. Read this verse again “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

In my experience, one of the best things that can come out of an overwhelming situation is a deeper understanding of how much we need God. Difficulty and testing seasons do not have to drive us away from God. If we’ll lean into what God wants to show us, difficulty will drive us closer to God in ways that good times can not.

Yesterday we ended with these words, I think they are fitting for today as well. “We can take God at His word, and we can trust Him to grow our faith, to be active in our circumstances, and to give us the ability and strength to accomplish all that God says is possible.”

REFLECT 

Do you feel overwhelmed with more than you can handle? What’s weighing you down?

When are you most likely to question God’s guidance?

PRESSURES OFF

 

JULY 24, 2023

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

I WILL DO THE IMPOSSIBLE

 

We want to believe in God’s plans and purposes, and we want to experience the abundant life God promises.  But isn’t it easy for us to throw our arms up when we look at our human circumstances and our limits?

God gives us a word of freedom, that takes the pressure off. God declares, What I am bringing about comes only in my power, not yours. Isn’t that “Good News”! We can take God at His word, and we can trust Him to grow our faith, to be active in our circumstances, and to give us the ability and strength to accomplish all that God says is possible.

REFLECT

• What’s one situation you’re facing that seems impossible?
• How does this promise change your attitude?
• What does it look like for you to believe God for the impossible?

 

IT'S A NEW DAY

 

JULY 14, 2023

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

 

I Will Have Compassion on You

 

Do you ever have those days that are so wonderful and enjoyable that you don’t want it to end? How about those days that are so hard and difficult that you just want it to end so you can begin again. The good news we find in our verse today is we can begin again.

Our reading is such a precious promise, telling us that every day is a new opportunity to experience God’s love and mercy. God never runs out of compassion or wearies of helping and sustaining us. Our God is reliable, faithful, constant, and steadfast. God promises that because of his “Great Love” we are not consumed or destroyed.

When we know this to be true, we can confess the words of Lamentations 3:24 that “The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” (NIV) Another translation puts vs 24 this way, I really like this, “Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need;  I can depend on him!” (CEV) Yes we will have awesome days, yes we will have some hard days but in all of life we can depend on our covenant God, he is all we need.

REFLECT

Sometimes, the only way to know a promise is true is to act on it. How can you treat today like it really is a fresh start? What would you do differently today if you knew and believed that God’s love and compassion never fail?

 

WHAT'S YOUR YOKE?

 

July 13, 2023

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 

I Will Give You Rest

 

The yokes oxen wore were bulky, they were these wooden harnesses that allowed them to pull farming machines. Weighed down by their yoke, the work was exhausting, even for a big, strong ox.

I don’t think we need to have seen a yoke like these, to understand what it feels like to be burdened. How many of us do not know something of the burdens of life that can weigh us down and wear us out? We all do, right? So take note of what Jesus offers us in exchange: Take off the yokes we’re carrying and attach ourselves to Him instead. Jesus promises that when we work alongside Him, we will find rest for our souls. How wonderful is that? No longer weighed down by our old burdens, Jesus teaches us a new way of operating and brings purpose to what once felt like meaningless toil. Here the invitation: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Now that’s a tremendous promise for each of us. Thanks be to God!

REFLECT

• What’s wearing you out or weighing you down?
• What would it look like for you to exchange your yoke for Jesus’ yoke?

 

CONFIDENCE in the TOUGH SPOTS

 

JULY 12, 2023

 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I Will Give You Peace

Most of us think of peace as the absence of conflict, just take a brief look at the synonyms we use for peace, cease-fire, freedom from strife, end of war, even such synonyms as harmony, calm, and serenity acknowledge the absence of struggle, or skirmish as a generally accepted definition of peace. However, our Bible tells us that Jesus promises us something better. He gives us peace in the face of conflict.

Jesus gives us his peace. You see when we open our lives to Jesus, when we say Jesus be active in my life as my leader, and when we trust Him with that, we can march into any situation with confident assurance knowing Jesus will be a strong and active presence in our time of need. He speaks to us today, just as he spoke to disciples, and says “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” why? Here is the answer: “my peace I give you.”

When we know Jesus is with us, working through the Holy Spirit to guide us and comfort us, we don’t have to fear the future or be paralyzed by “What ifs...” We can experience deep and lasting peace. Now that’s a good news promise, isn’t it?

REFLECT 

• What does it look like for someone to be at peace?
• Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you’ve experienced unexplainable peace? What happened?
• Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that peace and prayer go hand in hand.

 “… do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

• Is there anything you’re stressed about today? Take some time to pray about it and let the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and your mind.

 

THE ONE THING

 

JULY 11, 2023

 Psalm 37:4

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you
the desires of your heart.

 I Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart

 

When was the last time you wanted something desperately. Maybe it was a vehicle, a house, a vacation, or the person who eventually became your spouse. We’ve all experienced longing, this sense that if we could just get that one thing our lives would be complete. You know what I am talking about I am certain. But our lives are never complete after we obtain the “one thing” are they?

The Bible tells us why we are never complete with the “one thing”, it is because the only “ONE THING” that will truly delight us, now and forever, is a relationship with God, our Creator. It is this relationship that makes us whole, that completes us. As we grow in our relationship with God, we notice a very interesting development.  Our desires begin to change. What is important to God becomes important to us. The things that please God become the things that give us great joy.

Jesus said, "Seek First the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you." You see the Vehicle, the house, the vacation, the life partner, are all good things and worth working toward, they just are not the ONE THING.

Our verse today teaches us that God promises that as we make space to commune with Him, God holds nothing back from us. In Him, our joy is complete. Another Good News promise!

REFLECT

• What is the desire of your heart today?
• What is the longing you are hoping that desire will fulfill?
• As we look back over our lives, we can see how God fulfilled our desires in unexpected ways or gave us something better than what we thought we wanted. What’s one way you’ve seen God fulfill a desire you didn’t know you had or answered a prayer in a way you didn’t expect?

 

ENDLESS LOVE

 

JULY 10, 2023

 ____________________________________

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

 

God revealed in the Bible is a promise maker and a promise keeper. The emphasis on each page of scripture is that when God says He will do something, He always follows through, and keeps his word. “Summer Promises” devotional is meant to help us start to discover or for some of us, to rediscover the many promises God makes to each one.

 ____________________________________

 

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

Isaiah 54:10

'Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,'
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

 

No matter how hard we try, it seems that at some point we let other people down. Whether it is forgetting a birthday or anniversary, saying the wrong thing, or misreading a social cue. Even when our intention is to love others deeply, we still miss the mark at times. Over and over again the Bible reminds of the comforting truth that God’s love never fails.

God doesn’t change His mind or break a promise in His covenants. No matter how messy things get in our life, or how troubled our hearts become, God does not desert us, God never walk out on us. God promises to love us compassionately, and tenderly even when our lives are disordered, confused and a bit chaotic. Now That's a Good News promise!!

REFLECT

• When God says His love is unshakable, how does that make you feel?
• Does it affect how you interact with your Creator?
• Invite God to bring his unfailing love and covenant of peace into the areas of your life that you struggle most with.

 

 

THERE IS A REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

 

JULY 7, 2023



Exodus 20:8

“Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”



There’s a reason today’s passage is included in the ten commandments. No doubt God knew in advance our inclination to run ourselves into the ground and lose our connection with Him. Thus, the Sabbath. God’s beautiful gift to each of us.

I have found that Sabbath-keeping is one of the most life-giving practices in which you can engage. Consider the prophet Isaiah’s words:

If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath,
From pursuing your own interests on my Holy Day;
If you call the Sabbath a delight
And the Holy Day of the Lord honorable;
If you honor it, not going your own ways,
serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs;
then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the heights… Isaiah 58:13-14

For those who seek to follow Jesus, Sabbath keeping is not optional. It is essential for us to have the abundant life you’ve been called to. Jesus said “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath." Mark 2:27

In Genesis we are told that God created everything in six days and on the seventh day He rested. Not because He was tired or needed a break but to celebrate His creation. Remember the declaration on Creation “It is Good!”

I believe the Bible gives us at least three purposes of the Sabbath.

To celebrate God’s provision. God has created everything. He has provided everything we will need. It was a day of rest to reflect on what God had done.

Another purpose was to enjoy God’s presence. It meant to stop your normal routine of the week and slow down and enjoy God’s presence without trying to accomplish everything possible on that day.

A third purpose was to remember God’s promises. It was a day to be reminded that God cares, He is committed to His people, and it served as a sign and testimony to others that God is worthy of our worship.

So, Jesus says, The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people. People need to celebrate the provision of God. They need to be reminded that there is a Creator who created everything and provides all things good. People need to enjoy God’s presence and to slow down, rest and relax in their relationship with God. People need to remember God’s promises and that He keeps His promises and that He is committed to them and that His grace is enough. The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people just like us.

That is why I said above that the Sabbath is God’s beautiful gift to each of us. So let us make "Space for God."



REFLECT

Think through these questions as we end our week of devotions.

What is your current practice of Sabbath keeping? Are their changes you need to make in your life to honor the Sabbath?

What would a sabbath that is “made for you” look like? What would be life-giving? What would be restful? What would point you to God?

Sabbath rest is God’s gift to us. How might you receive that gift with gratitude?

 

 

A DEFINING QUALITY

 

JULY 6, 2023

Colossians 3:15 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Have you ever considered that a hurried soul is seldom at peace? It’s as if they are on opposing ends of a spectrum. Hurried suggests a frantic, frenzied, feverish pace. Peaceful is much more static. Serene. Calm.

Hear this Abby McHugh quote: “God doesn’t call you to a life you don’t have time for.”

“God doesn’t call you to a life you don’t have time for.” Reflect on that for a moment.

Let me remind all of us that as followers of Jesus, we are called to peace. That’s what today’s reading reminds us of. It really is one of the most defining qualities of those who walk most closely with Jesus, “an indescribable peace.” That is His precious gift to those who are willing to come near to him again and again. To slow things down and deliberately plan space for God.

It is my prayer that we would be included as those who walk, live, and abide in God’s peace. And when we are tempted to be hurried, may the Spirit of God gently remind us of the blessing that is ours when we give up speeding and rushing through our days. 

Do you remember way back to last Thursday’s devotion we said “Jesus invites us to live in the space of the unforced rhythms of grace. Jesus wants us to live free and lightly. Jesus invitation is "Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it."

“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen.

OUR GREATEST STRENGTH

 

JULY 5, 2023

 

 Isaiah 30:15 

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” 

 

In today’s passage, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to a rebellious people; those who were unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. Isaiah 30 opens with ““Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin …” Then at verse 9 we read, “For these are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction.” Then we read of the people’s desire “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”

It’s a sad commentary really, isn’t it? The kind provision that God had given His people so that they might live a blessed life, but in turn they totally ignored it. “Stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel.

Despite all this later in Isaiah 30 we hear that “the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

How I pray that you and I would not be unwilling to heed the Lord’s instruction! As the world continues to draw us into a lifestyle of frantic frenzy, telling us “pleasant things, prophesying illusions.” may we have the wisdom to recognize that it is in repentance, rest, quietness, and trust in God, that we find our greatest strength.

 

REFLECT

Meditate upon each of these directives and consider how you might implement them in your life.

•     Repentance
•     Rest
•     Quietness
•     Trust

 

CHOOSE WHAT IS BETTER

 

JULY 4, 2023

 

 Luke 10:38-42 

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.”

 

The story of Mary and Martha is an important one for all of us. The invitation that the Gospel gives us is to see ourselves in the story, and to aspire to be more like Mary in our heartfelt desire to stop all our hurrying and simply be with Jesus.  

I wonder if an underlying message here is that when we slow down and make space in our lives for Jesus, sitting at his feet, that this act will also bring us to a place of encounter with people, and to the experience of community. 

Jesus always saw people.  He had the ability to discern, to really see what was going on in their lives. I am convinced this ability to discern, was not only a result of His divinity. I truly believe that because Jesus walked in a relaxed unhurried manner through life, he was able to take the time to observe, to see those around Him.

We can do the same. Slow down. Take time. Choose what is better. Do it with Jesus and with those with whom our paths cross. 

REFLECT

Take time today to sit at Jesus’ feet. Ask Him to help you see those you encounter today, the way that He sees them.

"HURRY SICKNESS"? IS THAT A THING?

 

JULY 3, 2023

 

Matthew 11:30

 “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

 

What are you like when you are hurrying? How many of you would say that when I am rushed or hurrying I exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? If we are honest, chances are, we are not exactly reflecting the fruit of God’s Spirit in those moments of busyness. More likely we are impatient, annoyed, often late, overlooking or stepping on people, self-important, maybe even rude. Do you agree?


Too much of a rushing and frantic pace can cause what some call “hurry sickness”. The symptoms of this sickness include:

• Lack of time
• Lack of meaning
• Lack of compassion
• Lack of grace

That is not the kind of life that any of us desire. That is why Jesus invites us into a less hurried kind of life. As author Dallas Willard says, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” And whether we realize it or not, that is a choice that we can make.

How often do you feel that your life controls you, instead of you controlling your life? If that’s you today, consider that it might be time for some changes in your life. I believe that the adjustments we may require is to pay close attention to our choices, evaluate their impact on our life and then take the step with the assistance of God’s Spirit, to align, or as Jesus puts it “yoking” yourself with the Jesus way of living.

As we begin a new week, why don’t we take inventory of the way we spend our time, and the tempo at which we run? How might you ruthlessly eliminate hurry from that pace?

REFLECT

After you do that inventory of your life, consider trying one or more of the following this week to eliminate hurry in your life:

1. set a time to practice slowing down
2. take advantage of opportunities to wait
3. schedule time to be alone
4. learn to say “no” to things
5. take a weekly Sabbath