by Jordan Bright | Mar 30, 2017
You get home after a long day of work, and you sit down to just catch your breath. You have been swamped at work, and now, all you want is some time to unwind. Your mind has been buzzing all day, and now you finally have the chance to just focus on what is really important.
But then, the phone rings. Your son or daughter calls your name. Maybe, you realize that there’s nothing for dinner in the pantry, and you need to go to the grocery store. Does this sound familiar? I know that this sounds like mine and my families’ life, everyday! How can we be still in this world, when there is so much to do? Life is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be.
- Make the time.
We have to make the time! I know, it sounds cliché, but it really is true! As Christians, I believe that God has called us to take care of our bodies and take care of our spiritual health. This means making time to spend with Him, to spend with our family and to just spend time alone. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (ESV). According to this verse, we should take the time to “Be still.”
Yes, we are busy, and there is a large amount of work to be done, but we can’t do our best if we haven’t taken the time to be replenished.
- Make rest a priority.
Not only do we have to set aside time to rest, we also have to make it a priority to rest. Let me be clear, this isn’t a ticket to bail on our responsibilities. However, by managing time wisely, we will have the time be still.
What is important to you? Is it your family, friends and relationship with Jesus? Or is it your job, duties and chores? Responsibilities are important, but our relationships are even MORE important.
In the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites the Sabbath day. This was a day of rest and worship. I believe that we need this now more than ever. Following these two steps are really the foundation to putting the busyness of the world aside.
Take some time to rest; take some time to spend in solitude. Maybe you need to set aside time to relax with your family. By taking some time away from the business and craziness, we can grow deeper in our relationships with God and other people.
No matter the action you need to take, remember the words from Exodus 33:14, “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.‘”
by Jordan Bright | Jun 6, 2016
When I say “heart”, what do you think of? Do you think of the actual beating heart inside your chest? Or do you think of the center of your whole spiritual being?
Both are important, but I want to focus on the spiritual heart. This is where your entire spiritual being is located. You’ve heard the sayings, “Follow your heart,” and “Bless your heart,” but have you ever thought of guarding your heart?
There is much opposition to living a godly life in this world today. The media throws inappropriate things into commercials and television shows all the time! It can be hard to avoid, on television, on the internet, and even on billboards! Even music can have an ulterior motive to get us to fall.
We have so many things to fight against; it seems impossible. But I know the armor we need…. Jesus is the answer! His Word is the ultimate way for us to remain pure in heart. The word “heart” appears many times in the Bible, and I believe it is because God is truly trying to get a point across to us. Protect your heart, and keep your spiritual being pure!
Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it springs the issues of life.” This verse explains that all we do stems from our heart.
For example, we listen to secular music with bad language or images. Then, we begin to use that language or think on those images without realizing what is happening. By that time, we have let Satan get a foothold for us to do more things that we know are not right. I am not saying that all secular music is bad, but I am saying that we need to watch out for what the song is actually saying. This example could be used with a number of other things, like television, and websites.
Do I want you to stop listening to the songs you grew up with? No! I simply want to warn you to be careful. If you are unsure about a song, look up the lyrics and see what they really say. Many people give the excuse that they only listen to the beat, but the words seep into your mind and heart whether you know it or not.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV) says, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
This is what I want to leave you with…Are you truly guarding your heart to things that are pleasing to the Lord? Or are you letting the world take over your heart? It’s hard to live for Him, I know! He will give you the strength to live according to His will, I know that for sure.
by Jordan Bright | Nov 30, 2015
The other day, as I was doing my daily quiet time, I read I verse that really stood out to me. It was Hebrews 11:27, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son.”
Most of us know the story, but have we thought of the impact it should have on us? As I sat, pondering my reading, especially verse 27, I realized that God was telling me that I have been trying to do it myself too much. I have not put enough of my trust in my Savior!
Life gets busy, we get distracted, and don’t live like Abraham did. He trusted and loved God so much that he was ready to sacrifice his only son to the Lord. Could you do that? I don’t have children, but I certainly couldn’t give them up to God!
The actual definition of “Faith” is believing what you cannot see; however, I think there is more than that. Faith means putting your complete trust in Him (Not relying on yourself). There is a difference in putting your faith in the chair you’re sitting in and putting your faith in the Almighty God.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Did you catch the end? Not only should we believe in His existence, but we need to believe in His love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc. We as believers should have faith in the good and the bad, the easy and the hard.
Is it hard to trust? The answer is wholeheartedly, “YES!” However, I believe that having faith can give you a joy and peace beyond comprehension.
Rom. 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Let’s pray for God to give us strong faith. Be prepared though, once you ask, He’ll answer. Are you ready to be tested?
Praying Hands. Digital Image. Full Measure Ministries, 2015 Web. 10 November, 2015. http://fullmeasureministries.org/