Where Do You Seek Refuge? [Day 26]

By Ursula Rosien

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2 ESV)

How do you cope with suffering? Inconveniences, moments of discouragement? Where do you choose to go? 

We are experiencing a unique moment in time when all of our conveniences, things we think we deserve, and things we depend on are shut down. It took less than a month for the world to choose between what is essential and what is not. 

Suddenly we are at home all day; depending on your situation, you might not have much spare time, especially taking care of little ones. Or you are fortunate enough that you can work from home. Or you have so much time at your disposal, you don’t know what to do with yourself. 

Before the pandemic, I had a time when I found myself with more time at my disposal. My church shut down, and I lost my community, relationships, and, most of all, a place to worship God. During this time of loss, I sought refuge in books. Avoiding my reality was my goal. I went from driving in my car with audiobooks to falling asleep reading my books on Kindle and waking up to Audible again. Is reading a bad habit? I would say no, but seeking every minute of my “spare” time to find refuge in reading books became a bad habit.

Where are you seeking refuge today? Are you going through show after show on Netflix?

When we seek refuge in the Lord, He will provide His perfect peace and shelter us from the chaos of our circumstances.

Choose “to dwell in the shelter of the Most High” first thing in the morning. 

How? Pick a verse (maybe the verse above) and memorize it. Having God’s word in your brain has supernatural power. I’ve experienced it. Reading my Bible and seeking Him first every morning gives me the desire to dwell and abide in Him. I encourage you to seek Him first and find refuge in Him first.

Prayer

“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Father God, I pray at this very moment that You would draw me near to You. That by memorizing Your word, I would desire to put You first and spend time with YOU first throughout my “spare” time during this pandemic. Amen.

Love, Power, and… Self-Discipline? [Day 25]

By Nathan Lee

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Have you ever chosen to be upset? Even when your anger is dissipating, you still feel like you have the right to be angry. Maybe even when you know you shouldn’t be angry anymore, you still want to be. Here’s another odd question: Have you ever chosen to be sad? Something happens, and even as you start to feel normal (or even joyful), you tell yourself that you shouldn’t feel this way. Maybe it really isn’t a big deal, but you just want to stay melancholy.

I can definitely say yes to both questions, unfortunately.

I experience a frustration like no other when someone drives dangerously/poorly near me. When drivers “forget” to signal before changing lanes, drive 5-10 mph below the speed limit, or—God forbid—have no remorse when making a clear error, an inner fire starts to burn. (For the record, I’m not saying that I’m in the right for feeling this way.) But even when the situation resolves, everyone is safe, and life goes on, I’ve noticed that there are times when I just want to stay angry.

I also recently experienced disappointment: the cutest Cavapoo puppy was available until the minute before I had made the decision to buy him. A dog was never a must-have, though; if anything, I just wanted to stay sad because I felt like I just missed out on the dog, even though my girlfriend Yuna was doing all she could to cheer me up and gently knock some sense into me. I just didn’t want to feel fine immediately.

These experiences may seem trivial, but they shed light on a bigger and deeper personal issue: a lack of self-discipline. I let myself feel the initial (and rightful) anger or disappointment, but there are times when I have let myself soak in it. I admit that I lack self-discipline.

In this particular season of my life, I really believe the Holy Spirit is teaching me a different aspect of self-discipline. I would read this verse (in the ESV, it says “self-control”) and always associate it with a practice of abstaining from doing something. But what I’m learning is that self-discipline is a choice to be like Jesus, a decision to do what He would do and not what I selfishly want to do. Don’t get me wrong: Jesus feels emotions (e.g., righteous anger against the profiteers in the temple, deep sorrow when Lazarus died), so we’re not meant to be emotionless robots. However, I know I have moments throughout my day where I can choose to be patient, kind, and joyful. I can choose to stop doing x, y, and z, but it must be followed with a choice to do something else. And I have the Spirit in me to help me do just that.

Take some time to reflect and ask yourself: In what ways do I lack self-discipline? When is it hardest for me to be—to think, to feel, to act—like Jesus? Give these moments to the Lord and acknowledge them, and believe that the Holy Spirit in you will lead you to grow in self-discipline.

Prayer

Father, I believe that when I repented of my sins and made the decision to trust and follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit was given to me. The Spirit that is within me is not fearful or timid, but He is powerful, loving, and self-disciplined. Help me to live in a manner that solely depends on You and fights to do what Jesus would do. I need You, Lord, and I’m grateful that You lead me. Help me to be led by You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Certainty in Prayer [Day 24]

By Angie Seminaro

“If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14 ESV)

Today I lost my keys. Not the “Oh, they’re somewhere in the house” kind of lost. It was the “They’re somewhere in this park” kind of lost where the park consists of 48 acres. Common sense said I would never find them. But isn’t it great that God doesn’t work out of common sense? I prayed to God, “Lord, direct my steps and show me where my keys are.” And He did! In the middle of a giant grassy field, I found my keys!

We can have complete certainty that God answers our prayers. Not sometimes, but every time. Jesus never mentions unanswered prayers.

Let’s let go of sentimental prayer and start praying with boldness and expectancy that our prayers will be answered. Maybe it goes against common sense but one of my favorites, Oswald Chambers, says it best: “If it were only common sense, it was not worthwhile for Him to say it. The things Jesus says about prayer are supernatural revelations.”

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You that You hear and answer our prayers. Help us keep You at the center of our lives. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It’s Quiet in Here… but is it Still? [Day 23]

By Carlin Gerstenberger

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalms 37:7 ESV)

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10 ESV)

Learn to be calm, and to conduct your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk honestly toward those who are outsiders and that you may lack nothing. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 MEV)

Over the past few weeks, I—like most of us—have found myself in the otherworldly, isolated predicament of quarantine. These unique circumstances are only magnified in juxtaposition with the fact that, over the past 9 months, my time has been packed with climbing trips, business travel, wedding planning, moving, getting married, honeymooning, and more. It feels like life went from an 80-mph highway to a 15-mph school zone. And I—like most of us—have found myself rather uncomfortable with the ensuing lack of road noise; the normalizing hum of life is gone.

And yet, in this time, the Lord has led me on a journey to understand the difference between “quietness” and “stillness”... Turns out the 15-mph school zone slowed me down enough to learn some new lessons!

Scripture refers to “being still” more than a few times throughout both Testaments. What I love about these instances is the fact that each tone and situation is distinctly different. From saints feeling forsaken (Psalm 37) to times of raging nations (Psalms 46) to the budding church development of Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 4), many different circumstances exist. And with these differing situations come unique levels of life quietness, where the amplitude of perceived life activity functions on a full spectrum! So, if quietness (or lack thereof) is directly correlated with life circumstances, what is stillness? In Hebrew, the word is damam. In Greek, the word is hésuchazó. Quite literally, stillness is opposing speech and/or movement, resting, and holding one’s peace (Strong’s Concordance).

Essentially, regardless of life’s volume, being still is slowing down enough to pursue peace. It’s an active heart position. It’s an operative state of mind. And it’s not linked to surrounding circumstances. Much like Jesus commanded the storms of Galilee to be still, so we carry the authority through Him (2 Timothy 1:7; Ephesians 1:18-21) to maintain ourselves in a peaceful state. As made clear in the Psalms, practicing stillness is the precursor to having patience, knowing who God is, and influencing the world. Not only that, but stillness also combats comparison, fear, and pride.

Whether you are experiencing turbulent waves during this time, or are simply shocked by the lack of life noise, we can all practice being still with the Lord. From this place of peace, we can see the Lord’s goodness at work in our lives, hear what He has to say to us in this season and know our identity in Him.

What are YOU doing during this season of quietness? 

Are you choosing to look around and be distracted by the shift of pace, the world’s response to crisis, and others’ situations that look different than yours?

Or are you pursuing peace in your heart and mind and taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) in order to hear what the Lord has for you in this season of life?

Prayer

Father God, show me how to practice stillness and peace during this time. I want to know You in a deeper way, and be led by Your Holy Spirit as I navigate life’s full spectrum of volumes. I do not listen to the voices of comparison and fear, but instead know that You are the one who works things out for the good of those who love You. I rest in who You are, and who I am because of You. I am open to the words You are speaking to me, and trust in Your guidance as Father, Provider, and Friend. In Jesus’ powerful name, amen.

Don't Pay for Parking [Day 22]

By Andrew Jennings

Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:13-14 NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. (Psalm 23:1-3a NLT)

You’ve heard it a million times. “Don’t pay for parking!” It’s practically one of Kalos’ mottos by now. Find a volunteer who has a green ticket. Put the white ticket in first and the green ticket in second! It’s that simple. Yet for some reason, green ticket in hand, some people still decide to put their credit card in that machine. Why!? Why would you waste both your own money and Kalos’?

God’s grace is like our green tickets. It’s free, and it helps us get through life’s barriers. But how many times do we put our own credit card into life’s machine? I’m burnt out, so I binge-watch Netflix. I’m depressed, so I go for a run, pour myself a drink, or eat too many carbs. What would happen if we started using our green tickets, though? I’m burnt out, so I turn on worship music. I’m depressed, so I pull out the Scripture, stop what I’m doing to pray, or memorize a chapter of the Bible. Jesus promised to give us life that would be a fresh, bubbling spring and give us eternal life. So today, instead of putting your own credit card into the machine, choose the green card. DON’T PAY FOR PARKING!

Turn on a great worship song (“Whole Heart” by Hillsong United; “Grace Alone” by Kings Kaleidoscope; “Prince of Peace” by Hillsong United; “You Came (Lazarus)” by Bethel Music; “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury), and spend the time thinking through what you’re going through and how to invite Jesus to be more a part of it.

Prayer

Lord, I know that I am not supposed to do life on my own. Forgive me for the times I do so anyway. Today I ask YOU for the grace to face today. I ask YOU for today’s daily bread. I ask YOU for the strength to overcome adversity. I ask YOU to stave off my loneliness. I ask YOU to be my source of energy and strength today. Unlike anything else I would search, I know You have all that I need. Thank You for Your grace; I know what it cost You, and I live today because of it!

Was I Busy or Impactful? [Day 21]

By Renee St Jacques

All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. (1 Corinthians 10:23 AMP)

It’s an interesting time to take a breather from our over-scheduled lives and evaluate them. Think about it: What were we so busy with in the first place? 

As this quarantine has been a personal forcing function for me to step back and slow down, I recall a set of goals I had written at the beginning of 2020. These were goals I had written with the end in mind: What would I want the fruit of my life to be? What kind of relationships do I want to have with God and those in my life? What kind of children do I want to raise, and what kind of marriage do I want to cultivate? What does true success look like in my career, not just achievements and accomplishments but actual impact?

As I went back to review them, I knew the truth. If I was honest with myself, if this pandemic hadn’t happened and the world didn’t come to a literal stop, I would keep living the way I always did—and that was to allow the busyness and loud demands of my work usurp my focus and time on the other critical relational aspects of my life.

There’s a difference between busy and impactful (or fruitful). Busy means a schedule full of meetings and activities, but the bottom line is there’s nothing much to show for it. 

What difference was made? What impact did you want in the first place? 

Impactful and fruitful starts with vision for what difference you want to make. What does the world need from me? What is my calling? What will matter at the end of the day? What will last for eternity? Impactful and fruitful means aligning your daily life and agenda to the values and priorities in order to change what you care about most. I’ve started to make real changes, everything from finally taking a Sabbath to reconfiguring my childcare arrangements to truly reprioritizing and living a fruitful life, and I invite you to do so, too! 

Consider this: How have you been spending your time? Be truthful with yourself. Have you just been busy, or have you truly been spending your time and energy towards things that “move the needle” the way you want with impact for a life serving God?

Take an inventory of your time, finances, energy, thoughts, and goals. Pray about what tangible changes you can make to live a life you know will count.

Prayer

Father God, please help us take a hard, truthful look at the ways we have been living, and how we’ve been spending our time, resources, finances, and thoughts. Give us full clarity about what You’ve called us to do and what will count towards eternity. Direct our steps to reorder and redesign our life to honor You and provide us the grace, courage, and divine provision to make those changes. Amen.

Consistent through Chaos and Stagnation [Day 20]

By Megan Knott

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)

I have taken a lot of walks in the past few weeks. They break up my uneventful days and give me a chance to remember there is still a world beyond my apartment and computer screen. The other day, while walking along a stream, my friend shifted to dodge a muddy puddle of water on our path. He remarked that he did not understand why or how it had formed in that specific spot. It was several yards away from the stream, and the sunny weather had dried most of the trail. We had chosen to walk along this stream. We enjoyed the consistent sound of the flowing water. We knew the direction we were going because of it. It was running down the hill, leading us to the ocean. But we were momentarily very confused, inconvenienced, and thrown off of our intended steady pace by this stagnant pool of water.

I think we find a lot of comfort in our own busyness, our streams of activity. Our checklists are our security blankets. As long as we have something to add to them, we have a tangible reminder of our purpose. We have direction and work each day toward our goals, flowing along with our plans and checklist.

I feel the most purpose and direction when I am doing, helping people, and actively accomplishing something, as well as when I can recognize personal growth and progress. Emotions of guilt, anxiety, fear, loneliness, and shame seem to come much more freely when I am resting or still. Lately, the balance between activity and stillness feels very off, so those negative emotions have come with a lot of force most days. My schedule has drastically changed; most tangible forms of community have felt stripped away. My friends have had to return to difficult living situations, lost jobs, and lost opportunities for counseling and treatment programs. Our personal progress and accomplishments have been put on hold. We are stuck, waiting to get back to the normal flow of things, back to our familiar stream.

During all of this, I feel so much comfort in God’s consistency. In this time when everything in our control feels stagnant and everything out of our control feels chaotic, God is the same. Every day that I wake up trying to work to feel fulfillment or strive to get to the place of believing I am worthy of His attention, and every night when I lay down feeling dejected because I didn’t “make it,” He is there and He is the same. His love for us is the same. Our worth in His eyes is the same. He wants every hour of our boring, lonely, unproductive isolated days; He wants to fill them with peace. If all we accomplished today was recognizing a way that God loves us, or pausing and appreciating the peace He gives, or meditating on the extravagance of His grace, He would be proud of our day. Right now, in this period of unknown and stagnation, when it feels like we have been cut off and are stuck in this pool of still and murky water, He offers love and peace.

Our ocean or end goal might be different, our streams and checklists of activity are individually unique, and this puddle we are all currently stuck in will affect us all in different ways. But our God who made all the streams and seas is the same. He is so proud of the work we do, but His love is not dependent on it. His love for you is perfect and complete every day. It doesn’t vary with seasons, storms, or pandemics. It was before, is during, and will be after. He is consistent in the unpredictable. He offers us the same love whether or not we scramble to earn it.

During this past month, I have found myself constantly trying to find a positive outlook or an angle where I can say, “This time of isolation or quarantine is just what I needed to learn ____, or have more time to work on ____, or overcome my issue with ____.” And while I probably will look back and in hindsight find a hundred ways to fill those blanks, I don’t think that is the point. I think God cares about our present, too, and has peace and love for us now. We need to spend this time resting in the consistency of God’s love and peace, and stop working to prove our worthiness of it.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that Your love is not dependent on our works, especially in this period of time when we are physically limited in doing much of that work. Thank You that You are consistent in this time of stagnant waiting with all its unknowns. I pray that You use this time to give us new insight on what purpose means to You, and that You would broaden our perspectives to see that we will not be in this place for long, that You are so much bigger than this puddle. Help us to experience Your steadfast love right now and in the next few weeks. Help us accept Your peace and love even when we cannot offer back our works and accomplishments. We are ready to be present with You.

A Good Parent [Day 19]

By Lenora Turner

“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” (Matthew 7:11 NLT)

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 NLT)

I’m an imperfect mom. I’ve certainly made my mistakes. My two children are now young adults. From the time they were in my womb through nursing, school, and the challenges of life, nearly all of my choices have hinged on how I could protect, provide for, and guide them to their best possible life. I ate differently when pregnant, sacrificed to be with them, endured painful times, and made tough choices to help them navigate the storms of life.

If—with my human weaknesses—I’ve shown patience, mercy, love, forgiveness… how much more can I expect God to watch over me carefully, pick me up when I fall, meet my needs with patience, and guide me successfully through the storms of life?

Depending on our family experience or learned perspective of God, too often we see Him as distant and disapproving. Instead, He says He counts the hairs on our head, and His thoughts of us outnumber the sands of the sea. He says His mercy endures forever. He is moved with compassion, and He is creative, generous, and kind.

I encourage you to talk to God off and on all day. Ask Him to help you see Him as He really is. He hears you. Remember, if we know how to answer a call for help, how much more does He?

Prayer

God, I need You. I’m so glad You think about me so much. Help me to come to know You better and to trust You more. Help me pour my heart out to You. Help me laugh. Restore my hope.  Help me take the next steps for my future, and thank You that I can expect You to guide me and provide for me as a kind and generous Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.