You are so loved John 3:16

10/05/2024

One from Chris Jarrard

10/05/2024

STREAM THE SONG: https://onerpm.link/god-we-need-you-now-acousticFOLLOW STRUGGLE: https://www.facebook.com/IAmStrugglehttps://twitter.com/youngstrugghttps://...

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

❤️❤️❤️

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

07/05/2024

Weariness appears to be the new buzzword on everyone's lips, along with burnout, fatigue, compassion fatigue, exhaustion, etc. However, weariness is not new, as we see in Isaiah 40, which speaks about youths becoming weak and tired and young men falling into exhaustion. Jesus himself says in Matthew 11 to come to him in our weariness and that He will give us rest. As a counselor , I often help people process weariness, and I have become aware that "rest" is not working for many. We can spend the day physically resting, but our minds are stuck in ruminating thoughts, or our spirit is distressed. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us to consider our spirit, soul and body. The King James Version of this text uses the phrase "preserve" instead of "be kept blameless." The biblical meaning of preserve is to reserve, observe, attend to carefully, take care of, to guard. So, how do we take off and guard our spirit, soul and body when it comes to weariness? How do we align spirit, soul and body with truth to live and function in a state of rest even when our diaries are busy?

That may sound contradictory, but the truth is that some "work" from a place of trying to prove or earn their value. This is rooted in an identity intertwined with performance, resulting in striving, competitiveness, comparison, a fear of failure, and anxiety. Working to earn your value will rob you of physical rest as you work longer hours. It will hinder your mind from switching off as you lay awake in ruminating thoughts and fears whilst keeping your soul in distress.

The biblical meaning of distress is to be in a state of adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, tribulation, and trouble. I believe when we are trying to earn our value and worth, deep down inside, we know we can't; we need a Savior. This is why our spirit finds itself in distress. We cannot save ourselves from our afflictions and fallenness.

A spirit at peace is not affected by external dynamics. The biblical meaning of this phrase, "the peace of God," found in Philippians 4:7, is "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is."

This is the goal and destination of this reading plan, and I hope this journey will be a blessing to all who take it with me.

Reflection Space:

Do you struggle with sleep? If yes, consider what area you are struggling in.
Do you struggle to fall asleep because your mind is busy and overstimulated?
If you wake up in the early hours, do you struggle to go back to sleep?
Do you find yourself having ruminating conversations in your mind?
Do you struggle with conflict, resulting in built-up resentment and anger?
Do you fear failure and get anxious when performing?
Which area of your life - spirit, soul, body is needing the most attention?
Pray:

Lord, I thank you that rest is your idea and peace is your promise. I invite you, Jesus, into this journey with me of overcoming weariness. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Amen.

07/05/2024

Your work/job is a blessing. Every work has it’s own frustrations but every work also has it’s joy. Your attitude determines much of how your work feels.

…and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬ ‭

07/05/2024

“and ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭

Yes, this still applies today…possibly more than most of us are aware of.

06/05/2024

Thank you...to all who served.
to all who are serving.
to the families who are serving while their loved one is in there.

And May the Lord grant you peace and blessings if you have lost someone while serving.

Our government may not be standing straight and following God like they should but many American citizens still are and we thank you all.

06/05/2024

Don't let people keep you from God or church.
Think of church as a hospital. People go there who need help from God. No one is ever so perfect that they can look down on another.

02/05/2024

A PRAYER FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
God our Father, Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.
You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights
to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.
Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation's leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness
is rooted in seeking and doing Your will.
Grant us the courage to reject the "culture of death."
Lead our country in repentance where we have strayed from You and not followed Your law and commands.
Father, we ask that You watch over and keep our military to ensure that they are strong, encouraged, and safe. Let them Be Strong and Of Good Courage, assuring each one that You are watching over them and You are the God that never sleeps nor slumbers. We ask for Your divine intervention in challenging situations, protection from harm, and safety for all. God, we request that You turn the hearts of all Americans and that we place our trust in God rather than relying solely on our own strength and resources.
Lord, we repent and ask You to forgive the sins of the nation and to heal our land.
We pray for the laborers in the field who are spreading the gospel and serving the needy. We pray for every church in America to grow spiritually, reach more people, and impact the nation and the world.
We pray for those in our country who are lost to be saved and for the gospel to go forth in power and truth. We stand in the gap and intercede for our younger generation. We pray for their spiritual growth, protection, and positive influence.
We pray for unity in our country and in the body of Christ and for the church to be a light and a salt in the world.
Lord, we ask for the governmental leaders of the nation and for God to raise up godly leaders who fear You and seek Your will. We ask that You convict those who are making decisions that are against Your will and lead them into repentance. Let them feel the weight of their position and do what You would have them do for our country to be blessed and if they turn from You or refuse to follow Your laws, Lord we ask that You expose them as evil and remove them. Replace them with Godly men or women who put You first. We pray for peace. We pray for our schools from kindergarten to college, that they put away that which is ungodly and teaches our children the wrong ways to walk in this life. We ask that You guide the steps of each American, whether born here or legally immigrated. We pray for our borders to be secure and to stop the flood of illegal activity and people coming into our country who put our nation at risk or whose God is not You. We pray that Americans will turn to God’s Word, seeking transformation and not conforming to the world’s ways. The Bible provides guidance, wisdom, and hope. We pray for godly character to prevail in America. This includes honesty, integrity, compassion, and humility. We ask for divine guidance for leaders, decision-makers, and citizens. Pray that they seek God’s wisdom in all matters. Father, we ask that You forgive us all and that we all encounter a spirit of repentance. We openly acknowledge that everyone falls short and needs forgiveness. We pray for healing and reconciliation. We ask that all Americans recognize their need for God and approach Him with humility and reverence. We lift up those who are vulnerable—such as the poor, marginalized, and oppressed. Show You loving kindness and mercy and bless those who have felt crushed or downtrodden.
We ask that You hear and answer our prayers in the precious and Holy name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.