I didn’t attend church today, because I’ve got a cold and didn’t want to get anyone else sick, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have worship. Around 2 o'clock took a bicycle and hit the New River Trail. I biked the first two miles like a madman, quickly tiring myself, so I turned to go back. On the way back, I put on some Christian music I haven’t listened to in forever, such as TobyMac and Disciple, and just sat down and took it easy, looking around and relaxing. It was such a beautiful day, and for the first time in months, I felt God’s presence in full force. Don’t get me wrong, I know He’s been there the whole time. I just haven’t stepped away from this world’s madness long enough to notice. Here I was, in the middle of nature, away from the Internet, away from Facebook, texting no one, no distractions, and now I could focus on God. Everything suddenly seemed so beautiful, or rather I finally noticed it’s beauty. I turned into a 7 year old girl with my phone’s camera, pulling to the side of the trail, taking pictures of everything, wanting to share this with everyone. I got back to my vehicle, and turned back around to ride those two miles again. Now, I could give you several different devotions from this, but I think I’ll just sum up two things I want you to take away from this.1. Only when I stopped riding so quickly and heavily, deciding rather to relax and take it slow was I really able to enjoy the ride. When I was going slow, I was able to take the time to enjoy the beauty God has put in this world. Only when I took time to notice this beauty, did I feel Him, showing me that He is ALWAYS there, I just have to step away from everything and make time for Him.2. When I was on that trail, I was texting no one. I was not on Facebook. I had no Internet access. All I had was a beautiful day, a bicycle, and some uplifting Christian music. That’s when I felt God. To be close to God, to really feel Him, you have to put your phone down, step away from your computer, turn off the TV, and find somewhere that you can enjoy the beauty God has put in this world. I felt closer to God alone on that trail than I have in a long time, and that’s because I had no distractions. I love God very much. Even after rebelling against Him as I did, even after doing the awful things I’ve done, even after ignoring Him as I did, He still does this for me. He is indeed merciful and loving. I’m very thankful for my zillionth 2nd chance. I encourage you guys to go out and meet God today. Put your phone away, turn off your TV and computer, and just step outside your house into God’s beauty. It will overwhelm you. “Today is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.”
Jesus Christ said, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming…
“Behold, Lord, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain:
He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in Thee.”
There has been so much bad news lately that sometimes I find myself feeling very anxious and unsafe. Psalm 103:19 reminds me that God truly is in control of all things no matter what is going on in the world.
“The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.” ~ Psalms 103:19 KJV
The Psalmist tells us, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget…
Dear Heavenly Father, please send rivers of Thy holy peace & stability to our country. Put an end to violence, give wisdom & guidance to our leaders, protect everyone from all evil, harm, sickness, & danger, & fill our hearts with Thy holy love and compassion; thank You, Lord, we love You, in Jesus’ name. Amen ❤️
Lord, help me to always pray And not give up on Thee, To know that You are listening Although I cannot see… Thy face nor hear Thy voice With neither eye nor ear, And yet Thy Word has promised Thy sheep Thy voice can hear…
Thy sheep You hold always Firmly in Thy hands, Eternal life You give them, None shall ever pluck them… From out of Thy hands For there are none so…
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection. But, we do know it took place during the Passover celebration: a week-long holiday that commemorated when God freed the Israelites from slavery.
During the celebration, Jews would share a meal with each other and sacrifice perfect lambs at the temple before preparing to rest on the Sabbath. It was the day before the Sabbath that Jesus’ body was sealed inside the tomb.
Imagine being a disciple of Jesus while this happened. Not only has one of your closest friends just been wrongly killed, but you aren’t allowed to properly grieve his death until the day of rest is over.
What the disciples didn’t realize at the time was that the pain they were experiencing was part of a bigger story—a plan to redeem us all. God could see the resurrection coming, even though the disciples couldn’t.
Rest reminds us that God is Lord over every situation. And rest helps us refocus on what matters most: the One who promises to provide all we need. When we choose to be still in the middle of hardship, we choose to worship God.
So no matter what’s going on around you today, choose to rest in God—even if the world around you is choosing to worry. Nothing is impossible for Him.
Pray: Jesus, today, help me to rest in You. I know that You are greater than whatever’s going on around me. My hope is in You alone because You are my salvation. I believe that You have already answered the cries of my heart, even though I’m still waiting to see the answers. So today, I choose to fix my eyes on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
