So I have this thought, and that is: in the Bible, usually the “repent and turn from your wicked ways” was directed at people who were claiming to follow God already but were really not in their hearts, while the “good news” was proclaimed to the rest of the world. And I think today Christians get it wrong because they go all “repent and turn from your wicked ways” on people outside Christianity, when they really should be going “hey I have some really good news for you” and I think that’s at least partially why Christians have such a bad reputation in the world. Because people outside Christianity don’t need to be told “you’re evil and my religion is the only cure”, they need to be told good news like “hey you feel hopeless here’s some hope!”
I’m a Seventh Day Adventist, meaning I go to church on Saturday/make Saturday a special day. I grew up with things that we should/shouldn’t do on Sabbath, e.g. homework, reading secular books/watching secular movies, shopping etc. I’ve had conversations with people about this, and I think the general perception of this is wrong. The thing about doing or not doing on sabbath ((or sunday, for non-SDA’s) isn’t about the rules or what’s allowed, it’s about keeping sabbath special and separate. If you do nothing different, sabbath won’t feel different. So while there’s nothing morally wrong with reading Harry Potter on sabbath, it just means that the rest of the week seeps into it, making it less special.
Psalm 4:8 I will lie down in peace, and sleep: for You, Lord, only make me dwell in safety.
Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: Your sleep shall be sweet.
Today, if you’ve been struggling with getting good sleep because you’ve been carrying the cares of the world, release them to God. Just say, “Father, I trust You. I trust that You are working things out for my good. I trust that You are ordering my steps. Thank You for Your good and precious promises, and thank You for the gift of sweet sleep! I receive it in Jesus’ name!”
I’ve been struggling with this. It’s my second week of the Winter Semester. I’m a university student. Academics stress and worry me a lot and affect my sleep. I hope this helps someone who is also struggling with sleep for whatever reason(s). May God help us all rest well! Amen
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
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.
Imagine you’re watching Jesus hang from the cross. The only way He can breathe is by pushing Himself up using the nails in His wrists and ankles.
As the day draws to an end, He musters what little strength He has left to pull Himself up again so that He can cry out: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”
If we’re being honest with ourselves, we’ve all probably had moments where we’ve asked God, “Where are You in this? Why have You forsaken me?”
How should we respond when we find ourselves in situations where we feel alone, anxious, or forsaken?
The words Jesus spoke on the cross were actually taken from Psalm 22—a prophetic lament written by King David. In many ways, this Psalm is about Jesus, but it also provides us with three action steps we can follow when we feel alone:
1. Be honest with God about how you’re feeling.
Relationships start with being real. So if you’re feeling forsaken by God, tell Him that. Ask God your questions, and prepare your heart to hear his answers.
2. Give God glory anyway.
Our feelings don’t change the fact that God is worthy of being worshiped. In fact, it’s often through worship that we discover the cure for our worry. When we focus on who God is, our perspective eventually shifts—even if our situation doesn’t.
3. Remind God of his promises.
Throughout Psalm 22, David basically tells God, “I know who You are. And since You’re always true to character, deliver me like You’ve delivered Your people before me.” Reminding God of his promises is not only an act of faith, but it also helps us remember the faithfulness of God’s character.
Ultimately, God’s faithfulness was personified when Jesus was crucified. Jesus willingly suffered alone on the cross so that we could experience eternal companionship with God. Jesus is the prophetic fulfillment of Psalm 22. And, because He endured separation from God, we never have to.
Take a moment to reflect on Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for you.
Pray: Jesus, thank You for rescuing me from eternal separation from You. It’s because You willingly endured separation from Your Father that I never have to. Today, help me to pause and reflect on the magnitude of Your sacrifice, and to give You the glory You rightly deserve. No matter what I’m feeling, You are always worthy of my worship. So today, I choose to worship You. In Jesus’ name, Amen
