Tune My Heart, Episode 18
- Stacy Bishop
- Nov 21, 2024
- 2 min read
Happy Sunday, friend. As you prepare for worship this morning, let’s take a moment of quiet to invite God’s presence into your awareness today.
I want to just acknowledge here today that many people right now are coming into the holiday season with feelings that aren’t all warm and fuzzy. I’ve talked with friends who are feeling isolated. Feeling like their voice isn’t heard. Feeling unsafe. Struggling with loss of loved ones. Or loss of relationships. Feeling anxiety for the future. Depression can run high this season. And I just want to acknowledge that it’s okay to enter this season feeling that way. But I want to encourage you today with some well known verses that help us keep perspective, even in hard and dark times, because there is still much for which we should be grateful. There’s a peace that comes from our Savior, even when the world may feel like it’s spinning out of control.
I would encourage you to even memorize these, if you don’t know them already, and have them ready to preach to yourself in moments where you need it.
Philppians 4:6-7 (NIV) are some favorite verses:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Colossians 3:15 (NIV):
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Psalm 28:7 (NIV):
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV):
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Set your attention and your affections on Jesus, and I believe the peace and thanksgiving will follow, friends. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
Let’s Pray.
Father, it’s so easy to let our focus be drawn to the negative. It’s so easy to even focus on our own emotions without taking them captive and allowing them to be brought to Jesus for truth, peace and perspective. God, many are hurting right now for so many valid reasons. Would You help them to look to You and to find joy and peace, in spite of the pain. Father, would You help us as leaders in Your Church to lead well in this. To show that both can be true—that we can feel pain and struggle with things without it diminishing our hope and peace. Thank You for the example of Jesus, who showed us a wide range of emotions, but never lost sight of His calling and purpose. Help us to be bringers of joy and hope and Good News. Help us to worship with hearts of thanksgiving. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A downloadable/printable version of today's devo can be found here:
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