“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’"
Matthew 6:9-13
"Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world.” — P. Chodron
Too many people walk around everyday having no idea how much they matter. I truly believe the enemy uses self-doubt and low self-esteem to lie to us, and in our fear of failure we believe it. If you are feeling like you aren't good enough, like you aren't worthy, please hear this today: You were created in God's image; He utterly and unabashedly adores you. You were created for a purpose. You are His child! If you open your heart to Him, He will begin to heal every hurt in your heart and show you the truth about how amazing you really are. Print this verse below and read it to yourself every time you doubt that you are a chosen child of God. You are his masterpiece! Know this, believe it, trust in Him, and spread the message of His love to others so they can understand how much they matter, too.
“For we are God's masterpiece. He has created-us anew-in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." — Ephesians 2:10
"The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.” Dwight L. Moody
It can be difficult to accept God's grace. We feel guilty. We feel like we've fallen too many times. If this were a job, we'd be fired by now! The burden and shame of our guilt causes our spiritual vision to be clouded. When this happens, we forget to pay attention to the truth that matters- God loves us and forgives us. He is compassionate and full of mercy. While our sin angers and hurts Him, it doesn't ever make Him stop loving us. And when we turn back and ask for forgiveness, He gives it freely and without condemnation! Look at the story of the adulterous woman in John 8, Jesus tells her, "neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." (vs. 11) God doesn't want us to live with shame- He wants us to lay down all our burdens and sins and accept His grace and forgiveness. He wants us to live our lives in His fullness. If you are holding on to shame, leave it at His feet today and experience the mercy and love He is offering to you.
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him." Daniel 9:9
Journey on!
When God created this world, when he created us, it was never intended that we should take on the weight of the world alone. We were never meant to fix the world, and the world has never had the capacity to fix us. We were made to love and be loved, by a God who deeply cares for us. It's time to stop carrying the burdens of this world like chains around our necks, holding us back. We need to accept the beautiful gift of grace that God has for us.
You are not going to be perfect. Life isn't always going to go how you hope. People will sometimes let you down. You may struggle, and all of those things matter... but my friend, our difficulties on this earth are not faced alone. You have a God who is above all else. He walks every step with you. He rejoices over our growth and our successes, and holds us tightly through our failures and losses. He sent His son. Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin. He offers us life-giving, soul-quenching freedom each and every day. His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Don't let Satan discourage you or make you believe that you are "less than." And don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You are a child of the Lord God, and He alone is in control! Be free in that truth today.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36
Journey on!
Our God is mighty. He loves you more than you could ever know! How often do we stop and celebrate just how Awesome is our God? Take time today to give thanks to Him for all He has done in your life. Lift Him up in song or prayer. Celebrate the fact that you are His child and He is always with you. Our God is truly incredible and worthy of praise!
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.”
— Psalm 47:1-2
"Love isn't something you find. Love is something that finds you.” Loretta Young
Have you ever poured out love to someone who took it for granted? Love is the most powerful emotion and force we humans have to share, and yet it can cause us the most pain when it is not reciprocated, or when it is false. Not everyone will accept the love you show them.
Sometimes we mistakenly believe that God's love is conditional and easily lost as well. But the truth is, He does love you no matter what! You are His child and even if you make the choice not to accept it, the love itself is not taken away. He loves you dearly and longs for the day you will return to Him and accept His gift of salvation, just as the shepherd searched longingly for his lost sheep (Matthew 18). The choice is always yours. The love, compassion and grace He has for you is shown through the sacrifice Jesus made on that cross. There is nothing you have done or could do that He would not forgive if you come to Him. His love is amazing. Don't push God away because you are afraid that He could never love you- that is a lie from Satan. God will ALWAYS love you. Will you love Him back?
"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies..how priceless is your unfailing love!” Psalm 36:5-6
Journey on!
Life is a journey, and it can often feel like the way forward is unknown. We struggle wanting to know the right choices to make. We wrestle with how we will accomplish the things we set out to do. We question whether the things we are already doing are the right ones. But the truth is, we have a God who holds the map to our lives! We don't have all the answers, but He does. When we put our faith and trust in Him, and look to Him for answers, He will guide us down the right paths. He will bless us when we step out on faith and trust Him. We don't have to worry or fret about what to do, only bring it to Him and give Him control. He will show us His will if we keep seeking His face. It's not always perfectly clear, but if we are trusting in Him and honoring Him with our choices, He will bless us. Trust Him with your life because He knows the best way for you.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11
Journey on!
The beauty of a candle is in its ability to light an entire room with but a single, small flame. There is something so peaceful, warm, and comforting about candlelight. I am in awe of the fact that God's Love is infinitely brighter than a tiny candle. It amazes me to realize that when I allow His love to shine, there is no dark corner, no deep shadow left in my soul, because I have been filled with an everlasting light. Whatever you are dealing with in your life right now, there is nothing too dark or too difficult for God's love to shine through. He can fill you with a light that casts out any darkness. He can comfort you in the glow of His love. Pray for God to illuminate your life today!
"The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.” Psalm 118:27
Journey on!
I love the beauty and newness of Spring. Flowers bloom all around, butterflies emerge, tees blossom, baby animals are born...it is a season of beginnings. In this gorgeous tome of year, take every opportunity to sit outside, go for a walk, and embrace the glory of God. Experience His majesty in the beauty of nature. Listen for His voice in the whispers of winds through the trees. Feel His peace beside the bank of a creek. Let the sunshine of His love shine upon you. The Glory of God is evident all year, but what a blessing to take note of it especially in this precious
season of new life.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psaim 19:1
Journey on!
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
It’s incredibly easy to go through life and miss out on the wonders around us. I struggle with this often. I catch glimpses of beauty, snippets of song, find moments of awe… here and there between staring at one screen to the next, finishing one meeting to rush to another, making sure dinner is made and kids are carted to activities and bills are paid. I know if I’d pay more attention, I would see more of the beauty around me, I know if I’d take a quiet walk in nature, or focus on the clouds, or really look into someone’s eyes, I’d see more of God. My prayer today is that we would, as Yeats said, allow our sense to grow sharper. That we would see the incredible things in even the most common situations. That we would glorify God for all the wonders He has blessed us with, instead of missing them completely.
“Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.”
Journey on!
We don’t always feel strong enough to face the challenges of this life. But our God never intended for us to do battle alone! We are not enough… not without God. But with Him, we are stronger than we could ever be! Our God is so great, so strong, and so powerful that no matter what comes our way, we can face it with HIS strength in us. As His children, we are filled with God. He is in us, and he is for us. Whatever you think you can’t do today… know that GOD can! He will lift you up and give you the courage and strength you need to face whatever comes your way. Trust in that strength and do not be afraid!
“You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.”
Journey on!
Some of the world’s most beautiful sights were created imperfectly. Gemstones broken out of rocks, priceless art from a spilled paint can, a monument made more famous because it was structural disaster (the Leaning Tower of Pisa!). We often think we have to be perfect to be beautiful. We think we have to be perfect for God to love us or want us. But the fact is, He loves us deeply even when we are spiritually ugly. When we are stained with sin, broken from life, hurt and imperfect. He gave Jesus to us, not because we were already perfect, but so we could be made perfect in Him! Accept Jesus, no matter where you are right now. Let Him love you in all your imperfections. You are His child, and you are loved!
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly... God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Journey on!
“A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have.”
It’s not always easy to remember to love Christ as a personal friend. Sometimes that’s because it’s hard for us to feel worthy of such a title, even though the Bible tells us we’re worthy because He is worthy and has died for us! Other times it’s because we’ve become too wrapped up in checklists and religious motions to really treat our relationship with Christ as personal. And then there are seasons of our lives when we can get caught up in the busyness of earthly things and forget to engage Jesus altogether. In this particular season of your life, what is holding you back from a deep, personal relationship with Jesus? What are some ways you can refocus on Christ as your best friend again? We are so incredibly blessed that God sent Jesus to Earth to not only save us from our sins but to be our companion, brother, and friend. Embrace the truth and freedom that Jesus loves you right where you are today, and in that peaceful place of mercy, surround yourself with His love and friendship.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
Journey on!
“There’s a god-shaped hole in all of us
And the restless soul is searching…
There’s a god-shaped hole in all of us
And it’s a void only he can fill.”
— Plumb
We feel that emptiness deep in our hearts… in places others don’t see. We feel the hurt, the longing, the desire for more, but we don’t always understand it. We reach out to the world, to our loved ones and our spouses… and then we rail against them for not successfully filling the void. We look to success , to food, to words of affirmation, to almost anything we think might make us feel whole. And the more things we cram into our hearts the less fulfilled we feel. Maybe there is something wrong with us, we think. Maybe God made a mistake.
But we are made exactly how God intended, and we are not doomed to a life of emptiness and thirst. God loves us so much. He gives us living water (John 4:14) that fills our spirits in ways NO other thing of this world can do! We need God. We need His power, His love, His mercy, His grace, His beauty. Even the ones we love the most in this world cannot complete us the way God can. If you are searching for something to heal the hurt or fill an empty void in your heart, turn only to God. Let His love overflow and be more than enough for your needs. You will find great joy in allowing Him to fill your soul!
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
Journey on!
The Journey Community Church is located at 380 South Seventh Street, Ponchatoula, LA 70454
