Word By Mail

Come to Me and Drink - John 7:37-38

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:42:43 +0000

Watch or Listen to the Full Sermon here.

Come to Me and Drink - John 7:37-38

Meditate

The Feast of Tabernacles was the most joyous celebration in Israel-a week of remembering God's miracles in the wilderness. Each morning the priests carried water from the Pool of Siloam and poured it out at the altar, while the people sang: "With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3). On the last and greatest day, as the priests prepared to pour out the water in front of a packed, ecstatic crowd, Jesus stood and cried out:

John 7:37-38 (NLT)
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"

At the exact moment when Israel was celebrating the symbol of salvation, Jesus revealed Himself as the reality. The water, the rituals, the miracles in the wilderness-all of it pointed to Him. The rock that gushed water when struck was Christ. The water flowing from the temple was Christ. The well of salvation was Christ. And now He invites all who thirst to come to Him and drink.

Apply

Jesus' invitation is universal: anyone may come. It is personal: come to Me. And it is overflowing: rivers of living water will flow from within you. John explains that He was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who would indwell every believer after Jesus' glorification.

This means two things for us today:

We must recognize our thirst. The people at the Feast were surrounded by religion, ritual, and celebration, but still dry inside. We, too, can chase after worldly wells-success, relationships, pleasure-or even religious wells-tradition, knowledge, activity. But they leave us empty. Jesus alone satisfies.
We must keep drinking. Coming to Jesus isn't a one-time sip; it's a daily choice to abide in Him. When we continually "drink Him in" through His Word, prayer, worship, and obedience, His Spirit becomes a river within us. Not a stagnant reservoir, but an overflowing stream that refreshes others around us.

Ask yourself: Am I living parched and dry, running from well to well? Or am I allowing the Spirit to flow through me, carrying Christ's life, love, and power to others?

Respond

Come honestly before Jesus and admit your thirst.
Turn from the dry wells of this world or empty religion.
Receive His invitation afresh: "Come to Me and drink."
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you so His life flows through you to others around you.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I confess my thirst and my tendency to run to dry wells. Today I come to You again. Fill me with Your Spirit so that rivers of living water will flow from my life to others. Be my source, my strength, and my joy. Amen.

Wait in Hope-Psalm 33:20-22

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:35:08 +0000

Be sure to LISTEN to the audio from Daisy (ABOVE) as she shares this devotion and a little bit about our "Alone With God Journal."

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, I fix my hope on You. Teach me, Lord, by your Holy Spirit, to wait with confident trust, rejoice in Your holy name, and rest under Your unfailing love. In Jesus' name, amen.

Hope in You Alone (Psalm 33:20-22)

Key Verse (NLT):
"We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone." (Psalm 33:20-22)

Read Psalm 33:20-22 slowly. Where is God inviting you to shift your hope from outcomes or control to Him-your true Help and Shield?

Meditate

What does God's Word say?

Confident expectation: "We put our hope in the LORD." Hope here is an active trust while we wait; the LORD is both our help and our shield (v.20).
Joy rooted in trust: Our hearts rejoice because we trust in God alone - in His reliable character (v.21).
Surrounded by love: We ask for the LORD's unfailing love (His covenantal steadfast love) to surround us, grounding our confident hope in Him alone (v.22).

Biblical hope isn't wishful thinking; it's steady, glad confidence in who God is. As we wait, He helps and He shields; as we trust, joy rises; as His unfailing love surrounds us, our hope narrows to Him alone.

Apply

How does this truth apply to my life today? Name what you've been relying on - your plans, people's approval, financial security . . . and re-center your hope in the Lord. Practice rejoicing by thanking God for who He is, not just what you want Him to do, and ask for His unfailing love to surround the very place you feel most vulnerable.

Ask the Spirit: "Where have I placed my hope elsewhere? What would it look like to put my hope in You alone today?"

Respond

Today I will:

Name one area where I've leaned on my own strength, then pray v.22 over it: "Lord, let Your unfailing love surround me here."
Pray this prayer throughout your day: "Lord, my hope is in You alone."
Keep Psalm 33:20-22 with you and read it throughout the day.

Make it concrete: Choose one small, specific step that expresses hope in the Lord (a call, a confession, a pause to pray) in the next 24 hours.

Closing Prayer

LORD, You are my Help and my Shield, please surround me with Your unfailing love. Teach my heart to rejoice in the confident hope I have in you, and anchor my trust in You alone. In Jesus' name, amen.

If you can, write your thoughts and responses in your journal.

God is our Refuge Psalm 46

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:09:38 +0000

God Is Our Refuge - Psalm 46

Begin by slowly reading all of Psalm 46, maybe twice.

Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

Why This Matters Right Now

We are not promised a storm‑free life, but we are promised a storm‑proof God. When creation quakes (vv. 2-3) and nations rage (v. 6), God remains present, powerful, and perfectly in control.

Three Anchors for a Shaky World

Refuge: Run to God, not away (v.1). He is near and ready to help.
River: God's presence steadies His people (vv.4-5). He is within His city; she will not fall.
Reign: God ends the war and writes the final line of history (vv.8-9, 10-11).

"Be Still": Surrender, Don't Freeze

"Be still" (v.10) is not passive; it is a call to cease striving and trust God's sovereign hand. It is the posture of worship in the middle of the storm.

Please, slow down and take about 7 minutes to read this full message.

God is Your Refuge

In moments of crisis, we do not look for clever words. We look for God's Word. Psalm 46 was written in the fire of crisis. It comes from the sons of Korah-the worship leaders of Israel-who often wrote their psalms in the middle of crisis. It may have been written after God delivered Jerusalem from the Assyrian army in the days of King Hezekiah. Jerusalem was surrounded by the enemy. Supplies were running low. Families huddled together, and it felt like the ground beneath them was giving way. And then, in one night, God acted. The angel of the Lord swept through the enemy camp and delivered His people. No wonder they wrote: "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

Psalm 46 was written for times when the world shakes, when the strongest mountains crumble, when the waters roar and foam. It was a strong declaration of God's people: "The Lord of Heaven's Armies is with us; the God of Israel is our fortress." Martin Luther leaned on this psalm during his own siege-spiritual, political, and personal. In the storms of the Reformation, Martin Luther wrote "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which came from Psalm 46 and became the anthem of courage in crisis. And you may be in a similar place today. The storm may be getting progressively worse. Your circumstances, your fears, and your burdens may be overwhelming you. That is exactly the moment for Psalm 46. Not when life is calm, but when life is chaos. Not when we feel strong, but when we feel shaken.

The psalmist is overwhelmed in crisis-overwhelmed by his circumstances. He is feeling the earth quaking, the mountains crumbling, and the oceans roaring. That is his way of saying, "It feels like the bottom has dropped out. It feels like everything that felt stable is suddenly giving way." But listen to how he starts in Psalm 46:1 (NLT): "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble."

God is our refuge. That word, "refuge," paints the picture of a mountain cave. It is a hiding place when the storm is raging. It is a place where you can huddle down and know you will be safe until the storm passes. Verse 1 also says God is our strength. It is not just "God is strong"-it is "God is our strength." This is God giving us His strength when He knows ours has run out. And then verse 1 says: God is always ready to help in times of trouble. It means God is always right there, and always ready to help. Other versions say God is a very present help. It means, "a help that is always there." In our times of trouble and mounting crisis, God is our proven, faithful, reliable help.

Because God is our refuge and strength, and because God is always ready to help, Psalm 46:2-3 (NLT) says: "So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" Because God is our refuge, our strength, and here with us ready to help, we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Buildings survive earthquakes not because they look strong on the outside but because they have the deepest foundation. And so, when the earth beneath you shakes, what matters most is how deep the foundation is that you are standing on. In this world we will experience tribulation. The ground beneath us will tremble and shake. We do not have to pretend it is not. But we do need to know: our God has not changed. We can run to Him and be safe. He is our refuge and our shelter. And so the psalmist sings defiantly: let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge.

Then in verse 4, the psalm shifts from the roaring seas of the tribulations of this world to a river that brings joy where God dwells. Psalm 46:4 (NLT): "A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High." While the world is in chaos, God's people are sustained by the life-giving river of His presence. God brings a river that refreshes and restores our strength. In the face of floodwaters that seem to be tearing things apart, the "Living Water" of the river of God brings life. Jerusalem does not have a great river, but it has something better-God Himself. Because God dwells there, that city "cannot be destroyed" and "cannot be moved." Psalm 46:5 (NLT): "God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it."

That is a stark contrast to the earth shaking and the mountains trembling. The ground beneath you may shake, even violently, but what God holds never collapses. Psalm 46:6 (NLT): "The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts!" When we are surrounded by crisis and chaos, we can drink from the river of God's presence. That is what we need when the ground is shaking beneath us. We cannot always calm the chaos around us, but we can drink deeply of the "Living Water" that Jesus is within us. His presence flows into every crisis, every trial, and every tribulation. God's voice thunders, and the earth melts. The circumstances may rage around us. The crises may pile up to overwhelming. But the Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us. He will bring us through the storm. Look at Psalm 46:7 (NLT): "The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress."

Our God is the Lord of Heaven's Armies, and He is here with us. He is our safe place where we can hunker down, cling to Him, trust Him, and know that He will bring us through. And so the psalmist invites us to "Come and see" the glorious works of the Lord. There is no circumstance that He cannot obliterate. There is no battle that He cannot end. Look at Psalm 46:8-9 (NLT): "Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire." Our God is our refuge and our strength. He is in our battle with us, and He will be our victory.

And God calls us to be still and trust Him. Psalm 46:10 (NLT): "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." When you are overwhelmed, your instinct may be to fight to fix it all-or it may be to become paralyzed with fear and anxiety. But whatever your instinct is, God says: "Be still." It means stop striving and start trusting. It is unclenching your fists and opening your hands to God, releasing to Him all that you cannot fix and all that you cannot handle. And when He says, "Know that I am God," the word know is not referring to information-it is referring to experience. God is not asking you to just agree; He is inviting you to experience Him as God in your crisis. Right where you are, with the ground beneath you trembling-stop and experience the presence and person of Immanuel, "God with you."

That is why the psalm ends with verse 11. Psalm 46:11 (NLT): "The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress." Fortress is a word for a high stronghold, built above danger, unreachable to the enemy. That is who the Lord is for you. As a child tossing and turning in fear at night, a father scoops them up, holds them close, and whispers, "Be still. I've got you." That is what God wants to do with you in your crisis. You cannot control the circumstances, trials, and tribulations of this life. But you can be still and declare: "You are God. You will be exalted. You are my refuge in this storm."

So what do we do when crisis hits? When we feel crushed under one wave after another? We run to Him as our refuge-we do not carry it alone. We rest in His presence-because He is with us in the chaos and in the storm. And we release control. We be still and let God be our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in time of trouble. When the world shakes, God does not. When the waters roar, God brings peace. When you do not know what tomorrow holds, you can rest in the One who holds tomorrow. You do not have to hold it all together-because God is holding on to you.

Let's pray. Lord, when our hearts are heavy, when we are feeling crushed beneath our circumstances and our crisis, we will run to you-because you are our refuge, our strength, and our very present help. Teach us to be still and know that You are God. Amen.

He Is Your Peace - John 14:25-28

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:12:10 +0000

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I turn to Your Word today, speak to me through Your Living Word and by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Quiet my heart, teach me, and align me with Your will. In Jesus' name, amen.

He Is Your Peace (John 14:25-28)

Key Verse (NLT):
"But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:26-27)

Meditate

What does God's Word say?

Jesus promises the Advocate (the Holy Spirit) as the Father's gift and His representative. The Spirit teaches us and reminds us of all that Jesus has said (v.26).
Jesus leaves His followers a gift: peace of mind and heart-a kind of peace the world cannot provide (v.27). This peace flows from the Spirit's presence in us.
Jesus says He is going away and will come back (v.28). In the context of John 14, His continuing presence with believers is through the indwelling Holy Spirit, bringing Jesus' life and teaching near.

The Holy Spirit is the life of God within us-our Teacher, Guide, and the One who brings Christ's words to mind right when we need them. In Him, Jesus' own peace becomes the settled guard over our hearts.

Slow down and slowly read John 14:25-28 two or three times. Prayerfully listen to God's Word. What words or phrase is the Spirit highlighting for you today?

Apply

How does this truth meet my life today? I need the Holy Spirit to have full reign in my life-to teach me, lead me into truth, and bring up God's Word in the moments I need it most. The peace I'm looking for is not found in control or circumstances, but in the Spirit's presence. Because Jesus gives me His peace, I don't have to be troubled or afraid today.

Ask the Spirit: "Where am I troubled or afraid? Where do I need this promise most today? What would it look like to receive Your peace and Divine guidance in this area?"

Respond

Today I will:

Begin my day with a simple prayer: "Holy Spirit, teach me and remind me of Your Word, your promises, and your presence today."
When anxiety rises, I will pause, breathe, and speak John 14:27 aloud, applying it to my anxiety and receiving Christ's peace.

Make it concrete: Take one truth the Holy Spirit is highlighting to you, and decide how you will act on it today.

Closing Prayer

Holy Spirit, I trust You as the Father's gift and Jesus' presence in me. Teach me today. Bring Your Word to mind at the right time. Guard my heart and mind with Christ's peace, and lead me to obey what You show me. In Jesus' name, amen.

If you can, write your thoughts and responses in your journal.

Worry - Matthew 11:28-30

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:03:59 +0000

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, I come to You today weary and burdened. Quiet my heart. Let Your living Word speak directly to me, and lead me into the true rest that only You give. Amen.

Come To Me - Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'" (Matthew 11:28-30)

Reflection

Come to Me. Jesus doesn't invite us to a program, a performance, or a checklist-He invites us to Himself. Make a way to genuinely and relationally come to Jesus: a place, a time, and a heart posture that says, "Lord, here I am." As you come, bring the truth: your sins to confess, your worries to release, your weariness to lay down. And ask Him to meet you personally and graciously with rest.

We have to genuinely come to him, to spend time at his feet, worshiping him, in order to rest in his presence, and in order to allow Him to carry our burdens. Whatever condition you're in today, whatever state you're in, by any means possible, in any way you can, come to Jesus, believing.

Take My Yoke. A yoke joins two together to pull the load in the same direction. Jesus is the Lead; we walk beside Him. He carries the heavier weight and He sets the pace. Our part is to surrender and trust. Stop fighting the direction, stop dragging the past, and get in step with His humble, gentle heart. When you are in His yoke with Him, you learn His ways while He shoulders the burden.

Jesus is saying to us today, "Let me be in the lead, and you follow me. Don't try to figure out how to pull this load alone. Don't try to change the direction that we are pulling in. Just let me lead you, and you pull with me."

Rest for Your Soul. This is not merely a break from tasks. It's the deep, inner quiet that comes from being rightly yoked with Jesus-assurance that you are where He wants you, doing what He's called you to do, with Him carrying the weight. His yoke is "well-fitting": it may be demanding, but it will not crush you because He is with you and for you.

This deep inner rest comes from resting in who Jesus is. It comes from knowing that He is with you, and he is doing the pulling. He is doing the heavy lifting. It comes from knowing that he is your provision and that you are following him as he teaches you humbly and gently and brings rest for your soul.

Go back and read the passage slowly 2-3 times. Picture yourself stepping into Jesus' yoke. What burden will you hand to Him today?

Apply

Where are you most weary today - sin you need to confess, expectations you've placed on yourself, or pursuits that aren't God's will? Name it before the Lord. Choose one concrete way to "make room" for Jesus today (a place, a time, and a plan to come to Him). Invite Him to lead you through this burden, while you match His pace, and rest in His peace.

Ask the Spirit: "What burden are You asking me to lay at Jesus' feet? What can I do to stay yoked to Jesus today?" Write it down if you can.

Respond

Today I will:

Set a specific meeting time with Jesus (place + time on my calendar).
Confess any sin connected to my burden and receive His forgiveness.
Exchange my hurry for His pace-pausing midday to realign "in the yoke."
Memorize Matthew 11:28-30 and speak it when anxiety rises.

Make a simple, practical commitment you can keep in the next 24 hours to walk in step with Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Jesus, I come to You. I lay down my heavy burdens and take Your yoke. Teach me Your humble and gentle heart. Lead me in Your pace today, and give my soul the rest You promised. Amen.

If you can, write your thoughts and responses in your Alone With God journal, or any other journal.

Worry - Psalm 3

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 18:26:34 +0000

Today, we're going to be looking at Psalm 3. So, grab your Bible if you can, and open it to Psalm 3.

I'll be reading and praying parts of Psalm 3 today, but I won't be reading every verse. And I'll be paraphrasing some verses, and I'll be praying some verses. And so, as I do that, you allow God's Word to begin to sink into your heart and allow the Holy Spirit to begin applying God's Word to your circumstances or situation today.

Psalm 3 was most likely written when David was driven out of Jerusalem, running for his life, because his son, Absalom, had stolen the kingdom from him. You can find the story in 2 Samuel 15 and the chapters following. Absalom, David's own son, had convinced the people to turn against David. Absalom had taken the kingdom by deceit and manipulation, and David was running for his own life, from his own son.

His anxiety and his grief had to be off the chart. David was crushed, but he knew the Lord was still with him.

Psalm 3:1 David says, O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. And Lord, we may say the same thing today. We may feel the same way today, Lord; there are so many things coming against us. We feel so surrounded, even crushed by our circumstances.

But Psalm 3:3 says, But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. Lord, it's you. You are my shield. You are my glory. You are the lifter of my head. I trust you, Lord. I depend on you, Lord. I rely on you, I rely on you alone, Lord.

Just as Psalm 3:4 says, I cried out to (you) Lord, and (you) answered me from (heaven) from your holy (place), Lord. You heard my cry, and you answered me. And so, as verse 5 says, I laid down and slept. Lord, I was able to lay down and sleep. And I woke up in safety, Lord, for (you) were watching over me because you are my shield, Lord, because you do answer me from heaven.

Psalm 3:6 says I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. And Lord, I say today, I am not afraid of my circumstances though they surround me on every side. Though it feels like they're crushing in on me, Lord, I'm not afraid because of who you are in my life, Lord, because I know you. And because you know me. And because you are my shield, you are my glory, Lord. You are the lifter of my head. And so, I cry out to you in faith, Lord.

From Psalm 3:7-8. (I cried) Arise, O Lord! Rescue me my God! My victory (verse 8 says) will come from you, O Lord. My strength will come from you, Lord. My peace will come from you, Lord. You are my shield. You are my glory. You are the lifter of my head; you're the one who holds my head high. And so, Lord, I trust in you alone.

I will lay down and sleep, Lord, and I will wake up in safety because you are watching over me because you are my victory, you are my strength, and you are my peace, Lord. Thank you, Jesus.

So now, comes your turn. I pray the Holy Spirit has been impressing on you how these verses speak to your situation and circumstances today. And so, now it's time to Apply God's Word.

How does this scripture and our prayer today apply to your life specifically? Personally? Have you been asking God to search you and to show you where His Word applies? If so, then talk to him about it right now. How do these words in Psalm 3 from King David relate to your life today?

And now, Respond to the Lord. How can you respond to the Lord today about this scripture in Psalm 3? About these truths - that though your circumstances may be crushing in around you, though you may feel so overwhelmed - the Lord is with you. He is your shield. He is the lifter of your head. He will answer you from Heaven. You can lay down in peace and sleep. And you will wake up in safety because the Lord is watching over you.

That thing that the Holy Spirit is bringing up in your heart, what's your response to God? Is there something you can do? Is there something you can say to the Lord? Is there some commitment in your heart that you can make to the Lord? Is there something you need to say to someone else about this? If you write, can you write about this?

Lord, you are my shield; you are my glory. You are the lifter of my head. You are my protector. You are my covering, Lord. You are my shepherd. And so, Lord, though my circumstances surround me, though they feel like they're crushing me, I'm not afraid of them, Lord. I cry out to you, Lord. Rise up and rescue me, my God! My victory will come from you, Lord. My strength in these circumstances will come from you. And Lord, most importantly, my peace will come from you, Lord. My peace will come from you. Not even from my circumstances being fixed, but from your presence with me.

I trust you, Lord. I trust you in the midst of what I am going through. I surrender to you, Lord. And I trust your will, your protection, your grace, your power, and your peace.

God bless you as you walk in peace, and assurance, and security with the Lord today.

In your name, Jesus, we go. Amen.

Worry - Psalm 62 5-8

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:46:58 +0000

I Will Not Be Moved

wordbymail.com

Date: ________ Subject: Worry

Opening Prayer

Lord, I come before You now, bringing my whole heart and all that I am into Your presence. Speak to me through Your Word, and help me to quiet my soul before You, trusting You alone as my rock and my refuge.

Scripture

Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. 7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

1. Meditate

David speaks to his own soul, commanding himself to wait quietly before God and trust in Him alone. He affirms that God alone is his rock, salvation, fortress, and the source of his victory and honor. Then David turns to us and urges us to trust God at all times, to pour out our hearts to Him, for He is our refuge.

Read these verses again slowly, resting quietly in God's presence. Let the Spirit impress on you what it means that He alone is your rock and refuge.

2. Apply

Lord, God Almighty, all that I am will wait quietly upon You alone. My hope and my trust are in You, God, alone. You alone, Lord, are my Rock and my Salvation. You alone are my Defense and my Fortress. In You alone, I shall not be moved. My victory and my honor rest with You; You are my rock of unyielding strength, my refuge, my shelter from the storm.

Take a moment to apply this to your life. Where do you need to quiet your soul before Him and trust in Him alone? Name a specific situation where you will rest in His protection and strength.

3. Respond

And so, Lord, I will trust in You, lean on You, rely on You, and have confidence in You alone-at all times and in every circumstance. I pour out my heart to You, God, for You alone are my refuge, my fortress, and my strength.

Respond to Him now: tell Him how you will trust Him, and what steps of obedience you will take in light of His Word today.

Closing Prayer

I commit this all in Your mighty name, Jesus. Keep my heart steadfast, my spirit quiet before You, and my trust anchored in You alone. Amen.

Download 2-page printable document with room to write

Worry - Philippians 4:6-7

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 20:08:11 +0000

Alone With God Devotion - Philippians 4:6-7

Opening Prayer

Lord, I come to You this morning carrying my burdens. Speak to me through Your Word and help me to trust You more deeply. Guard my heart and mind as I meet with You.

Scripture

Philippians 4:6-7
"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."

Paul tells the Philippians not to be anxious about anything - that means no exception. Instead of letting worry control me, I am called to turn to God in prayer and thanksgiving. When I do, His peace will guard me. The image of God's peace as a guard is powerful, like a soldier standing watch over my heart and mind.

Read the passage slowly 2 or 3 times, making it personal. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak directly to your life.

Apply

The Spirit is reminding me that my habit of holding on to small worries keeps me from fully trusting God. This passage calls me to replace anxiety with prayer, and to add gratitude into that prayer. Today, this applies to my concerns about [name your concerns today]. God is inviting me to surrender these concerns to Him.

Take a minute to talk to God about your specific concerns, and listen for how God would apply this truth in your life today.

Respond

Today, I will set aside five minutes mid-morning and mid-afternoon to stop, pray, and give thanks instead of worrying. When anxious thoughts come, I will choose to speak this verse aloud and surrender the concern to God.

Take a minute to make a response commitment to God in line with how He has spoken to you through these verses.

Closing Prayer

Lord, I lay my worries before You right now. Thank You for Your promise of peace that guards my heart and mind. Help me to replace anxiety with prayer and gratitude today. I trust You with the specific worries we have discussed today. Amen.

If you can, write your thoughts and responses in your Alone With God journal, or any other journal.

Download as a 2-page printable document with room to write.

The Essentials of a Good Witness

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:15:15 +0000

READ: John 1: 19-34

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to reflect You today. Open my heart to Your Word and use me as Your witness, pointing others to the Lamb of God. Amen.

The Essentials of Being a Good Witness

John 1:29 (NLT)
"Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

What does it really mean to be a good witness for Jesus? John the Baptist shows us the essentials-pointing away from ourselves and always toward Christ. In a world focused on self-promotion, John's humility stands out: "I am not the Christ." He knew his role was to prepare the way for Jesus, not to draw attention to himself.

Keep Jesus at the Center

The crowd wanted John to be the main event, but he refused. He consistently redirected the spotlight to Jesus: "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30) Our message is not about what we have done, but about who Jesus is.

Share the Real Gospel

John 1:29-30 (NLT)
"Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! He is the one I was talking about…"

John's message was simple and powerful-Jesus is the Lamb of God, the only One who takes away sin. He pointed people to repentance and faith, not religious ritual or personal achievement. The good news is always about what Jesus has done for us.

Be Honest About Yourself

When questioned, John answered honestly and with humility. "I am not the Messiah… I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Clear the way for the Lord's coming!'" A true witness isn't about image or status, but about being real and surrendered to God's purpose.

Let Your Life Point to Jesus

John's whole life was a signpost to Jesus. His testimony was simple: "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him." Our stories don't have to be dramatic-they just need to point to the One who changed us.

Personal Reflection

Am I pointing people to Jesus, or drawing attention to myself?
Is my message centered on what Jesus has done, not what I have achieved?
Do I have the humility to be honest about myself, and boldness to speak about Christ?
How can my life this week be a signpost to the Lamb of God?

Prayer:
Lord, make me a true witness. May my words and life always point to You. Use me to show others the grace of the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.

How Do I Get To Agape Love?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

From Msg #25 In the 1 Corinthians series.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
4 [Agape] is patient and kind. [Agape] is not jealous or boastful or proud
5 or rude. [Agape] does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6 [Agape] does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7 [Agape] never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and [Agape] endures through every circumstance.

Last Week: Agape Love Defined

Last week, we dove deep into God's Agape Love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. We saw that Agape Love is the environment-the "ocean for the fish, air for the birds"-where every Christian is called to live and operate in the gifts of the Spirit.

But as we started looking closer at what Agape Love really looks like, the obvious question came up:

How do I get from where I am now to truly living out Agape love?

The Agape Love Test

Many of us did not "score high" on the Agape Love test.
So today we ask:
How do we get to Agape love from where we're at?

Agape Love Is Supernatural

Agape love is purely God's love.
You can't have it unless God pours it into your life and it bubbles up out of you.
God's Agape Love is the opposite of our self-nature love.

Romans 5:5 (ESV)
"…God's love [Agape] has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

The only way to live in Agape love is to have God's life replace our life.
We give up our old life to be crucified, and God gives us new life in Christ.
We walk in that new life by continually being emptied of the old and filled with the new.

The Miracle of Transformation

Living out Agape love is the supernatural transformation of our lives-the life of Jesus Christ living through us.
This is the greatest miracle of transformation you will ever see-and it's the greatest miracle others will ever see in you.

The Three Big Events in the Christian Life

Salvation - The moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This is by God's grace through faith alone and is instantaneous.
Sanctification - The "in-between." Our lives are transformed for God's glory. This is where people see God in us and experience God through us.
Glorification - The moment a Christian dies and is instantly in the presence of the Lord. This is all God's work.

Sanctification is where we join God in His supernatural transformation. If we don't, our lives will never be supernaturally transformed.

Four Ongoing Requirements for Getting to Agape

Prerequisite: Genuinely surrender your life to Jesus Christ; put your full faith in Him as Savior and Lord.

These are not just steps, but ongoing requirements:

1) Become a Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 (AMP)
"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated, set apart) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and (your) spiritual worship."

A living sacrifice is something consumed for the glory of God-with no self left.
We must be willing to give ourselves fully to God, holding nothing back.

For further study: Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 2:17

2) Continually Crucify Self

Every day, we must crucify self so that Agape love can be displayed.
To crucify self means to decisively remove self-generated responses, thoughts, emotions, and desires so the life of Jesus can come out.

Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
"My old self (my self-life) has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..."

For further study: Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:1-17; Galatians 5:16-26

3) Take Every Thought Captive

Our lives are controlled by what we set our minds on. What you focus on is where your life will go.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV)
"4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think..."

For further study: Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 8:5-6

4) Obey God-Not Your Feelings

You have the power of the Holy Spirit living in you, but the Holy Spirit won't override your will.
You choose to obey; the Holy Spirit becomes your power to obey.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)
"What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice..."

John 14:15-16 (NLT)
"15 If you love me, obey my commandments.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you [the Holy Spirit], who will never leave you."

For further study: Romans 6:5-14

Review: The Path to Agape Love

Become a Living Sacrifice:
Be willing to give everything you are to God, holding nothing of self back.
Continually Crucify Self:
Aggressively deny the thoughts, emotions, and actions that come from your self-nature.
Take Every Thought Captive:
Set your mind on God's love. The Holy Spirit will empower you to live out Agape love.
Obey God-Not Your Feelings:
Choose to love with Agape love, against what your self-nature desires. Trust God enough to love as He calls you to, no matter how you feel or what you think.

If you do your part, the Holy Spirit inside you will give you the supernatural power to let the Agape love of God genuinely come out of you.

Application & Discussion

Where do you struggle most: surrender, crucifying self, your thought life, or obeying God over your feelings?
How can you practically take steps in one of these areas this week?
Are you relying on the Holy Spirit's role in empowering you for Agape love?

Challenge:
Choose to walk the path to Agape love this week. Surrender, crucify self, renew your mind, and obey God. Rely on the Holy Spirit for supernatural power.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I surrender all that I am to You. Crucify my old self and fill me with Your life. Help me to take every thought captive, obey You over my feelings, and let Your Agape love flow through me to others. Amen.

Jesus Reveals God. John 1:14-18

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 20:02:23 +0000

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see Your glory and my heart to receive Your fullness. Thank You for revealing God to me. Amen.

The Word Became Human

John 1:14 (NLT)
"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son."

John tells the Christmas story in just 34 words-from heaven's perspective. The eternal Word, who is fully God, became fully human-dwelling among us. God "tabernacled" in our world, meeting us personally to deal with our sin.

Glory Veiled, Grace Unleashed

Jesus came not in power and thunder, but with the fullness of God's love, grace, and truth. The eternal Creator became a sinless man-so His death could pay the full penalty for our sins.

John 1:16 (AMP)
"For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift."

In Christ, the fountain of grace never runs dry. We have all we need-it's now a matter of appropriating it by faith, walking in who Jesus is and what He's done for us.

The Law Was Given-Grace Came

John 1:17 (NLT)
"For the law was given through Moses, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ."

The law showed us God's holiness and our need, but only Jesus brings the fullness of grace and truth. He alone is the perfect sacrifice, able to wash away sin and give us His righteousness.

Jesus Reveals God

John 1:18 (NLT)
"No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us."

Jesus is "the unique One"-fully God, near to the Father's heart. The Greek word for "revealed" (exegeomai) means to fully and accurately set forth what already exists. Jesus perfectly expounds, illuminates, and brings out the reality of God. To behold Jesus is to behold the glory, truth, and love of God.

How Do We Respond?

Do you recognize Jesus as fully God and fully man-your perfect Savior?
Are you living out of His fullness, or striving in your own strength?
Will you "behold" the glory of Jesus today-in His Word, in worship, in prayer?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to reveal God to me. I want to behold Your glory and live in the fullness of Your grace and truth. Fill me, lead me, and use me to show Your love to others. Amen.

The Bread of Life Part 2

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:33:31 +0000

Type your new text here.

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to receive Your life today-not as an idea, but as my source and sustenance. Open my heart to Your Word. Amen.

The Bread of Life-A Radical Invitation

In John 6, Jesus goes beyond meeting physical needs and offers Himself as the true Bread from heaven. His words challenge every crowd, every tradition, and every heart: Will you receive Me as your life?

John 6:51 (NLT)
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."

Familiarity or Faith?

The crowd thought they knew Jesus-His family, His background. But knowing about Him wasn't enough. Jesus invited them (and us) to move from familiarity to real faith.

John 6:41-42 (NLT)
"Then the people began to murmur in disagreement because he had said, 'I am the bread that came down from heaven.' They said, 'Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph? We know his father and mother. How can he say, "I came down from heaven"?'"

Drawn by Grace-Responding with Faith

Jesus reminds us that no one comes to Him by their own power; it's God's loving initiative. Yet we must also respond by listening, learning, and believing.

John 6:44-45 (NLT)
"For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me... Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."

Belief Brings Life

Faith in Jesus isn't complicated: Anyone who believes has eternal life. The invitation is wide open. Jesus alone is the Bread of Life-the source of forgiveness, hope, and everlasting satisfaction.

John 6:47-48 (NLT)
"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life!"

The Manna Analogy & The Hammer Verse

The manna in the wilderness was just a shadow of something greater. Jesus is the true bread, given for the world. He shocks the crowd with a direct claim:

John 6:51 (NLT)
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."

Eternal life isn't about tradition, effort, or history-it's about personally receiving Jesus' sacrificial death as your source of life.

The Crisis Point-Faith or Offense?

Many argued and stumbled over Jesus' words. The invitation became a dividing line-will you receive Christ as He offers Himself, or turn away?

John 6:53-54 (NLT)
"So Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day.'"

Living Relationship, Lasting Life

Jesus offers more than a one-time decision-He invites us into a daily, dependent relationship. As we feed on Him by faith, His life becomes our life.

John 6:57 (NLT)
"I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me."

Will You Receive the Bread of Life?

Jesus concludes: "I am the true bread… Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did… but will live forever." (John 6:58)

Are you seeking Jesus for what He gives, or for who He is?
Have you truly received Christ, letting His life become your own?
What are you trusting in, instead of Jesus alone?
Will you abide in Christ daily, feeding on His life and letting Him sustain you?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the true Bread from heaven. I receive Your life into mine-make me new, fill me, and help me abide in You every day. Thank You for the promise of eternal life. Amen.

The Bread of Life Part 1

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:43:08 +0000

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my heart to Your words today. Help me hunger for what truly lasts. Reveal Yourself as my Bread of Life. Amen.

What Are You Hungry For?

After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people, the crowds came looking for Him again. But their hearts were set on another free meal, not on the true spiritual bread Jesus wanted to give.

John 6:26 (NLT)
"I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs."

How easy it is to chase after Jesus just for what we want, instead of who He is! But Jesus lovingly redirects our focus:

John 6:27 (NLT)
"But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval."

Do vs. Done: The Gospel Difference

The people responded the way we often do:

John 6:28 (NLT)
"We want to perform God's works, too. What should we do?"

Instead of receiving God's gift, we want a checklist for earning His favor. But Jesus says the only "work" is faith:

John 6:29 (NLT)
"This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent."

Religion says, "Do." Jesus says, "Done." The way to eternal life is not through our performance, but through faith in Christ alone.

Seeking Signs, Missing the Savior

The crowd still wanted proof-another miracle, another meal. Their eyes were fixed on their stomachs, not their souls.

John 6:31 (NLT)
"After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, 'Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

Jesus gently corrects them, pointing to the true source:

John 6:32-33 (NLT)
"I tell you the truth, Moses didn't give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

I AM the Bread of Life

John 6:35 (NLT)
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

This is the first of Jesus' seven "I AM" statements in John-a claim to divinity and an invitation to receive Him as the source of true, lasting life.

As David Guzik says: "To eat and drink of Jesus means to internalize Him-to trust, believe, and receive Him fully. It means to live in dependence on Him the way we depend on food and water."

Open Invitation & Secure Salvation

John 6:37 (NLT)
"However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them."

Jesus will never turn away anyone who comes to Him-no matter your past, doubts, or struggles.

John 6:39-40 (NLT)
"And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."

If you have received Jesus as your Bread of Life, your salvation is eternally secure. He will hold you fast and raise you up on the last day.

Reflection and Application

Are you seeking Jesus for what He can give-or for who He truly is?
Do you believe the gospel is about faith in Christ's finished work, not your own effort?
Have you received Jesus as your Bread of Life-your source of forgiveness and eternal satisfaction?
Who needs to hear this invitation from you today?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I receive You as my Bread of Life. I trust Your work, not my own. Satisfy my deepest hunger and help me walk in the security of Your promise. Amen.

Key Verse for Today

John 6:35 (NLT)
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

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Who Is Jesus Christ? Jn 1:1-13

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:16:29 +0000

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, open my heart this morning to truly see Jesus for who He is. Help me to receive Your Word with fresh faith. Amen.

The Gospel's Purpose

John 20:31 (NLT)
"But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name."

John wants you to believe-and to keep believing.
He wants you to know real life-by the power of Jesus' name.

Jesus: The Eternal Word

John 1:1 (NLT)
"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God."

The "Word" here is the Greek "Logos." It's both a title and a description of Jesus Christ-God in expression to us.
Jesus has always existed. He wasn't created; He is eternal, sharing perfect fellowship with the Father, yet fully God Himself.

John 1:2 (NLT)
"He existed in the beginning with God."

Jesus: Creator and Sustainer

John 1:3 (NLT)
"God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him."

Jesus is not just the agent of creation; He is the sustainer of all things.

Colossians 1:16-17 (NLT)
"For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together."

Pause and consider: the hands that were nailed to the cross are the same hands that formed the galaxies and hold your life together today.

The Giver of Life and Light

John 1:4 (NLT)
"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone."

Every living thing owes its existence to Him. But more than physical life, He brings light-spiritual illumination-to all.

John 1:5 (NLT)
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

No matter how deep the darkness around you-or within you-His light cannot be overcome.

A Witness to the Light

John 1:6-8 (NLT)
"God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light."

Who might God be asking you to point to the Light today?

The True Light Arrives

John 1:9 (NLT)
"The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."

But not everyone recognized Him.

John 1:10 (NLT)
"He came into the very world he created, but the world didn't recognize him."

Even His own people rejected Him.

John 1:11 (NLT)
"He came to his own people, and even they rejected him."

The Open Door: Becoming a Child of God

John 1:12-13 (NLT)
"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."

This is God's simple, powerful promise.
Believe-put your trust fully in Jesus for who He truly is.
Receive-welcome Him into your life as your Savior and Lord.
Become-He makes you a child of God, reborn from above.

Reflection and Application

Have you truly believed and received Jesus-not just as a historical figure, but as your personal Savior and God?
Is there an area in your life where you need to let His light overcome darkness?
Who can you point to Jesus today, as John the Baptist did?

If you've never invited Jesus into your life, today is the day. Ask Him to be who He truly is-your Lord, Savior, Creator, and the Light in your darkness.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the eternal Word, my Creator and Savior. I receive You today. Make me a child of God. Shine Your light in my heart, and help me to follow You. Amen.

Key Verse for Today

John 1:12 (NLT)
"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."

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The Storms of Life

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:43:34 +0000

The Storms of Life: Trusting in God's Presence
Let's dive into the powerful lessons from John 6:14-21, where Jesus walks on water, showing us how He's right there with us during life's storms. This passage, along with insights from John 16:33, Matthew 14:22-33, and Mark 6:48, helps us get a grip on what it's like to follow Jesus when things get rough.

Getting to Know the Storms
John 16:33 gives us a heads-up: "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." This sets the scene for understanding the ups and downs we face as Christians.

In John 6:14-21, the disciples find themselves in a wild storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus set this up to teach them—and us—about faith and His presence. Even when we are tired and scared, Jesus shows us that He's with us, no matter how crazy things get.

What We Can Learn from the Disciples

Obedience in the Storm
The disciples hit the storm because they did what Jesus told them to do (Matthew 14:22).
This shows us that sometimes storms come our way because we're doing the right thing.

Jesus Sees and Knows
Mark 6:48 tells us Jesus "saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves." This is a big reminder that Jesus knows what we’re going through, even when we can’t see Him.

The Presence of Jesus is the Answer
When Jesus comes to the disciples, He says, "Don't be afraid. I am here" (John 6:20).
His presence is what calms our fears, not necessarily fixing everything right away. But giving us assurance that he will, because he is with us.

Faith Takes Action
Peter's story in Matthew 14:28-31 is all about stepping out in faith. When Peter gets out of the boat, he’s walking on water as long as he keeps his eyes on Jesus. But when he starts focusing on the storm, he starts to sink. It’s a great reminder to keep our eyes on Jesus, especially when things get tough.

The Beauty of Brokenness
We talked about how Jesus often waits until the last minute, the "fourth watch," to step in. This isn’t Him messing with us; it’s about getting us to stop relying on ourselves and start leaning on Him more.

Embrace His Presence
In the end, we’re encouraged to invite Jesus into our storms and worship Him right in the middle of them. Whether our storms come from doing the right thing or messing up, Jesus’s presence is what brings us peace.

As Romans 8:18 puts it, "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later." Our struggles are temporary, but the peace and glory we find in Jesus are forever.

So, remember, Jesus’s presence is the cure for fear. No matter what storm we’re in, His presence is our comfort and strength, guiding us safely to the other side.

This blog comes from the sermon, The Storms of Life - Jn219 - Get the Full Sermon

Devotion Guide Explanation

Sat, 31 May 2025 10:50:00 +0000

Listen to Pastor Dave explain the heart behind these devotion journal guides, and our encouragement on how to use them.

We believe the most effective way to use those devotion guides is with our Alone With God journal, which you can get on the homepage of this website. However, you can also use them with any blank journal, or even without journaling.

If you have never tried interacting with God in a journal, we would encourage you to try it. Writing helps us wrestle with our thoughts and refine them enough to put them in writing, which is what makes it so helpful.

However, you can also use these devotion guides without a journal. We encourage you to make an intentional time and place to get alone with God, settle your heart, and open your Bible. Then, as you go through the journal guide, pause the guide to really focus on the steps being explained in the guide.

This is a life transforming way to approach your daily devotion time. We pray that you'll give it a try and become part of the Word By Mail family. God bless you.

This is Real Love

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:56:54 +0000

As Christmas approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities, the decorations, and the hustle and bustle of the season. But the true heart of Christmas lies in the greatest gift ever given: the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

In 1 John 4:9-10, we read, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

This passage encapsulates the depth and magnitude of God’s love—a love so profound that it sent Jesus to earth to meet our greatest need.

Jesus came into the world in the humblest of circumstances. Born in a stable and laid in a manger, He chose the lowliest of beginnings to identify with humanity. This wasn’t by accident. God’s love is sacrificial and unconditional, a reflection of His very nature. As 1 John 4:8 declares, “God is love.” His essence is love, and His actions flow from that divine attribute.

This Christmas, let us take a moment to pause and reflect on the magnitude of this gift. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to save us from the eternal consequences of sin. His birth marked the begin ning of a creation-shaking journey—one that would lead to the cross, where He bore the penalty for our sins, and to the resurrection, where He conquered death on our behalf.

In the midst of holiday stress and busyness, remember that Christmas is about love in action. It’s about a Savior who stepped into our brokenness to offer us eternal life. Just as a gift must be received to be appreciated, this love is offered freely to each of us, but we must choose to accept it.

May the wonder of God’s love fill your heart this season and remind you of the immeasurable value of the gift we celebrate: Emmanuel—God with us.

Watch, listen to, or read the full message "This is Real Love."

Wait Quietly Before God

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:28:00 +0000

Listen To The Audio Version

Hi everybody, it’s Pastor Dave, and good Tuesday morning to you. If you’re following us through the week in your Alone With God journal, then open it to Day 2, the “Daily Journal” page, your first “Daily Journal” page for the week. If you don’t have an Alone With God journal, you should get one. You really should. Go to wordbymail.com and order your Alone With God journal. Using these guides and the journal and digging into God’s Word for yourself, and listening for God to speak to you through his Living Word will transform your life. We know it will because we’ve seen so many lives transformed over the last fourteen or fifteen years that we’ve been doing this.

Grab your journal if you have one. Grab your Bible and turn it to Psalm 62. Here’s a little bit of background before we get into it.

Psalm 62 shows us David’s confident trust in the Lord. His absolute assurance, his confidence of his trust in the Lord. In spite of his circumstances, in spite of his situation, in spite of his difficulties, God is his strength. God is his salvation. God is his fortress. And Psalm 62 passes that truth to us – that God is our fortress, our rock where we won’t be shaken. And we need to contrast this with the insecurity, the lack of confidence that we should have in relying on our own devices, or the world’s, or human devices.

Psalm 62 (NLT)
1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

Mark those verses in your Bible. Focus on them if you’re on the blog page, reading them. (I am reading from the NLT.) I wait quietly before God. We have got to learn to be still and know that he is God.

Look down at verse 5.

5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

That’s who your God is. Can you commit, can you cry out to God for the power of the Holy Spirit, and commit to wait quietly for him? To trust him? To know that your victory comes from him? To know that he is your fortress, he is your salvation, and in him you will not be shaken? Can you do that today for yourself? For God – for God’s glory?

And then, finally, look at verse 8.

8 O my people (David cries out to us), trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

He is our safe place. He is our fortress. God is what we need, and we need to wait for him. We need to lean into him.

So, on your “Daily Journal” page, in the Meditate section, you may want to “rewind,” skip back and listen to me read these verses again. You may want to just meditate on them in your Bible or on the written page under the blog section at wordbymail.com. But, take them in. Then, under your Meditate section, write “What is God’s Word saying?” This shouldn’t be hard because this is so clear. “What is God’s Word saying? What are the spiritual principles here?” And let me just help you with the spiritual principles part. This spiritual principle here is we’ve got to wait for God to work, to save us. We’ve got to wait on God. We’ve got to trust him completely. We’ve got to know that he is the one who protects, who brings victory. He’s our fortress, our safe place we’ve got to trust him in. That’s, in a nutshell, the spiritual principles. So, do that, and then come on back here.

Now, it’s the Apply section. And in the Apply section, I will just ask you to look at the verses and talk to God. Look at what you wrote in the Meditate section, and then answer the question in the Apply section of your journal. “How does this apply to my life today, personally and specifically?” Be brave. Be brave. Write down in your journal how do these truths apply to you specifically? In what specific circumstance or situation do you need to know this, do you need to commit to this in your life today? So, again, pause this guide and write in your Apply section. Just answer that question there: “How does this apply to my life today, personally and specifically?” And then, come on back.

And then Respond. The big one. In your Respond section of your “Daily Journal” page in your Alone With God journal, it says, “What action will I take today in response to this truth?” So, listen, here’s what we say all the time: No response, no relationship. If you’ve met God during your time alone with him today, and you’ve really applied this to your life, then you’ve got to wrestle with, “What will I do about it? What action will I take? How can I wait quietly for God? How can I develop my trust and my confidence that he alone is my victory and my rock and my salvation?” What are you going to do today to make this real in your life? What action will you take? So, again, pause the guide. Write in your Respond section and then come on back.

Let’s pray to close. I’ll pray. After I’m done, you can write your prayer in the Pray section of your “Daily Journal.”

Heavenly Father, Lord, may we wait quietly before you. Would you give us the power? Lord, pour out the dunamis power by your Holy Spirit on us so that we would have courage and the confidence, the trust, the faith to wait – to wait on you. To wait. To stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. To be still and know that you are God. Help us, Lord. Give us confident hope. Give us that confidence that our hope is in you, and you are with us. And you will see us through this situation, this circumstance. You’ll bring us out the other side, and you will bring us out in your victory, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for your resurrected life living inside of us that allows us to overcome, to stand victorious in every circumstance, in every situation in this life. We thank you for it. We pray you’ll make it real for us today. In your precious name, Jesus, amen. Amen.

Go to wordbymail.com, and you can get more verses like this under the “Scripture By Topic” tag under “Resources.” You can read this blog, this devotion guide, and others under the “Blog” tab. And you can give to help this ministry. We’re just getting this part of the ministry off the ground. Word By Mail has been around for a long time. But we’re pushing into new territory here. Please consider making even a small monthly commitment to help us get the Word out in this unique way.

Thanks, guys. Thanks for going through it with me. As I stop, you write your prayer to finish up your time with God today. God bless you, see you soon. Bye, Bye.

To Forgive or Not Forgive

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:27:00 +0000

Listen To The Audio Version

Hey, y’all, it’s Daisy. Today, we are on the “This Week” page in our Alone With God journal. This means we are looking ahead, and we are taking inventory of our lives and putting specific focus on areas in which we want God to strengthen us, or transform us, or enlighten us.

And this is probably my favorite page. This and the gratitude page are my favorite pages of the journal. It switches back and forth every week depending on what my needs are. Sometimes, it’s the “Encountering The Father” page. But, if you don’t have our Alone With God journal, I will just say it is the thing that I use the most. I probably use it more than my toothbrush – And I brush my teeth a lot! So, if you would like to get one but you don’t have one, that’s okay. You can go to wordbymail.com and get yourself a journal.

Today’s devotional I have titled “To Forgive or Not Forgive.”

Matthew 18:15-17 (CEB)
15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and correct them when you are alone together. If they listen to you, then you’ve won over your brother or sister.
16 But if they won’t listen, take with you one or two others so that every word may be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses.
17 But if they still won’t pay attention, report it to the church. If they won’t pay attention even to the church, treat them as you would a Gentile and tax collector.

If you ask my dad what my two most prominent qualities are, it would probably be my sensitivity and my stubbornness, which is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse. But because of these traits, I sometimes have a difficult time taking the high road and letting go of my anger when my feelings get hurt. But God is refining me, don’t worry.

But there is just something so addictive and validating about being the victim of a situation and complaining about my misfortune to anyone who will listen. And, yes, it’s validating, but not godly. And Jesus makes it clear that we have to put our pride aside and prioritize the restoration of the relationship. Although, in some cases, it is better to forgive and walk away if the relationship is harmful or if the other person does not want to move forward in a way that honors God. However, regardless, we are still called to be obedient and to love and forgive as Christ loved and forgave us.

So, here are my questions from my devotional today. Think about a time when someone wounded you and instead of forgiveness, you chose to be angry and to gossip. How did that help or hurt your relationship? Have you asked for forgiveness from that person or tried to repair it? Does it still impact you? Now is the time to let go of any leftover anger or any resentment. Take it to God, leave it at his feet, and pray a prayer of blessing and love over the other person.

Let’s pray. Father, please give me the strength and the love to respond to my anger with compassion and solutions rather than holding on to pride and resentment. May the way that I conduct myself in my relationships always be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This Week Page Example

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Hey, ya’ll. It’s Daisy. Today, we are on the “This Week” page of our Alone With God journal. This means we are looking ahead and taking inventory of our lives and putting specific focus on areas in which we want God to strengthen us or enlighten us. And the reason this is so important is because it is so good to have an intentional goal for our focus each week because this is how God changes us and how he refines us so that everything that flows from us is truly life-giving and so that we bear fruit.

So take some time to be intentional about what parts of your life you’ll pray over this week and what you’ll be focused on spiritually. The verses you want to study. The actions that you will take to honor God and the changes that he wants to make inside of you. I think it’s best to do this on a Monday, but God is so happy to have you put your focus on him at any time. So, please, just start wherever you are. If you don’t have an Alone With God journal, come get one at wordbymail.com.

Here is a short devotional that I have written for you.

Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
9 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

When I was about four years old, my mom came to get me from my friend’s house. I wasn’t ready for playtime to be over. So, as my mom picked me up and put me on her hip, I bit right down into her shoulder. And she screamed in pain. But she did not drop me, she didn’t bite back, she didn’t yell at me. She just waited until we got home, and then she talked to me about why we don’t bite our mother, and she showed me so much grace, and patience, and understanding. More than I probably would have shown.

So, I just want to think about how we react when someone hurts us. When we practice a life of self-control, patience, and reflection, we become slower to anger. When we’re intentional about our relationship with God, we become so intentional about our relationship with others, which makes us more kind, and compassionate, and loving people. It makes us responsive instead of reactive, which then heals our connection with creation instead of dividing us.

My mom was so patient with me instead of reacting in the heat of the moment, and I knew that she was in pain. But she knew that I was a little kid who just didn’t know how to express my big emotions in that moment. And even though it hurt her, the benefit of her taking the time to listen to me, and help me, and find words for my feelings, and encourage me to grow is what helped us to become closer in that moment instead of driving us further apart by leading with her wisdom and her compassion which she practiced daily – even before I was born. It built trust, and it showed me such unconditional love.

And so, I think that we should take time, close in prayer, and just be vigilant about the way that we’re living our lives and how that impacts everything.

Let’s pray. Lord, help me. Please help me to be a wise person in m y relationships. Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Please make me slower to anger and quick to mend my relationships. I pray that you would enrich my life with your goodness and help me to treat others the way that you have instructed me to treat them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alright, I hope that you enjoyed our devotional for today. If you need an Alone With God journal, please come get one at wordbymail.com. And until next time, I pray that you have a wonderful and safe week. I love you.

01 Reviving Your Soul - Psalm 1:1-3

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:06:46 +0000

Devotion number one in the Reviving Your Soul series.

Lead And Guide Me

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 06:13:00 +0000

This week, get excited about God leading and guiding you. Explore these verses from Psalms and from Proverbs as Pastor Dave focuses on them. God bless your week ahead.

Transcript to follow . . .

Spiritual Brokenness

Wed, 29 May 2024 18:37:52 +0000

In this journal guide, Pastor Dave shares the critical requirement for God to use you. Set aside some intentional alone time with God for this in-depth look at these verses.

(Yesterday's related journal guide is titled: Spiritual Pride )

Transcript to follow . . .

Spiritual Pride

Tue, 28 May 2024 17:30:41 +0000

The story of Jesus predicting Peter's denial may be familiar to you. However, take some time to look deeper at this passage. Pastor Dave brings this Journal Guide, so get ready to write in your Alone With God journal and spend some intentional time with God today.

Written Journal Guide to follow. . .

He Knows Me

Fri, 24 May 2024 20:50:25 +0000

This is a great explanation of God knowing us—even our inner struggles. He is your safe place. Pastor Dave also gives direction for Saturday's "What am I Grateful for?" page and Sunday's "Sermon Notes" page in our Alone With God journal. Join him today.

Sunday Sermon Notes are for your message at church, so bring your journal to take notes. If you can't get to church this weekend, we invite you to listen to this message, "Hard Sayings," from our Gospel of Mark series.

Be with us again on Mondayas we look forward to "This Week." See you then.