IF YOU TRY TO CARRY TOMORROW'S TROUBLE TODAY, YOU WILL stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today.
Dear Jesus, This discipline is extremely difficult for us, but it is one we strongly desire to master. Our focus slips from today into tomorrow with the greatest of ease. We are beginning to realize this is a form of escapism. By focusing on tomorrow's problems, we avoid facing today's. However, this type of escapism is extremely unpleasant, since worry is so painful. The more we worry about tomorrow, the less we can accomplish today.
Beloved, I agree with your self-analysis, but there is more. Focusing on tomorrow's trouble is our only escapist, it is also irresponsible. Each day of your life is a precious gift from Me. When you squander My gift, I am displeased. Of course, you cannot avoid thinking about tomorrow altogether. That, too, would be irresponsible. The real question is where do you live most of the time - in the present or in the future?
I see all your thoughts, so I know how many of them are needlessly future-oriented. If you want to break this deeply ingrained habit, you will need to monitor your thinking relentlessly. It is helpful to pay attention to your feelings, they can give you clues that your thinking is off course. When your present surroundings are pleasant yet you start feeling some negative emotion, it's important to capture your thoughts and examine them. Most of the time you will discover you have been worrying about some future event. Offer that concern up to Me, asking Me to either take care of the matter Myself or help you deal with it later. Then, rejoice in Me, your Savior and Sovereign Lord. I enable you to go on the heights - transcending your trouble! (Habakkuk 3:19).
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Matthew 6:34 and 2 Corinthians 10:5
Monday, August 31, 2015
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Quiet Your Mind In My ...
QUIET YOUR MIND IN MY Presence. Then you will be able to hear Me bestowing the resurrection blessing. "Peace be with you."
Dear Jesus, Quieting our minds is quite a challenge. Our thoughts tend to go off in many directions at once. We really want to hear Your benediction of Peace. Teach us how to slow down our thinking, so we can experience Your peaceful Presence more fully.
Beloved, you are already doing the most important thing: communicating with Me about your problem. It is also vital to find a place where you can sit quietly, letting your body relax. It's much easier to tone down your thinking when your body is still for a time, since mind and body are so intricately connected. As you slow down your breathing, you will find your thoughts becoming manageable. This makes it possible to focus those thoughts on Me. While you do so, your entire being will become increasingly relaxed.
Ponder the wonder of My Presence with you. Refresh yourself in My promises. I will counsel you and watch over you. I will supply every need of yours according to My riches in Glory. Peace I leave with you. My Peace I give you.
Though My Peace is a forever promise, you need frequent reminders. When your mind becomes quiet enough, listen for My resurrection blessing. "Peace be with you."
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: John 20:26; Psalm 32:8; Philippians 4:19 and John 14:27
Dear Jesus, Quieting our minds is quite a challenge. Our thoughts tend to go off in many directions at once. We really want to hear Your benediction of Peace. Teach us how to slow down our thinking, so we can experience Your peaceful Presence more fully.
Beloved, you are already doing the most important thing: communicating with Me about your problem. It is also vital to find a place where you can sit quietly, letting your body relax. It's much easier to tone down your thinking when your body is still for a time, since mind and body are so intricately connected. As you slow down your breathing, you will find your thoughts becoming manageable. This makes it possible to focus those thoughts on Me. While you do so, your entire being will become increasingly relaxed.
Ponder the wonder of My Presence with you. Refresh yourself in My promises. I will counsel you and watch over you. I will supply every need of yours according to My riches in Glory. Peace I leave with you. My Peace I give you.
Though My Peace is a forever promise, you need frequent reminders. When your mind becomes quiet enough, listen for My resurrection blessing. "Peace be with you."
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: John 20:26; Psalm 32:8; Philippians 4:19 and John 14:27
Saturday, August 29, 2015
My Deep Desire Is That You ...
MY DEEP DESIRE IS THAT YOU learn to depend on Me in every situation. I move heaven and earth to accomplish this purpose, but you must collaborate with Me in this training.
Dear Jesus, We love depending on You - afterward! When the task before us is too challenging for us to handle confidently, we almost instinctively turn to You for help. These are times when we are painfully aware of our inadequacy: our need to depend on Someone far greater than we are. They are scary moments - times of having to act on our belief that You will not let us down. These occasions of stepping out in faith feel very much like jumping off a cliff into open space, trusting You to catch us in mid-air. And You do! That is when we feel jubilant - after we have just experienced Your intervention: rescuing us and enabling us to accomplish things we could never do alone.
Beloved, it is good that you have experienced My intervening help many times. Had you refused to "jump off the cliff," you would not have had those thrilling experiences. I hope your feelings of fear will diminish as I prove My faithfulness to you time after time. Let Me suggest a technique that can help. When you face an event that unnerves you, take time to affirm your trust in Me - repeatedly, if need be. This takes your attention off yourself and your fear, helping you focus on Me and My great faithfulness.
Though I'm pleased by your willingness to depend on Me in tough situations, I desire much more from you. I want you to rely on Me even when you feel competent to handle a situation yourself. I have given you talents and abilities. When you utilize them, remember to do so thankfully, asking Me to help you use them wisely: according to My will. This collaborative way of doing things will not only help you accomplish more, it will also keep you close to Me - commuting with Me, delighting in Me, enjoying Me.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 4:13 and Lamentations 3:22-23
Dear Jesus, We love depending on You - afterward! When the task before us is too challenging for us to handle confidently, we almost instinctively turn to You for help. These are times when we are painfully aware of our inadequacy: our need to depend on Someone far greater than we are. They are scary moments - times of having to act on our belief that You will not let us down. These occasions of stepping out in faith feel very much like jumping off a cliff into open space, trusting You to catch us in mid-air. And You do! That is when we feel jubilant - after we have just experienced Your intervention: rescuing us and enabling us to accomplish things we could never do alone.
Beloved, it is good that you have experienced My intervening help many times. Had you refused to "jump off the cliff," you would not have had those thrilling experiences. I hope your feelings of fear will diminish as I prove My faithfulness to you time after time. Let Me suggest a technique that can help. When you face an event that unnerves you, take time to affirm your trust in Me - repeatedly, if need be. This takes your attention off yourself and your fear, helping you focus on Me and My great faithfulness.
Though I'm pleased by your willingness to depend on Me in tough situations, I desire much more from you. I want you to rely on Me even when you feel competent to handle a situation yourself. I have given you talents and abilities. When you utilize them, remember to do so thankfully, asking Me to help you use them wisely: according to My will. This collaborative way of doing things will not only help you accomplish more, it will also keep you close to Me - commuting with Me, delighting in Me, enjoying Me.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 4:13 and Lamentations 3:22-23
Friday, August 28, 2015
Make Me Your Focal Point As You ...
MAKE ME YOUR FOCAL POINT AS YOU move through this day. Just as a spinning ballerina must keep returning her eyes to a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me.
Dear Jesus, We definitely feel as if we have been spinning around today, but not like a graceful ballerina. Just when we are about to regain our balance, another event surprises us and sets us spinning again. We find ourselves moving faster and faster, trying to keep up with everything that's going on around us. Only as we look to You in the midst of our circumstances can we find stability.
Beloved, your only hope is to look to Me again and again and again. That's why I likened your situation to a ballerina who repeatedly finds her focal point as she twirls. Though many people think beginning the day with Me is sufficient, they frequently go off course unless they continue seeking Me throughout their waking hours. Learn from the ballerina. Each time she turns full circle, she returns her eyes to the same stationary point with a quick turn of her head. If she didn't do that, she would soon become very dizzy. Similarly, you need a stationary focus as you face the dizzying swirl of events in your life. Because I remain the same forever, I am your best focal point. To avoid losing your balance, you must keep looking to Me.
I realize you fix your gaze on Me continually. I understand the limitations of your human condition. You will lose sight of Me at times. But because I am with you always, you can reorient yourself with a quick glance My way. The more frequently you return your attention to Me, the better balanced your life will be. This is how to fix your eyes on Me while living in a fallen world. I assure you, though, that in heaven your limitations will be lifted. Now you see as if you are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim, blurred reflection, but then you will see in reality - face to Face!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 102:27 and 1 Corinthians 13:12
Dear Jesus, We definitely feel as if we have been spinning around today, but not like a graceful ballerina. Just when we are about to regain our balance, another event surprises us and sets us spinning again. We find ourselves moving faster and faster, trying to keep up with everything that's going on around us. Only as we look to You in the midst of our circumstances can we find stability.
Beloved, your only hope is to look to Me again and again and again. That's why I likened your situation to a ballerina who repeatedly finds her focal point as she twirls. Though many people think beginning the day with Me is sufficient, they frequently go off course unless they continue seeking Me throughout their waking hours. Learn from the ballerina. Each time she turns full circle, she returns her eyes to the same stationary point with a quick turn of her head. If she didn't do that, she would soon become very dizzy. Similarly, you need a stationary focus as you face the dizzying swirl of events in your life. Because I remain the same forever, I am your best focal point. To avoid losing your balance, you must keep looking to Me.
I realize you fix your gaze on Me continually. I understand the limitations of your human condition. You will lose sight of Me at times. But because I am with you always, you can reorient yourself with a quick glance My way. The more frequently you return your attention to Me, the better balanced your life will be. This is how to fix your eyes on Me while living in a fallen world. I assure you, though, that in heaven your limitations will be lifted. Now you see as if you are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim, blurred reflection, but then you will see in reality - face to Face!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Hebrews 12:2; Psalm 102:27 and 1 Corinthians 13:12
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Glorifying And Enjoying Me Is A ...
GLORIFYING AND ENJOYING ME IS A higher priority than maintaining a tidy, structured life. Give up your striving to keep everything under control - an impossible task, and a waste of precious energy.
Dear Jesus, In our heart, glorifying and enjoying You is a much higher priority than maintaining order. In practice, however, we strive to keep things under control. When that becomes our focus, we tend to lose sight of You. Even when we think of You at such a time, we usually try to enlist Your help in restoring order. We want our life to display the deep desire in our heart: glorifying and enjoying You in carefree exuberance!
Beloved, I delight in your heartfelt desire to "kick up your heels" in celebration of who I AM. I can see into the depths of your heart, and I know that what you have expressed is true. I also read your thoughts with perfect accuracy, so I realize how easily you lose sight of My Presence.
Let's think together about this problem. To glorify and enjoy Me as you desire, you need to relinquish control to Me. You may think the world involves giving up something precious, because controlling things is a way you try to feel secure. In reality, however, this effort is bound to fail. Even if you succeed in creating a tidy, structured life for a time, you will not be able to maintain it. So, what I'm asking you to give up - control - this is something that frustrates you far more than it helps you.
Instead of wasting your energy on an impossible task, endeavor to celebrate your relationship with Me. Learn to walk more consistently in the Light of My Presence. Indeed, those who walk in this Light can rejoice in Me all day long, exulting in My righteousness. Glorify Me by living joyously in My energizing Light.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: John 17:4-5; Psalm 139:1-2 and Psalm 89:15-16
Dear Jesus, In our heart, glorifying and enjoying You is a much higher priority than maintaining order. In practice, however, we strive to keep things under control. When that becomes our focus, we tend to lose sight of You. Even when we think of You at such a time, we usually try to enlist Your help in restoring order. We want our life to display the deep desire in our heart: glorifying and enjoying You in carefree exuberance!
Beloved, I delight in your heartfelt desire to "kick up your heels" in celebration of who I AM. I can see into the depths of your heart, and I know that what you have expressed is true. I also read your thoughts with perfect accuracy, so I realize how easily you lose sight of My Presence.
Let's think together about this problem. To glorify and enjoy Me as you desire, you need to relinquish control to Me. You may think the world involves giving up something precious, because controlling things is a way you try to feel secure. In reality, however, this effort is bound to fail. Even if you succeed in creating a tidy, structured life for a time, you will not be able to maintain it. So, what I'm asking you to give up - control - this is something that frustrates you far more than it helps you.
Instead of wasting your energy on an impossible task, endeavor to celebrate your relationship with Me. Learn to walk more consistently in the Light of My Presence. Indeed, those who walk in this Light can rejoice in Me all day long, exulting in My righteousness. Glorify Me by living joyously in My energizing Light.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: John 17:4-5; Psalm 139:1-2 and Psalm 89:15-16
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Remember That Your Relationship With Me Is ...
REMEMBER THAT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ME IS saturated in grace. Therefore, nothing you do or don't do can separate you from My Presence.
Dear Jesus, We are so thankful for Your grace. When we are keenly aware of having failed You, we grasp on to grace for dear life. Feelings of guilt and fear conspire to convince us we have lost Your Love. Our sense of unworthiness tempts us to punish ourselves for our sins. Then we remember You have clothed us with garments of salvation - arrayed us in Your own righteousness. Our salvation is all about You and what You have done to rescue us. Help us feel more secure in Your Love.
Beloved, it is utterly impossible for Me to stop loving you. Your relationship with Me is so saturated in grace that the two are forever inseparable. Meat that has been marinated in a sauce cannot become un-marinated. The longer it soaks, the deeper it penetrates, flavoring and tenderizing the meat. You have been soaking in grace ever since I became your Savior. The longer you "marinate," the more fully My grace permeates our relationship. It is impossible for you to become un-graced!
I want you to rest in the perfection of your salvation. My glorious grace makes you holy and blameless in My sight. So, nothing you do or fail to do could ever separate you from My Love.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:38-39; Isaiah 61:10 and
Ephesians 1:4-6
Dear Jesus, We are so thankful for Your grace. When we are keenly aware of having failed You, we grasp on to grace for dear life. Feelings of guilt and fear conspire to convince us we have lost Your Love. Our sense of unworthiness tempts us to punish ourselves for our sins. Then we remember You have clothed us with garments of salvation - arrayed us in Your own righteousness. Our salvation is all about You and what You have done to rescue us. Help us feel more secure in Your Love.
Beloved, it is utterly impossible for Me to stop loving you. Your relationship with Me is so saturated in grace that the two are forever inseparable. Meat that has been marinated in a sauce cannot become un-marinated. The longer it soaks, the deeper it penetrates, flavoring and tenderizing the meat. You have been soaking in grace ever since I became your Savior. The longer you "marinate," the more fully My grace permeates our relationship. It is impossible for you to become un-graced!
I want you to rest in the perfection of your salvation. My glorious grace makes you holy and blameless in My sight. So, nothing you do or fail to do could ever separate you from My Love.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Ephesians 2:8; Romans 8:38-39; Isaiah 61:10 and
Ephesians 1:4-6
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
The Ultimate Protection Against ...
THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION AGAINST sinking during life's storms is devoting time to develop your friendship with Me.
Dear Jesus, We waste a lot of time worrying about storms we can see forming along the horizon of our lives. Thankfully, many of them in the past have veered off in another direction: never reaching us. Some storms have actually hit, but usually they have lost much of their power by the time they get to us. We need to switch our focus from difficulties that may come our way to Your Presence, which is always with us.
Beloved, you will never find security by trying to anticipate all the storms that may reach you someday. Remember that I control the atmosphere of your life. Trust Me by relaxing and releasing your concerns into My capable care. It saddens Me to see you obsessing about possible problems, rather than bringing these matters to Me. When you find yourself anxiously scanning the horizon of your life, use that as a reminder to seek My Face. You will not find Me off in the distance. I am here beside you, nearer than you dare believe.
Instead of wasting time worrying, devote that time to developing close friendship with Me. Talk with Me about everything that concerns you - your pleasures as well as your problems. I am interested in everything that matters to you, because I care for you. Ask Me to lift your perspective from a problem-focus to a Presence-focus. Remember that I am holding you by your right hand. I guide you with My own counsel, based on eternal wisdom; so there's no need to worry about the future. When the time comes, I will personally escort you into Glory.
It is good for you to be near Me. Your best refuge in life's storms is close friendship with Me.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 Chronicles 14:11; Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 73:23-24, 28
Dear Jesus, We waste a lot of time worrying about storms we can see forming along the horizon of our lives. Thankfully, many of them in the past have veered off in another direction: never reaching us. Some storms have actually hit, but usually they have lost much of their power by the time they get to us. We need to switch our focus from difficulties that may come our way to Your Presence, which is always with us.
Beloved, you will never find security by trying to anticipate all the storms that may reach you someday. Remember that I control the atmosphere of your life. Trust Me by relaxing and releasing your concerns into My capable care. It saddens Me to see you obsessing about possible problems, rather than bringing these matters to Me. When you find yourself anxiously scanning the horizon of your life, use that as a reminder to seek My Face. You will not find Me off in the distance. I am here beside you, nearer than you dare believe.
Instead of wasting time worrying, devote that time to developing close friendship with Me. Talk with Me about everything that concerns you - your pleasures as well as your problems. I am interested in everything that matters to you, because I care for you. Ask Me to lift your perspective from a problem-focus to a Presence-focus. Remember that I am holding you by your right hand. I guide you with My own counsel, based on eternal wisdom; so there's no need to worry about the future. When the time comes, I will personally escort you into Glory.
It is good for you to be near Me. Your best refuge in life's storms is close friendship with Me.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 Chronicles 14:11; Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 73:23-24, 28
Monday, August 24, 2015
My Light Shines Most Brightly Through ...
MY LIGHT SHINES MOST BRIGHTLY THROUGH believers who trust Me in the dark. That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit.
Dear Jesus, We love walking in the Light with You. We are a creature who craves light - sunlight and even artificial light, but especially the Light of Your holy Presence. We trust You easily when there's plenty of light in our world. Trusting You in the dark is another matter altogether: there is a kind of desperation to it - clinging to You as if our life depended on it.
Beloved, growing in grace is all about trusting Me: in good times, in bad times, at all times. I am Lord over all your circumstances, so I want to be involved in every aspect of your life. One of the best ways of connecting with Me - here and now - is trusting Me in the very situation where you find yourself. When your world seems dark and you trust Me anyway, My Light shines brightly through you. You may not be aware of this illumination, but it is visible to many: both in heavenly realms and on earth. Your display of transcendent trust weakens spiritual forces of evil. People around you are strengthened and blessed by My supernatural Light showing through you.
Clinging to Me in the dark feels like an act requiring all your willpower. Exerting your will is definitely important, but there is more. My hand has an eternal grip on yours, I will never let go of you! Moreover, My indwelling Spirit empowers you to keep hanging on. When you feel on the brink of giving up, cry out for His assistance: "Help me, Holy Spirit!" This brief prayer enables you to tap into His vast Power. Be encouraged by knowing that though you may see only darkness, My Light is shining through you in surpassing splendor!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 John 1:7; Psalm 62:8 and Psalm 139:10
Dear Jesus, We love walking in the Light with You. We are a creature who craves light - sunlight and even artificial light, but especially the Light of Your holy Presence. We trust You easily when there's plenty of light in our world. Trusting You in the dark is another matter altogether: there is a kind of desperation to it - clinging to You as if our life depended on it.
Beloved, growing in grace is all about trusting Me: in good times, in bad times, at all times. I am Lord over all your circumstances, so I want to be involved in every aspect of your life. One of the best ways of connecting with Me - here and now - is trusting Me in the very situation where you find yourself. When your world seems dark and you trust Me anyway, My Light shines brightly through you. You may not be aware of this illumination, but it is visible to many: both in heavenly realms and on earth. Your display of transcendent trust weakens spiritual forces of evil. People around you are strengthened and blessed by My supernatural Light showing through you.
Clinging to Me in the dark feels like an act requiring all your willpower. Exerting your will is definitely important, but there is more. My hand has an eternal grip on yours, I will never let go of you! Moreover, My indwelling Spirit empowers you to keep hanging on. When you feel on the brink of giving up, cry out for His assistance: "Help me, Holy Spirit!" This brief prayer enables you to tap into His vast Power. Be encouraged by knowing that though you may see only darkness, My Light is shining through you in surpassing splendor!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 John 1:7; Psalm 62:8 and Psalm 139:10
Sunday, August 23, 2015
When You Seek Me Instead Of ...
WHEN YOU SEEK ME INSTEAD OF the world's idols, you experience My Joy and Peace. These intangibles quench the thirst of your soul, providing deep satisfaction.
Dear Jesus, Our soul is often thirsty, even though we may not realize it at the time. We may think we are tired or bored or stressed out. So we start looking around in the visible world, searching for satisfaction, or at least some distraction. All the while, You are with Me - invisible, yet infinitely Real. Our soul thirsts for You, Jesus!
Beloved, the world offers more distractions than you could ever fit into one lifespan. They may provide some relief for a while, but your thirst for me remains unquenched. When you realize that your deepest desire is for Me, you are well on the way to finding satisfaction. As you go along this path of Life, you will encounter companions I have chosen for you - Joy and Peace. Though they are intangible, their company is quite beneficial. They can relieve the thirst of your soul.
Joy is radiantly lovely. Her contagious laughter lifts you up and lightens your mood. Peace is quieter than Joy but equally attractive. Her serenity calms you, as you feel fully understood yet totally accepted. The longer you walk with these delightful companions, the better your journey will be. Moreover, Joy and Peace enhance your awareness of Me - the One who ultimately satisfies your soul thirst.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 143:6; Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 16:11 and Colossians 3:15
Dear Jesus, Our soul is often thirsty, even though we may not realize it at the time. We may think we are tired or bored or stressed out. So we start looking around in the visible world, searching for satisfaction, or at least some distraction. All the while, You are with Me - invisible, yet infinitely Real. Our soul thirsts for You, Jesus!
Beloved, the world offers more distractions than you could ever fit into one lifespan. They may provide some relief for a while, but your thirst for me remains unquenched. When you realize that your deepest desire is for Me, you are well on the way to finding satisfaction. As you go along this path of Life, you will encounter companions I have chosen for you - Joy and Peace. Though they are intangible, their company is quite beneficial. They can relieve the thirst of your soul.
Joy is radiantly lovely. Her contagious laughter lifts you up and lightens your mood. Peace is quieter than Joy but equally attractive. Her serenity calms you, as you feel fully understood yet totally accepted. The longer you walk with these delightful companions, the better your journey will be. Moreover, Joy and Peace enhance your awareness of Me - the One who ultimately satisfies your soul thirst.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 143:6; Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 16:11 and Colossians 3:15
Saturday - A Thankful Attitude Opens ...
A THANKFUL ATTITUDE OPENS windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings fall freely onto you through those openings into eternity.
Dear Jesus, We love the image of spiritual blessings falling upon us through heaven's open windows. And all You require of us is to be thankful. That seems such an easy condition, yet we stumble over it almost every day of our life. Help us overcome our ungrateful attitude.
Beloved, I rejoice in your desire to become more grateful. Throughout the Bible I repeatedly command thankfulness because it is vital to your well-being. It is also crucial for a healthy relationship with Me, since I am your Creator, your Savior, your King. When you thank Me, you acknowledge your indebtedness to Me, how much I have done for you. This attitude brings Joy both to you and to Me.
Giving thanks is similar to similar priming a pump with water so that it will produce more water. Since thankfulness is one of the spiritual blessings I bestow on you, it will increase along with the others when you "prime" Me with thanksgiving.
Remember that I am the God of all grace. When you fail in your endeavor to be thankful, simply ask Me for forgiveness. As you freely receive this priceless gift - remembering what it cost Me - your gratitude will grow. Look up to Me, and see spiritual blessings cascading down on you through wide open windows of heaven.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 100:4; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 4:2; Zechariah 9:9
Dear Jesus, We love the image of spiritual blessings falling upon us through heaven's open windows. And all You require of us is to be thankful. That seems such an easy condition, yet we stumble over it almost every day of our life. Help us overcome our ungrateful attitude.
Beloved, I rejoice in your desire to become more grateful. Throughout the Bible I repeatedly command thankfulness because it is vital to your well-being. It is also crucial for a healthy relationship with Me, since I am your Creator, your Savior, your King. When you thank Me, you acknowledge your indebtedness to Me, how much I have done for you. This attitude brings Joy both to you and to Me.
Giving thanks is similar to similar priming a pump with water so that it will produce more water. Since thankfulness is one of the spiritual blessings I bestow on you, it will increase along with the others when you "prime" Me with thanksgiving.
Remember that I am the God of all grace. When you fail in your endeavor to be thankful, simply ask Me for forgiveness. As you freely receive this priceless gift - remembering what it cost Me - your gratitude will grow. Look up to Me, and see spiritual blessings cascading down on you through wide open windows of heaven.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 100:4; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 4:2; Zechariah 9:9
Friday, August 21, 2015
Be Willing To Go Out On A ..
BE WILLING TO GO OUT ON A Limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be.
Dear Jesus, We are really not much of a risk taker. We prefer to play it safe. However, staying close to You is our heartfelt desire. We want to follow wherever You lead - even if it's out on a limb. Help us follow You confidently, rather than fearfully.
Beloved, bring all your fears to Me. Fears that are not dealt with tend to magnify themselves. Expose them to the revealing Light of My Presence, and they will shrink to manageable proportions. Some of them may even become comical when you view them from this perspective.
As fearfulness loosens its grip on you, you are freed to follow Me. Grasp My hand tightly, as we edge our way out onto the limb. Since I go before you in this venture, you can keep our eyes on Me as you step out in faith. Soon we will get to a resting place, and then you can look around. If you like, glance back at the tree trunk, the place from which we branched out on this adventure. While gripping My hand to steady yourself, look toward the horizon and enjoy the view from this treetop perspective.
You are actually safer here - out on this limb with Me - than you would be on the ground. In this new, challenging environment you stay alert, communicating with Me continually, holding My hand in trusting dependence. Overly familiar surroundings may feel safer, but they can lull you into sleepy self-reliance. That is when you tend to forget about Me; it's also when you are most likely to fall. Follow Me confidently wherever I lead, and the shelter of My Presence will keep you safe.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 37:23-24; Hebrews 22:2 and Psalm 31:20
Dear Jesus, We are really not much of a risk taker. We prefer to play it safe. However, staying close to You is our heartfelt desire. We want to follow wherever You lead - even if it's out on a limb. Help us follow You confidently, rather than fearfully.
Beloved, bring all your fears to Me. Fears that are not dealt with tend to magnify themselves. Expose them to the revealing Light of My Presence, and they will shrink to manageable proportions. Some of them may even become comical when you view them from this perspective.
As fearfulness loosens its grip on you, you are freed to follow Me. Grasp My hand tightly, as we edge our way out onto the limb. Since I go before you in this venture, you can keep our eyes on Me as you step out in faith. Soon we will get to a resting place, and then you can look around. If you like, glance back at the tree trunk, the place from which we branched out on this adventure. While gripping My hand to steady yourself, look toward the horizon and enjoy the view from this treetop perspective.
You are actually safer here - out on this limb with Me - than you would be on the ground. In this new, challenging environment you stay alert, communicating with Me continually, holding My hand in trusting dependence. Overly familiar surroundings may feel safer, but they can lull you into sleepy self-reliance. That is when you tend to forget about Me; it's also when you are most likely to fall. Follow Me confidently wherever I lead, and the shelter of My Presence will keep you safe.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 37:23-24; Hebrews 22:2 and Psalm 31:20
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Trust Me In The Midst Of ...
TRUST ME IN THE MIDST OF a messy day. Your inner calm - your Peace in My Presence - need not be shaken by what is going on around you.
Dear Jesus, Sometimes "messy" is a very apt description of the day. Many things feel out of control, but we are trying to trust You to help us. Our yearning to restore order in our little world tends to give us an outward focus - on our circumstances. We confess that our inner calm is easily shaken by what is going on around us. We know Your Peace is still available to us, but we are having trouble accessing it.
Beloved, your honesty appeals to Me and draws Me near you. When a messy day interrupts your Peace, you discover that your sense of security is quite dependent on circumstances. This is a very common problem, and there are ways you can overcome it. The best way is to stop what you are doing and seek My assistance. Even a brief "time out" from the confusion is extremely beneficial. As you turn your attention to Me, I help you see from My perspective. You realize you are not in the midst of an emergency, so you give yourself permission to slow down. This slower pace makes it easier to stay conscious of Me when you return to the messy situation.
Sometimes it is impossible for you to leave the situation even briefly. In this case, your challenge is to retreat to a place of inner calmness while your mind and body remain largely engaged in problem-solving. This is difficult, but it is still possible. Since I live in your heart, My Peace is accessible to you there. Ask Me to increase your awareness of My peaceful Presence. Keep returning your thoughts to Me, by whispering "Jesus." My Name is a strong tower, as you run to it, you know you are safe.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: John 16:33; Psalm 121:2 and Proverbs 18:10
Dear Jesus, Sometimes "messy" is a very apt description of the day. Many things feel out of control, but we are trying to trust You to help us. Our yearning to restore order in our little world tends to give us an outward focus - on our circumstances. We confess that our inner calm is easily shaken by what is going on around us. We know Your Peace is still available to us, but we are having trouble accessing it.
Beloved, your honesty appeals to Me and draws Me near you. When a messy day interrupts your Peace, you discover that your sense of security is quite dependent on circumstances. This is a very common problem, and there are ways you can overcome it. The best way is to stop what you are doing and seek My assistance. Even a brief "time out" from the confusion is extremely beneficial. As you turn your attention to Me, I help you see from My perspective. You realize you are not in the midst of an emergency, so you give yourself permission to slow down. This slower pace makes it easier to stay conscious of Me when you return to the messy situation.
Sometimes it is impossible for you to leave the situation even briefly. In this case, your challenge is to retreat to a place of inner calmness while your mind and body remain largely engaged in problem-solving. This is difficult, but it is still possible. Since I live in your heart, My Peace is accessible to you there. Ask Me to increase your awareness of My peaceful Presence. Keep returning your thoughts to Me, by whispering "Jesus." My Name is a strong tower, as you run to it, you know you are safe.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: John 16:33; Psalm 121:2 and Proverbs 18:10
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
In Addition To The Three ...
IN ADDITION TO THE THREE Dimensions of space and the one of time, there is the dimension of openness to My Presence. This one transcends the other four, giving you glimpses of heaven while you still reside on earth.
Dear Jesus, We are trying to wrap our minds around the concept of this fifth dimension - openness to Your Presence. It seems quite reasonable because we know You transcend both space and time. However, we are a time-bound creature. We can exist only in the present. Also, the world we see around us is decidedly three-dimensional. So, understanding the fifth dimension is a "stretch" for us - a stretch of faith.
Beloved, you are right on target. Openness to My Presence is all about faith: believing that though I am invisible, I am both Real and really with you. This is foundational to knowing Me. However, there is also an art to knowing Me. It is very personal, because each of My followers has a unique relationship with Me: comprised of all your communication with Me, your love for Me, your receptivity and responsiveness to Me.
Sometimes when you are seeking My Face, My Presence becomes more real to you than the space-time moment you occupy. The reality of My glorious Being outshines your current circumstances and lifts you above them. You feel free, and your spirit soars with Me. You rejoice in Me and are strengthened by that divine Joy. Thus, you enjoy glimpses of heaven while continuing to dwell on earth.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Hebrews 11:1; John 11:40; Ephesians 2:6 and Nehemiah 8:10
Dear Jesus, We are trying to wrap our minds around the concept of this fifth dimension - openness to Your Presence. It seems quite reasonable because we know You transcend both space and time. However, we are a time-bound creature. We can exist only in the present. Also, the world we see around us is decidedly three-dimensional. So, understanding the fifth dimension is a "stretch" for us - a stretch of faith.
Beloved, you are right on target. Openness to My Presence is all about faith: believing that though I am invisible, I am both Real and really with you. This is foundational to knowing Me. However, there is also an art to knowing Me. It is very personal, because each of My followers has a unique relationship with Me: comprised of all your communication with Me, your love for Me, your receptivity and responsiveness to Me.
Sometimes when you are seeking My Face, My Presence becomes more real to you than the space-time moment you occupy. The reality of My glorious Being outshines your current circumstances and lifts you above them. You feel free, and your spirit soars with Me. You rejoice in Me and are strengthened by that divine Joy. Thus, you enjoy glimpses of heaven while continuing to dwell on earth.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Hebrews 11:1; John 11:40; Ephesians 2:6 and Nehemiah 8:10
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Come To Me, Come To ...
COME TO ME. COME TO Me. Come to Me. This is My continual invitation to you, proclaimed in holy whispers.
Dear Jesus,
Your invitation makes our hearts leap! How we long to hear Your holy whispers and respond with our whole being. So often, though, we are distracted by the noise of our worries and the clamor of the world. Help us remember your inviting Presence even when we are too hassled to hear Your Love whispers.
Beloved, you do well to ask for help in remembering. My chosen children have consistently forgotten Me and the great works I've done on their behalf. I made a dry path through the Red Sea for the Israelites, saving them from the pursuing Egyptians. Yet many of those former slaves remembered the tasty food they had eaten in Egypt better than they recalled My miraculous deeds to set them free. You also tend to "major on minors," letting trivial matters distract you from Me. You forget that My sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection shed Light on each moment of your life. I want you to live vibrantly in this Light, increasingly aware of My nearness.
To help in your endeavor to remember, think of Me as the Lover of your soul, the One who delights in you now and forevermore. View yourself first and foremost as My beloved, since that is your ultimate identity. Fill your mind with Bible verses that convince you of My perfect Love for you.
Come to Me at all times, My loved one. Pour out your heart to Me, for I am your Refuge.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Matthew 11:28; Exodus 14:21-22 and Psalm 62:8
Dear Jesus,
Your invitation makes our hearts leap! How we long to hear Your holy whispers and respond with our whole being. So often, though, we are distracted by the noise of our worries and the clamor of the world. Help us remember your inviting Presence even when we are too hassled to hear Your Love whispers.
Beloved, you do well to ask for help in remembering. My chosen children have consistently forgotten Me and the great works I've done on their behalf. I made a dry path through the Red Sea for the Israelites, saving them from the pursuing Egyptians. Yet many of those former slaves remembered the tasty food they had eaten in Egypt better than they recalled My miraculous deeds to set them free. You also tend to "major on minors," letting trivial matters distract you from Me. You forget that My sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection shed Light on each moment of your life. I want you to live vibrantly in this Light, increasingly aware of My nearness.
To help in your endeavor to remember, think of Me as the Lover of your soul, the One who delights in you now and forevermore. View yourself first and foremost as My beloved, since that is your ultimate identity. Fill your mind with Bible verses that convince you of My perfect Love for you.
Come to Me at all times, My loved one. Pour out your heart to Me, for I am your Refuge.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Matthew 11:28; Exodus 14:21-22 and Psalm 62:8
Monday, August 17, 2015
I Want You To Be All ...
I WANT YOU TO BE ALL Mine. I am weaning you from other dependencies. Your security rests in Me alone: not in other people, not in circumstances.
Dear Jesus, We are grateful for the security You provide in our lives. The world has become such a frightening, insecure place! If You were not our Savior, we do not know how we would cope with all the uncertainty. However, we are not yet weaned from other dependencies. We want to depend on You plus other people and favorable circumstances. Amen.
Beloved, I am pleased by your candid admission. That gives Me an entrance into your life, so I can work with you on this matter. I'm not asking you to become a hermit or otherwise isolate yourself from other people. On the contrary, I want My children to help and love one another. One of the main ways I bless people is through the loving acts of others. However, you need to remember that every good and perfect gift is ultimately from Me, even if it comes to you through human hands.
The main danger of misplaced dependence is that it can border on idolatry. If you let your basic well-being depend on another person's behavior, you elevate that one to a position that only I should occupy. This is not only displeasing to Me; it is destructive. Because people are imperfect and unpredictable, your life may come to resemble a roller coaster: subject to the whims and moods of other people. Even worse, your intimacy with Me will be hindered by your preoccupation with someone else. I deserve first place in your heart!
I want you to rejoice in Me at all times, in all kinds of circumstances. You may ask freely for whatever you desire, bringing Me your petitions with thanksgiving. Regardless of how I answer your requests, this prayer transaction comes with a promise. My Peace will guard your heart and your mind, keeping you close to Me.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: James 1:17; Revelation 2:4 and Philippians 4:4-7
Dear Jesus, We are grateful for the security You provide in our lives. The world has become such a frightening, insecure place! If You were not our Savior, we do not know how we would cope with all the uncertainty. However, we are not yet weaned from other dependencies. We want to depend on You plus other people and favorable circumstances. Amen.
Beloved, I am pleased by your candid admission. That gives Me an entrance into your life, so I can work with you on this matter. I'm not asking you to become a hermit or otherwise isolate yourself from other people. On the contrary, I want My children to help and love one another. One of the main ways I bless people is through the loving acts of others. However, you need to remember that every good and perfect gift is ultimately from Me, even if it comes to you through human hands.
The main danger of misplaced dependence is that it can border on idolatry. If you let your basic well-being depend on another person's behavior, you elevate that one to a position that only I should occupy. This is not only displeasing to Me; it is destructive. Because people are imperfect and unpredictable, your life may come to resemble a roller coaster: subject to the whims and moods of other people. Even worse, your intimacy with Me will be hindered by your preoccupation with someone else. I deserve first place in your heart!
I want you to rejoice in Me at all times, in all kinds of circumstances. You may ask freely for whatever you desire, bringing Me your petitions with thanksgiving. Regardless of how I answer your requests, this prayer transaction comes with a promise. My Peace will guard your heart and your mind, keeping you close to Me.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: James 1:17; Revelation 2:4 and Philippians 4:4-7
Sunday, August 16, 2015
I Am Nearer Than You Dare ....
I AM NEARER THAN YOU DARE Believe, closer than the air you breathe. If My children could only imagine My Presence, they would never feel lonely again.
Dear Jesus, We deeply desire to experience Your Presence more consistently. When we are aware of Your nearness, we feel peaceful and content. It is awesome that You are even closer than the air we breathe. Usually, we are not conscious of being enveloped in air, because it is invisible and consistently available to us. Similarly, Your unseen Presence is a constant in our lives, but we often fail to recognize You. That leaves us vulnerable to loneliness.
Beloved, it's good that you are the connection between loneliness and lack of awareness. This is an ago old problem. When the patriarch Jacob was in a barren place - far from his family - he was quite conscious of his isolation. However, I poured out My Presence upon him, in the form of a glorious dream. When Jacob awoke, he responded, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it" (Genesis 28:16).
It is possible to feel isolated even when you are with other people, because of the privacy of your thoughts and unspoken needs. The only thing that can adequately fill the gaps of isolation is awareness of My abiding Presence. Not only am I constantly with you, but I am also within you: in the inner recesses of your heart and mind. My knowledge of you is picture perfect, and it is framed in unconditional Love.
Let feelings of loneliness remind you of your need to seek My Face. Come to Me with your ever-so human emptiness and My divine Presence will fill you with Life to the full.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 41:12; Psalm 145:17-18 and John 10:10
Dear Jesus, We deeply desire to experience Your Presence more consistently. When we are aware of Your nearness, we feel peaceful and content. It is awesome that You are even closer than the air we breathe. Usually, we are not conscious of being enveloped in air, because it is invisible and consistently available to us. Similarly, Your unseen Presence is a constant in our lives, but we often fail to recognize You. That leaves us vulnerable to loneliness.
Beloved, it's good that you are the connection between loneliness and lack of awareness. This is an ago old problem. When the patriarch Jacob was in a barren place - far from his family - he was quite conscious of his isolation. However, I poured out My Presence upon him, in the form of a glorious dream. When Jacob awoke, he responded, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it" (Genesis 28:16).
It is possible to feel isolated even when you are with other people, because of the privacy of your thoughts and unspoken needs. The only thing that can adequately fill the gaps of isolation is awareness of My abiding Presence. Not only am I constantly with you, but I am also within you: in the inner recesses of your heart and mind. My knowledge of you is picture perfect, and it is framed in unconditional Love.
Let feelings of loneliness remind you of your need to seek My Face. Come to Me with your ever-so human emptiness and My divine Presence will fill you with Life to the full.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 41:12; Psalm 145:17-18 and John 10:10
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Go Gently Through This Day, Leaning On ...
GO GENTLY THROUGH THIS DAY, LEANING ON Me and enjoying My Presence.
Dear Jesus, Gently seems to be the only way we can make it through this day. We are grateful for Your perfect understanding, for commanding us to do precisely what we need most at this moment. Thank You also for inviting us to lean on You. We need to lean on someone, and You are definitely the most reliable Person we could ever find. It amazes us that You - the Lord of the universe - are always available to help us. Amen.
Beloved, My availability is based on My commitment to you, which is deeper and stronger than even the most ardent wedding vows. No matter how passionately in love a bride and groom may be, their vows last only until one of them dies. My commitment, however, is absolutely unlimited. When you asked Me to be your Savior, I wed you for eternity. Neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation can separate you from My Love!
I want you to go gently through this day, because I Myself am gentle - especially with those who are weak. You are free to lean on Me as much as you like, but I also want you to enjoy Me. When you are weary, you find it easier to lean on Me than to enjoy My company. In an attempt to save energy, you tend to shut down emotionally. But it is possible for you to be joyful in Me - Your Savior - even in desperate circumstances. Remember that I am your strength. Rejoice in Me, and relax while I speak to you in a gentle whisper.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Romans 8:38-39; Habakkuk 3:17-19 and 1 Kings 19:12
Dear Jesus, Gently seems to be the only way we can make it through this day. We are grateful for Your perfect understanding, for commanding us to do precisely what we need most at this moment. Thank You also for inviting us to lean on You. We need to lean on someone, and You are definitely the most reliable Person we could ever find. It amazes us that You - the Lord of the universe - are always available to help us. Amen.
Beloved, My availability is based on My commitment to you, which is deeper and stronger than even the most ardent wedding vows. No matter how passionately in love a bride and groom may be, their vows last only until one of them dies. My commitment, however, is absolutely unlimited. When you asked Me to be your Savior, I wed you for eternity. Neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation can separate you from My Love!
I want you to go gently through this day, because I Myself am gentle - especially with those who are weak. You are free to lean on Me as much as you like, but I also want you to enjoy Me. When you are weary, you find it easier to lean on Me than to enjoy My company. In an attempt to save energy, you tend to shut down emotionally. But it is possible for you to be joyful in Me - Your Savior - even in desperate circumstances. Remember that I am your strength. Rejoice in Me, and relax while I speak to you in a gentle whisper.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Romans 8:38-39; Habakkuk 3:17-19 and 1 Kings 19:12
Friday, August 14, 2015
Instead of Dreading Difficulties That ...
INSTEAD OF DREADING DIFFICULTIES THAT may or may not occur, view this day as a sacred adventure to be shared with Me.
Dear Jesus, Our hearts delight in Your invitation to live this day as a sacred adventure. You are our King of kings and we long to live in a manner that displays our adoption into Your royal family. You are also our Lord of lords, so anything shared with You is sacred. We admit, though, that our minds are often preoccupied with ordinary matters and concerns. When a new day stands open before us, we scan it for difficulties that may occur, wondering if we'll be able to cope. This is the natural bent of our mind: an earth-bound focus. Keep us focused on you and your abilities to strengthen and encourage us. Amen.
Beloved, it is natural for your mind to be drawn toward mundane matters. But you are capable of so much more than that! I created you in My own image, with incredible abilities given only to mankind. When you become a believer, I infused My Spirit into your innermost being. The combination of My image and My Spirit in you is powerful - making you fit for greatness.
I want you to begin each day viewing yourself as a chosen warrior, ready to go into battle. Of course, there will be difficulties, but they need not be your focus. Put on the full armor I have provided, and you will be ready for whatever battles you have to fight. When you are engaged in combat, keep looking to Me for strength and guidance. Remember that you and I together can handle whatever difficulties come your way. Abandon yourself to the challenges I have chosen for you. Then you will find your days increasingly devoted to sacred adventures shared with Me - your King!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Romans 8:11 and Ephesians 6:13
Dear Jesus, Our hearts delight in Your invitation to live this day as a sacred adventure. You are our King of kings and we long to live in a manner that displays our adoption into Your royal family. You are also our Lord of lords, so anything shared with You is sacred. We admit, though, that our minds are often preoccupied with ordinary matters and concerns. When a new day stands open before us, we scan it for difficulties that may occur, wondering if we'll be able to cope. This is the natural bent of our mind: an earth-bound focus. Keep us focused on you and your abilities to strengthen and encourage us. Amen.
Beloved, it is natural for your mind to be drawn toward mundane matters. But you are capable of so much more than that! I created you in My own image, with incredible abilities given only to mankind. When you become a believer, I infused My Spirit into your innermost being. The combination of My image and My Spirit in you is powerful - making you fit for greatness.
I want you to begin each day viewing yourself as a chosen warrior, ready to go into battle. Of course, there will be difficulties, but they need not be your focus. Put on the full armor I have provided, and you will be ready for whatever battles you have to fight. When you are engaged in combat, keep looking to Me for strength and guidance. Remember that you and I together can handle whatever difficulties come your way. Abandon yourself to the challenges I have chosen for you. Then you will find your days increasingly devoted to sacred adventures shared with Me - your King!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 Timothy 6:15-16; Romans 8:11 and Ephesians 6:13
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Seek To Please Me Above All ...
SEEK TO PLEASE ME ABOVE ALL Else. Let that goal be your focal point as you go through this day.
Dear Jesus, We definitely need a focal point to guide us through this day. Our mind slips out of focus very easily. When we fix our thoughts on You, the fog lifts and we can see things more clearly. A good way to stay focused on You is seeking to please You moment by moment. We really do want to please You, but we are easily sidetracked by lesser goals. Amen.
Beloved, you will not be able to achieve success through discipline alone. This pursuit requires much more than an act of your will. It is largely powered by what is in your heart. As your Love for Me grows stronger, so does your desire to please Me. When a man and a woman are deeply in love, they take great delight in pleasing one another. They may spend hours pondering ways to surprise their beloved with unexpected pleasures. Simply anticipating the loved one's happiness is exciting to such a lover. Actually, I, Myself am such a Lover. I delight in increasing your Joy, making it complete. The best way to grow in your passion for Me is to increase your awareness of My ardent Love for you.
Whenever you seek to please Me, think about Me as the Lover of your soul, the One who loves you perfectly every nanosecond of your existence. Let your budding desire to please Me flourish in the Light of My unfailing Love.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Hebrews 3:1; John 15:9-11 and Psalm 52:8
Dear Jesus, We definitely need a focal point to guide us through this day. Our mind slips out of focus very easily. When we fix our thoughts on You, the fog lifts and we can see things more clearly. A good way to stay focused on You is seeking to please You moment by moment. We really do want to please You, but we are easily sidetracked by lesser goals. Amen.
Beloved, you will not be able to achieve success through discipline alone. This pursuit requires much more than an act of your will. It is largely powered by what is in your heart. As your Love for Me grows stronger, so does your desire to please Me. When a man and a woman are deeply in love, they take great delight in pleasing one another. They may spend hours pondering ways to surprise their beloved with unexpected pleasures. Simply anticipating the loved one's happiness is exciting to such a lover. Actually, I, Myself am such a Lover. I delight in increasing your Joy, making it complete. The best way to grow in your passion for Me is to increase your awareness of My ardent Love for you.
Whenever you seek to please Me, think about Me as the Lover of your soul, the One who loves you perfectly every nanosecond of your existence. Let your budding desire to please Me flourish in the Light of My unfailing Love.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Hebrews 3:1; John 15:9-11 and Psalm 52:8
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
When You Spend Time With Me ...
WHEN YOU SPEND TIME WITH ME, I restore your sense of direction. I enable you to do less but accomplish more.
Dear Jesus, This is good news indeed! What You are offering is just what we need. There are so many possible ways to go through each that that we easily lose our sense of direction. When this happens, we tend to go around in circles, interrupting one task to do something else while our thoughts flit from one thing to the next. At such times our body simply cannot keep up with the pace of our mind, and we become increasingly confused - accomplishing little. We know our time and energy are precious gifts from You, Lord. Help us use them wisely. Amen.
Beloved, when you realize you have lost your way there is only one remedy: Stop and reconnect with Me - the Director of your life. Admit that you are directionless and ask for My help. Pause with Me, while I soothe your frazzled nerves. Let the peacefulness of My Presence revive you. As My Peace settles over your mind and soul, the way before you will open up step by step. Though you cannot see very far ahead of you, you can see enough to continue your journey. Try to remain conscious of Me as you go, remembering that I am with you every bit of the way.
You may think this delay is a waste of time, but it is not. When you follow My directions closely, you save great quantities of time and energy. You avoid doing worthless works - things that are not in My plans for you. This frees you to do the genuine works I prepared in advance for you. Thus, though you do less in terms of actual activity, you accomplish much more.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Proverbs 16:3; Exodus 33:14; Psalm 119:35 and
Ephesians 2:10
Dear Jesus, This is good news indeed! What You are offering is just what we need. There are so many possible ways to go through each that that we easily lose our sense of direction. When this happens, we tend to go around in circles, interrupting one task to do something else while our thoughts flit from one thing to the next. At such times our body simply cannot keep up with the pace of our mind, and we become increasingly confused - accomplishing little. We know our time and energy are precious gifts from You, Lord. Help us use them wisely. Amen.
Beloved, when you realize you have lost your way there is only one remedy: Stop and reconnect with Me - the Director of your life. Admit that you are directionless and ask for My help. Pause with Me, while I soothe your frazzled nerves. Let the peacefulness of My Presence revive you. As My Peace settles over your mind and soul, the way before you will open up step by step. Though you cannot see very far ahead of you, you can see enough to continue your journey. Try to remain conscious of Me as you go, remembering that I am with you every bit of the way.
You may think this delay is a waste of time, but it is not. When you follow My directions closely, you save great quantities of time and energy. You avoid doing worthless works - things that are not in My plans for you. This frees you to do the genuine works I prepared in advance for you. Thus, though you do less in terms of actual activity, you accomplish much more.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Proverbs 16:3; Exodus 33:14; Psalm 119:35 and
Ephesians 2:10
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
In Union With Me You Are ...
IN UNION WITH ME YOU ARE Complete. In closeness to Me, you are transformed more and more into the one I designed you to be.
Dear Jesus, We often feel incomplete, as if some vital part of us is missing. When this is just a feeling - not a conscious thought - we respond in many unproductive ways: foraging for food, looking for entertainment, searching for ourselves in the mirror, and so on. All the while, You are with us, patiently waiting for us to remember You. If we continue to go our own way - seeking satisfaction where there is none - we become increasingly frustrated. Our agitated condition makes it hard for us to turn back to You, the only One who can complete who we are. We have found, though, that it is never too late to cry out, "Help me, Jesus!"
Amen.
Beloved, when a child of Mine calls out to Me, I never fail to respond. I may not provide instant relief, as if I were just a genie, but I go to work immediately, setting in motion the conditions you need. I help you gain awareness of what you have been doing: seeking fulfillment in worldly ways. In response to your neediness, I offer you My glorious riches. When you have settled down enough to see clearly, I proffer Myself to you. I invite you to come near Me, where you can find completeness.
As you center your attention on Me, I draw closer to you. While you rest in the rarified air of My Presence, I bless you with My Peace. Though you are just a jar of clay, I fill you with My treasure, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory. This divine Light fills you to the brim - making you complete. It also transforms you bit by bit, into the masterpiece I designed you to be.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: James 1:4; Psalm 145:19; James 4:7-8 and
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
Dear Jesus, We often feel incomplete, as if some vital part of us is missing. When this is just a feeling - not a conscious thought - we respond in many unproductive ways: foraging for food, looking for entertainment, searching for ourselves in the mirror, and so on. All the while, You are with us, patiently waiting for us to remember You. If we continue to go our own way - seeking satisfaction where there is none - we become increasingly frustrated. Our agitated condition makes it hard for us to turn back to You, the only One who can complete who we are. We have found, though, that it is never too late to cry out, "Help me, Jesus!"
Amen.
Beloved, when a child of Mine calls out to Me, I never fail to respond. I may not provide instant relief, as if I were just a genie, but I go to work immediately, setting in motion the conditions you need. I help you gain awareness of what you have been doing: seeking fulfillment in worldly ways. In response to your neediness, I offer you My glorious riches. When you have settled down enough to see clearly, I proffer Myself to you. I invite you to come near Me, where you can find completeness.
As you center your attention on Me, I draw closer to you. While you rest in the rarified air of My Presence, I bless you with My Peace. Though you are just a jar of clay, I fill you with My treasure, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory. This divine Light fills you to the brim - making you complete. It also transforms you bit by bit, into the masterpiece I designed you to be.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: James 1:4; Psalm 145:19; James 4:7-8 and
2 Corinthians 4:6-7
Monday, August 10, 2015
Your Awareness Of Your Constant ...
YOUR AWARENESS OF YOUR CONSTANT Need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence.
Dear Jesus, We admit that we would prefer to be less needy. On the other hand, we do enjoy the closeness that comes from consciously depending on You. It is so true that our neediness must be properly handled. Otherwise, we are vulnerable to becoming anxious - or even angry - about our situation. Help us accept our needy dependence as a gift from You. Amen.
Beloved, I can read your thoughts all too well. I know how much time you spend daydreaming about getting beyond your needy condition. But there is a better way. Instead of trying to figure out how to escape problems in your life, use them to come closer to Me. You need to remember - and believe - that My way is perfect. I can use everything in believers' lives for good, to the extent that they trust Me. One of the most powerful ways to strengthen your trust in Me is to thank Me for the things that are troubling you. This expression of thankfulness will help you accept your neediness as a gift from Me.
I have showered you with humble, rarely sought gifts: neediness and weaknesses. These gifts, properly received and used, help make My ways known on earth. Moreover, as you look up to Me in your neediness, My Face shines upon you - linking you to Me in radiant Joy.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 67:1-2 and Psalm 34:5
Dear Jesus, We admit that we would prefer to be less needy. On the other hand, we do enjoy the closeness that comes from consciously depending on You. It is so true that our neediness must be properly handled. Otherwise, we are vulnerable to becoming anxious - or even angry - about our situation. Help us accept our needy dependence as a gift from You. Amen.
Beloved, I can read your thoughts all too well. I know how much time you spend daydreaming about getting beyond your needy condition. But there is a better way. Instead of trying to figure out how to escape problems in your life, use them to come closer to Me. You need to remember - and believe - that My way is perfect. I can use everything in believers' lives for good, to the extent that they trust Me. One of the most powerful ways to strengthen your trust in Me is to thank Me for the things that are troubling you. This expression of thankfulness will help you accept your neediness as a gift from Me.
I have showered you with humble, rarely sought gifts: neediness and weaknesses. These gifts, properly received and used, help make My ways known on earth. Moreover, as you look up to Me in your neediness, My Face shines upon you - linking you to Me in radiant Joy.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 67:1-2 and Psalm 34:5
Sunday, August 9, 2015
I Am Everywhere At Every ...
I AM EVERYWHERE AT EVERY Time, ceaselessly working on your behalf. That is why your best coping strategies are trusting Me and living close to Me.
Dear Jesus, You are indeed an awesome God! Who but You could be everywhere at every time? It amazes us that One so great as You would care about the many details of our lives. Yet You do! When we ponder these glorious truths, we feel safe - knowing we are never alone. Help us, Lord, to keep these truths before us - to keep You always before us. Otherwise, we fall back into our default mode: straining and striving as if outcomes were totally up to us. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Beloved, I am pleased that you want to keep My very Presence before you - not just truths about Me. It is so easy for My children to confine knowledge abut Me with knowing Me experientially. The apostle Paul understood this distinction. He wrote about needing Power through My Spirit, to grasp the vast magnitude of My Love - Love that surpasses knowledge! Knowing Me is so much more than an activity of the mind.
You asked for help in keeping Me always before you. This is largely a matter of trusting Me. Sometimes you are keenly aware of My Presence, at other times, this awareness is minimal - or even absent. When you feel alone, you need to rely on your trust in Me. Continue to live and communicate as if I am with you, because I am! I have promised I will never leave you or forsake you. Instead of running after other gods when you feel needy, concentrate on coming nearer to Me. No matter what is happening, trusting Me and drawing close to Me are excellent strategies for living well.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 16:8; Ephesians 3:16-19 and Hebrews 13:5
Dear Jesus, You are indeed an awesome God! Who but You could be everywhere at every time? It amazes us that One so great as You would care about the many details of our lives. Yet You do! When we ponder these glorious truths, we feel safe - knowing we are never alone. Help us, Lord, to keep these truths before us - to keep You always before us. Otherwise, we fall back into our default mode: straining and striving as if outcomes were totally up to us. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Beloved, I am pleased that you want to keep My very Presence before you - not just truths about Me. It is so easy for My children to confine knowledge abut Me with knowing Me experientially. The apostle Paul understood this distinction. He wrote about needing Power through My Spirit, to grasp the vast magnitude of My Love - Love that surpasses knowledge! Knowing Me is so much more than an activity of the mind.
You asked for help in keeping Me always before you. This is largely a matter of trusting Me. Sometimes you are keenly aware of My Presence, at other times, this awareness is minimal - or even absent. When you feel alone, you need to rely on your trust in Me. Continue to live and communicate as if I am with you, because I am! I have promised I will never leave you or forsake you. Instead of running after other gods when you feel needy, concentrate on coming nearer to Me. No matter what is happening, trusting Me and drawing close to Me are excellent strategies for living well.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 16:8; Ephesians 3:16-19 and Hebrews 13:5
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Holiness Is Letting Me Live Through ...
HOLINESS IS LETTING ME LIVE THROUGH You. Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you.
Dear Jesus, Holiness is one of those virtues that seems so elusive. If we strive to be holy, we are in danger of falling prey to serious sins, especially pride and hypocrisy. Yet Your Word clearly instructs us to be holy. We are intrigued by the idea that holiness is a matter of letting You live through us. That seems more feasible than trying with all our might to be good. Thank You Lord for listening to us today.
Beloved, be careful not to confess being holy with trying to appear holy. The Pharisees fell into that trap: parading their pretension of holiness on street corners, at banquets, in the temple - wherever they found an audience. I reserved some of My strongest condemnation for them and their hypocrisy.
When you became a Christian, I put the Holy Spirit in you, thus equipping you to be holy. However, you are still vulnerable to the world, the flesh (sinful nature), and the devil. These three conspire against holiness, tempting you to respond to people and situations in your old, habitual ways. My Spirit will not force His ways on you, so it's easy for you to ignore His inner Presence. That's why I encourage you to pause before responding - inviting the Spirit to live and love through you.
Remember that I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. The more you know Me and love Me, the easier it is for you to let Me live through you. Without you even realizing, intimacy with Me transforms you into My likeness - My holy image.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 8:9 and Colossians 1:27
Dear Jesus, Holiness is one of those virtues that seems so elusive. If we strive to be holy, we are in danger of falling prey to serious sins, especially pride and hypocrisy. Yet Your Word clearly instructs us to be holy. We are intrigued by the idea that holiness is a matter of letting You live through us. That seems more feasible than trying with all our might to be good. Thank You Lord for listening to us today.
Beloved, be careful not to confess being holy with trying to appear holy. The Pharisees fell into that trap: parading their pretension of holiness on street corners, at banquets, in the temple - wherever they found an audience. I reserved some of My strongest condemnation for them and their hypocrisy.
When you became a Christian, I put the Holy Spirit in you, thus equipping you to be holy. However, you are still vulnerable to the world, the flesh (sinful nature), and the devil. These three conspire against holiness, tempting you to respond to people and situations in your old, habitual ways. My Spirit will not force His ways on you, so it's easy for you to ignore His inner Presence. That's why I encourage you to pause before responding - inviting the Spirit to live and love through you.
Remember that I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory. The more you know Me and love Me, the easier it is for you to let Me live through you. Without you even realizing, intimacy with Me transforms you into My likeness - My holy image.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: 1 Peter 1:15-16; Romans 8:9 and Colossians 1:27
Friday, August 7, 2015
Bearing Your Circumstances Bravely -
BEARING YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BRAVELY - even thanking Me for them - is one of the highest forms of praise. The sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth, also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.
Dear Jesus, You have been training us in the discipline of thankfulness for a long time. Yet we still find it quite challenging to thank You for suffering - our own or others'. Sometimes, though, we are able to thank You for painful circumstances. This seems unnatural at first, but it is actually quite freeing. When we are able to do this, we find that we can relax and feel closer to You. Please help us endure our circumstances bravely - with gratitude.
Beloved, thanking Me for adversity requires a deep level of trust in My goodness. My mercy, My Love. People who are leaning on their own understanding cannot achieve this depth of trust. So handling difficulties courageously involves relinquishing your demand to understand.
You have experienced personal benefits from thanking Me for hard situations, but there is more - much more! Your grateful acceptance of adversity has major repercussions far beyond yourself: in heaven as well as on earth. Joy bells resound in heavenly domains when suffering believers trust Me enough to give thanks. Also, your sacrifice of thanksgiving has divine Power to weaken spiritual strongholds of evil. Moreover, your patient endurance of suffering can strengthen and encourage My people on earth.
Sacrifice thank offerings to Me. Tell of My works with songs of Joy!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Ephesians 5:20; Proverbs 3:5 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Dear Jesus, You have been training us in the discipline of thankfulness for a long time. Yet we still find it quite challenging to thank You for suffering - our own or others'. Sometimes, though, we are able to thank You for painful circumstances. This seems unnatural at first, but it is actually quite freeing. When we are able to do this, we find that we can relax and feel closer to You. Please help us endure our circumstances bravely - with gratitude.
Beloved, thanking Me for adversity requires a deep level of trust in My goodness. My mercy, My Love. People who are leaning on their own understanding cannot achieve this depth of trust. So handling difficulties courageously involves relinquishing your demand to understand.
You have experienced personal benefits from thanking Me for hard situations, but there is more - much more! Your grateful acceptance of adversity has major repercussions far beyond yourself: in heaven as well as on earth. Joy bells resound in heavenly domains when suffering believers trust Me enough to give thanks. Also, your sacrifice of thanksgiving has divine Power to weaken spiritual strongholds of evil. Moreover, your patient endurance of suffering can strengthen and encourage My people on earth.
Sacrifice thank offerings to Me. Tell of My works with songs of Joy!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Ephesians 5:20; Proverbs 3:5 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Thursday, August 6, 2015
I Hate It When ...
I HATE IT WHEN My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life.
Dear Jesus, We confess we are grumblers. When things are not as we would like them to be, our first impulse is to complain. Even if we manage to keep our mouth shut, we tend to grumble in our thoughts. Usually when we complain, it does not occur to us that we are opposing You and Your ways. It should shock us to realize that grumbling amounts to casually despising Your sovereignty. Forgive us, Lord! Amen.
Beloved, complaining is quite common among My children, but it is nonetheless a deadly sin. When the Israelites grumbled against their leader, Moses, I dealt with them severely. Though they may not have been aware of it, they were actually rebelling against Me and I responded accordingly. All those complainers who were twenty or older died in the desert, never reaching the Promised Land.
The best safeguard against falling prey to grumbling is thankfulness. When gratitude fills your heart and mind, you will not be tempted to complain. My Word is seasoned with multiple commands to be thankful - for good reason. I ransomed you from eternal punishment through My torturous death on the cross. That alone is sufficient reason for thankfulness. However, I continue to shower additional blessings upon you. Work at developing a grateful mind-set, and you will be able to perceive My gifts more clearly. Gratitude also enables you to draw closer to Me. As you learn to give thanks in all circumstances, My loving Presence will increasingly brighten your vision of life.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Exodus 16:8; Numbers 14:29 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Dear Jesus, We confess we are grumblers. When things are not as we would like them to be, our first impulse is to complain. Even if we manage to keep our mouth shut, we tend to grumble in our thoughts. Usually when we complain, it does not occur to us that we are opposing You and Your ways. It should shock us to realize that grumbling amounts to casually despising Your sovereignty. Forgive us, Lord! Amen.
Beloved, complaining is quite common among My children, but it is nonetheless a deadly sin. When the Israelites grumbled against their leader, Moses, I dealt with them severely. Though they may not have been aware of it, they were actually rebelling against Me and I responded accordingly. All those complainers who were twenty or older died in the desert, never reaching the Promised Land.
The best safeguard against falling prey to grumbling is thankfulness. When gratitude fills your heart and mind, you will not be tempted to complain. My Word is seasoned with multiple commands to be thankful - for good reason. I ransomed you from eternal punishment through My torturous death on the cross. That alone is sufficient reason for thankfulness. However, I continue to shower additional blessings upon you. Work at developing a grateful mind-set, and you will be able to perceive My gifts more clearly. Gratitude also enables you to draw closer to Me. As you learn to give thanks in all circumstances, My loving Presence will increasingly brighten your vision of life.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Exodus 16:8; Numbers 14:29 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
When You Are Weary And Everything Seems ...
WHEN YOU ARE WEARY AND EVERYTHING SEEMS to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words: "I trust you, Jesus." By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms.
Dear Jesus, It's so hard for us to release things into Your control, rather than trying to fix them ourselves. We recognize that ultimately this is a matter of trust. We know enough about You and enough about us to realize how ridiculous it would be to trust ourselves more than You. In the depths of our soul we do trust You far more than anyone or anything else. However, we tend to live on a surface level much of the time - living by sight more than by faith. Help us overcome our unbelief! Amen.
Beloved, that cry of your heart is a prayer I am eager to answer. I can see into the depths of your soul, where you do indeed trust Me. I am pleased that you recognize the discrepancy between the trust in your soul and the controllingness of your surface-level behavior. When you are living superficially, you tend to be unaware of your thoughts. As a result, you follow well-worn paths of habitual responses. In this condition of mental slumber, you are unable to hear My voice. As soon as you become aware of your condition, you need to speak to Me. You can say, "I trust You, Jesus," regardless of how you are feeling.
Intentionally release your worries into My care and keeping - My control. You can even symbolize this release physically, by opening both hands fully to Me. Then, rest in the knowledge that I am taking care of you and all that concerns you. As you trustingly relax in My Presence, your mind reconnects with your soul. Find refreshment in the refuge of My everlasting arms.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Deuteronomy 33:27; Mark 9:24 and Psalm 37:5-6
Dear Jesus, It's so hard for us to release things into Your control, rather than trying to fix them ourselves. We recognize that ultimately this is a matter of trust. We know enough about You and enough about us to realize how ridiculous it would be to trust ourselves more than You. In the depths of our soul we do trust You far more than anyone or anything else. However, we tend to live on a surface level much of the time - living by sight more than by faith. Help us overcome our unbelief! Amen.
Beloved, that cry of your heart is a prayer I am eager to answer. I can see into the depths of your soul, where you do indeed trust Me. I am pleased that you recognize the discrepancy between the trust in your soul and the controllingness of your surface-level behavior. When you are living superficially, you tend to be unaware of your thoughts. As a result, you follow well-worn paths of habitual responses. In this condition of mental slumber, you are unable to hear My voice. As soon as you become aware of your condition, you need to speak to Me. You can say, "I trust You, Jesus," regardless of how you are feeling.
Intentionally release your worries into My care and keeping - My control. You can even symbolize this release physically, by opening both hands fully to Me. Then, rest in the knowledge that I am taking care of you and all that concerns you. As you trustingly relax in My Presence, your mind reconnects with your soul. Find refreshment in the refuge of My everlasting arms.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Deuteronomy 33:27; Mark 9:24 and Psalm 37:5-6
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
I Love You Regardless Of ...
I LOVE YOU REGARDLESS OF how well you are performing. Bring your performance anxiety to Me, and receive in its place My unfailing Love.
Dear Jesus, We know that performance anxiety is foolish and counterproductive. Our minds have unmasked this robber of Peace many times, but the rascal continues to claw at our hearts when we let down our guard. We find ourselves struggling with feeling of failure, sometimes without even knowing why. Help us break free from this bondage through the empowerment of Your Love. Amen.
Beloved, come to Me with your feelings of failure. Bring them into the Light of My Presence, where we can examine them together. In My brilliant Light, the feelings shrivel and shrink, because they are based on lies. These things thrive in the darkness, where you are hardly aware of them at all. Performance anxiety has been such a regular part of your life that you barely notice it. Yet I defeated that villain in the same way I triumphed over Satan - through My finished work on the cross!
When feelings of failure weigh you down, look up to Me! Let the Light of My unfailing Love shine upon you, dispelling the darkness, lifting you closer and closer to Me. The nearer you are to Me, the better you can see My smile of approval. As you bask in this unconditional Love, you gain strength to break free from your nemesis - performance anxiety. Even if you slip into old habits again, you can turn back to Me anytime. My unfailing Love is always available to restore you, because you belong to Me forever.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 6:4; Psalm 36:7-9 and 1 Corinthians 15:57
Dear Jesus, We know that performance anxiety is foolish and counterproductive. Our minds have unmasked this robber of Peace many times, but the rascal continues to claw at our hearts when we let down our guard. We find ourselves struggling with feeling of failure, sometimes without even knowing why. Help us break free from this bondage through the empowerment of Your Love. Amen.
Beloved, come to Me with your feelings of failure. Bring them into the Light of My Presence, where we can examine them together. In My brilliant Light, the feelings shrivel and shrink, because they are based on lies. These things thrive in the darkness, where you are hardly aware of them at all. Performance anxiety has been such a regular part of your life that you barely notice it. Yet I defeated that villain in the same way I triumphed over Satan - through My finished work on the cross!
When feelings of failure weigh you down, look up to Me! Let the Light of My unfailing Love shine upon you, dispelling the darkness, lifting you closer and closer to Me. The nearer you are to Me, the better you can see My smile of approval. As you bask in this unconditional Love, you gain strength to break free from your nemesis - performance anxiety. Even if you slip into old habits again, you can turn back to Me anytime. My unfailing Love is always available to restore you, because you belong to Me forever.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Psalm 6:4; Psalm 36:7-9 and 1 Corinthians 15:57
Monday, August 3, 2015
Fear Of Man Will Prove To Be ...
FEAR OF MAN WILL PROVE TO BE A Snare, but whoever trusts in Me is kept safe.
Dear Jesus, We are just beginning to realize how much our life is hampered by fear of man. This condition has been so prevalent that we failed to recognize it most of our life. It was simply part of the fabric of our daily existence. Now that we recognize this fear, we want very much to be free of it. But it is deeply engrained in our mind and heart. When we are with people, we are much too concerned about displeasing them or looking foolish in their eyes. We confess we are a people pleaser, but we deeply desire to change. Amen.
Beloved, I will give you a two-pronged approach for dealing with this crippling fear. First, replace your fear of displeasing people with dread of displeasing Me - the Lord of the universe. Make pleasing Me your highest priority. Include Me in your thinking whenever you are making plans or decisions. Let your desire to please Me shine brightly, illuminating your thoughts and choices.
The second way to free yourself from fear of man is by developing deeper trust in Me. Instead of trying to please people so they will give you what you want, trust in Me - the Supplier of all your needs. My glorious riches never run short, nor does My Love for you. People can easily deceive you, promising you things with no intention of following through. Even if they mean well at the time, they may change their minds later on. Because I remain the same forever, I am absolutely dependable. Trusting in people is risky. Trusting in Me is wise. It keeps you safe.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Proverbs 29:25; Philippians 4:19 and Psalm 102:27
Dear Jesus, We are just beginning to realize how much our life is hampered by fear of man. This condition has been so prevalent that we failed to recognize it most of our life. It was simply part of the fabric of our daily existence. Now that we recognize this fear, we want very much to be free of it. But it is deeply engrained in our mind and heart. When we are with people, we are much too concerned about displeasing them or looking foolish in their eyes. We confess we are a people pleaser, but we deeply desire to change. Amen.
Beloved, I will give you a two-pronged approach for dealing with this crippling fear. First, replace your fear of displeasing people with dread of displeasing Me - the Lord of the universe. Make pleasing Me your highest priority. Include Me in your thinking whenever you are making plans or decisions. Let your desire to please Me shine brightly, illuminating your thoughts and choices.
The second way to free yourself from fear of man is by developing deeper trust in Me. Instead of trying to please people so they will give you what you want, trust in Me - the Supplier of all your needs. My glorious riches never run short, nor does My Love for you. People can easily deceive you, promising you things with no intention of following through. Even if they mean well at the time, they may change their minds later on. Because I remain the same forever, I am absolutely dependable. Trusting in people is risky. Trusting in Me is wise. It keeps you safe.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Proverbs 29:25; Philippians 4:19 and Psalm 102:27
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Let Me Be Your ...
LET ME BE YOUR Positive Focus. When you look to Me, knowing Me as God with you, you experience Joy.
Dear Jesus, We are so thankful You are God with us - constantly, eternally. That knowledge alone is sufficient to fill our days with Joy. Sadly, though, our mind easily slips out of focus, and we forget about your abiding Presence. When our thinking is unfocused, almost anything can grab our attention. Then You slip even further from our awareness. Worries and worldliness attack our mind while it is idling out of gear. We want You to be our positive focus, but we definitely need help! Amen.
Beloved, I created you in my image, with the capacity to communicate with Me. As My image bearer, you have the ability to choose the focus of your mind. I understand that many thoughts come and go unbidden, but you can control your thinking more than you may realize. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right ... think about such things". I would not instruct you to think about certain things unless it was possible to do so.
Because the world contains both good and evil, you can choose to think about excellent, praiseworthy things or about terrible, upsetting things. Sometimes, of course, you have to deal with the brokenness around you. However, each day contains moments when you are free to choose the focal point of your mind. These are the times when I want you to take charge of your thoughts. When your mind is idle, it often moves toward a negative focus - such as regretting things in your past or worrying about the future. Meanwhile, I am with you in the present, waiting for you to recall My Presence. Train your mind to turn toward Me frequently. Remembrance of who I Am can brighten even your darkest times, blessing you with Joy.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Matthew 1:22-23; Philippians 4:8 and John 8:58
Dear Jesus, We are so thankful You are God with us - constantly, eternally. That knowledge alone is sufficient to fill our days with Joy. Sadly, though, our mind easily slips out of focus, and we forget about your abiding Presence. When our thinking is unfocused, almost anything can grab our attention. Then You slip even further from our awareness. Worries and worldliness attack our mind while it is idling out of gear. We want You to be our positive focus, but we definitely need help! Amen.
Beloved, I created you in my image, with the capacity to communicate with Me. As My image bearer, you have the ability to choose the focus of your mind. I understand that many thoughts come and go unbidden, but you can control your thinking more than you may realize. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right ... think about such things". I would not instruct you to think about certain things unless it was possible to do so.
Because the world contains both good and evil, you can choose to think about excellent, praiseworthy things or about terrible, upsetting things. Sometimes, of course, you have to deal with the brokenness around you. However, each day contains moments when you are free to choose the focal point of your mind. These are the times when I want you to take charge of your thoughts. When your mind is idle, it often moves toward a negative focus - such as regretting things in your past or worrying about the future. Meanwhile, I am with you in the present, waiting for you to recall My Presence. Train your mind to turn toward Me frequently. Remembrance of who I Am can brighten even your darkest times, blessing you with Joy.
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Matthew 1:22-23; Philippians 4:8 and John 8:58
Saturday, August 1, 2015
My Peace Is Such An ...
MY PEACE IS SUCH AN All-Encouraging Gift that it is independent of circumstances. Though you lose everything else, if you gain My Peace you are rich indeed.
Dear Jesus, There are so many aspects of our life over which we have no control. We often feel at the mercy of our circumstances. Your all-encompassing Peace is exactly what we need! Although Your Peace is a gift, we sometimes feel unable to receive it. Perhaps that is because we cling to other things - our loved ones, our possessions, our reputation. Help us to treasure Your Peace above all of these. Amen.
Beloved, My Peace is a supernatural gift - bequeathed to My followers shortly before My death. A man who knows he will soon die wants to leave something precious with those he loves. Therefore, I "willed" My Peace to My disciples and all who follow Me. I knew this was a difficult gift to receive, especially in the midst of adversity. So after My resurrection, the first words I spoke to My disciples were "Peace be with you!" They needed this reassurance to reinforce what I taught them before I died. You also need to be reminded of the divine nature of this gift, for it is not the world's peace I give you. It is the Peace that transcends all understanding!
Clinging to other things makes it hard for you to receive My precious gift. That is like wrapping your fingers tightly around a small copper coin, while I am offering you unlimited supplies of pure gold. To receive My proffered gift, you must first open your hands and your heart to Me. By doing so, you release your concerns into My care and keeping. As you receive My glorious Peace, you gain deeper intimacy with Me - the richest blessing of all!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27 and John 20:19
Dear Jesus, There are so many aspects of our life over which we have no control. We often feel at the mercy of our circumstances. Your all-encompassing Peace is exactly what we need! Although Your Peace is a gift, we sometimes feel unable to receive it. Perhaps that is because we cling to other things - our loved ones, our possessions, our reputation. Help us to treasure Your Peace above all of these. Amen.
Beloved, My Peace is a supernatural gift - bequeathed to My followers shortly before My death. A man who knows he will soon die wants to leave something precious with those he loves. Therefore, I "willed" My Peace to My disciples and all who follow Me. I knew this was a difficult gift to receive, especially in the midst of adversity. So after My resurrection, the first words I spoke to My disciples were "Peace be with you!" They needed this reassurance to reinforce what I taught them before I died. You also need to be reminded of the divine nature of this gift, for it is not the world's peace I give you. It is the Peace that transcends all understanding!
Clinging to other things makes it hard for you to receive My precious gift. That is like wrapping your fingers tightly around a small copper coin, while I am offering you unlimited supplies of pure gold. To receive My proffered gift, you must first open your hands and your heart to Me. By doing so, you release your concerns into My care and keeping. As you receive My glorious Peace, you gain deeper intimacy with Me - the richest blessing of all!
- Jesus
(Dear Jesus / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27 and John 20:19
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