“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances.”

There is a moment when each of us must consider if at the words of Jesus, we would be willing to shift our focus to the kingdom work of Jesus over and above anything else we might be trained to do.

It is critical that we look and act differently than the world.

Only a life submitted to the will of God can achieve the results that Jesus said were possible.

The worst thing is going through life disconnected from God and from others. John tells us that Jesus came to give us full and abundant life. He came to restore us to our intended state of wholeness. And by being restored in our relationship with God, we can experience the joy of right and full relationships with each other.

When we become confused trying to discover God’s will for us for a situation, in an argument, and in all things, we can start with the basics. Treat people fairly and advocate for those who experience injustice. Treat others with kindness. Walk humbly with God.

We will need God at every age and in every season as we face new and sometimes repeated challenges as we pass through various stages of life.

When we put our trust in Jesus and abide in him, he produces fruit in our lives and through our lives that endures even into eternity.

Seeing how Jesus handled the busyness of his assignment gives us a clue to how we can manage the pressure of our own.

We will still face difficulty, opposition, and enemy attacks, but God promises we will never face them alone. With him beside us, we will get through them.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

When we invite someone to “come and see,” we must engage in conversation. And conversations take time.

I find myself far more comfortable with the Holy Spirit leading Jesus through the wilderness than leading Jesus into the wilderness. But the Scripture suggests both.

Yes, the Scripture does tell us to wait on the Lord. But sometimes, just as certainly, we are to act now.

God’s promises were not just for Jerusalem but for all people and for all time. Our best hope, our only hope, is in the promises of God. His gift of Jesus changes everything.

We must remember we point or prepare the way for others to see Christ. And we likewise must remember we are not asked to do the work that only Christ came to do.

Is there something I need to repent of? Do I live in a way that suggests that the kingdom of Heaven is real, so real that my life consistently aligns with the Lord’s Prayer that things be done here, in me, as they are done in Heaven?

I wonder if Mary and Joseph might have prayed this psalm regularly.  I can imagine them praying these verses over Jesus as he slept each evening.

There is good news in these two psalms! We have choices. We can choose to live our lives in the light of Christ and thereby bring others to see and receive the steadfast love of God.

Since God is steadfast in his love and with him comes plentiful redemption, I am confident he is in the process of redeeming our prayer lives so that we will more naturally and joyfully come to him.