Satisfied!

Read Psalm 63

A couple years ago I was at a conference with mk2mk when I read Psalm 63 during my morning quiet time. Verse 5 stood out to me, probably because when I read it my taste buds and belly were being satisfied by rich food. The hotel had a wonderful breakfast spread, and I confess it was a highlight of my days. Each morning I would eagerly look forward to this meal, I would eat it with great delight, and afterward I would go on with my day satisfied, looking forward to the next one.

David sees his relationship with God the same way.  Food sustains and refreshes us.  Rich food does this while also delighting us!  David is confident that his soul (his innermost being, the whole of who he is) will be satisfied in the same way great food makes our bodies happy and strong.

We crave connection with God, who satisfies both body and soul (v1: “my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you”).  We may try to satiate ourselves with other – lesser – things, but what we crave is the Lord, whether we realize it or not.  The deepest longings and needs of our souls can only be satisfied in God himself.

Questions for Reflection

1. Think of a person starving or thirsty in the desert.  Do you crave relationship with the Lord in the same way they crave food and water?  Why or why not? 

2. What are some things you thirst for other than the Lord?  

3. How might God be able to meet those needs for you?

4. How do your daily habits reflect your dependence and satisfaction in the Lord?  What is one thing you want to try to change?
   

Prayerful Action

• Read Psalm 63 each day for 1 month.  Ask God to show you where you’re looking for satisfaction other than him.  Ask him to satisfy your soul.

• Fast for 1 day or 1 meal this week.  During meal time, instead of eating spend time reading God’s word and praying.

We Are His Temple

What is a temple?  In the Old Testament it was a structure, a place where the priests fulfilled their service to the Lord on behalf of the people, a place to go to sacrifice to God and worship God. It was the place where God dwelt among His people.  In the New Testament, it remains a place where God dwells among His people, but now it is His people. 

Read:  I Corinthians 3:16-17 & 6:19-20, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:19-22, Colossians 1:26-27

Take a moment to let the truths in these passages sink in.  God wants not just to dwell with His people, but in His people. In you! Crazy, right?!  But it’s true and utterly amazing and awe-inspiring!

1. What are some of the words and phrases used in these passages to describe you/His people?

2. In light of this… How do these truths make you feel? 

3. How should we treat ourselves if we are God’s temple? 

4. How should we treat others that are our brothers/sisters in Christ, who are part of God’s household?

Prayerful Action:  Thank God for His indwelling and for making you part of His family. Ask Him to help you understand this more deeply as you walk with Him and to live accordingly. 

Think about…what does it look like for you to be a part of the body of Christ and love others in your current situation? 

Transformed to Share Jesus

We talk about building God’s Kingdom, and using our gifts to bring Him glory. There is much work for us to do here on earth, yet a lot of the work we need to do is internal. It takes opening up and letting God work within us first. 

The conclusion to Luke’s account on Jesus’ life & ministry shows us that it takes transformation to see Jesus’ Kingdom. It’s important to focus on how we are being transformed to be able to see, build and share His Kingdom.

The Road to Emmaus illustrates for us how sometimes it’s hard for us to see Jesus for who He really is. As you read through this passage, put yourself in the shoes of these disciples, and how you might be like them.

Read: Luke 24:13-35
(Watch this Bible Project video for a clear illustration/summary of this story)

The story highlights four parts in which Jesus will transform us, if we are open to it. 

1. Jesus seeks us. Although the disciples knew about who Jesus was, they didn’t recognize Him. What’s the difference between knowing about Jesus and simply knowing Him?
   How can you be more about knowing Him vs. about Him?

2. Jesus opens our eyes. Scripture speaks truth about Jesus. What are some truths from scripture about who Jesus is? How can you let Jesus open your eyes to scripture?

3. Jesus reveals Himself. Why do you think Jesus immediately disappeared once the disciples recognized Him?
   How does Jesus reveal Himself to you? (some people see Jesus through nature, the word, relationships, etc.)

4. Jesus moves us to share. When Jesus opens our eyes, we should be filled with the desire to share it with others.
   How is Jesus moving you to share Him with others?

The Lord invites us to be a part of His Kingdom building here on earth. We have a role and purpose here, and that is important, but let’s not lose focus on what matters first — Jesus. How is Jesus seeking you? How is He opening your eyes, revealing Himself? And in response to these questions, we will be able to see how He wants us to be a part of His Kingdom building.

Then we can ask this question: what are ways that you can be a part of His ministry where you are now?

Feast and Famine

Read Deuteronomy 8

Often our thanksgiving and our repentance are based on our circumstances. I’ve felt this way a lot during COVID, but also in other times in my life. When things are going well, I’m surrounded by friends, and have financial security, I’m thankful. But when my circumstances are less than ideal I immediately start to complain. 

Usually, I’m complaining when my physical wants for comfort are not being met. Either because I’m bored, I’m not happy with my living situation, I’m restless. I do have seasons of thankfulness, but they are also usually based on a temporary state of satisfaction that quickly goes away. 

1. What is your season of gratitude based on? 

2. What about when you are complaining? 

3. Do you ever find yourself on this same pendulum? Swinging quickly back and forth between gratitude and complaining? 

The Israelites go through this cycle all throughout the OT of complaining, God delivering them, and asking for their loyalty, then they disobey, grow apart from God and complain and call out again. 

So, how do we break out of this cycle of disobedience, complaint? We remember that God is faithful and unchanging, and that man does not live on bread alone (Deut. 8:3) 

Here is a good example of how to set your heart on God and things above, when your circumstances might lead you to complain or feel discontent: 

1. Remember: what God has done for you in the past (Deut. 8:2,11) 2

2. Give thanks

3. Have faith in the present and hope for the future 

For further study read Hebrews 11:1 and Romans 5:1-5

Life as a Disciple of Christ

Scripture to Read: 1 John 4:7-12

Memory verse: John 13:34-35“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

1. Read verses 7 and 8. What is the evidence that one knows God? What is the evidence that one does not know God? Why?

2. How did God show His love to us?

3. What is the basis of our love for one another? Why is this important?

4. Read verse 12. How can we show the world that God lives in us? (Also read John 13:34-35.)

5. What does it mean to be Christ’s disciple? What is the only way to share Christ to the world?

6. John says that being Christ’s disciple is about loving others because God loves us through Jesus Christ. Have I been living as His disciple? What needs to change?

More devotionals here

Power of the Holy Spirit

Scripture to Read: Acts 1:1-8

Memory verse: Matthew 28:19-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Read verse 3. What was the purpose of Jesus staying on the earth for 40 days after the resurrection? What does this mean to His disciples?

1. What is this gift that Jesus told His disciples to wait for before leaving Jerusalem?

2. Who is the Holy Spirit? (John 14:26)

3. Read verse 8. What was promised to happen when the Holy Spirit comes on the disciples?

4. How can I become Christ’s witness today? Who gives me the power?

Becoming Christ’s witness is not a result of self-effort, but of being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. He is the one who is doing the work in a person. Pray now and ask the Holy Spirit to help you confess any hidden sin and to fill you with His Spirit.

Read more devotionals here

Father's Love

Scripture to Read: Luke 15:11-24

Memory verse: John 3:16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1. What did the younger son do to his father?

2. What made the son want to go back to his father? What did he realize?

3. Describe the father’s response to the son’s return.

4. From this passage, what do you learn about our God?

5. What was the only thing the son had to do to be forgiven and restored by his father?

6. Think about your relationship with God. Is there anything that prevents you from going to Him? What is that?

View more devotionals

A Call to Deny Self

Scripture to Read: Luke 9:23-27

Observation of Biblical Truth: Sometimes we set limits on God’s plan for our lives. But if we truly follow God we shouldn’t hold any part of ourselves back. God wants all of you.

1. Read through the passage. Take a moment to write down all the things that you think you might have to give up as you follow Jesus. Which of these losses feels hardest or saddest to you?

2. Now take a moment to consider what Jesus gave up for you. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. In verse 2, what helped Jesus endure the cross? What was the source of his joy?

3. How could this be a comfort to you when you have to sacrifice to follow Him?

4. What have you had to give up as you and your family serve God?

5. How has God been with you and your family during hard times of sacrifice?

Prayerful Action: Pray that God would increase your love for Him, and soften your heart towards giving up your desires and possessions for His sake. If you have anything you haven’t been giving to the Lord, do so now in prayer.

A Call to Unity

Before you read though the passage, think of some reasons there is disunity in the world. 

Observation of Biblical Truth: Christians are called to live in unity within the Body of Christ – to be humble, gentle, patient, and bear with each other in love. Ephesians 4 tells us both ‘why’ and ‘how’.

Read: Eph. 4:1-16. What reasons has God given us to live in unity?

1. How is Jesus the source of our unity?

2. God unites us as one through our shared faith in Christ. How is unity in Christ greater than the disunity in the world?

3. How can our unity be a light to the world?

4. Read through the rest of the chapter. How does God call us to live a life in unity with other believers?

5. What is challenging to you about the way God calls us to live?

Prayerful Action:  Where do you see disunity in your life or around you? Pray for God to restore unity. Pray that this unity would be a witness to Jesus as the one who unites through adoption into His Kingdom. Ask God how you can help create unity in your community.

A Call to Abide

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

Scripture to Read: John 15

• After reading the chapter, what do you think it means to “abide”?

The Greek translation of this word means: to stay, remain, to wait, not to depart but to continue to be present. 

Read: 1 John 2:6, John 8:31, Psalm 91:1. 

• Pray about this invitation to abide. What is God inviting you to? 

• What does it look like for you, practically, to abide with God?

• Can you identify any barriers preventing you from this? 

Prayerful Action: Take a few minutes to be still and quiet before the Lord with these questions. Write down any thoughts, questions, or challenges you may have for yourself.  

• What 1 or 2 things have you learned about God and his character from these passages? 

A Call to Reconciliation

Scripture to Read: Ephesians 2:11-22 

Observation of Biblical Truth: Jesus’ death on the cross removed not only the barrier between God and man, but also those that separate people. Everyone, regardless of nationality, race, social class, or current spiritual state, is invited into God’s family.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do we learn about God/Christ in this passage? List all the attributes and actions of Christ you see.

2. In verses 11-12, how does Paul describe the Gentiles? Imagine what that would be like. Can you relate to any of these descriptions? How so?

3. How are the Gentiles described after vs. 13? What would it look like if you live your life with this belief (that you “have access to the Father, are fellow citizens in the Kingdom of God, and members of his household”)?

Prayerful Action: Are there individuals or groups of people who you believe are “too far gone”? Is there anyone in your life who you judge because of their sins? Take some time to thank God for sending His Son to die on the cross, and open the door for all to be a part of His family. Then pray for some non-believers you know. Think of a few people you want to share your faith with. Ask God to give you opportunities to have spiritual conversations with them, and boldness to share when those opportunities arise. 

Matthew 6

Devotional Week 7 by Bethany O.

I have found it increasingly difficult not to worry about the future the further along we are into this season of uncertainty. I’ve thought a lot about this command in Matthew 6 ‘do not worry about tomorrow’ coming out of a friend’s mouth in a difficult season can sound patronizing so it has struck me how significant it is who gives the command. Coming from someone who has no control over my circumstances or future the words can feel at best like a band-aid and at worst invalidating of how I feel. When those words come from a God who is sovereign, they not only hold infinitely more weight, but they carry a nuance of ‘trust in my love and my control over your tomorrow.’

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Reflect

1.  What specifically does God say not to worry about in the passage?

2.  What reasons does he give to not worry?

3.  What does this passage reveal about who God is?

4.  What about who we are?

5. When we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, how do we allow the worry of what we cannot control rest in the hands of the one who does

6. While the command ‘Do not worry’ like most things, is easier said than done. When has God shown his sovereignty and love? In scripture? In tangible ways in your life?

Prayerful Action

Write down on a piece of paper the things that recently have been causing you to worry. Take some time to reflect on where this worry stems from. Look for scripture that contradicts any lies that may be informing your worry. Pray about what you have written on your paper and give Him your worries. Tear up the paper and write on a new piece a time when God has shown his sovereignty and love.

Gratitude

Devotional Week 6 by Angela E.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Give thanks in ALL circumstances.  

All circumstances?  
I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve had a harder time living out that verse this month.  So many things about quarantine life seem not “thanksgiving-worthy”: social distancing, online school, cancelled trips, cancelled events, online birthday parties,  not knowing when it will end, and wondering, “Will we ever actually get back to normal?”  So many things have me grumbling in my spirit (and oftentimes, out loud).

In her book, “One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are,” author Ann Voskamp shares about what happens to us when we experience loss: “One life-loss can infect the whole of a life.  Like a rash that wears through our days, our sight becomes peppered with black voids.  Now everywhere we look, we only see all that isn’t: holes, lack, deficiency.”  

I can definitely see how that is true in my life these days.  It seems easier to look around and see all that isn’t – to see the holes, to feel what is lacking, to dwell on the deficiency.  And yet, God’s word tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  It is His will for us to give thanks, because He knows that is what turns our eyes away from what we perceive to be lacking, and toward Him, the Giver of all good things.

It seems that gratitude is the cure for grumbling.  And gratitude is sparked when we look at Who our God is, and what He has done.

Scripture to read: 1 Chronicles 16: 8-12 and Psalm 9:1.  

Reflect: 

1. Both of the above passages about gratitude mention “speaking” or “telling” about what God has done.  By telling others about what God has done, we can practice gratitude.  What would you like to share with others about what God has done in your life today? This week?  This year? 

2. What can you thank God for about your family?  About your school or work?  About your friends?  About COVID-19?  About how He made you?  About His character?  

3. In what situations or areas of your life are you finding it hard to be thankful these days?

4. How might your relationships with others be affected by your practice of gratitude?   Is there anyone you need to show appreciation to with your words or actions?     

Prayerful Action:

Consider starting a gratitude journal, a place where you take time each day to record what you are thankful for (where you tell of God’s wonders – Psalm 9:1).  Take time each day, and throughout the day, to give thanks to the Lord for Who He is and for what He has done.  As the Lord leads you, share your journal and prayers with others.

God the Father

Devotional Week 5 by Petr E.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” - 1 John 3:1 

Knowing that God is the Father will affect your life in a good way, but the revelation that God is your Father will change your life.

For some of us it is difficult  to see the Father in God, because they saw the earthly fathers. The distorted image of the earthly father distorts the image of God the Father. Some children heard from their father: you are stupid, you are not capable of anything. It is sometimes difficult for such people to see the Father in God.

If a person did not see the Father in God, then he can perceive God as an “evil judge”. Serving such a God will always be a burden. It will be impossible to earn approval from such a God. To get something from such a God will be difficult. After all, people are constantly doing something wrong, violating His commandments.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, told and showed people what God really is and brought true revelation about the Father. God is not an evil judge, but a loving Father and a just Judge. If you perceive God as a loving Father and a just judge, it will be easier for you to love Him. This revelation will help you not to sin. Love is the best motivator not to sin, as opposed to fear.

What is important to know about the Father:

1. Father made you special.

   READ: Psalm 138:13-16

   The father participated in your conception, the formation of your gender and at your birth. If no one was waiting for you in the family, Father was waiting. You are not strange, you are special.
   

2. Father knows you by name.

   READ: Isaiah 43:1

   This is important, considering that there are billions of us. The Father does not just have a good memory for names, He treats you as His child. Your father is open for communication with you 24 hours a day. God has more to do than earthly parents, but unlike them, He can spend time with you without limits.

3. Father is involved in your life.
   READ: Luke 12:7 
   He is involved in our life so much that he knows every birthmark on our body, and how all organs work in our body. The father fills all our needs in both fatherly and motherly love. When necessary, He can train us as a father, but when necessary he will show us tenderness as a mother.

Conclusion

You must know that you have a Father who created the whole universe. He loves you and takes care of you. He considers you His child. He has prepared for you an excellent life in eternity. You belong to the largest family in the universe - the family of believers in Christ.

The Father not only watches your life from a far, He holds you in His arms and no one can steal you from His arms.

In the waiting

Devotional Week 4 by Josephine L.

Time is money, time is precious and we want to be efficient with it. These days, it seems like we have way too much of it. Yet, with all the time on our hands, there is still that struggle of being patient. The older I get, the more I realize that we live in a world where we feel the need to be doing something every minute, every second of our days. We’re afraid of being bored and we hate waiting. We live in a culture of fast-food, fast-fashion, immediate answers, quick responses. Now more than ever, YOU may be in a season of waiting. When God tells us to wait. To be patient. You might be waiting for an answer, a decision, a college acceptance, finances, community,…or like the rest of the world, simply waiting for COVID-19 to be over. 

In Ps. 40, David illustrates for us what it feels like to be waiting, what it looks like to wait on the Lord, and why He calls us into a space of waiting. 

Read: Psalm 40:1-3

Sometimes it feels like we are in a miry bog, a pit of destruction (v. 2). It’s hard and we can feel helpless or hopeless. David shows us in this passage that waiting patiently isn’t trying to climb out of the pit. It’s calling out to the Lord, and he inclines to us and draws us out (v. 1). Not only does the Lord draw us out, but He sets our feet on our rock and puts a new song in our mouths. Being stuck in a pit of destruction and waiting on the Lord provides us the opportunity to gain perspective and receive a greater reward in praise to our God.

I’ve found that sometimes God is CALLING and ASKING us to wait. And when he does, the goal isn’t to get things done as quickly as possible, or to fast-track all of our goals. A lot of time we are called to wait for finances, to wait for an answer, for community, for provision. God calls us into this space of waiting for several reasons:

• To transform us and build character

• To build intimacy & dependency with God

• To partner with God and receive the great reward

Reflect:

1. In what area of your life are you having to wait and be patient? How does it affect your thoughts and actions?

2. What are some challenges that come with having to wait? 

3. Think of a time where you had to be patient. How did God use it to build your character? What were your feelings? How were you rewarded? 

4. Look at the way David invited God into his season of waiting. How can you let God be a part of your season fo waiting?

5. What can you do in this season as we are waiting out COVID-19? 

Prayerful Action:

Read through the rest of Psalm 40, and pay attention to the ways that David praises the Lord. This is an example of how we can respond to situations which God calls us to wait. He is transforming us, and when we look back at our lives and see all that He has done, we will see His sovereignty and faithfulness.

Invite the Lord into seasons where your patience is being tested, and ask Him to reveal areas which He is calling you to wait.

Proverbs 16:9

Devotional Week 3 by Tracy D.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

– Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

It’s been said that life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Enter the coronavirus, life’s latest ‘happening’ that has radically changed all our plans. One casualty was mk2mk’s annual summer mission trip. You may have felt that loss personally as one who was planning to be a part of it. Or maybe you had different plans for the summer. You grieve what might have been and grapple with confusion, or outright fear, about the future. Naming and expressing those emotions is an important part of coming to terms with your experience.

But don’t stop there.  In the Bible God’s people are honest in their expression of grief, doubt, fear, sorrow. But those expressions are always illuminated by words that turn us to the Lord – to his comfort, his assurance, his presence, his encouragement. Christ, the light of the world, helps us see our losses in right perspective.

Solomon’s words in Proverbs 16:9 caution us to hold our plans loosely, because they often do not unfold according to our expectations. God guides our steps, and he has the right to change our plans. This comforts me, because it reminds me that the Lord is not surprised by an out-of-control microbe. In fact, it’s actually part of his plan. When your plans are canceled, you might think that all your preparation was for nothing, and that your time and thought and prayer about it were a waste. Not so!  Even though things did not turn out as planned, God is faithful to use it all for your sanctification according to his wise plan. Whatever alternative God has for you this summer is not Plan B. He has something better for you that your plans could not accomplish.

Having our paths redirected can be confusing (see Proverbs 20:24). But what an opportunity to really walk by faith! God asks us to trust him. He doesn’t ask us to trust that things will work out according to our desires, but to trust him – moment by moment, day by day, month by month, year by year. That’s why it’s called a walk of faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Our current situation gives us the opportunity to do just that, to walk with a known God into an unknown future. He is very much on his throne and in control.  So with this change I want to look for ways the Lord is bringing my steps in line with his plan.

Reflect:

1. What are some things you’ve lost (experiences, opportunities, community, freedom, etc.) as a result of COVID-19?

2. Does Proverbs 16:9 give you more comfort or frustration? Why?

3. If you were writing a psalm to express yourself, what are some of the things you’d tell God?

4. What are your concerns for the next few months? What do you need most from the Lord?

5. What are some good things that have come about as a result of the changes due to COVID-19 (e.g., time with the Lord, time with family, renewed focus, rest, etc.)?

6. How might the Lord be working in your own heart?

7. What does walking by faith look like for you right now?

Prayerful Action

Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. Ask God to give you comfort in the loss and change, and faith that he will do something far greater than you ever imagined.

Ask him to help you talk with someone about how you’re feeling, and the things you expressed in the questions above.

Rooted

Devotional Week 2 by Bekah L.

Last week I decided to do some weeding. I was weeding a particular piece of our yard that had obviously not been weeded in a long time. How could I tell? Because there were huge chunks of dead, brown leaves on several different bushes. As I was weeding, I noticed that the dead pieces came out really easily, because they were no longer connected to deep roots. I also noticed that the dead branches were taking up a lot of space and over-crowding the less visible green, living branches. I think this is a good analogy for our growth as believers. Sometimes, the dead parts of our lives are the most noticeable by ourselves and others, and we can be discouraged that growth isn’t happening. But these dead parts also come out really easily when they are confronted with the Truth of God and His Word, because they have no roots. The growth that leads to life and fruit in our spiritual walk might take more time and work to produce, but once it comes it isn’t as easily pulled out because it has deep roots in the imperishable truth of God and His Word. We need to clear out the parts of our lives that aren’t bearing fruit to make more room for our life in Christ to grow. 

As I continued weeding and these passages came to mind, I was reminded of a few more truths about growth: Spiritual growth takes time and intentionality; it doesn’t happen on auto-pilot or cruise control. We have to be planted in the right soil and constantly being nourished with the right nutrients. 

Scripture: Psalm 1, John 15 

Questions

1. What does God do as a gardener in John 15? 

2. Which branches in your life are not bearing fruit? Which ones are? 

3. What characteristics are used for the blessed man in Psalm 1? 

4. How can we relate these characteristics to our own spiritual growth? 

5. Are you planted in the right soil? Are you filling your life with truth from His Word? 

Prayerful Action 

Pray boldly that God would show you which areas of your life are bearing fruit and which aren’t. These can be outward, visible things like the activities you’re involved in or more internal things like your character and sin that others can’t see as easily. Then ask Him to help you pull those things out of your heart and fill those empty spaces with His truth and His Spirit. Ask Him to give you patience for your own growth and thank Him that He is patient with you. 

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God Is Our Stronghold

Devotional Week 1 by Julie D.

When we lived in Plovdiv, Bulgaria there was a place we would take friends and family that came to visit called Assen’s Fortress (Асенова крепост). It is a historical landmark that dates back to the Middle Ages. The photo is of the church that was built adjoining the fortress and is the only thing that still stands. Since visiting Assen’s Fortress many years ago, I’ve climbed to and looked at many fortresses in Eastern Europe. What do these fortresses have in common? They were all fortified places. They were structures set on high ground with an amazing view of what lies below, which made it hard for enemies to approach without being seen. They were where people would go to find protection and safety. They were places of exceptional security.

As I’ve taken note of these incredible stone fortresses it’s made me look more closely at how God is described in the Psalms.

Scripture to read: Psalm 18:1-2 and Psalm 62:5-8

Reflect:

How is God described? What does that mean to you?

What does God give to His people in these passages?

Where or Who are safe places for you? What makes them safe?

What are the things in your life that cause you fear or concern and needing a safe place to go?

Have you found other passages in Scripture that describe God as being safe, strong, and/or protective (either metaphorically or literally)?

Prayerful Action:

Take some time to reflect on who God is, taking your cares to Him and thank Him that He is your safe fortress. Enjoy being in His presence. Or if you are having trouble with that, what barriers are keeping you from finding refuge in Him? Be honest with Him. He is not threatened by your questions, doubts, or fears.

He is a mighty fortress and welcomes you in!

Discussion group info here