Pathways Press.com

Written by Vivian Bricker, a contemporary writer.

Whenever we spend time outdoors, we are reminded of God’s beauty. This is why I enjoy spending time outdoors. The beautiful blue sky, the shining sun, and the singing birds help me to remember that there is still hope in the world…However, if we do not pay careful attention to this beauty, we will miss it. I have noticed many times in my life that I have had a habit of rushing and missing out on these beautiful things. Rather than slowing down and fully absorbing the sky or the clouds, I’m just rushing from one place to another…I have slowed down and started to take note of these parts of God’s creation…I try to  notice all the little things in life: the blooming of the flowers, a few storm clouds in the distance, or the happy face of a stranger as they pass by. If we slow down enough, we can notice all of these things…Start appreciating all of the things God has placed in the world. Taking time to notice these things will help us have a healthier outlook on life. Even when things are not going upward, God is still good and in control.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. [Psalm 19:1]

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Written by Kyle Norman,, a contemporary Canadian pastor, writer, speaker, and retreat leader.

Jesus shows his true nature; he reveals his fullness as the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord of all, not because he escapes the cross, nor transforms it into some easy symbol. No, He proves who he is and the salvation he brings by hanging there and taking upon himself not an easy or beautiful cross but one of derision, mockery, and shame. Jesus scorns all that the cross represents; he shows that he is the pioneer and perfector of our faith precisely because he endures the cross, takes it on, and does not forsake it. The cross, therefore, is the symbol of faith precisely because it is ugly, extreme, and a symbol of shame, abandonment, and derision. The cross represents everything that is not beautiful, majestic, or surrounded by pleasantry and Ease. It symbolizes faith because it is into that place that Jesus entered.

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2]

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Written by Louie Giglio, a contemporary pastor.  This is an excerpt from his book “Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God and Science.”

The Sun — it warms our faces and gives light to our days. We also draw pictures of it: a small, bright-yellow ball with a smiley face in the center. It just seems so… friendly. But that’s only because the Sun is 93 million miles away! Up close, our Sun isn’t very friendly at all. It’s a raging inferno of flames. The temperature of the Sun’s core is 27 million degrees Fahrenheit! And it isn’t some small, yellow ball either. It’s huge — ginormously huge! If Earth were the size of a golf ball, the Sun would be about the size of an elephant. God breathed that Sun out of His mouth (check out Psalm 33:6). What does that tell us about God? He is mighty. He is awesome. He is able to do things we cannot even begin to imagine. Our God is ferocious in His power! What does God do with all that power? He gives His power to you. When you are tired of trying to do the right thing and getting nowhere, when your worries make you afraid to take a step, or when you feel attacked by troubles too big to handle on your own, don’t be scared. Be bold! Be brave! Call out to God in prayer, and ask Him for His power. He will answer. And His Spirit will make you strong and mighty and powerful. Trust God. He is ferociously on your side, and He’s got this.

God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid. He gave us a spirit of power and love and self-control. [2 Timothy 1:7]

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Written by Doug Webster, a contemporary pastor and founder of Jesuscollege.com.

Have you been “animated” lately where you were fired up, lively, or energized? If you want to unveil an important force in your life, be a student of your animation. It reveals the presence of a kingdom reality…To see this kingdom power unveiled, pay attention to the energy levels in your body – your words and your bodily actions. Our animation is a matter of our will – getting what we want, fearing we won’t get what we want or wanting what we think others should get. Even if it is goodwill, we can still get highly animated although we are usually more animated seeking what we want or not getting what we want…Jesus says out of the heart come “thoughts” – evil or good. When I act, either in sin or for the good, thoughts spur my action. To act is a progression of thought, inclination and readiness to act. A thief is not just one who steals but one who would steal if the opportunity arose. A thief thinks about stealing, is inclined to steal and ready to steal if he can get away with it. Same applies to adultery, divorce, retaliation, judging, etc. The desire lies in the heart not just the action. I don’t just steal. I am a thief. I don’t just lie. I am a liar. I don’t just sin. I’m a sinner…How do we seek the Kingdom of God?  First, trust His Kingdom is “at hand” to anyone, anytime, even the poor and persecuted. (Matthew 4:17, 5:3 & 10) Then, entrust to His Kingdom the people you care about while you stand with Jesus in a loving, joyful, peaceful way. We can listen with confidence knowing God will speak His wisdom (not our opinions) when the person has ears to hear and eyes to see His Kingdom reality. We let go of managing the results. We release control. We operate in His royal law of agape love as we surrender our governance. We don’t just do good. We become a good person who loves like Jesus in a good way.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. [Matthew 6:33]

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Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor, speaker, and author.  This is an excerpt from his book “Never Give Up.”

Remember, God is not sometimes sovereign. He is not occasionally victorious. He does not occupy the throne one day and vacate it the next. This season in which you find yourself may puzzle you, but it does not bewilder God. He can and will use it for His purpose.

The Lord will not turn back until He has fulfilled and until He has accomplished the intent of His heart (mind). [Jeremiah 30:24]

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Written by Mark Roberts, a contemporary author.

Gracious God, first of all, I thank you for your amazing grace. When I was lost, by grace you found me. When I was dead, by grace you made me alive in Christ. Your grace gives me hope for the future. And it gives me a new way of living in the present. By your grace, I am a new creature in Christ. You have given me good works to do, works that reflect your purpose for all things as well as your purpose for me. Help me, Lord, to learn to live all of life for you, for your purpose and glory. Guide me so that I might walk in the good works you have prepared for me. By your Spirit, help me to live each day for your glory, honoring you in all that I do. Amen. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

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Written by the Lead Like Jesus team, an organization founded by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges that promotes a transformational leadership model based on following Jesus

Our response to pressure reveals much about who we are and where we place our trust. Consider Jesus who, under pressure far beyond what many of us will ever experience, forgave those who placed Him on the cross. What pressure are you experiencing? How is your trust in God shaping your response? Are you the one who forgives, or are you the one who needs to be forgiven?

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” [Luke 23:33-34]

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Written by John Ortberg, a contemporary author, speaker, and pastor.

Memory is not neutral. It forms our identity, drives our choices, and even dictates what we believe about ourselves and God. When we forget what Jesus said, or when we fill our minds only with regrets, failures, and fears, we can often begin to feel disconnected. But when we ground our thoughts with Scripture, with Christ’s presence, and with moments of Spirit-led reflection, something changes. Our memories become tools for healing, justice, conviction, and hope. So maybe your call is to simply to remember well. Remember the promises of Jesus. Remember the people who need your love. Remember that you are forgiven. Let the Spirit fill your memory so that your life becomes useful, full of hope, and built on love. The person who forgets everything may still remember Jesus, and in doing so, finds his soul again.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. [John 14:26]

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Written by Henri Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.  This is an excerpt from his book “Making All Things New.”

To bring some solitude into our lives is one of the most necessary but also most difficult disciplines. Even though we may have a deep desire for real solitude, we also experience a certain apprehension as we approach that solitary place and time. As soon as we are alone, without people to talk with, books to read, TV to watch, or phone calls to make, an inner chaos opens up in us. This chaos can be so disturbing and so confusing that we can hardly wait to get busy again. Entering a private room and shutting the door, therefore, does not mean that we immediately shut out all our inner doubts, anxieties, fears, bad memories, unresolved conflicts, angry feelings, and impulsive desires. On the contrary, when we have removed our outer distractions, we often find that our inner distractions manifest themselves to us in full force. We often use these outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. It is thus not surprising that we have a difficult time being alone. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure. This makes the discipline of solitude all the more important. Solitude is not a spontaneous response to an occupied and preoccupied life. There are too many reasons not to be alone. Therefore, we must begin by carefully planning some solitude.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. [Mark 1:35]

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Written by Jennifer Tucker, a contemporary author.  This is an excerpt from her book “Present in Prayer.”

How do you praise God when the healing you’ve been praying for doesn’t come, or when that job you wanted falls through? Or when a friend ghosts you or your spouse leaves or you lose someone you love?  How do you praise God when you’re drowning in the depths of depression or when your mind is flooded with anxiety or when your body is suffering in chronic pain? Praise is not reserved for only the pretty moments of life or the days we deem good enough. We praise God not because of our circumstances but because of His character. Genuine praise is dependent not on how we feel but on who He is. Praise is the ground that steadies all our prayers. Praise roots our prayers in hope as it grounds our hearts and minds in God’s constant presence and abiding love. Praise helps us remember. As we pray for healing or cry out for help, we praise Him as we remember His past provision. As we lament the pain and suffering that surrounds us, we praise Him as we remember His presence with us right now. As we tell Him our worries and our fears, we praise Him as we remember His future promises… It can be easy to praise God in wide generalities and simply say, “Thanks for everything, God.” But it can be a powerful practice to do like the psalmist and turn our thoughts to specific times when God has provided for us, letting our praise be filled with the smaller details of His goodness and grace in our lives. When we remember what God has done, we gain courage to trust what God will do.

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He did for me. For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke. [Psalm 66:16-17]

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