Encouraging and empowering people to live victorious lives in Christ

Archive for February, 2025

Be Still and Know

Yesterday, I was honored to record a podcast episode with a ministry friend and partner (I’ll be sure to share with you when the episode goes live).  After the recording, we chatted for a few minutes and before we ended our conversation, she asked how she could pray for me (every time we talk, she asks that question and I appreciate her for it).  I shared my prayer needs, and she said she would pray that I would be able to find moments of rest in a busy season.    As I thought about that conversation today, Psalm 46 came to my mind.

The writer David starts the song this way: 

God is our refuge and strength,

    always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come

    and the mountains crumble into the sea.

(Psalm 46:1-2, NLT)

The last several weeks have been extremely busy for me, between work, church (including preaching and teaching), attending a conference for Christian retailers and authors, attending a conference for the organization my church falls under, and my birthday! It’s been a lot!  My friend’s words about finding moments of rest really resonated with me because, in this season, it will be the moments of rest that will refresh me and keep me going.

Toward the end of Psalm 46, David writes these words (they are the words of God):

“Be still and know that I am God!

    I will be honored by every nation.

    I will be honored throughout the world.”

(Psalm 46:10, NLT)

No matter what is happening around us or in our lives, if we are still and focus on God and the fact that He is God, we can navigate the different seasons of our lives.  Those moments of stillness and focus may be brief (driving from one place to another,picking up groceries or taking a short walk).  I’m sure each of us would love extended periods of rest, such as a vacation, but if those are not possible right now, a moment of refreshing can do the trick to carry us through all the things we need to accomplish.   And we may need to take moments (plural) of refreshing on a regular basis to sustain us.

May we seek God and look to Him for those times of refreshing, no matter how brief they may be. He is our source for everything, and as He sustains us, He is glorified in our lives.

Let’s be still and know today.  Amen!

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Is peace possible?

As we observe what’s happening in our world right now, the question in the subject of this message is a compelling one!  Is peace possible?  I’m not an expert on world history and current events, so I can’t answer that question (I will say that I am watching what is going on around us, and I suggest you do as well).  I don’t believe anyone can predict whether peace is possible, but there is something regarding peace that we can control.  We can have peace within ourselves!

How do we maintain inner peace when there’s chaos around us?  Isaiah 26:3-4 says:

You will keep in perfect peace

    all who trust in you,

    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Trust in the Lord always,

    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

(NLT)

So, where is your focus?  Is it on the One who is the eternal Rock?   When something is eternal, it lasts forever!  And a rock is “a firm foundation or support.” (Dictionary.com) The prophet Isaiah also says we are to “trust in the Lord always,” not just some of the time, but in all things and at all times (my interpretation)!

The things happening around and even to us can be disconcerting and unnerving.  But instead of being consumed with worry, I choose to do what this scripture says: keep my thoughts fixed on God and trust in Him.  This is an intentional choice we must make daily.  And as we trust, we can experience perfect peace, the peace that passes all understanding!

Which choice will you make today?

Before I sign off, I wanted to share that I have a special announcement coming on Monday February 10.  Be sure to tune in to social media (@ANewSeasonDay or @SpeakerBrenna on Facebook and @ANewSeasonDay on Instagram) that day.

Take care!

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