“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23

I love this passage of Scripture because it reminds us of something we so easily forget—God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on our circumstances.

When we read these words, it’s easy to picture someone sitting peacefully, enjoying a beautiful morning, and reflecting on the goodness of God. But that’s not the setting in which these words were written. The book of Lamentations reflects on the devastation surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem. The city had fallen, the people were suffering, and there were plenty of reasons to feel discouraged.

And yet, in the middle of all that pain, the author declares that God’s love never ceases and His mercies never come to an end. Think about that for a moment. The author wasn’t saying that everything was good. He was reminding himself that even when everything around him seemed to be falling apart, God was still good. His circumstances may have changed, but God’s character hadn’t.

And that’s a truth we need to remember. Some mornings we wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Other mornings we wake up carrying yesterday’s worries, yesterday’s disappointments, and yesterday’s struggles. And we wonder how we’re going to find the strength to face the day.

But God’s Word reminds us that His mercies are new every morning. We don’t have to live today on yesterday’s strength. We don’t have to be defined by yesterday’s failures. And we don’t have to let yesterday’s disappointments steal today’s hope. God has new mercies for us today.

That doesn’t mean every problem will disappear when we wake up. It doesn’t mean every prayer will be answered the way we hoped. It means that whatever we face, we can face it knowing that God’s love has not run out, His faithfulness has not diminished, and His grace is still sufficient.

So today, let’s stop focusing on what’s wrong in our lives and take a moment to remember what’s right about our God. His love is steadfast. His mercy never ends. Great is His faithfulness!

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” –2 Timothy 1:9

This verse is part of a letter that Paul is writing to Timothy. And if anyone could have made the argument that they were good enough to earn God’s favor, it would have been the apostle Paul. He was zealous for God, devoted to the Law, and had an impressive religious pedigree. And yet, Paul understood something that changed everything—we aren’t saved because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us.

The reality is, none of us can earn our salvation. We’ve all fallen short of God’s glory. We’re all broken people in need of His grace. And the only reason we have life and a hope for the future is because of Jesus and what He accomplished for us on the cross.

As we talked about last Sunday, God loves us. And because He loves us, He made a way for us to be saved. We don’t have to work hard enough, do enough good things, or somehow prove ourselves worthy of His love. God’s grace isn’t something we earn—it’s a gift we receive.

So why do we sometimes live as though we have to earn what God has already offered us freely? Why do we carry the weight of trying to be good enough when Jesus has already done what we could never do for ourselves?

Today, may we stop striving to earn God’s love and simply receive it. (If that feels complicated, may we ask for His help to open our hearts to receive His love.) And may we rest in His grace, walk in His love, and live with grateful hearts—not trying to earn our salvation, but living in response to the salvation He has freely given us through Jesus.

We’re not called to work for God’s love—It’s because of His love that we’re called.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” –1 Timothy 2:1–3 

We live in a world where it seems that everyone has something to say, an opinion to share, or an argument to win. And we can get caught up in the noise if we aren’t careful. We raise our voices, speak harshly, and add to the division around us.

But Paul reminds us of something important in these verses—our first response should be prayer. Notice that Paul specifically tells us to pray for kings and those in authority. And he doesn’t say to pray only for the leaders we agree with, the ones we like, or the ones who share our values. He tells us to pray for all of them.

Why? Because prayer changes things. Prayer invites God into situations that are bigger than we are. And sometimes, instead of adding our voices to all the noise around us, we need to get on our knees and ask God to move in the hearts of those who lead us.

Paul also reminds us of the kind of lives we should seek to live—peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness. That doesn’t mean we remain silent in the face of injustice or never speak up for what is right. But it does mean we don’t have to respond to every argument with anger, harsh words, or hostility.

We can speak truth in love without being harsh. We can stand up for what’s right without adding to the division. And we can disagree with people while still loving them and praying for them.

So, what if we spent less time complaining about our leaders and more time praying for them? What if, instead of adding to the noise, we became people who consistently brought our concerns before God?

We may not be able to change someone’s heart through an argument, but we can certainly pray to the One who can. And often our own hearts need to change as well. So may we be people who pray first, speak with grace, and seek to live peaceful lives that reflect the heart of Jesus.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” –Luke 6:37

I am currently re-reading a book I first read over 20 years ago called Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness by Jerry Cook. It’s one of those books that challenges us to look at our lives and ask a simple question: Are we really living like Jesus? Because as followers of Christ, we’re called to love, accept, and forgive people.

The truth is, we’re all human. We’re all going to make mistakes. We’re all going to fail. And if we’re honest, there will be times when people hurt us, disappoint us, or do things that are simply wrong. The question is not whether we will be hurt. The question is, how will we respond when we are?

Jesus makes it very clear in Luke 6:37 that forgiveness needs to be a part of our response. And the key is not allowing our emotions to determine how we respond. Because forgiveness is not an emotion—it’s a decision. Jerry Cook said it this way: “We don’t forgive with our memory or emotions—we forgive with our will.”

We choose to forgive. We choose not to live in anger, bitterness, or revenge. We choose to release the person and the offense into God’s hands. And that doesn’t mean what happened was okay. Forgiveness is not condoning wrong behavior or pretending that we weren’t hurt. It simply means we refuse to allow what someone did control what happens in our hearts.

We live in a time of extreme division and, unfortunately, that division has made its way into the Church. But that is not God’s heart for His people. God desires reconciliation, healing, and unity. And sometimes forgiveness is the first step toward all three.

When we choose to love, accept, and forgive one another, we are choosing to live like Jesus. And maybe today there is someone we need to forgive. Not because they deserve it. Not because what they did was okay. But because we have been forgiven much, and Jesus has called us to forgive others.

Forgiveness is a choice. And when we choose forgiveness, we open the door for God to bring healing—not only into our relationships, but into our own hearts.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” –Ephesians 6:12

Years ago, our pastors in Newberg told us of a simple truth: “Nothing is personal, everything is spiritual.” And I think we often forget that. Here in Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood. In other words, people are not the real enemy.

And yet, how often do we find ourselves battling people? We get frustrated with someone, angry at someone, offended by someone—and before long, that person becomes the problem.

But what if we all stopped and remembered what Paul tells us? There is an enemy who loves division. He loves to create conflict, stir up anger, and turn people against one another. And if we forget who the real enemy is, we can end up fighting the very people God has called us to love.

We see it happening all around us: Families divided; Friendships broken; Christians arguing with one another. People responding to anger with more anger and to hatred with more hatred.

But as followers of Jesus, we’re called to respond differently. When we understand that our battle isn’t against people, we can stop fighting people and start fighting the real battle—on our knees in prayer. We can choose love instead of hate. We can show grace instead of anger. We can seek unity instead of division.

The next time someone frustrates us, hurts us, or makes us angry, maybe we need to stop and remember: This person is not my enemy. And instead of fighting back, maybe we should start praying. Because our battle is not against flesh and blood. And when we remember that, it can actually change the way we respond to everyone around us.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” –Mark 11:22-23

Jesus tells His disciples here that if they have faith in God, they can speak to a mountain and see it moved. It’s a powerful picture of what God can do through faith.

But I think sometimes we can misunderstand what Jesus is teaching us about faith. We can begin to think that the key to seeing God do great things is just having enough faith—as though the power is somehow found in how much faith we can produce.

But our faith isn’t what moves the mountain—God is. The key to our faith isn’t the size of our faith—it’s the greatness of the One in whom we put our faith. The strength of a bridge isn’t determined by our faith to believe the bridge will hold us. The strength is found in the bridge itself. Our faith simply determines whether we’re willing to step out onto the bridge.

In the same way, we don’t move mountains because we have extraordinary faith. We trust an extraordinary God who is able to move mountains. Sometimes we spend so much time looking at the mountain that we forget to look at the One who made it.

We look at the problem. We look at the circumstances. We look at what seems impossible. And we wonder if we have enough faith to see those things change. But the real question we have to ask ourselves, is whether or not we trust God. 

Faith-filled prayer isn’t about trying to convince God to do what we want. It’s about seeking Him, trusting Him, and aligning our hearts with His will. Sometimes God moves the mountain. Sometimes He gives us the strength to climb it. And sometimes He leads us around it.

But in every circumstance, our confidence is not found in our ability to have perfect faith. Our confidence is found in a perfect God. And true faith comes from the Giver of faith.

So, whatever mountain you may be facing today, don’t spend all your energy wondering if you have enough faith to move it. Instead, look to the One who made the mountain. He is still faithful. He is still able. And He is still God.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” -1 Corinthians 12:4–6

I love these verses because they remind us that God has uniquely gifted each of us. We don’t all have the same gifts. We don’t all have the same abilities. We don’t all have the same calling. But God has a purpose for each of us, and He wants to use us to make a difference in the lives of the people around us.

But sometimes God gives us a nudge toward something, and our first response is, “I can’t do that.” Maybe we don’t feel qualified. Maybe we’ve never done anything like it before. Maybe we look at our own abilities and think, “I’m sure God could find someone better suited for this.” But I learned a simple truth many years ago that has always stuck with me: God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

Think about Gideon. God called him a “mighty warrior,” yet Gideon didn’t see himself that way at all. He saw his weaknesses and limitations. God was well aware of Gideon’s weaknesses. But God wasn’t asking Gideon to accomplish something in his own strength. God was going to work through him.

And that’s the encouragement we find in these verses. Paul says there are different gifts, different kinds of service, and different kinds of working, “but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” The same God who calls us is the God who equips us. He knows what He’s asking us to do, and He knows what we will need to do it.

Just as we’ve been talking about on Sundays, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. So, if God has been nudging us toward something, maybe we don’t need to ask, “Am I qualified?” Maybe we just need to ask, “Do I trust God to equip me?”

Because if He’s calling us to it, He will give us what we need to do it!

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… and you will find rest for your souls.” –Matthew 11:28–29

I read something from Eugene Peterson this week that really made me stop and think. He was talking about some of the reasons we keep our lives so busy, and he said, “I am busy because I am vain.” He explained that we live in a society where crowded schedules and harassed conditions can become evidence of importance. We fill our calendars, overcommit ourselves, and run from one thing to the next—and when people notice how busy we are, it can make us feel more significant. Ouch.

The question is: why do we care so much about how other people see us? Sometimes we say yes to something because we don’t want someone to be upset with us. Sometimes we take on one more responsibility because we don’t want to people to think of us as lazy. And sometimes we keep moving because we’ve convinced ourselves that being busy means we’re important. And before we know it, we’re exhausted and worn out.

Our world moves at an incredible pace. We are constantly connected, constantly available, constantly moving from one thing to the next, sometimes even hurrying through our time with God. And we wonder why we’re struggling spiritually.

Maybe part of the problem is that we’re trying to live at a pace God never intended for us to live. I love what Jesus says in Matthew 11. He doesn’t just tell us to take a break. He says, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” A yoke connects two animals so they can work together. Jesus is inviting us to walk with Him—to move with Him—to learn His way of living.

He’s not just offering us a moment of rest. He’s offering us a different rhythm for our lives. Maybe that’s what some of us need today. Maybe we need to stop, take a deep breath, and ask God, “Am I moving at Your pace?” Because sometimes we get frustrated that God isn’t moving fast enough, when the truth is that we’re the ones that have gotten out ahead of Him. 

We want answers now. We want God to change things now. We want to know what’s next right now. But God is moving at a different pace than most of us. And I don’t think His slower pace is a sign that He’s forgotten us. I believe it’s an invitation to walk alongside Him instead of running out ahead of Him.

So maybe today, take a moment to slow down: lay down our phones; step away from the noise; take a deep breath and spend some quiet moments with God. Let’s ask Him to teach us His rhythms. Let’s ask Him to show us where we’re running ahead of Him. And let’s ask Him to teach us how to walk with Him.

Because it’s not just about slowing down. It’s actually learning to walk at His pace and in communion with Him. And when we find ourselves in step with Him, that’s when we truly find rest for our souls.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

There are few words in Scripture more powerful than these. We were sinners. We had rebelled against Him. We had gone our own way. We did not deserve His love, and we certainly could not earn it. But God loved us anyway.

And Romans 5:8 tells us the extent of His love: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” When we were at our worst, God gave us His best. He didn’t wait until we cleaned ourselves up before He loved us. He didn’t wait until we got our act together before He sent Jesus. No, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I think that’s something we need to remind ourselves of when we’re walking through difficult seasons—or when we fall into temptation and sin. Because I know sometimes our struggles can cause us to question God’s love. We fail, we make a mess, and the enemy begins whispering, “You’ve failed too many times. You’ve disappointed Him again and again.”

But Romans 5:8 reminds us of something important: God already knew everything about us when He chose to love us. He knew our failures. He knew our weaknesses. He knew every sin we would ever commit. And He still sent Jesus.

Now, that doesn’t mean God is okay with our sin. It just means that our sin doesn’t catch Him by surprise, and our failures don’t cause Him to suddenly change His mind about us. Think about it this way: If God loved us when we were still His enemy, do we really think He is going to give up on us now that we are His children?

Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” In other words, God isn’t finished with us. We may look at our life and see all the places where we still need to grow. We may be frustrated with how often we stumble. We may wonder why the struggle hasn’t gone away yet.

But remember: we are still a work in progress; and God is still working. The same God who loved us enough to save us is the God who continues to love us enough to change us. The cross is proof of that.

As I said, when we were at our worst, God gave us His best. And if He loved us enough to give His Son for us then, we can trust Him to continue working in us now. So when we face temptation, we shouldn’t run from God in shame—we should run to Him for help. When we fail, we can’t believe the lies that the enemy whispers. Instead we need to confess our sin, receive His grace, and keep walking with Him. Because the God who began His work in us is not going to abandon us.

He loved us at our worst. He saved us by giving His best. And He’s not finished with us. 

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits…” — Psalm 103:2

In last week’s blog, I talked about the danger of allowing our circumstances to make us forget what God has done. This week, I’ve been thinking about how we can keep ourselves from forgetting in the first place. And I think one of the answers is gratitude.

Humans are incredibly good at pointing out what’s wrong. There is always something to criticize; something to complain about; something we wish was different. And, if we’re not careful, that critical spirit can begin to shape the way we see everything around us.

We start to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do have. We see the things that went wrong instead of the things that went right. We remember the disappointments but forget the blessings. And maybe that’s exactly what happened to the Israelites. They became so focused on what they lacked in the wilderness that they forgot all that God had already done for them. 

That’s what makes Psalm 103:2 so important. David tells his own soul, “Forget not all his benefits.” In other words, remembering what God has done in the past can help us better navigate our current problems. Gratitude doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances—but it can change the way we see them.

It’s not pretending that life is easy. It’s not ignoring our struggles or denying that something is wrong. It’s simply realizing that gratitude helps us to remember that, even though everything isn’t going the way we hoped, God is faithful. There are still blessings to recognize. There are still reasons to praise.

Maybe that’s why gratitude is something we need to practice. Because remembering our problems comes naturally. But remembering God’s goodness is something we have to do intentionally. We have to stop and remember the prayers He’s answered. The doors He’s opened. All the times He’s provided.

What are we forgetting? What has God done for us that we haven’t thought about in a while? What blessings have become so familiar that we’ve stopped seeing them as blessings? What goodness is right in front of us that our hearts have overlooked?

Last week, I reminded us what can happen when we allow our circumstances to cause us to forget God’s faithfulness. This week, let’s be intentional about remembering. Remember what He has done. Give thanks for what He is doing. And trust Him with what comes next.