Dear Friends,
Recently, I felt the Holy Spirit speak a word to me about fear. It became a sermon, but the issue is so important, I want to encourage you with some thoughts on the subject today.
Currently, fear is taking ahold of people in significant ways. Many things in our world seem overwhelming. My recent conversations with people have included discussing the pandemic, racial injustice, the political climate, global military uncertainty, financial stability, unemployment, broken relationships, school assignments, identity questions, sexual brokenness, and so much more. Fear is taking root in people, and it is leading to overwhelming anxiety. Anxiety is a normal emotional response. It is the brain's way of reacting to stress and alerting our bodies to potential danger. Anxiety and fear are close cousins, triggering our fight, flight, or freeze mechanism to protect us from imminent threats.
There is so much to be afraid of that we are losing sight of what we are not afraid of. A recent conversation with a friend reminded me of the severity of this issue. My friend’s fear-triggered anxiety resulted in being physically paralyzed at home, windows closed and in the dark, withdrawn from everyone. This is a real experience for many people. In his book A Failure of Nerve, Edwin Friedman states, "When anxiety reaches certain thresholds, ‘reasonableness and honesty’ no longer defend against illusion, and then even the most learned ideas can begin to function as superstitions”. I'm no different than most of you. I wear a mask most hours of the day. I wash my hands and use sanitizer over and over. I distance myself from people, which is VERY difficult for me. After the recent presidential debate, I said under my breath, "Jesus help us" in a way that perhaps indicated He wasn't already there in the middle of the mess. And that is exactly when I was reminded that He is there, He has been there, He will continue to be there. I might forget, but He is still there. I might think that what I learned about Him as a child is not enough for life’s circumstances, but He is still there. His power, presence, and purpose are still present in my life and yours. There is nothing superstitious about His presence in the world yesterday, today, or tomorrow.
If you find yourself feeling anxious, find a quiet place to sit down, close your eyes, and say this verse at least three times. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). After you have repeated the verse several times slowly, sit in the silence for a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with strength, hope, and peace.
Jesus, there is so much going on in our world. The feeling of being overwhelmed and fearful is prevalent and real. Would You whisper peace to our hearts? Would you wash over our minds with Your love, helping us remember that You are with us in the darkest valley? We have nothing to fear. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
Love in Times of COVID-19
Dear Friends,
Like many of you, I am at home processing this “next normal”. My terminology has shifted from “new” to “next,” because I believe we will experience many shifts in “normal” in the coming months. The best thing we can do is embrace these changes.
One of the most impressive outcomes of this experience has been seeing people in our community express love in a variety of ways. We have seen doctors and nurses go the extra mile to take care of our health. We have seen churches provide meals and groceries for those in need. We have seen neighbors checking on each other to make sure they are safe.
Recently, a friend challenged me on the biblical concept of agape love. They contended that humans always express love with a hidden agenda or the hope of getting something in return. Such love is not unconditional. I must admit, when I initially heard this person’s perspective, I almost agreed. Then I realized that they weren’t right. In these times, people who don’t even profess faith are demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit as they help people they don’t know (Gal 5:22-23).
I have some wonderful new neighbors from China. They moved into the house next door to ours just as the pandemic started to spread across the country. When I saw them in the driveway about two months ago, I greeted them with a friendly hello. In return, they looked up at me and ran into the garage, promptly shutting the door behind them. I don’t know what generated this response, but it ignited a desire in my spirit to find a way to connect with them. They are renters, and they inherited a jungle of a front lawn when they moved in. The Lord dropped the idea into my heart that this was an opportunity. I decided to love my neighbors by mowing their lawn. The next day, they were in the driveway again. I said hello, and they smiled, waved, and responded with a friendly hello in return.
Agape love is self-giving, self-sacrificing love. Christ embodies this true love and bestows it upon all believers (1 Cor. 13:4-8). It’s not normative for us to love beyond ourselves without the work of God’s Spirit in our hearts. Selfless love grows out of a personal encounter with the living God and comes to fruition by intentionality. John provides invaluable insight into the development of love in us. We demonstrate love by doing right and loving people (1 John 3:10-11). We love by being life-giving people (1 John 3:14). We love when our words and actions are truthful (1 John 3:18). We love when we keep God’s command to love others (1 John 3:23). We love when the love of God is seen in us (1 John 4:12). We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:16, 19). We love as we walk in obedience to God (2 John 5).
Lord, so many people are hurting. Help me to love well. People are without work, isolated from friends and family members, some are in difficult home environments, and many have lost friends and relatives. Help me to see everyone as my neighbor, and give me a heart of compassion and love. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
Peace in Times of COVID-19
Dear Friends,
As I sit here at home, physically away from many people I love, I must say it feels simply terrible. I have cycled through many emotions, as I’m sure you have. At times I have felt anxious. I am by nature a “fixer”, and I want to do more than I can to solve the situation in which we currently find ourselves. But the reality is, the only way this can be fixed is by obeying those in authority and believing God for a miracle. So, my heart has been turned heavily toward prayer. I am praying for those who are sick and severely impacted. I am praying for medical workers and first responders. I am praying for pastors and spiritual leaders, who are working hard to support those who are searching and have questions. Mostly, I am praying for students, who are missing out on so much at this important time in their lives. I am actively seeking to calm my spirit and trust in God, believing that He will demonstrate His power to the world in a supernatural way.
While I pray, the word “peace” has been coming to my mind. I pray the peace of Christ over all our hearts and minds. How do we find peace in the middle of this storm? In His Messianic prophecies, Isaiah predicted the coming of the Prince of Peace, Jesus (Isaiah 9:6). Paul tells us that through our relationship with this Prince of Peace, we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1). In Galatians, Paul also tells us that the Holy Spirit develops the fruit of peace in our lives as He indwells and guides us (Gal 5:22).
Somewhere along the way, we may have developed the mistaken notion that because we are believers, our lives should look like we are sitting on a tropical beach gazing at a beautiful sunset. In reality, Biblical peace does not guarantee the absence of trials or testing. That is not a true picture of life. As much as I enjoyed our Choralons choir tour in Hawaii several weeks ago, we must realize that the sunset is beautiful for a moment, but it passes quickly into darkness. Biblical peace is the undeniable presence of God in our lives, holding us securely through trials.
In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples were out ministering one day. They were doing good things, fulfilling their mission and purpose. When they were done, they got in a boat and set sail for the other side of the lake. Jesus was tired and fell asleep in the back of the boat. While sleeping, a storm came up and rocked the boat severely, so much so that the disciples were sorely afraid, though several of them were experienced fishermen (Mark 4:35). Life is like that. We are doing our best, and then suddenly, a change occurs that disrupts everything. School is going great, and then a virus shuts everything down. Our church is growing, and then, COVID-19 requires us to cancel in-person services and stay home. We start a new job, and then…you get it.
Though the disciples were afraid of the storm, Jesus got up and rebuked it. He said, “Peace, be still,” and everything calmed down. I find great peace in knowing that Jesus has power over nature, and He cares about our welfare. He has more than enough grace and love for each one of us. He understands our circumstance and our anxiety, and He invites us to call on Him for help. He wants us to wake Him up with our concerns, in faith, not fear.
There will be storms in our lives; there will be things we cannot control or do not understand. Jesus wants to provide us with peace through the storms, and to bring us out on the other side stronger, more courageous, more confident in His power, and more full of faith than ever before. Don’t hesitate to wake Jesus up in faith, not fear, to be filled with His peace and receive the understanding that He is able to control the uncontrollable. In the book of John, Jesus reminds us that “these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Lord, today I need Your peace to come over me. I need Your Spirit to be present in my life despite circumstances that are completely out of my control. I need the Shalom of God to be present amid the craziness of our world. Help me to rest in Your Word and Your promises today. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
Showing the Mercy We've Received
Dear Friends,
For the past few years, I have started the year by doing a personal reflection on the Beatitudes outlined by Jesus in Matthew 5. I often need a reminder from Jesus about how He intended for me to interact with people. For those who have strong, driven personalities (maybe type 8s on the Enneagram), who demand a high level of performance, and possibly have a lower level of relationalness or self-awareness, the fifth attitude can be a difficult one. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”.
In a recent conversation with pastor friends, I recalled a situation where I received a great deal of mercy. Several years ago, I worked in the Northwest Ministry Network office as a District Youth Director. It was a particularly difficult time, as the network was going through a financial challenge. Money was tight, and everyone was pulling their load to raise money and keep the offices functioning. With little money, we brainstormed how we might encourage several hundred pastors in the network. After much discussion, we decided on a dinner and a small gift of appreciation. I had a contact who worked for a local coffee company, and I volunteered to secure coffee at a reduced price. Over the phone, my contact gave me a quote. The mistake I made was that I didn’t get the quote in writing, because we had a close, trusting, friendship. I ordered the coffee; the event was fantastic, and the small gift of coffee was a big hit. When the invoice came in the mail, I broke out in a sweat. I called my friend and said, “The quote you gave me was for $2.50 per bag, not $12.50 per bag”. My friend replied, “No, I could never sell it for that cheap”. Walking into my boss’s office that afternoon was difficult. I showed him the invoice with a sincere apology. I will never forget his response: “That is an expensive lesson for you, but I bet you won’t do it again”. He got up from his chair, put his arm around my shoulder, and affirmed me and my leadership. It was a real example of mercy, and I will never forget it.
The apostle Paul reflects on the mercy given to him through his relationship with Christ in 1 Timothy, saying, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ might display His patience as an example for those who believe in Him”. We all find ourselves in positions where we are in need of another chance, a do-over. Sometimes we need mercy for ourselves and sometimes we need mercy for others. In order to have a fresh start, we must let go of the hurt caused by others. Healing from our hurt and pain often starts with forgiving.
To be clear, being a merciful person does not mean that one is weak or lacks fortitude. Being merciful does not imply that we stop holding people accountable for their actions or lower our expectations of deadlines or quality of work. Being merciful is about choosing to forgive and showing compassion. Being merciful is about using your influence to relieve suffering, find solutions, and make a positive impact on people for Christ.
Lord, help me to show mercy to people the same way I have received it. I have had a negative attitude toward those who have said things, done things, and caused pain. Holy Spirit, give me the strength to show mercy, to show forgiveness, and to offer a blessing instead of a curse. You are the God of second chances. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
Promoting Peace with the Prince of Peace
Dear Friends,
The seventh attitude that Jesus encouraged Christ-followers to emulate in Matthew 5:9 is peacemaking. He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God”. Jesus is saying that God will bless an individual who helps people experience peace with God and peace with others. A person who promotes peace for others must start by being at peace with God in their own spirit. Many preachers and teachers talk about peace, but a person who truly promotes peace must first experience and exemplify peace in their own life.
We live in a world of turmoil. Politically, our world is at odds. Tension is on the rise. Cultural tensions have made us fearful and brought division into our relationships. Anxiety has become the predominant issue of the day. We struggle with insecurity and inability to measure up to the high standards of society. The water level is rising, and people feel that they are drowning. So how do we find peace? Moreover, if we do not have peace in ourselves, how can we be peace promoters to others?
In a recent conversation with a friend, I was struck by the lack of peace in his life as he navigates circumstances that are egregious, unfair, and overwhelming. He said, “Right now, I just feel like punching something, specifically my pillow.” I was very thankful he said “pillow”, but too often, anger in people finds other more detrimental outlets. After listening to my friend for some time as he peeled back the layers of his emotional distress, I asked him if he wanted me to respond or just sit with him. In this case, we simply sat for a moment, and then he asked me for my thoughts. Sometimes being a peace promoter means we don’t have all the answers all the time. It also means recognizing that not everyone wants to hear what we think might “fix” their brokenness. Being a peace promoter does mean that we stop to listen, empathize, and do the right thing at that moment.
I admit that I am still learning how to be a peace promoter, but I have gathered a few ideas as I have tried to help people along the way. Peace must be present in my own life. Sometimes that means not listening to all the stories in the media. Sometimes it means playing the kind of music that will soothe my soul. Sometimes it means taking a walk to clear my head or going away to a quiet place to think. All the time, it means making sure I have started my day with my heart open to God. Having an open heart as I read His Word allows the Holy Spirit to give council to the cacophony of voices that often fill my head and put back into perspective the stories that are usually bigger in my mind than they are in reality. Then, I can bring peace to others.
Lord, Your word reminds me that You are the Prince of Peace. Real peace comes from having an ongoing relationship with You. Forgive me for getting caught up in life’s circumstances that draw me away from the gift of peace that You are to me. Calm my spirit today, and bring true peace into my heart. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
Preserving Purity of Heart
Dear Friends,
We have just celebrated one of my favorite days of the year – Valentine’s Day! This day is about so much more than acknowledging the significant people in our lives. It represents the fact that we are people who can feel and that we can feel deeply. There is no creature in God’s creation as complex as you and me. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus offers us another great attitude to embrace. He says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. Our heart represents the location where our physical being and our spiritual being connect. Our heart involves the wisdom of feeling, as opposed to the wisdom of reason, which comes from our head. Our heart supplies us with purpose – it compels us to pursue the good life God has for us and to be life-giving and compassionate to others. It is our symbol of love. Our heart provides our sense of self-worth, intellectual stimulation, and understanding, and is the foundation of courage. It is no wonder that Solomon said, “Above everything else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows out of it” (Prov. 4:23).
Recently, I was reminded just how important and right it is to pursue purity of heart in my own life. In my downtime, I enjoy watching good movies, particularly with close friends. I prefer movies that follow real lives and stories. My favorites over this past Christmas break were 1917 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (I guess Star Wars isn’t a “real” story, except in my imagination!). The way 1917 was filmed intrigued me, and the story was compelling. The film is filled with powerful leadership lessons. I loved it!
There is another film I recently watched with a few friends which I will leave unnamed because I wish I had not seen it. I honestly got caught up in the positive reviews and rationalized seeing it. As the movie progressed, I started telling myself that it didn’t feel right to be watching it. The language was terrible, and honestly, the story just wasn’t that great. Usually, I would get up and leave, but I kept hoping it would get better. When it finished, I was disappointed in myself for staying and not paying more attention to what my heart was saying. For the next several days, what I had taken in impacted my heart. Regular devotions are part of my morning routine, and even my devotions didn’t go well. My reading just felt like words on a page and my spirit felt heavy. My heart felt isolated from God, like it had a hard shell around it. For more than a week, I asked the Lord to remove these feelings and to restore the open communication I enjoy with the Holy Spirit. I asked for forgiveness for not taking the initiative I knew I should have taken. When my heart felt right again, I remembered how important it is to guard myself against things that are not healthy. It not only impacted me emotionally, but physically as well, and left a mark on my spirit. Imagine the even greater impact on us if we continually rationalize things that don’t contribute to our purity of heart.
Lord, help me be continually mindful of the impact my life choices have on my spirit, my emotions, and my physical being. My heart is so important to me because it is where the Holy Spirit speaks to me, and I never want Your voice to be silenced or even quieted to a whisper. Forgive me for my choices that have drawn me away from you, and align me more closely with Your will for my life. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
Cultivating Hunger for Righteousness
Dear Friends,
The fourth kingdom attitude that Jesus encourages us to have in Matthew 5 is one of my favorites. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt. 5:6). Those who hunger and thirst for God will be favored and find a sense of spiritual happiness.
One of my favorite things about life right now is being a grandparent. I have the coolest little grandson, Rhett, and soon I will also have a granddaughter. Rhett’s personality has already shown us that he is going to be a leader. Not long ago, at the age of 13 months, he walked through the airport with us and stopped to say hi to everyone he could along the way. Several people tried to ignore this little toddler, but he wouldn’t have it. He would wait for them to acknowledge him, while continuing to say “hi” over and over, before moving to the next person. Rhett also likes to eat. His parents have taught him how to say please in sign language, and I think Rhett associates the “please” of sign language to “I want more food.” When I think about Rhett’s desire for connection with people or food, I ask myself if I have that great a desire for what God has for me.
One of the slogans that our campus pastor, Pastor Christian, and our ministry team use is “Bible before phone, Bible before bed”. I would also add, “Bible before breakfast”. My day doesn’t start well when I haven’t had the right kind of food. Eating in the morning is essential, and spiritual food is vital for starting my day in the right direction. People who effectively prioritize their day will not only accomplish great things in life, but will also generally possess a joyful persona as the Spirit fills them with His words.
For me, distraction is often the cause of losing my spiritual appetite. It’s interesting how quickly I lose my desire for God’s Word, prayer, and quieting my spirit to hear His. My schedule gets full, my day seems to speed by, email stacks up, and there is the ever-calling voice of Instagram. In contrast, the Psalmist said, “I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like parched land” (Ps. 143:6). The imagery in this passage encapsulates the writer’s great passion for God. To speak of reaching out one’s hands to ask for something as if one in deep need, or to envision dry ground that has not been watered for many seasons describes how passionate, how desperate for God we must be. A person who hungers for God will desperately and passionately seek Him above all the other “urgent” things. This person will put Him first, over any other priority, schedule, meeting, or assignment, resulting in a life filled with God’s Spirit.
Lord, set my spirit on fire with your love and your goodness. I pray people will witness your goodness in my life through my words, my actions, and my devotion to you. Set my priorities right and help my heart to pursue you passionately. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
The Power of Meekness
Dear Friends,
One of the most essential and influential character qualities a person can have is humility. Humility is the third character quality that Jesus mentions in his Beatitudes sermon. Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek (or, humble), for they will inherit the whole earth” (Matt. 5:5).
One of the greatest temptations in life is to think of ourselves more highly than we should. People often receive praise from friends, coworkers, parents, and or admirers. In my experience, the recognition is often more significant than the reality of the accomplishment, for one reason or another. We can quickly start thinking we are more important than we are.
Recently I read a book written by Bob Iger, the CEO of the Disney Corporation, entitled The Ride of a Lifetime. The book caught my attention because I witnessed a true spirit of humility in him during a recent interview. The work he has done for the Disney Corporation is historic. Bob commented in his book, “You have to approach your work and life with a sense of genuine humility. The success I’ve enjoyed has been due in part to my efforts, but it’s also been due to so many beyond me, the efforts and support and examples of so many others”. His words point to a true spirit of humility in him.
What does it mean for a humble person to be blessed, as Jesus says they will be? For one, people who possess the character quality of humility often experience a promotion. The Bible says, “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). We cannot know for sure when or if a promotion is coming, nor what it will look like. The key is to trust God for His timing. Another blessing that comes from a posture of humility is wisdom. The book of Proverbs gives us insight into this, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Prov. 11:2). Pride and humility are in direct opposition to one another, and a wise person will seek humility. Finally, a humble person attracts God’s favor. No one is entitled to God’s favor. It can’t be anticipated, demanded, or expected. The only thing a person can do is make sure they are in a position to receive it when God decides to give it. Proverbs tells us, “God mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed” (Prov. 3:34).
Perhaps you are in a season where you feel desperate to make something happen in your life. Maybe you are desiring a change in your life, you want an agenda item of yours to be passed, or you wish people would get on board with a new idea you have. I certainly do not have this perfected, and I often get in my own way, but I have learned that there are great and rewarding benefits to a humble spirit.
Lord, I need help being humble. I often get fixated on my need to be right. My insecurities often creep in, and I feel a need to be affirmed and liked by people. Help me maintain a posture of humility in all of my daily actions, primarily my actions that include prayer and hearing Your voice. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
The Blessing of Mourning
Dear Friends,
In the Beatitudes, the list of attitudes that Christ instructs us to exemplify, mourning is second on the list (Matt 5:4). Often, mourning is perceived as negative or somber. However, when we keep in mind the complete work that Christ has done, mourning has a proper place in our lives and develops valuable character qualities in us. Mourning does have some sorrow connected to it, but David tells us that sorrow only lasts for a short time and it is followed by great joy (Ps. 30:5). Today, mourning might describe your current perspective. The good news is that we have a comforter, the Holy Spirit, who comforts us when we are honest about our situation and provides forgiveness and healing (John 14:26, Prov. 28:13).
Asking God for forgiveness takes great courage, but when we take that step, we receive an overwhelming and unforgettable sense of freedom. If there is anything you need to ask God’s forgiveness for today, I encourage you to take the following three steps in faith.
First, admit you failed. So much positive growth comes out of failure. If we never fail, it’s likely that we will never learn certain valuable life lessons. It’s what we do after we fail that is important! Take a moment and simply ask God to forgive your failure, without excuses. Second, hold yourself accountable for your behavior. Changing habitual patterns is very difficult without accountability. Personally, I find great freedom in being held accountable. Many people are involved in the details of my life: they know my schedule, where I am going, how I spend my time and money, where I have been, and who I am with. My life is out in the open and I welcome that. Genuinely repentant people set up ways to avoid their previous behavior and bring others into their circle who will make sure they stay the course. Third, do the hard work of changing. Research tells us that people significantly change every five years. I know that I have grown because of intentional decisions I have made along the way. One of the things I love so much about college life is that people change through the education process in the most positive way. We have to give people the grace to change and pursue change in our own lives as well.
Today, we honor the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe, working to pull down the gigantic mountains of evil, a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows”. Perhaps you are in a place of despair and mourning. Be encouraged that Jesus can turn your dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows.
Jesus, thank you for blessing those who mourn. Help our mourning turn to joy as we let go of our past, repent of our failings, and fully trust you with our future. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen
True Happiness
Dear Friends,
Here we are at the start of a new decade. It is filled with the possibility of new opportunities, new dreams, fulfilling new potential, new friends, and a whole lot more. I don’t know about you, but I am personally glad to have 2019 behind me and to welcome in this new decade.
In this new year, many of us are looking for more happiness. According to Jesus, happiness does not come from the things that society says it does. Our culture suggests that status, beauty, wealth, and possessions are keys to happiness. You might be glad to see 2019 go because it didn’t bring you the happiness you desired. Unfortunately, 2020 might be just as difficult if you are looking for different results from the same things. Happiness does not come from what you have or what you do.
The Greek word “makarios”, from Matthew 5:3-11, means to be blessed, fortunate, or happy; the privileged recipient of God’s favor. In this passage, Jesus tells us that true happiness, or makarios, comes to those who are poor in spirit. Of course, He is not talking about physical poverty, but rather spiritual poverty. Jesus is saying that those who are blessed, happy, or fortunate are those who acknowledge that without God, they are spiritually impoverished.
Looking back over the past year, I can tell you that it didn’t contain what I anticipated. If I am honest, it was full of “why” questions. But as each challenge arose, I gave it to God, and saw many unexpected miracles as a result. Trusting God this way felt like I was building a spiritual bank account that overflowed with faith. In 2020, I am anticipating continued and consistent trust in God in every aspect of my life.
One of my favorite scriptures is John 15:4-5. In this passage, Jesus tells us two essential truths about our spiritual devotion. In verse four, Jesus says, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you”. In a transactional world where we often exchange things without any relationship, Jesus is saying that relationship comes before transaction with Him. As we invest relationally in our walk with Jesus, a transaction does occur as Christ pours Himself into your life. Most of the time, the return is different than we expect, but our trust in our relationship gives us a sense of peace in the process. In verse five, John elaborates on the results of relationship with Jesus. “If you remain in me, and I in you, you WILL bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” The only way a person can be productive, spiritually fulfilled, and find true happiness, is by staying in right relationship with God.
I don’t know what your goals are for the new year or what you are hoping to accomplish, but my prayer for you is that you might flourish in your relationship with Christ, that you would draw close to God and He to you, and that along the way, you would be more aware of how God is guiding you and blessing you.
Lord, I pray for a revived spirit in my life and in the lives of my friends, as together we embrace this new year and decade. Help us to fully understand that without an invested relationship with God, we are spiritually impoverished. The only way for us to enjoy life the way you intended is for us to remain in a relationship with you. Thank you for initiating that relationship with us, and for helping us to respond. Amen.
In Christ,
Phil Rasmussen