“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” -Mark 7:7-8
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. -Mark 6:31-32
God gave us His Spirit through Jesus
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -2 Tim 1:7
God wants to walk with us
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isa 41:10
We need to choose to walk in the Holy Spirit
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." -Gal 5:16
10 practical tips on how to cope in the midst of this trial
1. Focus on Being Healthy (1 Tim 4:7-9)
2. Have Your Priorities Drive Your Decision Making (John 7:37-39)
3. Do Family Meetings (Deut 6:7-9)
4. Have Wise Counsel (Prov 13:20)
5. Get As Much Normal And Fun On The Calendar (Prov 25:28)
6. Make Your Plans in Pencil (Prov 16:9)
7. Learn to Lament (Rom 12:15)
8. Find God’s People & Do Life With Them (Heb 10:24-25)
9. Set Times for Checking Good News and Negative News (Isa 26:3)
10. Look For The Blessings (Phil 4:4)
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33
1 Cor 13:8-13
8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” -Mark 5:34
And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. -Mark 3:13-15
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:17
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” -Mark 1:9-11
This is Part 5 in a 5-Part Devotional Series called “Finding Peace in Uncertain Times” to help us remember to set our minds on Jesus and His promises to us as we walk through this season together. Please pass these along to others who need a message of peace!
