Now, It's Our Turn... One-Minute Devo for the New Year

The Christmas story is not over…

The former account I made, O Theophilus,
of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.
Acts 1:1 

Luke continues in his gospel to detail all that Jesus began to do and teach. His miracles, teaching, compassion, wisdom, and authority are displayed in these remaining words.

Yet, there is more. The physician records a second book after the Lord’s death and resurrection. The Book of Acts rehearses how the early church, in the power of the Holy Spirit, carried on all of Jesus’ ministry. Every aspect of it.  Now, the mantle of the first disciples falls upon each of us. 

What?! Me?! Yes, you and me. Above our pay grade? Yes, for certain. For we are broken, misshapen, and ever-so-desperate individuals. Except it is not up to us to get the job done. The Holy Spirit empowerment of the early church is now our inheritance, too (Luke 11:13, Acts 3:6, 1 Corinthians 1:30). All the Lord needs from us is our surrendered yes.

The Christmas story never stops giving. It gives, and gives, and gives, and never relents from its pursuit of the human heart, all because of our God’s inexhaustible love. Nothing is impossible for Him, and in Him, the Holy Spirit desires to work the impossible through us.

Jesus began it all. Now it’s simply our turn. It is our time to live by doing the next right thing like Zach and Elizabeth. It is our time to be willing, though frail vessels, for the life of Jesus to be formed in us like Mary. It is time to look only upward for direction as we learn from the Christmas Star and keep our steadfast focus on the Lord’s call for our journey.

It is time for us to do and teach the whole ministry of the whole gospel of the Lord Jesus to reach a lost, dying, and weary world. A world who needs His touch – through us. Let’s unwrap the gift of Christmas that never stops bringing His life and healing and give it away to everyone we meet.

Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem... One-Minute Christmas Devo

New York. London. Milan. Tokyo. Sydney. And then, little Bethlehem…

Joseph also went up…
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem..
Luke 2:4

 We could discuss how this small town, found just six miles south from Jerusalem, ties the Old Testament to the New Testament by being King David’s birthplace, a man who would become a part of the Messiah’s lineage. We could ponder its other title, the City of David, and how it segues into the eternal reign of Christ upon King David’s throne.

We could also consider how such a small village speaks to us about how God uses small things, places, and, yes, people like you and me to do great things for Him. Yep, that would be a good thing to discuss. (Micah 5:2)

Yet, what speaks most profoundly is Bethlehem’s meaning in the original Hebrew: House of Bread. Bethlehem, the House of Bread, would be the birthplace of the Bread of Life – King Jesus.

What comes to your mind when you think about a warm loaf of bread from the oven? Could it be comfort, satisfaction, and both filling and sustaining? This describes bread in the physical sense, but what does it say about our soul? Is this what we are experiencing in our lives in Jesus?

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  John 6:35

No, this isn’t just Christian theory. I lived far too long in that. I knew a lot about the Lord, but I didn’t daily know Him as the Bread of Life. I was still hungry. I wasn’t satisfied. Or fulfilled. It wasn’t until I started to experience His presence in my quiet times, and when opening His Word to speak to me, did life change. I didn’t need to do more; I just needed more of Him. Oh, little town of Bethlehem, we hear you speaking to our hearts.

For Real. An Angel... A One-Minute Christmas Devotional

No joke. I am 99.9% sure I encountered a real angel last year at Christmas at my workplace...

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
Hebrews 13:2

A few Christmas Eves ago, I was alone in the office of the medical clinic where I was employed when a scraggly man appeared at my door. Oh my, now what? This older, rag-tag man with the most piercing blue eyes told me how he was caring for his elderly mom and needed my help THAT DAY. The verse above immediately came to my mind. I knew the Holy Spirit was speaking to me to shape up because someone special was in front of me. Yes, really.

I was cranky. I had family waiting at home. Yet, I tried to help him. The situation kept getting worse, with more hoops for me to jump through to get him the aid he was requiring. Then, it became laughable. I just knew this was the real deal. The Lord has a sense of humor—for sure. When everything finally came to a close, the man took my hand, looked me straight in the eye, and said to me—You are a real angel.

So, this Christmas and every other day of the year, slow down and take notice. You never know. You may be entertaining an angel sent from heaven, or you may be their God-sent angel.

Small Packages... A 0ne-Minute Christmas Devotional

Small. Small things. Small packages...

A little one shall become a thousand, And a small one a strong nation.
I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.
Isaiah 60:22

For years, I despaired that what I had to offer the Lord was too small. For years I despaired that I was too small. Yes, I despaired, compared, and felt defeated. Yet, our Heavenly Father apparently delights in tiny, little, and small things.

So, if this season finds you fretting about the size of your abilities, your home, your income, your ministry, your influence, or yourself, remember…

What Jesus is whispering to my heart today:

To God, profoundly significant things come in small packages. We need only look at the baby in the manger to see the size of His heart and what He can do with the small things we surrender to Him.

Bringing Heaven Down - One-Minute Thanksgiving Devo

When we worship, heaven comes down…

In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10

 This simple prayer outline that Lord Jesus gives - which we call The Lord’s Prayer - is a doozy. And it starts with our declaring who God is. Our Father. Our Abba-Daddy who loves us beyond reason. When this truth becomes rock solid heart knowledge for us, our faith is pretty much invincible. Yes. OUR Father. Yours and mine. And His Name—no other name—is HOLY.

All prayer should begin with worship and thanks. When we get that right, our prayer requests pretty much take care of themselves. When our alone times begin with worshiping in spirit and truth, and we have created a place where we sense His felt presence, almost nothing else that concerns us matters. We know He has us and our burdens. When we lean into Daddy's embrace—and stay there—we begin to comprehend that He already understands what we need (Matthew 6:8). Help is on the way.

Because our praise brings heaven down, asking for His will to be accomplished is not passive acquiescence but spiritual warfare at its most potent and dynamic. We are declaring God’s rule and reign usurping any and every plan of the enemy or flesh that is waging war against us. It is here we receive His invitation to partner with Him in battle prayer for our lives, our homes, our communities, and the nations (1 Corinthians 3:9).

 And it all begins with our lifting Spirit-filled adoration as we climb into our Father’s arms.

A Winning Recipe... One-Minute Thanksgiving Devo

Okay. Here is the recipe for living positioned in the presence of the Lord all through our day. Every day.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
Psalm 92:1-2

What would it look like if our very first words to Jesus every morning were filled with thanksgiving, gratefulness, and worship? What if we started our days dancing into His courts with praise instead of lugging a laundry list of requests and needs? Even when life has its darkest tragedies and trials, what might our lives be like if we worshipped at His footstool because His compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning? Might there be a chance that those verbal declarations to Him align our hearts and minds to expect a miracle for our trying situation? Just sayin’.

What about the end of our day?

Could our sleep possibly be sweeter, longer, and deeper if each evening we declared His greatness over our lives? Thanking Him for His intimate knowledge of every detail that concerns us and speaking words of love to Him for how amazing He is? Often, the adversary of our souls uses the night watch to bring tormenting thoughts to our minds when we are facing health, financial, or relational issues. Nevertheless, might his tormenting voice be silenced if we pressed through to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment as we worship Him before laying our heads on our pillows? I bet we would sleep more untroubled and unconcerned, hearing our own voice declare His greatness.

 Again. We don’t worship to get. However, when we speak praise, heaven touches earth, faith is released, and our Papa positions us for His plans and purposes. Beginning and ending our day and every moment in between, may His praise ever be on our lips. This sounds like a winning recipe indeed.

Only One?? One-Minute Thanksgiving Devo

So Jesus answered and said,
“Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
Were there not any found who returned
to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
And He said to him, “Arise, go your way.
Your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:17-19

 We can’t ponder thanksgiving and worship without talking about the ten lepers. Only ONE came back to thank Lord Jesus?? Yet how often have I been guilty of the very same thing?

As we surrender our lives in greater measure to the Lord Jesus, we will find that our gratefulness will become more and more evident. A surrendered life means trusting Him fully with how He will handle the small and large concerns that we face. When we give up control to Him, we begin to recognize that God does know what He is doing. We then get out of the way to let Him reveal His love in ways we didn’t realize before. Gratefulness will become a spontaneous fountain from our hearts and lips. Trust me. I know this from my own life.

Think of gratefulness to Him as the temperature gauge of who is in control: is it me or my Heavenly Father? Ponder that for a bit…

Intentional gratefulness is the greatest cure for discouragement. It beats out the blues. It drowns out the voice of self-pity, and it can be a tool to overcome depression and anxiety. Indeed, there are many factors regarding these instances, but from personal experience and years of offering pastoral counseling, I am hard-pressed to find people who live daily in effervescent gratefulness who are down for the count for very long.

When the thankful, now-healed leper returned to Jesus, he must have immensely blessed the Lord’s heart. Let’s be people who bless our Redeemer’s heart, too.

Our Frist Act of Thankfulness - One-Minute Devo!

As we begin this month of Thanksgiving…

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

As we embark upon this journey of thanksgiving, praise, and worship through God’s Word, let’s begin at the beginning.

Surrender.

Yes, surrender is the ultimate act of worship and gratefulness.

And surrender is where we find our true selves – who we were meant to be from the hand Who so lovingly created us. Really. When we lose ourselves to Him, we find life at its fullest, most satisfying, and most complete.

So, you see, we can sing all the songs, raise our hands, and shout praise all we want but real rubber meets the road when we allow the Holy Spirit to pour out our small, selfish, limited lives for HIS large, love beyond reason, priceless, and boundless adventure for us. Because surrender means we trust Him, and when we trust Jesus, we worship with all our being.

From Genesis to Revelation, we discover that the Almighty, Who flung the galaxies into existence like glitter from His hand, ever and only wants – our hearts. He desires us to desire Him and there is no greater act of love and honor we can bestow our heavenly Father than the gift of ourselves.

So, let’s do this thing. This thing that so often trips us up, is so much easier said than done at first and requires every ounce of our being. Let’s offer our lives to the One Who holds every detail that concerns us in the tenderness of His heart. Let’s surrender everything to Jesus. Let’s worship Him by giving Him our all.

Adapted from Thirty Days of Thanksgiving

You Have Received an Inheritance! One-Minute Devo

Don’t we all wish we could receive a massive inheritance from some long-lost relative? Out of the blue – wham! – we become wealthy overnight. Yet, we often fail to recognize the inheritance we have in Christ, not just in heaven, but here and now. All of Ephesians 1 opens our eyes to the lavish gifts our Abba-Father has already given to us.

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance… in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance…
Ephesians 1:11-14

We find our inheritance in the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit who dwells within each believer. God Himself, the Holy Spirit, is our guarantee (Greek: arrabon) that we belong to Jesus (Rom. 8:9-11). Arrabon is a business term describing earnest money or a deposit paid in advance as a down payment. The Holy Spirit, our guarantee, reveals Christ to us now and gives us a foretaste of eternity to come.

Through practicing the presence of the Holy Spirit in our quiet times with the Lord, we experience His felt presence and power – a taste of heaven on earth. Arrabon is also the word used in Hebrew culture for an engagement ring. Oh, how precious this is in the light of Jesus’ church being the Bride of Christ! Just as a ring is worn to say, I belong to Someone, the Spirit’s work in our lives declares to everyone, I am His. Consequently, we become vessels who bring Him great glory.

Paul teaches as he prays for us to recognize all that we have in Christ. God has given us:

• The Spirit of wisdom, revelation, and knowledge of the Lord.

• The ability to have our eyes opened to know our life’s calling and the hope that knowledge brings.

• His glorious inheritance is already within us, but we must realize this truth.

• The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is working on our behalf and dwelling within us.

• Jesus, who is seated at God’s right hand in heavenly places, far above any work of the enemy as Head of His church.

• The gift of being His body on earth, filled with the fullness of His life.

We will spend our lifetimes unwrapping these truths of who we are and what Lord Jesus has given us. Let’s begin the unveiling process today.

At the Start of This Week... 30-Second Devotional...

At the start of this week…

Should you feel dismissed, disenchanted, or discouraged about something, and you just can’t seem to shake it off your heart, it is time to seek the face of the Heart Healer. Really. Go to a private place and pour your heart out to Him. Take a look at Psalm 102. Don’t leave His presence until you sense the Holy Spirit lifting your burden.

Should you be weary, wondering, or overwhelmed by a continuing behavior that you can’t seem to gain freedom from, don’t give up. Let Psalm 18 minister to you. Talk to your pastor or seek a gifted prayer warrior to go to battle for you. Jesus wants you well, whole, and free.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4 

NOTE: Hey Everyone! I will be taking off for a ministry trip to the Middle East this week, from September 20-October 1st. Sooo, I would love your prayers during this time. I am heading to a closed country to the gospel, so should you see an Instagram or Facebook, I can only state that I am touring. However, our team will be ministering daily, and we are so excited!! This will be my last post for a couple of weeks, but you can always read my Bible studies on the YouVersion Bible app. Just search for: Sue Boldt

When Jesus is on the Scene... One-Minute Devo

Are you in spiritual battle over a situation in your life at the moment?

But You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
Psalms 22:3

From the heart of this Messianic psalm, we learn one of the most important aspects of worship to defeat our adversary, the devil, in spiritual battle. When we rightfully declare God’s kingdom rule in every area of our lives, His kingdom power and presence are made known, and our enemy runs James 4:7-8. The devil literally cannot remain standing when the Almighty is on the scene!

One of God’s magnificent, beyond-comprehension attributes is His omnipresence: the ability to be everywhere at once. No place of His creation is exempt from His presence, not even hell itself Psalm 139:8. 

Yet, we find throughout God’s Word where men and women encountered His manifest presence. We know this in our personal experience as well. These are times when we encounter His reality through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our spirit. We sense and feel His presence in our emotions, thoughts, and physical being.

The Lord Jesus wants to reveal Himself to us through the power of the Holy Spirit within us John 16:14. As we declare His Lordship, we create a place—a throne—for His felt and experienced presence and rule in our lives and over those situations requiring battle-prayer Psalm 22:3. Our worship during spiritual warfare and prayer aligns us with His purposes. We get our eyes off of ourselves and our stuff, allowing the Holy Spirit to help us discern what is actually taking place around us in the spiritual realm.

As our praises enthrone Him—literally make a seat for Him—we experience His felt presence far surpassing mere head knowledge. And wherever King Jesus is, just as we read in the Gospels, there is salvation, healing, and deliverance. In other words, turn on His light and the enemy’s darkness is overcome.

Does your home or workplace need to experience heaven’s rule today? Are you praying for someone oppressed by demonic influence? Could your body use His healing touch? Do you need some divine intervention or direction? Begin to praise. Declare Who He is and what He has done. Speak words of worship from God’s Word. Declare His Lordship through worship over these situations and watch what happens when Lord Jesus takes His rightful throne.

Worship: A Key to Spiritual Warfare One-Minute Devotional

Let’s be reminded, worship has a key role to play in spiritual warfare.

 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, 
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
Psalm 149:6

When we worship, breakthrough takes place in the heavenly realm that can miraculously change circumstances in our physical realm. Yes, worship can do this. There are just too many Bible stories that record this and too many life experiences to discount it.

Our enemy, the devil, and his demons can’t stand it when we worship. It is genuinely the worst sound in their ears. Our praise sends them running. Psalm 149 further tells us that the demonic are bound up. In addition, when we get our eyes off our circumstances and turn them to the One Who is Almighty and reigns supreme, our situations appear minuscule in His hand. Worship aligns our hearts with His heart to hear His battle commands for us. Worship humbles us to know that only He can fight on our behalf. And worship positions us to win the battle of whatever we are facing.

• Instead of getting angry, worship.

• Instead of allowing anxiety to rule, praise.

• Instead of succumbing to self-pity, lift up the One Who uplifts you.

No, we don’t worship to get. Nevertheless, when we do genuinely worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, fears cease, the enemy falters, Jesus is glorified, and His presence transforms us.

So, whatever you are facing right now, instead of contacting someone else, first go to the throne room. Remember who God is, and lift your praise. Stay until you have touched heaven. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction. Ask for scriptures to strengthen and arm you for battle. Then, see what He does next. Because truly—worship is a key to triumphant spiritual warfare.

Happy and Blessed Weekend, Everyone!!

Do. Not. Worry... A 30-Second Devo

Are you worried or anxious about something?

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…
Matthew 6:25a

The original Greek word for worry here is so interesting. The word literally means to divide into parts, suggesting a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. It means being pulled in so many directions while trying to figure out the resolution to a troubling situation. A sense of feeling scattered, torn apart, or undone. 

Sometimes we think worry is the responsible thing to do, excusing our preoccupation with it. However, in Christ, to worry is to say He is not big enough, smart enough, wise enough, or He lacks the resources to help us in our need. Really? And yet, this is what our worry reveals.

How about a preemptive strike against worry? Let’s soak in all of Jesus’ words concerning our life found in Matthew 6:19-34. I mean, genuinely meditate on them. Then, let’s invite the Holy Spirit to fill us with faith as we choose to believe what Jesus says is true. Finally, let’s rest in His arms and obey Him implicitly when He gives us direction. 

Do not let worry tear you apart. He is worthy of our trust.

Unseen... A 30-Second Devotional...

For much of my life, I lived in the nagging insecurity of feeling unseen...

Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees...
Genesis 16:13

The enemy of my soul told me otherwise from this verse. He spoke subtle lies to me, and I gave him a toehold; I gave him the time of day, and he made it a stronghold. It is, unfortunately, so much easier to believe what the devil says, what the world says, and what my insecurities say instead of ruthlessly trusting Jesus’ Words. For you too?

My desperate decision to live in the Lord’s presence on a minute-by-minute basis broke up those lies. I began to recognize that the One and Only sees me, and He is the one who truly matters. Instead of the adversary’s torment, Jesus’ truth set me free. I discovered that the God of the Universe loves me, and He is absolutely crazy about me. And this gives me a reason to wake up in joy every single morning.

Now, your turn...

At the Start of This Week... 30-Second Devotional

At the start of this week...

 Should the car not start, the kids or co-workers won’t stop complaining, the wallet seems empty, and the to-do list is overwhelming, look up! Remember, the Holy Spirit is with you in everything from the mundane to the life-altering. Hand everything over to His care for He can handle everything.
Ephesians 1:19-20

Should a relationship seem oh so difficult right now in your home, work, school, or wherever, God is probably using it in your life – get this – to change and transform you. Don’t worry about the other individual changing first; Jesus is wanting to do tender heart surgery in you.
Proverbs 27:17

 This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

Between the Commas... A 30-Second Devo

Sometimes you just have to read between the commas… 

…the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Ephesians 1:18

The riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ are laid out for us in a few short words from Paul’s prayer here, and these few words can change your life. Really.

Try it. Simply read the one verse above – savoring each phrase – between the commas. I believe the Lord has something to speak into your current situation from these three phrases. Ponder His words to you in this moment. What applies to you? How is your heart being moved or wrecked for His glory?

Let’s slow down. Let’s savor God’s Word. Let’s read between the commas, and be transformed.

The Lord's Report... A 30-Second Devo

My friend, Bobby Chance, likes to coin this phrase, the Lord’s report is the only one that matters. And you know, it is true.

He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him.
Matthew 9:24

I am not saying you should not trust doctors, your bank account, sound advice, or godly wisdom. Just as when Jesus walked into the little girl’s room and healed her sometimes, we have to choose to believe what Jesus has spoken over a situation no matter what it looks like. His report. His report alone was all that mattered. And this is true today.

We must know what He is thinking concerning the situations we face. We need to know His Word for ourselves in times of trial and what His written Word has to say about what we are going through. It is imperative we each hear His report is for us.

What is His report for you in this moment? Have you asked Him? Personally? You and He alone? I encourage you to do so because there are a lot of reports out there – lots of voices. However, His is the only one that matters.

I Am Accepted...And You Are, Too! One-Minute Devotional

We are accepted. We are forgiven.

…to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:6

It is that simple. It is that hard. The simplicity lies in our Father unreservedly giving us His Son to satisfy the debt of our sin. The difficulty is for us to believe this truth. Certainly, God must require something of us? Surely, it is up to us to get our act together? And yet, this platform of grace, richly supplied (vs.7-8), is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can’t do anything but receive it. Everything has already all been done.

Let’s consider God’s grace (New Testament Greek: charis). It is His divine favor and strings-free gift that saves, maintains, and transforms us. Grace, the word that also means joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, and loveliness, has already been bestowed upon us and is the platform we must stand upon - but do we?

When we stand on His platform of grace, no matter what our thoughts, emotions, or the enemy is shouting in our heads, we take the first steps toward freedom and realizing who we are in Christ. When we slip and fall – for we surely will – we must not let guilt become the ball-and-chain that binds our souls to our hurts, addictions, and behaviors. Yes, we must agree with the Holy Spirit’s conviction of our sin, confess it, and ask forgiveness for it, but then we must agree with God’s Word that His work of forgiving and cleansing us has already begun (John 1:9).

When we choose to believe Jesus at His word that we are already forgiven and accepted, we silence guilt’s accusations. Then, the power of God’s grace can transform us from our hang-ups and hurts, propelling us toward our purpose. Remember, the mystery of the gospel (v.9) is Christ in us, living His life through us (Col. 1:27).

We can’t fix ourselves; only He can. It starts with a Holy Spirit paradigm shift in our hearts and minds and our responsive yes to His promptings. I think I am less-than and don’t belong; He declares I am entirely accepted and loved unconditionally. My thoughts tell me I will never get it right. He states that it isn’t up to me; the Holy Spirit will do the work (Eph. 3:7). The enemy tells me I am guilty; Jesus says I am already forgiven, clean, and free (Heb. 10:12-13.

It is time to believe these truths with all our heart, mind, and strength.

Adpated from the YouVersion Plan: Accepted: Who We Really Are and What He Has Given Us

Unseen... A 30-Second Devtional

For much of my life, I lived in the nagging insecurity of feeling unseen...

Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees...
Genesis 16:13

The enemy of my soul told me otherwise from this verse. He spoke subtle lies to me, and I gave him a toehold; I gave him the time of day, and he made it a stronghold. It is unfortunately so much easier to believe what the devil says, what the world says, and what my insecurities say instead of ruthlessly trusting Jesus’ Words. For you too?

My desperate decision to live in the Lord’s presence on a minute-by-minute basis broke up those lies. I began to recognize that the One and Only sees me, and He is the one who truly matters. Instead of the adversary’s torment, Jesus’ truth set me free. I discovered that the God of the Universe loves me, and He is absolutely crazy about me. And this gives me a reason to wake up in joy every single morning.

Now, your turn, if needed...

Want to learn more about what God’s Word tells us about walking in Jesus’ freedom in our emotions, thoughts, and, well, our lives? Check out Refresh: Having Transformed Thoughts and Lives.

Jesus' Come as You Are Party... One-Minute Devotional...

Someone recently asked me what the secret was to my (almost, let’s be real here) daily effervescent joy and unshakeable peace in Jesus? They wondered why it was that in the midst of a heavy ministry and workload, the hills and valleys of life, and a stage 4 cancer diagnosis that somehow, my heart was full, and I almost always seemed to know what I was supposed to do next?

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5

It wasn’t always this way for me as a longtime Christian. In my mid-thirties, moderate depression colored my life, coupled with an eating disorder and an uncontrollable thought life as my husband pastored a thriving church. I loved God and His Word, but somehow, my life seemed to lack much of what I read in the Book of Acts.

The answer? Intimacy with God in the secret place.

Oh no. Another thing to do. Another Christian box to check off. Nevertheless, King David from the Old Testament and Mary of Bethany from the New Testament treat us with insight into the ONE THING that genuinely matters in our lives. The one thing that our Lord Jesus places the highest priority on: meeting alone with Him.

Nope. Not your regular daily time to pray or read His Word or converse with Him through your day. This is more a scheduled, weekly or so meeting with God that is uninterrupted and long enough for you to sense His felt presence within you and for you to hear His voice speaking to you through His Word or a soft impression on your heart and mind that will always align with His Word.

Jesus reveals the way. His frequent meetings alone with the Father during His earthly ministry empowered everything He spoke and did Luke 6:12.

Let’s keep this practical. Let’s keep it sweet and simple. Because if we walk in this one thing, everything else in life will fall in place. When difficulties and trials come, we will already be positioned in His presence with a fresh word from His heart guiding us. Let’s accept His invitation to come to His feast in the secret place. We won’t be disappointed.