I Have All That I Need

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/LYLYCvXeb-M?si=Fr8kElb7yH2Z2sbh

“I Have All That I Need”

Psalm 23:1 NLT

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

 

Philippians 4:11-12 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

 

For the past month, these two passages have been on my mind constantly.  Mostly because I have really struggled with being content in life.  I have to admit that I so often find myself comparing our lives to other people and my life to others and wanting more.  There are a couple of immediate problems this presents for me.  First, always wanting more. Second, not being grateful for what God has already given to me. 

 

What really stands out to me in the Philippians passage is the word “Learned”.  The state of being content for Paul didn’t come naturally.  It was something he had to learn.  We all have things in life that we’ve had to learn and did not come easily or overnight for us.  The experience of life is so much learning and none of us are exempt to this.  As we continue to fail at different things, we learn how to move forward. We learn what to avoid and what to strive for that will help make us stronger. 

 

I really believe what we need to realize more and more and is what Psalm 23 states.  The Lord is our Shepherd, we have ALL that we need.  That sums it all up!  We could be so content if we just stopped comparing with others who have more and realize that Christ is all we need.  He provides and always will.  I’m often wondering why I get so discontent and I realize that I’m focused on the wrong things.  Instead of focusing on what I don’t have(there will always be these things), I need to focus on what I already have(God has definitely blessed me). 

 

I want to wake up each day and be grateful for what I do already have.  I want to focus and remember that if I have Christ, then I have everything.  He is ALL I need. 

 

It’s not easy to be content in this world.  It’s so easy to compare our lives and be discontent and always long for more.  While seeking out new opportunities in life is often an encouraged endeavor, we must check our motives for doing so and keep an attitude of contentment. 

We're All In This Together

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/HPfV5RrDkfU?si=UFytiKBJSIP1li3z

“We’re All In This Together”

1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT

 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

 

Recently, when I was on one of my long runs, I ran past an oncoming young guy who looked up at me and started pumping his fist into the air and clapped and said, “Yeah”.  When he did that, I mimicked what he did, smiled and laughed.  It was one of those “Runners” moments that only runners can really share together.  In only a few moments, I felt the encouragement this guy gave to me and it was a feeling of hearing, “Good job, man!  Keep it going!”  While he said nothing, I just felt a “runners” connection for a brief moment.  It made me feel good inside as I thought about that on my continued run.

 

As I’ve been running again for a little over a year, it’s just been great to keep up the learning experience and connecting with other people who also either have a passion for it or they are just getting going with running.  I am connected with multiple people who encourage me and I encourage them.  Honestly, I could NOT keep this up without them and the encouragement they give me.  There’s just something about connecting with other runners who share the same passion and you encourage one another. 

 

A few months ago, I was running one of my usual courses and another runner met up with me briefly, came up beside me, looked at me and pumped his arm into the air and was like, “Yeah!”.  It was excitement for him and me just having that moment of running together and finding a fellow runner. 

 

As I think about a few months ago and yesterday, I started thinking about how we are all the body of Christ.  Just like us runners share a common passion for what we are doing, we also in the body of Christ are called to come alongside of each other and encourage each other.  Why?  Because we are all in this together.  We all have different life situations, but we are running this race of the Christian life together.  We come alongside of each other and encourage one another.  We celebrate in the good times and comfort each other in the hard times.

 

I am grateful for the reminder these fellow runners gave me of not only a community feeling shared with running, but also the reminder of how vital it is that we stay strong for each other in the body of Christ.  God wants us all to work hard together.  One of the things the past 4 years that we are grateful for is our church community.  We’ve been part of the same church for over 4 years now and it’s amazing the friendships we have built.  We love seeing these people every week and just being the body of Christ. We laugh together, worship together and cry together.  This is doing community with each other. 

 

Let this be a reminder and encouragement that we are all part of the same body and are called to build one another up. 

Trust The Process

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https://youtu.be/3Cvo2l63OtI?si=jyexbMc-UHQPDoRU

“Trust The Process”

Proverbs 3:5 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

 

This past Saturday, I ran a 5K with a friend of mine from church.  We were both really excited to run in the same race again.  Before the race started, we were talking about setting pace and I mentioned how I wanted to get below a certain time.  My friend offered to pace me and get my time lower.  However, he told me to just listen to him, keep up and don’t look at my race watch.  I agreed with the pace he told me and I ran along with him. 

 

Throughout the race, we chatted a lot together and he commented on my breathing as well as asking me how I was feeling.  He also encouraged me to keep up when he went faster and explained when he was going to go faster.  The last mile, I was hurting and I had to mentally push myself to finish.  I was exhausted, but at the end, I sprinted as well as I could.  We crossed the line together and I took a few minutes to catch my breath. 

 

When I looked at my final time, I almost fell down!  I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!  He took me faster than I thought he would.  He was sneaky and pushed me harder than the pace time he had originally said.  Why??  Because he knew I was capable and could do it.  Hearing that blew me away!  I had an idea in mind and he took me beyond that!  I trusted him to take me through the race and coach me to get a better time.  And….he did! 

 

I spent the rest of the day and weekend just blown away at what I had just done.  But, I could NOT have done it if I ran on my own.  He had a strategy in mind and knew what he was doing.  I did not.  I just trusted the process and gave it my all. 

 

Friends, so often in our lives, we have our own ways and try to do so many things on our own.  We want to improve, but we don’t know exactly how aside from what we think might work.  My friend had actually recommended me to set a pace and keep that the entire race, so that was the first 5K race I had done that.  It worked and it was amazing!

 

If we trust God in life and let go of what we think are good ideas and trust His process and timing, amazing things happen!  All weekend, I just kept thanking God for this opportunity and for what my friend had pushed me and encouraged me to do.  I just couldn’t believe I had done that well and didn’t think I was capable of it quite yet. 

 

We have to trust His process.  We have to trust and let Him guide, even when it hurts and we don’t think we can finish.  If I had run the race on my own, this would not have happened.  I am grateful for my friend’s encouragement and I am grateful that God gave me the endurance to finish this well. 

 

When life gets tough, trust in Him and His process.

All That Matters

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/Dw0UDPCE2co?si=BEXHAejqz0sg41b9

“All That Matters”

Revelation 4:8 NIV

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’who was, and is, and is to come.”

 

In church this past Sunday morning, we sang one of my favorite worship songs, “Holy Forever”.  As we were singing, I felt a strong reminder by God saying, “Zach, all that matters in life is that you worship Me and focus on Who I Am.”  As we continued to sing the song, I felt chills from the reminder that God is absolutely beyond amazing. 

 

The past couple of months I’ve been struggling with so many things on my mind and not completely focusing on positive things.  I’ve shared that in the past months, I struggled with some depression and how worship music brought me out of that.  Well, the struggle is off and on and I realize that I have to really be intentional big time all the time to make sure I am focusing on God.  No matter what is going on in my life, nothing changes how amazing and awesome God is. 

 

While singing this song on Sunday, I was reminded that all that ever matters in life is how amazing and wonderful God is.  Nothing in my life compares to that!  Does that mean that my struggles and things that are very concerning are not important?  No, absolutely not!  God certainly cares about all of the things going on.  However, when I get so focused on certain things going on in my life and NOT on God, that’s my problem!  God has reminded me of that.  I need to let go and trust Him 100%.  I haven’t been doing that.

 

All that matters in life is that we focus and worship God.  That is where our total focus needs to be, no matter what is going on.  Today I am reminded that nothing in all of life is more important than God and me worshipping Him daily.  Everything else falls under that, period.  Nothing that I am doing means anything if I am not fully focused on serving Him.  I need to be locked in and focused every day. 

 

These words from the song captured my attention today:

Your Name is the highest
Your Name is the greatest
Your name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions
All powers and positions
Your Name stands above them all

 

This is ALL that matters, period.  There is so much power behind these words and what they mean.  God is above and beyond everything we experience and all we struggle through in life. 

 

If we completely focus on Him, then the rest of life will not overcome us.  God is always with us. 

They Had No Idea What Was Coming

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

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“They Had No Idea What Was Coming”

Matthew 26:31-35 NIV

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

 

Recently my wife and I have been watching the beginning of Season 5 of “The Chosen”.  The scene of the Last Supper really sticks out in my mind.  Jesus is trying to verbally prepare them for what is to come.  Peter speaks out and so do the others that they would never deny Christ.  They all have a look of shock on their faces when Jesus says this.  Peter especially does and says that even if he would have to die because of Jesus, he would not deny.

 

All these men literally have no idea what is about to happen.  Jesus is trying so hard to prepare them and give them the tools they need to move forward, but they just look at Him and are confused.  They just don’t get it.  No matter how much He tries to explain and prepare them, they are just left in confusion.  It’s been really neat watching this unfold on the screen as I am a very visual learner. 

 

They were all for sure nothing would stand in the way of following Jesus, no matter what.  But again, they had no idea what was coming.  So often in life, we also have no idea what is coming to us.  We are for sure that we will be faithful and stand strong for Jesus no matter the situation.  We “hope” we would be strong enough, but would we really?  Just something for us to consider in situations we find ourselves going through where the tension is high and our reputation is on the line.  Will we be brave enough to stand up and be strong in what we believe?

 

This devotional is an opportunity for us all to take this in and meditate.  Consider your life and opportunities that have come up and may come up.  Whatever situations may arise, will you and I be brave enough to stand up for what we believe in?  Chances are, most of us will never have the experience of our lives being ended because of our faith, but if it does come to that, what will we do?  Will we be faithful in our devotion no matter what? 

We Are Acts 29

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/lE17Ky-0Ojk?si=kRiKsiW6AaR1i6e_

“We Are Acts 29”

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

I just finished up a devotional in the YouVersion Bible app on the book of Acts.  The last devotional in the study really stuck with me how it ended and I’ll never forget how it was worded.  The devotional talked about how Acts 28 ends and how it doesn’t continue with Acts 29 to tell us more of the story of how the spread of the Gospel continues.  Then these words stuck with me, “But in a very real sense, we are Acts 29!”

 

I thought it was really cool how the devotional ended this way and it really hit me that we are indeed the continuation from Acts 28 to make the story continue of the spread of the Gospel.  We are given a command and a charge to take the Good News everywhere we go, every day of life!  Jesus didn’t only tell His closest men to carry this on, He also instructs us to do the same.

 

Jesus lives in each one of us giving us wisdom as the Holy Spirit guides us to spread His love.  We are called to be Acts 29.  We are called to carry His Gospel in every relationship we have and every conversation that takes place.  Now, I’m not saying you need to shove this down people’s throats and bring God up in every single sentence.  You need to be creative and connect with people in a very genuine way.  Don’t go after them just to “convert” them.  Be genuine and caring, building a relationship.  Show you care as you share your life with each person.

 

I know in my day to day life, I am so guilty of being in my own world and doing my own thing.  I go to work, do my job, come home and be with my family.  I’m also involved in my church every week and I love to mingle with people.  However, God calls me to share with people who don’t know Him and that honestly scares me.  I want to be Acts 29 and continue the story faithfully.  I hope you do as well.

 

I encourage you to take time to read through Acts.  It might take a few days or longer, but read through and be reminded of the great story of the early church and how the power of God burned inside people and how that fire spread. 

 

I also encourage all of us to seriously consider how we continue the story of the spread of the Gospel each and every day in our lives.  What does Acts 29 look like in our lives?  How are we doing?  Is the story full of selfishness or are we thinking more of others and how we can serve?

React Or Respond

 YouTube Channel Video Devo

https://youtu.be/Ky3lRjsHIP0?si=-LgpC3NN-1iTYM_m

“React Or Respond?

Acts 16:23-25 NIV

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

 

This passage came up in my devotional morning time the other day.  Acts is one of my most favorite books of the Bible as we read about the start of the early church and how passionate people were and how fast the church grew. 

 

This specific story of Paul and Silas in prison always amazes me.  The part I am most amazed by is right after verse 24.  They’ve been thrown into prison and beaten severely. 

 

PAUSE

If I were in their shoes, I know that I would be frustrated about my situation and probably looking at others, giving them a look of “Can you believe what they just did to us?”  Then once in the cell, I know for sure I’d be going through the whole scenario in my head and thinking “What did we do wrong?  How could we have avoided that?  Can you believe they would do such a thing to us?  I think we should file a report and complain to someone about how we were treated.”

 

UNPAUSE

No, Paul and Silas did NOT do anything I just described above.  They started praying and singing!  What???  How could they possibly have that attitude?  Aren’t they upset about what happened?  They’ve just been severely mistreated and all they do is start singing and praying.

 

When I think of this story, I think about how often I find myself reacting to situations instead of responding as I should.  When we react to something, we tend to not think rationally and we go off on some tangent and often say things we don’t mean.  However, when we respond, we’re often thinking through the situation, taking a few moments to gather our thoughts and figure out the best way to handle what is going on. 

 

I would encourage all of us to work on responding instead of reacting.  It’s so easy to just react, but we should focus more to respond with a loving heart and gestures that minister to others around us.  It was a pivotal moment for Paul and Silas in what they did after they were beaten.  Look what God did!!!  And, look what God could and can do when we let Him use us in situations to respond instead of react. 

 

Responding almost always seems to land us in a better outcome.