“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
“Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
Jesus tells us to seek Him if we are weary and have heavy burdens. He alone will give us rest. (Matthew 11:28). God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us, to give every person a fresh start. He sacrificed His son for every single person. He does not discriminate based on how we look, how wealthy we are, or how flawed or “messy” our lives may be. How powerful to realize Jesus died for each of us, and that He would have died even if there had only been ONE of us in need of rescue! “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). Through Jesus, God offers EVERY SINGLE ONE of us complete healing and peace.
Jesus shines light on all darkness. He gives strength for today and hope for tomorrow. He alone can satisfy our deepest needs. We will never find what we truly hunger for through material wealth, substances, or even relationships with other people. While alcohol, drugs, sex, money, fame or power may provide temporary satisfaction or numb our pain, they can’t heal our brokenness or bring us enduring peace or contentment. Putting our hope in anything other than God to make us whole will only result in disappointment—that house of cards will eventually come crashing down, leaving us even more desperate and broken. Sadly, this vicious cycle can continue until the point we no longer even recognize ourselves.
But God sees and knows! His powerful love is never-ending. He alone can save us. By Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, He has overcome every wrong choice we’ve made. His compassion covers every wound we’ve sustained. If we will bring our burdens to the feet of Jesus, He will heal us. The Bible reminds us that God will come near to us if we come near to Him (James 4:8). When we fully surrender to Him and invite Him into our lives, we will discover a peace that the world cannot offer, a peace that exceeds our comprehension. Let us come to Him, just as we are, and open our hearts to receive Him and enjoy the life He has for us!
Guiding Points:
Call to Action: Identify the areas of your life that need God. Invite him into those places, and create the space for His glory to come!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” (Isaiah 1:18).
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we praise Your holy name today! We ask that You search our hearts and heal our broken places. Please help us overcome any addictions that cloud our vision of You or anything we have prioritized above You. Remove and deliver us from those things in Jesus’ name. We don’t want anything influencing our lives that is not of You. You are the source of true joy, and we want to be saved and healed by Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, Amen!
Final Thought: Jesus said, “Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go” (John 6:37). Run to Jesus, not away from Him. In Him is abundant life!
Lay Your Burdens Down
The Strongest Faith in the Deepest Pain
“For she said, ‘If I touch even His garments, I will be made well’” (Mark 5:28).
Walking Confidently in His Light
“For once, you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light!” (Ephesians 5:8).
On the Solid Rock, We Stand
“He alone is my Rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6).
Battling Anxiety: A Christian Perspective
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25).
Let the Peace of Christ Rule
“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one Body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Surrounded by The Father
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
God Uses Imperfect People in Extraordinary Ways
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Turning Your Mess into a Message
“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me” (Psalm 66:16).
Encouragement and Prayer for New Graduates
Graduation is such an exciting moment! While it’s the end of a significant chapter, it’s the beginning of many new ones forward! Taking time to celebrate this milestone is important. While there may be some uncertainty about next steps, God’s Word provides direction for the road ahead. God cares about the details of every life and wants to lead each graduate to their purpose in Christ. When we seek His face and lean into Him, He promises to be with us in every step of the journey (Matthew 6:33).