Remedy for a Troubled Heart
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27b
“Let not your hearts be troubled.”
That’s easier said than done, right?
“Let not your hearts be troubled.”
It was what Jesus’ said to the disciples.
It’s likely we’ve heard that statement a lot. We’re familiar with the passage of scripture. But have we really considered the meaning of those words and the context in which they were spoken a little more closely.
It was at the Last Supper, the Passover, when Jesus predicted His betrayal and death to the disciples. There was much going on, both around the table and in the spiritual realm. The disciples didn’t fully understand and there were whispers of “Ask Him who it is” and questions of “Lord, will I be the one to betray You?” The Lord was trying to prepare the disciples for what was to come both in the immediate hours and in the days, months, and years following.
Ponder that. Jesus knew His death was near. He understood the pain and suffering He would endure. He knew that His death and resurrection would seal eternity for all who confessed and believed in His name, but it would cost Him everything to secure that for us. He also knew the spiritual battles would be strong and the powers of heaven and hell would be raging. Satan would rejoice, thinking he had won- finally defeating the Son of God. The demons would become even more aggressive against anyone bearing the name of Christ. Heaven would sorrow at His death and then rejoice at the mighty victory over sin and eternal death. And Jesus knew His disciples would face persecution and death because they carried His name. The battle was only beginning.
In the context of all of that, Jesus said something profound that we should ponder. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled.” Let not… meaning, do not allow it.
Jesus knew the disciples would be faced with a choice: they could come undone at the death of their Lord and hide in fear, or they could embrace the power of the Lord Jesus and be bold and courageous and do what He had instructed them to do. And Jesus knew, centuries later, we would need to hear the same message because we, too, would be faced with difficult choices, with mistreatment and derision for our faith, and with hardship and suffering because we represent the name of Christ.
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
In this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), because this world is not our home. This world is the kingdom of the Prince of the Power of the Air- Satan (Ephesians 2:2). And we are aliens and strangers here (1 Peter 2:9-11), unwelcome by and a target of the spiritual authorities under the control of Satan (Ephesians 6:12).
Anytime we are faced with a struggle, with pain, with hardship, with terror, with uncertainty, we have a choice. We can either allow our hearts to go ‘there’ and be filled with anxiety and paralyzed by fear, or we can take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).
As a parent, this is a daily struggle, whether or not we choose to admit it. We worry. We panic. We fear. There are so many things that can threaten the safety and well-being of our sons and daughters. But friends, giving into that fear is a choice that we make. It is socially acceptable to be a worrying parent. We let our hearts be troubled and we don’t make an intentional choice to stop.
The word troubled, in Greek, is the word tarasso, and it means “to stir or agitate, as if to boil water, to trouble a thing by moving it’s parts to and fro; to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity; to disquiet, make restless" 1
We allow our minds to run with all of the scenarios, we worry, we stress, we lie awake at night and our minds tumble like a washing machine on the spin cycle, all of the ‘what ifs’ are followed by the ‘and thens’ and we spend more time meditating on the troubles rather than on the Lord.
When we choose worry and fear, we choose to model to our sons and daughters a lack of trust in God. We’re demonstrating that we are not sure He will do the best thing for us and for our sons and daughter. We pray for what we need Him to do, yet balk at surrendering our will to His. We try to fix the situation ourselves. We stay awake at night, working through the details in our minds and praying for what we want to see happen or the resolution we believe is the right one. We wrestle with all of the feelings, but friends, feelings lie. The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and to give in to the angst is to play into the hands of the enemy who wants us consumed with anything but Jesus.
Jesus told His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me” John 14:1. When we are troubled we need to stop and ask ourselves, “Do I believe in God?”. If the answer is “Yes” then the next questions should be, “How am I demonstrating that belief?”.
We need to work on taking every thought captive and making it into obedience to Jesus Christ. You see, those worrisome thoughts and nagging fears are the arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against the knowledge of God. They distract us from God and pull us from faith in His ability to solve our problems and from believing in His sovereignty over them…and isn’t that exactly what the enemy desires?
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5
When those fears arise, when that anxiety begins to swell in our throat, when our stomach churns with worry, we must be intentional to take every thought captive rather than marinate in the worry. (I’m preaching to myself here, friends. I struggle with this too!)
So, maybe we are determined to capture those thoughts…but then what? The next step is Philippians 4:8,
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
We have to be intentional to refocus our thoughts. We have to choose to dwell on those things that will strengthen our faith in the Lord. We need to focus on the promises of God and choose to obey what He commands us to do.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“And when your faith is weak, pray as the father did who had a son possessed by a demon and asked Jesus to bring deliverance and healing, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Mark 9:14-27
Jesus knows how much we love our sons and daughters. We would give our life for them- He knows, because He gave His life for us, even when we were undeserving. He has compassion on us,
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;” Ps 103:13
But He also desires that we would grow in our wisdom and knowledge of Him and His Word so that we would not be easily tossed by hardship.
When you’re tempted to worry and fear, let not your heart be troubled. Don’t give into the temptation to feed the fear. Focus on the Truth of Scripture and of Who God is. The more you dwell on the Father, the further the fear recedes from your thoughts and from your heart.
Take time to meditate on these Scriptures:
Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.”
Proverbs 3:5 5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord .
Psalm 33:20-22 “We wait in hope for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord , even as we put our hope in you.”
Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
These seven Scriptures can be your meditation throughout the week. Write them down, keep them where you can be reminded. Know that the Lord, alone, is your refuge. He hears your prayers and He will answer…He WILL. His timing isn’t akin to ours nor are His ways - they are so much higher and better. Be careful that you are looking for Him to work, not looking for Him to follow what you determine is the best course of action. Surrender yourself to Him, to His timeline and to His plan.
Take time to study God’s Word. The more you dig into HIs Word, the more reassurance you will have in His Sovereignty. You can rest in Him, knowing He will always do what is best. Grow in your knowledge of Him, meditate on His words, rest in His character.
There IS a remedy for a troubled heart…do you want it? Or would you rather wrestle with your angst and insecurities. Sometimes we become too comfortable with what we know, even though it’s painful and hard. Get to know the God of the universe! Rest in His power! Hide in the shadow of His wings. Nestle into His loving embrace.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14
“Heavenly Father, I give you all of my uncertainties. I release all of my worries to You. I trust You. My troubled heart is too focused on the cares of this world and I know that is not what You ask of me. Take my heart and mold it into a heart that loves Jesus and craves time with Him. Give me a hunger and thirst for righteousness, not a craving for drama and anxiety. I pray that I would model what it means to trust and rest in You to my sons and daughters. I pray for (name) that they, too, would learn to trust and rest in You, not in the daily troubles that surround them. Lord, lift their eyes to focus on what is eternal. Help them set their heart on things above (Col. 3) and set aside the weight and sin that weigh them down and, instead, fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith (Heb. 12:1-2). Lord, I pray for the prodigal who is running from You. Lord, they are dragging the weight of this world along with them, their heart is troubled and their mind is filled with everything the enemy throws at them, yet they refuse to surrender to You. Bring them to the end of their prodigal pathway. Let them hit the dead end that shows them there is nothing for them apart from You. I pray, Lord, that You would be a balm to their troubled heart. Help them to see that You are their refuge and strength. You hear their cries. You will carry their cares and sustain them through anything they might face in this world and You will guarantee an eternity at Your side, where every sorrow is erased and every tear is wiped away. Lord, work in (name)s heart and mind today. Be the balm and remedy for their troubled heart. May Jesus be praised in every moment, every change, every heart that cries out for Him. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Pray without ceasing. Rest in His promises.
1. G5015 - tarassō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5015/niv/mgnt/0-1/
The Importance of Godly Parents
Throughout scripture there are accounts of fathers and mothers who, despite the social and political pressures of the day, raised their sons and daughters to stand strong for the Lord. As parents, it is our highest calling and our greatest investment. Careers won’t matter. Portfolios will be worthless. Possessions will rust and fade. But our children are the godly legacy that carries on and impacts this world for Jesus.
The book of Psalms testifies, again and again, of David’s longing to be filled with the Lord, be satisfied by His words and comforted by His presence. David, a simple shepherd boy, who became King of the nation of Israel, not by his education, not by his networking with other power players, but because of his genuine heart for the Lord. God chose him. How did David develop that heart for God? He said in Psalm 86:16, “Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant;save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.” And in Psalm 116:16 he said, “Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.” It’s clear that David’s mother played a strong role in how he understood and interacted with God. David had a heart of obedience to the Lord because his mother modeled it for him.
We’re all familiar with Proverbs 31 and the description of the virtuous woman. But we often skip the first nine verses of the chapter. Take a moment and read that first verse, “The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.” A godly mother bore influence on the chapter that defines godly womanhood. She had a powerful impact on her son, who in turn has influenced people for thousands of years. That’s some godly parenting!
Godly fathers, too, are vital and irreplaceable. From the time of the garden, God modeled what that relationship should look like, walking and talking with Adam in the cool of the day (Gen 3:8-9).
Abraham didn’t become a father until he was 99 years old. Yet, he was unequivocally dedicated to following the Lord, to the point he was willing to obey God and offer his son, his only son, Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord. Yet, Abraham knew God’s promise- that he would be the father of many nations. He also knew that promise came through Isaac. Abraham obeyed God because he trusted that God would do a miracle. God was faithful to His promises. And Isaac, he trusted His father. He knew that Abraham walked and talked with God. He knew Abraham was a friend of God. His father’s obedience to God meant blessing for the generations to come. Isaac chose to model what his father did, he didn’t flinch, he obeyed too. At the right time, God provided a ram as the substitution for Isaac’s life. Abraham's obedience provided a picture of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement for us. God provided a lamb. (Genesis 22). Abraham’s faith was the example for not only Isaac, but for us as well.
God doesn’t just ‘hope’ that we’ll understand how to parent well, He provided specific instruction. Deuteronomy 6 gives guidelines to the Israelite men on how they should spiritually lead their homes and how they should teach their children about God and His commands and promises.
These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. (Deut. 6:1-2)
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut. 6:6-9)
Though our sons and daughters are grown, our influence as a parent is not. We can continue to impact them through all of our days, and even after we are called home. How do we live? How do we obey God? Are we modeling trust, faith, and obedience?
Consider the question, what are we impressing on our children? Political views? Social norms? Or the power of the Word of God? Are we building into them so they can be an influencer of this world or for the Kingdom of God? We have a heavy responsibility and we need to embrace it intentionally and with a sense of urgency…for such a time as this.
It may not be our words to our sons and daughters, but our words to the Father on their behalf, that moves them to a deeper relationship with Him and strengthens their resolve to follow faithfully and fearlessly.
We are called to teach, lead, guide, and protect the hearts and minds of our sons and daughters. Yes, that gets harder as they grow into adulthood because our influence diminishes. Yet the relationship remains and in that, we can point them to Christ, daily. It may not be our words to them, but our words to the Father on their behalf, that moves them to a deeper relationship with Him and strengthens their resolve to follow faithfully and fearlessly.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Eph 6:18
The days are dark. Time is short. How will we parent in this season of influencing adult children?
Romans 13:11-14 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Today is the day. Don’t look to the past. The enemy will dredge up every parenting regret that we hold. Rebuke him. Look at today and look ahead. How will you impress these truths on your sons and daughters for such a time as this? How will you model living a life sold out for Christ? How will you daily point them to the cross so that when they must choose, they choose Jesus, only Jesus?
“Heavenly Father, I come to You in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. This world is dark and I see the enemy working in dark ways, yet no longer hidden but boldly working with such evil and hatred that is made to look like a righteousness that the world craves. The evil that reigns is so antithetical to everything in Your Word and against Your nature, Your character, and Your will. Yet it is packaged as ‘justice’ and ‘goodness’, ‘tolerance’ and ‘love’. When I compare what I see with Your Word, I see the deception. Do my sons and daughters see it? Will they take a stand against it? I pray that You would impress righteousness on their hearts, Lord. Holy Spirit, move and work in (name)’s heart and mind so that they long to follow Christ with all they are and have. I pray that their conscience would be burdened by the evil they see- don’t let them look away or push it off for another to address. Lord, give them a hunger and thirst for Your Word (Mt 5:6) Draw them into a daily time to be still before You and know that You are God (Ps. 46:10) Lord, let them pray with strong conviction and courage, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Ps 46:1-3). I pray, Father God, that You would raise (name) up to be a strong man/woman of God, uncompromising, convicted to follow You, and heavily reliant on Your wisdom and strength, not their own. Lord, help me to model that to them. Help me to be a father/mother who is uncompromising in my commitment to You and let my life demonstrate what it means to be a man/woman of God. Make (name) strongly rooted in Christ so that the fruit they bear is a testimony to their faithful walk with You. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, amen,”
Prodigal Prayer
“Oh Father, (name) is choosing to not follow You. Their heart is far from You, pursuing and loving things that defy You. I know You have the power to turn their heart from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to the power of God. Holy Spirit, I pray that You would convict and bring (name) to repentance. Lord, they are living in a far off land, separated from Your love and goodness, separated from Your holiness. Bring them home, Lord. Open their eyes to see the emptiness of what they’re pursuing and the rottenness of what they’re ingesting. The emptiness is there, yet it’s packaged as ‘good’, but the good of this world is rotten and the food of this world is poisonous. Pull (name) out of the mud and mire and set their feet on the Rock- Jesus! You have the power, Lord. I pray, in the Spirit, that You would surround (name) and guide them to redemption and give them a heart that would love and serve You. Raise (name) up to be a man/woman of God, one whose testimony would be a powerful story of Your redeeming love. Lord, I know You can. I pray You will. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing
Do You Believe in the Sovereignty of God?
God’s sovereignty is beyond our understanding
Stop and think about that. Then consider the following:
There is much happening in our world and I see so many people arguing politics. They are shocked and devastated at how events are playing out. (It IS grievous. It should not be surprising.)
But consider scripture and what is foretold. We know things will turn and go badly. We know that nation will rise up against nation. There will be wars, famines, earthquakes... honestly, scripture reads like the CBS evening news. What we're not hearing is of the beheading of 60 Christian believers in a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The genocide of believers in Muslim-controlled nations. It should break our hearts and put us on notice.
This week’s dust up between Trump and Zelensky led many to shout on social media about their opposition, disgust, and what they believe should be done. Then, I read a statement from a Eastern European politician and former prime minister of Estonia, K. Kallas, that said "Today it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.” (1)
Does that give you chills? It should. Considering prophecy, where will the antichrist come from? Hmmm.
“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.”
When we pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” consider what that means. We will see world events, leaders, and alliances collide and separate in ways that could be terrifying. Could God be using politicians to begin setting the stage for what is to come? We need to be cautious that we’re not caught in the deception the enemy is weaving “if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived.” Matthew 24:24
There are so many moving parts that we do not see. We must be careful not to assume we have the whole picture, and we must be very cautious not to assume we know the mind of God. We need to do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. We need to care for the widow, the orphan, the foreigner. We need to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. But God will do what He will and our anger, indignation and ‘know better’ needs to be in full surrender to His Lordship. Friends, things are happening that are far beyond our control. It’s easy for us, for our sons and daughters, to get caught up in the rallying cry for justice and change. But our submission to Christ must be at the center.
Mark 12-13 Jesus spoke to the apostles about the signs of the last days. He didn’t say fight. He didn’t say, “vote”. He didn’t say,” protest”. He said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many.” How can the enemy lure us into deception? By keeping us busy with arguments and anger as if they will rectify things.
And how can we avoid deception? Jesus said in Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” If we know God and love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will know who the counterfeits are. We don’t study falsehood to identify falsehood. We study the truth so that the falsehood is magnified when we encounter it.
At some point, world politics will take a very dark turn- we’re seeing the signs. Our future here is tenuous. It is temporary. What we do for eternity matters. God is sovereign and He will do what He wills. Will we do His will as well?
We need to be in the Word, and then we need to share the gospel. When we stand before the Savior He’s not going to commend us for our die-hard support of (insert political party name or side of dispute). Are we being good and faithful servants? Are we pointing others to Christ.
So, how can we pray?
We must pray for discernment, authentic faith, love and commitment to God, an attitude of guardedness and watchfulness. Pray these scriptures over your sons and daughters
First, we need to pray that our sons and daughters have discernment.
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
Next, we need to pray that they love God authentically and wholly – no compromise, no divided heart, no part-time religion.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
If our sons and daughters love God with all that they have and are, there is no room for deception and no opportunity for redirection to a false god.
We must pray that they are on their guard
The Greek word, ‘blepo’= to beware, perceive and take heed. Throughout Mark 12 and 13, Jesus warns us of what will come. His instructions are to be on your guard, be alert, be watchful. It also means to turn or direct your thoughts to a thing (2). He explained what was to come so that we would know and be watching.
“He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,' and, ‘The time is near.' Do not follow them.” Luke 21:8
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.” Luke 21:36
Finally, we need to pray they remain spiritually alert.
The Greek word for ‘alert’ is ‘agrypneo; and it means to be sleepless, to keep awake, to watch (3). It’s easy to fall into the lull of the daily routine and lose sight of Jesus’ pending return. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would be watchful and ever-ready to meet Him.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Mark 13:32-33
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”” Luke 12:40
These are prayer points not just for our sons and daughters, but for all believers. We need to be authentic, guarded, alert, and ready. Keep praying friends. God is not done working, but He is soon returning.
Prodigal Prayer:
The urgency and angst of knowing your loved one is not in the fold of the Shepherd is overwhelming. The first thing you need to pray is that they would learn to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength and the next is that the Lord would protect them from deception as they grow and learn in their walk with Him. Guardedness and watchfulness will come with spiritual maturity, but first they need to submit themselves to Jesus’ Lordship and begin to grow in wisdom and knowledge. Pray that the Holy Spirit would interrupt their thoughts, that He would bring other believers to speak into their lives, and would bring conviction and sorrow over sin so they would turn from darkness to light and from deception to Truth. God is able!
Final Thoughts:
It is a joy to pray together, even though the Join the PAC followers are spread across the globe! Imagine the reunion we will enjoy in heaven when we all meet and share how God worked in and through us as we prayed! Every tribe, nation, and language celebrating and praising the King of Kings! Don’t get discouraged. God is working even when we can’t see it and when it seems all is stagnant. He works in times and ways that are beyond our understanding!
Pray without ceasing!
1. Oliver, C., Faggionato, G., Goury-Laffont, V., & Griera, M. (2025, February 28). “free world needs a new leader”: Europe defends Zelenskyy after Trump attack. POLITICO. https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-donald-trump-jd-vance-oval-office-white-house-us-ukraine-war-russia/
2. G991 - blepō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g991/niv/mgnt/0-1/
3. G69 - agrypneō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g69/niv/mgnt/0-1/
A great resource for the upcoming Lenten season!
Are you looking for a resource for the Lenten Season? Why not consider reading and praying using the book 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal to walk through specific prayer for those who need the Lord. Both the book and the journal can be found on Amazon.
The Time that Remains
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Psalm 103:15-16
Last week our news feeds were suddenly filled with the tragic stories of two different plane crashes. The first involved a military helicopter that collided with a passenger jet in Washington D.C.. It left 67 dead and the Potomac River filled with debris and the bodies of so many individuals whose lives held so much promise. Then, just two days later, a Learjet taking off on a medical flight plummeted to the ground at high speeds. The crash filled a busy street in Philadelphia, leaving a scene unlike people had ever witnessed. Cars and houses were burned and a crater and scattered debris was all that remained of the plane.
All told, 73 lives were lost and countless families were sent into a spiral of grief and disbelief. Both tragedies hit close to home here. The first in D.C. took the life of a student from a university at which I have many ties. The loss is felt keenly. The second happened in my hometown of Philadelphia, where so many who I know and love live and work, some close to the scene.
None of those 73 people knew that day would be their last. All had plans and dreams. Many were athletes, competing to earn their spot in the national and world rankings with hopes of the Olympics someday. Others were professionals, making a mark in their field and working to make a difference. They were sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, mothers and fathers all making their way to their destination with plans for the next day and appointments in their agenda. But it all stopped. Suddenly. Without warning. Life ceased abruptly. And those left behind are left wondering, weeping, and asking ‘what if’ questions that can’t change the outcome. Each one has a story. Each one was loved. Each one needed to know Jesus as their Savior. Some did. Others, likely did not. And that is the real tragedy.
When each traveler stepped foot onto their respective flight, none of them knew their time was short. They each expected to exit their plane on their own two feet, headed toward the baggage claim. Instead, their bodies were recovered and identified, families were notified, and grieving began to take hold. When we stop to think about it, it’s disturbing. It’s unfair. It’s heartbreaking. And the eternal consequences are sobering.
What if we had some idea of the time that remains…of our own or of others? Would we prioritize differently? Would we be bolder? More joyful? Would we have a sense of urgency to tell others about Christ? How would we live differently? Oh friends, none of us knows how long we have, yet we often fall into the lull of the ordinary and of expecting the expected and doing what was planned. If we knew that the time that remained was limited, I suspect that we might change what we choose to do and say so that we make the most of the time God gives us.
As parents, we help prepare our kids for the future. We send them to school, we help them define goals. We give them guidance on a degree, a career, a relationship. But when do we take time to talk to them about the temporary nature of life here in this current reality on Earth? We do talk about eternal life, but far too often that’s removed from the reality of today. It’s a ‘someday’ thing, but rarely do we talk about it as a ‘could be today’ thing. And far too often our children have an invincible perspective that doesn’t acknowledge the reality of the brevity of life here.
For each of those passengers, their last day was the regular day that became their entrance into eternity. Were they ready? Did they consider their souls as much as they considered their boarding pass? Were they mindful that there is more to life than what is lived here and now?
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
It’s time to begin talking about eternity today with our sons and daughters. Bring it into the conversation. It’s important to recognize that at any moment, we can step from ‘here’ to ‘hereafter’ and we change dimensions, but also at that moment, our faith becomes sight! There should be anticipation, not dread, and preparation, not procrastination. We should be so ready to meet Jesus that we step into eternity and into the arms of Jesus with a joyful gasp and cry of delight!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5
To think that there are so many people who wouldn’t have the relationship with Jesus to be able to imagine that scene is heartbreaking. Too many people are unsure of what awaits after death. Some believe that death is the end, there is nothing, they simply cease to exist. Others ‘hope for the best’ but have no assurance. But we, as believers in Christ, KNOW for sure that we have eternal security with Jesus in heaven. Why wouldn’t we feel compelled to share the hope we have in Christ?!
Romans 10:9-11, 13, “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
We need to model for our sons and daughters what it is to use the time that remains in a way that honors God and shares the hope of salvation with others.
This week, let’s pray that the Holy Spirit leads and gives us the words to share the gospel with someone. Don’t force it, but let the Spirit lead. Pray that He would give our sons and daughters the words to share with others around them! Be mindful of the time that remains, both for you and for others. Whether God calls us home or Jesus returns to claim His Bride, the Church, we have a job to do and an urgency to use the time well. Let’s pray that our sons and daughters do the same.
Romans 10:14, 17 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Let’s pray together:
“Oh, Lord, You created us in Your image to be Your vessels, yet so often we take matters into our own hands, or we lose sight of our calling to make Your name known. We waste time or worry over time when You are Lord of time and we are Your servants. I pray that You would give us boldness this week to share Jesus with others. I pray for (name) that You would help them gain perspective of the time that remains. None of us know how long we have. Oh that (name) would live for You each moment! Help (name) to share Jesus with others unashamedly, boldly, and with joy. Lord, they need to know You!! They need to have hope for eternity and strength for today. As believers in Christ, we have that hope because we know You as our Lord and Savior. There is nothing better than the confidence and assurance we have in Christ. Give us the words and the opportunity. I pray for those grieving after the tragedies this week. Comfort them, Lord. Help them to cling tightly to You. Draw them to cry out to Jesus for salvation. Lead them into green pastures where they can rest and be refreshed. I pray that You would empower believers to come alongside them and share the hope of Christ. Help each of us to stand strong in these last days and boldly proclaim the gospel in our words and actions. Help us to live rightly in ways that bring glory to Jesus. In His name I pray, amen.”
Prodigal Prayer
“Heavenly Father, my precious prodigal (name) is headed for eternal disaster without Christ. They are oblivious to the dangers or maybe they just don’t care. Holy Spirit, speak to their heart and mind today. Help them to recognize they are in desperate need of a Savior and that Jesus died for their sin so they could live eternally. I pray that you would sober them with the realization that time is short and they must decide who they will serve. Lord, open their eyes to see the reality of their destination without Christ and the hope and salvation that comes with surrendering their heart to Him. I pray they would crave forgiveness, redemption and a hope of eternity with Him. Please, Lord, redeem the time that remains, bring them to salvation, restore the relationships that have been broken and bring joy where there is grief. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you have questions about how to have a personal relationship with Him, reach out! I would love to share the hope of Jesus with you today!
Follow
Some people choose a word for the year, one that will be their focus and potentially represent what they choose to do, accomplish, and be. Maybe it’s ‘health’ or ‘positivity’. We download apps and follow influencers hoping to make the changes that will make us better.
But God doesn’t set expectations that WE would better ourselves on our own- we honestly don’t have the ability to do that. Oh, we might be able to generate an illusion… but so often our efforts leave us feeling discouraged and defeated. What God does ask of us is that we follow Him. Follow. Not lead. Not walk nearby or on a similar pathway, but follow.
“Follow me.”
The word ‘follow’ in Greek is the word “akoloutheo” and it means to be in the same way with, to accompany, to cleave steadfastly to one, to conform wholly to His example in living and, if need be, dying.” 1
A great way to begin our year is by praying that our sons and daughters follow Jesus. Not a casual ‘checking in to see updates’ or looking for the most popular trend, but following Jesus faithfully, daily, passionately. Does their life reflect a commitment to Jesus? Do their choices, their words and actions, their pursuits and values demonstrate that Jesus is the One they value over anything and anyone else?
Here’s another important question, does our own life reflect that? Do we live with a passion to serve Him? It’s important because even though our sons and daughters are grown, they’re still watching us. They look to us to be examples…or the justification for why they choose to do…or not do. Are we following well?
If we are following Christ, our life will demonstrate that. People will believe what we say when our life exhibits the evidence that our words are true. Do we live as if we’re in the same way with Jesus, accompanying Him, cleaving steadfastly to Him and conforming wholly to His example in living and, if need be, dying.” 1
Oh that we would all have a passion for Christ that consumes us to the point that we radiate joy, we seek to serve, we delight in praise and worship, and we hold the things of this world very lightly. Our life isn’t here, it is with Christ. We are only here for a short time- let’s make the most of it for Jesus! Let’s commit to pray, every day, that we and our sons and daughters, would follow Christ with conviction, with a commitment that doesn’t waver, and that we would daily choose Him over everything and everyone else.
“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee.” 2
No shadow of turning. Consider the visual image of that. Someone who is in the light, who doesn’t turn to either side or turn back doesn’t give evidence of a shadow, ever.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 Our God is faithful and steady. If we are to be like Him, that means we should demonstrate the same- no shadow of turning; faithful to follow for all the days of our life. We have so little time, we can’t waste it turning aside to pursue what this world offers.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” Hebrews 10:23-24 ESV
Our sons and daughters need our intercession now more than ever! We have a mighty calling! Are we going to embrace it, take up the challenge and pray? Oh, friends, let’s do it! Let’s commit to praying for this next generation. God, in His mercy and kindness, has granted us another year. Let’s take on 2025 as if it may be our last year to fervently and effectively pray for our sons and daughters, our loved ones, our neighbors and even those we don’t know and have never met. Satan is in an all-out war to take captive as many souls as he can. Let’s fight his agenda! Let’s battle against his tactics. Let’s follow Jesus unwaveringly, fighting the good fight until He returns! Pray without ceasing!
“Heavenly Father, I bring (name) before You today. I know You know them well. You created them. I ask today that You would empower and embolden them to follow You faithfully. Lord, impress upon them the need to be fully committed to You, surrendered to Your will, and eager to serve You in whatever way and place You might call them. Help me to pray faithfully and to surrender to Your will as well. Lord, I know the hopes and dreams I have for them, but Yours are greater and hold eternal value. Help me to follow You without turning aside to my own hopes or agenda. Help me to pray unselfishly and according to Your will. Lord, I ask that You would protect (name). Keep them from deception. Fill them with wonder at Your word and a desire to live for You, to worship and praise You and to live a life that exhibits no shadow of turning. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Prodigal Prayer- “Lord, name is following other paths that they believe will earn them the life they deserve and the reward they crave. I pray You would get (name)’s attention. Open their eyes to see that they are following empty things- things that only deliver disappointment and ultimately, destruction . They are on a road that leads to eternal death. And in their following, they are accompanying others who are walking towards death. Lord, turn them around, help them to see You promise forgiveness and redemption, eternal life and an inheritance that is beyond anything this world can offer. Give (name) a desire to know and follow You. Change what they follow so that they would follow You.”
G190 - akoloutheō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g190/kjv/tr/0-1/
Chisholm, T. O. (n.d.). Great is thy faithfulness. Hymnary.org. https://hymnary.org/text/great_is_thy_faithfulness_o_god_my_fathe
You Can Always Come Home
“Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” Psalm 71:3
Home. When we’re tired, it calls to us. When we’re afraid, it surrounds us with safety. When we’re traveling and the days are long, it’s where we most want to go because we know we’ll finally rest and find comfort and relief from the frenzy. It’s where we find peace and respite. Home is a place of belonging and shelter. It’s where those who know you the best, love you the most.
Home is a place of stability, security, and safety, or it should be, and it’s something everyone wants, but not everyone enjoys. Sadly, some can’t describe home as a safe, nurturing place. But we understand the importance of home. If we don’t have it, we long for it and grieve the absence or loss of it. Home is embedded deep in the heart of every person and is a longing that doesn’t fade.
One thing nearly every parent will tell their kids, at some point, is that they can always come home. Whether they just want to spend time with family or if things are not going well and they have nowhere else to turn, home will be there for them. No matter where our kids live or how long they’re away, any time they return to us, they are coming home.
Psalm 71: says, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” Did you notice what God says there? “To which I can always go” Always. At all times. The word for ‘always’ in Hebrew is ‘tamid’ and it means “continually, constant, daily, without interruption, perpetual” (1). How comforting is that? God will always welcome us and give us refuge. He is there, 24/7, throughout every day and night, through every season, throughout the years, an entire lifetime. He was the God that sustained our ancestors in lean years when wars raged and He is the same God who sustains us now. He protected and provided for us when we were in the throes of diapers, bottles, and sleepless nights and He will continue as we wrestle with sleep in the midst of concern for our adult children. We can always, perpetually, constantly and without interruption go to Him for refuge and care. Do our sons and daughters know this? Is it at the forefront of their mind and heart?
When they were little and something bad happened, maybe a scraped knee or hurt feelings, their first thought was, “I need to go home!”. Oh, beloved, our prayer needs to be that it would still be their first thought and that ‘home’ would be in the Presence of their Lord. They need to run to Him for shelter and protection, for comfort and salvation. He is always there, without interruption, ready to welcome them, shelter them, and comfort them.
As we pray for our sons and daughters, let’s ask the Lord to remind them of where to turn when they need safety, security, and reassurance. Let’s pray that Psalm 71:3 becomes their heart’s cry, “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.”
“Father, You are Almighty God, strong and secure. You make our paths straight. You are the cloud that shields us by day and the fire that lights our pathway by night. You are ever-present and You are Sovereign over all; nothing is out of Your control. What a comfort it is to remind ourselves of that! I pray for (name) today. Holy Spirit, work in (name)’s heart and mind. Remind them of the love their Heavenly Father has for them. He longs for them to come home so He can shelter and protect them. I pray, Lord, that (name) would recognize Jesus as their refuge and shelter, a strong tower that will keep them safe.”
As our world changes, it is growing ever-darker and as believers, we need to be willing to stand up boldly for our faith. As a parent that’s frightening, yet Lord, we dedicated each of our children to You at an early age. They are Yours. Use them. Empower (name) to stand strong, but not on their own strength, but on Yours, Lord. I pray that You would remind them, even today, that this world is not their home, but that ‘home’ is in Your presence, and that You offer belonging, purpose, and protection there, perpetually, daily, without interruption. It is so much more than this world could ever deliver. Lord, open (name)’s eyes to see the value and importance of relying on You in every moment and in finding their home in You. Let (name) always run to You. You are faithful and eternal. You are mighty to save. Be the rock of refuge to which (name) can always run. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
H8548 - tāmîḏ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8548/niv/wlc/0-1/
Homebodies
“By faith Abel…by faith Enoch….by faith Noah… by faith Abraham….by faith Sarah…. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11
When our kids were little, being in other places was fun and exciting. Whether we were at the park or at a friend’s house, our announcement of “C’mon, it’s time to go home!” was likely met with protest and wails of “Nooooo! Just a little bit longer! I don’t want to go home yet!” Home was just, home. It wasn’t ‘special’. The kids were having fun where they were and they weren’t ready to go home.
But have you noticed, the older one gets, the more they just like to be home? It’s where they are most comfortable. It’s where they belong. They might not mind being out and about, but home is where they really long to be. There's a comfort about being there with those whom they love and are connected to deeply. Being out and away quickly loses its charm. Home is where the heart longs to be.
There’s a spiritual element here. As believers, we should feel the same about heaven and being with the Lord. The older we get, the more we see that this world isn’t as exciting and satisfying as we once thought it to be. We become weary of the shallowness and wary of the promise of wonderful things here that we know will not fulfill us. What this world promises, it just cannot deliver. The more we live here, the more we long to be in our real home with the Lord. We know we’re strangers and aliens here and we want to go and be where we belong. We want to be with the Lord.
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3
Here’s another perspective; if we’re getting ready to move, perhaps changing locations or building a new house, our heart begins to shift from where we currently live to that new place. We build up anticipation and longing because we know better things are coming. We begin to imagine living in that new place and we look forward to that new home and the life that comes with it. Our current location begins to fade in favor and appeal. We just want to be home. But home is becoming that other place where we don’t yet live.
Our sons and daughters often struggle with grasping a longing to be with Christ. Oh, they love Him, but they’re still enamored with this world and all it appears to hold for them. They haven’t yet ‘tasted’ the spiritual promise that assures them that life in Christ’s presence is far better than anything they’ll experience in this world. They’re still protesting, “Not yet! I’m not ready!”
Oh that they would shift their heart and mind to realize that this is not where they belong. This life, this world, is a shadow. It’s a poor representation of all that they are meant to enjoy in the presence of Christ.
The Apostle Peter understood well what our situation was as believers when he addressed the believers in 1 Peter 1:1-2.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles (or strangers) scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters begin to recognize that, as believers, they are exiles. They are not meant for this world. They are strangers and aliens and should always sense that this is not where they belong-their true citizenship lies elsewhere. Let’s pray they have a longing for the home God is preparing for them and they are excited for the coming ‘move’. Jesus WILL return to gather His bride, the church. We don’t want to be looking behind us like Lot’s wife, longing for the corrupt place we’re leaving behind, but we want to be looking with anticipation to what lies ahead. We know that the home Jesus is preparing is far better than anything here.
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling,”
“Oh Father, we know that You intend to bring us to live with You. Your promise is evident throughout Your Word that this is not our home, but better things await. I pray that (name) would begin to anticipate that new home, the blessing of standing in Your Presence and enjoying life as you intended. Lord, help them not to be charmed by this world, but to have clear spiritual vision that assures them better things are to come. I pray that their prayer wouldn’t be “Not yet, Lord!” but instead would be “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” “
“Help me to encourage them by setting an example of hope, anticipation and joy at the thought of my heavenly home. Help me to point them to Scripture that shows us the joy and belonging that await us. Help me to long to be in Your Presence. But until that day, keep both (name) and I diligent and steady in doing the work You have for us here. Help us to finish well. Lord, open (name)’s eyes to see the deception that Satan weaves to lure us into complacency and into love for this world. It’s not what You desire for us and it’s a cheap imitation- a counterfeit that will never deliver the joy, fulfillment and belonging that You give us in Your Presence. Lord, work in our hearts and minds today. And come quickly, Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.