Daily Invitation

“Only Your Love” by Nate Lain

Jesus invites us in Matthew 11 to come to him. This song written and

produced by Nathan Lain carries part of this message in a ballad that

beckons us to rest in the arms of the Good Shepherd.

Trusting God starts with letting go of the things we feel we need to control and depending on God's ability to deliver us.

If you think about it, it is the ultimate declaration that God is real and God is God. We would be foolish to sit around and wait for help from a fictional or historical character. God is real and present.

Paul masterfully reveals God's intent and purpose in transforming suffering into hope. Suffering leads to endurance, which leads to mature character, which opens the way for hope. Here is the best part, it is not a process we have to pass through alone.

But what do we do when we are facing suffering and difficulty? Can we still rejoice? How does our eternal hope hold up under dire circumstances?

Paul masterfully reveals God's intent and purpose in transforming suffering into hope. Suffering leads to endurance, which leads to mature character, which opens the way for hope. Here is the best part, it is not a process we have to pass through alone.

What is holding you back from entering this grace today? For most of us, it is probably nothing more than forgetfulness or distraction. We need to be reminded to continue leaning into what God has freely given us. With open hands today, receive the grace that God has for you. Enter into that place of hope and rejoicing. God has made a way, so go!

I’m struck with a simple truth this morning. Regardless of how I feel about this passage, Isaiah is communicating the desire of God to us. My attention is drawn to the reality that, even if I don’t think this verse is helpful for me today, it is a direct revelation of how God thinks of his children.

Today I want to revisit yesterday’s verse. Psalms 89:15-16 (NIV) says, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness.”

If you have the opportunity to spend time in the secret place, I encourage you to open your heart to the Lord and ask him to help you root your identity in him. Colossians 2:6-7 is a good place to start. As you go through your day, lean into the heart of God and let him teach you to abide during challenging moments.

We all desire to have that freedom that David writes of in Psalm 119. We want the chance to run in the path God has set before us. I know that I desire this freedom. I want to encourage you that there is no better way to step into this freedom than leaning into God’s presence and the truth of his word.

Psalm 118:28 (ESV) says, “You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.” This verse summarizes the posture we can take when we come into prayer. Come to him with personal openness.