Ever heard people say (or maybe you've said)-- "I need a vacation from my vacation!" Yea, we know what they mean. They didn't get any rest. They were going, going, going. Well in Mark 6:31, after the disciples have returned from preaching, healing, freeing throughout the surrounding areas, Jesus tells them "Come away by yourself to a desolate place and rest a while." He recognized that even though they were doing THE LORD'S WORK, they still needed time to separate themselves, to focus without distractions and just rest. Take some time today-- even if for just a few seconds-- and REST.

Psalms 147:2 in The Message version says, "HE heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds." We can trust HIM with those precious hurts, those secret hurts, those deep cuts, those words that stung, those actions and deeds that ripped us, that scared us, that left us alone dazed confused... Because HE IS GREATER THAN OUR BROKENNESS. 

There is so much going on in the world... IT IS CRAZY! But guess who is GREATER THAN ALL THE CRAZINESS? God. 1 John 4:4 tells us, "Greater is HE that is in us than he that is in the world." So today I just encourage you, GOD IS GREATER. I hope that brings you some comfort today.

If there were ever at time when we need a reminder to stop being selfish and self centered and to think about others it is now. Amidst this unprecedented global pandemic, TODAY stop.... breathe.... listen... and think about others. Find ways to show love and to do good works.

Ever been hit by a song or scripture right in the heart? Yea, double whammy for me: Listened to the song "Run To The Father" sung by Cody Carnes and read Matthew 11:28 that says, "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest." Today I encourage you to put those burdens at HIS feet.

Humor me here and read James 1:2 in three different translations:

NKJV: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials."

NLT: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”

ERV: “My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy.”

Now, let's talk about COUNTING IT ALL JOY!

Such a great promise found in Jeremiah 29:13... "You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, YOU WILL FIND ME." It's not like HE is playing Hide and Go Seek with us... He has made several ways for us to FIND HIM. We've just got to do it.

There is a difference between REACTING to something or someone and RESPONDING. And I've got to learn and re-learn that difference every single day. Proverbs 15:1 says: "A GENTLE ANSWER makes anger disappear, but a rough answer make it grow." 

Moving on to the second chapter of 1 Peter... Starts off with an EXCLAMATION POINT! It tells us... SO CLEAN HOUSE! And then gives a short four item list of things to clean out: MALICE (the DESIRE to do evil), PRETENSE (giving false INTEnTIONS), ENVY (desiring others people's possessions or position, and HURTFUL TALK.