Psalm 146 might not seem like a logical place to kick off Holy Week, but there's such a blessing in praising God. This year for most of us is the first time in two years that we've been inside a church building for Holy Week. Let us praise our way through this Psalm as we reflect on Who God is and all He's capable of in our holiest hot mess lives.

1Peter 3:12 is actually a reference to Psalm 34. Peter is teaching the church to be encouraged that God hears their prayers and he's also encouraging them to do the right thing. As we live our holiest hot mess lives, let's be mindful to grow in pleasing God and to take Peter's words under advisement.

In 1John 4:4, we're reminded that not only do we belong to God, but that He lives in us through His Holy Spirit. Nothing that rises against us will succeed because Who is in us is Greater than anything in the world. Let's walk in that victory as we walk through our holiest hot mess lives.

1 John 3:16-18 reminds us of what love is and how we are called to walk in love not just talk in love. Today we'll explore the importance of sacrificial love and not just putting yourself first.

1 John 3:13 might just be one small verse but it is truly a life changing one. When we can ignore our haters and look at them as elevators, we can grow in our walk with the Lord and in all that He has for us as we continue to live our holiest hot mess lives.

In Psalm 70, David presents a pattern of prayer in which he goes back and forth between asking God to do things to his enemies and praising God for Who He is. As we continue growing in how we live our holiest hot mess lives, let's seek our help from God while shifting our focus to Him and off of our challenges.

In James 5:17-18, James reminds us that Elijah was just a human being like us. Yet Elijah had amazing power within him to access God and to use His greatness for His glory. What greatness is within us that God desires to use for His glory and our good as we continue to live our holiest hot mess lives?

In Psalm 139, David blesses us with a beautiful song that we can read through as a prayer to God. The last two verses (23-24) are the focus for today's podcast, but the whole psalm is worth reading and repeating. As we ask God to examine us, we can be mindful of what God will find and what we can adjust as we grow in living our holiest hot mess lives.

In James 1:12, we're reminded that testing yields a reward when we're able to remain faithful. God is growing us and He is using us to teach others of His greatness and of the blessing of being in relationship with Him. As we live our holiest hot mess lives, let's remember to look to God with great expectation of how He's working out our suffering for our good and His glory.

Psalm 77:11-20 reminds us that God is greater than any trial or tribulation we face. No matter how down we get - how depressed or overwhelmed - we can remind ourselves of how God has blessed us and helped us in the past. He's with us and He's powerful enough to protect and even bless us with new peace and joy as we continue living our holiest hot mess lives.