This new identity brings a sense of purpose and direction that was not there before. We are no longer aimlessly wandering through life, trying to find meaning and fulfillment in all the wrong places. Instead, we have a clear sense of our calling and mission as Christ followers.

Don’t miss the point. Seek freedom through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

You ever lose the approval of someone you thought you needed in order to feel good about yourself? That's a mini-hell of your own making! Only God's approval can give your soul the confidence that you are right even when everything around you is wrong!

Let’s dig deeper! The idea of “iron sharpening iron” implies there are at least two pieces of iron. Because iron is sharpened through heat and friction, it would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the presence of the other. As it rubs against another, the piece of iron is reshaped into something beautiful and better than before. So first of all, this Proverb illustrates how important it is to be in a community of believers. We need one another to be sharpened.

When we focus on our past, we can become stuck, unable to move forward, or maybe even worse, compound the poor decisions of the past with more poor decisions. But, when we accept the negative choices and situations for what they are, and put them behind us, we can, with God’s help, create a better and more positive future.

Personally, incorporating surprise and delight into our way of being can have a hugely positive effect on all of us. Not only can it help you choose where, when, and how to serve those around you, it can actually affect your physical and mental health - for the good!

God did not create you and then say, “Go figure it out.” He created you fully knowing that you would need Him. If the Lord isn’t your Shepherd, you don’t have everything you need. Psalm 23 is only true for you and me when we embrace the full message of that simple first verse.

When we can’t do something to fix a problem, we can always pray. True power is found through prayer.

The Resurrection of Jesus is not about somewhere else. It's about the here and now! When the angel declared, to the women at the Tomb, "He is Not Here!"... Where was He? Risen from the dead, Jesus was walking and talking and telling stories  – in the flesh – and inviting His friends to have breakfast with Him. Not in heaven… but right here, right now!

Think about it. It was when He broke the bread, representing His broken body they witnessed on the cross just days before, that their eyes were opened and they could see who this stranger really was, Jesus the Messiah. I have to ask myself, “Are there times Jesus is right beside me and I fail to see Him?”