Jesus Calling: November 18th
Come to Me, and rest in My Peace. My Face is shining upon you, in rays of Peace transcending understanding. Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything. As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete. This is how I designed you to live: in close communion with Me.
When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations -- real or imagined. You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim. Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you. You offer these people dry crumbs rather than the living water of My Spirit flowing through you. This is not My way for you! Stay in touch with Me, even during your busiest moments. Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace.
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Additional insight regarding Phillippians 4:6-7: Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility; we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.
Additional insight regarding Philippians 4:7: God's peace is different from the world's peace (see John 14:27 - "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in the absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's Kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.
John 7:38 (NIV)
38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
Additional insight regarding John 7:38: Jesus' words, "come and drink" alluded to the theme of many Bible passages that talk about Messiah's life-giving blessings (Isaiah 12:2-3; 44:3-4; 58:11). In promising to give the Holy Spirit to all who believed, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, for that was something only the Messiah could do.
Ephesians 5:18-20 (NIV)
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Additional insight regarding Ephesians 5:18: Paul contrasts getting drunk with wine, which produces a temporary "high," to being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy. Getting drunk with wine is associated with the old way of life and its selfish desires. In Christ, we have a better joy, higher and longer-lasting, to cure our depression, monotony, or tension. We should not be concerned with how much of the Holy Spirit we have but with how much of us the Holy Spirit has. Submit yourself daily to his leading and draw constantly on his power.
Additional insight regarding Ephesians 5:18,19: The effects of alcohol are obvious, but what happens when we are under the influence of the Holy Spirit? In these verses, Paul lists three by-products of the Spirit's influence in our lives: singing, making music, and giving thanks. Paul did not intend to suggest that believers only discuss religious matters, but what we do or say should be permeated with an attitude of joy, thankfulness to God, and encouragement of others. Instead of whining and complaining - which our culture has raised to an art form - we are to focus on the goodness of God and his mercies towards us. How would others characterize your words and attitudes?
Additional insight regarding Ephesians 5:20: When you feel down, you may find it difficult to give thanks. Take heart - in all things God works for our good if we love him and are called by him (Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."). Thank God, not for your problems but for the strength he is building in you through the difficult experiences of your life. You can be sure that God's perfect love will see you through.
FAQs
When you have a problem that goes on and on, with no end in sight, see it as a wonderful opportunity. We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory. That glory is much greater than the troubles.
Who wrote the book Jesus Calling? ›
Sarah Young, the author of the bestselling devotional Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, passed away on August 31. She was 77.
Do not be anxious about anything Philippians 4 6 7? ›
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
What is the Jesus calling on September 4? ›
Jesus Calling - Daily Devotion: September 4th. Pick up the pieces of your broken heart-scattered all around you—and bring them to Me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
How many Jesus calling devotionals are there? ›
More than 35 million copies sold! By spending time in the presence of the Savior with the much-loved devotions in Jesus Calling, you will: With 365 devotions, this padded hardcover edition is a favorite for its small size and is a perfect fit on a nightstand or in a travel bag.
What is the calling of Jesus? ›
The call of Jesus is both part of Christology and soteriology. It is a real call that comes from Jesus alone, but it is the beginning of salvation in the life of a human being. Jesus calls people to follow him and respond to the gospel message.
How many books are there in Jesus Calling? ›
Sarah's writings include Jesus Calling®, Jesus Listens, Jesus Always, Jesus Today™, Jesus Lives™, Dear Jesus, Jesus Calling for Little Ones, Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids, Jesus Always: 365 Devotions for Kids, and Peace in His Presence-each encouraging readers in their journey ...
What is Sarah Young's chronic illness? ›
She prayed for people. In fact, she prayed for the readers of her devotionals every single morning. Sarah struggled with pretty extreme health issues the entire time, from Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, vertigo.
What is the difference between Jesus Calling and Jesus always? ›
Jesus Always is almost indistinguishable from Jesus Calling in its tone, its theme, and voice. The only difference is that Young did not include her claim that these messages originated with Jesus.
What does Jesus say about anxiety? ›
We've been discussing our natural bent toward anxiety, and what God's Word says about how we must control and conquer our worry. In Matthew 6:25 Jesus commanded His followers, “Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
Anxiety is not inherently sinful. In the same way that there's a doubt that leads to faith and a doubt that leads to faithlessness, there's anxiety that leads to faith and anxiety that leads to faithlessness.
Why does God tell us not to be anxious? ›
God wants you to stop worrying so you can have victory in Jesus. Satan would love nothing more than to keep you in a state of anxiety, doubt, and fear. If he can trap you in worry, he knows you won't reach your full potential for what God wants to do through you. God can help you overcome by his power and strength.
Does it say in the Bible that Jesus was born in September? ›
The nativity accounts in the New Testament gospels of Matthew and Luke do not mention a date or time of year for the birth of Jesus. Karl Rahner states that the authors of the gospels generally focused on theological elements rather than historical chronologies.
Why is September the month of the Bible? ›
For Catholics, September is the month of the Bible, as it closes with the feast of St. Jerome, which is celebrated today, 30 September. St. Jerome dedicated his entire life to the study of Scripture and is best remembered for having created the Vulgate, that is, the Latin translation of the Bible.
What is the Jesus calling on January 31? ›
Jesus Calling - Daily Devotion: January 31st. When you are suffering, your need for Me is greater than ever. The more you choose to come near Me, affirming your trust in Me, the more you can find hope in My unfailing Love. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
What is the Jesus calling on December 19? ›
Jesus Calling - Daily Devotion: December 19th. Seek My Face continually throughout this day. Let My Presence bring order to your thoughts, infusing Peace into your entire being.
What is the Catholic December devotion? ›
The month of December is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first moment of her conception, by a singular privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior and hers, was preserved from all stain of original sin.
What does devotion to Jesus mean? ›
A person who is devoted to Jesus has become convinced that Jesus is Lord, and that salvation is found in Him alone.
What is Jesus devotion? ›
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is devotion to Jesus Christ Himself, but in the particular ways of meditating on His interior life and on His threefold love – His divine love, His burning love that fed His human will, and His sensible love that affects His interior life.
