Scriptures: Philippians 2:9, Philippians 2:10-11, John 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:17

May the real King stand up

I grew up in the ’60s and ’70s, so I’ve seen a lot. I remember the first man on the moon, the Vietnam War, the birth of the Beatles, and the first computers. In hindsight, I think about the great saviors and kings that our society offered: politicians like President Nixon, athletes like O.J. Simpson, rock stars like Michael Jackson, or movie moguls like Harvey Weinstein. They all have one thing in common—they are human. They all make mistakes and can crash and burn. Even though we may call some of them idols, we know deep down that they shouldn’t be. 

The Bible says, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9, NIV) And “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11, NKJV) 

I also learned this lesson from my father. He was running a paper mill in the small, French Canadian town of Joliet. One day, he asked me to caddie for him at a celebrity golf tournament. I was so thrilled because I was going to meet my sports idols from the Montreal Canadiens. I had my little autograph book all ready to go. You should’ve seen my eyes when John Ferguson joined our foursome. He was my idol until the first hole. Ferguson was a tough hockey player with a mean temper that showed itself on his first errant shot. I heard a few choice words and saw a club take flight. That day, I discovered he was just a man. I heard my father’s words: “Paul, all men bleed red.” 

The world is looking for a king, but where is he? There is only one true King, one God. John says it so well: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1, NKJV) And so does Paul: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV) 

If you’ve been disappointed by people, it’s time to turn to Jesus, the real King. Faulty idols will always crumble, but the King will stand forever. 

Never forget you are His miracle. 

Scripture: Matthew 26:40

Building intimacy with God

Jesus is the most incredible, wonderful Savior and leader. Every time I pray, I talk to Him, and I listen. I don’t hear His voice audibly or see Him, but He does speak to my mind with thoughts and ideas that change my life.

Let’s look at a few practical steps you can use to build a powerful prayer life. When I first came to a relationship with Christ, I didn’t know how to spend time with God. I couldn’t see Him or feel Him. No one gave me a manual that would help me build my prayer life. I had never seen a normal person pray. I respected my priests and saw them lift up their hands or bow their heads, but they were special. They were holy in my mind, and I was a hockey player who cussed and drank too much.

Who taught you how to pray? How did you learn?

The Bible tells us of a difficult season in Jesus’ life: “Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?’” (Matthew 26:40, NKJV) When I read this verse, my immediate answer was absolutely not. One hour of prayer was not for me. I struggled with attention deficit disorder, and five minutes seemed like an eternity. How would I ever spend an hour in prayer with God? What would I do? What would I say? How could I hear God answer me? I had more questions and frustrations about prayer than any other spiritual issue.

Friend, can you relate to my frustrations? To be honest with you, I felt like a failure.

I was so excited when my friends at A Miracle Every Day had asked me to do a series on spending time with God. No one taught me how to create these times with God. I learned through trial and error. It’s my prayer that some of what I learned will help you build something incredible.

Today, let’slearn to pray with purpose. Why are you praying? What would you like to get out of it? Please take a few moments and ask yourself these questions. I believe God has a purpose for prayer. He wants to meet with you, speak to you, and be your friend. I’m praying all your times in prayer will be times in God’s presence because you are a miracle.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:10, Colossians 3:23

See your workplace as your mission field

See your workplace as your mission field. Jesus has the power and strategy to help you turn your career into a calling. 

I’ll never forget the travail that I felt in seeking the will of God for my life. It almost became an obsession. Should I pursue professional ice hockey, business like my father, counseling, or full-time ministry? I’ve got to admit I was frustrated. Why wasn’t God telling me what to do? 

Have you ever felt this frustration and uncertainty? Are you waiting for an angelic visitation, writing on the wall, or a loud voice? As a counselor, I can tell you that these feelings and questions are common. So let me give you five insights to help you answer this dilemma: 

1. There is no division between a spiritual career and a calling. Your personal career could and should become a calling from heaven. 
2. God has uniquely qualified you to do something and enjoy it. What do you love to do? Can you make a living doing it? 
3. Careers and callings from God should be the same. Jesus prayed one prayer to the Father: “‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’” (Matthew 6:10, NIV) Christians should see their careers as their methods of bringing heaven to Earth. 
4. Christians are called to bring excellence and effort into the workplace. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23, NIV) 
5. God has designed you to love a career and do well at it. He’ll let you choose a career so you can shine like a bright light and flourish. 

I encourage you to see the workplace as a mission field—your mission field. The workplace may not seem spiritual, but it requires a focused person led by the Holy Spirit to succeed at it. 

You can shine anywhere because you are a miracle.

Scriptures: 2 Peter 1:8, Exodus 33:18

Are you afraid of intimacy?

Intimacy with God may seem both elusive and unattainable. In my experience as a counselor and leader, it seems that intimacy with God is something most people want but also fear. This is where Jesus is vital. So many people I’ve helped can’t relate to the invisible God, but they can relate to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, our Healer, and the Prince of Peace.

Are you afraid of being close to God the Father? Are you more likely to connect with Jesus?

I felt this way about my mentor, Dr. Richard Dobbins. He was the founder of the graduate psychology program that I attended for two years. On one hand, I admired him, but at the same time, I didn’t really trust him. I think I was afraid of being hurt or rejected by an authority figure.

While I was reading 2 Peter, I was shaken by a promise: “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8, NIV) God wants you to get to know Him better. He wants to be intimate with you and me. Moses also hungered for God. Do you remember his big request? “Then Moses said, ‘Now show me Your glory.’” (Exodus 33:18, NIV) 

Friend, do you really want to know God better? Do you want to be intimate with Jesus?

I believe the Bible gives us a road map to this seemingly elusive goal. I’d recommend these four steps:

1. Seek the seven qualities described in 2 Peter 1, and you’ll grow in the knowledge of God.
2. Ask God to forgive all your sins and mistakes. He inhabits clean vessels.
3. Invite Jesus Christ to enter your life.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you completely…spirit, soul, and body.

When you ask God for intimacy, He’ll begin to heal you and reveal Himself to you. The good news is that God will do things in your life that will amaze you and your family. Intimacy with Jesus is not scary—it is the very thing that will free you from your fears. You are a miracle.

Scriptures: John 5:22, Ephesians 4:26

Can anger become your friend?

Jesus came to this Earth as a suffering Messiah, but He will return as the Judge. The Bible says, “‘Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.’” (John 5:22, NIV) Many people are uncomfortable with the anger of God. They prefer the gentle Jesus. But anger is not evil. Let me ask you an important question: “Is anger your biggest enemy, or can it be used for the good?”

I can honestly admit I’ve done a few crazy things when I didn’t know how to control my anger. I punched a hole in a door while I was in seminary, which was embarrassing. I kicked my car and dented the door, which was expensive. I also punched an ice hockey referee by mistake, which hurt my Christian testimony. Have you ever done things in anger? I think we have all said and done things we probably regret.

I’m so grateful I had help to understand my anger and use it for good. I hope these tips help you as they have helped me:

1. Anger is neither bad nor good. It is simply an emotion that comes from our interpretations and thoughts.
2. The Bible says, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” (Ephesians 4:26, NIV) It doesn’t say anger is evil.
3. Control your temper. Count to ten, call a time-out, go for a walk, and forgive the other person.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you with the gift of self-control.
5. Reinterpret your situation in a way that does not stir up anger.

Jesus has anger, but it’s righteous, controlled, and just. Jesus is on fire.

Will you ever be able to get rid of anger? Probably not, but you can learn how to control it. I’d also like you to try something a little different. Take the energy that comes from your anger and use it for good. You can either let anger destroy you and others, or you can use anger to destroy fear and apathy. You will succeed at this because you are a miracle.

Scriptures: Matthew 11:28, Psalms 51:2, 1 Kings 19:4, Luke 22:42, 2 Corinthians 4:8, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 41:10

Give Jesus all your worries

Have you ever needed an intimate friend? Have you longed for a soul mate who will keep confidentiality? Jesus once encouraged us by saying, “‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV) Jesus is not afraid of our burdens, worries, or fears. He wants us to dump all of them on Him because He knows it’s something we need to do. Psychologists call this therapeutic need catharsis, which isdefined as “the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.” (Oxford Languages) 

I know what some of you are thinking: “What good can dumping my feelings produce?” Well, friend, a lot. Catharsis is like taking out the garbage. It’s a mental health practice that every major character in the Bible practiced. 

1. David asked, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalms 51:2, NIV) 
2. Elijah prayed, “‘I have had enough, LORD,’ … ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV) 
3. Jesus prayed, “‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.’” (Luke 22:42, NIV) 
4. Paul noted, “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8, NIV) 

The Bible says to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV) That’s catharsis. It dumping all the emotional toxicity and pain out of your system. We can, and should, give it all to Jesus. 

Have you tried praying to Jesus with this kind of transparency? He is the safest place to dump all your emotions and concerns. I’ve come to Jesus at least 10,000 times. He helps me cathartically release my cares, reinterpret them, and get wisdom. You can tell God everything and anything. He will never judge you or reject you. In fact, He’s urging you right now to tell Him everything. He’s telling you, “‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV) 

When you come to Jesus in prayer, every burden is lifted, and you receive spiritual help. Prayer is not delivered with perfect words in the proper form. Prayer is a sloppy mess of hurt, love, praise, and pain. Jesus can handle it all. 

Because you are a miracle. 

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6, Matthew 19:26

Jesus, take the wheel…

Carrie Underwood was a tremendous contestant in the American Idol competition. She shocked the world when she performed the song, “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” It seemed to strike a chord across America. Life is even crazier now. Anxiety and fear have taken over, so perhaps it’s time to sing that song again with all of our hearts. 

Anxiety is one of the biggest emotional problems, and anyone can suffer from it. It comes from a fear of the unknown or impending doom. Anxiety can be crippling, especially these days. We are living with the pandemic, riots, and racial tensions that have thrust most of us into a state of high anxiety. Are you feeling any anxiety? Not many of us have felt this way before. The comfortable lives of restaurants, friends, movies, and cuddles have been replaced by the fear of diseases and death. Millions are still overwhelmed by anxiety. 

The good news is that you can rise above it if you have faith in Jesus. The Bible tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God,” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV). Turning to Jesus is God’s antidote to worry. We can cast every care upon Him. We can thrust upon Him everything that is causing us anxiety. 

If we can’t control it or change it, God can. “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV) 

Jesus cares about your life and future. He wants you to focus on vision, compassion, love, and your calling. He’ll take care of the rest. God is so great! 

We can’t control every person or every situation, but we can ask Jesus to take the wheel. You’ll be surprised by the outcome and the peace that will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. You will be more productive and have less stress because you are a miracle.