John 21:15-25 beautifully illustrates the transformative power of love and redemption. In this passage, Jesus restores Peter after his denial, asking him three times, “Do you love me?”—a poignant parallel to Peter’s three denials. This exchange highlights that love is not merely a feeling, but a commitment demonstrated through action. Just as Christ’s love was proven through His sacrifice on the cross, true love manifests in selfless deeds—helping those in need, offering encouragement, and inspiring others to walk in faith. Love is not deterred by obstacles; it finds a way to heal, restore, and uplift. It is the answer to brokenness, the force that binds us to God and to one another, calling us to serve with humility and grace. Through Peter’s restoration, we see that love does not hold onto past failures but instead offers new beginnings, reminding us that we are called to love as Christ loved—boldly, sacrificially, and with unwavering devotion.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”. – Isaiah 52:7
As brought out in the post “Lift to New Heights”, we get stuck at times in a mediocre existence and not totally free to be all we can be. During those times, we can let God act for our benefit. We can work with Him to receive limitless rewards and share the Good News.
We get hit with so many negative thoughts daily. Let us think of ideas that will give victory over the negatives that keep us captive. One idea is to start or end the day with uplifting positive music. Songs like Here Is Our King by David Crowder Band get our mind in the right frame of mind as we begin the challenges of each day or retire for the evening.
The picture above was taken some years ago at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo. After we spent some time at the fair, we went to the Joe Nichols concert. The next day, it was great weather … as in the Joe Nichols hit song “Sunny and 75”. The memories you make give you a lift, the weather can give you a lift, and the ultimate lift is knowing that the future is bright because of the reward God has for all that believe in His Son.
If we get our thinking going in the wrong direction, we can lose our edge for a great day. Instead, let us think of what good things are going our way, and this will build momentum so that we stay on track. Today, we are staying on track by reading Isaiah 52.
God had brought His people out of Egypt after being in bondage and more recently, Assyria had oppressed them (v. 4). At the time of today’s passage, the people were still captive in Babylon and not optimistic about becoming free, so they were not awakened. They had not forgotten the defeats of the past, not yet tapped the inner strength only God can give and had stopped looking forward to amazing victories in the future.
Isaiah the prophet was discouraged because the people would not believe that God could bring them future success. They had become complacent, accepted their situation, and were not eager to take the first step from captivity to freedom. Since they would not let God act for their benefit, He would act for them by helping them listen and see His salvation.
In current times, we also can be stuck in a mediocre existence and not totally free to be all we can be. During those times, let us ask God to act for our benefit. Let us want to work with Him to receive limitless rewards. Let us think of ideas that will give victory over the negatives that keep us captive. God will accompany us to bring us out of out of captivity just like He did with the people of Jerusalem. His Servant, Jesus helps us to see, hear, and understand the way to freedom.
This day with You God, we have good days and bad days. During the bad days, help us to focus on how the outcome is in Your hands. Help us to know that You are with us toward a joyful end. We know that You have abundant blessings for those who accept Your way of love and grace. For You work in our life through the Holy Spirit to set us free to be all we can be. Our best days are in front of us because Jesus is leading us to eternal paradise beyond what could be imagined. This day, we have a good outlook toward this day and future days ahead because of Jesus. Amen.
Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. – Hebrews 4:16
From the post “Return to the Lord”, what was missing was for the people to admit that they needed God’s help. If they would return to Him and ask for forgiveness, He would be with them to give them strength. He would set things up so they could return to the Promised Land.
We are not looking behind to the difficulty that puts us in a bind but look to what we have available in the future. We can let go of the past and be thankful for what we do have in the present. Every adversity gives the chance to tap the inner strength only God can give, so let us forget the defeats of the past, be patient in difficulty, and look forward to amazing victories in the future.
I remember riding my bike as a kid and suddenly, I stopped going anywhere and looked down to see that the chain had slipped off. It’s the same with our day, if we don’t begin our day with God, the power to go is gone, and we keep trying to go but get nowhere.
This day with God, we are reading Isaiah 51. Noted is there were only a faithful few who sought the Lord for help during their difficulty. God called them to remember the help He had given them in the past, to be faithful, and to trust in His grace. He had brought them out of bondage from Egypt through the Red Sea and He would bring them back out of Babylonian captivity.
Weighing down the spirits of the weary people was that they had forgotten the power of God and feared mere mortals who kept them in captivity. God asked the people of Jerusalem to awaken because He would forgive the people and bring them back to a place of liberty and prosperity.
What was missing was for the people to admit that they needed God’s help. If they would return to Him and ask for forgiveness, He would be with them to give them strength. He would set things up so they could return to the Promised Land.
We also need forgiveness and fortunately we have a Savior in current times. Grace is available and we can faithfully hold on during our difficulty. Each day, we can pray and ask for God’s help. We can step away from our captivity into freedom towards ultimate victory.
This day with God, let us not look behind to the difficulty that put us in a bind but look to what we have available in the future. We can let go of the past and be thankful for what we do have in the present. Every adversity gives the chance to tap the inner strength only God can give, so let us forget the defeats of the past, be patient in difficulty, and look forward to amazing victories in the future.
This day with You Lord, we come back to You. Hope is gained for a better day today than yesterday. You will take the little bit we do and provide the spark for us to awake from the dark into a brighter day. We may miss the mark some days but today we start by doing our part to plant the seeds. We will seek to cultivate what is growing with our love and prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 