South Bristol Church

06/05/2026

Jesus Calling: June 5th
Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy.
I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the deepest desire of your heart. Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

Exodus 20:3 (NLT)
3 “You must not have any other god but me.

Additional insight regarding Exodus 20:3: The Israelites have just come from Egypt, a land of many idols and many gods. Because each god represented a different aspect of life, it was common to worship many gods in order to get the maximum number of blessings. When God told his people to worship and believe in him, that wasn't so hard for them - he was just one more god to add to their list. But when God said, "You must not have any other god but me," that was difficult for the people to accept. But if they didn't learn that the God who led them out of Egypt was the only true God, they could not be his people - no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments. Thus, God made this his first commandment. Today we can allow many things to become gods to us. Money, fame, work, or pleasure can become gods when we concentrate too much on them for personal identity, meaning, and security. No one sets out with the intention of worshipping these things. But by the amount of time we devote to them they can grow into gods that ultimately control our thoughts and energies. Letting God hold the central place in our lives keeps these things from turning into gods.

Psalm 27:4 (NLT)
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.

Additional insight regarding Psalm 27:4: By the "House of the Lord" and "his Temple," David could be referring to the Tabernacle in Gibeon, to the sanctuary he has built to house the Ark of the Covenant, or to the Temple that his son Solomon was to build. David probably had the Temple in mind because he had made plans for it in 1st Chronicles 22. David may also have used the word Temple to refer to the presence of the Lord. David's greatest desire was to live in God's presence each day of his life. Sadly, this is not the greatest desire of many who claim to be believers. What do you desire the most? Do you look forward to being in the presence of the Lord?

06/05/2026

God Is On Our Side

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?—ROMANS 8: 31

It is very comforting for us to remember that God, who can do all things, is for us. He is on our side. We all have enemies—those who disapprove, those who judge, criticize, betray, and hurt us. In addition, the devil is against us, and it is he who works through the people who hurt us. But God is for us! This means that in order for something or someone to defeat us, they would have to defeat God first. Find strength in the fact that God is with you and that He loves you unconditionally. Take courage in knowing that He is on your side, always fighting for you. The psalmist says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118: 6 ESV). Today, if you are hurting or dealing with a disappointment, I understand how you feel. If you have been waiting a long time for your breakthrough and it has not come yet, I also know how you feel. But even better, God knows how you feel, and He wants you to remember that His timing is perfect in your life. There are good things in your future.

“Father, thank You for reminding me that You are on my side. I put my trust in You and ask that You help me rest in You. In Jesus’ name.
“Amen.”

06/04/2026

Jesus Calling: June 4th
Welcome challenging times as opportunities to Trust Me. You have Me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle!
The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me. Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness. Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect Peace as you stay close to Me.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

James 1:2 (NLT)
Faith and Endurance
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Additional insight regarding James 1:2,3: James doesn't say if trouble comes your way but when it does. He assumes that we will have troubles and that it is possible to profit from them with increased endurance. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain but to have a positive outlook ("consider it an opportunity for great joy") because of what troubles can produce in our life. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance.

Additional insight regarding James 1:2-4: We can't really know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind to others when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with you in rough times. Ask him to help you solve your problems or give you strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems; he will stay close and help you grow.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Additional insight regarding Philippians 4:13: Can we really do everything? The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to his interests. As we contend for the faith, we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. As they come, ask Christ to strengthen you.

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Additional insight regarding Isaiah 26:3: We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but when we fix our thoughts on God, we can know the perfect peace even in turmoil. As we focus our mind on God and his Word, we become steady and stable. Supported by God's unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos (see Philippians 4:7 - "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."). Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on God and your truth in him!

06/04/2026

Look Ahead

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.—PROVERBS 4: 25

Many people feel bothered by things in their past. Sometimes, this is simply an undercurrent of feeling uneasy and unable to completely relax. Sometimes, it’s a nagging regret or an ongoing disappointment that infects people’s hearts and minds each day. Whether you think your past has a little influence or a great impact on your present, let me say that the past does not have to negatively affect your current life. God forgives. God redeems. God heals. God restores. Today’s scripture offers clear direction about how to deal with the past. It basically says, “Don’t look back.” If your past weighs you down and keeps you from enjoying your present or looking forward to your future, spend some time with God, allowing Him to help you move beyond it, or you may want to get some professional counseling. Whatever you have to do to put your past behind you, I urge you to do it. Don’t waste another day looking back, but look straight ahead, as today’s scripture says, to the great future God has planned for you.

“Father, help me turn my focus away from my past and let my eyes look straight ahead to what You have planned for me. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.”

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Jesus Calling: June 3rd
I want to be Central in your entire being. When your focus is firmly on Me, My Peace displaces fears and worries. They will encircle you, seeking entrance, so you must stay alert. Let trust and thankfulness stand guard, turning back fear before it can gain a foothold. There is no fear in My Love, which shines on you continually. Sit quietly in My Love-Light, while I bless you with radiant Peace. Turn your whole being to trusting and loving Me.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

2nd Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)
Paul’s Final Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. (Related verse = Romans 15:33 - "And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen")

1st John 4:18 (NLT)
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Additional insight regarding 1st John 4:18: If we ever are afraid of the future, eternity, or God's judgement, we can remind ourselves of God's love. We know that he loves us perfectly (Romans 8:38,39 - "38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.") We can resolve our fears first by focusing on his immeasurable love for us, and then by allowing him to love others through us. His love will quiet your fears and give you confidence.

06/03/2026

Purposeful Quiet

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.—MARK 6: 31

The world we live in today is very noisy. In light of that, I think we must purposefully take time for periods of quiet. I love quiet, and it helps restore me when I am tired. Getting good quality rest is impossible without some quiet to go along with it. We can sit down in a chair or lie in bed to rest our bodies, but if our souls are busy worrying and we have no peace, we will not be rested when we get up. This verse tells us that we need time alone—time that is quiet and restful. I have found that when we don’t have quietness, stress builds up in us to a place where it can make us sick or unhappy. Quiet surroundings help us calm our souls. Maintaining balance in our lives is vital. The King James Version of the Bible says, “Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Philippians 4: 5). Excess is an open door for the devil to wreak havoc in our lives, and it always leads to problems of some kind. We need to think and plan, but excessive thinking and planning becomes a problem. We need activity, but we also need rest. God has given us the fruit of self-control (Galatians 5: 22–23), and we should use it to maintain balanced lives. In the midst of everything you do and while living your busy life, I urge you to plan quiet times to be alone and let your soul rest. Resting internally is just as important as resting externally. Our bodies do need to rest, but so do our minds and emotions. Plan a daily vacation for your soul. It will help you more than you can imagine.

“Father, please help me rest internally as well as externally. Teach me to love and enjoy quiet times in Your presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

06/02/2026

Jesus Calling: June 2nd
Relax in My healing, holy Presence. Be still, while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries, so that you can receive My Peace. Cease striving, and know that I am God.
Do not be like Pharisees who multiplied regulations, creating their own form of "godliness." They got so wrapped up in their own rules that they lost sight of Me. Even today, man-made rules about how to live the Christian life enslave many people. Their focus is on their performance, rather than on Me.
It is through knowing Me intimately that you become like Me. This requires spending time alone with Me. Let go, relax, be still, and know that I am God.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

Psalm 46:10 (NLT)
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

Additional insight regarding Psalm 46:10: War and destruction are inevitable, but so is God's final victory. At that time, all will stand quietly before the all-powerful Lord. How proper, then, for us to be still now, reverently honoring him and his power and majesty. Time time each day to be still and to honor God.

1st John 3:2 (NLT)
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

Additional insight regarding 1st John 3:2: The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ (see Romans 8:29). This process will not be complete until we see Christ face to face (1st Corinthians 13:12; Philippians 3:21), but knowing that it is our ultimate destiny should motivate us to purify ourselves.

06/02/2026

Breaking Up With Fear

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.—JOSHUA 1: 9 ESV

Deep down inside, I think we all want a life that includes adventure. But too often, fear is the ruling force in our lives, and it keeps us trapped in boring sameness. Perhaps fear has been with you through everything you have done in life. If so, then it has stolen the joy of what you were doing. Now is the time to break up with fear. It is time to take your life back and start living it by following the Holy Spirit. God is extremely creative, as you may have noticed while observing His creation. Following Him will never lead you to boredom. It will, however, require that you take steps of faith and say goodbye to fear. Faith is taking step one before you know what step two will be. I encourage you to follow your heart and live courageously, which often means “doing it afraid”!

“Father, help me be courageous and guide me into the next step You want me to take in my life. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.”