Today's inspiration comes from: Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman |
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Editor's Note: Enjoy today's devotion adapted from Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman. And, please join us for the Relaxed Online Bible Study starting April 20th. Grab a friend and sign up today! * |
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. — Psalm 34:18 NIV In the months after my husband Randy died, I was handed Psalm 34:18 more times than I can remember. I clung to that verse. And I realized this: it's not just that God's nearness brings comfort. He's not just "near." He is grieving too. My favorite person to grieve with was my sister; when I grieved, she grieved too. Likewise, as we grieve, we join God in His grief. When you talk about grief with God, you're talking to someone who understands and is well acquainted with it (Isa. 53:3). One of Jesus' epithets in the books of prophecy is "man of sorrows" (Isa. 53:3 ESV). In John 11, Jesus' deep grief is on display. His friend Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, is gravely ill. The sisters send Jesus a message: Lord, the one You love is sick. — v. 3 He waits for days before arriving in their town of Bethany. He isn't far. But He does wait. While He waits, Lazarus dies. And, understandably, the sisters don't understand. If You had been here, my brother would not have died, Martha tells Him. — v. 21 Mary waits to come see Him until He asks for her. She falls at His feet and says the same thing: Where were you? I don't know what Mary's tone of voice was like, but I know what mine was like when I asked Him the same question. Jesus asks to see where they laid His friend. He's taken there, and then He weeps. Did you ever memorize John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible? Jesus wept. |
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I used to wonder why He cried. Why cry when you know what's going to happen? He grieved before He raised Lazarus. He could've raised him upon arrival, in those moments with his sisters, and bypassed the pain of grief. But He knew we would need a tool for the moment we faced death on this earth. He had the power to raise His friend right then and there, but instead of taking a shortcut away from tears, Jesus modeled for us what to do when you face death: grieve. Jesus, who never sinned, grieved because there's nothing wrong with grief. He was perfect, mature, full of faith and hope and love, and He grieved. I'm struck by the range of emotion we see from Jesus in His grief. When John says that Jesus was "deeply moved" (v. 33), the word there means angry, like enraged. It's not just that Jesus was sad but that He, too, felt deeply the wrongness of death. He was practiced in grief. He could face it without flinching. |
Watch the Relaxed OBS Q&A with Megan |
He could let Himself weep. This prepared Him for the depth of sorrow He experienced in His passion. In the garden of Gethsemane, He grieved. In Matthew 26:38, He said, My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me. Luke 22:44 says, And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. On the cross, He lamented in the words of the psalmist: My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me? — Matthew 27:46 Jesus grieved deeply because He loves deeply, and He invites us to grieve deeply, too. His grief and our grief are expressions of hope. |
Written by Megan Fate Marshman, author of Relaxed, copyright Megan Fate Marshman. * |
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There's nothing wrong with grief. If you are in a season of bereavement, Jesus understands. He weeps with you like Megan's sister wept with her. In grieving, we leave room for hope! Join us for the Relaxed Online Bible study starting April 20th. Grab a friend and sign up today! ~ Devotionals Daily |
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Relaxed Online Bible Study |
Relaxed Online Bible Study |
What if you could live more like Jesus—unhurried, unworried, and relaxed? In Relaxed with Megan Fate Marshman, you'll discover how the One who was never worried about a thing lived with calm confidence and trust in God—and how you can learn to do the same. You'll explore spiritual practices that help you let go of your worries and striving and walk with more trust and peace. Join Relaxed Online Bible Study and get access to seven teaching videos and other helpful tools—all FREE when you sign up! |
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PREMIUM BUNDLE The Best Value! Get 3 incredible resources and save $27.98 (44% off retail!) |
+ FREE shipping included! |
This Premium Bundle includes: - (1) Study Guide - The study guide includes group discussion questions and personal Bible study between sessions for reflection and application. You'll also receive an individual access code to stream all 7 video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!).
- (1) Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried about a Thing book - The companion book to the study: In Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried about a Thing, Megan Fate Marshman explores what it means to set aside our addiction to trying to figure everything out and relish a slower, compelling, powerful, and relaxed life with God. As Megan takes us word by word through Proverbs 3:5-6, she helps us discover that God never intended for us to be in control. As we lean away from our own understanding and into an intentionally relaxed spiritual life, we join Jesus in trusting a God who knows what he is doing--and isn't worried about a thing. You don't want to miss this life-changing book!
- (1) Journal - The perfect companion to the study: The Weekly Rest Project: A Challenge to Journal, Reflect, and Restore will help you step into a place of rest to restore your weary soul and your anxious mind. When was the last time you truly felt rested in your body and in your soul? Do you long to step away from your worries and overwhelm and let God restore your soul? Rest is one of God's greatest gifts. The Weekly Rest Project is a guided journal that offers mindful reflections and inviting questions to guide you back into a rhythm of life-giving rest with God. With beautifully illustrated journaling pages, you can make space for rest and find God's restorative peace all year long.
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ESSENTIALS BUNDLE includes the study guide and Relaxed book! |
+ FREE shipping on all orders over $35 |
This Essentials Bundle includes: - (1) Study Guide - The study guide includes group discussion questions and personal Bible study between sessions for reflection and application. You'll also receive an individual access code to stream all 7 video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!).
- (1) Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried about a Thing book - The companion book to the study: In Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried about a Thing, Megan Fate Marshman explores what it means to set aside our addiction to trying to figure everything out and relish a slower, compelling, powerful, and relaxed life with God. As Megan takes us word by word through Proverbs 3:5-6, she helps us discover that God never intended for us to be in control. As we lean away from our own understanding and into an intentionally relaxed spiritual life, we join Jesus in trusting a God who knows what he is doing--and isn't worried about a thing. You don't want to miss this life-changing book!
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STUDY GUIDE with lifetime streaming access to all 6 videos! |
+ FREE shipping on all orders over $35 |
Your perfect companion for the OBS! The study guide includes group discussion questions and personal Bible study between sessions for reflection and application. You'll also receive an individual access code to stream all 7 video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). |
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Everyone deserves a little grace to guide them through all of life's moments! The bestselling Grace for the Moment Note-Taking Edition by Max Lucado is here to inspire you every day. With scripture on every page and plenty of space for your personal reflections, it's the perfect way to jot down prayers, insights, or anything on your heart. This thoughtfully designed devotional combines meaningful messages with practical features to help you grow spiritually. Whether you're looking for a gift for someone special or a tool to deepen your own faith journey, this edition is a beautiful choice! Pick up your copies of Grace for the Moment Note-Taking Edition today for just $13.99 with code GRACENOTE. |
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this devotion with someone who needs it today |
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