Jesus Listens October 26

Gentle Jesus,

When things are not going my way, my natural tendency is to get flustered. Help me, instead, to stop what I’m doing and seek Your Face- spending a few moments enjoying Your Presence. As I talk with You about the matters that are frustrating me, You enable me to see things from Your perspective and sort out what is really important. Then You open up the way before me as I go forward in trusting dependence, staying in communication with You.

I confess that the culprit behind my frustration is my strong desire to be in control. I plan my day and expect others to behave in ways that don’t interfere with those plans. But I need to remember that You are in control and Your ways are higher than mine, as the heavens are higher than the earth. Rather than letting setbacks and interruptions upset me, I want to use them as reminders- that You are the sovereign God and I am Your beloved follower. Help me to trust in Your unfailing Love, gladly subordinating my plans to Your infinitely wise Master Plan.

In Your wondrous Name, Amen.

“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.””
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27‬:‭8

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭9‬

“This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭31

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭13‬:‭5

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 25

Steadfast Lord,

I long to walk more steadily along paths of trust- staying in communication with You. You’ve shown me that the most direct route between point A and point B on my life-journey is the path of unwavering trust in You. When my faith falters, I invariably choose a trail that meanders and takes me well out of my way. Because You are sovereign, I eventually get to point B, but I lose precious time and energy as a result of my unbelief.

So as soon as I realize I’ve wandered away from my trust-path, I need to whisper, “I trust You, Jesus.” This simple affirmation helps me get back on track.

I’ve found that the farther I roam along paths of unbelief, the harder it is for me to remember You are with me. Anxious thoughts branch off in all directions, taking me farther and farther from awareness of Your Presence. To stay on course, I need to voice my trust in You frequently! This small act of faith keeps me walking in step with You. Help me to trust in You with all my heart; please make my paths straight.

In Your dependable Name, Jesus, Amen.

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭4

“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭9‬:‭10

“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭25‬:‭4

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 24

Strong Savior,

Your Word assures me that You are both with me and for me. When I decide on a course of action that conforms to Your will, nothing can stop me. So I won’t give up, even if I encounter multiple obstacles as I move toward my goal. I know there will be many ups and downs as I journey with You, but with Your help I can overcome any obstacle. I’m encouraged by the glorious truth that You, my ever-present Help, are omnipotent!

I’ve found that much of the stress in my life results from trying to make things happen before their time has come. You assert Your sovereignty in various ways- including the timing of events. Even though I sometimes get impatient, I really do want to stay close to You on my life-path and do things Your way. Please lead me each moment along the way You want me to go. Instead of dashing headlong toward my goal, I invite You to set the pace. As I slow down, I can enjoy the journey in Your

Presence.

In Your splendid Name, Jesus, Amen.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31

“For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭18‬:‭29

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭1

“For nothing will be impossible with God.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭37

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 23

Gracious Jesus,

From Your fullness I have received grace upon grace. I worship You as I ponder Your astonishing gift of salvation—by grace through faith in You. Because it’s entirely a gift, not a result of works, my salvation is absolutely secure! My part was just to receive this precious gift—believing with the faith that You provided. I rejoice in this infinitely costly treasure, bought with the price of Your blood.

I’ve found that multiple blessings flow out of Your wondrous grace. My guilt feelings melt away in the warm Light of Your forgiveness. My identity as a child of God gives my life meaning and purpose. My relationships with other people improve as I relate to them with the love and forgiveness You’ve given me.

O Lord, fill my heart with overflowing gratitude as I ponder Your glorious grace. Please remind me to spend time thinking about and thanking You for the bountiful blessings in my life. This protects my heart from the weeds of ingratitude that spring up so easily. Teach me to be thankful!

In Your merciful Name, Amen.

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭16

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭12

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 22

Glorious Jesus,

You are the firm foundation on which I can dance and sing and celebrate Your glorious Presence! I receive this precious gift as Your high and holy calling for me. You’ve shown me that glorifying and enjoying You is vastly more important than maintaining a tidy, structured life. Still, my natural tendency is to pour my energy into trying to keep everything under control. Help me relinquish this striving to be in control-recognizing that it’s both an impossible task and an affront to Your faithfulness.

I realize that You guide each of Your children individually.

That’s why listening to You through Scripture and prayer- is essential for me to find the way forward. Please prepare me for the day that awaits me and point me in the right direction.

Because You are with me continually, I don’t have to be intimidated by fear. Though it stalks me, I know it can’t harm me as long as I cling to Your hand. Instead of being fearful, I want to walk trustingly with You along my pathway-enjoying Peace in Your Presence.

In Your high and holy Name, Amen.

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭5‬:‭11

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 21

My faithful God,

I look to You this day for help, comfort, and companionship.

I know You are always by my side, so even a glance can connect me with You. When I look to You for help, it flows freely from Your Presence. You are teaching me to recognize my constant need for You in small matters as well as large ones.

When I need comfort, You lovingly enfold me in Your arms.

You enable me not only to feel comforted but to be a channel through whom You comfort others. As a result, I am doubly blessed. While Your comfort is flowing through me to others, some of that blessing absorbs into me.

Your continual Companionship is an amazing gift! As I look to You, I find You faithful, true, and lovingly present with me. No matter what losses I may experience in my life, I know that nothing can separate me from Your Loving Presence!

In Your comforting Name, Jesus, Amen.

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭105‬:‭4

“Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭5

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 20

Merciful Jesus,

I want to make You the focal point of my search for secu-rity. In my private thoughts, I’ve been trying to order my world so that it’s predictable and feels safe. However, I realize this is an impossible goal; it’s also counterproductive to my spiritual growth.

Help me learn to rely on You more and more, especially when my private world feels unsteady. Instead of striving to regain control, I need to grip Your hand for support-living in conscious dependence on You.

I’ve been yearning for a problem-free life, but You’ve been showing me that trouble can highlight my awareness of Your Presence. In the darkness of adversity, the radiance of Your Face shines brightly beaming out encouragement and comfort.

Please enable me to view the problems in my life as benefi-cial, considering it pure joy whenever I face trials of many kinds.

No matter what is happening, I can always rejoice that I have an eternity of trouble-free living awaiting me in heaven!

In Your amazing Name, Amen.

“If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭9‬-‭10‬

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 19

Sovereign Lord,

You are my Strength! You enable me to go on the heights- -to wander with You in the Glory of Your Presence. I admit, though, that sometimes I feel as if I can barely take the next step on this long journey upward. As I look ahead, I see steep mountains that seem insurmountable. Yet I am always with You;

You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, helping me find the best way to scale those heights.

Although my journey with You is challenging even grueling at times- -it is much more than an endurance contest. The fact that You are with me can infuse Joy into the most arduous climb! So I’ll be on the lookout for all the pleasures You have prepared for me. Yet no matter what delights I discover, the greatest treasure is You, my beloved Companion.

I used to think that “the heights” referred to the very top of the mountain I’m climbing. But when I stop and look back at where my journey began, I can see how far up I’ve already come.

As I take time to relax and gaze lovingly at You, I sense the Glory of Your Presence all around me!

In Your glorious Name, Jesus, Amen.

“God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭19

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭23‬-‭24

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 18

Magnificent Savior,

The Joy I have in You is independent of my circumstances.

I am never separated from You, and in Your Presence there is fullness of Joy! As I go along today’s pathway, I’ll search for signs of Your unseen yet ever-so-real Presence. Sometimes You communicate with me in grand, unmistakable ways—”Coincidences” that are clearly the work of Your hands. At other times I get more subtle glimpses of You. These are often so personal and intimate that other people wouldn’t even notice them. Yet these subtle signs bring me profound Joy.

The more attentive I am, the more I can find You in the details of my day. So please help me stay alert being on the lookout for delightful displays of Your Presence.

I want to fill my mind and heart with Scripture, where You reveal Yourself most clearly. As Your promises permeate my thinking, they keep me close to You. I love to hear You speaking to me through Your Word: “Listen to My voice. I know you, and you follow Me. I give you eternal Life, and no one can snatch you out of My hand.”

In Your invincible Name, Jesus, Amen.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭13

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬-‭28

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young

Jesus Listens October 17

Loving Savior,

I confess that I tend to search for security in the wrong place: this broken world. I make mental and written checklists of things I need to do in order to gain control of my life. My goal is to check everything off my lists so that I can finally relax and be at peace. But I’ve discovered that the more I work to achieve this goal, the more things crop up on my lists. The harder I try, the more frustrated I become!

You’ve been showing me a far better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing my checklists, I need to fix my thoughts on You rejoicing in Your Presence with me. The Bible tells me You will keep me in perfect Peace as I stay attentive to You. Moreover, being in communication with You helps me sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not.

Lord, please train me to fix my eyes not on what is seen—my circumstances—but on what is unseen: Your loving Presence.

In Your matchless Name, Jesus, Amen.

“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬

“As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18

Excerpt from Jesus Listens by Sarah Young