Finding Peace in His Presence: A Devotional for Anxiety

This devotional is AI-adapted from our Stripped Series of teachings.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18

Life can feel overwhelming. The world around us seems filled with division, hatred, fear, and uncertainty. Maybe you’re facing anxieties about your health, your family, your future, or even your salvation. Perhaps old habits and feelings of unworthiness cling to you, whispering doubts and fears into your heart. Remember, friend, you are not alone in this struggle.

In Zechariah 3:1-5, we see a powerful image of being cleansed and clothed anew. Like Joshua the high priest, we too can come before God, acknowledging our imperfections and receiving His grace. For God so loved the world, He sent his only Son to change our eternity. Jesus took on our burdens, our anxieties, and our fears. He was “stripped” of everything, even life itself, so that we could be “clothed in Christ’s Righteousness.” Believe that Jesus stripped away the sting of death and the penalty of sin, and that you have been made clean through His sacrifice.

Trust Him. Let go of control. Don’t allow the fear of the things of the world to cause you to clench up and try to grab hold tighter. He is sovereign, even over the powers that cause fear. Allow His perfect love to cast out your anxieties, replacing them with a peace that surpasses understanding.

Surrendering Your Fears
Take some time to reflect on the following questions. Be honest with yourself and with God, trusting that He is listening with compassion and understanding.

What specific anxieties are weighing heavily on your heart today? Write them down.
Can you identify any “old garments” of shame, guilt, or past failures that you are still clinging to? Consider how accepting “your new identity in Christ” will make things new.
How can you actively “cast off your anxieties and cares” and trust in God’s plan for your life, knowing that He has already overcome the world for you?
What practical steps can you take this week to “live in the new garments that Christ has given you” – forgiveness, righteousness, and secure salvation? Consider focusing on prayer and Bible study.

Father God, I come before You today, acknowledging my anxieties and fears. I confess that I often try to control situations and worry about things beyond my control. Forgive me for not trusting in Your perfect plan for my life. I choose to surrender my anxieties to You now, knowing that You are sovereign over all things. Help me to feel the breakthrough and relief of having the weight of my worries lifted. Clothe me in Christ’s righteousness, fill me with Your peace, and empower me to live a life free from fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When Ministry Comes First: Rediscovering Our True Calling

I read an Oswald Chambers devotional this morning—someone in our community shared the link to yesterday’s entry, so I decided to check out today’s post as well. You can find it here: “Is He Really Lord?”. Some of the highlights from that devotional really resonated with me.

I can get caught up in the whole “content creator” mindset, thinking about growing my numbers or making an income. But first and foremost, I have a church—a small flock—to care for, and that’s the ministry God gave me. I’m not a content creator first; I’m a pastor first. So I need to be cautious about anything I add to my plate. Oswald Chambers says, “Have I received a ministry from the Lord? If so, I have to be loyal to it. I have to count my life precious only for its fulfillment.”

Second, our ministry (or calling) comes from staying connected to the Vine. Chambers points out, “We must get to know Jesus as more than our personal savior; we must know him as an intimate companion. Only then will he reveal to us our purpose.” That challenges me to spend time with Him, rather than pouring all my energy into content creation, gaining followers, and so on.

This part really struck me: “Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter. “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). Notice that Jesus doesn’t give us a choice about how to serve. That realization hits hard. In both my day-to-day career and my ministry work, I see that His call is a command. It’s not up for negotiation. It’s about doing what He’s purposed for me to do.

Chambers also says, “But the need isn’t what’s calling us; the need is simply an opportunity for answering the call. The call itself is a call to absolute loyalty.” We can become so wrapped up in audience numbers, a bigger church, or an income that we lose sight of our real call. If God’s calling us to share the Gospel with whoever He puts in front of us, we need to focus on that. Everything else is a distraction.

I know my purpose and calling is to minister His Word. It’s not about picking and choosing a flock, recruiting more followers, or doing something that might personally fulfill someone else. I need to watch out for demands and distractions that pull me away from my God-given purpose. As Oswald Chambers ends: “It does mean that you will have to ignore the demands for service along other lines.”

May we all remain faithful to the unique calling God has placed on our lives, staying connected to Him and loyal to the work He’s entrusted to us.

Reflection Questions

Which distractions or demands are most likely to pull you away from God’s calling in your life?
How can you intentionally nurture your relationship with Jesus—beyond simply knowing Him as Savior—so you’re fully connected to the Vine?
In what practical ways can you remain loyal to the ministry or purpose God has given you, even when it conflicts with other enticing opportunities?

End Times Fiction Fan?

Did you get into the “Left Behind” series or other “end times” fiction like that back in the day? It was honestly what helped me come back to the Lord. I’ve been thinking about it and decided to review some of it again.

In dispensationalist theology, (which is what a lot of end-times fiction is built on), these are some the ideas proposed concerning the “Anti-Christ.”

1. The Antichrist is often portrayed as a cunning, charismatic political figure who rises to global prominence, often associated with a “revived Roman Empire.” Some dispensationalists say this could be Russia.

2. He is said to broker or confirm a seven-year peace deal involving Israel. Daniel 9:27. So, he will appear as a “peaceful” “savior-like” individual with the power to convince the nations he is good for Israel.

3. Halfway through that 7-year period (at 3.5 years), the Antichrist breaks the treaty. Daniel 9:27 again. (During the first half the Temple is rebuilt and sacrifices begin until he ends them during the second period…the second half of the “Tribulation Period“).

4. He suffers a fatal head wound per Revelation 13:3, that leads many to follow him.

5. After his “resurrection” from this fatal wound, he and his false prophet will “demand” or receive the world’s worship.

6. The mark of the beast will be instituted, possibly a type of currency, that will be required world-wide.

I’m not a full-hearted dispensationalist, but I do fear, that IF the anti-Christ were to appear today, it would be a large population of Christians and Jews that would fall for him. Why? Because he would appear to be on “our side” in the beginning. This is his deception.

The good news is that, In the end, the true children of Christ will be victorious, through Christ alone.

There will be a Second coming of Christ. He will overcome the Adversary and any “little-horn” that aligns with him. Revelation 19:20.

My cry to you, and the world, is to make sure you have truly given your life to Christ. Not just, “I believe in Jesus,” as “even the demons believe and shudder,” (James 2:19). Saving belief, means to trust in His work on the Cross. To believe means, He is the Lord of your life, for we were purchased by His blood. And if He is Lord and Savior of you and I then we shall strive to live for Him as best we can every day… producing fruits of the Holy Spirit to prove our salvation is true. (This is a work of the Spirit, not our own effort, He causes us to produce the fruits of the Spirit).

If all of this is scary, Jesus reminds us to “Take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33

Revelation 22:20-21
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Everything above is not all biblical facts, but instead is a lot of “interpretation.”