Good Work Wellness: Heartwork

These verses from Colossians 3 remind us that whatever we do in this life is ultimately for the Lord. We tend to strive for praise and acknowledgement from other people, but this will always fall short. Even when no one else seems to notice our efforts, God sees.

Let's rest & reflect on this passage and recalibrate our hearts to focus on the Lord and not the praise (or lack of praise) from other people.

We've made it to the final chapter of John's Gospel!

In this chapter, we see Jesus appear to the disciples in a familiar way- instructing them in how to catch a whole bunch of fish! He also restores and commissions Peter after his heartbreaking denial.

What feels heavy today? Worries, decisions, relationship struggles, confusion?

This verse from Psalm 55 reminds us that the Lord is near, waiting for us to hand over our burdens and to trust him wholeheartedly.

Be comforted today as you rest & reflect in this truth from scripture.

This chapter begins with alarm and confusion, but joy and hope break through as Mary and the disciples realize Jesus is alive! Mary becomes the first person to officially share the Gospel, and we learn a lesson about faith from Thomas.

Part of our "Journey Through John" series, this chapter detailing Jesus' crucifixion calls for something different. My opinions and words fall short of the gravity of what happens in this section of scripture.

Let's approach the words recorded in this chapter with somber hearts, open to the weight of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

This is a Rest & Reflect, soaking in the scripture and listening to what the Holy Spirit has to speak to us as we listen.

In this chapter, we see Jesus betrayed, arrested, and questioned. We also feel the sting of Peter's denial, fulfilled as Jesus predicted. Can we see parts of ourselves in Peter? Yes, we can. But, restoration is coming!

Foundations are unseen, but critical. Foundations support the structure as it encounters daily stress and opposition. How are foundations important in our spiritual lives?

Rest & reflect on these verses from Matthew that focus on the comparison between the wise and foolish builders. Why did one house stand strong and the other collapse? How can we ensure we are building our lives on strong foundations?

This week's Journey Through John is a little different - let's meditate on some main points found in these chapters right before Jesus is arrested. He gives some final words to his disciples, and prays for them and all future believers. What can we learn from Jesus' final prayers?

Does anyone enjoy waiting? Waiting in line, waiting for something hoped for, waiting for responses from others... I don't think any of us could say times of waiting are enjoyable!

Still, there is purpose in times of waiting. These times that seem uneventful and pointless can be times of growth and opportunities to refocus our priorities. How can we wait well? How can we redirect our focus from an outcome we hope for to a person we can hope in? Be encouraged as you rest & reflect on these scriptures about waiting for the Lord.

How do we "abide" in Christ? In this chapter, Jesus encourages his disciples to remain in him as the key to living a fruitful life. He explains the purpose of "pruning" to make our lives more fruitful, and also warns the disciples about the persecution to come. These truths lovingly spoken to the disciples hold just as much value for us today, be encouraged.

What does it mean to be wholehearted? Basically, to bring your whole self to the table in everything you do. How do we live out a wholehearted faith? By loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Rest and reflect on this passage today and be encouraged in your pursuit of wholehearted faith.

In this chapter, Jesus comforts his disciples with words of hope and promises to send the Holy Spirit to be with them. It's the last few hours he has with them before his crucifixion, and leaves them with words of peace that we can also find comfort in today.

We usually consider weaknesses to be disadvantages or faults. Something to overcome and forget about, right? Not always - God can use our weaknesses to draw us closer to him and rely on his strength. Rest and reflect on this passage from 2 Corinthians and be encouraged in whatever you're struggling with today.

In this chapter, we see Jesus washing his disciples feet at the last supper, and Judas heads out to betray Jesus. What can we learn from Jesus' powerful example in these moments?

Discontentment is a beast. It sneaks in and distracts us from the beauty of what God has given us. How do we practice contentment? Reflect on this passage from Psalm 16 today, and stir up gratitude for what the Lord has given you.

What has it cost you to follow Jesus?

In this chapter, we read about Mary anointing Jesus' feet with perfume- an extravagant act of worship. We also see Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to begin the last week of his life before his crucifixion, and his last public message to the people.

Listen and reflect on the lessons in this chapter. How can we follow and worship Jesus with our whole lives?

In this passage, Paul gives Timothy some final instructions, a "to-do list" of sorts. These things also apply to us as believers: exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Take a few moments to meditate on this scripture and open your heart to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach you today.

Have you struggled with delayed answers to prayer? Maybe you've received a "no" or a "not yet" that you didn't understand.

This is one of my favorite chapters of John so far! In chapter 11, we see Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. He shows deep love and care for his friends, while also faithfully following his father's will. Don't miss the beautiful lessons in this chapter.

Jesus is the good shepherd. What exactly did he mean when he spoke these words to the Jews? Let's discuss it together and also meditate on Psalm 23 in this episode.

We all want to be liked by other people, but at what cost? Has our desire to please people become greater than our desire to please God? What motivates our desires and behaviors today - gaining the approval of God, or other people?

What do you picture when you hear the word "flourish?" If something is flourishing, it's thriving- not simply surviving. Meditate on Matthew 11:28-30 today and consider how finding rest for our souls with Christ can lead to authentic flourishing for every area of our lives.

In this chapter, we see Jesus heal a man who has been blind since birth. There is much to learn from this interaction and how the man, his family, and the Pharisees all respond to the healing. This chapter paints a beautiful picture of how God invites us all to have our spiritual eyes opened.

As long as we are alive and breathing, God wants to work in us to make us more and more like Christ. He begins the process the moment we believe, and uses all the things we experience in life to mature us and grow us spiritually. Are you currently in a season of growth, or do you feel more dormant? If God is the one doing the work, what is our role? Take a few minutes to meditate on the truth in Philippians 1:6, and open your heart to what God may be speaking to you today.

Things to consider about chapter 8 as part of our study of John's Gospel. In this chapter, Jesus forgives the woman caught in adultery, and has more strong words for the Pharisees.

The commandment to love was not new, but the EXTENT of the command was. Use this rest & reflect to meditate on Jesus' command for his disciples to love one another as he loved them, so that the world would know they were his disciples. How can WE love like Jesus?

Talking through John Chapter 7- Jesus is opposed by his brothers, the crowd, and the religious leaders. We see him using wisdom and being led by his Father's will and timing, and not by the world's expectations of him.

It's easy to think our enemy is another person, but Ephesians 6 tells us our battle is not against flesh and blood enemies. Rest, reflect, and meditate on this passage today to expand your spiritual vision to see the true battle going on all around you.

Discussion on the second half of John chapter 6 and the "Bread of Life Discourse." The crowds who experienced the feeding of the 5000 had followed Jesus across the sea, and he teaches about how he is the bread of life. Many turn away from him after this teaching, and only true followers remain.

Do you need guidance today? Direction in decisions, large or small? There is nothing too small to seek God's help with. Meditate on how he delights in every detail of our lives today and be encouraged.

Talking through the main points of John chapter 5 as part of our "Journey Through John" study- Jesus heals the disabled man at the pool of Bethesda and addresses the Jewish leaders.

Summary / discussion on the 4th chapter of John's Gospel - Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, teaches his disciples about the harvest, and heals a royal official's son. This episode is longer than most, but is SO RICH in lessons!

Join us in this Journey Through John series as we study one chapter of John's Gospel each week!

In this episode about chapter 2, we talk about conversion and cleansing. Jesus' first sign occurs when he changes the water into wine, and then he cleanses the temple in Jerusalem and drives out the money changers and merchants.

Join us in this Journey Through John series as we study one chapter of John's Gospel each week!

There is goodness waiting for you in this book as you learn more about who Jesus is and what he's calling you to do with your life. How can you love others well? How can you best make Jesus known to the world? John is a unique book that boldly tells us who Jesus is and why we should believe in him.

In chapter 1, we talk about Jesus as the Word, the light of the world, John the Baptist, and we see how Jesus calls his first few disciples.

Introduction to our Journey Through John study! Get in the habit of regular time in God's word and join us this season as we study one chapter of John each week.

Whether you have never read through John's gospel, or you've read it hundreds of times, there is goodness waiting for you as you learn more about who Jesus is and what he's calling you to do with your life. How do we love others well? How can we best make Jesus known in this world? John is a unique book that boldly tells us who Jesus is and why we should believe in him.