Resurrection People - Belief

Have you ever bought a new car, or seriously thought about buying one, and then suddenly noticed that same car everywhere you drove?

The parking lot is full of them. On the highway, every third vehicle matched. You started to wonder if there was some kind of sale you didn't know about. But those cars were there the whole time. You just weren't looking for them.

Scientists call it this “frequency illusion.” Your brain processes an enormous amount of information every day, and to manage that load, it creates patterns and writes stories. When something becomes important to you, your brain starts noticing it in places it always existed but previously ignored. The cars didn't multiply; your expectations did!

I want to tell you about something Jesus said that most of us don't actually believe, even if we'd never say that out loud. At his last meal with his disciples, he told them: “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in mewill also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 CSB)

You may be thinking, "I will do greater works than Jesus?!" Think about what that claim means. The man who healed the blind and raised the dead is saying that you, through the power of his Spirit, are capable of more.

I told you that you probably don't believe it!

But the early disciples did. When they ran into persecution, when doors closed, and when people mocked them or threw them in prison, their response wasn't despair. It was: “Jesus was killed in the most violent way possible and came back from the dead. So anything is possible.” Their expectations had been permanently reset by what they had witnessed. Like the person who just bought a new car, they started noticing resurrection everywhere.

Your expectations are not neutral. They shape what you see and what you're willing to do. If you've decided a person will never change, you won't give them room to change relationally. If you've decided a situation is beyond hope, you'll stop praying and stop acting.

For the early followers of Jesus, resurrection wasn't a distant event they commemorated once a year. It was the pattern they expected daily. When they walked into a hard situation, their instinct was to ask: What would resurrection look like here? This seems impossible, but so did the sealed tomb.

Where have you stopped expecting the power of the Resurrection to change things? A relationship you've written off? A habit you've tried to break so many times you don't try anymore? A dream you buried because hoping felt worse than giving up?

Identity Statement:

“Because Jesus rose and sent His Spirit, I am not powerless. I will live today expecting resurrection.”

Reflect:

Where have your expectations become fixed at 'this will never change'? What would it mean to ask, 'What would resurrection look like here?'

Prayer:

Jesus, reset my expectations. Where I have accepted hopelessness as realism, show me the difference. I want to see the world the way You see it. Amen.

This is all copied from Bible.com, created by Scott Savage. 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

When Grace Becomes Real: Receiving What You Keep Resisting

Each of my kids went through a phase when they said, “I got it, Dad.” They were seeking more independence, convinced of their competency without me. This is a natural part of childhood development, even as I knew they couldn’t yet do it on their own.

Many of us tell God, “I got it.” We embody the third response to grace - we excuse ourselves from needing it. We say, "All this stuff about sin and brokenness, I think you're overstating it. I'm a pretty good person. I don't need that much grace. I don't need grace at all."

The Pharisees embodied this attitude. They were the religious leaders who had mastered the Old Testament law and prided themselves on always doing the right thing. Jesus told a powerful parable about this mindset he encountered in them.

"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector" (Luke 18:9-10, CSB).

Now, tax collectors were the least popular people in society. They cooperated with the Roman oppressors, levied heavy taxes on the Hebrews, and kept some for themselves. They were despised!

"The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: 'God, I thank you that I'm not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get'" (Luke 18:11-12, CSB).

This is more self-promotion than prayer. It's less about God and more about himself.

"But the tax collector, standing far off, wouldn't even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner!' God, have mercy on me, a sinner! God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13, CSB).

Jesus concluded: "I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14, CSB).

I make fun of the prayer of the Pharisee because I acted like one! I used to live like I was better than other people because I didn't sin the way they did. The temptation for all of us is to look down on people who struggle with things we don't.

But here's what I've learned: we excuse our own sin when we look down on someone else for theirs. The only way for that Pharisee to get above the tax collector is to think he's better because he doesn't sin the same way. Judgmentalism requires a level of height above others to look down on them and judge them. It begins with excusing our own sin.

When we recognize that our sin is just as great as anybody else's and our need for grace is just as great as anybody else's, we don't have space to look down on anybody. We stop excusing our sin. We stop judging their sin. We're merely grateful for the grace God has given us.

Some of us have never experienced grace because we’ve never acknowledged our own sin long enough to recognize our need for grace. You can either walk the road of excusing your sin, or you can walk the road of admitting your need for grace. But you can't do both.

By Scott Savage on Bible.com.

JoJo The Mystical Monk

Fear Has No Power Here

Reflection: There is a spirit of fear that does not come from God. A spirit of fear is more than just feeling afraid; it can become debilitating and oppressive if it is not defeated by faith. But you are not left without help. The Holy Spirit is your Advocate, Comforter, Strengthener, Intercessor, Counselor, and Helper. He empowers you with might, love, and self-control.

Let the work of the Holy Spirit sink deep into your heart. Whatever you feel you are lacking today, God has already made it available through His Spirit. Ask Him to open your eyes to the fullness of what He has provided for you.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for opening my heart to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for giving me Your mighty power, love, and self-control. I receive all You have for me today, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Declaration: My mind is sound, steady, and stable.

Copied from Bible.com.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Answering Anxiety Part 2

The Answer for Anxiety

Is there a biblical answer for my struggle – an answer in Jesus Christ for the anxious heart? The answer is yes, and it is simple and straightforward. The answer comes to us from Scripture with the authority of God. 

It can be captured with one word found in 1 Peter 5, and that word is humility. Peter speaks of casting all your anxieties as the expression of his call to “humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God.”

How do I humble myself under God’s mighty hand? Casting all my cares upon God is a decision, an action that demonstrates obedience to God’s call for my humility. 

So that means that the answer for the anxious heart is humility. 

Or, we could turn it around and ask, “Why do we have anxious hearts?” 

The painful answer is Pride.

If I were to ask you: Do you struggle with anxiety? With worry? With discouragement? 

You may very well admit that you do. 

But if I were to ask you whether you think the root of your problem is pride, would that have been the first thing that came to your mind?

Probably not. 

People who are dealing with discouragement, depression, or despair seldom feel proud. In fact, they feel that they think of themselves in a lowly way. Psychologists would probably say that they struggle with a poor sense of self-worth. So, the human diagnosis of such a problem is not pride, but rather that the person doesn’t think more highly of himself.

But the One we meet with in chapter five of 1 Peter is the great physician of the soul, and He is the only One who accurately knows the heart of man.

The almighty God who has breathed the Bible tells us that the answer for the anxious heart is to humble one’s self, and that you humble yourself by casting your cares upon Him. So, as much as it may surprise us, the One who knows our hearts tells us that the problem of the anxious soul is pride. How can that be? We’ll consider that in the days ahead.

When the anxious heart cries out to God and begs for an answer, its pain is often intense and its energy exhausted. It is painful to hope and to be disappointed, but when the hope is found in God’s Word, then it can be sure – even if at first it seems unlikely.

Blog Author: The rest of these 'plans' can be found on Bible.com. I just wanted to post the first two because they had the biggest impact on me. The author of these posts is Scott Savage, and a link to his website can be found on 'fav sites' on my page.

JoJo The Mystical Monk

Answering Anxiety

The Anxious Heart

Anxiety hurts. If you are reading this, then you are probably experiencing it – either in your own life or in the life of someone you care about. 

Does God have an answer for anxiety? Do we have to be medicated to cope, or is there a biblical solution for the anxieties of the soul? 

The God of the Bible cares for hurting people. This is seen in both the Old Testament and in the New. In the person of Jesus, mankind meets the God of all mercy face to face. 

God does have an answer for anxiety, and that answer is found in 1 Peter 5:5-11.

First, we must think about what anxiety is. In 1 Peter, Peter speaks about casting your anxieties on Him. But what is it that he’s talking about? What is it that we are to cast on the Lord?

The word Peter chooses in his letter when he speaks about anxiety can be defined as “a feeling of apprehension or distress in view of possible danger or misfortune – ‘anxiety, worry, anxious concern.’” Jesus uses this word in the parable of the sower when He describes the Word of God being choked out by the cares of the world. Jesus warned about people being unprepared for His return because of the cares of the world. Paul describes the daily pressure he felt due to his care for all the churches.

So, Peter is writing about a soul that’s full of cares, a heart that is troubled. Let’s consider some of anxiety’s expressions:

Do you worry? Worry is one expression of anxiety.

What about a general sense of unrest? As someone might put it, you just are not happy.

What if we use the word discouragement?

What about the word depression or fear? 

In Psalm 42, we are given a great biblical description of anxiety. We are introduced to a man who is troubled by enemies and those who would mock him for his faith. As a result, his heart is depressed. But he also describes the feeling as turmoil. He talks about feeling as if God has forgotten him. 

What is this? This is anxiety.

So, the place to begin when looking for God’s answer to your anxious heart, is the place of admitting your need. We can’t embrace God’s solutions for problems we don’t believe we have. It is when we are honest with our problems, our struggles, our weaknesses – our sins – that we are genuinely ready to listen to God.

Let your heart be filled with hope! Open your heart to the answer Christ offers for the troubles of the soul. 

If you would like to find out more about this topic, we invite you to listen to the episode of the Straight Truth Podcast called “Answering Anxiety” on YouTube https://youtu.be/gPgK0tbUesc or Vimeo https://vimeo.com/252726922

You can also purchase the book "Answering Anxiety" by Richard Caldwell on Amazon: goo.gl/dLhirm 

Copied from Bible.com.

JoJo The Mystial Monk - JJtMM

SOUL RESET: Forgive Without Compromising Your Peace

Though I'm not proud to say it, I said many mean things about my ex after a messy breakup in college. One day, I realized my words were hurtful and regretted them. I emailed her, saying I was sorry and wanted to make amends. But I hadn’t experienced genuine repentance; it was just regret. I knew this because I kept saying mean things. I hadn't changed!

I'll never forget eating a chicken burrito in an airport restaurant. I opened my computer to check my email and immediately lost my appetite. She had written me back, and her words cut deep. She called out my lack of integrity, questioned my faith, and pointed out how my actions didn't match my words of apology. The truth was, she was right about everything she said.

That moment began my journey of understanding the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Though we often think they are the same, these two things aren't the same. Here's the key truth I want you to grasp in this series: Forgiveness involves me. Reconciliation involves us.

The distinction between these two experiences is clearly illustrated in one of the Bible's most dramatic stories of broken relationships – the story of Jacob and Esau. These twin brothers had been estranged for twenty years after Jacob deceived their father and stole Esau's blessing. When Jacob finally headed home, he sent messengers to his brother Esau in Genesis 32. Worried about Esau’s reaction, Jacob included many gifts for the brother he once cheated.

Jacob's heart must have been pounding as he sent those messengers. Would Esau still want to kill him? Had anything changed in twenty years? The messengers returned with news that Esau was coming – with 400 men—an army.

This story illustrates something vital about reconciliation: it's vulnerable, risky, and sometimes impossible. That's why Paul writes in Romans 12:18, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Notice those first two words: "if possible." Sometimes, reconciliation isn't possible.

Over the next few days, we will explore what makes reconciliation possible and what makes it impossible. We'll examine common myths that keep us stuck, examine what true repentance looks like, and understand why trust takes time. Most importantly, we'll learn why forgiveness and reconciliation aren't the same thing—and why that's good news for those of us carrying deep wounds.

On the following day of this plan, you will be exposed to common myths about forgiveness and reconciliation that hold you back from freedom. These myths have caused countless people I’ve worked with to remain stuck in toxic situations or rush into reconciliation before it's wise. But first, take a moment to reflect: Who comes to mind when you think about reconciliation? What would it mean to you if reconciliation were possible? Or what if it's not possible – how might that change how you move forward?

From Bible.com by Scott Savage.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

What is a Christian Mystic?

About a year ago I was talking with my brother who is a pastor, and has been involved in Christianity since his teen years. At some point during the conversation he mentioned that he was more of a 'Christian mystic.' I had no idea what that was, so I decided to look it up on Google. Interesting! After reading the definition, I suppose I would say that I'm more of the 'Christian mystic' type myself! Here's the definition from Google:

"A Christian mystic is an individual who pursues a direct, personal, and transformative experience of union with God, rather than relying solely on theological study or religious rituals. They focus on intimate, often inner, communion with the divine, seeking to "know" God directly, which often leads to spiritual transformation, love, and a deeper perception of God's presence in all things."

Key Characteristics and Beliefs

Direct Experience: Focuses on experiential knowledge of God, sometimes described as "tasting" or "feeling" the divine presence.

Transformation: The goal is transformation—becoming more like God or being absorbed in divine love.

Contemplative Life: Practices such as contemplation, deep prayer, and meditation to cultivate intimacy with God.

Inner Knowledge: Often emphasizes a deeper, hidden, or "mystical" understanding of spiritual truths.

Love-Centered: Interprets Christian tradition through the lens that "God is Love," focusing on love and joy over legalistic rules.

Visibility: While sometimes involving visions or "out-of-the-body" experiences, it is primarily about the inner life.

Usage Examples & Historical Figures

Teresa of Avila & John of the Cross: Known for their writings on the "interior castle" and the dark night of the soul, describing the stages of the soul's union with God.

Julian of Norwich: A 14th-century mystic who recorded her "shewings" or revelations of divine love.

Thomas Merton: A modern example, a monk known for contemplative practices and connecting with God in everyday life.

Contemplative Prayer: Practicing silence and meditation to "marinate" in God's presence, as noted by.

Theological Reflection: Reading and reflecting deeply on Scripture and theological texts, often looking for the hidden meaning (theoria).

Synonyms and Related Terms

Contemplative: Emphasizing deep prayer and meditation.

Mystic: One who seeks direct experience of the Divine.

Theorikos/Contemplator: One who "looks at" or is aware of God.

Spiritual seeker: Someone focused on intimate, personal experience of the divine.

Contextual Distinctions

Not Magic: It is important to distinguish Christian mysticism from magic, as it does not aim to control God.

Rooted in Scripture: True Christian mysticism is typically validated by biblical truths, rather than being "extra-scriptural".

Diverse Expressions: It can be expressed through structured contemplative practices or more personal, visionary experiences.

Famous Mystics & Related Imagery

Hildegard of Bingen, a prominent mystic known for her visions [].

St. Teresa of Avila, often depicted in ecstasy [].

Various figures, including St. Paul, are considered to have had mystical experiences []. 

I find this most interesting! I love learning!

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Managing Worry and Anxiety

Day 4 

Experience God’s Presence Is in the Present

Worry and anxiety are rarely about what is going on in the present. Both are focused on what might happen or what has happened in the past. Jesus tells us we aren’t supposed to worry about our future. Worrying or being anxious about the future increases our sense of powerlessness. When we live consumed by the future or the past, we are less aware of what is happening in the present and less able to react effectively within the moment.

How to live in the present moment is one of the lessons I learned from the Israelites. When the Israelites were traveling in the desert between Egypt and the promised land, God promised He would provide for them. He told them manna would be present each morning and they were to gather only what they needed for the day. When the Israelites tried to keep the manna overnight so they could use it the next day, it spoiled.

God wants an intimate relationship with us where we come to Him and receive from Him what we need as we need it. When I am worrying about the future, I am attempting to figure out how to handle something in two minutes, two hours, or two days with the resources God has given me to handle the moment I am currently in. This will never work because the resources for this moment will always be insufficient to address what I need at any other moment. Just like the Israelites had to learn to trust that God would give them what they needed, we must learn to trust in God’s provision. This trust can only be learned by the experience of recognizing God’s presence and provision in the present moment.

As you are doing something routine, allow yourself to focus on God’s presence with you. God is everywhere and in everything. He is breathing the breath into your lungs right now. You are surrounded by Him and enfolded in His loving arms right this minute, no matter what you are doing. Allow yourself to be aware that He is giving you what you need to accomplish this task, He is delighting in you as you accomplish this, and He is working with you to accomplish this. 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Do Not Judge - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. 

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬ - https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.7.1-29.NIV

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

God So Loves You

If you’ve experienced any part of the Bible, you probably know that John 3:16 highlights a vital part of the gospel message…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV

Think about it:

“For God so loved the world …”

God didn’t merely like the world, but He loved the world. He loved you so much that He created you, made a way for you, and desired a forever relationship with you.

“… that he gave his one and only Son …”

Because of God’s immense love for the world, He gave—generously and sacrificially—His one and only Son … because it’s only through His death that we can have life.

“… that whoever believes in him …”

It’s not enough to know that Jesus existed as a real, historical person—James 2:19 reminds us that even the demons believe that and shudder. Believing in Jesus means we choose to trust Him as Savior and Master of our lives.

“… shall not perish but have eternal life.”

We cannot earn our salvation, but we can trust the One who saves us. God created us for eternity, but He also gave us the ability to choose Him. Eternity isn’t something for the distant future, but it’s already in motion right now.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

God is Close

No matter what we face, we can always seek our unchanging God. We just need to call on Him in truth. 

Praying with truth requires recognizing our own brokenness. That means we need to accept and acknowledge that there is nothing we’ve done that makes us worthy of talking to our Creator.

God draws near to us because He is good, kind, merciful, and humble. And we call on Him in truth when we humbly submit our will to His and genuinely delight in Him. 

This doesn’t mean we need to call on Him perfectly—we can’t. We simply need to come as we are, and acknowledge our deep need for His grace, mercy, and love. You don’t need to have your life together. You don’t need to be free from anxiety, depression, or fear. In whatever moment you find yourself, God wants you to honestly and intentionally talk to Him.

And even though we might not always sense that God is near, the Psalms remind us that God will come to anyone who calls out to Him. God’s presence is not reliant on our feelings or our perception of circumstances—He is near whether we realize it or not.

So today, come as you are to the God who loves you. Draw near to God, and allow Him to draw near to you.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Desiring God’s Presence

Take a moment to think about your desires in life. Make a mental list of all of the things you want to accomplish. Think about your top priorities and where you think you should spend your time.

Now, go back over your list and consider how many of your desires included spending time with God. Did any of your accomplishments require being in God’s presence?

The writer of Psalm 42 compares himself to a deer that is longing for water. The deer is weary and parched without it, and so all it wants is to find a stream to drink from.

In a similar way, the Psalmist is weary and exhausted from life. He is under pressure and growing tired. And yet, his innermost desire is for God.

Just like the deer desires water, the psalmist’s soul desires the presence of God. He knows that the solution to his problems is not more accomplishments and praise—it’s spending time in the presence of God.

It’s not wrong to have desires and goals in life. But our foremost desire should be for God, because true satisfaction is only found in His presence.

Because God is not limited to a building or a location, we can be with Him any time we want. God is Spirit and He exists everywhere at any time. He is present right now with you.

All it takes is your desire and commitment to spend time with Him by reading His Word, talking to Him through prayer, or reflecting on His faithful character. As you draw close to Him, He is ready and willing to be close to you, and to restore your soul.

Spending time with God is a basic spiritual need of ours, but it is a powerful time that can change the course of our life and the center of who we are. Take time to be with Him now, but also come up with a plan that helps you continue to seek God every day.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Faith Begins by Hearing

Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” (NLT)

Everyone who follows Jesus first heard the Good News somewhere. At some point, in some way, the message of Jesus reached them.

The apostle Paul wrote these words in a letter to believers in Rome as he explained how people come to faith. Faith begins when the Good News about Jesus is heard. God uses the message of Christ to open the hearts of people everywhere with His beautiful invitation to new life.

But what makes this news so good?

Sometimes people hesitate to talk about faith because they have not fully discovered how good God truly is. Some imagine God as distant or angry, ready to judge. But that is not the God revealed through Jesus.

Jesus is compassionate. He knows every person, including you. He sees every story, including yours. He understands your fears, struggles, and burdens.

Jesus did not come to condemn the broken. He came to carry judgment on Himself, to lift what is heavy, and to bring healing and hope to all who will receive Him.

This is the Good News: God loves people. God is near. Through Jesus, forgiveness and new life are possible...for you, for your loved ones…for all people.

When this truth takes root in your heart, sharing it will become less about obligation and more about overflowing love and joy. The Good News was never meant to stop with us.

Someone in your life is waiting to hear it, and they may need to hear it from you.

A simple conversation, a gentle invitation, or a small act of kindness may lead to a life-changing moment of transformation when someone hears the Good News—from you—for the first time ever. Will you share it?

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

How to Fight Fear

Think back to a time when you were genuinely scared. Do you remember how you felt?

As much as we’d prefer to never experience fear, fear is a part of the human experience. But when we are afraid, we have options…

We can panic, stress, get overwhelmed with worry, overthink every worst-case scenario, or attempt to numb the anxiety-inducing situations in unhealthy ways. Or, we can echo David’s words:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭ESV

These words were penned as David was pursued by his father-in-law, King Saul. Seeking refuge, he fled to Gath, a Philistine city in a foreign land. When the Philistines recognized him as Israel’s warrior, God helped him to escape. He was a fugitive, alone and afraid.

But David refused to settle for scared. He resisted the urge to let fear have the final say. He decided to fight back with Truth.

And so can we.

We never have to fight alone. God has given us something more powerful than ordinary weapons: He’s given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Even when we don’t have access to the perfect inspirational sermon or a timely word of encouragement, we can pause and remember the truth—that God fights for us, He is with us, and He’ll never leave us.

When we shift our minds from our overwhelming fear to God’s overwhelming faithfulness, everything changes. So, today, if you’re scared, anxious, terrified, overwhelmed, or uncertain, speak this out loud:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.

All the above from Bible.com. 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

God Gives Good Gifts

There are seasons in our lives that are far more discouraging than encouraging. It's inevitable that all of us will experience those moments, and it's often in the face of insurmountable grief or heartbreaking experiences.

But Romans 15:5 reminds us that there are three things God gives to those who believe in Jesus. The first is that God gives endurance. When we begin to grow tired of doing good things, or living our lives for God, it's often because we are living with the wrong motivation.

True motivation comes from living for God, not ourselves. It is God who gives us the endurance—through His Spirit—to make good choices and live for Him.

The second thing God gives us is encouragement. In seasons of discouragement, when we feel let down by other people, God gives us lasting encouragement. He reminds us that we are loved. That we are being transformed. That He can use all things for our good and His glory. We don’t need to strive for approval or acceptance because we’re already sons and daughters of God.

The third thing we can ask God to give us is unity of mind toward each other. This means that we consider how Jesus thinks of and looks at others, and try to do the same. Instead of seeing their flaws or mistakes, we see them as people loved and cared for by God. We should work towards unity with each other rather than division.

All three of these things are worth bringing before God in prayer: endurance, encouragement, and unity with each other.

If you’re feeling tired and want to quit, ask God for the endurance to continue doing good for those around you. If you’re feeling discouraged and down, ask God for encouragement that only He can give. And above all, ask God for the same heart and mind of Jesus that brings us together in unity, rather than division. From Bible.com. 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Easter Sunday - He Is Risen!

Truth Changes Everything

Think about the best news you've ever received in your life. Maybe it was a doctor walking into a waiting room and saying, "The surgery went perfectly." Maybe it was a phone call that said, "You got the job." Maybe it was two lines on a pregnancy test you'd been praying for.

Good news changes everything.

But none of those moments, as incredible as they are, even come close to the truth delivered on the first Easter morning:

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."
Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Jesus had been crucified publicly, brutally, and officially. He was wrapped, sealed in a tomb. There was no question. Jesus was dead. It was true.

But when His followers Mary and Mary Magdalene arrived to grieve? The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And an angel met them with the most stunning announcement in human history.

But the angel doesn’t just tell the women the truth. He invites them to look for themselves. To step inside. To experience the evidence of the resurrection firsthand. “Come and see.”

The empty tomb isn't just a theological concept. It's the truth, a truth the angel wanted them to witness with their own eyes. It's not, "take my word for it." It's not, "just believe what you've been told." It's, “Come close. Look. Experience this for yourself.”

The angel's words are still our assignment.

You don't have to have all the answers. You don't have to be a theologian. You don't have to win a debate. You just have to invite someone to come and see the truth that changed your life.

So that’s the challenge for you today. Live in a way that makes people curious. When you have peace in a crisis, when you forgive when no one expects it, when you give generously, when you love people who are hard to love... people notice.

Jesus is the Truth. And the Truth changes everything.

What has Jesus changed in your life? Where were you before Him? Where are you now?

It's your testimony. And it's powerful. 

All of the above from Bible.com.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

The Truth Sacrifices

What is love?

It’s one of the deepest questions of the human experience. And the world’s answers can be confusing. Is it a feeling? An obligation? How much is enough? With so many opinions, where do we find the truth about love?

1 John 3:16 gives us a clear answer: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” This verse doesn’t just define real love, it gives us the ultimate example of it: Love is sacrifice. And God showed the full expression of that love when Jesus died on the cross to atone for our sins.

Easter Saturday adds weight to this truth. It’s a day that sits in the quiet between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. On this day, the tomb was still sealed. There was no celebration yet. Just silence, waiting, and the cost of the cross still hanging in the air.

This gave the disciples time to sit in the reality of what had happened. It wasn’t a close call. It wasn’t an almost-sacrifice. Jesus truly died. He truly gave everything. And this emphasizes a powerful truth: Love costs something. Love is sacrifice.

Then John turns the spotlight onto us: “And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Most of us won’t be asked to die for someone. But we all face everyday moments where choosing to love like Jesus could cost us something. Showing up for someone in crisis when you’re already stretched. Covering someone’s need when it hits your budget. Sharing Jesus when it could cost you your comfort or reputation.

This is the truth of God’s love for us: Christ poured Himself out for us first, and from that love, we’re moved to love others the same way. And when you love like that, people don’t just hear about God’s love, they experience it for themselves.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Good Friday

I will write about this very important date, when Jesus was crucified and died, at another time. I'm still taking this all in, as a 'newbie' to Christianity, and don't feel the need to blab about such an important event at this time. 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

The Greatest Servant

If we’re honest, most of us would rather be served than to serve others. We’d rather feel special than ordinary. We’d rather feel important than insignificant.

And though God has made each of us special, important, and created in His image—His children cannot be above serving, because Jesus was never above serving.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If the King of kings and Lord of lords didn’t come to be served, but to sacrifice His life for the sake and salvation of others, we should pay attention.

Jesus warned against doing impressive things just to be seen, praying extravagant prayers merely to be heard, and taking the highest-ranking positions simply to be known. (See: Matthew 6 and 20.)

Instead, Jesus engaged the outcast, fed the hungry, healed the sick, helped the hurting, stopped for the broken, washed dirty feet, and laid down His life—even though He was innocent—so that even the “worst” of sinners could discover: they're never too far from His love.

As you think about what it meant for Jesus to die in your place and erase your sins and mistakes, what does it trigger inside of you? Worship? Gratefulness? Are you compelled to go and tell others? Today, ask God to show you how you can serve others like He has served you.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Just Let Go

Have you been guilty of over-preparing these days? We can all easily find ourselves in an overprotective state of mind, wanting to collect and hold on tightly to everything that brings us comfort and security in the midst of uncertainty. 

In Mark 14:3-9, we see that there was a woman who learned how to lay the most precious thing that she owned at the feet of Jesus:

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.”

You see, this lady was not a “church-goer.” She wasn’t the type who had everything together. She had a past, and everyone in that room with Jesus knew about it. She was a big-time sinner in their book. And even though she didn’t have it all together, she understood something very significant; that she was valued by Jesus. He had forever impacted her life. Jesus wasn’t waiting for her to get everything together, in fact, He valued her before she ever did.

What got the attention of Jesus wasn’t her eloquent words, or a life that was refined, but the fact that she gave her absolute all to Him. She took all of her earthly possessions and laid them at the feet of Jesus. What she was showing Him was true “worth-ship.” She was telling Jesus that He was worthy to hold the most important part of her life.

Maybe today, as you are isolated in your own thoughts, you are flooded with accusations about your past, or you are feeling like you don’t know how to approach God, I want to encourage you to take the things that you find yourself holding most tightly to, and lay them at the feet of Jesus.  We can take the Alabaster Box of our family, our dreams, careers, fears, and worries, and pour them out at the feet of Jesus. From Bible.com.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Spiritual Sustainability

Here's another great contribution from Scott Savage in regards to spiritual burn-out. Scott has a lecture that goes along with the picture below. Just do a quick Google search for Scott Savage and subscribe to his e-mail mailing list. Great stuff! To enlarge the picture, just click on it! 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Pause App

Just a quick post: I found an outstanding app called Pause, by John Eldredge. I got it from Scott Savage, one of the author's on Bible.com. I think it's excellent and I highly recommend it, especially if you are a 'busy and on-the-go' type person, who needs a bit of a break and 'pause' from time to time. I've high-lighted it above for Apple users; for other hardware just do a quick Google search. Enjoy~!

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Holy Week

As I've hopefully mentioned in an introduction post somewhere, I'm quite new to Christianity. I've been reading quite a bit on Bible.com in regards to Holy Week. It's the first time I've ever read any of this material, nor have I any acquaintance with this information. Sure, I've heard some of the stories of Holy Week, but never in much detail, and never very accurate. I must admit, this is quite fascinating! (I don't mean this in a morbid way; leading up to Christ's crucifixion.) It's just fascinating to finally read the Bible and get the correct information. I'm still processing most of this information, so I don't have any significant or ignorant comments to make at this time. So, I'll post a couple prayers from Bible.com.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Knee Replacement

I haven't been posting this past week due to full knee replacement surgery on March 23rd. It's been an entertaining time during all the prep work and now post-op work, but I'm getting along okay. The Good Lord has been by my side and the pain, discomfort and lack of sleep hasn't been all that bad. My wife and I also adopted a new puppy dog we have named Abby. She's an eight month old Italian Greyhound. Active little girl, she is! She's also a blessing to my heart, as I look at her and my heart just melts. Especially in the mornings when she is full of energy and happy to see us again after a (hopefully!) long night of rest! There is nothing like lying in bed with the one you love while playing with a puppy. Talk about relaxing stress relief! Below are a couple of pictures; one of my knee in stocking and the other of Abby. 

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Sabbath and Rest

Sabbath and Rest

Rest is a Reality

In Hebrews 4:9, the author offers a reassurance of hope: "There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God." The author is referring to more than just observing a specific day of the week. It's about an inward peace and wholeness with God, not depending on external circumstances.

Through faith and trust in God, we can find a deep and lasting rest for our souls, reminding us of the eternal rest to come. This Sabbath-rest serves as a precursor—a promise that concludes in a future, perfect rest (Revelation 14:13). The rest we get to experience here is only a shadow, and what we hope for is the reality (Colossians 2:17).

Sabbath-rest isn't earned. It’s a gift God offers to all who seek Him.

As you contemplate Hebrews 4:9, consider: What it would look like for you to fully enter God's rest in your daily life. How can you practice releasing your burdens and anxieties to Him?

The promise of Sabbath-rest is not just a concept. It's a reality for those who walk faithfully with God.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Found on Bible.com 

Endure and Don't be Afraid

““Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.

You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. 

“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! 

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. 

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬-‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬ - From Bible.com 

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.10.16-33.NLT

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Someone Greater

There’s a battle happening all around you—a battle for your heart, your mind, and your soul. A battle that’s not only physical, but also spiritual. A battle with literal enemies who impact the seen and unseen world.

John wrote:

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, we are in a real battle.

Yes, we have a real enemy.

Yes, the kingdom of darkness is constantly fighting against the kingdom of light.

But for those who are trusting in the finished work of Christ, greater is the One living inside of us than the one who is living in this world.

We have a real Savior.

This story isn’t close to over.

The kingdom of darkness will never prevail against the kingdom of light.

Our enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. To pervert, manipulate, and confuse; to distract, divide, and disable.

But God is greater than the doubts that clutter your mind, the enemies that frustrate your plans, the heart-wrenching and even soul-crushing situation that’s currently consuming your thoughts.

You can fight from a place of victory because the battle has already been won.

Jesus has already conquered death. And now, while we wait for others to come to salvation and for God to bring all things to completion under Christ’s authority, we can fight with a confident hope.

There’s a battle happening all around you—a battle for your heart, for your mind, for your soul. But greater is the One living inside of you than the one who is living in this world.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Wisdom from God

If you’ve ever gone on a trip somewhere you’ve never been before, you know how important a map is. Maps help us navigate unfamiliar terrain and the unknown areas ahead. Similarly, God’s Word helps us navigate the unknown seasons of life.

God’s Word reveals God’s wisdom, which is a trustworthy guide. And Proverbs is a book of wisdom found in God's Word—with knowledge that can help us live according to God’s will.

The book of Proverbs begins by acknowledging that everything begins with God. Because God is the creator of life, He knows how life works best and what direction our lives should go. Our role, according to Proverbs, is to seek Him and to trust Him. Trusting God means believing that He knows what's best for us, and proving it by surrendering our lives and decisions to Him.

The more we trust in God and submit our lives to Him, the more we'll live according to His will. Proverbs 3:6 says that when we submit to God’s wisdom in all our ways, He will direct and guide us. And thankfully, God has given us Scripture to show us what His will really looks like.

That’s why it’s important to read God’s Word daily and get familiar with all that He says, so that in every area of life, we can trust Him to direct our paths.

Take some time today to pray about the direction your life is headed. If there are situations you’re unsure about, ask God to give you wisdom. Allow Him to direct your paths. And as you talk to Him, get in the habit of reading His Word every day, so that you can grow in His knowledge and wisdom.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

A Psalm of David

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A Psalm of David - https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.23.1-6.NLT

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Responding to God at All Times - Prayer & Praise

Throughout our lives, we will all experience both suffering and joy. We'll have times of great grief and times of overflowing happiness. Sometimes, they’ll be separate seasons—but other times, these experiences come together.

In either case and in any situation, James expected Christians to come to God. If someone was suffering, prayer was the call to action. If someone was cheerful, people were to pause and praise God.

This might seem obvious, but when suffering clouds our thinking, we can sometimes forget to prioritize prayer. And when things are going well and we're feeling cheerful, it’s easy to just enjoy our season and not stop long enough to praise God for it. But every season of life is actually just an opportunity to put into practice what James wrote about…

When we are suffering, let us pray. When those around us are suffering, let us pray. When we are cheerful or happy, let us praise God. When others are happy, let us praise God with them. In every circumstance or situation, let’s go to God with everything, and trust Him with everything.

When we do that, we keep our eyes on Jesus, and He helps us endure every situation we face.

So what are you facing right now? Take a moment to pray to God and tell Him all you’re going through. Then, reflect on the good things happening in your life and remember to thank God.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Suspend Judgment and Embrace Acceptance

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus admonished his audience, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

We were not created to judge. That’s God’s job. Simply put, judgment is turning my opinions, ideas, or beliefs into facts and then acting upon my judgments as though they are facts. When we trust ourselves to figure out what is right and wrong, fear and anxiety kill our ability to live connected to and trusting God. It also cripples our ability to live in freedom. The anxiety this creates has been scientifically proven to shorten our lives. 

In the Garden of Eden, God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (synonyms for right and wrong). They were told the result would be death. Satan tempted them to believe learning to judge right from wrong would give them the ability to do what they currently had to trust God to do for them. Until this time, they had trusted God to tell them what was right and what was wrong. Their job was to trust He loved them with all His heart, was taking care of them, and would guide them through whatever life held.

We can’t do whatever we want and expect to have a healthy life. However, we also don’t have to spend our lives judging. Judging doesn’t make our lives healthy and full. If my life is to be oriented around what brings life, I must be aware of what brings life to me and to others in any given situation. What brings life to me when I am five won’t be the same as what brings life to me when I’m fifty-five. What brings life to me also won’t always be the same as what brings life to my best friend.

Being tuned in to life-giving choices does not require judgment, but an intimate connection with God—the Source of all life and the One who promises to lead us in ways that bring life. Out of this intimate connection with God, I can then approach the situations in my life by asking myself and God, “What will produce life in this situation?”

How does your judgment of yourself and others kill your peace and freedom? What is one thing you can do to replace judgment with trust in God? 

““Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.1-2.NLT

Love Each Other

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.9-21.NLT

Justified by Faith

I'm learning every day! Here's a great devotional from Bible.com:

The letter to the Romans is packed with deep theological truths that are meant to shape the way Christians live. Paul, the writer of the letter to the church in Rome, covers the details of what is known as “the Gospel message”—a message that was handed down to them.

One of the central components to the Gospel is that salvation comes through faith alone. That means that we are saved by the power of God through believing and trusting in Jesus. Every Christian comes to God through faith—not through good deeds or by trying to earn salvation.

Paul says that we have peace with God by our faith in Jesus. Prior to that, we were considered ungodly and unrighteous, because we would live our lives in our own power, doing our own things. This led to separation from God.

However, by faith in Jesus, we are justified before Him. This means that through Jesus’ own sacrifice, we are made right before Him. Even though we still make mistakes, we stand innocent before God because of Jesus.

It’s through being justified that we become children of God. We can have a relationship with God because of our status in Christ. We have access to God Himself, knowing that He is transforming us through our relationship with Him.

This means none of us can brag or boast about being a child of God. We all receive grace freely through faith. So right now, take a few moments to thank God for the incredible gift of salvation that He offers you. Then, reflect on what it means to be included in His family.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Stop Cleaning Cobwebs...Part 5 Finale

This has been the best plan, by far, that I've completed on Bible.com. These five posts are great 'self-help' tools for life. Again, highly recommended! Here is a link to Scott Savage's work: Stop Cleaning Cobwebs: Beyond Quick Fixes to Real Freedom by Scott Savage. Also, here is a link to Scott's own personal website, which also has excellent information and courses: Scott Savage Live. Enjoy~!

I’m so proud of you for completing each day of this plan. It would have been easier for you to stop this plan. However, I pray that God has used this plan to show you that discomfort can lead to freedom.

Many years ago, I experienced the power of an uncomfortable conversation. My boss had systematically lied to me, which meant that many of my decisions and the way I treated people were based on those lies. I was angry, bitter, and wounded. Everything within me wanted to get even.

I made it my mission to ensure that everything my former boss did to succeed would fail. Whatever this person said, I did my best to discredit it. Whatever this person wanted to accomplish, I tried to sabotage it.

Fortunately, I had a close friend named Taylor. We met every week for coffee, prayed together, and studied Scripture. Taylor had complete permission to speak truth into my life.

One day, he said, "Scott, you must deal with this. You are so bitter and angry that you've become toxic. It's not just affecting you; it's affecting all these people around you. You're mad at one person, but you're taking it out on people who don't even know him. I'll be honest: it's tough to be your friend right now. You've got to deal with the pain and learn how to let go."

That conversation changed my life. Taylor cared more about my freedom than my comfort. He was willing to risk our friendship to help me, and he embodied the words of Proverbs 27:6 NIV: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted.”

As we conclude this plan, like Taylor, I urge you to address the issues that this plan has brought to the surface for you. Stop cleaning the cobwebs!

Here are three practical next steps to help you move from cleaning cobwebs to addressing the real issues:

Step 1: Spend this week identifying your cobwebs. Ask yourself these three questions:

What are the struggles I can't seem to break free from?

What do I turn to when I want to feel better about my feelings or thoughts?

Where have I settled because I began to doubt anything else was possible?

Step 2: Invite someone who needs this kind of freedom to join you. If you're thinking of someone who needs this message, share this plan with them and invite them to join you on the journey. Sometimes the best way to solidify what you're learning is to help someone else understand it too.

Step 3: Begin praying every day for victory. You will likely encounter resistance and spiritual opposition. If you could do this in your strength, you would already be free! Start praying now for God to work in your heart and give you the courage to go deeper than surface solutions. Remember what 1 John 4:4 says - “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (NIV)

Don’t settle for cleaning cobwebs when God has the power to kill spiders. According to Matthew 19:26, what seems impossible in your strength is possible with God’s.

Are you ready to move beyond quick fixes to the real freedom He offers? Your journey to freedom begins with acknowledging that surface-level solutions are ineffective. Surrender today to God's power and allow Him to address the root issues in your life.

I’d love to continue to encourage you. Click here to learn about upcoming plans about spiders and cobwebs, along with how you can get complimentary access to my guide, Five Prayers for Difficult Seasons.

JoJo the Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Stop Cleaning Cobwebs: Beyond Quick Fixes to Real Freedom by Scott Savage - Also, Scott's own personal website with excellent information: Scott Savage Live

Stop Cleaning Cobwebs...Part 4

Here's part 4 of Stop Cleaning Cobwebs: Beyond Quick Fixes to Real Freedom by Scott Savage on Bible.com. Again, this series of posts is a favorite of mine! Highly Recommended!

Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates how we sometimes deal with obvious problems in our lives.

Uni and Cecilia Wessels lived in Alberta, Canada. On a seemingly normal Saturday morning, Uni was outside mowing the lawn when their 9-year-old daughter saw something and ran inside to tell her mom. Cecilia came outside and started yelling at her husband to get inside.

He didn't listen. He kept mowing.

Cecilia was yelling because Uni was mowing his lawn while a tornado was approaching! When she couldn't get his attention, she grabbed her phone, took a picture, and posted it on social media. The image went viral: a man calmly mowing his lawn with a massive tornado in the background.

When interviewed later, Uni said, "I was keeping an eye on it. I see the tornado over there, but I'm just going to keep mowing my lawn."

I wonder - do you approach the problems in your life like Uni approached that tornado? You see the issue over there—the addiction, the unhealthy relationship patterns, the anger that's destroying your family—and you think, "I'm keeping an eye on it. I'll just keep living my normal life."

But ignoring something dangerous doesn't make it go away. It just gives it more time to grow stronger.

Before I preached a series inspired by Carlos’s book Kill the Spider, I began experiencing opposition I hadn't felt in years. I had technical difficulties, distractions, and even physical symptoms that seemed designed to prevent me from bringing this message.

One Friday night, I went to sleep and began shivering, though I had no fever. I was up for hours, and eventually I started praying because this felt like a spiritual attack. I even asked God to awaken a person who knew about the opposition I was facing, so they could pray for me.

The next morning, after a couple of hours of sleep, I texted that person about something else and mentioned what had happened. That person replied, "That's strange, Scott. Last night I had a dream about you. You were preaching, and you passed out. I woke up and started praying for you at the same time you asked God to wake me up."

We serve a mighty God!

If you start going after the real issues in your life—the spiders, not just the cobwebs—you're going to experience resistance. You're going to face opposition. Things are going to get uncomfortable before they get better.

Your enemy doesn't want you to break free. He's invested in keeping you stuck, struggling, and settling for less than what God intended for your life.

But, the God we serve cares more about your freedom than your comfort. He wants you to break free from the places where you've been settling and struggling. Don't forget - breaking free is uncomfortable!

Psalm 90 reminds us that our lives are brief, and they pass quickly. David's prayer was, "Teach us to number our days carefully, so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts." (Psalm 90:12 CSB)

There's an expiration date on the opportunities before you. You don't have forever to address these issues.

Tomorrow, we'll look at practical steps you can take to start identifying your own cobwebs and the spiders behind them.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM

Stop Cleaning Cobwebs...Part 3

Here is part 3 of Stop Cleaning Cobwebs on Bible.com by Scott Savage. Highly recommended read!

Before we can address the spiders in our lives, we need to understand how cobwebs work. Here are five critical truths that will help you identify what's happening in those areas where you keep struggling.

Truth #1: Spiders are born when we agree with lies. We covered this yesterday, but it bears repeating because it's foundational. Every spider in your life started with a moment when you encountered a lie and decided to believe it. The lie might have seemed reasonable at the time, especially if you were in pain, confused, or desperate for answers.

Truth #2: Cobwebs bring false comfort to those who cling to these agreements. Once you've accepted a lie about God or yourself, it creates internal tension. You don't feel good about it, so you need something to manage that discomfort. Enter the cobwebs—those things you turn to for temporary relief such as alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, online shopping, work, or even your phone.

Truth #3: Cobwebs bring a temporary feeling of freedom. Here's where it gets tricky. Cobwebs don't just numb the pain—they also give you the illusion that you're free when you're not.

A few years ago, one of my children got lice. Within 24 hours, we did many loads of laundry and cleaned everything in sight. And you know what? For a brief moment, it felt amazing. The house was spotless, and I felt like we'd conquered the problem.

But here's what I've learned: cleaned things only stay clean when they're unused. My kids woke up from their naps, started playing again, and the mess returned!

The same thing happens with your cobwebs. You might get motivated and clean up your act for a while. You cut back on drinking, avoid certain websites, or organize your finances. For a moment, you feel free. But then life happens again, and the cobwebs return because you never dealt with the spider.

Truth #4: The work of Jesus is strongly opposed in our lives. The areas where you've been bound up are exactly where Jesus wants to work, and His work always faces opposition. Jesus said in John 10:10, "A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance." (CSB)

Your enemy wants you to stay struggling. He wants you to remain bound by pornography, spending problems, and insecurity rather than experiencing the freedom Jesus offers.

Truth #5: Jesus didn't come to help us survive; He came to set us free. Some of you have settled for surviving. You've decided to cope with your struggles for the rest of your life. But that's not what Jesus promised.

In 1 Peter 5:10, after talking about our enemy prowling around like a roaring lion, Peter writes: "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (CSB)

You may be in a season that has lasted a long time, where you've been surviving, but God promises that after you've suffered a little while, He will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. This struggle will not always define you.

Tomorrow, we'll explore the spiritual resistance you might be experiencing and why some struggles feel so persistent.

JoJo The Mystical Monk - JJtMM