Comfē Spirit

Do you ever find yourself tired and worn out? Do you long for rest that isn't fleeting? True rest isn't found in bubble baths and comfy clothes. I think It's found in surrendering to Jesus.

JOURNAL PROMPTS INSPIRED BY SCRIPTURE:

• What does the word rest mean to you? 
• What is something you've been holding onto and struggling with that you could release to Jesus and ask his help with? Write a prayer to him asking for his help to do this. 
• When you think of Jesus taking on your concerns, how does that leave you feeling? 

Show Notes:

Do you want your teenage son or daughter to be rooted in their Christian faith? Start a shared faith journal so you both can come to know God more personally.

JOURNAL PROMPTS INSPIRED BY SCRIPTURE:

• What does the word faith mean to you? 
• What holds you back from trusting God and putting your faith in Him?
• Journal about how your life could change if you rested in faith that Jesus is working alongside you.

Show Notes:

JOURNAL PROMPTS INSPIRED BY SCRIPTURE:

Colossians 3:23 (ESV) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…

• Journal about a time you feel you failed at something from a worldly perspective. Then journal about how you think God views it.
• What things of this world are you striving for? Journal about how you think God values those things.
• What's one small change you can make this week to please God? At the end of the week, Journal about how it felt to make that change.

JOURNAL PROMPTS INSPIRED BY SCRIPTURE:

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Take a few moments and quiet your mind. Close your eyes and take some deep, calming breaths. Then ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to where in your heart you are holding on to guilt. Then journal about the following things:

1. How does it feel to be carrying the weight of that guilt?
2. Journal about how you think it would feel to forgive yourself completely?
3. Why do you think Jesus died on the cross for us?
4. Write a prayer to Jesus, asking that he help you let go of your guilt and move forward.

JOURNAL PROMPTS INSPIRED BY SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 27:14 NIV-Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

1. What's the first word that comes to mind when you hear the word wait? Then journal about the feelings you uncovered.
2. Journal about a moment that was worth the wait for you.
3. Journal about what waiting in faith looks like for you.

For additional perspective on waiting, read the following Scripture passages:

God blesses us in many different ways, but sometimes we're too busy wishing we had something more that we miss out on the joy He wants us to have. This week's episode invites you to shift your worldly focus of scarcity to an abundant and loving God.

Journal Prompts Paired with Scripture

2 Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

• Journal about a time that you felt an abundance of joy in your life.
• Journal about a time that you felt genuine happiness for something good that happened to somebody you knew in your life.
• Jot down the first five things that you can think of that bring you joy. Then write a prayer to Jesus, thanking him for those things.

Additional Scripture on Jealousy

This is not an exhaustive list of Bible Scripture on Jealousy, but if you're interested in digging into a few more passages, you can find them here.

Do you ever have trouble loving others as Jesus loved? Do you find it even more difficult to do when you are busy, rushed, or overwhelmed? Be encouraged by the way Jesus loves in even His busy moments.

JOURNAL PROMPTS PAIRED WITH SCRIPTURE- 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.-John 15:12

• Journal about a time that Jesus has shown His love for you.
• Journal about how you can show that same love to someone else in your life.
• Write a prayer thanking Jesus for sharing His love for you.

SCRIPTURE MENTIONED IN EPISODE

• My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.-John 15:12
• Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.-Mark 5:33
• When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.  He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”  So Jesus went with him.-Mark 5:21-24

RESOURCE AND ADDITIONAL ARTICLE ON DEVELOPING A FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS

Think rest is all about quiet sleepy moments? Find out how to add joy and find the rest you crave. Try this next Sunday and every Sunday afterward.

Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Journal about the last thing you did that you felt true joy from?
• Journal about how you think you would feel if you spent the whole day spending time in worship and doing all your favorite things.
• How do you think your outlook on life could be changed by resting in Jesus and joy every Sunday?

• Block out some time. Maybe that's half an hour, or perhaps it's just 10 minutes.
• Head to a cozy corner of your home with a cup of tea or coffee.
• Then shut your eyes and think about Jesus and what he's done for you this past week.
• Thank Him for being a presence in your life, and then ask Him how He can help you create rest in your day.

Are you looking to find more meaning and purpose in your life? Find out how this free 21 day guided spiritual journal can focus your attention on the clues Jesus leaves for you.

Scripture Mentioned in Episode

• John 15:13-Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
• Jeremiah 29:13 -You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
• Psalm 119:105 -Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
• James 1:22 -Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
• Romans 12:4-8- For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
• Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.-

Do you ever wish that Jesus would clarify something for you? Maybe that's about a big decision you need to make, or perhaps you're searching for your purpose in life. Find out how your "random" moments might be the clues Jesus is leaving for you. 

• Think of a challenge you're facing and journal about what makes it difficult.
• Journal about how you think God sees that problem.
• Find a Bible scripture that's based on what's challenging you. Then journal about how that Scripture makes you feel.
  • Not sure of scripture for that challenge. Try this:
    • Do a Google search. Type in scripture verse, and then put in whatever you are feeling from that challenge—for example, Scripture verses for when I feel scared.
    • Use a Topical Index or Concordance. Topical indexes and concordances reference Scripture by topic. Check the table of contents in your Bible for these resources.

• Pick a scripture that gives you hope and encouragement.
• Then, grab some index cards to create flashcards.
• Next, write each verse on a different index card.
• Throughout the week, work on memorizing that Scripture. Then you will have forever hidden it in your heart. Now, where ever you are, if you start to feel discouraged or overwhelmed, you can find encouragement from Him.

• James 1:22 - but be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourself.
• Isaiah 40:8, the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God endures forever.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
• Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
• Psalm 119:114-You are my shelter and my shield. I put my hope in your word.
• Psalm 119:105. Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
• I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Coincidence or God? Find encouragement, comfort, and inspiration from writing down the moments God is working in your life.

Journal Prompts:

• Journal about a time you witnessed something remarkable in your life
  • Did you feel it happened because of God?
  • Journal about why you did or didn't think that that moment happened because of God.
• Write a short prayer to God and ask him to open your eyes to see where he is working in your day. Then, at the end of the week, journal about what you saw.

ACTIVITY TO REMIND YOU TO LOOK FOR JESUS IN YOUR DAY

• Find a rock from your yard. If you don’t have rocks in your yard, you can get them from a home improvement store, or even craft stores sell them.
• With a sharpie or a marker, write down a word on the rock that you associate with God.
  • Maybe that’s peace, love, comfort, etc.
  • If your marker doesn’t show up on the rock, you can write it on a piece of masking tape that can be placed on the bottom of the rock.
• Place the rock somewhere that you will pass by it every day.
  • Let that rock be a reminder of God’s love for you. When you run across the rock, I hope you’ll remember that He is rooting for you and that you’ll know how much you are loved by him.

Scripture Mentioned in Episode

• Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
• Joshua 4: 20-23 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over.
• Genesis 9:11-16 (NIV) I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Do you have a dream in your life but don't know how to go after it? Do you wonder what God wants for you? Having a friendship with Jesus is the first step to discovering His plans for you. Find practical ways to start strengthening your friendship with Jesus.Journal Prompts Paired with Scripture

John 15:13 (NIV)-Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

• Journal about what the word friend means to you.
• Journal about what type of friend Jesus can be in your life.
• Journal about what type of friend you can be to Jesus.

Activity to Build Friendship with Jesus

• Go on a walk in your neighborhood or at a park. 
• While walking, have a conversation with Jesus.
• Thank him for all the things that come to mind while walking.

Scripture Mentioned in Episode

• Ephesians 4:14 (NIV): Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
• John 15:13 (NIV)-Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
• James 1:22 (NIV): Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Resource and Additional Articles on Topics

Find out how to quiet your mind and find rest in your busiest seasons. Discover how your faith in God helps you find the true source of rest.

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Have you ever felt worried or anxious about something? Did that worry take over your day? Your week? Your Year? Find ideas and Scripture to help you cope the next time you are worried.

Journal Prompts, Paired with Scripture, on Worry

• Journal about what the word worry means to you.
• Next, journal about what worrying has cost you in the past.
  • Has it robbed you of peace?
  • Has it prevented you from doing something?
• This week, take some time and find some scripture passages that talk about worry.
• An easy way to do that is to just Google Bible verses on worry. I’ve included some passages at the very end to get you started.
• Pick a Scripture verse on Worry that speaks to you.
• Next, write that Scripture on a piece of paper or a post-it note.
• Lastly, place it somewhere you’ll see it throughout your week. It will be your reminder that God is always there by your side.

• John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
• Psalm 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
• Hebrews 13:6 (NIV) So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

Find out how your faith in God and these three things can keep you going when you feel like giving up on your dream.

• Journal about a WOW Moment you've had-A time that it was obviously happening because God was at work in your life.
• Journal about how you feel, knowing God is working with you.
• Write a prayer of thanks to God for walking beside you as you build your dream.

• Journal about what you think Jesus wants for his people.
  • Do you believe that he wants this for you?
• Knowing that Jesus loves you, what does that encourage you to do?
• Do you trust God with your dreams?
  • Is there anything that holds you back from fully believing in him?

Are you pursuing a passion, praying for a new opportunity, doubting your dream is possible? 

I've been there. Stuck in fear and self-doubt, but if you start by inviting Jesus into your hopes and dreams, you have every reason to believe it is possible.

Find out how the people God has placed on your path might play a special role in accomplishing that dream God's placed on your heart.

Romans 12:5- so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Journal Prompts:

• How do you feel when you help someone you love?
• How do you feel at the thought of asking somebody else for help?
• What do you think is holding you back from asking others for help?
• Who in your life makes it easy to ask for help. Why do you think that is?