Tag Archives: Rest in the Lord

Prayer Path, Scripture Reflections

Amazing Grace

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Scripture, Doctrine, and the Church Family

📖 Scripture

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
— Romans 8:1

Living Free in Christ: Baptist Doctrine

Bernie and I recently joined First Baptist Lubbock, and in this season, we have been intentionally studying Baptist doctrine together. As I’ve leaned into that—especially as a doctoral student in Biblical Studies at a Baptist university—I’ve found something that has deeply encouraged my heart… something I am truly thankful for.

As I studied the doctrine, this is what I found:

At its core, Baptist theology carries a beautiful truth for struggling Christians: receiving new mercies is part of the Christian life —the steady rhythm of God’s grace.

This truth is deeply reflected in Baptist doctrine.

  • Salvation by grace reminds us that we are not defined by our past, but justified through Christ.
  • The priesthood of all believers tells us we can come directly to God—boldly and immediately
  • Soul competency reminds us that we stand personally before God, responsible to Him above all.
  • Sanctification reminds us that growth is ongoing… and stumbling is not the end

And I found myself thinking:

This is amazing grace.

📖 What Does Scripture Say?

As a Bible student, I had to ask:

What does Scripture actually say about living in ongoing renewal without shame through the steady rhythm of God’s grace?

From the very beginning, we see that shame entered through sin.

In the Garden, Adam and Eve didn’t just feel guilty—they hid. Shame whispered, “This is who you are now.” It shifted identity.

But the Gospel tells a different story.

Jesus meets people in their shame—and He restores them.

He does not define them by their failure.
He redefines them through His grace.

In John 8, when the woman was brought before Him, Jesus had every right to condemn her… but instead, He extended mercy, called her out of sin, and lifted her from the shame that once held her. And, He told her to go and sin no more.

What We Are Reminded of in Scripture

  • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9)
  • “As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us.”(Psalm 103:12)
  • ““Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Here is the truth:

Shame may enter through sin, but it is broken through the finished work of Christ.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He wasn’t just paying for sin—He was breaking the power of sin and removing the guilt that once defined us, restoring our identity in Him.

Doctrine and Scripture Together

When I compare what I found in Baptist doctrine with what I found in Scripture, they align so beautifully:

  • Doctrine says we can come boldly → Scripture says there is no condemnation for those in Christ.
  • Doctrine says we have access to God → Scripture says we are cleansed and made new for those in Christ.
  • Doctrine says growth is ongoing → Scripture says grace is sufficient for those in Christ.

And this is what I am most thankful for:

Being made new is a natural part of the Christian life—the steady, faithful rhythm of God’s grace.

🤍 Why the Church Family Matters

From my heart, I want to say this:

This is why being part of a church family matters so much.

Yes, we can come to God individually—and that is a beautiful truth.
But we were never meant to walk this out alone.

We need a place where:

  • grace is spoken out loud
  • Truth is lived in community
  • restoration is seen
  • And people remind us who we are when we forget

The church becomes living proof that starting again is possible… not just once, but daily.

🌸 Living This Out

In our home, in our church, and through The House of Prayer, this is what Bernie and I are learning to live: Daily priesthood means daily renewal
Daily renewal means we keep walking forward—restored, renewed, and covered in grace.

🙏 Prayer

Father,
Thank You for the gift of grace that continually renews us in Christ.
Thank You that in Christ, we are not defined by our past or our sin, but made new in Christ.

Teach us to come boldly to You—not hiding, not hesitating, but trusting in Your mercy.
Help us receive Your forgiveness fully and walk in the new identity You have given us.

Strengthen us to keep growing, keep turning, and keep trusting You.
And thank You for the gift of the church—for people who speak truth, extend grace, and walk alongside us.

Let our lives reflect the rhythm of Your grace—again and again.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Scripture Reflections

Green Grass in a Desolate Place

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Jesus our Shepherd Who Provides

Psalm 23: A Psalm of David. (NIV)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.3 He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Mark 6:30-44 (NIV)

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. 35 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.

Jesus, Our Shepherd Who Provides

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
—Psalm 23:1

There are some words Scripture places so deeply in our souls that they surface without effort. Psalm 23 is one of them. We whisper it in hospital rooms and at gravesides. We carry it through uncertain seasons. It is a psalm for those who know what it is to walk through shadows—and still dare to trust.

Another familiar story meets us in Mark 6: the feeding of the five thousand. Five loaves. Two fish. A crowd too large and resources too small. At first glance, these passages may feel separate—one poetic, one narrative. But when we slow down and listen closely, we begin to hear the same voice.

Jesus is the Shepherd of Psalm 23—now standing among His sheep.

Mark is not offering a coincidence. He is revealing fulfillment.

Sheep Without a Shepherd—Until Jesus Appears

When Jesus steps ashore, Mark tells us He sees the great crowd and is moved with compassion, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).

That phrase is heavy with meaning. Throughout Israel’s history, God’s people suffered under failed leaders and were repeatedly described as scattered sheep. Psalm 23 answers that ache with a promise: The LORD is my shepherd.

In Mark 6, that promise takes flesh.

Jesus does not distance Himself from the language of shepherding—He embodies it.He stays with the crowd. He teaches them. He takes responsibility for their hunger and their formation. Before bread is broken, lives are gathered.

The Shepherd has come.

Green Grass in the Wilderness

Then Mark tells us something surprisingly specific. Jesus commands the people to sit down on the green grass.

Green grass—in a desolate place.

Psalm 23 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Sheep only lie down when they feel safe, when fear loosens its grip, when trust settles deep.

Here, in the wilderness, Jesus creates that same safety. Where the Shepherd stands, the wilderness begins to resemble pasture. Scarcity no longer gets the final word. The kingdom of God often comes quietly—placing rest beneath weary bodies and life where barrenness once ruled.

A Table Prepared by the Shepherd

The disciples see the math and panic. Jesus sees a table.

Psalm 23 declares, “You prepare a table before me…”
Mark tells us, “They all ate and were satisfied.”

Not barely enough.
Not rationed.
Satisfied.

This is shepherd abundance. When the true Shepherd provides, there is not only enough—there is overflow. Twelve baskets remain, a sign that nothing placed in the Shepherd’s hands is ever wasted.

Just before this story, Mark records another meal—Herod’s feast. That feast is shaped by power, ego, and fear, and it ends in death. Jesus’ feast is marked by compassion, simplicity, and trust, and it ends in life.

Two tables.
Two kingdoms.
One Shepherd who gives Himself for His sheep.

Still Waters and a Fearless Walk

Immediately after the meal, Mark leads us onto troubled waters. The disciples struggle. The wind resists them. Then Jesus comes—walking on the sea.

Psalm 23 rises again:
“He leads me beside still waters… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

The Shepherd who feeds is the Shepherd who protects. The Shepherd who gathers on the hillside is the Shepherd who stands between His people and chaos. Mark tells us the disciples did not yet understand about the loaves. In other words, they were still learning who Jesus truly is.

He is the Shepherd.

The Shepherd Still Walks With Us

Revelation gathers Psalm 23 once more and carries it forward: the Lamb who is also the Shepherd, no more hunger, no more thirst, God wiping away every tear.

What Jesus does in Mark 6 is not only history—it is promise. Psalm 23 is no longer only poetry. It is prophecy fulfilled in Christ.

So if today feels desolate,
if you come weary,
if you arrive hungry—body or soul—

Jesus, your Shepherd, sees you.

The table is set.
The grass is green—even here.
And the new creation has already begun.

A Prayer for the Path

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for giving us Jesus, our Good Shepherd. In places of weariness or uncertainty, help us recognize His presence and trust His care. Teach us to rest where He leads, to receive what He provides, and to walk without fear, knowing He is with us.
May Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives, as we dwell in Your presence.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Continuing on the Prayer Path

Five Scriptures for Prayer and Reflection

John 10:11 — “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
→ Sit with the truth that Jesus does not just guide you—He gives Himself fully for your care and salvation.

Ezekiel 34:15–16 — “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep… I will seek the lost.”
→ Pray with gratitude that God personally comes after His people, especially in places of weakness or wandering.

Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
→ Bring your weariness honestly to Jesus and receive the rest only the Shepherd can give.

John 6:35 — “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.”
→ Reflect on where you seek satisfaction and ask Jesus to nourish the deeper hungers of your soul.

Revelation 7:16–17 — “The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd.”
→ Rest in hope, knowing the Shepherd who feeds you now will one day wipe away every tear forever.

Scripture Reflections

Cast It Anyway: Trusting God in the Unknown

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by Dee Tackitt

Most mornings, I grind wheat berries and begin making homemade bread. It is a long process. The grain has been planted, grown, harvested, ground, mixed, and kneaded—long before it ever reaches my kitchen table. And even then, I still have to trust the process. I place the dough aside, not rushing it, not forcing it… just waiting.

There is a letting go in breadmaking.
You do your part—and then you trust what you cannot see.

Ecclesiastes 11 speaks to that same kind of faith.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Ship your grain across the sea;
    after many days you may receive a return.
2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;
    you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

3 If clouds are full of water,
    they pour rain on the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
    in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant.
    Whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
    or how the body is formed[a] in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
    the Maker of all things.

6 Sow your seed in the morning,
    and at evening let your hands not be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
    whether this or that,
    or whether both will do equally well.

🌊 Cast Your Bread (vs. 1)

“Cast your bread upon the waters…”

At first, it sounds like a loss. Like letting go of something valuable without a guarantee of return.

But this is not waste—it is trust.

The bread we cast is the Word of God.
The waters are the movement of the Holy Spirit.

And here is the quiet promise:
When the Word is released into the current of the Spirit, God carries it where it needs to go.

You may not see the result today.
You may not even recognize it when it returns.

But it will not be wasted.

🌱 Don’t Hold Back (vs. 2)

“Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight…”

Live open-handed.

Love more than feels safe.
Serve in more places than feel comfortable.
Speak truth even when you don’t know how it will be received.

Seven reminds us of God’s perfect work.
Eight reminds us of resurrection—new life where none seemed possible.

When we sow into the gospel—Jesus Christ and Him crucified—we are sowing into eternal life.

And you don’t know which seed will take root…
or if God will cause many to flourish at once.

🌧️ Trust Where It Lands (vs. 3)

“If clouds are full of water, they pour rain…
If a tree falls… there it will lie.”

Some outcomes are simply not yours to control.

Life does not always unfold neatly.
Ministry does not always land where you hoped.
People do not always respond the way you prayed they would.

And yet—God is not hindered by where things fall.

Wherever the seed lands,
wherever the rain pours,
God is still able to bring life.

🌬️ Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions (vs. 4)

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant…”

If we wait until everything feels certain, we will never begin.

There will always be:

  • One more reason to hesitate
  • one more unknown
  • one more “what if”

But faith does not wait for perfect weather.

Faith plants anyway.
Faith sows anyway.
Faith trusts anyway.

👶 Rest in the Mystery (vs. 5)

“As you do not know… how the body is formed in a mother’s womb…”

There are sacred things only God understands.

A baby growing in secret.
The movement of the wind.
The quiet work of God beneath the surface of your obedience.

You may not see it forming.
You may not feel progress.

But something holy is happening.

God is working—deep, unseen, and sure.

🌅 Keep Sowing (vs. 6)

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle…”

This is steady faith.

Not rushed.
Not anxious.
Just faithful.

Morning—sow.
Evening—sow again.

Pray.
Encourage.
Speak truth.
Show up.

Because you do not know which effort will bear fruit…

“…or whether both will do equally well.”

And sometimes—
in the kindness of God—
Both do.

A Prayer for the Path

Heavenly Father,

We come to You with open hands.
So much of what we do feels like casting—releasing what we love into places we cannot control.

Teach us to trust You in the letting go.

When we sow Your Word, remind us that it is never wasted.
When we feel uncertain, steady our hearts in Your promises.
When we are tempted to wait for perfect conditions, give us courage to act in faith.

Lord, we confess—we like to understand everything.
But You are the Maker of all things, and Your ways are higher than ours.

So help us rest in the mystery of Your work.

As a child is formed in the womb, unseen but full of life,
let Your purposes grow in ways we cannot yet see.

Give us diligence to sow in the morning and in the evening.
Keep our hands from becoming idle and our hearts from growing weary.

And when the harvest comes—whether soon or after many days—
remind us that every good thing has come from You.

We trust You with the seed.
We trust You with the outcome.
We trust You with the waiting.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Resources:

Beetham, Christopher A., and Nancy L. Erickson, eds. The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2024.

Everett, Gary H. The Book of Ecclesiastes. Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures. 2011.

Hale, Thomas. The Applied Old Testament Commentary. Colorado Springs, CO; Ontario, Canada; East Sussex, England: David C. Cook, 2007.

Scripture for Further Reflection

  • Proverbs 11:24–25 – The principle of generous sowing and return
  • Isaiah 55:10–11 – God’s Word accomplishing His purpose
  • Hosea 10:12 – Sowing righteousness and reaping steadfast love
  • Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23 – The parable of the sower
  • Luke 16:10 – Faithfulness in small things
  • 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 – God gives the increase
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 – Sowing generously
  • Galatians 6:7–9 – Reaping in due season
  • James 1:5 – Trusting God’s wisdom
  • Hebrews 11:1 – Faith in what we do not see

Holy Week

Be Still… Means What?

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“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” — Psalm 46:10

Yesterday was a busy day! My mind was already rehearsing everything on the schedule: a discussion thread for my Theology of the Gospel class, breathing exercises, and those pesky diphthongs and consonants slowing me down as I practiced the two contest pieces for The Sweet Adelines. My sisters in the group are so graceful—their movements flow effortlessly from their beautiful singing. How do they do that? Their unity, precision, and blend make every rehearsal feel like stepping into something artful and spiritual at the same time.

But as I moved into the rhythm of my morning, I suddenly realized I was stepping into my day without King Jesus. My heart wanted to be still. I wanted to listen. I wanted to walk with Him, not ahead of Him—so He could show me how even my simple, ordinary day could be used to further His Kingdom. It was in that quiet awareness that the Holy Spirit spoke so gently to my spirit: “Be still and know that I am God.”
Be still. Even the words felt like a soft place to rest.

A Closer Look at Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10 marks the climax of the psalm, where the voice shifts dramatically from human speakers to God Himself. It moves from describing God to hearing directly from God. It is an invitation, not just a statement.

“Be still”

The Hebrew command does not simply mean “be quiet” or “calm down.”
It means:

  • Lay down your weapons.
  • Stop striving.
  • Cease your war.

It’s a call to stop fighting battles that belong to God.

“Know that I am God”

This is not about having all the answers or understanding every detail of God’s timing. This knowing is:

  • recognizing God’s ultimate sovereignty,
  • trusting Him when the script is unclear,
  • surrendering control.

And God’s sovereignty is not small or private—it stretches among the nations and throughout the earth. His glory is not limited to one moment or one people. It is universal.

What It Meant to the Original Audience

Psalm 46 was a declaration of trust in the midst of overwhelming threat. Scholars identify the probable historical backdrop as the terrifying advance of Sennacherib’s Assyrian army. Nations were raging, kingdoms were shaking, and everything around them screamed danger.

Yet the refrain carried Israel through:

God is with us.
God is our refuge.
God is our peace—even when creation itself trembles.

The psalm offered ancient Judah the same thing it offers us today: unshakeable confidence in an unshakable God.

Why It Matters Today

Our world, too, feels loud:

  • natural disasters,
  • climate anxieties,
  • wars and rumors of wars,
  • personal chaos and constant noise.

Psalm 46 speaks directly into our age of hurry. It is a soundtrack for human anxiety. Mountains quake, waters roar, nations rise and fall—and our hearts do the same.

God’s invitation to stillness is not an escape or self-manufactured calm. True stillness begins with Him.
With knowing Him.
With receiving His peace rather than producing our own.

In fact, when read through an eschatological lens—a vision of God’s final victory—the psalm becomes even more powerful. It reminds us:

The world may shake,
but God does not.

And one day every nation and every corner of the earth will exalt Him.

Let it be so in my life.
Let it be so in your life.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I come before You, letting go of my busyness and lifting my hands in exaltation, because You will be exalted in the earth. I choose not to fight against Your will. I gladly make You sovereign in my heart and in my day.

Receive my praise—why it is worthy to enter Your presence is a mystery I will never understand this side of heaven. But I offer it in faith. I acknowledge You as the Supreme God of my life and proclaim Your greatness with all I am.

Alleluia!

In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen.