south ridge blog

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The weekend approaches, which means it’s an excellent time to reflect on the week.

Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:

What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ? 

What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him? 

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In his book titled The Contemplative Pastor, pastor and author Eugene Peterson writes, “I am busy because I am lazy. I indolently let others decide what I will do instead of resolutely deciding myself.” Here, Peterson is making the point that when we allow others to tell us how to live every aspect of our lives without digging deep to identify our own gifting, talents, and life goals, we are being lazy. Yes, we may be busy. But we’re not actually living the full life God has created us to live. 

This same principle may be used for relationships as well. Those who have many deeply connected relationships put in tremendous time and energy to cultivate those relationships. However, those who intentionally distance themselves from others, who struggle to feel deeply connected, who live a busy life without strong bonds to others – are effectively living in relational laziness. 

Consider Jesus’ closest disciples for a moment. These twelve men had very little in common. If alive today, these were not the kind of people who would follow one another on Instagram or X/Twitter. Yet Jesus showed them how to more deeply connect with God and with one another. The world hasn’t been the same since. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     MARK 10:35-45, EPHESIANS 5:15-16 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: How would you currently assess the strength of your relationships with others? Are there any areas in which you may be living in relational laziness, intentional shying away from more deeply connecting with others? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider studying out the different personalities of each of Jesus’ disciples. Then consider how Jesus was able to help each of them more deeply connect with God and with one another. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I don’t like to think of myself as being lazy yet I confess there are people I avoid as well as others with whom I struggle to connect. Thank You for the reminder that, like a garden, relationships must be cultivated. They take time and energy. They require the removal of weeds of pests to flourish. Help me to identify the weeds I have allowed to sprout in my relationships with others and to take the steps necessary to remove them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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In his book titled Connecting, Larry Crabb outlines three key ingredients which are essential when it comes to healthy, sustainable relationships with others.

Ingredient #1: A taste of Christ delighting in us. For many, it’s difficult to truly delight in somebody else without first receiving the delight Christ has for us. We are so different from Him, yet He delights in us. Receiving His delight regularly helps us to delight in others who are not like us. 

Ingredient #2: A diligent search for what is good. It takes tremendous mental energy to focus on what is good in another person, especially when the bad is fully on display. However, Crabb notes, “We become hardened when people react to our ugliness with inquisitiveness or rebuke. But when a friend meets our meanness with kindness, something better often comes out of us.”

Ingredient #3: An engaging exposure of what is bad or painful. “Exposing the darkness in someone’s heart, their sin and pain, in order to engage them more convincingly with the Savior’s kindness; it’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance.”

READING & PRAYERS:

     ACTS 2:42-47 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: The three ingredients provided in today’s reading are listed in order. In what ways may God be inviting you to delight in and seek the good within others, before exposing what is bad or painful? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider reading Connecting: Healing Ourselves and Our Relationships by Larry Crabb and putting the principles within into regular practice.

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, the three ingredients for healthy, sustainable relationships listed in today’s devotional reading all make practical sense to me. Forgive me for the times when I go directly to ingredient #3, and help me to forgive others for the times they have gone directly to #3 in my own life. Lead me down the path of truly delighting in others, and always seeking to identify what is good within them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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As people created in the image of God, all followers of Jesus have a deep longing for meaningful relationships with others. Ours souls cry for a sense of belonging and most of us will look anywhere and everywhere to fill this empty void. It often begins by seeking those who have a similar interest or hobby; “Oh, you like motorcycles! Me, too. We should hang out, and we should find others who like motorcycles too!”

Short-term, this longing to be connected with others subsides. You may even think, This is great. I’ve found people just like me. Over time, however, you may discover that others in this new group of friends have differences. Some may be democrats, while you’re a right-leaning republican. Some may like to hunt, while you focus on a plant-based diet. The list goes on and on. And just like that, this group in which you really felt a sense of belonging is no longer fulfilling that purpose. 

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider what actually leads to deep, meaningful relationships with others. It isn’t a similar hobby, a favorite food, or even political alignment. It’s something deeper than that. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     1 THESSALONIANS 2:7-8 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Can you think of a time when you started a friendship with a person or a group of people based on a similar interest/hobby? What are some ways these relationships helped you experience a deeper connection with others? What are some ways these relationships may not have fulfilled all of the relational needs you crave? 

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider your strongest relationship (other than a parent, sibling, or spouse). What are the key elements that have helped his relationship remain strong? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that as somebody created in your image, I am deeply and profoundly wired for meaningful relationships with others. But the wounds I’ve experienced in relationships cause me to hesitate to fulfill these longings. Today, I simply ask for the strength and courage to seek truly close relationships with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Every minute of your waking day, your brain is working overtime. Current research indicates that the average person has anywhere from thirty to fifty different thoughts every minute. This translates to tens of thousands of thoughts daily.

Many of these thoughts are simple, active thoughts, such as I’m going to get some more coffee. But others may be having a deeply negative impact on your emotional and spiritual health. 

For example, you may occasionally think something like, I’m a nobody. There’s nothing significant about my life at all. Long term, thoughts such as these will lead to deep depression. As such, taking the opportunity to remind yourself of key scriptural truths like, I have been created by God, in the image of God, for the glory of God, are a healthy reminder that God sees you as significant. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you may see somebody struggling with a deep addiction and think, I know I make mistakes, but at least I’m not as bad as others. These kinds of thoughts also go against the teachings of Jesus. Over time, they’ll lead to pride, a lack of contrition, a lifestyle of living in denial, and an unwillingness to practice confession.

READING & PRAYERS:

     LUKE 18:9-14, PROVERBS 28:13, JAMES 5:16 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: When is the last time you confessed something you were struggling with to a trusted person or a Group of people? (e.g., I’m bitter, I’m ashamed, I’m hurt, I’m struggling with an addiction, I’m depressed, etc.) 

DIGGING DEEPER: What may be some things that are getting in the way of you being open, vulnerable, and in a word, real with others you interact with? Could it be that you’re struggling with pride, a lack of contrition, are living in denial, or something else? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize my need to see myself as you see me – one who is deeply and profoundly loved by You. However, I don’t want to fall into the temptation to see myself as better than others. Lead me to see my sins and errors for what they are, and help me to be open and honest about each and every one of my struggles with others I can trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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The weekend approaches, which means it’s an excellent time to reflect on the week.

Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:

What are you willing to surrender to God in order to grow in your relationship with Christ? 

What are you unwilling to surrender? How may God be inviting you to surrender this area of your life over to Him? 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence.)

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Many in our culture today spend countless hours occupying their minds with music, media, podcasts, reels, television, movies, and more. The question is, why? Why do we feel some incessant need to continually fill our minds with different forms of information or entertainment? 

While there are a number of possible answers to questions such as these, one of the most likely ones is that people are not content, so they seek to experience some form of contentment. One person may pursue drugs or alcohol to numb their lack of contentment while another may browse social media. While one may suffer greater physical consequences, both will experience spiritual and emotional consequences. This is because we can never findreal contentment in this way. Instead, we must identify what exactly is getting in the way of our experiencing personal contentment. 

In the new family of Jesus, we do not seek to find contentment in the ways of the world. Instead, we intentionally and purposefully practice being content because of what Christ has given us. We remember that His grace is sufficient. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     PHILIPPIANS 4:2-13, 2 CORINTHIANS 12:5-10 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Fill in the blank: I will experience contentment when ____________________. Be honest, will this thing really lead you to experience contentment? 

DIGGING DEEPER: What may be one way you can practice being content at all times and in all situations today? Over the next week? Month? Write it down, and then begin practicing it today.

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess there are times when I recognize I am discontent, yet I struggle to identify exactly why I am discontent. Instead of doing the hard work to identify what may be leading to these feelings, I numb my life and spend my time doing things which are meaningless. Continue to help me see all the ways I may be seeking to find contentment outside of You. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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It’s currently the time of year when many people decide to do a bit of spring cleaning. You may go through a closet, the garage, basement, or other areas of your home and continually ask yourself, Do I need this, or can I toss it? Maybe it can be donated? 

If you’re anything like me (Pastor Justin), you’ll likely create three separate piles. One pile of stuff to keep. One pile of stuff to toss out. And one pile of stuff to donate. But the worst part of this cleaning exercise is that the stuff kept is rarely used or touched over the next year!

In spite of this annual exercise, you may see somebody who has something you don’t (a better lawnmower, chainsaw, outfit, shoes, robotic vacuum cleaner, etc.) and think, Wow, that would make my life so much better! Maybe it would be a useful item. But maybe you would be going through your annual exercise and this item will be tossed or donated. 

The main point is this: In the new family of Jesus, we recognize the abundance we already have, not the things we don’t have. We live with the mindset that we can truly be content because we have everything we truly need. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10, HEBREWS 13:5 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: In what ways are you currently living in abundance? Write down at least 3-5 ways. 

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider what it would look like for you to give up one of the things you listed above for the next 4-6 weeks. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I think of giving up something I have in abundance, I still feel a tension when it comes to not having this thing in my life. Similarly, I find that it’s actually difficult to not look for something else to buy. Clearly, I’m trying to find peace and contentment in the stuff I have and not in You. As painful as it may be, root these desires out of my life. Continue to help me see that I need You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Take just a moment to walk through a simple exercise. Look at the receipts of everything you’ve ordered online over the past month. If possible, also look at receipts from other local stores. What all did you purchase? Now consider this, how much of it did you actually need?  

To be sure, you’re not an evil person if you bought a few things you wanted but didn’t need. You may not have needed ice cream at the grocery store, but that’s OK. You may not have needed a new pair of running shoes, but your feet will be happy to have some comfort. 

While purchasing items that are wants and not needs isn’t always a bad thing, it is quite possible that subtle thoughts can creep in which lead you believe that something you want is more than that. These thoughts lead you to believe that it’s a need. That your life will be so much better, so much more complete if you would just click on the “But it Now” link.

Those who have chosen to follow the path of Jesus must recognize that thoughts such as these do not come from God. He says, You have everything you need in Me. Don’t look to the comforts of this world. Find real peace here, in Me.

READING & PRAYERS:

     MATTHEW 8:18-22 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: In what, or in who, do you look to find peace and comfort? Write down the first three things that come to mind.

DIGGING DEEPER: Consider writing out your own prayer to God. Focus on Him being your peace and comfort. 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it is very easy for me to justify much of what I buy because everything is something I will use, at least for a little while. But when I think about everything I currently own, it’s just as easy for me to see that I have purchased things which I will rarely, if ever, use. It seems clear that I have bought stuff simply because I believed the lie that I needed it or that it will make my life better. Moving forward, continue to help me see that I have everything I need in You. You are my full peace and comfort, and I will not find it anywhere else. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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The temptation to live as a consumer is strong. You may see or hear somebody sing, play a musical instrument, lead their business, play a sport, or do any other number of things really well and think to yourself, I’ll never be able to do what that person does. As time passes by, you may even start to think, What I am able to do isn’t very important. I don’t have much of anything to offer.

In the short-term, thoughts such as these may not appear to have too great of an impact on your life or the lives of those around you. But over time, this way of thinking can lead to deep depression. Worst case, it can even lead to feelings of shame and worthlessness. 

Those who have chosen to follow the path of Jesus must recognize that thoughts such as these do not come from God. He does not say, You have nothing to contribute. Instead, He says, You are a member of My family. I have adopted you as My own. I have provided you gifts of grace to benefit others within My family. What you have to offer is significant in My eyes. You are not to live solely as a consumer of what others produce for you. You have something significant to contribute.

READING & PRAYERS:

     1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27, LUKE 24:1-4 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Do you struggle to recognize that what you have to offer is something significant in the eyes of God? If so, why do you think that is? 

DIGGING DEEPER: What gifts of grace are you able to offer to those you will interact with today? 

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that while there are times I feel like I have something of worth to contribute, there are other times when I feel unworthy or insignificant; like I have nothing good to offer. Thank You for the reminder today that my worth or value is not based on standards of this world, but that You see who I am and what I can offer as something significant. Despite there being nearly 8 billion people in the world, You still made me! May I remember how special and precious I am in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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