Jesus Calling, with Scripture References: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (A 365-Day Devotional) (Jesus Calling®)

by Sarah Young

Instead of scanning the horizon of your life, looking for things that need to be done, concentrate on the task before you and the One who never leaves your side. Let everything else fade into the background. This will unclutter your mind, allowing Me to occupy more and more of your consciousness.

ELCOME CHALLENGING TIMES as opportunities to trust Me. You have Me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn’t make it past the first hurdle! The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me. Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness. Regardless of the day’s problems, I can keep you in perfect Peace as you stay close to Me.

REMEMBER THAT YOU LIVE IN a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy.

You had a darkened mind before you sought Me wholeheartedly. I chose to pour My Light into you, so that you can be a beacon to others.

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. —ISAIAH 60:2

My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life. However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me.

When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me.

Back off a bit, redirecting your focus to Me. I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it. In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me.

Anything you bring to Me I transform and cleanse from darkness. I know everything about you, far more than you know of yourself. But I restrain My yearning to “fix” you, waiting instead for you to come to Me for help. Imagine the divine restraint this requires, for I have all Power in heaven and on earth. Seek My Face with a teachable spirit. Come into My Presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed.

Look at other people through lenses of Love; see them from My perspective. This is how you walk in the Light, and it pleases Me.

How I grieve when pockets of darkness increasingly dim the Love-Light. Return to Me, your First Love! Gaze at Me in the splendor of holiness, and My Love will once again envelop you in Light.

Give your mind a break from planning and trying to anticipate what will happen. Pray continually, asking My Spirit to take charge of the details of this day.

When you try to peer into the future and plan for every possibility, you ignore your constant Companion who sustains you moment by moment.

Do not despise this weakness in yourself, since I am using it to draw you closer to Me.

FIND FREEDOM through seeking to please Me above all else. You can have only one Master. When you let others’ expectations drive you, you scatter your energy to the winds. Your own desire to look good can also drain your energy. I am your Master, and I do not drive you to be what you are not. Your pretense displeases Me, especially when it is in My “service.” Concentrate on staying close to Me at all times. It is impossible to be inauthentic while you are focusing on My Presence.

I know you inside and out, so do not try to present a “cleaned-up” self to Me.

Wounds that you shut away from the Light of My Love will fester and become wormy.

Let My brilliant Love-Light search out and destroy hidden fears.

This process requires time alone with Me, as My Love soaks into your innermost being. Enjoy My perfect Love, which expels every trace of fear

Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade.

Together we will face whatever each day brings: pleasures, hardships, adventures, disappointments.

can bring beauty out of the ashes of lost dreams.

The friendship I offer you is practical and down-to-earth, yet it is saturated with heavenly Glory.

YOU WILL NOT FIND MY PEACE by engaging in excessive planning: attempting to control what will happen to you in the future.

When you shut out the world and focus on My Presence, you can enjoy sitting with Me in heavenly realms. This is an incredible privilege reserved for precious ones who belong to Me and seek My Face.

Your greatest strength is your desire to spend time communing with Me. As you concentrate on Me, My Spirit fills your mind with Life and Peace.

Even a few complaints can set you on a path that is a downward spiral, by darkening your perspective and mind-set.

Cry out to Me in My Name! Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel.

Thank Me for everything, though this seems unnatural—even irrational. Gradually you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground.

Ask My Spirit to help you as you go each step of the way. Never neglect this glorious Source of strength within you.

it is nearly impossible to discern what others actually think of you.

Your concern to please others dampens your desire to please Me, your Creator.

Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved. Rest in My loving gaze, and you will receive deep Peace.

Imagine the pain I feel when My children tie themselves up in anxious knots, ignoring My gift of Peace. I died a criminal’s death to secure this blessing for you. Receive it gratefully; hide it in your heart.

You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.

I am not getting out of this today. Just accept that. I'll enjoy the Lord to the degree He allows.

Be content to be a simple sheep, listening for My voice and following Me. I will lead you into restful green pastures and guide you along paths of righteousness.

expectations—real or imagined. You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim. Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you.

Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace.

LEAVE OUTCOMES UP TO ME

Follow Me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out.

Live in the now, concentrating on staying i...

Shift your focus from your performance to My radiant Presence.

even the best theology can fail you if it isn’t accompanied by experiential knowledge of Me.

therefore I will wait for him.

But if the shortcut requires turning your back on My peaceful Presence, you must choose the longer route.

STAY EVER SO CLOSE TO M

comatose condition. What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that thrills to the Joy of My Presence