JULY

THURSDAY, JULY 1

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:3 (NIV)

AT OUR LAST PRAYER MEETING, two friends and I decided we needed to step out of our familiar ways and take more risks. “Let’s do something brave this month, then report to each other next month,” I suggested.

So this afternoon—robust with sunshine and birdsong—I ate my lunch in the park. I took only my food. No book. No mp3 player. Not even my phone—a very brave thing for me.

I sat on an ancient stone bench, grape vines dripping from the arbor above. A breeze tickled my face. I thought, I wonder what that bush with the tiny red flowers is called . . . I think that’s a red-winged blackbird up on the telephone wire . . . I wish I had the energy of the squirrel skittering up that fat tree—I believe it’s an elm.

Wonder surrounded me as I ate, and crispy greens, a tender avocado, and crunchy almonds delighted my tongue. Is this the best salad ever? Or have I always focused on everything but my food?

Something happened as I sat alone. My thoughts filled with Jesus: Thank You for fashioning all this beauty, Lord. Your endless creativity amazes me. And to think You made it for Your children’s enjoyment—I will never get over how good You are.

I’m not sure what my friends will report about the brave thing they did this month. It might prove more spectacular than my unplugged lunch in the park. But focusing on Jesus’s love through His creation wasn’t as brave as I’d imagined. Instead of stepping out of my comfort zone, I stepped into the presence of greatness—Jesus Himself. The most comfortable place to be. —JEANETTE LEVELLIE

FAITH STEP: Next time you leave the house, leave your phone behind. Or go an entire day without using social media. Ask Jesus to fill the empty places.

FRIDAY, JULY 2

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

BIBLE MEMORIZATION WAS A BIG part of my sixth-grade Bible class curriculum this year. My students started out the year memorizing a single verse each week. On Friday, they would recite the week’s verse. As the year progressed, the verses got longer and more complex. A communal groan went up in the class when I told them we would be memorizing Psalm 103:1–12 during the last six weeks of school. There were outbursts of “We can’t do it!” and “Mrs. Aughtmon, you are trying to kill us!” I assured them, “I am not trying to kill you. You can do this!” I knew they were capable of that, and more. Each week, I would cheer them on, encouraging and reminding them that I knew they could do it. In the face of a daunting task, they persevered. Pushing through their fear and doubt in themselves, they did more than they ever thought they could. The look of accomplishment on their faces when they recited all twelve verses was fantastic.

This world can be overwhelming. We shoulder pressures at home and at work. We struggle with relationships and finances. We battle temptation and sin. At times, it feels as if life is trying to kill us. How can we make it? How can we accomplish all that we need to? We persevere to accomplish everything that Jesus assigns us, and everything that He’s created us for. Yet, we have to remember that we are not alone in our struggles. Jesus is with us. His Spirit is ever-present, strengthening us, encouraging our hearts, reminding us that with Him and in Him, we can do all things. —SUSANNA FOTH AUGHTMON

FAITH STEP: What daunting task are you facing right now? Memorize Philippians 4:13. Say it throughout the day, anytime you feel overwhelmed.

SATURDAY, JULY 3

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. John 21:12 (ESV)

THREE THINGS I LOVE. BEACHES, breakfast, and Jesus. Maybe that’s why this story of Jesus preparing breakfast for the disciples on the beach resonates so deeply with my soul. Imagine how discouraged and depressed the disciples were after the death of Jesus. Even though He had appeared to them after His resurrection, He had come and gone. So, a group of them were together on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias: Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others. Peter announced he was going to go fishing, and all the others went with him. They fished all night and caught nothing—adding salt to their already hurting souls.

Then Jesus showed up, but the motley crew didn’t know it was Him—yet. He called out to them and asked if they’d caught any fish. “None,” they replied. Jesus suggested they throw the net on the right side of the boat. They did, and the net became so full of fish they couldn’t haul it in. Then their eyes were opened, and they saw Jesus. Peter, of course, jumped in the water and swam to Him. The rest dragged the boat and the net to the shore. When they arrived, Jesus had bread and was tending a charcoal fire, cooking fish. Jesus had fixed them breakfast.

He provided nourishment for their bodies and refreshment for their souls. When I feel downcast due to circumstances, such as a wayward child, death of a loved one, or an ailing elderly parent, I spend time in the Word, feasting on His bread, and Jesus nourishes and restores my soul. —JEANNIE BLACKMER

FAITH STEP: Make a plan to have breakfast with Jesus this week. Pack food and go to a favorite spot, or stay in your