My granddaughters and I explored this bird’s nest yesterday. Each of us captured an image, depicting what we thought.

After reading this Biblical passage, I was reminded that God gives us a way out from fear.

When I look at our oldest granddaughter’s photo, I “see” that the baby birds were not afraid to fly when it was time. The mama bird was not afraid to have the babies. The father bird was not afraid of the squirrel who frequently tried to steal bird eggs from the nearby trees.

When we are yoked together with our Lord and Savior, we too can be freed from fear. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

[28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Do not remain captive to fear, instead be free to keep in step with God’s purposes. His work molds us and disciplines us with the ultimate goal of strength and humility.

Giants in the faith are the ones who quietly endured, pulling alongside the Savior, for the good of many. #restinHiswork

You may not see their name in lights or even know their names. Our Heavenly Father knows them. They were/are the ones who escaped from the snare of fear, moving forward confidently in His ultimate work on the cross. -Teresa #Resurrection

Jeremiah 30:8-10 (ESV)*

⁸ “And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and I will burst your bonds, and foreigners shall no more make a servant of him.^[a] 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

¹⁰ “Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord,
    nor be dismayed, O Israel;
for behold, I will save you from far away,
    and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
    and none shall make him afraid.

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

What is lacking in YOUR faith?

If I lived in Paul’s day, what a gift it would be to sit in church knowing that Paul’s team was bringing the very lesson I lacked.

Who today is bringing those very lessons into your life?

That which makes us abound in love for one another and for all people can only come through changed hearts. This is also known as being born again (of the Spirit).

Paul experienced this as he claimed that everything about his life B.C. (before Christ), including his religious status as a Pharisee was of no value compared to “knowing” the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is an ability to know intellectually and more importantly there is knowing, experientially. The experience Paul had (when his entire character changed), happened on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).

No amount of right knowledge (AI) will substitute for right character (true grit).

When Paul continued to have a desire to minister to those who were new in their faith, he demonstrated true grit. (see the passage below)

What person brings life to you? They just may be the one you must also continue ministering to. #buildingfaith

As we minister to one another, never underestimate the importance of bringing life through your faith walk. We may not be an apostle, but the Holy Spirit is still at work today. #changedhearts

As Paul prayed these words, He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is also establishing our hearts blameless in holiness before Him (God the Father)…may we no longer be lacking but full of faith, love and joy. -Teresa

I Thessalonians 3:6-13 (ESV)*

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— ⁷ for this reason, brothers,^[f] in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, ¹⁰ as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,¹² and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³ so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

Nothing speaks better than nature when thinking of the descriptive words in Paul’s passage below.

Who knew that to restore our peace was as simple as being in nature. #Godofpeace

When you learn something, you receive it and then practice it. #havingearstohear

Being at peace with others only happens when you are willing to hear that which is worthy of praise.

Continually thinking on these things brings about the environment necessary for growth.

Turning from darkness to light brings about growth. This is another lesson seen in nature. #photosynthesis

Don’t allow the anxieties of life keep you from thinking about things that are lovely and praiseworthy. -Teresa

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)*

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[e] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

*The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.