Be encourage with biblical encouragement and inspiration from Pastor Kevin Berry. Receive leadership tips to succeed in your work or daily life, follow along with daily devotionals, and receive practical steps to walk out your Christian life.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
The promise of rest is for ALL… so that includes you, too! It’s not for just a select few that are thought to be God’s favorites, but to all! Notice that all we have to do is come to Jesus. Jesus didn’t say, “Come work for me, come do this and that and I will give you rest. Come and get over all your bad habits.” No, He simply and powerfully says, “Come!” Come to Jesus just as you are! Broken, tired of trying, striving, walking in sin, totally not perfect, entangled, with all your baggage and issues—come to Jesus and He will give you rest! That, my friend, is amazing grace!
“Weary” refers to those who are actively trying and striving to do what is right… and it’s exhausting. Those “carrying heavy burdens” refers to those who are carrying burdens others have put on them. It’s more passive; it’s the burden of all the things you are told you have to do to please God, the burden of legalism, rules, spiritual to-do lists, the burden of trying to measure up, the burden of relying on your own self-righteousness. These are the ones that Jesus invites to come to Him – not those who are perfect in their eyes; those who think they are holier than others; those who are proud of how awesome they are; those who are singing, “Everything is Awesome.”
It’s not, “you will earn rest.” It can’t be earned; it can only be given. Jesus is always in the posture of giving, not taking. He is always giving to those who can’t earn what is given to them. This rest is deep and beyond physical sleep. Rest means to cease from labor in order to recover and collect strength; to be quiet; to live in patient expectation; to be in the midst (of God’s presence), ceasing from work. It’s a rest from all striving and trying to measure up; it’s a place of stillness. In this rest is a level of peace and joy that is intimidating to the enemy! There is a confidence in God that makes you worry-free and unmovable. There is a cleansing that takes place in this place of rest that will never take place in a frenzy of activity. Just as the brain is cleansed only when we rest physically, so our spirit man is cleansed in this place of rest. Here is where He washes us with His words. He sweeps over us like a beachcombing machine. He works out of us all the junk that is not like Him.
I pray for you, my friend, that this year you will experience the rest that God has for you… that your year will be filled with less frenzy and more supernatural peace!
Happy Fasting,
Pastor Kevin
O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. But you promised me, “I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore – too many to count.” – Genesis 32:11-12
Years ago, I noticed something in Renee’s Bible. It was a 3×5 card that said, “Have an encounter with God today.” I loved it – what a thought that every time we open up the pages of our Bibles, every time we come before God’s throne of grace, we are going after an encounter with the One who created the world, the One who would rather die for you than live without you!
Oh, that we would read our Bibles more, that we would be diligent students of God’s Word! What could happen to you this year if, instead of reading through a One Year Bible plan, instead of being able to check off the box, you actually encountered God every day? You became more aware of His nature and His thoughts toward you? You encountered the way He forgives, the way He loves, the way He is relentless at working in you? What could happen if every day you began to experience God more? I think it would change everything for you.
“One moment in His grace wipes away years of disgrace.” – Dave Williams
If we know our Bibles, we know what God has promised to us! This allows us to stand in the midst of the greatest of trials and say, like Jacob, “But you promised me…”
I pray for you, my friend, that with every day you are joining me in reading through the One Year Bible, you will have an encounter with God! With every day, you will see the Prince of Peace in the pages of your Bible. You will see His heart toward you and you will hear His voice. And may the result be a year of extraordinary fruitfulness for you!
Your Friend and Pastor,
Pastor Kevin
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received.” – Jesus
– Matthew 10:8
You’ll notice something about the nature of God in our Bible reading that you will see all year long – He delights to tell you to do what you can’t do on your own! We are meant to live with the need for supernatural assistance. We are meant to go after things that are so big they require angelic activity, a divine “suddenly,” and supernatural power.
Earlier we saw that God told Noah to build a boat to save the lives of the human race and all animal life. Okay, I can’t always get my dog to come to me! Seriously, gather up all the animals on the planet and get them in a boat together?
Today we see Jesus issue a command for the disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons! He didn’t say pray for the sick, because they could do that. He said heal them!
Watch this. God told Moses to tell Aaron to turn all the water in the Nile into blood. Jesus told the servants to put water in a jar and serve wine to the master of ceremonies. Jesus told Philip to feed thousands when he had no food. Jesus told Peter to go fishing and find money in the mouth of the fish to pay their taxes. Jesus told Lazarus to come forth; only one problem with that – he was dead – “was” being the key word.
Throughout this year, don’t be surprised when the Lord tells you to do something that looks impossible. When He does, simply obey, believe, take action, and leave the rest to Him. Then will come the suddenly moments!
So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them… Aaron raised his staff and struck the water of the Nile. SUDDENLY, the whole river turned to blood! – Exodus 7:20
I pray that this new year will be filled with divine adventures, supernatural provision, and suddenly moments as you become increasingly sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings on your fast,
Pastor Kevin
Two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” – Matthew 9:27
That was the day that a healing service spontaneously took place. It wasn’t planned; flyers weren’t handed out; there wasn’t an announcement made at the Temple that week. This healing service was the result of somebody who simply would not take “no” for an answer!
In our Bible reading today, we learn about these two nameless guys who cry out to Jesus for mercy. It appears Jesus said nothing back to them, but they would not take “no” for an answer, so they followed Jesus into the house! There is something about a desperate heart that always gets the attention of the King.
It wasn’t until they walked into the house without an invitation—because they were desperate for a miracle—that Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” Maybe that was His way of saying, “Why are you following me? Is it because I can make you see?” That’s when the healing service started!
Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! – Matthew 9:29-30
Are you in need of a healing? Have you given up on your miracle? Here’s the good news – Jesus is still in the healing business! It’s not so much about the size of your faith as it is the size of God’s heart for you. It’s your cry for mercy and your refusal to give up that moves His heart.
If you’ve lived for years with sickness, if pain has become just a normal part of life, I pray for you, my friend, joining my faith with yours. I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit settles down over you right now. May God stretch forth His hand with healing power over your life. May the healing that Jesus purchased for you be yours! May you, like our two nameless blind guys, be a walking healing service just waiting to happen!
Blessings on your fast,
Pastor Kevin
When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry. “Oh my father, what about me? Bless me too!” he begged. – Genesis 27:34
Why all this drama over a father’s blessing? Jacob works to deceive his father in order to steal his brother’s blessing. Esau breaks down in tears because he didn’t get the blessing. Why? They knew something that in our modern culture we don’t get – the blessing has supernatural power to it!
This is your year to walk in the secret power of the blessing! The blessing given from God to Abraham, then to Isaac, and then to Jacob, is now to you through God’s Son, Jesus Christ! The Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, said, “So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith” (Galatians 3:9). In today’s Bible reading, we see this blessing being passed from Isaac to Jacob.
Isaac blessed Jacob and said… “From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.” – Genesis 27:27-29
I decree a blessing over you, my brother and my sister. May 2017 be a year filled with plenty for you. May you find yourself blessed this year so that you can be a blessing to others! May you walk in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit this year. May you thrive through everything that comes your way this year! I speak this as a blessing over you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Happy Fasting,
Pastor Kevin
This Christmas, we had the chance to be part of something amazing at Mount Hope Church. We were able to give away 500 gifts to members of our own church family as well as some amazing people in our community! It was the response of the people that stood out to me the most. From the kids at St. Vincent’s Home for Children to some dear couples that we were able to surprise… from tears of joy, the eyes of children getting an extra sparkle, to the smiles… I’m so thankful for the generous church family that I get to be part of.
While the people were various ages and at different places in life, they all had one thing in common: they responded. The Lord’s amazing grace—when it is gazed upon, when it is experienced firsthand—will always bring about a response. In today’s Bible reading, we see three great ways for us to respond to the Lord:
When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD (Genesis 24:52). I love that the first thing this amazing man did, who knew his prayers had been answered, was to bow down to the ground and worship! Before he moved forward with the planned gifts he brought for Rebekah, he first gave thanks to God! The first always goes to God – the first ‘thank you,’ the first place we put our trust, and the first 10% of our income. Remember, Jesus said to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God. Why not make it your goal to have worship be your first response to news this year – from good news to bad news? He’s always worthy!
We read today that in response to God’s command, Isaac stayed in Gerar (Genesis 26:6). It seems insignificant, but this simple act of obedience opened up the door to God’s blessing on Isaac. Because Isaac trusted God, not his own understanding; because he followed God’s leading, even though it may not have made any sense to him, look what happened. When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him (Genesis 26:12). Your seemingly small acts of obedience can open the door for big blessings from the Lord.
The disciples, just like us at times, faced a surprise storm. How did they respond? They woke up Jesus, shouting at Him. I think it’s safe to say that it’s a bad idea to wake up anyone by shouting! But it’s not the rude awakening that Jesus had a problem with; it was their lack of faith. “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25-26). Jesus had told them that they were going over to the other side of the lake. But when the disciples saw the storm they said, “We are going to drown!” When it looks like you are sinking… when it looks like things aren’t working out very well… respond to God not with what you see, but with what He said!
Happy Fasting,
Pastor Kevin
Years ago while lying on a beach in Florida, I noticed a guy walking around with a metal detector. Now and then he would stop and pick up something or dig something up. I thought it was the strangest thing on the planet. Why would you waste time looking for people’s leftover stuff, when you have the beauty of the beach and ocean right in front of you? But that random guy did remind me of something extremely important – the one who seeks is the one who finds!
In 1989, an Australian man found a 12-inch-long gold nugget shaped like a boot. They named it “Boot of Cortez” after the famous Spanish explorer. It sold at an auction in 2008 for over $1.5 million! I’m guessing he understood something we all need to understand – seeking is the key to finding.
Today in our scripture reading, we see an example of three people that discovered the secret power of seeking God and the blessings that followed. Those are the same blessings available for you today. They teach us to:
Abraham’s servant, after a long trip to get a wife for Isaac, stopped to seek the Lord when he said, “O Lord, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success today…” (Genesis 24:12). And before he even finished praying, he saw the answer coming! Ask God for success and favor for every task you have today.
Jesus was amazed at the faith he saw in a Roman officer who came to Him for a miracle. His young servant was in bed paralyzed and in terrible pain. Jesus said, “I’ll come and heal him.” That’s when the officer, full of faith said, “Just say the word from where you are and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:6-8). And sure enough, Jesus gave the word, and healing came! When you are seeking God, add faith to the mix!
Do you have an important decision to make? Are you at a crossroads and simply need to know what path to take? No problem – seek God and He’ll tell you clearly what path to take. This is the promise for all who seek Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Happy Fasting,
Pastor Kevin
The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. – Genesis 21:1-2
At just the right time, William Autrey leaped down from a New York subway station onto the train tracks. With a train heading toward him, he moved a man—who had fallen onto the tracks while having a seizure—into the middle of the tracks and laid over him. The train drove right over the top of them… but they were safe! William was not too early and he wasn’t too late… he was right on time!
So today, we see God keeping His promise to Abraham and Sarah at just the time God had planned. God is always punctual for the time He sets. He shows up at just the right time! The answer may not come at the time we set… but it will always come at the time He sets! It’s what you and I do between the time that God gives the promise and the set time that He fulfills the promise that really matters!
Here are a couple helps for you as you are waiting for God’s “just the right time” for your promise to become a reality!
We see God lovingly reminding Abraham that He had not forgotten His covenant promise to him. The Lord has graciously reminded me of what He has promised for Mount Hope Church and Renee and me personally. But I also love to remind myself and go over those words the Lord has spoken to my heart by the Holy Spirit and His written Word! Take time to go over the prophetic words God has spoken over your life.
Abraham waited years for the promise from God to become a reality, but during that time he was becoming a man of faith. Someone put it so well when they said, “You don’t make great men of faith overnight. It takes years of God’s work in them, years of almost mundane trusting in God.” Know that during this current season, God is focused on what you are becoming!
Today in Genesis 21:15-20, we see that God opened up Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well of water she had not seen before. May the Lord open your eyes to see what you had not seen before—your great future in Him! I pray you activate your eyes of faith to see the well God has provided for you.
Happy Fasting,
Pastor Kevin
The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. When the Lord finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way… Genesis 18:22, 33
I love the picture of God remaining with Abraham. Why? There was a conversation He wanted to have with Abraham. Can you see God and Abraham sitting down over a cup of coffee, having a conversation? Did you know that God wants to have a conversation with you? It’s true! There are some specific things about your day that God wants to talk to you about. There are some things about your future that God wants to talk with you about. Here are a couple keys to making the most of your conversations with God.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him (Psalm 105:4). The word “seek” means to beat down a path into His presence every day… continually! The secret place was never meant for occasional visits. You and I were meant to press into God’s presence and live our whole lives there.
Jesus said to keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). As a young boy with a paper route, I learned the value of being persistent and not giving up every Friday when it was collection day. It didn’t take long to figure out that people didn’t want to pay their bill, but if I kept knocking, eventually they would come to the door. When it comes to prayer, the Lord invites you and me to have an attitude that refuses to give up.
I know that sounds so simple. Yes, God knows everything. He knows what you need, but we are expected to ask. Here is a secret I have learned when having conversations with God – communicate with God as your heavenly Father. See Him as the great Dad that He is. Talk to Him that way. Listen to Him that way. Obey Him that way! Jesus said, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11).
Happy Fasting,
Pastor Kevin