Breathing in Christ

Our daily habits and routines create life’s experiences, including opportunities to notice Jesus in our everyday lives. Intentional habits create space for reflection and open us to noticing Jesus more frequently and deeply. What habits help you experience and notice Jesus’ love?

We can simplify our routine and prioritize time with Jesus by setting aside a specific time each day for prayer. It doesn't have to be long; just a few moments to connect with God can renew our energy and focus. What time(s) of day work best for you?

Solitude and silence seem radical because the noise all around us is overwhelming. Being still invites us to relinquish any sense of getting something accomplished and cease our demands on God. How might you be still today and enjoy God's presence?

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Incorporating spiritual rhythms like prayer, meditation, and worship into our daily lives helps us stay grounded and connected to God, creating a sacred rhythm that nurtures our soul and strengthens our faith. Think about ways you can make spiritual practices a consistent part of your daily rhythms to help you feel more centered in Christ.

"I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live." - John 11:25

Jesus did not come to bring us back to our old lives – Jesus brings us new life! What areas in your life need more than a temporary fix? How might Jesus' gift of resurrection lead to lasting change and growth?

“The heavens declare the glory of God…” – from Psalm 19:1

Nature follows God’s rhythmic design—seasons change, tides come in and go out, and plants grow and produce in cycles. Natural rhythms teach us a few things about patience, renewal, and the constant presence of God in our world. How could you bring more of these natural rhythms into your own life?

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." - Genesis 1:1, 1:5

God created the universe with a perfect rhythm, adding something new each day. God's divine rhythms show us the value of order and balance in our own lives. Thinking about your daily routines, is there time for connecting with Jesus? What rhythms or habits in your day naturally connect you to God?

"For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well." - Psalm 139:13-14

Our bodies operate on intricate rhythms, from our heartbeat to our breathing cycles. These biological rhythms ensure our health and vitality. By aligning with these natural patterns, we can live more harmoniously and attuned to God’s design.

"I will listen to what the Lord God is saying; for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you. Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, that your glory may dwell in our land. Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before the Lord and shall prepare for God a pathway." - Psalm 85:8-13

In quiet and stillness, we can seek meaning and clarity. How might you pause to listen for Jesus today? As we breathe in Christ together, we might imagine God's love and faithfulness embracing us. In this divine rhythm, we inhale Jesus' presence and exhale peace. May we live out the promise of God's word, breathing in the rhythms of grace.

"The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to the place where it rises." - Ecclesiastes 1:5

Our days are filled with natural rhythms—sunrise and sunset, work and rest, activity and stillness. Embracing these daily rhythms helps us stay connected to the flow of life and the presence of God in each moment.

Philippians 4:8 is a profound call to love because it encourages our daily actions to reflect the nature of Christ. Paul lists virtues such as truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, and admirability to guide our thoughts and attitudes.

Love begins in the heart and mind. By living out these virtues, we cultivate a mindset that aligns with God’s character and naturally expresses love in our actions.

Love is active. Consider taking a moment to reflect on your thoughts and actions. How do they align with Christ’s extravagant love? What is Christ inviting you to think about today?

In John 9:1-12, Jesus encounters a man who has been blind from birth. His disciples ask whether the man's blindness is due to his own sin or his parents' sin. Jesus assures them that neither is the cause. Instead, Jesus uses mud and saliva to make a healing salve, applying it to the man’s eyes, and instructs him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys, washes, and returns with his sight restored.

This miracle, while revealing Jesus’ divine healing power and authority over our physical bodies, challenges the conventional belief that physical afflictions are a direct result of sin. Jesus redirects our focus to God’s redemptive work of compassion, healing, and restoration. Jesus brings wholeness and hope because healing is radical love.

How might you be an agent of healing in your family, community, place of work? Perhaps it’s offering support to those who are struggling, or praying for the sick, or offering words of comfort and encouragement.

In Luke 15:1-7, tax collectors and sinners are gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and teachers of the law begin to mutter, criticizing Jesus for welcoming and eating with sinners. In response, Jesus tells them a parable:

A shepherd has one hundred sheep and loses one. He leaves the ninety-nine in the open country to search for the lost one until he finds it. When he finds the lost sheep, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and returns home and he then calls his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him because he has found his lost sheep.

This parable teaches us about the inherent worth and value of each person. Seeking the lost sheep is a call to love that involves actively reaching out, valuing every person, showing compassion, and embodying selfless love. No one is insignificant or beyond redemption; every one of us is worthy of love and seeking after. The divine love of God seeks out the lost and offers grace and mercy.

Is there someone in your life who feels marginalized or forgotten? What simple act of kindness might show them they are valued and loved?

This week I invite you to continue praying into scripture with a lens of extravagant love, a gift we all need more than ever these days.

In John 8:1-11, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and returned to the temple early in the morning, where he began teaching. In an attempt to trap Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to him, questioning if she should be stoned according to Moses' law. Jesus shifts the focus from the woman’s sin to their own need for forgiveness and says that anyone without sin should throw the first stone. Everyone left, starting with the elders.

Standing alone with the woman, Jesus tells her he did not condemn her. Instead of casting stones, Jesus offers grace. Love does not rush to judgment or condemnation and recognizes human fallibility and refrains from harsh punishment. Love calls us to humility and self-reflection, understanding that we all need forgiveness and grace. Love seeks to restore rather than to punish.

Is there someone you need to forgive, including yourself? What would be a first step towards letting go of grudges to embrace the freedom that forgiveness brings? Are we quick to judge, or do we extend grace and understanding?

This week I am praying through the scriptures with a lens of God's extravagant love as witnessed by radical acts of compassion, forgiveness, healing, and/or provision. Will you join me?

The Good Samaritan parable found in Luke's gospel (10:25-37), is a powerful example of how love is fundamentally a call to compassion. Despite the deep-seated animosity between their cultures, the Samaritan helps a Jew. He interrupts his journey, uses his own oil and wine to treat the wounds, and pays for the man's stay at an inn. Love often requires personal sacrifice, prioritizing others’ needs above our own convenience and resources.

True love, God's love in Jesus Christ, transcends cultural, racial, and social barriers. Love calls us to look beyond prejudices and societal divisions to reach out to anyone in need. Love gives freely, without seeking recognition or reward.

How might compassion become a daily habit? We can look for ways to practice love through tangible, sacrificial, and ongoing acts of kindness. How is God inviting you to embody this kind of compassion in our interactions today?

Still tired? Take a moment to breathe in Christ. Deep, mindful breaths can renew your energy and focus. Consider trying the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat this several times to calm your mind and body.

Exhausted? Nourish Your Body with Creation! Enjoy the fruits of creation to reclaim your energy. God's creation provides us with the nutrients we need to thrive. Consider incorporating more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole foods and minimizing processed foods that can lead to energy crashes and breathe a bit deeper in Christ.

In the United States, we set apart July 4th to celebrate freedom and independence. Through Jesus, we have the ultimate freedom - freedom from sin and death, and the freedom to live fully in God's love and grace. If you are celebrating today, remember to breathe in Christ, embracing eternal peace and joy.

Let us pray...
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the freedom we have in you. Help us to breathe in your presence daily, guiding our steps with your grace and love. May your peace fill our hearts as we honor the blessings of liberty. Amen.

Life in Jesus is different. It’s a call to be counter-cultural, to live a life that goes against the grain of the world. Deuteronomy 30:11-16 reminds us that this commandment is not too difficult or out of reach. It’s a call to live a life of love, compassion, and faithfulness.

As a call to be different in a world that often prioritizes self-interest, materialism, and fleeting pleasures, life in Jesus stands in stark contrast as a call to love and compassion. Jesus teaches us to embody compassion over indifference, kindness over cruelty, and selflessness over selfishness.

The word of God is near us, in our mouths and hearts. Jesus’ presence in our lives empowers us to face the challenges and temptations of the world with grace and resilience. As we breathe in Christ, may we find the strength to live this counter-cultural life rooted in love.

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” - Deuteronomy 30:15-16

Deuteronomy 30:15-16 invites us to choose life and love in Jesus. Every breath is a divine invitation to feel the love of Jesus and holds the potential to guide our faith walk. Jesus’ love is a living, breathing reality within us.

Every breath we take is an opportunity to connect with Jesus. Breathe in God's love, exhale grace. Let this rhythm guide your day.

You are invited to express gratitude for the holy ground moments in your life. In the comments below, give voice to the ways you notice the holy ground we stand on!

Breathe in Christ’s peace and give thanks for God's constant presence.

Lord, help us to recognize the holy ground we stand on each day. May we breathe in Your Spirit and walk in your ways, just as Moses did when he encountered you at the burning bush. Amen.

"God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'" - Exodus 3:14

God is with us always, the great I AM. In moments of doubt, breathe in Christ and remember you are standing on holy ground, supported by His eternal presence.

"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." - Exodus 3:5

God invites us to remove the barriers that separate us. As you go about your day, remember to breathe in Christ and notice the sacredness of the ground you walk on.

"When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.'" - Exodus 3:4

Just as Moses encountered God at the burning bush, we too can meet God in our everyday lives. Today, take a moment to breathe in Christ's presence and recognize the holy ground beneath your feet.

"The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life." - Job 33:4

In every breath we take, we find the life-giving presence of God. Let Jesus' Spirit fill you with peace, strength, and purpose today. Breathe in Christ as God's love renews our souls.

Join us on a journey of transformation and discover the peace that comes from breathing in Christ. Visit www.breathinginchrist.com to begin!