S2 EP12: Jesus is with you always

(upbeat music) - Hey friends, welcome to Let's Be Clear. I am Clear Cherry Reeves and this is a podcast where we get clear, pun intended, about how to find a kingdom perspective in all things. No, really, all things. Whether it be about pursuing your dreams, finding hope and hardship, or just talking about Jesus, we will get raw and honest. I believe it will encourage you. Now, let's dig in. (upbeat music) Hey guys, how is your week going? I hope you're having the best day. I like to think about the different places that this podcast meets you. Post conference call while you're marinating on something or folding clothes while your kid's nap or amidst your morning walk or wherever it is. I'm so thankful that you're here. I don't know if you tuned in to the last two episodes, but with Will, my husband, the conversation with Will was so good and so rich. And it was just really good for my soul. It was very healing. And it's not often that you get two hours with your spouse to just talk and let the Holy Spirit go. So anyway, based on the all's messages, that conversation with him really encouraged you guys. And that just makes me so happy. I was talking to some friends and we were talking about how enlightening and helpful it is to hear and listen to other couples process their emotions and perspective. And just to hear conversations happen in real time, like unscripted where people are processing, talking. I think it helps you realize how you see certain things and it winds your perspective. I don't think we realize how in the box our mentality is until it's challenged. So just hearing people emotionally process life increases your emotional awareness and agility as you learn and discover where you're at. So anyway, today's podcast is going to be a good one. You know why? We are talking about the word with from the focus devotional book. You heard me with the four letter, very common word used a million trillion times in our everyday vernacular, right? But I personally think it might be the most powerful word in the English language. I know that is a very big statement, but you will see what I mean as we kind of walk through this. So this word with, it's the notion of togetherness. Come rotary. When you are with someone, you are not alone. I would argue that it is who you are with, right? That changes your experience the most. Not even where you are, not what season you're in, not what you're going through, not what you've been through, or whatever it is, but the company that you keep while you're there, which brings me to my first point about with, it is the width, the width, not the width, the width of your life that determines the experience you have, the joy you keep, the strength you find, and the peace you discover along the way. I started reading a super recent, like, literally this past weekend, a book that I'm sure you've seen mentioned by someone or highlighted on Good Morning America or something, because it is topping that Amazon charts right now, and it's very popular for a good reason. It's called the anxious generation. And it's talking all about the danger of our digital culture, processing the way that it is right now, and what we can do about it, the importance of recognizing boundaries as parents, you know? And just in general as humans, like, even if we are not parents, the importance of realizing where we're at, understanding we can't hide under a rock, but how do we handle all this exposure and the addiction to it and the constant in and out and the constant input, honestly, I mean, we're obsessed with consuming. Anyway, I wanted to mention this book because I just started reading it and I'm already pretty captivated and convicted by the truth that because of our addiction to the digital world, we have become people who are in a situation, right, or in a place, or in an area or vicinity with people, but we are not even really with the people that we are with. I'm gonna do an entire podcast reviewing the book once I've finished it, but I wanted it to mention it in light of the world that we live in because I think it's a crucial point and a huge issue with this word with is that how are we going to experience the transformational power of being with Jesus together, devoted, attention on him if we cannot create this space and solitude to get in his presence? Right, how are we going to develop intimate connections with other believers if we are never really with people fully when we are there? The only way to really be with someone is to disconnect from your phone, release where you're not and embrace where you are. And I get that this seems like so obvious, but I think it's actually our issue. Like I think even when we are giving time to people or places or tasks or situations, we aren't actually fully there. And this constant partial attention and fomo and addiction to the virtual world makes it impossible to experience the peace of God's presence in the present moment, right? I'm gonna say that again, this constant partial attention and fomo and addiction to the virtual world makes it impossible to experience the peace of God's presence in the present. Dallas Willard, he's one of my favorite authors in theologians and he is brilliant, brilliant. He's one of those who when you read his book, you have to like read it, take a breather, read a little more. He says the first act of love is always the giving of attention. And I love that quote, it's so simple, but it's so profound because how true, right? It's like when I always think about it like when I'm with Will and really the greatest thing I could give him is my attention. My full devoted, completely aware, sold out to that moment attention, not where I'm half brain doing something else, where I'm wondering what else is going on, where I'm thinking through our to-do list, where texting as I'm kind of listening, so I'm kind of listening, but I'm kind of not, which is I think when we communicate, where like I told you that, no you didn't, it's like, yeah I did, but you were doing a million other things, right? It's like we're always so many different places because our phones are this portal and we don't even realize that they make us anxious. We don't even realize that as we are even holding them in our hands, guys, I think even holding them physically in our hands while we are with people. I understand we live in the real world, I understand we have kids we have to check on on, no we can't totally check out and just like, put it on, do not disturb forever. That's not what I'm saying, but what I am saying is, it's really hard to give undivided attention when you enter the state absorbed in something and then a place where you're not even really, but you're mentally and emotionally tapped into that. So, I think the greatest way that you and I could serve Jesus, the most strategic thing you could do for your business, the surest way to alleviate the anxiety within you, the most effective way you could execute to tackle your day and your life with diligence and wisdom. What do I think it is? I think it's to spend wholehearted time with God. Like to give Jesus true attention, not when you're, yes, like praying on the way somewhere is fantastic, but not when you're, not when you're trying to get an answer as you're doing something else and in the middle of your day when you're not really even like hearing him, you know? It's like, we want these things and we say these prayers, but really when we're communicating with God, we're a million places and we're hoping He like deposits really quick and we can catch a little bit of it, you know? But if we spend wholehearted time with God, like when is the last time that you did that? And He is so much grace for our scatter minds and the fact that we always have things on our to-do list and we have a really hard time being still. So I don't mean that there's not absolute grace and mercy for that and He welcomes that posture and He helps us. However, to go into it with the intention of giving attention is crucial. It's like we can't say, oh, well, I'm gonna, you know, I'm a great multitasker. The reality is like none of us are. I'm definitely not. I claim to be, but I miss things. It's also why we feel frazzled as we do them, right? So anyway, I wanted to talk through a few scriptures in this podcast that use the word with and there were so many directions I could go with this one. I battled. I wanted to write like six different podcasts for this word with because it's so powerful, but we're just gonna walk through a few different scriptures because if anything, if you can remember these, I think that they will deeply encourage you. reminds you that no matter where you are, no matter what you're walking through, if you remember who is with you, that is the game changer. So Joshua 1.9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong enough good courage. Do not be afraid nor be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." As A.F. 4110 says, "Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Psalm 3124 says, "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I love these verses so much. And if you think about different verses that you might have memorized or heard growing up or whatever, there are so many in the Bible about how no matter where we go, no matter where we travel, no matter what we're up against, right? God, He is with us. His right hand upholds us. And when I was breaking down these scriptures, I wanted to mention four different things that they remind us of. One, you will be in situations where fear will knock and you will have a choice. That is always that that's part of life, right? It is guaranteed. If not, we would not need Jesus, right? We need a Savior. We need a rescuer. We need a shepherd. You will be in situations where fear will knock and you will have a choice. But because Jesus says, "I am with you, you don't have to be afraid." The second thing is that your victory amidst any battle has far less to do with your circumstances. And whatever giants present themselves and far more to do with your awareness that God is already there. He is already there. He has already prepared you. He's already came this the way. He protects you on every side. He's already covered the battle. Three is that it is your responsibility to be brave. Like God, God's not asking you to go anywhere He is not already. In any place, He will not provide anything that you need. Like He is never going to take you to a place and then say, "Okay, for these next three days, I need you to fin for yourself." You know, like that is not who our father is. In fact, when he brings us to these places where we need provision, it is on point. It is purposeful because he's like, "I want you to see that I'm never going to let you be in need. I have all that you need. Now will there be moments where that feels like maybe how are the dots going to connect or where's the resource going to come from? Sure. Because that's that gap of faith, right? But He says, "I am with you. And if I am with you, then your provider is with you. Your protectors with you, right? The promise keeper is with you." What you believe about God will determine your courage. If you take Him at His Word when He says, Joshua 1-9 as A of 41-10 and Psalm 31-24, then you can walk forward knowing this last point that God promised that you would have difficulty, but what did He promise over and over and over and over? What did He tell Moses and Exodus? Every time Moses piped up and said, "God, are you sure? Are you sure you want to use me? Do you know the tribe that I come from? Do you know the issue that I have? Do you know the insecurity that I face? What did God say over and over and over? Moses? I will be with you." And this all kind of sums up to this thought. Your courage is determined by your width. If the provider promised keeper and Prince of Peace is with you wherever you go, you will find it in you to be brave. And next, Scripture went to look at Genesis 6-9. This is obviously early early. Beginning of the Bible, right? First book of the Bible. And we're talking about Noah. It says, "This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time." And he walked in close fellowship with God. From the very beginning, it has always been about connection and fellowship and devotion. That is what God has always been about. That is why He made us. He did not make us to do His projects. We work. Yes, but we work so that we can have purpose and have relationship with Him. We work to put our hands to things, but God could do it all by Himself. He does not need us. He wants a relationship with us, which is why everything comes back to that. And Genesis tells us about the story of Noah. And I think we sing about Noah's Ark and all of that, but when you really think about it, it is absolutely wild that the entire earth was covered with a flood, but God instructed Noah to build an ark, letaball the animals, and that He would preserve humankind through Noah and His family. And what was the kicker? Like why? Why was humanity saved on behalf of Noah? Because Noah spent time with God. It says He walked in close fellowship to God. That was what saved Him. The preservation of your purpose and peace will always be linked to your time spent in His presence. If you want to protect your life and experience fullness, if you were like, okay, clear, what is the smartest thing that I could do for my life? Proortess being with God. Okay, clear, but like I'm in a scenario where this is happening and my finances are this. You know, reality is your friend and I know God's there, but what's the most like effective way I could spend my time? Same thing, close fellowship to God. Because here's the deal. When we prioritize being with God, we become like Him. We start to make decisions that honor His Word. We start to release things that don't matter and prioritize things that do. We start to have discernment about decisions that we couldn't see before. We start to realize gratitude, brings contentment and we praise when it's hard and when it's good and when it's easy and when it's fun and when it's not. And all of these things, I mean, all of it, prioritize being with God and that is the way to protect your life. And it turns out, and this is something that is important that we can see about. Noah, in as our responsibilities believers, is how we walk and who we choose to spend time with, it affects the world around us. It is impossible to separate your with from your influence. Who you spend time with will directly influence the decisions and difference you make in the lives of those around you. End of story. The greatest way that you could be a wonderful parent is to prioritize being with God. Because your children benefit from that. The greatest way that you could love your family is to prioritize being with God because you will love them out of a heart overflowing with being loved by God, right? When we prioritize being with God, we also are able to live loved. And it's interesting and intimate and true and generous and selfless, humble place is to be with God. Know that we are loved. Know that we are not searching for other people, for from other people. The next verse that I wanted to look at is Proverbs 3, 5. And it says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Do not lean on your own understanding. It is not easy. A.K.A. life will not make sense. And most chapters will feel unpredictable. And I don't know. I feel like it's just human nature. I mean, it's starting in the garden. We want control. We want to understand why the things that we can't do, why can't we do them? We have that pride complex of, "Okay, I don't want to be God because I know I'm not good at it, but I want to be God because I want to be in control." And so when we have these moments, it all goes back to the with, right? When the who and the why and the what and all that stuff doesn't make sense, we have to go back to who am I with? Who is my companion, right? The Holy Spirit. Who is the one leading me in the author of my life? God the Father, right? And who gave his life and promised me that he would go before me and he's preparing a place for me, right? Jesus. And so we can trust that even when it does not make sense, don't try and connect the dots, right? Lean into your with. Because the Lord's job is His job and we are not good at it. Pretty much every scripture we are going to go over today and continually throughout the word, the premise comes back to this is with me, no life, no peace, no strength, no freedom, no joy, right? Without me, Jesus without me, it will be empty. It will be hollow. It will be hard pressed. It will be anxiety-ridden. It will be exhausting. Life is already going to throw you those things, but who you are with determines direction you travel and ultimately the life you experience. The hard thing, you know, thinking about the scripture and Proverbs is that trust is definitely not automatic. I mean, as life pings and prize and proves to be unpredictable and perplexing based on your comprehension and at my comprehension and our lackluster and short-sighted ability to see and know, we continuously have to put trust in God over and over and over again. I mean, it is an active thing and usually about the same issue, like we pick it up, we put it down, we pick it up, we put it down, right? But how do you trust someone? Think about the people in your life, how have you come to trust them? How have you developed trust with people in relationship? You spend time with them, right? You also, there is risk there. If there is no risk, intimacy is impossible. When you invest with Jesus and spend time getting to know the heart of the Father, that is the only way that you will actually trust Him. Lean not on your own understanding, lean into your with, right? Spend time. It's like when we have these problems and I felt this way recently, I've been in a little bit of a slump which I hate that works. It just sounds gross. It sounds like, man, that's not a pleasant place to be. It's definitely not. Slump, right? They live up to their word, right? It's just not a fun place to be. You feel the discrepancy between where you're at and where you want to be. You feel the tension and you feel the like, ugh, my, I feel scattered or I feel just constantly exhausted or I feel always stressed or I just can't seem to beat this. I just can't figure it out and I realized recently for my own self, I was kind of, I had to remember that we're always in a season of surrender. That's not unique to your season, you know, and accepting that and going, okay, Lord, what can I do in this place of uncertainty that will help me have a little more practical hold on where I'm at? I can lean into your heart, I can know what you promise, I can know what is absolutely true and does not change. If I can focus on those things and if you can help me in the practical day-to-day, know what I can do in that moment and I found it even that it's like, it really helps you not take a concern and make it a worry and will and I always talk about that, you know, is hey, are you concerned about that? Like, you know, giving attention to something and prayerfully setting it before the Lord, that's one thing, but worrying about it, caring it around, letting it be in our book bag when we already have a lot to carry, that's different, worries very much different than concern and so trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, getting back to the width of your situation, instead of the why and the what and the who and the when and the how, right? I wanted to talk about this next verse and I'm going to kind of read actually it's it's when I mentioned Moses and he's great to talk about this term with because Moses was just a man of the Lord who led, you talk about with and people he led the Israelites to the Promised Land but he went through some serious storms to get there and Exodus 33, 14 says the Lord replied, I will personally go with you Moses and I will give you rest, everything will be fine for you. I wasn't going to read all the other verses but honestly, I think it's crucial to really get up to the point of this first so you can understand what the Lord is saying like I will go with you Moses, I will give you rest, everything will be fine for you. Take a deep breath, right? And so I'm going to read Exodus 14 12 through 33 it says one day Moses said to the Lord, you have been telling me take these people up to the Promised Land but you haven't told me who you will send with me. You've told me I know you by name and I look favorably upon you. If it is true that you look favorably upon me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor and remember that this nation is your very own people. Moses is like pleading to God, right? He's literally like, hey God, these are your people like don't forget us, don't forget me like help me. It says the Lord replied, I will personally go with you Moses and I will give you rest, everything will be fine for you. Then Moses said, if you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably upon me and on me and on your people if you don't go with us? For your presence among us, set your people in me apart from all other people on the earth. The Lord replied to Moses, I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably upon you and I know you by name. Moses responded, then show me your glorious presence. The Lord replied, I will make all my goodness pass before you and I will call out my name Yahweh before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose and I will show compassion to anyone I choose, but you may not look directly at my face for no one may see me and live. The Lord continued, look, stand near me on this rock. As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind, but my face will not be seen. You'll let this point in scripture as I mentioned, Moses saying, like, Lord, look, I have continuously told these people that we are on the way to the Promised Land and that you will be with us and I know that's the game changer. We cannot move forward without that. I love this humility. He's like, look, that's what sets us apart. It's in his pleas. You see that Moses is also praising God, right? He's like, we can't do this without you. God, please let me know, confirm a firm. Show me, reassure me that you will be with me, that you will be with me. I am leading these people. Please don't put me to shame. And God responds, saying, look, I will personally be with you. You won't go a step without me. And when I say with you, and that's why he says, look, you're going to see you can't even look at my glory. It's so great. It's like he's saying, hey, look, I'm going to reveal to you that there is this provision of my presence. You can't even look at it is so sure and so mighty. It is so worth trusting Moses. You see the journey to the Promised Land. It was longer than anyone wanted and more intricate than anyone expected and more weary, something Moses definitely thought he was capable of leading. But this portion in Exodus reminds us that what it is your with, not your when, why, what, or where, or how that provides rest along the way. I don't know where you're at. I don't know if I sure listening to this podcast, you feel alone, or you feel like amidst the valley that you're in, you've lost sight of your with. Or maybe you're struggling with friendships and you're like, God, I, I know that you are with me. But can you can you provide other people around me as tangible rebonders that you have not forgotten me? Or maybe with your family and you feel like you're kind of in a spot where you're navigating tension, you weren't expecting and and you really need the camaraderie of the Holy Spirit to just strengthen you, like to strengthen your frame, to uphold you, to remind you that you can do this, that you are capable. I know it feels impossible when we're on a journey we didn't expect like if your child's born early in you're in the hospital and you're wondering how you're going to get from point A to point B, your house is going to work, right? Or maybe you just got a medical diagnosis or you've had one and you're in between and you never thought you were going to have to navigate being in this these deep waters, right? Or maybe maybe you just found out your husband is having an affair and you feel like you are never going to not feel the depth of loneliness that you feel. I'm saying these like really serious examples but then also the really ones of like the they're not my new but they might feel my new and comparison to where you're going to college from high school or you're starting a job and and you need to know that you know that you know that you know that God is with you. The truth is is that we really can't operate from a place of rest as we are on the way to the promise. We really can't operate from a place of rest when when the world around us feel shaky or when things are even when things feel like they're getting blown up in front of us. When we know who is with us it is our game changer. It allows us to have a posture of response instead of reactivity because you know who is with you and because of the one who is with us it is true that even when it feels far from okay we are not in jeopardy. How does the world around you know that you have been with Jesus. Let's think about that word with. I think it's Acts 413 as I'm literally talking. I'm going to research it. It's one of my favorite scriptures and it's Peter and John and they just performed a miracle and the council members so impressed and they're like, "How? How did you do this? These are just ordinary men." I'm going to read Acts 413. It says, "The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John. For they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the scriptures. They also recognize them as men who had been with Jesus. With Jesus that is the game changer. That is how we can show up and have influence worth like actually last and mean something. That is that's it. That is life. I mean at the end of the day, are you okay if someone says I didn't really know much about clear? You know, I wasn't that like impressed by this about her or this or whatever but I do know that she is someone who's spent time with Jesus. Would that be enough? Are you going to operate in a way that you know who is with you and not let the headlines or social media or the narrative others create around you? Create your posture and your temperament and your peace of mind. I love how God affirms Moses in this story and he isn't upset that Moses is struggling to trust him again. Remember, God showed up over and over. Y'all, he proved himself through miracles time and time again earlier in Exodus. You can go and read that. But that's his nature. He will never tire out reminding you, "Hey, I am with you." What is Joshua 1.9? What do we start out with Joshua 1.9? It says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid. Nor be dismay for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." So I just pray today really, I mean this podcast, I just pretty much in a bunch of different sentences, use the same synonym. He is with you. The God of heaven and earth, the creator, the organizer, the mender, the healer, the restore, the one who revives dead things and brings them back to life. He is with you. He is inside of you. He will not leave you. It is a gift of grace. It cannot be taken away from you, which is the most wonderful thing about it and you did nothing to earn it. And so you just get to accept it, to receive His presence, to know that it's the covering over your life here now and forevermore. I'm going to close this up with the Monday prayer. If you can, close your eyes, of course, if not, please, please, please, do not. Hey, Jesus, thank you for the gift of another Monday and a fresh week. I am grateful for the way that you recharge and refresh my spirit as I prepare for this week before me. You refill my cup. Will you help me remember the most important truth that I will ever know, the truth that you are always with me. Wherever I travel, you have already gone before me and prepared a place for me. I will never experience a moment alone. As I show up in my normal routines and relationships, lead me in being a person of intentionality and focus, fully committing to the present moment and trusting you with all else. When my attention feels compromised, highlight what tabs to close and give me the discipline to do so. Thank you for reminding me that I was never created to operate on all cylinders at all times, engaging fully with those around me and in fellowship with you, I find joy and peace with you is where I long to be. In Jesus' name, a man, you'll have this podcast encouraged you. Would you mind leaving a review for those of you that do? I just hope you know, like, gleeful is the word that I should say that when I read your reviews and see them, it first off, it's so helpful. It takes 30 seconds, but it really just means the world to me. And as I'm preparing for these, I think of you. I think of what you're doing. I think of what you're going through. And I pray, man, I pray that they encourage you. If you want to leave a review, all you do is type in, let's be clear on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Scroll to the bottom where it says leave a review and voila. So easy. Make sure you're following along with us on clearly stated on Instagram or Facebook or wherever suits you. And if you have not downloaded our app, guys, I hope, pray, please do. It's so easy. It makes shopping easy, but more so it makes encouraging people easy. And that way you don't have to go to social media and get locked into the black hole. I understand, trust me. We all scroll out for a minute. Forget what we're doing and all of a sudden we are on our Uncle's grandmother's cousin's page and we are anxious. We are not in Kava. It is insane. So download the app. You can get all the encouragement and devotions there and just super grateful. For you guys, think ill for loving Jesus with me, for being hungry, for what matters. You know, always think about the scripture in Mark when I record the podcast that we can gain the whole world and lose our soul and nothing matters more than the caretaking of our soul. So I pray that this week you take care of yourself, your soul, the inside of you, what matters you feed it, you nourish it, you love it, you receive grace for it. And you know that you are absolutely loved by the maker of heaven and earth. I hope you'll have the best week. Pray for for you guys as always and we will see you next time.