… But now we wonder, how can we experience the rest that we have as a permanent possession? Jesus doesn’t leave us in the dark. That’s where the next two verses come in…
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.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
At that time Jesus declared,
“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding
and revealed them to little children;
yes, Father, for such was your gracious will…
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Galatians 3:3 NLT
As you will recall (Duty or Devotion), I chose to believe God’s unconditional love for me apart from any of my “doing” or earning through my fleshly, religious self-effort.
And so I began to interpret everything I heard in messages, read in books, and interacted with in conversations based on this foundational truth of God’s unconditional love. As a result, the heaviness and bondage began falling away. The Holy Spirit was setting me free.
Read More“We often say, and rightly so, that Christianity is not a creed, it is a relationship; it is living with a Person. That is the simplicity that is in Christ. The danger that we constantly face is that we get involved in the things about Christ and fail to live in relationship with Christ.”
(Ray Stedman, Authentic Christianity, 2025)
And much of the “things about Christ,” end up coming from “duty” rather than a heart of “devotion.”
Read MoreOn this our national 250th Independence Day, we are proclaiming our Declaration of Dependence! We are celebrating that every day is Dependence Day for those of us who "live from the life of Another."
Read More… I’ve come to learn over these years of walking with God that things aren’t always what they seem. The extraordinary is hidden in the ordinary. And let’s face it. You and I live quite ordinary lives. We compartmentalize our lives into secular and sacred. Then we go through each day wondering what this present life is all about. We don’t see the glory all around.
Read MoreMy sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me... John 10:27 NASB
As far back as I can remember, I longed to know God. At my mother's knee, I would sit and listen to stories she would tell me from our big gilded Bible (Remembering Stone #1). But it wasn't until later, in my young adulthood, that I became aware that perhaps I could hear God's voice speak to me...not audibly, but in the still, small voice of His sweet Spirit dwelling within.
Read MoreMany years have passed. The Lord has had me on a journey into freedom and joy in him. It has definitely not been all smooth sailing, but in those early days He used a little book, Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray, to transform my Christian walk. …
John and I recently returned home after a glorious six week car trip (see previous posts). It’s taking longer than we thought to “get our Ohio feet under us” (as John has been saying).
My friend Barb may be right. She claims it takes 3 times the length of the trip we’ve been on to recover from being away. That means I need to give myself 18 weeks (4-1/2 months) to recover totally. Can that be right? Maybe so…it sure feels like it right now…
Read MoreAs we entered our beloved Dallas, anticipation was high…former home, birthplace of our beautiful daughter Beth, home of our beloved church (McKinney Bible Church) from many years gone by, precious friends “unseen” for 30+ years, and new friends in the Grace community (leaders and members of Network 220 and the Grace Tribe).
Read MoreThoughts that “followed me” as we traveled:
Read MoreNo matter where I am,
no matter where I travel,
there are always people God puts across my path —
known and unknown —
whom I can love
and to whom I can show grace and kindness
in Jesus’ Name
through His indwelling Spirit
Lesson #4: God sends many kind, interesting people across our paths in life.
… A second is equally important:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
“Who is my neighbor?” In Jesus’ familiar story of the Good Samaritan, He answers that question from both directions. The racially-religious outcast (Samaritan) was “a good neighbor” to the needy, beaten and destitute man (his “suffering neighbor”). So in a sense we are all “neighbors” to each other. I guess the question is do we pay attention to those around us and reach out?
… So much new territory to navigate in our journey from Ohio through many states and on into Tucson. We successfully used our car GPS for the majority of the trip. But we experienced His Abiding Presence to be our best GPS of all. The most stressful part of the trip turned out to be finding our way to the hotel in Albuquerque, NM.
Read More…If you have been following along with us, you know we’ve been unpacking these truths, learned on our trip thus far:
God answers His children’s prayers (see previous blog post)
God often answers before we ask. (today in John’s words)
God is our GPS on trips and in life.
God sends many kind, interesting people across our paths in life.
And now for today’s truth:
We have been experiencing this truth from even before our “car trip” began. The final decision for the trip had to wait for a good report from the doc on blood tests etc. And I like to think that even before the good report came, God was, in a sense, moving in heaven and on earth on our behalf.
Read MoreI’m back-tracking a bit to tell you about our first stop in our car trip. Illinois for Spring Break in Kansas City with our beloved daughter and son-in-law and grands was our plan. (see photos below).
But the the most heart-grabbing, spiritually touching part of it all took place in their home in Illinois before and after our trip to KC.
Read MoreWe are on a car trip … from Ohio through Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico on our way to our ultimate destination Tucson … John’s home state (yes, he is a “native son”) Home of our Alma Mater, the U of Arizona. (I would say “Go, Wildcats!” But maybe next year.)
Read MoreEaster isn't Easter unless it's Easter to YOU!
So declared a radio preacher early in Holy Week a few years ago. At first I said, "Yes!" Then I thought about it awhile and said, "Not really! Easter is Easter whether I get it or not."
What is Easter anyway? Easter is the day we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. He had conquered sin and death on the cross and then was raised, so that we could walk in newness of life. (cf. Romans 6:4)
Read MoreIt is Finished!
But why are so many of us "guarding an empty tomb," trying to keep the shame of memories, regrets, sins of the past from impinging themselves on our present as if these offenses are still alive...and unforgiven?
Read MoreIt is truly "holy ground" to reflect on the Cross — what our Lord went through … but more than that, what He accomplished there. Would you meditate along with me ... and visit Christ's seven sayings from the Cross? [links below]
What a perfect preparation for the joy, freedom, and release of the Resurrection.
Read MoreJanet Renner Loyd has been a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ most of her life. Her formal education includes a degree in education from the University of Arizona and also a degree in Bible & Theology from Moody Bible Institute. For more than thirty years, she has been involved in teaching and leading women’s Bible studies, retreats, and meetings…most notably Precept upon Precept and various studies that she has personally developed. Professionally, Jan recently retired from teaching language and writing to GED and adult ESOL students.
About her life, Jan says, “The most important thing about me is my relationship with my Father God through my Lord Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to Him for His love, mercy, and grace to me and my family and friends...and the world.”
Jan has been happily married to John Loyd for more than forty years. They have two adult, married children and five lively young grandsons.
