June Newsletter (2025)
A short personal update, recent reads, other things that are feeding my soul, and anything noteworthy from Everyday Berean this month.
Hello friend! Has your summer started well?
Our calendar has remained FULL for the last month and a half, and I’m not convinced it will slow down anytime soon. But it’s been full of good things, so even though I’d prefer a bit slower pace, I am grateful for all that the Lord has done and allowed us to do in recent weeks. Whether you’ve had a great month or a hard one, I hope this finds your soul at rest in the Lord. If it’s not, I pray the Holy Spirit may use the unrest to draw your heart nearer to Him, whatever circumstances you may find yourself in today. ♥
Here are a few favorite snapshots from May-June:
P.S. If you’re looking for a good nontoxic popsicle mold, we recently got this silicone one* and are loving it!
Some unchanging truth for your heart from Psalm 3:
1 O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.”
In Psalm 3, we see David taking his fears to the Lord—the only One who can offer real help. The word “many” is repeated three times in these first two verses; David is overwhelmed by the number of people who have risen against him. He has legitimate reason to be anxious! But the deepest faith trusts God’s goodness even when He doesn’t rescue you from distress. Jesus Himself was mocked in this way as He hung on the cross (see Mt. 27:42-43), but He knew that the Father’s eternal plan was far greater than His temporary suffering.
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
and he answered me from his holy hill.
The word “but” at the beginning of verse 3 shows us how David intentionally redirected his focus and reframed his perspective. He lifted his eyes above his circumstances to the truth of who his God is: Yahweh, sovereign over all. God is constantly covering His children with His protective hand. When we have no strength and our heads hang in defeat, the Lord gently lifts our heads to see His presence. As David remembered who was on His side, he cried out to Him; crying out to the Lord should be our first instinct when we find ourselves in trouble! And though He is high on His throne, our God is also near, never too far or too distant to hear and answer the cries of His beloved children.
5 I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.
Despite real fear and anxiety, David lay down and slept. He could sleep amidst genuine danger because he trusted the Lord’s protection and care! God is the sustainer of all life, and we can rest with the peace of knowing who our God is: a sovereign and good Father who loves His children. David had legitimate reason to fear, as thousands of enemies surrounded him. Yet at the same time, he had no reason to fear, because the Lord was watching over him. He knew it did not ultimately depend on him, and so it is with us. We can trust the sovereignty and goodness of our God and be at peace, though the enemy is all around us.
7 Arise, O Lord!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
your blessing be on your people!
Ultimately, David’s enemies were also God’s enemies, because they were actively opposing and rebelling against God. So when David asked the Lord to arise and defeat his enemies, he was asking the Lord to act in accordance with His character. God is righteous and just, and we can be sure He will not let evil go unpunished, though it doesn’t always happen on our timeline. God’s people are those he has delivered from sin and death by grace through faith, and they receive the matchless blessings of His steadfast love and faithful presence. What more could we need, whether in times of peace or trouble?
What I’ve been reading:
The Forgotten Trinity: Recovering the Heart of Christian Belief by James R. White*
Salvation: How Christ Brings Us to Life by Robert L. Reymond*
Known & Loved: Experiencing the Affection of God in Psalm 139 by Glenna Marshall*
Everyday Berean on Etsy:
Lots of NEW things have found their way into the shop this month:
New, fun additions to come alongside the best-selling Attributes of God poster
A fun new rainbow design (available on several different types of products)
Biblical encouragement for homemakers (or anyone who does ordinary work)
Buying from the Everyday Berean shop is a great way to fix your heart on biblical truth AND support the publication of new Bible study resources. I’m currently up to my eyeballs in study as I prepare to write my next Bible study book!
Something to leave you with:
In closing, here is a quote that I have thought about several times since reading it:
Reymond goes on to say that “Christians should repent after they are saved more than they ever did before they were saved, for now they are far more aware of their sins.” This is so convicting to me. Praise the Lord that Christ is my righteousness, and God is gracious and kind and patient with me, forgiving me when I confess. Yet, how often do I truly repent when the Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin? How much more often do I confess my sin, only to return to it later, instead of turning away from it?
That's all I have for you this month, friend! Whether it's been a good month or a hard one for you, I pray that you are able to delight in our good and holy God as you come to know Him more through His Word.
If you haven't been in the Word lately, what better day to start than today? If you need some help getting started, please reach out! It would be my absolute joy to help you.
Please always feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have or if you need an extra boost of encouragement through prayer. ♥
Love in Christ,
Traci Mae
*affiliate link—I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!