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Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
[25] I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/jer.31.25.NIV


Finding Margin in God's Presence

I passed a wall of magazines at an airport—one headline stopping me in my tracks. It said, “Why We Are More Exhausted Than Ever.”

That day I was so fatigued I could feel it in my soul. Like many, I had embraced a lifestyle of long hours, chronic stress, constant travel, endless screen time, and a pace with minimal margin.

In trying to serve others, as well as feed poor and suffering people around the world, I had slowly neglected my own needs and the remedies God had provided to keep me whole.

That strategy works—until it doesn’t.

This life is an incredible adventure, but our minds, bodies, and souls require attention—not neglect.

The world offers promises of happiness and contentment that inevitably fall short and lead to disillusionment and disappointment. God, on the other hand, offers care for our deepest needs and everyday challenges.

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."
Jeremiah 31:25 NIV

Many of the professions with the highest rates of burnout are service-oriented: doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, ministers, social workers, military personnel, and parents of young children.

While the priorities and practices propagated by this world ultimately lead to weariness, the ways of God lead to lasting renewal.

After reading that magazine article and studying Scripture, I was reminded of a simple truth: The most significant step we can take to remain refreshed is to spend time in God’s presence. That unlocks the door to wisdom, perspective, respite, refreshment, and restores our mind, body and soul.

In other words, our hope soars when we spend time in the presence of God. Prayer, worship, Scripture reading, church participation, and service to others invites God’s presence and provides the antidote to a weary world.

The world offers distractions and temporary relief that ultimately leave us empty. Conversely, God offers renewal that provides focus, contentment, energy, and vision.

Receive those gifts, then use them to serve others and introduce them to Jesus.

Matthew 7:14 NIV
[14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.7.14.NIV



The Narrow Gate

What’s easier? Lounging on your couch or hiking up a mountain? Scarfing down a candy bar or cooking a healthy meal? Complaining about a problem or working diligently to solve it? Saving your hard-earned money or spending it all in one night?

Just because something is easy doesn’t mean it's what's best. 

Jesus knew this. In fact, He often chose the harder road with purpose over an easy one with no meaning. He said: 

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Though Jesus beckons the entire world, His invitation is also exclusive. Because all paths, all religions, and all good intentions do not lead to God.

Jesus isn’t implying that we can earn our own salvation by searching the hardest or climbing the highest or praying the longest to find some elusive gate. Instead, Jesus makes it clear in John 10:7, saying, “I am the gate…”

The way to the one true God, the Creator of this world and the Sustainer of your life, is through Jesus Christ—who loves you, gave His life for you, and was raised from the dead so that you could live.

You can’t earn His love or salvation, but you can accept His gift of grace and enter through the narrow gate.

Yes, it’s easier to scroll social media than to think about the deeper meaning of life. It’s easier to stay busy and distracted than to confess and repent of your sins. It’s easier to dismiss God altogether than to trust Him with your soul.

But the harder road is worth it. The narrow gate leads to life, and there is no other way than our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 19:21 NIV
[21] Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.19.21.NIV



Planning Ahead

Think about your upcoming plans for the day, week, year, and beyond.

Maybe you want to start a business.
Maybe you want to raise a family.
Maybe you want to write a book.
Maybe you want to travel the world.
Maybe you want to start a ministry.
Maybe you want to volunteer in your city.
Maybe you want to plant a garden.
Maybe you want to pay off debt.

Scripture tells us …

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Making plans isn’t a bad thing. In fact, the Bible tells us that we will harvest what we plant (Galatians 6:7), so we should be diligent—not lazy—to wisely prepare for the future. But we must simultaneously hold those plans loosely, because God knows the full picture of our lives.

God is always working in and through His people, giving them the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). But sometimes, we require rerouting. Sometimes what we want isn’t in His plan.

But even when we don’t get what we’ve hoped for, He always has our good and His glory in mind. 

Jesus modeled how to surrender His own plans by literally giving His life up for us—for our freedom. And, even though it wasn’t easy, our lives and our futures look different because God’s purpose prevailed.

So today, make a list of some of your plans and dreams. Then hold your hands out in front of you, and visualize giving all of your dreams and plans over to God. Picture all of those plans evaporating from your hands. Then, ask God to show you which plans He wants to give back to you and if there are any new dreams He’s longing for you to receive.

Philippians 4:7 NIV
[7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

https://bible.com/bible/111/php.4.7.NIV


Peace Beyond Anxiety

All around the world, there are rumors of war, or genuine threats to safety and security. We experience high levels of conflict and change across various cultures, and in our personal lives. We wonder about our safety, the security of our children, and what the future might look like. 

If we’re not careful, our thoughts can easily lead us into anxiety. We can be swept into the spiral of over-thinking and worry. But God tells us something different. He tells us to submit everything to Him in prayer. To submit something to God in prayer is to recognize that He is the creator and director of history, and He alone has the power to protect us and direct our lives.

If we’re careful to guard our thoughts and submit them to God, God says that He will give us His peace. The peace of God surpasses all of our understanding because it transcends our anxious and changing world.

Having God’s peace doesn’t mean that we won’t have times where we feel anxious. But even in the most anxious of times, we can rest in the assurance that God is with us, and He is more powerful than our anxiety. When we offer God our thoughts and circumstances, we allow Him to step in. We allow Him to transform the ways we think and act. We allow His peace to guard our hearts and minds. 

The truth is, we don’t have the power to change our thoughts or circumstances—only God does. When we try to take control, we often worsen the spiral of anxiety and worry. But we don’t have to stay in that place. We can bring our concerns to God, and allow Him to give us His peace in return. Over time, we will discover that His peace has empowered us to think and act differently.

Every time you find yourself anxious, take a moment to pause and pray. Be honest with God and tell Him exactly how you’re feeling and thinking in that moment. Remember that God is always in control, and always present with you.

Psalms 59:16 NIV
[16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.59.16.NIV


Enduring Setbacks

As a teenager, David was anointed as the next king of Israel. But instead of ascending to the throne in a blaze of glory, he spent years running from Israel’s current king (his father-in-law) who repeatedly tried to kill him. 

During this time, David laments to God. He has honest conversations about his situation while holding onto the hope that God can—and will—restore him. Psalm 59 is the result of one of those conversations.  

David’s laments allowed him to express his grief, cry out for justice, and remember God’s faithfulness. Focusing on God’s faithfulness reminded David of God’s character, and knowing God’s character helped him hold onto hope. That’s why he could say, “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16 NIV)

Talking honestly with God helped David recognize that even though his current situation wasn’t good, God was still good, and still worthy of being worshiped. David believed that God was still in control, and that he would one day see the fulfillment of God’s promises.

And one day, God’s promises did come to pass. But God didn’t waste the years David spent as a fugitive—instead, He used them to help David become the leader and warrior Israel needed. The setbacks David endured actually strengthened his character and prepared him for his future purpose. Although his circumstances were painful, God was faithful. 

And God can—and will—be faithful with your life. 

When you place your hope in Jesus, you never grieve in vain because the God who is now is also the God who will be forever. And He is constantly advocating and acting on your behalf. That’s why, no matter what you face, you can hold onto this hope: Jesus can turn your setbacks and sorrows into setups for your good and His glory. 

God can take your pain and use it for His purposes. He can make a way through your desert seasons. He is your source of strength and your refuge in times of trouble. Nothing is impossible for God. 

So today, continue to draw closer to Him, and look for evidence of His faithfulness. As you intentionally pursue God, look for ways to worship Him like David did.

Ephesians 6:13 NIV
[13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.6.13.NIV



Armor for Everyone

In the first century, Roman armor would have been made of metal and treated leather. Today, we might imagine a soldier or police officer's bulky tactical gear with bulletproof vests and helmets.

Not many of us wear this kind of head-to-toe protective gear before heading out in the morning. But the Bible urges us to consider spiritual armor as something essential. Why?

Because unseen spiritual adversaries exist, and we're vulnerable to their attacks. Here are two vital things to notice about our "armor." First, God is the one who gives us armor. It's the armor of God. We can't possibly protect ourselves from spiritual attacks, but God can supply all that we need.

Second, we don't put on our armor or fight alone. The mental image of the lone soldier standing in an arena against an enemy is not what Paul has in mind. The instructions to put on spiritual armor aren't given to you, the individual—they're given to all of us, together, who make up the global Church. 

We all suit up together in God's armor, and we stand, pray, praise, and defend… together.

God graciously gives us armor so that, when we experience a spiritual attack, we will stand and fight by His strength. Today, imagine standing strong in God's protective armor. How might this imagery influence how you endure and remain resilient in the face of spiritual battles and uncertainties?

Colossians 3:12 NIV
[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

https://bible.com/bible/111/col.3.12.NIV


Clothe Yourself in What Matters

Imagine putting on shirts of compassion, patience, and forgiveness. That might seem ridiculous, but Colossians 3:12 tells us to “clothe ourselves” in traits that match our identity in Christ. In other words, we need to cover ourselves in actions and attitudes that result in us looking more like Jesus every day. 

So, how do we do this? One way to get started is by thinking of the struggles that keep you from living more like Jesus, and then start to replace them with their opposite action.

- If you are sarcastic and cutting, choose to say something kind and encouraging instead.
- If you tend to come across as harsh, choose to do something that requires gentleness.
- If you’re holding a grudge, make the hard but important decision to extend forgiveness anyway.

As you go about doing that, choose to take part in activities that build you up spiritually. This could look like connecting with friends who will keep you accountable, memorizing Scripture that you can apply to your life, or cultivating compassion by serving in your community. The more you intentionally pursue actions that lead to humility, compassion, and kindness, the more those traits will become a natural part of your life. 

And as you pursue the qualities mentioned in Colossians 3:12, the changes this produces will be most evident in the way you treat other people.

The apostle John said that we can’t claim to love Jesus if we hate each other (1 John 4:20), so a life that reflects Jesus is going to embody love. And according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love is patient and kind, is not irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

A life marked by God’s love is going to display the very things the apostle Paul talks about in Colossians 3:12. 

So if we want to live like Jesus, then we need to receive the new life He’s given to us and accept His unconditional love. Only then can we begin to reflect His love to others by showing people compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

So today, what do you need to do in order to clothe yourself in those character traits? Make a note of one or two struggles that tend to trip you up, and make a plan to remove them from your life by replacing them with actions that draws you closer to Jesus. You

Revelation 3:20 NIV
[20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

https://bible.com/bible/111/rev.3.20.NIV


A Generous Invitation

While exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and sharing his experience with Jesus, John was given a vision.

He was told to write down what he saw and send it to the seven churches. And though these messages were given to literal churches of that time, they're still just as relevant to and representative of our modern hearts today.

Now, for some context, let’s focus on Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea …

Jesus describes the church in Laodicea as being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. They’re rich and comfortable, prosperous and self-sufficient, apathetic and indifferent. But despite these things, Jesus still offers a generous invitation:

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you see it? Do you feel it? 

This is an invitation for intimacy, relationship, and friendship with the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of everything.

But make no mistake, Jesus is a gentleman. He refuses to force Himself upon anyone. Instead, He pursues hearts and extends invitations—but we must open the door.

The church in Laodicea was full, but empty. They were disoriented by a false sense of security and control. They were successful according to the world’s standards, but distracted according to God’s standards.
 
And yet, Jesus still called out to them. Jesus still knocked for them. Just as He’s still calling out and knocking... for you. The same God who flung planets into space and carved mountains into existence wants to be near you and with you, and to save you.

So if you hear Him calling out to your soul, or you feel Him knocking on the door of your heart, it’s your move.

He is waiting with open arms.

Psalm 34:14 KJV
[14] Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.34.14.KJV


Reconciled for a Purpose

Have you ever attempted to balance a difficult equation? There’s a lot more to it than simply getting the right answer. You need to understand the step-by-step process if you want to be able to apply it and find new solutions in the future. In fact, most solutions in life involve a process, and the idea of reconciliation is no different.

It’s not enough to know that reconciliation is the answer to disunity and injustice. We have to seek to understand and actively engage in the process. Reconciliation is the hard-but-good, messy-yet-beautiful, worth-it kind of work.

“Turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 34:14

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are not only called to understand and engage in the process of reconciliation; you are thoroughly equipped to be a minister of reconciliation. Scripture affirms that every believer is a minister of reconciliation, empowered by God Himself (2 Corinthians 5:11-21).

So how do we do that? Psalm 34:14 lays out a few steps for us:

TURN FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD. Turning from evil means both rejecting evil outwardly and addressing it inwardly within our own hearts. We confess the sin that caused the fracture by acknowledging our role in conflicts with God and others, and we turn from our old ways and actively seek peace.

SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. Peace isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of restored harmony. Seeking peace means we aren’t just peace-keepers; we are peacemakers who actively pursue being a part of restoration. We listen empathetically and strive for understanding. We see and are attentive to the brokenness around us and ask where God might be calling us to be a part of reconciliation. And we put in the work because this kingdom work is worth it.

Because of the reconciliation work of Jesus Christ, accomplished on the cross, reconciliation is not a problem to be solved—it's a process that you’ve been invited to. Jesus Christ is reconciling the world to Himself. How will you join Him?

Ephesians 1:7 NIV
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.1.7.NIV


The Center of Salvation

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus lays a foundation for the power of salvation that is achieved through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The core of the Christian faith is found in this event.

The forgiveness of sins that we experience as Christians came through the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross. Jesus lived a perfect life, and became a perfect sacrifice for the brokenness of all mankind. Without the shedding of blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). And without the forgiveness of sins, we would not be able to approach our holy and perfect God. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection made a way for us to have a relationship with Him.

Jesus gave His life once and for all, which means that He doesn’t have to die again. All of your sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven through Jesus. In fact, nothing can separate you from the love God has for you.

Paul says that all of this is in line with God’s grace and promises. All throughout Scripture God promises to redeem His people. He promises to rescue them and free them from their bondage to sin and brokenness. God accomplishes this through Jesus.

Think about God’s great love and grace for you. Do you feel forgiven and set free? Or are you weighed down by your mistakes? Spend some time talking to God, thanking Him for what He has done for you. Remind yourself of God’s promises. Ask Him to fill you with the knowledge of His love and grace.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
[34] Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

https://bible.com/bible/111/1ch.16.34.NIV



Love that Lasts

For years, nothing in King David’s life looked “good.”

His family underestimated him, giants despised him, and his father-in-law spent years trying to kill him. But the whole time, David clung to a promise that God would establish him, and make him king of Israel. 

David never gave up or gave in—he stayed close to God, and waited for Him to act. And when God acts, this is how David responds: 

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV

Despite the pain David endured, he knew that even when life didn’t look good, he still served his good God. And this same God actively fights for us.

Through His Son, Jesus, He has given us continual access to Himself. We can never lose His unfailing love toward us—a love that endures forever, no matter what goes on around us.  

David recognized this, and proclaimed it. And every day, we have the opportunity to do the same thing. Here are two practical ways we can respond to God’s goodness and love:

- Thank Him in Prayer
When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He told them to start like this: “Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name.” It’s fine to ask God for things, but real relationships include both give and take. So at least once a day for the next week, go to God in prayer, and thank Him for something He’s done—without asking Him for anything in return. 

- Share Your Story
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to honor God by “proclaiming our allegiance to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15-16) So what has God done for you? Where have you seen Him provide, protect, show up, or show off through your life? Look for natural opportunities to share what God is doing in you with someone else. 

Right now, reflect on your life and thank God for His eternal goodness. Nothing you have faced or will ever face is too much for the God who loves you and died for you. Bring Him your concerns, surrender your expectations, and allow Him to reveal the evidence of His goodness in your life.

Matthew 18:20 NIV
[20] For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.18.20.NIV



God’s Presence in the Process

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is on the record for speaking the following words: 

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:20‬ ‭ESV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Due to many other texts in the Bible, we know that God’s ability to be with us is not hindered by a crowded stadium or an empty room. He’s able to be just as present whether there’s more or less than 2-3 people gathered.

So, in this case specifically, what did Jesus mean?

When we look at the surrounding context, Jesus is actually explaining to His disciples how to correct a believer who has sinned against them. He encourages them to:

- First, go talk to the person alone.
- Second, if they don’t seem to listen the first time, bring one or two others along.
- Third, if they still don’t listen, bring the issue before the church.
- Fourth, if they still refuse to heed the wisdom and counsel of the church, treat them like you would an unbeliever.

So when Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them,” He’s reminding them that, as they navigate church-discipline situations with humility, grace, and love, He will be with them in the process. 

Throughout God’s Word, we’re given instructions for handling various situations—whether it’s money, relationships, sin, health issues, etc. And even when things don’t appear to be black or white, we can listen to the Holy Spirit and look to the leaders He’s appointed.

Jesus knew that conflicts and issues would inevitably arise, so He taught His disciples to ask for whatever they needed (see verse 19), and promised to be with them on the journey.

1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
[12] Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

https://bible.com/bible/111/1ti.6.12.NIV



Learning to Fight Good Fights

When we became Christians and first believed in Jesus, we began a journey of faith. We committed to becoming a disciple of Jesus, who follows His commands and trusts in Him.

The apostle Paul, in his instructions to Timothy, encourages him to fight the good fight of faith. This implies that the journey of faith will often be difficult. It will sometimes be messy, hard, and harrowing. Paul’s words serve as a reminder that sometimes—faith looks like a fight.

However, rather than a fight against people, this journey of faith is a fight for goodness, beauty, and faithfulness. We are fighting against our own broken natures, but also against God’s enemies within the spiritual realm.

Fighting often looks like making the right decision even if it’s not the easiest decision. It might mean being gentle when we want to be harsh. It might mean choosing love when it would be easier to be selfish.

Fighting well means remaining faithful to Jesus over the course of your life. You were called to a new life in Christ when you came to faith, and you are called to remain faithful over the course of your life.

So how do you remain faithful? One of the ways you can cultivate faithfulness is by reading God’s Word every day. When you regularly spend time with Him, you begin to love what God loves, and hate what He hates. 

But as you seek God in this way, it’s also important to have friendships with people who can encourage you. Having two or three people in life who can help keep you accountable is a necessary part of your faith journey.

As you consider what next steps you need to take to fight well, remember that you do not fight alone. God is with you—and when you draw near to Him, He will empower you with the strength you need to finish your faith journey well.

Genesis 2:3 NIV
[3] Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.2.3.NIV



A Rhythm of Rest

Where did the idea of a seven-day week come from? Throughout history, cultures have experimented with varying the number of days in a week, but the most enduring pattern for human work and rest is woven into how the Creator made us. 

When God first created the world, He finished all He wanted to do in six days. He could have moved on to the next project on His to-do list, but instead, God intentionally rests and enjoys His creation. This is the standard pattern of work and rest created for us from the beginning. 

How we create and produce reflects how we are created in His image. Just like God, we make things and name them. We work and then rest. When we intentionally stop working to enjoy the blessing of just being in a relationship with God, one another, and His world, we reflect His image, too. 

When God rests, that does not indicate laziness or exhaustion from work. From the beginning, God models a rhythm of work followed by rest and reflection. Rather than pausing out of tiredness or when we finally finish our long list of projects, God asks us to plan a time to rest every week. 

When it comes to knowing when it’s time to take a break, choose the rhythms of our Maker over our exhaustion-driven routines. He intends to bless you.

Matthew 19:26 NIV
[26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.19.26.NIV


Jesus Does The Impossible

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to us asking God to do something selfish.

In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions—something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.

Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.

The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the very thing that man cannot.

We cannot earn our salvation. We cannot work hard enough to attain it, and we can’t achieve it on our own. It is impossible. But with God all things are made possible for us to be saved. It is only through the work and power of Jesus that we have access to salvation. And through the empowerment of the Spirit, we are enabled to have faith in God.

What in your life is keeping you from faith in Jesus? Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s material possessions. Maybe it's a wrong mindset. Whatever it might be—God has the power to remove these things from your heart so that you can have faith in Jesus. 

So spend some time with God today, and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal anything within you that is keeping you from loving Jesus better. Then, do something daring—surrender those things over to God.

Proverbs 19:17 NIV
[17] Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.19.17.NIV



Honoring the Poor

How different would our world, communities, and homes look if we committed to helping the hurting around us?

The writer of Proverbs, typically considered to be King Solomon, penned these words:

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are those who are financially or materialistically poor. Maybe they were born into a cycle of poverty, have hit hard times, or are physically or mentally sick. But there are also those—like Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5—who are poor in spirit. 

Giving generously to those in need, caring for the vulnerable, and living an open-hearted life is the call of every believer. 

Jesus echoed this theme in Matthew 25, explaining that good works like feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, showing hospitality to strangers, and visiting the sick or incarcerated will not go unnoticed. In fact, when we do such things, we're actually serving Jesus (Matthew 25:40).

How wonderful would it be to end poverty, stop hunger, and witness the day when the world is entirely at peace? Eventually, Jesus will make all that is wrong right, once and for all. But until then, we get to keep serving Him and loving others every chance we get.

No one can do everything, but we all can do something. 

Genuine followers of Jesus will be compelled by His Spirit to love the people He’s created. And if that’s not enough, we can believe Him when He says that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

John put it this way:

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When we serve God’s people out of obedience, we're really serving Him!

Luke 9:24 NIV
[24] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.9.24.NIV


Following the Way of Jesus

Discipleship is at the center of the Christian life. To be a disciple means to be a learner. It means following after Jesus, and patterning our life after His.

Jesus tells us that the starting point of following Him is to deny ourselves. Denying ourselves means we choose to put Jesus’ desires above our own. This means that we must come to recognize that we do not have all the answers, or know the right way to go through life. 

Discipleship is not something we do once or twice. It is a lifestyle that must be lived out each and every day. We will spend our entire lives becoming more like Jesus. 

The way of life Jesus modeled was to suffer on the cross. When we deny ourselves, we choose to humbly follow Jesus. And as we become more like Jesus, we will also need to take up our cross. We will also suffer for doing good, and for denying things that seem enticing in the moment, but ultimately keep us from God. But when we bear our suffering, we represent Christ to those around us.

The paradox of following Jesus is that when we give up our life for His sake, we receive eternal life in return. When we hold onto our life and keep it from Jesus, we don’t get to experience the abundant life that He promises.

Take some time today to consider how you’re living a life of discipleship. Take inventory on the ways you are denying yourself and living for Christ, or living selfishly for your own pleasure and gain. Commit to following Jesus no matter how hard the path gets. And pray for strength and endurance as you follow Him.

Galatians 5:13 NIV
[13] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.13.NIV


You’ve Been Set Free

If you’ve ever been in debt (or known someone who has), you know the impact it has on a person. When you’re in debt, your money, time, or resources aren’t your own—they’re continuously being taken from you, and often with interest. 

No one wants to be enslaved to a lender, and yet—every one of us has owed a debt we could never pay off.  

The ancient Greek word for “sin” means “to miss the mark.” It was originally used to describe an archer’s arrow that didn’t hit the center target. In archery, it didn’t matter whether your arrow was close to the mark or far from it. If you didn’t hit the center, you lost. 

In Scripture, the “mark” is the standard God asks us to aim for—but we all miss it. We miss it when we choose selfishness over humility, and anger over gentleness. We miss it when we lie, cheat, steal, slander, complain, and gossip. We miss it when we tear people down, and disobey God’s command to love others. Sin prevents us from becoming the people God created us to be.

But the good news is: Jesus saved each of us by sacrificing Himself for our mistakes. We couldn’t pay off our debt of sin in a million lifetimes, but He freed us from it in one moment. 

And because He paid our debt, He wants us to live as free people. 

When we pursue anything that separates us from God’s Spirit—whether through legalistic actions or lawless decisions—we act like Jesus hasn’t set us free. But when we choose to love others like Jesus loved us, it shows we value Jesus’ sacrifice and want to embrace the freedom He bought for us.  

So how do we live free? 

We accept that what Jesus did was enough for us, and then we commit to loving Him. 

As our love for God grows, His Spirit helps us unconditionally love others. Instead of holding a grudge, the Spirit helps us forgive. Instead of hurting someone, the Spirit helps us encourage people. Instead of using people, the Spirit inspires us to humbly serve. 

The more we love, the more we embrace our freedom—and because of God’s love, nothing can take our freedom away.

Blessed weekend Friends!!

God bless you 🙏

Hebrews 12:14 NIV
[14] Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.12.14.NIV

Peace Wherever Possible

What does holy living look like? 

According to the teachings in the New Testament, it’s living in accordance with God’s Word. Holiness means saying “no” to wrong actions, and seeking forgiveness when we do make mistakes. It looks like putting aside any selfish interests in order to pursue the good plans God has for the world. 

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews understood that this wasn’t easy, so he encouraged his readers to “run with perseverance” while stripping off anything that might slow them down or trip them up (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The author of Hebrews then encourages his readers to be holy, to live according to God’s commands and ways. Holiness gives others a window to see God in our lives. It also gives us the opportunity to love others the way Jesus would love them. As we pursue a relationship with God, the way we interact with people should change. 

The author of Hebrews describes God as the God of peace (Hebrews 13:20). If our desire is to obey God and be like Him, then we should make every effort to live in peace with everyone.

When we live with anger or bitterness toward others, we’re unable to show them the love of Jesus. A love that sets us apart and shows off God’s glory. 

Living at peace with people does not mean that we have to love everyone the same way or blindly accept misconduct. But, it does mean that we make an effort wherever possible to generously seek wholeness, reconciliation, and forgiveness—actions that lead to peace.

Take a moment today to consider your relationships with others. Are your relationships marked by anger or bitterness, or are you living at peace with others? If there is someone in your life you have not forgiven, make an effort to begin to make things right. Consider how you can live a life that aligns with God’s Word, so that others can see God working within you.

Isaiah 26:4 NIV
[4] Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.26.4.NIV


Who Do You Trust?

What's causing you to wait?

Maybe it’s a dream you’re holding onto, or a promise you’ve been given. Maybe you’re waiting on a person to change, or a situation to shift. Maybe you’re waiting for a prayer to be answered, hope to arrive, joy to replace sorrow, or clarity to replace confusion and chaos. 

It can be difficult in the midst of pain, loss, and suffering to patiently cling to the One who promises to come through for us. 

Isaiah was a prophet to the leaders of Judah during a time of national corruption and spiritual destitution. He foretold of his people being dragged away into exile because they were trusting in idols, political rulers, and other momentary things. 

But Isaiah also reminded the people that God was sovereign, would bring them out of exile, and would one day send a Savior to rescue them forever. 

Isaiah didn’t live to see all his prophecies fulfilled—but he held onto the hope that he prophesied about, and his words to the people of Israel can continue to encourage us today…  

Trust in the Lord even when circumstances don’t make sense. Trust in the Lord even when you’re suffering. Trust in the Lord even when your heart is breaking. 

Come what may, trust in the Lord. 

Seasons may shift, situations may change, people may abandon, desert, or betray you—but the One who remains constant throughout history is the God over history. The Lord is unchanging and immovable. Nothing can stand against Him or overcome Him. 

He knows what it’s like to suffer because He suffered for us. We can trust God because He always keeps His promises—and He has promised to fight for us, never leave us, make a way for us, love us, protect us, and remain faithful to us. 

Since God is our salvation, we can trust Him and not be afraid.

So come what may, let’s choose today to trust in the Lord.

Romans 12:12 NIV
[12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.12.12.NIV


How to Build Strong Character

Paul, the author of the letter to the Church in Rome, frequently encouraged the believers in Rome amidst the persecution and adversity they were experiencing. The first half of Paul’s letter corrects some of their thinking, while the second half focuses on their character and actions.

In Romans 12, Paul is encouraging the believers to let love be the primary motivation for everything they do. When love is the foundation of who they are, then God can renew and transform every area of life. When they allow God to transform their character, that's when they're able to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

Christians have a unique hope in Jesus—we know that Jesus is victorious over evil and will one day return to make everything right. This means we can have hope in the midst of suffering or difficult times.

Paul knew that affliction produces steadfast character within us. When we choose to endure through suffering, Jesus forms strength and confidence within us that we couldn’t attain otherwise.

But perseverance through affliction also requires constant communication with the One who transforms us through His love. Prayer is a vital part of this. It is the primary way we communicate with God, and it’s also part of how the Holy Spirit strengthens us for following Jesus.

These three things create within us a stronger character in life. They mold us into the image of Jesus who was joyful in hope, patient in suffering, and faithful in prayer. So today, take some time to think of a few ways that you can become more like Jesus in these areas.

Luke 6:28 NIV
[28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.6.28.NIV



Pray for Who?

All throughout Jesus’ ministry, He constantly turned things upside down for those listening. The religious leaders at the time had grown distant from following the laws of God. Jesus’ teaching helped bring them back to the heart of the law, but He often did so through surprising ways.

Most of us probably think we do a great job at loving other people. But if we’re being honest, most of us probably spend our time loving those who also love us back. It’s a lot easier to love the people who we’re friends with. When there’s trust built over time and common ground, it’s easy to love.

Jesus says that loving those who love you is not enough. In Luke 6:28, He challenges us even further. He says we’re to bless those who speak negatively about us, and we are to pray for those who mistreat us.

If you’ve ever been mistreated by someone, or had someone speak negatively about you, then you know how hard it can be to love that person. It is hard to love unloving people. And yet, Jesus did exactly that. When we were at our worst, He still loved us.

If you find it hard to bless those who mistreat you, begin with prayer. Between you and God in prayer, ask Him to help soften your heart. Ask Him for justice in a specific situation, but also for there to be restoration.

Every person who exists is a person Jesus wants to love. And when we make steps to love those who are unloving, we’re showing the love of Jesus to someone who needs it. As we take steps to pray for those who mistreat us, we become more like Jesus.

Take a few minutes right now to pray. Ask God to help you grow in love towards those around you. If there's someone who has hurt you, ask God to begin healing your heart. Say a prayer for that person as well. Ask God to be with them, to help them, and to make a way for their heart to be softened as well. Thank Jesus that He loved us even when we were unloving.

Best new week yet friends. God bless you 🙏

Psalms 4:8 NIV
[8] In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.4.8.NIV



The Peace of God for Anxious Hearts

There is a lot of anxiety and worry in the world around us. Many people are worried about the quality of their future, the security of their investments, or the threat of sickness or war.

Anxiety and worry aren't just things that happens around us, but something that can also happen within us. A lot of people struggle with anxiety over their future, their family, their finances, their career, or their personal health.

Scripture tells us that while there are some things that are within our control, most things in life are outside of our control. So more often than not, we spend time worrying about things we have no control over.

Scripture tells us that trust in God should fill the gap between reality and what we desire. We should not be anxious about the things we cannot control, but rather we should submit everything to God in prayer. He alone has control over the unknown.

That is why the writer of Psalm 4 says that he will lay down at night in peace, free from anxiety and worry. Even though the writer is surrounded by danger, he places his trust in God. That leads him to sleep peacefully in safely.

The quality of our sleep is often a symptom of our trust in God. If we are anxious and restless at night, it could mean that there are things we’re not trusting God with.

Spend some time considering your own heart. Are you anxious or filled with worry? Meditate on God’s power and sovereignty. Ask Him to fill you with His peace and assurance that He is in control of your future. Continually remind yourself of the promises that God has given you in Scripture.

Happy last Sunday of the month of June 2026.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV
[10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.2.10.NIV



Part of the Plan

In the beginning, God created everything.

Galaxies and volcanoes, fireflies and diamonds, oak trees and great white sharks. Finally, saving the best for last, He created humans in His image—to fill the earth, reign over its creatures, and cultivate a world that magnifies Him.

But even before the beginning, God was already there. He spoke time and space into existence, while existing outside of time and space. And long before you were born, He already knew all about you—your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures. 

He knew all about you and still chose to make you… because He loves you!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV

You are God’s handiwork—sometimes translated as masterpiece, workmanship, or work of art.

You are also God’s masterpiece because of the unique spirit, personality, and gifts that have been uniquely wired in you.

Because we know that God is more brilliant than we could ever imagine, and because He loves us more than we could dare to hope, and because we know He writes great stories, we can trust what He has planned from beginning to end. 

And His plan includes you. Yes, you! He has prepared good things for you to step into—meaningful relationships and impactful work. He is continually putting people and opportunities in your path, as well as working inside of you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).

He has empowered you to partner with Him as we experience the greatest story on earth.

So as you consider how God has intentionally designed you and placed you at this specific point in history, what passions and callings has He placed on your heart? This could be one big thing, or several small things. As you think about that, what step do you need to take to pursue your calling with God-given confidence?

James 4:7 NIV
[7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.4.7.NIV



Daily Surrender

What does it mean to be humble in our relationship with God?

There are three things that the apostle James mentions that can help us: submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to God.

- SUBMIT TO GOD  
Submitting to God means coming under His authority. Rather than living according to our own desires and ways, we should submit those things to God and live according to His desires and standards. 

In order to truly submit to God, we must first recognize that His ways are better than ours, and He knows better than we do. We must also believe that He has our best intentions in mind. He cares for us.

- RESIST THE DEVIL
The devil desires to keep us from our relationship with God and cause us to stray from Him. When we resist him with God’s strength, he will flee from us.

- DRAW NEAR TO GOD
The best way to submit to God and resist the devil is to draw close to God in our relationship with Him. Not only does He promise to stay close to us, but He will also give us the strength and grace to endure every trial.

Take a moment to think about your own life. Are there parts of your life or plans that you haven’t yet surrendered to God? Every day is a new opportunity to submit ourselves to God and to draw near to Him.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

JESUS LOVES YOU!

Colossians 3:2 NIV
[2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

https://bible.com/bible/111/col.3.2.NIV

Psalms 34:18 NIV
[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.34.18.NIV


Closer Than You Think

In one unsuspecting moment, everything can change.

A relationship can shatter, a dream can suddenly end. Your heart can break for a million different reasons: grief, rejection, loneliness, uncertainty, tragedy, betrayal.

When something terrible happens and the world makes zero sense…

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 
Psalm 34:18 NLT

David, the writer of Psalm 34, preached what he lived. He experienced some intense highs and fierce lows, but he recognized God’s presence in the midst of his circumstances. He knew that God was near, and God could change any situation in an instant.

Is your heart broken? Is your spirit crushed?

God is near.
He hasn’t left you to fight for yourself.
He sees you in your heartbreak.
He meets you where you are.
He has not forgotten you.
He has not abandoned you.

This doesn’t mean you won’t face hard things. But even when your mind races and your heart doubts, God offers a peace and an intimacy that cannot be fully explained.

Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we now have constant access to God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. There are many places in the Bible where the Holy Spirit is described as the Comforter—ready to soothe, guide, counsel, and encourage. 

The comfort we receive from God is a gift from His Spirit who is always with us. So if your heart is breaking and your spirit is crushed, know that you are in good hands. God is near, and He will not abandon you.

Trials and hardships are a part of life, but God has the final say.

Right now, take a few moments to name anything that has crushed your spirit. Then, give yourself permission to just sit in God’s presence for a few moments. When you’re ready, consider memorizing today’s verse and meditating on it throughout your day.

Good evening friends, happy Midweek, it's the last Wednesday in the month of June. Thank God for His faithfulness. Don't forget He is patiently waiting for you to draw close to Him.