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October 16th – 1 Corinthians 16:14

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1 Corinthians 16:14

The world around us seems to grow more divided by the day. Where anger is loud and hate is even louder. But as Christians, we have an opportunity to be different. God’s Word reminds us to do everything in love, and that means more than loving those who agree with us or treat us kindly.

Do everything love means being mindful of our words, attitudes, and the way we treat people. Especially when we disagree. We can stand firmly in our faith without being unkind, speak God’s truth without tearing others down, and hold on to our convictions without losing sight of compassion.

It’s easy to respond to anger with anger or to judge someone without knowing what they’re going through. But Jesus calls us to a higher way. He calls us to love our neighbors. To show the grace shown us. And to remember that every person we encounter is someone He loves.

We may not be able to change the hearts of everyone around us, but we can ask God to keep changing ours. So before we speak, react, and before we decide how to treat someone, let’s ask ourselves this. “Am I doing this in love?” May the way we live reflect Jesus so clearly that others see His love at work in our hearts.

October 16th – 1 Corinthians 16:14 Read More »

October 3rd – Luke 8:15

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Luke 8:15

There’s something special about planting a garden. You put a tiny seed into the ground, cover it with soil, water it, and then you wait. You don’t see much happening at first, but underneath the surface something is beginning to grow. And in time, that little seed begins to produce something beautiful.

Jesus uses this same picture to teach us about our hearts. God’s Word is like a seed, and our hearts are the soil. We can hear His Word every day, but hearing it isn’t enough. We have to receive it, hold onto it, and allow it to take root in our lives.

But sometimes our hearts can become hard or crowded. Worry, disappointment, fear, and the hurts we carry can take up so much space that we leave very little room for God’s Word to grow. Or to reach the places in our hearts that need it most.

The good news is that God can change the soil of our hearts. He can soften what has become hard, and make room for something new to grow. Yet just like a garden doesn’t produce a harvest overnight, spiritual growth takes time too. Time for God to work beneath the surface to strengthen our faith, change our hearts, and teach us to trust Him one day at a time.

October 3rd – Luke 8:15 Read More »

August 28th – Philippians 1:6

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Philippians 1:6

Faith is a journey, not a destination. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us and begins the beautiful, sometimes difficult, work of transforming us into the likeness of Christ. But it doesn’t happen overnight. It can be a lifelong process of growing, learning, surrendering, and being changed from the inside out.

There will be days when we get it right, and there will be days when we stumble and fall. Times when we wonder why we haven’t grown more, why we still struggle with the same things, or why we aren’t  who we want to be yet. But God knows we are works in progress. And He isn’t finished with us.

Little by little, He continues to mold, refine, teach, and draw us closer to Jesus. Even when we don’t see the progress, He’s still working. Even when we fall short, His grace is still there. And even when we become discouraged with ourselves, He never gives up on us.

I’m so thankful that God refuses to leave me where He found me. He saw me in all my brokenness, weaknesses, mistakes, and imperfections, and He loved me anyway. The Lord didn’t just save me and walk away, He stayed. And He continues to work in me every single day, patiently shaping me into who He created me to be.

So if you’re frustrated with where you are in your faith journey, take heart. You may not be where you want to be, but you aren’t where you once were. Keep walking. Keep surrendering. And keep trusting. The God who started the work in you will never abandon it.

August 28th – Philippians 1:6 Read More »

July 25th – James 1:22

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James 1:22

It’s possible to spend years hearing God’s Word without ever allowing it to truly change us. We can listen to sermons, read our Bibles, attend Bible studies, and even know Scripture well, yet still deceive ourselves if we never put God’s Word into practice.

James reminds us that we are not called to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. What does that mean? It means that hearing God’s truth is important, but the real question is what we do with what we hear. God’s Word should shape our choices, change our attitudes, guide our actions, and transform the way we live.

We deceive ourselves when we believe that simply knowing the truth is enough. The Word of God was never meant to be admired from a distance. It’s meant to be lived. If Scripture tells us to forgive, we must forgive. If it calls us to love, we must love. If it tells us to serve, we must serve. And if it calls us to trust God, we must learn to surrender our fears and follow Him.

Being a doer of the Word doesn’t mean we will live perfectly. It means we are willing to obey, grow, and allow God’s truth to change us from the inside out. May we not only open our Bibles and hear God’s voice, but may we also have the courage and humility to live out what He teaches us.

July 25th – James 1:22 Read More »

June 17th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

Let’s be honest. Most of us have people in our lives who are difficult to get along with. No matter what we do, they never seem happy. They criticize, misunderstand, or hurt us, and sometimes our efforts to make peace only seem to make things worse. Our natural response is often to pull away in anger or return hurt for hurt. Yet Jesus calls us to something different. He tells us to pray for those who mistreat us.

Praying for difficult people doesn’t mean pretending their behavior is acceptable, nor does it mean allowing them unlimited access to our lives. In some situations, healthy boundaries are necessary. There are times when a relationship cannot be restored because the other person is unwilling to change or because remaining close would be harmful. But even when we can’t  have a healthy relationship with someone, we can still pray for them.

When we pray for those who hurt us, something begins to change. Not only in them, but in us. Because prayer softens our hearts, releases bitterness, and reminds us that God loves them just as He loves us. We can pray for their healing, their salvation, their growth, and for God to work in their lives in ways we never could. We may not be able to change another person’s heart, but God can.

Loving our enemies doesn’t always mean keeping them close. Sometimes it simply means surrendering them to God, refusing to let bitterness take root, and trusting Him to handle what we can’t. That isn’t weakness, it’s obedience. And in doing so, we become a little more like the Savior who prayed even for those who crucified Him.

June 17th – Matthew 5:44 Read More »

January 11th – Ezekiel 36:26

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Ezekiel 36:26

This new year, one of my projects is turning a stony, weedy, patch of my yard into a flower garden where bees and butterflies can thrive. But before anything can grow, some hard work has to be done. Rocks need to be removed, weeds need to be pulled, and the ground needs to be tilled. All done to uncover the rich, nourishing soil beneath. It’s messy, tiring work. And at times it feels easier just to leave the ground the way it is. But without that preparation, nothing healthy will take root.

That’s the way it is when it comes to our hearts. God gently but faithfully works on the hardened places within us. He breaks up what is stubborn, rebellious, and unfruitful. God takes our hearts of stone, and begins to soften them in His hands. The result is a heart moldable and ready to reflect the likeness of Jesus. The work required to create a garden is hard, but the beauty makes every effort worthwhile. In the same way, producing a fruitful harvest for the Lord doesn’t happen without hard, sometimes uncomfortable work. Yet when our hearts are willing to be shaped, softened, and renewed by Him, the beauty that grows from it is truly remarkable.

Reflection Question:
What hardened or weedy areas of your heart might God be inviting you to surrender so He can soften, renew, and bring new life?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, take my heart and do the work only You can do. Remove what is hard, crowded, or unfruitful, and replace it with a heart that is soft, willing, and alive in You. Shape me so my life produces beauty and fruit that honors You.

January 11th – Ezekiel 36:26 Read More »

January 8th – Isaiah 43:19

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Isaiah 43:19

I once heard someone say, “You can come to God as you are, but you cannot remain as you are.” A new year brings with it new and fresh opportunities. But it also carries the weight of the unknown. And for some, that can feel unsettling. God is a God of change, and while change is rarely easy, it is often necessary for growth. We are always encouraged to come to Him exactly as we are, but God’s love is too great to leave us unchanged. He is continually doing a new thing in our hearts. He’s shaping us, refining us, and drawing us closer to Himself. The work God does within us isn’t always comfortable or enjoyable. And sometimes it stretches us in ways we never expected. Yet when we trust Him, we can be confident that every new thing He brings is for our good and for His purposes. For what God allows and what He changes are never random. And in time, we’ll discover that what once felt difficult was actually preparing us for something far greater than we could have imagined.

Reflection Question:
What new thing might God be doing in your life right now, and where is He inviting you to trust Him more fully in the process?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, help me trust You with the changes and unknowns ahead. Give me a willing heart to surrender what is familiar and follow where You are leading, believing that every new thing You do in my life is for my good and Your glory.

January 8th – Isaiah 43:19 Read More »

November 15th – Mark 11:13-14

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Mark 11:13-14

Did you know fig trees in the time of Jesus couldn’t produce figs on their own? They might have looked full and leafy on the outside, but unless a tiny wasp slid inside and pollinated them from within, nothing would grow. As followers of Jesus, we’re like a fig tree. We can look put-together on the outside, showing leaves of busyness, good intentions, and surface-level faith. But unless God is working on the inside shaping our motives, softening our hearts, and transforming us from within, we won’t bear real fruit either. True growth doesn’t come from trying harder or looking spiritual. It comes from letting the Holy Spirit do His quiet, unseen work deep in our souls. When we invite Him into the places we’d rather hide, He brings life, conviction, healing, and genuine change. And before long, the fruit that once felt impossible begins to grow naturally. The fruit of patience, kindness, forgiveness, self-control, peace. The kind that can only come from God. Just like the fig tree, what happens inside determines what appears outside, and when God is at the center, our lives begin to overflow with the fruit He always intended.

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, work in the hidden places of my heart. Shape me from the inside out, and help me bear fruit that reflects Your goodness and Your presence in my life.

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September 30th – Psalm 19:1

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Psalm 19:1

Autumn has a way of putting God’s glory on full display. The trees with leaves of fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges, preach a sermon without words. The crisp air carries a quiet stillness that makes us slow down and notice God’s handiwork all around. The sunrise sky, painted with soft hues, reminds us that the Creator is still at work, faithfully writing beauty into our days. Even the gentle fall of leaves is a whisper that seasons change, but God’s glory never fades. Autumn tells us that endings can be beautiful, and transitions can be holy. The harvest season points to His provision, showing that God sustains both the earth and our souls. This colorful season calls us to rest in His presence, rejoice in His goodness, and trust in His faithfulness. The world around us is singing of His majesty, and we are invited to join in the chorus. Every falling leaf, every cool breeze, and every golden field is a reminder that God’s fingerprints are everywhere. And in noticing, our hearts are stirred to gratitude, wonder, and worship.

Reflection Question: Where have you seen God’s glory in the beauty of this autumn season, and how did it point your heart back to Him?

Prayer Prompt: “Lord, thank You for the breathtaking beauty of autumn. Help me slow down, notice Your handiwork, and let creation’s song of praise stir my heart to worship You more deeply.”

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September 29th – Joel 2:23

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Joel 2:23

Joel 2:23 reminds us that God is faithful to send the rain in its proper season to prepare the harvest. Just like autumn showers refresh the earth and bring color and abundance, God pours His Spirit into our dry places right when we need it most. Sometimes the waiting feels long, but He never forgets us. The same God who paints the trees with brilliant shades of gold and crimson knows how to restore joy and bring new life to weary hearts. Even in seasons of waiting, He is preparing us for the blessings yet to come. And when His rain falls, it brings abundance, joy, and renewal. Autumn reminds us that change can be beautiful, and that God’s timing is always perfect. The leaves don’t hurry to turn, and the harvest doesn’t rush to grow. So we too can trust His pace in our lives. His blessings are never late. They arrive right when our hearts are ready to receive them. That’s the beauty of walking with a God who sees the full picture when we only see the moment.

Reflection Question: What area of your life feels like a dry season, and how can you trust God to send His “autumn rain” at the right time?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank You for the beauty of autumn that reminds me of Your perfect timing. Refresh my soul with Your Spirit and teach me to trust You in every season.

September 29th – Joel 2:23 Read More »