Joy

July 2nd – John 8:36

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John 8:36

Dwight L. Moody once said, “If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you are free.” Throughout the month of July, we celebrate freedom as a nation. It’s a time to reflect on how precious freedom really is and to appreciate the many blessings we enjoy. But for me, that celebration isn’t complete without thinking about the greatest freedom I’ve ever been given. And that’s the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ.


Jesus didn’t simply come to make our lives a little better. He came to set us free. Free from the guilt of our past. Free from the power of sin. And free from shame, fear, and condemnation. He willingly laid down His life on the Cross so we could experience a freedom that nothing in this world can ever offer.

The freedoms we enjoy in this life are wonderful, but they can change with time. The freedom Jesus gives is different. It isn’t based on circumstances, governments, or anything this world can control. It is eternal. No one can take it away because it was purchased by the blood of Christ.

That truth gives me so much hope. No matter what happens around me, I know who I belong to. My heart has been set free, my sins have been forgiven, and my future is secure in Him.

As we celebrate freedom this month, let’s remember the freedom that matters most. The precious freedom Jesus died to give us. It is the greatest gift we will ever receive, and it is ours forever.

July 2nd – John 8:36 Read More »

July 1st – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

This month, our nation celebrates America’s 250th birthday. As we reflect on what freedom means to each of us, I hope we’ll never take lightly the sacrifices of the brave men and women who laid down their lives so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today. Their courage came at a great cost, and we honor them with grateful hearts.

But as thankful as I am for those freedoms, I’m reminded of an even greater freedom. One that could only be purchased by Jesus Christ. He willingly laid down His life on the Cross so we could be set free from the power of sin, guilt, shame, fear, and condemnation. No one took His life from Him. He gave it because He loves us.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Those words remind me that Jesus didn’t suffer and die so I would continue carrying the very burdens He came to remove. Too often, I find myself picking up worry, fear, bitterness, or trying to earn God’s approval, forgetting that Christ has already set me free.

As we celebrate freedom this month, may we remember the price that was paid. A price paid not only by those who defended our country, but by our Savior who gave everything so we could have eternal life. And because He laid down His life for us, may we choose each day to walk in the freedom He purchased, never returning to the chains He came to break. That is the greatest freedom of all.

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June 18th – Galatians 5:13

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Galatians 5:13

One of the most beautiful truths of the Gospel is that Jesus came to set us free. We no longer have to try to earn God’s love through rules, rituals, or religious performance. Salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Christ alone. Yet sometimes, after receiving that freedom, we can fall into the trap of using it the wrong way. We begin judging others, arguing over secondary issues, or expecting everyone to grow at the same pace we have.

But Galatians 5:13 reminds us that Christian freedom was never meant to make us proud. Instead, it was meant to make us loving. Jesus didn’t set us free so we could condemn others. He set us free so we could serve them. Instead of criticizing those who are struggling, we should encourage them. Instead of arguing over every difference, we should point people to Christ. Instead of acting as though we are the Holy Spirit in someone else’s life, we should trust God to continue the work He has begun in them.

Every believer is on a journey of growth and sanctification. The same grace that rescued us is the grace that will help others grow as well. Our role is not to burden people with religion, but to help them discover the freedom, joy, and hope found in Jesus. When we serve one another in love, we reflect the heart of Christ far more than we ever could by winning an argument.

The world has enough critics. What it needs is more believers who extend grace, offer encouragement, and lovingly help others walk in the freedom that Christ died to give them.


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June 16th – Ephesians 4:32

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Ephesians 4:32

When someone hurts us, our first reaction is rarely forgiveness. More often, we want them to hurt the way we hurt. We replay the conversation, rehearse what we wish we had said, and sometimes even imagine ways to get even. After all, if they caused us pain, shouldn’t they have to feel some pain too? Yet God’s Word points us in a very different direction.

The truth is that unforgiveness doesn’t hurt the other person nearly as much as it hurts us. Bitterness settles into our hearts, steals our peace, and affects the way we view others. It can damage our relationships, consume our thoughts, and create distance in our walk with God. The longer we hold on to an offense, the heavier the burden becomes.

That’s why Ephesians 4:32 calls us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Not because people always deserve it, but because Christ has forgiven us. Every one of us has fallen short. Every one of us has needed God’s mercy. If God were to treat us the way we often want to treat those who hurt us, where would we be? Instead, He extended grace, forgiveness, and love through Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened. It doesn’t mean the offense was acceptable, nor does it always mean reconciliation is possible. Sometimes healthy boundaries still need to remain. Forgiveness simply means releasing our right to revenge and trusting God to handle what we cannot. It means placing the hurt in His hands and allowing Him to heal our hearts.

The beautiful thing about forgiveness is that it sets us free. The person who benefits most from forgiveness is often not the one receiving it, but the one extending it. When we let go of bitterness, we make room for God’s peace, healing, and joy to fill our hearts once again. It isn’t always easy, but with God’s help, we can choose forgiveness just as Christ chose to forgive us.

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June 13th – John 14:27

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John 14:27

We live in a world that promises peace in all the wrong places. It tells us we’ll find it in money, success, relationships, possessions, entertainment, or having everything go according to plan. Yet even when people have all those things, many are still searching for something more. That’s because the peace our hearts long for can’t be found in anything this world has to offer.

Jesus offers a different kind of peace. A unshakable peace that isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s the peace that comes from knowing our sins are forgiven, our future is secure, and our lives are held in the hands of a loving Savior. The world can offer temporary distractions, but only Christ can calm a troubled heart. When life feels uncertain, we don’t have to be overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. We can rest in the presence of the One who is greater than every problem we face.

True peace isn’t found by looking around us; it’s found by looking to Jesus. The closer we walk with Him, the more we discover that the very thing we’ve been searching for has been found in Him all along!

June 13th – John 14:27 Read More »

June 4th – Luke 9:23

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Luke 9:23

When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t promise them an easy road. Instead, He invited them to follow Him, day by day, step by step. The same invitation is extended to us today. Walking with God isn’t a one-time decision, it’s a daily choice. Each morning we decide whether we will follow our own desires or trust God’s plan for our lives.

Some days that choice comes easily. Other days it means surrendering our worries, forgiving someone who hurt us, choosing obedience when it’s difficult, or trusting God when we don’t understand what He’s doing. Taking up our cross isn’t about carrying a burden God never intended for us to bear. It’s about laying down our own will and choosing His instead.

The beautiful thing is that Jesus never asks us to walk a path He hasn’t already walked Himself. He knows the challenges we face, the temptations we encounter, and the struggles we carry. Yet He promises to be with us every step of the way. As we continue to follow Him through both the joys and hardships of life, we discover that no sacrifice compares to the privilege of walking closely with our Savior.

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January 22nd – Joshua 1:8

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Joshua 1:8

One the most important commands God gave to the Jewish people was to remember His Word at all times. A command He gives to us as well. But why? God doesn’t tell us to keep His Word close just to test our obedience. It’s because He knows how quickly our hearts drift when we’re not anchored in His truth. I know for me when I step away from Scripture, my thoughts grow loud, my fears grow bigger, and I start leaning on my own understanding instead of His.

Joshua 1:8 reminds us that God’s Word is meant to be more than something we read once and set aside. Instead, it’s meant to be carried, remembered, and spoken over my lives daily. When we meditate on His Word, it steadies, realigns, and reminds us who God is and who we are in Him. His truth becomes the voice we listen to when the world is confusing and our emotions feel overwhelming. God commands us to remember His Word because He knows it leads us toward life, strength, and peace. When  keep His Word close to my heart, we’ll find ourselves walking with greater confidence. And not because life is easy, but because we’re guided by a faithful God who never leads us astray.

Reflection Question:
What voices or distractions tend to pull your heart away from God’s Word, and how can you intentionally keep His truth before you each day?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, help me treasure Your Word and carry it with me in my thoughts, my choices, and my heart. When I feel distracted, fearful, or overwhelmed, draw me back to Your truth. Teach me to meditate on Your Word daily so it can guide my steps, steady my heart, and shape my life according to Your will. Amen.

January 22nd – Joshua 1:8 Read More »

January 14th – Psalm 27:14

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Psalm 27:14

Billy Graham once said, “Each life is made up of mistakes, and learning, waiting, and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.” Waiting has never come easy for me, especially when my heart is hurting. Or worse yet, when I’m watching someone I love walk through pain I can’t fix. In a world that promises instant answers and quick relief, being told to wait on the Lord can feel almost unbearable. I catch myself wanting God to move on my timeline. To ease the ache now, and explain the why right away. But Psalm 27:14 gently reminds me that waiting isn’t passive or pointless, it’s an act of trust. Even when the days feel long and the pain feels heavy, God is still in control. He’s still working, and loving me through it all. And in the waiting, He gives strength I didn’t know I had. Strength to endure, hope, and stay rooted in faith when my emotions want to run ahead. I’m learning that waiting doesn’t mean being forgotten, it means being held. And in God’s timing, what feels unbearable now will one day make sense in the light of His goodness.

Reflection Question:
What situation in your life is God asking you to wait on Him, and how can you choose trust over impatience today?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, waiting is hard, especially when my heart is hurting. Help me to trust Your timing when I don’t understand Your ways. Give me strength to endure, peace in the pain, and confidence that You are working even when I cannot see it. Teach me to wait with hope, courage, and faith in Your unfailing love. Amen.

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January 12th – Romans 8:1

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Romans 8:1

Sadly, many times I’ve felt too dirty or ashamed to come before God. I feel pained by my sin, and weighed down by guilt that whispers I should hide instead of run to Him. Oh my head knows the truth. That when I confess and repent, God is faithful to forgive and remember my sin no more. (Heb. 8:12) But it can take awhile for my heart to catch up. And it’s the lingering guilt that gets me. But I find comfort in the words of Charles Spurgeon who said, “You are a great sinner, but He is a greater Savior.”

Guilt is one of the Enemy’s favorite weapons. Why? because it keeps us trapped in darkness, bondage, and distanced from God. But I know that’s not the heart of our Father. God wants me to receive His forgiveness fully. To walk forward not bent under shame, but free and joyful. Jesus didn’t die so I could live condemned, He died to set me free. And whom the Son sets free is truly free. (John 8:36) So even while I am still a work in progress, I am deeply thankful for a patient, loving God who calls me His beloved, not a pile of mistakes.

Reflection Question:
What guilt or shame am I still carrying that God has already forgiven and is asking me to release today?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord, thank You that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Help my heart believe what my mind knows. That Your forgiveness is complete and Your grace is enough. I surrender every lingering guilt and shame to You. Teach me to walk freely in the forgiveness Jesus purchased for me, trusting that I am Your beloved and not defined by my past. Amen.

January 12th – Romans 8:1 Read More »

January 10th – Hebrews 12:2

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Hebrews 12:2

When I was a little girl and life felt overwhelming, my Grandma was always the first person I turned to. No matter what I was facing, her response never changed. She would listen patiently, then gently say, “Honey, tough times don’t last, tough people do. Pray.” Hard seasons are part of life, and none of us can avoid them. For God has set a race set before each of us. And the way we endure whatever comes our way matters. When we keep our focus on Jesus alone, we can run that race with strength, perseverance, and even joy. Jesus, our perfect example, endured pain, sorrow, rejection, betrayal, and the shame of the cross. Yet He chose it willingly. He pressed on for the joy set before Him, fully surrendered to the Father’s will. And when we hit the wall, when we feel spent and ready to quit, remembering what Jesus endured for our redemption gives us strength to keep going. His sacrifice becomes our second wind, helping us press on so we do not grow weary or lose heart, but finish the race in victory.

Reflection Question:
When you feel weary or discouraged in your own race, what helps you refocus your eyes on Jesus and keep moving forward?

Prayer Prompt:
Lord Jesus, when the road feels long and my strength runs low, remind me of Your sacrifice and Your faithfulness. Help me fix my eyes on You, draw strength from what You endured for me, and run my race with perseverance, trusting You to carry me to the finish.

January 10th – Hebrews 12:2 Read More »